March to the Sea

Continuing our procession through games suitable for lockdown play, Tim  pulled out another classic, 'March to the Sea', covering Shermans campaign in Georgia in the American Civil War. This was another ancient matrix game, first seeing the light of day in 1995 I believe, and reputedly a Chris Engle original.

In the cast list, I drew General Johnson, commanding the Army of Tennesse at Cassville, while opposing me was Tim C as Sherman, commanding the Army of the Tennessee. All very confusing. My fellow Rebs included Richard and Jerry as dashing cavalry commanders with various raiding forces over in Alabama, while the plodding Yanks included Simon and John. John had managed to get his technology set up, so was able to join the game.

Although virtual games are fun to play, they aren't quite as photogenic as being  there! I ended up taking a series of photos of Skype on the screen. Here we see Jerry as Bedfords Raiders lurking in Alabama. 54mm figures and hand crafted map courtesy of Tim G.

Our cavalry took an immediate dislike to the US railway line running from Nashville through Chattanooga down to Atlanta. At this stage I shall confess a shocking ignorance of the ACW, although my gaming pals all seemed very au fait with the proceedings as an earnest discussion about rail lines and the intervention of tornados in battles ensued. 

Well, I've seen 'Gone with the Wind' and read 'The Red Badge of Courage' (and seen the very fine film too) so I had a bit of a grounding in what was about to pass.

Over at Cassville my chaps made a half hearted attempt to dig in, but very unfairly Sherman and Schofield advanced towards us on a broad front. Fortunately they were rather sluggish, so nothing unpleasant occurred.

In June however, Schofield appeared on the left flank and the Union launched an attack on our positions which we repelled. In line with my orders, I prepared a series of fallback positions in order to fight a delaying action, taking advantage of our interior lines and superior mobility.

Meanwhile our cavalry bypassed the Yanks in fine style and set abut tearing up the railway lines. 

Sadly, Simons Army also neatly bypassed the Confederate cavalry and took up camp outside Atlanta! Ooer. I was still on the wrong side of the mountains facing Sherman and Scofield.

Bedfords Raiders bravely pursued them, but the Yanks took up defensive positions outside Atlanta.

The next Union assault came in at Cassville and our prepared positions came into their own as we fell back in succession while delaying the enemy and inflicting losses. (note the red hit markers all over the Union forces). This was so successful we even managed to break contact with Sherman in the mountains.

Meanwhile, back up the rail line, a horrible melee ensued around Chattanooga. Schofield lost interest in helping Sherman, and instead turned around to clear the Union lines of communications.

The Army of Tennessee used the railroad to travel back to Atlanta and launched an assault on the Yanks, who were by now partially dug in. Bedfords Raiders were ineffective operating in support. Luckily Sherman was lagging some way behind as they struggled through the mountains.

We had time to reorganise and launch another attack just as Shermans Army began to appear. The US troops outside Atlanta were looking quite ragged now.

We launched a final assault as Sherman moved to engage, and the Third Battle of Atlanta turned into a massive battle.

My Army spent much of its effrot holding off Sherman, but this time Bedfords Raiders got stuck in and managed to overrun the ragged US troops.

When the smoke cleared, the besieging US Army had been destroyed. My chaps were a bit tatty, but they'd held on and beaten off Sherman with some losses. Most important, we still held Atlanta, although as it had been fought over for three months, it was a bit of a smoking ruin by now.

The campaign ended at that point, and when we totted up the various objectives, the Rebels had done quite well although Sherman was clearly going to kick them out of Atlanta in Spring once the weather improved.

That went very well, we were all a bit more used to the virtual format and we did it in two short sessions over two days. Taking each player in turn gave it some structure and we rattled through it and reached a good conclusion in a reasonable length of time. As much of my day is now spent in video conference calls, I was glad not to overdo it in the evening as well. It was good to play with John as well, as he's missed a few weeks now. Many thanks to Tim for organising it.

VE Day special

I don't have much time for the appropriation of VE Day by little englanders and the current incumbent of 10 Downing Street, but the defeat of Nazi Germany end the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945 is certainly something to celebrate. Hitler and his odious gang were dead or in prison, the killing had stopped and just around the corner was a Labour landslide and the creation of the NHS. A socialist vision which is busy saving all our lives today.

So, a spot of celebration is in order.

I did my best with the 'bunting'. Some flags tied together and held in the window with a bit of string.

Mum and Dad remeber VE Day well, and this is a vague approximation of their VE Day tea. Marmite sandwiches, jam sandwiches, a bit of cake and a pot of tea. I'm not sure they had cherry tomatoes in 1945 but hey, ho.

