FoW AAR 10: Team America vs Team Tigers

Well well, what have we here coming into town?
Marty graces us with his presence for an afternoon FoW battle vs Alex's hastily assembled Germans.. If you'll recall, 2 weeks ago he participated in his first game, and now he gets to use his own stuff.. all 7 models of it.


(above) Here we have the main layout, Mission was Free For All, you can see the King Tiger model is the tiger HQ on the hill, another Tiger to its left, one near the main town, and 4 Panzerknacker armed stands guarding the town objective. Marty's Americans have fast movers coming down the left flank there, with the M10 Jeeps waiting for the perfect time to remove the tarps from the 4 Wolverines..

Marty's Shermans wisely stay in the trees, out of LOS to the Tiger coming down Haupt Strasse.. 40 inch range is very far, and all 3 Tiger's rolled 3 ROF skill.


Above: The center ground between the two hamlets is covered by a Tiger and HQ (King) Tiger, which is on the bluffs, in the shadow of the Blackthorn Cider-sponsored grain silo!


Marty's Rifle Half Tracks cozy up the hamlet, trying to stay concealed from the (barely visible) gun barrel of the Tiger in the town across the field..


Marty's Rifles


Marty's M10s spring a trap on the Tiger moving to claim an objective.. the Rifles had to also break cover to contest it or lose.. would 5 bazooka teams plus 4 Wolverines be enough to stop the german armor? Video Below

Flames of War Escalation league

The Drunken Gamers of Ottawa are starting a Flames of War Escalation league!

With Flames of War picking up steam, all of us busily working away on terrain/armies, and more people showing interest every week. This is a GREAT time to start one!

Some of my inspiration comes from HERE  

We will start out small, say 600 points, 1 HQ and 1 combat platoon minimum, and grow from there. This will encourage painting (which we are all pretty good at already) for newer players, and make all our games look awesome with always playing with painted stuff. It will also encourage small, faster, simpler games for use to really learn the nuances of the rules and tactics of this awesome game. It also allows us to keep playing regularly, and not burn out on trying to get loads done asap. Again, we can even encourage people to bring new players to test it out, knowing that games will be smaller and easier to "demo" weekly if needed.

I'm thinking we will have 3 stages, each of 4 weeks starting with 600 points, then 1000, then 1500. That gives people a month to paint roughly 500 point blocks of models, so we can work on other things (if we want) and still progress.

We can also be setting certain pre-determined scenarios for each point bracket, so as to ease the list building and make the games link together like a campaign. Each player will have to play as many different opponents as possible. I would also like to cap it off with a round robin tourney over the course of a Sat or Sun and the end!

I'm looking to kick things off in the next week or two so stay tuned to this space (keyword "Escalation League") to see people's progress and lists!

Cheers,

The Drunken Gamers of Ottawa are starting a Flames of War Escalation league.

With Flames of War picking up steam, all of us busily working away on

terrain/armies, and more people showing interest every week. This is a GREAT

time to start one!

Some of my inspiration comes from here :

http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=2298

We will start out small, say 600 points, 1 HQ and 1 combat platoon minimum,

and grow from there. This will encourage painting (which we are all pretty

good at already) for newer players, and make all our games look awesome with

always playing with painted stuff. It will also encourage small, faster,

simpler games for use to really learn the nuances of the rules and tactics of

this awesome game. It also allows us to keep playing regularly, and not burn

out on trying to get loads done asap. Again, we can even encourage people to

bring new players to test it out, knowing that games will be smaller and

easier to "demo" weekly if needed.

I'm thinking we will have 3 stages, each of 4 weeks starting with 600 points,

then 1000, then 1500. That gives people a month to paint roughly 500 point

blocks of models, so we can work on other things (if we want) and still

progress.

We can also be setting certain pre-determined scenarios for each point

bracket, so as to ease the list building and make the games link together like

a campaign. Each player will have to play as many different opponents as

possible. I would also like to cap it off with a round robin tourney over the

course of a Sat or Sun and the end!

I'm looking to kick things off in the next week or two so stay tuned to this space (keyword "Escalation League") to see people's progress and lists!

Cheers,

Flames of War Escalation League

The Drunken Gamers of Ottawa are starting a Flames of War Escalation league. With Flames of War picking up steam, all of us busily working away on terrain/armies, and more people showing interest every week. This is a GREAT time to start one!

Some of my inspiration comes from here :  http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=2298

We will start out small, say 600 points, 1 HQ and 1 combat platoon minimum, and grow from there. This will encourage painting (which we are all pretty good at already) for newer players, and make all our games look awesome with always playing with painted stuff. It will also encourage small, faster, simpler games for use to really learn the nuances of the rules and tactics of this awesome game. It also allows us to keep playing regularly, and not burn out on trying to get loads done asap. Again, we can even encourage people to bring new players to test it out, knowing that games will be smaller and easier to "demo" weekly if needed.

