Oil War Landing Page

Oil War: World War III In The Middle East
The Book

Oil War: Pre-orders Now Open

Oil War Preview
Oil War marks a departure from our usual format for Team Yankee books in a couple of ways. It sees the Team Yankee story move to a new theatre, with the Soviet Union and NATO inserting themselves into the ongoing Iran-Iraq conflict. It also sees a mix of forces, not all from the same alliance, in the one book. So what’s inside? Wayne takes a look at what you are going to find inside Oil War.

Oil War Preview...

Israeli Product Spotlights Israeli Product Spotlights Israeli Product Spotlights

Kahlani's Warriors Plastic Army Deal (TISAB01)
A horrendous clang shook the entire Merkava 2 of Lieutenant Adam Koren. Koren’s ears rang and all other sounds were muffled. He searched ahead for the enemy tank that had just hit them, locating it about 2000 metres to the northwest. He slapped his gunner Avi’s shoulder to get his attention.“Target, 2000 metres, Sabot,” he shouted.

Kahlani's Warriors Plastic Army Deal (TISAB01)...

Kahalani's Warriors (Plastic) (TISAB01)

Merkava Tank Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX01)

Merkava Tank Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX01)
After the 1967 war, the purchase of modern military equipment became more difficult and the Israeli government decided to design, develop, and build an indigenous main battle tank. The design prioritised armour, armament and mobility in that order, with the key characteristic of the new tank being its armour and crew protection.

Merkava Tank Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX01)...

Magach 6 Tank Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX02)
During the 1970s the Israel Defence Forces started to take deliveries of M60 Patton tanks from the US, and with the outbreak of the 1973 war the Israelis as received M60 tanks direct from US Army stocks as replacements. 

Magach 6 Tank Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX02)...

Magach 6 Tank Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX02)

M113 Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX03)

M113 Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX03)
The Israelis captured a number of M113 armoured personnel carriers from the Jordanians in 1967, and after some modifications to suit their needs internally and externially, they eventually went about purchasing more from the US. The M113 underwent a series of standardised modifications to become the Israeli M113 ‘Zelda’ APC. 

M113 Platoon (Plastic) (TIBX03)...

Mech Infantry Platoon (TIS702)
Israeli infantry forces used a wide variety of small arms, from foreign designs like the US M16 assault rifle and Belgian FN MAG light machine-gun, to captured Soviet designs like the AK-47/AKM assault rifles and Negev machine-guns. However, the frontline mechanised brigades were issued with Israeli designed and produced Galil assault rifles, backed up with FN MAG machine-guns. For short range self-defence anti-tank they used the US M72 LAW desposible weapons.

Mech Infantry Platoon (TIS702)...

Mech Infantry Platoon (TIS702)

Pereh Anti-tank Platoon (TIBX05)

Pereh Anti-tank Platoon (TIBX05)
Initially identified as a Magach 5 (M48 Patton) variant by the observers from outside the IDF, the Pereh had many military experts baffled. The Pereh was in fact an anti-tank guided missile carrier based on the Magach 5 tank. Fitted with a dummy gun tube to keep its silhouette similar to a tank, it featured an enlarged turret containing twelve Tamuz NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles in a pop-up missile launcher at the rear disguised as a turret bustle.

Pereh Anti-tank Platoon (TIBX05)...

Jeep (TOW) Platoon (TIS120)
As they had used M106 recoilless rifles mounted on jeeps in earlier wars, by 1985 the IDF had jeeps mounting Improved TOW missile launchers. This light and nimble vehicle could move about rough terrain and be in position to deliver a well-placed anti-tank missile with relative ease.

Jeep (TOW) Platoon (TIS120)...

Jeep (TOW) Platoon (TIS120)

Recce Jeep Platoon (TIS121)

Recce Jeep Platoon (TIS121)
The Israelis recieved both Willys MD M38A1 and Ford M151 light utility vehicles, many of which were used for scouting and other reconnaissance duties. These Sayeret (special forces) scouts pushed aggressive patrols ahead of the armoured advances, locating enemy postions, and redirecting the advance around them.

Recce Jeep Platoon (TIS121)...

M109 SP Artillery Battery (TIBX04)
The Israel Defence Forces received their first 60 M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers just before the 1973 war. These 60 were afterwards upgraded with the long M185 howitzer to M109A1 standard. By the 1980s the IDF had about 350 M109s in service, replacing the older Sherman based self-propelled howitzers used during the 1973 war.

M109 SP Artillery Battery (TIBX04)...

