Armored Rifles !

Greetings,

     The other night I was able to get a Flames of War game in with my buddy Steve.  It was actually my first V3 game in some time and I was excited to get my GIs on the table once again.

    
     I placed these armored mortars in the tree line to support my advancing units.  They did a decent job with the smoke support I based my movement on.  Smoke is always an option to be used and forces many players in moving units and losing ROF shots.

     This was my "right hook". Three 75mm Shermans and two 76mm Shermans were supporting my Armor Infantry platoon's advance on the right flank.  I also included the CO in a jeep to keep the boys moving.

     My engineers were deployed as far forward as I could in a field.  My second Armored Infantry platoon remained mounted and deployed in the field as well.  It was not going to be an easy assault since the stubborn Germans were dug in and had a looming ambush as well.

     The right flanks plan was to use the road for rapid movement and take advantage of the new distances in V3.  Since the tanks were in the woods, bog checks were rolled.  Of course, in good noob fashion, my 76 Shermans bogged.

Another view of the Mortar support and units deployed in the field.

     The right flank's movement was hampered by the reserve roll deployment of a stug platoon.  I moved the halftracks off the road and ordered them hull down.  This allowed my supporting tanks to move up fast and push forward.  Knowing my 75s had little to no chance of popping stugs front armor, I fired smoke and hit one target.

FORWARD !

     I decided to move my armored infantry forward with machine guns blazing.  Armored Rifles are new to me and I believe I got transport tunnel vision.  Smoke failed to deploy and things got SNAFU very quickly.

     Steve's German forces unleashed a volley of fire from Hertz' and PAK 40s.  My failed smoke barrage and failed pinning machine fire allowed carnage.  Halftracks exploded,  tossing surviving troops out.  Steve's dug in infantry poured machine gun fire into the wounded ranks and annihilated the remaining platoon. Ugh ... lesson learned the hard way.

Engineers can do nothing but watch the horror.

Hertz' gonna Hertz ! And did so ... o u c h

     I was able to lay down some smoke a little to late.  But it allowed the engineers to move out and be covered for a counter assault.  Smoke is good but this particular smoke WAS needed earlier.

     The right flank's supporting tanks were able to push the Stugs back as the 76s moved forward to show US strength.  The half-tracks got back on the road and began to move forward once again.

     This building was occupied by German Recon units and were taken out by elements of my TD's support units.  The PAKs were still commanding the junction but not enough to prevent movement on the right flank.

Engineers want some payback

     Smoke was delivered for the Engineers assault run into the stubborn German line.  This was gonna get messy for both sides. 

SMOKE removed for ease of assault movement

     The assault was brutal.  Hand to hand was exchanged by both sides and eventually the US forces were destroyed with brutal costs to the Germans.  Steve had to make a motivation test and failed.  His German infantry was too battered to hold the field.  The Hertz' platoon remained.

STUG popped 1 75 Sherman ...

Engineer assualt ...

Still pushing !

Can't stop now

All or nothing ...

Brutal ... left flank is decimated for both sides !

     My right flank got into a position to deploy the infantry for a push on one objective.     The tanks setup for shots on the PAKs as well as supporting infantry.

     The PAKs got pinned with some needed support of the Armor Mortars.  It was an aggressive push for the win.

Germans move up to possibly assault the tank support.

M10s attempted to hurt the Hertz'.  No GO for the M10s

76s burning

     My 76s Shermans couldn't hold and became victims of some great shooting by Steve.  My infantry moved forward to push for the objective.  Defensive fire prevented the push.  UGH !

More brutal hand to hand.

     The battle was a close one indeed.  It was a 4-3 win for Steve.  I appreciate the learning time and great fun Steve ! Can't wait to hit the table once again !

Be safe ... keep the paint flowing and the dice rolling.

Joe ... aka Mezz

Wargaming Wednesday Early !

Greetings troops,

     I thought I would get this post out for the week since I am a tad horrible on the "day subject" post.  Although I have dropped themed days, I figured to keep this one and share the hobby from my point of view.  We all know that the favorite thing of us gamers is to haggle over pictures.

So without further delay, I introduce to you gamers Wargaming Wednesday - Early !

     The above picture says it all.  I cannot agree with it more.  I am sure all you gamers out there can agree that our wives, girlfriends and families want us to be happy and anticipate our arrival home with gamer loot.

     This board involved some cool 28mm Victorian Steampunk armies.  Forgive me for not knowing the rule sets or figure involved.  It was a popular table indeed and never empty.  If you have any further information or know what this game detailed please comment below !

     The above beauty is soon to be part of some AARs of my buddy Steve and I.  We played some Flames of War the other evening and came down to a close game loss for me 3-4.  Brutal of a game and another awesome learning experience at the hands of the jedi master.  I am building up my armored forces into an armored rifle company.  I already have the infantry and armor units so the only thing left is the half tracks for the infantry !

     Stay tuned for the recent AAR battle I will be posting this week along with Steve.

Keep the Paint flowing and the Dice rolling !

Joe ... aka Mezz

The Hobbit

Greetings,

     I was able to get another book read recently and added it to my book count for the year.  The Hobbit was a novel I read years ago and quite frankly enjoyed every time I have picked it up.  Over the years I have been able to read it numerous times, seen as a stage production and await Peter Jackson's epic screen production.

     J.R.R. Tolkien's work was first published in 1937 (UK) and was well accepted.  The novel won the Carnegie Medal as well as a prize from the New York Herald Tribune in the juvenile fiction category.  The first edition was 310 pages as my e-reader version was about 239 "pages".  

     The Hobbit was written in a way that seemed it was a story being shared over some ale in a small medevial tavern.  It flowed smoothly and allowed the reader to never slip out of the plot or lose interest.

     Bilbo Baggins is a simple hobbit as they come.  His love of home, company, meals and conversation is the norm of his life in the Hollow.  It all changes when Gandalf shows up and "convinces" Bilbo to host a party. And the adventure begins !

     I am not going to ruin the plot or ending.  I am only recommending a new book to re-read or start !

5 out of 5 Hobbit feet !

Enjoy ...

Joe ... aka Mezz
    
    

Wargaming Wednesday !

Greetings Troops,

     Another Wednesday and another gaming photo!  Enjoy ....

     The above photo is of my friend Steve of WWPD fame.  This is one of the boards for Nationals at Historicon 2012.  I can't remember exactly where he ranked but I believe it was in the  top 15.  As you can see it was a winter board and one of many that the I95 guys put together.  I have participated in many I95 tournaments and have to say their boards are awesome.

     This board is a group of gents playing Dystopian Wars.  Not a fancy board to say the least but a popular one.  I can say the models of the naval forces are awesome.  I am not sold on the land forces though.  I have caught wind that they have also started a 28mm skirmish game as well.  Looks cool but I do not have anyone nearby that plays any of it.  So I am not going to look at them, lol.

Keep the Paint flowing and the Dice rolling ...

Joe ... aka Mezz