"Bolt Action" Action

Saturday was game day and we had a great turn out. 6 players in all, including Ross of www.gameofmonth.blogspot.ca/ fame. I had put together 4 forces on 2 sides at 600 pts a list. This was a learning game as most of us had not played before. It was my figs and rules so I took the role of game master. The scenario was called envelopment and required the attacking Russians to occupy or escape through the German deployment zone. The Germans opted to defend the side of the table that had a good killing zone in front of it. Unfortunately for them, the Russians opted to avoid this area and squeeze the bulk of their army in a mad charge down their right flank. The Germans reacted to this but were limited because the Russians had kept a flank marching reserve which could have arrived on the other flank, but did not. The Russians overwhelmed the defenders on that corner of the battle field and marched off their army almost unscathed. The Germans were able to knock out a T34 in a long range duel as well as 3 smaller units (MMG, Anti Tank Rifle and Sniper). The Russian armored car got cocky and blew up on a bridge. The Germans lost a sniper and 1 infantry unit and an officer.

My role as umpire was greatly reduced after turn 2 as the players had gotten the hang of things and used the excellent 2 page QRS. I think this was a tough scenario for the defenders. I have read the the basic rulebook scenarios have been revamped and are much more balance and here is a link... https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9qPaKsZK_89TTlUUTRMeFNqN21ZSy1HVmhZLWlxSTBNR0NZ/view.

One of the modifications was not allowing the attacker to flank march would would have made a big difference for the defenders. The players appeared to enjoy the game and we had a nice lunch together. Welcome to a new member of the club Richard.

I reviewed the rules last night and found some errors I made. I think this is ok as both sides benefited or suffered from the errors.

View from the German lines

Table set up

Russian hordes advance on their right

Inexperienced T-34 heading for trouble

Germans hold the strategic bridge on their left

Soviet Sniper and AT rifle in cover 

Upgrading Figs and Terrain

As note previously in the blog, I had acquired a large collection of 28mm infantry and vehicles plus the rules for Bolt Action. I have spent the past week upgrading the paint and basing for the Germans.

Here is a before shot of some gunners. The figures just had simple block painting over a black undercoat like so:

German Gunners

The first step was to glue sand to the bases and add a brown wash to it. A similar wash was given to the figures. The base was highlighted with light brown and then flocked. I also bought some long grass and tried adding this to the bases. I was pleased with the result.

The figures had a grey-blue highlight especially to the helmets, boots and strapping as this was all jet black. The result was satisfactory but does not look like many German uniforms I am used to.

German Heer and FJ infantry

Of course, all these new troops required some terrain to fight over. I built this ruin in 28mm and based it on some MDF. All done in an evening. I have an artisitic block when it comes to making building so this was something of a breakthrough. Next I want to make a complete building with a removable roof and a hay barn I say in the latest Wargames: Soldiers and Strategies. I am a little conflicted doing terrain in 28mm when I need to do it in 15mm mostly but I guess I need to do both. Bigger terrain is easier. It fills more space on the table and allows for less fiddly details.

Lucky Strike!

I am struggling to find time to write but have to post on a new addition to my collection. A friend was making space and I was able to purchase a large collection of figures for a very good price.

I am breaking my rule about collecting the same period in 2 scales. The collection I purchased was 28mm WW2 based for Bolt Action. This is a rule set the group has been interested in trying.

Americans
100 infantry, 2 artillery, 2 Shermans and an Halftrack

German Vehicles
4 Halftracks, 3 Tiger 1s, 3 Panzer IIs, 2 PaK 40 75mm ATGs

140 German infantry

 100 British foot + a Crusader I think

 90 French