With enough Americans painted up it was time to test them against the Germans in Sicily using Chain of Command which was the original idea for the force. With a couple of games under my belt I have the basics of the rules although of course there is still much to learn. We chose to keep the two forces fairly simple to streamline the battle. Form the main rule book we would play the encounter scenario.
As I was referring fairly often to the rules I didn’t take too many photos so just a short selection as a taster. If nothing else you will see the new Mediterranean terrain being used.
The Germans begin to deploy in and around the small church.
We played with standard Herr infantry so only a single LMG per squad, but they still pack some firepower.
The Americans split their force into two hoping to gain some crossfire advantage and the fact that they operate with two Senior leaders.
Having initially been held back by German mortar fire they advance forward
The Germans have consolidated round the church and the rocky outcrop with the cross but are under intense fire from Americans in the distance
The Germans have advanced using a double phase and give the Americans a real kicking in the centre.
After we re-designated the cover to light (Heavy if only close to the walls ) the Americans are caught out and again get the worst of the exchange of fire.
The Germans after an initial problem have pulled back into a strong defensive position
With both sides on a reduced force morale of 5 with break point of 3 the tricky Americans send their Bazooka team to potentially capture a JOP they don’t quite make it though
And before long the Americans have been pushed back on both flanks, a final loss of another junior leader and they break.
The Germans are left holding the field
Another enjoyable battle and it was good to play through chain of command again. We forgot a few rules and deliberately didn’t use the national specific rules to simplify things. My only criticism is the game and the scenario doesn’t encourage much movement, despite the fairly high level of cover both sides could really carry out the whole battle without moving. Next time we will try a battle requiring capturing an objective.
Anyway nice to get the collection on the table originally planned and the terrain being used.
Matt 😀
Superb scenery, Matt, with lots of places to hide. How are you liking the switch between Bolt Action and Chain of Command?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon, they are very different games, on the plus side I like the more skirmish feel and platoon level for a change, but I am concerned they create a static game unless one or both sides have a specific objective to reach. I can see myself playing both going forward so it isn’t a swop just and extra option 👍
DeleteFine figures, superb terrain, shame about the rules.
ReplyDeleteThanks David….the rules a little like marmite perhaps. I’m prepared to give them a go and it gives an interesting and different game which is nice for a change
DeleteSuperb layout Matt
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil 👍
DeleteA splendid set and toys as usual Matt. As for a static firefight, to my mind the problem with WWII platoon actions is that it is far easier to take cover and fire which in reality is what troops would do without their leaders to encourage them to advance but of course you don't always have the supports to do that as you would in say company level games. The challenge is for you as the platoon leader to do just that. Introducing an objective would be a good idea rather than just wearing the enemy down. To my mind CoC is not ideal for one off actions, I would also recommend checking out Marks blog The Tactical Painter for his posts on using the rules.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil and a very accurate assessment I think, I will try and look at that blog 👍
DeleteFantastic looking table Matt and personally, I enjoyed the few games of CoC we played several years ago, before moving on to ANOTHER set of rules Julian wanted to try out!
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith having more than one option on the rules is a good idea so you can scale up or down.
DeleteGreat to see the Mediterranean terrain deployed and it really makes for a nice table. Interesting to see a more static CoC scenario with slightly less maneuvering as most AARs I have read involve a lot of movement.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence, several have commented on the static nature of the rules, I suspect it is very much dependant on the scenario. The key thing seems to be the ranges which mean you don’t need to move closer to the enemy, and in this case the objective for both sides was to reduce the enemy morale, as this is done by killing the enemy there wasn’t any need to get up close. We enjoyed the battle and it was a good learning game so more to come 👍
DeleteAnother masterpiece sir!
ReplyDeleteVery kind Michal 👍
DeleteA nice looking game Matt, I would echo Phil’s thoughts as to one off games, see blog for this weeks game.
ReplyDeleteThanks George it is all a learning experience and I quite enjoyed the slightly different approach 👍
DeleteAnother really lovely game you put on there Matt and the Sicily terrain is coming along a treat. We tried CoC but found that games became very samey, no matter the scenario being played. I think this is mainly due to it being Platoon level and with little room for manouevre for both sides. Nowadays I feel that anything smaller that a Company level action is not for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve I think Phil has hit the nail on the head, we will be trying a different scenario next time 👍
DeleteGreat looking WWII game. The effort really paid off.
ReplyDeleteUnsolicited opinion; I used to really like CoC until I played about 10 games of it. In all those games the side that was attacking really struggled. There’s a rule somewhere in the mag scenarios that really seems to help in the the attacking side gets 2 more activation dice but don’t count 5s and 6s. That seems to help. 😀
Thanks Stew and thanks for your thoughts of the rules system, we’ll keep that alternative in mind 🤔
DeleteLooking good . Nice to see a wander into Sicily
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave warmer than here in Cumbria at the moment 🙂
DeleteA great looking fight, Matt, and a tough nut to crack for the GIs.
ReplyDeleteV/R,
Jack
Thanks Jack and yes the GI’s had a tough ask needing some more support to break through
DeleteThanks Martin CoC gives a very different game to our usual fare
ReplyDeleteA lovely looking game indeed...
ReplyDeletethe terrain has worked out a treat...
Ive never tried Chain of Command myself so its interesting to hear the views of others.
All the best Aly