The Russians are Coming!

It may be an old cry, but indeed my Bolt Action Russians are now ready to send into Bolt Action battle. I still have a small number of figures and an Zis-3 to paint, but at least I can now field these chaps. 

The force arrayed, with 5 infantry sections, an inexperienced rifle section to the rear, a sniper team, and heavy weapon support in a Maxim and 82mm mortar, and 2 Anti Tank rifle teams. There are 2 artillery observers, along with an array of potential officers to command them. Of course a T34-85 providing the heavy metal.

There are plenty of SMG armed tank riders should I need them.

The Command Team, including Commissars, and medic.

The Artillery Observers who have been given some maps!

The support weapons.

One of the infantry sections with their LMG team.

The inexperienced rifle section.

Inspiring leaders!

A 3D printed Zis-3 ready to decouple from its printing substructure. A bargain at £3.95 with 4 crew! The renegades in the pack are some 28mm Early Imperial Romans I purchased as samples - quite nice!

Bolt Action - Game Report 11

Operation Slice June 1944

Introduction

On to the second Axis vs Allies Tournament game. A chance for 9 Platoon 1st Battalion Duke of Glendon's Light Infantry (1 DOG) to redeem itself following its first battle - I hoped. The scenario for this game was Scenario 12 Sectors.

Situation

The battle to extend the Normandy beachhead is continuing. 1 DOG with support has been committed to exploit a gap that has opened in the German lines. Time available to exploit this appears to be short as a German counter attack is highly likely to seal of this gap. 

Enemy Forces

The Germans were identified as a platoon of Panzer Grenadiers supported by Mortars and Nebelwerfers with a self propelled artillery gun in support. 

Friendly Forces

9 Platoon was again supported by a Churchill, a Bren Carrier and a half track. The FOO promised us a preparatory bombardment and he did not disappoint. Both he and the Sniper were deployed well forward to support the operation.

Mission

9 Platoon is to seize and hold the village of St Honore.

Battle Report

I deployed 9 Platoon well forward in the north west quadrant, waiting for the preparatory bombardment against the Germans in the south east map quadrant. The Divisional gunners did not disappoint, and their fire was very effective in disrupting the German response. The initial task was to remove the German fire support. This, the Churchill and the mortar section were quite successful at. The FOO also managed to target the Nebelwerfer successfully.

The plan was to use the mobility of the Halftrack, carrying No 3 Section, and the Bren Carrier to secure the south west quadrant by attacking down my right. On my left I planned to advance No 1 Section and No 2 Section with fire and manoeuvre moving east and then south to secure the south east quadrant. While this was happening the Churchill would maintain a central position to provide fire support to the right flank, and left flank as required.

1 Section secured its objective, and the Bren Carrier was able to exploit forward to bring fire onto the depth of the German position. On the left the other two sections manoeuvred forward under fire, supported by accurate sniper fire. A number of German units were destroyed.

Outcome

A major British victory. Unfortunately the battle photographer failed to keep up with the battle, and there were only these two photos taken of the action.

 

Bolt Action - Game Report 10

Operation Hen House September 1944

Introduction

The final game of the Allies vs Axis Tournament was against Jason's Finns. The scenario for this one was Bolt Action Scenario 6 Demolition. As always it rather challenges one's imagination to think of how the Brits fought the Finns in WW2; but I am always up for a challenge. Just as this game was!

Situation

The German and Finnish attack into Northern Russia, Operation Arctic Fox, is making progress and is now threatening Murmansk. In a show of allied solidarity Stalin has invited the British Army to support the defence of the area. A reinforced Brigade Group has been sent north with an Arctic Convoy in response. The Brigade Mission is to safeguard the northern port in order to relieve pressure on the Soviet Forces garrisoning Murmansk.

On the 30th Aug a Finnish breakthrough led to the commitment of the Brigade Group, less a Brigade reserve from 1 DOG, to be deployed forward on a counter penetration mission. 1 DOG has been spread widely to guard and protect vital installations in the area.

En Forces

A forward detachment from the 6th (Finn) Division has broken past the forward British forces and is now advancing on Murmansk. It is made up of Infantry with armour and artillery support.

Friendly Forces

9Pl had recently consolidated its veteran infantry into numbers 1 and 2 section. 3 Section were reinforcements from the battalion left out of battle troops. The CO had provided a sniper team, Mortar section and Bren carrier from Bn Support Company, and one of our FOOs. Division had allocated us a Churchill tank and an M5 Half Track.

