'O' Group: Ishun, Crimea, 1942.

I must admit that it's been a while since I last played any games from the TFL/Reisswitz collection. They used to be quite popular, but not so much anymore. I was happy to accept Andy's invitation to play one of these games. I have never played 'O' Group before, so it was my first time encountering these rules. These rules allow us to play really large-scale battles, and if we use smaller scales like the 6mm scale we used, the battles can be huge.

SCENARIO: From Supplement
UMPIRING: Andy Valdez-Tullett

SCENERY: Andy Valdez-Tullett, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Andy Valdez-Tullett

1. Forces.

SOVIET UNION

(Bartek, Michael, Peter)

Battalion HQ:

HQ

82mm Mortar

FOO

Naval Infantry Company

CO

3 x Infantry Platoon (3 x Infantry Section each)

Maxim MMG

Infantry Company

CO

3 x Infantry Platoon (3 x Infantry Section each)

Maxim MMG

Infantry Company

CO

3 x Infantry Platoon (3 x Infantry Section each)

ATG Platoon (45mm ATG)

Light Tank Platoon (2 x T-26)

THIRD REICH

(Alasdair, Fred, Mike)

Battalion HQ:

HQ

80mm Mortar

FOO

Infantry Company:

CO

3 x Infantry Platoon (3 x Section each)

MMG Platoon

2 x Infantry Company:

CO

3 x Infantry Platoon (4 x Section each)

MMG Platoon

AT Platoon (1 x PaK 36)

Light Tank Platoon (2 x Pz38(t))

Medium Tank Platoon (1 x Pz IV)

2. The Game.

Andy used a scenario from the rules supplement depicting the struggles on the Eastern Front from 1941 up to the Battle of Kursk. This scenario showed the battles between the Germans and the Soviets in Crimea in 1942. The Soviets were assigned to defend a line based on a road, two villages, and a factory. The Germans initially attacked head-on, which resulted in heavy losses. They then changed tactics and launched a systematic, concentrated attack on the Soviet positions, which proved to be more effective. They eventually broke through the centre of the Soviet forces, but the Red Army was able to regroup and defend the breach. On the left flank, there was a small tank duel that ended with the German tanks being stopped. Ultimately, the Germans failed to break the Soviet defence, although they inflicted high losses, and each subsequent attack posed a threat to the Soviet positions. As a result, the game ended in a draw.

Now, as usual, let's talk about the rules. The game is a level lower than my favourite Rapid Fire. However, you can still easily depict large battles. Like other products from David C.R. Brown, it includes a lot of tables, which may seem intimidating at first, but they become very helpful after a while. The rules are intuitive and after just one evening, especially the last rounds, we were already able to play independently without Andy's help. These rules certainly deserve our attention.

3. Links.

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720319795089

Rossignol 22.08.1914.

Michael once created a  game Guns of August with figures. Due to various reasons, we decided to abandon this game, but since the miniatures were already painted, Michael wrote the new rules for them. The working name for this version is Stahlgewitter. This was supposed to be the initial version and the game was intended for its first test. The game is on a 6mm scale, and the current rules can be found on Michael's blog (a link will be provided at the end of this report).

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

ENTENTE

(Andy, Bartek)

French Division

Divisional Forces

2 x Regiment

1 x Gun

1st Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

1 x Gun

2nd Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

1 x Gun

REINFORCEMENTS:

Belgian Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

1 x Gun

British Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

2 x Gun

GERMANY

(Campbell, David, Tim)

1st Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

2 x Gun

2nd Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

2 x Gun

3rd Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

2 x Gun

4th Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

2 x Gun

REINFORCEMENTS:

5th Brigade

1 x Cavalry

2 x Regiment

2 x Gun

2. The Game.

Michael based our game on one of the first battles of World War I on the Western Front. This battle was the Battle of Rossignol, where the 3rd French Colonial Infantry Division clashed with the German 11th and 12th Infantry Divisions. Unfortunately, the French were defeated in this battle, and it did not prevent the Germans from advancing through southern Belgium towards France.

