Chinese Support - Sino-Japanese War

Another week and an hour a night eats into the Chinese backlog.

The Chinese crew are from Eureka Miniatures with gun salvaged from some WW1 British, the great thing is the Chinese had a mish mash of equipment so the old gun felt like a nice fit.

Next up a Chinese knee mortar, from what limited information is available they were not used in collective platoons as with the Japanese formations so one team it is for the nationalist forces.

Finally a one time only Anti-Tank team - The original suicide squad. 

I need to think about how to represent these in Xenos Rampant, perhaps some kind of wild charge when an enemy AFV is in sight?

Well lets see how these units can slow the Japanese advance.

A day on the brushes tomorrow and the last of the Japanese forces.

Dust & Tears Campaign - A German Reconnaissance Mission

One of the benefits of a permanent gaming space is some times you just need to shuffle the table pieces. The second game of three for the Axis force.

This game is pretty even with both sides at equal points. Rolling for a scenario it's a reconnaissance patrol with the German forces having to unearth the true strength of the allied forces.

As this was a solo game, the counters represent the various potential Commonwealth forces, Yellow for light, pink for support and red for heavy. 

A desert farm complex has been identified approximately 5 kilometres beyond the current forward line. Intelligence reports are inconclusive regarding the strength and disposition of enemy forces occupying the position.

The farm may serve as:

A supply and water point, a platoon or company defensive position or an observation and reporting post for enemy forces operating in the sector.

Enemy troops are expected to conceal their true strength and will seek to avoid exposing defensive assets unnecessarily. Any advance guards or listening posts encountered should be assumed capable of raising the alarm and withdrawing to the main position.

Your detachment will conduct a reconnaissance of the farm complex 

The mission will be considered successful if:

• More than half of the suspected positions within the farm complex are identified.

• At least one heavy weapon or vehicle location is confirmed.

• The majority of occupied positions are identified.

• A reliable estimate of enemy strength is obtained.

• The patrol returns with sufficient information to enable a future attack plan.

The destruction of the enemy is not the purpose of this operation. Knowledge is the objective.

The Axis force probe forward using the stone wall as cover looking to get eyes on the main complex and immediately bump into a defending Indian section.

Meanwhile in a bold move throwing an armoured car forward flushed out more defenders and a shower of high explosive shells.

Pressing on yet more defenders this time an Armoured Car and AT Rifle team, the Axis scouts fell back.

A radio message back to Battalion HQ and a return dose to on the defenders.

A brisk fire fight and the olive grove was clear of defenders, the German AC having been beaten back on the main road to the village looked to push left only to be countered by the defenders.

With Germans firmly in control of the grove and eyes on the farm with over 50% of the defenders revealed, it was another victory to the German forces - They are finally on a roll.

With the Brits losing 625 Points and the Germans 350 - The Brits fall back on the campaign map.

Tactic II Campaign - The German counter attack

The Germans were looking for one big push, throwing an armoured company and tow battalions of infantry plus HQ into the fray against one allied armoured company and a battalion of Infantry.

The games are really scaling up. If they could win here the allied front could crack.

The allies were defending a hill top over looking a small settlement they knew they were outnumbered and the terrain was against them, but they had to hold the line.

The German had massed their armoured units into a iron fist to push up the road, while Infantry pushed into the farm complex, including an 88mm.

The plan was to strike hard and fast, the Axis forces drove up the road, light tanks breaking through the vine yards, a solitary Matilda looked to slow the advance damaging the German AFV's but they swamped the British Armour with multiple hits.

Not everything was going their own way, on the left flank the curse of newly painted units still held true, a troop of bren carriers took out the Armoured Car nudging forward.

The platoon commander ranged in on the German defenders suppressing and killing a number of Axis forces.

As 88 AP shells whizzed into the allied lines, a sniper drew a bead on the German artillery crew.

The crew having seen their commander killed fled for cover.

All this was a mere side show and the Axis Armour pressed on breaking into the allied wire, the allied defenders threw what they could at it, but light tanks and Boyes AT Rifles were no match for PZIII's.

Cresting the dune, they panzers broke into the infantry who were forced out of their positions. The field belonged to the Germans.

A vicious fight.

The Allies were pushed back losing 36 Points within Xenos Rampant

The Germans lost 20 Points.

On to the next battle - 1 down 2 to go.

Tactics II - Dust Tears & Dice Campaign - The Axis counter attack.

6 months have passed since the last campaign game - where did the time go?

The initiative switches to the Axis forces and after the last engagement Dust, Tears & Dice: XR - Allied Assault - Tactics II Campaign. a chance to get on the front foot.

A some point you just have to break a few eggs, so the Axis roll the dice and breakout from the city looking to break open the front, it an audacious move they drop their limited paratrooper battalions to neutralise the allied command and control and throw fresh German Infantry and Armour into the assault. 

In the past 6 months the Germans have been busy, with reinforcements drafted in for the offensive, these 'reinforcements' come from Blitzkreig Workshop on E-Bay he has quite the order book so you have to wait awhile but well worth it.

Let's see if the curse of newly painted units extend to other people's efforts.

Dispatches from the front XXVIIII - Back to the Future.

Last post of the month, it been a while since the last dispatch from the front. With the weather being a touch on the hot side, it felt like the perfect time to play an Ardennes game - Andy does like a large game :-)

Played using Bolt Action with the US defending the town from a two sided German attack, great photo's from the clubs resident war photographer which puts my efforts to shame.

Medal of honor goes to this AT crew who inflicted 3 kills on the advancing Germans.

The Allied forces managed to blunt the Axis attack inflicting significant losses on the advancing infantry and armour, with the Germans only managing to secure a couple of buildings on the outskirts of town.

