Frozen Gamer AK

First V3 Action

2012-02-13T19:27:00.002-09:00

My Dad and I went to the club on Saturday and got our first two V3 games in. The first game was No Retreat with my grenadiers defending against his Russian Tankavoy.

Army Lists

Grenadiers

HQ + Faust
Grenadiers + Faust
Grenadiers + Faust
2 x Tigers
5 x Panzer IV Hs
3 x PaK 40s
2 x HMG Nests
2 x Mine Fields
2 x Trench Lines
4 x Barbwire

Russian Tankavy

HQ T-34/85
4 x T-34 + 2 x T-34/85
5 x T-34 + 2 x T-34/85
5 x T-70
4 x Katyushas + extra crew
Priority Sturmaviks

My grenadiers hunkered down in a trench line guarding the road to the west.

HMG nests anchor both my flanks

Red Skull and my 2iC dug in on my left

The Soviets mass on my left for their assault

Soviet armor surging forward

My Tiger knocks out a T-34/85s at long range

Soviet aircraft dive on my Tigers, but can't find them among the trees (note V3 only requires you to place one plane, but my dad wanted to place the number he rolled up for the look)

T-70s crash through the orchard in the middle

While T-34s advance through the woods.

T-34 send rounds down range, but miss my Tigers

Tiger shift to cover both objectives

Soviet rockets rain down my Grenadiers with little effect

Then the aircraft try to crash the party, but miss their mark again

Panzer IVs arrive to support. With two of them move at the double to the left.

The Tigers try take out another T-34 at range

Sturmakivs range in on a Tiger again, but miss their mark

My Grenadiers arrive from reserve and take up position on railroad banks

My Panzer IVs continue to push around the right

Katyushas sending their rockets toward the Hun

Soviet Tanks push around the flank and get popped by my Tigers

Soviet air cover finally knocks out a Tiger

Then the T-34s knock out the other

In one turn I loose both Big Cats

So I ambush with my PaK 40s and knock out another T-34

My Panzer IVs move left reacting to the loose of the Tigers and roll over the T-70s in the process

More Soviet armor crashes their way toward the left objective

T-34s assaulting my PaK 40s, but get pushed back

The Panzer IVs finish off the T-70s

The T-34s try to take out Panzer IVs but fail to score a hit

So I return fire and destroy what is left of them

Even though they don't break the Soviets call it quit.

5-2 Victory to the Germans.

Over all we had a great time and V3 is awesome. We got to use the new aircraft rules, which showed y need to buy AA and we got to use a lot of other new rules and it went really well. I had a great time and can't wait to play my next game.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

2012-02-05T09:06:00.001-09:00

Breaking news. Alaska has been suffering from the forth coldest and most snowiest winters in records history. Anchorage has seen six straight weeks of negative 10 degree weather followed by 12" of snow on friday. Other parts of the state have seen the temperatures dip down as low as negative 60 and 70. Other towns have received enough snow to bury a house. It has snow so much that stores are out of shovels. It has been wild, but just when we thought it could get worse the local NPR station reported that a ham radio operator in the Matanuska-Susitna valley reported seeing foreign military formations moving toward Anchorage. All morning we have heard the sound of F-22s over head and police officers and national guardsmen are stationed on every major street.

There is a media blackout and all television signals are down right now. A friend of mine who is in the service just text me this picture.

It doesn't look like we will be able to enjoy our Superbowl this year. It looks like Alaska has been annexed by the Galactic Empire.

New Blog: oldSarges Wargame and Model blog

2012-02-05T01:33:00.001-09:00

I recently started following oldSarges Wargame and Model blog by Gary. This blog started in December and so far has seven posts. Gary's posts so far consist of finished tanks for FoW and reviews of Zvevda and PSC. His models look great and I cant wait to see more of his work. Right now he only has four followers, but I think his blog will turn into a big hit. I am going to go ahead and recommend that other check out his blog and follow. Again that is oldSarges Wargame and Model blog.

A SdKfz 251/1D by Gary at oldSarge Wargame and Model blog

Alaska Clean Air Challenge

2012-02-02T20:22:00.003-09:00

Hey Fellow Gamers,

This May I will be cycling 60 miles from Huston, Alaska to Talkeetna, Alaska! I’m participating in the American Lung Association’s annual cycling fundraising event, the Clean Air Challenge which is in Alaska, and I need your help! In order for me to participate I promised raise at least $400. A donation from you will support a good cause and help me meet an important personal challenge. Here is what your gracious donation and the Clean Air Challenge Cycling event will help to support:

Research into promoting lung health and preventing lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and tuberculosis
Being pro-active in the fight against outdoor air pollutants and environmental health
Striving to reduce tobacco use, especially among young people, that is responsible for over 400,000 deaths in the United States each year. Each day in Alaska, about 30 young people start smoking.

I am writing in hopes that you will find these issues important enough to support me and the American Lung Association. Any amount will be appreciated]. Your tax-deductible contribution to the American Lung Association will not only help me towards my fundraising goal but will, most importantly, help those struggling to breathe easier.

You can make a donation by going to Donate to Ride and click make a gift

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Craig Baxter

P.S. 100% of the donation is tax-deductible and a donation.

155mm Schneider M1917

2012-01-29T20:38:00.001-09:00

I am getting closer to owning just about everything I will ever need when fielding my Etaireia Pezikoy, Greek Rifle Company, for Flames of War. One of the strengths of Greek army is all the types Artillery you have access to. The Etaireia Pezikoy can take two batteries of Artillery, plus mortars and small field guns. Since the basic force is fairly cheap and there is not a lot of expensive tank platoons to gobble up points you can field lots of artillery.

While the basic artillery option is the Italian 75/27, you can taken much heavier guns like the 155mm Schneider M1917. The Greeks also do not have access a lot of AT guns. Lots of artillery and heavy artillery is necessary if your Greek because it is high likely that a German opponent will be rolling you with tanks and other AFV.