M109 SP Artillery Battery (TIBX04)

ZSU-23-4 Shilka AA Platoon (TSBX06)

ZSU-23-4 Shilka AA Platoon (TIBX06)
The ZSU-23-4 Shilka (named after a Russian river) is an effective, combat-proven, air defence artillery system mounting four liquid-cooled 23mm 2A7 cannon. The Shilka can engage targets with a fully-integrated, radar-guided, automatic target acquisition, tracking and ranging system with backup visual sights.

During the 1967 and 1973 wars the IDF captured over 60 ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft vehicles and put them back into service with their air defence battalions.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka AA Platoon (TIBX06)...

M48 Chaparral SAM Platoon (TIBX07)
The US also supplied the IDF with M48 Chaparral surface-to-air missile (SAM) carriers. It used the MIM-72G Chaparral missile that was aimed manually by the operator before firing until the missile locked on the hot exhaust of the aircraft with its infra-red seeker.

M48 Chaparral SAM Platoon (TIBX07)...

M48 Chaparral SAM Platoon (TUBX09)
Redeye Sam Platoon (TIS704)

Redeye Sam Platoon (TIS704)
Following the 1973 war the reserve elements of the air defence battalions were equipped with the FIM-43 man-portable air defence missile system. This light weapon could be easily fired by a single operator and used an infra-red seeker to chase the hot exhaust of attacking aircraft.

Redeye SAM Platoon (TIS704)...

AH-1 Viper Attack Helicopter Platoon (TIBX09)
The AH-1S Cobra first entered service with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in 1975 and saw extentsive use in Lebanon. The IAF named its AH-1S attack helicopters the ‘Tzefa’ (Hebrew for Viper). 

AH-1 Viper Attack Helicopter Platoon (TIBX09)...

AH-1 Viper Attack Helicopter Platoon (TIBX09)

Skyhawk Fighter Flight (TIBX08) Skyhawk Fighter Flight (TIBX08)
First used in the 1973 war, the A-4 Skyhawk continued into service in the 1980s with the reservists of 147 Squadron. This high performance ground-attack aircraft carried a variety of weapons loads, including cluster bombs and napalm. Israeli Skyhawks replaced the Colt Mk.12 20mm cannons of the US version with French DEFA 30mm cannons.

Skyhawk Fighter Flight (TIBX08)...

Israeli Gaming Aids
Even though they are toy soldiers, your troops react to heavy fire like real soldiers. Sometimes they get pinned down or bail out of their tanks. They can dig foxholes for protection or go to ground, hiding from the enemy. Tokens help you keep track of the state of your troops.

Israeli Gaming Aids...

Israeli Gaming Aids

Soviet Product Spotlights Soviet Product Spotlights Soviet Product Spotlights
T-62M Tank Company (Plastic) (TSBX19)

T-62M Tank Company (Plastic) (TSBX19)
The T-62 tank underwent a number of upgrades in its long service life. It's modernisation program started in 1972 with the mounting of a 12.7mm DShK machine-gun on the loader’s hatch for anti-helicopter fire. It was fitted with a laser rangefinder in 1975.

T-62M Tank Company (Plastic) (TSBX19)...

Iraqi Product Spotlights Iraqi Product Spotlights Iraqi Product Spotlights

Hussain's Republican Guard Plastic Army Deal (TIQAB01)
The company of T-72 tanks advanced up the highway, their goal was the flank of the Iranian positions about three kilometres distant. Captain Mahmod Haddad had positioned his tank in the second tank in the column. As they closed to two kilometres, he signalled his tank commanders to fan out on either side of the highway. The tanks spread out line-abreast and came to a halt.

Hussain's Republican Guard Plastic Army Deal (TIQAB01)...

Hussain's Republican Guard (TIQAB01)

Mech Company (TQBX01)

Mech Company (TQBX01)
Like their tank forces, Iraqi mechanised infantry doctrine followed the organisation, methods, and tactics of the Soviet motor rifle units. Soviet advisers in the 1970s had drilled and educated the officer corps on Soviet combined arms tactics. An Iraqi mechanized company is a true combined arms force with infantry, machinegun, anti-tank, and anti-air capability. As well as the BMPs, the infantry were equipped with AK-47 assault rifles and RPG-7 anti-tank rockets, making them mobile and dangerous.

Mech Company (TQBX01)...

Mech Platoon (TIQ702)
Iraqi mechanised infantry are also mounted in a number of other vehicles other than the BMP-1. These come from a variety of sources. Iraq purchased vehicles from whoever were willing to supply them. These motorised infantry battalions’ war-fighting remained firmly rooted in Soviet doctrine. Much of their infantry equipment and weapons remained Soviet types, with the occasional exception.

Mech Platoon (TIQ702)...

