HMGS – Page 7

Rapid Fire Game – Battle of Hatten Rittershoffen

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a Rapid Fire scenario based on the battle of Hatten Rittershoffen, in Alsace, France, in January of 1945.

Elements of the 14th Armored Division, 242nd Infantry Regiment and 315th Infantry Regiment attempt to secure the villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen but are counterattacked by units of 21st the Panzer, 25th Panzer Grenadier and 47th Volksgrenadier divisions.

The northern 88, to be knocked out early in the battle.

The seemingly empty town actually crawling with German infantry.

The southern 88 survived but didn’t hit much.

The Americans advance on a broad front and rush across the only bridge.

What little is left of the first infantry unit across the bridge is pinned down.

Infantry use the dry river bed for cover.

Many vehicles bog down crossing the dry river bed.

The counter attack of the 21st Panzer catches the Americans by surprise.

Carnage on both sides as the tanks engage at point blank range.

Tigers can be destroyed with a good die roll.

SAGA Dark Age AAR Vikings vs Normans and Saxons

On Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a dark age skirmish game using SAGA rules at the Dogs of War shop. This four-player game pitted the Saxons defending a village against two allied Viking warbands intent on loot. A Norman warband arrives to support the Saxons.

Saxons in the village surrounded by pigs, chickens, children, women and clerics.

A bow-armed Saxon levy on the ridge sees two Viking warbands approach.

The Saxon bowmen fire and retreat behind the ridge while Norman units rush to the left and right flanks.

Norman bows and crossbows pepper the Vikings on the wings. A strong Viking attack in the center causes many Saxon casualties and opens a hole in the shieldwall.

The Saxon counterattack destroys two Viking units. The Vikings depart, satisfied with their captured pigs, chickens and children.

In terms of combat the game was fairly even, but the Vikings left with enough loot to call it a victory.

Bolt Action Game, Eastern Front

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a game of Bolt Action at the Dogs of War shop. The scenario was Soviets vs Germans in Byelorussia, July 1944. The Soviet 168th Rifle Division is advancing toward the key city of Lida in Byelorussia when they run into a roadblock centered on a small village. The roadblock is manned by elements of the German 211th Infantry Division.

No troops yet deployed. Soviets will enter on the right.

The Soviets advance, trying to stay in cover.

Firefights with the German HMG in the largest building (rubble pile actually) whittle away at both sides.

The left flank German squad is reduced to three men and pinned down (failing several order attempts).

Soviets assault and take the first building.

Soviet assault on the fresh right flank German squad is crushed, but the surviving German troopers are down shortly thereafter. More Soviets move up, but the game ends (6 turns) with only one building taken (a draw).

Gutshot Game – Geronimo Campaign of 1886

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a game of Gutshot, set during the campaign to capture Geronimo in 1886. The Apaches need to break through the cavalry units to escape.