Konigsberg 3 and Sanguetta (Italian Wars)

 It was back to the Ost Front in '45 last week, Matt came and we played our third campaign game. The Germans were continuing their attempt at a breakout and had reached the town of Metgethen albeit with a reduced infantry force but now supported by a Pz IV and a StuG III, the Russian defenders had a full platoon along with a T-34/85.

Once again I had no reason to advance but wanted to cause more hurt on the Panzergrenadiers, so I sat at the edge of the town and waited. Matt brought in a mortar barrage which went awry and although it did manage to hit one of my squads it also hit his forward observer and the Pz IV, the barrage did not last long and an end of turn finished it, Matt did try a second attempt but after comms could not be established things heated up and the observer was not asked to make contact again.

Mortar barrage hits.

Pz IV.

Russian forces.

German Forces.

One of the German squads had set up in a house at the end of the village and got into a firefight with one of my squads in a house at the opposite end, this amounted to a stalemate. The Pz IV tried to drive into my left flank but I managed to manouvre the T-34 in order to get a close flanking shot and the Jerry tank exploded. On the other flank German infantry slowly moved forward in conjunction with the StuG which eventually managed to start a duel with the T-34 and force it back but not to eliminate it. It was now obvious that the Germans were not going to be able to break the Russian defence and Matt withdrew.

T-34/85.

A kill.

Meeting in the woods.

We have one more game before the Germans have to make a choice whether to accept reinforcements for the panzergrenadiers or hand over to a Heer platoon for the final push. The Russians will cease to have a new platoon for every game and instead have to husband their resources as they make a final effort to stop the breakout.

I did get to the club last week and I played Bolt Action against Jimi's British, I took something completely different and based my forces on the last days of the Reich, I took Hitler Youth, Volksturm, Kriegsmarine and French Waffen SS squads, I also brought along an old French tank which had been converted to a flamethrower and a 3.7cm 'door knocker' with the steel grenade anti-tank round, everyone except the French were inexperienced.

The object of the game was to take a crossroads in the middle of a village, Jimi started out well and soon had the centre within his grasp with the help of a Sherman. Then the pendulum swung, the Char B tank fried the Sherman along with a nearby squad, my HJ took out the British commander and a machine gun  team while the old men and sailors moved further into the village, all my casualties fell on the French fanatics, supposedly my best troops. More British troops fell and having a very slim to nothing chance of retaking the crossroads Jimi gave up.

Kreigsmarine.

Volksturm.

Hitler Youth.

Char B Flammpanzer.

In order to get away from WWII for a bit and with stinking weather I set up a solo game of Italian Wars, the battle of Sanguetta 1497 from Rodolfo Verginella's scenario book, I want to eventually make my way through all of the scenarios.

Both sides were fairly equal with the Orsini commander Vitellozzzo Vitelli just having the edge in numbers while the Papal forces under Giovanni Borgia had the edge in the quality of his infantry. I put the infantry in the centre of each battle line and then set the supports up with the help of a die, Vitelli put all his cavalry on his right flank while Giovanni had them on both flanks. As the battle started it was the Papal troops who showed more enthusiasm and they sped towards their enemy, seeing a problem with his left Borgia sent his armoured cavalry to that side.

 

Papal forces.

Orsini forces.

Both sides advance.

Push of pikes soon.

Very soon the pike blocks of both sides clashed and surprisingly the Papal infantry began to suffer and were pushed back failing several chances to recover. Meanshile the Papal heavy cavalry were bested by the Orsini cavalry while the Papal light cavalry drove off their Orsini opposite numbers. This limited success was fleeting as the Papal infantry were routed and Giovanni left the field.

The clash of arms.

The end.

So, a fairly good run of games there and I have also managed to clear a few map commissions. I also painted up some Soviet Tank Killers which mate Robert gave me and I have actually started on the SYW battalion, I had to convert a standard bearer but all now have their red coats. 

Nine Years War, Ireland.

Hungary 1945.

British in India.