Keeping with his promise with regard to 'educating me in the ways of Spearhead (TM)', Dice Demon Steve arranged a game based on the scenario 'Twilight of the Gods' in the 1996 Spearhead Eastern Front scenario book - 'Where the Iron Crosses Grow', and the relief of
Driesen.
Some fantastic 1/285 WWII kit on display here from Steve's painted collection.
A great set-up and game, with lots of heavy armour (damn those Tiger IIs) in a late war scenario.
Russian motor rifle brigade sets up in defence - with armour in reserve.
A lot of troops in
Driesen, with random morale generated during combat. This would prove to be a problem...
German troops make initial forays. There is a flank march reserve somewhere, with lots of Tigers!
With this in mind, Soviet tank brigade makes an early appearance. T34s - 76s and 85s.
German armour, consisting of Panzer IVs on table - heading for the high ground, in support of their still to appear, heavier cousins.
It'll be an infantry fight to take back the town, with armour in supporting roles, though the Russians will have their work cut out when German reinforcements appear.
...aaaaand, there it is.
This is going to hurt!
Engaging in long range fire - which inevitably the Germans will win - though it comes down to how long the Soviet armour can block the route, and prevent German infantry taking the town sectors.
Infantry assaults on both sides as town sectors are held and taken.
Driesen becomes hell for the infantry on both sides.
While the Soviets make a thrust in the centre with heavy armour and air-power.
Russian armour on the flank is crushed, as the German forces start to take town sectors, despite stiff resistance.
A great game, and more to come from these rules. Very nice for this scale of effort, with some real fog of war and forcing decisions on the basis of doctrine.
I had both those booklets and stupidly moved them on!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to do such good photo coverage.
Thanks Norm. This was actually my first play of the WWII version. I've had the rules gathering dust since 1995.
DeleteLike Norm, i sold mine. (at a wargaming convention flea market. The shame!)
ReplyDeleteGame looks outstanding BTW. Love all that heavy metal!
DeleteThanks Steve. Stephen's stuff is awesome - his collection the largest I have ever seen - across every period.
DeleteWow, way to fill a table!. Lovely looking game with some fantastic minis.
ReplyDeleteYes mate - Steve has some great stuff in the collection.
DeleteHe is a painting demon as well !!
DeleteHe certainly is, his stuff is amazing!
DeleteMissed you today - though the Russians have it tough in that scenario once the Tigers appear...
Beautiful models and a fine battle! Spearhead looks much better in micro armor than in 20mm.
ReplyDeleteYes Jonathan. I agree - though 20mm does seem to work when it's representing a larger unit, in Field of Battle WWII for instance. Having said that 20mm also seeems to work in Command Decision, though the scenarios don;t seem as big as they do in Spearhead.
DeleteSpearhead offers grander sweep style scenarios and ranges where you can flank, and where 88s matter in terms of extended range etc., so this seems to favour the 1/300 based unit style with command radius for battalions.
Looks great and very impressive, lovely close ups on the tanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil. Some great vehicles in the collection.
Delete