155mm Schneider M1917

(taken from wikipedia)

The Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider, often abbreviated as the C17S, was a French howitzer designed by Schneider et Cie. It was essentially the Canon de 155 C modèle 1915 Schneider fitted with a different breech to use bagged propellant rather than the cartridge cases used by the older howitzer. It was used by France, Italy, Russian Empire, Belgium and the United States from 1917 during World War I and was widely exported after the war. Surviving weapons were in service with France,Poland, Greece, Italy, Belgium, the United States and Finland during World War II. Captured weapons were used by the Germans for their 2nd-line artillery and coast defense units.

but this took quite a bit of time due to the press of existing work and the new Mle 1917 howitzer didn't enter service until late 1916. The main difference between the Mle 1915 and 1917 was in the breech. Many guns had their loading trays removed because it slowed down the rate of fire; a portable shell tray was used instead by the loaders.

The French Army preferred bag charges for its ammunition because the brass cartridge cases used by the Mle 1915 were expensive to produce, both in money and in the amount of brass required. This became a real problem during the war given the vast number of shells expended and Schneider was asked to redesign the gun to use a deBange obdurator and allow it to use bagged powder. Schneider agreed and adapted the breech of the Canon de 155mm GPF to fit the barrel of the Mle 1915. Some three thousand were built. Additionally, many of the Mle 1915s were refitted with the new breech.

Greece had a total of 96 howitzers when the Greco-Italian War began in October 1940. They were assigned to the corps-level heavy artillery battalions. Italy seized them after Greece surrendered in May 1941.

155mm Schneider M1917 in FoW

The 155mm Schnieder is a big gun for Early War with great range, anti tank and fire power and cost 340 points for four of them. These guns will help you break up tank formation or dig out dug in infantry.

Name Movement Range ROF Anti-tank FP Notes

155mm Schneider M1917 Immobile 16" 1 10 1+ Bunker buster

Gun shield

Bombardments 72" - 5 2+

Skytrex 155mm Schneider M1917

Battlefront makes 155mm Scheider M1917 for the Polish. This set comes with Polish Crew and staff. You cannot special order these guns yet as far as I am aware. I had thought about buy them and just bagging the Poles, but then the other day I came across 155s from Skytrex.

Skytrex has a wide range of WW2 figures from the command decision range. At first I was hesitant because I have bought a lot of CD figures from Old Glory in the past, and while the figures are a great price I have never been too impressed with them. Infantry are small and have funky poses, some of the vehicles look pancaked, I think the molds are old and they are always covered in flash.

However I recently had someone on TMP say that Skytrex CD line does not have the same problems as the GO line. So when I inadvertently stumbled across the 155mm while looking through the Skytrex catalog I jumped on them. With shipping from the UK the cost came in to be about the same as a special order code gun from Battlefront.

I am very very pleased with this product. Each pack contained two guns and was crisp and clean. There was very little flashing or no defects.

Since the guns didn't come with crew I had to get some extra Italian crew. Lucky for me a guy at the local club recently gave me four teams worth of Italian gun crew. I didn't have any large bases, but I did have a bunch of medium based laying around so I glue two together to make a large base. I do this all the time when I get gun teams from other manufactures.

Here is the battery with all four guns mounted with their crew. The Skytrex CD guns go great with the BF crew. CD guns sometimes look too small when on bases with BF crew, but not these ones they match up really well.

I can whole heartedly say I would recommend Skytrex and their products to anyone interested in checking them out.

I haven't painted these up yet, but will once I get some time, I have about 100 project one my bench right now, but when they are finished I will post up some pics.

German 7.5 cm Pak 40s

2012-01-21T10:16:00.002-09:00

The 7.5 cm PaK 40 (7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 40) was a German 7.5 centimetre anti-tank gun developed in 1939-1941 by Rheinmetall and used during the Second World War. PaK 40 formed the backbone of german anti-tank guns for the latter part of World War II.

Here is my platoon of PaK 40s dug in behind its uniquely create bit of cover. I used various items from my bits box and yard to create each stand. I built up a berm in front of each gun using cork then flocked it with various sized ballast before adding the extra bits.

Wehrmacht Anti Tank guns

This video covers the main German Anti Tank guns used during the war, including a section on the PaK 40. I particularly found the part about the PaK 40s use by the cossacks as interesting.

7.5cm PaK 40

(taken from wikipedia)

Development of the PaK 40 began in 1939 with development contracts being placed with Krupp and Rheinmetall to develop a 7.5 cm anti-tank gun. Priority of the project was initially low, but Operation Barbarossa in 1941 and the sudden appearance of heavily armoured Soviet tanks like the T-34 and KV-1, increased the priority. The first pre-production guns were delivered in November 1941.^{[citation needed]} In April 1942, Wehrmacht had 44 guns in service. By 1943 the PaK 40 formed the bulk of the German anti-tank artillery.

The PaK 40 was the standard German anti-tank gun until the end of the war, and was supplied by Germany to its allies. Some captured guns were used by the Red Army. After the end of the war the PaK 40 remained in service in several European armies, including Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Norway, Hungary and Romania.

About 23,500 PaK 40 were produced, and about 6,000 more were used to arm tank destroyers. The unit manufacturing cost amounted to 2200 man-hours at 12000 RM. A lighter automatic version, the heaviest of the Bordkanone series of heavy calibre aircraft ordnance as the BK 7,5 was used in the Henschel Hs129 aircraft.

The weapon was effective against almost every Allied tank until the end of the war. The PaK 40 was much heavier than the PaK 38, decreasing its mobility to the point where it was difficult or impossible to move without an artillery tractor on boggy ground.

The PaK 40 debuted in Russia where it was needed to combat the newest Soviet tanks there. It was designed to fire the same low-capacity APCBC, HE and HL projectiles which had been standardized for usage in the long barreled KampfwagenkanoneKwK 40 main battle tank-mounted guns.

The Dead cow is an plastic HO scale cow. I heated up a safety pin and jammed holes into the cow to give it guts.

The tree in front of this PaK 40 is from my front yard. After priming the stand I went back and painted it too look like a paper birch.

