CONTACT!! North Africa, 1940...

Mark and Mike put on an outstanding game of Battlefront WW2 this past Friday at our new hangout, Strategy and Games, 6th St. in Moscow.  Battlefront WW2 is a tactical rules system for battalion-level combat on the tabltop using 15mm miniatures, released by the same group that designed the Fire and Fury ACW rules set. This day the winds of war blew in the African desert, pitting a heavily guarded supply column against an Italian mobile recon force in ambush.

Using a 6x8 ft table, the British had to enter and then exit the table using the wadi as practicable. The Italians were to deny this movement, and destroy as much of the British force as possible. The table was very open, and aside from dust issues the visibility and spotting wasn't difficult.

The Italian commander opted for a classic "L" shaped ambush with a dug in infantry platoon holding the end of the wadi, and the mobile forces (armored cars, tankettes, and light tanks) ready to move from behind cover. Here we see the "commandante" checking final dispositions as the British vanguards enters the table (left).

Italian support was rather gossamer with a remote possibility of air support, and little effective AT assets. However, the battery of 75's on the hill dominated the wadi and gave good account for itself against softer targets.  The white square in the lower left is the blast template for smaller guns, one template for each section (2). The firer has the option of using a two template blast area, or a single, "thickened" blast area.

From the artillery vantage point, we see the British column entering, and the Italians waiting in readiness.

Immediately the tankettes and armored cars spring their attacks and keep the British from progressing down the wadi. Good plan, but the platoon of Matilda tanks made this a risky option. Most of this delaying force would not survive. The Brit supply trucks hug the hills to keep clear of Italian armored cars.

As the British make for the gap out of the wadi, the Italian infantry get into firing position. A platon of light tanks block the gap, but wont last long against Matildas. The British infantry are stacked up behind the bren carriers, but the guns on the hill do take their toll and whittle down their numbers.

It's hard to say what the outcome was, as early-war engagements are more noisy than lethal, but the important thing is that fun was had by all, and some new prospective club members were intoduced to the system, and historical gaming.

Moscow Front would like to welcome Ken and Robert, and are happy to see you at the game. As things wrapped up, there was much talk of future plans, interests, rules systems, and periods.  The clatter of musketfire in the Virginia plains may not be too far off in the club's future.

-the Komissar