Chain of Command II Deux

For the next game here in OHQ, Dave requested a 28mm WWII game using Chain of Command! Yes it's true.

Way back in November 2020 during lockdown I started a solo ladder campaign it was not until May 2021 when George joined me via Zoom and we played Game II. George led the Germans to victory, the British withdrawing to their defence lines. I never did get around to playing game three, here the Germans will be pressing their advantage with an attack on the British outer defences.

After dicing for the attack coming from the longer edge of the table, this gave the British a longer frontage to defend. However the Germans had a lot of open ground to cover, there were two objectives for the Germans. One the culvert on the road top left and the road junction just off centre.

The British (Dave) aggressive patroling pushed two thirds of the German (Me) jump off points back to the table edge. Despite the amount of open ground I elected to go for the culvert objective thinking I could double and reach the edge and the cover of the light wood before the British could concentrate their sections there.

The Volksgrenadiere make their way to the wood slowly (4" with three dice! Really?)

The British deploy a section by the culvert ready to receive them. 

Meanwhile another German squad makes its way to the hedge to engage them while the LMG squad continues their slow slog to the wood.

The British deploy another section to the left of the one by the culvert and another to the right of the building to cover the road. Later their NCO orders the Bren team up to the first floor of the building giving them line of sight to the Germans heading for the hedge.

The Germans engage the British at the culvert but with two British sections and a Bren team firing at them the shock and casualties mount up.

They do however give the LMG squad time and cover to reach the wood and take up position unscathed.

The British deploy their two inch mortar to add fire against the Germans by the hedge.

The British expecting German armour bring a 6pdr anti-tank up as support, with no German armour present they also lend support to fire on the beleaguered Germans at the hedge.

Who lose their NCO and also break.

However they have also been whittling down the British section at the culvert.

With the added fire from the two MG42s from the Germans now at the edge of the wood the British Squad at the culvert breaks.

The second German rifle squad is also finding the route through the wood heavy going, the British  will have time to send another section to defend the culvert. Despite the belated arrival of a Panzer IV, which would have had to run the gauntlet of the 6pdr to support the attack at the culvert the Germans decided to withdraw.

I am uncertain whether to continue with the campaign but I think more games of CoC will come. Battlegroup are my preferred WWII rules so when that will be I don't know, not four years hopefully 😂

Until next time KBO

Onwards!

More figures reached completion over the weekend and based up on the return from a short break in the Cotswolds for my wife's birthday.

These being Sixth century Roman bucellarii, the figures are from Aventine Miniatures with LBMS shield transfers. The labarum is a cut down banner transfer again from LBMS all on a 120 x 80mm base from Warbases.

All things being well they should see action on Tuesday against those pesky Ostrogoths.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO.

Slower Still

 Amongst other things I have been slowly beavering away at the sixth battalion for the French half of the the Peninsular project, this brings the collection to six battalions. I now need to paint up some guns to make up a couple of brigades for Soldiers of Napoleon before embarking on some cavalry. However when this will be I am not sure my favourite periods of ancients and WWII beckon for attention.

Front Rank figures with a GMB flag on bases from Warbases.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO

Slowly, Slowly

 Although I have been painting steadily the butterfly has been fluttering so I have not completed any units to post until now and these are tiny. For my Soviet Partisan Brigade platoon the last squad, and a tow for the 37mm anti-tank gun posted previously. All from the Britannia Miniatures range from Grubby Tanks.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO

T'other Partizan 2025

Another fine show full of spectacle, no reflections except that stewardless parking with no directional signs and spaces marked was a little chaotic on the runway given the number of attendees involved.

I did not take pictures of a lot of the games way to many for more than one per game in our time slot so I took a varied selection from a handful of games that particularly caught my eye.

First up our chum Kevin's AKA The Iron Brigade fine little samurai game.

Next a Russo-Polish War encounter from Bramley Barn Wargames Club.

Followed up by 1st Corps World War II Eastern Front game, Kamenewo 1941.

Staying with World War II the Old Pikeys Gaming Group Five Games at Arnhem spectacular.

Finally The Bodkins,  Hundred Years War Siege of Montargis game 1427.  An ultra talented bunch who present outstanding medieval mayhem each year.

Thats all folks I hope you enjoyed my small selection, until next time happy gaming and KBO

Permission To Withdraw ?

 After our brief sojourn oop north games resumed here in OHQ this week, I chose a WWII game using Battlegroup rules with my 28mm collection.

The British are mounting an attack on the German rear echelons, the Germans having held a battlegroup in reserve to counter such a move have been sent to halt it.

A M5 reconnaissance tank leads the way.

A Sdkfz222 scouts ahead of the German battle group and radio back, however the advance appears to be delayed and only one infantry squad arrives in support.

Eventually the panzers arrive!

However the British are now in position and waiting for any German counter attack!

They fire and KABOOM! one Panzer IV is knocked out by the British Sherman.

The M5 with its puny 37mm also joins the shoot, it immobilises the second Panzer another glancing hit rattles the crew and they bail out! With no armoured support the German counter attack must surely be called off? No this is not the German hierarchy way, it must continue holding back the British attack up. Which it does for a surprising further six turns.

The British attack resumes, have the Germans done enough for further troops to be gathered and form a defence line or is it another futile waste of manpower the Wehrmacht can ill afford in 1945?

Until next time happy gaming and KBO