AARs: Show Us Yer Games!

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redleg
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Post by redleg »

Great looking game, Mark! Fantastic terrain and models make for a stunning visual effect! How does the Two Fat Lardies rules play? Are they pretty fast-paced?

Thanks for sharing the pics of your game!

mluther
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Post by mluther »

They really are my favorite for 6mm gaming. The ground scale is practically 1/300. Lots of friction built in. No fiddly morale rules. And basically they are geared towards folks who are interested in playing a game that is not 'gamey'. No points and meta gaming. Just helps to know something about the period and have an interest in WWII tactics.
We had a new player for this one and he says that this is the best wargame he has ever played.

Thanks,
Mark

redleg
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Post by redleg »

Thanks, Mark! I think I'll give those rules a try!

BattlerBritain
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Post by BattlerBritain »

Looks amazing Mark :shock:

Figures and terrain are outstanding.

Have you also added extra stowage to the Shermans?

Cheers for posting, especially as I now want to run off and shake the lead out :)

B

Begemot
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Post by Begemot »

Mark - Great stuff, as usual. I'm a big fan of your AARs and your game boards. I found the Vis Lardica site just to view your AAR postings. Thanks for sharing.
The summer grasses.
For many brave warriors
The aftermath of dreams.
--- Basho

Please visit my website "Lair of the Begemot": (https://lairbegemot.blogspot.com)

mluther
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Location: Atlanta, GA

Post by mluther »

The Shermans do have gear added. Probably not quite right for 6/6/44, but I run more later date games and they look better than clean models IMO.
Thanks for the comments.
Mark

7.62
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Post by 7.62 »

Mark, That is one fine looking game. Please keep the photos coming.

Begemot
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AAR - Clash at the Crossroads

Post by Begemot »

An AAR for your consideration.

The scenario is a German drive to take a crossroad in the Soviet rear. The kampfgruppe has two Panther G platoons of 3 tanks each; a Mk IV platoon of 4 tanks; a mounted Panzer Grenadier company of two platoons (3 squads each); 2 HQ Panthers; and support by an off-map 105 battery. Trailing behind the kampfgruppe are three StuG IVs. Opposing is an adhoc Soviet force of: 1 three gun SU-76M battery; 1 T-34-76 company of 7 tanks; 2 Zis-3 AT guns with Studebaker prime movers; an infantry company of 2 platoons with 2 squads each; a battery of 76mm artillery in support (maybe); an IL-2 sortie; and a depleted T-34/85 company as reinforcements on the way. The troops for both sides were rated as regulars.

Rules are Mein Panzer.

This is an overview of the terrain. The Germans will enter from the top of the photo, 6 inches either side of the road. The Soviets will defend the crossroads and its approaches.
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This picture shows the German entry path (in blue). The Soviet positions are in red. Position A is a low ridge where the SU-76 battery is deployed. Position B is low ground filled with scrub and small trees. The T-34/76 company is deployed here to ambush the Germans. Position C is the village. The Soviet infantry company is deployed here in dug-in positions. Position D is where two Zis-3 76mm guns are dug-in. The Soviets are deployed hidden with along with some dummy positions. The German does not know what he is facing.
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The Germans cautiously advancing along the road. They've already engaged the SU-76 battery which was in the woods to their right front. The Soviets lost 1 SU-76 with the surviving 2 withdrawing deeper into the woods to escape the fire power of the Panthers. The picture shows the first pass of the Il-2. It made a rocket attack on one of the Panthers, but missed.
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The German tank line cautiously approaches the Soviet concealed T-34 company in the brushy low ground. The Soviets need to get close and try for flank shots to take out the Panthers, hence they are trying for an ambush.
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The Panthers spotted a T-34, engaged it, but only immobilized it (back luck on the To-Kill rolls). The Soviets then charged forward and managed to enjoy good To-Hit and To-Kill rolls, killing 2 Panthers and 1 Mk IV, the kills generating brew-ups.
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The end of turn 8. The surviving T-34s moved out to try to kill the surviving Panther and to try to get at the Panzer Grenadiers in their transports. It is not to be. The Germans respond by bringing over their right flank Panther platoon who deal with the Soviet T-34s. Unfortunately for the Germans, the Mk IV platoon fails its morale check due to their loss of a tank and Break. The IL-2 returns to the map, makes another rocket attack on a Panther and gets a kill. By now the Germans have lost 5 of their 12 tanks. The Soviets have lost 1 SU-76 and 5 of 7 T-34/76s.
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The reinforcing T-34-85 company arriving on the map on turn 10. I had it set so that on turn 8 the Soviets would begin to roll for their arrival, needing a 1-2 on a D6 to bring them on. Once they got the arrival roll the Soviet then rolled to see how many of the 10 tanks in the company actually made it. Each vehicle was rolled for with a 1-2 of a D6 taking them out of the arrival.
Image

