GMing -Wip first turn disaster and update

View to the South, toward the forest, The Steinwald

I decided, since i had the table in it's first set-up to try out the minis on the table and to see how it fares for the tank company coming from the South. Not good at all. I narrowed the vision at 50cm because it was foggy and hazy during the attack. Didn't matter.  I simulated two turns, the result:

The company moved away from their entry point, at about a 45 degree angle. No differnce, the Stug fired from the woods, adding 2 extra attack dice because of flank and half distance shot. 3 hits and suppressed from opp fire. The pak40 fired and had 1 hit, no suppression. The 88 hit 3 and suppressed. The Germans destroyed 2 tanks during their turn.

North is Up

The US failed their command roll - stuck in the field!!! The German turn, another tank destroyed, and one with a hit and no suppression. Turn over and 2 platoons left to make it to Herrilsheim to help root out the Germans...where there's a Jagnpanther and Hetzer waiting, with a pak40 and troops. And then a turn or two later a company of Panthers and a company of IVs. Of course, travelling with this group is going to be a company of Engineers.

Thoughts on making this a fairer fight, make sure to bring in smoke. This group will have an FAO.

Should I bring in aircraft? I was wanting to avoid it for simplicity sake.

Other update - got those German and US tanks primed. And a date set for my first playtest.

Also, worked on some paper terrain and realized that I don't have the patience for that and want to get more done before the con. I've contacted a paper/book artist to see if I could pay a bit to get these done for me. Ridiculous I know, but time, time, time.

Still waiting my answer on the Hotz Mats. But I did hear from someone on Tmp that the company I was trying to think of was www.theterrainguy.com.  See pic at right. Little pricier for the mat, but I don't know about the price Hotz might charge to make the mat white and brown.

GMing first attempt at Map

Was able to put a table together last night. I feel pretty decent that the layout and size is good . This is not quite 4' wide and is just shy of 6' long.

I came up with a long list of stuff I "need". The biggest part, roads. I need about 110" of it. I might use some of the homemade ones I just made this weekend.

Looking at the JR Miniatures website, I discovered the cobblestone roads. These may be cool in the town as well.  I was thinking for the BUAs that I would simply have some cardstock/posterboard cut out in 5mm and 10mm squares and just place some buildings on top that can be moved. However, on the JR site there are 3.5" squares that could be used for the bigger ones instead of posterboard.

I also need a bridge (wanted one for awhile, but I can't just plop the road on the river at a convention, how amateur! : ) I will also get more trees and some dead trees to line the road. The scenery around the area was full of dormant trees.  The picture on this book (from the Barnes and Noble website.) is a good example of the scene around the area.)

There are sloping hills, but the battle was known for a lot of hard hitting guns at long distances. Hill cover, etc, didn't play a major role.

Though, there was an abundance of fog/haze that obstructed long distance viewing. I'll have to work through this part.

Lastly, a nice accident. I laid it all out and then measured various areas to make sure I could know the amount of material i need as well as be able to lay it out again. I took several pics and then realized that the benefit of using the hex side of the mat. Nice markings to help recreate it.

Now, I've asked Hotz ArtWorks about their Snow Field mats to perhaps use it for the bottom...or do I use a white sheet. I also swear i saw some snow mats that had some brown on them to reflect what light snow really looks like on dirt.

Terrain - scratch built road(?)

 

There's just something not right about this pic - I think it's the rubber gloves. But I'd just spray painted some minis and hadn't taken it off yet.

Anyway, tried the wax paper, caulk method of making a road. Not bad. The template needs to make a slightly narrower road and, if possible, I need to make sure the paper doesn't wrinkle too badly. Also, when it's a little dry, try putting tire ruts, etc in it. Perhaps even put some green flocking on the edges (just thought of that...). 

It won't separate from the wax paper, so I just cut it with it still attached. 

Hmmm, what do you think? Maybe some dry brushing/highlighting?

I also can't remember where I saw this first, but thanks to whoever it was.

