I’ve played this game since it was released last year and
was the champion of it at our club so I thought it high time that documented a
little of our adventures. In a club of roughly 40 members we’ve now got 8
regular(ish) players of BA, admittedly these are mainly my Flames of War
brethren so it’s a logical progression one way or another.
My regular opponent, Andy loves his German armour (his FoW
forces include pretty much every variant of an AFV that saw action in WW2) and
so naturally chose Waffen SS for his main force to allow him to complete the
required minimum platoon so he could “buy the good stuff” as he puts it. This
really doesn’t bother me as he’s a good sport and most of our games involve
lots of banter and some pretty good historical game play.
I on the other hand have a load of good old Tommies (50th
Northumbrian) and quite often field them as regular or inexperienced depending
on the scenario and mood.
We played the demolition scenario at 600pts. Both sides must
defend their objective whilst trying to destroy the opponents. Forces were as
follows
Brits
1st Lt & Batman (regular)
FOO & assistant (free regular)
Rifle Section - Regular x10, LMG, 2x SMG
Rifle Section - Regular x10, LMG, 2x SMG
Rifle Section - Veteran x8, LMG, 1x SMG, tank bombs
MMG - Regular
Medium Mortar w/spotter - Regular
Germans
Oberleutnant (veteran)
Waffen SS - Veteran x10, LMG, 2x SMG, 1x Assault Rifle
Waffen SS - Veteran x10, LMG, 2x SMG, 1x Assault Rifle
SdKFZ 234 Puma - Veteran
We both deployed half our forces, placed our objectives
opposite each other in our deployment zones and got cracking. The scenario uses
the reserves rule so we kept half our forces off board.
I deployed to the bottom of the map, placing one of my regular
sections to defend the objective behind the hedge, MMG on the road facing NE,
my mortar on the eastern side of the North/South road with spotter in the
fields to the north of them. My FOO was on the western side of the board behind
the large wood.
Andy placed his unit of Waffen directly opposite mine behind
the large wood at the northern side of the table next to his objective. His
Oberleutnant went with them (naturally).
Turn 1
Uneventful other than Andy advancing towards the wood in
front of him and my FOO looking for a better line of sight for his strike..
Turn 2
Bring on the reserves. My other regular section joined the
first as a mobile fire unit to defend the objective. The veterans came on to
the east of the mortar, using a run order to get as far as possible. Fire order
for the Mortar and……Blam! HE firey death on his Waffen SS who had moved up
close to the trees (5 kills, 2 pins.). Ouch! However the Puma blew my mortar
spotter away (that’ll teach him for being too effective!).
However Andy’s second unit comes on and promptly guns down
my FOO and assistant. Argh, I hadn’t called in his fire order. I guess that’s how
it goes in a game of random activations.
Turn 3
So all our forces are on table. Andy continues his run down
my western flank although chooses to go through the woods rather than into the
fire zone of my MMG who I had lefty on ambush along with 1 rifle section. On the
eastern flank my veterans played cat and mouse with the Puma (no pun intended),
advancing and threatening whilst my mortar kept calling in fire to trigger the
recce! Andy’s other unit of SS regroup in the woods and consider advancing into
sight of my rifle section taking cover behind the woods but decide better of
it. Obviously the thought of a bayonet charge across open ground directly in
front of a full strength British rifle section seemed like too much of a risk.
Turn 4
More cat and mouse on the eastern flank as my vets advance
under cover of the mortar and the Puma dances around like only a recce vehicle
can.
I manage to redeploy my remaining assets to cover the road
and woods, putting the MMG and both rifle sections on ambush. Andy advances
into the woods a little more.
Turn 5
This is the first turn for infantry fire. My Vets assault the
Puma but cause no damage, Andy’s under strength SS squad fire a few token shots
at the rifle section directly opposite them causing no casualties. They promptly
return the favour with equal results. The SS squad flanking open fire on the
section sheltering behind the wall and cause 4 casualties, they promptly fire
back causing 3 in return.
Turn 6
Andy is playing fro the draw and pulls his understrength
squad back to the objective as my Vets dodge the assault of the Puma in
preparation for assaulting the objective.
My rifle section on the western flank exchanges fire with
the SS in the woods, 1 casualty each side. My 1st Lt joins the fight to provide
a much needed morale boost along with the MMG and second rifle section, who now
have nobody to cover with the departure of the SS squad back to their
objective.
Turn 7 (we rolled to play one last turn).
The SS squad in the woods are now pinned into uselessness,
their Oberleutnant protecting their objective with the under strength squad. My
Veterans take a pummelling from close range fire, they then assault but the SS
are just too darn tough.
End game!
Review
I enjoy this game at platoon level, I have played a number
of Bolt Action games that came closer to company size and the mechanics just
don’t feel right. Also it begins to lack the same urgency and risk that smaller
games give. Andy had two squads and vehicle vs my three squads and support
teams. In the end we both agreed that it was timing of activations and along
with me having more options (i.e more dice) that resulted in a draw.
The game felt tactical, with the threat of action (units in
ambush, covering arcs of fire) being more of a factor than actual casualties. I
personally don’t want this game to be any larger than platoon level, for that
kind of play I’m happy with Flames of War.
Anyway here’s a few pics that outline the key action, next time I'll take more.
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| Rifle section cover the approach. Will the SS chance a charge from the woods? |
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| Prelude to the close range fire fight, jockeying for position. The Brits are about to take a pummelling |
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| The SS espy the enemy taking cover behind the wall. |
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| The 1st LT arrives to back up the rifle section |
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| The Puma claims the road |
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| The British Veterans then try to claim it back on their way to the objective |
