tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47928423638226671332024-03-05T12:58:14.872-08:00Kapiti FoW GamersScottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-34412783073892546682013-11-25T11:48:00.002-08:002013-11-29T21:59:31.127-08:00British vs Germans in Late War CauldronAnd so the day began - in the Brand new wargames room, oops did I say that? The family multipurpose room (It's alright wifey won't be reading this.....) 1750 points Late war FOW<br />
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Scott arrived with his Panzer Lehr Infantry Company (from Atlantik Wall) and against them - Bryan's Welsh Guards (AKA: Hells Highway) - We also used the Games Workshop Battle board. I had intended using US Para's but alas - finishing the room was more important than painting the toys!<br />
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We rolled Caludron - Scott defending with his Infantry Company against the Mechanised British Force.<br />
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Choosing which side of the battlefield was a conundrum but finally the woody side of the hill was chosen and two objectives were placed as far away from the German reinforcement arrival point as possible. (Was this the wisest ploy? I'm sure the experienced FOW gamers will know!) The Germans attached their HMG platoon to their two rifle platoons and started on table with 2 Rifle Platoons, a Heavy Artillery Battery (proxied by 105's) and some PAK 40's on Immediate Ambush, all firmly dug in covering the objectives .<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Deployment</td></tr>
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Jammy is the word I think we would describe the British deployment as - rolling and being able to deploy 2 Infantry Platoons, and an HMG Platoon all together and able to advance through the woods to the hilltop objective. The 25pdrs deployed with their backs to a hedge line in the lee of the hill.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British Deployment</td></tr>
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Turn 1, the Germans tried to range their artillery in on the Brits on the hill but failed and everywhere else they held fast in their dugouts. The RAF arrived with two Typhoons pinning the rifle platoon on the hill and the PAK 40's and destroying an HMG team all after ranging in (4+ required).<br />
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The Brits quickly advanced into the woods but decided against assaulting the pinned Germans instead opting for a little whittling before leaping to the assault. Although there was a hail of gunfire from the advancing troops the Germans were too well dug in and took no casualties.<br />
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Rolling a 6, yes another piece of Jam on turn one, allowed the The Welsh Guards Recce Tanks to arrive on the other flank (The idea was to keep Jerry honest, so he couldn't switch all his troops to the hill) and destroyed 2 dug in guns with 2 shots (again the jam factor - two 6 sixes, 2 failed saving throws and 2 successful firepower tests).<br />
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Turn two began with the German commander vacillating! Do I attack and potentially expose myself or hold fast but let the Brits dictate the attack and potentially swamp me? Opting for valour the Germans commander decide to open fire on the Brits advancing through the trees in an effort to break up the attack - the well prepared Germans accurate gunfire taking out two British Squads.<br />
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Of concern on the other flank is the appearance of the British Recce Tanks, SO the Germans turn their PAK's on the British Tanks, although they have less time and are able to put out less rounds they manage to score a hit on the the Big British Gun tank (Challenger) and brew it up. Meanwhile the infantry and German Heavy artillery stay dug in and decide not to expose themselves to the British tanks gunfire.<br />
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British Turn two, and more reinforcements for the British in the guise of the 2nd Household Cavalry! The two Damilers and Dingo advance up the road and put down a withering barrage of machine gun fire, but again fail to do a lot!!!<br />
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Meanwhile on the Hill objective the British, gather themselves for the assault, again scoring no kills in the advancing fire. However the 25pdrs do manage to pin the German platoon and anti-tank guns making an the prospect of an assault more promising.<br />
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The Brits decide to throw caution to the wind, and launch themselves at the defending Germans, however the defensive fire is to accurate and their first assault is thrown off, the Germans scoring 6 hits and the Jammy Englander saving every one!!!<br />
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The Second British Platoon follows the first to the attack, through the slackening defensive fire and clear the Germans from their initial positions - however casualties are high and only one squad and the 2 inch mortar remain!<br />
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Again the British roll well on their reserves roll and their mortar team arrives, increasing the pressure on the field objective. And Mrs Brit appears with some home baking! (Bickies off the the right)<br />
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German turn 3, And The German platoon on the hill is reduced to below half strength. Unfortunately they fail their platoon Morale, will the their CO step in and try and save the day? Well sort of, he tries but they are only encouraged by their unwillingness to stick around so he decides to off it with them (Failed CO roll). The PAK 40's are left solis to hold the objective.<br />
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British turn 3. On the hill, the depleted British platoon fail their morale and retreat from the fight, while the 25pdrs keep the Germans pinned.<br />
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The remaining Brits launch an attack on the recently vacated German positions - will they take it or will they be repulsed???? The manage to push the PAK 40's back and destroy one of the guns but are unable to take the objective - this turn!!<br />
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German turn 4 and The German Armour arrives behind the 25pdrs, hoping to take them out, they manage to destroy one 25pdr, pin them and move to assault. However discussion ensued about the 25pdrs being on turntables and a look at the rules suggested they were able to defensive fire (which we later checked on the FOW forums and discovered we played correctly), However the accurate British gunners halt the German PzIV attack taking out 2 tanks<br />
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Biritsh turn 4 and the The RAF put in another appearance and destroy another HMG team, this time on the field objective and then Jammy as ever, while the German gunners cower in their holes it is not enough to save them as the 2 remaining British tanks take out another Gun.<br />
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On the hilltop objective The Welsh Guards assault again, the Germans score 4 hits but are just 1 shy of repulsing the attack, with a hearty Hoo-Rah the Welsh capture or destroy the remaining PAK 40's and capture the objective. More British reserves arrive - this time the 17pdrs and immediately go into action behind the German tanks - but fail to score any hits.<br />
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German turn 5 and the German recce arrives behind the British 17 pdrs and in a hail of well placed gunfire completely decimate them. The British play rues his reserve deployment looking to play the edges better next time.</div>
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At the Start of British turn 5 the Brits hold an uncontested objective and snatch the win. The Brits starting with 9 platoons reduce the Germans points by one, the Final score a 5-2 victory to the Brits. </div>
<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-19102954566110917892013-11-17T23:54:00.004-08:002013-11-17T23:54:58.180-08:00Begleit Tank EscortsAt the weekend I finished off my first of two packs of German Begleit Tank Escorts, or Tank-riders to go with my StuGs;<br />
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The pack comes with sufficient foot figures to represent a short squad of dismounted troops.<br />
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Even if not used as the 'Begleit' troops, they would be perfect as Assault rifle armed scouts..<br />
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And then obviously the tank rider models themselves... 12 single figures in the packs give me enough for 4 groups of three figures, sufficient to go on 4 tanks. I didn't want to glue them to the tanks permanently as the StuGs wouldn't always get used with tank riders... so I decided to base up the figures on a small piece of plasticard which was painted to match the colour of the StuGs camo 'dunkelgelb'<br />
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This little 'base', easily sits on the rear deck of the StuG, or StuH... blu-tac can hold in place temporarily.<br />
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And both together, foot troops and Begliet Escorts working together...<br />
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I believe the Germans learned this tactic from the Soviets who became renowned for having their infantry clinging frantically to the backs of their tanks as they roared towards to German lines...<br />
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I'll have to try them out in a game sometime. I hope they will fair better than their halftrack bourne counterparts.. a StuG is a far bigger piece of metal, than the thin armoured hulls of the SdKfz halftracks...!<br />
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Will this be the new wonder weapon of my forces, ... or will my 'tactical finesse' doom them to obscurity after their first outing... time will tell ;-)Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-80905696967096109692013-10-21T18:37:00.000-07:002013-10-21T18:57:58.926-07:00'Oktoberfest' Mini-Get-Together...On Sunday 20th Oct, I hosted a mini Flames of War Get-Together.<br />
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Over the last couple of years the 'Kapiti Coasting' FoW players of our little group, have got to know many of the regular Flames players, by attending several of the tournaments in and around our region.
Recently, one of whom; Damien (Damo) Tyson, offered to drive up to the coast, to have some games with us, so with a modicum of planning a small event was put on...<br />
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The theme of the friendly 'Tournament' was Late War 1350pts, with myself, Brett and Paul, entertaining Damo...
1350pts was chosen as we have often found 1750pt games either drag on too long, and/or cannot be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, in a couple of hours of game time. No-one likes a game to time out...<br />
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There is also something more visually appealing about the smaller games as they seem to better represent the company level game that FOW is, without drawing in huge amounts Divisional support like artillery parks and such like...<br />
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I set up two tables; one fairly dense terrain Western Europe theme, the other a more open steppe Eastern Front theme.<br />
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We had planned to have a simple round robin of games; each player playing the other players once, for a total of three games each, but we ran out of time over the afternoon, and the last game turned in to a general chin-wag instead...<br />
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For myself, after some pondering over a suitable force I decided to keep things simple and go with a Tank Company - not too much stuff to worry about or move around, and relatively simple tactics - attack!<br />
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I had a Panzerkompanie from Grey Wolf:<br />
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HQ: 2 x StuG G, + Bergepanzer III<br />
5 x StuG G<br />
5 x Panzer IV H<br />
2 x SdKfz 7/1 3.7cm Armoured AA guns<br />
1 x 250/1 + 2 x 250/9<br />
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Brett had brought along his FJs - mostly Fearless Trained, led by Von der Hydte and his trap teams<br />
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Paul had decided to rock the Shtraf again! His massed penal forces led by flame throwers and supported by breakthrough guns...<br />
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Damo, had brought 3 different armies, and randomised each game which one he would play, by a dice roll by his opponent.<br />
He had a very colourful Polish infantry force, a US mechanised cavalry recon force featuring lots of tanks, and a Finnish fortified company.<br />
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On to the games!<br />
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First game was Free for All. I was drawn against Bretts FJ, and Pauls Shtraf went up against Damos Poles...<br />
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<b><u>Game 1 - Brett vs Scott (Free for All)</u></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deployment, as pumpkin head 'trophy' looks on... with Tidy the cat in his customary place</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reverse angle - Scotts panzers hope to swamp the exposed objective.</td></tr>
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Our game became a typical see-saw, with Brett choosing to attack my weaker side with his recce force supported by mortars and trap teams who had eventually partly revealed their hand, whilst he mostly stayed put in the face of my tanks. He did start a cheeky advance through the centre with three infantry scout teams...<br />
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I managed to hold off his recce on my right flank, losing my own in the process... My tank approach was slightly hindered by terrain due to my worries about the trap teams materialising. By the end of the game, I had held my right and was beating Brett off my target left objective, having lost a StuG platoon tangling with trap teams, shrecks and fausts in the wood, when I should have just broken off... but the battle was decided when Bretts scouts reach my left side objective, which was only defended by my Bergepanzer!<br />
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We'd given each other a bloody nose in the process and the game went 4-3 to Brett with his cheeky scouts! Had I got stuck in with my Panzers a turn earlier it might have gone my way...<br />
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<b><u>Game 1 - Paul and Damo (Free for All)</u></b><br />
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Pauls Shtraf Soviets, rolled up at the other end of the table, and a dice roll later revealed they were up against the Polish home army... As per first caption below, I believe this is an army Damo borrowed from Andrew - superbly presented!<br />
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Pictorial commentary from Paul:<br />
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<i>Andrew Stanton's Polish Home Army</i></div>
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<i>The "mini-Shtraf". Even at 1350 points there's still a lot of stuff.</i></div>
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<i>Starting positions in Free For All against Damo.</i></div>
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<i>The blob pushes forward.</i></div>
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<i>Very lucky defensive fire pushes back the Shtraf assault, but they still do enough damage for a 3-2 draw in the Soviets favour.</i></div>
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<b><u>Game 2 - Damo vs Scott (No Retreat)</u></b><br />
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Game two and I was up against Damo, and having rolled a dice found I was playing his US Mechanised Recce Force - which had a Sherman platoon, two platoons of Chaffees and two recon patrols...<br />
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Since Damo was Mech and I was Tank, I would be attacking, even though Damo had about as many tanks as I did!<br />
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I put an objective down on my front left, which Damo covered with his Shermans and held a Chaffee platoon in ambush. My plan being to hold/deal with the Shermans with my Stugs, whilst the Panzers, recce and AA went on a thrust for the rear objective.<br />
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I advanced and let fly with the StuGs at the Shermans hoping to start knocking some out, only to find out what a Jumbo was, and the 'Jumbos lead the way!' rule, not having played against one before. FA12 on a Sherman! WTF!? ;-)<br />
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My recce thrust had not been the cleverest either... allowing Damo to ambush with his chaffees against my Panzers, though I only lost one, with 2 bailed, which thankfully, both subsequently remounted.<br />
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I swung everything I had at the Chaffees and they went down in hail of fire, the last failing morale...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chaffees behind the corn on the right have all just died, as Damo starts his 2nd turn...</td></tr>
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The game dissolved into a slug fest between my StuGs and the Shermans, where I just couldn't seem to get enough hits to get past the Jumbo, and if I did Damo passed his armour saves or I failed FPs... curses. Consequently I was steadily bleeding StuGs to the Shermans attentions... More Chaffees arrived with good covering fire, from a hill, over the centre, stopping me sending my Panzers over to help the StuGs... So instead I sent the Panzers and CO after this 2nd Chaffee platoon, and over two turns destroyed those too, again the last failing morale.<br />
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By this point it was just my 2iC StuG holding up against the Shermans, but everything else I had was now chasing Damos Recon patrols in the backfield... eventually I got enough hits from the Panzers and AA, and bergepanzer to destroy a recon patrol, though the 2iC Stug had finally succumbed! Again Damo failed his third morale check in a row, this time his Company Morale, giving me the game 4-3! Woot! :-)<br />
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I really thought I was going to lose this as I just couldn't knock out the Shermans, thankfully the Chaffees were a much easier proposition. Damo thought I would win from the start, and said I should have just rushed both tank platoons at the Shermans and dealt to them... probably a very good point! I think I got a bit twitchy though, once I realised the resiliance of the Jumbo...<br />
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<b><u>Game 2 - Paul vs Brett (No Retreat)</u></b><br />
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<i>Initial deployment against Brett's FJ in No Retreat. </i></div>
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<i>Shtraf shaping up for assault formation as volley-fire and breakthrough guns take their toll.</i></div>
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<i>Turn 4. German lines after the flame-throwers. The FJ on the right failed morale, taking von der Heydte with them. Brett called it before the mass Shtraf assault. 6-1 to Mother Russia. The Shtraf in FOW are essentially like a shot gun - not much to worry about at a distance, but up close it will take big lumps out of you. Missions like No Retreat are really it's party piece, with only half the defending platoons on to try and thin out the "blob" before impact. </i></div>
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<b><u>Results</u></b><br />
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After two games a clear winner had emerged. With the Shtraf bullying the FJ, for the 6-1 win for Paul, this had shot him to the front with a total of 9 points over two games.<br />
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I managed to come second with 7 points, with Damo and Brett tying for third place on 5 points.<br />
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Well done to Paul, a clear winner on the day, and he wins the <b><i>Oktoberfest</i></b> trophy I knocked up over the preceding couple of days, when I wasn't converting my Bergepanzer!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul - Mr PumpkinHead - The Winner!</td></tr>
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Big thanks to the guys for coming and making the day, and especially to Damo for taking the time to drive up to see us. We are not too far from his place as the crow flies but there's a darn big bunch of hills/mountains between us, meaning a lengthy drive around them. So again, thanks for the effort Damo, hope to see you this way again! (BTW - when does a hill become a mountain? I never figured that one out!)<br />
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And thanks to my dearest Darling for putting on some drinks and nibbles for the troops - an army marches on its belly as they say!<br />
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Hopefully this can become another regular event for us... and I hope to rejig my playing area...<br />
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I have a permanently set up 12' x 6' table, as when I designed and built the room I had had grandiose visions of massive armies clashing over it, but these games never materialised... and we haven't even managed to organise a big FoW Total War game... most of our games are standard size, mostly due to time constraints in playing time, or are skirmish games... and these can cause problems having to stretch and lean over the table to reach stuff in the middle.<br />
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To demonstrate the point, Paul presents his <i>derrière, </i>to all as he micro manages his Shtraf blob forward to crush the FJ, as Brett looks on in amusement...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul's Shtraf advance, sustained by macaroons!</td></tr>
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So if I break the table down into three 6'x4' tables, I'll be able to host more games at once and thus slightly bigger mini-tournaments - I could even squeeze a table or two into the adjacent garage...<br />
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When I next get some leave I'll have a go at organising this, as the table also conceals a host of material underneath, which I'll have to find storage space for!<br />
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So keep your eyes peeled for the burgeoning Kapiti Tournament scene! ;-)<br />
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Thanks for reading!Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-54204420995509188772013-10-20T15:14:00.000-07:002013-10-20T18:47:36.832-07:00Bergepanzer IIIThis last weekend I hosted a mini Flames of War Get-Together; a LateWar 1350pts singles.<br />
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After a little umming and arring, about what force to take, I decided to keep it simple and run a Tank Company. More about the 'tournament' in a following blogpost...<br />
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After sorting my force, I had a spare 10pts to use up, and just about the only thing I could add was a Bergepanzer III recovery vehicle to the HQ... but I didn't have a suitable model...<br />
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A quick look on the BF website, and I couldnt find one there either? So I decided to try and knock one up myself...<br />
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A quick bit of googling later I had found that the Bergepanzer III, was based on a Panzer III chassis/hull, with the turret removed and an open topped compartment mounted on the superstructure. Several images from the web gave me enough to work with...<br />
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So...<br />
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I took one of my existing Panzer III's ( from Plastic Soldier Company), and lifted off the turret and set to work, with plasticard, plastic rod, left over stowage bits and bobs, spare wheels etc from other plastic PSC kits, and some fuse wire, and matchsticks...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzer III H, Plastic Soldier Company</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKf7K6i612VzJ5sYIOrM5bvgY89ny7LgOQwwFX0Q4d3mK7A5hp5PamPLqbowMuUyWbSlSBgfNPL9Lp7da8qJABSkJ72eedrznxk9OxF8Z3r7ifSEShDX2o_uvGz2ZV_7ksmXmmQcYVkI/s1600/IMG_2825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKf7K6i612VzJ5sYIOrM5bvgY89ny7LgOQwwFX0Q4d3mK7A5hp5PamPLqbowMuUyWbSlSBgfNPL9Lp7da8qJABSkJ72eedrznxk9OxF8Z3r7ifSEShDX2o_uvGz2ZV_7ksmXmmQcYVkI/s320/IMG_2825.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lift off turret...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxQv4DCNl7vHyVdmzslzf9uu10QobjWzFaa4D9pEMVbbgTkw_fRX6_5ZY2OHuol4x7-CE3zmwp9llCTFPQUglarlP5auwOc-Bcg0ZhkezdVLCBWiXW7hOxVN2wXqia5wPUGj-uAkA4g0/s1600/IMG_2826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxQv4DCNl7vHyVdmzslzf9uu10QobjWzFaa4D9pEMVbbgTkw_fRX6_5ZY2OHuol4x7-CE3zmwp9llCTFPQUglarlP5auwOc-Bcg0ZhkezdVLCBWiXW7hOxVN2wXqia5wPUGj-uAkA4g0/s320/IMG_2826.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add recovery vehicle superstructure...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRMkHMjAYpl2HS9MjGcLZ8YDGIvBpQJgdVQZ3vyM5ioqZaAYDnohH80LxvkFduLMqsh9pPj-AnVCRMtQi-D4Lan4hp8JprH1lh9a8SW_WmBloKP_gF7Ix7h88VmQNTE_JVg6DbGdPEcI/s1600/IMG_2836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRMkHMjAYpl2HS9MjGcLZ8YDGIvBpQJgdVQZ3vyM5ioqZaAYDnohH80LxvkFduLMqsh9pPj-AnVCRMtQi-D4Lan4hp8JprH1lh9a8SW_WmBloKP_gF7Ix7h88VmQNTE_JVg6DbGdPEcI/s320/IMG_2836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And paint it up... voila!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6F8LLjvUD2ResOQfTkYkK0by370iXyFkJ_L2ub85-4Xp6ZUnoFyXxEa4dp7KEreobMHxMb8QLe8v9T5WnXla563Yn5Sx0DL-NSv3UegCK4xp88WoG5GgTir_-dSiDIhSkFlpFboX0gM/s1600/IMG_2837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6F8LLjvUD2ResOQfTkYkK0by370iXyFkJ_L2ub85-4Xp6ZUnoFyXxEa4dp7KEreobMHxMb8QLe8v9T5WnXla563Yn5Sx0DL-NSv3UegCK4xp88WoG5GgTir_-dSiDIhSkFlpFboX0gM/s320/IMG_2837.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blob of blu-tac holds structure in place...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb6fxt9UNXPLSyohHRA9zKGKOVcrwju6A5B1jOsr_XyBC6lHJUlQJ6M5ZLeqXxCfWFJ0GAMwZqkkL6F0rFHhxY1Db8-381WbC4cTrCExdLgkOgIKUmmhyYAGldX6uD6fpyBtYqBO4GQM/s1600/IMG_2838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb6fxt9UNXPLSyohHRA9zKGKOVcrwju6A5B1jOsr_XyBC6lHJUlQJ6M5ZLeqXxCfWFJ0GAMwZqkkL6F0rFHhxY1Db8-381WbC4cTrCExdLgkOgIKUmmhyYAGldX6uD6fpyBtYqBO4GQM/s320/IMG_2838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The recovery structure lifts off so the turret can be replaced if I still need to use the tank properly, though with a total of 15 Panzer IIIs in my collection I am not sure I will ever need that many...<br />
<br />
So the Bergepanzer gives me a useful tool, if I get other tanks bogged down... and its also a medium tank hull with a machine gun. It is classed as an independent team, and cannot assault and must break off if assaulted. Nor can it take or contest an objective...<br />
<br />
Still, not a bad little addition to my force...<br />
<br />
<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-82836483738164995182013-09-18T15:52:00.004-07:002013-09-18T15:55:37.805-07:00StuG Life...A couple of weeks back, I posted over on my other blog, about my <a href="http://scottswargaming.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/stugs-and-stuhs-stug-battery.html">StuGs & StuHs</a>...
<br />
<br />
Well, I just finished up painting up the replacement box I was so kindly sent by Will at PSC...<br />
<br />
This time I decided to go with 2 more StuHs, making a total of 6 (for 2 platoons of 3 vehicles) and, for a little variety, decided to do 3 of the StuG III F/8. This StuG III has a subtly differing hull profile than the G model, but in game terms is identical. It also features in some of the MidWar lists, so I thought it worth having a platoon of this StuG variety for this role, and they can also proxy well enough as a G model, if I need to field more StuGs, in LateWar lists...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXANjs1SYFzPdo5fTKDZvZBMIrgRbKzGli8qpMmWCPY8ygoDV94TY6Ijmbm055_21OFxLf_9se9XfFckni0Tj-7PaM-DEib2WN5RZGAoNbMv0aQL0OWtVaFDK3hstVxTQk1bDtpeV5Hj0/s1600/IMG_2779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXANjs1SYFzPdo5fTKDZvZBMIrgRbKzGli8qpMmWCPY8ygoDV94TY6Ijmbm055_21OFxLf_9se9XfFckni0Tj-7PaM-DEib2WN5RZGAoNbMv0aQL0OWtVaFDK3hstVxTQk1bDtpeV5Hj0/s320/IMG_2779.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StuH 42</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph8eDroyUm-9IRnn9jGJpXQ1WY0QDqrnc2DHwy8KgPEGTO5kVONgk14YboeNjeYRWZj9EHi9oiZhXXp802r5AHEEreBFN1obovPA2hPxxSD2Zhvq3dU4u5U5Aot1eLyTUka45WYBJYY4/s1600/IMG_2780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph8eDroyUm-9IRnn9jGJpXQ1WY0QDqrnc2DHwy8KgPEGTO5kVONgk14YboeNjeYRWZj9EHi9oiZhXXp802r5AHEEreBFN1obovPA2hPxxSD2Zhvq3dU4u5U5Aot1eLyTUka45WYBJYY4/s320/IMG_2780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StuG III F/8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXa6hF_Q7lAihbRHOrYdkVilLK6P8p5K_3ocI7po03DwXedDvGNfoKSlFJiy50sNSMlhu-bWaoxJA5MAikXZDFrN5MgZqsNYUagoWL4zzfaAgXEV6NQ30AHLNAfg_0hHYKmaMcdzhHnCY/s1600/IMG_2781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXa6hF_Q7lAihbRHOrYdkVilLK6P8p5K_3ocI7po03DwXedDvGNfoKSlFJiy50sNSMlhu-bWaoxJA5MAikXZDFrN5MgZqsNYUagoWL4zzfaAgXEV6NQ30AHLNAfg_0hHYKmaMcdzhHnCY/s320/IMG_2781.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Command F/8 with rear decal, just to make it noticeable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The F/8 model appears not to have been routinely fitted with the external hull MG, but the stats in the game still list it as having one, so I added it to the hull, even though the PSC kit instructions didn't include it on the F/8. A little googling found that the MG and shield, were retro fitted to the F/8 later in the war period, so that works for me...<br />
<br />
So now with a grand total of an assortment of 15 StuG and StuH vehicles... I now need to see how best to field them...<br />
<br />
I can recall from my earliest days of collecting my German troops, coming across the StuG. The first German troops I got were FestungKompanie Grenadiers, and looking at the lists of the time, these Normandy based Grenadiers were supported by Kampfgruppe Meyer and the 1352 StuG Battery... So the idea of fielding a whole company of StuGs has always been floating about in my head...<br />
<br />
There are also some Eastern Front themed lists in Grey Wolf, offering both a StuG battery, and simply using the StuGs in a Panzerkompanie. The difference being in the StuG battery the platoons are fixed at 3 tanks, but I can also field one of them as a StuH. The StuG battery also includes the option of adding Begliet Tank riders/escorts. These extra troops make up for some of the StuGs shortcomings, giving the tanks extra MG fire, defensive fire, protection against the 'Sneak up on Tanks' rule and extra attacks in assault...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0UPziq8lvhIFQFUkPfcoztDVXJLwTpPFIEgzjwl-_g_VU0N0XEDr5KY7bCNx9_K4HMUPsxc0D6gjjxiGBVi4lBJY88Ovcr4I6TgIkP9GeKDmcUuqaa7-2yPLWhIc2lftUbSmYjkq8UQ/s1600/IMG_2783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0UPziq8lvhIFQFUkPfcoztDVXJLwTpPFIEgzjwl-_g_VU0N0XEDr5KY7bCNx9_K4HMUPsxc0D6gjjxiGBVi4lBJY88Ovcr4I6TgIkP9GeKDmcUuqaa7-2yPLWhIc2lftUbSmYjkq8UQ/s320/IMG_2783.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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StuG Battery, featuring multiple platoons of 2 StuGs & 1 StuH, with three or four platoons, and a lead HQ tank...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEh_udurmkYIjBB9uiEI3vY8gaW2yylHZddBs5DTLnrwAQIqo25oQ0V-FHSVO_yF3Nx0FlZS4WH_p0W3WilHud2Hvm4wvx_FV6du9QuGyAvKNEcVbbnQUjuTjQ2C6EGOFsk3ZemZjizA/s1600/IMG_2784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEh_udurmkYIjBB9uiEI3vY8gaW2yylHZddBs5DTLnrwAQIqo25oQ0V-FHSVO_yF3Nx0FlZS4WH_p0W3WilHud2Hvm4wvx_FV6du9QuGyAvKNEcVbbnQUjuTjQ2C6EGOFsk3ZemZjizA/s320/IMG_2784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have received two packs of Begleit troops, so just have to paint them up and see how I can add them to the tanks, in a way they they can be 'optional', and not glued on all the time... I fear that's going to be rather tricky...<br />
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Another StuG Battery features in Bridge by Bridge in the defense of Arheim, so there's more options for Market Garden themed forces... (I always like to try and play to 'theme').<br />
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The Panzerkompanie, gives the option of fielding platoons of 3-5 tanks, but no StuH option. However fielding a Panzerkompanie also gives the chance of fielding a platoon of panzer IVs alongside the StuGs, and or Panthers... so there are many options to explore. And thats just the tanks, theres all the support platoons to consider too...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmOm2Y-raKPczL3llIzvYSsen-xDDXCT6r9hBJhGXeoCek2s7Ko59MhbxQefYW-2Q1kZw0LoOYSrTzUHj-xTJQgBu8rPayl2QCrMBHyco7EkIvtcm2WYj6UDoE0hVUwzaxJ7xVF0eXCs/s1600/IMG_2785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmOm2Y-raKPczL3llIzvYSsen-xDDXCT6r9hBJhGXeoCek2s7Ko59MhbxQefYW-2Q1kZw0LoOYSrTzUHj-xTJQgBu8rPayl2QCrMBHyco7EkIvtcm2WYj6UDoE0hVUwzaxJ7xVF0eXCs/s320/IMG_2785.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StuG PanzerKompanie; 2 x HQ StuG, plus 2 x 4 StuGs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Either way, I think Recce will be a must, to push back ambushes and lift GoneToGround on hiding enemy troops. Cheap motorcycle scouts at ~100pts give me the chance to improve my chances to hit by 17% by lifting GTG, so well worth it I think, and essential in at least in part, mitigating enemy ambushes...<br />
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After that, what else?<br />
<br />
Whenever you field medium tanks, there are always cries of 'but how will you deal with Heavy Tanks'?<br />
Well, there seem to be several options;<br />
Add your own heavies - Tigers perhaps, if you haven't already taken Panthers.<br />
Add cheap Tank Hunters - Marders, Hornisse, Nashorns perhaps, or static Flak '88's?<br />
Smoke them with artillery, simple Mortars, Nebs or 105 howitzers?<br />
Kill them with Heavy Artillery - 150s or Hummels?<br />
Or just keep maneuvering and going for flank shots?<br />
Or just ignore them and kill everything else?<br />
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So, many options there to explore...<br />
<br />
Do I bother about AAA? My regular playing partners rarely use aircraft, especially in LateWar, so spending points on these platoons often seems a bit of a waste of time for me, but they may be a cheap way to add an extra platoon, if I am trying to even up the number of platoons in the force. Normally, Tank companies are going to be attacking, but there are always chances you will end up defending, with reserves, and only having half your force on the board, so that needs to be borne in mind...<br />
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Do I go with the all mobile, all tank attacking force as many panzer players seems to advocate, or do I go with a more balanced approach, including artillery and/or infantry support of some form? I guess it depends on playing style and how I expect to play them...<br />
<br />
Time will no doubt tell, as I try things out and experiment, seeing what works and what doesn't...<br />
<br />
Another Force I am considering is the FuhrerBegleit Brigade list, currently a Pdf format list from BF website. What it allows me to do is make a Mechanised force featuring my gepanzerte halftracks, backed up by two platoons of 3 StuHs. This force can also have the German warrior character; Remer, added to it, who I found a wonderful asset in the MidWar theatre to accompany my GPGs..., so no doubt he'll shine leading my GPGs once again... (and they have his rules properly spelled out, now so no grey areas...)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVkw01NjQi3L-cVKi_8ai3IQw9jxTzwOOxLRitIXKkHk9YZi_yJGTexgcCE0572qfmJSZ8v6NNWmxkKCAIUn4mp0DYojqWWEFC30hc4vw7BiOCejSt8IByDbSVryUiQlvm-MWF6LiIiw/s1600/IMG_2786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVkw01NjQi3L-cVKi_8ai3IQw9jxTzwOOxLRitIXKkHk9YZi_yJGTexgcCE0572qfmJSZ8v6NNWmxkKCAIUn4mp0DYojqWWEFC30hc4vw7BiOCejSt8IByDbSVryUiQlvm-MWF6LiIiw/s320/IMG_2786.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 platoons of StuHs for the FuhrerBegleit Brigade force</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The final decision with that force will be how best to round it out, HQ+ Remer, plus 2 full GPG, plus 2 x 3 StuH, + ??? Perhaps some artillery might do the trick - I have a Heavy Artillery platoon just arrived, and its next on the painting list after the Begleits are finished.... At first I thought no Recce was available with this force until I notice the option of adding a panzergrenadier platoon, mounted in schwimmwagon jeeps, which are recce... Of course, with taking two platoons of StuHs, we're back to the question of dealing with heavy, and even medium tanks for that matter, as the StuH is only AT10... perhaps some 88s? Or rely on a Heavy Artillery bombardment...? Of course, with Remer at the helm and all my infantry teams armed with PanzerFausts, I could just assault enemy tanks! Talk about ballsy!<br />
<br />
So there's a whole host of ways of fielding my StuGs and StuHs... I look forward to trying out some of these variations and will no doubt keep you informed of their battlefield progress.<br />
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Here's a final shot of all the Tanks...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyhSi5E_eDOagmYJgibCwSVfQ4ZfaCWGfJt9rvFTcXMxmaPsggjGhhxB151fiqijvLzMKQQQJG0K6XLXVblxJw2fbO2ertEOvzPdZvPvnd12i6pIpeasLvtDyN_VC8Gk1kjBZ8hqkLVY/s1600/IMG_2787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyhSi5E_eDOagmYJgibCwSVfQ4ZfaCWGfJt9rvFTcXMxmaPsggjGhhxB151fiqijvLzMKQQQJG0K6XLXVblxJw2fbO2ertEOvzPdZvPvnd12i6pIpeasLvtDyN_VC8Gk1kjBZ8hqkLVY/s320/IMG_2787.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a little StuG humour - an oldie but goodie... thanks to Pedro...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiHVPk5q9fQ3jLFm9nnTUlRL_Nccceq9BvnO-f8kRmD2CpDhPBMBxGdFA8po6yFd3CWk13nSVeegypWUlU3GmGctAhrUc71J9FByka_PHo0w_xBQBK-JVxTSYxFyAdoSFurHIt2AieME/s1600/stug-ing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiHVPk5q9fQ3jLFm9nnTUlRL_Nccceq9BvnO-f8kRmD2CpDhPBMBxGdFA8po6yFd3CWk13nSVeegypWUlU3GmGctAhrUc71J9FByka_PHo0w_xBQBK-JVxTSYxFyAdoSFurHIt2AieME/s320/stug-ing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Something I can definitely identify with on the odd days I get caught in traffic!</div>
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Which reminds of that classic Kenny Everett sketch... enjoy!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PD6qdzQvHhE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Yeah I know, its not a Sherman, but I don't think Kenny was too concerned ;-)</div>
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StuG Life...nuff said!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u6IahQr409dsbKZINxr41kj4D6U4-tsYKU1O3KFHIAZUO2aAE0jIt3Qv-5es9piVGYDeezcWKAEJ5P4WaQjLTGXrpL3vuhTQxcQsj4ODMSB7iBwDJZrJHeXM7of_XP5luM-yFfL1nG8/s1600/Stug+III+dat+sexy+low+profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u6IahQr409dsbKZINxr41kj4D6U4-tsYKU1O3KFHIAZUO2aAE0jIt3Qv-5es9piVGYDeezcWKAEJ5P4WaQjLTGXrpL3vuhTQxcQsj4ODMSB7iBwDJZrJHeXM7of_XP5luM-yFfL1nG8/s320/Stug+III+dat+sexy+low+profile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some rough ideas follow from the various theatres of war, though they may need some tweaks to get them down to that specific 1750 points limit...<br />
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Sorry the tables vary in size, its not straight forward porting across from EasyArmy...<br />
