Opening Gambit

Commands & Colors Ancients - 2nd Beneventum

2006-09-26T14:46:00.000+01:00

Well, it took me a while to be convinced by the hype (basically, until I played a game, at which point I wondered why I'd been so stubborn before...)
It took longer for my shiny 2nd edition copy to arrive, but it did eventually. Stickers stuck, I opened the scenario book to a middle page and chose the first scenario I saw - 2nd Beneventum.

Strangely, there doesn't seem to be a BGG session report on this battle, perhaps because until recently only the pre-pubbers have had access to it, but there's no excuse now.
This is basically an infantry battle across a featureless plain, with a river on one side (the Roman left) to squeeze everyone in a bit more. The Romans get mostly medium infantry, with a smattering of warriors and heavies; the Carthaginians get a mix of medium, warrior, and heavy. There's not a lot of cavalry - the Romans get one unit of medium, the Carthaginians two units of light and an elephant - and they're all on the flank furthest from the river. Plenty of auxilii and skirmishers, of course.

Here's the setup from the Roman point of view.

And from above, to get that linear battle feel :)

Opening Phase
Both sides chose to open the battle on the flanks, the Romans from the hand of fate rather than choice. The Carthaginians had decidedly the better of the opening; on their left the combination of cavalry and elephants succeeded in inflicting casualties. On their right, an infantry charge smashed a Roman warrior unit (four casualties in one four dice roll).
But one of the things I like about this game is the way it can change...

Turn 2 from the Roman side:

The Romans launched a strong infantry counterattack on the right; at heavy cost to themselves, warrior infantry succeeded in forcing the elephants to retreat (trampling over some Carthaginian cavalry on the way), and a full blooded cavalry charge not only finished the elephants off but also carried on to destroy one of the Carthaginian light cavalry units.
The Carthaginians kept pushing on their right flank, bringing Hanno and his heavy infantry into play and pushing back the Roman auxilia unit.

Still, at this point in the battle (4 turns in), Roman losses were heavy: 12 infantry and 1 cavalry block. Carthaginian losses? 1 infantry, four cavalry, and 2 elephant blocks.

Turn 4:

The Lines Clash
A short pause ensued as both sides looked to draw breath and reposition their units. The Carthaginians were first to attack again, once more with Hanno leading the way on the right. The fury of their assault forced the Roman infantry back in some disarray. Gracchus was not perturbed, however, seeing that the Carthaginian line was short. Rallying his troops, he promised freedom to all if victory was achieved. Heartened, his men rushed back into the fray with redoubled vigour, crushing two full strength Carthaginian infantry units and leaving Hanno isolated on his flank.
Still, Gracchus' move had drawn his strength away from the centre, and the Carthaginians moved forward. A band of warriors broke through the remaining infantry around Gracchus himself, and he was only able to escape by riding full tilt towards the rear with his bodyguard.

The Final Moments
At this point, the fighting by the river descended into a chaotic melee. Hanno and his men were finally slain, though not before they took many Romans with them. The bulk of the infantry on the other side never got into combat, and Mago fell back from the battlefield in good order with most of the remaining infantry. Gracchus' leadership won the day, but at great cost.

The end:

Final tally
Roman losses: 28 infantry & 1 cavalry (4 units destroyed)
Carthaginian losses: 20 infantry, 4 cavalry, 2 elephants & 1 leader (6 units destroyed)

Streets of Stalingrad

2006-09-03T18:16:00.000+01:00

For some reason, I've returned to this one. So prettily presented, but my previous experience was of an old-fashioned and not terribly exciting rules set. Of course, the situation is hardly thrilling - grinding slugfest in horrible terrain.

Anyway, I've set up the smallest scenario of the lot - the Siege of Spartakovka. And here it is. More if I can ever get through a whole turn, but the objective here is to look again at the system rather than the situation.

Spartakovka setup

Afrika - a withdrawal and a surprise

2006-07-16T15:57:00.000+01:00

End of the German player turn of January 1942. With the loss of Bardia and its supply dump, I decide to pull the Axis forces back so that the supply lines are less extended. Still, the New Zealanders were looking very exposed last turn, and duly got thumped, losing three steps in the combat phase. An Italian attack on the Tobruk perimeter succeeded in breaching the fortified line, and I decided to give Tobruk itself a go with the Ariete's two medium tank brigades. Lo and behold, the trusty Ariete boys roll a 12, and Tobruk falls. If they can hold on, the Axis supply situation will improve dramatically.