I got a bit dressed up for the occasion in my British re-enactment uniform. RTR beret and best belt with the brass freshly polished. We'd been planning on going to my nephews 1940s themed VE Day party, but obviously that isn't happening because of the lockdown. 

It seemed a shame to miss out on the opportunity to dress up, although it was a bit of a hot day for the full wool BD and wool shirt. At least I didn't also have the long johns on...

Time for some refreshing British ale.

Among other things, I am the custodian of our family's medals. One day I mean to get them properly mounted, but for now I did them hastily on some card backing. I am fairly sure the ribbons on the 1939-45 Stars are the wrong way round, but that is how they were given to me and I'm not going to start fiddling. I hope I got the order right at least. 

From top to bottom, left to right.

Teds 1939-45 Star, Burma Star. I only have the ribbon for his War Medal.

Toms 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Italy Star, War Medal

Tom is also eligible for the Arctic Star, as he served on the Murmansk convoys but we haven't applied for it yet. 

I would like to thank everyone who took part in the titanic struggle to maintain our freedom, and in particular my relatives who served in the army, navy, air force (and ARP!).

Tom, Phil, Stan, Joe, Pickle. 

A very special mention for Lance Corporal ESW Rapier, Royal Corps of Signals who lost his life in 1944 at the age of 32.

My grandfather.   

QRF Valentine III

The Valentine was the most numerous tank produced  by Britain and the Commonwealth, and many thousands were sent to Russia where they were surprisingly popular. The Russians were a bit confused how to classify them and eventually decided they were light tanks. They were valued for their reliability and relatively thick armour. I fancied adding one to my Russian forces and went for a Mk III. As I only needed one, I went for a QRF one rather than a box of plastic PSC ones.

It is a neat little model and sits well. The turret is a bit loose but nothing a bit of blu tak won't fix. There was a bit of flash and a few mould lines but nothing major. 

It comes with separate tracks and sandshields (which I didnt fit). The tracks went on easily enough, held in place with a bit of blu tak while they dried. 

The rear engine deck has lots of jazzy cooling vanes, ideal for a wash and a dry brush. 

And off it goes. As usual now, I just painted the tracks and running gear in mud. I did the body in British khaki drab rather than Russian Green as I had in mind a scenario which also required a green British Valentine. I'm sure the Russians didn't bother to repaint them. 

A nice little model, but for preference I'd get a plastic one as Zvezda do them too, but I was in a rush. 

Lockdown Matrix Game mayhem - Stalingrad

As the virus disaster escalated I'd had conversation with Tim about what we might do from a gaming perspective - it is important to keep some social contact going even if we can;t meet up any more. Yes, there are various online gaming possibilities but we also both keen to do something involving toys and some direct social interaction.

Tim managed to organise a Matrix Game played over Skype, with him doing the moderation and pushing toys around on the table, while the rest of us watched the proceedings from afar and submitted our arguments/orders. Coralling six players over Skype in real time, and also making sense of the proceedings was quite an achievement and we managed to get things to a conclusion over tow nights.

The scenario was an old matrix game covering the battle of Stalingrad in 1942, with roles for Hitler, Stalin and assorted German and Russian generals including Paulus, Hube and Chuikov. As the most experienced players, Jerry and I were cast as Stalin and Hitler respectively.

Tim has already reported this game on his blog

https://megablitzandmore.blogspot.com/2020/03/stalingrad-matrix-game-part-1.html

https://megablitzandmore.blogspot.com/2020/03/stalingrad-matrix-game-part-1.html

The map was fairly representational with named areas and various types of units scattered around. We could have used boring counters of course, but Tim used toys in a variety of scales. He we see Chuikovs attack from Mamyev Kurgan against the German defenders of the recently siezed Red October Factory.

Needless to say, things ended up not going so well for the Herrenvolk, but they gave the Russians a run for their money, pushing them right back into the Volga at one point before the 'succumbed to superior numbers and adverse circumstances' as the announcement at the time said.

Tim has provided an ample narrative already, and my personal objectives were:
1. ensure Stalingrad is captured
2. prevent any defeatist thinking
3. do something mad....

but for the delectation of people who haven't had much exposure to matrix games, here are the various arguments I submitted in my role as dear old Adolf. Just think how much these written insights into the thinking of the Great Dictator will be worth in years to come!