GMing - WIP - Models

Built the 76mm Shermans, 5 Panthers, 5 Hetzers, 2 Jagdpanthers, and 2 Stug IIIs. I decided to not build out the other tanks for the sake of finishing what I need for the game. This is tough for me to do because I want to just complete them all at once.

Built them so I can primer. While that is drying I'll work on my German infantry, where I'm going to attempt to paint them as late war with the pea-dot, etc.

In between those units I'll put flocking on the 250s and 251s that are nearly complete.

Updated the GMing spreadsheet on the other page.

Where was this article a couple weeks ago?

From the Lard Island News Blog

Found this blog post on designing a historical scenario for IABSM, by Too Fat Lardies. (New edition is coming out soon and it looks incredible. Especially compared to the 2nd edition I just bought a few months ago and have never played. I'm okay with having never played them because I enjoy reading rules. However, when I bought them I liked the idea of the card mechanic and being able to recreate smaller actions of WII - and they have so many scenario books. But once I got it and began reading it, I just couldn't get it.  The strangest thing, things like the way big men worked, just didn't click. But seeing their new pics of the rules, I believe a lot will be answered and alleviated. )

Anyway, this looks to be a promising set of blog posts about designing a scenario that I will follow closely.

And found another blog to follow

Check out this disgusting table - (disgusting in a great way!)

Awesome!

Beginnings of the map

Captured the image from Google map. Made each square equal to 250 meters.

A 6'x5' table represents approximately 3.64km x 3.04km.

Little bit of work to do.

Link to the document is here.

GMing continues - German Army list - first run

Here's my attempt at the German list. It is tough to not include everything. Their list represents 4,355 points. Technically, they're on the defense...but then on the attack. But in real life, the Americans were surprised by the opposition in Herrilsheim. They thought there were 500 odd troops of questionable quality. When in fact there was at least a Battalion from the 553 Volksgrenadier Division.

I've reduced them a bit and also the US troops to represent the losses they'd taken earlier in the day. Also, I've represented a spattering of units because it appears there was a variety of equipment and units available. And I couldn't resist having 1 platoon each representing a Assault Gun Platoon.

CO (CV9)
FAO (CV7)
1 Recce Infantry
1 Recce (Sdkfz 250/9)

Elements of the Regimental Guns (placed in the outskirts of The Stainwald forest and on a railroad embankment)
HQ (Cv8)
1x IG, 75mm, IG-18 (Gun Pit)
1x ATG, 75mm, Pak-40 (Gun Pit)
1x ATG, 88mm, Flak-36 (Gun Pit)
1x Heer Conscript Platoon w Panzerfaust (Trench) (Attached from 3Co/553)
1x MG-34/42 (Trench)
1x 81mm Mortar
2x Trucks
1x JagPanther (Assault Gun Platoon attached from Jagdpanzer-Abteilung von Luttichau)

In Herrilsheim (1st and 2nd Cos V/Regiemtn Oberrhein/553 VG Division)
2x HQ(Cv8)
6x Heer Conscript Platoons w Panzerfaust
2x MG-34/42
2x 81mm Mortar
1x IG, 75mm, IG-18
1x ATG, 75mm, Pak-40

HQ (CV8) (2 platoons from Jagdpanzer-Abteilung von Luttichau)
1x Stug-III
1x Hetzer

Beginning offboard from Offendorf elements of 10SS Panzer Division
1st Company
HQ (Cv8)
3x Pzkpfw V

3 Company
HQ (Cv8)
3x Pzkpfw IV

Now here's a crazy thing I've added because of the following story and I thought it would be fun for the German player: there was a Wittman like figure that emerged for the Germans. Erwin Bachmann basically lead a couple of Panthers into Herrilsheim from a motorcycle (carrying a panzerfaust) and ended up destroying 7 Shermans and capturing 12 more. They would later be used in Russia.

To represent this, I thought I would throw an HQ (CV9) and 1 Panther in Herrisheim in some turn to see what kind of damage they could do.  Just a thought

Images from Wikipedia and http://beute.narod.ru/Beutepanzer/us/M4_sherman/m4-75-sherman-01.htm

Google Map of Herrilsheim

Not much more to say here, but here's the modern day map of Herrilsheim and surrounding area.


