After years of writing and rewriting, a more mor less stable version is taking shape.
I was inspired by a game some years ago that used dummies: a stand with a figure and a number or letter on it that could be a unit, or just.. nothing. I use it for both sides, so no one is certain about the position of an enemy unit untill it is revealed, by scouting as passing in plain view.
Another thin: a nucleus on both sides of infantry units, and other units are drawn. So both sides really don't know what is facing them. Also extra cards are drawn for reserves comming on later.
Also limited ammo. So no one shooting the whole game.
Some things that needed further clarifying: timing when reinforcements come on table.
What was not yet tested in the game: off board artillery support. I would limited mostly to the start of the game. Artillery bombardment preceding an attack.
Cercerning the drawing of support units. I used what vehicles I had, which redered the German reinforcements to strong. The 2 shermans and cromwell proved to be no match facing 3 panthers.
Should have place more ordinary infantry units in it.
The game: the British started with 3 infantry units, 2 snipers, and a mortar team on the right, an M20 6 wheels armored car and a scout car, 2 infantry units and finally a Churchill tank on the left.
They had to capture a crossroad in a village.
Facing them 3 fallshirmjäger units, a mark IV, a panzerjäger and an 88 gun.
Adrien as German player posted one infantry unit on each wing and one in the village, The Mar IV one the left, and the 88 and panzerjäger also in the village.
The German start was not so good. Te revealed MarkIV aimed at the Churchill, mist and was himself knocked out by his target. The 88 revealed the next turn, missed from close range, lost part of it's craw due to mortar fire , failedagain in hitting a target and the crew was wiped out by the M20.
The panzerjäger came out and destoyed the churchill, but withdrew when English infantry went into close combat with it.
The fallschirmjäger on both flanks were attack in close combat by british infantry but stayed put.
The reinformcemrnts come on.The sooting by the shermans and cromwell had no effect, the better guns of the panthers knocked two allied tanks out. Gme over.
apart from the overpowered Germans, the game went well. Maybe the system of using dice for number of ammo rounds left wasn't ideal, but the alternative is keeping notes.
Gaming WWII is a challange. Taking into account all the differences between units vehicles etc is not easy, but a more than satisfying test.
Lovely to see those old Airfix figures in action.
ReplyDeleteDirk, thanks for the after action report. My main issue with all the WW2 games I have tried is that they remind me of the old Monty Python sketch called: "How Not To Be Seen". As soon as a unit or vehicle reveals itself by firing, it is then targeted and taken out. Then the last unit that fired is targeted and it is taken out, and so and so on. More like a game of what we in the US call checkers and the British call draughts than a real strategy game. Having said that, I'd be interested in play testing your rules when they are ready for public consumption.
ReplyDeleteDid you take any photos of the whole game table? How large was it?
ReplyDeleteI was forgotten to take pics at the start of the game. It's my tabletennis table. 274 cm on 152,5cm.
ReplyDeleteRevealing depends on being seen. The mortar team had an observer stand which could identify quickly a unit. I think working with the dummies recreates the uncertenty of modern warfare, where a real good view on the enemy is rare. We have a team member who loves games with ambushes everywhere, him setting up de ambushes with not much options of roads to take. That way there is no real frontline. I'll send you my draft version of the rule, so you take a look.
Interesting and fun to read Dirk!
ReplyDeleteI think you are very on point with your approach towards WO II warfare. I like your solution to keep figures hidden in the field! A problem that we sometimes already encounter with Napoleonic wargames (hiding in bushes and such).
I look forward to see more of about Patton!
Nice looking game!
ReplyDeletethx!
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