While tidying up I discovered I had a few extra mixed Union troops in the plastic pile, these were part painted a while ago but it has been nice to get them finished off, I think I have one other African American regiment to paint and possibly some Zouave’s. Then I think a confederate unit which has been languishing for ages. This may well be enough ACW forces unless something interesting comes along.
After our last 15mm battle I also remembered that I had some part painted and based American Paratroopers. Again I have rattled these through the painting process. But it means for our late war battles in 15mm I can field a force of Paratroopers.
I visited George’s again yesterday the second in our Konigsberg campaign. If he hasn’t already I’m sure George will produce a more detailed report. After our very close first battle it was inevitable that Chain of Command would throw us a curve ball.
The scenario has the Germans flank attacking a small school. With some very lucky deployment dice (repeatedly rolling double turns) the Germans were fully on the table with everything zoomed in on the school. It would have been pretty suicidal for the Russians to arrive so they didn’t.
The Germans waiting patiently for the enemy to show their heads. It became obvious we had reached an impass. I could only see one option to advance towards the school with another double tour I was close to capturing the far house which by some twist would have meant the end of the battle without the Russians deploying a single unit. Not the way I would want to win a battle ! George had only one card to play ambushing the advancing unit with an entrenched machine gun, they were thrown back, but the germans then focussed all their fire on the russian machine gun knocking it out. We were back to square one with literally no Russians on the table and nothing for the Germans to do.
The school looking pretty empty again ?
The only option was to throw another German unit into the open to draw the Russians out. Which they did not surprisingly cutting the Germans to pieces a couple of bad morale tests and the Germans really had no option but to withdraw. I guess this is just one of those example where CoC can throw up a ‘funny’ game. Fun to play and we had an entertaining morning but both sides left slightly frustrated with the scenario .
Another shot from a couple of days walking earlier in the week , this looking down Ennerdale.
Finally some planning is needed as I’m intending to visit the Ardennes later in the year. If anybody has been I would welcome advice all told we will probably have two or three days in the Ardennes itself as we also plan on some other locations including Sedan perhaps.
Thanks as always hopefully some more painting this weekend
KBO
Matt 😀
Matt, retirement is good to you! You are remaining busy and fully engaged on the wargaming front. Very odd result in your CoC game. I look forward to a report-out when you return from the Ardennes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon I’m trying to keep busy at least, CoC does seem to turn up the odd battle and you just have to accept it sometimes.
DeleteVery nice work on the Union regiment and the 15mm paratroopers, the game certainly did give a very odd result, interesting though. The view down to Ennerdale is quite stunning, really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie…….we will still be playing CoC and just have to accept it turns up some odd battles occasionally. Ennerdale is a wonderful spot
DeleteLove the Union unit Matt!
ReplyDeleteBest regards
Thanks Michal 👍
DeleteAnother reason not to bother with CoC, as if one was needed. Good to see the ACW resurfacing there.
ReplyDeleteThanks David, sometimes CoC turns up odd battles, they are of course a bit like Marmite 😀
DeleteVery productive Matt and all to a beautifully high standard as usual. Those games where there is an impasse are quite memorable in their own way, even if quite unsatisfying at the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence…..the battle was fun in its own way even if it created an odd situation.
DeleteLooks like you have had another good week, love the Union troops Matt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael 👍
DeleteVery weird game. Also I moved house today
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the house ……you can get that gaming room sorted now 😀
DeleteVery productive there Matt. As for the game you certainly got there "the fastest with the mostest". A grand scenic shot as ever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil…in the end the Germans needed to save some infantry for the next couple of battles !
DeleteNice looking union troops Matt and the Lake District scenery is stunning, as one would expect!
ReplyDeleteAs to the game, if this is part of a campaign, no problem with it at all...the Germans made a probing attack but after several attempts to advance against well concealed Russian defensive positions, were forced to withdraw....as the computer in the eighties movie Wargames notes...."The only way to win is to not play the game!"
If realism plays any part in what you are seeking in a game, this seems a very realistic outcome to me, and probably the outcome in the majority of small scale infantry probes throughout the 6 years of WWII! It is probably still happening like this ten times a day in Eastern Ukraine.
Thanks Keith….your comments are very astute. Generally people consider CoC to be more ‘realistic’ in its handling of WW2 than bolt Action. This means on occasions CoC gives a challenge when forces are roughly balanced. I enjoy both in their own way. I have no intention of modifying the rules but in this scenario I do wonder if the Germans should have a way of attacking the Russians even if they aren’t on the table ? Not sure how this would work.
DeleteNice looking union troops. Nothing better than getting old part painted units finished
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil I have a few more to finish off 🙂
DeleteYes, one of those games which in isolation would be dreadful but as part of a campaign it has consequences. When I was on patrol off the coast of east Africa the Ennerdale (a fleet auxiliary) hit an uncharted reef and sank, she was our supply ship.
ReplyDeleteSometimes CoC throws up strange challenges, but the secret is not to take it too seriously 😀
DeleteNice mix of stuff Matt. Like the Union unit.
ReplyDeleteFor every 5 good games of CoC there is one iffy one. 😀
A lovely mix of figures there Matt! Initially we liked CoC, but one scenario really put us off, as I as the Attacker simply won due to the deployment rules which meant the Defender could not prevent me exiting the board and thus claiming a win. Not very well thought out at all. Fighting up the table also meant it felt like there was no room for manoeuvre, making for a dull game. Still loads of people love the rules so what do I know;)!
ReplyDelete