France, 1914, Part III

With the Germans winning inititive they were able to bring punishing fire down on the French advancing against them, Even when an entire company failed to score any hits at long range, the Germans still managed to inflict x7 KIA and x1 additional Shaken! The first wave of the French was destroyed! French return fire did drop x3 Germans as well as a Pin, then a French 75mm ranged in on the German MMG on the hill and killed one and put a Shaken on another (right-center of photo):

The Germans missed hitting any British in Gemappe (can see the three Brits and Germans on the main street, blasting away) , but scored x1 KIA in the fighting west of Gemappe (poor shooting here) but the MMG did score hits on the unfortunate British Cavalry (lower-right of photo), scoring x2 KIAs and x1 Shaken. Despite both 18lbers missing their target, the British MMG and Infantry in the woods, brought down x5 Germans between the woods and Gemappe ! East of Gemappe, British troops had taken to the upper floors (that's them on the roof at center of photo) and scored x2 further kills on the German company advancing to the east of Gemappe:

Fortunately for the French they win inititive and continue the attack of the second wave. In the fields south of Villiers, the 75mm smashes the MMG on the hill plus another rifleman (right of center). They then add x2 additional KIAs, x1 Shaken and x1 Pin. "viva la France is heard, as the poilus charge forward! German retribution is severe however. SW of Villiers, German reinforcements (inc MMG) get x2 KIAs and x1 Shaken (viewed screened by farmhouse left of center), while back in the field south of Villiers, they inflict x4 KIAs! (about center) 

On the British front, the tommies in Gemmape, drop one German east of town and finish off the German rifleman in the town itself. In the woods and west of Gemappe, the Germans lose x3 more KIAs! Tough round for the Germans! It gets worse as their return fire only results in x1 KIA, x2 Shaken and x4 Pinned:

The Germans win the inititive and start on the French, inflicting x5 KIAs and an additional Shaken, but still the poilu press on! Viva la France!

The French 75 now score, creating x2 casualties on the German line (see right of center along fence above, or upper right below)

Over against the Tommies, things don't go well. Although x2 casualties are inflicted on the British inside the buildings on the eastern edge of Gemappe against x2 German, only one other KIA is achieved. The British at one point rolling excellent defensive rolls. The men of the BEF don't take advantage however, and the poor rolls continue resulting in x1 Shaken and x2 Pinned! In another melee west of the woods involoving x4 Brits and x2 Germans, x2 tommies go down to only x1 German! Even the 18lbers could only score a Shaken and a Pin! (left of center)

The British needed the inititive...and they win it! But what's this, bad rolls again! "What's wrong with out bloody rifles!" Only x1 German goes down. In two melees involving x8 Brits and x7 Germans, x3 Tommies and x4 Germans go down. One British company (above the woods left of center) bravely (foolishly?) charge the German line containing MMG! The Germans make them pay as their return fire take down 5/6 British tommies! (seen between woods and Gemappe left of center above or below) An additional Brit becomes a casualty in the Gemappe buildings, while x4 are KIA in the woods or to the west! All told, x9 Brits became casualties. British reserves are moving up from the right. Will it be enough?

 German reserves (from the left of photo) are rushing to the front as well:

Over on the left again, the German 77s miss both a shot on the French 75s and MMG, but their Infantry do inflict x6 more casualites. The second wave of poilu is wavering! The French 75s only score x2 Shaken while the Infantry add only x1 KIA and x3 Pins! The attacking German line seen upper right is moving against x4 French survivors partially screened by the farmhouse left of center

The next turn could be critical for all sides!

Thanks so much for your comments. I am fortunate to have a 7'x8' table in my basement, aka, "The War Room". I have always tried to prepare a good looking battlefield, so thanks again. May all you're rolls be good!

France, 1914: The Battle Part II

On the German left flank, two troopers are snet in pursuit of the retreating French survivor, but in an incredible turn of events, the Frenchman despatches both Germans! In the center of Gemappe, the German Cavalry charge and the British launch a belated countercharge. The result is two troopers on each side becoming casualites:

German infantry now approaching the Cavalry picket located just south of Villiers. French Infantry spotted ahead!

The French line is beginning to place intelf in line of battel:

On the German right flank, the Infantry is also taking up it's positions:

The British too, are moving their Infantry into position:

German Infantry in Gemappe advance, and get two shots at long range (each figure firing rolls x1 d6 to be on target: Short=2-6; Md=3-6; Long=4-6; with a -1 deduction if moved). One is on target leading to British targets making defensive roll (x1 d6 in each defensive setting with -1 if moving, +1/+2 for remaining stationary or behind hard cover). Then the Germans roll for the one on target...and they miss. On the next turn they get initiative, move closer and score one casualty on the opposing Cavalry!

The British Infantry move past the retiring Cavalry and fire at long range and score a casualty. Meanwhile the French move into long range, and score two casualties!

