Sunday 29 April 2012

Bloodbath at Khafji

When putting together the series of posts in February this year about my 6mm 1990/91 'Gulf War' toys I decided to re-run some of the games from this period.  The Khafji game was last played a couple of times in 2008 so memories of it were to say the least, somewhat hazy.
In late January 1991 elements of the Iraqi III Corps crossed the Saudi border and occupied the almost deserted port of Khafji.  Iraqi forces defending Khafji are a reinforced motor rifle battalion and an artillery battalion.  A tank battalion is available to reinforce.  The force assembled to recapture the town consists of a Saudi National Guard (SANG - actually professional soldiers) Brigade with artillery and tank support.  A flight of USMC AH-1W Cobras is on call.  To add to the fun, hidden in Khafji (and unknown to the Iraqis) is a USMC artillery spotting team, with a couple of batteries of 155s on the other end of the line.
The game used my NATO Brigade Commander rules  each hex is 1km across and each stand represents a company.
US helicopters loose off AT missiles at Iraqi armour on the southern edge of town.
The field of battle.  Khafji is the larger settlement.  Iraq lies to the north (right) and the Saudis enter from the south.
Saudi NG troops (basically mechanised infantry) blundering around in the dark.  The first 3 turns were 'night'.  The detached T55 company (near the top of the frame) has ambushed the Qatari AMX-30 battalion and sent it scuttling back.
The Iraqis rearrange the defence, moving the artillery to the southern approaches to town.  Martin led the Iraqis (again) while Steve commanded the Saudis, assisted by John (in his USMC persona).
The Iraqi gunners were soon taking missile hits from US helis.
Another atmospheric shot of the first (of several) heli attacks.  The AH-1 is a GHQ model.
Eventually the Saudis managed to line up two battalions for an attack on the southern defences of Khafji - both of them promptly suffered morale failures!  I seem to remember this happened in the initial play test game...
By this time the defenders had taken some hits from the US helis and artillery.
The NBC system uses card-driven activation.
The Saudi gunners were strangely silent!
The Saudi attack continues. 
The fighting at the southern edge of Khafji was rather unpleasant.  On the left the Qatari AMX-30 battalion can be seen moving round the flank.
The Saudi reinforcements arrive  - in the form of an M-60A1 battalion.  I keep forgetting to paint up some Saudi M-60s - these are actually from my Israeli forces!
All three of the SANG battalions are now engaged and the Iraqi defences are crumbling.
As the SANG troops move through Khafji, the Iraqi tank battalion arrives (top left).  These chaps soon saw off the Qatari tanks before being confronted by the Saudi M-60s.
This surprisingly clear US satellite image shows that the SANG has largely overrun Khafji, while on of the battalions (left) is engaged in a bloody struggle with the Iraqi tankers.
Late in the game Iraqi soldiers found some HUMMWVs in an underground car park.  Here they have emerged to welcome the SANG troops.
The Saudis got victory points for capturing Khafji town hexes and the Iraqi VPs were awarded for holding Khafji hexes and eliminating Saudi battalions.  On points therefore, this hard-fought game was a narrow Iraqi victory.  Martin is already calling it 'The Mother of all Battles'.  I really can't think where he picks up these expressions....

Spanish interlude

No - not a holiday, though as I type this with the rain battering the windows it is an appealing thought.  My visit to Northampton last Monday 'happened' to coincide with the local wargames group night.  The game was run by Trebian using his 'Send Not To Know' rules (see his own blog for more on this system) and used 15mm toys and terrain from his collection.  Our host for the evening was Ian R-L who was assisted in the key Republican activities of church-burning and factional in-fighting by Richard L.  The cause of law and order was represented by your humble correspondent - together with Phil S.  Yes this one
Nationalist troops defending a church from leftist hooligans.

The game gets under way - Phil, Trebian and Richard pay it some attention while I take photos and Ian makes more tea.

A recent addition to Trebian's fleet - a T-26 complete with 'clothes-line' antenna.

The Nationalist armoured fist...
...which sadly turned out to be more of a limp wrist!  These tanks will never catch on.
The Nationalist attack in the centre gets as far as it is going.
Sadly the Republican rabble skulking behind this wall saw off my attack on the right.
Having been repulsed once we soon went back for another (equally unsuccessful) go.
Too late did the Republicans realise that my attacks on the right were just a diversion (at least that's my story...).  Phil's Moroccans eventually achieved a breakthrough on the left. 
My pre-game gift to Trebian put in an appearance but sadly failed to achieve much.  Back to bombing Guernica then...  1/144 scale Bf-109E by F-Toys
The second sortie set some Republican knees knocking - but not for long.

