JTFM trenches and first game using them

I finished painting the JTFM/Die Waffenkammer trenches.  I was so happy with the initial set that I bought several more pieces.  I now have well over five feet of trenches that can be set out in a variety of different configurations.

My collection of WWI Western Front terrain is now sufficient to start playing games, including trenches, shell holes, ruined buildings and more.

So I invited Craig, Doug and Gord over to have a go at WWI Chain of Command, aka Cocking Up the Mud and the Blood.  We played the first scenario from the Stout Hearts and Iron Troopers scenario pack, Training the Entente.  As it happens, I had Craig and Gord play a variant of this scenario in 2019 in my Imagi-Nation of Jhamjar.

As part of my planning for this play-through, I watched the Crusty Colonel's YouTube video of his own version of this scenario, which provided me with some inspiration for my playthrough.  Following the Colonel's example, the Germans, with only three active units (two squads of infantry and a medium machine gun), were limited to 4 command dice.  The full-strength Canadian platoon had the regular five command dice.

The Germans were able to set up in a hastily dug trench controlling a crossroads.  The area in front of the German position was heavily bombarded, leaving many shell holes that counted as rough terrain and light cover.  The trenches were classed as heavy cover, and also as rough terrain due to the awkwardness of moving in the narrow space with many changes of direction and also tripping hazards like boxes of stores and other impedimenta.

The Canadian objective was to capture the crossroads, while the Germans wanted to prevent this from happening.

The patrol phase ended up with the Canadian jumpoff points on the left side of the battlefield.  This forced the attack to come from that flank.  In this shot, the German JoPs are spread throughout the trench.  The Canadian JoPs are just out of shot on the right.

The Canadian attack develops with first the rifle grenade section deploying into a shellhole to suppress the defenders.  This had limited effect as the Germans deployed their MMG and a rifle section to return fire.  Soon after, the Lewis gun section also deployed, and there were several phases of action as the Germans and Canadians engaged in a firefight, trying to obtain the upper hand.

The Canadians had the benefit of two senior leaders, the lieutenant and the sergeant, who were able to keep their troops steady and rally off shock.  As the firefight progressed, the Canadians were finally able to pin the MMG.

Once the MMG was pinned, the Canadians lucked out with a double phase.  This allowed them to deploy the bomber section, which routed out the MMG, and ultimately this was too much for the Germans.  They broke, and allowed the Canadians to seize the crossroads.

Thanks to Craig, Doug and Gord for a great game.  Looking forward to some more WWI CoC!

Some characters (possibly NSFW)

 Taking a break from 20th Century armies, here are a few characters I plucked from my lead (and plastic) mountain.  There is no particular theme connecting these figures, I just picked the ones that caught my fancy.

First up, here is Calamity Jane, based on Robin Weigert's portrayal in HBO's magnificent series, Deadwood.

Here she is with Wild Bill Hickock, with whom she was reputed to be enamoured.

Here are a couple of old white men, the Colonel in his mess dress, and some fat bloke.  Also a random British-style postbox.

I've had these two versions of Pulp Figures' Volcano Queen for a long time, and now I've finally painted them!  The two versions are the NSFW one on the left, and the slightly more modestly clad one on the right.  

And finally, I just had fun with this lady wizard.  I was tired of painting the drab greys and khakis of 20th century armies, and the dull black of the Nazgul, so I had fun splashing some colour on her.

Next up, back to the mud of the WWI Western Front!

Dragon Rampant - Gondor vs Mordor

I am a proud papa! Last week at Bonsor, Arthur hosted a game:  He set up the scenario, and then refereed the game.  The scenario had a small force of Gondor spearmen and archers stranded in some ancient ruins, where they needed to defend themselves against a force of Mordor orcs led by the Nazgul.  Meanwhile, a relief force hurried to their rescue!

Arthur setting up the table

Initial disposition of the troops:  defenders in the ruins, and the orcs preparing to assault.

First moves:  a group of orcs advances to the ruins.  Unfortunately, the orcs failed their second activation, resulting in an end to their turn.  This was a recurring challenge for the orcs!

Arrival of the reinforcements.  They arrived by boat. The group of dwarves jumped onto the shore with ease, but Arthur determined that the cavalry would need a bit more time to get their horses ashore.

Meanwhile, the defenders of the ruins easily hold off the orc attackers.  It's almost as if they don't need to be reinforced!

The fighting Uruk-hai attack the dwarves!  The first skirmish sees the dwarves pushed back.  But then a disastrous attempt to rally (snake eyes) sees the dwarves scattered and depart the game!

Meanwhile, the defenders in the ruins are doing just fine; the orc attackers cannot get a foothold inside the ruined castle.

Boromir leads the Gondorian cavalry against the Nazgul, but is pushed back.

Instead, he turns his attention to the Uruk-hai and disperses them.

Finally, with all the orcs destroyed or dispersed, the witch-king flees the field, pursued by the remaining Gondorian horse!

The game went well.  Michael and Evan shared command of the forces of Gondor, both playing their first game of Dragon Rampant.  I lead the forces of Mordor to a predictable defeat.  I didn't take advantage of the Nazgul's special ability to cause fear - I should have had them support the orcs attacking the castle - they could cause fear on the defenders, then send in the orcs to easily defeat the defenders.  Instead, I used them to slow down the reinforcements - all too typical for me, I'm afraid, as I am far too prone to dividing my forces instead of concentrating them for victory.

Congrats to Arthur for successfully running a game at the club, and thanks to Michael and Evan for joining us for the game!