Warning Order - Issue #13

2005·1.1 MB·English

by  Wasatch Front Gaming Society

Building Empires
Issue #13
Fall/Winter 2005
The Growth of Colonial Wargaming
My first expo- gan to change. Foreign Legion, Stone
sure to Victorian Mountain, and more. By
While there
era colonial gam- the end of the 80’s you
were colonial
ing came when could complete any number
rules, none had
Ral Partha an- of armies for most colonial
the impact that
nounced it’s new wars. Things were improv-
The Sword and
colonial line in ing and the period was
the Flame had.
an issue of The attracting more gamers
This single set of
Courier. About than ever.
rules pretty much
the same time
set colonial gam-
came issue #5 of
ing on it’s current path and
Miniature Wargames
it has never looked back.
which featured a huge Pe-
This was followed by the
ter Gilder colonial game on
release of the beautiful Ral
the front cover. I was
hooked. Partha figures, a slew of
Y r magazine articles, and
T I then bought all the books by Michael Barthrop 25mm HMS Sultan from The
E Ospreys, subscribed to on the Sudan, Northwest Gunboat Company.
I e
Savage and Soldier, and Frontier, and Anglo-Boer
C
saved every wargaming wars. The colonial period The 90’s however, did
O
d and uniform article for the was gaining acceptance in not continue the growth of
S
Sudan that I could get my gaming circles and saw the period. Stagnation was

G hands on. There was al- extensive growth in rules, probably too strong a word,
N r ways something about a figures, and terrain. rather the existing ranges
I small British force either in and rules continued to in-
M O the Sudan, Northwest Fron- troduce gamers into this
A tier, Or South Africa, fight- colorful and exotic period,
G ing off native hordes with but no real advances were
no other option other than made. TSATF was still the
L to stand and fight. choice of colonial skirmish
A g gamers, but no other rules
C During the 70’s and set really made an impact.
I 80’s, the colonial gamer By the end of the 90’s the
R n was definitely in the minor-
period seemed to have
O ity. There were Hinch-
Perry Miniatures 25mm Sudan reached it’s zenith and the
T cliffe, Minifigs, Gailla, and mounted British officers. future looked to maintain a
S i Mike’s Models ranges
certain status quo.
I available, but the ranges
H n More figure ranges con-
were limited, the figures With the start of the
tinued to appear, including
T were adequate, but infor- Brittania, Essex in both 15 new century, however,
N mation and rules were hard things began to take shape
r and 25mm, Flacon’s Ger-
O to come by. Slowly and for a monumental period of
man Southwest Africa and
R surely, though, things be- growth. (cont. on page 2)
a
F

H
Inside this issue:
C W Special points of interest:
T Empire of the Sun review 4
A • Battle reports for Blitzkrieg Commander,
DVD reviews 5 Battles for Empire, and Flames of War.
S
A Game/Product reviews 6 • Reviews of several boardgames, including
W the much talked about Empire of the Sun.
Game/Product reviews 7
• Figure and model reviews.
FOW battle report 8
• DVD and PC game reviews.
Battle for Empires battle report 10
BKC Battle Report 12
Building Empires (cont. from p.2)
One of the reasons for the sudden airships, to enable mean disaster for the entire
surge in this period is the variety and gamers to fight in force. It was an era where a few
quality of figures that are now available. this new frontier. thousand colonial soldiers could
Led by the Perrys with their new Sudan Although GDW control events that influenced
range, the 25/28mm gamer has a variety tried to introduce the world.
of options. Old Glory, Copplestone, Re- this era years ago
So, what is needed in this
doubt, and Askari are some of the other with their Space
exciting period for the future so
companies who are producing high qual- 1889 rules, it is
Airship crew by Gaslight Games. that it doesn’t go the way of the
ity miniatures for a variety of colonial only recently that
dinosaur? Research material is
wars. In both 15mm and 10mm there are this period has
definitely one area that needs work.
now multiple ranges from Peter Pig, Old taken off.
