Team Yankee: Clash Along Highway 5

The Soviets are launching a reconnaissance in force along Highway 5 in an attempt to gauge NATO dispositions in the area and ascertain where to best direct their follow on forces. A battered Armored Company from 1/4 Armor is all that stands ready to check this Soviet probe and discourage any further penetration in this area. For this mission the Soviets will be attacking and the Americans defending. The mission: “No Retreat” Forces: 47pt.

Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion T-72 Tank Battalion HQ--1x T-72 (A) T-72 Tank Company--4x T-72 (B) T-72 Tank Company--4x T-72 BMP-2 Recon Platoon--2x BMP-2 MI-24 Hind Assault Helicopter Company--2x Mi-24 Hind

US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team HQ--1x M1 Abrams (A) M1 Abrams Tank Platoon--2x M1 Abrams (B) M1 Abrams Tank Platoon--2x M1 Abrams AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter Platoon--2x AH-1 Cobra

SETUP AND DEPLOYMENT

Deployment Overview

The Hinds deployed in support of (B) Company

The American position in the woods protecting Objective R

The Soviet line as viewed from the American position

UNITS IN RESERVE
Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion	US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team (B) M1 Abrams Tank Platoon--2x M1 Abrams AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter Platoon--2x AH-1 Cobra

DEPLOYMENT SUMMARY

Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion : The Soviet commander deployed with his (A) T-72 Company in the field on his left directly opposing the lone M1 Abrams. The (B) Company deployed behind the hill on his right with the Hinds deployed to provide direct fire support. The BMP-2 recon platoon deployed on the road in the center. During their spearhead move, they dashed up the road and flanked the Abrams platoon in the woods near Objective R. US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team : The Company CO deployed into the woods on his right flank while the (A) M1 Abrams Platoon deployed in the woods on the left side of the road. The Americans set up a minefield to block the approach to Objective R to left of those woods.

TURN 1

Both T-72 Companies advance with only one tank from (B) Company bogging down trying to get up the hill.

BMP-2s and Hinds move to engage the M1s from the rear.

A close up of the action

The Americans open up--first blood to the Red, White and Blue!

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion 1 T-72 from (B) Company 2 BMP-2s--the whole BMP-2 Recon Platoon	US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team

TURN 1 SUMMARY

Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion : Both Tank companies advanced with only 1 T-72 from (B) Company getting bogged down. (A) company fired on the conceled CO Abrams but couldn't score any hits while the Hinds and BMP-2s fired on the Abrams platoon with no damage to the Americans. US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team : No Reserves came in this turn so (A) Platoon moved up to the edge of the woods to engage the T-72 Company to their front--this was a risk as that would leave Objective R open to the BMPs. To prevent this, the command M1 moved out of the woods and into the field behind him in order to fire on the BMPs. During shooting, (A) Platoon managed to destroy one of the T-72s and the command tank knocked out a single BMP-2. This forced the BMPs to take a morale check and needing a 3+ they rolled a 2; the remaining BMP-2 decided he has had enough and withdrew back to Soviet lines! ****Gunner, Sabot, Tank 11 O'Clock! Up! Identified...On the way! TARGET! Up!****

TURN 2

A lot of shooting but no destruction!

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion 1 T-72 from (B) Company bailed out	US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team

TURN 2 SUMMARY

Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion : The bogged down tank from (B) Company remounted and moved to join his fellows. The Hinds swung around to the front of the woods to engage the M1 Platoon with their missles and (A) Company successfuly moved into the woods vacated by the American CO and several were able to take up firing positions on the far edge. (A) Company managed to get a few shots on the American CO in the field but did no damage while the three shots and two missles from (B) Company and the Hinds likewise had no impact on the American platoon. These pesky Capitialists are proving to be too well concealed! US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team : The first reserve platoon arrived this turn--the Cobras flying in to support the lone M1 on the American right flank. With the Soivets pressuring on both flanks, the Americans stayed put and returned fire--(A)Platoon targeting the T-72s in the open and the CO firing at those in the woods across from his position. While several hits were scored, only 1 T-72 from (B) Company was bailed out.

