I hosted a couple of games at the weekend – the first of 2024.
On Friday, Pemps travelled down from darkest Norfolk for a very enjoyable 15mm, post D-Day, WWII game. This was our first game using the Battlegroup rules and I must say, I was quite impressed with the playability. Some things, like indirect fire, were a bit fiddly, but that’s probably down to our inexperience.
When it comes to rules, I think it’s fair to say that I’m very much a ‘chuck a load of dice and hope for the best’ sort of player. Rapid Fire Reloaded is my preferred level, but I’ll happily have another go with Battlegroup.
This was an encounter game with armies of equal points. The only difference between us being the unwritten rules that my tanks couldn’t hit a barn door and that my indirect artillery, which never came within a country mile of hitting its intended target, always landed on something important.
I know I didn’t win, but I’d not entirely sure that I lost. Pemps will put me right on that.
Pemps manfully attacked over open ground…………
………while I skulked……
……..and then Pemps skulked. Which may be why I don’t recall who won.
Pemps took himself off to his hotel and we met later for food and a few beers (?).
On Saturday we were joined by Tim H, who travelled down from a rather sodden Suffolk, and Dave B, who just popped up the line from sunny Leigh-on-Sea. The game was the Battle of Spencer’s Smithy Turnpike. Another encounter game, this time using my shiny ACW stuff.
As you’d expect, the lines formed down the centre of the battlefield and proceeded to take chunks out of each other. The upper hand swung backwards and forwards all day. The Rebs twice fought their way through the Yankee line, only to be pushed back by a determined counter attack. Hour after hour, regiments on both sides would attack, be repulsed, reform and attack again.
Dave and I played the CSA and several times I looked along the line and thought we were done for. Pemps was relentless in attacking my line, but was sorely disadvantaged by the terrain, and Tim on the US left was a demon. I think we’ll have to rename Dave – Wellington seems appropriate.
I really don’t like to say who won. After such an enjoyable day, surely we were all winners………
(Tim demonstrating his sacre bleu look, while Dave looks on giving it his best ‘Wellington’)
(Pemps giving his ‘you may laugh’…… look).
Thank you chaps.
At close of play, we all parted best of mates and Pemps and I adjourned to the New Delhi for a splendid meal, and from there to The Theobald Arms for rather nice beer. We discussed future wargaming plans and then went our separate ways. I can’t remember what we discussed, or getting home.
Iain
Both those games look outstanding! The terrain on the WW2 games looks the dogs. But the simplicity, neatness, and shiny goodness of the ACW game takes the prize. Lovely stuff.
And well done for posting it on the blog!
And I was very surprised to hear you skulked in the first game. So unlike you…
A
Jealous of that shed!
Neil
I’m very happy with my shed……but certain parts, like its owner, are showing their age!
Iain
Lovely looking games..I might give battlegroup a try one day, it seems much more interesting than rapid fire and similar rulesets
Thank you Simon.
Based on one play through, Battlegroup does seem to have a nice balance between technical and simplicity.
Let me know if you want a bit more detail before taking the plunge.
Iain
Good weekend, good games and good company.
As for the results my pickled friend…
WW2: Allied victory, but only because we set the objectives up in their favour and we wanted to end the game to go for a beer.
ACW: Rebel win – they held the strategic points, although the flank we fought had retired their forces (this time not to go to the pub).
Thank you Mr P,
Yes, it all comes back to me now (well, most of it). You definitely won the WWII game in a most convincing way. And you very nearly won the ACW game on our flank.
Iain