Flames of War – Great War

The Flames of War extension, Great War is a set of rules that cover 1918 the last year of WWI. It’s current form was authored to be used with the version 3 rules. For land battles I find it plays well and do very much enjoy getting in a game from time to time. The cool thing is there is a new version of the book due out next year. 

We gathered at D6 (in Rochester Mn), and I setup a full 4×6 table tho most of the scenarios in the Great War book are set for a 4×4 space. This presents some opportunities for those picking which side to attack or defend from, since there are a number of ways you can slice/dice a 4×4 out of a 4×6.

We did the “big push” where the defender gets to set down their trench line that would be receiving the attack. In the picture above, Cody is defending and decided to set his trench on this side of the board just outside the town. The two objectives he needed to defend were at the junctions between the communication trench (coming from the rear of the lines) and the front line trench.

Cody ran Brits and I went with the Germans. Cody’s force included:

Confident Vet

• 2 full platoons of Infantry
• HQ with Sniper
• platoon of 4 stokes mortars
• battery of 3 18lb QF
• Whippet
• Platoon of 4 Vickers MGs

I ran the Germans and elected to go with an Infantry company of Confident Vets as well.

• HQ with sniper and 2 grenatenwerfers and 3 flame throwers
• 2 full platoons of infantry
• 1 A7V
• 1 7.7 Infantry Gun
• 3 76 mortars

Given the scenario, Cody had to keep his tank and 2 units of “infantry” off table. Infantry being a little loosely defined. He elected to keep his stokes mortar and one infantry platoon off table as reinforcements.

He deployed one platoon of infantry in the trenches on my right flank and the vickers machine gun platoon on my left flank. His set of 3 18lb QF guns would go approx just behind the trench line.

For me I decided my plan would be to flow right jumping from crater to crater in hopes to keep under decent cover and attack Cody’s infantry.

First round, I started my move forward and tried my best to bring down fire. My mortars couldn’t range in and with all the concealment and gone to ground, hits were very few and far between.

I dropped my sniper with a line of sight to the Vickers platoon in hopes to keep them pinned if not take a stand or two.

Cody in his turn concentrated his fire on my poor A7V and at over 16″ managed to score 3 hits, while looking for a 5. I managed to fail all 3 armor saves and his managed to make every FP roll so instantly brewed up land battleship.  My infantry was otherwise unscathed and getting ready for their assault.

Cody’s reinforcement was his Whippet tank so that rattle forward at a breakneck walking speed.

Next turn, I went in for the assault. I was able to bail out the Whippet with my 7.7 gun, while having my infantry jump into the trench and then come in for the assault. My mortars were particularly effective and took out several stands of his infantry platoon. Cody’s force was hanging on by a thread on this side.

Unfortunately German front line troops aren’t quite as good as Brits with their bulldog rule, my rolls weren’t quite good enough to knock out everyone and then I failed my counterattack to continue the assault.

O so very close.

During Cody’s turn, his crew got the Whippet back to running, Stokes platoon and more infantry for reinforcements and he was able to pin my infantry. Worse between his snipper and his artillery he was able to take out 2 stands of my 76mm mortars. They would then fail their last stand and exit the battle field.

I wasn’t able to unpin my infantry that was right there so no assaulting for me that turn. The one bright spot I did manage to hit the whippet again with my 7.7 and this time knock it out.

I did try to move my other platoon so in a future turn they feed into the trench but it was a pretty long run for them. Still couldn’t hit or even pin the Vickers MG platoon which was throwing down heavy fire.

Last action shot, the situation was falling apart. With reinforcements coming down the trench, it was obvious the question was answered in favor of the Brits. Between the Vickers, the artillery, their sniper, lots of things in their favor and pinned Germans not motivated to get back in and assault.

Fun game as always, cinematic for sure and definitely will inspire me to pick up some of the lead that is 40% off at BF right now.