Mech Platoon (TIQ702)

Mech Weapons Platoon (TIQ703)

Mech Weapons Platoon(TIQ703)
The Iraqis have spent many years working with Soviet equipment and manuals, learning the Soviet Army’s tactics and taking on many of their fighting methods. They had also fostered good trading relations with the West. France in particular had been willing to trade weapons and provide training to the Iraqi Army. Though the Iraqis did use the Soviet AT-3 Sagger suitcase man-portable anti-tank guided missile, the French also sold them the more effective Milan anti-tank guided missile systems. Anti-aircraft defence was provided by a SA-7 Grail SAM section.

Mech Weapons Platoon(TIQ703)...

VCR/TH HOT Anti-tank Platoon (TQBX02)
The Panhard VCR was a light armored personnel carrier. Iraq ordered turrets in September 1974 capable of launching antitank guided missiles, and this resulted in the development of the Panhard VCR/TH,100 of which were delivered to Iraq between 1979 and 1981. 

The VCR/TH HOT was fitted with an anti-tank missile turret for launching the HOT wire guided anti-tank missile. The VCR/TH mounted four HOT missiles on the turret ready to fire. Ten further missiles were held inside the vehicle.

VCR/TH HOT Anti-tank Platoon (TQBX02)...

VCR/TH HOT Anti-tank Platoon (TQBX02)

ZSU-57-2 AA Company (TQBX03)

ZSU-57-2 AA Company (TQBX03)
This self-propelled anti-aircraft gun mounted two 57mm anti-aircraft guns in a twin mount. The guns were high velocity and had a rate of fire in excess of 200 rounds per minute. Lacking radar, they struggled with fast jets. Iraq ordered 100 ZSU-57-2 anti-aircraft tanks in 1970 from the Soviet Union and they were delivered between 1971 and 1973. A few were given to the Chinese for reverse-engineering, and subsequencely Iraq operated a number of Chinese built Type 80 copies of the ZSU-57-2.

ZSU-57-2 AA Company (TQBX03)...

Iraqi Unit Cards (TIQ901)
Unit and Formation cards play a key role in Team Yankee. Whilst building your army they contain all the relevant information that you need to know to help you build your Force, starting with what Formations are available, what support you can take through to how tanks you get in a platoon. Then, once you start playing your games the Unit Cards have all the information you need to know from how much armour your tanks have to how fast the units move.If you don't want to lug around an army book then Unit Cards are the ultimate lightweight option!

Iraqi Unit Cards (TIQ901)...

Iraqi Unit Cards

Iraqi Gaming Aids

Iraqi Gaming Aids
Even though they are toy soldiers, your troops react to heavy fire like real soldiers. Sometimes they get pinned down or bail out of their tanks. They can dig foxholes for protection or go to ground, hiding from the enemy. Tokens help you keep track of the state of your troops.

Iraqi Gaming Aids...

Iraqi Decal Pack (TIQ950)
Each Iraqi decal pack contains two National Symbol coloured decal sheets that give you  markings for your Hind Helicopters and and Gazelle Helicopters.

Each of the packs also include two Vehicle Number Sheets to personalise your tank Companies and Platoons.

Iraqi Decal Pack (TIQ950)...

Iraqi Decal Pack (TIQ950)

Iranian Product Spotlights Iranian Product Spotlights Iranian Product Spotlights

Ayatollah's Revolutionaries (TRNAB01)

Ayatollah's Revolutionaries Plastic Army Deal (TRNAB01)
Major Hassan Jazani stood in the turret of his tank with his head out of the commander’s cupola observing as his first two tank groups moved around the sand dune and onto the track leading to the narrow gap between two outcrops. His HQ was next, with his last tank group trailing behind as a reserve. They moved slowly but steadily, so as to minimise the dust cloud signature of his eleven Chieftain tanks, making the twenty minutes seem like an eternity.

Ayatollah's Revolutionaries Plastic Army Deal (TRNAB01)...

M113 Platoon (Plastic) (TRBX01)
The Iranian Army used a range of M113 APC variants including vehicles mounting a M40A1 106mm recoilless rifle. These provided short range anti-tank capabilities against light armour. The M113 APC mounting an M150, was a more powerful, longer-ranged, and accurate weapon and the 81mm mortars of the M125 Mortar Carrier provided immediate indirect fire support

M113 Platoon (Plastic) (TRBX01)...

