Mission
Paintball Games
"WWII: Allied Invasions"
June 25, 2005 was a real scorcher at 90° plus, but
that didn't keep 102 Mission Paintball enthusiasts from gathering
at Three Rivers Paintball Park of Freedom, PA from taking part
in the latest Mission Masters paintball game "WWII: Allied
Invasions." Mission Paintball is recreational paintball
gaming mixed with short storylines, characters, and props. Mission
Paintball games are played in timed segments much like traditional
"Capture the Flag." Each team has certain goals or
objectives to complete during each game segment. Successful
goals and objectives are rewarded with points to overall team
scores. Each WWII mission is summarized in sequence throughout
this article.
Omaha
Beach - June 6, 1944
The action began with the invasion of Omaha Beach. Not allowed
to advance, The German team set a solid line of defense before
the starting horn sounded. To score, the Allies needed to advance
their flag over the Germans' "Line of Defense." A
fierce battle ensued as the Allies came into range. The German
defense stood strong for the length of the mission. Unable to
break down the Germans and capture their flag, the Airborne
invaders rallied in the last minute getting a lone flag carrier
to sprint over the "Line of Defense" scoring for the
team. Both teams scored with the Allies slightly ahead.
Utah
Beach - June 6, 1944
The second mission was at Utah Beach where the Allies needed
to destroy three German mortar emplacements. The German team's
defensive strategy had proven it wasn't going to be easy. Bonus
points were up for grabs at the center of the playing field
where a German ammo truck was broken down. The Airborne Combat
Glider Troops started from the area where their combat glider
"landed" while the Airborne Paratroopers started some
parallel distance away. After the horn sounded, the Germans
were the first to arrive at the stranded ammo truck. They were
able to unload and escape with three of four crates under Allied
fire. The Allied advance allowed them to capture the remaining
crate, but they didn't succeed in destroying any mortar emplacements
because a small group of Germans flanked and eliminated some
Airborne Specialists needed to place explosives at each of the
mortar emplacements. Without them, the Allies could not score.
The German team had a solid lead when this mission was over.
Battle
of Brecourt - June 6, 1944
Historically, the Battle of Brecourt was defined by Airborne
heroic actions to destroy artillery firing on the Normandy Beaches.
This paintball mission was much the same - German artillery
crews defended their positions while Airborne forces were to
eliminate the Germans and destroy two artillery pieces. Each
team was assigned a secondary mission for bonus points. At the
horn, Airborne Combat Glider troops rushed from their glider
insertion point into battle. Specialized players from each team
picked more cautious routes to their objectives. It was tough
battle with ground taken and given by both teams. An Allied
rescue team successfully extracted an injured civilian (dummy)
from Brecourt Manor, while a small group of Germans got lost
trying to locate and capture Allied supplies - but they got
back on track and pulled it off with time to spare at the end
of the mission. The Allies successfully forced their way in
destroying one artillery piece, while thinning German forces
were able to maintain control at the other. In the end of this
mission, both teams pulled out equal points to added to their
overall scores - The Germans still had a solid lead, however,
the tides of battle were about to sway in favor of the Allies.
Carentan
- June 10, 1944
The Allied forces of Omaha Beach and Utah Beach were to link
up. The German occupied village of Carentan is between these
beaches and about to come under attack. The Allied team was
split in two representing the Allied forces of Omaha and Utah
Beaches. They started at opposite sides of Carentan and out
of sight of the Germans. The German team, already known for
its tough defensive stance in previous missions, would have
their work cut out for them trying to keep Allied Airborne troops
from surrounding and capturing their command post and commanding
officer (dummy). In addition, both teams would have their combat
specialists scoring bonus points by setting and disabling anti-tank
mines on a road to Carentan. At the horn, The German team quickly
set up a perimeter of defense and sent their specialists out
for anti-tank mining. It didn't take long for the Allies to
organize and converge on the German occupied village. The Allies
cut-off and defended the Germans route to the anti-tank mines.
Despite their efforts and various routes, the German specialists
could not battle through the Allied positions at the road to
Carentan and could not get near any of the anti-tank mines.
Meanwhile the battle around the village raged on. The Airborne
troops kept tightening the knot over the duration of the mission.
The German infantry found themselves running out of paint and
air - it became a desperate situation for any remaining in the
village. In the last minute, a heroic group of Allies stormed
the German command post capturing it and the German officer.
The Allies would take a full score of points leaving the
Germans with none. Now the Allies were back in the game with
a commanding lead.
Market Garden - September 17-27, 1944
Five bridges, well… flag stations for paintball game purposes,
were up for grabs this mission. The center flag station at "Arnhem"
would be the scene of the most heated battle as it was worth
the most points. The Airborne Glider troops played a key role
in this mission. Both teams quickly located and snagged two
flag stations and raised their colored flags indicating their
control. Airborne Glider troops were the first to arrive at
Arnhem. They "dug-in" and put up a very effective
defensive perimeter around Arnhem. The Germans closed in pressing
their attacks from numerous angles. There were heavy losses
for both teams, but the Allies held on until the end. Both teams
scored with the Allies receiving the bulk of the points. The
Allies commanding lead over the Germans grew even larger.
