Scouts Out: German Uhlans almost take the day!

Myself and Gabriel got together at the abyss for our monthly Scouts Out game.

Gabriel always does a great description of the game so I will post it here.

The oberstleutnant's favourite pigeon "Prinz" was wounded and fell in no-mans land carrying an important message. German and Newfoundland forces each prepared a nimble squad of hand picked men to reach the avian objective before the enemy or trench rats can get to it. The Newfoundland regiment opted for skill choosing to send many of their best veterans while the Germans opted for speed choosing to employ some of their few remaining cavalry with the men available on hand. The result was a very close game which at many points could have swung either way. Early NFLD advances were thwarted by some well timed german cavalry charges but ultimately Commonwealth marksmanship won the day, successfully shooting the Hun off the objective in the vital moment of the game.

Sharp Practice-ACW

 

Two weeks ago, I got in my third Sharp Practice, this time set in the ACW. William set up the game and Graham provided the terrain. Myself and Rob were the hangers on.

This game set several groups of Confederate Regulars against a mixed force of Union Regulars and Skirmishers. We both took very similar supports. It was a good game although a little more work is needed in dusting off the rules. 

Game

The Conderates

Suicidal Charge

The Union, a lot of time in the rulebook.

I am looking forward to our next game.

Storming the Citadel Game 4

We played the 4th game in our Storming the Citadel campaign 10 days ago at the Abyss. This was the first game where the Germans were not given an automatic advance in the campaign. I continued to use my Platoon 1, Graham does not get a new platoon until Table 6 but he has managed his forces in an excellent fashion.

Forces

Germans (FM 9)

1942 Panzergrenadier Platoon (no. 1)

Supports 10

251 w/2crew and LMG

PzII

Adjutant 

PGB

Soviets (FM 10)

1942 Soviet Rifle Platoon (no.1)

Supports 5

Flamethrower team

MMG Team

Game

Patrol Phase

JOPs

Rapid Deployment of 2 German Squads

Oh Dear a PzII

and a 251 with the 3rd squad almost to the objective

Soviet counter attack

PzII deploys some smoke to protect the advance

This was actually a closer game than it looked above. The Germans were able to get their 251 to the objective but the crew got badly mauled from Soviet MMG fire. I was able to start the Final Countdown and it seemed that the Soviets would not be able to get a unit to back on the objective to recapture it and when there FM hit 5 they decided to withdraw. 

Graham subsequently decided to abandon Table 5 to the Germans and move to table 6 where the last battle will be fought. I was initially surprised but when I thought about it his force overall morale is quite good and he gets his one replacement fresh platoon on that table. It looks like the Soviets will have to hold off the Germans at least 3 times on table 6 to hold off a major German victory. The Soviets are able to build up their fixed defences over these games which will make it increasing difficult to take the objective.

Summing Up

Another German victory but this game was quite close with the Final Countdown at 2 when the Soviets withdrew. 

 

Scouts Out-Sniper Hunt

 

Last week my Blue Puttees made it to the gaming table in a game of Scouts Out. I fielded 10 men against Gabriel's Germans. We played a Sniper Hunt scenario, with the Newfoundlanders being tasked with hunting out and killing 3 German Snipers. 

It was a bit of a tough scenario, I was able to take out 1 of the 2 snipers (victory condition) before my men withdrew. Here is Gabriel's summary of the game. 

The ruined cathedral separating no-man's-land land between the Commonwealth and the German trenches is reportedly infested with German snipers. Without sufficient artillery support or men for a full on assault of the German lines HQ decided a smaller more nimble force consisting of the newly arrived Newfoundland regiment might be just the right thing for the job of dislodging the sniper menace. The Germans quickly muster their own scouting party to provide support to their comrades. The resulting skirmish was quite bloody with 60% losses on both sides and one of three German snipers killed. While the Newfies ultimately withdrew, the German snipers were pushed back far enough that they could no longer harass their lines

Some Photos

Hmm...Lost Again

Storming the Citadel Game 3.

Delayed report for our third game in the storming the Citadel CoC campaign. 

Forces

Germans (FM 10)

1942 Panzergrenadier Platoon (no. 1)

Supports 10

Pregame Barrage (free)

SL

251/1

251/9

Soviets (FM 9)

1942 Soviet Rifle Platoon (no.1)

Supports 5

2 minefields (free)

3 entrenchments

Flamethrower Team

Game

This was a very short game as you can see from the photos below.

Looking from the German right flank, 2 Soviets JOP's close together!

this an end of the game shot

the germans were able to get their troop carrier on the the table and with assault deployment were able to shut down 2 jops before the soviets could deploy.

providing covering fire

ditto

Summing Up

This was somewhat of a disappointing game but it is what it is. The Soviets withdrew, no attrition on either side.

Chain of Command-Glider Landing

 

A couple of weeks ago myself and William got together at L'abyss to play a CoC game from the 1940 handbook. We played with William's 15mm figures, he took the Germans and I took the French defenders. I did find the writing in respect to Glider Landings in the source book a little obscure, but after some thought we played the Attack on an Objective (scenario 6) from the V2 rulebook.

The PM as well as the JOPs, William designed and made some gliders which act as the German JOPs on his MDF laser printer. They were quite nice

Here is a photo from the end of the game. the French got a pretty good defensive position set up and was able to drive off the Germans. 

It was an interesting game, I would have to play it one more time to get a better sense of the game play with the gliders. But it was fun and thanks to William for setting it up.

Huzzah 2026

 

This past Saturday I drove up to Portland, ME for the annual gaming convention put on by the Maine Historical Wargamers Association. I played a two games.

Sharp Practice FIW

This game was put on by Jack Breen, and he really did a great job. The scenario who put together was a lot of fun. Essentially a French warband comprised of Milice Canadien, Coureur de Bois and Indiens had attacked an English settlement 2 days before, burning several buildings as well as wiping out the settlers. One of the settler's daughters convinced a mixed British force to go back to the ruined settlement to gather up gold, silver, liquor and food that had been hidden in the village. This force made up of Regular infantry, Colonial militia and Rangers had to gather this by task rolls once making contact with the areas where the goods were hidden. The French players had no idea what the British players victory conditions were. It was a lot of fun and quite a bloody engagement but the British pulled it off.

Great Terrain

No end of gun fire

What a Cowboy

This game was put on by Tom Ballou, there were 9 players with one character each divided into 3 groups; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly! I would not have thought this would have worked as I am used to games where each player has 2-4 characters but it was enormous fun and Tom did a great job creating an excellent gaming scenario. I think 2 of us had played the ruleset before but the other 7 players figured it out very quickly and the session was enjoyed by all.

The Terrain

The Character Plates

Tom made us all throw in a dollar as the prize

Tom explains the rules!

Other Games

I wish I could do Teddt Bear fur like this.

This topographical terrain was very well done with styrofoam and vinyl spackle.

My friend Mike's CoC game, this is a great mat.

Another nicely done table

ditto

Naval Theatre, a new WWII ruleset put on by Adam

It was a great day, really enjoyed the 2 games I played. Two terrific games masters and generally a lot of nice looking games. Look forward to next year.