Friday 27 April 2012

Call it Qids

On Monday I visited a friend near Northampton.  To conceal his true identity let's just call him Trebian.  As he had been heavily involved with the design of the 2012 Society of Ancients game 'Call it Qids', Graham, er I mean Trebian was keen for me to try it out.
The game aims to recreate the Battle of Kasesh (1274BC) between the Egyptians under Ramesses II and the Hittites under Muwatalli II and features loads of 6mm toys - mostly chariots, an over scale Pharaoh and an almost unbearably cute fort.
This game will be at a number of shows throughout 2012.  If you see it, give it a try. 
The custom-built game board.  The Hittite chariots can be seen massing for their attack.  The Egyptian camp can also be seen. There are more Egyptians just off camera left of the river.
The Egyptian camp.  Ramesses may look a bit over scale, but that is the way he is depicted on reliefs from the period.  So it must be true.
The Hittite attack gets underway - their objective is to grab the enemy baggage so that they'll starve and bu**er off back to Egypt.
The delightful fort.  This has no role in the game except to distract Hittite players so the Egyptians can win.  At least that's what happened when I played it...

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Bewildering big balsa battleship bonanza

After one of the recent Fletcher Pratt games I ran at the Sheffield club I was approached by Richard Hawes, a fellow club member.  Richard told me that in the late 1970s/early 1980s his father, John Hawes had scratch built a number of warships in 1/1,200 scale.  Was I, asked Richard, interested in seeing them with a view to using them in games?  I leave you, gentle reader, to guess at the degree of enthusiasm I displayed on hearing this news.
The following Wednesday, Richard turned up with a number of boxes and invited me to inspect the contents.  He then suggested I take them home for a proper look.  This generous offer led to me spending a jolly hour the following Saturday in my garage being ever more astonished at the treasures the (rather dusty) boxes contained.  The photos below were taken during that inspection and are no doubt already having the same effect on readers of this blog.
US ships.  The box is a normal foolscap boxfile.

A small box containing large numbers of destroyers.

Another box file  - this one contains a fair chunk of the IJN.

British and German ships.

If pressed to pick a favourite this would be it - a box of French and Italian warships.

Just when you were bemoaning the lack of carriers!
I have now carried out a closer inspection (and done a lot of gentle dusting!).  Virtually all of these are made from balsa wood and plastic rod - the latter particularly delicate.  Some ships (particularly light cruisers) are rather overscale but hell, who cares?  I was (and continue to be) completely blown away by this collection - so much so that after further negotiations I am now the fleet's proud new owner.  Quite by coincidence, Richard's collection of 15mm figures has also grown considerably.......
More on this stunning acquisition as I repair (and use) the models.

Oh, and to save your eyesight and sanity I have already made a rough count.  About 150.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Airfix Fighter Command Game

After one of our nostalgic discussions at the Sheffield club I dug out this venerable delight from the attic and took it along last Wednesday.  I have owned this game sine new (1976!) and it is still a pretty good simulation.  I officiated while John and Martin offered their impersonations of Goering and Dowding respectively.  Sadly the rules disappeared years ago (does anyone have a copy?) but I remembered enough to get us through it - after all, we are definitely in the "ages 8 and up" bracket....
Like most air war games, Fighter Command sacrifices one of the ideal three dimensions but the result is rather striking.  The subtitle on the box reads "Knock your enemy from the skies" and this actually happens!  For example, if the Bf109 in the photo rolls a '1' and moves forward, then the middle Spitfire will plunge to it's fiery doom.  What fun!
John and Martin in action.  They were very keen, but perhaps not as photogenic as the family pictured on the box lid...
... I wonder where they are now?

Sunday 22 April 2012

FLAGON finally finished


Yesterday I was able to to do a bit more work on the pointy horror.  The silver paint was brushed on over the matt back base coat and a single application produced what looks to me like a suitably scruffy look.  The enormous AA missiles were treated to bright red nose cones - completely wrong but somehow irresistible!
I managed to find a suitable pilot in the spares box - a metal figure of unknown origin - and after shortening his legs was able to make him fit.  The rather basic decals are the ones supplied with the kit and look OK.
 
 Not the world's greatest kit, but not at all bad for £2.99!
I shall try to find gainful employment for the Sukhoi in a game.  Inspiration will strike eventually.  At least I hope so - I still have another to build....

Friday 20 April 2012

Ten Rounds Rapid (or Space Invaders on the Marne?)

This was a quick play test of a game Martin has been working on recently. In it, the player(s) runs a British battalion being attacked by the field grey hordes (an entire regiment of them) in August 1914. The Brits start deployed as per their pre-war doctrine with a firing line, support line and reserves. The players job is to blunt the German attack by managing his resources - manpower and ammunition. To add to the fun, once deployed on table, troops may not move to the side, but only forward (or back).
The game went well, lasting for about 45 minutes and a subsequent discussion produced a couple of ideas which might streamline it a bit.
All the toys were from Martin's 15mm collection. He ran the game while I commanded the Brits.