There are a few Ospreys out there, but
Glory, Essex, and more that will enable
In fact, there are now a number of not much else. Some comprehensive
any colonial gamer to do those massed
companies producing figures, vehicles, uniform books and maps is certainly
battles that you have read about.
rules, and scenery that can be used for needed. In the area of rules I still think
Not only has the availability of figures both science fiction and regular colonial that we will see new and hopefully inno-
improved drastically, there are now large battles. There is also a movement to- vative systems come out. A colonial
selections of buildings in all scales, plus wards the 1920-30’s era, ala Indiana version of Ancient Warmaster would be
products like the ships from The Gunboat Jones type scenarios, backed by Mark most welcome!
Company and the Old Glory Shipyard are Copplestone’s beautiful Back of Beyond
Also, hopefully as more and more
available for a wide variety of scenarios. 25mm figure range.
gamers become proficient with digital
Add to that a number of recent rules sets
There are also a large number of web cameras and web design that there will be
such as John Company, Principles of
sites, the most notable being the Major
War, Piquet: Din of Battle, Battles For
General’s site, which describes a ficti-
Empire, and Patrols in the Sudan, and
tious continent with colonial powers
you get a gaming period that has seen a
fighting the natives and each other. This
huge growth period.
site is truly inspiring, especially the well
done terrain and large battles. You can
do no worse than to start here to get an
idea of what colonial gaming is about.
The fictional continent or set up is a re-
curring theme with most colonial gamers. 25mm Foreign Legion machine gun
I believe it has something to do team by Askari Miniatures.
with two elements; the flavor of the era
and playing the natives. Face it, you can some new web sites. I believe that unlike
only play Ulundi so many times and real- ACW or WW2, where there is so much
ize that the Zulus are going to get killed material available, that seeing a well laid
25mm British adventurers from Foundry. in droves. In fact, many colonial games out colonial game provides a ton of inspi-
can easily turn into native bashing. How- ration that can carry on for years. As the
Two of the newest colonial type eras ever, if you start fighting other colonial quality of figures improves I think you
that have seen huge growth recently are powers and the natives, then things can will see many gamers take the plunge
Darkest Africa and Victorian Science get more interesting! I also think that the based solely on that.
Fiction. Wargames Foundry and mark flavor of the era plays a huge role in at-
Colonial gaming has now moved out f
Copplestone produced ranges for the tracting new gamers to the period.
it’s niche status and has taken it’s place
Congo and other African theaters that few There’s something about a small, colonial
alongside the familiar staples of our
gamers had ever heard of. Through a force, alone in a remote region of the
hobby, namely ancients, ACW, Napole-
series of articles and features, gamers world, relying
onics, and WW2. The future of this
began to realize that there was more to on artillery and
period looks bright, especially if recent
colonial gaming than fighting the Zulus breechloading
trends continue. The beautiful part
and Dervishes. rifles to main-
about this period is that unlike ACW
tain control
The other period that has exploded is for example, you’re not locked into
over large ar-
the idea of the colonial powers invading any one particular army or geographic
eas. The na-
mars and carving out empires for them- area of the globe. Your British forces
tives far out-
selves on the red planet. Several compa- can fight the Zulus one week, the
number you
nies have produced figures for British, Pathans the next, Boxers the week
and one mis-
German, Martian, and more, including after, then invade Mars after that!
take could 25mm inter-war truck by Sloppy
Jalopy
Page 2 WARNING ORDER
Crusader Rex Game Review
Crusader Rex is a The Crusaders start in a bad position including the Crusaders, who have con-
game set in the Middle and this is where the main complaints of tingents from England, France, and Ger-
East during the time of the game have been. Trying to survive many that have to “stage”(all of them
Richard The Lionheart. the first two years(12 turns) is challeng- can’t enter until they’ve all been drawn).