View Herrilsheim, France for WWII Research in a larger map

GMing Con Game Operation Nordwind US List 2nd run

Wow, some great help/inspiration came in while chatting with a group on The Miniatures Page. (side note: I can't tell you (actually, I can) how many people come to the site from TMP - It blows away any of the other sites I post links to. BIG difference.)

I decided to move the part of the battle I was going to simulate to a later time of day - essentially in the middle of the day as right in the middle of the fight. I understand a big part of playing a game is the ability to maneuver and get your troops in the proper place. But I'm just not sure I've got time for that.

It also helped me to narrow down my US forces - I think:

CO (CV9)
2x FAO (CV8)
2x Recon (Not sure where these will go.)
1 M8 Scott (Not sure where yet.)
3 Batteries of Priests (105mm)

HQ (CV8) - 17th AIB A and C Companies
6x Green troops with Bazookas
2x MMG Support Units
2x 57mm ATG
10x M3 Half Tracks

HQ (CV8) - 43rd AB Remnants after a terrible prior day and morning)
2x M5 Stuarts
3x M4, 75mm
2x M4, 76mm

HQ (CV8) - C Company/119th Engineers fighting as infantry
3x Engineer Units with Bazookas
1x M3 Halftracks
2x Trucks

HQ (CV8) - 23rd AB Remnants after rough morning attack - actual orders called for them to go through Herrilsheim but they ended up fighting with the 43rd and 17th in the town.
2x M5 Stuarts
3x M4, 75mm
2x m4, 76mm

4,105 points. I feel pretty good about this. Probably 2 too many HQs,  but I want both players to have control of two just in case of blunders.

9-13-11 - Made a change on a couple things after conferring with other forum users. Took 2 HTs from the engineers (there was usually just one per company) The other platoons traveled via dump trucks and other equipment. However, this unit, during this battle was loaned to the 23AB to support them as infantry. So, I would assume they rode in trucks, HTs, walked or Tank Road.

I also changed on the BKC battlegroup builder in that I had accidently inserted 4 Recce M5s which bumped up the points a bit. So, the total points went down a bit. In a soon upcoming post, you'll see the Germans outnumber them by about 400.

GMing - Request Letter for Playtesters

Below is the email I sent out to a group of miniatures gamers that I hope will be able to provide a bank of playtesters to help make this game a success. I wish I had something to offer them...Let you know how it goes.

Hello all,
I thought I would start with this group because I've gamed with you before at Jerry's for Command Decision. Click on my blog link to see the video  and write ups of the Moselle and Barenton games we played.

I'm GMing my first ever game at CommandCon. I'm taking the plunge, big time. The only miniatures games I've played (besides a some solo runs through some different games) have been Command Decision with Jerry and David H, and Rapid Fire with Scott at Cons and Jerry's house. Anyway, I've run through some solo games of Blitzkrieg Commander and really enjoy it for it's fast play and fairly straightforward mechanics. Compared to CD it definitely pares down some data and events, but it seems to give a reasonable simulation of WWII combat. It's based off the Warmaster system.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get 2-3 playtests of the scenario I'm designing to make sure it's a good con scenario and to practice my Con-Teach-A-Game speech. You wouldn't need to show up to all of them. I submitted to Adam that this would be for 2-4 players in a four hour slot (I'm shooting for the game to take 2-2.5 hours). Basically, what I'm asking: is there any interest among this group in playing this 1-3 times before the con? And, if you're interested, what days of the week work best for you and/or do you have any weekends that stand out as "Not Available".   I'm going to have to squeeze 1 or 2 of these in on a weeknight. I would do this at my house in Lake St Louis.

I imagine the first playtest will be very crude - possibly some unpainted minis, simple felt, etc for terrain as I figure out the best layout, etc for the map. I have some terrain but will probably need more and this will help me decide what I need.

