Last Post for the Year (Probably)

On the one hand, the less said about 2020 the better, I suppose. On the other is my natural inclination to ramble on about my hobby. The latter has clearly won!

The biggest surprise to me this year (on the hobby front) was letting go of a portion of my figures and stalled/not-yet-started projects for which plastic had accumulated (some *still* awaiting mailing. I am the worst - this is why I don't charge for anything). The lightening of the load was inspired in part by a move, but also in part, by a desire to focus on what I have and actually use, and with a desire that each collection offers something different on the table.

 Indeed, I intend to offload much of my 15mm collection in the coming year.

While I had dreams of several small campaigns, in the end, I fielded only one, albeit very satisfying, based on Operation Citadel. It allowed me to field most of the vehicles in my collection, plus guns, and a variety of figures using rules of my own design. 

I started the year with a small One Hour Skirmish Wargames campaign, but life happened. I think the idea has merit, and I may return to it, but I also need to re-read the rules to see if there is anything mentioned specifically about buildings. It was a sticking point during play.

Boardgaming-wise, I played Hold the Line (1st ed) for a scenario or two, Long Range Desert Group: Special Operations Against Rommel 1941-1942, and some of the simple starter scenarios for Enemy Coast Ahead: The Doolittle Raid. ASLSK didn't make it to the table that I recall, but then I don't document my boardgaming as diligently as my figure games.

My WWI figures were not even touched this year - which I find somewhat disappointing, but not surprising as I have had very little painting mojo. So for 2021, they figure (no pun intended) prominently in my planning.

Finally, I cannot express well enough how much the wargaming blog community means to me. I had some wonderful exchanges with people here and on their blogs and via email (I am terrible at replying to emails, and for that I humbly apologize to all of those who wrote me this year). In a year when many saw their hobby enjoyment diminish because of a lack of face-to-face gaming, mine, if anything, expanded. I offer my sincerest  appreciation for everyone who took the time to to read my ramblings, to comment, to email, or to post your activities on your own blog for the rest of us to share in.

I hope you and yours are safe and well as we go into the New Year!

 

Goodbye 2020!

Best Wishes and a Happy Holiday

There are no gaming related items under the tree this year, although I did take advantage of the Armies in Plastic sale to order some guns for my colonial forces. Instead, I am looking forward to time spent reading everyone's holiday blog posts - and the soon-to-follow year end review and coming year goals posts. 

Of the gifts under this tree, the one I am excited most about for my son, is a Lego "the child" (from the Mandalorian). It is *so* tiny, so of course I put it in the biggest box I could find.

Merry Christmas, if you celebrate, and if not, I hope you at least have the day off and can spend time with either family or friends, in-person, via a phone call, or Zoom/Skype/etc.

Budget Housing

 While running an errand the other day, I came across this pair of ceramic light-up buildings for $5 USD at Target.

 

"Papers please!"
Lady Penny Farthingsworth flicked the hidden switch on her umbrella, arming the poison gas jet within.

Their size is just about perfect for my uses, although I do have concerns about breaking them eventually (I'm a klutz). While they could be painted, I rather like the white look at the moment.

I am tempted to pick up another pack or two so I can have a small village at the ready.

Not pictured, I have been working on my latest batch of Imperial Russians, hoping to knock them out by the end of the year.

Counter-Attack! (One Hour Warames Scenario 18)

The Soviets hold the village and are advancing to take the bridge. Meanwhile, the Germans, holding the bridge with a small force, are organizing a counter-attack, with the intent to capture the village. Unbeknownst to the Soviets, the Germans have identified two fords by which they can cross the river.

Soviets: 3 infantry, 2 ATG, 1 mortar

Germans: 3 infantry, 2 mortar, 1 tank.

A lovely day for a battle.

Soviets send two of their infantry and an ATG to take the bridge.

The ATG has an advantage of range but their aim could use some work; the German defenders avoid any serious casualties.

I just like this picture of the ATG deployed.

The ATG calls in a mortar strike which is much more successful - the bridge defenders are in disarray.

They hold on long enough for the main force to arrive.

A battle for the bridge ensues.

The Panzer unit engages Soviet infantry at the bridge, supported by mortar fire, while German infantry cross the ford.

The Soviet reserves look on towards the sound of battle, waiting for their moment.

The village defenders pre-register targets on the road in the event of a Panzer break through at the bridge.

The lead ATG  unit prevents that possibility - disabled tanks litter the road to the bridge.

German infantry across the river.

Both sides infantry are too far apart to engage, so mortar fire plays the biggest role.

Things don't look good for the Germans - cohesion and combat efficiency toes the breaking point.

However, effective mortar fire and an incredible effort by the officers pushes them onward behind the creeping fire of the two mortar units. The Soviet infantry breaks and quits the village, the ATG unit abandons their guns, and the mortar unit outside of town, at full strength and having a banner day, is forced to concede without any meaningful way of staving off the Germans.

 

*****

Rules used were my own Modified Morschauser modern rules (linked in the side bar). The scenario is from Neil Thomas's One Hour Wargames - modified to fit on a 4' x 4' table (plywood on a bed). This was the first time where mortars played a decisive role in one of my games with these rules - in a way they typically do with NT's own WWII rules from OHW. 

I may have given the mortars too many strength points - 3 points each. That's what I've been doing, but I wonder if it should be more like the ATG, tanks, howitzers, etc. and only have 2? I'll think more on that.