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<b><u>LISTS:</u></b><br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; text-align: left; width: 980px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="150"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblMotivation" style="background-color: darkred; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Confident </span><span id="lblSkill" style="background-color: darkred; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Veteran </span></span></td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panzerkompanie<br /><span id="lblSubName" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tank Company</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right;" width="150"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblCountry">German</span> <span id="lblPeriod">Late-War</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;"><span id="lblCompanyType"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tank Company</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: center; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="gray"><td bgcolor="gray"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Platoon</span></b></td><td style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Qty</span></b></td><td><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Unit</span></b></td><td style="text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Points</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Headquarters</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panzerkompanie HQ</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.73</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG G or StuG IV</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">190</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Combat Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panzer Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.73</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">380</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panzer Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.73</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">380</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panzer Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.73</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panzer IV H</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">450</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Divisional Support</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tracked Panzerspäh Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.92</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panzer II L Luchs</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">145</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Motorised Artillery Battery</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.167</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1<br />1<br />4<br />2<br />2</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cmd SMG team<br />Staff team<br />10.5cm leFH18 howitzer<br />Observer Rifle team<br />Kubelwagen</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">210</span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Company Points:</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1755</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 241px;"><a href="http://www.easyarmy.com/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">www.EasyArmy.com</span></a></td><td style="text-align: center; width: 484px;"><span id="lblSource"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source document: Grey Wolf</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right; width: 241px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</tbody></table>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; text-align: left; width: 980px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="150"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblMotivation" style="background-color: darkred; color: white;"> Confident </span><span id="lblSkill" style="background-color: darkred; color: white;"> Veteran </span></span></td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG Abteilung (352.)<br /><span id="lblSubName">Assault Gun Detachment</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right;" width="150"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblCountry">German</span> <span id="lblPeriod">Late-War</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;"><span id="lblCompanyType"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Tank Company</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: center; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="gray"><td bgcolor="gray"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Platoon</span></b></td><td style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Qty</span></b></td><td><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Unit</span></b></td><td style="text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Points</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Headquarters</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG Abteilung HQ (352.)</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.39</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">95</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Combat Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG Platoon (352.)</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.39</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">285</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG Platoon (352.)</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.39</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">285</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG Platoon (352.)</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.39</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">285</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Weapons Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Füsilier Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon (352.)</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.41</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />2</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd SMG team<br />3.7cm Flak43 gun</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">70</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Support Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">352. Füsilier Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.34</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />6</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd MG team<br />MG team</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">180</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">352. Füsilier Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.34</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />4</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd MG team<br />MG team</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">130</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">352. Festungs Heavy Artillery Battery</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.42</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />1<br />2<br />4</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd SMG team<br />Staff team<br />Observer Rifle team<br />15cm sFH18 howitzer</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">310</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Luftwaffe Anti-aircraft Assault Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: darkred; color: white;"> Reluctant Trained </span><b>Allied Platoon</b> p.229</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />2</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd SMG team<br />Luftwaffe 8.8cm FlaK36 gun (8 crew)</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">115</span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Company Points:</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1755</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 241px;"><a href="http://www.easyarmy.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">www.EasyArmy.com</span></a></td><td style="text-align: center; width: 484px;"><span id="lblSource"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Source document: Atlantik Wall book</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right; width: 241px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; text-align: left; width: 980px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="150"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblMotivation" style="background-color: darkred; color: white;"> Confident </span><span id="lblSkill" style="background-color: darkred; color: white;"> Veteran </span></span></td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG Batterie<br /><span id="lblSubName">Assault Gun Battery</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right;" width="150"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblCountry">German</span> <span id="lblPeriod">Late-War</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;"><span id="lblCompanyType"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Tank Company</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: center; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="gray"><td bgcolor="gray"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Platoon</span></b></td><td style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Qty</span></b></td><td><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Unit</span></b></td><td style="text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Points</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Headquarters</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG Batterie</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.121</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">95</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Combat Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Assault Gun Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.121</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">285</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Assault Howitzer Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.121</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuH42 </span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">285</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Assault Gun Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.121</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">StuG G</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">285</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Support Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Pionier Platoon (85.)</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.45</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />9<br />1</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd Pioneer Panzerfaust SMG team<br />Pioneer Rifle team<br />Goliath Demolition Carrier</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">275</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">SS-Scout Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: darkred; color: white;"> Fearless Veteran </span><b>Allied Platoon</b> p.115</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd MG team<br />MG team</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">155</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Motorised Heavy SS-Artillery Battery</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: darkred; color: white;"> Fearless Veteran </span><b>Allied Platoon</b> p.139</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1<br />1<br />1<br />1<br />3<br />3<br />1<br />1</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Cmd SMG team<br />Kfz 15 field car<br />Staff team<br />Kfz 68 radio truck<br />15cm sFH18 howitzer<br />Sd Kfz 7<br />Observer Rifle team<br />Kubelwagen</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">270</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Air Support</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> p.140</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Sporadic Air Support FW 190F</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">100</span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Company Points:</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1750</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 241px;"><a href="http://www.easyarmy.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">www.EasyArmy.com</span></a></td><td style="text-align: center; width: 484px;"><span id="lblSource"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Source document: Bridge by Bridge</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right; width: 241px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table style="text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="150"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblMotivation" style="background-color: darkred; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Confident </span><span id="lblSkill" style="background-color: darkred; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Veteran </span></span></td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG Batterie<br /><span id="lblSubName" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assault Gun Battery</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right;" width="150"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span id="lblCountry">German</span> <span id="lblPeriod">Late-War</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;"><span id="lblCompanyType"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tank Company</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="gray"><td bgcolor="gray"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Platoon</span></b></td><td style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Qty</span></b></td><td><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Unit</span></b></td><td style="text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Points</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Headquarters</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG Batterie HQ</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.59</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1<br />1</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG G<br />Assault Rifle Tank Escort</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">110</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Combat Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.59</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2<br />1<br />3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG G<br />StuH42<br />Assault Rifle Tank Escort</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">330</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.59</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2<br />1<br />3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG G<br />StuH42<br />Assault Rifle Tank Escort</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">330</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.59</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2<br />1<br />3</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">StuG G<br />StuH42<br />Assault Rifle Tank Escort</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">330</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Weapons Platoons</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pionier Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.61</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1<br />9</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cmd Pioneer Rifle team<br />Pioneer Rifle team</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">235</span></td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#AAAAAA" colspan="4" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Divisional Support</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sturm Scout Platoon</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.57</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1<br />2</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cmd Motorcycle MG team<br />Motorcycle MG team</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">110</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top"><table style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Heavy Artillery Battery</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> p.166</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1<br />1<br />2<br />4</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cmd SMG team<br />Staff team<br />Observer Rifle team<br />15cm sFH18 howitzer</span></td><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">310</span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Company Points:</span></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1755</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table style="text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 241px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td><td style="text-align: center; width: 484px;"><span id="lblSource"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source document: Grey Wolf</span></span></td><td style="text-align: right; width: 241px;"><br />
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Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-2409929236135065862013-09-14T20:56:00.003-07:002013-09-15T20:30:31.553-07:00Brett's Post - Fallschirmjäger... A new army!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fallschirmjäger</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... A new army!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Paul setting me up nicely in his last two posts I guess I better find the keyboard and tap out something... and here it is!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I've been playing the gung ho yank with occasional forays with reluctant German blood guts and glory lists and decided after a year and a bit of Flames of War to try something quite different and something that I crafted from scratch. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<img src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02059/merkel_2059806b.jpg" /><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">a reluctant trained german if ever I saw one!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The yanks were purchased off trademe so I don't feel a vested interest in what happens to them, not like Scott who wouldn't commit his panthers when he first painted them in case he got them shot. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I decided I wanted to lavish a bit of tlc into this army and feel the pain every time one of my miniatures got popped. Or hesitate to commit them because they might get shot...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Inspiration</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Why cool FJ's you ask... Well the interest has been lying dormant for years, along with Rommel they always seemed to pique my interest.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The Eagle has landed was one of my favorite movies as a boy... which left me thinking Fallschirmjägers were cool and played with honor... definitely expect to throw sixes with these boys.</span><br />
<br />
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRaskpP2EXaZvGkVx6HB0hyzKkMVhlmi0wcxQ_e6aVG_aNdgud5" /><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Finally I've been reading It never snows in September which provides the German perspective for the market garden campaign... Lots of scenario ideas and cobbled together forces with extraordinary bravery and ruthlessness from both sides.</span><br />
<br />
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Along came the new market garden books and as I perused the bridge by bridge book, there in all its glory was the final nail for my inspiration, von der Heydte and panzerfaust ambushes attached to fallschirmjägers.</span><br />
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<img src="http://www.fjr6.co.uk/Links/normandy_schrek.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">What to collect and why</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I enjoy constructing lists and pondering what to use, how they would play against different opponents and whether I could keep it within respectable historical parameters.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I don't normally graduate towards infantry, too slow, usually defending, slow, defend a lot, not very mobile... And did I mention defending!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I tend to be a bit impatient and therefore do not develop strong defense lines and I get positively itchy if I'm dancing to someone else's tune... I like to grab the initiative in my games and get quite possessive about keeping it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">So to my first list</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Fearless veteran FJ seem pretty tough but expensive... I also felt they'd be a bit too like playing paras and Paul has that team locked up good and tight.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Also Ersatz FJ feel more in keeping with the forces and fighting mentioned in It never snows in September. I could also expect a bit more bang for my points buck as it were.</span><br />
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A little platoon by platoon summary of my first list to face Paul<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">HQ: - well with this I maxed out on panzerschreks - to give some anti tank punch </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">and a couple of mortars... I figure being able to drop smoke is useful if I need to sneak up if attacking or limit shooting effectiveness, after all being trained means I'm going to be getting hit more often. 155pts gone</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Von der Heydte and panzerfaust trap teams, what's not to like - four mini ambushes, in no mans land or deployment area and can assault and VdH can motivate on a 2plus. Also killing them wont impact on any platoons. They also give me something to grab initiative with if I ambush them well. 170 points</span><br />
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVyBMGL4QerCYpX5YFNtEm-ZFX7zRS2dhTKlq53bnUt6Fvv2NY" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A couple of combat platoons, 1 full and 1 short. Obviously the big one to attack with and the smaller one to just hold on wherever it is put. And occasionally to ambush with the big one just to mix it up a little. 360 pts</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A 2 mortar weapon platoon, give me some more smoke or some direct fire against dug in infantry if I'm attacking, and at only 55points they're a cheap extra platoon that can be kept out of harms way.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A couple of captured Russian pak36 anti tank guns give me some punch and support for FJ combat platoons. At 65 points they're also quite cheap for an added platoon.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A full strength assault gun platoon, literally the last 5 assault guns in the area and at fearless veteran they'll provide a pretty potent ambush if I'm defending. I'll also make one a stuh42 for its breakthrough gun. Gives me some much needed mobility too. A steep 545 points though.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A good artillery battery of 15cm howitzers, again AT5 is useful against clumped soviet amour and any big pussy cats playing in the backfield, and can always dump some smoke or counter battery fire if tanks are scarce. 205 points</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I do like my 88's so grabbed a Luftwaffe flak platoon with 88 and two 3.7cm anti aircraft. Only reluctant trained but pretty useful with the 88 upgraded to ROF3. 110 points with some transport. I have been known to set them up then hop in the trucks and race them somewhere else!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Finally some confident trained recce, tough one this, take these for those games I attack, does give me some more mobility, and an 8th platoon, but the 85 points could be used to max out on panzerfausts in command teams and the smaller FJ combat platoon.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">So there is my first list. I'll be striking out at the local forces to see how it handles different combinations and hopefully chart their journey from idea to finished army.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I've sent off an order to battlefront for a few FJ packs and tank hunters to start.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The look of the army</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I think this force is going to have a mixed look, lots of thrown together kit and a mix of uniforms as men were thrown together and sent to plug the lines with whatever they could get their hands on. Hence a smattering of captured stuff will find its way into my platoons.</span><br />
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<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/68dcad7d2d5596021691c85b9aacab77/tumblr_midl46SMkk1qa38yao1_r1_500.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The reading gives a confused picture of the Germans constantly scrambling to put ad hoc formations together! And often just in time.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">That seems like my kind of force, now just need to roll 4plus for those annoying storm trooper moves and save lots of hits.</span><br />
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSj1jJxK18vhhSFnnwehmuNxb2Te4c7jMoyLKLOrrOe1623KPg7cA" /><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I just noticed in the list I can also have some confident trained panthers... woo hoo I even have them painted so my first unit is done... wait a minute that means I'll have to change the list... :-)</span><br />
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<img alt="photo.JPG" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bf53e6f7cb&view=att&th=1411fc1eac42a8d7&attid=0.1&disp=thd&zw" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Cheers</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Brett</span></div>
Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-53233239261185464072013-08-30T18:42:00.000-07:002015-01-27T18:20:07.250-08:00Gepanzerte-Schule, Teil Zwei...... OK, getting clever with google-translate ;-)<br />
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Armoured School - Part Two...<br />
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After my previous post where my German mechanised force, had a reasonably successful go at having a crack at some damned dug in Paras, who were trying to steal back a portion of the greater Reich... it was now time to see how the same force would now fare against an Armoured Company...<br />
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My plan with my Mechanised force in this example being for the most part to 'hang on'..., but to still hopefully project some force, to blunt the attacking platoons. Tanks are big nasty scary things when they are rumbling towards your troops, but infantry can survive a lot of attention being dug in and gone to ground, and any half decent volley from the panthers can blunt one of these armoured prongs. Combine that with heavy artillery fire from the Hummels, and its possible to knock out a platoon at a time with this double tag team...<br />
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This still leaves the heavy platoon stummels and mortars to deal with the lighter armoured vehicles and recce and even the 37mm cannon on the platoon command half tracks can be pressed into service against these lighter armoured vehicles.<br />
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Last time we had played, Paul had discussed using his Soviet Forward detachment, a nasty mix of Tanks, Assault breakthrough guns and an Infantry horde... but a last minute change of mind had Paul bring his Canuks... His Canadian Armoured squadron from Market Garden.<br />
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So, once again my force was:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">CHQ; 2 x SMG/P'faust + P'Schrek & 3 x 251 Halftracks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Full CBT, w/ SMG/P'Faust, 37mm Cmd Halftrack, plus 3 x 251's</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Full CBT, w/ SMG/P'Faust, </span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">37mm Cmd Halftrack, plus 3 x 251's</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Heavy Platoon; Cmd 251 + 2 x Stummel + 2 x 8cm armoured mortars w/ obs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Recce; 1 x 250/1 + 2 x 250/9 Halftracks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Panzers; 3 x Panther</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Artillery; 3 x Hummels w/ PzIII obs.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Whilst Paul brought:</span><br />
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CHQ – 2x Sherman V’s and a Sherman ARV<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 Armoured Platoons, each with 2x Sherman V and 2x Fireflys (Fireflys w/ .50 cal AA MG’s)<o:p></o:p></div>
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4x M10 3”<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 Universal Carrier patrols, each with 3x carriers<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rifle Platoon with 2 Squads and 3x Ram Kangaroo APC’s w/ .50cal AA MG’s</div>
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The Canadians bring with them upgunned 17pdr Fireflies @ AT15, which scares my Panthers. They're Confident Veterans, and have 'Woodsman' and 'Mission Tactics', but don't get British Bulldog...</div>
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The one thing I like about them is its all kill-able stuff - nothing greater than front armour 6. So my Panthers, Hummels and even Stummels are capable of 'having some fun' against this force...</div>
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So my ideal match-ups are going to be Panthers and Hummels to kill the Shermans, and Stummels can try taking out UCs & M10s, my Recce and 37mm halftracks can also target the UCs... Armoured mortars are mostly for smoke or infantry killing... That's my very general approach here...</div>
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So on to the mission, the dice roll and we get... Cauldron... no ones favourite mission... neither of us are keen so we re-roll... Fighting Withdrawal... not my favourite but it often comes up in tournies, and is good in that it has a finite conclusion fixed at 8 turns. Also there's no messing about with reserves... but the defender has to deal with Strategic Withdrawals...</div>
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On to deployment; I pick the side with the most general cover yet also decent LOS for shooting up Pauls tanks as he comes towards me.</div>
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I deploy a GPG on each flank objective, with halftracks also deployed, as I want them to shoot up Pauls infantry if they advance on me, and I want the 37mms available too. Hummels are central, recce behind small wood to my centre right, and heavy platoon with the mortars with the hummels, and stummels with the recce. Panthers... surprise surprise, are the ambush...</div>
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Paul decided to apply 'duckbills' to his tanks, giving them widetracks but also making them slow. He then deployed a Sherman platoon in his central and right flank woods. M10s and recce were in and beside the town, and infantry behind right flank woods. His 2ic Sherman was alone far on his left flank...</div>
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Deployment pic: sorry I couldnt find usual camera so these are crappy Ipod pics...<br />
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I moved my Recce across towards my centre sensing the bulk of Pauls attack to happen towards my centre and left. Paul pushed up his recce, fanning out towards my centre and left obviously looking to push back my Panther ambush... but as the bulk of my force was concealed at range and gone to ground he had no shooting...<br />
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My turn, and now the 'phoney war' begins...<br />
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Panther ambush... where to place it... I was sorely tempted to put it down on my right flank, knock out Pauls 2ic Sherman, and then to start rolling the flank, but was concerned at the distance my Panthers would then have to travel to get back into the action which was the mainly on the other side of the board... So instead I decided to place it where his recce had not been effective, my extreme left... I could pop it within 16" of Pauls right flank Sherman platoon... The hummels could also see this platoon and could get 4 tanks under the template and catch 2 infantry teams...<br />
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Recce would shoot up the UCs, Stummels moved to shoot up the m10s, Mortars would drop smoke on the centre Sherman platoon...<br />
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Smoke first, hit, great, that reduces their effectiveness, only one Sherman can still see the right side of board.<br />
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Panthers... 6 shots needing a 5, nothing... Hummels, three chances to range in on a 5, nothing... stummels 3 shots on a 6, nothing... recce shoot up the recce who failed to disengage, but I still could achieve little... and this appeared to set the tone for my shooting for most of the game, I couldn't hit a barn door...<br />
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Paul now started to gradually apply pressure... he returned fire at the Panthers but he too missed, or the one hit I got I saved. But I lost 2 hummels in the centre as Paul started to find his dice rhythm and the sixes started to tumble across the felt... I even suffered the ignominy of that 1 in 36 chance kill; a UC vehicle MG hit the side of my recce command half track, I rolled a 1 for a save and Paul a 6 to kill it... mutter mutter mutter...<br />
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For the next several turns things continued this way, the Panthers and Sherman platoon exchanging foul language but that was about all... I withdrew my lone hummel into cover to try and preserve it. Paul decided to try a bold thrust with a lone m10 through towards the panthers flank but missed. The m10 being subsequently caught in a cross fire from a 'faust, 'shreck, and 37mm... the 37mm claiming the scalp and my first kill of the game...<br />
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Time came to withdraw my first platoon, and I had picked up a sneaky tip from seeing other German players; kampfgrupping a lone infantry stand with my 2ic, so these two teams quit the field leaving me still quite well positioned, no gaps yet...<br />
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By this time, Paul had started snaking his 2 UC patrols to my right to threaten that end objective, teaming up with the 2ic Sherman and other shermans who had started to edge out from the centre woods.<br />
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I had got a little bold previously with my right flank infantry... sensing a possible assault against a UC patrol, as it took a load of fire, if I could simply get 3 bails and or a kill here or there, they would be easy meat... one thing to remember for beginning players, if all the tanks you are assaulting are bailed out, then there is no tank terror test and no defensive fire. I thought I saw a chance but it wasn't to be, I bailed only two of the three UCs and then failed tank terror. I had now scampered infantry out of their foxholes so they were ripe for MGing, which Paul duly started... and teams started falling on my right...<br />
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Paul also knocked out 2 Panthers on my left over the next couple of turns, for the loss of a further m10..., the rot had set in and I was starting to crumble... The centre recce took another hit and the remaining 2cm halftrack quite the field...<br />
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The hummels were withdrawn next... making the centre looking more vulnerable too. So I managed to get my CO across from my left to the centre farmhouse, to keep the centre objective covered. The sensation of 'hanging on by ones fingers nails' had certainly commenced.<br />
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The stummels and Pltn Cmd were sent to reinforce the crumbling right ... the air was sporadically turning blue, as I continued to fail to be able to kill anything, and then kept failing infantry saves...<br />
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However, the one thing my dice were doing, despite letting me steadily die, was that I kept passing 4+ platoon morale checks, and the Panthers had hung on for quite some time with some decent armour saves, although as previously noted, had eventually been reduced to one tank... under weight of fire...<br />
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I hung on just long enough on my right, contesting with the Stummels, to whip that objective away... Paul started pressuring the left flank, now that I was down to 1 Panther, and since the centre was looking thin I had had to start moving the left side Grens over to the centre, everything was getting perilously thin... Paul also pushed up on the centre too, with Shermans and m10s..<br />
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Another platoon, had to be withdrawn, and I withdrew the shattered remnant of my right flank infantry, passing a skill test to do so... Sensing it was getting close to the point that all I had to do was stay alive, I backed my last panther off into the woods to keep it out of LOS and alive.<br />
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Paul now realised it was now or never... too late to grab the left objective, this got pulled too... so it boiled down to could he kill enough of my teams/platoons that were remaining, to force me to take a company morale check and quit the field.<br />
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Paul massed all the fire he could; sent 4 tanks into the wood to kill the last panther, positioned enough tanks to shoot up the remnants of the heavy platoon... and tried to get some shots on my CO in the farmhouse...<br />
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One Firefly got a hit on the Panther, but only bailed it, and I passed morale! I lost two more heavy platoon vehicles, but they passed morale... and shooting at the CO was ineffective... and that was it... game over, I had hung on, with a final score of 5-2, as I had lost the halftrack recce platoon mid game, to give Paul a point for his efforts.<br />
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A win, but it really didn't feel like it, and was another of those pressure cooker games, that has one pondering... and I do this for fun!?...<br />
<br />
I had managed to destroy 2 m10s and 2 UCs and that was it. I had lost 2 hummels, 2 panthers, the 3 recce halftracks, an armoured mortar, stummel and their pltn cmd, and several infantry teams. My efforts felt rather pathetic. If I had managed at least a little better dice earlier and some effective co-ordination between the panthers and hummels, reducing Pauls Sherman platoons, I could have put him on the back foot... but it wasn't to be and thus a slow grinding capitulation ensues, that was quite literally saved by the bell and some lucky platoon morale checks...<br />
<br />
A tough game for Paul to lose, be he continued to keep the pressure on throughout, and was so close to victory at several times.<br />
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Despite failing to kill much, I think my troops performed, or at least had the potential to perform, adequately, had I managed to hit some targets,... so I feel its has rather proved the point that this overall force has the potential to be effective in a 'take on all comers' tournament...<br />
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<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-66783440271572630652013-08-28T11:29:00.000-07:002013-08-28T16:52:11.078-07:00Tournament Etiquette and Sportsmanship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having recently
ventured back into the tournament scene after mostly playing amongst ourselves
for the year so far, as a group we have noticed a few “quirks” in the way the
wargames in general are played. Thus, we offer the following observations on
gaming etiquette, particularly at tournaments where you are often playing
unfamiliar opponents:<br />
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<i>It's "grumpy old(ish) men" time! We're not nearly as grumpy as this post sounds. It's just sometimes a good old rant is more entertaining to read and write :-)</i></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> 1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Dice rolling, specifically the physical act of
dice rolling. Massive kinetic energy does not enhance your odds of getting the
required number! Much time can be wasted retrieving dice from the far end of
the room. There is no +1 bonus for added height on your dice roll/throw/launch.
If you throw dice into terrain that frequently results in cocked dice,
continuing to throw dice into the same terrain will continue to result in
cocked dice. A die is cocked if another die will not sit on top of it, with out falling off. Do not
throw dice into piles of other dice, its then difficult to see which dice you threw and what the resulting number was, as the dice all bounce about from the impact. Just shake up the required number of dice
in your hands, and then drop or gently roll them onto a flat, open area of the
table. Easy.</span></div>
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<i>If you really just can't keep the dice under control, then for everyone's safety maybe you need these? Knitted dice! Perfect for winter.</i></div>
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<o:p>2. </o:p><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Dice rolling, specifically the declaring of. Do
not start rolling dice without declaring what you are rolling for, what number
you need, and how you arrived at that required number if need be, eg: “rolling
to unpin my artillery, needing a four” or “three main gun shots at your
Panthers, they’re Veterans so that’s 4’s, long range 5”. Remember that you need
to declare the targets for all shooting teams in a platoon before any dice are rolled.
If you just start rolling dice in front of yourself, scooping them up and
claiming success without your opponent having any idea what you are doing, do
not be surprised if you are asked what you are doing. Full disclosure at all
times is a good rule. Likewise, pay attention when your opponent is declaring.
Don’t claim you didn’t know what was happening if you weren’t focused on the
game.</span></div>
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<o:p>3. </o:p><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Declare your force at the start of the game.
This entails a quick run down of what is in your force, any special rules or
characters you may have, any proxy models you are using and anything else your
opponent may need to know. This doesn't need to be your life story, just a
heads up on any relevant points. Having done this does not relieve you of all
obligations to be sporting on these points during the game. Don’t expect your
opponent to gain an instant knowledge of the ins and outs of your force. Answer
their questions, correct any mistakes, eg:</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">if you have mixed skill levels in your force, point out if your opponent is shooting
at Trained troops as though they were Veterans (i.e. he thinks he needs a 4 when all he actually needs is a 3, not correcting this, is poor sportsmanship indeed). Declaring dice rolling (and
listening to your opponents) helps to avoid errors like this impacting a game.
When deploying, and throughout the game, be clear about where platoons start
and end. Remember too, it is your responsibility to know when your platoons
need to take morale checks and to take them at the required time, it is not up
to your opponent to request that you take them.</span></div>
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<i>Never a truer word! So don't try and hide them or use confusing proxies please.</i></div>
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4. <span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Declare intentions. This means be clear about
what you are doing. If you are fully inside a wooded area, state that you are
moving to be fully inside the area. Most of the time you will be able to show
this with no problems, but it will save you being caught out if a base gets
bumped later and a corner is poking out of the wood. It also reduces the need for
tedious micro measuring where you have ample movement ability to execute what
you want to do. Declare lines of sight and concealment, eg: if you move a tank
forward behind some cover, state whether you can see an enemy team or not. You
may assume there isn’t a line of sight to a particular target, so you don’t
shoot at it. It’s not good to find out in your opponents turn that you can
suddenly see each other. You may have shot, or not moved there at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>5.</o:p><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Discuss terrain at the start of the game. Make
it fair. A good general guideline is “keep it simple”. Terrain should obviously
have an impact on the game, but you should be fighting the enemy first and
foremost, not the terrain. Be really clear about what constitutes area terrain,
concealment etc and then stick to it. Different groups play these things
different ways, so long you are both playing the same interpretations it often doesn’t really matter.</span></div>
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<o:p>6. </o:p><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Rules disputes – play the ball, not the man. For
anyone unfamiliar with the sporting metaphor, take this to mean stick to the
issue in question. If you can’t resolve a rule issue quickly and to mutual
satisfaction, look it up in the rule book. Don’t try and force your view on
your opponent without backing it up. Nobody likes a bully. Don’t try and brow
beat someone into your point of view, and then back off saying “ok, we’ll play
it your way because I’m such a nice guy” when you realise you don’t have a leg
to stand on. If you’re wrong, admit it. Stick to the issue, reach for the rule
book. If in doubt, dice for it and move on. Simmering tensions will quickly
lead to more issues if anyone feels they are “owed a break”. Similarly, don’t
question someone’s integrity or call them a cheat without being able to back it
up. You may know they cheated, but you won’t achieve anything positive without
being able to prove it. Conversely, just because you forgot something or didn’t
ask about something you were unsure of, or had a genuine miscommunication, does
not make the other player a cheat. An error on your part does not constitute
cheating. Deliberate, contrived cheating is extremely rare, and most issues can
be sorted in a gentlemanly fashion, so don’t be too quick to start name
calling. There would be few sadder sights than grown men having fisticuffs over
a game of toy soldiers! Plus, you never know who’s secretly a ninja-trained
killing machine when they’re not painting little tanks…</span></div>
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<i>Don't be this guy.</i></div>
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<o:p>7. </o:p><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Some real basics, but you’d be surprised (or
not) at some of the things we’ve seen. “Elastic tape measures” are one of these
things. Also measuring movement, then taking away the tape measure and moving
the model past the allowable distance. If you’ve forgotten to do something in a
particular step and moved on to the next step, either suck it up and remember
next time, or ask your opponent if they mind you acting out of sequence. Do not
just start moving models around after shooting, or deploy a “forgotten” platoon
half way through the game without asking first. 99% of the time it will be OK,
and you should always try and correct these errors in a way that doesn’t
adversely impact your opponent. After all, it was your mistake. I once had an
opponent start making some “forgotten” movement in my turn, after I’d moved
some of my platoons! He didn’t even ask, just did it brazenly. I was not
impressed.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><br />
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8.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Take it like a man! Don’t deliberately play slow
for a time out win. If a game times out and robs you of victory but your
opponent was playing at a good pace then don’t take it out on them. Likewise,
don’t blame your opponent for slow play if you spent half the game wandering
off around the room. If it’s not going your way, don’t sulk. Always try and
play as positively as possible. You’ll have more fun and gain more respect, and
probably get better results too. </div>
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Whew! Quite a rant
indeed! Please note that these observations are gained from years of our own
experience, the experiences of others, and just general pet peeves. They are
not aimed at anyone in particular, but hopefully set a standard for all of us.
