A Simple WW2 Wargame (Holland 1940)

I used this same layout in my previous game, but this time it was a simple WW2 scenario using equally simple rules, inspired by Featherstone. The Germans have invaded Holland, and a brigade has been ordered to secure this coastal port. The garrison commander has mustered what resources he could, including some local police, and they have been effectively deployed. 

To add more stress to the garrison commander, on each move a heavy artillery shell will hit the harbour town. It will be random, dice determining the location. Only the German commander can terminate the shelling.

MOVE ONE the Germans advanced. A warehouse on the harbour was hit by a shell, and caught alight. MOVE TWO the Germans advanced, an empty building was hit,  Most weapons are still out of range. MOVE THREE the Germans advanced, the tank fired at a blocked road, but it falls short. A shell detonated in the harbour.

MOVE FOUR the Germans advanced, the tank fired again and hit the barricade, taking out a HMG operator. A mortar also came into range of another redoubt but the shell over shot and blew up a civilian car. The Dutch gun opened up on the German tank and scored a hit, one of the tank crew (points) is lost. The Dutch mortar overshot the tank but hits the communications unit. A German shell hit the dock and destroyed a rowing boat. MOVE FIVE two mortar hits on the Dutch artillery was a disaster, but the last crew member stood fast. The German tank shot fell short, while Dutch gun and mortar fire had no effect. A German shell hit an empty warehouse. But Dutch small arms from several houses were peculiarly accurate, two six's. Also, the Police/Volunteer company now reinforced the artillery redoubt, they declined to man the gun, but they are still very welcome. MOVE SIX Oh dear, a German artillery shell hits the gun redoubt, a volunteer is lost. Otherwise, the losses are not heavy. (Photos follow.)

And here is the so-far dormant gunboat, would have been better to have landed the gun crew!

MOVE SEVEN saw the German tank crush the barricade and HMG, but the German infantry were stopped in their tracks, with heavy casualties. The Dutch commander had also made his way to the docks and given word for the gunboat crew to disembark. MOVE EIGHT saw the two Pak38 silenced the Dutch armour, while the mortars silenced the Dutch gun. At this point I judged the situation for the Dutch no longer viable. Future moves would see the Germans being able to inflict, while largely immune. Losses were actually equal at twelve each. The Dutch commander and gunboat escaped to Britain.

Chasseurs d' Afrique Notes

As a follow-on to the previous post. Brad had suggested the recent batch of figures acquired represented Chasseurs d' Afrique, wearing their alternative dress, comprising a roundabout jacket, sash, and distinctive fez. This is in place of the more familiar tunic and French-army casquette, and which  had initially confused me.

For purposes of education, no copyright infringement intended. The following plates confirm the accuracy of the castings. Interestingly, it also shows, what is usually described as fatigue or barrack dress appears to have been used while on actual service during WW1, see last photo. With slight liberties, these figures can be used from 1870 to the 1920s.

MGB 

FRENCH CAVALRY ARRIVE (New or Old Additions?)

My late-19th century French army has just gained two regiments of cavalry. Or at least I think they have. I must confess, I'm a little confused as to what they actually represent. I'm assuming they are some kind of colonial mounted infantry unit. Anyhow, I think they look good, and they will allow this army to field some light cavalry. A nice surprise for me, I picked up these nine castings, attractively painted, for only £22 plus £6 postage. They do appear to be very similar to Britains, but are they?  The horses, however are not strictly hollow-cast, they remind me of some horses produced by American companies in the 1950-60s. One sword blade will need to be drilled out and replaced, and there are some minor chips on the horses legs, but no paint stripping here. I would be happy putting them straight on the table in any game.

I really would welcome any further information on these figures, either their manufacturer, or portrayal.

MGB

MAJOR BATTLE FOR NEW ORLEANS

BACKDROP

As part of my Dominion campaign, an American army comprising twenty four military units launched an expedition to retake New Orleans from the French. Aware that they were likely to be attacked in the new year, the garrison had been reinforced to thirteen units. In artillery, the Americans could field seven pieces of mixed caliber, while the French could muster five, with a further one operating from a gunboat.(There was a second, but the crew were serving on land.) This must be one of my largest battles fought in the campaign.