PaK 40 in FoW

Weapon Mobility Range ROF AT Fire Power Notes
PaK 40 Heavy 32" 2 12 3+ Gunshield

Playing to the PaK 40s Strengths

In FoW the Pak 40 is one of the best all around anti tank guns. The AT 12 give them great penetration against allied medium tank like the T-34, T-34/85, Shermans, Cromwells and even some of the heavier tanks like the Churchill or KV series tanks. AT 12 is also only one less than what you get out of an 88, but in exchange the gun isn't immobile, which means if you dig in in the open you still get concealment.

PaK 40s are not terribly expensive so you can get quite few and not shoot your wad in Late War meaning you can get a lot of guns with good AT for a decent price. This can allow you to cover a large area with multiple PaK 40s.

Additionally in Grey Wold if you can run a PaK front allowing you to deploy one of your platoons in Immediate Ambush at the start of the game. This allows you to defensively react to your opponents deployment, which is important when fighting against and mobile force (like soviet tanks) since once you deploy most guns you don't move much. If your worried about mobility remember that many of your German Tank hunter mount the PaK 40.

I recommend buying engineers with a supply wagon or field fortifications and use barbwire or mine fields to help dictate enemy movement and draw them into optimum fields of fire for your PaK 40s. Another thing to remember is that even cleared barbwire is rough going so if might be more advantageous to deploy wire instead against mines against like tank forces to stop them from rapidly advancing around your flanks.

Another thing to consider is taking the extra PaK 40 that some artillery batteries get, one gun might not seem like must, but it can come in handy as a last line of defense or when used in a Kamfgroupe.

Again another gun hiding behind a dead cow. The wheel is from my bits box, probably from an Old Glory truck pack.

How to over come the PaK 40s limitations

There are some limitations to the PaK that should be considered before going all in with those points. Many of them are the same weakness that any nations AT guns face, but luckily being Geman helps of set those drawbacks.

It can be tempting in Late War games to run on "PaK Front" by taking as many PaK 40s as possible. While this might seems like a great idea up front it can have its drawbacks. If your opponent runs a heavy tank company like an IS-2 company your PaK 40s will be about as effective as as the bullets from you grenadiers. Also if they run all infantry you will wish you had more dice.

Anther thing to consider is mobility. Guns are slow and not mobile. On thing to think about is that all Germans, unless immobile, still move 4" if they storm trooper. So don't be afraid to stormtrooper out of your fox holes if enemy teams get to close for comfort. Remember as long as they are too your front you still get the gun shield and that move might just prevent them from shooting or assaulting you. Storm trooper might also just be enough to help you plug holes in the line that formed when your grenadiers got smashed up by a platoon of Stuarts.

The other thing that can help off set the lack of mobility is using ambush. If you have your PaK 40s in ambush remember you don't have to deploy them right away. You can hold off and hit the enemy in the flank or react to weakness the show up later on in your lines. If you deploy them right away you may regret that later in life. Ambush can also be beneficial if you suspect the enemy ifs going to smoke your static gun position and prevent you from shooting as they advance.

The last thing you should consider that can help offset the lack of mobility is deployment. A common strategic mistake I see people do when deploying PaK 40s (or all German AT guns for that matter) is they deploy them to the front of their deployment zone. This allows the enemy to close quickly with them and chew them up.

Deploying to close to the front line will allow the enemy close with you very quickly an will minimize you PaK 40s effectiveness

Remember a lot German enemies in FoW are Conscripts or Trained and you will most likely be Veterans, meaning you have the advantage in the long range gun duel. If you are concealed and at range they will need a 6 to hit you. If you are also gone to ground they cant hit you. ROF 1 moving cant hit you, Hen and Chicks cant hit you. If you do it right you will shot them before they shoot you. That distance can be your ally and help you dictate your enemies movement. Meanwhile you will be hitting them on 3, 4, or 5s and hopeful cutting them down before they take you out.

Also if you are trying to corner an enemy when deploying, like in the Breakthrough mission, you don't have to do it with your guns. Deploy your guns to cover both the advancing enemy that starts on the board, but also the enemy that is flanking you. Let your infantry or recon corner your opponent. The worse feeling in the world is cleaning the enemies clock up front, only to be outflanked by tanks and unable to react with your PaK 40s.

The other weakness we are all aware of is lack of armor. PaK 40s and most tank hunter mounting the PaK 40 are not well armored meaning you can die fairly easily. Proper deployment, the use of storm trooper and the use of ambush can also help offset the fact that you are not well armored. Less dice coming at you and a high score to hit you means you have a better chance of being around at the end of the game despite having little more than a gun shield.

Base size is also important to consider. PaK 40s are on large not medium bases, which means they are a great artillery target. So make sure you use that 6" cohesion for being veteran and you command team to help spread them out so they aren't just a big target for you enemies artillery. This can also help you mitigate an enemy that wants to smoke you. If you are spread out they might smoke one or two of you guns, not all of them.

The last thing to consider for Mid War is that it is highly unlikely that you will run into lots of heavy allied tanks, except the KVs. For the points and number of teams sometimes taking the PaK 38 5cm with the high rate of fire can be more effective if facing tank hordes. I find that when fighting Soviets in Mid War more dice down field is better than having better dice downfield. This can also be the case in Late War so just remember even though the PaK 40 is a great weapon, it is not always the right tool for the job. You will also need to make sure that the troops around you PaK 40s can properly support and protect them.

Just remember it is important to use deployment, range, ambushes, and field fortifications (mine, wire exc) to dictate movement and take advantage of your enemies mistakes when they attack. This will only make your PaK 40s that much better.

I hope you enjoyed the figures, the history, video and my thoughts on the German PaK 40 7.5 cm ATG.

As you can see I add a piece of track from a Battlefront kit as well as a rock from my front yard.

The Noose Closes

2012-01-16T10:07:00.000-09:00

On Saturday we got two games in of FoW at the club. I posted the first AAR (Greeks vs Germans) yesterday. Prior to that game we played a doubles match German Armor and Fallschirmjager vs Red Army Armor and Guards Armor.

After doing a little research I have decided that this action was part of Operation Kutuzov.