Afrika - a break out

2006-07-16T15:51:00.000+01:00

Position at the end of the December 1941 turn. The CW efforts to get back to safety were rather successful, thanks to some good overruns of the positions around Fort Capuzzo. But most significant is that the French have captured Bardia. I'd taken a unit out of Bardia as a calculated risk the previous turn, thinking that the likelihood of any unit being able to crack the positions around Capuzzo were low. Big mistake. The most forward Axis supply dump is now Bir el Gubi.

Afrika - a bad day for the South Africans

2006-07-16T10:22:00.000+01:00

Rommel survives the all-important withdrawal roll; having him return to Germany at this point would put the Afrika Korps in a fine mess. The above photo shows the start of his efforts to turn the tables, with the movement phase completed. The Ariete's armoured elements overran the South African infantry screen just east of their position with ease (I seem to roll well when they attack), while the infantry elements pushed north to set up an attack on the 7th Armoured.
Rommel's efforts to attack westward from Gambut failed to dislodge the 22nd Armoured Brigade, supported by Guards infantry and artillery. 21st Panzer concentrated and prepared to launch a set-piece attack on the New Zealanders at Sidi Azeiz. However, most alarming to the Commonwealth command was the movement of a kampfgruppe with elements of 15 Panzer, which took advantage of the gap in CW lines at Libyan Omar to capture the supply dump just south (and again, a South African infantry regiment was on the receiving end).

And here is the situation at the end of the German player turn. The attack on 7th Armoured succeeded in inflicting heavy casualties as they retreated southeast into the pocket. However, not everything went well for Rommel; the New Zealanders comfortably held off the attack by 21 Panzer, and after another indecisive effort to clear the 22nd Armoured Bde, Rommel pulled away from Gambut and moved to strengthen the southern edge of the pocket.

A large part of the Commonwealth's strength is now pocketed southeast of Tobruk, but the pocket is loose. Of greater concern to Rommel is his supply situation; while there are sufficient supplies to continue fighting for a few turns, it's being consumed faster than his trucks can bring it forward.

2006-07-15T17:52:00.000+01:00

And here's the position at the end of the turn. Mixed fortunes. The attack on the southern box failed completely, which is rather unfortunate since some panzer forces can now use that avenue to hit the CW flank at Libyan Omar. The New Zealanders, with their armour support, comfortably overran the two recon battalions and then destroyed the third recon bn (from 90 Light) in the combat phase.
7th Armoured took two phases to kill the Brescia division and break the ring around Tobruk, and they lost a step in the process.

Time for the German counterattack.

Afrika - Crusader

2006-07-15T17:42:00.000+01:00

Here's the situation as the Commonwealth forces are about to launch Op Crusader. I've already moved up some infantry forces (4th Indian with a load of artillery support) to clear the southermost Axis box, held by a regiment of panzergrenadiers.
The Ariete division to the west will be screened by a weak force of infantry. The two main striking forces will be 7th Armoured (tasked to assist the Tobruk breakout and cut off the German mobile forces in the east, and the New Zealand division, supported by 1st Army Tank Bde (aimed at the road crossing the escarpments, currently where the two pz division recon battalions are). Another force will move to the hex east of Sidi Rezegh, where they will attempt to block Rommel in.

This is a fairly risky plan, not least because my armoured forces could be cut off in their turn when Rommel counterattacks. We'll see.

Afrika redux

2006-07-15T17:35:00.000+01:00

Well, the enforced wargaming hiatus is over and the spare room is free once again, so I've got Afrika II out. I've decided to start a shortened campaign, beginning with the Operation Crusader start.

Afrika

2006-06-25T09:30:00.000+01:00

This slightly shaky (sorry) close-in shot is of the situation after the Axis half of turn 9. Rommel has struck. 21 Panzer and the Ariete Division launched their first attack on the somewhat isolated New Zealanders and drove them back to Gabr Saleh. These two divisions then swung north. The bulk of 21 Panzer attacked the 2nd Armoured at Sidi Rezegh, but even with Rommel's presence and air support failed to make any impression. The Italians showed them how to attack, however, driving the infantry and armoured cars from their position immediately to the southwest of the Tobruk perimeter.
With most of the rest of Rommel's force occupying positions around the Tobruk perimeter, Tobruk is very nearly cut-off. However, without the Italian infantry and a secure supply base, it is difficult to see how much farther he can go for the moment.

