BATTLEFRONT: The Ridge (Playtest)

[lufttiger]

Our we teaming up here? If so i'd like to go with the Germans as well?

[Whiterook]

Well, so far, I see that Hagen and LT would like to play the Germans, and Nick (G44) needed to hang back on this first game while awaiting his little one. Unless you've been contacted with others by PM, I'd be willing to play the Allies against Hagen and LT. If Nick wants to follow along and play by my side if circumstances allow, that would be more than acceptable to me also. I will of course defer my involvement in this round if others want to jump in. Let me know.

[MAGNA]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

Well, so far, I see that Hagen and LT would like to play the Germans, and Nick (G44) needed to hang back on this first game while awaiting his little one. Unless you've been contacted with others by PM, I'd be willing to play the Allies against Hagen and LT. If Nick wants to follow along and play by my side if circumstances allow, that would be more than acceptable to me also. I will of course defer my involvement in this round if others want to jump in. Let me know.

Ok - that sounds fine. Whiterook has the hard part to play in this so he is very brave (he didn't know till now). I will post the rough overview of the scenario today. It has a hotch potch of units but that is just so everyone can get used to how things work. One hint, don't waste your infantry, you generally can't win a game in these rules if you don't have enough infantry at the critical times. Don't be afraid to use them either as they are decisive at times.

Here's a quick idea of scale.

One stand of infantry - one section or squad.
three stands - one platoon.
10 - 13 stands - one company. Generally the largest manoeuvre element.

Special infantry stands - HMG - mortar - spotters (generally spotters can't be killed).

One vehicle or gun - two to three vehicles. Recce vehicles are one unit only.

Artillery - usually offboard. Can be directed by a spotter (best call in chance) or by a company commander who has field of view.

Mortar or onboard artillery - Can be spotted for but poor at longer range.
Usually best in direct fire operations.

All artillery can fire two smoke missions per game, including mortars. Smoke can make a twenty percent difference to the chance of a hit. Good stuff to drop in front of dug in enemy units when you get within range.

Aircraft - nasty. Usually dive bomber or rocket firing - Either way dangerous to tanks. Can be shot down by anti-aircraft units or have effect lowered by infantry with LMG/HMG. After an aircraft finishes it first run it comes back next turn for a strafing run against infantry.

OK. That should do for now. Scenario comes next.

[MAGNA]

Scenario.

German forces have moved forward and taken a ridge. British forces have been quickly cobbled together to throw them back and regain the ridge. This must be done before the day is over or the German forces will be reinforced over night.

The terrain is fairly flat except for the ridge. Most of the opposing forces can be seen unless well concealed or behind the ridge line. The ridge is close to the middle of the board in this game and only covers the middle third - each flank is open.

Map to come tomorrow.

I will also send forces to each side for placement and so you can work out your first three moves (orders). Don't make manoeuver elements too small as it affects morale and movement activation when you get to 25% - 50% - 75% losses. Don't make them too big either or a bad activation roll in a move could send the whole lot off in a panic.

Suggestion - Infantry in companies and tanks either attached to a company or as a group.

[lufttiger]

Who gets first turn?

[MAGNA]

Originally Posted by lufttiger

Who gets first turn?

First turn will go to the British since they are attacking.

The turn sequence is split and is as follows;

First half of a turn.

British; Artillery - Offensive fire - Movement.
German - Defensive fire.

Second half of a turn.

German Artillery - offensive fire - Movement.
British - Defensive fire.

Under the rules a unit cannot fire offensively and then move so use some to give covering fire while moving others.

The defensive fire phase is basically a free shot where you get to fire everything you have except artillery and mortars.

[TRDG]

Let me know when you do the next game.

Cheers

Tom

[MAGNA]

Originally Posted by TRDG

Let me know when you do the next game.

Cheers

Tom

We haven't really started this yet so if you want to join in as a British player get in touch with Whiterook and I will have the map posted today.

[MAGNA]

Ok lets hope this has worked. The map is a pdf. If that doesn't work for anyone let me know please. You will need to set your manoeuvre elements as A, B, C......... Then list what is in each element and send that to me with the starting location and hull down / dug in status. Use the map as it is shown for both sides - left is the side with the wadi on it. This will avoid confusion. Just give me a close enough proximity for each unit and we will see if I get it right (fog of war and all that).

After that all you need to do is give me orders for each element such as defend front, support fire for, move forward and hull down. Do this with the first three moves in mind and then we will be able to see if we need to go on a move by move basis. It depends on what hits the fan by move three.

The only other thing I will need is about thirty dice rolls from each side - or cards. Use whatever you like but I need numbers from one to ten. I have changed some rule numbers to opposites as the rules in the standard game all require high rolls for success. It will be both ways for this though so it can't be fudged.

[TRDG]

PM sent to Whiterook MAGNA!!

Cheers

Tom