Village Games' Blog

NUTS! - THE SCENARIO

I managed to get in a game of NUTS! squad level WW II combat on Saturday. We were using Old Glory's 25 mm, including a couple of their vehicles, in the scenario. It was a squad of German Panzergrenadiers with a light MG and a Pz IV H tank (me) against and American infantry squad with a Bazooka Team and an M4A3 Sherman tank (Brad S.).

I didn't realize how unprepared I was for the scenario (a simple "sweep the area" action). With my squad of Panzergrenadiers, light MG and PZ IV H tank I felt pretty good going into the fight. Unfortunately, as with a lot of the command-and-control type games I have been playing recently, things never go according to plan.

WHAT HAPPENED

On the westrern end of the line my Grenadiers rolled up the American flank, pushing them all the way to the house on the back edge of the table. In the center of the table, near the village, the Americans were slow to advance so the Germans were able to secure very commanding positions overlooking the road. On the eastern flank, the American tank was playing cat-and-mouse with my troops and tank over there.

As we progressed, rolling for activations each turn, the Germans kept getting the worst of it - never getting to activate more than one or two men at a time, and only getting one activation for the Pz IV the whole game!

With his western edge collapsing, and his forces in the center pinned down into poor positions, the American commander decided on a bold move - rapidly move his armor out into the open to surprise the Pz IV and hope for the best.



It worked! The Pz IV commander didn't see the American until it was too late. The Sherman manged to get off a lucky shot which disabled the Pz IV and forced the German crew to bail out. Without the tank, the Germans had nothing to stop the American tank from rampaging. And since the scenario called for either side to sweep the other out of the area, it meant the Germans would be forced to retire from the battlefield.



AFTER ACTION

Once again the command-and-control issues haunted me. Without getting better dice rolls to afford me more activations I was doomed. Only getting one activation for the Pz IV the whole game!?! I guess I can't feel to sorry for the crew if they can't take care of themselves.

Also my Germans definitely need some Panzerfausts or Panzerschrecks to give them some anti-armor ability.

All in all it was a very fun game - Brad is a fun opponent. The command-and control issues make the game very enjoyable and challenging. I just hope my luck begins to turn with some of these games, or I might just develop a complex or something...

Until next time - cheers!

Dan

BLITZKRIEG COMMANDER - THE NOOSE TIGHTENS

I managed to get on a small game of Blitzkrieg Commander last Thursday in 6mm Micro Armor. We played the "Encirclement" scenario in late 1944 eastern front. I was the Germans trying avoid encirclement, while Ron & Aaron were the Russians trying to pincer me from two sides to cut-off the German's escape.

Nothing really went well for the Germans from the get-go. They had precious little armor (two understrength platoons: one of three Tiger I's and one of two Pz Mk IV's) and a company of non-motorized infantry. The command rolls weren't forthcoming (two of the Tiger's did nothing the whole game!) and the Russian Katyushas were incessant.

The Russians for their part did everything right - they split their forces to come from two directions, their armored company (I think it was 15 T34/76's) quickly closed off the German's best escape route, and their infantry followed up to apply the pressure.


Despite a heroic effort by one of the Tiger's and a ferocious defense by the German infantry in the village (almost an entire half of the Soviet force was suppressed for a turn) is just came too late for the Germans. In the end they were pushed past their breakpoint and forced to retire from the battlefield.


Despite the frustrating loss, it was still a very enjoyable game. Afterwards I realized about a half-dozen things I would have done different for the Germans (including new dice!). I am looking forward to the next BKC game - maybe this coming Saturday.

NUTS! TO YOU

I got in a quick game of 28mm WWII NUTS! on Saturday. I was a German squad on perimeter patrol. The Americans were trying to infiltrate the German positions and my guys had to stop them. Jeff P. was the Americans and did an excellent job of avoiding my MG position, keeping his men together and getting them off my table edge to win the scenario.

Again, in the after action report I realized a couple of things I could have done differently to improve my initial position and subsequently allow myself more flexibility to respond to my opponent's tactics. Oh well, that's what its all about though isn't it? Having a good time, and learning as you go.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the game - maybe next time. It looks like we might get in some games of NUTS! this coming Thursday.

Well, until next time - Cheers!

Dan

It has been a very busy week - repainting the 2nd gaming room in prep for new carpet this week, signing on with some new distributors, several big orders made & received, etc.

MORE NUTS!

I did manage to get in a couple of games this week - all WW II. Thursday I got in a game of NUTS! in 15mm. This was my first chance at using the vehicle rules, and I can report they play as well as the rest of the rules! You can make the best laid plans but it still comes down to how your troops execute, and in NUTS! that can be a big question mark.

BLITZKRIEG COMMANDER

On Saturday I got in a BIG game of Blitzkrieg Commander WW II in 15mm. It was an American Combat Command (1-Tank Battalion, 1-Infantry Battalion, 1-Artillery Battalion) trying to seize a pair of villages from the German defenders (2- Pz IV Companies, 1- Understrength Panther Company, 1-Understrength Grenadier Battalion) before they could prepare fortified defensive positions.

Brad S. and I were the Americans, while Ron and Kendall commanded the Germans. I was tasked with the northern end of the American line and securing the larger of the two villages. My sector happened to also be Ron's, with his Panther's and Tiger I (oh joy!). Here is a picture of the initial moves (sorry about the picture quality - its from my phone):



On the northern end of the battlefield the Americans pressed the attack, pushing right into the teeth of the German defenses. It cost several Shermans and a couple of Stuarts, but the German armor was pinned in place allowing the infantry to reach the village and begin moving rapidly through it.

On the sourthern end the Americans were having their problems. Orders were misunderstood, units not advanced and units on the far southern end were pretty muched pinned down by German artillery for the duration of the battle.

Here is a picture from late in the battle:



Eventually the Americans were able to prevail on the northern flank, taking the village and neutralizing the German armor in the area. On the southern end things did not go as well, as the initial snafus and miscommunications cost too much time and momentum for the infantry to reach and secure the objective.

In the end it was a minor victory for the Americans as they managed to seize one of the two villages, and it was a minor victory for the Germans since the Americans were only able to get one of their objectives. Everybody at the table had a great time though - which is all that really matters!

Hopefully we will be able to run another BKC game next week. Soon we will be adding some help at the store which will allow Carl and I to get out there and run more games - keep watching for that announcement!

Until next time - cheers!

Dan