Gaming - Ardennes ‘44

 Yesterday was the regular monthly meet up . I had decided to get the winter stuff out and have a look at what might need focus over the coming painting season . We also had a couple of visitors looking in who were interested in it . 

I had all the various US kit out . It’s still not that much , 1 platoon infantry , 1 platoon combat engineers , 1 57mm ATG platoon , 2 x 3 inch ATG , 2 Platoons Sherman’s - mostly 76mm armed and 3 TDs . An off table battery with an airborne FOO available . P47s were available if the right cards were cut 

The Germans had 3 VG units , 1 PZG with transport. 2 Stug Platoons , platoon Jagdpanthers , platoon King Tigers , mixed KG platoon with King  Tiger , Panther , PzIV , Ostwind . Flame thrower hanomags .

The table . The Germans entering on both roads on the left hand side 

Left flank Sherman’s , the 76mm gun made a big difference. A rare German  air strike managed to target these 3 but did no damage 

The German left flank never got any real pressure on the US.

German armour burns on the left flank .

Main US HQ 

M18 TD’s working around the flank

M10 picked off at long range 

The KTs powered forward - crushing the opposition, but did start to be flanked . One was taken out by mines and combat engineers. Another with lucky side shot from a hidden 57mm ATG .

In the end we called it a US victory 

The Germans were too light on infantry and they quickly suffered under the US firepower . James also had trouble with the German tanks bogging in the snow . 

So what do I need to look at :-

German infantry company 

German mortar support

German mobile AA support 

Few more farm type buildings . 

That will be enough to keep me busy 

Gaming. The Mandate of Heaven Setting the East Ablaze

 The last weekend was spent with the guys of “The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers” . We were meeting to complete this years summer gaming season which had been played out with a number of map moves and umpire adjudicated battles . The campaign was set across the Far  East from Tibet , Mongolia , Manchuria and China with all the various potential players from the Western Power, Red Russians, White  Russians , Japanese and various other Warlords . I was heading up  the KMT as Chaing Kai Shek the Chinese Nationalists . 

The Opening battle was  the various gangs in Shanghai jostling for control and money 

After that there usually 2 games going on of various sizes and we dipped in and out depending on if your own army was involved , or you just picked up assisting with another force .

The following is just a selection of the action as I was usually too engrossed to get a selection of narrative pictures . But they give the feel .

The Dalai Lama’s Zeppelin! 

Some truly brilliant games played with wonderful spirit and laughter . I had a really good map campaign , but l couldn’t win my own  games on table (I know better what to do next time mind! ) , but did fine in other players . I ended up with control of most of China , with Japs having Manchuria . At least I have had experience with the Setting The East Ablaze rules now which I had not played before . I was pleased to have been voted best overall player through the campaign and on table games .  

I get to hold the trophy for the next 12months .

 The last night Dress Dinner picture - great fun ! Thanks must go to Steve L for hosting and sharing his fantastic collection , plus Rory L for all the hard work designing and  running the campaign. Top work . And the rest if the guys for all the fun and high jinks - the hobby as social at its very best .

 My upcoming usual trip to Normandy has has some new reading material,added 

Gaming - the ‘Nam campaign

 Friend Martin and I are revisiting the ‘Nam with a long term Tour of Duty campaign . 

My guys are Bravo company , 2nd Battalion , 9th Regt . 3rd Division USMC . Ironic these had a nickname of “The Walking Dead” . 

We played a few games with Martins company - and he’s on a real dice downer at the moment with two of his three squads now being seriously depleted- and on of them have 9 MIA and taken prisoner last week . This week he was off seeking redemption. It didn’t work , any my Bravo company boys were sent it to add some proper steel . They landed , dealt with the NVA , found the hidden prisoners , found the arms  cache ,  burnt the village , back home to base and be loved long time . Good fun was had 

 

 

 

NVA look on 

Martins chopper get taken out by an NVA RPG . Big boom , time , all the crew were captured .

 

Bravo company clear the village and find the stash . 

Burn out the VC supporting village. 

Pre game recon pictures show VC heading to the village 

Dug in positions 

More VC on the trail 

I will have it out at the upcoming games day 

Gaming - Wake Island 192?

 This weekend saw the first Partizan of the year . I was with the guys from The League of Extraordinary Kriegspeilers . The game was a imaginary 1920’s fight at Wake Island 

The sea is made of 4 mats from Deepcut 

The set up is all part of Steve Langans wonderful collection 

My Torpedo boat breaches the defences 

The Japanese won the pre invasion game of Battleships in the bar the night before giving them the edge on the day which followed through to an ultimate victory in the day . I was busy all day and didn’t take nigh pictures of this ! 

The show was as busy as ever with epic looking games that had 5 minutes to look  at . I didn’t have a shopping requirement as I am having a bit of a downsize of  stuff for the rest of this year . They did run a table top sale which I took advantage of which has got the downsize project off to a good start and thinned out the lead/plastic pile and the rules that were never getting used .

As usual it was also a good social catch up with various friends . Time to think about The Other Partizan , and what game to do I think 

Here is the game brief .