Despite using an “aggressive” posture for all submarines, the Germans had a very difficult time attaining the tonnage sunk figures needed to attain victory. And, this is a period when Allied AWS capabilities are relatively low.
Well, maybe that’s just fine. Maybe it would have taken quite a bit of good fortune to win the Battle of the Atlantic (BOAT), just like Barbarossa. Do you want play balance, or something akin to historical conditions? Or, is it playability?
I think Grabner’s BOAT does a nice job of providing solitaire playability with abstract historical conditions. Is it a simulation? No, but it is an interesting way to spend an evening or two.
Started playing Battle of the Atlantic last night. The active player controls German U-Boats, Condor aircraft, surface raiders and resupply submarines.
British air and surface ASW asset dispositions in each sea zone are determined by a card draw. Cards also determine German U-Boat production and British technological advances, as well as designating certain combat modifiers for the turn in which they are drawn.
Initial Setup
Technological advances effect the order in which Allied ASW assets, U-Boats and Condor aircraft are placed, as well as which side resolves their combats first. Technological advances (Ultra, HF/DF, Radar) are cumulative, pushing the initiative towards the Allied player. This is critical, since losses are taken immediately.
German objectives are to a) sink as much tonnage as possible, b) maintain at least half their U-Boat fleet at the end of any one turn, and c) prevent the Allies from forming and deploying convoys.
The German commander must determine which sea zones to deploy attack assets, and what posture (aggressive, normal or shadow) they take. Aggressive subs can sink more tonnage, but are easier to destroy.
Play is quick, with straightforward CRT tables for each combatant and asset type.
After my usual stupid misplay during the first turn (roll one die, not two on the German Attack table), the first two “real” turns found the Germans falling short of their victory objectives, but suffering light losses. I’ll find out more this evening.
I like this game……I really do. But, for some damn reason I found it hard to start pushing the counters.
Some games you just can’t wait to get to the table and play the next turn. Examples? Can’t roll that one over in my brain right now, have to focus on SOA.
A highly regarded game that has spawned a number of “Storm Over” games. Great area movement map, big counters (no tweezers needed), rules are……hmmmm, well maybe it’s just my learning style. Perhaps the problem is the chrome with tanks, reformed units, bren carriers, and setting fires. This play aide found over at Boardgamegeek was very helpful.
I really like the impulse turn system involving individual sectors, and units becoming more vulnerable after they have either moved or fired. This leads to a cat-and-mouse tactics (at least in my first play). You don’t want to move/shoot a unit that would be “flipped” to a committed status with a lower combat/defense strength with a full-strength enemy adjacent to your area. On the other hand, an area can only be fired on once a turn, so one has to maximize an opportunity to attrit an opponent.
Close-combat is a separate phase with all committed units flipped to their active side, engaging in new combats with any enemies in their sector.
Outcomes are dice-tastic, but generally reasonable. Lots of counter-punching (no pun intended) with one side reacting to their opponents preceding move.
Maybe what I like is the problem; yes isn’t that the way of the world. Constant back and forth with no respite for the solo player. It would be really fun FTF, especially with RAW restricting the time a player has for each impulse.
In my first try I relied on the British set-up used in the Avalon Hill General. My German tactics were relatively ham fisted, blasting away at British units, with results less than optimal. Pretty sure the Brits will prevail.
But, we’ll never know. Time to take it down and make way for System 700. However, this quality game will be back on the table sooner rather than later.
Maybe I can talk Tim into playing……
By The General Set-Up. Very Nice Looking Components.
Back from a week in the Sun with friends. Nice way to spend the time.
Just before departure, I received the last of three books ordered to help with the Tanks project. All of these involved camouflage and markings throughout World War II. I already had one book covering the Polish and French campaigns. Each of these four books, while originally published many years ago, is highly recommended. Here’s a few comments on each.
The cover says it all. I was especially intrigued by the widespread use of tankettes and carriers by the Allies. Many of the photos were of abandoned Allied armor, which shouldn’t have been a surprise, but the sheer frequency of breakdowns reported was astounding.
This is the only book not published by Arms and Armour. George Bradford is well known for his profiles series. I was not overly impressed with it at first glance-through, but subsequent readings proved it to be a very satisfying overview, complete with scale drawings of all the armored vehicles used during the campaign.
Another volume with Steven Zaloga, the well known armor expert and author of the popular Panzer Colors series. This volume includes a helpful survey of German Panzer unit insignia, as well as an interesting discussion of Soviet tank inscriptions. Vehicles from Romania and Hungary are also covered.
This book begins with a very interesting discussion of the purposes and techniques of camouflage. The author emphasizes the effects of dirt, dust and foliage on armor camouflage, and the differences in philosophy between the Great Britain, United States and Germany. To me, the illustrations aren’t consistently as good, but I am a fan of profiles and not aspect renderings of equipment and aircraft. Most of German vehicles photographed were captured, with only a few shots of them in action.
Prices for these books – all used- range from the reasonable to the absurd. It took time and effort over a period of months to locate quality copies at good prices. I feel the money was well spent.
Had too much fun yesterday with another session of Tanks.
This time it was the A-9s and A-10s (Cruisers) versus the Germans. And, this was a wild one.
