Hi
Looking at doing a 7TV campaign for Northern France in WW2
7 TV is a small skirmish game, and the conceit is that they are actually TV programmes from the 60s and 70s (think The Sweeney, The Professionals, Adam Adamant, The Champions etc); you'll understand it doesn't have to be 100% accurate, just believable for a TV audience in 1973.
How would a team of 'commandos' get in and out of France to do a raid? Is there a plane big enough to pick them up, but small enough to land in a field that could be used?
It will be that *ahem* "well known" action series broadcast on '7TV' called 'Europe Ablaze!' about heroic Chaps blowing up the Bosch, stealing radar parts, rescuing other brave Chaps.
Cast included Billy Gant, Paddy MacGhan, and Pete Wing-Arden...
Also if anybody "remembers" any of the episodes, please feel free to *remind* me of the plots I may have forgotten...
Drop by parachute and pick up by ML or MTB on the coast. Individual agents were landed by, for example, Lysanders. Of course the cinematic commandos could always steal a Ju-52 if they have a pilot ...
Quote. . . just believable for a TV audience in 1973.
So, pretty much anything goes?
Except landing on the moon, of course.
Sun jester, you are stealing a Junkers...
These will need to be teams of 4 to 6. I want a variety of methods, not a final scenario that is "get to the coast".
Avro Anson? They were used for dropping agents.
https://oikofuge.com/special-duties-raf-three-memoirs/
I see Lockheed Hudsons also used to extract Resistance members/families.
Edward
Curse you, now I'm looking at the 7TV rules!
I see you can download most of the rulebook for free.
Helicopter maybe, used in Burma in 44-5
Episode 93: OK Chaps, Who Fancies Going For A Paddle?
Our heroes are to steal a part from a new Kraut radar. It's in a hut, recently deployed on a clifftop near Brest and overlooking the English Channel.
Much to the delight of the lighting department*, the action takes place in low light. Starlight outdoors and the light from the radar screen in the hut.
One character is designated as The Specialist before play starts.
Dropped off by Submarine they must paddle their kayaks ashore and scale the cliff face. If anyone falls off the cliff roll to see if the German sentry/ sentries hear them.
They must then sneak past or eliminate the sentries. If either side fires or a sentry cries out the base is alerted.
Once in the radar hut they must overcome the lone operator. Ruses such as wearing a helmet taken from a guard and the ability to say "Would you like a beer" in a convincing German accent would be an asset in persuading the operator he is not in danger.
Once the operator is dealt with The Specialist can remove the widget quickly and safely. If The Specialist drowned on the way in, fell off the cliff or was killed/ incapacitated by a German soldier, or is having an existential crisis as to whether the Allies deserve this technology any more than the Axis, other members of the squad can attempt to remove it. They have a 50/50 chance of doing so successfully. If they fail the widget is destroyed.
If the raid has not yet alerted the German garrison the squad can climb back down the cliffs, flash a signal out to sea, re-embark the kayaks and paddle out to the sub, which will surface and take them home.
If the garrison is alert the squad must exit the opposite side of the table from the one they entered by. In which case the next episode is Episode 94: Watch For Me By Moonlight where the squad make contact with the local Resistance, lead of course by a suitable Femme Fatale French actress.
*This may or may not be true!
Bugger! That's started flashbacks!
I've played that scenario or something very similar, from a magazine or book, possibly an early blog or some deranged club member, years ago.
Are you psychic? Did you channel the original or is it a case of there only being four wargames scenarios in the world and this is one of them?
Please tell!
My aged brain can't remember where I've seen/played this before.
Maybe I'm clairvoyant? Maybe I'm channelling your psychic waves? Ugh! No offence.
What's going on?
Good scenario by the way.
Edit:
Ah, s'okay. It's the Bruneval raid isn't it? Loosely.
The First Earth Battalion can stand down - all is explained. Sort of. Carry on.
QuoteAh, s'okay. It's the Bruneval raid isn't it? Loosely.
Very loosely!
The names remain the same but the events are changed to protect the innocent!
There are so many true WW2 stories that would be too outlandish to feature in a Boys Own Comic adventure that pilfering the source material could keep you in scenarios for several TV seasons.
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare, currently available on Amazon Prime, could be a good inspiration ....
.... Episode 97: We're Going To Need A Bigger Boat, Boys! :)
I saw what I now believe to be a pirates version on YouTube back in May, think I posted here before I realised.
I googled Hudsons, that's perfect; surprised at the small area they needed.
Parachute drops -
Flak on the way in.
At least one of the team has never parachuted before, roll to see whether they are booted out the plane and land safely.
Roll for team scatter.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 31 August 2024, 09:21:35 PMI googled Hudsons, that's perfect; surprised at the small area they needed.
What's wrong with Ansons? >:(
Quote from: fsn on 01 September 2024, 06:47:34 AMWhat's wrong with Ansons? >:(
Under armed, short legged, slow...
Have you seen the Hudson?
QuoteHave you seen the Hudson?
I think props* need to be given to any aircraft that can capture a U-Boat!
QuoteNever been to NY
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
*pun intended
Ok checked - Anson about 100mph slower than Hudson, has 1 turret (maybe) Hudson - turret and 2 MGs in nose. Anson 8 pass? (if no turret) Hudson 12.......
Doesn't need to be armed, just need to know their was an aircraft that could get "ungentlemenly" soldiers out of France.
Apparently the SAS found a train a convenient alternative to aircraft ;)
SOE in Burma used to hitch a lift with my father's unit - 49 Flotilla Union of South African Navy. They operated Fairmile B boats down the Burmese coast and deep inland up the rivers and chaungs. Sometimes they provided insertion and fire support for commando raids but a lot of the time they sneaked about taking SOE in and agents and information out.
Funnily enough his school friend joined SOE about the same time as my Dad was doing his stuff in Burma. They didn't meet again until after the war however, as his friend spent most of the war parachuting into France and catching Lysanders back.
Two quieter, more unassuming individuals you could not have met in the 1960s. I was friends with the son of Dad's friend at school. 'Boring' Dads we decided age 12 - a headmaster and a Civil Servant. When we found out what they had done in the 40s we changed our minds somewhat.
Thanks for sharing Gwydion, they definitely got up to some interesting stuff
Gwydion, all I can say is "WOW!"