keskiviikko 18. toukokuuta 2016

Bolt Action - Take the Hill

Bolt Action after few weeks pause and this time with some serious hardware. This time a big Bolt Action game where both sides had two to three tanks and same amount of infantry squads plus some support elements. Attacking Americans had slightly more resources. But germans had clearly better armor, and on to of all that a scary 88 gun on the hill!

The scenario "Take The Hill" from Battlefield Europe -book. Never before played scenario and interesting one too. Quite classical area defense situation.We put Germans as defenders on the hill that was located spot on the center of the battlefield and US 2nd armored was to take that hill. Germans deployed half of it's force on the hill defending it with 88 how else.

US armored infantry started the attack surprisingly well organized and they brought infantry in half tracks and support weapons with sniper and officer rode jeeps through the woods in coordinated manner. Worried Germans were just listening the rumble of Detroit engines in the forest. US tanks flanked from left since they were afraid the mighty 88 on the hill. US infantry dismounted from their rides and attacked effectively on Germans on the slopes and quickly eliminated the brave defenders. US had reached nice foothold on their target. Only the 88 gun was checking the US tanks and kept them hiding from behind the end of the hill. Everything was looking good for Lt. Murphy.

Then the German tanks rolled in, first Panther and after that panzer IV. And some more infantry was rushing to help their comrades who were currently shot to pieces by massive US infantry fire. Then German tanks turned the tables. One by one US Shermans and tank destroyer were knocked out even US armor got some decent shots to German tanks. They just couldn't hurt well armored adversaries. Now the Germans got the upper hand. Only solace was very accurate mortar which managed to take direct hit on 88 position outright eliminating the crew. But still yanks didn't have anything against the German tanks.

Then once again Americans put some resources in the fight this time in the form of P51 "JaBo", The plane flew in and struck badly on German reserves running to counter attack. They were just wiped out and other Germans were left watching that chattered. One squad of US infantry was bit too close and got enough and ran away from carnage when their morale failed them.

The fight turned to end and remains of US troops, Lt. Murphy accompanied by combat engineers took the hill. They took cover on to of the hill and frustrated German tanks were left rolling around and maybe leaving soon in fear of more "JaBO's". The fight ended marginal US victory or to be precise a draw.
A hill protected by German 88.
And surrounded by dense woods.
Mighty 88 supported by grenadiers.
US 2nd armored rolling in.
German big cat enters.
88 grew busy acquiring targets.
US air observer trying to find LOS from the cover of some ruins.
US troops attacking the hill.
US tanks hiding from 88 but surprised by panzer IV.
Vehicles of 2nd armored, everyone came by car.
German Fallschirmjägers hurrying to aid their comrades.
US tank destroyer taking a hit on Panther, with no effect. Another Sherman already on fire.
88 knocked out by miraculously accurate US mortar.
Tank stand off Sherman vs. Panzer IV.
US attack on it's peak, but there is that Panther. 
Objective reached and soon secured.
End of Sherman.
Combat engineers and Lt. Murphy holding the hill.
What a carnage! Both sides lost over a half of the strength. US lost all tanks and Germans lost all infantry. But it was great fun. We had clearly larger game than normal "list" approach would allow. This was actually more of a Tank War game. I really like these big games where we don't calculate any point, just throw in appropriate amount of troops and tanks and have a ball.

keskiviikko 4. toukokuuta 2016

Bolt Action - The Pass of Misery

It has been quite peaceful in my miniature blog recently. This is due other activities with the club and with miniatures gaming, mainly in shows. And large part of my hobby activity has gone on new gaming and painting project I'll address later on my blog.

After a brief break we went once again back to the desert. This time was time for British and Italians to meet in early war scenario from "the Duel..." book. This was the first scenario from the book,  Beda Fomm, or something like that. Well anyway, in the scenario Italians were trying to escape from British attack, and British were to prevent the escape. The escape route went along the desert road which was in pretty bad shape thus preventing trucks to double their movement for most parts. Other areas were dry desert which also hindered the vehicle movement and made the life of the infantry miserable. So this was the scene and situation where the fight started.

British machine gun team AT rifle and squad of Indian infantry were formed as blocking force on the road. They were to stop the Italians running along the road. And this small blocking force was expecting British flanking force from the reserves. Italians were very aware of that and they were busy to leave before more British would arrive. Battle started when Italians riding in German trucks sped down the road followed by command team in neat little italian field car. As soon as the Italians noticed British roadblock the teams dismounted and opened devastating fire on poor Indian infantry. Many brave boys of Empire fell.  But after all shooting decisive Indians retaliated by fixing their bayonets and assaulting one of the Italian squads killing them by one blow. This was only moments glory since rest of the brave Indians were shot by the other Italian squad. Now there was only machine gun and AT rifle to to blog the escape. Reinforcements were really needed, but there was no sign of them yet.

Almost at the same time when Italian advance squads were having a fight with British roadblock another fighting erupted in narrow pass turning into plateau. There were more Italians riding for escape when they were attacked by first units of British flanking infantry who started finally appearing piecemeal to the scene. Italian truck was shot to pieces and infantry dismounted. More truck piled up on narrow pass and some kind of traffic jam began to form. Even a tank rolled in only to notice that the road was blocked by trucks parked or burning. Italians in the pass were also quite pinned. Then very heroic Italian officer appeared and sorted out the traffic and rallied the troops and Italians were back in the business once again. Now Italians started returning British fire with good effect. Then Italian tanks killed lately arrived British cruiser tank, situation started looking good for the Italians. Now there weren't enough British troops to stop Italians pushing forward for escape because their late arrival from the reserves and those who were present were in wrong place. So by the end of the fight, most of the Italian were able to escape and depleted remaining British force could't really stop that. The day was Italian.

Machine gun waiting.
Italian convoy in German trucks drives through the pass.
Italian infantry dismounts to have a fight.
One truck shot up and troops take cover.
British flanking force hits.
Italians under heavy fire in the pass.
Italian tank rolling in.
Only to meet bad traffic conditions on the pass.
Real pile up.
Italian point units escaping at end of the fight.
British witnessing enemy escape.
Once again nice game in good and relaxed company. Atmospheric game with many near misses, some spectacular successes and some funny happenings all trade marks of Bolt Action at it's best.

And yes, what's probably the best of all. Well painted figures and models on a nice terrain.

And yes, these Duel in the Desert -scenarios are really good!