Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Meuse 1940: Scenario 1 - Pont Maugis

Michael and I started up our Meuse 1940 Chain of Command campaign this past weekend in Trenton. Friday night we set up for the first encounter. For a detailed campaign overview, look here. On the map below, you can see the path of the campaign south of Sedan along the line of the advance by 10. Panzer Division. 


As the German Army advanced through southern Belgium on 12 May, Panzergruppe von Kleist, consisting of XLI Panzer Corps and XIX Panzer Corps (under General  Guderian) approached the Meuse River near Sedan. After securing Sedan on 12 May, Guderian’s plan for 13 May was straightforward. The 2nd Panzer Division in the north was to form the right flank of the assaulting force when it reached the Meuse near Donchery. The 1st Panzer Division, reinforced by the Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland, a battalion of assault engineers, and divisional artillery of the 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions, was to make the main attack by crossing the Meuse just north of Sedan and seizing the Heights of la Marfee overlooking the city. The 10th Panzer Division was to cross the Meuse south of Sedan and protect the southern flank of the corps. After a determined defence by the French 55e Division, 10th Panzer was able to begin consolidating its bridgehead and begin moving south toward the Bulson ridge. Meanwhile the French had similar ideas and were heading for the same high ground...



Leutnant Alex Geiger  commands a platoon of Kampfgruppe Geiger, a recon force made up of elements of 90. Aufklärungs-Bataillon, itself part of 10. Panzer  Division. This includes three armoured cars (two Sdkfz 222s and one Sdkfz 232 6-rad), a command car for himself and his platoon 2iC, Wachtmeister Otto Burg, and a recon infantry section mounted on motorcycle combos. We wanted to experiment with fielding a starting platoon that was not purely infantry. In this case, the Germans have a fast-moving force but with very little integral infantry support. 


Facing Geiger is 2e Peleton, 1er Compagnie, 2e Battalion, 213e Régiment d’Infanterie (part of 55e Division), a standard French infantry platoon under the command of Lieutenant Gerard Authier. Unfortunately, French platoons have no integral AT weapons, relying completely on AT guns and their much-vaunted armour formations. This would prove  to be quite a challenge for the French player (c'est moi). 





ENCOUNTER 1 – The Patrol
Game One used The Patrol scenario as German forces moved from their start lines in the Meuse bridgehead near Pont Maugis. Terrain wasbe in the country side with fields, light woods or orchards, and small farmsteads. Special Rules (first time at Encounter 1 only): 1) The French player may not choose any armoured vehicles; 2) The German player may not choose a pre-game barrage as a support choice; 3) The French player must choose at least one concrete bunker (but no more than three) as a support choice, if possible.

 
The Patrol Phase
Unfortunately, in these photos it's difficult to see the ground contours that guided some of the movements in this phase. The French scouts moved toward the small farm, trying to use the stream and its banks as cover.

Jump Off Points
The Germans pushed close to the farmhouse, although the use of their JoPs would be potentially limited, given that the entire starting German force was motorized and set to enter on the road entry point. The French central JoP would seem to be in the open but in reality was out of LoS of the German patrol markers below a major contour line (and thus considered in cover).

 
German armoured cars move quickly down the main road to threaten any potential French deployment. Lieutenant Authier chose to keep his men in concealment (i.e. un-deployed) while deciding how to counter the German armour with nothing larger than LMGs.

Leutnant Geiger observes the farmhouse from his command car, while covered by another armoured car.

It was at this point that the French commander realized that his lack of AT capability and the speed and mobility of the German force could not be countered. It was also to his detriment that there was no support immediately available (the Support roll had been quite low and the French player - me- was forced by scenario rules to choose at least one concrete bunker, leaving no support points left over for AT support). Prudently then, he chose to quit the field, pulling back in the hope of gaining some time for reinforcements to arrive.

Thus, it took longer to set the game up than play it. No French troops showed on the table and the Germans had an easy victory. Lieutenant Authier's commanding officer was none too pleased but he had not been present to see the futility of resistance. Nonetheless, his opinion of the good Lieutenant has dropped (fortunately not to a point where it will affect anything....yet). Authier is content with his performance (or lack thereof, depending on perspective) and his men agree. They remain confident in their leader.

Leutnant Geiger's superior, on the other hand, is content with his subordinate's performance. Geiger had gained a victory in the first contact while advancing out of the bridgehead...but nothing less is expected from the sharp end of a German attack and his approval is tempered.