This is another in the ing for the Crusaders and it seems like
This game is very challenging and
“block” game series some gamers gave up too early.
actually plays quickly. Even though the
from Columbia Games,
There are six years with six turns per game could go on for 36 turns, most turns
famous for their hammer
year. Each player is dealt six cards each can be over in under a minute if there’s
of the Scots game, with
year which have a number or an event no combat. The random starting posi-
which this game has
on them. The number, from 1-3, is the tions of the Arab reinforcements, how the
many similarities.
number of groups that can be moved Crusader reinforcements are drawn, and
The board is good, showing Egypt all and/or conduct combat. the card play makes this a
the way up to Antioch, with all of the Each block is rated for game that can be played
towns and castles clearly marked. The movement, combat profi- over and over again. Play-
blocks, in green and orange, represent the ciency, and has it’s strength ing the Crusadars is proba-
main fighting forces of the Crusaders and around the edges so that bly more difficult, but I
Saladin’s Arab armies. There are 21 they can be turned to show think the game is finely
cards that are used to determine move- losses. Each player can also balanced and I highly rec-
ment and operations on the map. draw for reinforcements, ommend it.
Tamiya 1/48th Bren Carrier Model Review
One of the big debates in Tamiya has now But don’t let that fool you, this kit has
25mm WW2 skirmish gaming is entered the 1/48th mar- amazing detail. There are separate ammo
what scale vehicles should be ket by introducing a boxes, baggage, and weapons that really
used. While I personally feel that number of new kits. add life to the vehicle. The pieces fit
the Solido 1/50th vehicles look Since I’m involved in a exactly, meaning that no filler is needed
good next to 25mm figs, many big Operation Sea Lion and you can easily figure out how every-
people like the new 1/56th scale project I figured that I thing fits together. There are also several
resin vehicles now being produced. The needed some Bren Carriers for my Brits. sets of markings available.
main problem has always been selection
First off, the kits are great in that the Overall. This kit is highly recom-
in 1/48th scale.
road wheels and tracks are all one piece. mended.
Revised Phantoms Rules Now Available
Phantoms is a game of to keep each side guessing be found for free, same as the rules, by
modern jet combat based on and to easily simulate jet joining the Yahoo Air Pirates group. The
the Avalon Hill board game, combat. Files section there has additional rules for
Mustangs. Using 1/300th the WW2, WW1, and Korean War ver-
This revised version fea-
scale models and flight sions, as well as scenarios and some great
tures new rules for stealth,
stands, gamers are able to discussion about air combat.
emergency response to mis-
simulate air combat from the
sile attack, and includes the Phantoms and it’s supplement, Intrud-
Viet Nam era to the present
missile data charts and exam- ers, which covers air to ground combat,
day. Complexity is kept low
ples of play. can be downloaded from the main
and the game relies upon the
WFHGS web site.
placing of maneuver markers The aircraft data cards can
ISSUE #13 Page 3
Empire of the Sun by GMT Games Board Game Review
One of the most I’ve only played the campaign game, hexes as possible, while denying the Al-
eagerly anticipated once face to face and three times solo, so lies any forward operating bases. By turn
board games in quite I will keep my comments to that and not four the Allies should have weathered the
some time has been the yearly scenarios. storm and need to start thinking about
Mark Herrman’s Em- offensive operations. By turn six
The campaign begins by
pire of the Sun. reinforcements are steadily arriv-
the mandatory playing of two
EOTS is a card ing and offensives aimed at the
cards, one of which is the at-
driven, one map Solomons, Rabaul, and Rangoon
tack on Pearl Harbor. The
wargame recreating begin.
second allows the Japanese
the entire Pacific War
player to activate 26 units and Then you enter what I call the
during WWII. The game was all the
basically overrun Hong Kong, “dangerous” period for both sides,
more intriguing because Herman was also
the Phillipines, and possibly which is turn 7-9, where each side
the designer of We The People, which is
Wake Island. Then cards are can end the game early by some
considered to be a very good game and
dealt to both players and the bad card play or trying to do too
has a devoted following. Just doing a
game begins. The first few much. Allied strength continues
game on this topic has proven to be a
turns are critical for both to grow and the Japanese perime-
complex undertaking for many designers
sides. The Japanese will al- ter begins to shrink. By turn 10
throughout wargaming history, but doing
most always have seven cards per hand B-29s begin raiding Japan and prepara-
it as a card driven, hexagon based design
until at least turn 9, when strategic war- tions begin for the invasion of the Japa-
was to most gamers an impossibility.
