"Fourth 15mm Platoon-Level Game, US vs Germans" Topic

All,

So here is the fourth playtest of my homegrown WWII, Platoon-Level rules. I've had three great fights so far, and this one was no different, the rules are doing what I want them to do, which is to say, reflecting my own personal biases of what small unit combat is or should be like ;)

So, the Platoon Leader is still out, recovering from his wounds, so SSgt Saunders, is once again leading the platoon out, this time on a raid to knock out a German Observation Post, even snatch a prisoner if they can, with a little side mission brought on by a huffy Captain from the Division staff, as well.

American machine gunners (atop hill at top right) keep a wary eye out as 2nd Squad pushes forward (center), into No-Man's Land.

US forces (Sgt Littlejohn's 3rd Squad in the trees at top left, Sgt Caje's 1st Squad in the craters at left, and the Platoon Sergeant and Anti-Tank Team in the craters at top center) close in on the target building…

And slam a rocket into it, trying to silence that infernal MG-42 team in there!

To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
link

I hope you like it, please drop me a note and let me know what you think, and I'm about ready to share the rules with everyone, so I need some recommendations on what to call them!

V/R,
Jack

Gotta watch out for those "huffy" captains from Division staff (says a former captain and major on a division staff, but not a huffy one, thank goodness).

Jim

Another excellent AAR, Jack. Your solo rules certainly give you a good game. As for Saunders, I knew he would survive to star in i<>Combat in the 60's (yes, we got that down here).

As for suggesting a name- sorry, mate, I've got the creative imagination of a house brick and nowt but the obvious (eg "Platoon Action" and similar) comes to mind.

Jim – As a former PRC-E6, Marine Corps-type, I won't hold it against ya! ;)

Dal – Thanks man, and indeed, I figured someone would dig my homage to the show ;) I'm VERY happy with how the rules have been going, and like I said, I'm about there in terms of writing them down and sharing with whomever is interested. And you and I have that in common, I'm not particularly creative either. How about "Negligent Discharge"? ;)

I've been thinking of something suitably tactical like:
-Suppress, Flank, Assault
-Support by Fire
-Dominate by Fire and Close Combat
-Assault Through the Objective

And/or something that tips the hat to Joe's "Platoon Forward," which was very much an inspiration for this:
-Lead Your Men Forward
-Forward Onto the Objective
-Forward by Fire and Maneuver

Or my favorite: Sergeants Forward, Officers to the Rear!

It's got a certain ring to it ;)

I'm not too worried about it, not like I'm going to go all professionally published or anything, just want to have some way to refer to them that's not too cheesy ;)

V/R,
Jack

Another great fight Jack! I like how you incorporated the captain into the story; bravo.
Regarding the name, why not " Sergeants Forward".
Your original version does have a ring to it but would alienate huffy staff officers! : )

Keep going my friend!

PS. Just finished a Stalingrad battle today.

Joe,

Hey man, thanks, glad you liked it! It was a lot of fun, and yes, forcing the Captain to come along was a fun little side deal.

"Regarding the name, why not " Sergeants Forward"."
Do you think? And do you mind? I don't want to encroach, the "XXXX Forward" concept/brand is all yours, I'm not trying to muscle in and take any undue attention or credit.

"Keep going my friend!"
Will do, have a "Hasty Attack" already set up for this weekend. And I've been painting or re-basing more troops so I can work in some other platoons.

"Just finished a Stalingrad battle today."
Can't wait to see it! Battalion level, I presume?

V/R,
Jack

I've been thinking of something suitably tactical

What about "Contact Front!"? It's an all arms battle drill and will be familiar to British and Commonwealth ex-army, and any US Army people who worked with us.

Dal,

Yeah, I'd thought about stuff like that, and "Immediate Action Drills," or "Battle Drill," but the problem is that, due to the plethora of WWII wargame rules in existence (some, like mine, destined to remain obscure), most all of those terms are already taken.

In this case, "Contact Front" are available in their 2nd Edition from Wargames Vault.

V/R,
Jack

I should have checked WV rather than doing a net search. It's easier to name a baby than a set of rules.

Hi Jack, I think the title should include the word "Platoon" and something else, maybe a bit alliterative but with meaning. How about Platoon Point, or also Platoon Patrol?
Cheers,

Dal – "It's easier to name a baby than a set of rules."
Indeed! ;)

Javier – "I think the title should include the word "Platoon"…"
I'm thinking on it.

V/R,
Jack