Some solo COINage and ongoing Pbem (storm Over Arnhem and Combat Mission)

Got Fire In The Lake onto table (no minis game this week) for a solo session (only way I can get a win) and hugely enjoyable it was.

I still have not gotten the wherewithal to try the actual solo systems included but just played each faction as best I can as usual.

Played the Full scenario and US had a torrid time throughout even though they trounced NVA concentrations several times as public support dwindled constantly (only Saigon seemed firmly pro USA) and finished in last place (not helped by a surge just before last Propaganda card)

NVA tried a full military build up from get go which worked to a degree (certainly occupied US army) but a preparatory Guerilla campaign in initial stages (especially in the long scenario) a better strategy but did finish above US in third.

ARVN done usual flip flopping from helping or hindering US goals and did achieve victory conditions at one point with control of swathes of country but could not hold onto gains but finished second.

So victory went to VC who started rather poorly but steadily gained the 'support' of populace and established bases throughout Vietnam and had a +1 VP level on turn of fifth Propaganda card for a narrow win.

Such a fun game even playing it in my own tiny mind space.

Had planned to re-set and play the Fall Of Saigon expansion but instead opted to try A Distant Plain again using long scenario.

Early on but Government in strongest position thus far with Taliban struggling (just like VC) and Warlords and Coalition dawdling

Do so enjoy the COIN system.

Also Storm Over Arnhem game via Vassal started in earnest with Mike with a 6pdr Troop taking out 2 Armoured Car units to start proceedings.

 

And last but not least an ongoing Pbem game of Combat Mission (boy have I gotten moneys worth from this series of games) with NJ John with a scenario set in Italy 1944 with South Africans (moi) defending a German attack

Had to take pics via phone as not able to screenshot for reasons unknown

Not a great start on first turn as an exposed Sherman done what Shermans do 

 

Battle Command - Bautzen 1813 scenario

Napoleonic game today with Stephen and I choose to use Battle Command with 'Franquemonts Attack at Bautzen' May 1813 scenario (adapted from GDB).

I took my Prussians in defence with Stephen using French and Wurttembergers (seldom seen toys) in attack.

Well as ever Stephen was in Dice Demon mode from early on with his Artillery doing lots of damage whilst mine were pants.

In fact it seemed his guns were going to win game all on their own combined with his ability to roll even on Action Matrix giving him optimal choices on each card.

My rolls spread even and odd with several ones meaning no choice at all beyond card default and the benefit of French having a D12 CinC vs a D10 was prominent throughout game.

Probably worst of his frankly demonic dicing was when my Cuirassier arrived from reserve and tried to charge an average French unit in Line but he rolled a 12 whilst I inevitably rolled a 1 so heavies routed toot suite !!

Crushing but these 'big swings' are what make the combat system decisive and aid quick play, but I swear he must sacrifice various small animals before each game :-)

Prussian morale was dropping fast with little discomfort for French but thankfully I managed to pass first Army Morale roll, and as always seems to happen my lot started inflicting some pain on French sods but yet again too little too late.

Prussians conceded not long after............. 

Great game as ever and we got to really see the difference to game play with the Action Matrix/Small Card Deck as opposed to FOB with larger deck.

Always good to play a game to completion in reasonable time

As before we both feel Bat Cmd seems to suit 2 player better with the increased choices/decisions of Matrix whilst FOB slicker for multi-player but essentially the same Piquet 'feel' to game overall.

French pressuring Prussians all along the battle line

Prussian artillery wiped out on hill 

More even exchanges in center

Prussian right barely holding

Prussian left looking exposed

Prussian Cuirassier routing out of shot (and in abject shame) on left 

Prussians holding on but Army Morale has been decimated

Waves of fresh French troops press on 

Prussian center weakening

So many French approaching

French gunnery has severely weakened Prussians

Loss of a Brigadier General not helping putting Brigade in Disorder (yellow puffs)

French skirmishers getting in way of following formations

A hard pounding (German equivalent) 

My Artillery concentrated on left and close to useless all day

French hitting power from their guns was relentless early on

Panzer Grenadier Deluxe - Road To Budapest scenario

Game at Stephens and he decided to play 'Road To Budapest' scenario with Panzer Grenadier Deluxe rules (older WW2 set by Dave Brown).

I was German defender against Russian attacker.

We failed to finish but Russians were pressing hard on Fascist lines and my off-board Panthers were due to enter fray (Ivans had 2 JSII about to appear)

One of my favourite WW2 sets as nice balance of complexity and playability with good period flavour and eminently suited to 15mm kit..

Stephen maybe not so enamoured (ala most DB sets).

A blast from past - Storm Over Arnhem

Just started a new Vassal PBEM game and we are trying Storm Over Arnhem the old Avalon Hill classic with Mike as Germans.

The Vassal module is one of older types so lacking the finesse of later modules but seems functional overall.

Hopefully with the alternating Area Activation/Action system this should play well with only a couple of issues relating to Advantage Marker to address (Likely we will just ignore the re-roll aspect)

One of the more eye catching boards from AH era nicely recreated

Commands & Colors - finale

Finished (in super quick time) the last C&C scenario Cirta with Mike the final scenario in our basic game campaign.

Roman victory in short order (5 turns) with only my left flank units being used and those being enough to takeout the Numidians facing them.

And so ends a hugely enjoyable series of games using Vassal.

C&C Napoleonics (as well suited to Pbem) a real contender for next game we try but maybe something else ?

  

Spearhead - Plugging The Gap completed

Finished off our Spearhead game today with Stephen with my British being totally crushed with two of my three Battalions routed from field !!

On restart things looked reasonable for Brits despite one Battalion having suffered 7 casualties as they occupied 3 of the 4 central objectives.

But in one turn Huns inflicted 4 further casualties on this Bttn forcing a Morale Check which I duly failed  

One German stonk by 3 x 105mm artillery took out an entire British Company in one fell swoop (3 x 6 rolled) and so it continued with so many sixes or double suppressions annihilating the Brits in short order as Dice Demon was in full flow today

In reply I could only manage a few suppressions which the Huns managed to Rally every damn time.

And so soon another Bttn reached its first Morale Check and of course failed forcing me to yield.

Rather one-sided in the end but was great to get Spearhead and my 6mm kit into action again.

Some rather poor pics for some reason ? 

This was first British Bttn to succumb on my right

The Hun tanks standing off forced me to advance as out ranged

British right has disappeared and central Bttn under pressure 

Brit company wiped out around that Bellona house by laser guided Hun artillery

Just no answer to the Panzers or the PzGr in Sd251

Commands & Colors - last scenario Cirta 203 BC

Just finished Iliturgi scenario with Mike on Vassal and Romans thoroughly thumped with Elephants stomping a unit of Legionaries and killing attached General to secure victory for Carthage.

So now its on to the last scenario of our Punic Wars campaign with Cirta 203BC