The Cruisers formed a box formation, veering to the West in an attempt to exit the map. The Germans used their “Blitzkrieg” ability (can use the repair phase to make extra move, for a total of 3 moves in a turn), to get into the copses and prepare for stationary fire under cover.
The British engaged immediately, and managed to knock out the Mk III, as well as getting into a multi-tank and point-blank duel with a Mk IV. After knocking out the Mk IV, the remaining British threw caution to the winds and took multiple moves, risking breakdown on a die roll of 6.
One Cruiser broke down, but the others were able to move off the board.
Cruisers Advance. Panzers will use their “Blitzkrieg” move to get into the woods.Gunfight At Close RangeMkIII Knocked Out. Cruisers Maneuver Past A Burning A-9. While An A-10 Brews Up In The Copse. The Mk IV Will Get Theirs In The Next Turn.
That’s it for Tanks (for awhile). Next up….Storm Over Arnhem.
Pitted the Matildas against two Pz IVs (short) and a PZ III (short).
This time, the Germans opted to head for the copses, allowing for some stationary firing (can re-roll firing dice), as well as a modifier for cover.
The Matildas stuck to their earlier plan, with the Mk IIs providing cover for the Mk Is.
This time, the heavier guns of the Panzers brewed up one Mk II. However, the other pair of Matildas threw caution to the winds and risked breakdown (die roll of 6) by moving two bounds in a turn.
Fortune was with the Matildas as their armor and luck allowed them to bypass the Germans and move off the board to engage the now exposed Wermacht infantry units.
Panzers Take Up Stationary Firing Positions Ready To Engage Advancing BritishMatilda Mk II BurnsDespite Three Hits, Matilda Mk II Braves Point Blank Fire.
Decided to get on it and set up Tanks downstairs. First chance to use BEF armor.
Threw out tiles and randomly slapped terrain mats down for a fight between Matildas and light German armor.
British orders were for the the Matildas to exploit a breakthrough (a quasi often gamed Arras maybe-it-would-have-been-something-decisive scenario).
After much wailing and gnashing of teeth I settled on ratings for the Matildas.
The Two Matilda Marks At The Top The Pz II Defense Rating Should Be A “1”
The machine gun armed Matilda I is virtually useless against armor, but can hammer German infantry. The Matilda IIs guided the little waddlers, while fending off the German armor.
The Panzers pressed their attacks, but the combination of British armor thickness and good die rolls were too much.
Matilda IIs Protecting The Little Matilda IsPanzer 38ts Destroyed In Close Combat
Another fun, fast game. Next up……Matildas vs. The Panzer Varsity (Mk IIIs and MK IVs).
Function of bad packaging by Zvezda and bad thinking by me.
Zvezda markets their Mk IV tank as a Crusader. Not the case. It’s actually an A13, which would have been just fine for my 1940 Brit vs. Germans skirmishes. But no….overthought plus faulty research (there’s a great combination) resulted in the decision to make the purchase of PSC’s A9s and A10s.
Not a bad thing. They’re fun, especially the wacky A-9. But, the assembly process was something. Not to complain, because any company that will create quality models of this type of obscure and ineffective AFV is to be commended. On the other hand, here’s a scan of the turret assembly. OK, I’ve been spoiled by that snap-fit world……
There were problems. I’ll ascribe those to my ham-fisted modeling techniques and lack of perceptional awareness. It took me two tries to figure out that you build the turret from the bottom. Yes, look at the damn thing from the bottom while manipulating the pieces with glue soaked fingers.
Resulting fit was not the greatest, but I used my New/Old Best Modeling Friend. Apply, sand, prime, base coat and everything will be just fine. That’s the best thing about AFV modeling…….cover mistakes with dirt…..that’s authentic!
Used my draft cards for early-war German and Soviet armor. They are a real beta given my lack of proofing and child-like work with the scissors.
A Pz-II and Pz-38t tasked with stopping a break-thru by a BT-5 and two Soviet T-26s.
Terrain was placed helter skelter. Both sides used maximum maneuver to take advantage of terrain and the accompanying speed defense modifiers.
Fun little game. Germans had an early edge using their higher initiative ratings, but just couldn’t put away the Soviets, especially with the Pz-II’s popgun of a 20mm worth only one die in the attack. But, they almost pulled it off.
Here’s a few photos.
Early Maneuvering. Pz-38t Heads To The Woods. New Card In Foreground.Pz-II Sets Up For Flank Shot On BT-5.Attacking The Pz-38t Now In The Woods. German Wants Cover/Stationary Mods.PZ 38t Leaves Woods Trying For Point Blank Flanking Shot On T-26. Iron Dice Of War Say NO.Iron Dice Of War Say BLAMMO! BT-5 Gets The Pz-II.Pz-II Burns Unavenged While Its Kamerad Flees. German Counterattack Fails.
Spent way too much time messing around with the card template over at Boardgame Geek. The author did one helluva job, but the GIMP graphics system is not intuitive, and these early war tanks need some lower values than provided in the template. I’m working around it/with it/through it.
At the other extreme, am spending time with ASL, gingerly working myself up to dealing the AFV rules. We’ll see how that goes.
