CROSS FIRE FOR THE KOREAN WAR

Chinese attack supressed (red markers) Marine platoon

The Forgotten War, Korea, seems to be essentially forgotten in wargaming as well. The Korean War has at least as many situations that can be gamed using Cross Fire (CF) as does WWII. Perhaps more, as there were many small company-sized actions in very mountainous terrain. Yet there are enough similarities to the armies of WWII that the transition is easy. There are a few new weapons and new organizations (especially the Chinese) to be researched, but this is not insurmountable. I have always been interested in the period as it was the war I grew up with and the numerous possible scenarios present different problems than does WWII. For those of you not familiar with CF, I recommend this site: http://crossfire.wargaming.info/.

NKPA

The North Korean People’s Army of 1950 used essentially Russian organization and tactical battle concepts.  They were well armed and supplied and especially well trained. Soon after the Inchon invasion, their quality diminished as the veteran cadre was killed off and replaced by Green recruits. The Btn. support weapons and higher echelon support weapons were reduced to lower levels from Oct. 1950 to Aug 1951. After Aug. 1951., the NKPA built up to its previous levels.

LEG INFANTRY BATTALION

(June-Oct 1950, veteran; Nov 1950-Aug 1951 , Green; after Aug. 1951, Regular)

Battalion Headquarters:

1-BC (+1)

1-Commissar (+1)

                Machinegun Company

                3-HMGs

                Mortar Company

                3-82mm Mortars

                Anti-Tank Platoon

                1-45mm ATG/Truck

                Anti-Tank Rifle Platoon

                1-PC

    3-Sqds w/14.5mm ATR

                3-Infantry Companies, ea.(55/37/44pts) with:

                1CC(+1)

                1-SMG Sqd.

                                Company Heavy Weapons

                                1 HMG

                                                3-Rifle Platoons; each with:

                                                1-PC(+1)

                                                2-Rifle Squads

                                                1-SMG Squad

Infantry Fire Support

12 FMs                   82mm Mortars                       6

12 FMs                   120mm Mortars                     7             

12 FMs                   76mm Infantry Gun                6

4 FMs                     122mm Howitzer                   10

T34/85

SU-76

CHINESE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY

The Chinese forces that came over the Yalu River in Sept-Oct 1950 were light troops armed with mostly sub-machine guns, rifles, grenades and other small arms. Their heavy artillery was left on the Chinese side of the river. They had no armor until later (1951) when they used North Korean armor remnants supplemented with some Russian re-supply.

The Chinese PCs did not provide much direction to their platoons, the command structure commanding from the Company HQ level. In CF the Chinese squads must have a LOS to their PC at both the beginning and end of a move (as Russians). The PCs must have a LOS to the CC or Commissar at the beginning of a move

The CC and the Political Commissars were equally able to command the troops but at company level. Maneuver is by whole company and the loss of both the CC and the Commissar renders the Company ineffective and it will withdraw.

The Chinese in Melee ignore pins, but a suppress is a kill. 

The Chinese may use Human Wave attacks as in Hit the Dirt:

LEG INFANTRY BATTALION

(Nov 1950-1953, Regular)

Battalion Headquarters:

1-BC (+1)

1-Commissar (+1)

                Weapons Company

                1-HMG Platoon (1 HMG Sqd)

                1-82mm Mortar Platoon (1 81mm Mortar)

                1-57mm RR Platoon ( 1 57mm  Recoiless Rifle)

               

                3-Infantry Companies, ea.(55/44pts) with:

                1CC(+1)

               

                                Company Heavy Weapons

                                1-60mm Mortar

                                1-3.5” Bazooka

                                1-HMG

                                               

                                                1 Rifle Platoon with

                                                1-PC(0)   Has no value in combat nor in rallying

                                                3-Rifle Squads

                                      1 SMG Platoon with

                                                1-PC(0)   Has no value in combat nor in rallying

                                                3-SMG Squads

                                       1-Hand Grenade Platoon with: (+2 in close combat)

            1-PC(0)   Has no value in combat nor in rallying

                                                3-Hand Grenade  Squads

NOTE: can add 1 sqd of the proper type to each platoon for and additional 13.5/9 pts(veteran /regular) to the company.

Infantry Fire Support                                           Pts

12 FMs                   82mm Mortars                       6

12 FMs                   120mm Mortars                     7             

12 FMs                   76mm Infantry Gun                 6             Jan 52 on

4 FMs                     122mm Howitzer                   10            Jan 52 on

OTHER KOREAN WAR ARMIES

ROK

The beginning of the war saw the S. Koreans (ROK) poorly armed and with few unit exceptions( 17^th Independent Rgt), poorly trained. Later they added more modern weaponry from the U.S. and per force became more experienced and able on the battle field.

