Back to 1944 again, Scenario 3!

 Well it's taken us a while to get sorted but we've finally got enough tanks and troops painted up to be able to fight Scenario 3 with fully painted forces. I took command of the Germans and my Eldest (9) took command of the Allies. We adapted the Scenario from the rule book so instead of having the Germans face Americans we had them face the British. This meant we had a Sherman firefly Captain and two Cromwells supported by two infantry sections and a Lt for the British. The Germans had the standard Panzer IV Lt, a Tiger tank two squads of Grenadiers and a Lt.

Set up. Germans concentrate in the centre whilst the British spread out.

Report

07 May 1945

To: Lt Col Jenkins CO 8th Bn Border Rgt

From: Capt Jenkins OIC A Sqd Border Yeomanry

Report:

We approached the Village from the North. Lt Tomkins with 3 section A Coy 8th Bn Border Regiment, took up position on the left flank behind a ruined barn. 2 section with Corporal Dodds took up an advanced position on the right flank ready to seize the farm house. I took up a central position with the Firefly supported on each side by two Cromwells from no1 Troop A Sqd. There was no sign of the German forces and so we Advanced on to the Objective.

2 Section under Cpl Dodds moved into the Farmhouse and secured the objective. Suddenly a Jerry Panzer IV rapidly advanced forwards into the main farmyard and fired on Sgt Baker's Cromwell on my left. This caused considerable damage leaving the Cromwell in a perilous state. Sgt Smith in his Cromwell decided to Open up on the Jerries and rushed forward around the back of the Farmhouse to take the Panzer IV in the Flank. Unfortunately he doesn't get a clean shot and only causes minimal Damage to the Panzer. His Machine Gunner also fired on the Grenadiers supporting a Tiger tank but only one of them was hit.

As Sgt Smith's Cromwell came round the back of the Farmhouse the turret on the Tiger tank traversed and fired. Sgt Smith's Cromwell exploded in a ball of fire and no survivors were found. I ordered my gunner to engage the Panzer IV to our front in the hope of taking it out but although it was a solid hit it wasn't enough to destroy it.

Suddenly a German artillery strike hit and shells fell all around Sgt Baker's Cromwell one scored a direct hit and demolished the tank.

The board at the end of turn 1. The Germans are on 8 points for destroying the Cromwells (2 points each plus a bonus 2 points each under the scenario victory conditions.) whilst the British are on 5 for holding the objective. It's looking good for the Whermacht.

Before we could regroup the Panzer made a mechanised assault and fell back out of range of our gun. Moving in concert with the panzer the Grenadier squad on Jerries right flank advance up to the Farm walls along the edge of the road. They then opened fire of Cpl Dodd's 2 section in the objective. Luckily no one was hit as the thick walls of the farmhouse saved everyone inside.

Lt Tomkins and 3 Section doubled up to the farm walls along the road on our left flank directly opposite the German grenadier squad that had moved earlier.

Suddenly the Tiger, who were as cool as a frosty morning fired upon Cpl Dodd's 2 section in the Farmhouse. the damage was pretty impressive and blew a huge chunk out of the building killing 4 of the lads inside. This pinned Cpl Dodd's squad down in the farmhouse.

Luckily Cpl Dodd's never gives up and he managed to rally his squad into firing upon the Grenadiers sheltering behind the wall on the German right flank killing two of them and causing them to become pinned down. We then carried out a commando worthy assault to get into cover away from the Tigers gun.

(I forgot to take a picture at the end of turn 2!)

The Germans continued to hold the initiative with the Tiger displaying superb teamwork and pushing forwards into the Farm yard, As soon as it became obvious the Tiger was advancing we "moved it" out of there an went hull down behind the ruined barn. The Tiger fired on us but only caused minimal damage. Staying as Frosty as possible we returned fire and scored a direct hit on the Tiger causing considerable damage.

The German Grenadiers behind the farm wall on our left flank remained pinned and failed to move out from cover. Cpl Dodd's section used their PIAT to hit the Tiger tank and caused more damage to the formidable beast.

