Paratroopers And Partisans

For something a little different I have decided to add a partisan brigade to my WWII Soviet collection. 

For particular operations, particularly in the build up to Operation Bagration paratroops could be drop in to support them.

The first of the partisans a HQ and demolition team.

Secondly a brigade squad.

The figures are from Check Point Miniatures and the bases from Warbases.

I hope to pick up more partisans at Hammerhead on Saturday from Grubby Tanks, these are Britannia Miniatures a lot more chunky than CP but they will meld in on the table if kept in their own squads.

Another WW2 game is planned in OHQ next week.

Until next time KBO

Das Hexenkessel

With the Germans forward positions in free fall the Americans are pressing forwards. Standing in their way is the small conurbation of Kleine Bikkelheim, here is an ad-hoc force of the enemy that has been thrown together to hold up the Allied advance while more forces are bought up to halt the it.

The defenders although likely to be surrounded must hold on and resist to the very end, there is little hope of escape.

The American units will enter randomly either on their base line (red) or one of the flanks (blue)

The American left flank. The red x denotes that the house has been fortified and contains the German platoon HQ and a squad of infantry.

The American right flank, BT denotes that the Germans have booby trapped the house.

The bulk of the American force entered on the two flanks, with intelligence that the Germans had covered both flanks as well as their front they opted to deploy as near to their baseline as possible. It would mean a full frontal attack but with them the numbers. Off table mortar and howitzer fire combined with a P47 airstrike on the German rear would hopefully balance the odds too.

The M5 Stuart recce vehicle is soon despatched that's one less spotter for the mortars.

Jabos! Retribution is swift the timed airstrike takes out the German recce tank and one of the Panzer IVs, the 251/22 "Drilling" being unable to drive it off.

The American progress from the right flank is slowed by the wooded terrain, this was a let off for the defenders as the Easy8 command tank had the artillery spotter  ability together with the platoon HQ coming the same way, both being unable to spot for the off table 105's until they got to the edge.

The Americans on the left begin their advance past the burning M5.

The German forward trench is cleared.

A chit pull by the Americans sees a special, a die is rolled and the off table German 120mm mortar battery will only have enough ammo for one barrage, drat!

A Sherman has reached the roadblock and takes advantage of it's cover.

Although the Germans are causing casualties and resulting chit draws it is not helping, the Germans find that three of their panzerfausts are duds, eek!

Having no armoured targets now, the PAK40 keeps more American infantry pinned down with HE fire.

The Sherman by the roadblock is now targeting the building with the HQ and remaining German infantry squad. With no current threat to the flank the remaining PanzerIV is brought up to deal with it.

KABOOM!

Oh no! The resulting chit draw is a breakdown counter, the Panzer Jaeger IV is out of fuel and is abandoned by the crew! To add to this the remaining PanzerIV is brewed up by the Americans M36 Jackson. Turn six with no armour and only a three value chit draw from breaking I call it a day and conceed victory to Dave.

The Americans can now push on.

Until next time KBO

The General

An occasional addition to the Italian Wars collection, a Generals command base.

Steel Fist figures with a standard from Pete's flags on a base from Warbases.

Untol next time KBO 

Water And Medicinals For Bikkelheim

I have recently completed my remaining structures for my fictional German town of Bikkelheim. Both are Faller model railway items sourced off EBay the bases are of course from the ever helpful Warbases, the sign is from a sheet of German signs available as a free download from the Rapid Fire website.

Front elevation

Rear elevation.

Look out for their debut on the table next week in another exciting game using Battlegroup rules.

Until then KBO

Last Of The Romans

These are the very last figures which will complete? my third century Romans army. A & A figures on bases from the ever reliable Warbases with LBMS shield transfers, the single command figures being a cut and shut from two different designs. The arrows are from the Perry plastic WotR box.

Next week's game at OHQ will be a late WWII game using Battlegroup rules.

Until next time....................

KBO

Surely Some Mistake?

The place Spain early 1937, objective seize and hold the bridge. Nationalist forces approaching the bridge are four squads of Foreign Legion including two 50mm mortars and a HMG with support of a squad of Regulares.

Also heading to occupy the bridge is the following Republican force consisting of five squads of EPR with HMG and 50mm mortar support.

The opposing forces converge on the bridge.

A squad of SFL wait for their comrades to nullify the threat from the the flanks.

The Republicans have the same plan it appears?

The Nationalists consolidate on their left flank engaging the Republicans on the other side of the river.

The Republicans advance to counter, but there is some confusion (a FUBAR roll) and one squad advances to the rear.

On the Nationalist right a squad and heavy weapons teams in support prepare to give the Republicans on that flank a hot reception.

The Republicans come under heavy and accurate fire, a hot reception indeed 

The Republican platoon commander moves up to encourage the faltering troops on the other flank who are missing the support of the retreating squads less than enthusiastic return to the fray.

A random event draw saw the Republican Assaultos miss an order to advance and support their left where the Republican heavy weapons teams were all but eliminated so that the Nationalist could concentrate their fire on them alone.

Up to turn three it looked as though the encounter would peter out into a draw, however as happens a lot after the break for lunch the balance switched dramatically to the Nationalists the draw of the order dice favouring them. The Republicans suffered from some devastating fire blunting their ability to reply. Turn four and the Nationalists took advantage of this storming over the bridge causing further mayhem.

Turn six and the Republican platoon commander ordered a withdrawal.

A rare victory for the Nationalists, surely some mistake?

As an aside several years ago I made a periscope that seldom gets used, too old school? With the use of measuring sticks in our recent games I thought this ought to get used too especially as Bolt Action uses true line of sight. We are both getting on to keep crouching down if needed and risk not being able to rise again😂 so out it came.

The periscope cunningly disguised as a house front.

Until next time..............

KBO