The Vinh Raid

The Vinh Raid is a counterfactual historical wargame based on a real U.S. Marine operational plan from February 1971. During Lam Son 719, two rifle companies of Battalion Landing Team 3/9 were prepared to fly into North Vietnam, seize Vinh airfield, demolish its facilities, and withdraw within twenty-four hours. The force rehearsed the mission, but the order to cross the coast never came. The game begins as if it had.

Over eight three-hour turns, the Marine companies must secure the airfield, deal with anti-aircraft defenses and an uncertain garrison, demolish key targets, and get back out before the North Vietnamese response closes around the landing zone. Enemy strengths are partly hidden, and local and regional reaction forces arrive as the raid develops.

Air power is both an advantage and a liability. Helicopter movement, Cobra support, and extraction increase Air Engagement and therefore the risk of casualties. The player must continually trade speed and firepower against exposure, then decide whether to follow the planned helicopter extraction, risk a hot landing zone, or fall back on the slower boat contingency. Success depends not simply on the damage done at Vinh, but on getting the Marines home.

—description from the designer