Intensive Spearhead action

After an introductory Spearhead WW2 game last week, this week we broke down into two games with one player per side, and slightly larger forces on each side. Each side saw a reinforced German battalion battling a small allied regiment reinforce with armour.

Both tables set up amidst a hush as plans were drawn

Initial deployment and first moves on each table

Game 1:

In this game the German battalion had been reinforced with a company of StuG IIIs in support. The opposing American forces consisted of two infantry battalions supported with artillery and an armoured battalion.

The German advance on the left was focussed on the his right flank, but this meant that the German left was open to the American player's plan to attack with armour. This did however leave the American armour without immediate infantry support.

The American armour was given new orders from reserve to hook around onto the German left

Meanwhile the American infantry battalions were caught in the open and came under fire from German infantry that had taken up ambush positions in the wooded areas

The American infantry were taking heavy casualties when time ran out. The American armour was on the verge of appearing on the German left. It had been lucky not to run into any German infantry as it forced its way through the woods.

Game 2:

In this game a German infantry battalion with two platoons of PzkwIVs attached was trying to force it's way forward against a British force of two battalions supported by a company of Cromwell VIIs

The German plan had failed to consider the movements of any enemy armour and so as it swept across the centre it took flank fire for the Cromwells. This was never going to end well for the German forces, with both platoons of PzkwIVs destroyed. They did manage to destroy one squadron of Cromwells in the short bloody fire fight.

The German player used a very unconventional manoeuvre to shift to his left to take position on the ridge line upper left on the photo

The British player meanwhile had made a very conservative plan. His infantry were stalled (lower right) while his armour manoeuvred unsupported to try to apply pressure on the new German position

The German infantry began to take casualties from tank fire but sent AT teams forward to apply pressure on the British armour. 

At this stage this game had also run out of time. There was plenty of learning here. As with Crossfire, the allied players had not made effective use of their supporting artillery, and they had also failed to think through plans about where the enemy might be, and how best to manoeuvre to try to defeat him. This meant that support weapons generally were not well deployed.

I suspect that these lessons were well learned. They won't make those same mistakes again. An awesome morning's 'gaming.

Quarter of a mill.. wow!!

This blog has just clocked over a quarter if a million views. Slow progress, but I hope that those who've bothered to call by have found something of interest.

The posts reflect my eclectic tastes, my 'butterfly' disposition, my general inability to remain focussed on any one thing for long.

Of course, this is our hobby. We pursue it for enjoyment. Too much single minded focus may well mean less enjoyment.. counter-productive, yes?

Go with me here as I attempt self justification for my wayward habits.

In the meantime, enjoy your hobby!!!

Mantic Insider 06 - Why You Should Play Kings of War

I've been playing Kings of War (the massed fantasy battle game from Mantic) since it first came out. I bought the 1st edition rule book, and have always enjoyed games using those rules. So impressed have I been that I supported the Kickstarter for the publication of the 2nd Edition. My copy is due within a week or so. Here is a lovely intro to the rules.

Armour armour armour.....

While looking over the 6mm WW2 Spearhead forces, I realised that I've accumulated  a few gems over the years. While not game breaking vehicles, Valentines and M3 Grants are very characterful vehicles, and there in the drawer with the other unbased and seemingly unloved 'kit' were 6 of each. I'd presumably acquired them for some long since forgotten project (do you have any of those?).

I had the bases cut and prepared for the vehicles (actually for the 1940 British vehicles that arrived last week), but I couldn't help myself. So, a wash with an ink, a dry brush highlight and, well .. 'Bob's yer uncle' .. apparently.

Valentines

M3 Grants

And I already have some air support with two Fairy Battle light bombers (painted up by friend Andy G. again more years ago than I care to remember).

According to my Spearhead rules book OOBs Valentine IXs served in Normandy 1944, albeit briefly. I've been trying to find corroborating evidence - I'm not sure I believe that. No luck so far, so they may just have to serve either on the eastern front, or in Italy.

Now... where's that 1940 British kit? Oh, I have to cut some more bases.. 'RATS!!'

Spearhead-ing with Spearhead ...

With the start of the new term it was back to our Saturday morning 'games group. After the success of Crossfire when I introduced the boys to that rules system last term, I'd promised to show them Spearhead in action, so I trotted the 20mm WW2 kit in to College and set up a small introductory game.

The small but growing group with two more converts (and one away) - a sign that figure 'gaming may be making a comeback

The boys seem to have a basic interest in WW2, something I haven't seen for a while with the teenage guys I teach.

Initial set-up, with lots of errors.. no better way to learn!!!

The engagement begins, with both sides quickly spotting the impacts of their deployment and orders errors

They did take my advice and use reserve orders for their armour, which was committed so that it would see some action before we ran out of time,

The growth in their understanding was much faster than mine, and so by the end of three turns they were getting the hang of the rules and system.

The outcome? The boys loved the rules and the system. I admit that they aren't seeing other rules systems, basically because it is hard to teach them something I don't play. However in my opinion they are experiencing a great rules system, and their levels of enjoyment speak volumes for the rules.

They are keen to play more next week.

We have started to plan a 12 hour 'paint-a-thon' in which they can get started on their own armies. The same figures/basing are of course used for both Crossfire and Spearhead, so they'll be able to enjoy both systems without having to paint while new armies. I'll post more as things develop.

Send three and fourpence ..

We arrived home from a trip to Dunedin. Lorraine checked the letterbox, and came back with this little package.

It was the additional Heroics and Ros 6mm British vehicles I'd ordered to flesh out my 6mm armies for France 1940 games. A9s, and A13s, and Matilda 1s (oh, and enough Russian 1914 field guns for the 1914 Russian army, it seemed such a waste to send such a small order given the postage costs). Excellent, exciting and all that.

Then we walked to the front door of the house and there on the doorstep was this box.

Oh wow.. could it be? Surely not. Yep, the 1940 British and German vehicles that good friend Gerard had offered to help me get the 1940 France project underway for 20mm Spearhead. There were some unmade kits ...

... a battalion of early war (1940) Scots infantry ..

Oh, and some late war paras ..

.. complete with jeeps, artillery and AT guns, to add to the existing para forces .. wow, that was an un expected surprise.

Early war German armour ..

... and early war British armour .. A13s, and a Vickers Mk VI (plus a large artillery piece - British 6"), a carrier, a truck, and two 2pdr AT guns.

Yep, you are not seeing things, there was a little Russian equipment that will go nicely with the existing Russian forces

OMG OMG OMG .. hog heaven, as they say.

The 20mm project was one that I had on the longer term horizon. Looks like it will hit the road running a little earlier than I'd anticipated.

Gerard.. 'b**y legend' .. we'll work out a little deal on this one. My only regret is that I missed catching up with Gerard when he delivered the boxes while over in Christchurch on a flying visit. Next time!!!!

We certainly sent three and fourpence, and are going to a dance!!!

Running repairs ..

Running repairs complete..  Para recon, and three late war British tows re-assembled and glued back on their bases.

Not a lot of call for trucks in Spearhead as quite rightly one shouldn't really be seen dead in a truck in the FEBA (or alternatively if in a truck in the FEBA you are very likely to be seen dead).

They were however in the box that was dropped and so needed to be repaired. They might of course appear as AT gun tows?

Righto .. next please....