TURN 3

The heroic last stand of (A) Platoon!

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion 2 T-72 from (A) Company	US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team 2 M1 Abrams from (A) Platoon--the whole Platoon

TURN 3 SUMMARY

Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion : The bailed out T-72 is successful in his remount allowing the Soviets continue to push their numerical advantage--(A) Company extends several tanks outside of the woods to maximize firing on the American CO while the Hinds and (B) Company move to likewise focus their fire on the American Platoon. During the shooting step, the hits finally come for the Soviets! (B) Company is able to destroy one of the Abrams in the woods while the missles from the Hinds take out the other. However, their success is short lived. With five shots from (A) Company, only 1 hits the American CO who then successfuly makes his armor save! US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team : With three reserve dice and the left flank completley over run due to the loss of (A) Platoon, the Americans needed their last Abrams Platoon to come on or it would be almost over. As luck would have it, the desperate radio communication from the belegured Company CO went through and his (B) Platoon arrived and took up positions in the field on the left flank! They were out of LOS to shoot, so all that could shoot was the Cobras with thier TOW missles and the CO himself who all remained stationary to fire. With both the Cobras and CO firing at the Soviet (A) Company, they managed to destroy 2 T-72s--evening up the odds a little!

TURN 4

Soviets secure Objective R

The dice roll of failure--to destroy the American CO, all you had to do was not roll a 1...

Good bye Hinds! Awesome 5+ firepower roll on 3 failed saves to destroy the Russian choppers!

And the great empty space where the Hinds once were!

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion 2 Mi-24 Hinds--the whole Company 1 T-72 from (A) Company	US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team

TURN 4 SUMMARY

Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion : With the start of turn 4, (B) Company moved into the woods now left empty by the destroyed American platoon and secured Objective R--however, in trying to avoid the minefield one of the T-72s bogged down. The Hinds moved in to provide support and get within range to fire their missiles on the newly arrived American platoon. (A) Company's three remaining tanks stayed still in the hopes of finally destroying the American CO. During the shoting step, (B) Company and the Hinds fired at the American (B) platoon doing nothing...again. However, things looked promising on the other flank as one of the hits from (A) Company against the American CO finally went through his armor. All that was needed was a 2+ firepower test and then they could race towards Objective A...only, what happened was he rolled a 1 and the American CO simply jumped out his M1 to check the scratch! US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team : With the Russians holding Objective R the only way to avoid defeat was by rushing (B) Platoon from their cover in the field and over to contest it. The Cobras moved to within gun range of the Hinds and the CO, who was able to remount his Abrams, stayed put to continue his delaying action on the right flank. (B) Platoon failed to hit any of of the T-72s in the woods around Objective R but CO Abrams was able to destroy another T-72 from (A) company--leaving two remaining. The Cobras, however, were able to hit 5 of their 6 shots against the Hinds with three failing to be saved. Needing 5+ on two dice to destroy the whole company, he rolled two 6s sending the Hinds crashing to the deck! During the assault step, the Company CO successfuly preformed a shoot and shoot and fell back further into the field hoping to draw the T-72s from (A) Company after him.

TURN 5

Another amazing dice roll to stay alive!

Woods aflame...the end of (B) Company

The Aftermath--the American CO stands alone amongst the wrecks of an entire soviet company!

