Buck's Blog

Since 2009, I have been hosting an evening of gaming on New Years Eve for the guys in my gaming club.  This year we began around 1500 and ran until about 0200 New Year’s Day.  The first game was a GASLIGHT game run by Chris Palmer, called the Twelve Doctors of Christmas, in which various incarnations of Dr. Who fight against goblins, Daleks, Cyber Men, and other baddies to free Santa from confinement.  The third game was a largish X-wing game.  I ran the middle game, a Combat Patrol(TM) skirmish in which US glider-borne troops assault a German-held bridge.

In the scenario, the Americans had a reinforced platoon of glider-borne troops.  Two gliders landed on the table, but the others, including gliders containing armored airborne jeeps, landed off the table at the bottom right of the picture (above) and entered the table in the first turn of the game.

The Germans had one squad on the “American” side of the bridge, and another squad deployed in the buildings on the far side of the stream.  There was also a bunker on the “German” side of the river that was initially unoccupied.  The stream was crossable (as rough movement) by infantry, but it was impassible to vehicles.  There Germans had another squad, a halftrack, and a headquarters section that entered the table on the first turn.

In the picture (above), one German team occupied what was thought of as a strong position behind a wall.  Unfortunately for them, the Americans opened fire first from “medium” range.  The Germans immediately sustained casualties and then struggled with soldiers seeking cover, being stunned, etc. for most of the game.

The Americans in the second glider encountered little resistance and moved to a position on the hill in the foreground to cover the target (bridge) with fire.

German reinforcements arrived in the form of a squad mounted in a halftrack.  The unexpected arrival of a fourth US squad that had landed on the “German” side of the stream caused the Germans to re-think their plan.  In addition to holding the bridge, the German’s main objective was to get to the American gliders and search them for plans and important documents for intelligence purposes.  When the Americans showed up on their flank, they had to focus on holding the bridge.

After dropping half a squad to delay the arrival of the American flanking force, the halftrack pulled back, eventually occupying a blocking position right on the single-lane bridge.  This left the German defenders with limited fires support, and the Americans’ accuracy was uncannily good, mauling the Germans.  by that time, the Germans from the closest glider to the bridge were close assaulting the halftrack, and one of the American squads that started off the table had waded across the river and prepared to assault a German-held bunker.

The game was a convincing US victory.  The German initial deployment could have been better, but in general the Americans just fired better than the Germans.  They also made good use of the ability of troops with Garands to conducting moving fire, keeping the Germans in a reactive mode most of the game.  Despite the lopsided outcome, I think this is a pretty good scenario, and I intend to run it again at a club night.

 

US Military personnel are deployed in over 120 countries.  Regardless of your feelings about the politics or wisdom of a particular war, action, or mission, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen server their nation’s call all over the world.  We might complain about traffic or crowds at the mall.  These Americans face much worse every day until they return to their families and friends.

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’d seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.”

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said “Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt, 1986

Most of us are braving traffic and crowds to do that last-minute shopping.  Many of us think fondly of white Christmases and snow, of logs on the fire and roasting chestnuts.  These Soldiers braved bullets and bombs.  They spent Christmas in steamy climates.  Pause a moment to think of the Soldiers serving overseas and away from home this Christmas.

A great disappointment of my 30+ years in the military is that I never had the opportunity to see Bob Hope in concert.  Bob Hope is a real hero.  He never concerned himself with the politics of the war.  Wherever Soldiers served, Hope was there (pun intended).  Bob Hope spent many, many years having Christmas dinner with the troops and bringing a little joy to break up the monotony of the war.

Soldiers often find themselves in faraway places rather than at home with their family and friends.  Pause a moment this Christmas to think of those serving 120+ nations around the world this Christmas.

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas with our families and friends, let’s not forget how Soldiers have celebrated Christmas in years past in lands far away from their families and friends.  Freedom is not free.

This selection of photos is from World War II.  The images were gathered from various Internet sites and are not attributed.

This year, get the gamer in your life something that will make him (or her) very happy:  a copy of Combat Patrol(TM): WWII.