The Germans will now pursue the withdrawing French. Next encounter will be at the crossroads of Chaumont.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Arras 1940: Encounter 2 (Achicourt)

Last night saw the second battle of our CoC Arras 1940 campaign. The British had won the first encounter in No Man's Land when the Germans voluntarily withdrew in the face of an unexpected British advance south of Arras. Truth be told, I had nothing with which to counter the British Bren carriers. This, of course, turned out to be a false assumption. Apparently, MGs (of any type) can attempt to drive off APCs...who knew? Nevertheless, the British victory allowed Vidal to push on to the outskirts of Achicourt to further probe the German positions.


ENCOUNTER 2 – Achicourt (The Probe)
 
In this encounter, the British are approaching the outskirts of Arras from the northwest, intent on capitalizing on their previous victory. The terrain represents the outskirts of the town, including the main road into Achicourt and a small stream running across the front of the town.

British (attackers)
 FM = 11 (including a +1 FM modifier)
support = 13 points (Bren carrier + team, Matilda II, regular infantry section)
objective = move one team off the defender's base line

German (defenders)
FM = 10 (despite a -1 FM modifier)
support = 6 points (minefield, PzJgr I)
objective = prevent the attacker's objective

Patrol Phase
The Germans chose to defend the short end of the battlefield and move their patrols up to the stream in front of Achicourt. The German patrol markers veered left to counter the British movement of patrols to that flank. The British chose only three patrol markers and concentrated them on their own right flank.

Deploying Jump Off Points
After reading Richard Clarke's latest tactical primers (as all proper WWII gamers should), I decided to hold back the German Jump Off Points (above in red) and created a defensive line based on the stream in front of Achicourt. My intent was to force the British to come to me, while setting up supporting fields of fire and using the stream and the woods on the left flank as cover. I stayed away from the limited fields of fire available from the buildings. Vidal pushed his British JoPs to his right flank, hoping to concentrate and force a breakthrough to the German baseline there.


The British platoon commander, Lt Stuart began the game by probing forward on his right flank with a section of infantry and sending a Bren Carrier and team down the main road, trying to force the Germans to show themselves. The British 2" mortar began to drop smoke on the right flank to cover the advance of (eventually) three British sections.

The PanzerJager I deploys on the main road in Achicourt to scare off the British Bren Carrier probing down the main road (seen in the far distance). The Matilda II also moved forward along the main road behind the Universal Carrier but neither the PanzerJager I nor the Matilda II were able to damage the other (so once again becoming an ineffectual sideshow to the main infantry effort). Side note: This was the debut of the Panzerjager I and it defied the norm of wargaming logic, such as it is. It was not destroyed and/or routed from the field in its first battle.

After a couple of close shots from the PanzerJager I, the Bren team disembarks from its carrier and deploys into the adjacent field. This team proved to be the bane of the British attack. A full German section and 50mm mortar team deployed in the stream to its front and quickly wiped it out and severely wounded the Junior Leader. This eventually cost the British 5 Force Morale points with no discernible advantage gained. Oh well, live and learn, I suppose.



Leutnant von Schoenenfeld sent forward a section into the stream and used the cover to great effect in wiping out the Bren team mentioned above and then turning its attention to the main British effort on the  left flank. The stream proved to be the saving grace for the Germans. Although it was a minor hindrance to movement, its banks provided hard cover.

Three British sections prepare to assault the German lines under cover of a smoke screen from the 2" mortar. Although Lt Stuart (amongst his men above) had carefully prepared the assault, moving tactically and successfully covering his efforts with smoke, by the time he was ready to go in, the British Force Morale had dropped from 11 to 6 (mainly because of the lost Bren team in the center). Two more of the British section leaders had also suffered minor wounds. This didn't knock them out of the battle but did lessen their potential impact. Losing a Command Initiative each deprived them of the ability to direct the fire of their section Bren guns and target specific enemy teams (i.e. the MG34s).

One of the German sections on the left flank, facing the main British effort. Although taking some damage from the exchange of fire, it still represented a strong position behind the stone wall. Another section had taken up position to the left in the hard cover of the stream.
At this point, Vidal realized that with his Force Morale down to 6, completing his objective would be extremely costly. Although the Germans would take some casualties from the assault of three British sections (after lifting the smoke screen by playing a CoC die), the British could ill afford to swap damage. Lt Stuart prudently chose to voluntarily withdraw and leave the field to the Germans.
As with the first battle, a voluntary withdrawal equates to a loss. The British company commander was none too pleased, especially after the initial success in No Man's Land. His opinion of Lt Stuart has wavered slightly (down 1 for a net +1) but not to a degree to which it might affect the next encounter. Lt Stuart remains a generally happy man; this was a minor setback...and his men seem to agree with him (casualties were relatively light).
Coversely, Lt von Schoenenfeld's opinion of himself  has improved though he remains pensive about the future, especially since his men are not too impressed, despite the relatively low body count.
The next game will see the Germans with the initiative, having won Encounter 2. They can choose to counter-attack or await another British assault. If the former, we will use the Probe scenario again with the Germans moving out from Achicourt towards the British lines. If the latter, the British will move against Achocourt again but this time using the Attack/Defend scenario.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Cleaning House - Part 2: The Old West Collection Has To Go!