In my own experience, the vast majority of gamers play to enjoy the game and
that will always shine through. At times things can get tense, but
communication is the key. It’s all war stories in the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cheers,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Paul and Scott.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-5308257321562857342013-08-23T19:25:00.001-07:002015-01-27T17:58:48.237-08:00Gepanzerte-Schule!In an ongoing attempt to find a balanced German mechanised force, with enough options to attack and defend against a variety of opponents, and how well to tactically play, I have begun a learning curve, with a bit of a back to basics approach.<br />
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I have played this force, both in Mid-war and Late-war incarnations for over two years now, with just about a game a week, but with few victories to show for it... but being stubborn and pig headed I have not given up - largely because I have put a shit load of resources, both money for buying the models, and time to paint them up, to give up on them.<br />
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So I am going to find a way to make them 'work'. However I admit I have certainly 'spat the dummy' at differing times, or just declared I needed a break to rest my jangled thoughts...<br />
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So, in an attempt to salvage thoughts from the ashes, I suggested to Paul, a chance to play a sort of 'doubles solo game'; we'd play the same arse of a mission for the GPGs; attacking the Brit Paras in a No Retreat scenario - but the difference being we'd both discuss how we thought mission objective placement and deployment should go, and then discuss each turn as we played it, from both sides point of view...<br />
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This would develop a more global view of the game from start to finish...<br />
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We also agreed that if something didn't work, during a turns activity, we would try a reset, at that point and try something else...<br />
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This led to a lengthy game, but many lessons were learned from mutual discussion... some from more past experiences being echo-ed, and others from Pauls insights from the defenders point of view, and how he thought an attack should best proceed...<br />
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The force I have chosen to use is a Heer force from Grey Wolf;<br />
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HQ; 2 x SMG/P'faust + P'Schrek<br />
Full CBT, w/ SMG/P'Faust<br />
Full CBT, w/ SMG/P'Faust<br />
Heavy Platoon; Cmd 251 + 2 x Stummel + 2 x 8cm armoured mortars w/ obs<br />
Recce; 1 x 250/1 + 2 x 250/9<br />
Panzers; 3 x Panther<br />
Artillery; 3 x Hummels w/ PzIII obs.<br />
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The thinking being I have two solid Mechanised Infantry platoons to handle the attack, Recce to mitigate ambushes and lift GTG, Heavy Arty to get ranged in and pound targets (I want to kill what I hit!), Panthers - the ubiquitous Tank killer and infantry support, and the Heavy platoon is my 'versatile' option, being able to support the infantry with direct fire and smoke.<br />
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On to the game, Paul took his same Para force as last game, chose an end to defend and placed his objective centre rear of his position. The German objective went down in woods to front left of the German position, the idea being an advance to this position would be screened through hedges and woods and much of the defenders defensive fire in this area would be blocked by the wood and building. The other flank was more open and would allow for the potential of a quicker thrust to the rear...<br />
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As predicted Paul then deployed the Brits strongly covering the front objective, with a thinner force on the German right, and howitzers at the back. A fairly typical defense. Since Paul had engineers, he also placed 3 sections of barbed wire covering the approach to the front objective.<br />
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As I didn't have pioneers, the wire would be a problem. Not insurmountable, but it slows you down, catching teams in the open, so this wasn't the place to attack... So it was decided to attack down the German right flank, the idea being to push into the central wood and right side corn, and then look which way to go from there with potential to push on to the rear objective, or swing left in to the front flank objective, depending on how the game developed.<br />
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Deployment as below, with German mascot well placed...<br />
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It was decided to advance the infantry on foot through the terrain... This went against the grain for me somewhat as I can't help the feeling that I have paid the points for the half tracks so I want them on the board doing something... but so often in the past I have found they have invariably got caught up in terrain, either slowed by it or blogging down on it, or simply given away an easy range in point for artillery, that their use often leads to problems before the game gets properly underway, ham-stringing any German attack later... The half tracks would remain available to be called up later at a more opportune time...<br />
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The early stages of the game saw the Germans cautiously advancing into position, and being particularly aware of the LOS from the Para Arty observer. This was blocked by smoke from the mortars allowing the infantry to advance unmolested. Recce had already pushed up to throw back any immediate ambush, forcing Paul to hold his 17pdrs till later.<br />
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Paul ranged arty fire on the exposed Panther which hit but bounced but this forced the Panther to move, as I didn't fancy the medium arty support getting called in on top of it, subsequently...<br />
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As turns continued, the Germans had got in to position to assault the para engineer pickets. A small mistake by Paul had left them just too far from their supporting main line, so they were taken out without any possible reply from the paras. The 17pdrs did however deploy knocking out one Panther. The remaining two hid behind the wood, till these guns were dealt with.<br />
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Boom goes a panther, but infantry are pushing up well...<br />
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In the face of the German assault, Paul started pulling back towards an 'Alamo-like' line joining the two objectives...<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
This allowed the Recce, Heavy platoon stummels and by now the called up half tracks to start swinging round the flank, and MGing Pauls reserves as they were coming on to the board. The paras were admittedly now feeling under pressure.. The hummels had ranged in and taken out two 17 pdrs by this point.. allowing the Panthers to get back into the game with main gun and MG fire, at the paras, keeping the ones on the front objective tied up in place, whilst the rest of the German force were gradually pushing back and compressing the paras onto the rear objective. This was in turn providing groups of targets under templates for the Hummels and Mortars to keep chipping away at, and with more direct fire from the Stummels and Recce too.<br />
<br />
The Germans had at one point, tried an assault through the middle, as there was a chance to capture the 17pdrs and deal to more paras... we weighed it up, checked the Def fire, and went for it. Def fire just got 5 hits, but we played on as if only 4 had occurred, took the saves and attacked. I didn't get the best round dice and the Paras motivated and had enough teams to destroy the attacking platoon. So we reset and instead had the German platoon mount up their half tracks and drive back out the way of the ranged in Arty (that had triggered their assault; a 'do or die' moment), thus preserving the platoon. This just reinforced that you can only really hope to attack a weakened position and win, otherwise you are going to get beaten off taking severe losses..., especially where a defense is in depth...<br />
<br />
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<br />
This was about how we called it, through time more than anything. Paul had lost his small platoon of mortars that had come on from reserve, and got shot up, his 17pdrs were down to one gun, the engineers were severely battered, and the CO had got MG-ed, but Paul still had his 2iC and Urquart, and the rest of his troops bunch up, waiting to get pounded... it was just a matter of time...<br />
<br />
The Germans had lost a couple of infantry teams and one panther...<br />
<br />
So the lessons learned in the main were...<br />
<br />
1. Let the game develop, don't rush in<br />
2. Preserve the infantry, moving through terrain and smoke cover. Watch for observer lines of sight.<br />
3. Leave half tracks off until needed, when they can be effective, then call them up (as per Ambush deployment rules), but bear in mind the turn the arrive they cannot shoot or assault so you need to be thinking a turn ahead...<br />
4. Get artillery ranged in and keep pounding targets that can hurt you; AT guns, howitzers etc...<br />
5. Wait till the opportune moment to attack and do so against weakened positions, with greater force than the defender can withstand.<br />
<br />
It all sounds straight forward, but keeping a cool calm head and sticking to the plan, during the game, will be the key to future successes...<br />
<br />
Many thanks to Paul for his patience and working though this scenario, is has giving some hope to my mechanised cause!Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-58650142145167152062013-08-14T19:19:00.000-07:002013-08-15T02:31:11.878-07:00CTA - Army list selection post-event thoughts... Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie...Well Call to Arms was the expected rollercoaster ride for me, with some small successes, and some oh so close losses that weren't really reflected in the points... a dice roll here of there and the result would have been dramatically different.... but hey, those are the breaks...<br />
<br />
So I thought I'd review my list, and what worked and what didn't...<br />
<br />
My list was:<br />
<br />
<b><u><i>Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie (Grey Wolf)</i></u></b><br />
<b><u><i><br /></i></u></b>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 389px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 11885; mso-width-source: userset; width: 244pt;" width="325"></col><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt; width: 244pt;" width="325"><i>Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie HQ (<u>Confident Veterans</u>)</i></td><td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Add Panzershreck team</i></td><td align="right"><i>125</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon - 3 sections</i></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Command Panzerfaust SMG team</i></td><td align="right"><i>230</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon - 3 sections</i></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Command Panzerfaust SMG team</i></td><td align="right"><i>230</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Schwere Panzer Platoon - Königstiger (Henschel)</i></td><td align="right"><i>690</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Anti-tank Gun Platoon - 3 7.5cm PaK40 guns</i></td><td align="right"><i>155</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Puma Panzerspäh Platoon - 3 Sd Kfz 234/2 (Puma)</i></td><td align="right"><i>150</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Rocket Launcher Battery - 3 15cm NW41</i></td><td align="right"><i>105</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Warrior Dietrich von Saucken</i></td><td align="right">65<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
... and as previously explained, it was designed to go up against a horde of tough allied tanks lists, from the new Market Garden books... which didn't really materialise...<br />
<br />
I only really had one game against an armoured opponent; Russells T34 horde, but in that game I struggled to get any decent lines of fire due to an excess of terrain on the board. As it happened it didn't really matter, as Russell pretty much broke himself upon me, like waves on a rock...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmKXcvhNzLudDyP9ZO7FdLUngiI4nt6XbiGYLwUAjTlF9gdMLRC1VZxUChizLByXhxbpHaXg5f8i644in7g0fbEQs8yLtlVIHeAl2EtJ7KXac0VlMdmmHr3sg_WwchMErVbpwxyXVPc8/s1600/kingtiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmKXcvhNzLudDyP9ZO7FdLUngiI4nt6XbiGYLwUAjTlF9gdMLRC1VZxUChizLByXhxbpHaXg5f8i644in7g0fbEQs8yLtlVIHeAl2EtJ7KXac0VlMdmmHr3sg_WwchMErVbpwxyXVPc8/s320/kingtiger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... a "rock" !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In other games where the Paks and KTs had armoured targets they acquitted themselves well, but this only really happened in two of my games... so in the end, I have to say the two King Tigers were really a waste of points...<br />
<br />
The Nebs performed adequately, as they usually do, nothing spectacular but always useful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPR91xFMfb6YRVlQhsIdDI7ETadXlOJTdK77xJWj8RbpgWnZoIuqU9bLrVnXPLQrHVK8OAlzVvYnFHLY0M1EdPaoX9k3BdKajEiyrayZLic7S-gKWBbRsdB495yltwN9MSYVOddwlTC4/s1600/15-cmNbW41-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPR91xFMfb6YRVlQhsIdDI7ETadXlOJTdK77xJWj8RbpgWnZoIuqU9bLrVnXPLQrHVK8OAlzVvYnFHLY0M1EdPaoX9k3BdKajEiyrayZLic7S-gKWBbRsdB495yltwN9MSYVOddwlTC4/s320/15-cmNbW41-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fun! - look at the mess I can make with these!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The Pumas again did what they could, but I often feel, a cheaper Recce platoon could achieve what they do. I wouldn't have the AT option of the Puma but that's not really the Puma's job! And once you commit the puma to firing, it is invariably knocked out in return fire...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85Czo5CXwCfOSYPiglShyphenhyphenEphYT-yAZRBmE_eTcY7KRCnRd8Corula_2PAKP-vU5HosXF4eFx4TXbtl_5gMMW0Efm8f3Im8eBPdfsxyUv3Bk0JEdB2nlHEFjo4lcnaSLXnX98pQTctiMA/s1600/sdkfz-234-2-armored-car-05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85Czo5CXwCfOSYPiglShyphenhyphenEphYT-yAZRBmE_eTcY7KRCnRd8Corula_2PAKP-vU5HosXF4eFx4TXbtl_5gMMW0Efm8f3Im8eBPdfsxyUv3Bk0JEdB2nlHEFjo4lcnaSLXnX98pQTctiMA/s320/sdkfz-234-2-armored-car-05.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recce with a big gun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Paks were predictably good against tanks but little use attacking against infantry for the most part...<br />
<br />
So being a mechanised force I mostly found my list trying to attack Infantry companies, and invariably falling just short of the mark...<br />
<br />
Whether I didn't have enough platoons, or couldn't motivate when necessary, I just didn't seem to have enough 'umph' to push it over the finish line.... so, this has made me have a rethink... which breaks down roughly like this...<br />
<br />
I need to play to the Mechanised Companies strengths;<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAj5ygJFKo27qcZ7yKhdLd2JMRXQex-On7U-12vyWUFWr2Ie6jMvU4rz7pWgpFeaX_tFeFULvkadQPhHpUjSJkyysITbNqHM8NvtEpq_n658Y7u3tZZolwmJn-3Tt-OnZ4G5JMsClOVU/s1600/SdKfz251C-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAj5ygJFKo27qcZ7yKhdLd2JMRXQex-On7U-12vyWUFWr2Ie6jMvU4rz7pWgpFeaX_tFeFULvkadQPhHpUjSJkyysITbNqHM8NvtEpq_n658Y7u3tZZolwmJn-3Tt-OnZ4G5JMsClOVU/s320/SdKfz251C-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mechanised mayhem!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
To my mind a mechanised company is designed to attack infantry, and do it quickly, swamping a defence with numbers and weight of fire, in as short a time as possible. The typical German combat platoon of 7 elements often isn't enough to carry the day, so you often need a tandem tag team with two platoons working together for the main attack. Having a third, will be able to tie down other enemy troops that would otherwise move to reinforce where the main attack is going in...This means having three combat platoons, or two plus a pioneer platoon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg2pvAyWJePCCIXpm248kebRGeap59RDPKicUEWs8EFBXLy-QZ2jfogGY9TPixEVXZkcVol37QOBnVQg39lLznfyMYN5bGq_b9fmbjLD1AoU8-y989hK2iJBE4uG5Jk9mJCv97VzKJ1A/s1600/stuka+zu+fuss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg2pvAyWJePCCIXpm248kebRGeap59RDPKicUEWs8EFBXLy-QZ2jfogGY9TPixEVXZkcVol37QOBnVQg39lLznfyMYN5bGq_b9fmbjLD1AoU8-y989hK2iJBE4uG5Jk9mJCv97VzKJ1A/s320/stuka+zu+fuss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pioneer Stuka zu Fuss! Bring your own artillery with you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next up, to attack successfully motivation is the key. Being Whermacht Heer, and thus 'Confident' means only a 50/50 chance to motivate, whether its to unpin, tank assault, keep fighting on through an assault or whatever... 50/50 is simply not good enough to reliably attack. Even with a CO or Higher Command reroll, it can still let you down...<br />
<br />
So that means upping the morale of your troops. There's no guarantees in this game, ... I have recently witnessed both Brit Paras and Soviet Shtraf roll snake eyes for motivation at key times,... but a 3+ morale, with a reroll for a CO is much better odds to push on for that win... than I am used to with the regular Heer troops...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrrPKuG63Up3q9fb1Z3eH24Cl2-Zh-uz3rhb8qOwRGDPcnHa6ujL_gjh7s1SJ2LyOAVssOX_nSlDBWsQuMoIVCOcHc8TpPuspPhvJleFe-PdjBmgbi4FsHGeFHAXxKqgUspc-MPcjy-k/s1600/3+ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrrPKuG63Up3q9fb1Z3eH24Cl2-Zh-uz3rhb8qOwRGDPcnHa6ujL_gjh7s1SJ2LyOAVssOX_nSlDBWsQuMoIVCOcHc8TpPuspPhvJleFe-PdjBmgbi4FsHGeFHAXxKqgUspc-MPcjy-k/s1600/3+ss.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having motivated, you still need to hit in the assault, and that means Veteran troops. So that means Fearless Veteran troops are the key, to winning assaults, and that means, for the German mechanised force, going SS.<br />
<br />
Going SS, has positives and negatives...<br />
<br />
The obvious positive is better quality troops, but the negative means these are more expensive in the game, thus meaning less points to spend on other required force elements. However, some of this can be mitigated when one studies the support platoon options for SS forces. These often get smaller 'quirky', platoon sizes, compared to the Heer forces, meaning you can still have a bit of recce or a bit of artillery, enough to get the job done, in a no frills sort of way.<br />
<br />
Adding in an extra warrior higher command team, can also mean you can be reliably attacking over two areas at once, both with motivation rerolls, or if you lose a commander, you still have a back up...<br />
<br />
Another bonus to SS forces is they often have additional special rules, so check your briefing, whether Totenkopf on the Eastern front or Das Reich or Hitlerjugend on the Western front... every little helps...<br />
<br />
If you are forced in to the defensive against a tank force, just keep you heads down, and load up with Panzerfausts, and Panzershreks, and have a mobile tank platoon in support that can be your AT ambush... tank commanders tend to get a bit twitchy about assaulting crazy 'Faust men, or pioneers... it tends not to end well for them, especially if you can keep motivating to have a go back at them (3+ with a reroll), and even if your command 'faust team goes down, German 'mission tactics' means it swaps back into action with a team in command keeping the vital Panzerfaust alive through the assault...<br />
<br />
Here's a sample list I have knocked out;<br />
<br />
<b><i>Grey Wolf.</i></b><br />
<i><u><b>SS Panzerkampfgruppe (Mechanised Battlegroup) </b><b>Totenkopf</b></u></i><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<i>SS Panzerkampfgruppe HQ 2 x Panzerfaust SMG teams</i><br />
<i>Fearless Veteran</i><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 389px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 11885; mso-width-source: userset; width: 244pt;" width="325"></col><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Add 2 Panzershreck teams</i></td><td align="right"><i>170</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i><br /></i>
<i>Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon - 3 sections</i></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Command Panzerfaust SMG team</i><br />
<i>add Panzerfaust MG team</i></td><td align="right"><i>280</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i><br /></i>
<i>Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon - 3 sections</i></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Command Panzerfaust SMG team</i><br />
<i>add Panzerfaust MG team</i></td><td align="right"><i>280</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 389px;"><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i><br /></i>
<i>Gepanzerte Panzerpionner Platoon - 3 sections</i></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Command Panzerfaust SMG team</i><br />
<i>add Stuka-zu-Fuss half track</i></td><td align="right"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td align="right"><i>375</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>SS Panzer platoon - 4 Panzer IV H</i></td><td align="right"><i>400</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>SS Heavy </i><i>Panzerspäh</i><i> platoon - 2 Sd Kfz 231 8rads</i></td><td align="right"><i>90</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Rocket Launcher Battery - 3 15cm NW41</i><br />
<i>Fearless Trained</i></td><td align="right"><i>90</i></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"></td><td></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><i>Warrior Dietrich von Saucken</i></td><td align="right"><i>65</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>TOTAL </b> <b> 1750pts </b><br />
<br />
<br />
This gives a 6 platoon force, with 3 core attacking platoons, lead by sufficient fast recce to push back any ambushes. Mobile tank support is available as is some artillery fire for smoke and pin requirements to aid the assault going in. And an extra higher command warrior, for rerolls, and an aid to getting early reserves. Simple, straight forward, and in your face!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFk39GrETGha7djkrDQtWWml0zP1BhLXYbY3mhRRXtocPzFQtDDLkIh4roN4kz-BktBPVNwLTqeRzXpvAceszYVHYcoB9FGVd9xaYVleI87P_D1jlnYIaoyLYm175wLl3qrX5O-dKr9k/s1600/SdKfz231-8rad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFk39GrETGha7djkrDQtWWml0zP1BhLXYbY3mhRRXtocPzFQtDDLkIh4roN4kz-BktBPVNwLTqeRzXpvAceszYVHYcoB9FGVd9xaYVleI87P_D1jlnYIaoyLYm175wLl3qrX5O-dKr9k/s320/SdKfz231-8rad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8Rad - useful, fast, cheap recce...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And if I have to defend against armour, I have pioneers, all tank assault 4, and plenty of panzerfausts and panzershreks as a deterrent, and the 4 panzers will be an 8 shot ambush...<br />
<br />
I have left out AAA as I feel this force is going to be mixing it with the enemy quickly so 'wave-offs' will likely occur, and the Nebs will have to luck it out! I don't have spare points to waste on Sporadic German air support.<br />
<br />
I will no doubt experiment with subtle changes to the force, but I feel the core will remain the 3 combat platoons or 2 plus the pioneers, with the 8 Rad recce. I may play about with the number and type of panzers, the type of artillery and whether I try and squeeze in air support or not. Again this force list has a huge amount of support options available... identifying what will be key, to how you plan to play them, is the vital bit.... 'All killer, no filler' ... is a helpful mantra...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NaGsEEQxKTtOJnHkELv3rFiFQkxwXjxFP1jjSQASOEOSLr4A0Aa5IVvRs4RX-wAAg_fMREnvx3V4_VcbvHri__hvLZ4jCdicoQvt2IfD_RWZh0UAMWzuMnmBVDwSrRRhhFl6XIceqJY/s1600/ss+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NaGsEEQxKTtOJnHkELv3rFiFQkxwXjxFP1jjSQASOEOSLr4A0Aa5IVvRs4RX-wAAg_fMREnvx3V4_VcbvHri__hvLZ4jCdicoQvt2IfD_RWZh0UAMWzuMnmBVDwSrRRhhFl6XIceqJY/s1600/ss+3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totenkopf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
[There are other 'flavours' of SS troops; eg Wiking from Grey Wolf, who are rated Fearless Trained... I haven't quite nutted these guys out as yet... to me it seems a little odd to be able to motivate for the assault, only to fluff the attack rolls, being trained... I have also read that trained troops make good shooty armies, as they would be less expensive in points allowing you to get more troops with thus a greater volume of fire. I guess making them Fearless aids in unpinning to keep firing? Still not sure with these guys as yet...]<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----o0o-----</div>
<br />
Wait, whats that... the pitter patter of footsteps fading into the distance... no doubt a bunch of soviet spetznatz have been viewing my forces assembly area and will now be reporting back to Red command... ;-)<br />
<br />
Have I just given the game away and spoiled the surprise! ? ;-)<br />
<br />
<b><u>POSTSCRIPT DISCLAIMER</u></b><br />
Please note this is a gaming blog about playing with toy soldiers. I am not politically advocating nor glorifying SS 'activities' in any way - but do have a respect for the high morale and combat effectiveness of the Waffen SS troops during the hostilities of WWII...Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-68104797322116218662013-08-13T16:21:00.000-07:002013-08-14T18:01:32.303-07:00CTA 2013 - Mechanised Mayhem and Misadventure - Game 5 - Fighting Withdrawal - "What might have been..."So day two had got under way in a positive fashion, with a few more points on the board, though I am under no illusions at this point, I am probably in serious contention for the wooden spoon ...<br />
<br />
My final game of the weekend was a 'blue on blue' encounter drawn against John Murrie, a fellow blogger of <a href="http://stumpyheaven.blogspot.co.nz/">Stumpy Heaven</a> fame. John was running a Fallshirmjäger Company.<br />
<br />
Johns force was...<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 448px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 14043; mso-width-source: userset; width: 288pt;" width="384"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 288pt;" width="384"><b><u>Fallschirmjägerkompanie</u></b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Fallschirmjägerkompanie HQ</td>
<td align="right">120</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Panzerfaust SMG</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Sniper</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Fallschirmjäger Platoon - 3 Squads</td>
<td align="right">265</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Panzerfaust SMG</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Fallschirmjäger Platoon - 3 Squads</td>
<td align="right">265</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Panzerfaust SMG</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Heavy Tank Platoon - 2 Tiger IE</td>
<td align="right">430</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Fallschirmjäger Tank-Hunter Platoon - 4
StuG G</td>
<td align="right">440</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rocket Launcher Battery - 3 15cm NW41</td>
<td align="right">125</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Fallschirmjäger Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon
- 3 2cm Flak38 gun</td>
<td align="right">105</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
The final mission of the day was Fighting Withdrawal, and as I have said in the past, its always a mission I have stuffed up, whether attacking or defending. I invariably bollox up the key timing of the late stages of the game...<br />
<br />
A glance at Johns force and I thought I was up against an armoured force, seeing the Tigers and Stugs, but John corrected me his was an Infantry company so my Mechanised would be the attacker.<br />
<br />
John, being the defender, chose a side to defend and put down his objective marker, at back of the woods by the river. To spread out his forces I placed my two; one centrally, the other to my far right.<br />
<br />
The key difference in this mission being the fact that generally the defenders objective will be placed slightly further back than the attackers two, so the attackers ones are thus fractionally closer and thus seem easier to go for, but these last two are also the ones that the defender can withdraw towards to the end of the game.<br />
<br />
When I have attacked this mission in the past I have usually gone all out for my end placed objective, only to have it whipped from under feet as I am about to capture it...<br />
<br />
So this time I decided to go full steam ahead for Johns objective, meaning I would have a full 8 turns to try and capture it. Shit or bust as they say!<br />
<br />
John had deployed an infantry platoon defending each objective, with Stugs also covering my right side objective, and his AA guns covering the other two, with Tigers in ambush.<br />
<br />
I loaded my left side, looking for a quick approach, covered by the recce advance to push back any ambush, then stormtrooper out ready for the assault. Tanks would move up in support to deal with the Tigers where ever they showed up. The Paks I placed centrally, their job being to move up and stop the Stugs having an easy journey across the board, to reinforce the main objective. The Nebs concealed themselves in the corn.<br />
<br />
We're ready to rock and roll...<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMEhM1gdV0orLMjNWfeZFaQvJtYc1EZL_VUrE-n1ZA9bW8ry1aPUa1ZpP7MPLeKnI0RCPHNb_6bNqZI1RfJqlzFcX5ptZCoX8o7yUkto4Vxp0ctIisNFhIhARxfHDLs63tK9fCSkld8c/s1600/IMG_2706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMEhM1gdV0orLMjNWfeZFaQvJtYc1EZL_VUrE-n1ZA9bW8ry1aPUa1ZpP7MPLeKnI0RCPHNb_6bNqZI1RfJqlzFcX5ptZCoX8o7yUkto4Vxp0ctIisNFhIhARxfHDLs63tK9fCSkld8c/s320/IMG_2706.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Immediately the Pumas pushed forward in to the village, with their recce move, and regular move, getting into good position to push back the Tiger Ambush, and all able to lift GTG on the AA guns and a viable position to stop Johns central FJ moving across easily to reinforce the main objective I was going for...<br />
<br />
The two GPGs also moved up into the villages either side of the river. Paks advanced through the corn heading for the small tree line to take shots at the StuGs as they would inevitably have to cross the board to reinforce the threatened objective...<br />
<br />
The KTs moved up to support, and some lucky fire knocked out the AA gun in front of them. More fire knocked out the AA gun in the open.<br />
<br />
In Johns turn he started withdrawing the AA guns to preserve the platoon. A sniper popped up and started taking pot shots at the Pak40 crews, whilst the Tigers also made their presence known appearing in the back of the woods behind the objective.<br />
<br />
The StuGs started their move towards the far objective but were wary of the Paks...<br />
<br />
My turn two and things started to hot up, both GPG advanced MGing the FJ infantry in the wood to little effect and the GPG infantry storm troopered out of their half tracks. The central GPG getting right in Johns face in the tree line, and flank GPG infantry getting part way across the river... in my mind I was playing this as a stream, though later the vulnerability of troops crossing a river was exposed. The Paks continued their progress to the tree line and the KTs started moving to try and get in a position to either face off against the Tigers or StuGs...<br />
<br />
At this point it all looked pretty good, with Johns single FJ platoon looking surrounded and cut off, other than for the Tiger support.<br />
<br />
I am going to start generalizing, as its now ~6 days since the game, and I have not got a pictorial reference to prompt me further...<br />
<br />
In Johns turn, feeling the pressure of the impending attack, he withdrew the FJ further into the wood... which I was a little surprised at, as he had given up his Gone to Ground status and bullet proof cover, and the half tracks would be able to swarm his position from all sides. However, a crucial hit on my troops was a strike on the central Grens in the tree line from Johns nebs, which after some crap saves, killed three teams and pinned them down.<br />
<br />
The Paks and Stugs were busy trading shots on the other flank with the sniper still trying his hand against the Paks too.<br />
<br />
My turn 3, and it was all on, or would have been had the central Grens unpinned, which they did not despite a CO reroll. However sensing a real chance to close out the FJ this turn I lined everything up, the flank Grens moved up to get into assault positions and the haltracks all advanced to shoot up the FJ in the woods since they had lost their foxholes by moving, even the neb observor could see a target there.<br />
<br />
Seeing a big blob of FJ infantry under my neb template I fired that first, getting a hit and scoring several kills... but crafty John removed teams from the perimeter, the ones that the surrounding half tracks could only just see into the woods, thus robbing me of those extra potential kills, curses! Perhaps I should have fired the half tracks first...<br />
<br />
No matter, this pinned the FJ, and the concealment of the woods would hopefully mean defensive fire would be minimal, except of course for the Tigers... and I needed a tank terror test too... passed! Defensive firing caused some damage but the assault still went in...<br />
<br />
The panzerfausts hit both the Tigers, yay! But both only suffered bailed results! Boo! Not the best but, they were out of the fight and if I could force the FJ to break off they'd be captured and destroyed.<br />
<br />
The fight went down to the wire, with a few typically missed crucial hits. Eventually the Grens were sadly beaten off, but the FJ were down to two teams, one of which was their CO. Mine had gone down with the fight, but I still had VonSauken (VS) around for morale.<br />
<br />
A gripping turn, but John held on by the skin of his teeth.<br />
<br />
The worst bit for me though was Johns following turn seeing both Tigers remount (groan)... I was still in with a shout though, I still had half a GPG ready to attack again with VS, once they unpinned,... the Paks were holding off the Stugs and my KTs were still looking to get towards the Tigers and deal with them...<br />
<br />
John continued a holding action, managing his Tigers well...but the Stugs were now in a crossfire from the Paks and KTs...<br />
<br />
My next turn would hopefully see it to conclusion, but the central Grens again failed to motivate, despite the reroll from VS... Argh! I couldn't move to assault those two measly teams, who had by now dug in again... and so my MG fire at them was of little effect...<br />
<br />
I had thrown just about everything forward by now, half tracks, pumas, the works, trying desperately to kill those last two teams but they just wouldn't die or run away... and steadily John was knocking out these light vehicles with Tigers, Stugs and other fire...<br />
<br />
Eventually my last Grens unpin and make it forward, but they still cannot close out the deal and are themselves beaten off again... I cant believe it! In desperation, and time running short, I assault through the woods with the King Tigers, its all I have left to do the job... they pass their bog checks, make it through the defensive fire of the panzerfausts, and then miss their attacks! Argh! I only needed to roll two 3+'s and they would have killed the last remaining infantry here, and I probably would have hung on afterwards in the Tiger vs King Tiger duel on the objective... John passed tank terror with his FJ, assaulted the KTs and destroyed one and bailed the other... and that was it... boo hoo!<br />
<br />
I'd tried everything and pushed relentlessly, to no avail. I couldn't even kill off a platoon, John skillfully withdrew damaged platoons at key times. The AA guns to start. Three blazing Stugs and another bailed, that last bugger still got away from me... net result for all this carnage? 1-6 against...<br />
<br />
Johns excellent report of the game can be viewed <a href="http://stumpyheaven.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/call-to-arms-aar-55-fallschirmjager-vs.html">here</a>. Always interesting to see it from your opponents perspective.<br />
<br />
I was left again clutching at thin air... and shaking my head at what might have been,... <i>should</i> have been... and left pondering the ifs, buts and maybes...<br />
<br />
My Grens suffering from the nebs strike, and then not unpinning for 2 turns... the Tigers only suffering bailed results from the panzerfausts... bugger bugger bugger!<br />
<br />
It wasnt until after the game I realised I had completely ignored the centre objective, maybe I could have pressured that too? At least my close proximity to it, was keeping the FJ platoon there tied up defending it.<br />
<br />
So I claim another single point for a game, bringing my 5 game total up to 9 points, out of a possible 30... I didn't even break double figures...<br />
<br />
Still, this last game against John was a real exciting nail biter, and I really felt I was always in with a chance... and for that reason despite losing it 1-6, I scored it my favorite game of the weekend and thus gave John, my 'sportsmanship' vote... a little unusual in a game you lose, these things normally go against the folks in the games you win, and I thought about giving it to Russell in my first game, but despite getting better points in that game, I felt I'd had a more proactive and thus enjoyable final game, so scored it that way.<br />
<br />
My final standing in the tournament? Of 20 players I came equal 18th, tied with John Hutton who only played 4 games...<br />
<br />
The weekend was its usual heady mix of gaming emotion, punctuated by the roller coaster ride the dice rolls give you... one minute you're up, the next, down... such is the game... funnily enough, on chatting about how we felt about the gaming weekend beforehand, I mentioned that the best way I can describe how I feel about these events, is akin to exam nerves during my university days... and yet I still do this for fun! Of course, Paul quipped, "...yeah, and some people cut themselves with razorblades for fun too..." Does that put it into perspective, I dunno... not that I'd I recommend the "razorblade hobby"! ;-)<br />
<br />
But no doubt I'll be back again next year, for another dose of humility!<br />
<br />
I'll offer some post-tournament thoughts in a subsequent post.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading, hope you found the reports interesting, and sorry again for the lack of pictures - it seems not taking many, didn't help my performance much!<br />
<br />
Thanks again to Paul for the lift to the event each day, much appreciated and it gives someone to vent your frustrations to after the event!<br />
<br />
And of course, thanks again to John H for running the show.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-55493397038844982962013-08-10T22:21:00.000-07:002013-08-11T14:39:22.760-07:00CTA 2013 - Mechanised Mayhem and Misadventure - Game 4 - Free for All - "Machineguns in the snow"Day two of Call to Arms got under way on Sunday with the traditional 'Beauty Pageant' of all armies put out on display. I was going to do a picture dump of all the armies that featured but its already been done by other bloggers - nicely <a href="http://stumpyheaven.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/lw-fow-call-to-arms-day-after.html">here</a> from John at Stumpy Heaven.<br />
<br />
Once all the armies had been admired, judged and photographed, it was on with the fun! I was looking to put the woes of the previous day behind me, and 'Keep Calm and Carry on!'... ;-)<br />
<br />
My first game of the day I was drawn against Robert Higgins, a relatively new arrival in Wellington, from Dunedin, and fairly new player to FoW. He had brought with him an extensive Soviet infantry force.<br />
<br />
Roberts force was;<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 386px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 11776; mso-width-source: userset; width: 242pt;" width="322"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 242pt;" width="322"><b><u>Red Army
Strelkovy Batalon (Red Bear)</u></b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Strelkovy Batalon HQ</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add 2 Sniper teams</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add sapper platoon</td>
<td align="right">85</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Pioneer Supply Wagon</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Strelkovy Company - 2 Platoons</td>
<td align="right">240</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Maxim HMG</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Strelkovy Company - 2 Platoons</td>
<td align="right">240</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Maxim HMG</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Upgrade to SMG teams</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Komissar</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Strelkovy MG Company - 2 MG Platoons</td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Strelkovy Mortar Company - 2 Mortar
Platoons</td>
<td align="right">95</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add observer Rifle Team</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Tank Destruction Company - 4 57mm ZIS-2</td>
<td align="right">155</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Guards Heavy Assault Gun Company - 3
ISU-122</td>
<td align="right">345</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Air Support - Limited Il-2 Shturmovik</td>
<td align="right">200</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br />
The mission for this first game of the day, was Free for All.<br />
<br />
Bearing in mind my more mobile force against Roberts foot slogging infantry, who would have to try and defend my objectives and risk a foot slog across the board to attack his, I was confident of carrying the initiative through the game.<br />
<br />
Objectives went down in their typically spread to flanks fashion and alternating deployment commenced....<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT03poR-qll4JEvguVdGHv2waqp7plp4jWjK_t_rcgUJ-Iotyy-1pNLjutCx2HxjJQVC_-Wo0UASvcM4SCZYxkPoh66NTTdxe3VVfakBrFkrXR6pQ1-GOwHSJYo6rUKSs7iD_ibMVgLc/s1600/IMG_2705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT03poR-qll4JEvguVdGHv2waqp7plp4jWjK_t_rcgUJ-Iotyy-1pNLjutCx2HxjJQVC_-Wo0UASvcM4SCZYxkPoh66NTTdxe3VVfakBrFkrXR6pQ1-GOwHSJYo6rUKSs7iD_ibMVgLc/s320/IMG_2705.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free for All vs Robert Higgins Soviets (my halftracks are loaded up, the infantry are just on board to be easy to grab when needed)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I put the Paks on a hill overlooking the board from my left, supporting Nebs to their right, to hold the left objective. Recce went in the middle early with a view to heading in either direction depending on final dispositions, one GPG down right flank,and the second centrally, again to go either way, and finally KTs ended up supporting the right flank attack. I held these till last hoping to angle them towards Roberts ISUs, but these were tucked up behind the central woods and all the cluttered central terrain would make marking them as targets difficult..<br />
<br />
Robert had put a Strelk on each flank objective, with mortars to far his right behind a hill, Zis guns behind central woods beside the ISUs. HMGs were centrally positioned behind the woods.<br />
<br />
I got first turn, and headed off trying to get some MG fire at the Strelk before they dug in. Pumas swung left going for a position to shoot up the mortars, assisted by the 2iC halftrack. The central halftracks negotiated the terrain, to make it to the central road area, supported by CO. The flank GPGs zipped forward with Von Sauken(VS) nearby to assist stormtrooper moves towards terrain, as I was wary of getting caught in the open with the Shturmoviks circling overhead... The KTs followed the GPGs looking to angle to get some shots on the Zis Guns if they turned towards my halftracks...<br />
My observer looked to get into the church steeple, but found the door frozen shut...<br />
<br />
I started putting some hurt on the right side Strelk with the GPG Mgs...<br />
<br />
In return Robert dug in his Strelk, but not the mortars preferring to fire these. His Zis guns turned to fire at the distant GPGs... one gun concealed by woods had no shots, so three shots on a 5, I was not overly concerned... 3 hits! Darn , two wrecked, one bailed... luckily I managed some infantry saves, only losing a couple of teams... GPGs fail motivation for their halftracks who depart..., leaving the infantry feeling rather exposed... at least they have KTs behind them...<br />
<br />
The planes tried to hit the KTs, but they had kept near the woods and the planes missed... Robert advanced his HMGs through the woods to fire on the central half tracks to little effect... Robert also advanced the ISUs up through the wood in support of the HMGs again to fire on the GPGs but missed...<br />
<br />
In my turn, the central GPG paused, and took the opportunity to shoot up the Soviet HMG teams, killing several, as did the CO and Pumas... the HMGs were destroyed...<br />
<br />
I brought back up the halftracks on the right flank to support the exposed infantry there.<br />
<br />
The exact sequence of event now gets a bit muddled but the gist of what happens next, included the Right side GPGs continuing to shoot up the flank Strelkovy, whilst the KTs tried to shoot up the Zis guns. The remaining infantry there and soviets went head to head in assaults battering both sides, leaving the strelk greatly reduced and Germans down to one lone isolated team and a few half tracks, backed up by the KTs... I think we may have got the Soviet 'quality of quantity' rule wrong here, in Roberts favour, but it wasn't a biggie, and I wasn't going to worry over it... just something to double check later on...<br />
<br />
