The organizers planned for a 7-table tournament. We hoped that a dozen players would show. We hoped to be able to hand out prizes for best army, best general, etc. Didn't happen.
Four people came, only three could play, only two did play, and no one brought any money for an entry fee, thus no prize support.
Now here is the decisive monent. Do we say "screw it" and go home in a huff? Do we just march forward with what we have and make the most of it, using this experience to build a new player base? Well, that's what the 'Front did. We marshalled up what we had, and made a great day of it!
Ken brought the lion's share of the terrain and loaner armies for new players to use, and that's what happened. First off, Ken and some of the newcomers squared off in a German "blue on blue" battle, in and amongst the ruins os some non-descript NW European 'burg.
The youngsters were equipped with grenadiers, panzers (Mk IV's and Lynxs), as well as an armored train. They faced grenadiers, 12cm mortars, Sturmtigers, and me262 air support.
Here we see panzers trying to force their way into the villiage under the cover of the armored train. It would seem that the train has problems of its own to deal with.
The fighting gets close and intense, as our newest members learn the hard way that tanks are best left out of street fighting. Let the grenadiers do that job!
Quickly the AP rounds went flying and casualties mounted quickly. Here we see the Yanks giving the Soviets as good as they are getting on that flank, as Soviet tanks maneuver for flank shots against the US "jumbo" tanks. It pretty much rendered the Soviet 85mm gun ineffective in the front.
On the opposite flank, Soviet assault guns are making life for US tankers very uncomfortable. After several turns of airstrikes and exchanging AP rounds, the Yanks begin to buckle under the pressure.
With the first two games over, we decided on pairing up the remainder for a mega-game... 3000 points per side on double table. Here we see "Strategy and Games" proprietor Joe maneuver his US armored artillery into prospective firing positions near the church.
This was about the end of the "happy time" for the Allies, as the tank bottleneck in the center came under massed Nebelwerfer and Sturmtiger fire, knocking out the Soviet company commander's tank. With half the Allied armor immoble, the German fire turned its attention to the US armor on the right. Heavy casualties there made it very appearant that the Allies were not going to win this fight.
It was all over but the bragging, and with a good AAR both sides learned how to better conduct their next match.
A shout out to all who made it to play, display an army, or just to visit. Special shout out to "Strategy and Games" for hosting the "non-tournament". Double special shout out to Joe, who suffering an absolutely awful head cold, stuck it out and kept the shop open despite his looking and feeling like "death on a stick". Hoah Joe!
Till next time!
the Komissar
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