This game fell hard on the heels of the previous 1914 game, and though dealing with rules published by the same company, deals with the very different 'Seven Days' modern version, which, to be fair, is very well written and explained, and VERY playable.
As usual at Steve's bunker, the battlefield is superb
This was another Attack/Defence scenario 200 (ish) pointer for the Soviet attackers; played without the cards.
The models were 3d printed editions from Butlers Printed Models and the Plastic Soldier Company Soviets that came out for the Battlegroup Northag rules last year.
Soviet Units begin to move, using cover as they can, knowing that the defending Leaopards will be where they least expect them
Ahh...here's one of them now
One lucky tanker makes it across the wheatfield
This platoon is a little more cautious
German defenders at the crossroads
Easy...easy...
Soviet dismounts
inching toward the high ground
Soviet dismounts dash across the road toward the chemical plant
If they can take this position, they can flank the crossroad objective
But Leopards love to do that old 'shoot and scoot' thing
The Soviets start to move on their left now
...as infantry assaults through the warehouse section of the chemical plant
NATO satellite footage
Small numbers of Germans...but they have MILANs
...just like that, as a BRDM pops from cover and is killed before it can shoot its Sagger load...
MILAN discipline is nothing if not effective
Soviet Sagger teams lose their wheels
A German Jaguar now shows itself and begins to take kills amongst the T-64s
...there are dangerous gaps in the cover...which the German MILANs exploit
But some accurate T-64 fire takes out the Jaguar
Soviet infantry desperately assaults the German infantry dug in, in the woods
bloody fighting ensues, but the Soviets carry the position
...with cover fire from the T-64s on the high ground
...even taking out a Leopard at long range
German defenders at the houses around the crossroads objective
bloody fighting at the woods
BTR covering fire
T-64s taking kills even now
Germans at the crossroads still
We didn't manage to get finished, though still a genuinely entertaining set of rules, with much to like. This set, in particular, does not appear to suffer from the degree of rules queries that we might see in 'Iron Cross' and '1916', though.
Now, these are from the same stable as 'Seven Days to the River Rhine' and 'Iron Cross', so activation is a thing.
A nice set, with some nuances and differences related to how machine guns work and companies thereby activate - though an interesting set.
None of these today ...but they were in the box
Two things struck me as memorable :
Stands are companies, so formations are battalions- always a good thing for BIG battles.
I was particularly interested in using the rules for East Africa stuff. I do like this segment of the period, and Peter has done some excellent work here with his own version of One Hour Wargames rules and some great scenarios and period feel.
A lot of discussion on rules interpretation, but the game was very entertaining nonetheless.
Miniatures used are 10mm Pendraken (I think) from 'da bruvaz' ' excellent collection(s).
French infantry in late uniforms sans les red trouseuuursss...
German infantry in late uniform mit keinen spikey helmets!
Linear deployment, but do not let that obscure the degree of move / counter-move that is coming
German guns
A German battalion deployed - complete with MG company, which can detach, pivot, or fire straight ahead
Movement on the French left
A lot of chits being used. There are slight differences in activation.
French guns
French moves in the centre as they are forced to cover from German fire on their left.
Moving troops take to cover as MG and Artillery fire start to take their toll. There are nice reserve rules to exchange lost units for fresh - which can really tip the odds when required for the losing player
Hill assault
Not at the battle...but in the box...
In the box...it'd just be rude not to take a pic...
We didn't get the game finished, but the rules were fascinating, for a period / genre which should see more interest. As I'd mentioned, the East African theatre does hold a lot of interest for me here.
What can be said about her majesty. What a life! What a Queen. A very sad passing indeed. The end of an era that both she and her late husband helped shape.
L'Art de la Guerre (LADG) by Herve Caille, is a definite favourite amongst the guys, and, since I was never a big Ancients player, I have avoided them completely :O
However, I have obtained a copy (1) to see what all the fuss is about and (2) since there is much talk of their suitability for C17th fighting (with a rough expansion out there, and an official Renaissance book to follow).
I took some pics of the '2 Steves' game below, just before I got the rules.
These are actually fantastic value:
Without going into too much detail, much of the 'broken stuff' surrounding DBx series games is fixed. I do remember throwing dice during the DBA period, and kind of missed DBMM, so the relief that many feel with ADLG is somewhat lost on me.
The book is 260+ pages of rules which simple to learn and hard to master, plus lists spanning hundreds of years - for ancients and medieval.
200 point games have 20+ elements per side - and gameplay is very smooth.
Certain elements have to be played in certain ways, and there are 'chess' like approaches to play, but it all makes sense, and still gets a good game in, in a few hours at most.
There's a lovely wee terrain and army placement phase that sets everything up for set piece battle - all seems smooth.
I mentioned that the rules were originally French, right?
A few of Steve's wonderful 15mm armies presented here. He has the largest collection, of best painted troops ever seen in all o' Christendom. His stuff is eminently better than the dodgy painting you see in most rulebooks and magazines :
Burgundians
Late Romans
Assyrians
The guys had a War of the Roses army facing Burgundian (I think) - with the Burgundians fielding both Charles the Bold and Anton the Bastard on the same battleground.
Following a Terrain placement phase, and setup, the armies were ready to engage:
English set up after terrain placement on their left
'We few, we happy few, we... where'd everybody go???'
I sense a few flanking actions with a massive melee in centre...might be coming
'There be Pavisse...es...es.'
Charles the Bold, or Anton the B'stard
Early push from the Burgundians...despite how it looks, they are seeking a flank
...even as the English loose their light horse against t'other flank
'Get stuck in lads'
It all goes tit up on the English left
The English centre is going to break like a wave
...there it goes...
Anton the B'stard, or is it Charles the Bold
At the far end of the table here, you can see Burgundian moves against the English camp, which would net them 4 VPs - plus all the damage they have already dished out. Once they hit VP soak, the game will end, so it's all to play for.
In the end, the Burgundians had dished out enough damage, that it was very close to English surrender. I had to leave early, but the guys were able to get another game in on the same night. Great game
I have 20mm plastics, which will work for ADLG, though I may be convinced to dip into 15mm again. The size and scope of the armies seems to make it work with an eminently suitable set of rules that actually make the period work very well.