I'm thinking we will have 3 stages, each of 4 weeks starting with 600 points, then 1000, then 1500. That give people let's say a month to paint roughly 500 point blocks of models, so we can work on other things (if we want) and still progress. 

We can also set certain pre-determined scenarios for each point bracket, so as to ease the list building and make the games link together. We could also cap it off with a round robin tourney over the course of a Sat or Sun one weekend!! 

Russian Infantry

Here are my 4 finished motostrelkovy platoons minus there commands which are next up. After that I have to paint up my BA-10M scout cars as well as a 4 razvedki squads, command and there transports.

The British Are Coming!!... along nicely that is.

Overall shot of my progress.. thinking of switching to Motor Company from my usual Rifle Company lists.


Close up of the infantry stands of my Motor Rifle Platoon


HQ Command Unit, now with the 2IC Bagpiper model, and the staff jeep and Morris Truck (Motor Company, they need rides) The canvas-topped jeep is from my late war 7th Armoured box set, I think it looks awesome as the HQ jeep..



Last but no least are some shots of my Sherman III's.. Due to a really bad primer job, these models took 4 hours to paint.. the detail was mainly painted on. Also, I don't use decals, so the Desert Rats on the fenders are hand painted as well as the unit numbers.

Here is the list I plan on bringing to Game Summit:

British Motor Company, Italy, 1500 points

HQ: Company Command, Company 2IC, staff Jeep, staff Morris 15CWT Truck 35 points

Combat Platoons:

Motor Rifle Platoon: Command MG/rifle, Morris truck, PIAT
2 MG/rifle stands, CMP 3 Tonne truck
2 MG/rifle stands, CMP 3 Tonne truck 155 points
Motor Rifle Platoon: Command MG/rifle, Morris truck, PIAT
2 MG/rifle stands, CMP 3 Tonne truck
2 MG/rifle stands, CMP 3 Tonne truck 155 points
Recon Platoon: 1 squadron of Recce Carriers, with extra MG: 105 points

Weapon Platoon: Motor Anti-Tank, 4 x 6pdr Portees, Command Rifle, Jeep: 185 points

Support Platoons: Royal Armoured Corps 3 x Sherman III's with MGs: 450 points

Royal Horse Artillery, SP: 4 Priests, 1 Observer and troop command rifle, OP Carrier, Staff team, battery command, OP Carrier: 355 points

At this point I am at 1340 points. I have 3 options from here to 1500..

Option A: HMG platoon, 2 sections, command rifle, jeep: 130 points
Add 3 inch Mortar from HQ with mortar carrier: 30 points TOTAL: 1500

Option B: Add one more Motor Rifle Platoon, exactly as above, 155 points, 1500 Total

Option C: Make the Shermans Canadian, add 2nd gun troop of 4 more priests.. 1495 total

I am painting the things above the option line at the moment, the easiest for me painting wise would be 4 extra Priests, but wit so many Russian infantry armies out there, plus Drew's infantry heavy Canucks, the HMGs make sense too.. we shall see.

It looks like I can't make it to Friday gaming, so have fun boys, and I'll play next week instead

4th Fow AAR from last week: Germans v Canadians

(above) Stage is set for Germans trying to Breathrough the Canadians.. German objective quarter is top left of map.


(above) Drew's Sherman III's of the Canadian Armored Corps, look great! Too bad they are facing the wrong way (check video)


(above) Tristan's Panzers, Kampfgrupped with a command panzer with shutzen


(above) Drew had an 8 gun battery spotters and Vickers teams overlooking the objective quarter from this hilltop.


(above)Commonwealth troopers doing what they do best: Sip tea in town in the middle of battle!


(above) This window is a popular spot for Artillery observer teams...


.. calling in devastating 'murders' onto the german tanks.


(above) The plucky Canadians repulse assault after assault from the german tanks to hold the objective. In the end, the Panzer Grenadier make a final push for the objective, but they will need to make a Stormtrooper move to pull off the win... Video Below





So: Instead of cramming multiple AAR's into one post, I've spread the love and added pics and commentary.. is this better for everyone>?

Tomorrow I will post my progress painting my Dessert Rats! (They like cake)

3rd FoW AAR: Soviet on Soviet!

(Above) T70 light tanks head towards the inn near the potato farm... they make Vodka from potatos right?!


(Above) Always an epic battle, is Soviets on Soviets. Mission was breakthrough with Brett on the offensive. His objective quarter is top right in this pic, near the two burnt out cottages.


(above) Chris' plucky painted unit here would go on to heroic deeds for Mother Russia, killing tanks and drawing a good amount of fire away from the objective defenders.. all near/in the potato farm area!


(above) View downrange of Chris' guns.


(above) Reverse view, you can see Chris' guns near the brick ruins, Potato Inn in the foreground.