Afrika

2006-06-25T09:23:00.000+01:00

Turn 8, and with the mobile elements of the DAK and the Italian army arriving before Tobruk, the CW forces make a slight adjustment, fearful of being outflanked. It's suddenly a very different game now that the Axis have a decent supply range and powerful exploit-capable units. There is a distinct lack of Italian infantry divisions, however; Rommel has brought only one forward from Tripoli.
Where possible, the CW units are stiffened by armour. 7th Armoured remains in the Tobruk fortifications, although the 7th Armoured Brigade, now returned from Greece, is in Bardia. The New Zealand division holds Bir el Gubi and the two units of the 2nd Armoured Division are at Sidi Rezegh.

Afrika

2006-06-24T16:50:00.000+01:00

Turn 7 was a pretty quiet one. The Axis moved rapidly up the road from Tripoli, with the advance elements of the DAK arriving at Derna, but supplies and more strength need to be brought forward before Rommel can consider pushing the Commonwealth forces back across the Egyptian border.
The last vestige of the original Italian army was duly crushed at Tobruk, and the CW forces are reorganising to meet the DAK. However, confident after O'Connor's rapid victory, Churchill has ordered him to Greece, along with the 6th Australian Division and one of the 7th Armoured Division's armoured brigades.

Afrika

2006-06-24T16:35:00.000+01:00

Turn 6 completed. The Italian army has disappeared (almost), but it was a hard slog for O'Connor. Tobruk was no problem for the 7th Armoured and 4th Indian divisions, who smashed the Italian infantry defending the town and then encircled the 2 Libyan division to the west.
Bardia was another matter entirely. Repeated attacks, first by the 6th Australian Division, then by mobile independent brigades, and finally by the Australians again with infantry and artillery support from the south, eventually cracked the Italian defences, but at some cost.
Worse still, even as O'Connor reports on the annihilation of Italian forces in Cyrenaica, he hears word that German units have been landing at Tripoli, under the command of Erwin Rommel.

Game notes: with the exception of the attack on Tobruk itself, the CW rolls were awful this turn. The half-strength Italian infantry division, with the even weaker garrison, in Bardia managed to knock out three CW steps before they were beaten. Particularly galling given that there had been a 50% chance of the port having insufficient supply to sustain them into this turn.
The 7th Armoured is also now showing the strain of being the unit of choice for the CW attacks. Three of its four brigades are at reduced strength and it's in no position to receive any replacements next turn.

Afrika

2006-06-21T20:24:00.000+01:00

Here's the situation at the end of turn 5. With little else to do, the Italians have turned turtle with their infantry in Bardia (1 division) and Tobruk (3 divisions).

O'Connor has moved forward with the 7th Armoured to the defensive line around Tobruk. It took two attacks to break the perimeter, and two steps were lost in the process. The infantry divisions closed in on Bardia; the 6th Australian moved around and approached from the northwest while the independent 14th Brigade blocked the south. Even with substantial artillery support, the attack on Bardia only inflicted one step loss on the Italian division defending the fort.

Bardia, in particular, is a tough proposition. It's a fort and a minor city, so defenders are quadrupled in strength. The attacker needs to get some shifts on the CRT to have any chance of success, but even so the historical Australian success seems unlikely if the Italians put a full division in there.
Still, there's a 50% chance that Bardia's port capacity will be zero next turn, in which case the Italians will die from lack of supply. Tobruk is guaranteed at least 1 point of supply and so there'll be more fighting to take it next turn.

Afrika

2006-06-21T19:45:00.000+01:00

Here is Afrika at the end of turn 4. With a good supply situation and no withdrawn units, O'Connor was able to cut the Italians off at Buq-Buq (and that wasn't deliberate on my part - just where it seemed most wise to attack). With supply in the pocket, the 7th Armoured turned east and tried to capture it; the Italians blew the dump before they died. There is now just one Italian armoured brigade left east of the Mussolini line, and that will die for lack of supply unless a miracle occurs next turn. The only success for Italian arms has been the rebuff of the 4th Indian Division as they attacked a Blackshirt division on the road. The 7th Armoured is at full strength still, and the Aussies are in position to help the drive west.

I like the way the system handles Rommel and O'Connor. Both give a single shift to any combat they're involved in, but rather more importantly, they're able to move to a stack and grant it exploit capability. Thus, for example, the 7th Armoured can make an initial attack and clear the road, O'Connor jumps to the Aussie 9th division and they move along the road and possibly make an overrun of their own. This, in turn, means that the 7th Armoured is likely to be able to launch an overrun in its next movement phase as the Aussies keep enemy units from moving adjacent to the armoured division.

