BEF (getting better, just)

 Apart from a game with Matt I had nothing planned this week so when Stuart offered a game at the club based on the Little Wars episode on the relief of Stalingrad I thought I would try it out. The game is 6mm and based on a scaled down version of the Fistful of TOW's rules, a Fistful of T-34's, the Germans fight several engagments on the road to 6th Army and based on how well they do they get die rolls to see how close they get to the city. An interesting game.

Marder'/s and PAK's.

My Soviets in the woods.

German armour.

For the first engagment Ashley and I were the Soviets and Stuart and Simon the Hitlerites, Stuart had 3D printed almost everything required and his little Panzers and T-34's looked very nice along with anti-tank guns, machineguns and troops etc. The Germans were to envelop the Soviet defenders and wipe them out. I held a large wood to the south of a village and was probably looking good to be cut off, the German two pronged attack was just beginning to strike when the Russian armour turned up. A furious couple of turns turned the tide of the battle despite heavy lossed on both sides and a Russian victory was declared.

Considering how dense the Fistful of Tow's rule book is there must be an awful lot not in the T-34 set of four A4 pages, it relies heavily on the dice and you can lose whole units in an exchange. Having said that our game was an introduction and you could quite happily, once familiar, play the whole campaign at a club. I really do like the idea and it could provide the basis for a decent Chain of Command mini campaign.

Talking about Chain of Command Matt turned up for the second game in our Capturing Caesar's Camp campaign, after the dreadful drubbing I got in the first game I was wary but confident I could get something from this one, I needed to as if I lost I could not rely on anymore armour being available for the attacks. The terrain again was terrible, one side of the battlefield being completely open, the other open but with hedges which ruined line of sight, the game was a flank attack on a small village but it was apparent that even so I was going to be deploying on the table edge.

What idiot would attack over this ground?

I took one tank which was basically a Bad Things Happen morale blow as the Germans were allowed a 'Bunker Buster' 88mm firing from off table with an incredible amount of AP dice (12), my little tank having an armour of five! I was hoping that this would survive the first shot of the monster gun and then my mortars would cover it in smoke to make it useless, watch this space. I also took two MMG's which I hoped would rain down a hail of lead on any Germans foolish enough to deploy on the edges of the town. Matt took an extra infantry squad which surprised me as he likes having heavy weapons of one kind or another.

I got most of my 'army' on the table quickly and they targetted an enemy squad upstairs in the nearest building, 42 shots, nothing, I had a feeling of deja vu, this more or less continued until Matt pulled his men back needing nothing more than a couple of asprin. My tank turned up and yes, boom, gone, but the 88 was now visible, sadly these guys died in vain, my mortars used up nearly all their smoke and none of it landed where it was supposed to, the monster now targetted my infantry eventually helping rout my first squad.

The British arrive.

Supporting machine guns.

I still managed to fight back and after some time although I was reduced to a morale of four, on the German side all their officers except one was either wounded or stunned, despite this Matt managed to continually role a four to keep his Senior Leader capable of directing the defence. Normally this amount of leadership casualties would result in zero morale but Matt held on reduced to two.

Jerries hold the town.

My forlorn hope.

Bunker Buster.

By now I was reduced to one squad and one MMG along with two mortars, however with the Germans pulling back the terrain prevented me from targetting anything unless I advanced, and this would have been suicide so we shook hands and called it a day. I had come so close but I failed, so I will be unable to get any tanks for future games but to be honest I can't see that being a big loss. The next attack is even worse terrain for the British than the two we have fought, I suspect my Jump Off Points will again be on the edge of the table and wonder if I will be able to make it to a sunken road half way across the table to get some cover. Worse for the British is that they now have to husband this platoon and cannot ignore heavy casualties as in the previous games.

 I have now completed all my extra figures for Legio XII and the Seleucid phalanxes, so there are no troops on the painting tray and no intention of getting any for now. I have also started on the new buildings and scatter which Matt Smith sent me, this well keep me busy for a bit, so not only can I put down city ruins I will easily be able to put a full town on a 6x4. Matt has also posted out a box of 'scatter' items which he has printed off, determined not to let me rest.