Information about the rules, including where to get them, a bunch of free downloads, and how-to videos are located here:  http://www.bucksurdu.com/Buck_Surdu/Combat_Patrol.html

The rules are available with professionally printed cards on War-games Vault:  http://www.drivethrucards.com/product/158116/Combat-Patrol-Set-A or http://www.drivethrucards.com/product/158122/Combat-Patrol-Set-B

They are also available in the UK and Europe from Sally 4th:  http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Combat-Patrol

Finally, get them from On Military Matters in the US:  http://onmilitarymatters.com/pages/dfindex.php

HAWK Zeb Cooke ran a cowboy game at last Friday’s club meeting using Combat Patrol(TM).  Players controlled posses, gangs, units, etc. vying for control of the town and possession of gold, cattle, and a saucy bar wench.  (I may have made up that last bit.)

By all accounts the rules worked just fine for the cowboy period without modification.  All Zeb had to do was build unit records with different weapons on them to reflect the technology of the day.

The little cards in the foreground represent cattle.  Zeb had printed cows on the tent-folded cards.

There was a rules misunderstanding regarding shotguns that made them overly powerful in the game.  They were doubling the rate of fire on double barreled shotguns, but the base rules, written for WWII, assumed the rate of fire for pump-action shotguns.  Doubling the rate of fire from the base rules made them nuclear weapons.

In the post-game kibitzing on the drive home, Duncan and I talked about whether the normal command radius should apply to cowboy games.  As I think on it, I think for units, like cavalry and infantry, they should still use the command radius.  For groups that would be essentially main characters in a movie, you could suspect the command radius or make it very, very generous.  I think in a cowboy game you want guys running all over the table causing mischief.

We had a couple of new gamers who had not played Combat Patrol(TM).  I was playing in another game at the time, but I heard that they both enjoyed the game and picked it up quickly.

There were a number of Combat Patrol(TM) games at Fall In 2016.  The breadth of the games showcased the flexibility of the system.  The number of younger players who caught onto the systems quickly demonstrates the ease of the rules.

I scheduled two iterations of a Poland 1939 skirmish involving a Polish armored train.  WWII is, of course, what Combat Patrol(TM) was designed to replicated.

Dave Wood ran a Zulu game using his modifications for colonial warfare.  This free supplement should be available in a month or so after a few more play tests.

All of the players seemed to pick up the rules quickly.  I don’t think there were any players in the game who had used the rules before.  A couple of players didn’t get into the fight right away, which was more a scenario design issue than a rules issue.

I really like the feel of Dave’s changes.  When the Brits can find cover or form up, they are hard for the Zulus to defeat, but if the Zulus catch them strung out or in the open, it can be very bad for the British.  That feels right to me.

Greg ran Combat Patrol with Star Wars figures.  This will also be a free supplement in the near future.  In fact there will likely be an original trilogy (and perhaps Rogue One) supplement and a Clone Wars supplement.

These youngsters caught onto the rules quickly and had a terrific time.

The Rebels were trying to take an important droid across the tables.  The Imperial troops with the AT-ST’s and other heavy weapons tried to stop them.  It was a close run affair, but the rebels eeked out a victory.

If you missed playing Combat Patrol at Fall In, we’ll be running several games using the rules at Cold Wars.  Come and see what all the buzz is about.

There is more information about the rules, including how-to videos, at the rules’ Web site.

I intended to arrive in the mid-afternoon on Thursday, but then we scheduled an interview for a potential hire late Thursday afternoon.  I still thought I might make it in time to run a Fate of Battle game for the HAWKs Thursday evening, but events conspired against me.  When I arrived, I was still angry and needed to calm down before gaming.  Instead of minis we tried a new card game I bought, called Smash Up.  We may have been doing some things wrong, but I think we were starting to get the hang of it toward the end.  Greg brought some Scotch that his had donated to the HAWKs, called Monkey Shoulder, and that helped smooth over the rough edges of our knowledge of the game rules.

Greg and I had the full breakfast at the Continental before heading over the host.  Friday morning I found that the new Host ownership had an odd way of managing the key to the Paradise room, but eventually we go the door unlocked.  Eric and I were running the same scenario, Heilsburg, 1809, on the same table.  My game was first, Friday morning, using Fate of Battle, and Eric’s was later using modified Regimental Fire and Fury.  Eric set up all the terrain for both games, which made my prep for the game much easier.  I was surprised that the game was full and that everyone who signed up showed up for a 0900 game on Friday.  The game went quite well.  All the players were engaged early and had a good time.  The Russian cavalry under the command of someone new to Fate of Battle ground forward against the French cavalry commanded by a guy named Jeff who plays a lot of LSNC.  Initially the Russian left, commanded by HAWKs room regular, Donald, chose to advance, but when two of three Russian brigades retreated, the French went on the attack.  The Retreating Russians recovered and returned to the fight in time to stop the French attack.  Though the Russians were beginning to drive the French out of the town, the arrival of the “fresh” Russian infantry made the outcome an inevitable Russian victory.