STATE OF THE GAME

MOVE ONE commenced with the American howitzers opening up on the French ships in the harbour. No hits. But a field gun did hit a building, which caught alight. The French replied with two heavy guns and the gunboat on the American howitzer battery, with two hits on the crew. MOVE TWO saw the rival guns seeking to knock each other out, with the French having particular success, an American battery being reduced to half strength and the survivors scarpering for cover. MOVE THREE allowed the Americans to make serious progress towards New Orleans, there was a price to pay by the French for concentrating on enemy guns. And they too had also lost a field gun! Only one American unit, light cavalry, had been broken, and the skirmishing screens were doing their job.

And four photos from the French view.

MOVE FOUR was not good for the French, the American guns were throwing six's and they took their toll. MOVE FIVE had the Americans only a short distance from the city, and in overwhelming numbers. French small arms and gatlings broke a cavalry unit, and the panic spread to an infantry battalion. 

MOVE SIX the Americans were now pushing at the highways into the city. The California Hussars made a gallant charge on the naval barricade, only to receive a volley (two six's) which brought down half their unit, and they routed. This was a bloody round. MOVE SEVEN obliged casualties to be removed so as to allow further movement. An American battalion was rallied, but another had been broken while also attempting to charge the naval barricade. The following shows the horde now attacking that position.

MOVE EIGHT saw little actual movement, the Americans preferring to rely on small arms. MOVE NINE continued on this theme. But a fluke occurred on the American right, their two skirmishing units put an end to a French gun crew and routed a battalion, but they in turn broke from accurate fire from one of the houses, and routed. MOVE TEN the French were now retiring in the hope that several battalions would still obey orders if kept out of range of American small arms, several battalions were near 50% down. The exception was the Cuirassiers, a last gamble. MOVE ELEVEN the cuirassiers charged (which gets priority over standard movement). It was a beautiful move, the American battalion held and fired, but ineffective, the Cuirassiers in column sliced through taking out three for no losses. In shock, this battalion scattered, as did another nearby, already under half strength. The impetus allowed the cavalry to hit and melee another battalion, but without impetus. Despite inflicting heavier casualties on the 'Marines', the cavalry were down to half strength, but held on for another round of melee. MOVE TWELVE was all about the cuirassiers, all other action was now irrelevant. In this second round of melee, the cuirassiers won again, and inflicted two casualties. However, during these engagements, another skirmishing unit was permitted to fire on the melee, and as long as they only inflict one casualty per move, it is on the enemy...... they shot the last cuirassier! (The staff officer does not count). In the adjacent fighting, the naval battalion finally broke. The French had been defeated, but the Americans were in no position to restrict the harbour evacuation as there was now two gunboats with full gun crews.

NUMBERS INVOLVED The French numbered 110, with 5 staff/extras. They suffered 41 casualties, 69 escaping by boat, of which 15 were no longer obeying orders. As this includes the brave naval battalion, I don't think they will get reprimanded.). The Americans mustered 187, with 8 staff and signals. They lost 54, with a further 44 routing. I did enjoy this game. And the cuirassiers finally showed their worth after some previous poor showings, they effectively broke three battalions. And I could not help rooting for them (an American expression) in that final melee, and to be wiped out by some skirmishers with a lucky shot is a bit unsporting? 

MGB

PS. If all goes well with our postal deliveries, I'm expecting a useful addition to my French collection!

STATE OF THE DOMINION CAMPAIGN

NAVY DAY IN 54MM

Its been an extremely busy start to the year sorting out paperwork and other matters relating to the passing of my father in late December. What spare time I have allowed myself has been directed towards consolidating my research notes on various topics, and this has proved a valuable excursion. As I haven't posted anything since before Christmas, I wanted to put something up which might work on several levels.

My father served in the Fleet Air Arm, perhaps influenced by his father having served in the Royal Naval Air Service during WW1. In the late 1960s I was taken to Portsmouth for a Navy Day, and remember being impressed by the row after row of ordnance grey Royal Navy ships, and there were others representing navies from around the world. Like most 'Brits', any vessels from Australia, Canada, or New Zealand aren't really foreign, they are British folk that just live a bit further away, but it was still nice to see our cousins represented. There was also a French vessel, which to my young mind was confusing, what was it doing in a British harbour, and why was it still afloat? (I am just jesting.)

My father admitted that he was granted a very great deal of time to just roam around the aircraft carrier with a camera. Uncannily, my grandfather was employed to take aerial photographs of the German trenches, but under rather more risqué conditions.

I include a photograph of my father, as it shows him wearing the blue naval cap, which was used during WW2, it was abolished in 1956, when the white cap was adopted for all stations/regions.

And I include my own Navy Day in miniature, it seems a nice link.

From my father's Royal Navy Album

And finally, I include one of my recent watercolours, linked to my own researches.

MGB