fare starts taking cards away. The U.S. nese home islands. Of course, by this
As is their standard fare, GMT has starts with fewer cards, but slowly builds time the political will of the U.S. could
produced excellent components, with a up to the maximum of seven allowed for have collapsed and the game ends early.
well laid out map and counters in two a turn. Both sides can move the current level of
sizes, which also include set up informa- political will by taking resource hexes,
The event cards are everything! Each
tion, which to me is a big plus. card play, or failing to meet certain objec-
card may be played as an
tives.
event, used to conduct op-
erations by combat forces, This is a very good game that takes a
or saved for a future offen- few tries to get what the designer was
sive. The events portrayed trying to show. Many gamers who think
on the cards are historical of it as a tactical game have been ex-
operations, strategic war- tremely critical, but it is an operational
fare options, or political level game and in that regard, it works
events. Each card also has well. I also don’t think the designer was
an intelligence value where prepared for all the bizarre strategies and
by if the value or less is ideas that have been posted, which shows
rolled, the non moving that gamers don’t think in normal terms!
player can react to offen-
Overall, this is a great game and be-
sive operations. Each card
cause of the card system, no two games
also has a number on it that
will be alike. It does take getting used to,
determines how far units
but once you get the hang of the card play
The rulebook can look a bit daunting, can move and a logistics value which is
it can be a very challenging game that
but that’s because it contains examples of how many units can be used in any opera-
rewards planning and strategic thinking.
play, a campaign scenario, plus yearly tion.
scenarios. There are also charts and a set
Naturally, how you use your cards and
up display card. The 150+ cards are also
when is critical to success in this game.
well laid out with historical references to
Each turn you are faced by a number of
actual events, personalities, and opera-
options and most of the time, not many of
tions. GMT also is into the habit of pro-
them are good! Should you undertake an
viding “living rules”, which contain the
offensive in China? Should you allocate
latest errata and changes by the designer.
resources to India or to invade Australia?
The game is also well supported by Mark
Should the next card be used to attack or
Herman on Consimworld and there has
strategic move units into defensive posi-
been at least 6,000 messages on it so far!
tions?
So, we have a well produced game, great
components, and excellent support. So, During the first few turns the Japanese
how does it play? run wild and must take as many resource
Page 4 WARNING ORDER
Downfall DVD Review
As many of you who deserters and civilians who do without the Fuehrer! In fact, this kind of
frequent this journal know, not believe in the final victory. insanity is a recurring theme throughout
I am always very inter- the movie. Most of the people in the
Everything I have ever read
ested in the final battles for bunker were living in a dream world, and
about the last few weeks of Ber-
Berlin and the surrounding then when the brutal reality begins to sink
lin was vividly and accurately
areas. I have read about in, they resort to suicide and drunkenness.
portrayed. Wielding being
everything I can get my Even at the very end, people were vying
named the commandant of the
hands on and own several for power and the Fuehrer’s favor!
city, Himmler negotiating with
board games on the subject
the Allies through the Swiss, and All in all, this is a film that is a must
as well. When I heard that
Hitler’s insane orders for Steiner see for any WW2 fan. Incredible acting
there was a new movie(and
to attack two Soviet armies with and drama, played against a backdrop of
supposed to be pretty good
a force of just insanity as the city nears
from most of the reviews),
a few battal- it’s doom. If you have
I sought it out.
ions, thinking it would read the excellent books
Downfall is the story of the last few save Berlin. by Cornelius Ryan, The
weeks of the Third Reich and it’s primary Last Battle, or by Reid
While there are
focus is on events in Hitler’s bunker. The and Fisher, The Fall of
some combat scenes,
story is told through the eyes of various Berlin, you will be able to
it only shows the
people, including Hitler’s young secre- recognize many of the
fighting around the
tary, a doctor in training with a SS unit, a key players and scenes.
bunker area itself.
