For the longest time I’ve used Savage
Worlds as my go-to miniatures skirmish
game. It’s a generic miniatures skirmish game that can be pretty easily adapted
to almost any period. I like this because I’m a bit of a thick-o and can never
keep rules straight in my head and so the less sets of rules I have to remember
the better.
I have to admit, however, the
game kind of breaks down in the twentieth century, I’ve never been entirely
happy with the vehicle rules or modern combat involving automatic firearms,
etc. Morale plays a huge part in the modern battlefield and the SW morale
system is… somewhat lacking. Oh, it’s still a great game and I’ll use it for
any skirmishing before WW2 and even still use it for modern role-playing. But
for skirmishing WW2 and more recent conflicts I finally had to admit I needed…
something more!?
Last fall I decided to pick up two new sets of rules: Force
on Force and Bolt
Action – both published in partnerships with Osprey Publishing.
Because I was more interested in more modern conflicts at the time I decided to
try out Force on Force first (honestly I’m pretty much sick to death of WW2 –
I’ve played so much of it because so many of the people I end up gaming with
LOVE it – love, not like… LOVE!!! – and I’ve tried SO DAMN MANY different WW2
games… I digress…). Because I wanted to really wrap my head around Force on
Force I left Bolt Action alone because I knew trying to learn two completely
new rule sets would completely befuddle me and I would never get them straight.
Somewhere along the line I
decided to DELEGATE! I gave (loaned) my copy of Bolt Action to Christian who
promised to read it and run a game with it for me (and others) (using my toys,
of course…). And so he did. What follows is a report of our first games of Bolt
Action – run by Christian with my rules (which I couldn’t be bothered to read)
and toys…
Christian had decided to run two
quick scenarios to try out different aspects of the rules. The first was to be
a quick infantry engagement, followed by a quick engagement involving armour.
As it turned out we got started a little later that planned and ran out of
time.
Normandy, June 1944
SITUATION
The Regina Rifle Regiment has
found itself fighting elements of the 12th SS in the bocage of
Normandy. No. 17 Platoon of D Company has been tasked with pushing through to
the next field. Their other platoons of D company (No. 16 and No. 18) are
advancing on their right and left (respectively). Supporting the platoon are 2
Vickers MMG teams
SCENARIO
Advance through the field and
beyond.
FORCES
Canadians
No. 17 Platoon, D Company,
Regina Rifle Regiment
Platoon commander + 2 riflemen
Medical Orderly + 2
Stretcher-bearers.
3 Sections of Infantry, each
with:
-1x Section commander - Sten
-1x Section 2IC – Sten
-1x Bren Bunner – Bren
-7x Riflemen – SMLE
Light Mortar Team (gunner,
loader, observer)
2x Vickers MMG teams
Germans
Elements of the 12th SS
2x Panzer-Grenadier Sections,
each with:
-1x Section Commander – MP-40
-1x Section 2IC – MP-40
-1x MG Gunner – MG42
-2x Riflemen
1x MMg Team – MG42
1x Sniper
THE GAME
Gary and I took the Canadians
and Rick played the Germans.
Christian made up some new rules
for the scenario for the Bocage – essentially treating it as “impassible”
terrain, and if in contact with the bocage elements could see beyond it (and
could be seen). I don’t’ really have any Bocage terrain so we made due with
corduroy strips (which I usually use for roads) and assorted vegetation that I
do have.
(Remember: click on the pictures
for a bigger version)
Here is the platoon at it’s
kick-off line. The little squares of MDF in the opposing hedgerow were “hidden”
and “dummy” markers. All the Germans started in “Ambush”
We set up one section and an MG
to watch one of the two fields – to keep the other two section from being
flanked.
The other two sections (along
with the platoon command, medical orderly, 2” mortar team and MMG team) prepare
to assault across the other field.
One section moves out after the
mortar dropped a few smoke bombs on the other end of the field (rules Christian
made up on the spot..). The SS MMG team opens up! Their first round of fire
caused a pin, the second (on the following turn) caused a casualty
The second squad moves out.
Only the MG and a sniper had been watching this field
originally. Our Vickers team took out the sniper, so rick decided to redeploy
one of his Panzer-Grenadier teams that had been watching the other field to
this one, lest he be outflanked!
Almost across.
Because the bocage was
impossible to cross we didn’t end up with any close assaults at the end, just
blazed away at each other from opposite sides of the bocage.
By the tiem we called it the
Germans had lost their sniper and four of five of one of their Panzer-Grenadier
teams, the Canadians had lost, I think four, maybe five out of one of their
platoons.
I like the game well enough. I
like the pinning mechanic. The squads seemed rather large and clunky and weapon
distances short – compared to the area a squad took up. Perhaps if they were
fielded as fire teams of gun groups…
I will definitely try it again –
I’d certainly like to try out the armour rules.
I wouldn’t mind setting up a
scenario and playing it once with Bolt Action and the again with Force on Force
to see how the two compare…
Thanks to Chrisitian for reading
the rules and setting up a game for us.
Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:
Some painting I’ve done over the last few days; WW2 Germans,
Mmodern Africans, etc..
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