Operation Kutuzov

(From Wikipedia)

Operation Kutuzov was a military operation by the Red Army in its fight against the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It was named after Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, the Tsarist General credited with saving Russia from defeat during the invasionby Napoleon in 1812. The Operation began on 12 July and ended on 18 August 1943 with the destruction of the Orel bulge, in which the Western and Bryansk fronts defeated the 2nd Panzer Army in its fortified positions around Orel.

The operation was conducted by Western Front, Bryansk Front, and Central Front against German 2nd Panzer and 9th Army in the Orel sector. It began on July 12, 1943 and lasted until August 18, 1943. The aim to put pressure on German Army Group Centre which at the time was partially engaged in the Battle for Kursk, to reduce the Orel salient, and to destroy large German forces. It was almost immediately successful in achieving the first aim, leading to a move of German reserves earmarked for the Battle for Kursk to resist Operation Kutuzov.

The initial attack was made simultaneously on the northern and eastern faces of the Orel salient. Later, the southern face joined in, after German panzer forces withdrew from the Kursk offensive to meet Operation Kutuzov.

We played on a 5' by 8' board since we where playing with four companies on the board. I am not sure what everyone brought to the table so I am unable to give a run down of the army lists. We rolled up Breakthrough and the Germans found themselves defending against a soviet tank army.

German Infantry dig in and hunker down as the Soviet Armored Force rolls forward

Soviet Red Army Tanks deploy to the left while the Guards Tanks deploy to the right.

BA armored arms surge forward and overrun a platoon of Panzer 28(t)s

Meanwhile soviet armor advances on all fronts

The Germans move a platoon of Grenadiers to cover the German rear for the inevitable Soviet flank attack

German 88s take long range shots at the approaching T-34s

German Marders take cover in the village

The Soviets continue their advance under cover by a huge battery of Katyushas.

My SU 152s get rocked from long range shots by 88s from behind

Another platoon of 88s open up my T-34s like cans of SPAM

German Artillery reigns down on my Lend Lease Stuarts

My armored cars continue to push forward

While my Stuarts move to take out a group of Pak 40s.

While T-34s push back a platoon of Fallschirmjager and the BA assault into the field.

German mortars smoke the Guards T-34s

Reserves move against the armored cars

Marders and 88s gut my T-34s and Stuarts leaving me with my armored cars left on the board in my company. I fail motivation and my Dad fails the motivation check from the Higher Commander so the armored cars and my flanking troops break leaving my dads guards tanks left to secure victory.

The Germans then blast our rockets with the 10.5cm battery

Lucky for us we got our flank move on the next turn. T-70s FORWARD!!! They then chew up the opposing grenadiers who had not been able to dig in.

Guards T-34s continue to grind on against the Germans

Germans in the woods get lit up by rocket fire

The T-34s move to assault the remaining 88 and FJ int the woods. They overrun the position and continue their drive on the village.

German Panzer IIIs and Marders move to react to the T-70s.

German Staff Team directs the German Artillery Fire

German Marder hunting

Dug in FJ move out under cover from burning soviet tank wrecks

After taking their shots the Marders hide in the village

The Guards troops begin their final push and roll over an HMG platoon

Panzer IIIs and T-70s duel at long range

FJ move against the Katyushas and open up on a 37mm AA, but fail to knock it out

Another platoon of FJ try to assault the T-34s, but get pushed back

Marders try to stop the T-70s

The T-70s knock out a Marder

The Germans desperately try to stop the Soviets from taking the objective

But in the end it is too much and the Soviets take the village. With that the Germans forces withdraw from the area.

Overall a great fight. Close through out most the game. When the first Russian company broke we thought that was it, but we managed to claw our way back and hang on long enough to take the rear objective.

The Mountains of Greece

2012-01-15T14:02:00.002-09:00

As mentioned in yesterdays post my Dad and I headed out to the local club for our monthly FoW night. We played two games, the first was a double match up of Soviets vs Germans and the second was our first EW game pitting my Greeks Infantry against a German Infantry Company. I have taken a lot of pictures of both games and wanted to recap my EW game first because I was so excited about it.

Like mentioned above both sides ran Infantry Companies. I ran a Fearless Trained Greek Etaireia Pezikoy (infantry company) from Burning Empires and the Germans ran a Confident Trained Infantry Company from Hellfire and Back, both listed were created using Easyarmy.com.

Greek Etaireia Pezikoy

HQ with 60 Mortar and AT rifles

3 x Infantry Companies with Brixia Mortars

1 x HMG Platoon with 4 HMGs

1 x AT platoon with 2 x 47/32

1 x Infantry Gun Platoon with 2 x 65/17

1 x Artillery Platoon with 4 x 75/27s

German Infantry Platoon

3 x Infantry Platoons

1 x Armor Platoon with 3 x Panzer II (Late)

1 x Artillery with 4 x 10.5cm

1 x Mortar Platoon with 4 x 81mm Mortars

Terrain

The terrain we played on represented the hilly and mountainous terrain found in Norther Greece some time in April 1941. The rocky outcroppings were considered Impassible Mountains for movement (yeah for mountaineers). The fields where considered low brush and gave concealment while the wooded areas were considered woods. There was also a mountain road running through the board with a small mountain villa in the pass.

Deployment

We rolled up Encounter and both side deployed three platoons on the table.

The Germans deployed their Panzer IIs on my right flank, dug in a platoon of infantry in the middle and put their 10.5cm guns on my left.

(note we started the game with the wrong number of tanks on the board)

My Greeks deployed the 65/17s hunkered down behind a ridge with a platoon of Infantry guarding the pas to their left. A second platoon of Greek infantry Deployed in the woods on my right guarding the road.

Game On

On my opening turn I dug in with my Infantry and guns, then ran my 60mm mortar up my left flank with the 2iC.

The Germans dug in with their infantry and drove forward with their Panzer IIs

They then tried to shell my 60mm mortar and 2iC, but they escaped unscathed.

On my turn I shelled the German Artillery and knocked one of their guns and the staff team

The Germans then shelled my 2iC and made sure he wouldn't be around much longer

Meanwhile the Panzers IIs move up and assault my infantry in the woods driving them back

The German Infantry moved into the Villa so I adjusted my Infantry I the middle and shelled them with my Brixia.