We wanted to avoid the same tactics the French used in that battle, so we decided to destroy the river crossings on the Semois River. This would make it harder for the German forces to advance. Although we only partially succeeded, it didn't stop the Germans from crossing the river. However, some forces had to find other ways to cross, which made their advantage decrease significantly.

Unfortunately, the German pressure increased, and the French were slowly forced into a retreat. The arrival of the British and Belgians did not change the situation, and the battle ended in a French defeat. We managed to save the French division from complete destruction.

After the game, we discussed potential rule changes. Several suggestions were proposed, and we will implement them in the upcoming games.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/08/1914-rossignol-one-of-battle-of.html

CAMPBELL (SESWC):

to be updated soon...

FLICKR

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720319653477/

Polish Army Day!

Lance do boju, szable w dłoń

Bolszewika goń, goń, goń!

By Fire and Sword 2nd edition: Task Force for the first time.

We played another game using the By Fire and Sword rules, this time at the Task Force level for the first time. I encountered trouble getting to the club due to detours and roadworks, so I arrived late. This affected the gameplay because it took me some time to prepare the game. It was also a factor since we were playing at this level for the first time. I also participated in the game, which affected the number of photos I was able to take. Only when I was leaving did I realise I had taken very few photos, so the description will have to compensate for this lack.

2

SCENARIO: Key Positions
UMPIRING: Bartek Zynda

SCENERY: Bartek Zynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Bartek Zynda

1. Forces.

KINGDOM OF SWEDEN

(Alasdair, Andy, Bartek)

Field Task Force (1648-1660) (FSP: 58, M: 8, R: 3, V:4)

Vanguard: 

1 x Dragoons (S) (Veterans)

Main Forces:

Colonel (4 orders)

Lt. Colonel (3 orders)

Major (2 orders)

2 x Mercenary Reiters (S) (Veterans, Undermanned Companies, Disciplined)

1 x Armoured Mercenary Reiters (M) (Veterans, Undermanned Companies, Disciplined)

1 x Dragooned Musketeers (M) (Veterans, Additional Ammunition)

1 x Light Cannon Battery (S) (Veterans, Additional Ammunition)

POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH

(David, Michael, Tim)

Hetman Force (1653-1657) (FSP: 68, M: 8, R: 3, V:5)

Vanguard: 

1 x Polish Dragoons (S) 

Main Forces:

Colonel (4 orders)

Rotamaster (3 orders)

1 x Cossack Style Cavalry (M)

1 x Pancerni (S) (Kalkan Shields, Additional Pistol)

1 x Pancerni with Spears (S) (Additional Pistol)

1 x Husaria (M)

1 x Haiduks (S)

2. The game.

To balance the odds, the Swedes decided to utilize several Stratagems. They selected the following: Determination, Secured Positions, and Excellent Reconnaissance. In the Vanguard Action phase, both sides opted for Cautious Reconnaissance. Moving on to the Reconnaissance phase, the Swedes emerged victorious this time. As the winners, they chose Interrogation, which they used on the Husaria, and Forced March. The Poles selected Successful Skirmishing, resulting in one point of disorganization being incurred by our Dragoons and two points being received by one unit of Reiters. Subsequently, we initiated the first round.

In the first round, the Swedes captured all the Objective Markers. Our Musketeers, using the Forced March tactic, occupied strategic positions and prepared to engage the Cossack Style Cavalry. In the centre, the cannons targeted the Husaria but did not inflict significant losses, while the Armored Reiters moved forward and controlled the area between the two forests. On our left, the Polish Dragoons secured a small grove, but they were then targeted by the Swedish Dragoons and had to retreat in response.

