LZ X-Ray "Charlie Don't Surf"

Last week, we returned to Vietnam to relive the 1st 30 minutes of LZ X-Ray in the Ia Drang River Valley.  Our scenario is based upon the moments that Company B touchdown in the LZ and gave them the mission objective of securing the LZ for 30 minutes until the next wave can arrive.  Kenny and James Split company B.  Aidan was the Vietcong.  His mission was to pin down every squad so they could not hold the LZ.  Aidan had hidden deployment.  I wonder how our Ia Drang Valley campaign went almost 70 years later...

Historically. Company B sent out patrols and formed a strike force because they knew they could not cover the entire perimeter of the LZ.  James and Kenny did some similar things.  James sent his one squad to the far end of the LZ to patrol and seek out the VC with the rest of his half forming a strike force. while Kenny sent one of his platoons on patrol while he formed a strike force.  Little known to them Aidan Deployed secretly at their end of the LZ hoping to catch them in an ambush.  Initially Aidan really hurt the first American Squads to enter the wood line but American Artillery and "Broken Arrow" saved the Americans multiple times.  Just like in reality.  Though Aidan had the numerical advantage the Artillery kept him at bay.  And James move to the opposite end of the table on turn 1 'won' the game because they were no where near any VC and could not be pinned down.  It was a fun game with tons of back and forth.  In the End, the Americans held the LZ long enough till reinforcements arrived.