Toilets, complete with loo rolls and bins.

Cohort I, Legio XII.

'White' phalanx.

'Blue' Phalanx.

Seleucids on parade.

I received more stuff in the mail this week, my Veteran's card and a novel from the US for which I produced some maps, very kindly sent by the author despite the eye watering postage.

Not a lot on for next week, so I contacted Ian and offered a game, he is coming for some Seven Years War action next Friday, I will have to work on a scenario. I have said before I don't understand how I managed to build two armies for this period as I know virtually nothing about it, so my rules are simple and it looks good.

The Atlas author is having a break on another project so nothing on the map front either just now for a week or so, I do wonder though with all that is going on how many maps will be added before the book is published, some have already had to be amended. 

My surgeon was quite positive today, my scan shows only one 'anomaly' which he suspects is fluid surrounding the area cut out last December, fingers crossed the next scan is set for four months

And in other news, Dublin Zoo chose to entice mothers to visit free by showing, well, you can see what they think of mothers. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Tempus Fugit

 Life is racing on, I seem to be playing catch up, health, birthdays and the ever encroaching Christmas, which has been in our sights now since around September? The local supermarkets, there are no shops per se, are already full while the local roads in Carnforth are a nightmare on a weekend and also now during the week, people turning up for a game find it increasingly difficult to park in the village. So what's new.

With no soldiers to paint I decided to at last get a few more explosions to use in a mortar barrage, years ago I got a very large tub but couldn't find such a beast this time so got two bags of Woodland Scenics foliage. This was disappointing as they were not large but expensive, so in the end I only got two markers out of them, but I did get around to using that heat glue gun I have had for years. I won't buy anymore so will make what I have do.

New and old.

Next up was a couple of bombed out buildings, I got these from Inverness and they were excellent 3D prints, a huge amount of detail for those up for such and reasonably priced I thought. I primed them black then picked out the walls, floors and bricks, after this I set too with the dry brush and then an overall wash with Agrax Earthshade, in the end I ended up with two buildings suitable for the old three foot test. That's my stretch these days.

The latest book from Helion on the Italian Wars is the Battle of Pavia, I have quite a bit on Pavia as this is the period I have based my armies on but I like to complete series, good friend Charles Singleton once again kindly used his influence to procure me a copy.

I also took reciept of my snow roads from Poland, not perfect but better than using my normal dirt tracks, my only beef is that there are not enough straights in the pack. I have asked for some straights but if this is not possible I will probably get another pack as standby. 

Of course there were games the first was at the club, Simon and I played the Uman game from WSS magazine, I didn't have much time for pictures as the club was busy with people popping over whom I have not seen for a wee while. The Russian assault did not make a lot of headway against the German defences, the end came as I managed to launch a Panzerschreck team from ambush to blow up the KV-1, kill its commander and a nearby officer and two of his men as the explosion rocked the table. As you will know I am quite at home with version 2 of the rules while Simon is not.

The main game of the week was next, 'Blitz on Villeroux', Matt was continuing his lunge through the Gap and could bring armour along for this scenario. The defensive position looked quite good but with Panzers available I was forced to take a 25mm anti-tank gun, for which I had a cunning plan, and an R35 light tank. Matt took as supports a 75mm infantry gun, an off table MMG, SdKfz 222 and a Pz IV. He had to get two units off my end of the table.

My useless mortar.

Armour and gun.

Refugee's fleeing the Boche.

The Jerries came on quickly and concentrated on my left flank opposite of which was a large wood which his infantry lined and hid in. I placed my men in the houses and a barn, after which the enemy infantry gun and MMG appeared along with the armour, the tank eased forward to get in range of the buildings to spot the men in them, it was time for the surprise. I used a command die to place the 25mm on the table almost in front of the tank, I knew this was a one shot wonder as the return fire would no doubt pin or break the crew but it had to be done. Bang, the tank was hit but the shot only knocked out the hull machine gun, sure as god made little green apples the return fire pinned then broke the gun crew. I now brought on my little tank and it began a dual with the Panzer IV, this lasted all the remaing game with the German hitting and me saving and vice versa.

