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 

 

Catch up on another disrupted gaming week and a blast from the distant past

No face to face game again this week (boo hoo) as wifey needing car for last minute dentist visit, and Stephen off to Warfare at weekend.

We had planned to try a Rapid Fire Reloaded scenario at Stephens based on action at Rauray during Op Epsom and hopefully we will at some point.

I had quick solo session with Fire In The Lake game using the 'medium' scenario which plays much quicker (only 3 decks) than usual full scenario I play. 

NVA start much stronger in this and US with many more boots on the ground but the sneaky VC came through victorious after a really powerful 'Tet Offensive' card play. 

Great game.

I also set up a solo test for latest (Sept ?) version of Valour and Fortitude rules with a basic 350 points encounter type game with French vs Prussians 1813

Only major difference I can discern from last version is that Rallying units hits is much harder (6 needed rather than old 4+), some other minor tweaks to unit abilities etc.

I consider V&F an alternative to Black Powder (feels very much like a variant) as only failing to activate Brigades on a 1 seemed better than 2D6 method in BP, but have to say so far in my outing there have been an awful lot of 1's and therefore inactive formations. 

But the 'event' cards are a nice addition (if a bit gamey) and the various systems for movement, shooting, melee and morale all work fine and are a tad less 'dicestatic' than BP. Fine as a quick play easy to balance (ie points) system although still well behind FOB in my own estimation. 

 

Also I came across some real vintage pics from my very early miniature wargaming days ie 1978/79.

Couple of (poorly lit as it was in our loft) early games with 6mm kit on an unpainted board with some unpainted terrain items. 

Believe this was during Christmas holidays 1978 when I was off school and Dad off work and think we used No 1 Wargames Command World War 2 rules.

Skip forward 6+ months and terrain has improved somewhat with a Hornby grass mat and more painted items of scenery (several old Bellona 'cut outs') 

Hard to tell but AFVs are mix of old GHQ and Heroics and Ros and all unbased ahh those were the heady days of yore.

I started gaming with Airfix 20mm around 1975 but cant find any pics (possibly some cave drawings someplace)

Fire In The Lake/Fall Of Saigon solo game completed

Managed to complete my solo game of FITL with VC coming out victors by 1 point.

The normal FITL game finished with both USA and NVA shattered (some massive costly battles between the two) and at Paris Peace Talks which are conducted after last Coup card the US was forced to retreat and NVA to call a ceasefire (this is based on their victory level at this stage prior to Fall of Saigon decks etc). 

This left VC and ARVN in fairly strong positions and indeed at one point ARVN looked to be in ascendancy as they were 3 points beyond their required win level. 

However a terrible run of events saw them lose 10+ points and then the VC upped their victory level taking the game by the single VP as Watergate Coup card appeared.

So only one campaign of expansion (6 cards of possible 8 for 1972) conducted but such fun overall and all in good timing as GDA2 released tomorrow which will doubtless consume my time. 

Near end of standard scenario and USA has begun decimating NVA regular forces and bases (they were all but annihilated in Laos/Cambodia)

NVA losses combined with low Resources is crippling

USA has committed most of its available forces to counter NVA but costing them VP

VC establishing themselves in Mekong Delta

ARVN too are looking strong overall

At game end in 1972 and NVA are mullered as are US (both forced in retreat status)

After Paris Peace Talks the US Army has been completely withdrawn and the VC have just managed to achieve victory.

ARVN had managed to get some armour assets on board but did not get to use them.

Fire In The Lake another solo outing

Whilst awaiting imminent (Monday 4th) release of GDA2 I was in several minds as to what to play in meantime and Glory is Fleeting seemed attractive but I plumbed for another session with Fire In The Lake COIN game (as I am kind of addicted to it !)

Plan is to play through the Full Scenario then onto the Fall of Saigon so no faction can win in normal scenario (option). 

Whether I get enough time over the weekend to do so is another thing as once GDA2 rules/Pdf arrive they will have to be fully inspected.

Have so far played through first 2 Coup cards and NVA and ARVN have both fully mobilised their forces whilst VC and USA had both been strong but they have both at this point taken huge casualties. 

The US in particular suffered awful troop losses from massive attacks from NVA and VC in succession and this saw US Aid to Vietnam plummet to zero (three time casualties are deducted from Aid level). 

As third Campaign starts the NVA are still very strong (and only faction in position to use their Pivotal Event - Easter Offensive) with US still looking weak with a distinct lack of bases available.

NVA look dominant although ARVN are out in force and have mostly secured their Lines of Communication

US casualties mounting (it got worse) and Aid was cut off as a consequence

NVA spreading influence in north

Whilst massing to threaten Saigon (US and ARVN later increased forces in capital) 

 

Glory Is Fleeting test game and Fall Of Saigon solo scenario

Game today with Stephen (recovered from last weeks dread lurgy) trying Glory Is Fleeting rules with his 1812 Russians facing my invading French Grand Armee.

We both choose from the respective Infantry Corps lists fielding 4 Divisions each although Russians had more mounted troops overall as allowed a Mixed Division.

The French list took me several attempts to get right as several core units must be purchased before one gets to select freely but yields a fairly plausible Divisional sized force with several veteran units in 1812.

As only our second outing with rules we played less than optimally as trying to cover as many situations as possible for learning purposes.

So for example I charged into fully fresh large Russian Infantry units (with Artillery attachments) which unsurprisingly saw my units bounced badly but this did show us the charge sequence/actions in full and how supports and Cavalry support charges worked.

Couple of minor queries over wording re Supports but nothing we could not work out with careful reading of rules.

As per previous version (FOGN) I still love the Scenario/Terrain set up and Deployment system.

Apologies for couple of fuzzy pics 

Also this week I managed another solo session with Fall Of Saigon expansion to Fire In The Lake, this time trying the Extended Short Scenario. 

This has a single 8 card 1968 deck (from FITL) being followed by three 8 card decks for 1973, 74 and 1975 from expansion but including all four 'factions'.

Great stuff again with Viet Cong winning at end of 1974 by 1 VP.