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion 2 T-72s from (B) Company T-72 Battalion HQ	US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team 1 M1 Abrams from (B) Platoon bailed out

TURN 5 SUMMARY

Soviet T-72 Tank Battalion : The two remaining T-72s (including the Battalion CO) from (A) Company moved in pursuit of the lone American CO. The bogged down tank from (B) Company failed to remount so the platoon stayed put in the hopes of shooting the Americans off the objective. (A) Company, as usual, couldn't hit the broadside of a barn and failed to hit the CO Abrams. (B) Company, however, did manage to bail one of the Abrams from (B) Platoon contesting Objective R and forced them to do a morale check and, once again, the fate of the game rested with this one roll. Needing a 4+, the American LT. held his platoon together with a 6! US M1 Abrams Armored Combat Team : With one of their tanks bailed out, (B) Platoon stayed put and with the help of the Cobras' TOWs managed to destroy both of the T-72s in the woods securing Objective R. On the right flank, the American CO was engaged in a desperate CQB fight with the last two tanks from (A) Company. Needing 4+ to hit both of them with his two shots, he does--scoring a 4 and a 6. The T-72 from (A) Company passed its armor leaving the hit on the Battalion CO tank. He failed his roll to transfer his hit so had to take it--which upon failing his armor left his fate in the hands of American firepower. Needing a 2+, the American Sabot punched through and detonated the tanks fuel and amunition causing a massive explosion and killing the Soviet Battalion commander. With only 1 T-72 left in the company, the Russians were forced to take a morale test which they failed. With only 1 bogged down T-72 left on the field, the Battalion was not in good spirits. With the loss of their commander they were unable to take the morale check and the Russians were forced to withdraw! ****This is Sabre actual to all Sabre elements: The enemy is withdrawing, I repeat, the Soviets are withdrawing, consolidate on my position, over****

***In the face of such staggering lossess in the recent probe along Highway 5, Soviet High Command believes that sending further resources into that sector unwise until the tactical situation changes.*** A great and entertaining game where the balance literally hung on a single dice roll numerous times! American tanks in cover are extermely hard to hit--the only way to deal with that is by shear weight of firepower (as what eventually happened to the American (A) platoon.) It was a shame loosing the Recon Platoon so early as they could have dashed to threaten the other Objective which would have forced the NATO player to focus his reserves elsewhere. All in all it was a great, desperate fight that really captures the feeling of the novel!

Generated by WWPD's BatRepper Software.

Planetside with Dropzone Commander

Greetings and happy hump day!  As I stated in my blog's introduction, when it comes to wargamming I have a vast and varied interest in may different scales and game systems; though Flame of War is my most current "first love" or "first obsession" as is probably apparent.  As such, to expand on the content you find here I thought I would throw out a brief entry in regards to my more recent forays into the world of Dropzone Commander or DZC.  

To be honest, I purchased DZC starter set almost a year ago and and like so many other miniatures in my horde it remained in stasis until a latter time.  I bought the game with the hopes of creating and PHR or Post Human Republic army; and in conjunction with the starter set picked up a few blisters.  

developing a

Through the starter set, I was able to introduce one of my gaming friends to the system.  As he liked the PHR, I quickly gave up my primary ambition and settled on the fleshing out of the UCM components of the starter set.  

This past Saturday, Peter stopped over and we were able to enjoy almost 5 hours of gaming in which we played both a game of FOW (Fate of a Nation--which I hope to post the AAR soon) and a game of DZC.  It was only Peter's second game, but we were able to expand and explore several of the various rules that we didn't in our first game.  We played through the scenario given in the starter set and had a great time!  

Nate's Scourge Warriors have secured an objective!

The rules are far simpler than those of FOW, especially when it comes to CQB. However, they are still detailed enough to offer a lot of tactical flexibility. The greatest mechanical difference between this game and may others is the use of dropships to deploy and then redeploy your forces.  

If your deployment stinks in many other games systems, you will find yourself having a much harder time recovering.  In DZC, however, if you feel your armored battlegroup would be better off over there; simply hop in your dropship, buzz on over and bring their guns to bear where you need them!  This is especially critical in getting objectives off the board as the quickest way is to fly them off.    Furthermore, this opens up a ton of tactical options--your enemy cannot redeploy those tanks if you shoot down his dropship!

