2017-02-12 Battle Group Soviets vs Germans

Pete hosted a WW2 20mm game to run through the Battle Group rules as the last couple of times not all the chaps got to play it. So he kindly hired our normal Conwy Wargames Club venue for the afternoon. He'd asked me to provide some Soviets and Dave some scenery and Germans and Pete sorted the rest.

It was also the first time Pete and I had tried the new version of the Battle Group rules, and we wanted to try run through the rules thoroughly to help the less experienced players.

Gaz asked for a game with lots of tanks and enthusiasm resulted in a great looking big game. Not always the best to run through new rules, but fun none the less. 

The Scenario

Pete supplied both side with a written up brief with objectives and special rules. The short version the Soviets are attacking with the aim to cross the river. The Germans need to hold them until the reinforcements can arrive.

The Game

Soviets ready to go

Barrage can't miss

Vital Soviet bridging equipment

The river defended with too few troops in the German opinion

Break while we check the rules

German reinforcements arrive

Not a lot of Soviet tanks have been knocked out

It's a long way to the river on foot

The bridging column is still intact

Soviets finally pinning the German defences

German reinforcements inch closer

Another break to check the aircraft rules

The Soviets just get to the river before home time

Last round and another break as we check the rules. Great looking game, handicapped by megalomania and a smaller set up would probably suited us better to learn the rules and get stuck.

Battle Group Market Garden Campaign Game 1

My first game saw my veteran British paras (borrowed from Dave) face off against Andys' German armoured reconnaissance force. The scenario was the Recon game from the rules.

The table before our forces entered.

First moves. Andy won the recon phase so I took a battle rating chit. By taking a German recon force he gained extra scouting points although I had more dedicated recon units. In an attempt to redress the battle rating balance I had the recon jeeps go full throttle, 1 for the objective, the other in to a flanking position to bring down artillery with it's observer.

The sole German armoured car

Recon jeep with artillery observer trying to find a safe place to observe

My paras begin to take positions

I have 3 battle ratting chits. 1 from being out scouted, 1 from the recon that reached the centre board objective being destroyed, and 1 for losing said objective!

In position to call in the artillery

This cost me 2 battle rating chits. The more I take the more my force's ability to fit is degarded. My battle rating score was around 40 so I could take some punishment. The average chit value is 2.

Andy's observers get comfy

My paras start taking up ambush positions

My engineers jogging towards the enemy

German artillery merrily pinning my 6pdr anti tank gun and surrounding units

PIAT ready to make Jerry pay

Lots of Jerry armour

Jerry passes past the now blown up recon jeep that had failed to call in the disruptive artillery fire on such a rich target of open topped vehicles

More armour and resupply trucks

Andy's Germans very much in control.

Still no British artillery fire

If only the Germans would come closer!

German artillery reliably arriving and killing and pinning like I want mine too

My corner start point is getting crowded with units and battle rating chits

More pinned units

At last ... but I'm pinned

Andy fully in control of the board 

My furthest advance burning in the centre of the board

Andy even had time to threaten my other flank. Good German tactics, horrible British artillery dice and deserved win for Andy.