Modern War 7 - VietnamBattles: Snoopy's Nose & Iron Triangle

Vietnam Battles: Snoopy's Nose & Iron Triangle is the game included in Modern War magazine issue #7. It simulates two separate Vietnam War campaigns fought between 1967 and 1970 in strategically important areas near Saigon.

The first scenario covers American and South Vietnamese operations in the area known as "Snoopy's Nose," a Cambodian salient used as a logistical base and sanctuary by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. The second focuses on the Iron Triangle, a heavily fortified region northwest of Saigon that served as a major Viet Cong command and supply hub.

The game highlights the challenges of asymmetric warfare: limited intelligence, helicopter mobility, terrain control, enemy infiltration, and logistical networks.

Game system

The game uses the Vietnam Battles system designed by Joseph Miranda and published by Decision Games in Modern War magazine.

Units represent battalions, regiments, and irregular formations. Each turn covers several days of operations and incorporates mechanics specific to the Vietnam War, including search-and-destroy missions, cross-border sanctuaries, airborne operations, political considerations, and logistics.

The system emphasizes the mobility of American and South Vietnamese forces against an elusive opponent capable of concealment, withdrawal, and opportunistic attacks.

Included scenarios

Snoopy's Nose
Cambodia and South Vietnam, May-June 1970

American and South Vietnamese forces launch a cross-border offensive to eliminate North Vietnamese logistical bases in the Cambodian salient known as "Snoopy's Nose." Players must balance operational speed with force preservation.

Iron Triangle
South Vietnam, January-February 1967

Operation Cedar Falls aims to neutralize the Iron Triangle, a long-standing Viet Cong stronghold northwest of Saigon. Allied forces seek to destroy enemy infrastructure while the Viet Cong attempts to avoid encirclement and preserve its capabilities.

Objective

The Allied player must locate enemy forces, destroy their infrastructure, and disrupt supply networks while minimizing casualties.

The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong player seeks to preserve units, maintain logistical networks, and gradually wear down opposing forces.

Players

2 players

Playing time

Approximately 1 to 3 hours per scenario.

Complexity

Low to medium

The system is designed to remain accessible while accurately portraying the operational realities of the Vietnam War.

Game scale

Turn: several days

Units: battalions, regiments, and irregular formations

Area covered: operational sectors around Saigon and the Cambodian border

Replayability

Two distinct campaigns

Strong asymmetry between sides

Heavy emphasis on mobility and intelligence

Varied tactical situations

Different victory conditions

Components (indicative)

1 Modern War magazine issue #7

1 full-color map

176 counters

1 rulebook

2 complete scenarios

Historical articles and analysis