Jumping ahead a few weeks and it's back to the old west and 'What a Cowboy' cracking layout from my secret wargaming buddy, who has been busy adding to his collection, nice to get the Cinderella Cattle Company on to the table looking to stop the funeral cortege secure the map held in Stinky Pete's boot.

As the bullets fly, the civilians ran for cover, with henchmen taking pot shots at the opposing gangs as they looking to secure the body,

Great fun although that might be because the CCC got away with no wounds. It got me thinking about Simon Walkers idea to convert to the Zulu Wars and his Death of the Prince game that did the rounds of wargames shows last year, the Zulu's being henchmen - We did a variant to Sharpe Practice several years ago, it would be good to get the figures back out. One to think about in the months ahead.

Talking about Simon's adaptions looking forward to this supplement for Men Who Would be Kings. Simon and I have swapped e-mails on many occasions on various adaptions of rules for the Pony Wars, great to see this passion project reach a new audience and a published rule set.... 

Whilst waiting for this it's tempted me back to rollout the Pony Wars Games for my wargaming gang, the card system is fantastic but back in 1980 you needed a maths degree to work out casualties so I am borrowing the firing and melee mechanisms from MWTBK to hopefully reduce the time spent in the rule book.... stay tuned as the US Cavalry saddle up to rescue the homesteaders..

With e-bay funds burning a hole in my virtual pocket, I got thinking about how these rules could be adapted for Starship Troopers and some of the new STL prints... next thing you know these are on order. Whilst I own a bunch in 25mm - the mass in 6mm could be quite scary.... 

What you can get now in 3D Prints is fantastic and it should be a rather quick paint job and a project to chip away at over the winter months.

Not sure what the September paint queue looks like just yet, there are several small bits in the draw, so lets see what's sparked by forthcoming games.

Japanese Reinforcements - Sino - Japanese War.

 A wet bank holiday weekend, I am not complaining as it's given me the opportunity to get these finished, not that they need reinforcments but the Nippon steam roller continues it's push into China.

Four Sections of 10 men for Xenos Rampant.

Sections are made up of a range of manufacturers, the latest figures are largely Warlord with a smattering of Eureka Miniatures to give a little bit of a mix.

Not all men are the same height :-) L-R - Battlehonours, Mardav, Eureka, Warlord, Westwind.

Not a bad way to finish August, not sure what September will bring on the painting front as there are a few irons in the fire entering into the Autumn. 

The Ford at Willow Crossing - 2nd Sino-Japanese War

Aiming to keep the painting to playing ratio going for August - An excuse to get the new Japanese on the table.

September 1937. Across northern China, the Imperial Japanese Army advances relentlessly inland following the outbreak of full-scale war after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Towns and villages along the frontier have fallen in rapid succession as better trained and better equipped Japanese forces push deeper into Chinese territory.

Along a secondary route running through rolling farmland and wooded valleys lies a shallow river known locally as the Willow River. Though narrow, recent rains have swollen its banks, making crossings difficult except at a handful of established fords.

One such crossing, known as Willow Ford, sits astride a grass land track leading toward the market town of Xingyuan. If the Japanese secure the ford, mechanised elements and artillery can continue their advance unimpeded. If the crossing can be denied, even briefly, precious hours may be bought for Chinese forces withdrawing further south.

A small platoon from the Chinese National Revolutionary Army has been ordered to hold the crossing at all costs.

The Situation

Lieutenant Zhang Wei, a young officer with little combat experience, commands a platoon of barely thirty men. Many are exhausted from days of retreat and skirmishing. Ammunition is limited, communications are poor, and reinforcement is unlikely.

The platoon has spent the night preparing crude defensive positions around the northern bank of the ford. Shallow trenches overlook the crossing while sandbags and felled trees provide makeshift cover. A single light machine gun covers the main approach.

At dawn, lookouts report movement on the opposite side of the valley.

The Japanese are coming.

Chinese Objectives

The defenders know they cannot win a prolonged battle. Their mission is simple:

• Prevent Japanese forces from crossing the ford.
• Delay the advance long enough for engineers several miles south to prepare demolitions on a larger bridge.
• Preserve enough of the platoon to conduct an orderly withdrawal when ordered.

For Lieutenant Zhang, success is measured not in territory held, but in time bought.

Japanese Objectives

Elements of an advancing Japanese infantry company have reached the Willow River ahead of schedule.

Their orders are:

• Seize the ford intact.
• Clear all resistance north of the river.
• Continue the advance before nightfall.

Japanese commanders believe the crossing is defended only by scattered retreating troops and expect resistance to collapse quickly.

The mist clings to the water as dawn breaks over Willow Ford.

Private Chen grips his rifle so tightly his knuckles ache. Shapes move among the shrubs. At first they seem like shadows. Then sunlight catches steel helmets. A whistle echoes across the valley and the Japanese come on in droves.

Lieutenant Zhang rises from the undergrowth - "Hold your fire."

The soldiers wait the Japanese advance guard cross the ridge line, rifles crack. The battle for Willow Ford has begun.

Using Xenos Rampant I made the Japanese subject to wild charge and it was not long before the main force rushed the Chinese positions. Morale was key to battle as the Japanese pressed on and the Chinese with poorer morale were beaten back.

If that was not enough the Japanese commander found his target and called in artillery support to pepper the Chinese lines driving the defenders back across the ford.

The Chinese force outnumbered and outgunned falls back and despite determined resistance and local knowledge is unable to hold the line. Another will for the Japanese.

Scenario borrowed from this little gem, designed for Chain of Command and the Japanese - Russo conflict of 1939 it transfers well to the Sino-Japanese Front, the maps could be clearer but great orbits for both sides including Mongolian units.

Back to the brushes and a whole load of Japanese to get through before the bank holiday is out...