Afrika

2006-06-11T21:43:00.000+01:00

Oct 40

Here we are at the end of turn 2. True to Mussolini's conviction that the British could be swept aside, the Italians pushed on towards Mersa Matruh, moving off the main road to get south of the escarpment (very difficult to attack up escarpments). However, the infantry are too slow to be able to get into position to attack the defenders.
In the British turn, reinforcements arrive. Perfect timing; the 7th Armoured is up to full strength. O'Connor leads the two armoured units to hit an Italian armoured brigade guarding the southern flank of the main force, and they are swept aside. With the Italians still reported at a considerable distance from Mersa Matruh, and with two infantry brigades moving into position, O'Connor gathers the rest of 7th Armoured and strikes westward to crush an infantry division near Piccadilly Circus (note the misspelling on the map...)

Game Notes: SCS is very fond of armoured operations. Most are classified as exploit-capable (the yellow stripe on the bottom of the counter), and such units are capable of attacking three times in a turn; once in the movement phase (an overrun, like O'Connor's first attack above), again in the combat phase, and then a second overrun possibility in the exploit phase, like O'Connor's second attack. Entering enemy ZOCs adds a movement cost, and launching an overrun attack adds more, and an overrunning unit must have started movement outside enemy ZOCs, so only armoured units can really pull all this off.

The 7th Armoured is gambling here. The Italian supply difficulties mean that they must remain concentrated and cannot go far from the road. The British have more supply and the trucks to move it; in addition the 7th Armoured is pretty mobile. In its current position it poses a serious threat to the Italian supply line, but is also able to move back on Mersa Matruh if necessary.

Good fun so far, and I'm able to recreate something like the historical events. Roll on Rommel!

Afrika

2006-06-11T21:26:00.000+01:00

Sept 40

Being a sucker for new shiny games, and a double sucker for new shiny games about the desert war, I'm afraid TP:S lost out to the newly arrived SCS Afrika (2nd edition) from MMP. I'm moderately familiar with the SCS system through Stalingrad Pocket II, and I'm enamoured of the speed and ease it brings to the table, even if it's not exactly detailed (but, hey, that's what we have OCS for, right?)

Afrika covers the war in Libya and Egypt, from the Italian invasion in September 1940 through to December 1942. Turns are monthly affairs, so 28 in total; units range from panzer battalions up to Italian infantry divisions. Supply plays a big part in Afrika; both sides must ship it in, and drive it in their limited trucks to where it's needed. Almost all units eat off the map, and penalties for not being near sufficient supply are severe; a reduction in all factors and an immediate step loss.

I started with the first scenario; the Italian invasion. The Italians have it tough; in this edition they must push a sizable force across the Italian border and either maintain it there or lose it. But there's precious little supply, and their slow infantry divisions must stay close to what there is. The British, of course, have little to oppose it, other than the 7th Armoured Division.
In this picture, you see the position at the end of the turn; the Italians have pushed about halfway to Mersa Matruh. A screening force from 7th Armoured opposes them while the LRDG lurk to the south; the two armoured units of 7th Armoured both start at reduced strength, and are awaiting reinforcement near Mersa Matruh. No combat has happened as yet.

TPS - start of turn 3

2006-06-04T20:32:00.000+01:00

Turn 2 was a short one - just five day impulses and three night ones.

The two Soviet infantry battalions holding the Hospital shrugged off the combined efforts of the Luftwaffe and another regimental-sized infantry attack. 24th Panzer sent a motorised infantry battalion into the Flying School, and while it pushed back one of the defending battalions, the other two stayed to contest the area.
The only real success for the Germans today was the clearance of Kuporosnoye by elements of the 29th Motorised Division. This has left a Soviet infantry and tank battalion isolated in Minina.

The Soviets suffered very few losses in all this - two good units in Kuporosnoye - and the 13th Guards reinforcements crossed the Volga after dark. One regiment has moved straight to Mamayev Kurgan, another to the Grain Elevator.

Game Notes:
Those infantry battalions in the Hospital have now rolled 12 twice in three attacks on their position, and they're frustrating the attack in the centre. 24th Panzer will not be able to break into the rubbled city areas without good infantry support, but it will be some days before that moves up, even if the Hospital falls quickly now.
The attack into the Flying School was a disaster for the Germans; the first roll was very poor and I decided to use the advantage, both to attempt a breakthrough (with 3 spent battalions it looked vulnerable) and to prevent the day from ending. Second roll was a 4, so the day ended anyhow, and the line has stiffened.
The Soviet artillery groups have had a bad time of it thus far - all three were spent after one supporting shot, and none of them have managed to regroup since. Still, when you're rolling 12, who needs the artillery?