M113 Platoon (Plastic) (TRBX01)

Mechanised Infantry Platoon (TIR702)

Mechanised Infantry Platoon (TIR702)
Pre-revolution weapons and equipment purchases saw the Iranian Army with much western-style equipment. The standard infantry weapon was the West German G3 battle rifle which was manufactured in Iran’s own factories. The infanty fire power mainly came from the West German MG-3 machine-gun which was the main squad automatic weapon of the Iranian Army. These were supplemented by US and Soviet made anti-tank weapons. The Iranians used Soviet RPG-7 short-ranged anti-tank weapons, first purchased, then copied and manufactured themselves. They also used medium- ranged US M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missile system. For air defence a mechanised group had the Soviet SA-7 Grail man-portable surface-to-air missile system.

Mechanised Infantry Platoon (TIR702)...

Basij Infantry Platoon (TIR703)
The Basij were often lightly armed with a mix of weapons drawn from whatever stocks were available. The lucky units were armed with AKM assault rifles either purchased from foriegn sources or captured from the Iraqis. Some units were supplied by the Army with G3 battle rifles. Many had old bolt-action rifles from the 1940s and 50s. Particularly well-armed units had PKM machine-guns mixed in their assualt rifles. Soviet RPG-7 anti-tank weapons provided heavy firepower against tanks, dug-in infantry, and bunkers.

Basij Infantry Platoon (TIR703)...

Basij Infantry Platoon (TIR703)

Anti-tank Jeep Group (TIR120)

Anti-tank Jeep Group (TIR120)
The IRGC supported some Basij units with Jeep-mounted M40 106mm recoilless rifles. This gave them some level of anti-tank ability against Iraqi light armour and tanks.

Anti-tank Jeep Group (TIR120)...

Iranian Unit Cards (TIR901)
Unit and Formation cards play a key role in Team Yankee. Whilst building your army they contain all the relevant information that you need to know to help you build your Force, starting with what Formations are available, what support you can take through to how tanks you get in a platoon. Then, once you start playing your games the Unit Cards have all the information you need to know from how much armour your tanks have to how fast the units move.If you don't want to lug around an army book then Unit Cards are the ultimate lightweight option!

Iranian Unit Cards (TIR901)...

Iranian Unit Cards

Iranian Gaming Aids

Iranian Gaming Aids
Even though they are toy soldiers, your troops react to heavy fire like real soldiers. Sometimes they get pinned down or bail out of their tanks. They can dig foxholes for protection or go to ground, hiding from the enemy. Tokens help you keep track of the state of your troops.

Iranain Gaming Aids...

Iranian Decal Pack (TIR950)
Each Iranian decal pack contains two National Symbol coloured decal sheets with markings for your Helicopters.

Each of the packs also include two Vehicle Number Sheets to personalise your Companies and Platoons.

Iranian Decal Pack (TIR950)...

Iranian Decal Pack (TIR950)

Articles

Golan Heights Clash - Team Yankee Battle Report

Golan Heights Clash - Team Yankee Battle Report
Chris and Victor decided to do a what if clash in the Golan Heights; Israeli forces versus a Soviet force backed up by Syrians. Check out the link below for a close up look at some of the pictures of their game.

Golan Heights Clash - Team Yankee Battle Report....

IDF Vs Polish 
Today we look at a battle report from Gary Wait who decided to give us the play by play from the perspective of "the boots on the ground" or in this case the table as the Israeli Defense Force clashes with a Polish and Soviet Force.

IDF Vs Polish...

IDF Vs Polish

Glass Hammer and Sickle - A Soviet guide to the T-62M

Glass Hammer and Sickle - A Soviet guide to the T-62M
If you read Chris's article Hell on the Highway: A Soviet guide to the BTR-60 then you probably figured out that he has a love for second line kit. So when the venerable T-62M plastic kit came out he simply had to get his hands on some. Today he shares some of his experience playing them with some tactics as well some historical background the latest Soviet tank to enter Team Yankee.

Glass Hammer and Sickle - A Soviet guide to the T-62M...

Desert Camouflage (Or How To Hide On A Pool Table)
With the release of Oil War we at Battlefront are taking a trip back to the desert. In Oil War it we examine four armies, Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. In this article Aaron looks at how they painted their military equipment and how you can apply this to your Oil War models.

Desert Camouflage (Or How To Hide On A Pool Table)...

Desert Camouflage (Or How To Hide On A Pool Table)

The Battle Of 73 Easting

The Battle Of 73 Easting
With the arrival of Oil War, Team Yankee’s Cold War Gone Hot expands to include conflict in the Middle East, featuring Israel, Iran, Syria, and Iraq. In this what-if scenario, Iraq is supported by NATO and Iran by the Warsaw Pact. In this article Carsten looks at the Battle Of 73 Easting and recreating this battle in your Team Yankee games using some of the new units from Oil War.

The Battle Of 73 Easting...


Last Updated On Thursday, June 20, 2019 by Luke at Battlefront