WW1 Bolt Action Battle Report (Pic Heavy)

[armchairgeneral]

Last weekend saw another clash between my alter ego Colonel Pip and his nemesis Oberst Karl von Krapstuka.

The British were required to attack down the table over two trench positions with the capture of two buildings at the rear of the table being the condition of victory.

To achieve this I had at my disposal:-

2 platoons each of 4 sections of 10 (each section included a lewis gun and rifle grenade launcher)
2 mortars
2 vickers MGs
2 sniper teams
4 mark IV tanks

This Germans had a similar size infantry force with the addition of 2 field guns.

Von Krapstuka has written a complete supplement for late WW1 Bolt Action rules which we were using for the game. They included some jolly useful bombardment rules to enable the British to advance with a rolling barrage although this had to be pre-planned by me assuming a level of progress going forward.

I elected to attack on the left flank with my tanks and infantry with heavy weapons in support on the right.

Despite my rolling bombardment taking its toll, things soon started to go wrong with one of my lead tanks being knocked out and the other immobilised. Matters deteriorated with the German’s calling in a forward defensive bombardment which wreaked havoc with my support weapons.





Thankfully the following two tanks made better headway overrunning the first German trench to their front. Their supporting infantry occupied the trench and were able to despatch most of the adjacent German field gun crew. The rest of the trench was then taken by my plucky tommies.









My lead tanks began to make headway towards the next German position when one was knocked out by the other field gun. Although I managed to get my immobilised tank going eventually, time was against us so we decided to call a halt with the result agreed as a draw.

[grant]

Bolt Action 1944k becomes 1917k!

In the grim darkness of the past, there is only trench warfare!

Lovely looking game, I like the base mat and the flexible terrain. Nice to see a tank.

[Phil Robinson]

Great terrain, toys and reportage.

Do you use BA straight out of the tin or do you use the Gajo Games or your own modifications?

[armchairgeneral]

Thanks for the comments.

We use a modified version of BA,

[mrtn]

Great battle report, thanks for sharing! 

[Metternich]

MASSIVE game.  Very impressive.

[Atheling]

Impressive looking game  .

Is that one of those Cigar Box gaming mats you were playing on?

Darrell.

[armchairgeneral]

Thanks.

Yes it is the cigar box WW1 gaming mat 

[Atheling]

Thanks.

Yes it is the cigar box WW1 gaming mat 

Thanks, thought so

Looks quite good 

Darrell.