What I picture is this: First playtest will help me narrow down what forces should be used. What tweaks to the scenario VC and other details. I will also figure out what terrain is needed. I will get a feel for what rules are tripping people up and things I can do to improve the experience.
Second test: This will determine final forces, scenario conditions, what play aids are required, and final terrain layout.
Third test: final run-through and fix any minor bugs and glitches, make any last minute play aid changes.

I know schedules are tight and many may be helping Jerry with his JR game, but any feedback will greatly help. Frankly, watching Jerry put on a game at the cons and his house inspired me to take the plunge. The joy of teaching others a game I enjoy and helping them play through a scenario/adventure is very intriguing and something I want to try. Way out of my comfort zone, but who knows.

I'm conducting this game in 6mm.

If you know of anyone that might be interested in trying this out, please feel free to bring them along.

As soon as I see if there is any interest, I'll come up with some dates.

Thank you in advance for any help or feedback,

Todd Reed
www.itineranthobbyist.blogspot.com

CommandCon Northwind Scenario Size and other stuff

This being my first GMing adventure, I'm learning some things about designing a scenario. For example, how big in terms of troops, equipment, map, etc do you make this. The big limiting factor in this case is my time slot. I've got 4 hours, but that includes setup and tear down. So I'm working off 2 hours. Also, I'll be working with people who've probably never played before.

I'm getting some great feedback from the Blitzkrieg Forums that I'll post here later. I've also been looking at Batreps more closely for clues.

Here's one from Big Dave's blog about a Russian Attack.  (pictured above - I may have to go for the white sheet for terrain as well.) I asked a question about time and size and his opponent answered below. 3.5 hours all said with 2 experienced players.

skinnedpuppy said...

Hi,

I was Dave's opponent here, the Russians had around 5000 points with the German force being 3300. All in it took about 3.5 hours to play including set up and packing up. We used the BUA rules from the rulebook, the whole tile counts as a BUA. However we only give the building bonus (Save of 6) for infantry inside an actual building model.

It was a pretty close game had Dave not decimated my rear with his flanking force it would have been a different story. That said his armour taking 5 turns to only get a third way across the board certainly helped. :)

All in a very fun game.

GMing List now visible

Sweet, through more research I was able to figure out how to get my checklist posted on the GMing Page.

GMing Task List CommandCon

Just created a new page to post my task list for the November Command Con Blitzkrieg Commander game I'm GMing.

I would like to show the list on the page - there must be a way to do it.

Anyway, the focus of the game will be the 12th Armored Divisions battle, one of them anyway, near Herrilsheim, France. It was pretty much a disaster for the 12th AD. However, the 553 Volksgrenadier Div and 10th SS Armored Division didn't do so well either.

I've narrowed my focus to be the second attempt of the 12th to attack Herrilsheim from the North and South on January 17th. The CCB troops up north didn't make any progress, so I thought I would focus on CCA down south. I thought I'd narrowed it down a bit to which troops I would focus on but after doing a preliminary run of the numbers, I was already at 3,750 points, just for the US troops coming from the South. I'd hoped to have some of the 17 AIB and 43 AB that made it into town, but I don't want to make the game too big. Recommendations on the BKC forum say I should stick with 2,000 - 3,000 per side to make this game fit within 2 hours.

More info on the battle here.

All images from the 12th Armored Division site. Which I believe these actually come from WWII magazine.
The website says about the article where the photos are taken from: By David T. Zabecki and Keith Wooster from the January 1999 issue of World War II.

Photos and Miniature Manufacturers

Saw this great post on photos or lack of photos on miniature producers websites.

I get that it takes awhile to get them up there and some of these businesses are part time ventures, but seriously, you need pics of your models.

As I mentioned in my comment, I also have this issue with rules producers. I would like some page samples, more detailed explanations of how the game plays and works.

Since I can't go into a store and browse this sort of thing, for the most part, then I need some info, please.

One reason I like GHQ, the photos. They could be bigger and perhaps from some different angles, but keep 'em coming.

Cool Resource for Modellers and Gamers

I don't have all the details, but there are some great resources for you to access through Osprey's membership program.

Pretty clever way to get an ongoing revenue stream.