Introduction

At the start of the scenario, Iraqi forces were split into two elements: a dense armored and mechanized stack containing units B01, B02, B03, and B04 at Hex A4, with unit B05 screening ahead at Hex A07.

The Coalition forces held defensive positions across the sector. Saudi unit A04 guarded the northern outskirts of Khafji at Hex J6. Further south, Saudi HQ unit A01 sat at Hex F12, unit A02 at Hex F11, Qatari unit A05 at Hex G11, and Saudi unit A03 anchored Hex H11.-

Coalition won the initiative roll but strategically chose to hand first movement to Iraqi forces. The Iraqi recon unit B05 pushed aggressively forward to Hex F6, while the main Iraqi brigade stack advanced to Hex C6. In response, the Coalition player advanced Saudi unit A03 along the highway toward Hex I8 and pushed Qatari unit A05 into Hex E9 to set up an intercept angle (this was a mistake; as the Coalition player, I should have dashed right into Khafji. This decision would ultimately cause the Coalition player to give up after Turn 3).

Coalition forward units quickly picked up Iraqi movement. Saudi recon unit A04 achieved a targeted lock on Iraqi unit B05, while unit A03 also acquired detection. Meanwhile, Iraqi unit B03 achieved a targeted lock on the Qatari unit A05.

The Qatari unit A05 seized the opening strike opportunity, opening fire at half range against Iraqi unit B05. Rolling a decisive attack total, unit A05 completely destroyed Iraqi unit B05.

The remaining Iraqi units at Hex C6 retaliated at maximum range against unit A05. Although Iraqi unit B02 scored a suppression hit and unit B04 inflicted damage, your Qatari troops passed their morale check with a score of 15 against a target of 12, holding their ground firmly despite taking damage.

Winning initiative with a +2 modifier, the Coalition elected to move first, withdrawing the damaged Qatari unit A05 back to Hex G11 to stabilize its line while moving Saudi unit A02 forward to Hex H8. Iraqi forces responded by splitting their forces, advancing unit B02 to Hex G7 and moving units B01, B03, and B04 to Hex F6.

The Coalition forces detection efforts paid off. A04 targeted Iraqi armor B02 at Hex G7, while Saudi unit A03 targeted unit B03 at Hex F6. In turn, Iraqi forces acquired detections on Saudi units A02 and A03.Engagement Phase

Coalition ground forces combined with off-board artillery support neutralized the main Iraqi armored threat. Initial direct fire from Saudi units A03 and A04 suppressed Iraqi unit B02,  then Coalition artillery strike on Hex G7, scored a total attack of 14 against unit B02's defense of 9, completely destroying the Iraqi armor unit.

In response, Iraqi unit B04 fired upon Saudi unit A03, placing a suppression status on that unit.

Iraqi forces won the initiative and immediately launched a push into the town itself. Iraqi unit B03 occupied urban Hex J7 in Khafji, while units B01 and B04 moved into adjacent urban Hex I7. Coalition forces repositioned Saudi unit A02 to Hex I6, moved suppressed unit A03 to Hex H7, and moved the damaged unit Qatari armoured unit, A05 to Hex I8.

Iraqi units achieved a targeted lock on Saudi unit A03 and detected Qatari unit A05. Coalition reconnaissance units counter-detected Iraqi unit B04 at Hex I7 and unit B03 at Hex J7.

Iraqi forces called in an artillery strike against Saudi unit A03, destroying the unit. Iraqi unit B03 followed up with direct fire against Qatari unit A05, suppressing it once again.

You retaliated with full Coalition air and artillery power. Your artillery strike hit Iraqi unit B03 in Hex J7, but the heavy urban cover allowed the Iraqi troops to suffer no effect. You then called in close air support against Iraqi unit B04, scoring a roll that suppressed the unit. A follow-up direct attack by Saudi unit A02 inflicted damage on unit B04.

With Iraqi mechanized units dug into the urban buildings of Khafji and Saudi unit A03 destroyed, the Coalition player made the tactical decision to concede the engagement and fall back to regroup. In historical and operational terms, holding off further head-on assaults into fortified urban sectors to await heavy operational reinforcements is the most prudent tactical call, though in this case it caused me to suffer a defeat.