Sicily 1943, Sumerians and British artillery

Well I seem to be keeping busy during retirement. First up the Americans saw some more battle time, this time using bolt action so that the wider support could get on the table.

A simple capture scenario, the Germans hold the three fuel dumps which the Americans are looking to capture, the Americans unusually failed to activate the barrage

The Americans all arrive first turn and spread out using the cover of the fields, the M8 moves upto the farmhouse

will they  need that 57mm ?

American armour heads down the road but the ravine will restrict mobility if they get stuck

Initially the Germans have deploy small squads of Fallschirmjager by the objectives 

Supported by infantry the M8 lays down fire over the farm wall

The Germans drop smoke into the ravine and the Sherman chooses to double back

The Germans have both a PzIII and Pz IV

The PzIV has an aggressive attack is the best form of defence approach and pushes through the smoke but is then hit and destroyed by the American Bazooka team 😢

Crossing the wall one squad of Americans assaults into the farmhouse knocking the Germans back but they take heavy loses doing so

Tight fighting around the centre

German MG in the orchard knocks out the American MG but then comes under heavy fire itself

Holding the centre the PzIII is immobilised and the. Blown up again by the Bazooka team. Both German tanks lost to the bazooka team !

But he German infantry is clinging on to the objectives

….and the Americans have left it one turn too late to charge forward. The Germans do cling on for a minor victory

But their burning armour will need to be left on the battlefield as they withdraw they have taken a lot of casualties.

A fun game and nice to get that Bolt action mix of combined arms. The bazooka team was outstanding perhaps I should make another one !

Second up Jon invited me to give his a Sumerians a run out. 

This is a really interesting tactical challenge with two identical armies on a flat desert with no terrain. Playing ‘blue’ I thought we would attempt a right flank attack and perhaps look to hold the centre and left ? After the initially couple of moves things are developing nicely. 

After a couple of failed pursuits my battle Chariots/cars sweep in form the right, suddenly my dice rolling luck changes and they literally crash through the enemy lines, driving both the enemy flank and centre sending them running back. This piece of worthless desert will remain under blue control for now ! Very enjoyable Jon needs to paint some more figures up now 

Finally my enthusiasm for Peninsular continues this week I am progressing a third British unit but on a whim jumped these Royal artillery 9pdrs into the queue, one was in the starter army the second from eBay. Of course when I have built more complete brigades I will come back and add some limbers for the artillery but I am focussing on core troops at the moment.

Thanks as always 👍 Matt