Random WW2 German Reinforcements

These are basically just completing single models I'd picked up from either bargains or surplus.

 A nice if somewhat unnecessary addition to my Afrika Korps.

 I think the crew are Command Decision, 

but the Kubelwagen and Pak 40 are an unknown brand.

 Same gun put in service for my European Germans.

 Zvedza Elephant.

 Unknown blurry halftrack.

 Unknown PzIV.

 These unknown models are solid metal and come in about four pieces.

 Unknown Stug.

Deciding what camouflage variant I was going to use was the hard part.

Spare crew.

World in Flames - 10

It is now July/August 1940.  The French are still holding out in Toulouse.  There has been havoc wreaked on Allied convoys, although the Axis naval predations now seem to be contained.  Some revenge was had with successful bombing strikes on Berlin. Troops are building up on the border between Nazi Germany and the USSR.

The USSR has amassed 19 garrison factors on the border (which is classified as three hexes back from the actual borderline).  There is an extra 13 in chits (the rather silly US entry flags).  That makes 32.  The quality of Axis chits is unknown, but I'm told the average is around 2.  So that makes at least 20.  There are at least another 20 in Axis units (with SS and mechanized units counting double, but divisions half).  I think it is fair to say the Axis can build up quicker than the USSR can, but for the present, a declaration of war in 1940 doesn't look likely.  The Axis also have to align their minors and deploy effectively.  They also need to stockpile oil.

For comparison I have the Barbarossa Scenario.  A quick calculation gives the USSR 52 Garrison Points.  The Axis have 68.  Not very scientific, but still informative.

The Japanese have been highly skillful but very unlucky in their China campaign.  Phew!

Nikephorian Byzantine versus 100 Years War English

In the first game for the Club's Impetus League 2019-2020 competition my Byzantines were drawn against Geoff's English.  Information on the competition can be found here:
https://napoleonicwargamingsociety.blogspot.com/2019/09/impetus-league-2019-2020-starting-draw.html

The battle went for fifteen turns.  I think that is a record.

 Despite my cavalry advantage, I was out scouted and had to deploy first.

The wood and enclosed field on my left are difficult terrain,

the other features are just broken ground.

The English seem a bit defensive...

 Turn 1.

I shuffle my army to the right.

This causes disorder throughout the ranks.

 Turn 2.

I rest and my army recovers its order.

Skirmishers are sent out on the right to block the English longbow.

In a bit of good fortune my slingers are immediately successful.

 Turn 3 and another shuffle to the right.

 Turn 4 and skirmishing continues on my right,

now reinforced by some light cavalry.

 Turn 5 and scratch one unit of enemy longbow.

 Turn 6.

The enemy are now shuffling about trying to form a line.

 Turn 7

My army wheels from the right.

My slingers are doing excellent work in keeping the enemy longbow busy.

 Turn 8

The only fighting is on the right.

My legions are armed with short bow and it just doesn't have good factors at long range.

 Turn 9

A round of ineffective fighting,

while the main bodies are still forming up.

 Turn 10.

Another unit of English longbow flees the field.

 Turn 11.

Action now commences on the left

after the enemy skirmishers have decided to come out of the wood.

 Turn 12.

Both my light cavalry units have been mauled,

even my general's unit has taken casualties.

On the right the remaining English longbow have turned to their rear,

 to engage my light cavalry who have come on their flank.

 Turn 13.

My legions are now in short range and laying down a lively bow fire.

 Turn 14.

My left flank and general are in jeopardy,

but the same could be said for the enemy's left...

Turn 15.

And so it came to pass.

As my general is literally down to his last man,

news comes that the enemy centre and left have all fled.

Victory!

Fortress Europa - Part Three

October and November have been a bit of a roller coaster as will be seen.

 October and the Axis launch another counterattack.

 Still October and still they are attacking.
Although note breakout to the west.

 However come November and things have changed dramatically!

The allies have linked up north and south, cleared the area to the Italian border and invested all the Atlantic ports.  The Axis have pulled back behind the Seine and are now retreating further.

In part the Axis collapse was due to the withdrawal of eight panzer divisions.

But even before this the Allied southern front had expanded 

and was putting a lot of pressure on the enemy's ability to hold France.

A Voluptuousness of Valentines

It has taken me eight months to get around to painting these.  So it goes.

Background to this project can be found in this post:
https://onesidedminiaturewargamingdiscourse.blogspot.com/2019/02/valentine-tanks-disguised-as-chocolates.html

 These are the ones made from spares.

They are Mark IIs.

 These are kit builds.

Mark IIIs.

All together now

Now, what was that scenario I needed this armour for?

Found it, Deir el Tarfa.

But...

I need six Grants!

WiF Barbarossa - Fifth Impulse and End of Turn

The weather roll is a 5 that becomes a 7 - fine everywhere! The Germans take a Land Action using one oil (three left).

The Germans use their 5 factor artillery unit to ground strike the Soviet mountain corps. It fails (roll of a 10).

Army Group Centre attacks.  

The Red Air Force interdicts, but is met by the elite of the Luftwaffe.  On the +4 column the Germans roll 2,3 which gives an AX result.  But the Soviets go one better rolling a 1,3 gaining a DX against the Fockewulfe (which I probably shouldn't have put into the force pool).  Both pilots survive. The attack goes in at 38 to 5 or 7 to 1 with a 60% chance of it being 8 to 1.  There is also a +5 from all the mech and armour the Germans are using.  It's an automatic blitz when the Germans get the 8 to 1.

The Germans complete a few air rebases but then they roll a 3 and it's turn over man.

Partisans appear in the Baltic States, however at this stage the unflipped German HQ and Nav provide 4 garrison factors against the Baltic's 1, so nothing happens.

Production

This is the fun part.

Germany has 24 factories, 22 resources and 4 oil along with a Production Multiple of 1.  Saving all the oil that gives 22 Build Points plus 1 from Cadre.  There are no gearing limits at the start of a campaign.  As there are only five turns (that means four left) building things that need four turns seems a bit pointless. The Germans build two aircraft and five infantry.

The USSR has 28 factories (plus 3 in transit), 20 resources and 10 oil.  Saving 2 oil leaves 28 build points, but with a Production Multiple of 0.75 that converts to 21 Build Points plus 6 from Cadre.  They build nine infantry.

Conquest

Germany conquers the Baltic States.  So ends the first turn.

World in Flames - 9

The May/June 1940 turn is a long one, but not much happens.  Germany is going for conquest and does not declare Vichy.

China is down to just 2 Build Points due to Japanese strategic bombing and starts to recruit a garrison unit.

The USSR is way ahead building a mech division, a motorised corps, two infantry armies and training more pilots.

 The border garrison is starting to take shape.

The risk of an early attack by the Axis is receding,

helped enormously as I picked the 5 chit (what skills!) 

The Japanese went first in July/August.

Despite massive airpower they failed to inflict any successful groundstrikes.

On this front my skill is limited to my opponent having bad luck on the dice!