O Group - Cristot scenario -Deployment Phase completed

Deployment phase completed of my solo run through of introductory scenario.

O Group has an area of operations for each Company in the game so after outlining this on a map/notebook you then place your initial on table Company Command stands accordingly and/or place units in Reserve.

Attackers plan can include Phase Lines and Consolidation objectives (allowing Infantry reserves to deploy forward) 

Then you roll your Command Dice, which is the standard 9 for each side in this scenario.

These rolls generate various certain outcomes (depending on being attacker or defender) which you then use to place troops, ambushes or Combat Patrols on table and as attacker possibly cause casualties or delays on defender by virtue of an opening bombardment effect.

The Deployment rolls (Germans in black)

The German rolls saw them gain 4 Ambushes (5/6) and could place 5 Combat Patrols (2-4), they also get extra ambushes for FOO and their Pak 40 (classed as a heavy gun).

The British could place 4 units on table (5/6), place 3 Combat Patrols (2-4) and cause casualties on defender by an opening bombardment (1).

Most units for both sides are in Reserve and so the importance of Combat Patrol placement (and any subsequent movement) is evident. Any resemblance to Patrol markers in Chain of Command is I am sure purely coincidental.

The double 1 for British saw the Germans have to remove a full Infantry Platoon (3 stands) from their OOB and lose 1 initial HQ order, had the Germans rolled any 1's their Reserves are possibly delayed. I removed a Platoon from 2nd Company, these however do not count towards overall losses for victory purposes. 

Germans deployed first placing their ambushes and Combat Patrols followed by British.

Attackers deploy up to 12" from their starting edge and defenders have a Forward Defence Line starting 24" from attackers edge.

Deployment is fairly easy to perform and some nice decisions already in the game.

Use of defined Company areas of operations (no deliberate overlapping) is bit different from most rule sets but feels rather historical and does make you have an actual battle plan rather than just winging it as one would usually do !

Obviously playing solo the use of ambushes is rather undermined but will suffice for testing purposes.

German ambushes (denoted by green puff) and CPs (blue chits) placed. 

British on start line

German right flank 1st Company area

Deployment around Cristot the ultimate British objective. 

Note on left field I have deployed the German MG42s (MMG) as a single unit instead of attaching out to Infantry Platoons

German 2nd and 3rd Company areas

The German FOO on his high vantage point. Note ambushes are usually required to be in Cover but FOO note says he can be placed anywhere which seems fine for a small 2-3 man team (not sure of I am correct in this)

British A Company deployment area to right of road

A Company deploy on the left of said road 

  

In O Group you have a Battalion Command stand as your overall HQ. 

This can be placed on or off table and denotes your HQ Orders total and presence of Battalion Mortars and Artillery Missions.

British BHQ with initial 3 HQ orders, Bttn 3" Mortars and 2 off-board Artillery Missions (chits) allowed in this scenario.

German BHQ with Bttn 81mm Mortars, 1 Artillery mission and a single HQ Order (initially 2 but 1 lost to opening bombardment)

Ready for the off.......................

O Group preparing for first solo try

Set up the Cristot scenario included with O Group rules today using my 15mm kit.

Table size is noted a being a minimum 5’ x 4’ although I have used 6’ x 5’ 

Hoping to try a few turns with rules (still solo sadly) and give thoughts on rules as is my wont.

My interpretation of scenario map

The opposing forces

A couple of rules purchases

Couple of rule sets that have been in pipeline now released or on pre-order.

Hoping one or both with help lift me from current miniatures gaming doldrums as this interminable lockdown continues here in NI/UK.

First up is 'O Group' from Dave Brown/TFL which I have pre-ordered (due for release 1st March) consisting of rule book, a Pdf of same and set of game tokens.

Been waiting for this one eagerly as love authors Panzer Grenadier Deluxe set and the TFL videos/podcasts have whetted appetite.

Then its Lasalle 2 from Sam Mustafa and massively revised re-boot of his original Lasalle rules.

Only got this on Pdf ($19) as too expensive from US to UK (despite Sam offering a limited time reduced shipping cost) and will wait until a UK retailer has stock, especially as no rush with face to face gaming being null and void for foreseeable future.

Only just delving into these but looking good so far as seems to be original set with some ideas from Blucher and Maurice sets as well as new concepts.

At least something to tide me over until O Group arrives :-)