Happy New Year!

 Today we returned to the club after the Christmas and New Year weeks off, it was good to be back! (next week we are off again as the Church hall we use is being used by … the Church!)

We were only 3 in our little group today, so we did a couple of 'What a Tanker' games.

Our forces were 2 M-18 Hellcat Tank destroyers run by Phillip and myself...

...and Lawrence would run an M3 Light tank.

My solo system ran 3 Panzer IVs

The table we would fight on today.

The Pz.Kpfw IVg raced down the side of the table.

The H's moved into the centre of the table.

I edged my TD along the road, trying to keep as much terrain between me and the Germans as possible!

Philip, new to WaT, raced his TD forward in comparatively open terrain.

Lawrence's little tank was apparently having some engine problems, as it didn't move!

The Pz.Kpfw. IVG went first next turn...

...he managed to get to the Hedge from where he could look for us!

The 2 'H's were co-operating in a sweep towards my TD.

I had a word with Phillip about the way TDs were used in WW2, mainly as ambush vehicles, and he took the lesson to heart bringing his TD back behind a rock.

I decided rather than get cut up between the 2 Pz.Kpfw. IVH's I would sneak round the flank, I took the risk I would be able to make the run before the Panzers could 'Bracket' me.

Lawrence was taking his M3 'Honey' round the other flank.

I got a great roll of command dice, and took the risk of facing one of the Panzer IVs

5 out of 8 dice hit!

The poor Panzer only got one 'save'.

Toast!

The poor crew burnt with their tank.

Lawrence tried to shoot the other Panzer IV H in flank up the road...

... but his little gun either missed or the shell bounced off!!!

The Panzer IV failed to get a bead on the little tank, so he got away with it!

I got no movement, but converted a die to movement and got 12" of movement, getting me round the trees onto the flank of the Panzer IVH!

6 out of 8 hits!

The Panzer only got 2 Armour saves.

A second Panzer IV destroyed by my plucky crew!

The last Panzer wisely decided to head back to Germany at speed!

The crew of the second destroyed Panzer used the smoke of the other burning tank as cover as they made their escape too!

That was a quick game! I had fantastic dice, always hitting and getting loads of damage. Poor Phillip and Lawrence didn't get a look in!

We did a second game, pitting 2 H-39s and a Char BIs against an early Panzer II and 2 Panzer IIIE's. It was rather the opposite of this game, with both sides pecking at the other, and no kills! - this seems to happen a lot in these early war games!!!

Happy Christmas!

 May I take the opportunity to wish all of my readers a very Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for all your support over the last year and hope you understand how much encouragement you have given me (and I am sure all Bloggers) by simply viewing, and especially commenting on my posts.

Have a peaceful and Happy day!

I look forward to posting again in 2023!!!

A game of three halves!

 Today was our last game at the club until 7th January 2023! -What will we do till then?

However, today we had planned for a game which could encompass 5 players, Wings of Glory WW1-- but in the end it was only Lawrence and myself!!!

Still, with my solo rules running some planes, at least it wouldn't be a one on one game, which I don't much enjoy.

Our opponents: 2 Fokker DR1's, including the mandatory Red Baron!

Newcastle United being our local football team, a Black and White Tripe seemed appropriate to accompany him so we used Kirschstein's stripey one.

Lawrence loves Sopwith Camels, so we used them today (Lawrence's plane has the stripy tail.

We advanced on the Germans trying to outflank them and turn in.

Unfortunately, Lawrence took a Bang result, and me an engine hit, Game over!

Curse you Red Baron!

2nd game...

This looks familiar!

We tried the same tactics, and hoped for better luck this time...

Lawrence and the Baron passed each other, eying each other malevolently, my plane didn't get a shot.

We all turned after passing, apart from Kirschstein.

My torque turn put me neatly on the Baron's tail.

The Baron was engaged with Lawrence, but missed!

I turned to face Kirschstein, who had Immelmanned.

We all passed again with no shooting.

Lawrence turned to get on the Baron's tail.

I was fencing with Kirschstein.

I ended up flying out of the battle, leaving Lawrence against 2 DR1's.

I turned to try and rejoin the party.

Unfortunately, Kirschstein caught Lawrence turning and the Bang card came out again! --Honestly, I do always shuffle the damage decks!!!!

Yep, the third attempt!!!

The bad guys are on a roll...

We arrived again with hope in our hearts!

We approached as normal...

Neither side tried anything fancy...

We passed uneventfully.

Lawrence tried to turn using the torque turn I assume to confuse the Baron?!

I looked like I was attracting both Germans this game!

I moved out of the trap while Lawrence turned after the Baron.

I tried to join him but attracted the Baron!

I managed to turn on him but jammed my guns!

As I tried to get them working Kirschstein and Lawrence went nose to nose, Lawrence getting the better of it!

I was still chasing the Baron

I finally managed to get my guns unjammed!!!

Victory!

Well, that was a fun afternoon, we couldn't believe 3(!) 'Bang' cards came out in 3 games, but that is the unpredictability of the game that helps make it such fun!