Thursday 19 April 2012

XXXXVII PanzerKorps at Kursk

The HQ and staff of Panzer Lehr Division.  The Sdkfz250 is a much knocked-about Esci kit and the radio truck is a Roco Unimog.

XXXXVII PanzerKorps





HQ
Radio Van
2


Staff
Car
2


Artillery ARKO 104





HQ
VW
1


Light Rgt
105mm How
3

10km range

Sdkfz 7

2 LOG

Heavy Rgt
210mm How
5

18km range

Sdkfz 8

2 LOG

Transport Kol
Lorry

2 LOG

Fla-Btl 617
Quad 20mm
1
2AA

StuG Abt 184
StuG III
5


StuG Abt 904
StuG IV
5




Panzer Lehr Division





HQ
Sdkfz 250/3
2


Staff
Radio Van
1


I/Panzer Regiment 130
(currently refitting in Germany)



II/Panzer Regiment 130
Panzer IV H
6


I/PzGren Regiment 901
Infantry – Lorry
4


II/PzGren Regiment 901
Infantry – Maultier
4


I/PzGren Regiment 902
Infantry – Sdkfz 251/10
4


II/PzGren Regiment 902
Infantry – Sdkfz 251/1
4


Pz Art Regt 130
Hummel
4

10km range

Sdkfz 11

2 LOG

Pz Pioneer Btl 130
Engineer – Sdkfz 251/16
4
3 EP

PzJag Abt 130
StuG III
4


Fla-Btl 311
Wirbelwind
2
3 AA

1/Pz Aufkl Abt Lehr
Schwimmwagen
1

Light Armd Recce
2/Pz Aufkl Abt Lehr
Sdkfz 251
1

Light Armd Recce
3/Pz Aufkl Abt Lehr
Sdkfz 222
2

Light Armd Recce
I/NKA 130
Lorry

3 LOG

II/NKA 130
Tanker

3 POL



5 Panzer  Division





HQ
Panzer III L
2


Staff
Radio Van
1


I/Panzer Regiment 31
Panzer III M
6


II/Panzer Regiment 31
Panzer IV G
6


I/PzGren Regiment 13
Infantry –Maultier
4


II/PzGren Regiment 13
Infantry – Lorry
4


I/PzGren Regiment 14
Infantry – Sdkfz 251/1
4


II/PzGren Regiment 14
Infantry – Maultier
4


Pz Art Regt 116
Wespe
4

10km range

Munitionstrajer Wespe

2 LOG

Pz Pioneer Btl 89
Engineer – Sdkfz 251/16
4
3 EP

PzJag Abt 53
StuG III
4


Fla-Btl 228
Sdkfz 251/17
2
2 AA

1/Pz Aufkl Abt 5
Sdkfz 234/1
1

Light Armd Recce
2/Pz Aufkl Abt 5
Sdkfz 251/9
1

Light Armd Recce
3/Pz Aufkl Abt 5
Sdkfz Luchs
2

Light Armd Recce
I/NKA 85
Lorry

3 LOG

BSK 85
Lorry

3 POL



16 Panzer  Division





HQ
VW
1


Staff
Sdkfz 253
2


I/Panzer Regiment 2
Panzer III M
6


II/Panzer Regiment 2
Panzer IV H
5


I/PzGren Regiment 79
Infantry –Lorry
4


II/PzGren Regiment 79
Infantry – Lorry
4


I/PzGren Regiment 64
Infantry – Sdkfz 251/1
4


II/PzGren Regiment 64
Infantry – Sdkfz 251/10
5


Pz Art Regt 16
SIG 33
4

10km range

Lorry

2 LOG

Pz Pioneer Btl
Engineer – Lorry
4
3 EP

PzJag Abt 16
Sdkfz 251/22
3


Fla-Btl 274
SPW + 20mm AA
2
2 AA

1/Pz Aufkl Abt 16
VW
1

Light Armd Recce
2/Pz Aufkl Abt 16
Sdkfz 234/1
1

Light Armd Recce
3/Pz Aufkl Abt 16
Sdkfz 222
1

Light Armd Recce
4/Pz Aufkl Abt 16
Sdkfz 234/2
2


Tpt Kol
Lorry

3 LOG

POL Kol
Tanker

3 LOG



72 Infanterie Division





HQ
Car
1


Staff
Radio Van
1


I/Inf Rgt 266
Infantry
3


II/Inf Rgt 266
Infantry
3


I/Inf Rgt 105
Infantry
3


II/Inf Rgt 105
Infantry
3


I/Inf Rgt 124
Infantry
4


II/Inf Rgt 124
Infantry
4


Art Rgt 172
105mm How
3

10km range

Limber

2 LOG

PzJag Abt 72
PAK 30
3



Sdkfz 11



Pion Btl 72
Engineers
4
2 EP

Fusilier Abt 72
Cyclist
3


Tpt Abt 72
Wagon

2 LOG