Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Batreps => Topic started by: bigjackmac on 25 July 2014, 01:30:57 AM

Title: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: bigjackmac on 25 July 2014, 01:30:57 AM
All,

So, with 2nd Squad having accomplished its objective, it was now up to 1st Squad to evict the Germans from their defensive positions in the village of Fondue.  In retrospect, just looking at the 2' x 2' board below, with ten Brits and six Germans looks like too much.  And it was...

I'd already played one game that took way longer than I expected (I was hoping to get four games in during the period it took me to get the above game in), and I'd had a few interruptions (I did not include these in the time accounted for), but I was resolved to play another game, even though I knew I was running out of time (how gallant of me?).

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gc6RXgMQckw/U8whX83B6vI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/IbCNEC3oVw4/s1600/P1150687.JPG)
The board: the Germans, which consist of a LMG team, a German Sergeant w/MP-40, another SMG gunner, and two riflemen, are all behind the wall at top.  The Brits entered from the bottom in three groups: the company Sergeant Major, SgtMaj Travers and three riflemen on the left, the Platoon Sergeant, Sgt Freduelve with the Bren gun and his assistant in the center, and the Squad Leader, Cpl Gwydion, with a rifleman and Sten gunner on the right.

The action starts on the left, where SgtMaj Travers leads his group up on the left, drawing reactive fire from Germans behind the wall.  No one is hit, but the SgtMaj and the German LMG gunner are both hit the deck (green beads).  The German LMG gunner manages to pop back up and fire at Sgt Freduelve's group (off camera to right), to no effect.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOd2JDq-sUc/U8wh6MKXJwI/AAAAAAAAGRg/u7-XZIlJimY/s1600/P1150689.JPG)
Then the German MG-42 (top center, behind wall and between the two bushes) rakes the Brit left: one rifleman hits the deck (center left), while SgtMaj Travers and another rifleman are both suppressed and forced to fall back (bottom center, w/red beads).  Next to them is Sgt Freduelve's group, still in its starting positions.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7uyEgGv7wY/U8wilEebPRI/AAAAAAAAGSA/eZ7OptMfwwE/s1600/P1150692.JPG)
Then things start going awry, first on the right...

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qoxwXZXHWp8/U8wkihb3HQI/AAAAAAAAGTI/YW4hXRUmIUQ/s1600/P1150702.JPG)
Then on the left (the guys at top left are nearer the German positions, forced to the deck by German fire, while at lower right are several Tommies suppressed).

Ultimately, with respect to the Sergeant Major, things went a bit rough for the squad; to see just how bad it went, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-last-fifty-yards-game-2.html

V/R,
Jack
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: Techno on 25 July 2014, 06:07:46 AM
Thanks for sharing again, Jack.  8)
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: Steeleye on 25 July 2014, 08:35:49 AM
While I don't want to appear picky...what the hell! Yes I do!

If these are BRITISH troops shouldn't they be in Sections rather than those cheap, homemade, knock offs the Americans call 'Squads' (tries to make the word sound like something 'nasty')?

Just call me Mr Pedant.
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 25 July 2014, 09:30:47 AM
No the British can be in squads -  SQUAD, WAAAAIT FOR IT SQUAD 'SHUN, BY THE LEFT QUICK MARCH.

Course on the battlefield they are, and always will be in SECTIONS !!!!!!


IanS
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: ronan on 25 July 2014, 09:53:19 AM
better luck next time, jack !
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: bigjackmac on 25 July 2014, 11:14:16 PM
Phil - Cheers backacha! You're keeping busy I imagine.

Ronan - No problem, we'll get'em next time!  How is your gaming going?  I'm looking forward to more of your campaigns.

Steeleye - Yes, we Americans are nothing if not nasty, and those "cheap knock-offs" have generally done pretty well throughout their history.  I am aware the British call their squads "sections," or "SECTIONS," as Ian pointed out  ;)  In any case, I promise not to get too wrapped around the axle about it, and may, throughout the course of a single batrep, even switch back and forth between the two.  I hope it's not too much for you.

In any case, I hope to get some more (whittled down) squad-sized battles in this weekend, so stay tuned.

V/R,
Jack
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 25 July 2014, 11:53:19 PM
Ouch!
That did not go well.
Good luck third section...
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: bigjackmac on 26 July 2014, 03:24:42 AM
Yeah Lemmey, the boys had a bit of a rough time.  But we'll get that taken care of, I hope  :o

I just took a look at the roster; sorry, you're in 3rd Platoon, so it might be a couple weeks before you get your baptism by fire.  Good luck, the commander has a bit of a spotty record  :D

V/R,
Jack
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: ronan on 26 July 2014, 11:21:34 PM
Quote from: bigjackmac on 25 July 2014, 11:14:16 PM(...)
Ronan - No problem, we'll get'em next time!  How is your gaming going?  I'm looking forward to more of your campaigns.(...)

It was difficult to play, but I had 3 small games in the last days  :D
"I'm back !"  :P  ( AAR will come soon)
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: Techno on 27 July 2014, 07:11:27 AM
Quote from: bigjackmac on 25 July 2014, 11:14:16 PM
Phil - Cheers backacha! You're keeping busy I imagine.V/R,Jack

Unbelievably busy !.....Huzzah !  ;)
Cheers - Phil

Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: bigjackmac on 28 July 2014, 12:10:11 AM
Glad you're back, Ronan, I've already read one of them.  And don't work yourself too hard, Phil!

I must unfortunately report that this weekend didn't work out for me, unable to get any fights in  :'(

V/R,
Jack
Title: Re: The Last Fifty Yards, Game 2
Post by: ronan on 13 September 2014, 07:33:52 AM
Hello Jack,
No new game ?