Bolt Action - Game Report 38

Land Grab – Operation Castellan I 1946

Introduction

To commemorate VE Day a Bolt Action event was staged at Entoyment on 17 May. Of course I couldn’t not attend. I dusted down 9 Platoon C Company 1st Battalion Duke of Glendon’s Light Infantry (abbreviated as 9Pl C Coy 1 DOG) for the event. The first scenario was “Land Grab” on page 179 of Bolt Action Rules Version 3. My first battle was against Johnny’s Soviets.

Situation

The incursion by Soviet forces into the British controlled area of Northern Persia is continuing. An all arms battle group has been formed to preserve the territorial integrity of Persia and to defeat Soviet border incursions. There have already been a number of engagements between British and Soviet forces. Following the most recent engagement a Gurkha Battalion after the battle was able to secure a copy of the Soviet Commanders post-battle report. It seems that they like us are trying to maintain these engagements as low key as possible and to avoid overt escalation.

Enemy Forces

From intelligence gained during earlier skirmishes between a Gurkha battalion, the Soviet forces seem to be relatively lightly equipped. However, the Soviets seem to be placing a significant emphasis on the use of their special forces to lead their advance. There are no indications that they have brought forward more armour.

Friendly Forces

Officer Commanding (OC) C Coy will command the operation with 9Pl and Battalion assets from the MG, Mortar and Sniper Platoons and his usual artillery observer. Armour support has been provided from the Wessex Yeomanry through a Sherman and a Humber armoured car. Engineer support, in the form of a Wasp flamethrower, from 33rd Armoured Engineer Squadron has been earmarked for the operation.

Mission

C Coy 1DOG is to advance to contact and engage the Soviet forces to force them to withdraw.

Post Mission Report

The first stage of the advance was dominated by high and rough ground unsuitable for vehicles. OC C Coy directed 9Pl to advance in line abreast. In the N No 1 Section would provide close support to the Sherman and Humber, while No 2 Section would advance S of the high ground and provide support to the Wasp. Meanwhile 3 Section with the supporting troops would advance over the high ground and seize control of it for future operations. Unfortunately, the Soviet Special Forces were able to penetrate deeper into our rear than we anticipated and C Coy soon found itself having to defend itself from Soviet Scout sections deploying from the SW, the N and the NE.

OC C Coy immediately recognised that to service and achieve his objective he would have to disperse or destroy all the enemy advancing on him. Everyone immediately adopted all round defence. No 2 Section were turned around to engage the enemy to their rear, while No 1 Section N of the hill tried to find cover in the wood.

No 1 Section in the wood fought valiantly but were eventually overran with the numbers facing them. Wherever possible fire was brought sown to disrupt or destroy the enemy. The Sherman and the Humber’s machine guns proved very valuable in proving fire support.

The Soviets brought forward their mine dogs to try and destroy the Sherman, but only were able to immobilise the vehicle. Despite this the vehicle fought on bravely although its guns did run silent for a while allowing the enemy to move up as close as possible.

In spite of the confusion and damage to his vehicle the Sherman tank commander rallied his troops though his own example and soon again managed to bring devastating fire on the enemy to prevent them closing on his vehicle. No 2 Section started to advance around the hill in order to counter-attack the enemy.

Outcome

C Coy 1 DOG failed to achieve its objectives, although it inflicted more casualties on the enemy than we suffered. A Soviet victory be seizing all its objectives.

Honours and Awards

Sgt Brian Ball, Tank Commander of the Wessex Yeomanry, was awarded the Military Medal for outstanding bravery and leadership, by fighting on in his immobilised tank he continued to suppress and disrupt the enemy providing valuable support to C Coy 1 DOG. His inspirational leadership ensured that his tank and crew stayed in the fight to the very end of the battle.

ADLG - Game Report 225

Libyan Egyptian (15) vs Han Chinese (116)

We were into the final countdown for Attack. There was, however, the chance for one final outing before the event at the weekend, so Robin provided a worthy Chinese opponent for me to fight. I would be attacking in the plains. The army list was as before, but with one minor change when I submitted the list and that was to make all the commanders competent, or at least to rate them as that – the dice rolls would have other ideas. We set up with the Chariots on the left and Infantry on the right and centre, with the Meshwesh heavy infantry in the centre flanked by the medium troops.

After negotiating around the field in our deployment area, we managed to shake out into a coherent line. The goal being to try and make sure there was sufficient space between the gully and the field to accommodate the heavy infantry. Already the Chinese crossbows are causing attrition.

As we continue to close to battle the crossbows have started to inflict even more attrition on the line; I needed to get into combat as fast I could with as few casualties as I could.