Here is where Chris' unit defeated and forced back a unit of T34s!


(above) all game long, the lone observer on the crest of the bridge called in artillery, and survived the fire from these T70s!

Brett's tanks eat a perfect ranged-in shot, again thanks to that well hidden observer team.



In the end, Chris had a tonne of stuff arrayed in a horseshoe of doom, awaiting Brett's reserves arriving on the objectives. In the end, I am told Brett squeaked out a victory despite massive casualties. Video is below.

FoW AAR: British 51st HD v Soviets

(abiove) Overview of map, with a hamlet mid left, small creek down the middle right



(above) new units in my army for this one: 6 pdr portees, I also played with Priests for the first time.. however the hamlet proved to be a killing ground in this battle..


Brett had my Crusaders, Portees all killed in the hamlet, so I had to gun for the eastern objective, guarded by 5 T70s and some "mystery" infantry...


(above) In this side shot, you can see my 3 black Sherman III's moving up the farmers field towards the objective


I should have remembered that these half painted guys from last week were pioneers.. so when my 3 shermans tank assalted them and killed 2 stands, they Countered, killing all 3 tanks. With my Recce unit all bailed and the othe platoons dead, my 1IC decided to fold by rolling a 1 for Company Morale!!! Great game, video is below.

FoW AAR: Canadians v Soviets

(above) Lothlann's painted Soviets

Last night, Drew aka BigWillie, and Chris, aka Moser aka Lothlann played 1 of 4 games fought. I had only one Video recording of it, and it wasn't good, because I was rushing my game vs Brett aka Pripyat. However, Tristan aka Ca$h (so now you know everyone..) was kind enough to snap a few shots of their game.

(above) Scenario is Breakthrough, so playing lengthwise

(above) Another look at the battlefield with all the new terrain that got ordered.. ignore the GW Urbanscape mat underneath!

(above) Dug in Canadians defend against the tide of Russians.. this is a good spot!
(above) More Canadians pour fire into the Soviets aided by the 8 gun battery....
.. which is being called down from this well-placed Observer team!
The russians press the advance, but being on foot and attacking with no armor, is an uphill battle..
(above) Sadly, the terrain is against Chris as the river that was placed to minimize effects in a normal battle, forces the Soviets to rush the bridge to cross the center line, all under the withering fire of the HMGs in the large house.

Chris gets men across th river to stave off defeat, but later concedes, acknowledging that crossing the river is well and good, but he was going to run out of men before he got anywhere near the 2 objectives.

'There is no Shelter, from the Steel Rain'

So, as the title suggests, I have got my hands on some artillery, in the form of 4 Sextons and 2 priests. For now, I am using them as 6 x Priests from the Royal Horse Artillery, for much needed fiepower. I acquired the Sextons in a trade with Spanky100, for my Chaos Dwarf converted WFB army, he had 2 late war FoW army boxe sets: the British 7th Armoured and the 21. Panzer Division, "Rommel's Zirkus" of looted vehicles. I have ordered 2 more regular priests to make an even 4 priests, but can add in the 4 sextons 'count-as' when I want to get saucy with artillery.

I aso finally finished with all the little details, the game winning 2IC and his trusty Carrier, plus the Recon Squadron, painted in the proper 51st HD markings. I think they look great, but it was very time consuming to get everything done, like the bog-down gear on the back, the machine gun ammo boxes, etc. Pics below.

The Red Menace

So last night played at Pripyat's (Brett) place vs his Soviets, then got to play vs Lothlann's Soviets afterwards.

No pics were taken, but the videos turned out great. Just crank up the sound a bit on the second one, as Pripyat's 3 month old 2IC was sleeping..

Enjoy

For King and Country!

Well, got finally settled on a paint scheme for my Brits.. in the end I stuck with the classic desert look, but made it nice and dark so it fits into Sicily/Italy.

Infantry Color Scheme:
Khemri over everything but gun and skin
Tallarn over skin
Calthan over gun
Devlan Mud wash over whole model
Kommando Khaki for socks, helmet, webbing, backpack
Reaper Chestnut Brown for rifle
Boltgun and chainmail for metal parts

Vehicle Color scheme:
Khemri over everything
Desert Yellow for main, Adeptus for camo
Bleached Bone heavy drybrush over Desert yellow, lighter dusting over grey
Devlan Mud over whole model
Boltgun for exhausts, machine guns, etc
Insignia

I think they are looking good, I am doing the 51st Highland Division, also dubbed the "Highway Decorators" for painting their HD symbol everyhere they went. This is red over blue square, and is on the left shoulder as a blue dot, and is on the fender of the Lorry. The tanks attached to the 51st were the 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry, and so they have the Desert Rats symbol from the 7th armored brigade on their fenders.

Gotta paint up the rest of the 2IC stand tonite, as well as the unit of MG Carriers that took me to victory vs Lothlann's Sov's last week!