Well, as you've no doubt already guessed, certainly that's unlikely to be yours truly! If you persevere and read on you'll see how and why...
As you might recall William was poorly and missed the planned Burma '43 Bolt Action game here in GHQ. As he's now as fit as a fiddle I arranged for a different game just between the two of us. William laid out the terrain from the stock in GHQ and provided all the vehicles and figures from his growing collection. Like many beginners I suspect his forces are over endowed with armour for now, but with careful encouragement that can be put right. For now its just important to enjoy what he likes and learn for himself. Anyway, the expected annotated photomontage carrying you down into the action ~
William's British at the conclusion of Turn 1. His Shermans advance, supported by his infantry squads. At this point I thought he might not have enough infantry as the terrain he chose lacked cover apart from the small woods. Silly me...
The German position at the end of Turn 1. Two Panzer IV's supported by infantry squads and the HQ advance rapidly on the bridge, while the sole Tiger with para support heads for the hill dominating the bridge. The Tiger has a chance to break down at the end of each Turn on a 1 on a Dx6. It survived Turn 1.
In Turn 2 the leading Panzer IV starts across the bridge. It comes under fire from the 6lb anti-tankgun, which in turn is under fire itself. In the distance British infantry debus from their lorry, leaving one private to man the bren gun! Oh dear, very Bolt Action that William!
Of course William gets the required die scores to hit and then penetrate the Panzer IV's armour. The result is the tank's destruction, blocking the bridge in the process too! In the foreground a Sherman and two squads make fir the dominant hill.
British infantry and a supporting Sherman take up position behind a light wood on the left flank, hoping to ambush the advancing Tiger and paras.
The leading para squad makes it onto the crest of the dominant hill, hoping to deny it to the British below. A second squad skirts the hill hoping to catch the British in the flank. The HMG team bring up the rear.
The Pak 40 team are working overtime trying to reduce the odds by knocking out the 6lb anti-tank gun and the Shermans, though with no luck to date. Both guns are the new plastic ones from Warlord Games and I was most impressed by them.
The surviving Panzer IV and its supporting infantry advance more cautiously on their left flank keeping in the cover provided by a hill and avoiding enemy fire. Loss of a second Panzer so soon would make it difficult. Once again the Tiger avoids breakdown as Turn 2 ends.
In Turn 3 the HMG team deploys alongside the Pak40 as the remaining Panzer IV, supported by two squadz advances on the British infantry.
The fighting to hold the crest of the dominant hill is unfolding in Turn 3. The Germans look to have the upper hand, although their lead squad suffers losses and a pin, as does one British squad.
The ambush is sprung on the leading para squad. Four men are lost and a pin acquired!
In Turn 4 the German paras are barely holding on to the crest of the dominant hill as two Shermans press home the British attack. The Tiger has no option but to join the struggle but in the process exposes its flank to the other Sherman!
On the other flank the British infantry squad is forced back by losses it can ill afford. But the German HMG team takes a loss and a pin, as does the Pak40.
In Turn 5 the Tiger is knocked out! Once again William the Dice Demon makes all the necessary throws in quick succession! The paras who have survived the assault have no recourse but to fall back.
It's clearly all up now for the Germans who have lost 7 of their 12 elements to the British 3 from 11! William's dice luck and winning streak against Grandad goes on!
It was fun for both of us of course, but the main thing is that William enjoys himself, but learns from the experience for his next game. Together with Phil the three of us will be gaming in GHQ next week(DV) for a 20mm D Day extravaganza!
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