The Panzer IV fired upon Lt Tomkins and 3 section with HE and, despite their cover 5 lads were killed. Luckily Tomkins held his men together and they gritted their teeth.

The Board at then end  of turn 3. The Panzer IV has fallen back out of range as it's down to just 2 hull points. The Tiger moved up to attack the Sherman Firefly but only caused 1 penetrating hit. in return the Firefly scored 3 penetrating hits! followed by 2 Section scoring a penetrating hit with their PIAT! scores are still Germans 8 British 5

With the Tiger out in the Open I seized the initiative and fired from our position behind the barn scoring a direct hit and blowing the turret off it. Despite this devastating loss the German Grenadiers with their LT at the back of their line showed superb teamwork and moved into a firing position to engage Cpl Dodd's 2 Section. The hail of rounds they put down left only Cpl Dodds in fighting condition but despite being pinned down he never gave up and continued to hold the objective.

Lt Tomkins and 3 Section fired on the Grenadiers in front of them and took down three more but the Germans remained pinned down. The Panzer IV the hired another HE round at Lt Tomkins and 3 Section but this time their cover saved them and no one was hit.

Displaying unbelievable fortitude and bravery above and beyond duty. Cpl Dodds took a pot shot at the German Lt and his squad but he failed to hit. The Grenadiers behind the farm wall finally plucked up the courage to pop their heads above the wall and took a few shots a Lt Tomkins and 3 Section but they failed to hit any of our boys.

At this point the Germans started to pull out leaving us in control of the Farm.

Board at the end of turn 4. The Tiger is gone all squads have passed morale to become unpinned but the British are quite firmly in control of the Farm with 2 Section still holding the Farm house (despite taking 90% casualties they only failed a handful of morale tests and never went below pinned!) The Panzer IV is dangerously low on armour points and the German no 3 Squad is only just above half strength.

The German command station at the end of the battle. Two Cromwells destroyed but not enough! 

The British hand at the end of the Battle lots of dead Tommies but the Tiger tank won them the battle!

This was a really fun Battle and proved that decisive action early in the game can win you the battle. The bold British move to send 3 Section in to capture the Farmhouse in the very first turn even though they weren't supported. Trusting to the British Tommies special "Never Give Up" rule which gives them a morale boost really worked in their favour allowing them to hold the objective for the entire game. On the flip side the Germans reluctance to get stuck in and backing the Panzer IV Lieutenant away from the combat zone was probably what cost them the battle.

Back to 1944 game time

 Despite life being pretty darned hectic We did manage to squeeze in a quick game of Airfix Battles a few months ago. 

Turn 1 from the Germans side. 

Unfortunately I completely forgot to take any more photos!

It was a very simple game the first side to get five stars won. The Germans had a Hauptmann with a squad of veterans to form the command squad seen on the far left in the setup. Next up was a section of two MG42's then a section of Grenadiers led by a Leutnant. Finally a Panzer IV Leutnant and a Panzer IV finalised the battle lines.

The British had a Major with a squad of veterans, a section of Tommies, a Vickers heavy machine gun section a Sherman Firefly Captain and a Sherman. As you can see both sides were reluctant to advance to begin with. The Germans sent the Panzer Leutnant ahead to try and outflank the British Sherman. Meanwhile the Firefly took pot shots at the Panzer IV on the German right and rapidly destroyed it. The British Infantry took the ruined house on their right flank and then stayed in cover for most of the rest of the game. The German grenadiers advanced up the right flank and along with the Panzer Leutnant they destroyed the British Sherman.

The Firefly working with the Tommies PIATs took out the Panzer Leutnant which gave the Tommies their 5 stars for a win. This was our first battle involving multiple armoured units and it showed how deadly the firefly can be as it can outreach the German Panzer IVs and do more damage. It also showed how dangerous PIAT's and Panzerfausts can be when you can get them behind a tank. The MG42's and the Vickers were really disappointing in this battle with neither claiming any kills and both sides being reluctant to advance them into the open and infantry staying well clear of their firing zones.

Back from the Ashes! and back to 1944

Well it's been quite a while since my last post on here. Life has once again gotten in the way of hobbying  and I haven't achieved an awful lot. What I have managed to achieve is mostly based around my WW2 1/72 scale projects for our Airfix battles wargame.

