My problems are ballooning!

 Today I was on my own from our little group at the club, but, as I had to come into Newcastle upon Tyne anyhow, I decided to bring a solo game down.

Wings of Glory WW1 was a nice light carry for me, so off I went!

I tried 'busting' my 3D printed  Parseval-Sigsfeld Drachenballon, which was guarded by 2 AA MGS and 2 Halberstadt scouts.

I ran Albert Ball's Nieuport 16 with Le Prieur rockets, the solo system would run my escort, a Nieuport 11, as well as the Germans.

The Black counters represented the Archie batteries.

The Halberstadts moved forward, keeping formation...cheered by the Infantry below, no doubt!

The Nieuport 11 did likewise, I sideslipped to get closer to the Frenchman.

Should I go straight for the sausage, or engage the Halberstadts?

Would the Frenchman be able to keep the Boche off my neck?

Well, the N11 turned to engage, so choice made for me!

As I began my run, the Nieuport 11 turned back to follow me.

I guessed the Boche would turn on my tail so I chickened out, and together with the Frenchie, turned to engage.

I just managed to keep out of range of the German ground fire.

What? The Frenchman turned off, leaving me to face both Germans!

I 'Immelmanned' to try and catch them as they turned after us.

Curses, misjudged it!

I passed the German and moved to attack the other Halberstadt.

He moved to meet me, and we passed.

As the Frenchman turned back towards me, I took my chance for a run on the Drachen...I immediately took 2 damage.

Good job I had no plans to turn!

As I began to fire my rockets at the Drachen, the ground fire hit again, starting a fire in my engine!

I was at my most vulnerable here, as the German scouts were upon me.

One hit me and damaged my burning engine!

That Frenchman was being no help at all!

At least the Le Prieur rockets set the Drachen alight!

However, as I limped away, the fire in my engine got a 4, and poor Albert had to make a forced landing behind enemy lines (Using my campaign rules)

The Frenchman now made his escape, and the Drachen made it to the ground, badly damaged.

Ah well, defeated again by my own solo system!

A return to France

 Today we decided, well, I did, that we would return to What a Tanker for a couple of games, Oathmark is on the back burner for a short while!

Lawrence loves using British tanks, so we left the Panzerwaffe to my solo system to command.

L and I brought as much terrain as we could carry, and we were off!

The terrain for today.

I had a Sherman 75mm

Phil had another...

...and Lawrence the Sherman Firefly.

Opposite us, the Germans had 3 Panzer IVs...

...2 'H's with Schutzen...

and in command, a 'G'.

We were doing a game across the length of the table, the 'Long Ball'

My luck allowed me to go first, and as I had a clear line of sight albeit at long range, and no Drive dice, I let fly!

Amazingly I hit and rolled 5 hits from my 7 dice! (He was unbuttoned so I got the extra die)

He only rolled 2 Armour saves...

A burning hulk! - this game can be brutal!

Lawrence brought his 'Charlie' tank, the Firefly, through a wood to cover the advance of our 75mm gun tanks.

Poor Phil got no move dice, so stayed in his start position.

Opposite, a Pz.Kpfw. IV had no such problem, and advanced to cover.

The second moved slowly through the wood.

My tank moved forward looking for new targets.

The Firefly Idled in the wood.

The Pz.Kpfw. IV H left the wood and advanced looking for targets.

The Panzer opposite Phil fired at long range.

A near miss, Phil, who had only got a few inches forward so far, was forced to retreat!

My Sherman spotted one of the other German tanks, unaware of me, (he had gone hull down on a hill facing Lawrence) - I hit again!

I got 4 hits! as I was in his flank!

The poor German got no saves...

The tank exploded (after the crew baled.)

The last Panzer retreated off table!

The second game:

We got the 'Corners' scenario, the forces stayed the same.

I was less lucky this game, I couldn't move, so sat like a sitting duck!

the Panzer opposite moved, saw me and fired (twice!)...

 ...both hits! - which damaged my running gear.

Phil advanced to cover me.

At turn end, a Panzer even saved a '6' to advance his play order, smug or what?

My tank was a wreck, I only had 2 command dice left.

Lawrence brought his Firefly forward cautiously.

Phil spotted the Panzer which had hit me.

At long range, he missed.

2 of the Panzers moved to finish me off and engage Phil.

The Panzer leader stayed in cover, trying to acquire Phil.

Lawrence's Firefly had halted by a wood, and poor L couldn't move as he rolled no '1's or even '6's!

Phil, facing all three Panzers(!) took cover behind a wall.

A Panzer pivoted to advance on Phil's new position.

The Firefly must have stopped for Tiffin*!!!

(*:  Is derived from "tiffing", an English colloquial term meaning to take a little drink)

Phil was living on luck, as a second Panzer joined the 'H'.

The 'H' fortunately, didn't acquire him, but the 'G' did!

Tiffin over! - The Firefly started his engine!

The Firefly only moved slowly (was the commander not wanting to spill his tea?)

Phil was still trading shots with the first Panzer.

I was slowly getting command dice back, so slowly moved through the wood.

Lawrence moved before the Panzer could react, firing on the move, he hit the German in the flank.

The 'G' continued taking on Phil alone, getting closer for a better shot.

Phil retreated into the wood, he had made a valiant stand alone against the odds!

Lawrence turned and moved on the flank of the Germans facing Phil.

He got another shot...

...another hit, and another dead crew!

My battered tank got on the flank of the last 'H'...

 ...but my shot bounced off.

Phil didn't move from his cover.

Lawrence didn't get a firing solution...

The German got 4 Drive dice...and 'Legged it'!

So, a much more difficult game the second game! It was good to see the Firefly using historical tactics and doing so well!!!

More to the point we, as usual, had a great time!