My infantry again get pushed back by assaulting Panzer IIs.

Lucky for me I get Artillery and Infantry on the board the next turn. The Artillery showed up right were I needed them on the left, while my third platoon of infantry showed up on the left.

I continued to shell the Germans in the Villa

The Germans then brought on mortars and more infantry

The troops in the Villa try to return fire at the Greeks in the mountains and the Panzer IIs try to take out my Artillery but fail to score any hits.

The German shell my Infantry in the open

My guns blast apart one Panzer II and bail the other two. The Infantry then make quick work of the surviving German Tankers

German Spotters continue to call in artillery

German Mortar fire hits my Artillery

But the Greek Artillery takes out another German 10.5

The Germans get their last Infantry platoon and they attempt to assault my Greeks but are pushed back by fire.

I managed to get some HMGs into the rocks so the Germans tried to shell them out of their commanding position.

Meanwhile in the middle all Greek guns focus in on the Germans in the Villa

My Greeks that had been assaulted by the Germans the previous turn return the favor and take out four stands breaking the remaining teams.

The German Mortars try to pin or knock out the Greek spotters on the hill, but are unsuccessful.

After knocking them down a bit a platoon of infantry try to assault the Villa, but get gutted in the ensuing counter assaults.

Luckily the Germans take too many casualties and their platoon breaks leaving the Villa wide open.

With that we called it. Neither side had enough troops to mount and offensive against the other and we where just grinding each other down. I had lost one platoon, but the others where beat up really bad. The Germans had lost two infantry and one armor platoon, but still had a commanding artillery position supported by infantry. I attribute the stagnation to the Mission. Encounter is a tough mission for Infantry to launch and assault on. Neither side got reinforcements until like turn five or six and it was hard capitalize on the extra troops without getting cut down. The game went 13 turns.

I did really like how the Greeks played. As mentioned earlier they don't have a ton of AT, but that was okay because I was fighting infantry. Also the 5+ save when in terrain helped out when the Panzer IIs assaulted my troops in the woods. Also being mountaineers allowed me to get troops int o rocky impassible terrain. I also really like he Brixia mortars. Getting that bombardment was awesome.

Over all a good game.

Greek Command and Support Weapons

2012-01-14T11:43:00.000-09:00

Tonight I am heading over to the local club and plan on playing in a Soviet Vs. German double match up with Tyson, my Dad and Gerald. Gerald is being sent to Texas by the Army so this will be his last FoW game in Alaska. After the game is over if their is time Tyson and I are going to throw down our first EW game. It will pit my Greeks (Hellenic Army) vs his Germans in a desperate struggle to hold the Metaxas Line shortly after the German Invasion of Greece begins.

The Metaxas Line: Taken from Wikipedia
Germany invaded Greece on April 6th 1941. The Metaxas Line was defended by the Eastern Macedonia Army Section, which comprised the 7th, 14th and 18th Infantry Divisions under the command of Lieutenant GeneralKonstantinos Bakopoulos. The line ran for about 170 km (110 mi) along the river Nestos to the east, and then further to the east following the Bulgarian border as far as Mount Belesnear the Yugoslav border. The fortifications were designed to garrison an army of over 200,000 troops, but due to a lack of available manpower, the actual number was roughly 70,000. As a result of the low numbers, the line's defences were thinly spread.The line was penetrated following a three-day struggle during which the Germans pummeled the forts with artillery and dive bombers.

The initial German attacks against the line were undertaken by a single German infantry unit reinforced by two mountain divisions of the XVIII Mountain Corps. These first forces encountered strong resistance, and had limited success. A German report at the end of the first day described how the German 5th Mountain Division "was repulsed in the Rupel Pass despite strongest air support and sustained considerable casualties". Of the 24 forts which made up the Metaxas Line, only two had fallen, and then only after they had been destroyed. Most fortresses—including Rupel, Echinos, Arpalouki, Paliouriones, Perithori, Karadag, Lisse and Istibey—resisted for three days.

The line was penetrated following a three-day struggle during which the Germans pummeled the forts with artillery and dive bombers. The main credit for this achievement must be given to the 6th Mountain Division, which crossed a 7,000 ft (2,100 m) snow-covered mountain range and broke through at a point that had been considered inaccessible by the Greeks. The force reached the rail line to Thessaloniki on the evening of 7 April. The other XVIII Mountain Corps units advanced step by step under great hardship. The 5th Division, together with the reinforced 125th Infantry Regiment, penetrated the Strimon defences on 7 April and attacked along both banks of the river, clearing one bunker after another as they passed. Nevertheless the unit suffered heavy casualties, to the extent that it was withdrawn from further action after it had reached its objective location. The 72nd Infantry Division advanced from Nevrokop across the mountains, and although it was handicapped by a shortage of pack animals, medium artillery, and mountain equipment, managed to break through the Metaxas Line on the evening of 9 April, when it reached the area northeast of Serres. Even after General Bakopoulos surrendered the Metaxas Line, isolated fortresses held out for days, and were not taken until heavy artillery was used against them. Some field troops and soldiers manning the frontier continued to fight on, as a result a number were able to evacuate by sea.

I have already painted up quit the sizable Greek force which consists of Infantry, HMGs, AT guns, Infantry Guns and Artillery.

Post: Greek Infantry Platoon, HMGs and Engineers

Post: Greek Infantry, AT guns and Infantry Guns

Post: Greek Artillery

I have also completed a Refugee Objective which I created using figures from Peter Pig

Post: Greek Objectives

In order to get ready for this fight I needed to finish up a couple stands, specifically the HQ section. I picked up the Greek Etaireia Pezikoy HQ pack from Battlefront for my HQ section. This pack includes six Greek Officers in British uniforms, 2 Greeks with Anti Tank Rifles plus assistant, one 45mm Brixia mortar with crew, a 60mm mortar with crew and enough figures four VB rifle Grenade teams.

I was really worried that the pack was just going to include the VB grenade rifle figures and not riflemen to round out the stand, but they do include the riflemen so you don't have to a buy extra infantry pack.

