WWII – Page 8

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).

Check Your Six WWII Air Game Photos

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a game of Check Your Six at the Dogs of War shop. The 1/300 scale planes involved were:

2 Blenheims
2 Spitfires
2 Hurricanes

4 Me109
2 Me110

The Blenheims were to cross the table and bomb invasion barges prior to the planned 1940 invasion of Britain.

The Blenheims and escorts crossing the channel.

Ultimately, all three Blenheims were destroyed. One Me109 and one Hurricane were destroyed and several other planes were damaged.

Check Your Six WWII Air Game Photos

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a game of Check Your Six at the Dogs of War shop. The 1/300 scale planes involved were:

3 B26
2 P38
4 P47

2 FW190
4 Me109
2 Me110

The bombers were to cross the table and bomb some military installations in France prior to D Day. None made it. Two 110s were lost. Two 109s and a 190 were damaged.

B26s escorted by P47s

The 110s felt a bit out of place in this fight.

The target

P47s

The 109s slip right to get at the bombers and the P47 turn in to cover.

An ace in a FW190 takes down another bomber.

The remaining 110 takes out the last bomber before being destroyed itself.

Rapid Fire AAR and Photos

Last month the local HMGS-South group played a Rapid Fire scenario based on the action near Arendorff (25 miles SE of Berlin) on April 18-19 1945. Three Tiger-IIs of the 503rd Heavy Tank battalion (schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 503) and a collection of other units were attempting to cover the retreat of civilians by delaying the advance of the Soviet army.

The Russian forces moving in from the left need to take the bridges and fuel dump (upper right), and destroy any Tiger-IIs.

One or more of the IL-2s may attack each turn based on a die roll.

Mortars with little ammo and a group of armed civilians.

T-34s swarm across the bridges. The mortars try to destroy one of these bridges, but fail.

Russian infantry takes losses attacking the German right, but keeps coming.

Tiger-IIs moving to the fuel dump to refuel.

The German line on the right is overrun.

T-34s use point blank fire to clear the buildings on the German left.

The fuel dump is destroyed by German fire to deny it to the Russians.

Russian tanks have taken heavy losses on the German left, but there is little to stop the Russian infantry.

German fuel trucks are burning, but the Tiger-IIs escape.

The Russians received points for capturing bridges and the fuel dump, and for destroyed Tiger-IIs. The Germans received points for getting fuel trucks and Tiger-IIs out of town, and for destroying Russian tanks. The Russians got the bridges, but the fuel dump was blown and the Tiger-IIs and a few fuel trucks escaped. The game was close with the Germans winning on points.

Operation Cobra – Rapid Fire Game Photos

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a game of Rapid Fire. The scenario was July 28, 1944 (three days after the start of Cobra) and involved efforts of the U.S. 3rd and 4th Armored Divisions to take Coutances as the American breakout of Normandy begins. The Americans were opposed by elements of the 353rd Infantry, 17th SS Panzer Grenadier and 2nd SS Panzer Divisions.

The terrain and buildings are made by Rob of Real-Terrain (RMLHM901@aol.com).

Order of Battle