Blood Red Skies: Allied bombing mission.

It had been quite some time since my last game with the Blood Red Skies rules. So I eagerly accepted Tim's idea to join in, especially since my brand-new bombers hadn't had the honour of appearing on the table. A quick action, and Tim created a scenario: the Allies, in this case a combined RAF and USAF bomber force, were to destroy two targets defended by a strong concentration of German fighters. The targets received support from the Flak, so the game promised to be truly interesting.

SCENARIO: Tim Chant
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant, Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

LUFTWAFFE

1st Squadron (Andy)

2 x Focke-Wulf Fw 190A (2 x3)

2 x Messerschmitt Bf-109G (2 x 2)

2nd Squadron (Michael)

2 x Focke-Wulf Fw 190A (1 x 5 Hans Dortemann, 1 x 3)

2 x Messerschmitt Bf-109G (2 x 2)

3rd Squadron (David)

1 x Focke-Wulf Fw 190A (1 x3)

3 x Messerschmitt Bf-109G (3 x 2)

RAF & USAF

1st Bombing Squadron RAF (Tim)

2 x de Havilland Mosquito B Mk.II (2 x 3)

2nd Bombing Squadron USAF (Bartek)

3 x B26 Marauder (3 x 3)

1st Support Squadron RAF (Tim)

3 x de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI (2 x 3, 1 x 2)

2nd Support Squadron RAF (Bartek)

3 x Supermarine Spitfire IX (1 x 4, 1 x 3, 1 x 2)

3rd Support Squadron RAF (Alasdair)

4 x Supermarine Spitfire IX (1 x 5 Killer Caldwell, 1 x 4, 1 x 3, 1 x 2)

2. The Game.

As I mentioned at the beginning, there were two targets for our bombers. Tim and I decided that he would target one, and I would take the other with my American bombers. My fighters provided direct support to the American bombers, while Alasdair provided distant support for me. Tim's remaining Mosquitos, in turn, supported him. Three German squadrons moved against us: Andy against Tim, Michael against my fighters, and David against Alasdair.

Michael launched his attack on my fighters. I noticed his German fighters were flying in a single line, which was a mistake. I sent my best pilot forward while the less experienced pilots stayed back to support him. I broke through the German line with the first plane, then the second, and soon found myself on their tails. All I had to do then was open fire, and before long two German planes were down. First went a Focke-Wulf flown by the German ace Hans Drotemann, then a Messerschmitt Bf-109. The remaining German planes reached the bombers and even managed to outmanoeuvre one, but a burst from the American bombers' rear machine guns drove Michael's squadron from the battlefield. The Germans were beginning to lose.

What I did to Michael, Alasdair repeated against David. Although he was nearby and saw the German planes being easily shot down, he still fell into Alasdair's trap. This time, he escaped without loss, but my bombers rejoined the action and, with cannon fire from their turrets, drove David's squadron away. My bombers had a clear path to the target, but they were moving very slowly; that's because of the weight of the bombs they carried.

At the same time, Tim's Mosquitoes broke through Andy's blockade and advanced toward the second objective. Despite a valiant effort and poor shooting—Andy didn't roll a single six in the entire game—the German planes were forced to flee, losing one ME109. With both air defences gone, the Allies had a clear path to the objective. The anti-aircraft guns were the main problem, but we would deal with them later.

Tim's Mosquitos were the first to launch the attack. Both dropped their bombs but missed the target. The remaining Mosquitos moved in and destroyed it with cannons and machine guns.

There must have been something wrong with our bombers' bombsights, because the American bombers, when they finally reached their targets, also missed. My Spitfires had to finish the job. This time, however, anti-aircraft fire shot down one of my fighters, but the target was destroyed. The Germans lost both targets and three planes, including one ace, thus losing the entire game.

It was a successful debut for my American bombers: their machine guns were proven more effective than their bombs, and they returned to base unscathed!

3. Links.

SESWC:

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

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720334953764

SONG ABOUT THE GAME:

https://suno.com/s/QDilw1fyfaam0rrn

Black Powder: A very different game...

This time, Michael suggested a game using the Black Powder rules, and what followed surpassed our wildest expectations.

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

UNITED KINGDOM

(Mike, Peter, Tim)

1st Brigade

CinC (8)

1 x Grendiers

1 x Line

1 x Gun (1 ammo)

2nd Brigade

Brigadier (8)

1 x Light

1 x Line

3rd Brigade

Brigadier (8)

2 x Line

1 x Skirmishers

COLONISTS

(Bartek, David, Michael)

1st Brigade

CinC (8)

2 x Continentals

1 x Gun (5 Ammo)

2nd Brigade

Brigadier (8)

2 x Continentals

1 x Skirmishers

3rd Brigade

Brigadier (8)

4 x Militia

2. The game.

The task seemed straightforward. Somewhere along the northern front, two groups of troops were moving in search of supplies—mainly gunpowder. Both sides were closing in on a village where we thought we might find some. A band of Hessian deserters was holed up there. They might cause some trouble while we searched, but I didn’t expect any serious problems from them. Our plan was simple: David would take two houses on one side of the street, and I would secure the remaining two on the other. The militia would cover us. Once we had the supplies, we were to withdraw. That was the plan... The British seemed to have a similar plan: Tim and Peter would explore the village, while Mike would move around it and attack David.