Building on the success of the recent sale of my large First World War collection (much thanks to all for their feedback and purchases), I have decided to sell my extensive Old West collection. This truly is a wonderful collection and I have had many fantastic games with it. The collection consists of enough buildings and associated terrain pieces to make up the small fictional town of "Deadwood" and its less than savoury inhabitants. Cowboys, henchmen, townsfolk, banditos, and even US Cavalry are all up for sale!

All pictures have a link to the corresponding eBay auction in their caption, so go on over and take a look!

This typical movie-esque Western town has two hotels, each with two stories and detailed interiors! One of these is the wonderful Old Glory Miniatures hotel model, with a few customizations added on.

Link to eBay auction

The second is a completely scratch built creation. This fantastic building is actually two buildings, being the hotel with a small gun store shacked up next to it on the same base. This item is complete with many small details, including a wooden Indian statue (gotta love it!), wanted posters, and even stitching and rope attachments on the canvas panel gun store sign. This is definitely a must have item.

Link to eBay auction

The town also include a livery/stable, which I am particularly proud of. Note the cattle skull mounted on the front entrance-way as a form of "prairie advertising".

Link to eBay auction

I have three small store front buildings also up for sale: a saloon, dry goods store, and hardware store. The false fronts on these buildings really look great when lined up along main street.

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

There is also a cattle barn among the auctions, I love the ramshackle shingles in varying colours.

Link to eBay auction

And, in case you need to hang some horse thieves, here is a scratch built gallows

Link to eBay auction

As one item, I have 5 small terrain piece accents for you Western town, this includes a small livestock pen, cemetery, cattle trough, hitching rail, and town entrance sign.

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction 
Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

If you happen to have some plains Indians, or just want a bit more colour in your Old West games, I recommend bidding on my set of 3 teepees.

Link to eBay auction

The final terrain item from my Old West collection is actually an item that has a multitude of applications, the old Forge World wooden bridge. This could be used for anything from Old West, to Warhammer, 40k, historicals, or anything really.

Link to eBay auction

In addition to my collection of Old West terrain, I also have all of my Old West figures for sale. I have had some fun and colourful games with these figures, especially during my time at the Royal Military College of Canada when my large multiplayer games always drew a large audience.

This small troop of United States Cavalry is a great starter force for a Plains Wars or Old West collection, featuring 9 troopers (both mounted and dismounted versions, for a total of 18 figures).

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

For those that want to start their own stagecoach robbing cowboy gang.

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

And of course you will need a stagecoach to rob...

Link to eBay auction

Surely you will need some townsfolk to populate your new Western town.

Link to eBay auction

In addition to my Old West collection, I also have a small collection of 28mm fantasy/medieval figures up for sale; these are from an unknown manufacturer and were painted by me years ago and only collecting dust on the shelf, so I thought they could bring someone else some joy!

Link to eBay auction 
Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction

Link to eBay auction
I thank all of you for taking a look, and if you know anyone that might be interested in any of these items (or even the whole collection!) then spread the word!


Friday, November 7, 2014

Soon to be in my hands (2)...actually in my hands

Made the nine hour trek last weekend (18 hrs, if you count the return trip) to La Belle Province and CFB Valcartier, ostensibly to help some base rats move from one PMQ to another but let's be real here...it was really to pick up the two latest efforts from the talented hand of Lieutenant Dan.


PanzerJager I from Warlord Games. 
I've been wanting one of these for quite a while. It houses a 47mm gun on the PzI chassis;
finally, a gun effective enough to take on the French armour (especially the one below).


Char B1 from Warlord Games. 
This beast has been missing from my French forces but sorely wanted since the beginning. 
Notice the subtle foliage camouflage pattern, although the photo doesn't do it justice.

Lieutenant Dan also added an extra crewman enjoying a libation on the rear deck. 
As usual, an excellent result (and yes, I taught him everything he knows).