With the capture of Kuporosnoye, the Germans now have 5 VP. Just 1 needed to achieve victory in week 1, but where will it come from? The poor progress of the infantry divisions in the centre, and the arrival of the 13th Guards to face them, means that the south looks like the only place where that extra VP might be taken. Whether it is or not, I'd like to play beyond the first week, but I'm not sure if my patience will last - a couple of new games should be arriving soon, the reprint of SCS Afrika chief among them.

TPS - end of turn 1

2006-06-04T11:09:00.000+01:00

South

North

The first day's fighting saw some good progress for the German. The attacking effort was concentrated in the south and centre sectors. The initial barrage had some effect, but opened up a big hole in the defences at Kuibyshev Sawmill, in the far south. This was quickly exploited by the 29th Division, which put a big force in there, effectively isolating the units garrisoning Minina and Kuprosnoye from the city centre.
The 24th Panzer launched the major attack of the day, however, clearing the defences around Dubovaya. Lead elements have penetrated to Hill 112.5, on the edge of central Stalingrad. Although the penetration is narrow, it has forced the Soviets to stretch their defence
The 71st Infanterie supported the 24th Panzer on their northern flank but found it tougher going. The Hospital was defended resiliently by the Soviet 42nd Infantry Brigade. The 295th Infanterie also pushed eastward towards the Tennis Racket, but its attack was largely ineffective, and the lead infantry regiment was forced to retreat towards the end of the day by a counterattack from a strong force of T-34s.

Game Notes

The first day of fighting gets the full 12 daylight impulses, but it played out pretty quickly. Fairly good progress for the Germans, I think, helped by a very short night (just two impulses) and a failed attempt to infiltrate Soviet infantry back into the Kuibyshev Sawmill area.
With the 13th Guards Division due to cross the Volga this coming night, the 24th Panzer will probably continue to drive towards Mamayev Kurgan and central Stalingrad. However, the infantry divisions supporting it must make better progress to avoid any overextension.

Turning Point: Stalingrad

2006-06-04T11:03:00.000+01:00

It's been over a month since my last post here - a busy time, so not much gaming going on. I picked up a copy of TP:S from ebay earlier this year; I'm reasonably enamoured of the area-impulse games that I've played (Breakout: Normandy, TP:S, and Monty's Gamble) and I have this fascination with Stalingrad. I played through the introductory scenario during May, familiarising myself with the mechanics once again, and seeing a Soviet victory. Time now to start the full game.

While I've got the rules pretty much nailed, the tactics are taking a little longer. My impressions from reading about TP:S are that the Germans are favoured; we'll see...

Red Vengeance - end

2006-05-01T10:07:00.000+01:00

Turn 10 (Mar 45)

Turn 9 saw further small advances by the Soviets as the weather remained snowy, but it cleared up in March (the first time the dice had deviated from the historical weather pattern). Cue the final onslaught, and some hot dice for the Soviets. Budapest fell, Vienna held out again, but Koniev's forces encircled Berlin from the north and captured it in one attack. With secondary attacks inflicting damage on Dietrich's SS Panzer corps, and Hitler killing himself, there is now no hope for the Germans; the April turn is likely to see Vienna fall as a tank army comes up to help Tito's battered forces. Prague may hold out, but the Germans are behind on casualties.

I felt that the early loss of Zhukov would hamper the Soviets; it did, but the late game good weather plus some hot dice probably made up for it. I'm not sure that there should be a mechanism whereby leaders are lost simply because a unit they are stacked with is eliminated, so next time I might play without that.

All round good fun. Beat my relatively low expectations, certainly. Being fast and simple compensates admirably for low sophistication.

Red Vengeance - turn 8

2006-04-30T21:45:00.000+01:00

Turn 8 - Jan 45

As snow began in December, the Soviet advance regathered pace (not least thanks to some excellent rolling in two combats). Tito's Yugoslavs liberated Belgrade and marched on Vienna and the Hungarian oilfields, while Romania finally collapsed (once the 41 Panzer Corps was destroyed). Things slowed up a bit in January, but the Red Army stands on the banks of the Oder, and there are not many German corps left to defend Berlin.

Red Vengeance - turn 6

2006-04-30T20:26:00.000+01:00

Turn 6 (Nov-44)

Although I'm playing with the optional rule for variable weather, the rolls have thus far given the historical conditions. Light Mud kicked in on the October turn, Mud in November. The effect of both is to prevent any exploitation movement/combat; in addition, Mud halves unit movement allowances.