Mission

9 Pl is to secure the electrical power distribution systems for the port area, and to destroy the supply dump being used by the enemy's forward detachment.

Battle Report

1 Section secured and Pl HQ secured the objective rapidly. We were supported well by the Churchill and on our left flank the Bren Carrier. The FOO and our sniper were in good over watch positions. 2 and 3 Sections were deployed to try and take an end run at the enemy's supply dump.

The initial enemy attack was down my right flank and from my front, but the firepower from the Churchill's MGs on the right and the Bren Carrier on the left was essential in suppressing the enemy.

The sniper and mortar were also able to suppress the enemy artillery piece that they had in support.

Half way through the action the Bren Carrier was destroyed.

2 and 3 Sections were unable to make forward motion because of the threat from the Finnish Armour. Before they could launch their own attack, they were needed to counter-attack the enemy who were advancing from half-left. They advanced rapidly in spite of the threat of the enemy tank to their left.

In the end 1 Section and Pl HQ were confronted by two threats to the power house. The enemy showed great courage in closing the distance through the effective fire we were able to bring down on them. Despite this fire they managed to detonate a satchel charge that destroyed the power sub station. 

Outcome

A win for the Finns, but I managed to minimise the impact through securing additional mission objectives.

A very hard fought battle. In this scenario, as Jason demonstrated, there is a need to be aggressive in order to move forward and destroy the objective the enemy is protecting. You have to be prepared to accept casualties in doing so, as both Kevin and I discovered when we played the scenario.

Bolt Action - Game Report 9

Operation Striking Cobra - June 1944

Introduction

Well Michael did it again. He arranged an excellent days competition at Entoyment. This time we would be playing as two teams Allies vs Axis; 1000 points per army. I of course enrolled 9Pl 1 DOG into the allied force. 

However, for me the day did not get of to a stellar start. I arrived nice early, only to realise I had forgotten to pack my vehicles; a game without my Churchill MkVII oh calamity indeed. I had to hot foot all the way back home, and managed to turn up 15mins after H hr.

The first scenario was a new one devised by Michael.

Situation

The 7th Armd Division have been forced to retire from Villers Bocage. Corps HQ were deeply concerned about the danger of the Germans following up and exploiting their success. Bde HQ were given the mission of setting up a hasty defence to delay and if possible stop any German advance. 

CO 1 DOG has been ordered to hold the village of St Pere SW of Villers Bocage until ordered to retire. The situation remains fluid, and there is uncertainty about the degree of flank protection for this position. he has ordered 9Pl forward as an advance guard to hold the village while the rest of the battalion deploys.

Enemy Forces 

Signals Intelligence were tracking a German Panzer Grenadier force in the local area. Indications are that the commander of this force is Ober Leutnant Parry. This force is supported by tanks and recon vehicles.

Friendly Forces

9Pl had recently consolidated its veteran infantry into numbers 1 and 2 section. 3 Section were reinforcements from the battalion left out of battle troops. The CO had provided a sniper team, Mortar section and Bren carrier from Bn Support Company, and one of our FOOs. Division had allocated us a Churchill tank and an M5 Half Track.

Mission

9Pl is to secure and hold the village of St Pere.

Battle Report

The initial deployment started well. 3 Section in the half track deployed forward and occupied the large building. This would allow then to provide fire support to 1 and 2 section to the left and right respectively. 

Our artillery wasn't very effective, and did not cause any delay to the German advance. The Germans occupying the other building in the village were rapidly suppressed. On the left, on the other side of the river, my sniper team managed to provide some delay and disrupt the enemy advance. However, he was forced to withdraw rapidly when the enemy out flanked us on our left.

The German tank was a very unwelcome distraction. There was a fire fight with our Churchill, with the Churchill scoring a glancing hit. However, the enemy tank recovered quickly and its shooting was perfect as destroyed the Churchill and the M5 half track as it was moving to support the sniper team. 

The Panzer then attempted to overrun 1 Section. They stood there ground and allowed it to accelerate through them. I tried to launch an assault against the tank but was forced to take cover instead. 

On my right flank 2 Section advanced into the woods, from which the Mortar Section were firing. They advanced into the face of a German grenadier section armed with assault weapons and 2 Section perished to a man.

Outcome

A win for the Germans who secured 4 of the 6 objectives to my 2. 

However, the scenario was great fun and a must to be added to the Bolt Action mix.