AWI battle in 54mm - December 22th 2024 is on Youtube

https://youtu.be/EleI3r1BsUE

Vertaling: Een Market-Garden spel in 54mm

-Vertaling van de voorgaande bijdrage- -A translation of the previous contribution-

 21st Independent; als eerste op de grond!

Afgelopen maand speelde ik solo een boeiend maar toch niet te ingewikkeld scenario uit het Bolt Action 'Operation Market Garden' campagneboek. Dat deed ik met mijn 54mm WO2-collectie. De focus lag op de landing van de Britse 21st Independent Company parachutisten op de Ginkelse Heide op 17 september 1944. Dit was ongeveer de eerste geallieerde actie van Market-Garden. Hun missie? De landingszone markeren en veiligstellen tegen Duitse tegenstand, zodat de volgende golven van de 4th Parachute Brigade zonder problemen konden landen.

Ik gebruikte mijn eigen regels, gebaseerd op de testversie van Dirk Donvils ‘About Patton’-reglement, en liet me ook inspireren door het klassieke boek ‘Wargaming Airborne Operations’ van Donald Featherstone (een geweldig boek!). Ik speelde het meerdere keren en elke keer was het een toffe mix van uitdaging en plezier.

De Opstelling
De speelmat was een tafel van 2,5 x 1,2 meter, met de Ginkelse Heide in het midden. Open velden met heide en gaspeldoorn, hier en daar groepjes struiken en bosranden aan beide korte zijden van de tafel. De Duitsers kwamen willekeurig de tafel op via de smalle zijden van de kaart, terwijl de Britse parachutisten verspreid over de tafel landden in zogeheten 'sticks’ (zie de gekleurde markers in de foto's).

De opstelling bestond uit 42 Britse paras (4 secties van 9 man, elk met een leider, een luitenant en zijn verzorger; een batman). De HQ-sectie moest minimaal één van de twee Eureka-zenders in het midden van de dropzone plaatsen en activeren. De andere secties hadden lucht-grond ID-panelen om neer te leggen in het gebied. De Duitsers bestonden uit een mix van infanterie-eenheden, variërend van onervaren Wacht-bataljons tot elite-eenheden, bepaald door een dobbelsteenworp. Hun doel was simpel: de Britse missie saboteren.

De Actie Begint
De parachutisten landden compleet onverwacht en kregen daardoor een vrije beurt om zich op de grond te organiseren. Ze zetten snel een verdedigingslinie op en zorgden dat hun waardevolle zendapparatuur veilig werd opgesteld. Ondertussen trokken ondersteunende secties richting de boomgrenzen om vijanden op te vangen en indien nodig uit te schakelen.

De eerste Duitse troepen doken op uit de bosranden en openden het vuur. De Britten schoten terug met hun Stenguns, geweren en Brens (één per sectie), waardoor de Duitsers vaak dekking moesten zoeken. Aan de rechterflank landde een andere groep parachutisten dichter bij het bos en stuitte meteen op een Duitse eenheid. Een heftig gevecht brak uit, met granaten en kogels over en weer. De Britten wisten de Duitsers vast te pinnen, maar leden zelf flinke verliezen.

Britse Druk om hun Hoofddoel te Bereiken
Volgens de ‘About’-regels van Dirk Donvil kregen de Britten zeven commandodobbelstenen (4+2+1). De Duitse troepen, die minder goed gecoördineerd waren, kregen slechts één commandodobbelsteen per sectieleider, wat hen veel minder effectief maakte in hun optreden. Zowel de Eureka-apparatuur als de ID-panelen moesten door twee man tegelijk worden opgezet en zo'n team moest gedurende die hele beurt statisch blijven, wat extra tactische keuzes opleverde. De luchtvloot zou al een half uur na de sprong van het 21ste arriveren, dus snelheid in handelen was cruciaal. Dit betekende dat het spel in maximaal vijf à zes beurten beslist moest worden. Met één beurt minder voor de Duitsers.

