The Dark Valley - end of a truly epic PBEM game

Just completed The Dark Valley Vassal game I have been playing PBEM since July 2014 (with one or two extended breaks) with Mike in Canada !!!!!!!!!!!.

We stopped at end of February 1945 as just no way Soviets going to make enough gains to affect the Victory Level (German Minor Win).

Enjoyed the game via Vassal but not sure what I think of it overall as an East Front game.

Complexity is low in terms of pure game mechanics (made larger by sheer numbers of units/scope) but I found it lacking dynamism.

Never felt in Barbarossa phase that Soviet lines would ever break or that any large encirclements/pockets would occur or that any real threat to Moscow or Leningrad never mind Rostov or far flung Stalingrad, although Mike may have been playing conservatively ?

Only Minsk, Kiev, Kharkov (recaptured) and the Crimea fell with Germans retaining Ukraine and most of White Russia along with Sevastapol at end.

Very seldom after 1941 did we have any units Out Of Supply/Communications as solid unbroken lines, meaning the Logistics chit rarely had any effect.

Cannot say we played optimally (certainly my first go with game) but never seemed that either of us could make any truly significant breakthroughs when attacking to really trouble the enemy.

Certainly once Soviets went onto Strategic Offensive they had a torrid time trying to grind the enemy and Mike was able to retire onto river defensive lines (not sure Herr Hitler would have approved) that proved impossible to breach (the Soviet Combat Results table is rather unkind).

From 1944 onward it seemed more of a WW1 Western Front style affair.

Certainly the biggest game I have ever attempted (a mini-monster) and one I would simply not get to the table for more than a brief session so Vassal a great way to actually play.

Overall view of the front at end of Feb 1945  

The northern zone

And the southern zone

The Dark Valley - PBEM situation shot

Ongoing PBEM of The Dark Valley where we have now reached May 1944.
Screenshot shows overall situation and note these lines have been pretty much static since late 1942, and more akin to World War 1 on Western Front.
Just cannot seem to generate enough combat power (my game play likely not greatest) any place to pierce German lines and they are happy to simply hold onto gains.
Despite a good chunk of Russia staying under Nazi yoke, Kiev is only major city objective to have fallen by high tide of German offensives.
Have been playing this via Vassal (with Mike) since July 2014, so in fact longer than the actual campaign !
We have had a few extended interruptions along the way but being Vassal game we have been able to keep it going, no way that would happen with physical game. 

Vassal ongoing PBEM games

Still playing a couple of PBEM games via Vassal (such an asset).






The Dark Valley (this has been in progress for couple of years now !) has reached January 1944 and something of a stalemate.
Germans (Mike) never really got close to any major objectives (Kiev only) but have therefore a lot of strength on Eastern Front which the Russians (me) are having problems breaking down despite being at full OOB.

Just started a game of No Peace Without Spain (been several years since I played this) as Bourbons.
Alliance (Prezmek) has launched Marlborough at Liege on first turn but was repulsed.
Bourbons (me) have responded by activating Bavarians to capture Ulm and French have taken Trier.
Early days in this one.

Vassal PBEM games ongoing

Have a couple of Vassal games ongoing (both for several months) via Email.

One is 'Thirty Years War' wherein I am playing Protestants and we (bloke in England) have just started the penultimate turn.

Also ongoing a game of 'The Dark Valley' (with US chap) which has reached August 1943.

Catching up again.......

Busy again so a brief catch-up on gaming activity.

Managed a couple of plays of Combat Commander with my Dad.
Both scenarios from the original CC:Europe set.
First set in Ste Mere Eglise and the second an anti-Partisan sweep in the east.

Also managed to catch up with a few ongoing Vassal Pbem games.

Hannibal: Rome Vs Carthage (vs Vita)

No Peace Without Spain (vs David Pentland who is going for the jugular at Paris !) 

 The Dark Valley (vs Mike)

 Turning Point Stalingrad with last stand of Red Army (vs Stefano)

And an EBay purchase of a title I have been looking for

New Year new arrivals

Missed out (again ! its been weeks) on RPG/Games night with mates due to circumstances beyond my control but cheered up no end by package that awaited from the most excellent Hexasim (http://www.hexasim.com/).



Two more items to add to growing list of unplayed board wargames, wargame rules and unpainted lead !

Twilight Struggle against my offspring (and of course a purchase)

Played Twilight Struggle against my son today (he is due back to University next week) and a great game that went to last turn.
But my poor ole US of A lost again (son beat me in last outing by turn 4 !!).
Enjoyable stuff all the same.



We actually managed to play a few games over the holiday period including his Magic The Gathering game (which I won handsomely), Twilight Struggle (am 3 to zero against son), a scenario from Commands & Colors Ancients (sod won that one too !) and old Battletech CCG (in which I emerged victorious) which I prefer to Magic.

New year old habits as yet another game is purchased and just what I need another Eastern Front game !!!!! too hard to resist..................................................................