Tanksgiving 2016

Once a year we set aside our normal Flames of War games and indulge in a big table "heavy metal" game of nothing but tank lists.  Hosted by Adventure Games in Oshkosh we had thirteen players this year, some new, some veteran and some returning to the colors, with them bringing 28 lists totaling a whopping 39,500 points!  In the initial deployment we had three Soviet and three US lists going against six German.  One player had to leave early but that worked well with a late arrival, so everyone got to play.

Before the first move on a 12x6' table.  Each side had a 12" deployment
area.

Prepared Positions, Mobile Battle and Ambush mission rules
were used.

 We modified the usual Tanksgiving rules somewhat, limiting air to a maximum of three missions, objectives deployed on the center-line and reserves coming in by company instead of by platoon.

On our end of the table the Germans held back and tried to
whittle down the Soviets.

The Soviets began to get victory points for center-line objectives.

Both sides were aggressive on the US end of the table.

 

Center section with Pershings vs. Jagdpanthers and a JagdTiger.

Even the Super Pershing succumbed to German fire.

Not without loss though.

The Soviets were doing well till a lucky round of rolling took
the bite from their JS-IIs.

Eleven of the thirteen players.  All smiles before the game.

After all the smoke cleared and the victory points totaled, it was a draw, dead even.  More importantly we had a good time, met some new players, made some good sales for the game shop, and set the stage for the next one.  Thanks to all who participated.

Flames of War - Eastern Front

We called for a get-together at Adventure Games in Oshkosh a week ago.  The idea was 1500 L-W points.  Some RSVPed and I brought a couple of extra forces just in case.  As it turned out we had two Soviet and two German players plus myself who had brought German and British.  The simplest solution to the odd number was to change from two one-on-one games where we switched opponents to one big game on an 8x6' table.  So each Soviet bumped themselves up to 2000 points and I cut some out of my Germans.  We had a Panzer IV company, Falschirmjager company, and my Aufklarungs against two Soviet tank companies with supports.

The mission rolled was a Meeting Engagement.  Since it featured Delayed Reserves I had two people roll dice roll for reserves starting turn 3 instead of one.  I wanted to make sure everything got into action.  It also had Scattered Reserves which strangely enough had things show up in their owners sector almost all the time.

The table tops didn't match and the connector was unpainted,
but it still works.  

 Our Mk. IV group started on the left, my recon in the middle, and the paras on the right.  The Soviets went (from our perspective) center and right.

Each side aggressively advanced their left against the opposing right.

Our left advances, initially unopposed.

And stops and shoots till we neutralize the Soviet AT guns.

The Soviet infantry in the center didn't have any intrinsic AT capability, so direct fire and bombardment from 15cm guns made short work of the excellent Soviet 57mm ATGs leaving them vulnerable to the approaching panzers.

On our right the Soviets learn assaulting Fearless-Veterans with
Panzerfausts is a thankless task.

When the T-34s assaulted the defensive fire from the integral Panzerfausts stopped the assault and bailed several tanks.  With a firepower of 5+ they aren't going to kill many, but left the company ripe for a killer Falschirmjager assault in our half of the turn.

When my reserves arrived I raced up the middle, assaulting Soviet
infantry.  I didn't even need the Pumas and 250/9s.  The Luchs did
the job.

Another group of (proxy) T-34/85 roll on but are slowed, then stopped.

With the field littered with burning T-34s and us within striking distance of an objective it seemed time to quit.  Both sides had airpower but accomplished little with it except sometimes intercepting opposing air.

All in all a pleasant, low-key game with one new player (thanks Alex), one out of practice player (cheers Kyle) and our usual more or less proficient regulars (Bob, Todd and myself).  Coming up in a week, the annual "Tanksgiving" game that will please any heavy metal enthusiast.

New SYW Additions

For a long while I fought the urge to add nationalities to my "big battalions" collection.  I would ask myself, "What do I need with another nationality?"  Well sometimes my bargain hound nature gets the better of me.  Hence the units below.

First came four squadrons of painted Austrian cavalry.  Two each of hussars and cuirassiers.  I believe I've shown them before.  So a solid 48 mounted figures.  Next up the infantry and artillery.

This is Loudon's Grün Frei Korps.  Early on it was observed that the Grenzers in the Austrian army did better when they had formed troops in support.  So he was given permission to raise the corps, styling them "grenadiers" even though they didn't have that status.  Perhaps someday I'll add a stand in bearskins.  Evidence is contradictory whether they wore them.  I enjoyed painting these in something other than Austrian white.

I gave the unit a flag even though there is no evidence they carried one.  I had a nice one on hand and flags are, well, cool.

I cruise eBay almost daily seeking bargains.  This gun crew and cannon was an experimental auction listing that had no interest save from me.  So even with shipping from China it was a steal.

Along with the cavalry I had gotten a Grenzer unit that just needed basing and a few needing painting.  So here is the Karlstadter Oguliner Grenz.  Eventually they will be raised to a full 60 figure unit.  

So we need some extra hard fighting troops and a mess of painted grenadiers came with my bargain lot.  They came individually mounted so I made movement trays with double-sided tape.  For now it will do.  Yes, I know they shouldn't have flags but they came with them and like I said, flags are cool.

Finally, a Bartertown trade gave me another 65 Grenzers for just 20 painted sailors, so my brigade will be complete in time.  Not to hold the center of the line, but to annoy the enemy on a flank or operate as an advanced guard.

So in the full goodness of time I'll have brigades of Austrians, French and British, with multiple brigade "armies" of Prussians and Russians.  Between our Imagi-Nation campaigns and the regular BAR (Batailles de Ancien Regime) games in Brown Deer I'm sure they will all eventually get good use.  Or, I'm open to reasonable offers.