The final game of our Siege of Kohima series was played out at SELWG last Sunday. Here are a few pics.
The story so far: After days of being driven into a smaller and smaller perimeter, the Anglo-Indian defenders of Kohima Ridge now know that help is at hand. The Japanese effort to clear the hill of Kuki Piquet has cost the attackers dearly and increasing pressure from the British 2nd Division from the north east has forced the enemy on to the defensive. The Indian 161 Brigade, at Jotsoma, two miles west of the ridge, has now been ordered to attack into the saddle between Kuki Piquet and FSD Hill. And so, with 1/1st Punjab leading, supported by the 1st Royal Surreys, 161 Brigade advances upon the Japanese bunkers.....
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/Hertsblue/Wargames%20and%20Modelling/Kohima%20Relieved/DSCN1337.jpg)
With the Punjabis on the right and the Surreys on the left the advance begins, supported by the 3.7" howitzers of the 20th Indian Mountain Battery and a handful of Lee tanks.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/Hertsblue/Wargames%20and%20Modelling/Kohima%20Relieved/DSCN1336.jpg)
The interconnected Japanese bunkers have interlocking fields of fire, making individual attacks on each costly.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/Hertsblue/Wargames%20and%20Modelling/Kohima%20Relieved/DSCN1340.jpg)
Fire from the howitzers, mortars and HMGs, and attacks by Hurricane fighter-bombers, have little effect on the solidly-built bunkers, and the tanks bog down with monotonous regularity on the steep slopes.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/Hertsblue/Wargames%20and%20Modelling/Kohima%20Relieved/DSCN1339.jpg)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/Hertsblue/Wargames%20and%20Modelling/Kohima%20Relieved/DSCN1348.jpg)
The action becomes a matter of laying smoke to cut down the defenders' fire and then putting in direct assaults.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/Hertsblue/Wargames%20and%20Modelling/Kohima%20Relieved/DSCN1346.jpg)
The last bunker is cleared, but casualties have been heavy and the Japanese defenders have fought to the last.
So ended the last of the five-game series, each on a different battlefield, spread over seven months. It was an exercise in providing a viable display game across the convention season that would not have the participants bored witless by constant repetition. Hopefully it has proved the concept of the "mini-campaign for the season".
That looks as tho' it was enormous fun, Ray.
Cheers - Phil
Followed these with interest since you started. Nice looking games and you are right, after a while the hexes just seem to merge.
Great looking game.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 18 October 2014, 09:47:32 AM
So ended the last of the five-game series, each on a different battlefield, spread over seven months. It was an exercise in providing a viable display game across the convention season that would not have the participants bored witless by constant repetition. Hopefully it has proved the concept of the "mini-campaign for the season".
Concept well and truly proven what what I can see =D> =D> =D>
An idea I will be
stealing using in the future, not that we have a "convention season" ;)
Lovely stuff must get back to painting my Kohima forces some day. Too much to do for NWE at moment though.
Excellent looking game
Take care
Andy
Quote from: paulr on 18 October 2014, 06:59:59 PM
Concept well and truly proven what what I can see =D> =D> =D>
An idea I will be stealing using in the future, not that we have a "convention season" ;)
Be my guest, Paul. :)
Very nice, Ray, very nice 8)
such beautiful and big table!
Thank you all for your kind comments. It was an entertaining little campaign.
So now that's done, what's next...or is a secret?
I did hear a rumour that one of our members was putting together a wild west scenario using his rather splendid 4Ground buildings. I think it's an effort to get the kids involved.