'Thanksgiving in Tunisia': the Attack on Terourba, Dec 1942

 Another WW2 'Battle Command' game - this time in Tunisia, at the 'company scale' (one base is one company, as per the game's older cousin 'Field of Battle WW2'). 

'Just look at that archway Hans...very poor brickies around here!'

The newly arrived 10th Panzer faces an eclectic collection of British armour and infantry and a hastily put together 'Blade Force' of US armour, in a bid to take the towns of Chouigui and Terourba. The scenario is taken from the old 1996 vintage 'Rommel's Battles' scenario book for the 'Clash of Armor' system. 

' 'ere Nobby..the yanks 'ave arrived...put the kettle on mate!'

The Germans have three Kampfgruppes, and are positioned to make a pincer movement attack in grand style and swamp the 'green' US units and demoralised British armour...or not, depending upon how the game goes.

 Once more, these rules use opposed rolls, and eminently sensible rulings revolved around an elegant card mechanic, rather than hosts of tables and needless modifiers, which I simply no longer have the patience to wade through. Once learned - the game runs off a single piece of paper with very little 'crunch' or reference to the rules - AND, with suitable hacks, it plays at one base = squad, platoon or company - depending on the scenario level preferred (all detailed within the rules) - with a separate QRS for each. That's what I want for my WW2 game - not twelve competing systems which I have to learn which end up in wasted effort, as I see with most rules...BC:WW2 is seamless in this regard (and full version is out very soon). 

A well designed card mechanic, opposed rolls mechanics, and asset management systems which are VERY innovative (HMGs, Mortars and artillery - depending on rules level) ; all uniquely well oiled and seamless systems, which simply work. WW2 does NOT have to be complex...but it DOES have to be challenging...this solves that old conundrum for me.

Kampgrupper Neider, moving on the Allied left...with armour and an 88

The German attack on Chouigui develops

...as British armour defends their left

...and Blade Force moves to assist - their flank will be horribly exposed as Chouigui falls

'Kampfgruppe Ost' takes the high ground, before moving up its infantry the the German left flank in a bid to take Terourba 

The well planned German assault upon Chouigui- textbook and flawless...but this will be the pinnacle of the German attack

On the Allied right, things are very different...with US armor using numbers to hide its relatively poor quality

Given confidence with its attack on Chouigu, the Panzer Grenadiers use smoke to move on Terourba...but the British troops, well ensconced in cover, defend their positions, at great cost to the German infantry

The German left...with US armour massing at top of pic, British armour off to the right, near the captured Chouigui

With a distinct initiative advantage over two turns, the allies manage to make some flanking moves...which, with poor units and armour, is exactly what they need...

...while the British manage to hold on, on the left

The allies are starting to form a defensive perimeter, which slowly, slowly, bleeds the German force's morale down, though Allied morale is also low.

This final attack with two German battalions is the decider, and fire and close assault is stopped by Allied fire and artillery - kept in reserve for this very attack.

...even the Panzers are suffering

A last ditch effort by Kampfgruppe Neider comes to naught - it is too late to affect the battle now...

A desperate attempt to move a battalion of Panzer Grenadiers to the German left comes to naught as it is outflanked by accurate (VERY accurate) long range fire, from Allied armour on the high ground

A perimeter which will not break

The German attack on the Allied right, on Terourba, is forced back - Army morale for both sides is low, but the Allies are now taking cards from German units that get hit...

They think it's all over! It is now...

'Brythunian Border Chase' - Princess Zamora and the Hyborian Campaign' Part #1

When you only have medievals and ancients in old 25mm, but not enough for both sides? ...why then it's time for a Robert E Howard 'Conan' based 'Hyboria' mini campaign using 'Battle Command: Ancients & Medieval'. (Echoes of Tony Bath's legendary 1960s games of course).

Conan leads Brythunian Pike...well, for 10 minutes anyway until he gets distracted by Princess Zamora

 Forces based heavily upon the old 1975 FGU publication 'Royal Armies of the Hyborian Age' by Lin Carter.

 

This excellent Campaign is taken ladder from 'Maudlin Jack Tarr's' superb blog; forces are Brythunian mercenaries ('not' Greeks) (who have kidnapped Princess Zamora) vs 'Nemedian Knights and Adventurers' ('not' Normans and Crusaders) in hot pursuit. 

 

MJT's seminal campaign ladder

 

Conan, torn between saving the Princess and despatching the vile Thoth Amon, appeared/disappeared in the battle whenever initiative rolls were equal - and has the unique ability to challenge an opposing leader to single combat. If they refuse the challenge, they downgrade a leadership dice; if they accept, they are probably dead anyway (Conan is D12+2).

 

Conan attempts to rescue the nekkid lady

 

Great fun - An epic struggle and VERY close game (down to last card on both sides)- though the Nemedians were driven off (with Conan's help), with the Brythunian force absolutely devastated -which will affect subsequent battles of course.

 

Nemedian foot knights make moves...though the Brythunian pikes and phalanx are not easy to take on

Brythunian pike

Some nice flanking actions...the rules enable these very well

On the Nemedian right, Knights and Heavy Cavalry, stare angrily at each other, knowing that they will have extra battles in the campaign to fight

Nemedian Adventurers on their left flank, in the fight all day long

The Nemedians have an effective wedge in the centre of the battlefield. The Brythunians bloody themselves on the Nemedian left all day long

Conan leads the Brythunian pikes, until he is distracted

Brythunian medium cavalry is completely devastated - half of the dead units will return for the next battle, but the medium horse did not fair well

Conan buggers off to fight Thoth Amon

'Where did Conan go mate?'

Hard staring on the Brythunian left

Light archers vs steel - does not end well

The Nemedian 'wedgie'

Medium Cav devastated against the Nemedian adventurers

'Steady, steady

By game end, in a VERY close game, down to the last army morale card and a roll to continue... the Nemedians pull away from the battlefield, with what is left of the Brythunians giving chase, and hanging on to Princess Zamora... the next game will be a Nemedian village defence, which could be a major problem for the 'wrecked' Brythunian force... very Pyrrhic victory.

 

Next game in the campaign will see the retreating Nemedians defending a village near the border. This will be a tough ask for the already bloodied Brythunian force...especially since the Nemedian Knights remained untouched during the battle...though Brythunian pikes are a tough nut to crack... 

 

Be careful Conan, when you pray to Crom ...

 

Sometimes he hears you...