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Wider Wargaming => Networking => Blogs => Topic started by: Rhys on 29 May 2022, 11:05:39 AM

Title: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Rhys on 29 May 2022, 11:05:39 AM
I've started to post up some information on a game we played 20 years ago focusing on the NZ divison on Crete in 1941 (https://badlyleadmen.blogspot.com/2022/05/organising-historical-refight-pt-1-new.html).
Hopefully some find it usefull in how I went about researching and staging the refight.
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Steve J on 29 May 2022, 06:39:17 PM
Much appreciated old chap and I'm sure it will be useful for my planned campaign in the Autumn :) .
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: fred. on 29 May 2022, 07:36:33 PM
Thanks for doing this Rhys, Crete is on the 'quite like to do' list!
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: toxicpixie on 29 May 2022, 11:25:01 PM
Quote from: Rhys on 29 May 2022, 11:05:39 AMI've started to post up some information on a game we played 20 years ago focusing on the NZ divison on Crete in 1941 (https://badlyleadmen.blogspot.com/2022/05/organising-historical-refight-pt-1-new.html).
Hopefully some find it usefull in how I went about researching and staging the refight.

Superb :)
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Rhys on 30 May 2022, 06:13:43 AM
Second post is up (https://badlyleadmen.blogspot.com/2022/05/organising-historical-refight-pt-2-new.html) with the OOB for the 2nd NZ division plus other troops in the Maleme-Suda bay sector. This is based on the NZ official histories and a command decision OOB I found somewhere on the net.
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: fred. on 30 May 2022, 11:33:55 AM
Thanks for sharing - as you note not many heavy weapons, and a right mix of guns!

What does 1 stand represent in real world terms - I'm thinking a platoon?
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: toxicpixie on 30 May 2022, 12:33:32 PM
Quote from: fred. on 30 May 2022, 11:33:55 AMThanks for sharing - as you note not many heavy weapons, and a right mix of guns!

What does 1 stand represent in real world terms - I'm thinking a platoon?

Yes, it's for Spearhead so a Platoon for infantry, or five real world vehicles/guns.

There's a bit of fudging here and there but broadly that's about it.

Excellent stuff, Rhys! Ta :)
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: fred. on 30 May 2022, 08:13:58 PM
Cheers TP

Always a bit of fudging needed to fit unit counts to gaming units!
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: toxicpixie on 30 May 2022, 09:15:25 PM
Quote from: fred. on 30 May 2022, 08:13:58 PMCheers TP

Always a bit of fudging needed to fit unit counts to gaming units!

Spearhead is mostly consistent, at least to the OOBs they worked from so it evens out.

Except those awkward bits where you have eg a two gun section at Battalion which would make six guns which becomes one model at Regt.

Or in some cases that becomes a gun model at Battalion still because bias :D
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Rhys on 31 May 2022, 06:20:50 AM
And the 3rd part (http://badlyleadmen.blogspot.com/2022/05/organising-historical-refight-pt-3-new.html) is up with the German OOB. This contains the troops for the Maleme-Galatas sector and also the reserves for the entire operation. Again theres a bit of guesswork but I think its mostly correct.
While Spearhead has its issues here and there (I can think of a few small things I would like changed) our extended group in New Zealand are quite happy to use it as written. The system takes most of the "gods eye view" out of the game and lets players actually command a brigade rather than micromanage platoons. I have even managed to run a division in a 1 day game (Russian 1980's motor rifle division with 4 regiments plus divisional supports).
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Steve J on 31 May 2022, 06:31:53 AM
Thanks Rhys, once again very useful stuff  :) .
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: toxicpixie on 31 May 2022, 07:42:54 AM
Quote from: Rhys on 31 May 2022, 06:20:50 AMAnd the 3rd part (http://badlyleadmen.blogspot.com/2022/05/organising-historical-refight-pt-3-new.html) is up with the German OOB. This contains the troops for the Maleme-Galatas sector and also the reserves for the entire operation. Again theres a bit of guesswork but I think its mostly correct.
While Spearhead has its issues here and there (I can think of a few small things I would like changed) our extended group in New Zealand are quite happy to use it as written. The system takes most of the "gods eye view" out of the game and lets players actually command a brigade rather than micromanage platoons. I have even managed to run a division in a 1 day game (Russian 1980's motor rifle division with 4 regiments plus divisional supports).