As expected, the Red Army has pretty much lost momentum; there's only one real area they can attack from and thus the Axis can concentrate strong panzer forces against them. The Soviets did force the northern stretch of the Vistula, but were driven back by four Panzer corps. Amazingly, the 41 Panzer Corps down in Rumania is continuing to keep the Rumanians on the Axis side.

I'm having real fun with this one. It's not innovative or particularly insightful, but then it never pretended to be.

Red Vengeance - turn 4

2006-04-30T17:36:00.000+01:00

Turn 4 (end Sept-44)

4 turns in, and as the casualties mount and the Axis fall back, the game is going much faster. As can be seen, the Red Army has taken Warsaw and the Axis have fallen back to a line along the Vistula. Romania has not yet fallen, and a single panzer corps is managing to protect both Bucharest and the Ploesti oilfields.

Red Vengeance - turns 1 & 2

2006-04-30T14:40:00.000+01:00

Red Vengeance - turn 2 (or: Where's that army group gone?)

Since the spare bedroom is occupied, and this little game arrived recently, I've taken over the kitchen table. First impressions: a not unattractive game (map is bland but counters are nice), simple rules, fast game.

A straightforward beast, this one. Generic counters at corps (for the Axis) and army (for the Soviets) level, monthly turns. Igo-ugo structure (move, fight, exploit-move, exploit-fight). ZOCs are sticky for infantry, retarding for armour, but can be carpeted by friendly units. Six to hit system, most units have two steps. In the Soviet turn, every Axis stack adjacent to a Soviet stack must be attacked. The Axis don't have to attack in their turn, but if they do, must also attack all adjacent stacks. Some units (basically, everything that isn't bog-standard infantry) may exploit move and attack, where the above restrictions are lifted.

The game kicks off with the Red Army in position to launch Bagration. Although the Axis player must set up his infantry first, his armour gets to be placed after Soviet set up, so the Soviet player can expect to see a large number of Panzer corps facing the bulge in Ukraine. The wristage in the first turn is very high, since the Soviets are likely to be attacking all along the line; I estimate around 500 dice rolled in the course of turn 1. As can be seen from the picture, most of Army Groups Centre and North had still disappeared within two turns. The Soviets aren't in great shape, but of course they have far more steps to lose.

Bitter End - the end and an updated opinion

2006-04-29T13:51:00.000+01:00

Sadly, my game of Bitter End has concluded, as the spare room must now be used for its intended purpose, so I will not get to find out whether the Axis could have relieved Budapest in turn 5 or not. Not that it's all Axis here - the Red Army starts to get some impressive reinforcements as well, and can launch its own counter-offensive.

I started here by giving my impressions of Bitter End, formed from a brief game. What do I think of it now, after rather more experience? Firstly, the alternate setup I opted for makes the game more open, more pro-Axis, and more interesting all round. I'd categorise it as a relatively simple and fast-playing game. There are some system foibles that I'm not keen on, particularly the strength of ZOCs, the absence of any reaction in the turn sequence, and an unsophisticated supply system, but I feel it's still a fun and worthwhile game if you're looking for a game on the fighting in Hungary in January 1945 that's quick, attractive, well-produced and easy to learn.

Bitter End - Turn 4

2006-04-23T10:34:00.000+01:00

Turn 4 - the spearhead approaches Budapest.

Turn 4 - Supply lines restored around Lake Velence.

Turn 4 sees the skies turn clear once more, and the Luftwaffe arrives in full strength. The Hungarian 1Pz division clears the main road south of Lake Velence, and fans out to form a screen against any future incursions. The 711 Infanterie division, newly arrived in Szekesfehervar, is sent to drive back the Soviet incursion to the north of that city, and in vicious fighting succeeds in clearing the situation. At the front of the advance, the 3Pz and Wiking divisions, with Luftwaffe support, continue to attack to the west of Erd, pushing the remnants of the 7th Mechanised Corps back and coming within 10 miles of Buda. Soviet attacks are few, but succeed in weakening the hold on Pest a little more.

Game Notes: I ran out of Out of Supply markers this turn :)
The Germans rolled well in their attacks; who needs supply when you have hot dice. However, the 711th Infanterie had to go through two rounds of same-hex combat before they were able to push the Soviet infantry division back, losing a step in the process.
Because of the supply situation, the Axis were unable to declare a breakout from Budapest (this depends on the proximity of supplied Axis units), but they will probably do so next turn; a breakout supplies the Budapest garrison for two turns, meaning that they can launch a counterattack. There is really only one hex between the 13th Panzer (holding the southwest of Buda) and the 3rd Panzer; the ZOCs mean that it's near impossible for the Soviet player to get more units in the way (the ford across the Danube from Czepel Sziget to Albertfalva is clear, and the Rumanian cavalry division is heading that way). However, the relief spearhead is equally tight; the infantry division in Erd will have to be cleared out before the way is truly clear.

