A great turn out at our April Game Day West at Miniature Market Rock Hill featuring three games across the sweep of history.
First up was Frank Copeland and a ACW themed game representing the actions around Vicksburg, Mississippi. Some great looking terrain and models were a real treat for the players to enjoy while trying out these new rules. Pete, Bob, Benjamin and Dave S were all fully engaged with what is hoped to be the basis of a Civil War Campaign game the group is hoping to develop. Frank was kind enough to send in a report from the field so we will pass the narrative on to him….
(west)-“COL DAVE sent his Ironclad, a tin clad and 1x mortar boat south(upstream) on the Cumberland River to interdict the ferry. COL Bob’s established fortifications brought effective fires onto the smoke stacks and wheel houses slowing speed and navigation for USN progress. They were not out of the fight just slowed. More boats and fire power where moving upstream to attempt the CSS fortification destruction.”
(east)-“LTC ASH(US) successfully deployed his cavalry regiments along the east side bridges and secured them from threat of engineer attempts to destroy the N/S US lines of communication(LOC). LTC Pete’s(CSA) cannon and mortars began finding their range and slowed LTC Ash’s advance half way to cutting the CSS E/W LOC. A Cavalry clash within the wheat filed ensued. Blood was spilled inconclusively yet additional reinforcements began deployment and movement to contact in this hotly contested key terrain area.”
(Center)–“COL DAVE moved his main force(INF BDE)in column along the three wooded N/S roads, deployed inline and began advancing southward. LTC Pete’s engineers placed abatis along the routes yet were brushed aside with COL David’s overwhelming forces. COL Dave brought up a battery to push COL Bob’s recently forded Cavalry off the north bank. In an surprisingly and very historically correct action, COL Bob intended not to retreat to his south side shore but to row to the nearby USN Ironclad, board, capture and reflag the vessel. This is why we wargame… you never know what’s possible until you simulate before executing the plan. That was a new wrinkle on my joint operational brain!”
“I had fun and got some good tips on terrain/scope from Dave, input on ship game metrics from Bob, indirect fires from the group. Please plug the Island #11 photo. Looking forward to April 22 when the joint ACW operation continues at Island No 11 along the Mississippi River.”
Across the room we found Mark Williams and a filled table for his enhanced “One Hour World War II.” A grand strategic game encompassing the entire conflict and putting the players in the seats of national leaders who must try to fulfill the current needs with never enough resources at hand. Jay C having played before and serving as the American helped out the two new Allied players. Steve, Kevin & Kyle took on the roles of the Axis and with a bit of luck managed to squeak out a victory in 1945. Mark adds this description….
“The Germans, led by Steve, got off to a quick start by tracking France and destroying the French Army. This was followed by a quick Blitz that led to the temporary capture of Moscow and the loss of many political will points by the Allies. Britain was able to hold on to most of its global empire but at the expense of not being able to exploit German weakness in western Europe later in the game. Most of the fighting in this version in WW2 took place in Russia.”
“Russian forces, greatly aided by Lend Lease from the US, was able to recapture Moscow and regain some territory lost to the earlier German Blitz.”
“But time ran out for the Russians before they could mount a major invasion of Germany. In the Pacific, the Japanese, led by Kevin, were able to keep the US bottled up in the eastern Pacific with a potent naval air force. The lone Allied success in this theater was driving the Japanese completely out of China. The game ended with a decisive Axis victory on points.”
John Nozka having taken up the challenge presented his New Bridge Landing Scenario as part of his AWI 250 Trilogy.
With Mark J and Chris K working through the problem of this step back in time to November 21, 1776, British forces have captured Fort Lee yesterday and are in pursuit of General Washington’s Continental Army.
Fighting off rearguard actions, they approach the crossing at New Bridge Landing over the Hackensack River. The Americans, in the midst of dismantling the bridge to prevent further pursuit, must stave off the British advance in order to save the Patriot Army.
Thanks to The Game Masters, all the players and to Miniature Market Rock Hill for their continued support and we remind our community to shop local.
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