young boy, and Hitler. Bruno Ganz does It also gives you insight
Some may be disap-
a masterful job playing the dictator who into why so many Ger-
pointed in the lack of combat sequences,
keeps crossing from reality to insanity mans had no idea what was really going
but this really is not about the fighting in
throughout the movie. on with the concentration camps, occu-
the city, although that would make for an
pied countries, and the real state of the
The movie is shot in the “Saving Pri- interesting movie by itself.
war.
vate Ryan” style, with sometimes grainy
Although I have seen some pretty
screens and following the characters as This is the kind of movie, like
gruesome shows in my time(I just
they negotiate the stairwells and corridors Schindler’s List, that you probably will
watched Land of the Dead!), I had to turn
of the bunker. You do get glimpses of not see twice as it is disturbing. I highly
away from the scene when Mrs. Goebbels
Berlin in it’s death throes, from children recommend that you seek this movie out
poisons their children because she does-
manning 88’s to death squads shooting and watch it.
n’t want them growing up in a world
Gunner Palace DVD Review
Gunner Palace is an unusual other news story you’ve ever news shows in that you see the good and
movie. A cross between the seen. You get to see the traffic, bad, what is going right, and what is go-
insanity of Apocalypse Now the market areas, mosques, ing wrong.
and Blackhawk Down, this houses, and alleys of the city as
Overall, this is definitely worth
movie tells the story of a jour- the soldiers go out on patrols
watching, if only to get a good view of
nalist who follows a unit of and raids. The movie accu-
what is happen-
U.S. soldiers who operate out rately depicts the lives of
ing over in Iraq.
of one of the Hussein families’ these soldiers, changing
At times it
palaces, hence the name from sheer boredom to
seems like
“Gunner Palace”. The movie is fearing for your life
there’s major
shot documentary style, with when the action starts.
progress and
interviews and the camera fol-
You get to follow then it devolves
lowing the soldiers as they work and live
several units on raids, patrols, civil right back into
in the palace area.
affairs, meetings, and a great party insanity. Highly
The most interesting part of this scene at their pool at the palace. I recommended.
movie, however, is that you get the best found that this was a side of the
look and feel for the city than in any story that you’ll never see on the nightly
ISSUE #13 Page 5
Close Combat: First To Fight PC Game Review
Set in Lebanaon in clearing rooms. It fires a RPG at you that’s it, you’re gone.
2006 with a UN force takes a few missions to No half damage, hiding behind a car,
that must secure the city get used to this, but etc… .
center from terrorists overall I liked it com-
I liked this game for the feel of mod-
and the Syrians, this is a pared to other games
ern urban operations, great graphics of
challenging first person where everyone on
the city, and for having to take each
shooter. Players take your team runs around
threat, every corner, and each enemy
the role of a U.S. Marine like chickens with their
vehicle seriously. Highly recommended.
fire team leader, in heads cut off.
charge of a four man
The missions and
section that must accom-
terrain are pretty challenging, usually
plish various missions.
involving rescuing hostages, clearing
If you’ve played Half Life, Call of sections of the city, and some huge fire-
Duty, etc…, then you’ll pick this up fights. You can also call in air support,
pretty quickly. The big difference is that snipers, and artillery to assist you during
your fire team actually moves like a fire the missions.
team! Each man has a quadrant to cover
Now the big change that everyone
and they will actually obey your orders
might not like is that you can and will get
for movement, suppression fire, and
killed, probably often! When someone
Magazine Reviews
Currently in the world of historical from the “skirmish monthly mentality” ever, who long for the old MWAN’s let-
miniatures wargaming, there are three that’s been present for over a year now. ter pages and what everyone was up to
heavyweights when it comes to the glossy Still a good magazine. across the coun-
magazines that sell copies try. Sadly, I
Miniature Wargames is the long-
numbered in the thou- think that those
est running of the three and the hard-
sands. They are days are gone and
est to figure out. You get great arti-
Wargames Illustrated, HMG will try to
cles with pretty good history, but the
Miniature Wargames, and imitate WI, but
color photos can sometimes make
Historical Miniature with an American
you cringe. I realize that they may be
Gamer(which used to be slant.
going with the philosophy of showing
The Courier and MWAN,
what “real gamers” figures look like Overall, we
but now combined).
