This week saw the return of the Spanish Civil War and Chain of Command to the gaming table.
As is usual Dave took command of the Republican EPR and I the Rebels.
The Republicans would be tasked with taking possession of the railway station and adjacent factory.
The EPR troops advance and take possession of the high ground taking cover in the ruined look out post, supported by a Bilbao armoured car.
The station is currently defended by a squad of the local Guardia Civil, who will soon be taking fire from the look out hill.
More EPR advance on the Rebels right.
The Rebels are slow to respond but eventually show their hand at the station windows firing on the enemy on lookout hill. Having little effect unlike the return fire which sees their NCO killed!
The Guardia are also under heavy fire loosing their NCO who is stunned they also become pinned down.
The EPR bring the heavy boys supported by a T26.
The Rebels respond with a captured T26 it fires on the EPRs T26 and misses. The dice gods are not on side today.
The turn end sees the Guardia NCO recover but coming under fire again the squad breaks! Despite being in hard cover I seem to always manage a six when determining the effect of enemy fire?
EPR infantry begin to envelope the Rebels left.
The squad in the are also broken and the squad sent to take over are also under extreme pressure (damn those sizes when you don't want them)
Back at HQ the high command discuss the worsening situation.
The EPR command discuss their next move.
The Rebels have so far failed to inflict a single casualty on the EPR while having lost three squads. Morale is down to three now, withdrawal is really the only option. A resounding victory for the Republicans!
I still have some doubts of using CoC for this level of game and period, I think the Command Dice give too much control (although that was belied in this game as far as the Rebels went😂)
Perhaps the amount of dice should be lowered and the option to buy a Red Dice for certain formations could be introduced?
Nigel former head honcho of Anglian Miniatures is work on revising the CoC Espana lists, when I get a copy I will try them out and see how it goes.
Despite my reservations CoC delivered a fine and at times amusing game. Damn those ones and sixes Dave😉
Until next time happy gaming and KBO.
A nice looking game, I've never been interested in the SCW but recently have been considering it, but mainly naval and aerial, rather than the land fighting.
ReplyDeleteThank Rob. The aerial war has some wonderful aircraft, I can recommend Air War Over Spain by Jesus Salas Larrazabal.
DeleteAhhh, the dice gods favour the Republic😂 You can almost guarantee when someone says "roll anything but a 1", I roll it😜
ReplyDeleteGreat looking game as always, and yes, I do think the Espana supplement can be tweaked to add more of a period feel with the addition of the extra bits and bobs in V2 of the Chain of Command rules.
Thank you Nigel. I certainly managed to get ones when rolling for the fate of my NCOs, with the size of Spanish sections you need to keep them in the thick of fight though.
DeleteNice to finally get a win this year! Always a joy to play on your splendid Spanish tables with any of your outstanding collections! CoC I'm not entirely convinced by, but I'm trying hard.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave. You seem to be getting the hang of this small unit fire and movement thing.
DeleteFantastic looking table, Phil. Nice of you to allow the Republicans a chance at victory. I am sure you can put in just the right amendments to improve the CoC model.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jonathan. The Nationalists were well and truly mullered.
DeleteThanks for sharing Phil as always a lovely battle and timely as I am just listening to Anthony Beevor’s book on the SCW. It is all so confusing ? I might be tempted one day in the far future. As for CoC it can just be very brutal sometimes and frustrating when the command dice won’t let you do what you want. For RCW I think we will stick to BA which rarely lets us down.
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt. Beevor’s book is certainly a good overview are you reading his revised addition? I have yet to read mine. Confusing indeed, the late Robin Hunt perhaps hit the nail in his Military Modelling articles “to truly understand you have to be Spanish”
DeleteI do like the unpredictability the order dice bring in Bolt Action, but most Spanish squads are only six figures so don’t fair well with the 50% casualties from fire rule
I’m not sure which version as it is an audiobook ? We do allow units who lose 50% to test before feeling the field as per second addition I think
DeleteLike the look of the game. I've never tried CoC yet for SCW, currently use FFOL Bigger battles
ReplyDeleteThank you Neil. I use Rapid Fire with some of Mark Hanmans suggestions in his Rampan el Fuego booklet for larger actions.
DeleteYour sicily mat looks great love the base with the map spread on the table …… plate of food is inspired :-)
ReplyDeleteGeek Villain matts are just the ticket. The food is all down to Paul Hicks sculpting.
DeleteExcellent looking game if perhaps one sided! Better luck next time Phil.
ReplyDeleteThank you Christopher. Yes it was a tad one sided encounter I managed lots of ones and sixes when I didn’t need them and forgot to use my Chain of Command dice to avoid one of my morale tests, but the writing was on the wall regardless.
DeleteWhile not a period I play I always enjoy seeing it on the table. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteStephen
Thank you Stephen, it makes it a colourful and varied in types of troops, vehicles and planes period for the 20th century.
DeleteA lovely looking game as always Phil…
ReplyDeleteAnd with the correct result 😁
All the best. Aly
Thank you Aly. I am very adept at getting the right result🙂
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