Ulster Wargames Society - Khalkhin Gol with Chain of Command 2 and Little Big Horn

Monthly club meeting today and took part in a Big Battle Chain of Command 2 game set in 1939 in Manchuria with Japanese against Russians.

Game set up and run by Jeremy D and Dave M with several figures from Chris.

Terrain was mix of hills, knolls, rough ground, depressions and couple of light buildings.

Five Nippon players: Jeremy D (CinC), Dave T, Tim, Chris and yours truly against four Ivans: Dave M (CinC), Dave B, Ian and Stevie C.

Nips were the attackers fielding 4 Infantry Platoons (12 man sections) with 3 Chi Ha tanks (under my illustrious command) with numerous support assets (including ATGs, ATRs, Chi Go, a Ruse, Mortar Platoon)

Reds had I think 3 Infantry Platoons (10 man sections) with 3 BT5 tanks and various support assets (not sure what except for a Mortar Barrage)

After Patrol phase Japs had quite favourable Jump Off points especially as their Ruse allowed a Jump Off point to be moved a very flexible option. 

Ivans mainly confined to their set up zone but with 2 (of the 4) Objectives looking vulnerable on either flank.

I kept my Tank Platoon off-table at start to see how things developed before committing.

Jeremy D was on Jap right with Dave T on center-right Tim center-left and Chris on left.

Right to left Ivans had Dave M, Ian, Dave B and Stevie C.

Several Jap sections were deployed early (to threaten those attainable) and in response Ivans done same and indeed their Tanks appeared right way in center-right area but separated into isolated areas.

Use of a ruse allowed Japs to occupy one enclosed field objective right away

So when able I then deployed on right to support Platoons under Jeremy and Dave T.

Chris on our left launched Banzai charges from get go against a farm objective but after a flurry of dice rolling seemed to be stymied (I was not fully aware of proceedings on left half of table throughout)

Seemingly inspired (and encouraged from sidelines) Dave T launched 2 full sections in another Banzai attack against another enclosed field Objective.

A furious melee (so many dice !) 36 halved to 18 vs 14 in first round but a draw with 2 kills each and some shock, second round it was 24 dice vs 11 and Dave rolled 4 kills and 4 shock but Stevie C rolled 6 kills and 1 Shock to actually win the melee !

This forced Daves sections back with additional Shock but due to losses and Shock Stevies section was Broken and also fell back.

Infantry action on this flank sort of stalemated for awhile with both sides exchanging lead but with Stevie C having his Force Morale and Command Dice steadily reduced (ended up on 1 Morale).

Whilst this was occurring one of Dave B tanks was being assailed by my 3 Tanks, 2 Anti-Tank Guns and a Anti-Tank Rifle over several phases but seemed impervious taking only a couple of Shock and dealing out same.

Eventually the poor bugger was forced back, was immobilized, had its Optic damaged and ultimately was abandoned but it felt more like a KV1 than a BT5 !!

Chris had by this time occupied the Objective of left and things looked bad for Ivans, but suddenly a ranging shot for a mortar barrage appeared amidst a mass of Jap infantry which luckily failed to see the barrage fall immediately.

The infantry scattered as best the could but the barrage then arrived Pinning 3 sections and causing lots of Shock.      

Unfortunately time had to be called before game completed and whilst Japanese seemed to be in ascendancy (2 Objectives occupied just about to be declared captured with a Jump Off point nullified) hard to say how things would have ended.

Amazingly my Chi Ha units survived (decent enough in this period)

Great stuff and much kudos to Jeremy D for being able to both play and field the numerous rules questions.

Russia's finest

Japanese right wing with my Chi Ha fleet in action (the wannabe KV1 just visible beside rules to right rear)

Nip infantry occupy central hill from which they launched Banzai charge

Some of Chris lot on left (and lots of dice......so many dice........)

The enclosed field taken by Chris (after a fierce struggle I believe)

Fearsome Chi Ha......hear us roar !!............ok whimper

Tims Platoon in center

Another BT5 behind the broken Russian section 

Nip adversaries have fallen back onto hill (a Senior Commander was lost in this charge action !!) 

Jeremys Sections flank the large hill and occupy an Objective with 37mm ATG in support

Central Jap positioning before the Banzai

Ruse ability allowed this Jump Off point to be moved to enable capture ground well into Russian area

Left half of table seemed so far away and someone has dropped smoke

Also at club Phil and son put on a very nice Battle of the Little Big Horn game with the other Jeremy, Billy, Tom and Leslie.

No idea how this went but some very nice 7th Cavalry and Indian figures with nice terrain and I think Men Who Would Be Kings rules (?)

Only got a couple of pics (it deserved better)

Yellow Hair himself on foot

Some very nice mounted Indian Braves (no idea as to figure range)