Hi all
Ok so as the title suggests “Ultimate Blitzkrieg Commander II†game :d
What we are going to do at Section 8 club, is try to recreate the mad and ever changing battlefield. So our Desert game (Italian/German vs. Americans/Brits) will be played very differently. 2 People to run the game. Then 2 people on each side in different rooms with only and map of the table, 1 runner (mobile phone txt) and the occasional photo recon (mobile phone picture). The table commanders must try to follow the orders from HQ (in the other room), other than following the orders of “HQ†they may make their own call on Initiative and opportunity fire. ;D
It’s going to be a mad and wacky game with lots of blunders and field commanders saying “What the hell am I supposed to do? I’ve sent in all my boys, HQ are murdering madmen†:'(
Dave
You should try walkie talkies instead of txt's then you have all that static to contend with as well :D
This sounds fun (crazy, but fun!), let us know how it goes!
Sounds great Dave. I've always fancied doing something like this, but lack the space at home. Keep us posted on how it goes and naturally take some pics of the game :).
Some years ago I think Channel 4 ran a series on wargames with ex-military chaps in seperate rooms trying to run their respective forces, with a couple of wargamers running the actual table. Each side could only see what their troops could in reality, so no all encompasing birds-eye view which we gamers naturally enjoy. It was very well done IMHO. The one I remember is Sevastapol in the Crimean War.
Years and Years ago we did a Rumanian -Hungarian large game using Combined Arms ( shows you how long ago it was) I think there was 20 players a side with 16 6x4 tables and a seperate table for the air war and 3 commanders hidden behind screen with maps communications could only be done with walkie takies and recon footage was done by an umpire climbing a ladder with a video camera and taking 10 second shots of the table requested...If a commander wanted to see a table he would have to get into his helicopter and move it to the front with the danger of it being shot down only when the helicopter had reached the table could he walk to it..Of course everything had probably changed from when he started his trip
There was much fun and confusion with one bridge attacked by bombers 3 times as the commander got the wrong info from the wrong table
Ah .. If only we had the time to do things like this now
Sounds excellent - as Steve says, this is exactly the kind of thing I've love to play, but it's tricky to do at home. Solo. ;)
Hi all,
This little project has been in the back of my mind for a while. How would one go about putting a bat-rep on the forum, every time I try to upload an image it will not take?
Dave 8)
Quote from: Fenton on 06 July 2012, 07:46:57 PM
(...)
Ah .. If only we had the time to do things like this now
I agree with you !
:'(
Quote from: Dave Fairlamb on 07 July 2012, 07:40:00 AM
Hi all,
This little project has been in the back of my mind for a while. How would one go about putting a bat-rep on the forum, every time I try to upload an image it will not take?
Dave 8)
If you're uploading them from your computer, the file's are restricted to 128kb per image. Best thing to do is to chuck them onto one of the photo hosting sites, like Photobucket, Flickr, etc. and then link them from there. Give me a shout if I can help with any of that.
8)
I was thinking about organising something similar on the net but having it on a virtual table run by an umpire with several players per side; 1 commander that is setting the overall battle plan, and several players s HQs.
By having it as a virtual table with orders made by coordinates by email, the umpire can give limited views of the battle according to the commander and HQ's position, and feedback from their recce units. The commanders and HQs can communicate but only via the umpire meaning static and confusion can be added. If anyone is interested I m happy to try and come up with a communication system for orders we can use and umpire the first virtual game. Would be based on BKC and be Normandy 44.
Cheers
Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
This is Kreigspeil, of course. As once pioneered by Frederick the Great's officers. I once helped umpire a big modern map-game at the RUSI using field telephones. Organised by the late Paddy Griffith. Great fun, if endlessly confusing. For players and umpires alike.
Chain of command games are great fun! :D
I played one years ago, British vs Germans in Normandy. The commanders stood well back from the table, but only the players could move forces. The umpire and his aides controlled the passing of all orders and reports, with a die roll to see if the message got transmitted or not.
As one of the German commanders, I remember getting two reports in one move, one from a 234/4 Puma which had reached a T-junction with roads curving away to left and right, and another from an OP in a church tower with a view of the roads linking to the junction. The OP reported a jeep and UV Carrier heading right for the Puma, but obviously unable to see it due to the curving road. I got a radio message through to the Puma - "Allied recce unit, jeep and UV, heading toward you from the left. Have fun!"
I watched with great pleasure as the Puma traversed its turret, and the expression of the Allied player controlling the recce unit when it came bowling around the corner, to find himself staring right down the gun barrel... :d
I hope your game is at least as much fun!
Hi Dave
So it`s on then.
How about painting a bit more german stuff, you could get some at the birthday bash as we`re there.
We might even recruit some new historical players.