Turn 1
The Luftwaffe bombs the ferrieswith the result that the flow of Russian supplies and reinforcements is drastically reduced.This happens because:

1. The luftwaffe has complete air superiority
2. The Luftwaffe has experience of river interdiction from earlier campaigns
3. The ferries are easy to locate, being due south of Golodny Island

Turn 2All German units make use of mission directed combined arms tactics With the result that they recieve a combat bonus against Russian unitsThis happens because:

1. The Sixth Army is the cream of the German Army, allocated the best men and equipment
2. German forces are experienced after three years of victorious warfare without excessive losses
3. The Russian campaign has show that German forces can defeat much larger Russian one

Turn 3German reinforcements enter the cityWith the result that two extra infantry units arrive (one at Gumrak, one at Orlovka)This happens because:

1. German forces are highly mobile and control the ground
2. Our brave Rumanian allies are holding the lines north and south of the city
3. The Fuhrer has decreed the city will be taken at all costs

Turn 4Soviet units in Mamyev Kurgan as disheartenedWith the result that they retreat to the ferriesThis happens because:

1. The hill open and exposed
2. From their elevated position they can see how outnumbered the defenders are
3.  The ferries provide an escape route across the Volga

Turn 5The German units (from Orlovka) attack the Tractor Factory With the result that factory is capturedThis happens because:

1. The superior German troops outnumber the enemy
2. The defenders are unnerved as they are outflanked by the more mobile Germans
3. The Russians are taken by surprise as the front has been quiet

Turn 6The Germans establish observation posts on Mamyev KurganWith the result that German artillery and airstrikes are more effectiveThis happens because

1. Mamyev Kurgan provides observation over the entire city
2. Observed fire is more effective than map fire
3. German troops are professionals and trained to take advantage of terrain

Turn 7The Luftwaffe flies in signed photos of Hitler and extra detachments of GestapoWith the result that the German forces are inspired to greater acts of heroismThis happens because:

1. The German armed forces really appreciate photos of their beloved Fuhrer
2. The Gestapo provide a special kind of encouragement
3. This is clearly a better use of the available air transport units than flying in ammunition

Turn 8All German infantry units attack the Russian units in frontWith the result that they capture significant areas in those zones, or at least try..This is because

1. Hitler is determined to capture the city at all costs and displeased at the rate of progress
2. What is required now is not clever manouvering but National Socialist Ardour
3. The whole structure is rotten, we only have to kick it in the door and it will collapse

Turn 9As it is November Hitler makes a speech to commemorate the Munich putsch:““That center [Stalingrad] I wanted to take and, as you know, we are modest — we have it!

There are only a few small pockets left. Now the others say: ‘Then, why do they not fight more quickly?

’ —Because I do not want a second Verdun. I prefer to do it with very small assault parties.

Time makes no difference here. No ship comes up the Volga any more. That is what is decisive!”

With the result that will to victory on the home front is boosted by the heroic sacrifice of the

Sixth ArmyThis happens because

1. Hitler has lost interest in the tactical battle
2. If you are going to tell a lie, tell a big one
3. Hitler is a charismatic delusional fantasist with bad hair and mere facts are irrelevant

QRF 1/100th scale US 155mm howitzer

Along with the US 105s, I also wanted some 155s. I actually meant to order two of them, but a slip of the mouse meant I only got one. In the back of my mind I thought they could also stand in for Soviet ML-10 152mm howitzers. Cheap? Me? Never.

Unlike the 105s, this came in two parts with a separate barrel. I still didn't have to stick the wheels on, so that was good. As with the 105s, there was minimal flash, just some where the wheels and shield met.

It looks fairly business like from this end. While similar in configuration to a 105, it is a much bigger artillery piece in every dimension. The supplied crew figures were from the same range as the 105mm crews, so I mixed them up a bit make them a bit more homogenous.

Breech detail. The gun barrel was a bit fiddly to put on as you need to bend the supporting arms moulded parallel to the barrel and fit them onto the supports above the breech. It ends up looking quite good, but with my big fat fingers there was a certain degree of cursing involved. Blu tak and slathers of gel superglue helped a lot.

These models can look a bit ropey close up, but at normal gaming distances, it is a nice wargaming piece and looks good. I just wish QRF also did a towed Long Tom instead of the SP version, but you can't have everything.

US Paras in Sicily

Tim put on another 54mm skirmish in his occasional series of Fistful of Lead games. This scenario was the 82nd (?) Airborne in Sicily, which came out of the relevant Skirmish Campaigns book (but which I've also seen reproduced virtually word for word in another set of rules which shall remain nameless).

Anyway, the plucky US Paras landed at night with the objective of taking out a fortified farmhouse complex near the Allied landing sites.

I can;t really remember who played. I think Jerry, John and Tim C took the US and me and Simon (and maybe Diego?) took the Axis. All played with Tim Gs terrain and 54mm toys. This was pretty much the last f2f game we played at the club before the lockdown kicked in, and it seems like a different world now.

