Stalingrad, Bolt Action, Take 2

This was the second playing of our 'Stalingrad' scenario. OoB's were essentially the same but one AFV was removed from each side (just for simplicity sake.)

Taking the lesson from the first playing, we switched the board from long wise to short wise with the rest of the scenario being the same: destroy the enemy's CP before they destroy yours. Some of the terrain needed be switched to provide each side with upper storeys for a bird's eye view.

Interestingly, though I was the only player common to both games, strategies were almost identical. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. With only two playings, it could be mere coincidence. But, it could also be a signal of a design flaw as players feel there is only one option. We'll never know.

For newbies to this blog, we do not play BA as the tournament game it is designed to be, but rather as a scenario driven game. For more on this, if you should give a flying fuck at a rolling donut, see the previous post for more details. If you just like looking at the pictures, please enjoy. Geek porn at its finest.

The table with initial set ups. You can see both sides poised to enter the main factory. It's interesting. That factory really held no specific tactical importance except a spot in the center, yet both sides, both games, were determined to control it. In retrospect, it would seem a token resistance there would deny the enemy it's benefits, while one could use the valuable resources elsewhere. 

German Heer squad ready to dash across the open streets to gain purchase in the central factory.

The German HQ centrally located at the tip of the spear to lend morale boosts to the assaulting forces. The Pioneres are in the top right.

On the other side, the Soviets' two tommy gunner squads are being exhorted by their Kommisar to disallow the Gerries ingress.

Fuck, those guys are handsome, and fit looking!!!!!!

The Chermans have a foothold, but the tommy gunners, with LMG's, are ready to give them what for.

Soviet eyes in the sky. Both the OBA observers and spotter for the 81mm mortar choose the top floor of the worker's apartments for their hide.

Boom! Soviet artillery is spot on again, and again (!) fails to directly hit any unit but still passes out Pins on the Germans like so many corsages on heaving Prom night breasts! (God, I hope that offends someone!)

Damn, that was close, Hans! ( I so wanted to say 'Fritz, they shot Fritz!', but not a single casualty.)

I made the damn explosions, I'm going to post pictures of them.

To follow up the barrage, the tommy gunners got the first opportunity to murder a squad of Gerries in the factory: the Pioneres, no less. 10 tommy gunners and a LMG open up at close range. An incredible total of 23 shots needing 6's to hit! Sigh... nearly one. This, coupled with the OBA's inability to take anyone out, really set the tone for fight in the factory. It became a 5 turn slug fest, with each side just mauling the other, whilst feeding more and more units into the fray. It was satisfying in a way, as it mimicked so much of the real fighting in the city. Dying by the half squad: the story of Stalingrad.

Strike while the iron's hot. Too bad there were dice involved.

A Soviet T-34 enters the board, hunting for targets of opportunity.

Welcome to Stalin's city. We decorated it just for you.

Still the battle rages in the factory and still the T-34 looks for bigger game.

Be careful what you wish for Comrade.

Also, similar to the last game, the Soviet rifle squad is tasked with eliminating the enemy CP. They would get no closer than their predecessors. They advance up the left flank making good use of cover. So far.

A look from the German side with all units bearing the red badge of courage. Or Red Badge of Pinning, in this case. Unfortunately for Gerry, the air observer was whacked before he had the chance to call in the Stuka. It could have tipped the balance in a fight like this.

The StuGIII opens fire into the factory while the T-34 tries to sneak a shot from around the corner. Each AFV was ineffective. This was a PBI shit sandwich from the opening move.

Just like last week, the Germans reveal an identical ambush. One Heer squad...

...and the MMG open fire on the rifle squad approaching their position, thus ending the only Soviet threat of the evening.

As close as they would come. Lookie the Germans across the yard, safe in the building, behind barbed wire, etc...

I just like these guys, it was they who took out the German Luftwaffe observer. No smoke this week, however.

So, two playings, two draws, but I hope two times the fun. It was a lengthy project in the making but worth every minute, if the guys had half the fun I did playing. 

As mentioned, both games were very similar in tactics and outcomes, still not sure why, or if it matters.

Further similarities include the Pak40 never firing a shot, this time neither did the Zis3 (and only once last playing.) This would seem to either make the guns superfluous, or the players very canny. 

In both games, the Soviets chose to use their Fanatic conscripts *and* their MMG to protect the CP, and in both games, neither fired a shot in anger as the Germans never got close enough for them to spring their ambush. In my head, I had imagined the conscripts being used in CC as they will almost certainly maul any unit on the board with their Fanatic bonus.

I think next time, when we bring the game to New York for my brother Tony, who wasn't able to make it in, it would be interesting to try and not spend so many resources in the center, as counter intuitive as that may seem. Maybe even better, change the layout so the big factory isn't *in* the center. That's an option that just occurs to me, though it has probably occurred to the astute reader already. That is the affliction I live with.

Regardless, we play games for fun, and I think we succeeded on that count. Many thanks go to all the players across two states who made it so enjoyable for me. Special thanks again to our hosts, Mondo and Chris, who graciously open their homes for us to invade.