A brief comment on being out of supply. I'm more used to games like OCS, where losing a supply line can result in rapid death. In Bitter End, being OOS halves your attack and move factors, but never kills you. You therefore need to kill units by attacking them, as they won't wither away from lack of food. In this game, the Axis were able to continue with an effective attack at the point of their thrust despite having their supply line cut. In OCS, the panzer divisions would likely have suffered minimal losses (good units cope better without supply), but there is no doubt that that single tank battalion would have had a very deleterious effect on the attack, both through the inevitable step losses from the units, and because any attack would have had to be supplied through the use of internal supplies (which, in OCS, cost double to replenish.
Of course, the OCS rules are currently undergoing a redesign to prevent exactly that sort of manoeuvre - the single unsupported unit used as a sacrifice to cut a vital supply line. But at some point you have to define what is a sacrifice.

Bitter End - turn 3

2006-04-22T16:22:00.000+01:00

Schwerpunkt

Szekesfehervar

Turn 3

Two pictures this time as the action spreads out a little. With the weather closing in, and as opposition stiffens, the panzer divisions continue to drive forward. The 7th Mechanised Corps was destroyed, but the panzers are running into tougher opposition. Both Tiger battalions were committed to attacks on the advance's left flank, where they were lost. The SS divisions up front are running into tougher terrain as they approach Budapest; three Soviet rifle divisions are holding a line running northwest from Erd.

In the Soviet turn, a nasty surprise for the Axis. A single tank battalion drives round the side of the covering forces south of Szekesfehervar, and cuts the main road near Lake Velence. Meanwhile, the 41 Guards Infantry and 12 Guard Cavalry Divisions push the single regiment of the German 96th Infantry Division back, and cut the secondary road running along the north bank of Lake Velence. The tank battalion is surely doomed, but these two efforts have cut the supply lines to the panzers near Budapest. German intelligence sources also report a Rumanian cavalry division marching down the east of the Danube, presumably to exploit the open spaces to the south-east of the German thrust.

Nevertheless, the Budapest garrison is holding firm, once again fighting off all attacks from the besieging forces. Indeed, as rifle divisions are pulled out of the siege lines and sent to block the relief attack, the Red Army has ceased attacks on the two divisions in Buda.

Game notes: I'd forgotten all about that tank battalion, which was lurking down to the southwest of Szekesfehervar. It had just enough movement to get into position. Although those panzers will only be out of supply for one turn, that may be all the Soviets need to make the direct approach to Budapest secure.

Bitter End - Turn 2

2006-04-16T22:11:00.000+01:00

Turn 2 - Situation around Lake Velence

The sacrifice of the Mechanised Corps has been successful in slowing the Axis advance. The bulk of the corps is surrounded, but continues to pose a threat that the panzer divisions must deal with before they can push on in strength. Nevertheless, the SS Panzer divisions are over the Vali Viz. 1 PzD and 6 PzD guard the flanks of the advance, while the Red Army begins to peel troops away from the siege of Buda to keep the panzers at bay.

Buoyed by the news of the rapid advance of the relieving force, the Budapest garrison holds tight, although the SS regiments in the south-east of Pest take substantial losses in holding their position.

Game notes: The advance slows abruptly as the panzers halt to deal with the 7th GMC. Although the bulk of the corps is quickly surrounded, poor attack rolls mean that they survive to hinder the German advance further. Meanwhile two good attack rolls by Red Army infantry mean that the two SS regiments holding the southeast sector of Pest both lose steps. Everywhere else, however, the garrison holds firm.

The combat system in Bitter End is not one I've encountered before. At heart, it's a simple odds-based CRT, with a single d6 roll. Various drms exist, principally for the presence of armour and for divisional integrity. Artillery and air support are very abstracted, existing purely as extra points of combat strength that can be assigned to boost an attack.
All combat results take the form of a single number, usually in the range 2 to 5. From this is subtracted the defensive value of the terrain, which ranges from 1 (open ground) to 4 (wooded rough, rugged, and urban terrain). A net positive result requires the defending units to take a combination of step losses and/or retreat movement points equalling the combat result (and vice versa for the attacker if the combat result is negative). If the result is greater than a unit's movement allowance, it must instantly take a step loss, which does not contribute to fulfilling the combat result; this inevitably hurts infantry defending in the open. Units retreating pell-mell (more than their movement allowance) also take a step loss.
On a net result of zero, we move to same-hex combat. Up to 3 attacking units may enter the defending hex; the defenders may then either counterattack them or retreat one hex, and this can be an unpalatable choice when defending with units that are weak on the attack (i.e., infantry or anti-tank units).