during games, but it’s not very inspir- are blessed to
These three magazines
ing. I will say though, that the maga- have three quality
are what fuels the fire for
zine is consistent in what it does, magazines that
many gamers with color
namely trying to promote gaming support our hobby, but the hobby right
photos, lots of ads, and
with a wide variety of topics each issue. now is in a state of flux and it shows in
games that are meant to inspire.
the magazines. With the soaring costs of
Finally, we come to Historical Minia-
Wargames Illustrated is probably the 28mm figs, the pictures are starting to
ture Gamer, which replaced MWAN and
most popular at this time and the most reflect games with a dozen figs, which
The Courier. HMG is trying to find it’s
glossy presentation of the three. I’ve isn’t very inspiring and is going to cut
niche, nestled between the glossy presen-
been reading it for a number of years and into magazine sales. I think the current
tation of WI and
lately it seems to have had an identity growth of the hobby is due to the fact that
trying to appease
crisis. The change from mass combat back in the 80’s and 90’s, WI and MW
the loyal legions
scenes with huge armies has given way to laid the ground work by showing photos
who followed
pictures of games with a dozen or so fig- with huge armies and battles, which pro-
MWAN. The third
ures, usually within articles written by the vided the inspiration to buy a lot of figs,
issue was definitely
rules authors or loyal supporters of that rules, and books. Hopefully this can get
better than the first
particular period. turned around or the next thing we know
two, so progress is
all the magazines will have changed their
Fortunately, the most recent issue I being made. I
names to something like “Skirmish
had showed some truly impressive games think that there are
Monthly”!
and at least for the moment got away many gamers, how-
Page 6 WARNING ORDER
Old Glory 10mm Egyptians Figure Review
With the release of come in small bags of about and you can crank out large numbers in
Ancient Warmaster, 100 infantry in strips of 5 no time at all.
several of our group figs, five chariots, or 50
I didn’t like having the archers come
started looking for figs individual figures for skir-
singly in bags. While great for skirmish
to use with the rules. mishers, archers, etc… . A
stands, painting up large numbers would
What made it ridicu- pretty good deal at a fair
have been much easier in strips. Also,
lously easy was that Old price.
the allies listed
glory was having a big
The sculpting on for the range
sale on their 10mm
the infantry, archers, are much too
range! We had experi-
and chariots is pretty good. Not as late for the
ence painting this scale for the fantasy
good as the GW fantasy 10mm army lists,
version and the look of massed armies in
range, but after painting it looks leaving a gap
10mm is hard to beat.
very good. The chariots go together in your army .
So I ordered a ton of Egyptians as I easily with only a few parts, plus the Overall,
had always wanted to do an ancient driver and archer are molded to- though, they
Egyptian army. Old Glory 10mm figures gether. Painting the strips is easy are good.
Strategy & Tactics #230: Downfall Game Review
This issue of Strategy & Tactics fea- ber of command points, usually 2-6, but I really wanted to like this game be-
tures one of the great “what if’s” of you have far more units cause of the subject matter,
WW2, the invasion of Japan. Although than command points to but I cannot recommend it.
the subject is fascinating and the maga- move them. Naturally, this The designer here, Ty
zine articles are a great read, the game leads to situations where Bomba, did one of my favor-
leaves something to be desired. units sit still for days at a ite games, the revised Drive
time. I understand the on Stalingrad, so I’m not
First, the map is average to say the
supply considerations that always against him, but this
least, with a lot of empty space on the
it represents, but seriously, game and his Operation Sea
right hand side. Second, the counters are
when sometimes you get to Lion game which uses the
adequate, if uninspiring. Third, the game
move four units over 2-3 Picture from Bunker Hill Games web site same system, needs to have
system is funky, and by that I mean fairly
days it gets ridiculous. the command system re-
unusual. Each turn each side gets a num-
thought out.