Surprise!

Busy wood.

Achtung Panzer!

I had taken a mortar but it's nine shots resulted in nothing but clouds of earth, I did manage to kill some of the crew of the infantry gun and rout one of the squads in the wood but again many of my hits failed to turn into casualties. Matt was having a hard time shifting my dug in troops but in the end I lost the squad holding the left flank and due to officer casualties my morale had plunged, the German armoured car had also managed to flank my defences and was heading for the table edge with nothing to stop it. I decided to withdraw before I lost anymore men.

Once again due to the difference in morale the Germans managed to return almost all of their casualties ending up with only one dead and one in hospital, I have now lost a complete squad and these guys will have to fight on for the next game. 'Get the Guns' is next, the French should manage well on this table but I have thought that before. Thankfully the Germans do not get the same fistful of support points as the last game and I get a free infantry gun.

Not a lot planned for the coming week apart from the next game in the campaign on Thursday, not sure about the club. 

High Water Mark?

 Time for another clash between the Blue and the Grey, this small part of the Valley has seen three battles between the combatants with each getting larger and larger as troops are drawn in from surrounding areas with both sides desperately trying to get an advantage in numbers. This time as both licked their wounds from the recent combat at Bartlett's Creek the Rebs advanced once again to pressure the Union forces, circumstances had allowed them to steal a march and position a brigade behind the Union position. General McCabe could only pray that General Johnson with the surprise troops would turn up at the appointed time and at the right place.

The battlefield, Union camp on right.

At 0630 the Confederates advanced, holding back their right flank and sending four brigades against the Federal right hoping that this solid wall would sweep away the defenders and then turn on the Union camp and roll up the Yankee left. I was given the task of holding the Reb right with two brigades and acting in a threatening manner to tempt the Federals in front of me to attack, this turned out not to be a problem as a full division was in front of me and seemed happy to take me on.

The Rebs march at dawn.

Union left moves out.

Yankee artilley moved swiftly forward to take my line under fire while cavalry skirmishers moved on my right, more infantry were behind them, I threw in a reckless charge against the skirmishers and ended up losing that regiment as they were overwhelmed by the troops moving up. Things were looking precarious from my viewpoint as I moved men from left to right to build up a firing line. Over on my left the juggernaut had been stalled as one of the leading brigadiers fell from his horse momentarily stunned by a sharpshooter in the woods on the hill, the confusion was brought under control and the whole line moved forward against the thin blue line on the hill. From my perspective it looked like a walk in the park, but Yankee Gary put up a stalwart defence as his men fell around him, despite horrendous losses time after time the Federals stood their ground.

Rebs approach Gary's Hill.

 

Ferocious fighting.

Gary under pressure.

Union pressure my position on the right.

Riders now came from the Union rear areas warning of Confederate troops behind the lines, although they had arrived on time they had appeared behind the Federal left giving Matt time to pull back a full brigade and rush artillery towards the threat, at this point he continued to pressure my men on their hill and it was not looking good. Gary on the Union right was now trying to rush troops to support his crumbling defence on the hill but they found themselves under fire from Rebel guns which took the reserves in the flank time and again. Despite this the Federals carried on but their morale began to break and several regiments fled leaving a large gap between the Union divisions, the men on the hill had had enough and they too fled to the rear.

Rebel surpise attack.

Rebel race for the camp.

The Confederates now turned on the Union camp and headed for Matt's right flank, Matt had now weathered the suprise attack on his rear but with the collapse of Gary's division he had no option but to pull back. I did not have the infantry strength to follow up and prevent the break off although my guns did continue to pound away at the enemy. The battle was over.

 We had been fighting for just over six hours and it proved an excellent game and visually a perfect wargame. My thanks to the guys for taking the time.

