In this action we have a Panzer Grenadier force supported by two tank troops and armoured cars attacking across the Louisville Road railway bridge. While a weakened Guards force is facing this armoured threat and is planning a fighting withdrawal, and now have the support of air support.
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| Tabletop setup for the game |
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| Section of the campaign map being fought over. |
The order a battle...
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| German forces - 2 x tank troops, reconnaissance company (1 x A/C troop, 1 x armoured infantry platoon) depleted company (2 x armoured infantry platoons) and AA unit. |
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| British forces - depleted company (1 x armoured infantry platoon) depleted company (1 x infantry platoon) 1 x mortar section, 1 x 25pdr section, and air support |
The Guards' plan was simply to use their artillery and mortar section to inflict as much damage as possible and rely upon air support to take care of the German armour.
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| Turn 1 - Panzer Genadir units push froward |
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| Air support arrives on turn 1 and make a hit on an armoured infantry unit, reducing it to foot infantry. |
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| Turn 2 - as Panzer Grenadiers push ahead a combination of mortars, artillery and air support eliminate an advance tank troop. |
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| Turn 3 - air support fails to turn up in due to a being assigned a black suited card. |
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| Turn 3 - Panzer Grenadier units push across the bridge, but a A/C troop is lost in the rush forward. |
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| Turn 4 - British air support returns as their units attempt to retire |
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| Turn 5 - The Guards extract themselves, but not without the loss of the armoured infantry unit. |
Overall a good result for the Guards which with their air support were able to eliminate a troop of Panzer Grenadier tanks and armoured cars. Putting a dent in the armoured thrust which had looked certain to force their way to the South.
A quick note on the rules for air support and AA units. Air support can attack any unit as an AT strike and any unit within 12" of an AA unit is treated as being in cover. I plan to post the rules once the campaign is ended. Aside from units being activated by playing cards I am playing quite a conventional OHW rules but with D3 dice. So instead of D6+2 it is D3+1, etc. and units are made up of 2 bases and are eliminated on their 8th hit (4 hits a base).
With only one action to play its back to the campaign map to plan my next moves against my dice driven opposition.
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| My opponent |
I really like the idea of giving troops 'cover' status that are within 12" of AA.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It keeps things very simple.
DeleteAnother nice game Peter. I like the inclusion of Air support.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI too like the elegant way you treat AA, i.e. to focus on its purpose (to protect units from air attack) rather than shoot down aircraft.
ReplyDeleteIf only the Guards had got way without losing that AI unit it would be a big win but they are looking short of units to stop this push.
Awaiting the next action with anticipation - this is great fun!
I will definitely be keeping the AA rule. Thanks.
DeleteA good outcome for the guards, but they are still on the back foot in the campaign.
Your opponent looks like an old WWI Kämpferer behind that mask Peter. Maybe an old corporal.
ReplyDeleteI think my opponent is looking a tad too happy and must have some cunning plan.
ReplyDeleteYour AA rule is both simple, effective, and elegant. A perfect fit for the premise of OHW.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking scenario. Air support is the Great Equalizer.
Thank you - the air support was very effective in the game turning up for three consecutive turns and rolling high on the dice.
DeleteHi Peter,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting 1/72nd battle...I would have tipped that the Germans would have had an easy time of it and pushed away the Brits easily...however, here we see heavy losses for the Germans and their advance virtually ground to a halt. Thanks for Posting- nice photos. Cheers. KEV.
Thanks KEV. The Guards are not out of the woods yet and may have only gained a reprieve. Cheers Peter
DeleteGreat looking game mate. I especially like the train tracks. I wouldn't have thought of doing them that way but they are very effective. Your opponent looks like a wily sod. Best watch out for him.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is surprisingly effective. I may just paint them grey and draw the tracks again. As for my opponent - words fail me...
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