I've been working on my Wehrmacht armour and my eldest has been working on his British armoured units. First up is a Cromwell from Armour Fast,

The Armourfast Cromwell is on the left with our existing Airfix Cromwell on the right. Obviously there is a difference in scale as the Airfix Cromwell is 1/76 whereas Armourfast is 1/72.

It's not easy to see from these pictures but the Airfix Cromwell has much better detail than the Armourfast one. Considering the Airfix kit is getting on a bit my 8yr old managed to assemble and paint it with no problems.

We still have to paint on unit markings for the Armourfast Cromwell and these will be similar to the Airfix Decals. 

 The Armourfast tanks was very quick and easy to assemble and from a wargaming point of view it's got enough detail to satisfy the kids. Personally I prefer the Airfix kit as the detail is far higher and I really like the 1/76 scale I just think it looks better than 1/72 (probably because that's closer in scale to the model railway we're building in the attic.)

Next up was an Armourfast Sherman Firefly,

We painted the Sherman on the sprueas its easier to get to all of the parts. As you can see there are only a handful of parts to each tank on the Armourfast sprue.

A few minutes later and the Sherman is built, Not the best picture but it's a pretty basic tank. Again like the Cromwell above there's enough detail on here but nothing fantastic.

Next on the list for the British is an Arifix Sherman and it'll be interesting to see how the older 1/76 kit fares compared to this much newer 1/72. It's only fair to point out that you get two tanks in each Armourfast box compared to one in the Airfix boxes but the Airfix models are far more detailed and come with decals. The kids don't seem to mind which ones we use but I get a lot of nostalgia out of the Airfix kits I just wish I could find some of the old Matchbox 1/76 Sdkfz kits!

Back to 1944 - Rescue the Colonel

As it was a really miserable day here in the North of England we decided to set up and play the second scenario from Airfix Battles. Where the allies have to try and rescue a wounded and stranded Colonel before the Germans can capture him.

Briefing:

"Captain Wilson! Listen up. Colonel 'H''s command post got overrun by the Jerries, and the Colonel's believed to be seriously wounded. You're the nearest unit, so get in there, patch him up best you can and I'll send help along to get him out of there"

Both players are aiming to capture the ruined farm house in the centre of the battlefield and hold it for two consecutive Clean-ups.

Captain Wilson's unit consists of his command section which is him and a squad of 4 veterans armed with sub machine guns. A section of Snipers armed with sniper rifles and a section of Tommies armed with rifles and light machine guns.

Against them is Hauptmann Muller. his unit consits of a command gruppe including himself and 4 veterans armed with assault rifles, a gruppe of Pioneers armed with assault rifles and a gruppe of MG 34's

Report

18 May 1944

To: Lt Col Jenkins CO 8th Bn Border Rgt

From: Capt Wilson 2IC A Coy 8th Bn Border Rgt

Report:

We approach Colonel 'H's command post from the west. The area was densely wooded and the house itself had been heavily shelled leaving rough ground all around. 1 Section took position to the NW of the house whilst 2 Section were directly W and 3 section to the SW. I could just make out a force of Jerries in amongst the trees to the East.

Initial setup. British on the left and Germans on the right. Germans have command gruppe in the north, Pioneer Gruppe in the centre and MG 34 Gruppe in the south. British have Command Section to the north, Snipers and then centre and then Tommies (standard infantry) to the south

Colonel 'H' in the Farm house with his rescuers in the background

Captain Wilson and his section

The Snipers

British forces at the start line with 3 Section closest.

The Germans ready for the off.

The German Pioneers were quick carrying out a text book Infantry assualt toward the farm house but they were slowed down by the rough terrain to their front. 3 Section carried out a Lightening Strike until they too were bogged down by the rough terrain to the south of the farm house. This did however place them in an ideal position to engage the German Pioneers. Corporal Rudd reported 2 Germans taken out. 

The German MG's on their left flank then engaged 3 Section but the stone wall and poor aim meant that only private Thompson fell. 