 Nothing else to report, I did go to the club last night and played a game, not a wargame simply a bit of fun. My painting has slowed down again for reasons I won't go into for now although I have now taken delivery of the last packs to finish the army. 

Bremen 5 and Dark Ages

 I recently managed to get a War and Conquest game in against my grandson helped by his dad, it was good fun despite me getting beat. My son and I went into Lancaster for a meal and a few drinks, I had enjoyed the day and thought why not rinse and repeat. This time I persuaded Stewart to bring his own army, Carolingians, I will use my Saxons as he cries foul if I use the more professional ancient armies. The Carolingians are much like the Normans, several armies of which are turning up at the club much like they did in 1066, lots of very good infantry and cavalry so I am going a bit heavier than normal with more household troops than I would usually take, my cavalry will be outclassed but I shall take them to watch my flanks. 

The deployments were typical for the period, cavalry on both wings and infantry in the centre covered by some skirmishers, I had an idea to lead with my left and hold back my right, the enemy simply came on all along the line. I was worried about my right as a large Carolingian cavalry unit was approaching, so I decided to annoy it with skirmishing bowmen and cavalry while holding an infantry unit in reserve, the light troops did their job and the cavalry became confused then as casualties mounted their morale failed and they fled chased all the way. My own cavalry on my left faced mounted Carolingian skirmishers and after I was getting the worst of the exchange I simply charged them and swept them from the battlefield.

 

Saxons.

Carolingians

Meanwhile the infantry had clashed on my centre left, I was feeling good about this one as my Picts and Franks were up against some poor Liberi foot soldiers, in the middle of this one of my hearthguard units with the king met an enemy household unit and a tremendous struggle enthused in which my king was wounded and his men pushed back. The Liberi put up quite a struggle and failed to break quickly, I had wanted the warbands to turn and make for the right flank tout suite. The Liberi did eventually rout and the King's men made an exceptional comeback to rout their tormentors as both sides suffered at least 70% casualties, things were looking up for the Saxons.

 

The battle begins.

 

The infantry clash.

The Carolingians hoping for God's help.

It was now that Stewart asked why my Saxon king was fighting under a Christian banner, I then realised I had taken the wrong leader out of the box and the troops were being led by my Romano-British commander. I was in a quandry, would my wargamers superstition insist that the lost king be returned to his troops in mid battle, who so far had been fighting well under the Brit or do I leave him in place hoping they would not notice as Stewart had done, I left him in place, bleeding but unbowed. As I looked over the battlefield everything seemed to be going my way, but I did have a problem on my centre right as the remaining enemy closed, I knew I would likely lose my Ceorl's but I had another hearthguard unit sitting untouched protecting the far right flank. Hubris now got the better of me, I charged into the nearest enemy to seal the enemy's fate, a short while later my men were either lying in the grass or running for home!

 

Hold, hold.

The Franks in pursuit.

Carolingian cavalry.

Stewart took heart from this turning point and kept the battle going as he turned for my victorious left, I still had the Picts, Franks and the survivors of the king's bodyguard in the field, they were well supported by skirmishing cavalry and foot bowmen, these troops now surrounded the Carolingians and as javelins and arrows flew more and more of the enemy fell to the missiles, Stewart eventually conceded.

This was a very hard fought battle and a close win for the Saxons, the loss of my Gedriht unit almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and was a big surprise for me, at the very least I expected them to stand and fight like the men around the king. Stewart wasn't enamoured of the Liberi but they had been more than a speed bump and held the warbands up for a couple of moves and had drawn the Franks away in a pursuit for a time rather than me redeploying them to the right flank.