I did make a mistake here at one point, trying to get out of LOS of the Zis guns and wary of planes I pushed forward to the woods the strelk were in, knowing I still had enough MG fire if they came running out at me... and of course crucially forgot the sneak up on tanks rule - doh! As it turned out I dodged a bullet here as the soviet assault achieved little, top armour saves being made, and I broke off... close shave though...<br />
<br />
That was the right flank fought out and just left the KTs sniping the Zis guns...<br />
<br />
Had I been desperate here I could have assaulted with the KTs through the wood into the remnants of the strelk, to capture the objective behind them, but there were still some engineer teams alive and knowing me I would bog down in the woods (KTs bog on a 1-2), so I called that flank quits...<br />
<br />
Back to the centre, and an airstrike by the Russian planes hit the GPG there... I gleefully got ready to fire my passenger fired AA guns from the half tracks which I don't often get to use, only to be informed the plane was classed as a 'flying tank', and my AA MGs couldn't hurt it... curses! Half tracks were hit including the CO who died... the GPG failed their morale check and half tracks bugged out leaving the grenadiers on the road behind a wall.<br />
<br />
The Paks now saw a chance to shoot up the ISUs, but they either missed or the ISUs passed front armour saves. With the soviet HMGs dealt with, the dismounted central GPGs decided to go for glory on foot and assaulted the ISUs in front of them in wood, knowing there would be no defensive from these behemoths, and with them, being in the woods there was also a chance they'd bog if they moved. I just needed to pass tank terror on a 4+... passed! In we went but the Panzerfaust hit was saved. However the ISUs failed to motivate, broke off back through the wood with the command tank bogging and being captured and destroyed... this left the two remaining ISUs stuck behind the wood unable to move further...<br />
<br />
On my left the pumas and 2iC skirted the left side hill and started shooting up the soviet mortars who had not dug in, eventually destroying them, but the strelkovy there had dug in and were a tougher proposition to shoot up, and an assault against their numbers seemed unwise, so a stalemate occurred there... and that was about it...<br />
<br />
The game ending as 3-1 in my favour as I had destroyed the HMGs and Mortars for no lost platoons. Not brilliant but not bad , and at least I scored some points...<br />
<br />
Robert was a very likable chap, keen as mustard on FOW, and I think we'll be seeing a lot more of him on FoW scene...<br />
<br />
So 4 games played and I am up to 8 points, one game to go, can I break double figures...?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-6628737883525572872013-08-08T14:43:00.000-07:002013-08-08T22:07:40.570-07:00CTA 2013 - Mechanised Mayhem and Misadventure - Game 3 - Breakthrough - "The race is on..."After a frustrating game against Cameron, I was hoping for something better in my next game, but this was the one mission of the weekend I was not looking forward to.<br />
<br />
The Breakthrough mission can be a tough one to defend for a mobile force, due to the mobile reserves rule. As it turned out I got drawn to play mate Brett, who was fielding the only other Mechanised force of the weekend, his Armoured American Rifle company...<br />
<br />
Bretts force was:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 461px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 14518; mso-width-source: userset; width: 298pt;" width="397"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 298pt;" width="397"><b><u>Armored
Rifle Company (4th Division)</u></b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Armored Rifle Company HQ</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Armored Rifle Platoon - 3 Sections (5
Bazooka)</td>
<td align="right">295</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Armored Rifle Platoon - 2 Sections (3
Bazooka)</td>
<td align="right">235</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Armored Anti-tank Platoon - 2 57mm AT
guns (late), 1 Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">105</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Recon Platoon - 1 Rifle Team</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Armored Machine-gun Platoon - 4 HMG
teams, 2 Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">195</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Armored Mortar Platoon - M4 81mm MMC</td>
<td align="right">110</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Light Tank Platoon - 4 M5A1 Stuart</td>
<td align="right">210</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Field Artillery Battery (155mm) (Veteran)
- 4 M1 155mm howitzer</td>
<td align="right">275</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Armored Field Artillery Battery (Trained)
- 3 Priest</td>
<td align="right">170</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Air Observation Post</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brett and I chatted the mission through, and rolled off to see who would attack. I won the roll and would attack. Brett groaned as he realised he'd only be able to deploy 2 platoons of his force due to the Mobile Reserves rule...<br />
<br />
We chatted this through again, and agreed Brett would better off deploying his infantry dismounted from their half tracks. He would lose all his beloved half track 50cals for the game but would at least get 4 platoons on the board and be able to set up a decent defence to start.<br />
<br />
So Brett set up his force as per picture below; Priests to top left, 155mm Howitzers to bottom right and a blocking formation of infantry through the centre and another about to hot foot it to the objective.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-akrUUS28xeIbSKGhNEC-NlnPzzfgpzuOpUw1qFycw8jDGxFsNNiMqKg5d4OsfR6duSUXDOYP_dMRevOtbhyphenhyphenvCCIXFZSdzcZiiS9PqCBhjZrR-QDTS2jhXL9DFfqR9C5vBQieEC7ImY/s1600/IMG_2686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-akrUUS28xeIbSKGhNEC-NlnPzzfgpzuOpUw1qFycw8jDGxFsNNiMqKg5d4OsfR6duSUXDOYP_dMRevOtbhyphenhyphenvCCIXFZSdzcZiiS9PqCBhjZrR-QDTS2jhXL9DFfqR9C5vBQieEC7ImY/s320/IMG_2686.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakthrough vs Brett, just after my Puma recce move...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Knowing I needed a strong force to come on from reserve to attack the objectives, and how inappropriate my other platoons were for the job, and thinking it would take 'forever' for a heavy tank to make it across the board, even if it could, against all Bretts bazookas as I'd be exposing flanks all the way over... that was a none starter.<br />
<br />
So I deployed Nebs, Paks and Pumas, and my attacking reserve would be the 2 GPGs and the KTs.<br />
<br />
At deployment, I noticed a chance to knock Bretts Howitzers out of the game early... the road led directly to them, and with no infantry protecting them, my Pumas rolled out in their recce moved then pushed up for a first turn assault. The CO and Von Sauken(VS) followed the pumas though trailing somewhat due to the puma recce move, but hoped to join up once the Howitzers were dealt with and could then start moving up behind Bretts infantry heading for the objectives...<br />
<br />
My 2iC was left defending the Nebs against Bretts lurking Sherman OP tank...<br />
<br />
So the pumas got up close and managed to shoot down one gun team on the way in to the assault. Brett typically removed the only gun I could reach, so I assaulted empty positions, took no defensive fire, and consolidated into the cornfield, pushing back the Staff team. I'd be ready to finish off the howitzers next turn as I reckoned I'd be OK even if he turns the artillery to shoot, it would be 3 shots on a six to hit, I'll take those odds...<br />
<br />
The CO and VS decided to storm trooper out of their halftracks, into the cover of the cornfield as Brett had AT guns lurking in the middle woods that would make a mess of my haftracks. The Neb observer who had accompanied their jaunt followed suit, leaping from his kubelwagon. But in a change of mind, I instead left VS behind as I realised if he left his transport it would leave the field leaving him exposed.<br />
<br />
My nebs had fired at the howitzers too but failed to hit anything.<br />
<br />
Looks OK so far...?<br />
<br />
Bretts first turn, one dice for reserves and he gets them rolling a 5. Four Stuarts turn up behind my pumas at point blank range.... groan... 4 main guns and a hail of MG fire into the pumas left one destroyed and 2 bailed, though they passed morale to stay there...<br />
<br />
Bretts infantry scampered towards the objectives whilst his HMGs fired at my paks to no effect. His OP Sherman moved up to shoot my nebs but failed to hit.<br />
<br />
My CO was hit as was his half track, though luckily I passed my warrior save and he swapped out for the neb observer.<br />
<br />
My turn 2 start was not looking too clever now... my pumas both failed to remount... groan again... the only good thing they were doing was tying up Bretts Stuarts away from the objectives. My CO was stranded so dug in in the cornfield. My 2iC decided to put an end to the attention of the sherman OP tank and decided to go for an Iron Cross with his Panzerfaust... hopefully he'd have some help if I could move my Paks over to get a shot and at least bail it first.<br />
<br />
To move the paks I had to have one gun cross the stream, so the end gun could keep in command, which required a bog test, sure enough a 1... bogged gun in the stream... The 2iC was feeling a little exposed now... ah well, he was committed now, the sherman would get 3 defensive fire shots hitting on 4s, I then get saves on a 3+, so I knew I couldnt be pinned, and figured I had a fair chance of surviving that... then I just need to hit with my Tank assault 6 Panzerfaust...needing a 3... oh but the small matter of a tank terror test first, needing a 4... failed... poo! With knees knocking the 2ic squirmed back down into the grass, looking for a hole to swallow him up...<br />
<br />
Well that was a naff turn 2...<br />
<br />
Bretts turn 2 and he tried all he could to finish off the pumas with the stuarts and 155s, but now they were gone to ground in the corn as they hadn't moved so needed 6s to hit... I survived another turn...<br />
<br />
Bretts armoured mortars had showed up trying to knock out my paks and MG-ing my CO, who withstood a blaze of fire from the 50cals in his foxhole.<br />
<br />
The yank infantry continued their scamper to the objectives and got themselves in position...<br />
<br />
Oh and the OP sherman killed the 2ic as he deserved...<br />
<br />
More HMG fire at the paks was withstood.<br />
<br />
Turn three, and I get reserves... no I don't !...even with VS's reroll nothing showed up... damn!<br />
<br />
My Pumas still fail to motivate...<br />
<br />
My CO is still stuck in the cornfield, VS is just staying alive keeping his reroll active for next turn... but all my command is no where near the objectives where their motivation rerolls will be needed...<br />
<br />
My Paks fire at the HMGs and kill a couple...<br />
<br />
Turn three, and Bretts digs in on the objective, and the Pumas are finally dealt to...<br />
<br />
Turn 4 I get reserves, one GPG turning up... it quickly moves up, MGs the defenders to no real effect and storm troopers the infantry into the wood ready for an assault next turn.<br />
<br />
Brett fires artillery at the newly arrived GPGs causing some consternation, but keeps his infantry quiet preserving their gone to ground in the woods.<br />
<br />
Turn 5, I get both reserves; 2nd GPG and KTs. Great, but I am up against it now, a huge line of dug in yank infantry on the objectives, festooned with LMGs and bazookas...But I have little time left... I use the newly arrived mounted GPGs to make a tank escort assault against the end of the yank line in the woods, killing one team, who tuned out to be part of the two element recce platoon, but Brett fails motivation and breaks off this end of the line allowing me to consolidate out of the half tracks pushing him further back.<br />
I now assault with the other dismounted GPGs and they get stuck in and again force Brett back and consolidate forward. I now hold the objective and Brett cannot move to contest it!<br />
<br />
Game time is minutes away from finishing and we realise, we simply have to determine whether Brett would be able to knock me back in any way to stop me starting my next turn on the objective uncontested... First the Yank infantry has to unpin, which they fail (German hearts soar!), but the Yank CO looks at them sternly and reaches for his pearl handled pistols, and they pass (Germans hearts fall!)... more artillery falls causing more mayhem, allowing the yanks to assault and just push back the Germans... enough to get a yank team contesting the objective...<br />
<br />
Time runs out...game over... after all that frantic last minute effort, its all for nothing... 1-6 against...<br />
<br />
I 'cry into my beer' and head home, though even Brett is feeling rather frazzled by it all too! It helped having mate Paul, who had already finished his game, come by for that last turn to oversee we did it right...<br />
<br />
Post game thoughts - my main command elements were entirely wasted and did nothing all game - I should have sent at least the CO or VS, or even both with the reserves as they would have given motivation rerolls to keep the assault going, and get troops unpinned from combat...<br />
<br />
And was I too bold with the pumas? If Brett hadn't got reserves on the first turn, that part of the plan would have worked... Brett had a one in three chance to get reserves... the odds were in my favour, but were not to be...<br />
<br />
So the first day ends and despite heaps of effort... out of three games, I have 5 points, from a maximum possible 18... its all rather deflating... oh well, my luck can only get better next day, right...?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-26987983173921872012013-08-06T14:16:00.000-07:002013-08-07T16:02:55.710-07:00CTA 2013 - Mechanised Mayhem and Misadventure - Game 2 - No Retreat - "Whats in the nest?"After a reasonably positive start to the tournament scoring 3 points in my first game, I was drawn against Cameron Wansborough, with his Nisei Infantry, in game 2.<br />
<br />
Camerons force was:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 447px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 14006; mso-width-source: userset; width: 287pt;" width="383"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 287pt;" width="383"><b><u>Rifle
Company (Nisei) (Fearless Vets)</u></b></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rifle Company HQ + Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Warrior Lt. Daniel Inouye</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rifle Platoon - 3 Sections + Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">265</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rifle Platoon - 2 Sections + Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">200</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rifle Platoon - 2 Sections + Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">200</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Anti-tank Platoon - 3 M1 57mm gun, 2
Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">155</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Anti-tank Platoon - 3 M1 57mm gun, 2
Bazooka</td>
<td align="right">155</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Field Artillery Battery - 4 M2A1 105mm
howitzer</td>
<td align="right">185</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Field Artillery Battery (155mm) - 4 M1
155mm howitzer</td>
<td align="right">275</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoon - 1
Bofors gun, 1 M2 .50cal</td>
<td align="right">45</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">2 HMG Nests</td>
<td align="right">80</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">2 HMG Nests</td>
<td align="right">80</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">10 Gun Pits</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Being an Infantry Company, Cameron would defend the No Retreat scenario, against my mechanised attack.<br />
<br />
Cameron chose his table end, and placed his objective in some woods at the rear of his area. I placed mine traditionally about as far away from, and far forward of this first one, as possible.<br />
<br />
Cameron defending then placed his HMGs nests in a line across the front, apologizing that they should have actually gone down before objectives were placed, and I could change my objective placement now if I wished. I adjusted mine slightly, placing it behind his HMG nest. The HMG nests were supported by one stretched line of infantry. The two artillery batteries went down towards the rear, and some AT guns were in ambush.<br />
<br />
(Thinking back, I should have just left my objective where I had placed it. I had moved it behind the HMG nest thinking to get past the nest onto the objective and be out of its field of fire. I really wasn't to sure how to deal with the nests not having played or attacked them much... all I did was move the objective further away from me...)<br />
<br />
I then had to decide how to play it. I considered the long 'at the double' run towards the rear objective, trying to weigh up in my mind the chances of success, bearing in mind the chance of mitigating the ambush with my Pumas, whether I could get there and attack successfully in time to hold it before reserves showed up, to knock me off...<br />
<br />
In the end I went for the more typical all out attack against the front objective. Hoping to swamp it with numbers...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9yiZRBjc9RoTbxDGvKnuaOGl8-wzobzAzEqnkilN48tpvlsiZ5_O48vG1iDzFs1hya4cOkPYSSNmO_IRp8UKqLeWYTt7oX1q7bX4ngsx9JvRXupxppCANvvZozbwPI3N2inLgtlQ-GU/s1600/IMG_2685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9yiZRBjc9RoTbxDGvKnuaOGl8-wzobzAzEqnkilN48tpvlsiZ5_O48vG1iDzFs1hya4cOkPYSSNmO_IRp8UKqLeWYTt7oX1q7bX4ngsx9JvRXupxppCANvvZozbwPI3N2inLgtlQ-GU/s320/IMG_2685.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No retreat vs Cameron Wansborough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The game got under way, I rocked up with the pumas getting them positioned well to force back any ambush. The halftracks followed up, some staying loaded up the others stormtroopering out in to cover of the woods.<br />
<br />
My tanks hoped to move up and gradually snipe some of the artillery pieces in sight but I scored no hits... (what I should have done with them was try and knock out the nests...)<br />
<br />
My artillery neb fire was ineffective...<br />
<br />
Cameron popped his ambush at range and still manage to knock out a puma who failed to disengage...<br />
<br />
Artillery ranged in on the half tracks and things started to go down hill for me...<br />
<br />
I then suffered my typical attack of indecision in the face of dice not doing what I needed, and facing HMG nests which threatened to pin down any assaults in their direction.<br />
<br />
Over the course of the next couple of turns things got a little niggly. I need to smoke the HMG nest to at least reduce its effectiveness but Cameron said I couldn't use it as a target to centre a bombardment on, so I tried ranging in on the GTG Vet infantry near it needing a six, and failed. I should have used my puma to lift GTG but forgot to in the messy confusion of my front line, instead trying to shoot back at the AT guns, and failing to be effective...<br />
<br />
(I checked this later and found yes you can range in smoke on a bunker/nest... they count as trained troops)<br />
<br />
My halftracks were MGing away for all they were worth at the infantry front line, but needing 6s to hit and even then if a save was failed, I'd need a 6 for FP,... they were spraying lead everywhere and hitting nothing.<br />
I did try a mounted assault at one end of the line but this was shot back with defensive fire...<br />
<br />
So with nothing going very well, I was stuck in the woods, not fancying charging the HMG nests, and with the artillery raining down on me... I was steadily losing teams no matter what I did, either to artillery strikes or HMG fire from the cross-firing nests...<br />
<br />
Another point of consternation was a double bailed halftrack that failed morale, and was thus destroyed. I had always played this as the passengers dismount under fire as it was my own side 'scuttling' the armoured transport, but Cameron said it counted as destroyed and so they'd need a 5+ passenger save first... it didn't seem right to me , but he seemed a more experienced player, so I rolled the dice and lost the two passenger teams...<br />
<br />
( still not sure on this one - I have posted to forum and have had one response which seems to agree with my thinking; they would simply dismount under fire .... UPDATE forum thread resolved <a href="http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=126&aff=3&aft=556970&afv=topic&afpgj=3#1180256">here</a>, sadly looks like I was wrong.)<br />
<br />
With time running out, and with nothing to lose I had to start attacking... I got in with one infantry platoon, but typically missed my swing at the Nest, and was beaten back... with nothing much to lose I went in with the KTs, and finally for all my efforts, killed one infantry team... there then followed a discussion over whether the assault was won or not... In the 8' 'bubble', Cameron had the Nest, and a couple of infantry teams, but they couldn't physically reach the KT by making a 4" move into contact, and obviously the Nest couldn't move... so this caused more discussion; was the assault won, or not...? Thankfully an experienced Mr McBeth was found close by who found the solution for us, the assault was won, but I couldn't consolidate closer than 2" to the Nest...<br />
<br />
So I was now contesting, but time was out... not good enough, sadly for me, 1-6 against.<br />
<br />
I have to say a frustrating game, ... had I got some smoke to cover my assault, and then hit my swing at the nest, needing a single 3+, it would have been different... but it just didn't go my way, and the rules niggles were an annoyance...so in the end I just wanted to put the game behind me and move on to the next...<br />
<br />
What irks the most is its one mission where I feel my mechanised force should be able to do well, attacking against infantry... as they can get up quickly into position, and should be able to get pins easily with all the mechanised fire and then be in the face of the infantry and on the objective before reserves arrive. I simply must practice this to get it sorted so it becomes second nature... had I had a more anti-infantry force rather than anti-tank force, I would have had more assets to achieve this, but those two KTs soaked up a lot of points...<br />
<br />
After the event, this game provoked me to read up more on dealing with bunkers and nests, so I know how to deal with them in the future...<br />
<br />
Two Games played, now - 4 points in total.<br />
<br />
<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-45902040376368722172013-08-04T23:41:00.002-07:002013-08-05T18:55:25.383-07:00CTA 2013 - Mechanised Mayhem and Misadventure... Game 1 - Encounter - "Sharpen your 'Can' openers"Well, after all the excitement, build up, list creating and practice game, the weekend of Wellington Warlords Call to Arms has been, and gone...<br />
<br />
I went with a mechanised German force, as previously detailed;<br />
<br />
<b><u>Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie (Grey Wolf)</u></b><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 389px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 11885; mso-width-source: userset; width: 244pt;" width="325"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 244pt;" width="325">Gepanzerte
Panzergrenadierkompanie HQ</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Add Panzershreck team</td>
<td align="right">125</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon - 3
sections</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Command Panzerfaust SMG team</td>
<td align="right">230</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon - 3
sections</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Command Panzerfaust SMG team</td>
<td align="right">230</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Schwere Panzer Platoon - Königstiger
(Henschel)</td>
<td align="right">690</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Anti-tank Gun Platoon - 3 7.5cm PaK40 guns</td>
<td align="right">155</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Puma Panzerspäh Platoon - 3 Sd Kfz 234/2
(Puma)</td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rocket Launcher Battery - 3 15cm NW41</td>
<td align="right">105</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Warrior Dietrich von Saucken</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The 2 King Tigers were a huge points investment, but I had expected to see more lists being more tank heavy on the Allied side, taking advantage of the new Arsenal to come out of Market Garden... thus my mechanised force was more defensive in nature, expecting to be fending off Allied Armour...<br />
<br />
I could not have been more wrong... there were very few Allied tanks lists, and against infantry my super heavy tank becomes an expensive pair of machine guns...<br />
<br />
Here's a
picture of my force from the beauty pageant:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU7d237TDPLukaiNJdrq9JMWV0m8KL1nJ9gyMJOxnMDJZJgCVo786cFGi_R-cDxfr-J_7mY8dqe7CZZouz8z8ia4wethuUMdtGU__by4rGk1dv1g3sbpX6cvK5deNVxhPuCOWS1zOOXU/s1600/IMG_2687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU7d237TDPLukaiNJdrq9JMWV0m8KL1nJ9gyMJOxnMDJZJgCVo786cFGi_R-cDxfr-J_7mY8dqe7CZZouz8z8ia4wethuUMdtGU__by4rGk1dv1g3sbpX6cvK5deNVxhPuCOWS1zOOXU/s320/IMG_2687.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I only took a starting dispositions photo of each of my games, as I really wanted to try and concentrate on the game play, so I apologize for the lack of pretty pictures....<br />
<br />
<b><u>Game 1</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
The first game, I got drawn against Russell Briant, with one of the few Allied Tank lists featuring a mass of Soviet armour. I had played Russell in last years event, both of us using very similar forces this time around, and had hung on tenaciously for a narrow margin win, back then, so I think Russell may have been after a little payback this time around, in a gentlemanly fashion...<br />
<br />
Russells Force was:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 571px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 18541; mso-width-source: userset; width: 380pt;" width="507"></col><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b><u>Gvardeyskyi Tankovy Batalon
(Red Bear)</u></b></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Gvardeyskiy Tankovy Batalon HQ - 1
T-34/85 obr 1943 with Cupola</td>
<td align="right">85</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Gvardeyskiy Tankovy Company - 10 T-34/85
obr 1943 with Cupola</td>
<td align="right">645</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Gvardeyskiy Tankovy Company - 5 T-34/85
obr 1943 with Cupola</td>
<td align="right">400</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Tank Killer Company - 4 SU-100</td>
<td align="right">310</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Assault Gun Company - 4 SU-122 (with tank
escorts)</td>
<td align="right">210</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Spetsnaz Platoon (FV) - Cmd and 2 SMG
teams in captured Sd Kfz 251
half-tracks</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The first mission was Encounter.<br />
<br />
Being the attacker, Russell chose his side, and I got the other. Objectives went down with us both placing our own centrally to our rear areas, with the opponent placing theirs out towards the flanks. Mine went on the back side of a hill on Russell's right flank. The idea here being the possibility of a speedy thrust out there with fast moving reserves, should the chance arise. Russell placed his just out on the far side of the woods on my right.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SHqtp0uWgapWqON_jGtqM15yKy5abekSlv4JeCBx0KBHW4dUB18uYClkRBzB5zfdWgDDno6l57HWvwmrUkw6zq2Gxu2Hq5xW1LsYNyn6FD4IOrmHrrNY9ZWhnAdQY4l-x7sP8VhIffc/s1600/IMG_2684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SHqtp0uWgapWqON_jGtqM15yKy5abekSlv4JeCBx0KBHW4dUB18uYClkRBzB5zfdWgDDno6l57HWvwmrUkw6zq2Gxu2Hq5xW1LsYNyn6FD4IOrmHrrNY9ZWhnAdQY4l-x7sP8VhIffc/s320/IMG_2684.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Encounter vs Russell Briant (click pic for bigger view)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I deployed one GPG dismounted across my centre in a defensive line, hoping to get dug in and gone to ground as quick as possible. I knew Russell had some breakthrough guns that could dig me out, so these where my priority target, if they came into view. My PaKs were in the woods on right overlooking the objective there. Lastly my King Tigers surveyed the scene from behind the infantry. This left my Pumas, Nebs and last GPG in reserve.<br />
<br />
With 5 platoons, Russell could only deploy two; one lot of 5 T34/85 heading towards the objective on my right, and the other of 10 T34/85s massing centrally.<br />
<br />
The table was very terrain heavy with high hedges, woods and buildings, making any long range LOS out of the question. This didn't suit my game plan, but allowed Russell get close, relatively unmolested by the KTs. So Russell moved up, his platoon of 5 T34s continuing their movement towards the wood on my flank, whilst the platoon of 10 T34s skirted the other flank protected by the high hedges, looking to try and turn the KTs, I think, to try for a flank shot. I dug in the infantry and Paks and slightly adjusted the KTs...<br />
<br />
I did manage a early lucky hit, and knocked out a T34 in the town, and it wasn't until about a turn later Russell realized it was his CO that had just been destroyed!<br />
<br />
This slight cat and mouse scenario continued for a little while on my left, between the 10 T34s and the 2 KTs, whilst Russell saw an opportunity and went hard out for an attack against my PaKs on my right... sadly Russells dice were not the best, and I managed to get some gun saves. The ensuing assault saw the T34s repulsed, leaving several flaming wrecks...<br />
<br />
About this time Russells breakthrough guns showed up and moved forward , as my Pumas arrived opposite them, but lots of intervening terrain gave both sides cover.<br />
<br />
To cut a long story short, the platoon of 10 T34s started getting sniped by the KTs, and moved back to centre of town for a bold thrust through the centre of my position looking for a point blank flank shot on my KTs. His breakthrough assault guns went for a bold assault across the hedges and into the woods after my PaKs, but some bogged, or were knocked out in defensive fire.<br />
<br />
Russell's Tank Killers had also arrived but too far from the action. The Nebs and 2nd GPG arrived and entered the wood backing up the PaKs, though a couple of Nebs went down trying get into cover, Russell looking for an easy point by killing them off. But one survived, and made it into the cover of the woods.<br />
<br />
A combination of action now started to take its toll on Russell's last remaining main T34 platoon, seeing tanks going down to more PaKs fire who were now moving around in the woods, and KT fire. Even my infantry sensed blood, and started scampering about, moving Panzerschreks up for shots, and the infantry in the woods now looking to assault bailed out tanks...<br />
<br />
Russell continued trying to get a point and if I recall correctly, finished off the Nebs, MG-ing them with his tanks, into the wood.<br />
<br />
Eventually, at end of game, with 9 tanks destroyed out 10 for the T34s, and with his CO tank having been knocked out very early on to a KT shot into the town, and both the small T34 platoon and assault gun platoons destroyed, Russell need to pass a platoon morale test or break... He passed the roll! But the game was effectively over.<br />
<br />
I had lost one platoon, and had taken out 2 of Russell's. This scored the game 3 - 2 to the Germans. Had Russell failed that last dice roll, it would have been a 5-2.<br />
<br />
Russell played hard out after a cautious start, and I can't fault him in any way.<br />
<br />
I was pleased with how I held on in the face of the tank attack, and was happy to come away with 19 enemy tanks destroyed and 3-2 score.<br />
<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-47646210302740832742013-07-24T22:01:00.000-07:002013-07-25T14:19:23.900-07:00Panzerschreck Day Two - AARs Hi, Paul here to wrap up the action from Panzerschreck. I'll start this post how we started Day Two, with the obligatory Beauty Pageant:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1_5CKACQHcv3prA7NyV2AeD3_7vRydhBa-_GavA6i8jxOIomi2R0cG_ccBeYGfaQTgJrsXwwx9cYhpqqomfKgSbOg8UdZmg9_BdQlygOnhyphenhyphenlqta2NwhdxEK5csfaaSAXSn2z-g9II2o/s1600/IMG_2624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1_5CKACQHcv3prA7NyV2AeD3_7vRydhBa-_GavA6i8jxOIomi2R0cG_ccBeYGfaQTgJrsXwwx9cYhpqqomfKgSbOg8UdZmg9_BdQlygOnhyphenhyphenlqta2NwhdxEK5csfaaSAXSn2z-g9II2o/s400/IMG_2624.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotts Guards Armoured</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pauls British Paras</td></tr>
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<i>My personal vote for Best Painted went to Steve Hill's Soviets. As usual, there were several armies that displayed a very high level of brush work. The way I separate them is looking for creativity and custom built work. I loved Steve's objective marker featuring dogs armed with mines that were trained to run under German tanks, triggering the mine in the process. Woof, woof, boom!</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpPVDXiSFrw2FV4nM_yiZMnKM3vXL4YeW4_sWQ4By63j9JDVRnCMyxacW9Cti9Bxb51rjDgyUchkmsSWb1tcx64zn8TEvDpAiNQWelOt5VENl1UHI-PCt4RQZSJxG0p_G7xIJVthNqzk/s1600/IMG_2649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpPVDXiSFrw2FV4nM_yiZMnKM3vXL4YeW4_sWQ4By63j9JDVRnCMyxacW9Cti9Bxb51rjDgyUchkmsSWb1tcx64zn8TEvDpAiNQWelOt5VENl1UHI-PCt4RQZSJxG0p_G7xIJVthNqzk/s400/IMG_2649.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russell Briants superb objective markers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>We're environmentally conscious in this part of the world, so were encouraged to reuse our cups. I helpfully named Scott's cup for him so he wouldn't lose it. </i></div>
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<i>Bob rode his bike up from Shannon. He must have been exhausted after pedaling that far!</i></div>
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<i>FoW designer Phil Yates guides Rhys through an aerial dog fight in his new game Flames in the Air. It was very popular with those who got to play it, and Rhys could happily have stayed at this table all weekend. </i></div>
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<i>The telescopic rods and dashboard of dials really caught the eye. We'll be hearing a lot more about this game in the near future I think.</i></div>
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After the trials and
tribulations of Day One, Scott and I approached Day Two with our spirits
remarkably high. We had a good drive up to Palmerston North, and in between
laughs we set some goals for the day – still to get a win, and if nothing else
to make it into double figures for VP’s for the weekend. Above all else, we
agreed to keep our chins up and play to win each game in a positive fashion. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Game 4 was a Dust Up,
played against Robert Groom and Mark Anderson. They were local guys I think,
and fielded a double Sperverband combo featuring three platoons of RSO’s
(vehicle mounted Pak’s) and lots of veteran infantry with high tank assault
values. The table had a large town in the centre, which almost entirely blocked
line of sight between our initial deployment areas. Scott and I both quickly
agreed to place our “enemy deployment area” objective as close as possible to the
edge where our reserves would come on. Given
the table size, we just couldn’t cover two objectives and grab a third with
only four platoons, so our force was split in two. Robert and Mark figured the
same and mirrored our objective placement. One Para platoon, both artillery batteries
and the Stuarts started on table. </div>
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<i>We dig in artillery in our table quarter, a Para platoon moves up to head off enemy reserves.</i></div>
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Both sides plan for the early turns was the same – bombard each other and wait for reserves. We lost a Stuart to an airstrike, but that was it. The first couple of turns whizzed by as we could hardly see each other across the table. Our opponents got reserves on their first roll, and immediately declared their intentions by bringing them on along their own long table edge and moving them towards their own deployment area. To be fair, with two infantry companies and no armour to speak of, this was going to be a difficult mission for them to mount an attack in. Luckily we had other plans!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDO1GK185iy7i7NfvE8vAG8nwYHIhXll9dM4nHky07z4xFw9gQY-2Xpt3SaGVYBSGI1fKh6vLRsXuuDfH0ygYxg-kYHKHsdWtjMBd4WeSqOy7gIU1p049nx1HCvIJh82TyIrbnIsJ9MM/s1600/IMG_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDO1GK185iy7i7NfvE8vAG8nwYHIhXll9dM4nHky07z4xFw9gQY-2Xpt3SaGVYBSGI1fKh6vLRsXuuDfH0ygYxg-kYHKHsdWtjMBd4WeSqOy7gIU1p049nx1HCvIJh82TyIrbnIsJ9MM/s400/IMG_2656.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>We placed our objective as close to our reserves entry point as possible. Death or glory!</i></div>
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<i>The German air support knocked out a Stuart, but that was as hot as it got on our side of town.</i></div>
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Turn 4 and we get a platoon from reserve. We bring the Para’s on and they immediately assault an RSO platoon lurking in a wood. Defensive fire is minimal due to the wood blocking the view of the infantry holding the objective, and the RSO’s only having hull mounted main guns, which can’t defensive fire. The RSO’s were swiftly despatched and the Para’s moved up to occupy the woods.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As per the script for the weekend, it was all going too well! We got more reserves next turn, so brought on some Shermans to add some MG support for the Para’s push onto the objective. Unfortunately we pulled out the dreaded “snake-eyes” when trying to unpin the fearless Para’s and their gallant CO. Another turn wasted.</div>
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<i>The Para's got straight down to work, but couldn't get any further.</i></div>
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As the game was nearing time, our armour kept hanging on against artillery and air strikes, and kept the German infantry pinned down. The Para’s weathered a couple of bombardments of their own, and then moved up to assault. There was no time to thin down the defensive fire beyond eight shots hitting on fours. Shaky odds, but still in our favour, and we had nothing to lose by going for it. Five hits of DF and that’s that plan down the toilet! Again. If that assault had gone in we would be fighting right on top of the objective against Reluctant troops, with little nearby that could push us off if we managed to gain the ground. It was not meant to be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We tried to grab a point on the other side of the table. An RSO platoon came on from reserve and finished off our Stuarts, but the other Para’s were close enough to assault. They passed tank-terror, no defensive fire, seven veteran teams of TA 3 and 4 against top 0 vehicles, should be odds on to gut them, right? Between a combination of missed hits and great saves, the only damage was one bailed RSO. Unbelievable! They pulled back, and the game timed out.</div>
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It was a frustrating game, as it ended just when things were getting interesting. Full credit to Robert and Mark though, they kept the pace of the game up even though they never looked like getting anywhere near capturing an objective. It was always going to be a very difficult mission for them with two infantry companies, but they were sporting players and it was good to play against some different guys for a change! End result was 1-2 in Robert and Mark’s favour (as with our error in Game One we should have claimed a point for each platoon, so we diddled ourselves out of a 2-2. We didn’t bother correcting this as it was hardly likely to upset the medal ceremony, and apparently lots of others had made this mistake too).</div>
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Only Game 5 to go and
it would all be over, a no pressure, bottom of the table clash against
similarly hapless opponents, right? Partly right! Our opponents were none other
than Team Buddha, aka: Mike Haycock and Chris Townley from Battlefront with
their German/Hungarian combo, not exactly easybeats! They had also had some
disastrous luck with the list they had used to win the competition in 2011, so
at least we were in good company.</div>
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<i>Hmmm... which end would you defend? Answers on a postcard!</i></div>
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<i>A King Tiger reminds the Hungarian tankettes who's the senior partner prior to deployment. They were so tiny they looked like they could get sucked in by the Tigers gravitational pull and crushed!</i></div>
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The mission was a No Retreat, and we defended on a table
featuring a river and a charming novelty hedge maze. We chose to occupy the
maze end, forcing the attackers to cross the river and planning to turn the
maze into a tourist attraction at the end of the war. We put down two Para
platoons, a Howitzer battery, and a Sherman Platoon in ambush. The main threat
from Team Buddha was 10 Zyrinis with breakthrough guns and three King Tigers. I
won’t dwell too much on the action of the game, but we put up a gallant fight
in the face of the near untouchable King Tigers and punishing fire of the
Zyrinis. A heavy artillery battery also added to our hurt. Our only option to
knock out the King Tigers was for them to get caught under a repeat bombardment
from our artillery, but that was well beyond our dice rolling abilities. The
big cats sat back and covered the Zyrinis as they removed the first Para
platoon, and then pushed the second back to claim the forward objective. By
this time our armour was nearly all ablaze. We did take down two of the Zyrini
platoons in the process, one with Shermans and one fell when it assaulted the
Para’s. The 9+ platoon rule did apply in this game however, and we only got one
point for our efforts. 2-5 to Mike and Chris. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These guys were a
real pleasure to play. They were easy to get along with, played in a relaxed
but efficient manner, and it was a great game to end the weekend on. Our only
concern was that by scoring two points we may have blown our chance of securing
last place, the irony! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpH8fC_BrvohOKf3kM8w-Ace58HzE4L6YjYJLaoLv0VxRCKpsh2mW3IyMZ2Tj9UlZqTb9Q3078pETsCuq4Fn9yNvmAxpdOW5c6OU-OG0AYhx-DivF5k056d-qKs9YozKQMHdBcrIbodc/s1600/IMG_2660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpH8fC_BrvohOKf3kM8w-Ace58HzE4L6YjYJLaoLv0VxRCKpsh2mW3IyMZ2Tj9UlZqTb9Q3078pETsCuq4Fn9yNvmAxpdOW5c6OU-OG0AYhx-DivF5k056d-qKs9YozKQMHdBcrIbodc/s400/IMG_2660.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Shake, shake, shake, what will it be....?</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiE43b3sfXPBcJM3-_T2V1AixPUD4GY3VoysncSc2_QYgxvrhN4kZR43OyeDfJf52WveEXi3k9R78EWsQzRISySHIOMEY-dWrYEROjcZKR0tewECn7uocozN8RHeQSQly7wo0wANdfLok/s1600/IMG_2659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiE43b3sfXPBcJM3-_T2V1AixPUD4GY3VoysncSc2_QYgxvrhN4kZR43OyeDfJf52WveEXi3k9R78EWsQzRISySHIOMEY-dWrYEROjcZKR0tewECn7uocozN8RHeQSQly7wo0wANdfLok/s400/IMG_2659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A one! Who would have picked it?</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr_4JKS6kd0ORySa3HDfe_QIwFSkE-XxDj8QYPT8V5wbq6P5sFACFIuF-PUGsYsXlOBAnXWZoL-cPXcwxcju7MTiaJbzN66Kl0ys11TBu0PaUCz8RcSj0hPYkZnB16R46MKhksQBIUWk/s1600/IMG_2661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr_4JKS6kd0ORySa3HDfe_QIwFSkE-XxDj8QYPT8V5wbq6P5sFACFIuF-PUGsYsXlOBAnXWZoL-cPXcwxcju7MTiaJbzN66Kl0ys11TBu0PaUCz8RcSj0hPYkZnB16R46MKhksQBIUWk/s400/IMG_2661.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>For Sale: one novelty maze, some fire damage, may contain shrapnel, phone Gunther for details.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX2ARBBv-0qFHAbrpJgs_piaatBI8WxjcEId05qZzRw5PW8qaxxpQk12BN72PZpT5kGr10TgK_5xwMzjKrla_hayu7hqYrwU9Dmkv-_U5OtmqcB8GcZNhqCFWCB4dtaoJAfy7QRzw4c0/s1600/IMG_2662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX2ARBBv-0qFHAbrpJgs_piaatBI8WxjcEId05qZzRw5PW8qaxxpQk12BN72PZpT5kGr10TgK_5xwMzjKrla_hayu7hqYrwU9Dmkv-_U5OtmqcB8GcZNhqCFWCB4dtaoJAfy7QRzw4c0/s400/IMG_2662.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Scott and myself in our sadly prophetic team t-shirts! Beaten but not broken, we'll be back. </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTfhMvRPghVsH8FkY9JchKOVxNNuq21uHPIJ9rl7cqH0fvujzrSWm1EPK3M_fowu5FYMV-coM57Yh1ciSD3j7uBROUFtDDEfuwiiIDh0sdHuRakf9BTZxhq96U6HVtptbh9rqa1-xAsw/s1600/IMG_2663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTfhMvRPghVsH8FkY9JchKOVxNNuq21uHPIJ9rl7cqH0fvujzrSWm1EPK3M_fowu5FYMV-coM57Yh1ciSD3j7uBROUFtDDEfuwiiIDh0sdHuRakf9BTZxhq96U6HVtptbh9rqa1-xAsw/s400/IMG_2663.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The pride of Kapiti FoW Gamers, and proof that we're not completely hopeless - Rhys and Brett, Runners Up for Best General.</i></span><br />
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At the end of it all, we were last on total Victory Points with a stunning 9! Army and Sportsmanship points pushed us up to the giddy heights of 21st. Thanks to the support of Battlefront, no one went home empty handed – Scott got the latest copy of Wargames Illustrated and I got the 2013 FoW Late War Catalogue.<br />
<br />
Thanks also to the organisers and to everyone who brought terrain along. It was a mammoth effort to bring the whole weekend together, and they did a sterling job.
