BATTLEFRONT: The Ridge (Playtest)

[MAGNA]

All that kind of stuff tends to be easily confusing. I usually need it explained a couple of times with examples before it sinks in. I will try and do more of it as we go with the moves so it makes more sense.

Haven't heard from the Germans for their artillery etc. yet. i hope they haven't left for Brazil ?

[Whiterook]

Well, at least we Brits have had a little time on our hands to brew some tea! Our German brothers must be into the kegs, and polishing off some schnitzel, after we invited them to take a little vacation away from their 88! Can some one pass the Crusader, please?

[MAGNA]

Well, that's confidence with a capital Tea for sure.

Keep in mind the fickle nature of the dice though. These things can change in one move and often do.

[TRDG]

No prob MAGNA, I got that aspect "covered" real well.

Cheers, WR, you better get your "lucky" charm out, we may need it soon!!!

Tommy

[MAGNA]

It's funny how there is always a temptation to help one side along to keep things balanced. this is something I always resist when umpiring unless there is an imbalance on my part.

In this game the dice has not been friendly to the German side. The tempation was to add something for them to balance it up but I expected the dice would do that for them in this case.

Thus we come to the German turn. Sometimes you can be wrong about dice though.....

The german artillery and mortar concentrated on the british infantry advance. This time there were much better results for the German side as the Brits lost two full sections of infantry to very good rolls. This included the company commander who can be replaced by taking away a rifle section.

After this came the howling sound of an aircraft diving towards the battleground. Ugly looking thing with bent wings.... yeah that's it - a Stuka.

The German observer has called this one to drop a bomb right on top of the Crusader. This puts the abandoned 88 at risk too (under the scale it is about 30 - 40 yards from the tank unit). A risk that has to be taken.

The bomb drops. Is the Crusader a survivor ? Has the 88 been wiped out ? Under the rules guns, trucks, infantry are removed from the board when eliminated. Armoured vehicles remain on board as they emit smoke and can affect firing of other units.

I could be a nuisance and let everyone work out the outcome of the Stuka attack by looking at the attached picture.

S6300056.jpg

[MAGNA]

And I was.

[TRDG]

Nice touch sir, I 'got it", and then some, BUT the 88 is still without its crew though, right, or can't I tell??

Cheers, looks like WR did'nt find his lucky tea bag after all, but I have plans within plans, so I'm not to worried yet!!

Tommy

[MAGNA]

Well I'm glad I didn't throw in any help or I might have messed the whole thing up.

It is now the German Offensive Fire phase.

Now a note to recap firing options. The Germans have several disordered units. As we know disordered units fire with a base 30% off their chances. Suppressed units take 10%. The option here is to not fire and instead try to reorder these units during the movement phase as usual. If they reorder they can then go on overwatch at full firing strength. The when the British players have had their defensive fire the units on overwatch can fire at any unit in range which fired during the defensive fire phase.

Option summary using the Panzer IV as an example ;

1. It does not fire during the offensive fire phase (now) and reorders. It is then on overwatch. Let's say the British fire the Valentine at the Panzer IV in their defensive fire phase and do no damage. The Panzer IV is then free to fire back at the Valentine or any other target in range that has fired. A unit that does not reorder during the movement phase cannot go onto overwatch so it is a chance that is sometimes worth taking to try to get a better shot.

2. It fires during the offensive fire phase. The 30% reduction in hit capability causes it to have no effect. It must then take British defensive fire PLUS it loses 10% off it's base armour rating if it is still disordered.

In this move it is probably better for the Germans to try to reorder the armoured car and Panzer IV so they can go on overwatch rather than firing them at a reduced amount. Usually you try to assess the ranges involved when deciding this. The Valentine is close enough to do the Panzer IV a mischief, especially when the Panzer IV is disordered. The Panzer IV is not likely to do much to the Valentine at the current range because it is disordered. The armoured car is not under threat at all but cannot cause damage to the infantry facing it at the current range because it is disordered.

TRDG - the 88 is still unmanned and is likely to remain so for some time. The problem is the crew has jumped into the Sdkfz 7 and backed away in the direction of the Dingo.
They must now reorder before returning to the gun. If they reorder well they still only get one action which will take them back to the gun. The move after that they can then dismount and take up positions again. So the 88 at best can fire again the move after next.

The Stuka will be back next turn for a strafing run. This is a line (not very wide) about 12" long. Infantry sections can fire at the plane before they get hit to try to suppress it. The Crusader did this with no effect (and a low chance too). Units firing at a plane sacrifice their defensive fire phase shot.

Well done everyone and we are getting closer to a result. It looks like it will come down to the poor old infantry yet again.

[TRDG]

You bet MAGNA, very interesting, it seems all the Germans need all the "help" they can get, can I give some advise to ? Ha Ha Ha.... Just kiddin' guys, is it a "little strange" that the British do not have any dedicated anti-aircraft units here for this game...... How "early" is it in the African campaign please?

Cheers

Tommy

[lufttiger]

Anybody seen Fieldmarshall Hagen??, It seems you Brits have cut our
communcation lines, very clever!