From Bad to Worse**

Meeting Engagement: USA vs. NVA*
Phouc Tuy Province, South Vietnam*
October 16, 1966*
Turns: 10**

Scenario Size: Small*
Estimated Playing Time: 1 Hour+**

Design: Wild Bill Wilder*
bwilder@bellsouth.net**

Testers: Stephen Porter, Lars Remmen, Tom DeShetler**

Please note: This is an easier version of Scenario 128. It is designed for the less experienced player and will give you opportunity to deal with enemy emplacements, mines and a few other surprises. For the more experienced player, scenario 128 is recommended. Its a bit tougher.**

Designer Notes: This can be played as a one or two player game. This version is much more suitable to a two player game. If as a one Player Scenario, it should be played from the US side.**

In preferences, set artillery to slow to get the effect of the moment before starting this battle.**

The scenario is a recreation of US artillery mistakenly striking US troops and their resultant panic and confusion resulting from such an event. It also portrays an enemy ambush, which was often the case in "The Nam."**

Your Orders:**

Captain McIntyre, get your men out of that area of friendly fire and onto that ridge. The medevac and support ship will be there shortly. We have intel that Victor Charlie is in your area somewhere, so be alert!**

Historical background:**

To be killed in battle is a tragedy for so many young men and women. That tragedy is compounded when their death is a result of fire from their own side.**

Charlie Company of the 16th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) was on a Search and Destroy mission when it came under friendly fire, mistakenly called in by another company of his battalion on the same mission further to the south.**

Captain Walter McIntyre ordered his men onto the ridge to escape the deadly artillery. He then called for a medevac to take out those wounded by the mistake.**

While reconnoitering the ridge, the 2nd Platoon found evidence of an abandoned NVA base camp.**

Suddenly and violently the enemy opened up from hidden positions, adding to the grief of the young captain. A number of men went down quickly. As the helicopters came on the scene, hidden machine guns opened up on them, riddling them. The choppers were forced to withdraw and the Captain was on his own. Then enemy troops viciously charged the beleaguered GIs.**

In the melee which followed, the fighting became close in and vicious. Badly wounded, with his left arm shattered by enemy fire, McIntyre called for support. One battery of 105s responded, this time more on target.**

Then a flight of Thuds (F-105s) called for smoke markers to indicate the enemy locations and to avoid a repeat of the earlier fiasco.**

The men of Charlie Company apprehensively watched the big jets fly low right over them but they were on target, hitting the enemy and forcing him to withdraw.**

Charlie Company had held, but a tremendous cost. Casualties were high and his men talked bitterly among themselves about the terrible error that had forced them into an even worse situation.**

It was just another grim example of how frustrating and costly the American war in Vietnam would become.**

Sources:**

The Rise and Fall of an American Army – Stanton*
The Vietnam Experience – Page, Pimlott, editors*