Secret
Weapons of WWII - September 1944
If the Germans were going to get back into the game they needed
to do it now. There were many objectives for both teams to accomplish
this mission. The Germans had a plan. At the horn, a large number
of German infantry rushed to mid-field and organized a wall
of furious battle. More German infantry and specialists followed,
completing objectives in the territory they now occupied. The
Airborne troops were not about to rest now - they were successful
in destroying one of two Secret Weapons and were seeking to
capture a German rocket scientist. An especially exciting battle
took place at the second V2 Rocket Base. The Allies had control
of the remaining V2 Rocket Base, but could not get their specialists
in to destroy it. A small group of German infantry and specialists
methodically battled their way into the besieged Rocket Base.
With less than five minutes remaining, the German team concentrated
on that area eliminating Allied occupation and forcing an Allied
retreat into a nearby fortress. With that, the Germans completed
all of their objectives pulling a full score out of this mission.
They were back in the game, trailing by only 15 points.
Battle
of the Bulge - December 1944
This would be one of the most important battles of the day for
both teams. The Allies could put the proverbial "nail-in-the
coffin" for German hopes, while the Germans could possibly
take the lead if they completed all of their objectives once
again. Despite heat and exhaustion, these teams pulled together
for another spirited showdown. The Allies would be defending
their artillery emplacements and the port at Antwerp (bunker)
to the rear of their position. The Germans split into two groups
and began a slow uphill trek toward the Allies "Line of
Defense" as the Allies braced for the coming attack. The
attack was slow to start, but gained momentum promptly as the
teams exchanged volleys of paint. German progress was slow,
but steady. The German infantry attacking the center of the
field did not fare well. Allies seemed to be everywhere and
pulling duty with experienced precision. Meanwhile, the German
infantry and specialists on the right side of the field were
determined to score for at least one objective to keep them
in the game. Again the methodical advance into Allied territory
was proving effective. With less than five minutes and a fraction
of players remaining, a heroic trio of Germans charged an artillery
emplacement eliminating the remaining Allies there. Explosives
were delivered to the target and the Germans would push their
chances for a win into the final mission.
Eagles
Nest - May 1945
This was the final showdown and the Allies turn to attack. The
game would be won or lost by the results of this mission. Any
lost points for the Germans would mean losing the game. 2/3
of the German team spread out protecting the front and flanks
of the "Eagle's Nest." About 1/3 of the team was poised
to make an escape run with gold bullion. The Airborne strategy
was to advance two groups into the forward flanks of the Germans.
At the horn, a group of Germans sprinted to the deliver the
gold at a forward outpost. They arrived, delivered the gold,
and set up to defend the outpost. If the Allies so much as laid
a hand on the gold, it would be over for the Germans. The Allies
attacked from the front flanks, but the Germans were prepared.
The outpost was taking fire from both Allied positions, yet
somehow managed to hang on. The Allies applied pressure to all
of the German positions. Because this was the final mission,
players were determined to exhaust their paint and air supply.
The stubborn German defense refused to budge. Eliminations were
thinning both teams. The Allies were running out of time to
capture the Eagle's Nest. Something would happen soon. With
one minute remaining, the Allies focused on the outpost and
capturing the gold. This was all the points they would need
to win the game. Three Airborne soldiers made individual charges
to the outpost. The first soldier was a mere step away from
the gold when he was eliminated. The Germans were ready for
the other two Allied heroes, streaming paint into their path,
eliminating them both. Seconds later it was all over. The Germans
prevailed by only 15 points. The final score was Germans: 240,
Allies: 225.
Everyone
gave all they had. It may have been the heat, it may have been
exhaustion, or maybe a combination of both, rather than celebrating,
the teams complimented each other for a great day of paintball
and competition. It was the common ground that everyone shared
for the day. It seemed everyone won. This is the camaraderie
that good paintball gaming generates. Players exchanged stories
and made plans to meet again while packing up their gear. So
far as I know, everyone left pleased.
Special
thanks all those making this mission paintball event a success:
Three Rivers Paintball invested considerable time, money, and
manpower improving and preparing their fields for games like
these; the Mission Masters guys designed and constructed artillery
pieces and a combat glider tail section; Doug Kaleugher and
his graphics team at National Sign of Aliquippa, PA for printing
those awesome Mission Masters armbands, donating 8 paint claymores
and Mission Masters stickers for the guests; and last, but not
least, the photographers who brought you great viewpoints of
the game:Dan
Weber, Steve Kahle, and Rich
Olszewski. Visit them online at www.missionmasters.com
and www.natsign.com.
~ Dean Allen
www.missionmasters.com
