Guns of August: 1918 Scenario.

It has been over two years since we last played Guns of August. It was great to revisit the game and use the boards and miniatures that Michael had prepared. This time, at my suggestion, we decided to play the 1918 scenario. By then, Russia had already been eliminated from the game, the United States had just entered the war, and they could finally deploy tanks and aircraft on a massive scale. The game promised to be truly exciting.

1. Forces.

We played a 3-on-3 game. In our team, the Entente, Mike represented the British and Americans, I took on the role of the French, and Jimmy commanded the Italians and managing operations in Greece. On the opposing team, Ben played the Bulgarians and Turks, David represented the Austro-Hungarians, and Michael portrayed the Germans.

2. The game.

We played through five months, from January to May 1918. During this time, the Central Powers achieved some success on the Greek front, but that was about it. On the Italian and Western fronts, the Entente began to see gradual successes. The Italians managed to cut off the Austro-Hungarians from Switzerland and initiated the encirclement of Trieste. In the west, the British and Americans advanced into Belgium and started attempts to capture Antwerp. Although these attempts had not yet succeeded, the Entente's advantage was becoming increasingly apparent. The French also launched an attack in the centre of the front and moved closer to Metz.

However, the most significant event was the Royal Navy's invasion of the Baltic Sea. At a tremendous cost in terms of losses, the British defeated the German fleet and took control of the Baltic Sea. This victory allowed the US Navy to enter the area, land troops, and capture Danzig. In response, the Germans contemplated ending their occupation of Russian territories, but such a decision could have led to their ultimate defeat. Ultimately, they chose not to take this step, and the game concluded with a narrow victory for the Entente.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/1102295478594449

FLICKR: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720330447237

By Fire and Sword: Kircholm 1605.

Sometimes, we come up with ideas that seem fundamentally impossible to achieve. However, with a bit of perseverance and some outside help, these ideas can become a reality. That's exactly what happened with this game. Initially, I announced that I would organise a game of By Fire and Sword, originally intended to be a Task Force-level game. Over time, the concept evolved into an attempt to recreate a historical battle. Given that we recently celebrated the anniversary of one of our greatest military victories—a significant milestone—it was only fitting to focus on the Battle of Kircholm (17.09.1605)!

SCENARIO: Bartek Żynda
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Neil Danskin, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

KINGDOM OF SWEDEN

(Bartek)

King Charles IX (###)

First Line, Infantry

Lennartsson (##)

2 x Swedish National Infantry (M, Regimental Cannons)

2 x Swedish National Infantry (M)

2 x Mercenary Infantry (M)

Second Line, Cavalry

Right Flank

Mansfield (##)

2 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)

1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

Left Flank

Brandt (##)

2 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)

1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

Third Line, Infantry

Prince of Luneburg (##)

2 x Swedish National Infantry (M)

2 x Muskeeter Squadron (S, Regimental Cannon)

2 x Muskeeter Squadron (S)

Fourth Line, Cavalry

1 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)

4 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH, DUCHY OF COURLAND

(David, Neil, Michael)

Left Flank

Tomasz Dąbrowa (##)

2 x Husaria (S)

1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

1 x Cossack Style Cavalry

Centre

Prince Friderick

1 x Husaria (M)

1 x Husaria (S)

1 x Armoured Mercenary Reiters (S)

1 x Haiduks (M, Regimental Cannon)

2 x Haiduks (S)

Right Flank

Jan Sapieha (##)

1 x Husaria (M)

1 x Petyhorcy with Lances (S)

1 x Cossack Style Cavalry (S)

Second Line

Jan Karol Chodkiewicz (####)

1 x Volunteers (S)

1 x Tatar Cavalry (S)

Camp

2. The Game.

The game started with a preliminary round. First, the Swedish player tested his frontline infantry's reaction to Chodkiewicz's feigned retreat. Each unit was required to take a skill test. If a unit failed the test, the soldiers were ordered to manoeuvre and move towards the camp in a double movement. Commanders had the option to intervene and override this order. Ultimately, I only failed one order, so the entire line moved forward together with the second line cavalry. Ouch!

