'It's not just about resource management ...there's killing to be done...'

Dice Demon Steve's quote above is taken from our latest game with the excellent 'Seven Days to the River Rhine' (7D), heard while we were discussing the high and low points of the rules.

The quote is quite relevant in terms of the rules' propensity to make you think about the 'to and fro' nature of the game turn, as well as managing your command tokens, the nature of 'if you can see it, you can kill it' and the relevance of that theme on the modern (1980s) battlefield, and of course the relative ease of gameplay for what is, as Steiner puts it : 'a technically complex wargame period, made easy to manage (but not simplistic) with these rules'.

So, all the superlatives, bullsh*t and diatribe come together in a really enjoyable 1/144 (new scale) encounter between French Rapid Reaction forces, reinforced with West German Bundeswehr, trying to stop a local Soviet counterattack with two companies of tanks/infantry, supported by the now (in)famous 'Red Air'.

(Though it wasn't really the theme of this encounter, I did consider later how applicable these rules are to 'late' WWIII actions, where armour is scarce, and weapon systems are running dry ('I have two shots left with my Milan') - along the lines of 'Twilight 2000' or James Rouch's 'The Zone',  but just before survivors start eating each other...).

To action:
Again, thanks to Robust Steve (a different Steve ...I know, it gets confusing) for hospitality and Superb, I say again, Superb terrain - well lit with spotlights, highlighting a small town on the Franco German border.

Some shots of his terrain and setup to start with. And yes, 'Pylons Maketh the Map'.

We're on the French border? Is the Wine and Cheese at risk Gawdammit!!!

 The garage was particularly effective. I wanted to go in for some French cigarettes.

 Town at map centre - Soviet objective.

 

 Olive groves.

 The mobile crane that they hired to move these containers has scarpered and was last heard of offering assistance at the NATO refugee camps, lifting thousands of Portaloos (TM) into place.

 The house price has dropped considerably since there is a bloody war on.

 

Soviet left flank; this attack axis would prove pivotal.

Early moves on Attack Axis Left

Some probes in centre.

 Flowers still in their boxes in the ruins of Centreville.

 Steineritzen on the Soviet right, in a race to be the first to Paris.

West German armour in the shape of a Leopard I. If you can see it, you can hit it; if you can hit it, it's probably dead. This was very much the case with the mid range armour in evidence.

 Attack Axis Centre and Right.

 German armour does not last long.

 The rules allow good and proper use of Recon to yield dividends.

 Panhard acting up from cover.

 French APCs and support in evidence halting some Soviet moves, making them approach more cautiously (than the usual CHARRRGE!)

 Sov infantry gains cover, awaiting Attack Axis Left to be secured before crossing the road.

 The farm on the left would prove difficult to secure, while the Garage offered a lot of cover for Soviet maneuvering.

 A lot of Soviet armour means that the NATO forces would chance their arm in terms of taking long range shots.

 ...which yielded early results.

 Though of course, Red Air is never far away.

 MILANs are VERY dangerous however, though had some bad luck with their shooting early on.

 Sovs taking hits at the garage.

 ...while NATO armour takes losses it can ill afford amidst the cherry blossoms.

 ...the bridge in the NATO centre.

 Sovs using cover to maneuver in the centre.

 AttackAxis Right secured halfway up the board, with Steinerzitch pushing on, and on, and on...

 

 Objective Centreville on the left.

 The farm securely held by French armour and infantry.

 ...inflicting horrible losses on Attack Axis Left.

 ..which soon gets the balance of the reinforcements.

 ...and builds strength for an attack on Centreville.

 AMX30s reveal for shoot n scoot action, though come off worst.

  

 Sov forces 'liberate' Centreville in the name of the Workers (or some bullsh*t), and start to move in.

 ...provoking reaction from French forces at the farm...

 

 ...though there is just too much Sov armour, shooting accurately.

Jazz Hands.

 By game end, the situation was such that the Soviet right was in stalemate with Bundesweher forces, whilst the centre was ready for a thrust toward the town, with a sweep through and around the French held farm on the Sov left, which was unlikely to withstand the weight of Sov armour that was coming.

A great game again, with these excellent rules.

More to come in various scales I think...