Action Near Le Cateau - Late 1918

[monk2002uk]

I particularly like the table and scenario, very well done!

Thank you, Cessna. The scenario planning aspect is something that I like to pay attention to. There were several instances in the war on the Western Front where two equal-size forces could have engaged each other like this. The later war period means that the variety of weapons systems can come into play with some justification. At the same time, we don't have to worry about the overlapping effects from either flank or multiple artillery echeloned to the rear.

Robert

[Anna Elizabeth]

I'm really enjoying this battle, Robert. I love the terrain and the bird's-eye views especially.

[monk2002uk]

Thanks, Anna. One of my sons came up with the idea of using the iPad to take overhead shots. He is quite tall though, so could reach up close to the ceiling and hold it steady enough

Robert

[Shawnt63]

Fantastic Robert! Well done on another magnificent table! AAR sounds good to!

Shawn

[monk2002uk]

Turn 4 saw a German FOO make contact and request an artillery barrage. It fell short, landing on the German Minenwerfer team. All of the crew were killed. The British FOO also called in a barrage but it was not able to add to the casualty list, fortunately. The British armoured car tried to open up on the Granatenwerfer. In the heat of the moment though, one of the machine-gunners mistook the nearby British infantry for enemy. He opened fire, killing one of the section and causing further pins on the others. Further over, one of the German squads that had stormed out of farm was able to open fire on the British section that was hugging the ground, inflicting a further pin and killing another infantryman. Here is the German attack unfolding against the British right flank.

Robert

[James Morris]

Great looking table and game.  Thanks for taking such great photos and posting.

[Anna Elizabeth]

Friendly Fire - *ain't*. Great update, I *so* want to get playing!

[monk2002uk]

'Friendly fire' was a recurrent theme in the 'open' warfare phases, particularly in close terrain.

On with the account, as turn 4 continued. The British MMG took aim at the German field gun. Rounds smacked into the shield but one gunner went down and one pin was inflicted as well. The Granatenwerfer opened fire on the British section near the armoured car but missed. The section advanced and returned fire on the Granatenwerfer, killing one of the crew. The British section in the ground floor of the restaurant opened fire on German squad in the building opposite, killing two. The German squad tried to ascend to first floor but failed. It was in big trouble, having suffered terribly despite being in hard cover. To add insult to injury, a second British section pushed forward and opened fire on Germans in building, inflicting a further pin. The German MMG inflicted a pin on British MMG but this was small consolation. Soon afterwards, the British command team opened fire on the remnants of the German squad in the hotel and destroyed it. A dismal round for the Germans ended with the sniper team opening fire on the Vickers MMG and missing. The light AT gun moved forward but there were no targets available. The only minor plus was that the left-hand German squad advanced and opened fire, inflicting further casualties on the downed British section. In a last ditch attempt to hold the hotel, the German FOO team entered the building on the ground floor. The rooms were strewn with the dead and dying - an omen of what was to befall the FOO and his signaller. Desperate times though... (or, more accurately, a good example of command failure in the face of rising tension). Here is the aerial photograph at the end of the turn 4.

Robert

[Anna Elizabeth]

Looking good. I should have realized you were using Bolt Action, what with FOOs and all.

[monk2002uk]

Thanks, Anna. You can make out the BA dice in some of the photos too. The only adjustments we made were for the way that the weapons systems were organised. It was mainly a case of mapping some of the WW1 systems to their BA equivalents, such as the field- and anti-tank guns. In all other respects, we played the rules as written.

Robert

[Phil Robinson]

Really enjoying this, great write up, and together with the photo's it really makes the action exciting to see unfold. Great toys and scenary too.

[monk2002uk]

Thanks Phil.

And so to the final turn. One of the German squads on their left flank advanced, opened fire and destroyed the downed British section. The second German squad advanced and opened fire on the British field gun, killing one crew. The field gun returned fire, killing 3 German riflemen. The gunners had set the shrapnel shell to explode as soon as it left the tube. The German MMG and field gun failed to inflict any casualties, though one pin was put down on the Vickers MMG. The British Stokes mortar team came into action, killing one more German rifleman and (you guessed it) rendering a second squad hors de combat.

In the hotel, a British section assaulted the FOO team killing both men. Another British section took out the remnants of the Granatenwerfer team. And so it ended. While it was possible that the intact German squad could have taken out the artillery, there was little hope of defending the German right flank with just the field gun and MG08. The jubilant British pilot snapped a final aerial shot before the Germans exited south to regroup. On a more positive note, all of the commanders motored off the battlefield to partake in dinner together in Chez Moi.

We had a fantastic time together. The game ebbed one way, causing the British commanders to fret, and then the other. Even within turns, there was constant uncertainty and tension. I hope I have done justice to the game flow. It is impossible to capture the value of being together as a family. That was the greatest outcome though.

Robert

[Silent Invader]

A great series of reports Robert.   . How long did the game take to play?

[Phil Robinson]

A grand finale.

It has to be the biggest joy of our hobby, bringing friends, family and indeed strangers together, a bit ironic that we are replicating things that divide people.

[monk2002uk]

Thanks Silent Invader. The five turns played out over 2 hours or so.

You are so right, Phil.

Robert