I called in an artillery strike and targeted the German unit to the north on their right flank which took out two of their number and sent the remainder scuttling into cover behind a stone wall to the south near to 3 section. Corporal Rudd interrupted their move with sustained fire and reported taking down another.

2 Section then carried out a rapid advance toward the objective ending in the rough terrain to the west of the Farmhouse.

Pioneers advance into the rough ground outside the farm house

3 Section advance to the rough ground to the south of the farm house

3 Section fire on the German Pioneers killing 2 but the pioneers hold their nerve and pass their morale check

The MG 34 Gruppe fire on 3 Section but only kill 1!

British Artillery take out two of the German Veterans

Hauptmann Muller moves south to take cover benhind a stone wall 

but 3 Section interrupt his move with heavy fire and take out another veteran.

2 Section rapid advance into the rough terrain to the west of the house.

2 Section then advanced into the house and secured Colonel 'H' their medic began to patch him up ready for evac. The German MG 34's fired into the farm house and hit two of the snipers but their medic patched them up and had them back in the fight in no time. At the same time the Pioneers fired on the farmhouse and took out 2 Snipers. 2 Section are then pinned by the heavy sustained German fire. 

3 Section then came under grenade attack from the German command Gruppe this took out privates Jones, Elliot, Graham, Johnson and McMaster and left the section at half strength. but to his credit Corporal Rudd displayed great Valour and kept his section in the fray.

I advanced toward the farmhouse to provide support to 2 section.

2 section advance into the Farm house

3 Section display superb teamwork by advancing and then firing on the German pioneers

The German Hauptmann and his last veteran throw grenades at 3 Section

wiping out half the squad!

1 section advance to support 2 section

The MG 34's then wiped out 2 section in the farm house so I carried out a lightening strike with my section to secure Colonel 'H'. we fired upon the Pioneers outside and wiped them out.

The German command gruppe again threw grenades at 3 section killing private Turnbull but Cpl Rudd kept his section firm and took out the last remaining veteran and pinned the German Hauptmann.

With this the Germans withdrew and we were able to evac Colonel 'H'

2 section were wiped out.

1 section then secure Colonel 'H'

1 section wipe out the Pioneers.

3 section lose private Turnbull to a German grenade.

3 section retaliate by taking down the last veteran.

Back to 1944 again!

I've been feverishly trying to get a British Infantry platoon painted up for our Airfix Battles games and last night I finally got them varnished. Unfortunately I've ran out of Matt varnish so these guys are a bit old school!

Hopefully after lock down I can resupply.

So here is 1st Platoon, A company, 8th Battalion (West Cumberland) The Border Regiment. (a real regiment but the 8th battalion was disbanded in 1918)

The whole platoon minus their 2" mortar team.

HQ section led by Lt Beattie with Sgt Armstrong as 2iC

In Airfix Battles this is section will consist of an Officer (choice of Lt, Capt or Maj) a sergeant and a squad of veterans

1 section led by Cpl Johnston with LCpl Elliot as 2iC. The section includes a PIAT and a Bren team with the Cpl and LCpl both having sub machine guns. In Airfix Battles this will be a section of Tommies.

Cpl Johnson and LCpl Elliot

1st platoon advance over open ground supported by a Vickers machine gun section. A German MG section lie in wait hidden by the reeds and bushes. ( not sure why the Brits are advancing as though it's WW1!)

For Airfix Battles I need another PIAT for 3 section but the boy wants to paint that along with the 2" mortar team.

The figures are the old ESCI British Infantry now sold by Italeri and they're pretty good. I think the main error is that the PIATs have a bipod whereas in reality it was a monopod underneath. I may change them one day. It's also a shame that there are loads of Thompson sub machine guns and the only Stens are on the wounded figures!

I also want to add a pistol to the PIAT firer as well as a number two carrying the spare rounds.

I'm also planning to add extra ammo pouches to the Bren number 2s so they are more correct. And I might try giving the officers more kit and a Sten sub machine gun.

I've got a Vickers machine gun section and a Signaller with radio still to base up then that's everything in the box painted (except the wounded.)

Oh and here are the completed German MG section