During the next turn, both sides begin to really pitch in. The French move their attack forward across the field and around a farmhouse but their x11 shots prove ineffective against the Germans (who had some hard and soft cover as well as being prone) Their Hotchkiss MMG also missed! The Germans on this front however made the French pay. Their Infantry along the farm's fences and walls inflict 4 KIA! (one is hidden behind farmhouse) But the most damaging was the German MMG (lower right on hill) which ranged in on a second French line  (see at left amongst trees) and put down x4 French and added a Shaken out of five men in the company! (if the attackers roll is = to defensive roll the result is a yellow cap resulting in no movement or fire permitted the following turn)

Germans in Gemappe missed their British opponents, but the Tommies got a KIA in response. A German company thought they had the range of a new British company advancing along the western edge of Gemappe (at right of photo), but they were out of range! The Brits, after moving,  returned fire with x7 rifles but they all missed as well. The Vickers MMG however, was right on target and inflicted x3 KIA! To end the turn, x1 British 18lb missed with it's first round (out of picture to lower left):

The succeeding turn sees the French push forward through the field south of Villers )to right of photo) and do get x2 KIA. But they take x2 KIA and x2 additional Pinned (red cap reflecting an attacker's roll at -1 against the defensive roll) in return. First German artillery fire misses the French MMG on hill (upper right):

Germans took some heavier losses on their right flank as the British MMG wiped out one company (seen between Gemappe and wooded hill) and x1 18lb scored a hit  for x2 KIAs! (at bottom left of photo) German return fire dropped x2 Tommies, but one of their MMG missed the British Cavaly on the se edge of town! Time to redeploy!

France, 1914: The Battle Begins!

As the initial phases will be played solitaire, some moves may seem strange, but I leave decisions up to die rolls, such as when to charge, countercharge etc.

The German Cavalry on the left spots approaching French Cavalry (just in view at top center) and deploys :

And on the German right, they too see advancing Cavalry, this time British (barely seen at top):

German Infantry arriving on the right flank (don't think the French farmer is going to be happy!):

But there is a long line of British troops also moving onto the board, here in the SW corner (that is Gemappe at the top. German Cavalry are to the left. Can just make out British Cavalry top center, entering Gemappe):

The French too, make their appearance, on the SE corner (sorry, should have retaken this photo):

The first clash is just south of Villiers, as the French Cavalry launch a charge and just make contact! (16" on road) but the German commander chooses to remain stationary! (my random roll) Incredibly, even with a +2 charge bonus, both French Troopers go down in melee! (Simple rules: for each figure in contact, x1 d6 is rolled, best roll inflicts casualty):

 The Germans attack the spent French column and lose their first casualty. However, they take down x3 French! Terrible fortunes of war for the French:

Meanwhile, over on the German right flank, a messenger is sent posthaste to hurry up the German Infantry, while their Cavalry choose not to charge the advancing Brits in the center of Gemappe (Notice the British Infantry column top right):

Germans get initiative (Start of turn each side rolls a d6, and high rolls goes first. Losers get a +1 each time on next chance) and continue their assault on the French troopers. This time, 2 more are dispatched with no loss to themselves:

While the German Cavalry is finishing off their opponents, the German Infantry push into Villiers:

French Infantry too are approaching. The retreating French Cavalry can be seen coming towards them (left of center):

Finally (at least for now), additional German Infantry are tearing down farm fences to begin their deployment (Way to win the hearts and minds!):

To be continued!

France, 1914

 Somewhere on the northern plains of France, German forces are closing in on the Franco-British allies. First view is from the north with the village of Villiers on left and town of Gemappe in upper right. Can make out two German cavalry detachments at either end of the road which runs east to west. There is French cavalry in upper left with Britsh cavalry and infantry in upper right:

Reversing the view,  now from the south. British cavalry in lower left with French in lower right and Germans at top:

Next is view of the battlefield from the west with a good view of Gemappe in center. The first British infantry Battalion is marching on the board in lower right:

Two veiws of German cavalry in the NE corner of board passing through Villiers:

Now to the Germans in the NW corner, having just cut through the local farmer's field:

Now the French in the SE corner:

Last but not least, the British in the SW corner:

Again, with the first initial infantry on the board, seen upper left:

Hope to continue with the AAR soon. Thanks for visiting!

Tacticon 2014

Just some of the gang that played out (1) Kota Bharu, Malaya, 1941 and (2) Jitra, Malaya, 1941. Games were successsful and many enjoyable conversations with gamers and hotel visitors alike. One amazing occurance was, not one but two Malasian visitors happened by, whose families were from the local districts where the games were located!

The two gentlemen on the left have been attending my games since the son was in 4th grade...he is entering college this fall! Boy, does time fly.

Boxer Rebellion, Peking, 1900

Constucted this back in 2005 for history classes, then took it on the road to Tacticon in 2006. Brushed it off for a trip to Estes Park and gaming buddies:

View from the south. The Chinese City is at the bottom while the Legation Quarter is above the Wall.

Close up also from the south. Top Left to right: Japanese Legation, Peking Hotel, and French Legation.

Bottom Left to right: Hong Kong Bank, German Legation, Jardine Matheson above the Peking Club.

View from the west with the French Legation left of center. Italian Legation is at lower left

Also from the west with the Austro-Hungarian Legation lower right below temple.

Moving to the view from the North with the Su Wang Fu to left of canal (Yellow roof) and the British Legation to the right

Also from north with Hanlin Library at bottom and the British Legation (Green Roof) occuping most of the eastern edge of diarama. The Imperial Carriage Park is to the right with the Mongol Market just above.

Finally, the view form the east: Su Wang Fu left of center with British Legation below. Mongol Market at bottom with Russian Legation lower right and the Spanish Legation above it ans across the canal.

View also from east with the Spanish Legation top left. Imbeck Hotel (Green roof) with US Legation above it.