Friday Night Games: WW2 Eastern Front

Words by Mark, Mat & Steve.

Photos by Mark & Mat

Friday 11th April saw Mark put on a WW2 game from his Eastern front series of linked games, all models and rules are his and ark umpired the game at Rupert's house.

Mark's Narrative for Scenario

The scenario is during the breakthrough in the Crimea as a Russian  column commanded by Steve & Rupert  attempts to get to Kerch and safety. 

The Romanian persuers, commanded by Dave and Mat are out not only to stop them but also secure the last airfield in the area. 

So far, the column has suffered from air attack and the NKVD "suggesting" they stand. 

All the Romanian troops - mostly infantry are on the table and engaging rear elements. 

Russian equipment is a mix of units with some odd stuff for eye candy. Thanks to Rupert for hosting.

Mat's Romanian Commentary

This is a very biased narrative by the umpire. A more even handed account is below:

When German units stalled in the Crimea, dashing Romanian forces staged a breakthrough that smashed overwhelming Russian forces. Knowing they could not face such iron will, the Russians fled, desperate to reach Kerch. 

Romanian forces have pursued, and though outgunned and massively outnumbered, they use guile, courage and pure vim to overcome their foe. Cleverly manoeuvring their light tankettes the brave Romanians have destroyed the Russian's Odessa Super-tank…

... a land leviathan that had held the SS at bay for weeks. Now heroic infantry units are chasing Communist armoured divisions across the bare Crimean landscape towards the cowering airfield. Ceaseless bombing missions and strafing sorties are smashing the Russians…

... there can be no escape!

Steve's Russian perspective

Very bias narrative from both Mark and Matt, here's the truth from the  latest issue of PRAVDA.

Unbeknown to the Rumanians they bombed the last, and only, supply depot housing LSV, bottles of "Last Stand Vodka", (Break cap in an emergency).

The now alcohol deprived Russians are flinging caution to the wind and confronting the real enemy, the NKVD, in order to reach "Yeltsins bar" in the village at the end of the table and use it as a "hache queue" for the next stage of the operation.

Rumour has it that a cargo plane full of LSV is being flown in to the airfield and then delivered to the bar so the airfield must be liberated before the Russian army starts suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

The game is not about a retreating Russian army but one pushing backwards towards the rear, bravely tackling the NKDV, best of luck to the Romainians when they reach their road block, and then getting the LSV off the table.

Friday Night Games: Battle for the Denistr River, Tiraspol, Romania 1944

22nd November, saw Mark's 20mm WW2 game staged at Rupert's pad. The scenario saw a Romanian force, backed by some German support attack Russian positions across the Dinistr River bridges.

Early view of the tabletop, prior to placement of Russian Defensive lines

Rules are those devised by Mark, who also umpired. Leading the Romanians were Phil, Mat and Mike W, whilst the Russians were played by Mike N and Rupert.

The two main bridge crossings over the river,
to left the rail bridge and to right the road bridge

Opening moves were taken up with Romanian recce and exploratory advances across the two bridges.

Small Russian Village

Russian pill boxes were attacked with some success  with two knocked out by units crossing the road bridge.

Weckage of a downed Russian Aircraft

Resistance to the rail bridge crossings was arguably stronger, resulting in a squad of engineers and a squad of infantry being eliminated as they attempted their crossings.

View of the tabletop from the Romanian side of teh table

Another view

Rear echelon russian Trenches

Romanians begin to cross the rail bridge

Initial Romanian gun deployment on the road bridge

Another view of the tabletop, from the Romanian side

Romanian Recce Aircraft starts a series of sweeps to locate enemy units and postitions

Infanty advance to the road bridge to exploit success aginat enemy pill boxes

Mortar support nre the road bridge

Romanian HQ secure the high ground

Knocked out Russian pill box

More Romanian recce sorties

Romanian 'heavy' armour arrives on the tabletop, at the rail bridge!

Additional support arrives at the road bridge

Romanian view of teh advance along the rail bridge,
note the Engineer section and their foothold on the far back, left of bridge

Advance across the road bridge reaches the half way mark