To round out my Command Section I picked up a pack of Russian Orthodox Priests from Peter Pig's Square Bashing range and added a priest to my Company Command team. These figures are suppose to be for gaming the Russian Civil War, but since Orthodox Priests and Monks haven't changed their fashion style in 1800 years and since there are only subtle differences between Russian and Greek Clerical attire I felt that these figures would work just fine for what I need it for.

I already had a bunch of Brixia Mortars painted so in order to get ready for tonight I just painted up the 60mm mortar. I also did not paint the VB teams yet because I plan on using the Brixia's instead with my infantry platoon.

Here is the list I plan on taking (built using easyarmy.com)

Etaireia Pezikoy

Greek Rifle Company

Headquarters

Etaireia Pezikoy HQ

Cmd Rifle team

Boys Anti-tank Rifle team

60mm mle 35 mortar

Combat Platoons

Pezikoy Platoon x 3

Cmd Rifle/MG team

1 x Brixia team

6 x Rifle/MG team

Weapons Platoons

Machine-gun Platoon

Cmd Rifle team

4 Mod 37 HMG

Regimental Support Platoons

Regimental Gun Platoon

Cmd Rifle team

2 x 65/17 gun

Divisional Support

Divisional Anti-tank Platoon

Cmd Rifle team

2 x 47/32 gun

Artillery Battery

Cmd Rifle team

Staff team

Observer Rifle team

4 x 75/27 gun

Company Points: 995

This is a very defensive list and the Greek special rules are very defensive in nature. I can already see my weaknesses though, Anti Tank. The Greeks only have one real AT option and that is captured 47/32s.

I can also use the captured Italian 65/17s as limited AT, which is why I took them, but I don't think I can rely on them.

Last is my 75/27 guns, these will be used to lay down a bombardment, but if necessary can be used as AT.

I think I will be fine fighting off infantry or light vehicles, but will have a tough go against tanks, just like the real Hellenic Army.

If you want to learn more about the Hellenic Army during World War Two Check out the following links

Wikipedia: Military History of Greece During World War Two
Wikipedia: The Battle of Greece
World War 2 Greece
Militaryphoto.net: Greek Army WWII pictures
Greekmilitary.net: World War Two Photos

Last I want to thank the guys at Battlefront for including Greeks in the Burning Empire Briefing. I wasn't planning on getting into Early War until the Eastern Front Book comes out, but the Greeks got me all excited in the special place in my heart reserved for gaming. While I love painting figures and gaming I have thoroughly enjoyed collecting my Greek army, even if they aren't a super army. I have also had a lot of fun making the army uniquely Greek and not just an Italian army used as Greeks. I couldn't have done this with out the figures Battlefront or Peter Pig makes. Thank you.

SS Grenadiers and Roter Totenkopf Johann Schmidt

2012-01-13T20:04:00.000-09:00

I finally got some free time and sat down and finished my SS Panzer Grenadiers that I got for Christmas this last week. When I originally got the box I raced to finish the SdKfz 251s, but then had the wind taken out of my painting sails soon there after. I recovered this week and hit the ground running at the bench again. I completed an HQ section with Company Commander, 2iC, and Panzerscrek teams plus a platoon of SS Grenadiers.

I had a couple extra figures so I based a lone german officer in a long trench coat and painted him up as Roter Totenkopf Johann Schmidt. Better known as Red Skull. Johann Schmidt was considered (according to S.H.I.E.L.D. ) one of the greatest threats to humanity during World War Two, and was the long-time archenemy of Captain America.

Last I wanted to include this color video I found on You Tube of the SS in combat during the war.

Alaska FoW News

2012-01-08T18:27:00.001-09:00

On Saturday 1/14/2011 we will be having a FoW night at the Church off Tudar. Doors open at 5:30pm and we will be starting around 6:00pm. My dad and I will be bringing our terrain for people to use. I know there will be MW for sure, but Joe and I are bringing some EW and I know others have expressed interest in LW. This will also be Gerald's last FoW night at the Club as he being sent south by the army and I know he is itching for a fight with his Fallschrimjager. If you don't have armies you are always welcome to jump into one of my games or watch. Hope you can make it.

FoW News

For those who haven't heard Battlefront will be releasing Version 3 of FoW in March. Most of the core mechanics of the rules are not changing, but they are streamlining and cleaning some of the rules up.

In February they will be giving out free mini versions of the new rule book to everyone who owns the current rules. They will be sending these mini rule books out to all the stores that sell FoW and all you have to do is bring in your old rule book, they will slap a sticker into it and you will get your free copy of the new rules. This will be available locally at Hobbycraft in the Dimond Center Mall.

You can learn more here

Also if you want a preview of some of the changes in V3 the guys at WWPD interviewed one of the BF writers, Mike Haught, and he talks about the new rules in there most recent podcast.

WWPD Episode 30

of you can listen online

Here

If you are not able exchange your book locally you can contact Battlefronts customer service. These mini rules books will be soft cover, but in March full size hard covers will be available to buy.

Speaking of Hobbycraft they are starting to stock more FoW in the shop, so check it out when you are there. They are also able to place orders for any FoW needs you may have.

Thats all for now. See you on Saturday.

Steel Courage Play Test

2012-01-07T19:35:00.000-09:00

Last night our group got together again for another round of play testing Steel Courage. Steel Courage is a set of fantasy rules one of our members has been working on where you can bring any unit types you want to the board, figure the points and go at it. One of the thinks that makes the game unique is that each units moral gets stronger and weaker depending on how the battle is going. Right now we are working trough magic and missile fire but that fundamentals to the game are done and it is a blast. I had so much fun the last few days I went out a bought some Samurai to build and bring to fight off Bobs orcs. I don't have a play by play, but here are some photos of the game.

Human Pike supported by Dwarf musketeers

Orgres guarding the stream

Wild Orcs ready to pounce

an Old Giant fighting off Orcs

Elf Archers covering a hill

Orc Cav on the move

A patrol of Centaurs are attacked by trolls

A giant charges toward some dwarfs

Orc Pike facing down Human Pike

SdKfz 251/1D Machine

2011-12-26T21:59:00.000-09:00

It is Xmas +1 and I am almost done painting my FoW Christmas gifts. Now don't think that I have been anti social the last two days. I have seen two movies with friends, gone day after christmas shopping with my wife, attended Christmas festivities with my fam and help my dad and some of his friends make 20 gallons of mead. I finished these in my spare time.