Jim
Quote from: TinyTerrain on 07 July 2012, 02:12:55 PM
I was thinking about organising something similar on the net but having it on a virtual table run by an umpire with several players per side; 1 commander that is setting the overall battle plan, and several players s HQs.
By having it as a virtual table with orders made by coordinates by email, the umpire can give limited views of the battle according to the commander and HQ's position, and feedback from their recce units. The commanders and HQs can communicate but only via the umpire meaning static and confusion can be added. If anyone is interested I m happy to try and come up with a communication system for orders we can use and umpire the first virtual game. Would be based on BKC and be Normandy 44.
Cheers
Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
Count me in Craig 8)
Cool, anyone else? need at least 2 per side plus me as umpire, so 3 more needed as a minimum.
Cheers, Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
Sounds good to me Craig, so count me in :).
I'll give it a crack! :)
I've only just got a copy of BKC but i'd be happy to give it a go and learn as I play as it were :)
OK thats 4 + me as umpire.
I ve given this a little thought over the weekend (since I opened my gob before workking out how the hell we could do this).
I think the way forward initailly will be an aerial photo of real landscape with a grid overlayed. Whilst I will try and keep to the basic mechanics of BKC it may be neccesary to change a few bits (like movement) to be based on the grid system to allow for easier command and to remove issue with LOS. So for example cover for the troops being denoted by the terrain features that are most predomiannt within any given square.
I would suggest to start with we go with a very small scale Inf + Inf support engagement, so we can work out if this is possible by email. For the first game I would suggest that there is 1 HQ and 1 CO per side, and that both players on each side see the same map and info, rather than starting to include Fog of War and comms breakdowns between HQ and Commanders.
Essential the idea is to have an aerial map that all players can see but troop positions will only be revealed once contact has been made. Each turn commands will be issued by both teams using a command sheet and their copy of the map, and the commands of both teams will be resolved by the umpire using BKC mechanics. Initiative moves will be possible and will be acted upon first, and opportunity will be undertaken by putting troops on overwatch. Recce will also be used. At this stage there will be no arty or air support (lets walk first!)
I will keep copies of the Allied and Axis maps and as and when troops become visible I will add them to the opposing players maps and each turn I will release "intelligence reports" to both sides showing visible troops movements and the results of the previous turns combat rounds.
I will try and flesh out a command sheet, turn guide etc over the next week.
Can the four of you please email me the email addresses that you want to use and I will get drawing a map up. My email is tinyterrainatgmalidotcom
Cheers, Craig
Tiny terrain Models
I played a WWII game like this with folks from all over the world. The GM took pictures along the way, starting with table/terrain pinpointing our objectives. Each side was giving OOBs for three players per side. We created two Yahoo groups for each side allowing the GM access with specific dates/times to turn in orders. We didn't worry about movement speed, range, dice rolls etc. The GM did it all. We just described where we wanted to go and where we wanted to shoot. We took early advantage of blind firing with our artillery, which was very successful.
Basically we told the GM what we wanted to do through our orders and he handled everything. Then the GM took pictures to show us where we ended up and what we could see for the next turn. The Yahoo groups were helpful to discuss strategies with the team and allow us to ask the GM questions. He then posted results on a forum for all to see each turn with nothing revealing for either side.
I only found one picture from the game, it was artillery firing on the woods approaching our first objective that we figured the Germans would be using as cover. And they were. We pinned them and made it to the objective first.
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r254/syrhobbs/artillery.jpg)
We also used a grid as well as with Cardinal directions. I wish I could remember what our orders looked like.
Duane
Is it too late to join this venture?
Hi Nosher
For this first experimental game i going to have to limit it to 4 players, just to allow me to get the mechanics and command system working. It will be a very short game with just 6 infantry and 3 support per side, so you shouldn't have to wait too long to join the next one, sorry.
Duane, interested to read your post as it sounds similar to what I am planning but without using a real table. I am using aerial photos of real farmland with unit movements added woth photoshop, accompanied by turn by turn intelligence reports to each commander giving outcomes of combat, visible troop movements etc. I will create a blog or forum so those interested can watch the chaos unfold!
The aim is to use BKC ii as a basis for the combat with a grid based movement and command system rather than the "war master variant" as this is more tricky to do, the plan is to allow a CO to make 3 commands per turn if it is in an adjacent square to the units it's commanding at the start of the turn, 2 commands if it is 1 square away and only 1 command if it is 2 squares away. Movement will be by grid ref with a mandatory statement of direction of facing after each command using cardinal points. Each square will equate to 10cm in BKC parlance, so an infantry unit will move 1 square (10cm) and have an AP of 4 @ 3. Half range modifiers, flank shots will still count.
Each turn commands will be given to move, fire, hold or be on over watch.
Cheers,
Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
Let me know if there's anything we can do to help!
8)