In the game, you are playing a relativity small action in the context of larger planetary assaults. DZC, therefore, focuses heavily on the finding, securing, and removal of various objectives, pieces of intel etc. In the game with Peter, for instance, though he was able to secure an objective (thus giving him 1 Victory Point) I was able to secure one and get it off my table edge (giving me 2 Victory Points).  If the game had tied, no doubt Peter would have won as he basically annihilated my army (what DZC refers to as "kill points").  Because we had to do a lot of rule-book flipping, I failed to capture any images of my contest with Peter.  However, Nate and I were able to play a quick game Sunday night after Bible Study.  In the game Nate and I played, Nate managed to do to me essentially what I did to Peter.  Though I killed most of his stuff, Nate was able to secure an objective while I failed to do anything as Nate consistently bested my troops in combat.  Through the crucible of hand to hand combat alone, Nate emerged the victor in the game by a score of 1-0; something he was incredibly proud of!

The casualties; Nate was playing the Scourge
 while I was commanding the UCM.

As a final note about the starter set and one you can tell from the pictures; the amazing feature about the DZC starter set is that in addition to getting a ton of miniatures and a full size rule-book you also receive DZC posters/mats to play on and 10 buildings!!  You literally have all you need to play the game right out of the box; no need to spend more time and money getting a great games table and terrain--it is already in there!

I have already purchased my additional battlegroups for my UCM army so hopefully in the next few weeks Peter will have his PHR up and ready to play allowing me to bring more glimpses of the Dropzone Commander universe!  As always, thanks for reading!

-Travis

The Painting Corner

Greetings and Happy 2015 to you!  Things have started to settle down after the wild holiday season so I have been able to allocate some time to showcase a few of the projects we have been working on in the Painting Corner.  The first is my Israeli Ch'ir Mamochan or Motorized Infantry platoon for Flames of War's Fate of a Nation supplement.

I have really enjoyed assembling and panting the models from this particular range.  While I have several different WW2 armies; getting to paint and play with vehicles and equipment from the Cold War Era has been a welcome change.  Furthermore, this is my first foray into a desert environment so the basing and gaming surface challenges have been a great experience as well.  

One of the FAL Rifle Teams

I primed them in black and then based coated their uniform with Vallejo 881 Yellow Green.  Their web gear, ammo pouches etc. were then picked out in Vallejo 884 Stone Grey while their helmets were painted in Vallejo 886 Green Grey (the same color I used for the IDF tanks).  I left the FALs black but the Uzi SMGs scatterd among the NCOs I picked out in Citadel's Leadbelcher. 

From this picture of modern IDF female soldiers, you will
notice the difference in skin tone among
them even now

Painting Middle Eastern skin tones was something that I experimented with a little and from the pictures you can probably see the different shades I tried out.  For the most part, I started with a base coat of Vallejo 875 Beige Brown.  Then, after giving the whole model a wash with Army Painter's Strong Tone ink, I highlighted the skin with a variant mix of Vallejo 875 Beige Brown and Vallejo 955 Flat Flesh.  Depending on the mix ratio, I came up with a variety of shades--I erred on a lighter shade 50% of the time as I can imagine many of these solders being the children of European immigrants that settled in Israel after the Holocaust and World War 2.   

The Platoon CO

The final step in painting the IDF troops was to add a final layer of highlighting.  I have tried various ways of doing this over the last few months and have sort of settled on a method that is quick but still looks pretty good. Since the Strong Tone Ink darkens/browns the model, to add a highlight I simply go over the raised areas of their clothing or equipment with the same color as the base coat.  I am sure I could have mixed in a little white to make it more pronounced, but I rather like the look just highlighting with the base color gives.  As I said, it is fast and still accomplishes what highlighting is supposed to!  The only area where I did not do this was with their helmets; for that I simply dry brushed the raised "camo net" pattern with Vallejo 884 Stone Grey.  