I got the HQ and Platoon box from my parents for Christmas and really need the half tracks for late war. I have 15 of these guys for EW and MW in grey, but I am a purest and refuse to use them with my late war troops. The Panzer grenadier box was missing one of the resin half tracks so I am waiting on it. I submitted the item to Battlefront customer service, but they are closed so I am not expecting to see it soon. It didn't bug me too much that it was missing. In the five or so years since I started buying from BF this is the first time I have had a major part like this no be in a box. I have had missing barrels or wheels, but I have enough bits that its never required me to contact BF customer services. I did not have an extra half track laying around to replace the missing on though.

Well I take that back I did have an Engineer half track laying around that I mounted the 3.7cm on and replaced that bridging equipment with stowage so I have the 3.7 AT options or the MG. I still need that other halftrack.

I went with just a green on yellow camo scheme with these because I like how they look without the red.brown in there. It makes them similar, but different from the Panzers. It is also quicker to paint. I used the German Yellow Camo spray from Battlefront, which I really like, on top of a black primer coat. I then did the crew in SS camo. I have a lot of fun painting SS camo.

These will grace my German army soon I suspect. I have been gorging myself with GreyWolf and Red Bear and love German half tracks. I have also been working on converting a Rapid Fire scenario to FoW and need these for the game.

Hope everyone had a great holiday and your minis are painted soon.

Craig

Merry Cheese Mas

2011-12-25T21:36:00.002-09:00

I wanted to wish all my followers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Season greetings from Alaska.

May your sticking be stuffed with armies, your dice always roll want you need and may you never be cheesed.

Lastly I wanted to shame my dad for his cheese on friday nights game.

For eating Thai food before a game and using his own brand of biological warfare.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Announcement Trailer (HD)

2011-12-23T07:05:00.000-09:00

Fandango just e-mailed this trailer out thought other would be interested. It looks awesome!

Here Comes the Cheese!

2011-12-21T11:06:00.000-09:00

Last night we got together for a Holiday FoG game. (Sorry forgot to take other pictures). We managed to get one picture of Todd for being Cheesy.

This Cheese hat was awarded for a rule call on an opponent followed up by the immediate violation of the same said rule on the following turn. All join me in toasting Todd. Hail to the cheese.

Thats not a Man Purse, This is a Man Purse

2011-12-15T20:07:00.001-09:00

Well it made it up here. My new army bag. This thing is seriously awesome. Its my first army bag and its about time I got one. I have been hauling my troops in tries around town and they have been spending too much time bumping and grinding. I would do a full on review, but I think you should check out Battlefoams official review video here. I know they sold me on the bag.

Now I am collect EW Greeks so I bought a flag and slapped some velcro on the back to make my bag ready for the Peloponnese.

I recommend anyone who does limited to serious army travel get one of these bags.

Living With Steel Wool Hands (How I Lost My Nipple)

2011-12-10T11:33:00.000-09:00

This is awesome!

German Armor works my Ghurkas

2011-12-06T19:53:00.000-09:00

Saturday I played Tyson at the club. I brought my Ghurkas and Tyson brought German Armor. He didn't want to risk facing me in a night fight and have a repeat of our Tournament game. We rolled up encounter and played on a Italy themed table.

Commonwealth Sherman's deployed behind an Orchard

I then put my Portees in a vineyard in the middle

with Ghurkas holding down the right

Tyson deployed armor in the middle supported by an 88

and more armor on the left covering an objective

My butt whooping started early with long ranger shots knocking out my portees

My Hurricane dropped their load, but did no rocking

Panzer II Ls attack my Portees

My Shermans try to dispatch some German armor, but we loaded our guns with water balloons.

Slowly things start going poorly

But I did manage to bail a few PZ IIs and then assault the bejesus out of them

Another attack from planes has little effect

While my Shermans are converted into bond fires

and my portees take a beating while pinned

my recon arrived and raced forward in a attempt to stall then inevitable

and my second platoon of Ghurkas race to stop the panzer's from capturing the objective

Pattern Carriers make a run up the left side too

but all my recon is manhandled by Jerry

all the way around

My planes did manage one kill

But it was almost over

even the arrival of third platoon couldn't deter the inevitable

Flamepanzers torch some of my carriers

Then the final assault begins

Unable to penetrate their hulls with their kukris my company throws in the towel.

Despite how poorly my men performed it was actually a fun game and Tyson out played the crap out of me. I also learned the Ghurkas weakness, Armored units. Overall a great game thanks Tyson.

Extra Extra Cheese all about it!

2011-12-03T09:51:00.003-09:00

I was unable to play with my weekly group last week because my wife just got back from a trip and had to spend some time with her, but half way through the night Joe sent me a photo of the most recent Cheese offense. It goes to Bob who tried to move full speed through the snow with his tank to assault a lowly OP in the Rapid Fire game. If you want to see photos of others who have made cheese go to my Wall of Cheese.

Greek Artillery

2011-12-01T21:27:00.000-09:00

Well I am at it again, I cranked out a couple more Greek units. Well actually just one, some 75/27 artillery and two additional command stands for when I field my Greeks as Italians. I really like who these guns look and can't wait to pick up another battery of them down the road. This almost does it for my initial slug of Greeks/Italians. I have a couple more Brixias, another set of artillery command and some AT rifles left then I will have painted it all. Next I am going to buy the new Greek Command pack, some more artillery, maybe the AA and some "armor", ie carriers or L3s.

More Greeks!

2011-11-28T21:12:00.000-09:00

Well I am back at it again gearing up for our EW escalation league. I finished another platoon of Greek Infantry along with some captured infantry guns and AT guns. I also finished three Brixia mortars, one for each platoon. I still have a couple more items to paint, including some artillery which is about to get dipped. After this I will be working on some EW German tanks for a while then ordering some L3s and Bren Carriers with the Greek crew and some more artillery.