Mogelijke Extra’s
Voor een extra uitdaging zou je een paar landelijke gebouwen, een Flak-kanon of een MG42 kunnen toevoegen. Dit zou het scenario een stuk pittiger maken. Een denkbeeldig gevechtsverslag zou er dan zo uit kunnen zien:

Aan de linkerflank slopen de parachutisten door de heide en kwamen binnen granaatafstand van een schuur. Een goed gemikte handgranaat schakelde het Duitse MG42-team uit, waardoor de weg vrij kwam voor een laatste aanval op het Flak-kanon. Terwijl de linkerflank de schuur innam, verstevigden de parachutisten op de rechterflank hun positie in het bos.

Een kleine groep, geleid door hun officier, waagde een dappere sprint over open terrein naar het Flak-kanon. Ondanks zwaar vuur vanuit de Duitse stellingen bereikten ze het geschut, schakelden de bemanning uit in man-tegen-mangevechten, gevolgd door een Stengun-salvo en een springlading op het stuk. Met het Flak-kanon uitgeschakeld en de Duitse rechterflank op de vlucht, kantelde de strijd in het voordeel van de Britten.

De overwinning kwam echter met een prijs: verschillende secties waren gehalveerd en een Vickers-team ging volledig verloren. Tegen beurt zes begonnen de Duitsers zich terug te trekken naar een secundaire verdedigingslinie, waardoor de Britten de controle over de Ginkelse Heide kregen.

Conclusie
Ik beschouwde het spel als een overwinning voor de geallieerden, omdat de Britten meestal (ik speelde het meerdere keren, het duurde per keer maar 45 minuten) hun missie voltooiden. De Duitsers deelden echter flinke klappen uit, vooral in de eerste beurten. De mix van huisregels zorgde voor een spannende, filmische ervaring.

Al met al was het een geweldige manier om een iconisch moment uit Operatie Market Garden na te spelen. De aanblik van de 54mm figuren op de speltafel gaf de hele ervaring een extra dimensie en bracht de geschiedenis voor mij echt tot leven!

Reacties altijd welkom!

21st Independent; the first in! A Market-Garden game in 54mm

 

"Whoa Mohammed!"

Last month, I solo-played out an engaging scenario from the Bolt Action Operation Market Garden campaign book, using my 54mm WW2 collection. Herein, the focus was on the landing of the British 21st Independent Company paratroopers at Ginkels Heath (de Ginkelse Heide) on September 17, 1944, as one of the initial Allied actions during operation Market-Garden. The scenario was based on their mission to identify and secure the drop zone against German opposition and ensure the following waves of the 4th Parachute Brigade could land safely. I used my home rule set that has its backbone in Dirk Donvil’s ‘About Patton’ test-version regulation. Ideas from a second, very inspiring book ‘Wargaming Airborne Operations’ (published close to 50 years ago) by author Donald Featherstone, were incorporated too. The action was played several times and proved rewarding in terms of ruleset development and fun-opportunities.

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The Setup

The battlefield was a 2.5 x 1.2 meter table with Ginkels Heath sprawling across the center. Open fields of heather and gorse, dotted with clusters and lined on both short tablesides with woods. The German units randomly entered the sectors in the narrow sides of the map, while the British paratroopers started with a dispersed individual landing pattern across the table (note the coloured markers) organised in so-called ‘sticks’. My collection featured 42 paratroopers (4 x 9 men/section, with each a leader, a lieutenant + his batman). Third section, being the HQ unit, held two Eureka transmitters, to be deployed in the centre of the LZ. All other sections are provided with Air-Ground ID panels to be placed in the circumsphere of the LZ. The Germans had a mix of infantry squads. Varying from ‘green’ Wacht battalions up to XX elites, as decided by dice-throw. Their objective is to disturb the pathfinder tasks of the 21st company parachutists.