FAL teams supporting a M50 "French Sherman"

Once all of the models were complete, I faced my final challenge--basing.  These are the first desert bases I have done so was a little unsure of how to proceed.  After a few trials, I think I hit upon a formula that seems to work.  After gluing them to their bases, I game the top of the base a coat of PVA (Elmer's) glue and dipped it in sand.  Once that dried, I based coated with thinned out Vallejo 913 Yellow Ochre.  After that coat dried, I gave the top of the base a wash with Vallejo's Dark Brown ink followed by a drybrush of Vallejo 847 Dark Sand and then a final drybrush of Vallejo 918 Ivory.   To complete the base, I painted the sides with a coat of Vallejo 983 Flat Earth for some contrast and then added a few patches of underbrush to each one using Army Painter's Static Field Grass and some of their Highland's tufts. 

All in all I think they came out pretty good!  Here are some "textured" shots to mimic some of the grainy combat pics from the 1960's:

"Holding the Line"

 

LMG and Blincade Teams from the Weapons Squad 

"Watchers on the Wall"

Thanks for looking!  I should have some pics soon of the Egyptian SU-100s and some Egyptian infantry coming soon!  

See you on the table!

-Travis

The Painting Corner

My T-55 project went off as I had hoped!  With the extra time off, I was able to paint all 12 T-55s by Friday, even with all the other events this week in celebration of Christmas and time spent with my family away from the War Room.

I painted these in batches of three as I have found it is easier to find an hour to paint than it is four or five! 

I started by priming them with Army Painter's Skeleton Bone color spray. This shade is close to the color I wanted for the base so I thought it would be a good starting layer. After the primer dried, I airbrushed the tanks with a base coat of Vallejo 847 Dark Sand.  The two tanks in the picture are what they looked like with just the primer and base coat.  

After the airbrush, I used Vallejo Dark Brown wash to do the pin washing on the hatches, panels, wheels, fuel tanks and other recessed areas.  The tank in the foreground of the photo above shows what they looked like after the pin washing.

The next step was a simple dry brush of 50/50 Vallejo 976 Buff and 918 Ivory.  I would then pick out the road wheels, tracks and headlights with Vallejo 995 German Grey and the DShK MG with Citadel's Leadbelcher.  For the gun mount, I used Vallejo 875 Beige Brown with a coat of the Dark Brown wash and then a highlight of 75/50 Vallejo 976 Buff and 875 Beige Brown.  Finally, the top engine compartment grills, the DShK MG and the tip of the gun would be given a coat of Citadel's Nuln Oil.  After completing several of the tanks I went back and gave a final drybrush of Vallejo 884 Stone Grey to the tracks as this helped pick out some of the detail and gave then a slightly worn look. All in all, these were pretty fast to paint--even the decals went on pretty easy!

Here are some of the finished tanks, taking up defensive positions along the border:

"Move one company into the town, that should keep the good citizens happy."

  

A whole company ready for the IDF!

The Battalion Commander, surveying his position.

These will hopefully be up in an After Action Report before long!

See you on the table!

-Travis

Operation Edelweiss

With most of last week off due to the Christmas holiday, my family and I were able to both celebrate the birth of Christ together and get in some intense miniature combat Christmas Day! After reading the Christmas story from Luke 2 and opening presents, Nate and I prepared for our first battle--a small skirmish loosely based on the German summer/fall offensive in 1942 code-named Operation Edelweiss.  Our army lists were taken from the Mid-War Eastern Front Intelligence Briefing and were limited to 1,000 pts.

Nate would be commanding a Russian Red Army Tankovy Battlion:

Rating: Fearless Conscript

Tankovy Batalon HQ-80 pts.
1 T-34 obr 1942 with Cupola

Medium Tankovy Company-370 pts.
 5 T-34 obr 1941 or 1942

Medium Tankovy Company-395 pts.
 5 T-34 obr 1942 with Cupola

Tank Rider Company-145 pts.
1 Cmd Rifle/MG team
7 Rifle/MG team
1 Maksim HMG team
Komissar team

Total: 990 pts.