The nights are fair drawing in and last Tuesday it was back to the club and my second Bolt Action V3 game against 'Lucky' Jimi, he has a new 'army' themed as Winter troops, essentially Gebirgsjager from Offensive Miniatures I think. Jimi is an excellent painter and his new soldiers look the part, I was going to get to use my Russians at the club for a wee change. I decided to use some of the equipment which has either never been on the table or hardly ever, I took the Quad Maxim on a Gaz truck, in wargaming speak a Tokarev but I am unsure if that is correct, a mind dog and handler along with an Ampulomet anti-tank mortar, the last two only saw a few months of use at the front. I also had four squads, HMG and a T-34/85. Jimmy had three squads I think, one on ski's and borrowd a StuG III and a 37mm Flak on a halftrack.

Fido or Fedor does the job.

Underwhelming firepower.

Same again.

A decent tank for a change.

NKVD look on.

New troops, very nice.

Lovely figures.

We sorted out a meeting engagment somewhere on the Eastern Front, I felt quite confident and was hoping my recent luck would remain intact. Quite quickly I was disabused of that notion, the AA truck was firing 24 dice and I think I managed to give one German a headache before the StuG brewed it up, in return the T-34 destroyed the German halftrack. I didn't get a chance to fire the Ampulomet before it too was cut down, I did however manage to get Fido or Fedor to run at the StuG and blow it up, sadly it was not out of the battle, it had caught fire but this was put out while it was left immobilised for the rest of the game. The T-34 had been firing at the StuG but getting nowhere. As the clock ticked down the dice gods got their revenge and Jimi had an uncharacteristic run of good luck and took the game as I floundered at what to do next.

Jimi lost two units and I lost three, we were again slightly slower with the new version and maybe it was just my perception but I just could not make a saving roll, which is usually a five these days, cover is now very important. Early days yet and a long way to go before I feel completely happy with V3.

Mate Robert found himself in the area again and booked in for the next game in our Road to Bremen campaign, we had a fight on our hands as I had managed to get my Heer platoon to stick around, supported by a Hitler Youth panzerschreck team and a Pz IIIN, I had also laid two minefields and a small line of barbed wire. I managed to get my Jump Off Points close to two buildings and a small wood which would be my defense position, the British this time had a bit of cover for their approach.

The battlefield and the British approach.

 

The last hope.

Robert hiding again.

A nice piece of support.

I did not at first put any troops on the table so Robert had plenty of time to bring on all his troops and get them set up around a couple of buildings near his deployment edge. He brought a Firefly, two carriers with Bren teams and three engineer teams along with a mortar to back up his infantry platoon. The high number of engineers were to take care of the minefields and it took them a long, long time to clear the obstacles. By this point I had put two squads, a panzerschreck and the Pz III on the table, bullets started to fly, the Panzer managed two shots and got nothing out of them, my luck really had changed, it then took to hiding from the threat of the Firefly, which in turn was hiding well back in case it was ambushed by a 'schreck team, I should be so lucky.

British fire base.

Herman decides to turn up.

Time runs out.

I attempted to bring my remaining squad on table and they refused up until almost the last turn, I needed them as one of the two defending squads had broken under concentrated fire, this was mitigated by me breaking a rash British squad which had thought to push forward. Robert is a working man and we had to call a halt before we could get a result as it was getting late. Notes were taken as well as pictures of the situation so we can continue at a later date. Both sides are pretty even for now, both have lost a squad, both are at Force Morale of 7 so the next round should be exciting. I have been exceptionally lucky with all my troops deciding to stand and fight, this may not last of course, still in positions towards Bremen are another Heer Platoon and a Volksturm force, will they fight or save their skins as the end of the war approaches?

I have completed yet another halftrack, a recconaissance vehicle with a 2cm auto cannon, I do have recce vehicles but they are wheeled armoured cars, so I thought why not, it looks cool. Talking of cool I have also ordered up one of the six wheeled armoured cars to use with my Early War Germans, they proved a disappointment in combat and were quickly dispensed with however they do look good and as I have nothing on the tray at the moment, again why not. I really must make an effort to get all my recce stuff on the table for a game. Warlord have one at a staggering £27.50, so I got mine from eBay, a 3D print which looks very good in the pics, there are a couple to choose from but I went for the more expensive one at £12.75. I think I have enough Panzer grey left in my tin to cover one more vehicle.