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The Action Begins

The game began with the paratroopers descending in full surprise. They had the initiative, with one free turn on the ground to organise the four sticks and the small command group. Hence, the British quickly regrouped, forming a defensive perimeter, making sure the essential homing equipment is positioned and out of harms way. The supporting squads of paras pushed roughly toward the treelines to neutralize possible opposition. In subsequent turns they were met with rifle and SMG fire from entering German units, positioned in the wooded areas. The paras returned fire with their Stenguns, rifles and Bren’s. Most of the time, forcing the Germans to duck for cover, unable to neutralize the British positions. Meanwhile, a second stick landed closer to the woods on the British right flank. These paras quickly moved to secure the trees, discovering a German squad lurking there. A vicious close-quarters firefight broke out, with grenades and small-arms fire exchanging hands. This section managed to force the Germans in a pinned position but suffered significant casualties in the process.

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British Push for their Main Goal

As per Dirk Donvil’s ‘About’ rules, command-options were allocated to the various elements in the game. The Devils, being far more organised and highly disciplined, received seven (4+2+1) possible command dice. Players familiar with the ‘About’ approach will know that the Infantry(I’s) and Flag symbols enable the player to activate infantry units. For effective maneuvering the German side only has one die for every unit leader on the field. Starting with three in their first turn and gaining more every consecutive one. This illustrates the urgency for the Tommies. Both Eureka equipment and ID panels demand a two men team to be stationary during the turn of placement. The airfleet is going to turn up only half an hour after the start of the 21st independents jump. This game can therefore only take five or six British turns for fame or failure (one less for the Germans).

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Possible Extra’s

Matters can always be made more complex. Introduce some rural buildings, a single barrel flak and/or a mg 42, and things might turn out a suicide mission. A fictive battle report could then be. 

On the left flank, a stick of paras advanced through the heather and managed to close within grenade range of the barn. A well-thrown grenade silenced the German MG42 team, clearing the path for a final push toward the Flak gun. As the British left flank secured the barn, the paras on the right consolidated their hold on the woods. A small group, led by their officer, launched a daring charge across open ground toward the Flak gun. Despite withering defensive fire from the German position, the paras reached the gun, overwhelmed the remaining crew with hand-to-hand combat, and knocked it out with a Sten gun burst. With the Flak gun neutralized and the German right flank in retreat, the battlefield momentum shifted decisively in favor of the British. However, the cost was high: several squads were reduced to half strength, and a Vickers team was lost entirely. By turn six, the Germans began to withdraw toward a secondary defensive line, leaving the British in control of Ginkel Heath.

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Conclusion

I called the game an Allied victory, as the British, most of the time (played several times considering it only takes about 45 min per game) succeeded in their mission to secure the drop zone. However, the Germans inflicted heavy casualties, particularly during the early turns. The amalgame house rules once again delivered a cinematic experience.

Overall, it was a gripping recreation of an initial moment of Operation Market Garden. The visuals of 54mm figures on the battlefield brought the history to life in a, for me, spectacular way!

Reactions are welcomed. Please share.

The BLOCKHOUSE -a short 2nd Anglo-Boerwar game- (featuring: AI)

A New Hope

Recently I started experimenting with AI in my wargame endeavors.

I've fed the program, that I used from an online source, with major parameters like table size, figures scale, conflict-type and theatre amongst some more.

My question then was if the program could write me a wargame scenario in a set amount of turns and with specific victory conditions.

So.... it did suggest me something like seen below. 

A British blockhouse, a garrison, a donga (dry bed river) and two small groups of Boers.

A section of the AI written scenario:

Terrain:

• Central Blockhouse: Small stone structure with sandbags, one Maxim-/Gatlinggun position.
• Railway Line: Runs diagonally, clear but flanked by brush.
• Nearby Boer Approach Points: Low hills, scrubland for cover.
• Optional Features: A dry riverbed or scattered boulders for tactical movement.

Scenario Rules:

• British Objectives: Hold the blockhouse for 10 turns OR eliminate 75% of Boer forces.
• Boer Objectives: Destroy the blockhouse with dynamite OR force British to retreat by reducing them to 50% strength.
• Special Rule: Night Raid (Optional): If played as a night scenario, Boer units can approach unseen unless within 6 inches.

