Stalingrad, Bolt Action, Take 1

In Pittsburgh for a rousing East Front game of Bolt Action*.

* Mind you, we do not play the rules as written per se, but rather use the fine mechanics to run our own scenarios using common sense replacement rules for those solely intended for tournament play. Eg: vehicles can move up to their movement limit and don't have to adhere to any 'one wheel' rules mechanism. If you got 9" of movement, you can do whatever you want with it. (I know if I had 9" I would certainly use it.) Same goes for 'hidden' units. When we play they are actually hidden (and in Ambush), not on the board, being recorded on a separate sheet. If you can't trust the guys you play with to do this, get a new group of friends to play with.

Points were about 1300/1400 a side, also with no restrictions as per the rule book. (Each side had two AFV's.) Squads were put together historically, based on real Orders of Battle from Stalingrad. We also use 1st Edition rules with a few exceptions; the new rules which actually have a purpose, like HQ's improved functionality, and 18" range for assault rifles, are used.

So, if you're a purist... this report may make your butt pucker. Either way, please read on and enjoy the game.

The table. 

Each side marked their Command Post and went after the other side's. A big game of Capture the Flag.

The lone Soviet rifle squad embarks through the ruins, using the cover of the wall, to destroy the enemy CP.

Oh yeah, these guys. And yes, we take gaming seriously, so it is a formal occasion for most. 

A PaK40 sits in wait. It is not 'hidden' as it is not in concealment terrain.

The main Soviet thrust heads towards the central ruined factory. The point of the spear is comprised of two squads of tommy gunners, each with a LMG. The medic rightly accompanies them.

German Pioneres use cover to avoid a machine gun nest in the upper storey of the worker's apartments. Still, a few would fall victim to the Soviet gunner as they advanced through the rubble.

Soviet OBA comes in on the first attempt, catching several units in the ruins of the factory!  The HQ and FT teams are pinned massively, but luckily no German units are directly hit, else they would be so many spare parts.

But what's this? The German Stuka comes screaming into the mix at the same time, causing an even bigger scene of indescribable hell for those on the ground.

Another shot of the Stuka peeling off after wreaking havoc and madness on friend and foe alike!

The result of OBA and a Stuka arriving at the same place and same time.

PS: I *KNOW* the camo is wrong on the StuGIII. Get over it.

And still the rifle squad presses forward through the foundry.

The aftermath of death from above: not a whole lot of anyone left in the big factory.

Finally, just as they approach the enemy CP, the ambush is sprung on the Soviet rifle squad. A squad in Ambush opens up from point blank range, catching them in the open.

As close as anyone would get to their objective, the rifle squad meets its end, as the Germans also unleashed their MMG from the building just out of this shot. (And also the one with the CP.)

The Soviet mortar fired round after round of Smoke before finally managing to blind the PaK40. But by then, it was too late. The infantry were decimated without armor support.

After taking out one of the T34's, the StuGIII is also done for by a Zis3 as the Soviets say 'nyet'.

The German air observers would get no more sorties out of HQ this day.

And so, like so many other days in Stalingrad, the day ended in a draw. So many dead, and for what? For twenty, thirty meters of scorched earth? Tomorrow, it starts all over again, maybe not here, but elsewhere in this city; more dead, more destruction, and for what? In 75 years Alabama and Clemson are going to ruin college football, so what's the point? Sigh...

So, neither side got very close to the others CP. The Soviets got closer but were mowed down to a man. The Germans didn't lose very many dudes but didn't come within 18" of their objective.

The guys suggested turning the table and running the game across the short end. Sounds reasonable (but ultimately didn't work either.)

Thanks to yinz that came, and a big thanks to Mondo for the use of his home and all the great food!