Bitter End - turn 1

2006-04-16T16:29:00.000+01:00

End of turn 1

The Axis attack shattered the Red Army's line according to plan. While the 1st and 23rd Panzer divisions screened Szekesfehervar from the Soviet reserves, Totenkopf and Wiking raced forward. In response, with the lead elements reported to be just 20 miles or so from the forces besieging Budapest, the Stavka authorised the release of the 7th Guards Tank Corps to block this thrust.

Game notes: The opening Axis turn is a panzer pusher's dream. The Red Army front line is pretty weak, and made more so by the surprise rules. In this game, an excellent first attack by 23Pz ensured that any Soviet retreats would be into German ZOCs, increasing casualties. A word on the surprise rule: the Axis can select an eight-hex section of front line to be affected. This reduces the effects of defensive terrain, and any units surprised must retreat to fulfil the combat result, rather than take step losses. This in turn means that attacking units get maximum opportunities to advance, since taking step losses restricts the attacker's advance.

The Red Army reserves are frozen in place until the Stavka authorises their release. The Soviet player can choose a release schedule based on the sector that the Axis attacks in. In this case, the advance of the 1st Panzer Division brought them adjacent to the 7th Guards Tank Corps, which released the latter formation early (the schedule chosen has them released at the start of turn 2). Their move to the east is a matter of desperation; while powerful, they're no real match for an attack by three or four panzer divisions in favourable terrain. Without this sacrifice, though, the SS Panzers would be closing on Budapest in turn 2.

Bitter End - a second play

2006-04-16T16:14:00.000+01:00

Bitter End - the partly free Axis setup, looking east. Budapest is just off picture to the top left. All that open space to the south of Lake Velence (in the middle) is very tempting...

The option to have a partly free Axis setup seems to be the first step to a more balanced game in Bitter End. In lower centre is the I Kav Corps, which has been reinforced by most of the strike elements from IV SS Pz Corps. Four panzer divisions are expected to smash through the Red Army's infantry divisions in front of Szekesfehervar. The Red Army reserves (to the NE of Szekesfehervar) will be screened while the main strike elements will advance past the southern edge of Lake Velence and move northeast towards Budapest.

Bitter End - initial thoughts

2006-04-16T15:14:00.000+01:00

I pre-ordered this one almost as soon as it was announced. It's WWII eastern front, it's regiment/battalion level, it has a decent rep for an oldie (first published in 1983), and Todd Davis was producing some rather delicious graphics.

First time on my table was around February this year. It wasn't quite what I'd expected. I played the historical scenario, which is a bit of a damp squib; the Axis attack through some particularly tough terrain and aren't going to get anywhere without a lot of luck. I also set up the defence of Budapest very poorly, and the Festung was reduced very quickly. That's what happens when you go against the advice of people who have played the game before - the rules state quite clearly how tough the historical scenario is on the Axis.

Still, I wasn't particularly inspired to break it out again. There were two things in particular that I didn't much like.
The first is the potential for movement. This is a pure Igo-Ugo game; there's no reaction or reserve movement, rules that I like to see in games that have day-long turns. What really makes this stand out is the fact that you can move twice, and also advance a substantial distance after combat. The turn sequence is supply-move-combat-exploit. In the exploit phase, units can either fight (if they begin adjacent to enemy units) or move, but not both. It's therefore possible to move a unit its maximum allowance, attack (and with a good result against a weak unit you can then advance maybe six or seven hexes if you can find a road to use), and then move again. In open terrain, against weak and scattered opposition, mechanised units can move an awfully long way in one turn, and your opponent cannot react. Obvious lesson here: make sure your defence isn't scattered. But there's not a lot that the Red Army can do to vary their setup.
The second are the ZOC rules. We're in sticky solid ZOC territory here - enter a ZOC and you stop moving. If you're in a ZOC-hex, you can't enter another ZOC-hex directly. So it makes sense to have a bumpy front-line, as long as you can be confident of holding that line, or if you've got defences in depth to restrict any breakthrough (an important point is that retreating units lose their ZOCs for the rest of that phase). Again, at this scale, I find this bizarre - two units can exert an impenetrable barrier over a four mile gap (two hexes).

Anyway, after playing a scenario from The Killing Ground, which is congested, grinding, and intense, I felt a desire to play something a little more open, and Bitter End fits that bill admirably.