Sicily 1943 : Bolt Action

Regular followers will know I have been developing my US force over the last couple of months, their training over they are ready to embark on the invasion of Sicily. I have also been working on terrain but not all that is finished so I will share that at a later date.

The Infantry force I have been building is now supported by a Stuart tank, a very kind gift from Phil at ‘News from the Front’ . It only seemed fair he should get the first run out with the Americans……what could possibly go wrong with a completely newly painted and untested force ?

Although initially planned for CoC the force can also adapt to Bolt Action which is a little easier to play remotely.

The Americans surge forward their objective to capture the crossroads to support the advance

The Germans are also charged with capturing the crossroads

The Germans with slightly more infantry attempt to push forward on the right around the Small church.

They also have early success with a direct mortar hit on the US heavy machine gun team.

But the Americans push forward towards their objective

Now at this point we should make it clear that every body who plays bolt action knows that Mortars are more often than not ineffective, rarely hitting anything. This may well be the battle that bucks that trend ! Almost immediately one of the mortars hits the German Stug, rolling a 6 to hit, a second six for number of hits and then another two sixes to damage. Causing superficial damage the crew fail to put out the ensuing fire and bale out 😢

The Germans ignore the burning tank and push forward to capture the Church

More infantry take cover in the fields close to the crossroads, but they are also then hit by a direct hit mortar round and effectively wiped out

The Americans are not getting it all their own way but have made it upto the road

After three shots from the German anti tank gun, the Stuart which was really riding its luck by staying in the road is knocked out and burning

The Americans have now pushed right upto the cross roads and in the distance another infantry unit is hit by yet another mortar round ! And wiped out

The Americans are now well in command and have numbers on the road

The final shot of the German infantry they have pushed right upto the road and cleared the Americans from that area, but the battle is up with a strong American win.

As we reflected on an enjoyable battle it was clear the American mortars had been decisive in the victory which is very rare for a bolt action game, just shows how unexpected things can happen 😀

It was great to get the Americans on the battlefield, as I mentioned I have been working on some more terrain so I will complete this and put up a separate post.

Thanks for checking in 😀