The infantry has engaged and are causing severe damage to the Chinese lines. There are several casualties and holes appearing as the impetuosity of the Meshwesh and Libu warriors takes them forward. On the left the Chariots are suffering from the rain of crossbow bolts and are severely depleted. It would be a race to see if the Infantry could win the battle before the Chariots were destroyed.

The General commanding the Chariots and one of his number have escaped the carnage on the left. However, the infantry has all but won the battle, ably supported by the mediocre swordsmen who have held their own against a Heavy Chariot!

Outcome

A Libyan victory by 23 to 25.

Lessons Learnt

The Chariots should have been withdrawn much sooner to spare them their losses.

Mediocre Swordsmen at 4 points each are incredibly good value!

ADLG - Game Report 224

Libyan Egyptian (15) vs Tlaxcalans (290)

With a day to go before I had to submit the Army List for Attack, I needed to see how the Army would fare with the Chariots grouped in its own command. Paul offered combat with his Tlaxcalans. I was given the pleasure of attacking them in the mountains. As such the filed was seriously congested with terrain and not what any sensible Chariot commander would choose to do battle in. Therefore, I opted for something completely different. My two infantry commands we astride the valley between the steep hill and brush, with the heavies in the centre. The Chariot command was sent right flanking to take the second steep hill and any troops camped on it in the rear.

We advanced in line, with the troops on the left slowed by the steep hill, I was not too concerned as they would be needed to occupy it to protect the left flank. I was extremely lucky that the flank march was to arrive on the second game turn!

The Libu Warriors on the right were engaged with Atlatl and started to suffer some casualties. They were held back from attacking up the steep hill until such time as we were able to extend the line and move around the flank. Meanwhile the gap between the hill and wood was sufficient for three chariots abreast to start to outflank the line.

The steep hill in front of the Libu warriors has been outflanked by the Chariots. The Chariots’ second rank is providing fire support to the fight on the hill. The Libu warriors and their supporting swordsmen are now ready to engage the hill after rallying. The battle for possession of the steep hill on the left is gathering a pace. The Tlaxcalans and the Spanish light foot are trying to force the issue, however a single Meshwesh heavy unit is doing its best to prove an obstacle. In the centre the Meshwesh heavy warriors are about to do their thing!

On the left we have seized control of the steep hill, in part thanks to the supporting Meshwesh heavy warrior unit extending their pursuit of the evading light troops. Similarly, the chariots have done the same in the rear overrunning the enemy lights. Meanwhile in the centre the Meshwesh warriors are battling for supremacy and taking hits. However, on the other steep hill the battle is finally going in favour of the Libu warriors.

On the left it is likely that the steep hill will be soon in enemy hands. This is not before some more enterprising Meshwesh warriors pursued into the depth of the enemy line until they were assailed in front and rear. In the rear the Chariots are now free to attack the enemy pikes and infantry from the rear. On the second steep hill the Libu warriors and the mediocre swordsmen are now in the mop up phase of the battle.

Outcome

A Libyan victory by 15 to inflicting 26 on the Tlaxcalans

Lessons Learnt

The revised army design worked much better.

On further thought it would be better to make all the commanders competent.

ADLG - Game Report 223

Black Sheep Turkoman (274) vs Catalan Company (262)

For my second game of the day I decided to bring out my 28mm mongolish army fielded as the Black Sheep Turcomans. This would be a battle of three firsts; it would be my first outing en-masse for this army, and my first battle with a horse archer army. I was looking forward to seeing the Army deployed on the table, although a little nervous about facing the Catalans as I had little joy in fighting these in the past.

The Black Sheep Army was all bow armed less the two Kurdish Cavalry men that were in it for the booty. It had a large command of 10 units, all cavalry less 3 bow men refused on the right, with a smaller command 7 cavalry on the left. As for the remaining 4 units of light Cavalry horde archers they were off on a flank march with only one flank on which they could arrive; which was my third first for the battle!

The serried ranks of Turcoman horsemen. Who would want to wheel around with the wheelbarrow and sweep up the left overs after this lot had been on the field of battle!

I surmised that the Almogavars would be trying their best to use the village as cover. It would be up to the bowmen to buy the rest of the army time. In the Catalan rear they have started to reorientate to prepare for the imminent arrival of the flank march.

The army moves forward to deliver as much fire as the dice gods of fire combat will allow me, which as usual isn’t a lot.

The battle has become fragmented with lots of smaller battles. The Bowmen have done as well, and in fact better than can be expected. For their part the Turcomans have developed the enemy flanks and there are now some intriguing opportunities opening up for them to exploit.

Despite my concerns at the mid-way point, where my archery was somewhat lacking, the battle is going down to the wire.

Outcome

A Catalan win by 20 to the Turcoman 21

Lessons Learnt

The flank march command was a good option, but of limited value with the coastline dictating which flank it appeared.

As always, the army numbers are not brilliant in any Horse Archer army, but in this case the Army design needs a little tinkering.