AAR: Mega FoW using Domination

Chuck and Bill setup a good sized game table for us to play on Saturday. Using 4 of our 4×6 tables, they setup a Russian landscape with a nice size town in the central portion and with  lots of good countryside on the edges. I think you’ll agree, it was might puuuuurdy.

There were 7 of us to play in the game, with 4 Axis, 3 Allied. Chuck put together a double list so we had a balance. Each list was 1750 points all picking from the East Front book.

Chuck planned it out and pulled from one of the domination missions.  http://forum.wwpd.net/resources/Complete%20Domination%20Missions..pdf

Across all the tables where little cards with numbers on them for points. Red for Russian, Blue for German. Roll over the square and you take control of it for your side. Two sides contesting, no one gets the points. In addition, for each platoon eliminated, 1.5pts were awarded.

On the German side, there were 2 Infantry, 1 Panzerspäh, and 1 Armor list. On the Russian side, 1 heavy tank mix, 1 reserve heavy tank, 1 Infantry and 1 Tank Rider list. We rolled it up and the Russians were the attacking side, and the Germans were allowed to start in prepared positions.

Two players from each side setup in the center, up to 18 inches in with their full force. On the flank, where I was I had approx 18″ by 30″ box to setup in with 3 platoons (the rest to come in as reinforcements and likewise for Matt, playing Russian setup in a similar box across from me. On the other wing Mark and one of Chuck’s list both setup as “reinforcements” so they started with a limited number of platoons and started to roll then to get their remaining forces from their lists.

As luck would have it both Matt and I were playing armor and we both only had 3 platoons so we immediately had everything we were going to be playing with. In totally I had  platoons of 5 Pz IV F2/Gs, 2 Pz IV F2/Gs & 3 Pz IV F1s, 2 Sdkz 7s with 2cm AA, limited HS129, and then my command vehicles both Pz III G/H/Js. Matt had 5 KV-1s’s, ~7 T-34s, and then another 8 or so T-70s.

So more or less my game plan was to do what I could and if things go well, start to sweep in from the flank into the center to help out.

From the flank I was to secure looking towards the center table and the town we Germans were defending. Bill was at this point setting up. A platoon of Shermans looked like it could divert over in our direction and help with the battle. Those Katy’s weren’t however going to be something to worry about, least not for me.

These were Eric’s infantry. He had a platoon of 3 Brumbars… handy for in town fighting. Likewise the single Tiger, was Collin’s. Great for the qualitative edge… but against gobs of Russian hordes?

So early on, I was right, Bill started to flow his Russian lend-lease Shermans towards the battle I was having with Matt.  Wasn’t going to have much time if they were going to get engaged.

Bottom of turn 1, my first round of shooting went pretty well. Between my HS129 and my own shooting, I knocked out 3 T-34s. The KV-1s and it’s lower 8 frontal armor seemed like something I could maybe touch with my AT-11 Pz IV F2/Gs but given the numbers, I was looking at a 2-1 disadvantage. (5 KVs + 9 T-34s vs 7 PzIV F2/Gs)

Between turn 2 and then bottom of turn 3, I managed to knock out enough T34s to force a platoon morale roll and while fearless, Matt failed the roll and one platoon was done! Problem of course now I had T70s on my flank, KVs closing and all of it getting a little too close to bring down air on. Soooo, flyboys go after those Shermans that might enter the fray.

Ka-Chunk! Ka-Chuck! Ka-Chunk!

Given the F1s weren’t of any use agains the KVs, started to use them and my command tanks against the T70s. At this point I lost my first Pz IV F1 (yeah I know wrong model, it’s a stand in) to a flank shot. Best way for the T70s to engage. Amazingly tho the KVs just weren’t doing anything more than causing me to bail.

Meanwhile smoke off in the distance the seemingly the Shermans weren’t turning towards the battle Matt and I were engaged in. However radio reports from the town sounded like some help to draw off the armor would help their tactical situation.

Over far off in the distance, Mark was having to face KV-85s and JS which was far outclassing what he was fielding, but he was giving the good fight. Likewise in the town the line for the most part was holding, still we needed to take some strategic points to pick up on points.

Over the next couple of turns I was able to come around the back on the KV1s while the 2 PzIVs F2/Gs were able to hold their own. Likewise the battle agains the T70s was going well tho they managed to take out my AA guns so lost a platoon there. Even those I was forcing platoon morale checks both the now beat up Russian platoons were sticking around.

Meanwhile Eric was holding his own against Bill. His Brumbars were having to face Shermans, and they aren’t the best vehicle for that task.  Bill wasn’t pushing his Shermans into the fight with me.

Last turn before Eric and I had to boogie, I managed to finish off Matt’s T70s and KVs for a loss of one Pz IV F2/G. I was able to swing over for one turn and start to go after Shermans for which Bill and I exchanged first put things didn’t go well for his Shermans.

So tallying it up:

Team German objective points 27
Killed platoons 7.5
Total 34.5

Team Russian objective points 21
Killed platoons 4.5
Total 25.5
7 turns with a German victory.

Mighty fun time. We really enjoyed the domination scenario. Have to give it a good thought for using one for a future tournament.