Turn Dynamics:

• British can only fire Maxim gun every other turn (simulate overheating).
• Boer forces can attempt ambushes from cover (roll for surprise attack bonus).
• Movement: Infantry moves 4” per turn; cavalry 8”.

Victory Conditions:

• British: Survive until reinforcements arrive (Turn 10).
• Boers: Destroy the blockhouse or inflict heavy British casualties.

The table layout as suggested in the scenario, above.

 

Each group of Boers had a leader figure. One overall commander (my Jean Hoefler converted Christiaan de Wet figure).

(Commander) Veldkornet de Wet

Various brands of figures make out my Boer forces. Here we see former Marksmen ACW, AIP and Jean Hoefler.

The scenario was played three times. Twice the British held their position and the blockhouse was never endangered. The one game that was very successful for de Wet's men, was when both sections of Boers devided. One moving up through the donga and the other drawing the attention of the Gatling crew. The blockhouse garrison was skillfully wiped out, leading to a Boer victory.

So, all together a very playable game. My next level is to 'feed' the AI program my basic decision-making rules. It already rolled some dice (the 'About' version) in another game I did, for troop type actions/orders.

It's my intention to build-out my experiences with AI in solo gaming.

Once I think I got the grips, I'll share with you boys and girls what I think is worthwhile, in a themed blog contribution.

Meanwhile it can be fruitfull to exchange ideas and opinions on the subject.

So, comments are highly appreciated.

 

AWI battle in 54mm - December 22th 2024

 

With our group we played a fictional AWI battle.

All figures are from Steven.

 A very strong British force attacked an American army that controlled a strategical crossroad.

On the American side, Peter was on the right wing, his force supported by 2 groups of Indians. Steven  controlled the left centre and was the army commander. Centre right was Siegfried , and on the left wing Adrien, with a mixture of French troops and Americans. All had a number of skirmish marksmen.

 On the British side, far right was Geert, with a high number of light troops, Centre right and CIC, me (Dirk ). Central column was Thomas with a very strong force, Then Ronny with a loyalist force, and on the British left, coming over the bridge with the Hessians were Alberik and Jonathan.

 

All British and Hessians were veteran. On the American side only a few and one unit of elite lifeguard troops.  The British also did outnumber the Americans. A very though task for the American players.

At the start of the battle, Peter had to redeploy his troops to face the upcoming Hessians. Steven, Siegfried and Adrien deployed their marksmen units.  Ronny did send his cavalry to brush aside the marksmen in front, but didn’t succeed, with counter charges of American cavalry. This blocked the British advance on the left centre. Dirks advance didn’t go well either. The British artillery was ineffective against the marksmen, while the American artillery and marksmen fire gave casualties and pinned down the leading troops in the enclosure.  Adrien’s marksmen, instead of firing from the cover of the woods attacked the British light troops. A costly decision as his troops were driven back with heavy losses, resulting in his command under pressure from the start. Geert did keep on pushing. The French cavalry was thrown into the fight, and was, after a few turns also destroyed. Siegfried had to commit his reserves to support Adrien.  In the centre, Thomas his force finally started to fight for the houses. But the fight became a bloody battle without much progress, till the end of the game.

Thomas had send his cavalry to the left flank, were the Hessian had made a charge over the bridge but were pushed back.  Part of the hessian force of Alberik and Jonathan forded the brook on the right of the bridge linking with Ronny’s loyalists.  From the bridge, the Hessian now started firing into the flank of Peters force defending the brook. With Thomas his cavalry coming up, Peters force was threatened on three sides. Steven had to advance. A confusing situation was created when Thomas’ cavalry unit drove back infantry units of Peter and was now isolated behind enemy lines; communication lines broken, and Siegfrieds cavalry entering the scene.   Steven had driven back the loyalist units, but was on his turn was pushed back by the Hessians that had forded the brook. Peters last reserve were his Indian units, he had to commit to prevent being outflanked on his left by the Hessian grenadiers.

The American advances on both flanks had brought no relief. With both flanks on breaking point, Steven had to call it a day and start the retreat. A British victory.