On the German side, I would be leading a Heer Mittlere Panzerkompanie:

Rating: Confident Veteran 

Mittlere Panzerkompanie HQ-255 pts.
1 Panzer III G or H or J (early)
1 Panzer IV G (late) or H

Mittlere Panzer Platoon-300 pts.
1 Panzer III G or H or J (early)
1 Panzer III N
1 Panzer IV E or F1

Mittlere Panzer Platoon-270 pts.
3 Panzer III G or H or J (early)

Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon-170 pts.
1 Cmd Panzerknacker SMG team
4 MG team
2 Sd Kfz 251/1C
1 Sd Kfz 251/10 (3.7cm)

Total: 995 pts.

We set up the field of battle on Christmas Eve and went ahead and made our preliminary deployments.  The mission we rolled for was the Defensive Battle No Retreat with Nate's Russians defending and my Germans attacking:

No Retreat (Defensive Battle) There comes a time in every conflict when a force must dig in and prepare to repel a massive assault from the enemy. Often the deciding battles of their campaigns, these desperate defences can turn the tides and determine the momentum of entire wars. Mission Special Rules No Retreat uses the Ambush (page 266), Reserves (page 268), and Prepared Positions (page 264) special rules. Your Orders The Attacker The enemy has fallen back to defend a single choke point of your advance. Their lines disorganized, their reserves in tatters, you must crush their resistance and open a path to victory! You must assault and capture one of your objectives. The Defender The situation is desperate and your path is grim, but if you can mount a heroic defence against their coming advance you could turn the tide of this war. Reinforcements are coming, and your superiors have promised you support: until they arrive, you are on your own. There can be no retreat. You must hold the objectives and push the enemy back. Left: The No Retreat mission deployment map.

Preliminary deployment; Nate's second Tankovy Company and his Tank Riders are held in reserve.

GERMAN TURN ONE

As the attacker gets the first turn, I quickly moved my panzers forward, with the platoon on my right flank joined by my Company CO heading towards the ford and my 2iC and the second panzer platoon moving towards the river on my left followed by my panzergrenadiers.

Panzers moving into position!

My first platoon opened fire at the two T-34s in the field but to no effect while my second platoon's Panzer IV E fired a smoke shell at the tanks next to the log building--hoping to cover them as they tried to ford the river.  Sadly, I failed to stormtrooper with any of my platoons except the platoon on the right.

SOVIET TURN ONE

Nate's bold tank surge!

To my German CO's relief, Nate failed his first reserves roll; I would still outnumber the beleaguered Russian defenders on my next turn.  However, my elation did not last long.  Rather than sit back and let the Germans come to him, Nate launched an all out attack--moving his tanks from cover (and out beyond the smoke marker) and focused his fire on my panzer platoon that was on the far bank of the river.  Though now hitting on 5+ since he moved, he still managed to pop the Panzer III J from the platoon--the first casualty of the game!

Panzer burning!

GERMAN TURN TWO

With the loss of one of my panzers and the ever increasing threat of Soviet reinforcements, I needed to act quickly to secure one of the objectives and ensure victory.  However, the objective closest to my lines was now under the guns of six T-34s (which were much better than the majority of my tanks) and, worst of all, across a river.  With Nate having moved one of the T-34's onto the bridge, he effectively closed that route off to my advance--even if I could knock it out, it would still prevent any vehicle from effectively crossing.  

I therefore decided to go a route that I thought would give me the best options later in the game; even if Nate did not get reserves in turn two he was rule bound to get at least one company in turn three.  I decided, therefore, to push my Panzergrenadiers across the river under the supporting fire from my panzer platoons.  The platoon on my right (lead by my CO) would then cross at the ford and either swing to the left and hit Nate's tanks from behind or drive on to the second objective to stall any reserves that might arrive and buy my panzers and panzergrenadiers time to mop up the first tank company and secure the objective.  No sooner had I begun my move, however, that my plan began to come apart. I kept the panzer platoon on my left unmoved so they could shoot at their full ROF, but they managed to score only ONE hit out of FIVE (needing only 3+)!  Of course, that one shot just bounced happily off the T-34's tough front armor!  

Is this the beginning of the end?

