OPERATION BARBAROSSA.

The Gomel Pocket.

Al and I have been biting into EastFront II  "Columbia Games" excellent block wargame. We played the Barbarossa scenario and will continue with Operation Typhoon in the near future. I have been playing the Germans and Al the Reds. Both of us have made many mistakes, Al leaving his HQ's exposed while I have over extended and ran out of supply, but both of us have thoroughly enjoyed the experience with supply and rail lines the key to success in this game.

The above photograph shows the situation in September 1941. The German "Army Group Centre" has broken through the Russian lines isolating Russian "Western Military District" armies in what was to become known as the "Gomel Pocket". In attempting to break through and release these trapped troops further Russian units were to become isolated and trapped them selves. However the exhausted Germans having been going full throttle since July have over extended their supply lines and with the on set of winter made limited progress in the next couple of months. The exception a trust for Moscow which resulted in heavy casualties for the German "7th Corp", the decimated units been removed from the city and sent back to German to be rebuilt so heavy were their losses in the vicious house to house fighting. 

December 41.

The photograph above shows the situation at the start of December 1941. Hexes with blue dice show German friendly control and red dice those friendly to the Russians. The large letters signify ongoing battles with "F" the battle for Moscow. With Russian command and control having been severely hampered as a result of eliminated HQ's and with the Germans unprepared for the sudden onset of the harsh Russian winter the next few months may see both sides trying to regroup and refit in preparation for the spring thaw.

This classic rewards repeated play and we both have committed to a regular hookup. A wonderful game both challenging and unforgiving. Can't wait for the next session. 

RIGHT TO THE WIRE.

The aftermath of Sekigahara.

Al and I broke out Sekigahara for a couple of games this afternoon. Its been in hiatus for a while now and its return has been long over due. Our last play went right to the wire, to the very last card in fact. I just about managed to hold of Als "Tokugawa" resurgence. 

This GMT gem is now in its third printing and one of those games that I will always have in my collection. Its a classic that is engaging for those non wargamers who like to play card games, while having enough tension and tactic's to hold the interest of the grognard.

KURSK "43".

 Decisions, decisions.

I just spend a wonderful days gaming with fellow grognard Arthur. We got stuck into a learning game of the Kursk scenario from Columbia games "Eastfront II". The rules are tight with no ambiguity and run to twenty four pages . We covered everything except paratroops, sea movement and breakthroughs in our game. Sadly we didn't get to explore the joys of pocketing or the terrors of blitz exploitation, so very little experience yet of the supply rules. Its early days but the timing of blitz's would appear to be very important as would the ability to maintain any breakouts with sufficient HQ support.

Marshal Bray ponders his options.

Can't wait to get this one to the table again and try new stratagems. The ultimate goal is to play the full campaign from Barbarossa to the fall of Berlin. A welcome break from some of the lighter fair I have been playing recently. 

EASTFRONT II.

Cover art Eastfront II.

I have been after a copy of Eastfront II for sometime, it has been my grail game. I had been watching ebay and the geek for quite a while to try and acquire a used copy, all to no avail. Finally I decided to purchase the game new but it was unavailable in most UK stockists and it required a little searching to eventually locate a copy. 

I played the first edition a few years ago at Qcon and enjoyed the experience, even if I had my rear handed to me by David my opponent, who kindly taught me the game. I have printed player aids, additional copies of the rules and even made additional chits for blitz, river crossings etc. 

Eastfront map in all its glory.

After reading the rules a couple of times I have set up and played the Edelweiss scenario solo, which is recommended for the newbie. Tonight I set up the Kursk scenario and Arthur is coming over on Monday for a learning game. All is now ready, start up those Panzer engines, prepare those katyusha rockets, the biggest tank battle in history is just about to begin.

Edelweiss scenario from the Russian perspective.

CAESAR'S GALLIC WAR.

The wonderful box art of Caesar's Gallic War.

I have managed to play a game of "Caesar's Gallic War", a block wargame by Worthington games. The game is themed around the Gallic Wars a series of military campaigns waged by the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar against several Gallic tribes. Rome's war against the Gallic tribes lasted from 58 BC to 50 BC and culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC. Rome's victory resulted in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul, present-day France and Belgium.

The game feels quite fluid, with cards available to change the allegiance of tribes. It is difficult for the Romans to build a platform to drive the Germanic tribes back across the Rhine without them looking over there shoulder at the ever resentful and potentially vengeful Gallic barbarians who have been subjugated or are allied. We played with the full optional rules, as ever once you have played a game to get a handle on the rules you can focus on strategy in subsequent plays. One slight issue I have with the game is the graphics. My old man eyes struggle to make out what tribe each block belonged to. The tribal names could have been increased in size or used clearer font. It's a bit early to tell if this is a keeper or if it should go on the trade list. The initial signs are good however. A couple of plays should reveal all. 

LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

Twilight Struggle.

I have been spending a little time with the classic above and it has been goooood. During the last game with Al, I managed to trigger a thermonuclear war, having drawn a number of war cards and been unable to dump them to the space race. Plenty more meat on the bone of this one.

 Caesar's Gallic War.

I acquired Caesar's Gallic War on ebay recently, it's a block war game by Worthington games set during Caesar's campaign to pacify Gaul. Looks interesting and has been described as "Hammer of the Gauls", taking as it does many influences and mechanisms  from Columbia Games "Hammer of The Scots". I hope to do an unboxing in the near future. The wife has been known to raise her eyes to the gods and shake her head at my viewing of unboxing video's. She doesn't understand this is vital research, vital knowledge etc etc. It in no way means that I am a sad and obsessed grognard game addict, who needs to get out of the house more or at least undertake counselling for Peter Pan syndrome, the boy who never grew up. 

Screw that, I will do the video when she is out shopping, I'm not mad and I don't have a problem.

Space Hulk.

Finally my son and I followed Rodney Smith's "Watched it Played" youtube videos for "Space Hulk". We both enjoyed them so much that I bought a copy. Three games later and he is not hooked. My daughter has expressed an interest in playing a game so I will hold on it for a little longer, but it may be be shown the door soon if it fails to gain some traction. Not sure if an introduction to "Aliens" will improve the games up take or hinder it. 

Space Hulk, scenario one ready to go. Sensors on 

click ... click ... click.  

We're all gonna die, man.

CRUSADER REX.

Crusader Rex 2nd Edition. 

Recently I have been playing a few games of Hammer of the Scots. Hammer has been a regular visitor to my table over recent years. So when I had the opportunity to make a trade for its close relative Crusader Rex , pictured above,  I jumped at the opportunity. Crusader Rex is a block wargame set in the 3rd Crusade. The objective is to control victory cities including Acre, Jerusalem and Antioch.This game shares many of the mechanics applied in Hammer of the Scots with subtle differences such as sieges, harrying, mustering and the hit and run ability of the Saracens and the Knights charge of the Franks.

Blocks and stickers.

I was delighted to find that the game was new and in shrink when I opened my parcel, so I settled down to a beer and a couple of hours of sticker on block action.

Event cards.

Followed by the sleeving of the cards. I did notice that the game will require a perspex sheet as the board is light card and doesn't lay flat. 

So with all this done its time to play cards, shift some blocks, roll dice and curse or cry as events unfold.