Holland '44 - Vassal PBEM game completed

Finished today a PBEM Vassal game with Mike of the excellent Holland '44 game from GMT which we have been playing since 11th August last year.

We managed to complete the entire 20 turns after starting with the Short scenario and then deciding to play on to complete the Full Campaign as we were enjoying it so much.

The Vassal module is pretty user friendly (lots of nice extra features to help PBEM play) and we had only a couple of minor problems with (mainly to do with Breakthrough Advances) system via PBEM that we ironed out.

Despite having owned game since it came out in 2017 this was my first proper play (having only dabbled with set up and couple of game turns solo) and thankfully between us we managed to sort any rules issues that arose with only a couple we are not fully sure about having done correctly (Remnant units and Engineer Ferries).  

It was a truly excellent gaming experience with great game (and opponent) and so nice to be able to play a game like this to completion (something I just do not think I would ever come close to managing with the physical game), and it broadly followed historical events until last few turns.

Weather had effect throughout with Mike seldom managing to roll clear weather it being mainly overcast or cloudy which impacted his Para replacements and reserves deployments.

We used Vassal for dice rolls and it could be very cruel on several turns but think honours were about even in this regard.

Nijmegen and its environs took much longer to capture for Allies and Frost lasted a day longer at Arnhem despite my German onslaught. I could not manage to eradicate the 1st Para units (so tough !) around Oosterbeek by game end, but Mike could not get any of 30th Corps across the Lower Rhine either so it came down to accumulated Victory Points which gave Germans the win (they score for Allied unit losses whilst Allies score for captured City Hexes).

But honestly winning/losing was really secondary to the enjoyment of game overall for me and no doubt our strategies/gameplay where likely less than stellar but it was just such nerdy fun !

Hard to properly convey action of such a long game but here are a few screenshots (hovering over or clicking on each should enlarge to more readable dimensions) which hopefully show progression of Allied advance.

Turn 3 (situation at end of German turn bottom (Eindhoven) middle (Nijmegen) and top (Arnhem) areas of map. 

Initial assault of 30th Corps in south and US 82nd and 101st around Eindhoven and Nijmegen with British 1st Para in Arnhem (Frost holding northern end of bridge). Scattered and weak (except at Arnhem) German forces trying to delay Allies. Lots of bridges blown by Germans

Then end of Turn 10. 

Area around Eindhoven mostly secured (some minor German units threatening from flanks) but Paras at Nijmegen and Arnhem now mostly out of supply as Germans cut supply lines and airbourne supply depot resources have dwindled. Frost has been dealt with and 1st Para contained at Oosterbeek allowing Germans to enter 'The Island' around Elst.

Turn 16 End

South Holland almost free of German units (a few units will appear later) and lots of bridges secured or rebuilt. 30th Corps approaching Nijmegen in strength opening supply to US Paras. 1st Para just about hanging on at Arnhem (Poles arrived to boost presence)

And Turn 20 the end

South Holland fully secured and Nijmegen bridge in Allied hands and a real tussle developing around Elst. 30th Corps units have crossed Waal elsewhere (via Engineer Ferries). 1st Para barely hanging on but still stubbornly there. 

The Eliminated units box (top left of last pic) tells its own story with large numbers of German units shattered but with significant losses to Allies to counter their territorial gains

 

Holland '44 - Vassal Pbem status at Arnhem

A pic of situation at Arnhem on PM turn of 18th September (ie turn 4) from ongoing Pbem game via Vassal, with Mike (who is currently sojourning near Amsterdam) of Holland '44.

Very interesting game system from the Simonitch series that we are now getting fully to grips with as several sub-routines and special rules to absorb, alongside learning the Vassal module.

I have several titles from series but this is first real try out in 'anger'.

I am playing Germans and struggling to maintain a presence on the southern sectors of board as lots of low factor and single steps units being lost.

Holland '44 - a Vassal PBEM game started

Started a PBEM Vassal game with Mike with Holland '44 from GMT games of which we are just about to complete first full turn.

Bit of a learning curve for us both as new to game (although I have dabbled with other titles in the series) and to Vassal module (which has some very helpful aids).

Mike is the Allies and I the Germans and interesting so far (it is Market Garden after all !) and no idea if either of us playing optimally but look forward to seeing game progress.

Hopefully enjoyable and satisfying enough to push us into others in the series.

Whilst Pbem via Vassal can be a bit stop/go compared to an live session or face to face play its great not having to have game set up for weeks on end and being able to slot game sessions into any free time available.

This series of games by Mark Simonitch are firmly in the moderate complexity level but have nice depth without being too onerous to learn or play.

As with many such games there are several exceptions/special rules (airlanding and bridge blowing being obvious ones in this) and understanding the nuances of ZOC Bonds and Combat Modifiers takes a minute but adds to simulation feel.

Overview of game map (bit large for single screenshot)

Arnhem 1st Airbourne area 

82nd Airborne Nijmegen area

101st Airborne around Eindhoven

Last but not least 30th Corps begin moving up 'the wide part'

Combat Commander couple of scenarios played

Busy week so rather late and rushed Blog entry regarding a 'first in a while' board wargame outing with the ever excellent Combat Commander.

My son Steven and my Dad played (I umpired) a couple of scenarios from original set and had great fun too winning one apiece.

Also on the board wargame front I made couple of purchases, the first in awhile as subject matter appeals