All,
I can't even remember the last time I was able to say this, but... dice have been rolled, and a winner has been declared!
I came across a skirmish version of Bolt Action, called "Bolt Action Firefight!", which apparently started as a fan-driven thing but has now been embraced by Warlord Games, where they host the rules and various supplements on their website.
It was perfect; quick and easy, breezy, no headaches, no more overthinking, just throw a couple of squads on the table and let the boys go at it. And it worked, a tremendous amount of fun was had by all, they quickly got the hang of it (well, not quickly, but they are knuckleheads, like their father), with an excess of trash talking.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFEfDwT3jxPIeUk7dYAyVBdUW3WOuPeSe-5n8_mZ4_2i9zwpC58H5K7FczkzzE9Gee-y3_uOwVU0pyzL71CnXPfnEjpaJw9yUq7XMTwN7PkMePNvUExp_yaJk9tkcMTC5sDfRxfCrKoFGBJvBkfVgs0HuSlB1uj_ZCpWJAU70MJ9iM3pC2RVWY8OKKKw/s4032/IMG_1563.jpeg)
The Germans unleash a helluva fusillade on the Brits, dropping the Bren gunner and his assistant, but a rifleman dashed forward, scooped up the gun, and returned fire...
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhah0bZgrT0qdAXP9Zsqy2hg1ZhO5UH2lZGag1aY8HYfZUfBYD21AmXVRAJfRkaPYu4Ni54YlDj0A_ielzfKNIKCNRKcMgP846HJ9hYwXmqhxS3F64umKgVz1XypHFmbU3bBInA611Lz9KMK6ox0xoMAX3q9RO6urrb9TT2vqc1liS6m9Zd4n2ykGSCIYg/s4032/IMG_1564.jpeg)
Returning the favor on the German MG-42 team!
It's not a real battle report; this was a learning game to get the boys into it and start figuring things out, so I didn't take hardly any photos, and there's not really a narrative, but if you'd like to see a few more photos and check out my commentary on the boys' tactics and the rules, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2025/06/bolt-action-firefight-game-1.html
Lots of fun, and we can't wait to get back to it. Now that baseball season is over, we might even get in a weeknight game.
V/R,
Jack
Looks like a great scrap Jack
It was a lot of fun! Thanks, Will.
V/R,
Jack
Cracking first game there Jack and glad the kids enjoyed it :) .
By the way, just coz I can't remember which thread it was on, but the British refer to 'Bonnet de Police' as a forage cap.
Steve - Absolutely!
Lemmey - Gotcha, but which hat is that? The framed hat with bill (what I call a "barracks cover"), the thin, long one (fore and aft cap, overseas cap, piss cutter), or something else?
V/R,
Jack
Fire and aft is called a side forage cap all ranks., in the Royal Air Force it's called 'Thunderbirds' after the TV series.
Forage cap with peak is also Forage Cap for officers
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forage_cap
Gotcha, thanks!
Though it is a bit confusing, the link basically shows anything that's not a helmet as a "forage cap"! ;D
V/R,
Jack