I spent some time in the flea market and dealer hall on Friday afternoon.  The big find for me was a batch of 1:50(ish) scale WWII tanks.  Greg also found a loose figure in a bin that will be painted as Peggy Carter before my next pulp-era game.  I had asked Battlefield Terrain Concepts to bring additional hedgerow, and I purchased more of that.  Otherwise, I spent a bunch of time kibitzing and wandering around.

I set up my Poland 1939 armored train game for Friday night and helped Greg set up his Star Wars game — both using Combat Patrol.   I was surprised that my Friday morning game filled, and I was just as surprised that my Saturday night game had not a single player attend.  Was it in the PEL?  I think it was.

Anyway, that gave me a chance to play in Kurt’s A Union So Tested game.  I didn’t know the scenario, so I volunteered to let the new player command the Union force that I thought would see most of the action.  Then three of us entered the table on the Union flank.  This was as much of a surprise to me as it was to the Union commanders.  The game played really well, with the Yanks doing a good job of slowing the Reb advance toward the key crossroads.  The Yanks held a forward salient too long, which didn’t allow them to lengthen their left flank, so I was pushing around it when time ran out, and Kurt called the game a Union victory.

After a little kibitzing and setting up for Saturday morning, Greg, Dave, and I headed back to the Continental to watch a few episodes of Tom Baker Doctor Who with Leela before hitting the sack.

 

Saturday morning, Dave and I went for a 3.5 mile run, and then the three of us had breakfast at the Continental again.  My Saturday morning Polish armored train game was overly full, so some of the standby HAWKs weren’t able to play.  The German objective was to capture the train to move it off the road, not to destroy it.  There is notionally a large German formation coming down the road, and the force in the scenario was the advance guard sent to clear the route.  We had a good mix of experienced Combat Patrol players and newbies.  Duncan took the one German squad on the table that didn’t have a vehicle, and for several turns he was the only visible enemy to many of the Polish defenders, so he received a lot of “love.”  On the German right, their two Pz. 38(t)s and two vehicle-mounted infantry squads tried to push around the Poles, but found the Polish defenders tough to dislodge.  The Poles did a pretty good job using their mortar to inflict some damage on the Germans.  Fortunately for the German tanks, the Poles had positioned their anti-tank gun on the other side of the table.  This is where the Germans tried to slip two halftracks full of infantry around the Polish right.  The anti-tank gun knocked out one of the halftracks, but the other slipped past.  The squad in the disabled halftrack dismounted and got involved in a long, unproductive firefight with a Polish squad in some nearby woods.  Half of this German squad failed morale and ran off the table.  The halftrack that got around the Polish defenses got to the train.  The artillery in the turret turned to knock out the halftrack, so one of Kurt’s tanks fired at it — getting the word result possible.  Recall that the Germans needed to be able to move the train off the road, but Kurt hit the undercarriage of the train car straddling the road, penetrated, and brewed up the car.  This would have made it hard to move the train later.  The Germans got infantry into the cab of the train, so I called the game a German victory.  I was gratified at how many of the folks who had never played Combat Patrol seemed to pick it up easily and were largely self-sufficient after a couple of turns.

 

Again, I had a few hours to wander the flea market and dealer hall, but there wasn’t a lot of time between my Polish game and when we planned to being setting up our Saturday evening game, so mostly I sat around and kibitzed.