Reflecting on our force, I think we tried to cover too many bases with too little stuff. Maybe being more one dimensional and strong in one area would have served us well, but we chose our list to have some historical context and work with the models we already had and enjoy playing.<br />
<br />
We find it satisfying to get a “combined arms” force running smoothly, but it was a bit beyond us this time. Tactically we made the odd small blunder, but no major disasters. In four of the games we were either beaten by better players or the clock.<br />
<br />
As for the luck of the dice, the bad rolls are always the ones you remember most, but I suspect the numbers averaged out more or less. It was more the timing of the bad rolls that hurt us. The higher the stakes, the lower the numbers we rolled, and the lucky break we were “owed” failed to materialise. If the dice gods are reading this, Scott and I both expect a torrent of sixes at Call To Arms! Two draws and three defeats doesn’t necessarily make for the most fun weekend of gaming I’ve had, but overall it was a good time.<br />
<br />
The highlight for me was playing with Scott instead of against him all the time. Through every game we hung together as a team and managed to keep each other’s spirits up. We’ll always be bound by our crushing defeat, and are considering a “redemption” theme for next year’s Panzerschreck. But for now, I’m off to introduce some dice to my wide selection of hammers…<br />
<br />
Cheers,
Paul.Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-90753231504529948212013-07-23T03:26:00.001-07:002013-08-21T18:45:45.118-07:00Panzerschrek Day One - AARsThe weekend of 20-21st July saw Paul and myself, as a team, and Brett and his son Rhys as another, make the trek northwards, to Palmerston North for the Annual, Panzerschrek doubles tournament; the longest running in Flames of War history, I believe.<br />
<br />
Paul and I were running a themed match up from Market Garden, with Paul running the British Paras, with<br />
<br />
HQ; CiC & 2iC - plus Urquart and PIATS<br />
Full Para platoon<br />
Full Para platoon<br />
Howitzer battery with medium artillery support<br />
Howitzer battery with medium artillery support<br />
<br />
...and for myself, the armoured support;<br />
<br />
HQ; 2 Shermans<br />
2 Shermans & 2 Fireflies<br />
2 Shermans & 2 Fireflies<br />
3 Stuarts (Recce)<br />
3 Carriers (Recce)<br />
<br />
Brett and Rhys had taken a joint Reluctant Trained Infantry co., with Infantry, 105 Howitzers, 15cm Nebs, Static 37mm AAA, 2cm AAA, Flak 88s, Pak38s, 3 Panzer IVs and 4 Panthers.<br />
<br />
For Paul and myself, our overall plan was fairly straight forward; in the attack the Paras and recce would lead the way, with the tanks supporting the action, either taking on enemy tanks and, or Guns. Howitzers once ranged in on the objective would rain down mayhem weakening defenders. If defending, again Paras would hold ground with tanks supporting and being the ambush, and Howitzers raining down the hurt. What could go wrong...?<br />
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<br />
<b><u>Game One
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After travelling all this way to face 23 other teams, out first game is drawn against... Brett and Rhys, who we've played several times in our practice games, and its Free for All. We are the attackers...<br />
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So we both get everything on the table, and we are facing Bretts essentially defensive list. We have a plan but as our troops go down in alternating fashion, it seems Brett is able to deploy to counter whatever we put down. The terrain is also heavy with a huge town in centre of board, bocage hedges to flanks, fields trees and woods.<br />
<br />
We had hoped to exploit and attack up our right flank, but Brett stymied that with his Panthers. And on the other weaker flank, we hoped to make some mischief with the Stuarts against Bretts weaker side, but they were headed off by Panzer IVs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2wtGBLirjE1HSLYZ_kMxLjPJe0ruRbN2xkXWscyzEpdRZ5Nr1yYjQ4bzl3vzQtIipxV7LaXD0CYtmFe2eoGCoPdRL3bVUN6X0RUZo_Ia8vNVbFzS_PIGHl-Ip2T5WYwYW50eFK8sV4k/s1600/IMG_2603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2wtGBLirjE1HSLYZ_kMxLjPJe0ruRbN2xkXWscyzEpdRZ5Nr1yYjQ4bzl3vzQtIipxV7LaXD0CYtmFe2eoGCoPdRL3bVUN6X0RUZo_Ia8vNVbFzS_PIGHl-Ip2T5WYwYW50eFK8sV4k/s320/IMG_2603.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our right side deployment</td></tr>
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Brett, never being one to sit back and defend, came at us with his Panthers and Panzer IVs. This lead to a defensive withdrawal of the Stuarts who exchanged places with the central Tank platoon, who would be better able to deal to the approaching Panzers. Against the Panthers, we positioned so Brett would have to move to hit us in cover , thus hoping the weather this fire and kill him off with our full return fire from the Fireflies, backing this up with an assault by the paras, against the hopefully weakened panther platoon, and then move on the attack.<br />
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These early exchanges took time to resolve, with little happening quickly. Brett got some arty on our left tanks, bailing a couple who then failed to get back in, slowing our response. On the right we survivedd the panther fire, but only managed one dead and one bailed in return, despite rolling misses with semi-indirect fire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC7jm2f_q4QXUbaSE2g6txR3qL81srlNCN9Dd9tW6b9BxmkZ1lwZS1Qg4YD54V7rNbdDHJcz5sK_TclW7gI1acbN6y9JJh2S_caBpjTUsE6Z7oRby1uHjakd-NBNBTqqij37nqndYCZY/s1600/IMG_2604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC7jm2f_q4QXUbaSE2g6txR3qL81srlNCN9Dd9tW6b9BxmkZ1lwZS1Qg4YD54V7rNbdDHJcz5sK_TclW7gI1acbN6y9JJh2S_caBpjTUsE6Z7oRby1uHjakd-NBNBTqqij37nqndYCZY/s320/IMG_2604.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuarts retreat from Panzer IV threat...</td></tr>
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This stand off continued for a couple of turns and the Paras edged to get in to assault range only to fail tank terror twice. 'Snake Eyes' springs to mind... this seemed to set tone for our dice luck for the tournamant...<br />
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Brett eventually did the deed for us, rashly(?) assaulting with 2 Panthers in the wood with the paras. Little damage was done but Brett in breaking off lost a Panther that bogged in the wood.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Tanks will move to left to deal to Panzers</td></tr>
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On the other flank the Panzer IVs kept advancing, putting the pressure on us. They were eventually destroyed, but this had kept all the action on our side of the board.<br />
<br />
Brett had also pushed up with infantry supported by Pak38s to aid the Panthers and made it over the Bocage with the infantry, perhaps again a little rashly... The Panthers were finally dealt another loss when the bailed one was finally knocked out, but the last stubbornly refused to fail a reluctant morale test. The Panzers IVs were knocked out, and the supporting infantry who had crossed the hedge were machine gunned down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sHHzG3PJSiZBXthqQJ9eCJmOD0Lp2_isdydIyC000bCwqVR8zrpj45mfO54im9Bi5Nn2o-e0lKjxZ0PV53hBzqLSHF0kdZzFy1kvBhzAOMrgWUkoVqns5ZcvbhxP8dKkhyzrf5UDeJA/s1600/IMG_2606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sHHzG3PJSiZBXthqQJ9eCJmOD0Lp2_isdydIyC000bCwqVR8zrpj45mfO54im9Bi5Nn2o-e0lKjxZ0PV53hBzqLSHF0kdZzFy1kvBhzAOMrgWUkoVqns5ZcvbhxP8dKkhyzrf5UDeJA/s320/IMG_2606.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Withdrawal in face on Panther advance, leading him on to come get us...</td></tr>
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But all that saw the game end with us not even out of our starting block, we had suffered minimal losses, with no platoons lost, and as Brett had started with 9+ platoons, and we had destroyed 2, we managed 2 points for the game. (At least thats how we scored ourselves... it was not until after the event that we learned that the "9+ platoons rule" only kicks in if your opponent wins. In this game , we both count as losing so we would actually have scored another point!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJM_qXkeKEI0u8ZoG_y1i__aac1Jo3r0ooMbGF-bv4mLmrnMPMJWnV-T0_d28u8BjFmLt9kMQwfq-chfBObKYjXKNaBPiqeWxXF0HqUFxj2vKxAPX6Ah-RWvgWmC87AQWtq0ysc4PpWw/s1600/IMG_2607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJM_qXkeKEI0u8ZoG_y1i__aac1Jo3r0ooMbGF-bv4mLmrnMPMJWnV-T0_d28u8BjFmLt9kMQwfq-chfBObKYjXKNaBPiqeWxXF0HqUFxj2vKxAPX6Ah-RWvgWmC87AQWtq0ysc4PpWw/s320/IMG_2607.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tank position swap continues</td></tr>
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So the game rates as a loss for us both, though a 2-1 in our favour.<br />
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We were left feeling somewhat frustrated, though fair play to Brett for being aggressive with a defensive list.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYwAQ76e-I_13FIG6pUFdDBTlFx9HUqOUiGLKrZ-XLOQLQUtEuD1Pu9DccFxl9_BNRUaidpuV-1xurhYPUd6YCMfMAkG8b_zg1EQqyX9qgKgo0LHgIHn2gddZcu20k028TRIxvm7nwcw/s1600/IMG_2608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYwAQ76e-I_13FIG6pUFdDBTlFx9HUqOUiGLKrZ-XLOQLQUtEuD1Pu9DccFxl9_BNRUaidpuV-1xurhYPUd6YCMfMAkG8b_zg1EQqyX9qgKgo0LHgIHn2gddZcu20k028TRIxvm7nwcw/s320/IMG_2608.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panther move up to shoot and miss, Fireflies return fire...</td></tr>
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Had we dealt with the Panthers quicker we could have pushed on, on that flank, but the Fireflies needed some target practice and the Paras hadnt finished their tea in the woods. Though one plucky PIAT man had manged to scramble forth and nail a panther in the flank, but then tank terror was failed - fearless troops with a reroll - getting snake eyes...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJJdbEFeBkAvNkUcHR08nyx1Fo3fQZVSDmu_6YSC6SA3T8huB-25gxu4ugi_a2QC5dIdikqS05c5pCDtIFtRzzkZbtgziYbfPtFMRenR5NAzfb4vMKAaABeTo0LFIbe5RZrwC4c7CPiQ/s1600/IMG_2609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJJdbEFeBkAvNkUcHR08nyx1Fo3fQZVSDmu_6YSC6SA3T8huB-25gxu4ugi_a2QC5dIdikqS05c5pCDtIFtRzzkZbtgziYbfPtFMRenR5NAzfb4vMKAaABeTo0LFIbe5RZrwC4c7CPiQ/s320/IMG_2609.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One dead (by PIAT) one bailed, now we can assault... nope!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh forgot our vaunted artillery... we killed a transport for the 88's...<br />
<br />
So that was that...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbK7m3VG-KMQXFjVxPUIq7xov8K6W9RF-UH9_KmuB8eMI2BrujZi-0xU91Cs5-EmySUMKKuyOV_O3IeuSH6CLblgY_KZcdsDkVivYgozexsMJYbZ3SVDVSnXxBjqJkjN0rLBEHdcGwZc/s1600/IMG_2610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbK7m3VG-KMQXFjVxPUIq7xov8K6W9RF-UH9_KmuB8eMI2BrujZi-0xU91Cs5-EmySUMKKuyOV_O3IeuSH6CLblgY_KZcdsDkVivYgozexsMJYbZ3SVDVSnXxBjqJkjN0rLBEHdcGwZc/s320/IMG_2610.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and on it goes, with Bretts infantry and paks moving up to support...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>Game 2</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
Whilst milling around, finishing my packed lunch, I was ambushed by Phil Yates, the games designer & author, who was clutching an empty ice-cream tub with paper chits folded up in it, held aloft (he's a tall chap!) - Yep I got to draw the next mission from the 'hat'. Not that I got to see it at that time - but it soon transpired to be Counter-Attack.<br />
<br />
The match-ups and tables were assigned and we found ourselves playing Damien Tyson and Andrew 'Shep' Shepherd. These guys had brought similar lists to each other, being German PanzerSpah, comprising Pumas, backed up by StuH42s, infantry , Flak 88s, and mobile AAA.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr6mWMlUk4MsFh5mM2HjjaOBHlCWqjzvI3eYfTJglTHDef1EmMZRBU3HQAsYNbmVyVA6ttz_cVuf6rkSJs-mPuxT71CPylZ8Fv31CzFN0e4oFn0VnOnFsFTo44u5OzLn5GJMNqHa44Jo/s1600/IMG_2611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr6mWMlUk4MsFh5mM2HjjaOBHlCWqjzvI3eYfTJglTHDef1EmMZRBU3HQAsYNbmVyVA6ttz_cVuf6rkSJs-mPuxT71CPylZ8Fv31CzFN0e4oFn0VnOnFsFTo44u5OzLn5GJMNqHa44Jo/s320/IMG_2611.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brit deployment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The set up went down as below, with us defending one quarter, with all Infantry & Gun elements on the board and one tank platoon in ambush. Interestingly for myself I learned from this game what the Mobile Reserves rule really means - I had always played that being reserves, half your forces were off AND you could only have one mobile platoon on tables so the rest of these were off as well. It could be that since I mostly play mechanised forces, whenever this mission has come up its hurt me badly in deployment when defending against armour...<br />
<br />
So to continue the dialogue, we had one tank platoon and the Recce coming on in reserve.<br />
<br />
We had hoped to get a decent ambush with the tank platoon and put the hurt on some StuHs, get artillery ranged in on and deal with the 88s before our reserves arrived... and move the infantry through the corn to link up with our reserve on the 2nd objective and hold out... Sounds good, what could go wrong?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi648ZiI1HPuLGgjINs3Zic0eDAuGGPGcAFPF1DPPaddBKfm6uUAM2-ndfUis5bACdgjpFIlsLxicySuALqjUYWzPinNx3-62ENu3v_LNEdDkNVBOx0gfYNbo3O9l49VBMAXQ0_z_IOINc/s1600/IMG_2612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi648ZiI1HPuLGgjINs3Zic0eDAuGGPGcAFPF1DPPaddBKfm6uUAM2-ndfUis5bACdgjpFIlsLxicySuALqjUYWzPinNx3-62ENu3v_LNEdDkNVBOx0gfYNbo3O9l49VBMAXQ0_z_IOINc/s320/IMG_2612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German deployment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Germans moved out aggressively...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QQkzvbxkiHR6XWGEY26i3iA_JFr1Vfh9v0q9tiOAdaRR42u_VxkCsy8Tn8hEI4RYDQlDoqdoEI9qUKJK8-hCUqoMFERcqvvl5Umzx6FGAi0nZq-nHJm8zipgeWk8MiZYcuLiYFZ93Zs/s1600/IMG_2613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QQkzvbxkiHR6XWGEY26i3iA_JFr1Vfh9v0q9tiOAdaRR42u_VxkCsy8Tn8hEI4RYDQlDoqdoEI9qUKJK8-hCUqoMFERcqvvl5Umzx6FGAi0nZq-nHJm8zipgeWk8MiZYcuLiYFZ93Zs/s320/IMG_2613.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2nd objective - I love their objective markers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pumas zoom up, then do some indecisive 'driving' back and forth until happy with their positions though one decides to go for an assault against the forward platoon commander of the howitzers...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfV53wGx1of3AomVu3QXpGprqGQyrDHn66MawdUMS1TZzljtl4tcTMkVtSPynPXr-syzJ2Wg7MBNQgNIDhlpbOdG7tSDA-wJQh4FClBUqSuwXoB8I-6SzC_49XE9Ni7VAQyj7rdgrVXeE/s1600/IMG_2614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfV53wGx1of3AomVu3QXpGprqGQyrDHn66MawdUMS1TZzljtl4tcTMkVtSPynPXr-syzJ2Wg7MBNQgNIDhlpbOdG7tSDA-wJQh4FClBUqSuwXoB8I-6SzC_49XE9Ni7VAQyj7rdgrVXeE/s320/IMG_2614.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately for the puma commander he had failed to spot a PIAT team just tucked round the side of the hill...boom! The loss of this lead recce element, allowed our Tank ambush to go down with good line of sight to the StuHs coming straight at us heading for the artillery park. With a wonderful round of shooting I blew away all four StuHs! (My highlight of the whole weekend!)<br />
<br />
At this point in the game things were looking rather good...<br />
<br />
Sadly for us though the burning wrecks of the StuHs then obscured our observers view to the 88s on the hill...but some infantry cop a whack form our pack howitzers instead, spoiling their day somewhat...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdBHMAXUX7edcivMOGV_FoG31SaXv057Ha12uhftj6mnTNvcN3lWhAvUBNaWsH9yMNO0NAtZvVajNVERPzW9wk1_xwXEUdvArGX3QkuJXlxOtQKVPnkXE8yiXqBU1y4SwzusJ1OCwGII/s1600/IMG_2615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdBHMAXUX7edcivMOGV_FoG31SaXv057Ha12uhftj6mnTNvcN3lWhAvUBNaWsH9yMNO0NAtZvVajNVERPzW9wk1_xwXEUdvArGX3QkuJXlxOtQKVPnkXE8yiXqBU1y4SwzusJ1OCwGII/s320/IMG_2615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boom go the StuHs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some what miffed at the loss of one StuH platoon the 88s seek revenge, and in a prompt swirl of rapidly flung dice we are informed of our losses... the lead Sherman goes up in flames...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUTvjxOnH4qEhQO33RGpfC7DW6ntcMRtNx99BpHazbYygLjJ9L_JjgiEdJXoSeSgt36x3NQMIv2a0-1pP7-41lJI1fvMcl1AmnjO6OvCBQ27JEFaCP8-tZjUak9ethuqa2YaVmmHWwms/s1600/IMG_2616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUTvjxOnH4qEhQO33RGpfC7DW6ntcMRtNx99BpHazbYygLjJ9L_JjgiEdJXoSeSgt36x3NQMIv2a0-1pP7-41lJI1fvMcl1AmnjO6OvCBQ27JEFaCP8-tZjUak9ethuqa2YaVmmHWwms/s320/IMG_2616.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />
The other StuH platoon and pumas reach the 2nd objective, but it does not go live till turn 6, so we have time to react.... patience patience...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX7ZoOXziQn3DZi2nd3p2ctoFUrkvabMYeZGxu4xRt9mB6yWWwr_bdwpJRjv6bNxrGbKXwc2QOr-NGfc2OoflRHWm6q_461yvlyWPt5JE1PpSk3mNgqkxRmU7ycFM62JaqqFk8pAYtNs/s1600/IMG_2617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX7ZoOXziQn3DZi2nd3p2ctoFUrkvabMYeZGxu4xRt9mB6yWWwr_bdwpJRjv6bNxrGbKXwc2QOr-NGfc2OoflRHWm6q_461yvlyWPt5JE1PpSk3mNgqkxRmU7ycFM62JaqqFk8pAYtNs/s320/IMG_2617.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
By this time we have our tank platoon reserve on the board, but are faced with a dilemma... the 88s have not be dealt with by our artillery and have a commanding viewing of our approach to the second objective. We could duck and dive through the town, but would no doubt fall prey to roving pumas getting flank shots on us. We could drive up onto the hill and get some shots on the StuHs; 4 shots on 5s, but if we miss we are getting 8 shots back at us... we didnt like these odds, so decided to stay out of sight till at least the 88s were seen too...<br />
<br />
[and this cost us the game, I think - here was a blunder of epic proportions - I had forgotten the StuHs range is 24" compared to our tanks range of 32" - (The StuH & StuG are very similar models and I was looking at them thinking StuG and 32" range...) we could have engaged the StuHs, at range and they would have to move to fire back at us, dropping their possible 8 shots to 4, assuming we had failed to kill any... much better odds and ones we would have gone with...]<br />
<br />
{further update - the StuH range does actually appear to be 32" - not sure why the guys were saying 24"??}<br />
<br />
The game goes on on, we still fail to hurt the 88s, and in their rapid firing, matched only in the speed of dice rolling, we are informed of more losses to our Shermans...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovnm0KUOcjTik7HOKHUx6abV_avDdDHSs_bEtuaoZDvsDAVsiFgYj4Us-t9Umj02HkHw69gRdtyvhG2LwdsnVejKD34sLpFSd7oIcQwAgNluaFy0PiRq1DoweqLmP-1eOoVxzjO2x_mA/s1600/IMG_2618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovnm0KUOcjTik7HOKHUx6abV_avDdDHSs_bEtuaoZDvsDAVsiFgYj4Us-t9Umj02HkHw69gRdtyvhG2LwdsnVejKD34sLpFSd7oIcQwAgNluaFy0PiRq1DoweqLmP-1eOoVxzjO2x_mA/s320/IMG_2618.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firefly blazes in the corn from the 88s</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With nothing to shoot at our remaining deployed tank platoon starts heading over to try and approach the 2nd objective, whilst infantry start moving across the corn...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS2vMPFteLZhyphenhyphenE9Nn6YrbyeWVGH89ElvIJn38U810CASEdxD2p6K2eByeCXoALgJtuTOk0V6U7XsRC8K6I4zMAGzPkcKgcUqHMcZ9FXG81Bx0-ompgp2YsYjEniddw2DV6F-EieMTcs4/s1600/IMG_2619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS2vMPFteLZhyphenhyphenE9Nn6YrbyeWVGH89ElvIJn38U810CASEdxD2p6K2eByeCXoALgJtuTOk0V6U7XsRC8K6I4zMAGzPkcKgcUqHMcZ9FXG81Bx0-ompgp2YsYjEniddw2DV6F-EieMTcs4/s320/IMG_2619.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our Stuarts come on from reserve and go for a somewhat suicidal attempt to deal with the 88s, or at least, divert their fire from our main tanks... who have parked up for tea, still under the misapprehension of the StuHs range and resulting stalemate this has caused in our mind... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Things start to get interesting in the centre and the rival infantry start duking it out in the corn... after some shenaningans about LOS in the corn, and the status of cover therein for defensive fire, kindly cleared up by an ever approachable Phil Yates (top bloke!), and a forgotten morale check, the German infantry departs, leaving the Paras still holding the cornfield, but this distraction has delayed them getting over to the 2nd objective.<br />
<br />
Whilst this was going on Urquart (Higher command Warrior team) was trying to get near the objective himself to at least contest it, though this was debated in a fashion, but he finally asserted he was correct in his belief...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Sadly for us, time ticking by, and the turns marching on, our chances to contest the 2nd objective slipped away, through our fingers... the Stuarts were nailed by the 88s and pumas in a hail of rapidly spinning dice, the carriers failed to do anything exciting and our much belated attempt by our tanks to shoot up some StuHs on the objective was all too late and ineffective.<br />
<br />
This handed the game to Damo and Shep, with a 3-4 against us...<br />
<br />
We were left again thinking, what might have been... the dilemma of the StuHs range really irked me as I normally run Germans and should have known, and the inability to deal with the 88s, our artillery failing to achieve much here ... guns rolling 5's for saves does not help your cause no matter how big your FirePower rating is...<br />
<br />
Never mind, we still got 3 points from the game, so not a complete disaster, onwards and upwards I say!<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Game 3</b></u><br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
Our final game of the day saw us teamed up against Dallas and Andrew(?), and the mission out of the hat this time was, Fighting Withdrawal. I have to be frank, this has never been my favorite mission, as I invariably get lost off with what happens and when, with platoon withdrawal and mission objective withdrawals... tactically I usually stuff up it from a timing perspective... but being partnered with Paul, who has shown from past experience he has the mission sussed, I was confident to follow his lead.<br />
<br />
On meeting our opponents, we got the chance to glance through their Army lists, and they ours. We noticed we were facing one company comprising 2 platoons of 3 StuGs, plus some support, the other being Volks Grens with support and 5 Panthers! They had air-support too... I cant recall exactly which way round their forces were organised, but some of their support was some Nebs.<br />
<br />
Immediately, we spotted a potential fragility in their list, the StuGs... If we could bust those StuGs with our greater number of Tanks, that portion of the force would be a Company morale check, and thus potentially break the whole force.<br />
<br />
We diced off, and won the roll, making us the attackers...<br />
<br />
In terms of the mission we knew we would be facing the ambush of 5 panthers but with two fast recce elements of our own, were fairly confident of pushing this back as far as possible... <br />
<br />
The main problem would be the central span of the board that was very open, crossing which , was going to hurt...<br />
<br />
So, our plan would finalize once we saw where the defenders would deploy.<br />
<br />
As it turned out the StuGs were well spaced and concealed behind buildings and woods, making it hard to concentrate our force, on this weak point.<br />
<br />
So we decided to play for the mission objectives and go hard out for one, on our right flank, massing all our force there. Knowing the Panther ambush would come, we raced the recce up negating the chance to ambush from the far right woods, our desired approach side, and swung the carriers in to push the ambush back in to the more central woods.<br />
<br />
We then advanced up the right flank with one tank platoon taking cover from the rail station, with infantry beginning the foot march across the board.<br />
<br />
The second tank platoon looking to get hull down positions on the large hill in front of us to start shooting fireflies at the panthers. Our early moves were slowed somewhat knowing there was active enemy airpower, though only sporadic. This kept us close to woods/buildings before daring to pushing into the open once the air availability dice pool was reduced to one die...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpcyiO5Qqz8LwbK6eEHvYiU-Z8Ot6u5Mgxoup3XbF3Jql3gjD9JHU7jyqaDBBZaLoRR-yCtsJH1CLzwoEZl5WGduk19mHyoRUFPajWoinmSXe5gQHUbEyylTvvNfaSelkE4qgjnSsufU/s1600/IMG_2622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpcyiO5Qqz8LwbK6eEHvYiU-Z8Ot6u5Mgxoup3XbF3Jql3gjD9JHU7jyqaDBBZaLoRR-yCtsJH1CLzwoEZl5WGduk19mHyoRUFPajWoinmSXe5gQHUbEyylTvvNfaSelkE4qgjnSsufU/s320/IMG_2622.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panthers ambush revealed and air tries ranging in...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Stuarts got a rude shock... what looked like two basic infantry teams in the factory building, one of which turned out to be a proxy for a PanzerSchrek team, which bailed the poor Stuart. So shocked by this, the poor fellow subsequently failed to remount and was later knocked out... the other Stuarts scooted away to get some shots at the building, out of sight of one of the Panthers.<br />
<br />
Those Panthers had seemed determined they were going to be able to deploy, just on the edge of the woods with line of sight, despite the presence of our carriers and despite hovering our tape rule over the area, our opponents were non-plussed by the evidence to our eyes, and placed their tanks as they desired, so much for recce...<br />
<br />
Thankfully their early attempts at air strikes, missed.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VCk1ObCgg1gYF0jpq0z7mzx_AfjEkSmMHq15UxxCML_X0Klv3MreuosW3_cKip8ktdmijH96HWjRxbnz3697v-lH3Gwx1Plxey8PvLa-ZhScECsDl55SN7G3ngAIFsJP8CXOKQwDrOM/s1600/IMG_2623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VCk1ObCgg1gYF0jpq0z7mzx_AfjEkSmMHq15UxxCML_X0Klv3MreuosW3_cKip8ktdmijH96HWjRxbnz3697v-lH3Gwx1Plxey8PvLa-ZhScECsDl55SN7G3ngAIFsJP8CXOKQwDrOM/s320/IMG_2623.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The far side of board, out of the fight...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The firing from the Panthers knocked out our firefly that was on overwatch from behind the station.<br />
<br />
OK with the Panthers revealed we can now start ranging in our howitzers, who once ranged in, can cause some hurt to these top armour 1 tanks... but again, we failed to range in, veterans in cover, thus 5s', nope...<br />
<br />
It soon became evident this was, once again not going to be one of our finest hours... our other firefly, failed to get any success, despite semi indirect fire re-rolls, on the panther visible to the right of the factory.<br />
<br />
Realizing we had to push on or we were not going to get anywhere, we decided we would drop a huge smoke barrage from both howitzer platoons, along the front of the tree line, this would blind the panthers and infantry, allowing our tanks to assume firing positions on the ridge line and infantry to make progress across the open ground.<br />
<br />
And of course, this demonstrated my only real bugbear with this game, you have to commit to the MOVE before you fire a SMOKE barrage... so the tanks trundle up to the top of the ridge getting hull down, and the infantry start the long march. Hoping also to turn some of the Panthers attention, I double time the remaining tank platoon down the right flank woods, hoping to work my way round for flank shots....<br />
<br />
...and here the whole thing fell apart... our smoke barrage missed; two lots of 4 dice, with only a single die (per 4 rolled) needed to come up a 5 (vets in cover), but no... nothing higher than a 4... no smoke cover...<br />
<br />
So, in their turn the StuG command tank zips out suicidally to take flank shots at the rear of the doubled Shermans, he's just presented his arse to our firefly and CiC tank but seems uncaring...<br />
<br />
The Panthers take aim on our tanks on the ridge line, and in a blaze of 5s and 6's blow the snot out of our tanks on the ridge. the StuG commander nails the two doubled shermans, and our infantry in the blessed open, now start taking fire from the infantry and nebs...<br />
<br />
At this point, realistically we are stuffed, but play on just to make a game of it..., you can probably tell by the lack of photos that the game had ceased to be much fun by this point...<br />
<br />
In return we nailed the crazy StuG commander and knocked out another StuG at range with the 2iC tank on our far left. But it was all too little too late...<br />
<br />
It wasn't much longer, thankfully that it became apparent that we were on a company morale check, the carriers having died long ago, the tank platoons all battered or knocked out... the paras had also taken a pasting trying to cross the open ground to get to grips with their foe.<br />
<br />
It was fitting then, that despite being Guards who can re-roll failed company morale, we once again rolled Snake Eyes... thank the gods...it put us out of our misery...<br />
<br />
A disastrous loss, 1-6 against...<br />
<br />
A game in which it felt our opponents were having as much fun throwing their dice, as they were playing the game. Is it possible they were in practice for the "synchronized dice throwing" event at the next Olympics? Maybe even they were looking at creating a new sport of 'tennis-dice' as the amount of top-spin put onto their dice throws was a sight to behold. Its possible also the sport of 'dice-skittles' may also be coming in the future, as they practiced their aim, repeatedly throwing their dice into the same terrain feature, seeing it cock repeatedly, yet apparently not wondering why???<br />
<br />
My patience wearing thin, I couldn't restrain myself from saying, 'Just drop the dice on a flat bit'...<br />
<br />
But maybe these bizarre dice throwing techniques work, as they seemed unable to get less than a 5, once the dice finally found a place to come to a stop with one side clearly indicated, whilst we seemed unable to hit the proverbial barn door...<br />
<br />
So we end the day, and mercifully get to pack up, lick our wounds and head home for the night, an hours driving being plenty of time to mull over how the day has gone...<br />
<br />
It wasn't until much later, as I thought back to the last game, and thought, 'hang on a sec...' I suspected that our opponents had actually been, for the most part, Trained. Their lists being drawn from the more recent Late-late war Germans, using Trained forces, from books such as Blood, Guts and Glory and Nuts. Yet we had been shooting at them as if they they were Veterans. Our usual cries of , 'so, you're vets, at range, in cover, we need 6's', before rolling the dice, not being questioned or corrected...<br />
