Crossing the Waal

Steve and I met up on Monday to play the next scenario in our Market Garden Campaign. Historically the 504th parachute from the 82nd airbourne embarked in canvas boats and crossed the River Waal. The Germans were engaged in the town and so there were few defenders. This scenario represented this. 

The Germans were set up in trenches giving them hard cover.

However, the Americans were only 24” away on the table so within two turns would be able to engage in hand to hand combat.

Between us, Steve and I did not have enough US troops so British paratroopers and other US troops had to be substituted. We needed over 120 troops, and that was just the first wave. 

The Germans had 4 MMG teams, and 6 squads with 5 figures. 

In the first turn most of the US troops ran forward. The Germans fired on them but only caused a few casualties. Pins were given, but with officers nearby, they were going to be fairly ineffective. 

In the second turn Steve wisely used his officers to give a snap to his squads. This meant that he had five activations even before I could begin. Charges ensued. Although I was able to shoot at the troops charging I was facing veterans whereas mine were just regulars. The inevitable happened and the trenches were breached and MMG posts taken. 

Positions at the end of turn 2. The middle.

The left flank

The right flank

By turn 3 and Steve able to activate troops again before I had a single dice, the writing was on the wall. Steve was often closer than 6”, so I did not even get the chance to fire. By the end of the third turn only one MMG position was left intact. The trench had been taken.

At the end of turn 4 the final position had been taken. Despite some German reinforcements the position was untenable.

The game was definitely one sided, but non the worse for it. It was still very enjoyable and certainly had the feeling of holding trenches against insurmountable odds.

On Tuesday I did play a Song of Ice and Fire. I took my Nights Watch. I played a great game against Sam, who brought his Free Folk. It was very enjoyable. My crossbows were very effective in the early rounds. Sam’s giant was very effective, especially when wounded. I also took Walter Frey as an NCU. He was rather effective too. I won  the game but forgot to take any photos. I would like to play Sam again and perhaps take a completely different army, maybe with some artillery.