My platoon on the right, however, managed to knock out one T-34 and bail out another (they were shooting at the "weaker" side armor--5 rather than 6).  My grens pushed ahead and, during their stormtrooper move (finally passed!), they waded across the river with only one half-track failing the skill test needed to cross.  I passed the stormtrooper move with my panzer platoon and moved to get them across the river as well but only my 2iC passed the skill test; the other two tanks just floundered helplessly on the bank.  The CO and his platoon passed their stormtrooper roll as well (amazing isn't it), and moved across the ford (leaving one tank behind to help those stuck at the river) and I was into enemy territory at last!

SOVIET TURN 2

Well, my worst fears were realized--Nate rolled and his first reserve company came on the table; and of course he chose the tanks!  My panzers were almost to the objective (not shown in the picture above as I forgot to take a picture once they made their stormtrooper move), but now they faced a wall of Soviet armor!  Nate was in a hurry to get to the shooting, and justifiably so with one platoon of my panzers sitting ducks (almost literally!) and the other strung out and facing a torrent of 76mm rounds at close range.  Nate picked up his dice and his first tankovy company fired 8 shots and knocked out my 2iC and the floundering Panzer IV E. The resulting platoon morale roll saw my Panzer III N flee for his life!  

And the wheels begin to fly off!

What was left of my left!

The battalion commander engaged next and rolled two fours in shooting at my panzergrenadiers; knocking out both half tracks.  The command team and one MG team failed to escape the burning wreckage and again I was forced to take a morale test--which I failed.  With the loss of one panzer platoon and the panzergrenadiers, my left flank completely collapsed.  

Nate, however, was not done.  His newly arrived tankovy company opened up with three tanks and even though he needed 5+ to hit again, managed to destroy my lead Panzer III J.  Things did not look good, and although many doubts were going through my head I was sure about one thing--I was going to have to take a company morale check at the start of my next turn.

The thick green line!

GERMAN & SOVIET TURN 3

Before I rolled for my company morale test, Nate politely offered me terms for surrender.  I, not so politely, refused stating my panzers would fight to the death.  I then cast my die and, fearing I would have to eat the words I just spoke, rolled a 4 and the game would continue--my panzers not yet ready to relinquish the field!  I moved my remaining panzers to the objective and opened fire!  My Company CO managed to knock out a T-34 but that was all I could do.  Nate began his turn with his infantry automatically arriving from reserve (too late to effect the outcome of the battle but not too late to enjoy the post victory BBQ!).  He moved his Battalion CO and his first company towards what remained of my army and with their combined firepower destroyed my CO and the Panzer III J that was within range--leaving me with one Panzer III J on the table who miraculously passed his platoon morale check.  

Game Over!

GERMAN TURN 4

With no Company CO or 2iC to take the company morale check, I automatically failed and my last Panzer III J left the field to the Russians.  I managed to kill only 2 tanks while I lost 5 to enemy fire and 2 more to poor morale.  Nate ended the battle with a 6-1 Soviet victory, and my plans for the oil rich Caucuses will have to wait!

Nate Triumphant--and dressed up in one of his Christmas presents!  (Also, that is an IBC Root Beer Bottle, our favorite gaming beverage and one of my Christmas presents!)

The battlefield

Where it all came apart

While Christmas certainly is the time when we remember the birth of Christ and how through faith in His death and resurrection we alone can have peace with God; it also provides a great opportunity to enjoy our families and friends and to wage war across miniature battlefields! Nate did a great job leading his forces and it is always fun watching your kids get excited about blowing up your tanks!

All in all, it was a good opportunity to dust off the Mid-War armies and let them have a go at each other.  Some of these are among the first Battlefront models I  purchased when I picked up my first copy of the Flames of War rulebook back in 2007.  Furthermore, this was the first game to be played on our new desert board which I assembled as part of our foray into Fate of a Nation.

As always, thanks for reading and if you are interested in gaming 15mm World War 2 battles please check out the Flames of War website here.

Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

-Travis