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 

 

Combat Mission - 'Al-Nar Hells Hill' scenario completed

Completed another Combat Mission: Afrika Korps scenario via Pbem with John in New Jersey and a close run thing it was too, ending fittingly in a draw.

Scenario set in Tunisia 1943 with both sides trying to take a central hill.

British (moi) had several Shermans and about a Battalion of infantry, the Huns had a bunch of PzIVf2 and similar amount of foot sloggers.

Hard to believe that I have been playing this title since 2003 and that it still runs on current PC 

No Retreat and Combat Mission

No game this week (due to dental appointment) but did manage to get in a solo session with No Retreat! The Russian Front which is always entertaining.

The low unit count and moderate complexity makes this a fun game.

Germans currently threatening around Minsk and Moscow with Russkies doing their usual scrambling to hold in initial turns.

Also an ongoing Pbem game with Combat Mission Afrika Korps with John with a Tunisia scenario 'Hells Hill' with John as Huns and me as Brits

Early stages but the Sherman pictured has just managed to take out a PzIV on turret at 800m with 3 shots.

 

PBEM catch up

Finished PBEM game of Combat Mission Afrika Korps with John in a randomised Meeting Engagement in western desert and was a total massacre of my poor British Force.

Just starting another game which is an adaptation of an ASL scenario 'A Wet Bridgehead' set in Tunisia 1943 and with me as Brits again.

I had no real answer to Panzers having only ATRs after loss of single 2pdr Portee

And therefore result was pretty awful

Also just finished another game on Vassal with Mike of our ongoing C&C Ancients 'campaign' with my Romans being victorious at Bagradas (I - well Vassal - had absolutely awesome run of dice rolls in this one which is very unusual)

Next up in our series is Ticinius River which looks tough for Romans

Couple of new PBEM games initiated.

PBEM games with Mike and John renewed.

Mike chose Command & Colors: Ancients on Vassal and we have started with basic 'intro/learning' scenario 'Battle Of Akragas - 406BC' with Mike as Carrthage and I as Syracusans.

The Vassal module is new to me but pretty straight forward so far, only issue is Evades but nothing too onerous (really only an extra file exchange)

With John it is good old Combat Mission again this time a randomised Meeting Engagement in Western Desert in 1941 with John as Krauts and I as Brits.

Early days in this one and not seen enemy yet just and approaching dust cloud

My armour support such as it is.....................

Combat Mission - Cheux Pbem scenario completed

Finished PBEM game today which has been ongoing with 'NJ John' of the Normandy based scenario 'Cheux'

Scenario ended with a narrow Minor Victory for my German defenders although another turn or two and I would have likely lost the single Flag Objective in village center, losses pretty severe on both sides.

John to select next scenario

The end result with a bloody toll.

Only surviving Stug (of three) with some in game unit detail

PBEM - Combat Mission game ongoing - Cheux

Ongoing Pbem game using Combat Mission Afrika Korps 'engine' to play a scenario set in Normandy re action at Cheux.

I am defending Germans with John M as British on attack.

Hard to believe I have been playing some form of this game on PC since year 2000 !

Difficult to show an overview (as hidden units) but couple of screenshots of German units.

German reinforcements arrive in form of StugIII

I have couple of Flak 36 88mm to try to take on the tough Churchills in British OOB

PBEM catch up and some solo board wargaming

Couple of ongoing PBEM games for which I have neglected to report of late. 

Still in midst of No Retreat! The Russian Front with Mike via Vassal and we are now in Sept/Oct 1944 turn with my Axis forces pushed right back to frontiers of Reich and under huge pressure all along the front. Saving grace is that Russians well off pace in their Victory Point accumulation but that could change.

Breakthrough over Carpathians looking imminent !

Also ongoing game with Combat Mission with NJ John with a newly started game (we finished a Russian Front game last week) set at Cheux in Normandy (but using CMAK data). 

An '88' awaits British (John) advance

Had a solo session with Great War Commander playing through first couple of 1914 French vs German scenarios.

Forgot how enjoyable this version of Combat Commander system is with the various tweaks to scale and WW1 style weaponry, with artillery being especially potent at times as one would expect.

Some excellent counters and general artwork in this one.

PBEM catch up - No Retreat! The Russian Front and Combat Mission: Barbarossa To Berlin

Quick update from couple of ongoing PBEM games I have in progress.

First up Vassal game of No Retreat! The Russian Front still in progress with Mike and we are now up to Turn 13 (May/June 1943) with Russians looking rather powerful as they gain strategic initiative, although I have just about managed to form an unbroken line of defence.

Also have an ongoing PBEM game with NJ John of (the venerable) Combat Mission: Barbarossa To Berlin.

We have been playing one of the Operations (mini campaigns) entitled 'Dergatschi Roadblock' set in March 1943 and now coming to a crunch as Johns Nazis forcing their way into town enroute to bridge objective beyond but time now against them.

Fascists in town center

My T34 force has been decimated by much faster firing Panzer foes !