Some solo COINage and ongoing Pbem (Storm Over Arnhem and Combat Mission)

Got Fire In The Lake onto table (no minis game this week) for a solo session (only way I can get a win) and hugely enjoyable it was.

I still have not gotten the wherewithal to try the actual solo systems included but just played each faction as best I can as usual.

Played the Full scenario and US had a torrid time throughout even though they trounced NVA concentrations several times as public support dwindled constantly (only Saigon seemed firmly pro USA) and finished in last place (not helped by a surge just before last Propaganda card)

NVA tried a full military build up from get go which worked to a degree (certainly occupied US army) but a preparatory Guerilla campaign in initial stages (especially in the long scenario) a better strategy but did finish above US in third.

ARVN done usual flip flopping from helping or hindering US goals and did achieve victory conditions at one point with control of swathes of country but could not hold onto gains but finished second.

So victory went to VC who started rather poorly but steadily gained the 'support' of populace and established bases throughout Vietnam and had a +1 VP level on turn of fifth Propaganda card for a narrow win.

Such a fun game even playing it in my own tiny mind space.

Had planned to re-set and play the Fall Of Saigon expansion but instead opted to try A Distant Plain again using long scenario.

Early on but Government in strongest position thus far with Taliban struggling (just like VC) and Warlords and Coalition dawdling

Do so enjoy the COIN system.

Also Storm Over Arnhem game via Vassal started in earnest with Mike with a 6pdr Troop taking out 2 Armoured Car units to start proceedings.

 

And last but not least an ongoing Pbem game of Combat Mission (boy have I gotten moneys worth from this series of games) with NJ John with a scenario set in Italy 1944 with South Africans (moi) defending a German attack

Had to take pics via phone as not able to screenshot for reasons unknown

Not a great start on first turn as an exposed Sherman done what Shermans do 

 

Boardgame solo day

Couple of board wargames played solo today.

First up my ever favoured Combat Commander playing a Bulge scenario based on action near Lanzerth.

Small force of Yanks dug in armed to teeth with MGs against a motley collection of Kraut Volksgrenadiers, Conscripts and a couple of Fallschirmjager. 

A tough one for Germans this.

Then it was turn of The British Way COIN system game. 

I managed to play through the Palestine and Malaya games.

I have yet to fathom how to play Brits in Palestine as the sabotage and terror tactics of Irgun just drain Political Will.

Malaya an easier proposition for Empire and they came good at the end.

Disaster in the Holy Land

 

Victory in Malaya

Blenheim solo completed with Battle Command

Managed to finish off play through of Blenheim game with a crushing Allied victory.

French left never fully recovered from incapacitation of commander and Allies totally routed French right at Blenheim.

Allies ended with 7 of original morale left and additional 5 for capture of town with a further boost of 6 cards from French.

  

Overview of game end

French left at Oberglau still in disarray and disorder 

French right wing either gone or routing

French center still contesting the ground

Right wing a true disaster

French losses the Allies lost only a single unit (they did manage to Rally several routers)

Blenheim solo with Battle Command

Played few a few solo turns testing Blenheim scenario and using Battle Command.

Going well for Allies on left at Blenheim which fell to direct assault (+5 Morale) from English Foot of Lord Cutts command.

However things bit more of a stalemate on Allied Right as Eugenes command up against lots of French under Marshall Marsin who was however unhorsed at one point (putting his numerous units out of command)

In center Allied horse crossed the Nebel but the Maison Du Roi have put one unit to sword thus far.......

Scenario seems to work fine (of course hard to make French as duff as on the day) but will likely stick with FOB3 if playing at club.

French horse routing after clash with Imperial Cuirassier but their guns have slowed Allies in center

French under pressure to wards right wing as Horse flee but Maison Du Roi showing prowess

Blenheim has fallen to English and first French attempt to re-take has been beaten off

French (actually Bavarians) taking losses on right

Overview from Allied left

Cavalry clash in center

French forces of Marsin in firm control of Oberglau

Allies across the Nebel

Initial assault on Blenheim held by unit of Swiss 

Maison Du Roi have charged into Allied Horse formation and routed a unit

Allied center coming under fire from French gun batteries

Marsins command stuck out of command around Oberglau.

Blenheim solo playtest

Set up a Blenheim scenario for play test with my 10mm

Don't have any Bavarians so some French proxies standing in their stead at Blenheim.

Field Of Battle - solo game to see in New Year - 'Morning at Zorndorf' (pictatstic)

Decided to see in the New Year with a solo SYW game using the BP 'Morning At Zorndorf' scenario.

Firstly battle is one of my favourites and the scenario is pretty much a stand up slog with little room for maneuver which suits solo play.

Was undecided which rules to use but in the end went with trusty FOB3 which plays well in solo mode.

Had considered Battle Command and Black Powder along with Warfare in Age of Reason and Koenig Krieg but discounted latter two as been awhile since I played these and would need a good re-read.

In the end I chose FOB3 and a cracking game it generated.

Set up forces pretty close to one another and so it was a bloody affair from the off.

Prussians struggled early on with poor Movement and Ivans seemed to be outshooting them. 

But things turned quickly after a couple of successful Prussian melees and Russians suddenly taking losses and seeing units Routing.

Seydlitz (under a special deployment rule)  and his Cuirassier did get across the Zabern Grund stream/ditch but could not get into the action.

Russian losses mounted although they did bloody some of Freddies foot and they ran out of Morale (25 chips) and failed their first Army Morale test which occurred on very next card !

Prussians winners then and with 10 Morale remaining (from 30 at start)

Took a ton of pics (not sure why ?)

Russian left wing deployed

And their right facing Prussian left (Seydlitz command across the Zabern Grund)

Seydlitz could only attempt to cross on a friendly Move card if he rolled equal to or more on a D6 compared to number of Move cards played - he was a activated on third card)

View of initial positions

Situation at end as Russian center almost overrun

Seydlitz crossing the Zabern Grund but with little space to deploy into as Manteuffels Grenadiers hold off Russians

Prussian guns done a good deal of damage supporting Grenadiers (to left)

A more even situation on Prussian right as Russians stand firm

Russian line under pressure with units Routing or destroyed

Prussian Grenadiers proved too tough for Russians (who had their own Grenadiers but these were dispersed across several Brigades)

Action in center which seemed to be going Russian way in initial exchanges

Both sides taking their licks on Russian left

Russian guns in center failed to stop Prussian advance and were soon overrun

Prussian Grenadiers advance

More Grenadiers (I had to use 2 units of Fusilier figures as not enough Grenadiers) lead the way in center

Firefight in progress 

Russians hold on

Russian mounted command on right failed to Move forward to annoy Grenadiers before Seydlitz committed

Prussian Dragoons similarly slow to advance

Prussian Hussars no place to be useful due to woods, although Russian foot failed to enter until too late