June 1950- May 1952

During this period there were only 3 105mm Btns to support the entire ROK army – they were with the 7^th and 8^th Divisions. So in scenarios involving those units, off-board Hvy. Arty. is allowed.

LEG INFANTRY BATTALION

(June 1950 –May 1952, Green: After May, 1952, Regular)

Battalion Headquarters:

1-BC (0)

                1 57mm ATG w/truck (from Division resources)(3 pts). 

               Hvy Weapons Company (20pts)

                2 HMG

                2 82mm Mortars w/FO (off Table).

               

                3-Infantry Companies, ea.(42.5/47pts) with:

                1CC(+1)

               

                                Company Heavy Weapons

                                1 HMG

                                1 60mm Howitzer

                                                3-Rifle Platoons; each with:

                                                1-PC(0)

                                                3-Rifle Squads

                                               

Infantry Fire Support                                           pts

12 FMs                   82mm Mortars                       6

BRITAIN

The first British contingent the 27^th Bde., made up of the 1^st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 1^st Middlesex Rgt. Arrived in late August of 1950. Other Commonwealth forces joined as the war progressed until a full Commonwealth Division was in place by July 1951. The British were in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, including the retreat from the Chosin.

LEG INFANTRY BATTALION

(Aug -Dec1950, Regular; Jan 1951-on, Veteran)

Use the organization from Cross Fire for WWII except that each Btn. had only 2 companies until Sept/Oct 1950. Initially their support arm was American tanks and artillery with Centurian tanks arriving in Nov 1950. They proved too heavy for the Korean bridges and thus saw limited action.                                      

Infantry Fire Support

12 FMs                   2”  Mortars                            4

12 FMs                   3”  Mortars                            6             

12 FMs                   4.2” Mortars                          7

Use US Hvy Artillery

Centurian Mk 3 (After Nov 1950)                      6

WEAPONS FOR THE KOREAN WAR

Most of the weaponry for the Korean War is from WWII and the charts in Cross Fire may be used. The T34/85, SU76, 81mm, 60mm and 120mm mortars for the North Koreans and Chinese and the 2.5” Bazooka, the mortars, the M4 WWII Sherman tanks the “super” E8  Sherman and the M36 for the UN forces from the original rules all apply. Actually all of the WWII US material can be used.

 Upgrades are needed for the 3.5” bazooka, the 57mm and 75mm Recoilless Rifles, The M26/M46 Pershing/Patton tanks, the M24 Chaffee, and M16s (quad 50 cal MG on a ½ track).

Totally new rules are needed for Air Support, Flame Throwers, Napalm (all used in WWII but unaddressed in the original Cross Fire.).

NAME	ARM	ACC	PEN	HE/EFF	HD	POINTS
M46 Patton	6/3	2	2	5/2SQ	YES	9
M24 Chaffee	3/2	1	0	4/2SQ	YES	9
M3 Centurion	6/4	2	3	5/2SQ	YES	9
3.5” Bazooka	-	-2	2	2SQ	NO	2 per SQ
57mm RR	-	-2	2	2SQ	NO	3
75mm RR	-	-1	3	2SQ	NO	3
M16	1/1	MG		2 X 4/2 SQ*	NO	10
				*2 separate throws of 4/2sq

FIGURES FOR THE KOREAN WAR

The armor and vehicles for both sides are essentially WWII vintage. The US and other UN troops were virtually the same as those who fought in WWII though rivet counters may disagree as to some small details. Companies abound that carry those figures. The problem is the Chinese and N. Korean infantrymen .Companies that carry Korean War North Koreans and Chinese figures follow. If you can add any to the list please contact me.. 

15mm

Eureka is introducing a new line of 15mm figures for the period. They will be available at Historicon '11. I will have a review of samples sent this week.

http://www.eurekamin.com.au/

Quality Castings. Most of my figures are QC from before they sold the company. They are still available from:

http://www.warweb.com/quality-casting-modern-c-70_153_319.html?osCsid=10e1faaf15484c64f74bfce94f591fb3

Khurasan Miniatures

They have Chinese Infantry in winter uniforms

http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/chinese-korean-war.html

QRF

http://quickreactionforce.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=440

20mm

Imex (various stockists) makes a line of Korean War 20mm plastic infantry. Unfortunately the Chinese are only presently available in summer uniforms

 R H Models has an extensive  line of 20 mm Korean War figures http://www.rhmodels.com/

25mm

1^st Corps has Chinese and British infantry

http://www.1stcorps.co.uk/