Visitors for Supper - Soviet Afghan War

Company Level PBEM Play: Yes Solo Play: Yes (You can choose both sides)

Panjsher Valley, 18 July 1982: In the summer of 1982, Soviet High command decided to strengthen and expand Afghan government power around the city of Rukha in the Panjsher valley. They decided to do this during the course of an operation in the Panjsher valley which involved Afghan government forces and a SPETSNAZ detachment. The Afghan Army had a series of security outposts on the dominant heights surrounding Rukha. These posts were poorly fortified, there were not enough soldiers and heavy weapons to hold them and the Afghan soldiers’ morale was low. The high command decided to reinforce the existing posts and to add additional outposts by assigning men from the 177th SPETSNAZ detachment.

31st SPETSNAZ Reconnaissance group from the 177th detachment was ordered to reinforce a series of critical hills near the Panjsher River. The SPETSNAZ group was small but well trained and equipped with heavy weapons including the deadly automatic grenade launchers. The Soviet forces carefully established firing positions and obstacles. The Soviet commander organized an uninterrupted schedule of observation and security. Three men were always on guard during the day and seven men were at night. About 1830 hours on 18 July, Soviet troops were eating dinner and observation was lax. Utilizing the relaxed routine of the enemy, Mujahideen forces (Hizb-i Islami Group) launched a surprise assault with heavy machine gun support. It was another lesson to learn in the guerrilla warfare.