Race Forward

On this memorial day I would like to remember all veterans; especially those that gave their lives for our freedom.
Grunt's Forward is still waiting Rich to get started.
Have been playing the formula one racing game "Race formula 90" that I mentioned last post.  Bought some 1/200 scale cars and painted them up.  Big difference from most of the drab army/navy stuff I paint.
Wanted to run a whole formula 1 season and got to thinking about the Forward system.  Am going to see if it works with my 2005 BMW team.  You take the role of the team boss and have 8 major characters that work for you.  Your job is to keep them moving in the correct direction to win the Championship.

Our Racing director is Thomas Bundt.  He is very condescending of immorality and what he considers poor work ethic.  This makes him hard to get along with but is a great strategist (skill level 8) and so so at teamwork ( level 6).  Our #1 pit crew is below average skill (4) and so so at teamwork (5).  (Hey, the season just started.) Thomas was very critical of the pit crew during the pre season and their teamwork went down accordingly.

I had high hopes for Monza.  Our team was relatively new but had some great folks on it and the teamwork was improving.   We also had a highly skilled #1 driver in Nick Heildfeld.  Nick grabbed the pole position while Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren) took second.  Our second driver Jacques Villeneuve took third with Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) taking fourth.  To get the pole we had to commit to a three pit race.

The starting grid!!!!!

The other teams include Red Bull, Toyota and Renault.

I think the cars painted up pretty well and add a lot to the game.

The race started well though our #2 (fast car) rapidly fell back.  

Nick out in front followed by McLaren and Ferrari.

Unfortunately for BMW our #1 pit team was called on for a skill check and failed, adding one to each of our pit stops!  Despite this Nick held onto first almost the whole race. 

Toyota makes a stab at the lead!  Schumacher bides his time.

With 14 laps to go Ferrari makes their last pit and selects a very aggressive strategy ( Hazardous)

Michael Schumacher makes his move!

Schumacher takes the lead with 4 laps to go and Nick can't catch him.

Final results:

Michael Schumacher  (Ferrari)
Nick Heildfeld  ( BMW)
Jarno Trulli  ( Toyota)
Giancario Fisichellaa  ( Renault)
Kimi Raikkonen  ( McLaren)

Jacques Villeneuve finishes 9th just out of the points.  Juan Montoya (McLaren) DNF crashing on turn 4.

The press conference goes well as Nick holds his tongue about the slow pits.  I try rapprochement with the pit crew that fails.  Thomas Bundt is more sure than ever that he is right and his skill also goes up by one.
Next up Hockenheim.   Will the pit crew rally?  Will Bundt's skill show through?  Will Nick put on another sterling performance?  We can only keep the race team moving forward.

Joe  

Sometimes the escorts win

Have been busy with a couple of different things as of late.  Grunt's Forward has been moved back to after Salute.  Played a couple of AoS games with "Blood, Bilge and Iron Balls" that I picked up at a used book store.  Bought an outstanding formula 1 racing game called "Race.  Formula 90" and painted up some more 1/600 ships.
"Blood Bilge and Iron Balls" ios a nice simple system that focuses on repairing your ship and damage to command.  I like the system but still has too much book keeping for me.  I need to come up with "Releases the Hounds" for AoS at some point.  The tricky part is the french shooting at sails; how do you model that easily?
I have been interested in the strategy of Formula 1 racing since my parents got me "Speed Circuit" as an early teen.  (This was when the 3m version was new!)  It was a little fitly and difficult to play solitaire.  Still I had several racing seasons taking BMW all the way to second place!   I read very favorable reviews about "Race Formula 90" and took the plunge.  What a great game!  Just as much strategy without as much fittle and easy to play solitaire.  Unfortunately BMW is out of formula 1 so I will either have to go retro or switch to Ferrari.  Now I just need to find some 1/200 cars that I can afford!
Finally I had a Hunt DE and 3 E-boats painted up so had to enter the Narrow Sea!

French and English 74s battle it out with BBB!

Fire on the HMS Orion.