Now the Polish-Lithuanian-Curland forces could issue orders to their troops. David commanded the right wing, Michael led the left, and Neil held the centre, also taking on the role of Hetman Chodkiewicz. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth forces charged at the unprepared Swedish troops.

The Husaria initiated the charge, inflicting significant damage that resulted in the loss of four Swedish infantry units within the first two turns. Soon after, the Lithuanians engaged with the Swedish cavalry. Although the cavalry attempted to counter the charge, they were ultimately forced to retreat under the relentless assault. The charge persisted without interruption.

During the heat of battle, remnants of the Swedish infantry attempted to assassinate Jan Sapieha but were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Lithuanians began to ascend the hill occupied by the third and fourth lines of Swedish positions. The Swedish infantry's cannons and muskets made their presence known, decimating two large units of Husaria. However, as the battle progressed, additional lines of Lithuanians managed to reach the Swedish positions. In the chaos, the Earl of Mansfield was killed, causing Swedish morale to collapse. This marked the beginning of the retreat for the Swedish forces.

The Lithuanians required five turns to secure victory in the battle, mirroring the timeline of the historical event. However, their losses were significantly higher than those recorded in reality, with a substantial number of Husaria being defeated. During the game, the Polish-Lithuanian side had the option to utilise their camp. By issuing a Rally order, if their units were within a double march of the camp and no enemy units stood between them and the camp, these units could replenish their lances, particularly for the Husaria and Petyhorcy. Nonetheless, they didn't need to do so.

I created the game unit setup based on the work of Mariusz Balcerek: "Armie walczące pod Kircholmem w 1605 roku", published on Academia.edu, sent to me by Michał Paradowski. Thank you very much!

3. Links.

ORIGINAL BATTLE ON WIKIPEDIA:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kircholm

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/1102295478594449

FLICKR: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720330306248

Eldritch Horror: The time was crucial!

As October transitions into November, it’s time for the annual Halloween game of Eldritch Horror, organised by Alasdair. Last time, we saved the world, but this time, I was chosen as the Lead Investigator. I quickly realised that running the game effectively requires at least a basic understanding of how to play. It took me some time to get the hang of it, and by the end of the game, I was managing a large number of Investigators. Unfortunately, the time I lost at the beginning proved to be crucial. We only managed to solve one mystery; another was still in progress, one Investigator died, and evil lurked somewhere, ready to strike. This time, we weren’t able to finish the game. Maybe we’ll be able to complete it next time.

© SESWC

Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720330170694/

Bolt Action returns.

Bolt Action was once a very popular game system in our club, but over time, other systems took its place. The arrival of version two and the departure of some longtime players only cemented this trend. I think I played version one again at some point, but then we shifted our focus back to other games. Now that version three has arrived, Gordon is trying to reintroduce it to our tables. 

The timing is perfect, as Jimmy has just finished his German Fallschirmjäger, giving us a great opportunity to dust off my First Polish Armoured Division. Tim has joined with his British forces. What you see on the table is a 1500 point game. The table itself is a creation of Gordon's, with a small addition from me.

SCENARIO: Gordon Smith
UMPIRING: Gordon Smith

SCENERY: Gordon Smith, Bartek Żynda

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant, Jimmy, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

BRITISH

(Tim)

First Lieutenant + 2 Infantry

Veteran Infantry Squad (NCO with submachine, 2  submachines, 3  rifles, 2 LMG (2 crew))

Regular Infantry Squad (NCO with submachine, 5 rifles, 1 LMG (2 crew)

Comando Section (NCO with submachine, 4 submachines)

Medium Mortar Team with Spotter

Sniper Team

M5 Halftrack (Pintle HMG)

Bren Carrier (Forward LMG, pintle LMG)

POLES

(Bartek)

Platoon Commander with SMG

1st Engineer Squad (NCO with submachine, 7 rifles, LMG team (2 crew))

2nd Engineer Squad (NCO with submachine, 7 rifles, LMG team (2 crew))

Flamethrower Team

Platoon Commander with pistol

1st Light Mortar Team

2nd Light Mortar Team

Medium Mortar Team with a Spotter

Medium Machine Gun Team

Sherman V (75mm)

