ION '07

French action began at 1200 on Saturdy as we assisted in helping defend our beaches along side German forces, against the invading Allied forces. While the French were defending the left beachhead against the landing Allies in front, the 101st Airborne division was knocking on our back door. At about the same time that the Allies had punched a hole though the middle of the beach, word was spread that German forces were attacking our French base at “Le Grand Bunker”. French forces were now fighting Opfor on three sides with our backs to the tapeline and I was personally running out of ammo. I even borrowed a pod before leaving the beach to resupply and reinforce our base defense.

As I was walking off the field, the French forces appeared to have started falling back to protect our base and keep the Germans outside the base perimeter. Seizing the chance to rid our lands of the German occupiers, we resupplied with air and paint to join with the Allied forces. Together we pushed the Germans away from our base back to Benouville (aka ‘the hood’) and prevented German movement into interior France. The fighting at Benouville was fierce as the Germans had a strong hold of the town. The French MASH unit was nowhere to be found and Refs to punch medic cards were scarce. Our French contingent regrouped at our GP tent. Armed with fresh pods and full tanks we took to the field at 1700 to try to intercept German mission teams. A capture of one of their flags would drive the message home to the German leadership that the French no longer wanted their occupation. A counter-clockwise sweep of the field around the centrally located French base indicated that the French controlled about 2/3rds of the battlefield at the time. At around 180˚ of our sweep we came across one squad of Allied forces running a mission. For all intent and purpose, German misson taking was shut down.

At nearly 270˚ we came to the town at Benouville again where the Germans were still maintaining their tight grip despite being almost completely surrounded by Allies. They weren’t running missions but they were flying a beautiful German flag. One that if caught would send the message to the German command loud and clear. With eyes on the flag, our group of 10-12 sprinted around the outskirts of the town till we found a good place to push in. As we rushed in, we drew in and rallied a handful or two of the troops in the immediate area. Markers up and paint flying we provided a base of fire for each other as we took angles on the opfor and advanced into the town. The town had been surrounded for some time but our war cry had resonated through all the attacking force and the town folded like a deck of cards. Unfortunately the flag was taken as the Germans made their hasty escape from the town. Unfortunately as well, when the flag carrier was pursued and eliminated he did not drop the flag. Instead it was rolled up and carried off before we could bring it to any ref’s attention. We may have not gotten our flag but I think the message was sent. At this point, the Germans were pushed to and contained at the Beach and their Base at Normandy. With some paint left we decided to make an attempt to capture the German MASH unit. That proved a bit difficult when the stretcher of the Mash unit was being used as a shield that was healing the people shooting from behind it. (read painball instead of paintball! Not ‘are you hit?’ but ‘Have you had enough hits to cry uncle?’) From our position at the edge of the Beach, we decided that what we actually just accomplished was giving points to the Allies for possession of Benouville as opposed to reaping any reward for leading the assault that made it fall. We did not end up with the points we were looking for with a capture of a German Flag. We did have the satisfaction of knowing we pushed the Germans ‘right outta Dodge’ so to say!

While resupplying at our GP tent, word had gotten to us that the Germans were losing the beach and were on the verge of being cornered in their base. French command had decided that a platoon-sized mixed detachment would be sent to bolster the German defense and help defend the beach. (‘mixed’ from a few of the teams within the French forces) I’m not sure what we gained in return other than, honestly, a few hundred Germans that might’ve decided to stay and play a second day of paintball!

Upon arriving at the beach with literally a truck-full, AND TRAILER-FULL, of troops, it was obvious that the Germans had lost the beach. The Allies had rolled all the tube bunkers to the edge of the treeline and the German forces were pushed into Normandy. Once cleared by German command, we inserted at the German insertion point and spread out along the treeline. After we covered a few angles and eliminated some of the players hidden amongst the tube bunkers, I jumped up to the tubes and began to push. Following the lead, the whole front lines took to the tubes and before long the we pushed 100 yards or so and the Germans were starting to gain a foothold back on the beach. Having helped turn the tides and running out of paint and air, the French reinforcements started withdrawing as German replacements came forward. The drive still had momentum as we wlked off the field.

By the time we were back to our tent to resupply, night had fallen. We headed out to our base at “Le Grand Bunker” to provide base defense. While I cannot say things were quiet, base defense for the night was largely uneventful. Shortly after 2300, gameplay was halted and we exited the field.

Sunday Gameplay started at 0900. I arrived at the French base at 0920 due to having to procure a third case of paint earlier in the morning. It was understood that at this point, the Germans had no way of winning the event but they could still challenge the French for 2nd place. The French might also see some action from the Allied Forces looking to secure and extend their lead. Only time would tell what the day’s event would hold.

...To be contiued...