OK, back to the narrow sea.     Cmdr Lightfoot aboard the HMS Cleveland (Hunt DE) was glad the clouds were breaking this night.  It would be easier to see E-Boats and Jerry rarely bombed at night.  Visibility must be 2 miles at least.  No e-boats would chance an encounter with the small ships he was escorting.  Besides himself he had a minesweeper (HMS Rye) with a 3 inch gun and two Fairmile Bs also with 3 inch guns. 

HMS Cleveland in 1/600 glory!

Convoy steaming through the narrow seas.  Due to visibility each hex is 200 yards rather than 100. 

E-Boats in line ahead cursing the improving weather.  

Cmdr Lightfoot's thoughts were broken by a shout of a starshell to starboard.  Sharp eyed crewmen on the HMS Rye had tracked and illuminated 3 E-boats trying to move into the convoy at just 2 miles.  Without orders the three supple ships turned to port.  The Fairmile on the starbord side engaged while making smoke, HMS Rye and the HMS Cleveland made a starboard turn to engage. 

ML 193 making smoke

The British 3 inch guns outranged the Germans and hit e-boats number one and two.  E boat #1 was heavily damaged and launched torpedoes at the HMS Rye at a mile that missed.  She broke off.  E-boat #2 dueled the Fairmile.  The Fairmile lost her aft 20 mm while E-boat #2 was put on fire with heavy casualties.

E-boat #2 breaks off the action

E-boat #3 , feeling lonely,  decided to fire two torpedoes at the HMS Cleveland which had finally entered the fight.   Fortunately crew on the Cleveland saw the wakes and started a turn.  The minute turned into an hour as Cmdr Lightfoot waited for the crash; it never came. 

E-boat #3 has broken off after firering his torpedoes.  HMS Cleveland has turned away and HMS Rye also turned while laying smoke. 

With that the e-boats left and danger averted! 

 The fairmile crew would later pull into port heavily damaged but the only damage the convoy received.  Cmdr Lightfoot realized that, even those this was 1940, sometimes the escorts did win!

Fast fun game!   The e-boats were clearly at a disadvantage due to visibility but it played fast.  One torpedo hit would have changed the game.

For those of you wanting to play this I used early e-boats armed with LMGs up front and 20mm gun aft.  The fairmiles had a 3 inch gun up front and a lone 20mm aft.  Would be interesting to try this with later model e-boats. 

Enjoy

Joe

The Saar 1939

Have been doing a little bit of everything the last couple of weeks.  Have actually abandoned WW II Donnybrooke and gone back to Lazy TWAT as my tactical rules.   Years ago Chris  had an article about the French invasion of Germany in 1939 in a Lardie special.   I have always enjoyed that article as it taught me about a campaign I knew nothing about.  So when I rolled up a new French platoon (using parts of Grunts Forward) I decided I would let them go on the offensive!
First the platoon
Lt Tulasne  Son of a university Proffessor from Lyon.  Professional soldier who is pleseant and cares about his family.  Gr I leader and +1 as he is just a nice guy.
Sgt LeGloan  Son of a police officer in a Norman town.  Has seen how it works "in the real world" and is corrupt but believes in France.  Gr I leader
Sgt Lemare  Son of a farmer so grew up on a farm with nothing.  Joined the army to escape poverty.  He is cheap and lives for money.  Gr O leader
Sgt Mandon Son of a villiage Preacher from Alsace Had a choice between the ministry and the military and joined the army.  Still a bit scholarly for an NCO and loves his country.  Is hesitant in combat.  Gr O

So you can see that the new tables really bring more background out in the characters.

Capt Mural started speaking to all the assembled platoon commanders.  " Today, for the honor of France, we will take the first of many German cities.  Today we conquer Neukirchen!"  (Scenario is Company attack"

Forces:    Whole platoon above + 1 MMG, 1 Renault tank 1 60mm mtr.


The Town

French enter the town from the left.   Must secure the bridge across the river.

Another look at the bridge

The plan was to have the MMG and MTR scale the hill to provide supporting fire.  First squad would take the first three houses.  Third squad would try the open ground along the river and make for the bridge.  Second squad was held in reserve.  The tank would try to suppress positions as needed.

