Rapid Fire Re-loaded - Push on Capriquet Airfield scenario played

Played 'The Push On Capriquet Airfield' scenario with my son using Rapid Fore Reloaded (for which it is designed) as it is pretty easy to play and teach.

Steven took the 12th SS bunch and I was Canadians.

Pretty tough for Cannucks with objective at far end of table and lots of Panzers on your flanks but good fun game as lots of Tanks on both sides.

I set up a screen just outside Buron as well aware a KG would 'appear' (inactive until turn 3) on my left and pushed Bren carrier units and later a Tank Squadron down road into Authie.

We both took losses in initial exchanges of fire (my M10 Wolverine and Achilles first to brew) and the Hun artillery really punished any infantry targets their FOO could see (lack of allied artillery is unusual - but historically they out distanced their support).

My Typhoon support was singularly unimpressive throughout only causing a single damage to a PzIV and either failing to appear or being aborted by 20mm AA gun and eventually shot down by same (not clear if this ends all air support but we played that it did).

Eventually however Cannuck numbers began to tell and once all Panzers dealt with I was able to advance onto objective at Franqueville mostly unmolested although both my Battlegroups were very close to taking morale tests. 

SS being Elite in game are unlikely to fail morale especially if in hard cover and their remnants ended game in Abbey Ardenne being pummeled by my remaining tanks until I forced multiple morale checks which they eventually failed giving Canadians the victory.

Great fun with a straightforward simple and highly playable set of rules.

Loads of burning tanks at end (the tank vs tank system is very basic but it works in fast play setting and at scale of engagement represented).

Large church standing in for Ardenne Abbey being invested by arriving 12th SS units 

The 'northern group' set up ready for action later

Canadian armour deploys from Buron to protect road

SS attempt to interdict road from Authie to objective

Tank losses mounting for both sides

Authie under Cannuck control but also under fire

Canadian armour suffering

Panzers taking hits as well

Panzer IV near Abbey under constant fire (Fireflies very potent)

Mid-game view

Typhoon (Tempest model standing in) on yet another ineffective attack run

'Panzer Meyer' contemplates is mounting losses as Cannucks threaten 

Rapid Fire - Advance on Capriquet scenario set up

My big lad Steven due home on Wednesday for a week (hurrah) so decided to set up a Rapid Fire game for us and used the 'Advance On Capriquet' scenario from the Re-Loaded Canadian supplement.

Not decided if I will use Rapid Fire Re-loaded (most likely) or maybe Rapid Fire 2 but nice simple system either way to play and teach.

A bit of Rapid Fire Reloaded and some solo Combat Commander

Game at Stephens today using Rapid Fire Reloaded and the OP Epsom scenario he set up a couple of weeks ago.

We only managed a few turns due to discussing his visit to Warfare and various rule sets (a fav subject for our waffling) but we found RFR to be a fast playing set with simple shooting and movement allowing sizeable games playable in a reasonable (ie Rapid) time frame. 

There are a few major differences from RF2 and indeed even quicker playing but maintains the interesting sequence of play (2 Move phases allowing you to 'shoot in' an attack). 

Infantry are much more durable if based in 2's or 3's. 

We did however have real difficulty with rules for 'standard' hedges and spotting related to them as wording very confusing (there is confusion on various RF Bakebook sites) but impact on a game is huge regarding possible lines of fire and we played them differently (sort of bocage like) than we have in past I think. 

A consequence of brevity of rules in this regard as what was covered in several pages in RF2 is now boiled down to a couple of sentences (I always find this an issue with such condensed/simple rule sets in that they tend to have gaps in clarity) but nothing else caused problems that we came across.

Definitely needs some clarity (and rules for Bocage) or of course house ruling.

British attackers in Fontenay-le-Pesnil and approaching St Nicolas Farm (on right)

Germans unseen under 'Concealment Cards' in front of Rauray

Also played some Combat Commander in solo mode this week and had rare old time as usual even if I am beating myself !

So much action in each game and fluctuating fortunes and managed to get through 3 scenarios in an afternoon.

Mouen - Rapid Fire Reloaded game

As temperature down to a balmy 18C here in NI (short thunderstorm and minor flooding) I set up the small Mouen scenario included with RFR to play with son Steven.

He selected to be British leaving me the Germans in defence.

Very quick game which is easy to explain and play.

Steven got lucky early on taking out German PzIVh and Panther in one turn for loss of a lowly Stuart and a damaged Sherman. 

This led to infantry slog around Mouen with remaining British armour in direct support. 

Both sides subjected to force morale tests with Germans forced to retire and abandon village.

Great to get figure game in with lad who returns home tomorrow.

Lingevres - Rapid Fire Reloaded - more solo action

Played 3 more turns of Lingevres scenario and casualties mounting on both sides.

The German Company in the farm wiped out the British Company and supporting MG Platoon that advanced through woods adjacent to the farm.

This is first I have really seen changes to small arms firing in RFR compared to RF, as now your figures generate a number of dice to throw (sort of like Bolt Action) rather than a single dice on old chart. 

These Germans have then been battered to half strength by British return fire and Mortar stonks.

The most dramatic action was on British right as a Firefly exchanged several ineffectual shots with the Panther which had withdrawn slightly to get out of line of fire of the Achilles on British left.

However Firefly eventually managed to roll a hit and then a 6 brewed the Panther.

The whole German left flank is looking precarious and its still 4 turns until reserves appear.

Tanks and Tank Destroyers to the fore on British left

Support arrives for beleaguered Company near farm

Too late however as German fire devastates the ranks

German Company in church remain silent and unseen

Panther 231 dukes it out with.......................

..... 'Mable'

British right

Overview of from British lines

British tanks try to spot the defenders in the church, unsuccessfully

British Company wiped out and Germans down to half strength at the farm

The victor

And the vanquished

British armoured strength on show

A second Company advances towards the farm

Postscript - I decided to end the game at this point as not seeing anyway back for Germans especially in solo play. One of several Normandy scenarios to revisit once face to face play back on agenda. 

And a board wargame purchase (due next week hopefully), more COIN goodness on an interesting subject