Module:Tonkin: The Indochina war 1950-54 (2nd edition)

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La Guerre D'Indochine, Tonkin: The First Indochina War, 1950-1954. This is the second edition, published by Legion Wargames and designed by Kim Kanger.

Version 1.4 hopefully fixes all unit errors. I added a inventory option and a bunch of small improvements to reporting. I am hoping this is the last maintenance version I must do. If nothing pops up in the next couple weeks (to mid to late July), I may then add the missing scenarios. This version contains only two scenarios: #1 (Cao Bang) which lets you also play the campaign, and #6 (Na San) the introductory scenario. Why don't I do them all? It is painful and time-consuming to create module scenarios, and if I later find an error (even a minor), then I must rebuild all scenarios from scratch. Consequently, I am reluctant to do others until I am fairly certain I won't have to do them again.

Before you start a game, remember to set a password in your preferences. Use something you will easily remember in case your profile is accidentally destroyed. After you choose a scenario, make sure you follow the setup procedure in section 9.

The module has certain features that need explanation.

1. The two political objective markers are stacked on the right side of the map. They are in a "two-card deck." When you pull a marker off the deck, you will get a random selection of one of the two markers. Place both as indicated in the scenario. You will see a red line outline of where the empty deck resides. Return the markers later to the deck to have them reshuffled and to ensure the FEF player does not know which is which. Each marker is a face-down "card". The FEF player cannot see its face unless the VM player flips it over. For the VM player to see its face, right click a marker and choose "peek." Only the VM player will see the peek.

2. Some pieces have red bulls-eye markers atop them. This means that the controlling player must do some re-adjustments for those units. See the Reinforcements charts to understand what that means. Then right-click the markers and delete them (^D).

3. There is a Markers window on the toolbar. It contains some useful markers besides trenches, deltas, roads, and highlands.

a. Pointers. If you are pbem-ing, use the red pointer to point to a stack that you are activating. Your opponent will thank you for it. If you right-click the pointer, you can label it as "x2", "truck", "air", and "sea" to identify your movement type. Use the second pointer to point to an overrun or battle (right-click to change).

b. Counter. There is a counter gadget that right-click cycles from 0 to 9. If you put two side by side, you can go from 0 to 99. You can use it to keep track of victory points, VP hexes, and used movement points, which is especially handy in pbem.

4. The module does not include the charts or rules. If only one player owns the game, then he must make copies of the pertinent charts.

5. On the toolbar, the "world" button hides all pieces and lets you see the map. The "control" button hides everything but the map, political objectives, and the highlands and delta markers so you can count them for victory points.

6. The Reinforcements button opens a window that contains all reinforcements for both sides. It does not contain all information you need. You must also consult the Reinforcements Chart. The supply depots are in Large Force box 3.

7. There are no markers for DG, step loss, and out-of-supply. Instead, right click a unit and toggle on or off the effect, which shows up on the counter. You can also kill units, which sends them to the proper locations.

8. I have overlayed a numbered grid over the map. I could not replicate the actual grid in Vassal. If you hover the cursor over a hex, it will show its coordinates. All reports use the overlayed grid. 9. There may be errors in this version. If you find any, tell me. Send a message to the maintainer (me) above. I will put any changes and fixes into next version (plus the missing scenarios -- hopefully.) You may also create a scenario yourself. Choose "scenario template" when you start. Follow the guidelines of scenario 1. (Mark units that may be re-adjusted with the red bullseye. Then press "retire" on the toolbar to become observer when you are done. Save the game, and you have a scenario. You can save me some work if you send it to me.

Players

 * stan@hilinski.net@Stan Hilinski