"Brits vs Germans, Somewhere in Italy, Late '43 Game2" Topic

All,

In our last fight, Captain Penny's men took the German forward line, but before the position could be consolidated, the German commanding officer, Captain Penzig, swiftly organized and counterattack.

The Brit force, consisting of their CO, Captain Penny, a PIAT team, and five rifle squads.

The German force: the CO, 7 rifle squads, an MG, and a Pz Mk IV (w/short 75mm). This force will be split into two elements, the 'holding force,' consisting of two rifle squads and the MG, and the 'relief force,' consisting of the CO, 5 rifle squads, and the Panzer.

Starting positions: the German have Cpl Albrecht and Cpl Borger's squads, and Sgt Jernigan's MG, on the hill (far left), while the Brits have (counterclockwise from bottom left) Sgt Abbott's squad, Sgt Belmont's, Cpl Cooper's (on hill next to Germans), Sgt Dupont's, and Sgt Enis' squads, with the CO behind Enis and Cpl Leon's PIAT team behind Sgt Dupont's squad. Then the Germans have Cpl Colgen, Sgt Dietrich's, and Cpl Egan's squads at top center left, looking to cross a ford, with the CO, Sgt Nuen's Panzer IV, and Sgt Falmstadt's and Sgt Gohrman's squads accompanying them coming up the road at top right center.

Cpl Cooper's boys (bottom right, with CO next to them and PIAT team to right) turn their weapons on Sgt Falmstadt's men of the German 6th Squad (leading the tank down the road), and they are eliminated!

And this clears the way for Cpl Leon's PIAT team to move up and fire on Sgt Nuen's Panzer IV. The German tank is damaged, but it's enough to force the crew to bail out!

To see how it turned out, please check the blog:
link

This is game 2 of 5; more to come, so stay tuned!

V/R,
Jack

You've got the little gears churning.

I can't help shake the idea of having a distinction between regular and half squads, instead of being knocked out straight away.

Ivan,

1) It's faster this way.

2) It doesn't happen very often.

3) I can live with it (I), it represents an extraordinarily accurate/intense amount of fire.

4) I can live with it (2), it doesn't mean the squad was killed to a man, just that they are no longer combat effective.

I played five games and had not problems with it. I haven't conducted a study, but I want to say, off the top of my head, that most of the 'out of the fight' results were caused by troops close assaulting units in 'knock-down' status (auto eliminate). Next up is probably 'regular' close combat, which is risky, but I'm giving the initiator +2 if the target is pinned, +3 if the target is hunkered (and either/both sides can get another +1 if they throw their CO into it).

*Regarding your e-mail, I treat 'knock-down' as a particularly effective burst of fire that totally disorganizes the squad; I'd agree that perhaps a change of nomenclature (flinch and knockdown) might be appropriate, but it doesn't bother me all that much.

V/R,
Jack

Yeah, keeping the terms makes it easier if you want to switch back and forth between single man skirmish and company level battle.

Actually, that'd make a pretty keen campaign structure. Your next battle might be a fully fledged battle or you may have to send out a patrol to check out the farm house.

HMMMMMMMMMM

I may be in "ASL" mode here but I am super tempted to find a mechanic to add individual "hero" figures here and there. Actually, it'd be really easy to show special types of squads by adding a single based figure as a "specialist".
F.x. add a "veteran leader" or "engineer" or "sharpshooter" specialist.

Ivan,

I think the 'ASL' mode could be cool, just need to keep it super simple, or write it how you wish and I'll modify it to super simple ;)

V/R,
Jack

I am with Jack, I think a hero figure here and there, simply done, would add a bit if you play with bases.

Yep, I can't wait to see what Ivan comes up with. But it better be simple and quick!

V/R,
Jack

Jack – Read your email.