"A D-Day game at the library" Topic

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Ran Featherstone's FIBUA rules from his Commando book. In practice it took too much looking up and I think a modification of Close Wars would have done better. Most of the kids present enjoyed themselves, and their tutor, himself a veteran, was impressed. He agreed with me that it could be a way to get kids into history.

The US Airborne platoon (sans mortars) got their butts kicked by the German grenadier platoon. I should have had open set up, rather than allow the Germans to hide their units and encourage the Americans to drop wherever they liked on the board… this led to a quarter of the US strength being surrounded and wiped out in the first turns.

Nearly every boy has some Army Men in his toy collection… They're perfect for introducing young people to tabletop war gaming. I do recommend basing them on 2"-squares of something, however. I glue mine to MDF squares, using Hot Glue. Texturing the bases, with mottled sand patterns, of 2-3 different colors, really takes them up a couple of levels, visually.

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Glad it was a success! Cheers!

Yes, I think at least card bases would be a good idea; there was a lot of table jostling on my second try this afternoon.

I also simplified the rules, drastically, with some reference to Close Wars:

Movement: One pencil length.

Ranges:
- Pistol: One pencil length, one shot.
- SMG: One pencil length, three shots.
- Rifle: Two pencil lengths, one shot. (Considered two if not moving, but in practice this would have been too confusing. Might try it next time).
- MG: Three pencil lengths, three shots, but may not have moved.

All firing hits on 5+, 6+ if target is in cover.

CC: Figures roll off. If the fight is a tie, survivors fall back one pencil length. I was going to allow a +1 bonus for chargers, but announced it too late for it to be considered fair.

At end of turn, each side may roll a die. On a 6, one reinforcement figure appears on the table edge.

We managed to organize the turn to the extent that I was placing appropriate numbers of dice next to figures as players declared firing.

I love it when a plan, involving plastic Army Men, comes together…

Welcome to the addiction! Been playing tabletop war games with Army Men figures since 1998. Never plan on stopping, either.

"Hello. My name is Sgt. Slag, and I wargame with plastic Army Men toys."

"HELLO, SGT. SLAG!"

Meetings are every 3rd Saturday. Coffee and cookies provided. Donations accepted, and much appreciated. There is a blood-and-guts, no-prisoners-taken (unless the scenario provides for it), game after we finish soul-searching, and sharing our sad war-gaming pleasures with one another. Cheers!