<br />
Our suspicions were confirmed the following day, when a glance at their army list showed their ratings as Trained...<br />
<br />
On the whole a terrible day, with 6 points out of 3 games, but its all to play for, for day two, and can only get better....right?Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-14407525443870838932013-07-09T00:59:00.001-07:002013-07-11T18:29:41.324-07:00The howl of the Wolf...It's a year later, and 'Call to Arms' will shortly be upon us again... another two days of frantic wargaming fun in Wellington, courtesy of the Warlords.<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it this year as my boss is away that weekend and I would have had to work, but a bit of sweet talking the missus, and she'll cover for me, though no doubt I'll owe her big time!<br />
<br />
So, what force to take...<br />
<br />
Last year I ran Lehr Gepanzerte PanzerGrenadiers (GPGs) from Earth and Steel. I didn't do too bad for a first proper go at a tournament; won a couple, lost a couple...<br />
<br />
I like running the Mechanised half track force... it's always... 'interesting'!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mechanised</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't think I am patient enough to be an Infantry commander, frequently being stuck defending, and if having to attack, then having to footslog your way across the board...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infantry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Nor am I sure I am bold enough to be a Tank commander, and when I do run them I am frequently either a little too rash, or conversely, scared to get the paint scratched...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
No, I think I am indecisive enough to be a Mechanised force commander!<br />
<br />
A mechanised force is a little bit of a jack of all trades (yet master of none?!), and its this versatility, which seems to mean you are always in with a chance regardless of mission or foes. Note I did say 'chance', and not certainty!<br />
<br />
The thing with a mechanised force is that in a defensive battle, you will be defending against Tanks, and attacking against Infantry, and its a toss up against other mobile infantry forces... So you have to tailor your force to handle all these possibilities, and factor in how you will handle such a force when required to split it for reserves; whether these are rushing on to save the day in a defensive situation, or they've been tasked with the flank attack route...<br />
<br />
So there's an awful lot to think about to get this force balance just right. There is also the risk that if you tailor the force to specifically work through a combination of these elements, and one of those elements fails or is destroyed, then your plan might have just gone out the window..., so factoring in a little redundancy can help, in other words platoons that can achieve more than one thing...<br />
<br />
So there are a great many pros and cons to running these forces...<br />
<br />
Having tried the Lehr list from E&S last year, I thought I would try a variant from the Eastern Front this time, and opened up Grey Wolf...<br />
<br />
Running GPGs from Grey wolf, comes in two flavours; Heer or SS. Whilst I love the Fearless morale rating of the SS troops, they do come at a points premium, and so I will put my faith in regular Heer of the Wehrmacht, which should hopefully give me some extra points availability for useful supporting platoon options.<br />
<br />
Some folks seem to deride Grey Wolf for its flavourless forces, but I do like the variety of support platoons available to your core force. You really get the feeling you could take on anything... if only you knew beforehand what the 'anything' was!<br />
<br />
So here is what I have come up with, and why...<br />
<br />
<b><u>HQ (<i>Confident Veteran</i>)</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
2 x Cmd SMG / Panzerfaust & 2 x SdKfz 251/1 </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Add in the optional Panzershrek team and its SdKfz 251/1 <br />
125pts</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>The HQ is clearly a must have, and upgrading to Panzerfausts and adding in the Panzershrek team</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>gives you a big deterrent to a tank force assaulting your dismounted grenadiers in a defensive position.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Warrior</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Von Sauken; Higher Cmd SMG team with SdKfz 250/1 <br />
65pts</div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Von Sauken</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>Having an extra Higher Command team along rated Fearless Veteran, will no doubt be useful, especially with allowing a re-roll of storm trooper tests and to receive reserves. No doubt he will always be where needed most. He's no "Remer", but is the best I can add to my force.</i><br />
<i>Being Higher Command and Fearless gives me a 3+ Company Morale check too.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Combat Platoons</u></b></div>
Cmd SMG / Panzerfaust, 6 MG teams & 4 SdKfz 251/1 <br />
230pts<br />
<br />
Cmd SMG / Panzerfaust, 6 MG teams & 4 SdKfz 251/1 <br />
230pts<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>The core of the force, doing the 'heavy lifting'... they'll be dismounted defending against tanks, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>or mounted up attacking against infantry, and if able to operate against enemy infantry</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i> caught moving in the open they'll have a wonderful time machine gunning them.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Also able to perform a Mounted Assault, making them a potentially fast and hard hitting force.</i></div>
<br />
<b><u>Mortar Platoon</u></b><br />
Cmd SMG with SdKfz 251/1, Observor Rifle team with Kubelwagon, 2 x SdKfz 251/2 (8cm) <br />
90pts<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>The intention for this small platoon, is manifold; to support the assault of the GPGs, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>typically with a either a smoke bombardment, or direct fire smoke. Or direct fire against gun teams. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>There is also the option of a pinning </i><i>strike, but I would hope the GPGs can achieve a pin with their massed MG fire. Hopefully combined with the recce, who will have lifted Gone to Ground.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>There is also </i><i>the defensive ability of direct fire smoke against enemy armour.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>The half track mounts still have their mobile MG utility against infantry, and can dismount the mortars, being portee, if they need digging in, sending half tracks to rear.</i></div>
<br />
<b><u>Recce</u></b><br />
Half Tracked PanzerSpah; 1 x SdKfz 250/1 & 2 x SdKfz 250/9 (2cm) <br />
115pts<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is my main cheap choice for recce. Used in the typical recce role, both for pushing back enemy ambushes, </i><i>and using Eyes&Ears for lifting Gone to Ground on enemy defenders. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Other abilities are harassment of infantry and gun teams, especially if a break into the 'backfield' is possible against artillery parks.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Luftwaffe Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun Platoon (<i>allied platoon Reluctant Trained</i>)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cmd SMG team with Kfz15 field car, 2 x 8.8cm Flak36 gun (8 crew), 2 x SdKfz 7 <br />
115pts</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an extremely cheap way to achieve 6, high AT, long range shots per turn against attacking enemy armour, which may dominate the battle field if well positioned, or deny approach to part of the field.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>If attacking, can be deployed , constantly shelling the enemy, and acting as a deterrant to approaching enemy armoured reserves.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>It could of course, also be used in the AAA role, though against fast ground attack aircraft, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>this is not its best ability, only getting one shot per gun, but at a range of 48" and with a FP of 3+.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Panzer Support</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3 x Panther A <br />
560pts</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>A 'medium' tank, in the long range tank killer role, which if supported by the 88's should make most enemy armour wary. My only concern for the Panther will be its new susceptibility to upgunned fireflies, and 'teleporting' US Tank destroyers. It may be a case of live and die by the 'storm trooper', if you can't see me, you can't shoot me, so good use of terrain will be vital.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Rocket Artillery</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cmd SMG team, Observor rifle team with kubelwagon, 3 x 15cm NW41 Rocket Launchers <br />
105pts</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Cheap artillery, to smoke bombard and pin, either way aiding the assault of the GPGs. Or hit assaulting infantry if defending, or smoke blinding enemy armour.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Armoured Flame-thrower platoon</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2 x SdKfz 251/16 (Flamm) <br />
105pts</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Another platoon to aid the main assault of the GPGs, able to instantly pin and kill defending infantry and gun teams, and even blind enemy armour aiding an infantry assault against them.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>TOTAL 1740pts</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Some things I did not take for this force:</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
Air support - In Late War the Germans only get Sporadic air support, which to me seems to rely too much on luck to show up and be effective. 100pts for sporadic stukas? Hmmm, sounds a bargain but they may only get one decent chance of showing up and then could whiff it!<br />
<br />
AAA defence. I thought about adding some mobile AAA to defend the tanks, but I have found in the past that a cany opponent will just motor up his tanks, blow apart your AAA guns then his air is effective, and the loss of the AAA is an easy point for your opponent.<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>This force is however, massively adjustable.</u></b><br />
<br />
Some variables I came up with;<br />
<br />
1) Drop the Nebs to 2, and increase Recce to Pumas. It would mean re-rolling hits with the nebs, but that would always be on 3's, and the Pumas are more of a threat to medium armour.<br />
<br />
2) Drop the Nebs to 2, drop the flamm half tracks, and change out the 3 Panthers, for 2 King Tigers. Flamm half tracks are a nice extra if you can afford to add them to the force but I don't think they are essential. In the face of up gunned fireflies, the King Tigers may offer more resiliance..., and have Tiger Ace skills.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Tiger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
3) Drop the Panthers, and Flamm half tracks, increase recce to Pumas, and add 4 Panzer IVs, and 3 StuG Gs. This is the 'panzer horde' approach. If you can kill my panthers anyway, why not just go for more return fire...<br />
<br />
Well that's a few variables to mull over...I wouldn't mind some time to trial these lists, but most likely wont have much opportunity before the event. The King Tigers, whilst desirable, are also not present in my armoury, though have been ordered. It would depend if they arrive in time and are painted in time...<br />
<br />
Comments and discussion are welcome...<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-4155918797007914792013-06-01T15:45:00.000-07:002013-06-03T18:43:04.893-07:00Breville Campaign - The defence of Breville - SurroundedThe Breville Campaign draws to conclusion...<br />
<br />
In the last game, Paul and his Paras had attacked Breville, but the German defending force had been successful in performing a Fighting Withdrawal...<br />
<br />
So although a 'win' for the Germans, the Paras still have the initiative, and press on with their attack, surrounding the town of Breville now. And thus the next logical battle to try is 'Surrounded' - Can the German defenders maintain a corridor to freedom and escape, or for resupply, to maintain their foothold on the town...<br />
<br />
The scene is set...<br />
<br />
Having read the terrain description, from the briefing, the town of Breville lies at the north end of the Bravent Ridge, located roughly NE of Caen... So I decided to run a long low ridge-like hill from one side of board to the centre, placed a crossroads there, and built the town around it.<br />
<br />
The forces for this battle as follows...<br />
<br />
German Defenders, Grenadierkompanie from Fortress Europe 1750pts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZpijZ9tbQ-MJ4Qh3U-wCodlKkJ7RXJxJz5djRh3bbKC7q3Wy8FQCqP3Vi9OeJi2qtc_tIhk8M5UOBIpXG_IozNQptfyxpGUFC-kfpvhUk4SJfAFV0CbgJhv8hJB75ZEwOZxKCvKWUrU/s1600/grens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZpijZ9tbQ-MJ4Qh3U-wCodlKkJ7RXJxJz5djRh3bbKC7q3Wy8FQCqP3Vi9OeJi2qtc_tIhk8M5UOBIpXG_IozNQptfyxpGUFC-kfpvhUk4SJfAFV0CbgJhv8hJB75ZEwOZxKCvKWUrU/s1600/grens.JPG" /></a></div>
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I had tweaked the army list from last time... As much as I liked fielding the 5 PzIVs, which gives me a lot of mobile MG for killing infantry, they are still prone to Shermans, Fireflies and even PIATs. So I decided to drop them in favour of a pair of Tigers. It would mean less MG fire for infantry killing but hopefully more survivability, and enough firepower to deal with the enemy Shermans.<br />
The mortars were brought back up to 4 tubes (from 2 last time), hopefully for a bit more strength, whether bombardment or direct fire for effect, or smoke. The Pak38s were trimmed back from three guns to two. <br />
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<br />
Paul, brought the same list, I believe, as he tried last time...<br />
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Airlanding Company from Turning Tide, 1750pts, I believe something like:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxF3BDBCK0_0ROGJUkiFTvjKOZLfotghg0G3ffRedmYYzunG_w1-vJzKhicgT7g9k9BAYsFihh8_7_jjT4IX1wKfmBf1ZDrwn6NHBQ_3Fn8NrdSdbY-u4kzwXftj1B1P1-NAZEnZLNBk/s1600/paras.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxF3BDBCK0_0ROGJUkiFTvjKOZLfotghg0G3ffRedmYYzunG_w1-vJzKhicgT7g9k9BAYsFihh8_7_jjT4IX1wKfmBf1ZDrwn6NHBQ_3Fn8NrdSdbY-u4kzwXftj1B1P1-NAZEnZLNBk/s1600/paras.JPG" /></a></div>
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The forces are ready, the table beckons...<br />
<br />
Paul puts one objective under front right building in below pic, and the other diagonally opposite, just outside the village perimeter, looking to spread my forces out as much as possible.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzC77QsIghVd81HaKLxyxAEk_8Uymo-O8IgUIm_EeA974ie1Om4d8crPX_iHAKLQDsiMTkmpBseHVX9qKoEh2b9FqQBXtmswiyVxGkwXZ3SUyQ08Yojc_zxLo-Nhyphenhyphenxw8s5ee-CSFRM2o/s1600/IMG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzC77QsIghVd81HaKLxyxAEk_8Uymo-O8IgUIm_EeA974ie1Om4d8crPX_iHAKLQDsiMTkmpBseHVX9qKoEh2b9FqQBXtmswiyVxGkwXZ3SUyQ08Yojc_zxLo-Nhyphenhyphenxw8s5ee-CSFRM2o/s320/IMG_2456.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deployment view from south looking north</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The objectives placed, I must deploy my forces, holding back one platoon, as an 'immediate ambush', which is more like a delayed deployment in this scenario. Not knowing where Paul would mass his attack I had to defend the entire perimeter to both sides, which stretched my forces to the max.<br />
<br />
I placed barbed wire from pioneers covering approach to the exposed objective, and pioneers behind the wire. Grenadiers covered the other objective from two sides, and the scouts covered the back of the pioneers. Guns and mortars were scattered about pointing in all directions covering, to a modest degree, all approaches. Tigers were immediate ambush, once I saw where the Shermans would approach from...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwUyAfv50J3-WmGyfa2ZLaVgZpU1_p3eU1X2CBEhS2USjb-_A0mUJY7SETs2Q3Z4UoJXoa67Lmcs0PMID-xEyUT5wsHEUJnJse1AkElq9qPsmKibbS8O1IUgeRb0cHldT6aokP5cRAsE/s1600/IMG_2457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwUyAfv50J3-WmGyfa2ZLaVgZpU1_p3eU1X2CBEhS2USjb-_A0mUJY7SETs2Q3Z4UoJXoa67Lmcs0PMID-xEyUT5wsHEUJnJse1AkElq9qPsmKibbS8O1IUgeRb0cHldT6aokP5cRAsE/s320/IMG_2457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deployment view from north looking south</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Paul decided to deploy in such away it appeared his attack was coming in on both objectives from both sides... so I couldn't turn any platoon to face any strong threat as the threat was all round.<br />
<br />
Being British Infantry on the attack, Paul again pulled night attack.<br />
<br />
For the first two turns all went more or less quietly, as Paul approached and neither side had any fire due to cover or darkness, poor visibility at range and gone to ground troops.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkfKNOILqHaK9bVjo1K8NabbLNaFl7CfJafRD_AHS6yZxdcn2NmNPa_rbBodcBm4vtK8nytsDPDxhQXL3MAdYlo2UhgD1hS_6741d3UBmqv7zAD8XrqtNaPzp7S5QSVv-i6gKL4O5kYo/s1600/IMG_2458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkfKNOILqHaK9bVjo1K8NabbLNaFl7CfJafRD_AHS6yZxdcn2NmNPa_rbBodcBm4vtK8nytsDPDxhQXL3MAdYlo2UhgD1hS_6741d3UBmqv7zAD8XrqtNaPzp7S5QSVv-i6gKL4O5kYo/s320/IMG_2458.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial approaches from the north...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghALJY6lLqZEtFNoJZFW1FBvUQMaMzt44lMFn6kW3SmZtzk9ccZzjQFFA47EYeMuPSWciBMtega_VM6Byn4WXFeJg0aGNaatARLbOZzBKVrdSaYxfzuiyTQuviPYy6FNvjF3IqHDxGHQc/s1600/IMG_2459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghALJY6lLqZEtFNoJZFW1FBvUQMaMzt44lMFn6kW3SmZtzk9ccZzjQFFA47EYeMuPSWciBMtega_VM6Byn4WXFeJg0aGNaatARLbOZzBKVrdSaYxfzuiyTQuviPYy6FNvjF3IqHDxGHQc/s320/IMG_2459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVvPX5QmexbzENzGo02DfWfhWClqLyrw-rDXSPVljAzeayDH0KTuQKl4R2eJNQ4hE8PtEOn8ltrm_GqjtCO4FnZJnwxza_YuMt7_WwRbf-ash9XjEMepGB02FFg1xBp6hKkLsRaGLL_Y/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVvPX5QmexbzENzGo02DfWfhWClqLyrw-rDXSPVljAzeayDH0KTuQKl4R2eJNQ4hE8PtEOn8ltrm_GqjtCO4FnZJnwxza_YuMt7_WwRbf-ash9XjEMepGB02FFg1xBp6hKkLsRaGLL_Y/s320/IMG_2460.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and south...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However the calm was not to last...<br />
<br />
Paul got three engineer teams up to my wire line, with a view to clearing it. Rather than let them achieve this I sent a flamethrower after two of them and shot the rest of the platoon at the third. All the engineers were killed at the wire, and this pinned the platoon down<br />
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Elsewhere, it was time to open up on the approaching Brits... I got a good round of visibility rolls, all coming up 4 or more, and let rip with everything. I had previously moved an HMG, Infantry gun and a Pak38 to better firing positions and sent the Tigers to aid the scouts, as they were staring down a para platoon and commando. I scored a load of hits, as you can imagine for all the firing, as none of my platoons were pinned and almost all the HMGs were firing at full effect, plus the scouts with their assault rifles backed up by the Tigers and pak38s, unleashed a hail of steel into the darkness...<br />
<br />
That was fair enough, but to contrast with Pauls saving throws from the previous game, his troops started dropping like flies this time... the centre thrust along the hill was cut down to half strength and pinned, the commando were almost destroyed, pinned but stuck around, other platoons took fire too, to lesser effect but most were pinned by the end of my shooting phase.<br />
<br />
Although Paul passed morale for those the worst damaged, to rub salt in the wound, Paul then went on to fluff his subsequent unpinning rolls, meaning the troops would be stuck in same positions again to endure another round of fire! <br />
<br />
Trying to mitigate some of this Paul fired a smoke barrage with his mortars. Also, those that now had wanted to advance with weight of numbers and couldn't,
tried to dig in, and failed that too... it was a terrible round of dice
rolling by Paul. However his troops now at least were gone to ground too, so would be a much harder target.<br />
<br />
Since my Tigers had fired, this then opened them up to a long range shot from the Firefly with its semi indirect fire. He managed one hit which I just managed to save, Paul passed the firepower roll to bail the Tiger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKjvb03o8Kcgp9rWhv9sfGp6T7xPR4Hs-Fsl5cNH1nAAgmJ4y2yYOIaHHUx3hBeuTbIB4068Kk0B2rRf87Sg08p573OqSQPM4X72leNy_dvUicrdXA_VZO8i7WU4a1wh36ej3YOcBDo4/s1600/IMG_2461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKjvb03o8Kcgp9rWhv9sfGp6T7xPR4Hs-Fsl5cNH1nAAgmJ4y2yYOIaHHUx3hBeuTbIB4068Kk0B2rRf87Sg08p573OqSQPM4X72leNy_dvUicrdXA_VZO8i7WU4a1wh36ej3YOcBDo4/s320/IMG_2461.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke to lessen the German firing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N0ZM6RWGVDVody8w1TBuCzbltibZkUOZPRvIFyOzrKs9iph_Fp4rlgpuyIQMElM1oCUqzDxFEfPwSacN5u23sacH_hqIRVtlju_TX3BsTlihXZ-Gt88I7OP0i_i9-7lI8djeFSdHmeA/s1600/IMG_2462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N0ZM6RWGVDVody8w1TBuCzbltibZkUOZPRvIFyOzrKs9iph_Fp4rlgpuyIQMElM1oCUqzDxFEfPwSacN5u23sacH_hqIRVtlju_TX3BsTlihXZ-Gt88I7OP0i_i9-7lI8djeFSdHmeA/s320/IMG_2462.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shermans approach the eastern side of town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the following German turn, the Tigers, having remounted their bailed tank, now feeling the situation for the scouts was somewhat under control, did some nifty driving in the cramped confines of the town, turned and fired back at the firefly, destroying it. They had tried to remain stationary and just turn their turrets round but encountered that classic situation from "Kelly's Heroes" ... no space to turn the turret in the town... Having seen to the firefly they passed their storm trooper move to head back over to the scouts position.<br />
<br />
More fire was spat out at the now gone to ground Brits with predictably lesser effects...<br />
<br />
Paul now sensed he had to press on with the attack. This time he unpinned and went after the scouts leading with the remains of the commando and the supporting para platoon. Advancing with 2 flamethrower teams to kill and pin the defending scouts, Paul rolled a 1+2 for one team and a 2+2 for the second team. All missed! Neither of us could believe it!<br />
<br />
Paul tried the assault anyway as he had little choice now, being committed, and was predictably thrown back by defensive fire...<br />
<br />
At this point I probably would have called it, had I been Paul, but Paul has a strength of character when it comes to playing FoW, that he just keeps battling away, and certainly lives by the saying, "it aint over till the fat lady sings"...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxjU2Y2MAWY5Ofdg2OlGVCYYwritjAjxVRzrSGScDdlLRVotOcW_MYiwSF2GBGhLNn06_ZX-EPvDQWfQ6P8oSt6dhuvNXmq1X9qxuRY17sYGtmIicfTCO_-fMIwar7SIU969cPM36DOQ/s1600/IMG_2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxjU2Y2MAWY5Ofdg2OlGVCYYwritjAjxVRzrSGScDdlLRVotOcW_MYiwSF2GBGhLNn06_ZX-EPvDQWfQ6P8oSt6dhuvNXmq1X9qxuRY17sYGtmIicfTCO_-fMIwar7SIU969cPM36DOQ/s320/IMG_2463.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The firefly burns...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Paul battled on, continuing to advance the Shermans, though I now had my panzerschrek team scampering towards them... elsewhere infantry tried dig in, unpin, and his 6pdrs and mortars tried to fire enough to get a pin somewhere on the German positions, but he just couldn't manage it, invariably getting 4 hits when he needed 5 for the pin...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr16N2fDWiDZgiURMf2mXdKytvR9U26vifN1h6p5ax9QEjjZDpYEPdZiWoPBkTGf8NddKXq7oNqaTYZ4pY3gKfR53ryeCavpd0m4d1ljRuVSTJQKaPH3-sG-xhcTpT64yqokE6PD-0ls/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr16N2fDWiDZgiURMf2mXdKytvR9U26vifN1h6p5ax9QEjjZDpYEPdZiWoPBkTGf8NddKXq7oNqaTYZ4pY3gKfR53ryeCavpd0m4d1ljRuVSTJQKaPH3-sG-xhcTpT64yqokE6PD-0ls/s320/IMG_2464.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shermans continue to pressure the eastern objective.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz65bwoBFeKxu7qik8aAtE1qqObEeRcobAXGXQvnxBnz92UdQKIJpoYUph7lvzd05Si28a6I5oPGewUtxlU8PqD-rp0Ff3n5OVYEv_jso1ep4A208NtCTdbrhtmXw6TmwZpcZ6Z_8D_I/s1600/IMG_2465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz65bwoBFeKxu7qik8aAtE1qqObEeRcobAXGXQvnxBnz92UdQKIJpoYUph7lvzd05Si28a6I5oPGewUtxlU8PqD-rp0Ff3n5OVYEv_jso1ep4A208NtCTdbrhtmXw6TmwZpcZ6Z_8D_I/s320/IMG_2465.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engineers and mortars approach the wire</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2Cemax-ZhuG5bdVAa2HFt2GP1MyMYbntm7ybqmkslaMFYIWEiGcfWZl3OlxjbvvOF52Z0fQ11DSROu4eZMvLl-XU9QPrrOWOecJGL67w2ub0ii7xIY6gaM8D-y4mt0nJtzUS7dG-TeY/s1600/IMG_2466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2Cemax-ZhuG5bdVAa2HFt2GP1MyMYbntm7ybqmkslaMFYIWEiGcfWZl3OlxjbvvOF52Z0fQ11DSROu4eZMvLl-XU9QPrrOWOecJGL67w2ub0ii7xIY6gaM8D-y4mt0nJtzUS7dG-TeY/s320/IMG_2466.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remaining para platoon facing the scouts, the commando are gone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R2cz8eMY-NvRWD7379bIjuK7ZosRHTAmcXzoNngWH_S-3HpvCJDAHpsftRNsFS9Ju61QNYztu8ifwkxidsWHTl1gdmRbxioJSWju-wxcV3qTBR6bTAR-GcEqKrApcAHwoN1P5hqZ1V0/s1600/IMG_2467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R2cz8eMY-NvRWD7379bIjuK7ZosRHTAmcXzoNngWH_S-3HpvCJDAHpsftRNsFS9Ju61QNYztu8ifwkxidsWHTl1gdmRbxioJSWju-wxcV3qTBR6bTAR-GcEqKrApcAHwoN1P5hqZ1V0/s320/IMG_2467.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanks get closer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tanks continue their advance, but the grenadiers are now tucked up in the building and a panzerschrek and cmd panzerfaust team are just tucked behind the large doored barn, and an infantry gun has turned to face them too. Its not great but could get lucky with a side shot if the tanks assault.<br />
<br />
Paul continues, he has little to gain now by sitting still, as he'll either lose the game by time out default or get shot up. So his assault still tries to get in but are again thrown back...<br />
<br />
However he does find a way into the town centre. The engineers and pioneers have been going at each other, and the engineers had some help from the mortars. Although the pioneers eventually broke and fled, the tigers had turned once again, covering the approach to the now exposed objective, so the engineers went through the town hoping to swing down on to the eastern objective to aid the Shermans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NoVChf2ztFkuUbPi3scIep1ojevstPLDZe8S89haizEvsvvFqCHu8TCDQzzDyt1WjnijgGnYsRPATx0IcX_SIgdRlCJ0xllOK7n0d4a0RVeFHV1E6OPPaHSvwA2_nuN_oavX0Hyy-cc/s1600/IMG_2468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NoVChf2ztFkuUbPi3scIep1ojevstPLDZe8S89haizEvsvvFqCHu8TCDQzzDyt1WjnijgGnYsRPATx0IcX_SIgdRlCJ0xllOK7n0d4a0RVeFHV1E6OPPaHSvwA2_nuN_oavX0Hyy-cc/s320/IMG_2468.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remaining engineers approach the town centre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
The engineers make it to the town centre, but at this point are effectively surrounded themselves, its too little too late. One of the Shermans is bailed by the panzerschrek and refuses to remount...<br />
<br />
Finally after a regulation 2.5hrs play, and the situation Paul finds himself in, he calls it. I quite honestly applauded his tenacity.<br />
<br />
But in the end the German defenders prevail, and maintain their escape route / resupply line...<br />
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<br />
I had lost the pioneers only, though came close to losing the small unattached HMG platoon, and my mortars who all passed morale tests. Since I started with 9 platoons, I score a 6-1 win.<br />
<br />
Paul had only actually lost one platoon, the commando, though nearly all his remaining infantry were at or below half strength.<br />
<br />
I think in this game it seemed like Paul was playing against me, and the dice... <br />
<br />
We have decided to call the campaign at this point. We have proved over the campaign, that infantry can for the most part hold up against other infantry in a defensive situation, with a decent deployment and a little luck.<br />
<br />
At this point, I am sure 'Monty' will call in another 'special' and carpet bomb the defenders here, much as he did against Caen ...<br />
<br />
I am not sure what the final campaign VPs are, I did miserably in the early campaign games, but clawed some back in the last two games, and Paul spent 5pts at the mid point to tweak his force, so I am not sure where that puts us now...<br />
<br />
Paul said we should just call the campaign a draw... I'd be happy to do this, though feel he still probably has more points than I do.<br />
<br />
So whats next, well, we need some practice for the Panzerschrek doubles tournie coming up, in Palmy, and and after that its Call to Arms in Wello... so some practice no doubt needed for that too.<br />
<br />
Plus we'd also like to try our hands at the Firestorm campaign...<br />
<br />
I hope you have enjoyed reading of our exploits during the Breville Axis of Attack campaign.Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-59151071773344539332013-05-25T04:54:00.001-07:002013-05-29T01:05:52.982-07:00Breville Campaign - The defence of Breville - Fighting WithdrawalSince starting the Breville Axis of Attack campaign, the British paras, under Paul's skilled hand, have done all expected of them, landing in a glider borne assault to capture the Orne bridges, resisted repeated attempts by the Germans to break through their lines, and then gone on the offense, beating the Germans back out of Bois du Mont, their fighting withdrawal there becoming a rout.<br />
<br />
The Paras push on to capture their last objective, the town of Breville itself, and close out the campaign...<br />
<br />
The Germans have one last chance to salvage a small amount of pride, before the end... And this time their Commanding Officer has been given a rapid schooling in the art of holding ground with Infantry...<br />
<br />
Having won the last battle and the dice off for the next game to choose the mission, Paul has pushed me back to Breville, and has decided on a Fighting Withdrawal to try and seal the fate of the Germans.