David was the first to enter the village, seizing the first two buildings, and that's when things started to get complicated. It turned out the Hessians were not only deserters but also zombies! Moments later, a Headless Horseman burst out of the forest at Peter! I was honestly stunned. I halted my units, ordered the Militia to stay clear of the village, and assumed a defensive position. Meanwhile, the zombies' main force turned on the British. After some brief skirmishes between Americans and British, we decided to disengage and focus on fighting the zombies and the Horseman instead.

A chaotic battle broke out, but the human forces soon gained the upper hand. David cleared two houses of zombies, and Tim cleared one. Then Tim headed for another special house, where, after wiping out the zombies inside, he discovered both gunpowder and a map marking the location of The Headless Horseman’s head.

In that moment, it was clear that victory was tipping in the British favour. Tim ordered Mike to find the head and take control of the Rider, which saved Peter from total destruction. Although they were unable to kill the Rider, his unit survived the entire battle against the monstrous creature.

I decided to at least seize the gunpowder, and maybe even the map. I led an assault on Tim’s building with my troops and even managed to get inside, but then a series of unexpected events unfolded. All the zombies turned on me, and the gunpowder somehow teleported to the British cannon. There was nothing I could do about it.

In the end, the Headless Horseman—now under British control—would attack me on the next turn, so I’d have to flee. I can’t help wondering what the American command would say if I actually managed to report back from a battle like that. They’d probably have me strapped into a straitjacket...

3. Links.

SESWC:

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

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720334633505/

After a game, Mike created that song:

https://suno.com/s/xgPrD75iM4ERf4Xv

Cruel Seas: Take the convoy to the port. Take 2.

Today’s game report covers a scenario we’ve played before. It was the final game in a short campaign prepared by Tim. He made a few changes to the scenario and decided to run it again,  using the Cruel Seas rules.

SCENARIO: Tim Chant
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant

1. Forces.

ROYAL NAVY

(Alasdair, Andy, Jimmy)

2 x Fairmile D (1 x Veteran, 1 x Regular)

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

2 x Vosper II (1 x Veteran, 1 x Regular) 

KRIEGSMARINE

(Bartek, David, Michael)

Port Squadron:

2 x R-23 type (1 x Veteran, 1 x Regular)

Rescue Squadron:

3 x S-100 type (1 x Veteran, 2 x Regular)

Convoy:

1 x Vorposten Boot flakship (Regular)

1 x Tanker (Inexperienced)

1 x Freighter (Inexperienced)

2. The Game.

The scenario’s premise remained unchanged: if the Germans managed to get their entire convoy into port, they would win the game. If only one ship reached port, the result would be a draw. Losses among the warships would not count toward the overall score.

The main differences lay in the order in which each side’s ships entered play. On the first turn, only one British squadron could enter the table. On the second turn, both the German squadron and another British squadron would enter, followed by the final British squadron on the next turn. This gave the German side a seemingly favourable, though ultimately illusory, advantage.

In addition, German ships already in port could begin the game at slow speed. That was the extent of the changes.

The German convoy was moving at full speed — 15 knots — toward the harbour when the Fairmile-class gunboats under Alasdair’s command were the first to appear. They quickly engaged my Flakship, severely damaging it. My ship managed to fire a single salvo, but it missed, and a second salvo from both gunboats soon sent it to the bottom. With its escort gone, the convoy was left unprotected and exposed to Jimmy’s approaching Vospers, which launched all of their torpedoes.

Meanwhile, a squadron of German S-100 boats under Michael’s command raced into the battle at full speed and engaged Alasdair’s boats. However, the British possessed considerable firepower, and before long, the first of Michael’s vessels was sunk.

Meanwhile, my convoy pressed forward, but one of Jimmy’s torpedoes struck its target: my merchant ship. The torpedo exploded, sending the ship to the bottom. Andy, who had stayed somewhat behind and out of the action, then launched her own torpedoes.

Meanwhile, David and his minesweepers, left undisturbed, calmly cleared the mines from the harbour entrance, opening the way for me to enter. I also managed to dodge all the torpedoes Andi fired — although one of them actually struck my tanker. Fortunately, it failed to explode. At that point, my tanker could no longer manoeuvre properly because its rudder had already been damaged by gunfire from either Jimmy or Alasdair — I can’t remember which.

For a brief moment, the dud torpedo gave me the illusion that we might still force a draw. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Jimmy and Alasdair first concentrated their fire on Michael’s boats, which were trying to cover my tanker. Once the British had sunk the German boats, they turned their guns on the fleeing tanker. That was enough. The tanker was badly damaged and ultimately sunk.

The game ended in a Royal Navy victory. It was part of a campaign, so the outcome was shaped by the previous games' results. In those earlier games, the British had gained such a significant advantage that even changes to the final scenario did not alter the result. The convoy ships sank in exactly the same spot as in the previous game. I wonder whether switching sides — with the British trying to escort the convoy back to their own port — would have led to the same outcome. Tim?

3. Links.

PREVIOUS GAME:

https://asienieboje.blogspot.com/2026/04/cruel-seas-take-convoy-to-port.html

SESWC:

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

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720334527220