Dave, Chris, and I ran the battle of Lvov Saturday evening.  This is a large game that we’ve run several times, including for the 114th Signal Battalion for one of their Senior Leader Development events.  The scenario is somewhat what-if in nature, as it involves the Russians and Germans conducting a coordinated attack on the town of Zboiska on the outskirts of Lvov.  While the Germans and Russians were both nearby, there was no simultaneous attack historically.  In addition to defending Zboiska, the Poles were also ordered to capture a nearby ridgeline and knock out the artillery that was shelling Lvov.  Duncan and a father-son team launched three infantry battalions up Graff-break Ridge.  They took very heavy casualties, almost two and a half battalions.  Duncan let the newbies get decimated while he advanced put he ridge against an beat-up defender, but he was still unable to knock out the guns before the game ended.  (By the way, the players were having such a good time that we played an extra hour!)  Dave and a newbie to LSNC played the Germans and crashed into Duncan’s cavalry screen, wiping out four of five companies by the end of the game.  Dave’s panzergrenadiers got bogged down trying to root Duncan out of his second line of defense, but the newbie, a guy named Hutch, got some of his infantry into the town.  On the other end of the table, Mike and Chris were the Russians trying to bypass Kurt and roll over Donald to seize the town.  Donald’s light Polish tank battalion was no match for Mike’s wall of steel.  While Mike killed every single Polish vehicle on the table, Chris pushed a few stands of infantry into Zobiska.  The victory conditions were based on the number of full (undamaged) bases in the town as well as the status of the ridgeline.  In the end, the Poles received two victory points, but the Russians and Germans didn’t receive any.  So after a hard-fought defense, the Poles eeked out a victory.  I think this might have been the most interesting iteration of Lvov we have run.  I was a little disappointed that we only had four non-HAWKs for a 12-player game, but all the non-HAWKs seemed to have an excellent time, and I think the HAWKs had fun as well.  It certainly made being a GM pretty easy.

 

I had bid $60 for a batch of painted WWII Americans in the Toys for Tots auction.  As I have picked up WWII figures here and there I find that I am short of plain riflemen and have too many submachine guns.  I thought this was a silent auction and that I had won the bid, but when I went to go claim the figures and pay I was dismayed that my winning silent bid was merely the starting bid for another traditional auction.  I guess I don’t understand the purpose of the silent auction.  I was disappointed at the way it played out.  There was a guy in the crowd who seemed to snipe at most winning bids with an extra five dollars.  I guess it’s for a good cause, but I won’t be doing the auction again.

Sunday morning Dave and I went for another run before breakfast at the Continental.  I normally run a chariot race game on Sunday mornings, but I hadn’t planned to run a Sunday game this year.  I hit the flea market again.  I rarely find anything of interest on Sunday, but this time was different.  In the flea market I found two of the Litko buildings I use in Granville, my pulp-era town.  They were already assembled and nicely painted for less than the unassembled kits.  Did I need two more buildings?  No, but what the heck?!  I wandered around the dealer hall, picking up some stuff from terrain bits Scenic Express and chatting with folks in the aisles.  By the time I returned to the HAWKs room, all three HAWKs-run games were well underway, so I just spent time talking to Mike and watching the three games.

After Eric and Dave cleaned up the HAWKs stragglers went to Brooklyn pizza for a nice lunch before the long drive home.  All in all, this was a good con for me.

Last night at our club we played a Combat Patrol(TM) game featuring Americans fighting Moros in the Philippines.  The Americans had to get a mule train full of supplies across the table, but the Moros were trying to intercept the supplies.  We used the under-development Pacific supplement to represent Moro morale.

The Americans chose to go “up the middle” rather than either hanging back to create a defensive perimeter or going either right or left to attempt to avoid some of the Moros.

The Americans were caught in the middle of the table.  Because of this, and the constricted terrain, the Americans were unable to take advantage of their firepower.  The Moros were able to close.  Their melee attribute was very high, so once they closed into hand-to-hand, the Moros won the majority of the firefights.

An American team fired a shot into the rocky outcropping in which the overall Moro leader had taken position.  The Americans got a hit, and an incapacitation result, despite the cover provided by the rocks.  In Combat Patrol(TM), once you hit a target (by drawing a card and consulting the hit indicator section), you then draw a second card to determine which figure is hit, how severely, and whether cover protected the figure.  The card drawn had no cover icons, so the Moro leader was incapacitated.

With the overall leader gone, all of the subordinate Moro units were pinned.  The Activation Deck has black and red cards in it.  When a unit is pinned, it can only activate on the black cards.  This severely limited the Moros for a couple of turns, during which the Americans were able to regroup and establish a perimeter.  During this time, the Americans also had some good card draws in hand-to-hand combat.  The Americans, who began the game outnumbered two-to-one, were beginning to redress a lopsided loss exchange ratio, but not in time.  The Moros had seized the mule train and were well on their way off the table with it when we called the game a Moro victory.

We used the draft Japanese Morale from the under-develoment supplement to reflect the fanatical nature of the Moros.  I also gave them a Melee attribute of four, compared to the Americans’ one.  The Moros, however, had few rifles and had to depend on closing into hand-to-hand combat to carry the day.

All in all, I think the rules worked quite well for this period.  I think it felt about right for the Philippines.  Look for a Moro supplement in the foreseeable future.