Paul set the board up and I came along with 1750pts of Grenadiers, against Paul's British paras...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY3fkcfPeAkUNYJxumSBkrfvM5dOi2RYIVNyZrx7cLgpsWMFeuHeqaeBvaSYl5lrz5IcP_8XirTvT4fQ3yMF-1AWJPfi5aJb3xSxdayvmZhUURHICVlO-ycj-Pc259JjKQT9aVT82KJg/s1600/gren+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY3fkcfPeAkUNYJxumSBkrfvM5dOi2RYIVNyZrx7cLgpsWMFeuHeqaeBvaSYl5lrz5IcP_8XirTvT4fQ3yMF-1AWJPfi5aJb3xSxdayvmZhUURHICVlO-ycj-Pc259JjKQT9aVT82KJg/s400/gren+list.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German Force</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Pauls forces, IIRC...<br />
<br />
British Airborne<br />
HQ: CO + 2iC + 2x PIAT<br />
Full Paras platoon<br />
Full Paras platoon<br />
Full Paras platoon<br />
Para Engineers platoon<br />
Commando Section<br />
2 x 6pdrs <br />
3 x DD Shermans + 1x Firefly (Confident Trained)<br />
4 x Mortars<br />
<br />
With insufficient buildings to create the right look, Paul instead took a different approach to setting up the town, and went for a full ruined town edge look, using the 'Stalingrad' building set he made!<br />
<br />
Paul managed to bring these two sides of the boards into alignment raising one section on a slightly raised platform. Very clever I thought! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8f7IRJPv1H6o7D_X14U5noXR0nBjsN6UcCgF-F73nEPBYm59pQcXZSQLic82YMvfIz3la-xyhHk1hiY8PpB1r-ZsH6omuu6LKuEo_uQCmV-1i07idZ1zam1MkWWL3Bi07B_FaqnLtDA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8f7IRJPv1H6o7D_X14U5noXR0nBjsN6UcCgF-F73nEPBYm59pQcXZSQLic82YMvfIz3la-xyhHk1hiY8PpB1r-ZsH6omuu6LKuEo_uQCmV-1i07idZ1zam1MkWWL3Bi07B_FaqnLtDA/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outskirts of Breville</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having learned how not to defend with infantry in the last game, I took Paul's advice, and this time set up a high perimeter line on the edge of my deployment zone. The three objectives were spread across my zone with typically, the defenders one in the centre and the attackers two to the two flanks.<br />
<br />
The pioneers covered my exposed right side of the board, behind their barbed wire, and backed up by 2 infantry guns and 2 HMGs. In the centre a grenadier platoon with attached HMG and P'schrek team, and backed up by my scouts with assault rifles. On my left another Grenadier platoon with attached HMG, backed up by 3 Pak38s. My 2 mortars were centre back holding centre objective . The 5 PzIVs were in ambush...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxc-3VdvaUw7HpsAvauaHBUqAkUOaXVepUvu59uq5UhHAabSpYbuzrytqCSIMmANBYD0k6iuojPJZDwr5SoSUQkWyLzFLLUZjK_XNPEa34X7mCUCIxpxLVAhU4M9kzbs-iJaCwiLy1Xo/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxc-3VdvaUw7HpsAvauaHBUqAkUOaXVepUvu59uq5UhHAabSpYbuzrytqCSIMmANBYD0k6iuojPJZDwr5SoSUQkWyLzFLLUZjK_XNPEa34X7mCUCIxpxLVAhU4M9kzbs-iJaCwiLy1Xo/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pioneers defend the German right flank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Paul decided to mass his main attack on his right, not wanting to have to deal with my wire... which was more or less as I expected. So I added my 2ic and CO to the end flank building.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp4quUGHpC6OR5_HMeZ2M-6KYdOFmqsmXX03xvUVgULkpK7CG-A0joBLgFqMa3jDI6KZ6Oc6ZuPI76gpZFifjr4Htg4_DEVTjZbGX430rOcw5wWWKqbyIgWOjWozl7rvbwBs4ZwUchYw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp4quUGHpC6OR5_HMeZ2M-6KYdOFmqsmXX03xvUVgULkpK7CG-A0joBLgFqMa3jDI6KZ6Oc6ZuPI76gpZFifjr4Htg4_DEVTjZbGX430rOcw5wWWKqbyIgWOjWozl7rvbwBs4ZwUchYw/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paras, commandos and Shermans backed by mortars ready their assault under cover of darkness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMrGImnI6sHCzhrjBT4jlm2-Q2Hbk3JaaxpUnzIVhRqA2dJSy3HVkTEARRMtY-KIdWA0q9iTtAkg5MazkfopsvJjiU0FKOuKeqCucTdIzBgSIjVVNMj_QqiV5WQ3_399HzVUZvnERl0Y/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMrGImnI6sHCzhrjBT4jlm2-Q2Hbk3JaaxpUnzIVhRqA2dJSy3HVkTEARRMtY-KIdWA0q9iTtAkg5MazkfopsvJjiU0FKOuKeqCucTdIzBgSIjVVNMj_QqiV5WQ3_399HzVUZvnERl0Y/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the German line from their left flank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Paul pulled night attack and with it the British spearhead move. My high line of defence did impede this move, slightly. Undaunted Paul pressed on with his attack getting into it quickly with Commandos and Paras, looking to make some holes with flamethrowers...<br />
<br />
The panzers reveal their ambush from behind the left flank end buildings and drive up ready to hose the attacking infantry... <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5V2yBDbVuqLrcJBBaWBiHsK_IoYQdSFfb6jxgUMC4QNNHRTofg1AVAQX92SumUDGqChj7yBbAhjA4QwASYLY843w-LEldYMsDaqWXTkTjXI3deLVGWxT4oUzO7yj4qhCAhb5lViHY74/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5V2yBDbVuqLrcJBBaWBiHsK_IoYQdSFfb6jxgUMC4QNNHRTofg1AVAQX92SumUDGqChj7yBbAhjA4QwASYLY843w-LEldYMsDaqWXTkTjXI3deLVGWxT4oUzO7yj4qhCAhb5lViHY74/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial attack, 2 flamethrowers are expended for the loss of a single German team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The bold move by the commandos flamethrower is rewarded by a hail of return fire which guts the commandos and they break and flee. Still undaunted Paul readies his assault with careful precision and manages to breach my line...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1mS_w4VophJ-FZe7yZfE26LZqCFWWGmC1Eifh2rnIuLHKs7pOQoibgrz4VWhDAtO5SexcHwpwXVOIDliIcnT_vGE606NNq3Wda-e8adFbJNeeRqInVwq5YiCS-Gy29GHHNo2IZS8ICU/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1mS_w4VophJ-FZe7yZfE26LZqCFWWGmC1Eifh2rnIuLHKs7pOQoibgrz4VWhDAtO5SexcHwpwXVOIDliIcnT_vGE606NNq3Wda-e8adFbJNeeRqInVwq5YiCS-Gy29GHHNo2IZS8ICU/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul gets excited with the casualty markers... there weren't quite that many deaths here , yet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Its all on like donkey kong! I have lost the end grenadiers, 2iC and a panzer to Paul's assaults, but my Co has fallen back out of harms way. All this time my scouts have been rushing across from the centre, as have the 2 HMGs from the opposite flank, trying to help reinforce my faltering left... But Paul still has the pak38s and panzers to deal with...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjibsHCZqRNAeSgzMPmgfn3GDpF1PpKH_8jxYATYTVnSWLvXBrCwZlIIl4hckpZC_UcLFUkpGTaG71a9OIYjdqLMn5lHa4kbYlXovEveeuQiPVL_rBmYM_-foX10KlEo9mv-H7u0xKzQ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjibsHCZqRNAeSgzMPmgfn3GDpF1PpKH_8jxYATYTVnSWLvXBrCwZlIIl4hckpZC_UcLFUkpGTaG71a9OIYjdqLMn5lHa4kbYlXovEveeuQiPVL_rBmYM_-foX10KlEo9mv-H7u0xKzQ/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its all on big time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A surge by Brits, and everything fires trying to knock out the pak38s and panzers to little effect! But the assault still goes in capturing the end flank building and forcing me to pull back the guns and tanks slightly....<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoWNAy7PS07CpcRJ6F19JOnoixZJGSLsMTXSWDAJSXSv9ZEic2aY6o0eD0Q007pav5D2yz2iemV3lWS0tBMreQcJDhewXBn_ZcC-OJVas1jwINZWZ47LSRilZXmZ8mkmLlVwy9a95bTs/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoWNAy7PS07CpcRJ6F19JOnoixZJGSLsMTXSWDAJSXSv9ZEic2aY6o0eD0Q007pav5D2yz2iemV3lWS0tBMreQcJDhewXBn_ZcC-OJVas1jwINZWZ47LSRilZXmZ8mkmLlVwy9a95bTs/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paras capture the end building, but objective is still strongly contested.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pak38s and panzers return fire at the Shermans killing two and bailing the other 2 but they pass morale!<br />
<br />
Now comes the craziness, with nothing to lose, a real do or die, Paul emerges from the building, and with a combination of fire, destroys a Pak38, bails a panzer with a Piat, and assaults the remaining panzers, staring down 12 dice of def fire on 4s. I push him back just... 3 dice are 4s, 2 are cocked, I roll these again, one 4 the other cocked again... I can't bare the tension! I roll the last dice again, a 4! And he is pushed back!<br />
<br />
Paul then throws caution to the wind and has the 2iC join the 2 remaining Piats from a gutted para platoon and assaults with these! 12 def fire dice again... I pick my dice back up counting as I do and suddenly realise I had thrown 13 dice previously! What to to do? Paul resets his main para platoon again , "thrown em again Scott!" Eek! I do but get 5+ definite hits pinning back the main thrust. So Paul still tries with the 2 Piats. 12 dice again and again they are thrown back. But Paul's is rolling saves like a god again and few if any of the paras fall to the def fire.<br />
<br />
Day light had also broken at start of turn 3...<br />
<br />
In my turn I think, right, hose the lot of them down and that will be the end of it. I fire everything that I can. But Paul keeps rolling so many saves. Only the engineers are finally stopped , reduced to three teams and the Pltn Cmd dead, they cannot advance. But the main paras still pressuring my panzers refused to die.<br />
<br />
To make matters worse the Shermans remount and let my Panzers have it! Paul lines up everything shooting all he can to get pins and or destroy teams in the crucial area. He's done all he can and assaults once more.<br />
<br />
Defensive fire from the remaining Pak, Scouts, CO and lone observer spit out just enough fire to throw back Pauls assault.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4S1aEpY9zJKxT2_9q95q3eL6WBLfFabDzuNLvR1ZtkiqFl1QG437DKRuPTtSGuysKzKWKv1vVaIkK91OqpvrBAmEZX8vpU_ZS_-h_DD30Q1Lfb-MI4tvpanXQz4h-Nt5NygAk4yj9dl0/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4S1aEpY9zJKxT2_9q95q3eL6WBLfFabDzuNLvR1ZtkiqFl1QG437DKRuPTtSGuysKzKWKv1vVaIkK91OqpvrBAmEZX8vpU_ZS_-h_DD30Q1Lfb-MI4tvpanXQz4h-Nt5NygAk4yj9dl0/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul gets ready for his crazy assaults!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Its now almost midnight, we've played for over 4 hours and although contesting
the flank objective, I am now in a position after some 5 turns to be
able to pull this flank objective out from under Paul. Even if he does
get it next turn, it will then vaporise and he will be in no position really to push for the other
objectives in any sensible time frame, and I have enough platoons
remaining such that he is unlikely to break me, and I still have my CO
alive, for a change!<br />
<br />
So Pauls calls it. The Germans have held on for their first win of the campaign, and as they started with 9 platoons and only lost two (Grenadiers and Panzers), claim a 5-2 win.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOH2NARfyDJBYovsYxQCw_jM6915GM_JFY3w1kBzbw2U_YNSXcuzHIkrdj-7qgZ44s6rFLu_ed-2yGJZbPc4jadQNMbsjTL4Myk2nH8c6OHpe7UVrriZYnaB4DfBPgdn742k-LUuCvfxc/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOH2NARfyDJBYovsYxQCw_jM6915GM_JFY3w1kBzbw2U_YNSXcuzHIkrdj-7qgZ44s6rFLu_ed-2yGJZbPc4jadQNMbsjTL4Myk2nH8c6OHpe7UVrriZYnaB4DfBPgdn742k-LUuCvfxc/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final positions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To say this was a nail biter is not the word! This mission is always a real sod, especially for the defender as you always feel you are hanging on for grim death. So I am thrilled to have come away with a win, especially over Pauls Paras after the gutting I got last week against them. And I have to say most of that comes from Paul giving me some idea of how to set up and run a defence with infantry.<br />
<br />
He may be wishing he hadn't told me now???<br />
<br />
So I claw back some VPs for the campaign and post game dice rolls show Paul still has the initiative to try and attack again. He chooses to try Surrounded for the next game...Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-64630399290056086972013-05-23T16:00:00.003-07:002013-05-23T20:51:57.953-07:00Firestorm Lorraine - Turn One, Game Four - Cauldron in Belgium Last night saw Brett and I meet up for our next Firestorm Lorraine campaign game.<br />
<br />
In the end I had decided to attack into A2 (Belgium). This sector only contained one unit of American Infantry as Firestorm troops, and if my attack was successful, I would gain a sector worth 100pts to me and cut off Luxembourg from supply. <br />
<br />
I got to set up the terrain before the battle (home field advantage and all that!), and after coming across an interesting looking map on the FoW website, decided to copy that, which comprised a village/town in one corner, with roads radiating out in several direction and wooded areas between the roads.<br />
<br />
I anticipated Brett bringing an infantry company, and this would give him plenty of places to hide his infantry and set up his defense, but would hopefully give me some cover too, on my approach to any objectives...<br />
<br />
Forces are still 1250pts, plus Firestorm troops.<br />
<br />
I had chosen to attack with my BGG Panzerkompanie again, though with a subtle tweak to last time.<br />
<br />
I fielded the following:<br />
<br />
HQ (Reluctant Trained) 2 x Panther<br />
3 x Panther<br />
4 x PzIV J<br />
Aufklarungs; 7 x MG/P'Faust & 7 x 251/1 Half Tracks<br />
Aufklarungs; 7 x MG/P'Faust & 7 x 251/1 Half Tracks<br />
Plus... 3 x PzIV/70V as my Firestorm troops <br />
<br />
Brett had brought his Tank Company, not what I was expecting! IIRC...<br />
<br />
HQ (Confident Veterans) 2 x Sherman 76<br />
3 x Shermans<br />
2 x Shermans & 2 x Sherman 76<br />
Armoured Mortars<br />
Armoured AAA<br />
Artillery <br />
Infantry platoon with 1 Bazooka - Firestorm troops<br />
Priority p47s - Firestorm troops<br />
<br />
We rolled off mission and got Cauldron, one of the most random missions in the book! A defensive style battle, in which the defender gets an Immediate Ambush, though this is more like a delayed deployment, but since the defender gets first turn, could be quite effective.<br />
The attacker has his forces deploy randomly by table quarter.<br />
Both sides get reserves, with the defenders being delayed, and the attackers immediate but random.<br />
<br />
Another mind bender of game seemed likely...<br />
<br />
Brett picked his deployment area, and chose the 'open' side of the table, rather than the congested town side, and I placed objective markers in the opposite corners of his zone, hoping to spread Bretts defence as much as possible. Brett chose to deploy his infantry on one objective at the rear and tanks on the forward one with Mortars, AAA and Artillery as reserves...<br />
<br />
I decided I would have to deal with Bretts armour first, if I could, before trying to deal with his infantry and other assets with my armoured infantry. So I chose to deploy the Panthers and 70s and obviously the HQ Panthers, and leave the P4s and infantry in reserves until some of the threat of Brett tanks had hopefully been reduced... The Panthers and 70's had the best front armour and biggest guns to hopefully deal with and withstand the attentions of the Shermans, and the P4s would act in their traditional infantry support role... But I still didn't know where my deployed troops would deploy... as it happened I rolled a 2 for each of the tank platoons so they both arrived diagonally in front of the front objective, facing off against Bretts armour...<br />
<br />
Since Brett would get first turn, and had an immediate ambush of 4 Shermans to put down, I chose to hide the tanks behind a couple of clumps of woods, so Brett would need to move out to hit me, and I'd be close to terrain to hopefully mitigate his planes a little... I'd then either be able to move, shoot and hopefully stormtrooper back out of the way, or be left as is but firing at full ROF next turn...<br />
<br />
The problem I faced was, being trained I am hit on 3s, and Yank Shermans have stabilisers which means they can fire at full effect ROF on the move though at +1 to hit. Still that means each Yank tank gets two shots on the move and hitting me on a 4... So with 9 Yank tanks and priority planes available, facing off against 8 German tanks, it was going to get interesting quickly...<br />
<br />
Initial deployment...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWscMZecT1eIvjdM0fWCp-kuMuNpcf7qZHXK9KCfwGXZ6hIAmq83_yRxl6oWONxWJCuBjPmB_4mCSsx5NhZhk9S2EKHNIN12OUkXw8F_3Ps7LRrqmefpB11Mt6m5BQRu_05JSI9Kk24ZM/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWscMZecT1eIvjdM0fWCp-kuMuNpcf7qZHXK9KCfwGXZ6hIAmq83_yRxl6oWONxWJCuBjPmB_4mCSsx5NhZhk9S2EKHNIN12OUkXw8F_3Ps7LRrqmefpB11Mt6m5BQRu_05JSI9Kk24ZM/s320/IMG_2445.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanks ready to face off, 70s just below centre bottom woods and HQ Panthers to right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was going to get interesting in a heartbeat...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmCZSocfjBTaKzD7K9KUz6LF17wQ-rnM1uKuMtFOz-0dwrKr8RAqOykNsAQ8QLvrrnejF_Wd-KZK7Ax4-ldKK1SHLR32RvFUhy3zmNAs7Z6V3UnhIhd-mQkVJcT7Wsh0GIuWOGJgO5f4/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmCZSocfjBTaKzD7K9KUz6LF17wQ-rnM1uKuMtFOz-0dwrKr8RAqOykNsAQ8QLvrrnejF_Wd-KZK7Ax4-ldKK1SHLR32RvFUhy3zmNAs7Z6V3UnhIhd-mQkVJcT7Wsh0GIuWOGJgO5f4/s320/IMG_2446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and reverse view from infantry side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nOBzFnVuiJvAWiOZ3_Y0dVhUMHJh6cUg9Sn_Vw_Cb40ITqkIbp5TfsrkMbvMV54TOL2eSOPaSYQz00NH2YwndDKHtFL6VJmTaw9glZwCvGEqQH9z_jAF19utJmIvKBE7Ihzqhmu13N8/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nOBzFnVuiJvAWiOZ3_Y0dVhUMHJh6cUg9Sn_Vw_Cb40ITqkIbp5TfsrkMbvMV54TOL2eSOPaSYQz00NH2YwndDKHtFL6VJmTaw9glZwCvGEqQH9z_jAF19utJmIvKBE7Ihzqhmu13N8/s320/IMG_2447.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather nice Mustang proxying as a P47, will it prove decisive in this tank scrap?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Never one to hold back, Brett moves out... with one platoon backed up by the HQ tanks, leaving one platoon covering the wooded objective. Planes arrive sniffing out the Panther platoon... Brett also moves out his artillery observer in his jeep , looking to find a vantage point in the church steeple.<br />
<br />
Brett lines up 4 side shots on my HQ panthers, but only scores one hit, which I then have the gaul to save! His HQ 76s let rip at the Panther platoon, destroying one and bailed a second. Thankfully the planes fail to range in...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sGgv1K-mQH33yzRYlcNtPp0QTj_O4wyQFpS1S33thRMLj54mEKhPyGM0qK4-TZjMJeHB-rLUZRLndXXmPcVNq9jkZ3M-IeAzK9PZZqC0VP_jkNrK5bDJam5Bu0Fg4BdDXahDe0IBSgA/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sGgv1K-mQH33yzRYlcNtPp0QTj_O4wyQFpS1S33thRMLj54mEKhPyGM0qK4-TZjMJeHB-rLUZRLndXXmPcVNq9jkZ3M-IeAzK9PZZqC0VP_jkNrK5bDJam5Bu0Fg4BdDXahDe0IBSgA/s320/IMG_2448.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yanks roll out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In return, Germans get their P4s as reserve but they annoyingly arrive on the other side of the board and have to drive past or through the urban area to get to the Yank infantry. However they do spot a lone Yank jeep driving up to the church, and rip it apart with their MG fire, killing the occupants...<br />
<br />
The bailed panther fails to remount, but remaining panther, the 70s and HQ Panthers converge, and target the HQ Shermans, but Brett joins them to the nearby Sherman platoon and allocates hits there. I fail the gun-tank rule, and thus destroy 2 tanks from the platoon. They fail morale and Brett decides to let the last tank go, rather than risk losing his CO too...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI0l21vJfboEWytt6ABp9hgtlUUuc3Wm5vrBJD50njmYWTKccHs730MLRrzsGnMwYLosWM8hRmJVvB81qdHUTjEhxl7miiGqrKlN7GI-5xOmsiKy6FexR9ukHN5vwn3YHQz0rCjtTBPg/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI0l21vJfboEWytt6ABp9hgtlUUuc3Wm5vrBJD50njmYWTKccHs730MLRrzsGnMwYLosWM8hRmJVvB81qdHUTjEhxl7miiGqrKlN7GI-5xOmsiKy6FexR9ukHN5vwn3YHQz0rCjtTBPg/s320/IMG_2449.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German return fire...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sorry no more pics, things got a little intense... a swirling two turns later saw Brett move out his Shermans from the wood, though one bogged, to enter the fight. The remaining Panther was knocked out and the bailed tank failed morale and fled. The p47s ranged in but failed to hit any targets... More fire on the 70s was ineffective, only bailing one. Return fire from the 70's and HQ Panthers knocked out two tanks from second Sherman platoon, and with one still bogged in woods, forced a morale check and they failed and fled. The Sherman 2iC was also knocked out. <br />
This now forced a Company Morale check at the start of Bretts turn 3, which he passed. The Sherman CO was now on his own and moved out to try to get out of harms way and let te planes freely operate. He knocked out a 70, but the planes failed to range in.<br />
The P4s moved up on the infantry and an Aufklarung arrived from reserve behind the P4s so again had a long route through the town so decided to try and make up time doubling down the road... <br />
The main German tanks massed as much fire as they could on the lone Sherman CO and knocked him out. The 2iC panther had also moved up on the now exposed front objective...<br />
<br />
Top of Bretts turn 4 and with two platoons destroyed and only his infantry on the table, and with no HQ elements alive, he auto-failed Company Morale, yielding a 5-2 win to the Germans! However it had taken a moment to realise this, and Brett had just rolled to get his reserves, and succeeded... his Armoured AAA was poised to turn up behind the doubling half tracks, which would have no doubt proved painful for the Germans. But the battle ended before they could enter the fray... <br />
<br />
Final positions...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkWYFPC_To0m19N30KZV9zl2r6ywyiqyh9i_FzBJGbQu_CGtMbiHXngCAAyxLthWweT0xTHJfJytPw2gGxHmMyhy8J1mACnyvpd3ax3Y114IMIVu1354KW9BXul6LtjhxeBYlTWI_cBo/s1600/IMG_2450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkWYFPC_To0m19N30KZV9zl2r6ywyiqyh9i_FzBJGbQu_CGtMbiHXngCAAyxLthWweT0xTHJfJytPw2gGxHmMyhy8J1mACnyvpd3ax3Y114IMIVu1354KW9BXul6LtjhxeBYlTWI_cBo/s320/IMG_2450.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German armour has won the tank battle on the flank and contest the objective.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have to say on balance I think this game should have gone to Brett, but his dice let him down at times, and the few return shots I got back each time, steadily reaped rewards... for once I don't think I failed a Firepower test all game...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTZo_uAzqtxPrfjfVQuVPjsxhyH921YIzokY8c4TMG9B8kZCkbxukJyJpjMJTZewBGfWKqVZVIYWFqY_NdnAh7g0vB_LVuEfYhjW26lo6ShpVgVgMGj85J8_yckqDmAN58Uvy9iRnij0/s1600/IMG_2451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTZo_uAzqtxPrfjfVQuVPjsxhyH921YIzokY8c4TMG9B8kZCkbxukJyJpjMJTZewBGfWKqVZVIYWFqY_NdnAh7g0vB_LVuEfYhjW26lo6ShpVgVgMGj85J8_yckqDmAN58Uvy9iRnij0/s320/IMG_2451.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The P4s were pressuring the Yank infantry (now departed) with Aufklarungs ready to roll up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few post game issues to clear up. I still had to roll to see what happened to Bretts Firestorm troops from the last game... The dice result showing them as 'destroyed' and thus going back into the reserve pool of Firestorm troops. A similar roll was needed after this game and that too saw Bretts Firestorm troops destroyed. It wasn't a good night in the end for Brett...<br />
<br />
[We still need to figure out at which point these reserve Firestorm troops get redeployed in the 'Strategic Phase' - is it after each 'Game', or at the start of each 'Turn' - if anyone can help us here please advise in comments below - Thanks!] <br />
<br />
So this sees A2 Belgium captured, and in the hands of the Germans, scoring 100Vps if I can still hold on to it at end of campaign, and I have cut off Luxembourg, forcing an out of supply issue to Bretts troops there if I attack.<br />
<br />
A final post game dice off showed Brett will be the attacker in the next game, where he can choose which sector to attack... it aint over till the fat lady sings!Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-17887800385942433832013-05-16T16:03:00.002-07:002013-05-16T19:59:49.493-07:00Firestorm Lorraine - Turn One, Game Three - CounterAttackContinuing our Firestorm Campaign, Brett and I pressed on with our third game...<br />
<br />
Brett had won the initiative after the last game and would become the attacker... and chose to attack with his forces to A4 from A3 Luxembourg that he had previously captured. This would mean an attack across the Moselle River, which would mean some bonus field fortifications for the German defenders...<br />
<br />
Brett chose to attack with an American Armoured Rifle company (Confident Trained), and I chose to defend with PanzerGrenadiers (Reluctant Trained).<br />
<br />
Brett had some Firestorm troops; heavy artillery battery (proxied by Long toms) and AirSupport - Priority. As Brett has Air support we rolled on the weather effect chart, getting a 6 meaning clear skies, curses!<br />
<br />
I also had some Firestorm troops - an infantry platoon of variable quality - I rolled a 5 which meant they were Confident Veterans.<br />
<br />
Knowing before hand we were playing across the River, I set to making another bridge for my set up 2 days before the game and managed to have it done in time, giving me a modern style bridge with girders newly completed, and a rustic stone bridge and a ford to cross the river satisfying the 3 crossing points required...<br />
<br />
On Brett's arrival we rolled the mission, getting Counter Attack, put the river down the middle nominally through no mans land and quickly placed the surrounding terrain. The small hills were classed as "Rises", so block LOS as any other high ground , but classed as Cross Country for movement.<br />
<br />
Forces are 1250pts, plus Firestorm troops.<br />
<br />
Brett had brought (IIRC...)<br />
HQ- 2 x Rifle teams<br />
2 Armoured Rifle platoons with half tracks<br />
Heavy artillery 155mm (proxied by Long Toms) [FS]<br />
Medium artillery 105mm (proxied by Romulan cloaked stealth bases!)<br />
Tank destroyer platoon; Security section, plus 2 teleporting M10s<br />
Recce platoon with jeeps and armoured cars<br />
Half track Mortar platoon<br />
Half track HMG platoon<br />
Priority Air [FS]<br />
... I think that was it but I get a bit confused looking over all Bretts Yanks, he seems to deploy a veritable parking lot of armour, and its all festooned with those darn 50cals...<br />
<br />
I had:<br />
HQ - 2 x SMG 'faust<br />
2 full PanzerGrens with 'faust<br />
1 full PanzerGrens with 'faust (Con vet) [FS]<br />
1 full Pioneers with supply wagon, and 3 flamethrowers<br />
1 x Heavy platoon - 4 x HMG & 2 x 8cm mortars <br />
4 x 2cm AAA (proxied by static launchers)<br />
3 x PaK40<br />
4 x 12cm heavy mortars<br />
4 x PzIV J<br />
2 x Marder IIIM<br />
<br />
I placed the 3 trench lines I had covering the left and centre bridges, gapped by the wood, and put an HMG Nest covering these two approaches. I deployed 3 barbed wire sections thanks to the pioneers, covering my side of the three river crossing points...<br />
I then deployed pioneers in the trench lines, backed up by the AAA, Mortars and heavy platoon, and Pak40s in ambush... The heavy platoon was tasked with trying to get to the second exposed objective before it could be claimed by the yanks... if they could get into position with their 4 HMGs they may be able to chuck out enough def fire to throw the Yanks back into the river...<br />
<br />
I felt very thin on the ground...I had two mobile platoons to come on, and three infantry platoons who would have to foot slog all the way to the objectives from the opposite table corner to my deployment area... Thank the Gods I had the defences and barbed wire... but that would also impede my own reserves helping me!<br />
<br />
So the game gets under way, Brett making a recce move, and then pushing up with one armoured rifles to the modern bridge to attempt a river crossing here with half track 50cal support from the bridge, backed up by mortars firing direct smoke... The 2nd armoured rifles raced (ATDing) for the other exposed objective looking to ford a quick crossing to claim the exposed objective...<br />
<br />
This tempting target would also attract my pak40 ambush, which would then leave his main assault unmolested...<br />
<br />
Smoke and fire covers the German front line to pin and cover the HMG nest and pioneers overlooking the modern bridge.... The recce zoom out looking to make a break for the far ford crossing, only to realise their wheeled vehicles cannot cross the barbed wire at all! The 2nd rifles reach the mid river bank at breakneck speed...<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fr8cNY4Em3qZ7GHDvqZLBfxRBs7Pkl98GvCZvgPdEmYkLt87DROvOJLMp3Dp24wI_jZcj-L-T3LqhKloVdjJzqZ3AGnjo4CfZ94MhLEqg84hcN_aUULWnCZS3RXs4GZfFOZCFwiF4zI/s1600/IMG_2414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fr8cNY4Em3qZ7GHDvqZLBfxRBs7Pkl98GvCZvgPdEmYkLt87DROvOJLMp3Dp24wI_jZcj-L-T3LqhKloVdjJzqZ3AGnjo4CfZ94MhLEqg84hcN_aUULWnCZS3RXs4GZfFOZCFwiF4zI/s320/IMG_2414.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke covers the German lines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Brett even had some dingies for the water crossing - how cool is that!?...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ktd3Mk01b2urFo5OEPUU_EmIWpQF_mSDP0Dp6iudAvKUia6SpDjptYua2bbMc_JnwcAqMwZ9dUS6evkz4KxXxeF7Prr7nyEuHtkdruupZE9hGeX2MZsNB58w38NeApjAhAyJbC6w3pE/s1600/IMG_2415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ktd3Mk01b2urFo5OEPUU_EmIWpQF_mSDP0Dp6iudAvKUia6SpDjptYua2bbMc_JnwcAqMwZ9dUS6evkz4KxXxeF7Prr7nyEuHtkdruupZE9hGeX2MZsNB58w38NeApjAhAyJbC6w3pE/s320/IMG_2415.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingies at the ready for the crossing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Brett's first round of artillery fire , HMGs and planes also manage to pin the pioneers, mortars and AAA, though causes little actually damage other than a 12cm mortar and a AAA gun...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGAPb0SHNcx8uZUkxZHfNwKwRH7MIvG2IYWoHKFVULlt9ljC2-rReIRQEdH83CeHL9oQjdTGSrH4SqVkgwapDb8kFqGdCYlI-NDH6y5kDA1k3sCwV2B5c4zSDl82ZO3tpsSEisnBJhm0/s1600/IMG_2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGAPb0SHNcx8uZUkxZHfNwKwRH7MIvG2IYWoHKFVULlt9ljC2-rReIRQEdH83CeHL9oQjdTGSrH4SqVkgwapDb8kFqGdCYlI-NDH6y5kDA1k3sCwV2B5c4zSDl82ZO3tpsSEisnBJhm0/s320/IMG_2416.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can the Germans hold on? Heavy platoon poised for a dash to far objective.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Germans unleash their Pak ambush, (having got no reserves in the first turn), and fail to unpin everything, reluctant you know?<br />
<br />
The pak40s let rip but only destroy 2 half tracks and killing a few teams... from the centre rifle platoon...<br />
<br />
The rest of the pioneers and a pak40, shoot up the HMG platoon destroying a half track and killing all the HMG teams on the opposite riverbank...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx_parbs1gvJjk3Cy-vpLXlrzbOvQO7qr6e9k8M_9A_NO4NK2KdvjunujsmmL37jmfamjr2K7dNIhfHEAYnXVm8K-JnU1cjzJhA00peKBa9eHD48HfT5lGVWmm72S9uKfx7zAC8RBYyo/s1600/IMG_2417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx_parbs1gvJjk3Cy-vpLXlrzbOvQO7qr6e9k8M_9A_NO4NK2KdvjunujsmmL37jmfamjr2K7dNIhfHEAYnXVm8K-JnU1cjzJhA00peKBa9eHD48HfT5lGVWmm72S9uKfx7zAC8RBYyo/s320/IMG_2417.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paks Ambush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We remember the red dots, dead mortar and AAA gun...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AppP1dQt0JIN7dlU7K79i4wY6XJx1bvjzRPtjU3mtQtHOsfbDkViP23bP5AL8IrYLm5ftCL9usFFxZMt0wzPWF7WQpIFMKIxnR7tBf4p_YL_fPbCwhIxYglampWTTIBgvt3yWye3xgM/s1600/IMG_2418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AppP1dQt0JIN7dlU7K79i4wY6XJx1bvjzRPtjU3mtQtHOsfbDkViP23bP5AL8IrYLm5ftCL9usFFxZMt0wzPWF7WQpIFMKIxnR7tBf4p_YL_fPbCwhIxYglampWTTIBgvt3yWye3xgM/s320/IMG_2418.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial German casualties and pinned platoons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
... and dead HMG platoon across the river...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tv5Y00Uza83Q03v31V_O_O9ZYZY1PvGGUuH1-MwqNq6s6orRfr3jlQDjI-YGQadvsBK0FlDvMixDbDaC9iOyBSXAg154p4ECpNJTOMVHFlsUeYLVF82fG5WsEKngF05HvUPQr6kCQIg/s1600/IMG_2419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tv5Y00Uza83Q03v31V_O_O9ZYZY1PvGGUuH1-MwqNq6s6orRfr3jlQDjI-YGQadvsBK0FlDvMixDbDaC9iOyBSXAg154p4ECpNJTOMVHFlsUeYLVF82fG5WsEKngF05HvUPQr6kCQIg/s320/IMG_2419.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little bit of payback to the Yank HMGs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Brett has made it across the river and reached the near bank but still faces the HMG nest and pioneers in trenches... The planes swoop in also and murder the heavy platoon trying to get to the 2nd objective... leaving it undefended...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJMZAHTP2sNCn3S4rYfv2YjiUhI5u2o_71j7xPP-FV6JXhClFEYNTEt030WnCBp2RARMvexZLYli2KmdLugAByP51WXZlDSe1hybTE5hvVX5lk1jW32C8i2RRbC8Jix6g4G5JbCz06V4/s1600/IMG_2420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJMZAHTP2sNCn3S4rYfv2YjiUhI5u2o_71j7xPP-FV6JXhClFEYNTEt030WnCBp2RARMvexZLYli2KmdLugAByP51WXZlDSe1hybTE5hvVX5lk1jW32C8i2RRbC8Jix6g4G5JbCz06V4/s320/IMG_2420.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yanks force a crossing, half tracks with 50cals supporting dingies across the river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The German panzers arrive and are faced with a dilemma... destroy the tank destroyer security section thus forcing their ambush, or see to the remaining infantry looking to force a crossing on the exposed objective... as much as I wanted to kill the potential teleporting M10 threat, the poised infantry were the most dangerous threat and one I could kill as they weren't dug in... a blaze of tank MG fire ripped into the Yanks on the river bank killing all but 2 teams who broke and fled! This stopped the attack on this flank, with only 2 M10s (yet to be revealed) able to cross the barbed wire. I felt I was sacrificing my Panzers to the M10s to do this though... However I got lucky and passed a stormtrooper test to get most of my panzers back behind the flank woods... though one bogged entering the woods...<br />
<br />
Brett then used his recce command team to call in heavy artillery on the panzers, destroying one and bailing another.... and pushed up an armoured car for a flank shot on the panzers in the wood, but missed...<br />
<br />
The Germans got more reserves, getting the Marders and ConVet infantry... The infantry moved to assault the armoured car in the woods, the Marders moved to shoot up the tank destroyer security section as the remaining panzers moved out from behind the wood to do the same... on other flank, some teams unpinned eventually allowing the AAA to move closer to defend the objective, the mortars were out of it, never managing to unpin after the first hit artillery hit. but the pioneers were able to push over to the reinforce against the the main Yank thrust... the Paks had previously been knocked out by direct fire from medium artillery battery and other weight of massed fire from the Yanks on my left... I felt I was hanging on by my finger nails here but thankfully the HMG nest still had not been knocked out but continually pinned and smoked turn after turn...<br />
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The panzers and Marders combined to kill the security section and the infantry assaulted and killed the armoured car in the woods... as below pic... red dots where the Yanks were mown down by the panzers MG fire...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWRP0w2trWmGV5g3VEwn3t-6DX2UBhb-y2T60J0xZAM02AoNsZm6YQTI8j6FuEHeNMFzGb_cxqzsVkEXmVRgxUcUiLBJE5XRzXFt1_eZFljLUI0yJnAuNXOCq1754ejUTH06chizHNsM/s1600/IMG_2421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWRP0w2trWmGV5g3VEwn3t-6DX2UBhb-y2T60J0xZAM02AoNsZm6YQTI8j6FuEHeNMFzGb_cxqzsVkEXmVRgxUcUiLBJE5XRzXFt1_eZFljLUI0yJnAuNXOCq1754ejUTH06chizHNsM/s320/IMG_2421.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other flank hots up, the security section is destroyed...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Brett's turn 5 and time is running out on the game, we've just about played 3 hours and its near 10pm and a work day tomorrow... Brett goes for it with infantry, its a do or die assault time...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQttH88Lw0IjWr8FFFrYUubVSftuTMPkUyJD5e-dXxUxJ1K4FfnMuyMtwRP-4qtFUJ5lIE0mZudDGoJHqyX4iiSaFxEzemLYiJJReUnKZvlsPfTQPXVCVuYfbvlIx2DktGnw_gLTr5pjw/s1600/IMG_2422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQttH88Lw0IjWr8FFFrYUubVSftuTMPkUyJD5e-dXxUxJ1K4FfnMuyMtwRP-4qtFUJ5lIE0mZudDGoJHqyX4iiSaFxEzemLYiJJReUnKZvlsPfTQPXVCVuYfbvlIx2DktGnw_gLTr5pjw/s320/IMG_2422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its do or die time for the Yanks, the assault is set up, but the HMG nest isn't pinned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The M10s pop up and wreck a Marder... More Heavy artillery is called in on the panzers but they manage to only suffer a bail... The planes are shot down again, causing zero damage...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijCord59iqQ0nh3hgfXU6xZ_CCLwimKmPvfhhyv6dNed4edLqqNUM2hdHcvmrDyqz8uhxkUdT93w0tRqmTAulM6_F3LBBfsHdf6HRwfE17v8FnrxR5aCW6chqBuc6EilSao2x1JekD0I/s1600/IMG_2423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijCord59iqQ0nh3hgfXU6xZ_CCLwimKmPvfhhyv6dNed4edLqqNUM2hdHcvmrDyqz8uhxkUdT93w0tRqmTAulM6_F3LBBfsHdf6HRwfE17v8FnrxR5aCW6chqBuc6EilSao2x1JekD0I/s320/IMG_2423.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Even with security section destroyed I can't get close enough to stop the M10s teleporting in...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Brett goes for the assault but this time has failed to pin the HMG nest though has smoked it... but there is enough defensive fire to force back Brett's assault from the HMG nest and pioneers in the trench line to throw back Brett's assault, and at this point he calls it...<br />
<br />
As the defender in this mission I auto-win if the attacker fails to capture an objective, I have lost 2 platoons but started with 10 so the game is scored a 5-2 to the Germans. Who'd have thought it?<br />
<br />
In retrospect, I think I should have left the Heavy Mortars off in reserve, and deployed another infantry platoon to back up my initial defense. I could then also maybe have thought about attaching out the elements of the Heavy platoon...<br />
<br />
I think the best thing I did was shoot up the Yank infantry with the panzers, as without that, they would have been across the river with nothing I could do about it, and as it lucked out, the panzers stayed alive too... <br />
<br />
To Brett's credit he kept pushing the situation, even if he only realised how the barbed wire was going to inhibit his troops, after he had deployed and started moving towards it! And quite frankly I felt he was still going to force the situation with his main thrust, but I was pleasantly surprised how my thin line managed to hold out... I just didn't die enough to leave a gap Brett could exploit... My Pioneers were golden, remembering to bring their barbed wire to the party! Definitely a man of the match award ;-)<br />
<br />
I think the mantra now is, never leave home without some pioneers!<br />
<br />
So this puts Brett back into Luxembourg. No territory lost but none gained either. I won the roll off for initiative for the next game and thus become the attacker. The campaign special rules force me to continue attacking with the Panzer Firestorm troops I have, currently in B3 (Mairy). Do I attack Luxembourg to reclaim it and stabilise the line? Or do I attack B2 (Belgium) to cut off Luxembourg, forcing Brett to suffer Out of Supply conditions in Luxembourg, hopefully making it easier for me to attack at a later time? Or do I try and capture B2 (Verdun) and the 80 campaign victory points it would give me for the city and the bonus 100 campaign points for doing the same? But of course this then produces a thrust to which its flanks could be vulnerable... decisions, decisions!<br />
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The only thing we still have to do is work out whether any Firestorm troops were captured after the game...<br />
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Stay tuned for more drama...<br />
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<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-90347033088124761262013-05-05T18:42:00.001-07:002013-05-09T16:46:27.285-07:00A Time to Die... how long should a game take?I have enjoyed two games of FoW this week, which could not have been more different...<br />
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The first against Brett, was the tank on tank battle featured in the previous blog post, and the next game the following night against Paul; the 3rd game in our Breville Gap campaign, the Germans having another go at breaking through in a Hold the Line after their 'diversionary attack' in the previous game.<br />
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Normally our 'policy' here at 'KFoW', is that the victor writes the battle report... but that last game against Paul became quite a serious (though still good natured) affair, and I think I gave Paul enough concern, and thus caused him to concentrate on the game a little more than normal, that he stopped taking pictures part way in...<br />
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It was a seriously gutsy game, death and mayhem on each side, and I eventually broke through and had a toe hold on the objective with other troops poised to follow up, and with Paul's remaining forces being quite battered and getting to the point they were hanging on as best they could, but at the point we called it, Paul was still contesting the objective, and thus the game was a 4-3 to Paul.<br />
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The reason we called it was that the game started at about 7pm and we called 'time' at 11.30pm... four and half hours later... Poor Paul is an early riser and he was just about asleep by the end of the game, whilst me being a bit more of a night owl, was still happy playing on...<br />
<br />
I will admit freely, I am not the best player in the world (but hopefully improving), and it takes me quite a while to ponder my tactics for the game and in turn, turn to turn as the game progresses...<br />
<br />
With the tank battle previously, there is little to really consider; no artillery, no decision between bombard or smoke, no worrying about moving infantry around, being gone to ground or dug in, or whatever... it just about boils down to, can I roll a 6 to hit, and if so, can I follow it up with a successful FP test... hence the game was probably over in 60-90 mins or there abouts...<br />
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But with infantry on infantry, in a defensive battle, there is far more going on...<br />
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The game for the defender, once they have cunningly constructed their defense, becomes a game of mostly keeping their heads down gone to ground and waiting to unleash their ambush at the most opportune time, and hope they get reserves in time... <br />