The T-34-85s deploy to the left of the village. They are attempting to dominate the open ground in front of the village, ground over which the Germans must cross.
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The Germans recover their temporarily retreated Mk IV platoon and begin to move towards their objective. The Sturmovik returns and lines up to attack the German tanks again, but AA fire from the German halftrack mounted machineguns downs the Soviet plane which falls onto the battlefield.
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The T-34-85s engage the advancing German armor.
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One of the SU-76 emerges from the woods and nails a Panther (lower left). A Mk IV will be tasked to deal with this threat.
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The trailing StuG IVs make their appearance on the board. They will join the battle line but will have no effect on this engagement.
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The German directs his Panzer Grenadiers into the low ground from which the T-34s had lain in ambush. This defilade will mask the infantry’s dismount for their assault against the village.
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The Soviet T-34-85 line has been trading fire with the German tanks in the center and both sides suffer losses, the Soviets tanks suffering kills, the Germans losing a Panther as a kill and two Panthers and a Mk IV as mobility losses.
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The German center, with the Stug IV battery trundling up to the battle line. The surviving T34-85s collect behind the village, shielding themselves from the German tank fire and to provide close support to their infantry against the coming German infantry attack.
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The trailing Panzer Grenadiers dismount, their comrades having already moved into the woods heading for the village.
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The German artillery begins to fall on the suspected Soviet infantry positions and the leading Grenadier platoon breaks from the trees into the open, their comrades moving up to their left.
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Meanwhile, on the German left another SU-76 emerges from the trees and takes on a wary Mk IV. The exchange goes to the Soviet. The SUs from this point remain cautious, not wanting to press their luck in the open, so they stay in the trees waiting for a good shot at low risk, should the opportunity present itself.
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The German infantry closes on the village while the German artillery pins the Soviet infantry in their foxholes.
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Now the Soviet artillery appears and catches the Germans in the open.
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The Soviet Zis now open up on the advancing German infantry. These guns, dug in, are masked from the German tanks, so the infantry is on its own against them.
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The German infantry has taken losses from the Soviet guns and the Soviet artillery.The German infantry advance is checked. The right German grenadier platoon breaks and begins to fall back.
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The moment when the Germans called off the assault. The German artillery still falls, but now to cover the withdrawl. The Soviets hold the crossroads, thus gaining the win.
Image

Soviet losses: 1 IL-2 shot down; 6 T-34/76s killed; 4 T-34-85s killed; 1 SU-76 killed and 1 SU-76 immobilized.

German losses: 4 Panthers killed; 3 Panthers immobilized; 2 Mk IVs killed and 1 Mk IV immobilized; and 25% infantry casualties.

Begemot
Last edited by Begemot on Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
The summer grasses.
For many brave warriors
The aftermath of dreams.
--- Basho

Please visit my website "Lair of the Begemot": (https://lairbegemot.blogspot.com)

Cav Dog
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Post by Cav Dog »

Begemot - terrific looking game and write up. Great pics as well.

Thanks for sharing.
Tactics are the opinion of the senior officer present.

redleg
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Location: Riverside, CA

Post by redleg »

Great looking game, Begemot! Amazing terrain and vehicles!

Begemot
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Post by Begemot »

Cav Dog and Redleg - Thank you for your comments. Glad you liked the AAR.

Begemot
The summer grasses.
For many brave warriors
The aftermath of dreams.
--- Basho

Please visit my website "Lair of the Begemot": (https://lairbegemot.blogspot.com)

BurtWolf
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Location: Rochester, NY

Post by BurtWolf »

Begemot- that was a great after action report and the details wonderful. Your models on board look really good, I’ve never played those rules but I enjoyed your right up! Thank you for posting all that!!

Mk1 your AAR was excellent as well - I am a fan of your terrain and models. Keep posting please!

Both of you inspire us to do more and it gets the blood flowing again! Thank you for taking time to share!!

pmskaar
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Show Us Your Games

Post by pmskaar »

Begemot

That is an excellent looking game with an interesting tactical problem for both sides. That was also an excellent AAR with the detailed account of the action supplemented by the photos.

Great job!

I can honestly say that Mein Panzer is a great set of rules for WWII at the individual tank, gun, and infantry squad level. I consider Mein Panzer to be of medium complexity and it hits that sweet spot for me with the level of detail and ease of play.

Pete

pmskaar
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Show Us Your Games

Post by pmskaar »

Mark Luther

I also wanted to say that your games are always a delight to see. I really appreciate the terrain in your games and the well devised scenarios. I always look forward to seeing your games.

Pete

Begemot
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Post by Begemot »

BurtWolf and pmskaar - Thanks for the kind remarks. I'm glad you enjoyed the AAR.

Begemot
The summer grasses.
For many brave warriors
The aftermath of dreams.
--- Basho

Please visit my website "Lair of the Begemot": (https://lairbegemot.blogspot.com)

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