GERMANS

(Ben, Jimmy)

Platoon Commander with SMG + 2 Infantry

1st Veteran Fallschirmjäger Squad (NCO with submachine, 5 rifles, 2 x LMG team (2 crew))

2nd Veteran Fallschirmjäger Squad (NCO with submachine, 5 rifles, 2 x LMG team (2 crew))

3rd Veteran Fallschirmjäger Squad (NCO with submachine, 5 rifles, 2 x LMG team (2 crew))

5 x Heavy Mortar Team with Spotter

2. The Game.

I was frankly surprised by the situation and the positioning of the German forces in the city. I had expected at least some of them to be stationed there, with the remainder arriving as reinforcements. Instead, all the forces were strategically positioned throughout the city. Additionally, our entry points were clearly visible to German observers, almost as if we were exposed in a frying pan, due to the presence of numerous heavy mortars.

Under normal circumstances, our forces would have retreated to safer positions, and the artillery and air forces would have been assigned to "prepare" the city for an attack. However, we had no option for that, and soon our units were under accurate German mortar fire. The situation became quite dire, especially for my troops.

We then changed our tactics and started targeting the mortar observers. This approach proved effective, and we soon succeeded in silencing the first mortar. My Sherman tank played a crucial role in this effort. However, the Germans quickly adapted and found a way to counter our strategy. Ben hit our tank with a mortar shell, destroying it. Our situation was now critical, but Gordon agreed to deploy an additional Sherman V tank to support us.

It was a game-changer. The Germans, concentrated on their tanks, lost sight of our infantry, which had successfully rallied and advanced toward their positions. The only thing that caught the Germans off guard was my flamethrower, which had unexpectedly positioned itself near their lines. It managed to incinerate another observer, along with the entire building he was in. Now, my units had a clear path to the German mortar positions.

Tim successfully broke through the German lines and entered the city, forcing the Germans to withdraw. This led to an unexpected victory for the British-Polish forces. The presence of an additional tank played a significant role in this outcome.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329928163/

Cruel Seas: To the Rescue.

We are at sea again, this time in small boats. Cruel Seas. We used the scenario To the Rescue from the main book. The Germans are about to rescue the Führer's favoured pilot who has just been shot down!

SCENARIO: Scenario 3: To the Rescue.
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant

1. Forces.

ROYAL NAVY

(Alasdair, Tim)

1 x Fairmile D (Regular)

3 x Vosper I (1 x Veteran, 2 x Regular)

KRIEGSMARINE

(Andy, Bartek)

1 x S-38 type (Veteran, Depth Charges)

2 x S-100 type (1 x Regular + Serch Light, 1 x Inexperienced)

1 x R-23 type (Regular)

2. The Game.

As I mentioned in the introduction, the Germans were assigned the difficult and highly responsible task of rescuing a shipwrecked man, who happened to be Hitler's favourite pilot. The rescue operation would undoubtedly receive significant support from Goebbels' propaganda, which would ensure fame and rewards for the captain of the boat that successfully carried out this feat.

The Germans divided their forces into two groups. The first group, made up of S-100 boats, was tasked with surrounding one of the islands from the south to rescue survivors. The second group was to encircle the island from the north, ready to assist in picking up survivors if the first group failed. Additionally, the second group was to provide cover for the first group. The British had a similar plan in place.

A firefight quickly broke out as the small British Vosper ships opened fire on the larger German boats. The Germans retaliated, dealing significant damage to the smaller British vessels. Nevertheless, the British continued to engage, impeding the Germans in their mission. Ultimately, the Germans were able to rescue survivors, but a race against time ensued, especially after the British boat Fairmile, armed with powerful guns, joined the battle. This likely caused panic among the German captains, as two of their boats ran aground on the rocks of the second island.

One of the German boats managed to escape the shallows, but unfortunately, the other crashed into the rocks. Nevertheless, the Germans withdrew from the battlefield with the surviving crew members. During the engagement, they sank two Vosper-class boats, while a third, severely damaged, was forced to retreat. Ultimately, the boat carrying the survivors left the battlefield, securing victory for the Germans.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329764077