1973 Arab-Israeli War-Fistful of Tows 3-AAR

I bought Fistful of Tows 3 (FFT3) quite some time ago but never played it.   For some reason I can't recall for some reason this week my interest in the 1973 War, particularly the Golan Front, was piqued again. So I decided I'd play a small solo game of FFT3 to try the rules out.

I set up a small battle, not a historical scenario, but one reminiscent of the very desperate fighting put up by the overwhelmingly outnumbered Israeli defenders on the Golan.

In FFT 3 each stand (vehicle or infantry) represents a platoon.

Israeli Forces:

4 x Centurion Sh'ot Kal

2 x Mech infantry in M3 half tracks.

1 x Mech infantry command in M113 Z (yes, they weren't in service in 1973, but I don't have other command vehicles).


The Israeli forces are rated "Excellent"--Their fire is more accurate and they have a higher rate of fire.


Syrian Forces: 

2 x Tank Battalions (9 T-62 each)

1 x Mech Infantry Battlion (9 infantry platoons in BTR-60PB)

The Israeli tanks are in prepared positions on a ridge, defending.  The Syrians attack from the other end of the table, their objective to break through.

The Syrians I rated Average.  They're standard troops. No bonuses or reductions.


Here's what the table looks like.  No cover, just open ground.

The Israeli tank guns out range the Syrians 16" to 12" .  And the Israelis in their tank emplacements couldn't be detected until the Syrians were within 10" (1000 meters) unless they fired,  so the Israelis controlled the point at which the engagement began.

Here are the Syrians moving up with the Israelis waiting for them to close into range. The Syrians used Strategic Movement, which lets them travel 2x their normal rate, the only restriction being that they can't come within 10" of an enemy. It also makes them more vulnerable to enemy fire.

The Syrian Infantry Battalion in their BTR's outpaced the tanks, and moved up in an attempt to get around the Israeli left flank.  The Israelis opened fire at about 1500 meters (15" in the game) and eliminated four out the 9 platoons in the Syrian Battalion in the opening salvo.

They remaining platoons quickly move up and  disembark in an effort to close with the Israeli tanks and bring their RPGs to bear.

In the meantime, on the Syrian left flank to two Tank Battalions have come into range of the Israelis.  The Sh'ot open fire and knock out three platoons of T-62's.  The losses would have been worse, but the Syrian tanks made a number of Quality Checks (they need a 5+ to pass or be eliminated).

The Syrian Tank Battalion in the middle of the table is now in range of the Israeli tanks that have fired on the Syrian Mech infantry.  They open fire on the Israelis but the prepared positions prevent them from suffering any losses.

I will continue the game later.  The Syrians are about to have their turn and it looks like their infantry may get to assault the Israeli tanks.   Stay tuned.