After tinkering with this period for some time, we finally got the troops on the table down at the club today.
Allan took the role of the People's Democratic Front trying to depose my lawfully elected President-for-Life, Erasmus Fyfees.
Ian Roberts offered to talk us through the rules and advise/umpire.
Ian tries to remember the rules whilst Allan sorts out the rebel forces watched by another Ian!
The key positions are - military camp in the left hand bottom corner and two road junctions with adjacent buildings.
The President has a tank unit at one road junction
and he is approaching this position in his jeep accompanied by his bodyguard unit
In the larger village, government troops mill about.
But not for much longer - rebel tanks can be heard coming down the road.
Distracted for a moment - I looked around at the Wings of War aerial game brought along by Graham and his friend and neighbour from Thaxted, with Steve Clarke and Mike joining in.
Looked a lot of fun - Graham's mat even has the trenches and shell craters featured below.
He has an impressive collection of German and Allied planes.
Behind their group, Les and company were playing an Ancients game using "L'Art de la Guerre" rules.
Another attractive looking game.
Massed phalanx and skirmish troops.
Opposite, another group had a WWII tank battle going on - not sure what the rules were.
but playing cards play a part.
Mike and Sue's fantasy crew had another good looking game going on in the corner of the hall too.
Back to AK47, I managed to roll a double 6 with shooting from the village
which put paid to one of Allan's tanks !
The Presidential tanks move up to where the action is.
and the President gets his bodyguard through the first village following the tankers.
At the military base, infantry hear the sound of the gunfire.
Allan's tanks continue to fire into the village where an obstinate government truck with heavy MG blocks the street.
Charge ! Allan's militia charge out of the jungle to attack the village supported by a Toyota technical.
The President sends forwards his heavy MG men.
The infantry from the military camp move up the road towards the enemy.
Allan's tanks have moved around the village and pour on more fire
The Presidential armour seem to be at a loss what to do - thick jungle to their right stops movement and government troops in the village are in the way !
A fierce fight is conducted for the village
but defensive fire wins the day
despite some losses, the rebels are thrown back.
What's this ? Over my shoulder, I spy a yellow balloon involved in the Wings of War game !
Or "Wings of Glory" as it is now called after a name dispute with another company.
My tanks try to negotiate the jungle but its a no-go.
The government truck has succumbed but so has the rebel Technical.
Government troops are now hard pressed in the village as tank round after tank round pounds them.
Bathed in sunlight, government armoured cars arrive via the military camp.
and follow the infantry up the road.
But Allan has reinforcements too - Panhard Armoured cars and plenty more infantry lead by their glorious General.
They join the fight for the village
Two shots from the Panhards take out my two new armoured car arrivals !
At last, the government tankls have got around the jungle and fire at the Panhards
Success ! Two of those go up in flames too !
Good old Centurions !
The remaining Panhard has caused sufficient damage to the government infantry out front of the armoured cars as to cause their retreat.
Another good shot by the government forces see the remaining rebel Technical blow up.
By this point, we had both run out of steam, game-wise and homes were calling.
Neither Allan or I were much impressed with the rules to be honest and we will try another ruleset next time as we do like this theatre of war, modern African warfare.
I guess with all key points still in government hands, it was a victory for Erasmus Fyfees but we will not dwell on that.
We will set this aside for now I think and return another day, possibly using Chain of Command rules.
Cool looking games Steve.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve, it's Martin the new (returning) member at the Writtle club last week, we spoke while you were playing your AK47 game. Managed to find your blog and figure out how to follow it (a first for me!)
ReplyDeleteI've never been keen on Peter Pig rules myself, they seem like they've got good ideas (I like the idea of the pre-battle phase that he has in most sets) but they get lost in poor flow and contradictory language.
Hopefully see you on the 21st. Cheers, Martin