Saturday, February 16, 2013

Battle Report 2/15/2013 - Bolt Action

I was fortunate to get a game of Bolt Action in last night.  I very much enjoyed my first game of Bolt Action a couple of weeks ago and was excited to get another go at it.  Since the last game I was able to finish basing my Germans ... but I'm still in the process of basing the British.  I still need to fix the helmets on the German MG42 team (MMG) as they should be camo - I'm getting to it soon!  I still have a lot of work to do on my terrain for the period ... but I have enough to gear up a fun game at the moment.

We rolled the "Point Defence" scenario.  The British decided to be the attackers and the Germans choose the table edge nearest the town.  Normally it is expected that the players will play across the 4' table span - but for fun we decided instead to play down the length of my 4'x8' table.  As a result, we adjusted the deployment zones.  Normally the defender deploys 12" in from the table edge - we modified this to 24" (anywhere in "front" of the river - see pictures for table layout).  Normally the attacker moves onto the table in the first turn - we modified this to be a full movement (so each unit got to "run" onto the table to start) - this meant most everything was at 12" with the exception of the Sherman tank which got out to 18" on the main road.

For the scenario, at the end of turn 6 you roll to see if the game continues.

BRITISH ARMY (Roy Scaife)
Regular 2nd Lieutenant (50), 2 x Riflemen (20) = 70pts
Regular NCO + 9 men (100), 1 x LMG (20), 1 x SMG (3) = 123pts
Regular NCO + 9 men (100), 1 x LMG (20), 1 x SMG (3) = 123pts
Regular NCO + 9 men (100), 1 x LMG (20), 1 x SMG (3) = 123pts
Regular Forward Artillery Observer (free) = free
Veteran Medic (30) = 30pts
Regular MMG team (50) = 50pts
Regular Medium mortar (50) = 50pts
Regular Light Mortar (35) = 35pts
Regular PIAT team (40) = 40pts
Regular Sherman tank (195) = 195pts
TOTAL POINTS = 839pts

GERMAN ARMY (Jay White)

Regular 2nd Lieutenant (50), 2 x Riflemen (20) = 70pts
Regular NCO + 9 men (100), 1 x LMG (20), 2 x SMG (6), 2 x Panzerfaust (10) = 136pts
Regular NCO + 9 men (100), 1 x LMG (20), 2 x SMG (6), 2 x Panzerfaust (10) = 136pts
Regular NCO + 9 men (100), 1 x LMG (20), 2 x SMG (6) = 126pts
Veteran Medic (30) = 30pts
Regular MMG team (50) = 50pts
Regular Medium mortar (50) = 50pts
Regular Hetzer tank (225) = 225pts
TOTAL POINTS = 838pts

The British preparatory bombardment put 1-2 pin markers on most of the German infantry units.  The unit advancing over the bridge took a single casualty.

Turn 1 saw the Germans moving their two infantry sections with Panzerfausts towards the nearest buildings in the town.  The British advanced and not much else of note other than moving into positions.

Turn 2 the two advancing German infantry units gain the two buildings (1st floors).  The British started their Mortar attacks against the buildings.  Most of those attacks saw the rounds explode on the roof level or 2nd level ... not making it down to the first floor.  The Hetzer moved towards and behind the blown up building - in position to pop out and take the advancing Sherman by surprise.  My plan was to activate the Hetzer first, and if it was unsuccessful in taking out the Sherman tank, I would use my medium mortar to lay a smoke screen on the road.  Of course, no plan survives contact with the enemy ...

Turn 4-6 saw the British continue to fire upon the infantry in the buildings while inching forward.  They would not get much farther than this point.  The mortar hits on the building continued to explode on the roof or 2nd floors ... but the pin markers started piling up.  The Hetzer did pop out and I rolled very well and the Sherman tank was knocked out.  That really took the luster out of the British advance.

In the end, on turn 6, we rolled and the game ended.  We started playing the game late at night ... we should have added at least two more turns ... but both of us were tired and Roy (this being his first game) was very happy with the rules/game ... so I'm looking forward to filling out my armies and terrain for this period.

Lots of pictures below.

The table setup - view 1

The table setup - view 2

The table setup - view 3

The table setup - view 4

German deployment

German deployment

German deployment - the red markers are the three
objectives that are required by the scenario.

"Hetzer - dang near killed her!"

Medium mortar provided support primarily
by laying smoke screens.

The two sections with Panzerfausts advanced forward
to occupy the buildings hoping for an opportunity
to fire at the Sherman tank.

The MG42 holds the left flank of the German line.

That 75mm is damn nasty!

The British get underway - heavy concentration
against the German right flank.

Everyone is deployed.

End of turn 1

End of turn 1

End of turn 1

End of turn 2 - the Hezter is position to
spring a trap against the Sherman!

End of turn 2

Just one more action ...

The trap is sprung - and my dice are hot!
The Sherman goes "KA-BOOM" ...

The smoking hulk of the Sherman provides
cover for the advancing infantry.

The British continue to push on their right flank
but the German infantry in the buildings
are keeping them busy.

I think we are going to need the PIAT ...

The Hetzer advances to MMG the PIAT team
that has moved out of cover - killing one of the team ...

Two smoke screens are visible.  The British are focusing
medium and light mortar attacks on the "green"
house - the pin marks on the German Infantry
are starting to pile up ...

More pictures ... showing turns 4, 5 and 6 (which when we rolled became the last turn).








Turn 6 - endgame - called in favour of the Germans.
That's all for now folks!

10 comments:

  1. Nice! Looks like you had a good outing! I just got my 150mm Artillery and FJ Sidecard bike with MG in today, looking forward to working on them tonight. We are gaming tomorrow, I would love to bring them even if they are unfinished!

    The table was top notch and the armies look great....

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    1. FJ Sidecar ... sweet!! Going to have to get one of those!

      Thanks!

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  2. That table looks absolutely fantastic. Great looking game!

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    1. Thanks --- I've got bomb craters and road signs/posts coming up ... need to start adding the details to the WW2 stuff (and fenced backyards for the buildings) :-)

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  3. Beautiful table as always Mr. Jay! I'm looking forward to getting a turn with this new game.

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    1. Thanks Wade!! I'll get you playing this game yet!

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  4. Great batrep ! I'm looking for a good ruleset for WWII myself and think I'll try the BA rules. That Hetzer is fantastically painted.

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    1. Thanks! The Hetzer was painted by a local artist ... he was working on his airbrush skills and decided to do up some armour for my friend Dan Kerrick ... who after getting out of the period graciously sold it to me :-)

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  5. Very nice looking AAR !!!

    I haven´t come around trying out Bolt Action yet, temting now.

    Best regards Michael

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    1. Thanks! I'll continue to attempt to tempt you :-) It really is a fun ruleset ... and just the right pace if WW2 isn't the only thing you are playing.

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