1:1 Scale Gaming

Last weekend my son expressed a renewed interest in an augmented reality game named Ingress. It's a science fiction game about capturing portals - actual locations in the real world that have in-game significance. It's a very mobile game - you walk around and look at your screen to see what is a GPS type map overlaid with portal locations (and a cool futuristic - ie. 80s lazer tag - color scheme) and who if anyone, controls them. You want to capture as many as you can.

Or at least that's how a 9-year old described it.

There's XP to gain, special defenses, keys, and other accoutrements of video games. So, it gamifies walking and exploring your community, which is something I can get behind even if part of the time you spend it looking at a screen. After all, you're still out and about walking to areas that maybe aren't part of your every day travels.

The young lord by a giant rhino head sculpture - and portal - that we had only heard rumor of before but had never seen.

In addition to a fun game and getting out in nice weather, it allowed for mini-lessons in map reading skills and geometry, as we planned the best route to capture the most portals. There was quite a bit of walking (and skipping on his part) involved and the end result was something like 23 captured portals.

Even better, a few days later we learned they were under attack or had been captured by an enemy -much to our pleasant surprise, as that means at least someone else is playing, too. Plotting of a counter-attack is underway.

This weekend, I want to get something on the table - be it hex-and-counter or toy soldiers, I don't know, but it will be something. I have those imperial Russians awaiting completion as well, so a marathon painting session or three may be in order.

Twin Objectives: Modified Morscauser Modern Rules and One Hour Wagames #21

 As hoped I managed to setup a game this weekend - scenario 21 from One Hour Wargames. The scenario was played using my modified Morschauser Modern rules.

The Soviets have four units to hold the hill and the town, the Germans have six units to take them, and 12 turns to do so.

To win the Germans need to be in exclusive occupation of both objectives, otherwise it's a Soviet victory. In keeping with some of the restrictions of OHW, only leg units may occupy the wooded hill or village. Therefore, as an added challenge, the Germans have to shield their infantry from elimination in order to win. 

OOB (generated using OHW):

• Soviets: two infantry units, one AT unit, one mortar unit
• Germans: three infantry units, one AT unit, two tank units.

I created a plan for the Germans pre-deployment. However, there was some confusion in the arrival on the battlefield. 

Overview of the table. Early morning sun streaming through the blinds.

Soviets deployed per the scenario, Germans used random deployment (cards, 1 per unit plus 3 blanks)

Lovely day for a scrap.

A less than ideal arrangement for the Germans meant some change in plans were necessary. The AT unit was supposed to support the hill assault while both armored units attacked the village .However, given their proximity, tan Panzer company was ordered to assist infantry in capturing the hill.

The Soviets deployed mortar and infantry in town. 

The Soviet AT would move at first opportunity to support the hill or defend the town as needed.

Soviet hill company is dug in  (unnecessary given the hills are wooded, but it reminded me they had cover)

While half of their force advanced across the battlefield, the Germans launched their assault on the hill with infantry supported by armor, and the AT on the way. The Soviet hill company was able to call down mortar strikes on the attackers although they took quite a beating regardless. 

And yet, they held on for several turns, despite a compete inability to rally and regain any lost combat effectiveness.

The German infantry were eventually eliminated- forcing the German center company to try to take the hill instead - again, only infantry can occupy the wooded hill top.

The Soviets in the village could see the infantry and Panzers advancing but could do little, read: nothing, to slow its progress at that range.

The Soviet commander, seeing the hill as possibly a lost cause, deployed the AT unit West of the village to unload on the German tanks.

Soviet guns in position - but they can't fire the same turn the unlimber.

Overview of battle. German assault on village in foreground, assault on hill in background.

The German right company advanced to silence the guns but were only partially successful.

With the German infantry occupied, the Soviets sallied forth to close with the Panzers and unleashed ATR rounds with great devastation. This left tan Panzer company to break from the hill and deal with the Soviet guns at long range. 

Salvos detonated transport vehicles and ammunition supplies, resulting in a catastrophic explosion.

A fiercely contested battle for the hill - the Soviet defenders would be sung about and praised for years after.

The German AT deployed to flank the Soviets on the hill. This was a tactical error as the Soviets were then able to withdraw to try to regroup behind the hill, out of sight of the German guns. Unfortunately for them, the advancing German infantry were able to fire on them from the superior position, eventually devastating the unit.

With the German AT freed up,  the Germans concentrated tank, gun, and infantry fire on the village (although the AT would prove to be useless - apparently they didn't bring many anti-personnel shells). 

It took house-to-house fighting to clear the last of the Soviet defenders.

Mortars gave a good accounting of themselves but could not hold out. They have a melee value of 2, compared to the 4 infantry have, so it was a surprise they dealt any damage at all.

A German victory on the last turn allotted to the game.

Weekend Plans

Last night, to my own surprise, I managed to get the next batch of Russians started.

Small steps mind you - they were dipped into hot water for some minor bayonet straightening and then glued to their bases.

Minty green Russians. I actually really like this color despite a complete disconnect from anything in reality.

The "plans" referred to in the subject line include priming the figures and getting painting started - blocking in the uniforms hopefully. 

And, hope beyond hope, fingers crossed and all of that, getting some kind of game in. I probably should put some brain power to thinking about that so I'm not caught flatfooted when the opportunity presents itself. 

It might even be some ASLSK, as I've been feeling the hex and chit itch lately. 

(Is it me or does "chit itch" sound like something you catch while camping or hiking?). 

(p.s. if you're still waiting for a package from me, it's coming. They are being sent out in a slow trickle, but out they are going!)