It's my favourite WW2 game, in all honesty!
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Rhys on 01 June 2022, 06:03:11 AM
And they are coming thick and fast. Part 4 up and we are onto the table. The terrain was largely made from recycled carpet (I was a greenie 20 years ago, or maybe I was just broke...). I'll even throw in a photo.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WuJk3Rs4kz1nuCbopJhtuYK15NQNZNMvyc4PGQBpNj4YIPmW8MYi3BUM8KszH8F5DXtgLGQWerLF0k8Bg8NXkqEOKyt60wLHW2thePbTkk-PBTJjN39vxuwSYoQ2dY6-SneMlHiq6ywXavHMp_Y_0VJAIPq0jULdQhFzIWN2cBF6Ytq7_mES9CQi/w431-h294/table1a.JPG)
Maleme Airfield at front left, and Suda bay is beyond the far left. Photo taken during setup on the Saturday morning (note the troop trays).
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: toxicpixie on 01 June 2022, 04:18:23 PM
Quote from: Rhys on 01 June 2022, 06:03:11 AMAnd they are coming thick and fast. Part 4 up and we are onto the table. The terrain was largely made from recycled carpet (I was a greenie 20 years ago, or maybe I was just broke...). I'll even throw in a photo.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WuJk3Rs4kz1nuCbopJhtuYK15NQNZNMvyc4PGQBpNj4YIPmW8MYi3BUM8KszH8F5DXtgLGQWerLF0k8Bg8NXkqEOKyt60wLHW2thePbTkk-PBTJjN39vxuwSYoQ2dY6-SneMlHiq6ywXavHMp_Y_0VJAIPq0jULdQhFzIWN2cBF6Ytq7_mES9CQi/w431-h294/table1a.JPG)
Maleme Airfield at front left, and Suda bay is beyond the far left. Photo taken during setup on the Saturday morning (note the troop trays).

I wouldn't fault the carport tiles, they look pretty good in that pic!
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Rhys on 04 June 2022, 04:16:09 AM
I've just posted part 5 (http://badlyleadmen.blogspot.com/2022/06/organising-historical-refight-pt-5-new.html) of the series and theres still a few to go yet. This one covers how to make your own buildings for those on a budget (or who are just terminally tight).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtWxd_wC02-qu39axd73hC_VtTQghsRvCg4fjctU2wP3JOJ4wQ6vJ8XyLYCCc4HSjwjv6DW8WVGDb41aSAzbNBu__CYidcSBTBx363r9WP2XgsLgUhxQBrJh6uCzgRyduYBynhmq8m1DFHXlcotEHZ4VjvMKd_BVRAMgsa8JXtRjiRs0KEO7wOKM7/s320/P3120035.JPG)
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Steve J on 04 June 2022, 06:33:29 AM
That's a very clever way of making a simple mould, which had never occured to me before. Something to bear in mind for the future :) .
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Rhys on 05 June 2022, 06:39:07 AM
Part 6 (http://badlyleadmen.blogspot.com/2022/06/organising-historical-refight-pt-6-new.html) is now up with the changes I made to the basic Spearhead rules (which may or may not be of interest to the rest of you). I've also added some more to part 5 with the figures I've used etc.
I'm planning wrap the whole thing up in 2-3 more posts.
Title: Re: New Zealand division on Crete 1941
Post by: Steve J on 05 June 2022, 06:42:32 AM
Some nice ideas there Rhys that will port easily into BKCII :) .