  When all the dummies were rolled up they had infantry in the houses and warehouse with support elements across the river at the bank.  ( I hate when the system is smarter than me!)
Third suad quickly got stuck.  Sgt LeGloan's first did well through the first house.  (These Germans had low morale.  All the  good troops being in Poland.)

Germans retreat from the first house.

Sgt LeGloan's squad battle it out in the gardens ( or backyards for our US readers.)

Close up

Remnants of third squad reach the bridge.

At this point Lt Tulasne has a discussion with Sgt Lemare of second squad.

" Go up the street by the houses and attack the warehouse!"

Second squad starts to move.  Lt Tulasne moves to rally third squad elements pinned down by mortars

A random event occurs!  French armor arrives to silence a ATG and german mortar.

LMG provides suppressive fire before the final sprint to the warehouse!

A German LMG is busy as well.

With French Elan!!!!

Sgt Lemare leads them into the warehouse.  Close quarters fighting sees the french victorious!

Great game with an exciting finish!   Sgt Lemare had an unlikely chance of becoming a Gr I leader and failed the roll.  He was also not noticed for a medal  (Something else new to Grunts Forward.) Lt Roche, an artillery officer and friend of Lt Tulasne, requested a favor.  After a little thought I decided that his guns were being overrun and he requests help from his friend.  So the next battle will be scenario Q with some modifications!

For those of you that want to try this out the Germans had:
2 infantry squads (12 man squads in 1939).  1 with low morale.  A Gr I and a Gr 0 leader.
1 37mm ATG and 1 75 howitzer plus a 50mm mtr and an extra LMG

Enjoy!

Joe

Grunts Forward and Chopper Down

Am continuing to build up my 1/600 fleet ( just finished a Hunt DD) but have been working on the finishing touches of Grunts Forward.  Rich is shooting for a spring release date.  For the unaware, Grunts Forward is the asymetrical expansion to the Platoon Forward campaign system.  It can still be used with your favorite tactical rule system but now you will move into combat very different from two armies battling it out along the front lines.  There will be village sweeps, cordons for civilian activities and the like.  Without front lines there is also more opportunity to meet special characters such as priests and black-marketers.  It is designed for the 20th century and I suspect it will work in this century but I don't have my US troops painted up yet.  Readers of this blog will know that I use Grunt's Forward in Ethiopia with my Italians, Yugoslavia again with Italians and of course Indo-China.  It also introduces medals similar to Squadron Forward courtesy of Brian W and some other things.  I am really excited about this project. 
So rather than just an AAR today I thought I would touch on some elements of the "One of our Planes is missing" scenario.  (Title stole from Max in a TFL special years ago.  That is what got me thinking about the Ital-Ethipoian conflict in the first place.)
In Grunt's Forward you still roll up your scenario but you have the new ones plus "Ambush" and "Patrol"
 from the old. There are new blinds tables for Grunts Forward.  These are slightly skewed to more nothings and add a sniper.  I believe that helps create the frustrating situation that the symmetric force often feels in these battles.   I will admit that I didn't roll this one up, I chose it as my brother gave me a crashed Huey for my birthday. 

LtCol Patterson called  Lt McSwain into the CP.   Capt Jaroze here says you can get two squads off in 15 mike.  Lt McSwain, never wanting to make his CO look bad stammered "Y-Yes Sir!".  Good, a Huey went down 15 klicks from here and we need to get there before the VC do.   

Characters Lt McSwain  Gr I optomistic/ movies
                  Sgt Lawrence Gr I  gambler/greedy  2nd squad
                  Sgt Douglas Gr O jovial/wealth  3rd squad. Douglas recently joined 3rd squad and has done well.
                  2 M60 MMGs plus 1 huey gunship on call. (Highest priority)

As you may have guessed this scenario is a treasure hunt and unlike any I have done.  The crash site is in the middle, there are 4 possible places for the crew and the enemy can enter along three edges.  This is counteracted in that the crew want You to find them.

The board.  Lt McSwain enters from bottom left.  VC enter from right half of the board.  Crew markers distributed.

Centerpiece my brother gave me.  I pimped it alittle.  (Too lazy to find my cav markers so used british.)

Move fast but don't take chances said Capt Jaroze.   Two scouts lead the way.

