The time is fast approaching for the next ASL Game Day at my house. Here's the kicker, it doesn't have to be a Game DAY, it can be a GAME WEEKEND. If anyone is interested, I can open the doors around 7:30 Friday June 7th and we can play into Sunday. You guessed it, the rest of the family will be out of town. Just bring something to sleep (sleeping bag, blankets, pillows) if you like. I can break out the war movie collection for side entertainment. Or we can have the standard Saturday on the 8th. One thing that does need to be completed is playtesting of our scenarios. Chris K has sent me an update and there are a couple others in their final playtest stages..
May saw another rain and family (Mothers Day) abridged meeting. Ralph and I played CH40 Nordic Twilight, an interesting Winter War scenario. The Finns win by either breaking all the Russian MMC or if there are no GO Russian MMC in or adjacent to any buildings as long as they have a higher CVP tally than the Russians. Aside from the Deep Snow, Extreme Winter, and Finnish Ski Troops there is the interesting SSR that all buildings have a 1 MMC stacking capacity (overstacking allowed with the usual penalties). Ralph took the Finns and I got the Russians. Then the fun began. We each got to select the main order of battle from three choices plus purchase support weapons, fortifications, etc.
Both sides attack and defend. The Finns have a small blocking force west of the town. The Russians set up in town and have a small relief force trying to break through from the west. The Finns main body attacks from the east and south. I set up for all around defense although the western side was lightly manned, just to keep the Finns in their blocking positions and not try anything adventurous. The south had a mix of units with LMG and a Commissar to keep the units in the fight. With a 2 ELR, I had many units replaced, including one Elite rifle squad reduced to Conscripts in a single Game Turn. The east was covered by most of my troops with a T28 tank and HIP HMG reinforcing. I concealed an AA Gun Truck in a centrally located orchard hex.
Ralph tried to squeeze me from the NW and South. I got lucky in the south stripping the concealment from most of the Finns while in the open, inflicting some casualties but I was slowly forced from my position as my units broke, ELR'd, and froze to death. I had a tank nearby but it refused to budge without radio communications. In the Northwest I was again able to strip concealment or at least counter with my own concealment. Ralph forced the T28 to relocate and then immobilized it in CC (it also malf'd its MA due to the cold weather). Unfortunately for him my HMG opened up on a flank breaking and eliminating the units there, allowing a Russian squad to sneak around and cut Finnish rout paths. In the West, I warily advanced through the forest, like typical Russians in 1940 Finland. After several turns I decided to throw caution to the wind and let my BT tanks loose down the road. Well Lahti dah. The lead tank was taken out by a HIP 20L ATR team. The other tanks ran past the wreck and then pasted the gunners with MG and MA fire resulting in them breaking. Around this time my other T28 had is MA freeze up an then break causing the Finnish blocking position get caught in a tank sandwich with support from my gun truck. Ralph gave MVP to this truck as it stopped his NW attack and shot up his blocking force.
Final analysis, I had at least three nasty low rolls at critical times and good luck stripping concealment from the Finns, which is important when you have Winter Camouflage. The resulting Finnish casualties made it nearly impossible for the Finns to meet the CVP prerequisite for victory.
We spent the rest of the day working on Ralph's scenario for playtesting. We found the units, date, and location for the action he referenced. We prepared an initial OB. Upon review, it may need SSR editing an the Allied force may be a little strong for the Germans but that is why we playtest.
Let me know if you want to have an ASL Weekend (I can provide Saturday Dinner). Look forward to seeing you either Friday the 7th or Saturday the 8th. Come hone your skills for Austin. BTW, I will be Chairman in June.
Ed