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The game for a the attacker is more complex, having had a brief chance to study the defenders defense he has to come up with a plan of attack; which objective to strike for, how to go about it, how to mitigate any ambush, which artillery to use against which targets, and to try and fire smoke to conceal, or a bombardment to kill... and then how best to set up a possible game winning assault such that I can capture an objective and be in such a position to hold on to it against any likely counter attack...<br />
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There's an awful lot going on in such a game... so how long is fair amount of time to resolve such a game?<br />
<br />
This question crops up in the forums from time to time, especially concerning tournament play, where time management is crucial for the conduct of the tournament in a timely manner. Most tournaments appear to allow 2.5hrs for each game. And yet it can cause concerns about deliberate slow play, as several missions go in the defenders favour if the attacker fails to grab an objective, or break the defender...<br />
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Note that I am not saying Paul plays slowly, far from it, it would be me the attacker taking a while to ponder my tactics, I can't help it...<br />
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Here's a quick look at the issues from that last game. I am not going to do a full ARR, but give you a few of the points of the game... <br />
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So the Game is Hold the Line, with Brit Paras defending against an attack by German Grenadiers.<br />
Objectives go down in typical fashion, Paul places his at the back, I place mine more or less diagonally opposite as near to my front as possible...<br />
<br />
The Brits deploy two Para platoons and an Engineer platoon, spanning the front of the board with 3 barbed wire sections down covering approach to front objective. This is tough enough to get through, But Paul also has 4 x HMG and 4 x 6pdrs in ambush. One can shred an infantry platoon, the other can wreck a tank platoon, in one round of fire... Not nice...<br />
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The rest of Pauls force is in delayed reserve; artillery, 2 more 6pdrs, trained infantry, recce jeeps with MGs, and mortars...<br />
<br />
I am attacking this with 2 x grenadier platoons, 1 pioneer platoon with flamethrowers, 4 x HMG, 4 x Mortars, 4 x 105 howitzers, 4 x StuHs, 1 x Scout platoon.<br />
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My plan is relatively straight forward - Get scouts up as far as possible early to push back any ambush and then start lifting GTG on the Paras. GTG Paras in foxholes are 6s to hit at short range and impossible at long range... Lifting GTG can make all the difference.<br />
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Also, my infantry start 16" back from the Defenders zone, so its going to take me 3 turns to get there, unless I am lucky with some storm trooper moves, then I have to get to the wire, and then start the next turn NOT pinned down with my pioneers to Gap it to allow my troops through, then I still have to get into suitable position to assault...<br />
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All the while I am conscious of Pauls ambush and where they could strike from, and thus where do I need to try and drop smoke to cover my approach, but I also want to kills some Paras with my Howitzers...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYGh0NvwDkeUTBfTqOOWHNd_A9svbA9eR94MdRfcPMMSlIds4n8uj6jopZl8e2BnfNd_zFyGwVKpP6oPH6MrQrnnZdqHcMwsMbsRRl7a2J_jFbbkq40VjA0kdvhPEXbvTfXUTH__W_3Y/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYGh0NvwDkeUTBfTqOOWHNd_A9svbA9eR94MdRfcPMMSlIds4n8uj6jopZl8e2BnfNd_zFyGwVKpP6oPH6MrQrnnZdqHcMwsMbsRRl7a2J_jFbbkq40VjA0kdvhPEXbvTfXUTH__W_3Y/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here are the general deployment pics...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FQoPvBhakdZVfCAwqrgvk4jdtbo4TzOC6Jd_2r_cf-wL4FRfyO0PPAjvibVaeldyd14dNet_VmYE3LWR5Cudhpav2zlrYHOIjStBhk8iwNYq1-1Dh-7gBd0SdF5J-BYs8RlIAj6Ua98/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FQoPvBhakdZVfCAwqrgvk4jdtbo4TzOC6Jd_2r_cf-wL4FRfyO0PPAjvibVaeldyd14dNet_VmYE3LWR5Cudhpav2zlrYHOIjStBhk8iwNYq1-1Dh-7gBd0SdF5J-BYs8RlIAj6Ua98/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My pioneers are still a WIP, hence the card bases...<br />
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Now, things go wrong for me in first turn, I push my scouts up as far as possible, getting a good position to view Pauls platoons from cover and also forcing back an ambush from the area I intend to assault.<br />
Paul realises he has nothing to lose, as he'll be lifted GTG next turn anyway, fires everything he can at the scouts, he kills two teams, despite needing 6s to hit, but I have 2 left so I am still OK, just. Then he remembers one last possible shot, from an observer team; one shot on a 6, gets it and I fail the save, typical... scouts fail morale and are gone. F*ck!<br />
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So now my chances to lift GTG are gone and I cant push back any ambush... And Paul now settles back into his foxholes, gone to ground...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbpuk5xTnfqq5-jdEsoe4Z8sCwi7s4HZ7ipJndMgcVSjeog47WK7smhcZ4kcnj_ILv8nNQ_12hB9SBrqbqjIulC4_oYGFdbUdofyk12MBqQW7kwdiirwqO8ULT73Kg-Qi303hEBNJLDM/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbpuk5xTnfqq5-jdEsoe4Z8sCwi7s4HZ7ipJndMgcVSjeog47WK7smhcZ4kcnj_ILv8nNQ_12hB9SBrqbqjIulC4_oYGFdbUdofyk12MBqQW7kwdiirwqO8ULT73Kg-Qi303hEBNJLDM/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red dots mark the dead scouts</td></tr>
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This forces my approach to be far more cautious...<br />
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So I eventually get into position to shift the wire, but then Paul ambushes with his HMGs killing some pioneers and Pinning the platoon... so I cant shift the wire next turn and must wait for another turn and on it goes... All during this time I am slowly doing some damage with the howitzers which luckily ranged in on first throw of game and the StuHs are picking off the odd team thanks to their breakthrough guns...Opposing sniper teams are also enjoying some activity...<br />
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Eventually I am through the wire, but by which time Paul has decided to withdraw slightly, not wishing get all crispy from my flamethrowers. So I manage to get to and take the building adjacent the objective, but Paul still has a few teams left from a platoon, dug in near it contesting. I can eventually kill them once I reposition the StuHs but that's at least another 2 turns...<br />
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So we call the game, Paul has took a battering, 3 platoons down, CO - rang away with engineers, 2ic just been killed, two para platoons badly mauled, the 6drs have had two guns knocked out (one to the pioneers goliath), only his mortars left to come on. My only concern now really is if his artillery ranges in on me on the objective and starts to do some damage before I can remove his last contesting teams...<br />
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So all of that took 4.5hrs. We did have a few rules queries along the way which always takes a few minutes to resolve too, looking stuff up.. And it could go on longer to get to conclusion... so when do you stop?<br />
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If this game had had a time limit from the start, then I may as well have packed up and gone home once the scouts died on turn one - I'd certainly have scored more brownie points with the Mrs for an early Friday finish and get to have a glass of vino with her... but I was conscious of throwing away the second game early, and not playing on for VPs for the campaign... hence my determination here...<br />
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As it happens, Paul is now 14 points to 7 up in the campign after 3 games, so I have no chance of getting back into it... So I'll declare Paul the winner.<br />
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We have planned another Hold the Line for next game; 3rd times a charm(!?) to see if its possible to crack this nut as the attacker, I can be a determined stubborn bugger sometimes... see if I can keep the scouts alive this time and what difference it makes, maybe consider other ways to play the mission...<br />
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So what do you think; a defensive battle between infantry companies, each knowing beforehand the opponent and mission thus the best chance to pick the best troops for the job. And a game involving field fortifications - How Long Should The Game Last to get to a fair conclusion?<br />
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<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-85577104813769425212013-05-02T16:32:00.000-07:002013-05-06T21:20:11.741-07:00Firestorm Lorraine - Turn one, Game two - Hold the LineA couple of weeks back, Brett and I decided to make more of our series of one off games, now that we both have a degree of competence with the rules and general tactics of the game, so some kind of campaign of linked games seemed in order.<br />
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Some time ago Brett picked up the Blood, Guts and Glory book, for his American Forces, and was quite thrilled with the prospect of Tank battles in NW Europe.<br />
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I must confess at the time this came out, and I checked out the German lists, suddenly finding my Wehrmacht was getting reduced to Reluctant Trained as the Yanks improved to Confident Vets, did not fill me with much enthusiasm...<br />
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However, having found a free online download of a smaller scale Firestorm setting entitled Lorraine from the BF website, it seemed too good to pass up the chance to learn the Firestorm campaign setting. We also have the Firestorm Market Garden and Bagration sets but haven't figured out how to use them yet, so this seemed the perfect way to learn...<br />
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The first game we played saw, Brett start the campaign, attacking my forces in Luxemburg (A3) from Mairy (B3). I chose a themed Panzerkompanie from BGG, which Brett had to attack with his Armoured Rifles, and we rolled up Counter-Attack. Brett had a bunch of big AT guns as his Firestorm troops for the mission which he put down on a ridge overlooking my position, which kept me pinned down behind it. We cocked up a bit giving the guns the benefit of being in cover for being dug in, not realizing they were too big to get this cover bonus... I managed to keep my force fairly intact, knocking out a couple of these guns with moving and storm troopering back out of harms way... but Brett advance across a broad front, and manage to get his 'teleporting' M10 tank destroyers behind me by about turn 4 or 5 and in one round of coordinated activity wrecked my force which being reluctant failed a bunch of morale rolls and quit the field giving Brett a 6-1 win and Luxemburg!<br />
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Thankfully Brett failed his campaign roll to destroy my Firestorm tanks (3 x PzIV/70s). We then rolled of for initiative for the next battle, which I won making me the attacker in the next game.<br />
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So on with game two of Turn One...<br />
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As the German player I am only allowed to attack from a location that has Firestorm Panzer troops. This limits my options some what, but allowed me the chance to counter attack round Luxemburg, rather than going for it directly, with the chance of cutting it off, so that's what I chose to do...attacking from A4 to B3 Mairy<br />
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I stuck with the same Panzerkompanie from BGG, which in the first Turn sequence of the game gives you 1250pts. <br />
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I took:<br />
HQ - 2 x Panther G<br />
3 x Panther G<br />
4 x PzIV J<br />
3 x StuG G<br />
1 x GPG 'scout platoon'; 7 x P'faust/MG teams and 5 x 251/1D half tracks<br />
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Added to this force I had the Firestorm Panzers; 3 x PzIV/70's (proxied in game by jagdpanzers).<br />
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Brett took (IIRC):<br />
HQ - 2 x Sherman 76's<br />
2 x Shermans + 2 x Sherman 76's<br />
3 x Shermans + 1 x Sherman 105<br />
Tank Destroyer 'teleporters'; Security section plus 2 x M10's<br />
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Added to his force he had a Firestorm Infantry Platoon of 10 teams plus 1 x bazooka<br />
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I set the terrain up before the game, representing (hopefully) the French countryside of the Lorraine area...<br />
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And we rolled up a mission; Hold the Line.<br />
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As soon as this happened, I felt doomed - I have played this recently against Paul in our Breville campaign and know only too well, whilst the defender suffers delayed reserves, he benefits from 2 ambushes. So Bretts 4 platoon tank force would mean, 2 platoons off and 2 platoons on, both ambushing! Sure enough that's what Brett did, having chosen the end to defend, and us placing objectives.<br />
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Brett predictably placed one objective centre rear of his position and I placed mine as near as possible in the open to my right hoping my tanks could get a quick clear run at it.<br />
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So the only troops on the table for Brett were his HQ tanks, one each tucked behind the left and right flank woods in below pic.<br />
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I had opted for a rush down the road with my half tracks, knowing full well they would get hammered, but this would sacrificially reveal Bretts ambush, hopefully allowing my following tanks something to do about it. I thought about AtTheDoubling the half tracks straight onto the objective, but it would only have made their demises all the more easy and even if they survived they wouldnt be able to contest the objective for a further turn.<br />
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The half tracks would be supported by the majority of the tank force.<br />
I did however decide to send the StuGs on a long run round the left flank, thus threatening the rear of Bretts CO tank, and a threat on the rear objective. I also chose in the end to ATD them (this would be a tempting target to attract Bretts other ambush, and be as far from the front objective as possible...)<br />
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So, my deployment as below, Bretts tanks virtually hidden from view behind the woods...<br />
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...and view again from the other end...<br />
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Then I remembered to deploy my HQ Panthers behind the main central thrust following the half tracks...<br />
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The FHH Panzerkompanie, is horribly one dimensional - all armour - no real recce to mitigate ambushes. The GPGs are 'scouts' in name only... Nor do I get any artillery which could offer me the concealment of smoke,... its just lots of guns, that are easy to hit, and once hit and taking damage will quickly quit the field due to their poor morale rating. The only thing to keep me in it, is the high front armour of the Panthers and PzIV/70s...<br />
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So off we went 'to the races', with the GPG roaring off down the road, singing 'Gott mit uns' as he was going to have to be! The panzers followed up behind, trying to get positions to fire back at the likely place Brett would pop his ambush...<br />
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... with the StuGs heading off down the other flank, trying to draw more attention... I have no targets in the first turn, and stormtrooper at little closer with half tracks and PzIVs...<br />
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Bretts tankers cant believe their luck, seeing a trio of StuGs advancing having thrown caution to the wind... Brett lines up 3 tanks with 12 shots at the ATDing StuGs..., with the 105 looking at the half tracks the other way...<br />
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In the centre wood, 4 more Shermans train their barrels on the 'do or die' armoured infantry... and can also see the leading PzIVs coming round the farm house...<br />
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The Shermans let rip destroying all five half tracks, but 4 of the 7 teams inside survive, leaping from the flaming wrecks ... luckily meaning they are not required to take a platoon moral check...<br />
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Two of the PzIVs are also hit multiple times, but are only bailed, but sadly taking multiple bail results each, are forced to take morale checks and being reluctant promptly quit the field leaving yellow 'coward' markers to show their last known positions... However the remaining tanks do not require a morale check, the platoon being at 50% strength...<br />
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The StuGs receive the incoming 12 shots hitting on 3s, yet amazingly only suffer one destroyed and one bailed! Which doesn't amount to a morale check...<br />
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I have survived the ambush, and amazingly have a chance to continue! Really I should have been blown away in turn one, game over with three platoons out of 5 gone and a pathetic chance of needing a 5 to stay on the table... But sometimes thems the breaks, so press on ...<br />
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German turn 2, the bailed StuG remounts! And the two press on to threaten the rear of the COs Sherman... <br />
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The five Panthers look for payback against the central Sherman platoon; 10 shots needing 6's, can I get lucky?...<br />
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While the remaining 2 PzIVz's and '70's go after the Sherman 2iC...<br />
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The Panthers score 3 hits, destroying 2 Shermans and bailing a third... the platoon promptly rolls a 1 for platoon morale and quits the field, evidenced by the fleeing tank crew down the road...<br />
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The StuGs score two hits on the Sherman CO, who promptly decides to join the adjacent Sherman platoon and allocates hits there, which destroy 2 Shermans...<br />
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But the Sherman 2iC survives, all shots missing, curses! But still, that's really made it game on for the Germans!<br />
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Now Brett has some work to do! The 2iC returns fire at the remaining PzIVs destroying one and bailing the second, who fails morale and quits the field...<br />
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On the flank, Brett manages to get a Sherman out of the woods and onto the flank of the StuGs and the CO joins in the shooting... Darn stabilizers on the moving Sherman still gives him 2 shots, added to the 2 from the CO spell the end of the StuGs. Still they achieved more than I expected... and tied up a platoon on the wrong side of the board for a couple of turns...<br />
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Back to the Germans, the Panthers move up through the cornfield to try and take out the Sherman CO... The German infantry have still failed to motivate but dig in and stay gone to ground...<br />
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The 70's get into position to kill the Sherman 2iC tank...<br />
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This time up he goes in flames, and we're sitting on the objective, with nothing in range to get anywhere near to contest. The 70s fail their stormtrooper move so are left with their arse's literally hanging out, but I cant do much about that and there's little that can affect them...<br />
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The Sherman CO is only bailed... who scampers from his tank...<br />
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Bretts turn three and he rolls one dice for reserves needing a 5 and wouldn't he darn well get some! Up come the 2 M10s from the tank destroyer platoon. No stabilizers, gives them 2 shots at range and cover for slope of the hill at the rear of the 70's, needing 5's... Brett rolls 'box cars' followed by two successful FP tests and 2 of the 70's brew up! I need a 5 for platoon morale to stay in it, and get a 5!<br />
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The Shermans who had moved over from the other flank cant hurt the front armour of the panthers and miss the remaining 70.<br />
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In the Germans return turn, the Panthers in the cornfield knock out the 105 Sherman, and the 70 moves to the cover of the burning wrecked 70's, which also gets him contesting the objective, and aims at the M10s, as do the 2 HQ panthers.<br />
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The cornfield panthers destroy the Sherman 105...<br />
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Whilst one of the M10s is knocked out...<br />
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Bretts turn 4 sees his last reserve arrive, in the nick of time? The infantry Truscott trot desperately toward the German front objective but are still too far from it...<br />
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Brett has to break me this turn with his shooting or its all over... the M10 returns fire at the 70 but fails to destroy it, one shot hitting but bouncing off its front armour...<br />
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Brett moves the remaining Shermans from the flank to have a shot at the flank of the panthers. I had been unable to pass stormtrooper with them last turn to avoid such a possibility, but thankfully only bail one of the panthers in the cornfield!<br />
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And that is it, Brett has failed to break my force, and I start the next turn sitting on the front objective, claiming a 4-3 win! Who'd have thought it!? Games of dice eh?!<br />
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So that means I capture Mairy, and am one sector away from cutting off Luxemburg.<br />
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We both rolled to see if we destroyed the others Firestorm troops, needing 6s and both failed so our forces are still intact.<br />
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We also rolled to see who would get initiative for the next battle, with Brett winning the dice roll, so he will attack somewhere next game...<br />
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More next time, we hope to have Game 3 of Turn 1, next Thursday...Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4792842363822667133.post-10078300085705263042013-04-01T02:40:00.001-07:002013-04-03T20:19:59.230-07:00'Easter Foolery' - a mini Fow TournamentSome months ago now, the bunch of us 'KapitiFOWers' took part in the Wellington Warlords Call to Arms 2 day Gaming event, playing 5 games of FoW, over the 2 days.<br />
<br />
Though we enjoyed the experience we all came away feeling slightly frazzled, and of course there is the required 'brownie point' expenditure required to commit to these kinds of things; we all have families to keep happy too, and a full weekend away to play toy soldiers requires a fair bit of sucking up to the Mrs!<br />
<br />
So when we heard the next major tournament in our area was to be the 3 day tournie over at the Hutt club over the Easter weekend, I think we all kind of thought it was a bit of a stretch too far, in terms of actual enjoyment, and we wouldn't be winning any favours on the home front.<br />
<br />
So in lieu of taking part in this event, we decided to spend one day together over the Easter break and enjoy one full days gaming together. When it was explained to our respective better halfs, the sacrifice we had made for them, we all pretty much got their blessing to organise our game day!<br />
<br />
The initial plan had been to try our hand at one big Total War game, two a side, pitching up something like 5000 to 7000 points per side, troops allowing, which was going to be a MidWar setting, selecting troops from the North Africa book as that seemed suitable for all the troops we had.<br />
<br />
But with only a week or so to go till the event there was still no clear cut plan in evidence, and so a pretty much last minute change of thinking, changed our games day into a mini tournament instead.We agreed on a Midwar setting of 1500pts per player.<br />
<br />
The 4 players would mean 3 games each over the course of a day, so we'd each play each other once on the day. Nothing could be fairer.<br />
<br />
We had previously selected the last day of the weekend, Easter Monday, which also turned out to be April Fools day, as our games day. Paul turned up on Friday night as previously agreed to help set up the two tables we would fight over beforehand, to help speed up the start of gaming on the day. I managed to come up with a roster chart to pre-plan who would play who, and we picked three missions. The first game would be the classic mobile battle Free for All, followed by the equally classic No Retreat, and finally, something a bit different to end the days gaming with; Breakthrough - always a bit of a mindbender of a game!<br />
<br />
Finally Paul mentioned we would have to name the event and have a trophy perhaps? Bugger ! I hadn't thought of that! With two days to go I decided to try and make something appropriate... Paul had already created his Snake Eyes totem trophy for his Hootenaney, so I'd have come up with something...<br />
<br />
Putting Flames of War, Easter and April Fools day together, I came up with a large chocolate coloured flame trophy which was lashed out of an off cut of timber and a piece of MDF over two days... the final varnish going on at 10.30pm the night before the event. By this time I could barely see what I was doing in the garage with the poor lighting and typically, the varnish didn't go on too well, but hey, what the heck right? <br />
<br />
On the day my wife Tracey went down to the local shops and managed to find a store that was open that did a small inscription plate for the trophy - Flames of War Easter Foolery was ready!<br />
<br />
The trophy up for grabs...<br />
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... with its freshly done inscription...<br />
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<br />
Being the playing host I was also charged with taking some pictures and playing my games. As such I only really managed the deployment pics and I will comment as best as I can in the following 'report', and welcome the other players to add their own thoughts and comments at the end...<br />
<br />
I had taken from Eastern Front, my typical Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier force;<br />
<br />
HQ - 2 x Cmd SMG P'Knacker plus Puppchen, with 3 x 251/1 and Remer in a 251/1<br />
2 x Full GPG Combat platoons, with Cmd P'Knacker and 3 x 251/1's and a 3.7cm 251/1 command half track<br />
2 x 8 Rads (recce)<br />
3 x Marder H<br />
4 x PzIII H<br />
3 x 15cm Nebelwerfers<br />
<br />
My first game was drawn against Paul who had brought his Soviets, with IIRC:<br />
<br />
HQ with Cmd and kommisars, and AT rifle teams<br />
2 companies of infantry, with some Light AT guns and HMGs<br />
3 x KV1s with Tanks Escorts<br />
'God of War' artillery battery - with 4 howitzers and a whole bunch of AT guns, a terrifying prospect!<br />
<br />
We played Free for All...<br />
<br />
Paul won the roll off and picked the left side, and we deployed in alternating fashion... I decided to defend and hold the left objective in the town, with a GPG and the Marders in the face off against his KV's, and to attack the God of War on my right flank... with everything else, with nebs in the middle...<br />
<br />
Our deployment...<br />
<br />
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<br />
I have played Free for All several times, and rarely achieved many points at it, usually playing too cautiously, so this time I thought sod it, lets go get some... and if I died, so be it, at least I'd have some fun shooting stuff up on the way!<br />
<br />
For the most part Paul sat back in the face of my attack hoping to destroy me with his fire, whilst he was far more cautious in his approach on the other flank.<br />
<br />
Over a couple of turns I made good progress on the right and was I soon in a position to assault, having lost a recce vehicle and a couple of panzers along the way. The initial assaults went well, and Paul started pulling back in the face of the assault and trying to bring his guns round to bear. At the same time he had been making tentative probes with his KVs through the town, but was hampered by reduced lines of fire at the Marders, and the Marders let themselves be known bailing a KV at range...<br />
<br />
Eventually the weight of my assault continued to sweep Paul back from the objective with a combination of the remaining Panzers, Remer, the recce and the elements of the GPG platoon succeeded in damaging and forcing back Paul's God of War and infantry that the right objective was captured, for no loss in platoons to myself!<br />
<br />
I was quite stunned by this course of events! A 6-1 to me!<br />
<br />
Over at the other end of the table, Brett was playing Bryan.<br />
<br />
Now it must be said, Bryan turned up with a force of German troops that he wasn't even sure would fit a list? We quickly had got down to using EasyArmy online with Bryan's available troops, as he had turned up early to do so, (I heard the doorbell go while I was in the shower!), and came up with a Panzergrenadier force, that comprised;<br />
<br />
HQ - 2 x Cmd P'knacker, plus staff car and motorcycle<br />
2 x 3 squad Panzergrenadiers with Cmd P'knacker<br />
2 x armoured 2cm self propelled AAA gun SdKfz 10/2<br />
1 x Tiger 1E<br />
2 x StuG G <br />
4 x 10.5cm Howitzers<br />
<br />
Bear in mind Bryan hadn't used this force before, it was simply cobbled together to give him a force to use on the day... Bryan normally plays a Late War Brit force; "Taurus Pursuant" - A Market Garden themed force...<br />
<br />
Brett had brought his American Tank Company comprising, IIRC:<br />
<br />
HQ - 2 Stuarts<br />
4 x M3 Lees<br />
3 x Stuarts<br />
3 x Scotts<br />
3 x HMC 75mm self propelled Assault guns<br />
3 x 81mm Mortar carriers, plus Cmd Half Track.<br />
1 x Armoured Recce platoon (2 x jeeps plus 2 x white scout cars)<br />
2 x 105mm Field Howitzers <br />
1 x Sporadic Air <br />
<br />
Their deployment is as pictured below...<br />
<br />
As you can imagine, I didn't get to see a lot of what was going on, but as well as I understand it, Brett found a small gap in Bryan's defence, a 1" gap between the wood on Bryan's left (next to the finger below) and the table edge, and exploited this to drive a tank force round into Bryan's 'backfield' !<br />
<br />
I am not sure how long this took to resolve, but do know it resulted in a 6-1 win to Brett.<br />
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<br />
In my second game I was up against Bryan's Panzergrenadiers in No Retreat. Being Mechanised infantry against Bryan's Motorised infantry, I would be the attacker... Deployment as below... Bryan placed an objective centre rear protected by artillery, and I placed an objective on my front left, near a small farm. This Bryan protected by one PzGr pltn. He had his StuGs in ambush... <br />
<br />
{It was at this point that I had that sinking feeling, staring at my list in my hand I realized I had got confused in my game against Paul previously ( I had tried several list variants through the lead up games to the event, and upon deploying had put down the wrong recce elements - picking a 250/1 plus 2 x 250/9s [proxied by 8Rads] as a Half tracked panzerspah platoon, when really I had actually just picked the 2 x 8Rads as a Heavy Panzerspah platoon). I mentioned this to Paul, expecting to have our game result invalidated... but Paul, thinking back to the game, and knowing he had partially damaged my recce in our game, said, "roll a dice... on a 1-3 I score a point against you for that game"... dutifully enough the die tumbled into place, and we adjusted our score from a 6-1 to a 5-2. I couldn't ask for a fairer result. }<br />
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<br />
Back to my game with Bryan. I decided to try and attack both objectives to try and keep Bryan, 'off balance'... I went with a GPG and PzIIIs plus Remer against the front objective, and sent the other GPG, Recce, and Marders after the rear one. The large wood in front of me would cover my left approach, and the Recce would hopefully prevent a nasty StuG ambush on my right...<br />
<br />
Within a couple of turns I was severely pressuring the front objective and heading for the rear one too. The 8Rads had killed the forward observer for the Howitzers in an assault on their way past ... I had just about captured the front objective, when Bryan finally sprang the StuG ambush. This blew away 2 of my PzIIIs and bailed a third, but the platoon hung on in there.<br />
<br />
In the next round I destroyed the remnants of the front defending infantry with shooting, and started my attack proper against the rear object, setting up an assault through the rear farmhouse position.<br />
<br />
My marders fired on the StuGs but only bailed one, which remounted. My assault went in against the rear farmhouse and fought their way in, the 8Rads having knocked out the SPAA, (which had previously come on to add weight of def fire to the Howitzers), to reduce Def fire.<br />
<br />
I held the front objective and although Bryan's Tiger came on at this point it was too far away to help, forcing the StuGs and the CO to try a last gasp assault to reclaim the front objective. The StuGs battled their way in gamely, but were eventually overwhelmed by the Infantry Panzerknackers and bogging checks in the terrain, and if I recall correctly a failed motivation check forced Bryan' s remaining StuG to break off, leaving me with the objective. ...<br />
<br />
Bryan capitulated, giving me a 6-1 win!<br />
<br />
<br />
At the other end of the table, Paul and Brett were having the game of their lives! Deployment below...<br />
<br />
Paul was defending and had decided to ambush with his 'God of War' against Bretts Tank force. Sadly for Paul this had not gone as well as hoped for... and Brett battled gamely through Paul's front lines eventually pressuring and virtually claiming the front objective. The game actually paused for lunch as it was taking a while...<br />
<br />
After lunch (Pizza from Domino's plus some spicy extras from my wife), we returned to the fray for Brett and Paul to finish whilst Bryan and I looked on...<br />
<br />
By all reckoning Brett had 'captured' the front objective, but had taken a heavy toll, in getting there, and Paul was staying alive in the game by feeding troops in to contest the objective, and having his Komissars shoot anywone who thought of faltering... eventually with Paul's KVs getting in to the fray, despite Bretts Planes giving their best efforts, Bretts tank force finally failed a company morale check, having passed one the turn before, and although sitting on the front objective was forced to withdraw due to loses...<br />
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<br />
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<br />
Towards the end ...<br />
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<br />
Game was a 5-2 to Paul, but it was so keenly balanced on a knife edge it could have gone either way towards the end...<br />
<br />
A large intake of breath and we plunged on into the last games of the day...<br />
<br />
I played Brett in Breakthrough, while Paul and Bryan squared off... <br />
<br />
I looked long and hard over the battlefield and came up with a plan, hoping Brett, might give me an 'easy run' through the town to sit on the objectives with my infantry and hope to dig in before he got there. It was a bit of long shot but I couldn't think of any other way of managing this. I also lucked out in that he chose to allow me to run toward the church which my newly made walls surrounded, giving me bullet proof cover even if I didn't manage or have time to dig in once I got there...<br />
This is a nasty game for a GPG force as due to the Mobile Reserves rule... I can only have one mobile force on the table. So my infantry would have no half tracks, but against a tank force I didn't really see this as a problem, other than slowing me getting to where I wanted to be, but hopefully there would be enough cover on the way...<br />
I decided I needed my Marders on the board to hope to start sniping Brett's tank force as he approached.<br />
I would leave my nebs, recce and PzIIIs as a reserve.<br />
<br />
Deployment below... my infantry are poised for a dash to the objectives, while the marders wait behind the cafe to unleash their fire on the unsuspecting American tanks...<br />
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<br />
Brett launched off with the first turn, with his Priest battery selected as the end around 'reserve' force. Brett's logic being their 50 cals to shoot up infantry plus their breakthrough guns to blast them out of foxholes... cunning b*stard! ;-)<br />
<br />
Brett never being one to hold back, rushed everything forward, including 'at the doubling' his Mortar carriers ... his first turn of shooting was ineffective...<br />
<br />
In my first turn, I managed to get reserves straight away, and selected my PzIIIs to come on behind Brett's ATD-ing mortar carriers... in the meantime my infantry scampered towards the objectives... and the Marders popped out behind the cafe for some shots at the target rich environment...<br />
<br />
The PzIIIs let rip and blew away the 4 mortar carriers! The puppchen who had remained behind nailed a Stuart but the Marders failed to find a mark. I decided to leave them were they were hoping for six shots next turn and hoping Brett would fail to hit them on 6's... and he had 4 PzIIIs coming up behind his forces to consider...<br />
<br />
Brett swung round his Lees to engage the PzIIIs, called in air to hit the Marders, and chased my infantry through the town with his recce whilst pressuring the front objective with his Stuarts and Scotts...<br />
<br />
The results being 2 bailed PzIIIs (I can live with that!), but wrecked the Marders which fail morale and flee ( I carelessly left one vehicle a fraction away from the building allowing the plane to auto range in! Damn!)<br />
<br />
My infantry mostly survived these attentions too and got into position contesting the objectives, but for how long would they hold out... <br />
<br />
The PzIIIs remounted and looked back with 12 shots at 4's against the Lees... but I only managed to bail 2, and they both subsequently remounted... oh dear...<br />
<br />
Brett remounted and blew away the PzIIIs, the last failing morale...<br />
<br />
Towards the end things got scrappy through the town... Brett's Stuart's and Scott's pushed on over the bridge, the recce drove in through the town eventually assaulting one GPG platoon at the church whilst the Priests arrived from the reserve... the writing was on the wall for the Germans... but could I get any more points out of this game...?<br />
<br />
Oddly enough, Brett chose to assault with his recce, presumably trying to bring the game to a swift conclusion... but I hung on destroying 3 vehicles, with only a 4th left between me and another point...<br />
<br />
Remer hung on gamely in the churchyard thanks to the churchyards walls, and kept me in the game a fraction longer... my nebs had arrived as had my 8Rads, and the 8rads belted in down the road in the town to shoot up the rear of the last of Brett's recce elements but only managed to bail it! Curses.<br />
<br />
I survived another round of Brett's all encompassing attention, losing my recce and having the church infantry platoon gutted... and only Remer contesting the church objective against the Priests...<br />
<br />
But a last gasp saw smoke from the nebs hit the bailed recce vehicle as the CO and remaining Pltn Cmd team assault it in the face of two Stuarts in the town square.<br />
<br />
They passed 'tank terror' and assaulted the bailed recce vehicle destroying it, but drew in the two Stuarts... after a couple of rounds I almost had them both, but eventually only managed to destroy one before my CO was squished beneath their tracks...<br />
<br />
I was vanquished but had given Brett a bloody nose... a 4-3 to Brett!<br />
<br />
At the other end of the table, Paul and Bryan played it out.<br />
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<br />
It took Bryan a moment to realise the danger he faced in his 'backfield' from Paul's potential end around reserve run, which he lined up with his KVs and an infantry company.<br />
<br />
I am not sure how this played through, but Paul eventually emerged the winner as his reserves arrived and battled their way to take the objective, though for the loss of the KVs I believe, resulting in a 5-2 win for Paul.<br />
<br />
So what would be the final standings?<br />
<br />
A final tally of the results saw me emerge the victor with 14 points, Brett and Paul were tied on 12 points and Bryan brought up a very sporting rear with 4 points. <br />
<br />
So I won my own trophy! A chocolate flame!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJSzjh-AS-PFmr9FrYIeX6JQl7-l3ArfIPUt2XxvBwGRNoNvhBHKNEzhyphenhyphenWesNy3fW0tuowKvXPtN70ltIpNxWJzJDj3_F9QYtSSRG5HOOo-bPLST5lJ0dvCLQrOQtBihgjZra_PVZcSc/s1600/IMG_2311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJSzjh-AS-PFmr9FrYIeX6JQl7-l3ArfIPUt2XxvBwGRNoNvhBHKNEzhyphenhyphenWesNy3fW0tuowKvXPtN70ltIpNxWJzJDj3_F9QYtSSRG5HOOo-bPLST5lJ0dvCLQrOQtBihgjZra_PVZcSc/s320/IMG_2311.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R, Brett, Paul, me and Bryan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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No doubt it will be up for grabs again next Easter, I may be able to fit another table in and entertain another pair of contestants!<br />
<br />
It has to be said this was an excellent and fun 'tournament', with much banter and humour, Bryan especially keeping us entertained with an amazing array of impressions and accents throughout the course of the day, he really brings a little hilarity to such events!<br />
<br />
Special thanks again to Tracey my wife for keeping the troops fed and watered, and my daughter Rebecca for doing the running back and forth with the tea and coffee orders. And of course thanks to my gaming buddies for making the event an enjoyable experience. Excellent stuff!<br />
<br />Scottswargaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00581220877007982139noreply@blogger.com2