ASL Starter Kit #2: Guns Game Review
After having reviewed ASL Starter Kit There are some great scenarios in here, based example., a cheat sheet with a flow
#1 earlier this year, I was a little unsure depicting actions in chart, etc… . I picked
about getting the second starter kit. I Greece, Italy, and in it up as I had played
really want to like this game as I played Europe. Also, the rule ASL before, but first
Squad Leader for years before it con- book has been modified time gamers must take
verted into ASL. I am to include a large section a look at the rules and
always interested in describing the acronyms wonder why they
small actions involv- used and rules for the should buy anything
ing AA guns, or AT guns. else for the series.
guns with supporting I’ve also seen comments on Consimworld
Now here’s where the problems come
infantry holding posi- saying that some of the rules in the
in. Can anyone involved with ASL or
tions, etc…, so I Starter kits and ASL aren’t the same!
MMP write a decent set of introductory
bought it. Then why have starter rules?
rules? The answer is no. This has to be
You get two stan- one of the most confusing rule books ever Again, nice components, great scenar-
dard ASL boards, two countersheets with written and the examples of play are so ios, and a topic that you really want to
Germans, Italians, British, U.S., Rus- long as to not help at all. There must be a like, but until they present the rules in a
sians, and Commonwealth units, plus better way to present this and get people better manner, I’m not going to invest in
large counters for guns and mortars. interested. Perhaps a small, turn by turn anything else for the series.
ISSUE #13 Page 7
Thanksgiving Event: North Africa 1943 Slugfest
Our club has been in existence for a platoon company of Shermans, a light I also created anew air combat system
little over ten years now and we’ve had a armored company, artillery, Matildas, for this big battle where each side got
tradition of playing either a and all of the 2D6 worth of fighters and 3D6 worth of
big game on the Friday infantry en- attack aircraft. Each turn you could allo-
after Thanksgiving, or two trenched. cate half of your aircraft and they would
medium sized games. Last fight a two round air battle, with the sur-
To go up
year we did a WAB viving attack aircraft entering the battle-
against this,
Greeks vs. Persians battle field. Players matched up aircraft and
we had what
and a Warmaster slugfest. rolled 1D6, with a 5 or a 6 shooting down
we thought to
This year it would be an all an opposing fighter or a 4, 5, or 6 de-
be 8,000
out battle set in early 1943 stroyed an attack aircraft, but you had to
points of Ger-
in North Africa, using destroy all escorting fighters first. This
mans to
Flames of War. worked out well and added a lot to the
launch the
game.
Although we had assault. If the
played several battles with Germans It took about 90 minutes to deploy and
about 3,500 points a side, this would be captured one of the villages it would be a organize all the forces. The Germans still
our largest yet. There would be close to draw and if they seized both then it was a had sizeable reserves, which made me
6,000 points of British, including a four victory. wonder about the actual point totals.
The Germans Advance
The Germans made their main effort the light armored squad- The Germans then commit-
in the center, where about 30 German ron, backed up by a pla- ted infantry on both flanks plus
panzers rolled forward to engage the Brit- toon of Grants to attack supporting vehicles. Both sides
ish. On the German right flank, a Tiger, the main spearhead de- started swapping long range
backed up by a Marder platoon took up veloping in the center. fire while attack aircraft made
firing positions and engaged the Matildas. The Shermans moved their presence felt on the battle-
The German left also saw a concentration from their reserve posi- field by knocking out some
of heavy armor moving up to pin the tion off board to the vehicles on both sides. The
British defenders. edge of the center, pre- third turn would see some
paring to enter on the second turn. fierce fighting in the center as the armor
The British responded by committing
of both sides moved up.
Page 8 WARNING ORDER
Thanksgiving Event (cont.)
