"Battleaxe Battlin' - 1/144th scale" Topic

Guys,

We played an Operation Battleaxe-based game today, and it came down to the wire.

The initial recon encounter -

Most of the German 8-wheelers destroyed came from 2pdr fire from the Matildas (which gave as much help to the British light armor as possible).

Before the British could assail the German strongpoint positions, the supporting Panzer platoon arrived, and pushed aggressively towards the slow moving Matildas.

The tide would soon turn on the German Mk.IIIs, but the British I-Tank troops were left in a shambles, and in no shape to take the fight further into the enemy defenses.

It was a fairly small game in terms of equipment engaged, but the early desert matchup turned out to be really competitve.

Going to run the scenario again tomorrow at our multi-game, group event – I'll just call that action the 2nd Battle for Pt. 206). :)

It turned out to be a superb game!! The Mark VIs really did their job.

Looks like a great game, FlyXwire! The minis and terrain also look great as well.

Thanks Pete!

Like Fitz mentioned, on this 2nd playing of the scenario (below), the remaining Mark VIs came into their own – basically slipping underneath the flying shells from the tank battle, and able to penetrate into the German strongpoint line (even overrunning individual emplacements).

The Marmon-Herringtons's were also hoping to sweep around the rear of the defense. At this 'unhinging' moment of the battle (a turn or two after the pictures seen here), the remaining Panzers decided it was time to salvage the few tanks they had left, and withdraw from off their ridge.

The price had been heavy for both sides.

Ultimately, the British players had succeeded in gaining a meaningful toehold, and when their following infantry would have arrived later (post-scenario), been able to consolidate their position.

The guys (on both sides) – did real good!

If contrasting the two games, the first saw less aggressive British play – which gave the opportunity for a more aggressive German response (the Panzer counterattack). The 2nd game saw more immediate commitment forward of the Matildas, which elicited a more defensive response by the reinforcing Panzers, and this allowed the rest of the British force (the lights) to wiggle their way into the German strongpoint positions (which were also deployed less-forward than the first action).

The 2nd game was still touch-and-go, as there was a bold Panzerjager I attack out of the German position, that threated to flank one of the Matilda troops. If the resulting fire had succeeded, I think it would have sealed victory for the German players!

Touch-and-go, but the desert winds favored 4 RTR on the day….the Matildas quickly responded, and crushed the attempt.

For better close-up pics of the minis than what I can get with my digital camera! – another Battleaxe AAR with those Fitz took with his phone.

link

This is a really nice looking Panzer 3.

Thanks Ed.

No, really, thank you for commenting!

I know you're not a wargamer, but it's heartening to read something, that lets us know if was worth the time it took to create some thread with pictures and context, for posting on the forum.

However, we may be wasting our time here these days. ;)

Hi FlyXwire

I hope you will continue to post your minis and games here. It is always great to see what you and others are up to.

I do know the feeling though.

Hi CP!

I do think I'll cut back.

Sorry to hear that FlyXwire. I do understand.

I posted one of my North Africa AARs on the 6mm WWII thread a couple months back and got about 2 other responses or maybe it was just one with a reply by me. I get the frustration.

I have joined a bunch of 6mm Facebook sites over the last few years and even help run a couple. I admit that there is a lot more activity in general and "love" for my posts on those sites which is great and satisfying. I will continue to post here to support TMP. Maybe I am just stubborn.

Very nice looking game, and in my favorite period.

EDIT: What rules are you guys using, such that a group of short-barreled PzIIIs can defeat an equal group of Matildas? :-)

I do think I'll cut back.

Don't you dare. Nobody gave you permission to do that.

I know blogs are out of fashion, but your posts should really be in a blog. You are doing more work on TMP than most people do in a blog anyway.

Now where did I put my copy of Brazen Chariots. Need to read it again.

I hope you will continue to post here on TMP, FlyXwire. I still love checking out your well painted minis and well run games and I will continue to look for them here.

I will be posting various things that I do here as well even if it doesn't get as much attention as other places.