Our Musketeers fired a salvo at the Cossack Style Cavalry before our Reiters charged them. The Cossacks suffered significant losses, and even the intervention of the Rotamaster did not have much effect. In the next phase of the melee, they were destroyed by the Reiters. In the second melee, the Armoured Reiters attacked the Pancerni with Spears. The Reiters needed two rounds of melee, and the Poles were also destroyed. In the next melee, the Pancerni clashed with our second unit of Reiters, but this fight was not finally decided. In the last one, the Hussars charged the bottom of our Dragoons, who greeted them with a salvo. The Hussars practically ran over the Dragoons, and this was the last action of the game because we ran out of time. At that moment, the Swedes were the winning side, and this was the result with which we ended the fight.

3. Links.

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720319415105/

Duchy of Warsaw: Third Battalion for the Second Infantry Regiment.

I have another regiment from the Duchy of Warsaw, at full strength, just like my first brigade. However, the second brigade is still waiting for reinforcements. The regiments use figures from Perry Miniatures and Polkowski Miniatures. Most of the regiment is based on Warbases, while the Voltigeurs are based on Renedra. The flag is a scanned image from "Piechota Księstwa Warszawskiego" by Wydawnictwo Kagero.

Third battalion of the Second Infantry Regiment 

Front.

Back.

Flag of the regiment: The eagle is from Front Rank, and the flag has been scanned. I replaced the plastic pole with a metal one.

Voltigeurs from Perry Miniatures.

Voltigeurs from Polkowski Miniatures (in my opinion, they have much better backpacks and ammunition packs).

2nd Regiment in full.

1st Brigade in full.

Now it's time for a small break from Napoleonics. I've decided to go for a smaller scale instead. I hope to present the results very soon.

CLAYMORE 2024.

Another Claymore (Edinburgh, Scotland) event has passed. Unfortunately, our joy was dampened by some truly sad news. Derek Hodge, a key organizer for many years, has suddenly passed away. He was a well-known figure in the hobbyist community, both in our country and beyond. When I first joined our club around twelve years ago, he was one of the people who looked out for me. He often introduced me to new gaming systems, and I believe he was the one who initially showed me games from TFL. Thanks to him, I was able to learn the rules well before they were officially published. However, I will always remember him as the driving force behind Claymore and Deep Fired Lard, as well as one of the most dedicated members of our club committee. He will be forever remembered in our hearts.

Now, let's talk about the show itself. It was more casual, with fewer traders and games compared to previous years. We experienced some cancellations. However, our flea market was a hit and brought in more income than last year. I had the honour of being one of the judges again this year. The quality of the games was exceptional, with historical games taking the spotlight. There were numerous participation games, all of which were successful, making it challenging to choose the winner in this category. The demo games, on the other hand, had a clear, undisputed winner. Here are the winners:

DEMONSTRATION GAMES:

The winner:

FRIENDS OF MILITARY GENTLEMAN

© Campbell Hardie

Honourable mentions:

THE LEAGUE OF AUGSBURG

© Campbell Hardie

FALKIRK AND DISTRICT WARGAMING CLUB

© Campbell Hardie

PARTICIPATION GAMES:

The winner:

GLASGOW GAMES GROUP

© Campbell Hardie

Honourable mentions:

S.P.I.T.

© Campbell Hardie

GREENOCK & DISTRICT WARGAMES CLUB

© Campbell Hardie

OTHER GAMES OF THE SHOW:

KIRIEMUIR:

GOTHENBURG GAMERS:

GLASGOW TRADESTON WARGAMES CLUB:

This time, I only played one game during the show. It was Singapore 1941, prepared by S.P.I.T. I fought as the Japanese against the British played by Dan. The game ended in a draw. As for shopping, I had prepared a list before the event and surprisingly, I only bought what was on it. I also got a few free miniatures. I'm sure they'll be on the blog in a while. After the show, a few requests appeared that should be considered during the next A.G.M.

Links:

CLAYMORE FACEBOOK PAGE:

https://www.facebook.com/ClaymoreWargamesShow

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720319355794/