Happy Tanksgiving!

2011-11-26T23:35:00.000-09:00

Happy Tankgiving everyone. We had our big FoW Tanksgiving game today. 4500 of Allies vs 4500 of Germans. We had eight people show up, two to watch and six players. Two of these players had never played FoW before and had a great time running and gunning their tanks. We had Alex help out the Allies and Luke help out the Germans. We used Domination Points to determine victory on a 5ft by 8ft table. The fighting was hard, but the Germans carried the day by the skin of their teeth. I took a ton of pictures most of which I posted below. I'm not going to do a play by play of this one since there was so many players and so many tanks on the board. Over all it was a very happy Tankgiving.

Zvezda Panzer IIIs

2011-11-24T11:02:00.001-09:00

Recently WWPD reviewed the Zvezda Panzer IIIs. Soon after that I saw them online and thought I would pick up a platoon and see how they turn out. These are 1/100 scale and cost about $4 each. With shipping to Alaska I paid $25. These are for a game made by Zvezda called Operation Barbarosa. This game looks alittle funny to me because the tanks at 1/100, but the infantry and guns are 1/72. The kit was really easy to put together. Everything is on one sprue and they snap together. I went ahead a glue them to be safe though. Each tanks is about 12 pieces and takes about half the time to assemble as plastic soldier company tanks.

The details on the tanks are shallow and don't pop like PSC or battlefront and they areade of soft plastic. I broke two tracks and bent a MG during assembly. I had to glue the tracks together. They also don't some with any kit or hatches for commanders. I had a couple hatches in my bits box and a commander from battlefront laying around so I made my own command tank. It didn't turn out too bad.

Since the features aren't over exaggerate (if any thing they are under exaggerated) some parts where hard to paint, like tools. In the end they where not too hard to paint. I did have some trouble with paint sticking to the plastic, but that was fixed with a couple layers. I went ahead a dipped these and I think that helped the features stand out more. If I just washed and dry brushed I think they would have disappeared. Here is how I would score these

Price: 5 of 5 - you cannot beat the price, they are the cheapest on the market

Assembly - 3 of 5 - while snapping together was simple not all parts fit well and tracks where broken during assembly

Sculpt- 3 of 5 - fairly decent, but some features disappear after a few layers of paint also no options for commanders or kit. The other thing I didn't like was that the box on the back of the turret was connected to the copula so you can't make PZ III Fs (early) if you wanted you can only make Pz III Gs. I think it would be better if they came in separate parts.

overall 3.5 of 5 - if money is tight then these are not a bad option, yes they take more time to put together and yes there are limitations on options, but the price cannot be beat.

AAR: Ghurkas and FJ Hasty Night Assault

2011-11-20T20:29:00.002-09:00

dLast night I went to the club to play Flames of War. I was going to play against Tyson, but he end up showing up late so I played against Joe instead. We got two games in, but I only took pictures of one. I brought my Ghurkas and Joe had his Fallchrimjager. The mission was Hasty Assault. Since we both had infantry we diced off and I end up attacking in a night fight.

Ghurkas (Fearless Vets)
HQ with Piat
3 Infantry Platoons with AT Rifles and Light Mortars
Churchills
Heavy Mortars
6 pdr portees
Hurricanes (Limited)

FJ (Fearless Veterans)
HQ with light mortars
2 FJ platoons
2 HMG Platoons
2 mortar platoons
3.7cm AT with Steilgranet
7.5 RR

Two platoons of Ghurkas advance toward the river in the dark of night

While the Churchills deployed to the left to pin down the FJ and keep them from reacting to the main attack

The FJ amass around a villa over looking the bridge

A British observer takes up position in a villa over looking the other villa

3.7cm ATGs deploy guarding the bridge

On turn one my third platoon arrives to support the attack across the river

The Ghurkas start to wade their way across the river toward the dug in FJ

While the Churchills move to avoid the dug in 3.7cm ATGs

Unaware of the advancing Ghurkas the FJ trying to keep their eyes open in their fox holes

Suddenly the Ghurkas let out a yell as the launch an assault on the villas

Casualties are high, but the FJ are driven off.

But before they can dig in the FJ launch a counterattack and kill the survivors of first platoon.

The remaining platoons advance and the mortars deploy under cover of darkness.

With the fighting becoming heavy on the left the Churchills move to support the infantry

As second platoon prepares to launch a second attack on the villa a new FJ platoon arrives above the them in the cliffs

and a FJ HMGs redeploy to the orchard as the sun begins to rise

The ATGs hold firm as the 6pdr portees arrive on the board

A pair of Marders arrive to cover the bridge from the attacking Churchills

My 2nd platoon digs in just in time as the 2nd FJ platoon tries to assault them

They end up getting gunned down and the Ghurkas hold on tight

Finally my first wave of aircraft dive down on the HMGs

Meanwhile the Churchills knock out the Marders

Their attack pins an takes out one HMG

Finally the FJ get one platoon of mortars on the table

But my second flight of Hurricanes takes aim at them.

The Churchills lumber on a press forward toward the bridge.

2nd platoon finally is freed up and begins their advance on the villa

While 3rd platoon covers them from the remaining FJ infantry

The 6pdrs cant hold their own against the FJ 3.7cm ATGs so the back up out of range

The FJ around the villa get shelled by my heavy mortars and are pinned

They are then assaulted by 2nd platoon and driven off.

More aircraft come in and attack the HMGs

The Churchills finally made their way across the bridge

and the mortars hit the HMGs again

With great speed the FJ RR move into the orchard that is now littered with dead FJ

The German mortars try to halt the Churchills, but bairly scratched the paint

But the other FJ platoon of mortars do manage to pin 3rd platoon.

The Churchills finally make their way to the villa

and again they are hit by mortars with little effect

The RRs try to halt the Churchills, but end up giving away their position

The Churchills leave nothing but smoke

With that the FJ commander calls for a retreat and the Ghurkas collect their dead.

4-3 for the Ghurkas. It was a hard fight and Joe is no easy opponent. We played a second game which pitted my German Heer against his US Armor and it was just as close and just as tough.