Crisis in Ylaruam: US forces land in the Asanda Delta

In my last post on this topic, I created the fictional emirate of Ylaruam on the Red Sea coast, sandwiched somewhere between Sudan and Egypt. I am currently using Not Just A Brush War from Nordic Weasel Games to create a campaign setting for modern miniatures gaming. Last time we ended by discovering that Ylaruam was facing the strong possibility of US military action.

In this, the first turn of the campaign, Ylaruam must choose one of a number of national level actions. The government decides to go with Diplomacy, reaching out to neighbour Sudan for assistance. 

This is a good choice, as Sudan has a common enemy (does not get on with the Clinton administration), common religion (Sunni Islam) and a compatible government type. This gives Ylaruam a hefty +13 bonus to the roll. We roll an 84 including the bonus, which brings Ylaruam a treaty of friendship with Sudan. This gives Ylaruam a +3 relationship bonus with Sudan. It's a start.

Ylaruam has a base Military Force rating of 4, calculated off its moderate population size, plus strong showing in heavy industry and its modern air force.

We establish four hot spots as the US invasion begins. I'm using the map of Ylaruam from Mystara, but presuming the east coast sits on the Red Sea. The capital therefore is located deep in the interior, and I'm assuming US forces will be starting their attack on the coast. 

There are five small coastal settlements on the main coast, plus three more possible targets in the neighbouring emirate of Jaibul, which is a dominion of Ylaruam's. This has the important container port at Jaibul and the neighbouring fishing port at Jahore. There is also the village of Vidhaya in the Asanda River delta. All look set to be part of the US amphibious operation, but we need to find out where the main focus of the US invasion will be.

A quick snapshot of the province of Putnabad showing Jahore and Vidhaya, the latter the location of Operation Shark. Vidhaya will be the site of the first battle of the campaign, as divisional HQ in Jahore needs to respond to the US landing here. Ylaruam forces in Jahore will need to move against the US forces in the delta area.

Looking at the highway system in Ylaruam, the Americans will want to secure the best beachheads that provide them with access to that road system. Jaibul is likely too heavily defended, so the best points of attack are Jahore and Vidhaya in the north, and Cubia and Tameronikas in the far south. I have four hotspots to determine, so will roll for each of these. 

In Tameronikas and Cubia we have reports of US patrols, which could just be initial scouting landings by SEALs and nothing to worry about. Or maybe they are something more. There is also a patrol report near Jahore. 

The big problem could be in Vidhaya, where there is an enemy incursion (Operation Shark). So far this just looks like probing operations, but Ylaruam has to respond with its military points. I decide that Operation Shark constitutes the main threat, and put three points towards that, with the fourth allocated to the situation in Jahore. This is more of a low grade threat.

From Vidhaya the Americans can potentially move south to threaten the port at Jahore. This looks like it will be the main thrust this turn. The battle in Vidhaya - aka Operation Shark - will be the game for the first turn of the campaign. More on that later.