The armor melee in the center of the mans. On the German right the heavier exchange that followed, the Shermans
board began to take it’s toll on the Brit- German armor was wiping out the Matil- knocked out two PZIIIs(with over 40
ish. Bad die rolls and poor guns proved das and the infantry and Italian armor shots!!!) and lost ten Shermans. The
no match for the PZ IIs and IIIs, which was getting ready to break through the British counterattacks had spent them-
heavily outnumbered the British defend- outer line of entrenchments. selves and now the center lay wide open
ers. The British light armor, however, for the advancing Germans, who still had
The armor melee in the center was
dived right in and got in between the not even committed their reserve.
now for all
rows of German pan-
purposes done. The other flanks were not looking too
zers, causing some dam-
Ten British good for the British either. Despite the
age.
tanks knocked fact that all of the forces defending the
The Shermans got out for the loss villages were entrenched, the sheer vol-
off to a bad start, knock- of five German ume of fire was slowly and surely wear-
ing out one PZ III with tanks. The ing down the defenders.
about 16 shots! The Shermans
After seven turns the German had air
Germans responded with moved up and
superiority, had armor superiority, and
artillery, air, and some were met by a
were advancing on the villages with a
hidden PZ IIs, which withering fire.
sizeable reserve, so the game was called.
knocked out two Sher- In the two turn
Summary
What went wrong for the British? around 12,000 points! We all had a good game. In the future we need to assign
First and foremost it was the inability of laugh because even though the British got larger command some kind of break
the Shermans to stabilize the center, then hammered they still had point, a way to move
help out on the British left. The woeful their chances and everyone around reserves, and a
shooting by the British during the entire had fun. system for the overall
game was also a determining factor, al- commanders to issue
Doing a big game,
though the Germans and Italians had a changes in command.
however, pointed out a few
good plan and stuck with it. Overall, though, it was a
flaws in the FOW system,
great experience to see the
It was only during cleanup that we which(obviously) is not
hundreds of vehicles all
realized that the Axis probably had designed for this size of
out there at once.
ISSUE #13 Page 9
Battles For Empire: Relieving Force Battle Report
There’s nothing quite like a good soldiers and former police), two units of section battery of brass mountain guns on
colonial game, especially when there’s a slavers, two units of cavalry, a camel a hillside, which were eagerly turned
horde of natives closing in on you! I had battery of two sections, and a Krupp bat- around from bombarding the town to
just painted a few new Sudanese units tery of two sections. All in all, a potent engage the Egyptians.
and some more camels and civilians(you relieving force, even though some of the
The Dervish plan was simple; use the
can never have too many camp follow- units were of
mounted units to draw fire while trying to
ers!), so it was back to the early days dubious
envelop the left, pin the center, and put
of the Sudan campaign. quality.
pressure on the right. Somewhere along
The Mahdist uprising is in full The Der- the line there would be a breakthrough
swing and many villages/towns are vishes and and the reserves would pour through.
under siege. A heavily fortified walled their Fuzzy
The Egyptian commanders decided
town is in this predicament, so the allies had
they would move up, form a line with
Sirdar of the Egyptian army has de- assembled to
reserves, then destroy the advancing
cided to send a relieving force with meet this
horde with disciplined firepower and only
fresh supplies and ammunition. The new threat
form square as a last resort.
Egyptian force consisted of two units of and prevent it from reaching the town.
Egyptian regulars, three units of Suda- There were 11 units of Fuzzies, five cav- With both forces deployed the chant
nese, two units of the 11th Sudanese Gen- alry and camel units, plus about 12 units of “Death to the infidels!” signaled the
darmes, a unit of Egyptian gendarmes(old of Dervish infantry, which included three start of the game.
rifle units. The Dervishes also had a two
The Battle Begins
The Dervishes advanced as quickly as Two units of Dervish cavalry then hit The Dervish attack on the Egyptian
possible towards the Egyptian relieving the Egyptian horse, wiping out one unit left continued, forcing back an infantry
force. The Egyptians moved up and de- and forcing the second to retire, but not unit, but was finally checked by a reserve
ployed into line, but had some before they themselves had unit that moved up to plug the hole. The
problems getting units around been destroyed. The prob- Dervishes regrouped and began shifting
to the right flank. The Egyp- lem here was that the Der- to make a more determined attempt.
tian cavalry rode out to buy vishes could afford the loss
On the Dervish left the remaining
some time for the deploying of two units, but for the
Dervish mounted units prepared to charge
force and got met by fire from Egyptians it was devastat-
while the Egyptian center continued to
the Dervish artillery. ing.
hold, mowing down enemy units.
Page 10 WARNING ORDER