VC sighted in the open near the red dice.  Chopper time!

VC reach the chopper first and begin to search.  Sgt Lawrence engages to try to drive them off. 

As the US inch forward a call is heard from the left side of the line.  "What?  Sgt Douglas has found the crew." 

80 yards from the crash site a voice is heard. 

The crew is quickly hustled off towards waiting choppers. 

Sgt Lawrence initially continues towards the chopper until a LMG shows up.  At that point Lt McSwain breaks off contact. 

Quick game with only two american casualties (both WIA).  In retrospect I could have clumped the "D" markers closer to the chopper.  The VC sent to check out that marker were crushed by the chopper so I had no VC on that side of the board to contest the withdraw.  Lucky the crew picked the jungle rather than the hooch to hide in! 
Post game everyone is pleased with the platoon.  Sgt Douglas and 3rd squad are on the rise though he fails his roll to become a Gr I leader.  We get both casualties back (new table).  Lt Col Patterson asks the platoon to d a "special mission" for him... Should be exciting!

For those of you that want to give this a shot the US entered the board 1 turn early.  The VC got--
2 half squads plus a gr 0 leader
1 squad+LMG plus a Gr 1 leader (poor morale)
Both of my "B" blinds failed to give the VC support. ( Sometimes you get lucky!) In a two player game I suggest either eliminate the Chopper or add a HMG for the VC. 

Enjoy

Joe











 

The Muster 2015

Well I spent Saturday at the Williamsburg Muster and had a very good time.   I demoed my "Release the Hounds" rules which were well received.  It is always scary putting your stuff out there but everyone seemed to enjoy them.  Best part was after about 5 turns they all knew the mechanics and I did very little except enjoy. 
The show was well attended and everyone seemed to be having fun.  In addition to some enthusiastic naval player I renewed my friendship with Justin from the hanger and meet Ron from this group who was running a Chain of Command game.  (Forgot to get a picture of it as I got called to the hospital but it looked superb).  I was also introduced to modern Afghanistan through a game called Sanguin by Chris of the Phalanx Consortium.  It had some nice mechanics though it was man to man rather than fire-team.  Finally I met an English bloke who works in Williamsburg as an archeologist.  The only sad part was Carl of the hanger was not able to attend as he is in the hospital.

Before we start with the show I thought I would let you know that I occasionally play non war games.   Here is 3M's Regatta with some optional rules I downloaded from Boardgame geek.

They are around the second turn.....

On with the show!

Here is a Japanese DD.  It didn't get into the game but hopefully kept the US players worried.

Our intrepid band of players.  Great shot of the US PT captains.  

Everyone got a character card before play.   You knew I would try to add some Platoon Forward stuff somewhere!

Shot of some ship cards.

The PT boats close on the barges.    The japanese gunboat and 3 inch shore battery take their toll. 

Our intrepid umpire gets involved. 

Lt Allen's ( run by Mr Allen) PT boat makes smoke and heads for home!

The PT boat captains can't believe the Japanese never miss!!!

The Japanese players realize it was all skill!


I ran the PTs going after the barges again and the american's got hurt early but managed to wreck two of the barges.  Two PT boats were wrecked as well.   We called it a draw and everyone exhibited great sportsmanship and gave me valuable feedback.   Thank you all!!

General view of the convention

Another view.  As you can see plenty of games to play and there were two rooms set up just to play pick up games!!!

Not sure if this was a game or not as no one was by the table the whole day but I thought it looked great.

Afghanistan-- thought this board looked great and the rules interesting.

Another shot of the board.  Have to admit, am tempted to switch my Cold War Project to this as I haven't painted anything up yet.

Did make several small purchases.   Bought some French resistance fighters and two generic trucks for Grunt's Forward.  Purchase two Sampans from Flashpoint.  These will be useful not only for Vietnam but the tops come off so I can use them as canoes.  Finally after drooling over Sea Eagles 15mm boats (They are very expensive; too much for me based on how often I would use them) I bought a pack of their Barbary pirates for my Donnybrook games.  

So I had a great time at the Williamsburg Muster.  Am looking forward to Guns of August where I will probably run something again.  Hope to see you there!

Joe