And mightily fortified it was too! with trenches, bunkers etc. Good  job it was dark.

Here are the US paras, a very grand collection of 54mm figures from various sources.

And the rather ragged assortment of Italian defenders. We met some of these already attacking the Western Desert Force in Egypt. They are quite heavily armed, with a couple of full rifle sections, two MMG teams and even some Germans along for the ride.

These scary looking Germans occupied this bunker. They had a flare pistol, which none of us had quite figured out the significance of.

MMG team on the roof of the farmhouse. The setup at start had various MG teams in the bunkers, but most of the Italians were inside the main farm building.

These bunkers were garrisoned with an LMG and a couple of riflemen,

As the alarm was raised, the chaps started to slly forth. Not being sure where the enemy were coming from, they just headed in all directions to the perimeter. The garrison commander can be seem on top  of the smaller tower, peering into the darkness.

This LMG team peered into the murk, wondering what was happening as naughty paras crept closer.

Over here, more US troops appeared, but were concealed by the dark woods.

Over here though, the US forces stumbled over a trip flare, lighting them up like day. The LMG team now had some targets! 

These US troops also stumbled over a trip flare, which was a bit unfortunate, as the bunker contained an MMG. Suddenly the Germans having a flare pistol made, sense. If only we'd put them over here. 

The Americans over here were mown down by MG fire, althugh not before they'd inflicted a few losses on the defenders. There were quite a lot of active defenders now, alerted by the sounds of firing. 

Things were getting a bit sticky over here, despite pinning some of the Americans, the managed to close with the wire and started posting grenades into the bunker.

Some riflemen fired from a flank in support, to little effect, although they did pin one of the US wire cutters down.

The Italians and Germans massed for a counterattack over on the other flank.

The Germans did a heroic 'running over the back of a chap lying on the wire' thing to try and stop this rather threatening US para attacking the bunker.

A desperate hand-hand battle ensued and down went the Yank.

Unfortunately his pals now had a clear shot at the plucky Gefrieter, and down he went. We still held the bunker though.

Over on the other side the last survivor of the MG team was eliminated , but more Italian riflemen has made it the defences by now.

The Americans pushed the Italians back, even though the commander urged them on from the tower. Spotting the US commander standing by the left hand bunker, the Italian Sergeant took aim with his Beretta SMG and managed to take him down (the figure lying on his back by the bunker).

We called it a day there. A panaorama of the defences. Looking at bit ragged but still just keeping the Americans out.

One again, that was a load of fun, and probably the biggest FFoL game we've played. Tim had to work to keep things moving along, but for such a large skirmish game we got through a lot of action in a couple of hours, and it looked lovely in 54mm.

QRF 1/100th scale US 105mm howitzers

Along with the M8s for some recce, I thought I should get some artillery as well. For the Twin Villages game I had to borrow some US guns, but I much prefer to be able to provide my own toys.

I did a fair bit of research on which guns to get, really I'd have liked some Roco ones for the Charles Grant nostalgia and in the end it was a toss up between PP and QRF. I'd inspected Tims PP 105mm and it was a nice model but on the end my inherent stinginess got the better of me and I went with QRF as they are both cheaper than the PP offerings and also include crew figures.

Here they all are, lined up to stonk the Germans.  Three guns, enough for representative amounts of artillery at various levels of game.

Much to my delight, I discovered that these were one piece casting. Result! Like the M8s, there was hardly anhy flash and just a few mould lines. The worst flash was where the wheels attached to the gunshield and it took a degree of carving and filing to remove it. I'd still rather do that than stick the wheels on though.

You can't see where the flash was. The gun sits nicely but I had to bend the trails a bit so it sat level and also to get a bit of elevation. 

The breech and elevating mechanism detail is basic but perfectly functional. I really like the crew figure in shirtsleeves, I wish more manufacturers would make gunners in partial dress rather than full BD and webbing. What I'd really like are some bareheaded gunners, but iirc only SHQ make those and only in 20mm.

I did the crew in plain khaki as I has it in mind that they could perhaps fill in for Sovier 122mm howitzers, and as US troops, maybe they are just in their wool trousers and undershirts. Annoydingly some of the figures are in what is clearly Vietnam era garb (the bare armed gunner is wearing a flak jacket and some of them are in Castro caps). I filed down the caps a bit so they look more like jeep caps, but they won't really do for Russians. Ah well, you get what you pay for. I suppose I could have used some spare US or Russian crew in helmets but I couldn't be bothered.

I just did these in plain OD, a bit of a wash to pick out some depth and then a light drybrush of dust. Job done.