A book I think both West and Eastern leaders and politicians should be made to read.
Showing posts with label WWII Eastern Front. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WWII Eastern Front. Show all posts
Friday, 3 October 2025
War through the Eyes of Children: Last Witnesses (by Svetlana Alexievich
This is a haunting book. One hundred and two post war interviews with survivors who had lived through WWII and the German invasion of Russia in WW2. They remembered events through the eyes of a child their experiences, so personal and centred on their mothers and fathers, mama and papa (see below, no to be rushed, the audible experience created greater immersion for me - I found it hard):
A book I think both West and Eastern leaders and politicians should be made to read.
A book I think both West and Eastern leaders and politicians should be made to read.
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Audible Book Finished: Tiger Battalion 507
Albeit a freebie with Audible (for a monthly subscriber) I found this book a really good listen. It went through the miscellaneous details of the unit organisation, the tank's technical capabilities, battalion and crew personnel structure and training, maintenance needs r rather foibles, plus the combat experience of a late war Tiger battalion. For the majority of its combat life Heavy Tank Battalion 507 fought on the Eastern Front - though in its deaths throws faced the Americans at Paderborn (see below, highly recommended as a casual read that gives you a flavour of the attractional nature of the Tigers demise, their Achilles heel was that they broke down through mechanical maintenance issues, unrecoverable for an army in retreat. They burned too, AT guns with flank shots and teh JS II's [and ISUs 122/152] were hated opponents or close range T34 duels):
The original source material came from Battalion 507 reunion conversations, that were collated and fact checked where possible. The material was of relatively current interest (for the Cold War that did not come in teh 1980/90s) to the US Army in the 1980s. So much so the information was presented to the US Armour School in West Germany (circa 1987) on the experiences in fighting the Soviets. It was noted with dark humour, that the reaction to the drubbing of an American Tank Company in 1945 [Paderborn] was greeted with some distaste and brushed aside as an ambush. The German historian pointed out to the Americans that they were guilty of very poor reconnaissance and the Germans responded to a planned American attack in the German rear with a level of professional agility that should be respected (and learned from).
The original source material came from Battalion 507 reunion conversations, that were collated and fact checked where possible. The material was of relatively current interest (for the Cold War that did not come in teh 1980/90s) to the US Army in the 1980s. So much so the information was presented to the US Armour School in West Germany (circa 1987) on the experiences in fighting the Soviets. It was noted with dark humour, that the reaction to the drubbing of an American Tank Company in 1945 [Paderborn] was greeted with some distaste and brushed aside as an ambush. The German historian pointed out to the Americans that they were guilty of very poor reconnaissance and the Germans responded to a planned American attack in the German rear with a level of professional agility that should be respected (and learned from).
Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Could (the old) PanzerBlitz actually be the ONE?
One from the dusty alcoves of the loft. Avalon Hill's PanzerBlitz is "as old as the hills" (my edition says published in 1970, so that at time of writing this post PanzerBlitz is 53 years old - but it still plays as a complete coherent system. PanzerBlitz stands as a potent influencer on many of the newer board games in the 2000+ era (even if it is as a marmite love-hate relationship, to stimulate a different approach than PanzerBlitz). PanzerBlitz can be seen as answering the same tactical questions still asked by newer games, even crossing into the post 1945 to the modern era. Consciously or unconsciously it has a palpable [direct or lingering trace effect] on modern game mechanisms. PanzerBlitz still has a basic intrinsic value and there is good merit in playing it. PanzerBlitz a recreational game, but one that bears more than a passing reference to tactical WWII scenarios that gives historical results. So could the "old one", be "the one"? I have a wargaming friend who would like to test this thesis out with me (see below, the iconic logo of a platoon of JagdPanthers, not good news if you are in a T-34):
For a guide to play PanzerBlitz, take a look at the following informative videos from Legendary Tactics.
- How to play PanzerBlitz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNs1M3CB4po&t=1184s
- PanzerBlitz units (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1tFRVI5VZE&t=95s
- PanzerBlitz units (Part 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPz7aeOWw8w
- Situation #1 Play Through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1YfdNgWWoo
- Strategy for Situation #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3XqGAE5M_k&t=3s
- Situation #2 Play Through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aJukxkSJeE
- Strategy for Situation #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEPif_y6x6Y
- Situation #3 Play Through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPoiYnZdZ5E
- Strategy for Situation #3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7qQVY1q99k&t=1s
I am working my way through them.
Footnote(1): Board Game Geek reverence - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2238/panzerblitz
Footnote(2): Extension Counter Site - http://gregpanzerblitz.com/19401943_north_africa.htm
Footnote(3): Pico Armour - PanzerBlitz 3D - https://picoarmor.com/
Footnote(4): Fixing PanzerBlitz: - https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1167422/fixing-panzerblitz
Saturday, 8 October 2022
WWII AFV Unit History Book: Stug III Brigade 191
A nice surprise! I received an unexpected book gift from the father-in-law courtesy of the wife's quick visit home (see below, a book I must confess to have picked this very book up, thumbed through it, wanted [I touched it so it means I can keep it], but thought that I could not justify it - but a present justifies itself, so result):
Time to get thinking as to what scale models does it inspire me to paint up from my collections (20mm, 15mm(?), 1/200)?
Saturday, 26 February 2022
GMT Historical Game with Modern Connotations: Ukraine 1943
Just looking at the GMT website and I came across this interesting game (see below, a different time, a different war but the same geography and landscape):
See map:
https://gmtwebsiteassets.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/uk43/UK43-MAP-2ndEd-1.jpg
For modern purposes it is maybe only half a map, but the range of name places are haunting. Even Poltava is a name that calls out from history, as does Chernobyl.
Tuesday, 22 February 2022
Another Go at "The Portable War Game" - WW2 Russian Front Scenario (Long Picture Post)
I have unearthed some photographs from another old game of Portable Wargames from back in 2019, another go at teh Eastern Front Russian "armoured overrun" scenario. The German defenses are interlocking infantry, ant--tank and armoured strong-points backed up with some indirect artillery support (see below, barbed wire crosses abd circles for the minefields, Kallistra hexes with the terrain [hills and woods] I had made for the Fire/Move game, blue dice showing strength points):
A Red hoard appears at the end of the table, an armoured tank phalanx, well out of range but very threatening (see below, it just goes to show that you never just but one 20mm T-34 model, four seems to be a minimum):
A Red infantry hoard appears at the end of the table too bring their own artillery along as well, supporting their armoured colleagues the footsloggers are "sprinting down the flanks seemingly eager to make contact (see below, Fritz is popping at them with some long distant [ineffectual] artillery):
The Russian infantry screens push forward trying to provoke a German response (see below, I cannot help but think this is a post Stalingrad era battle instead of Barbarossa, teh late Pz Mk IV could push it to a 1944 battle, in which case the Russians are using pretty old kit - maybe a Pz IIIL-M would have been a better choice of panzer):
Anyway the German Panzer decide to move out of its defensive (concealed) laager and take a pop at teh advancing Red infantry while nothing that could hurt it is around (see below, who needs expensive CGI special effects when you have a piece of blackened cotton wool):
Meanwhile teh T-34s tear down the central track of the board into the teeth of the German defenses (see below, looking scary for teh defenders at this point, not enough anti-tank assets to go around, but also notice the respectful distance the Russian infantry gives the Pz IV on the German left flank):
The Russian armour survives the defensive fire from the German defenses [taking some damage but is intact as an offensive weapon] and then retaliates in kind (see below, the German defensive values are weaker and ultimately are much more fragile as seen when the German PAK 40 crew is forced to retreat):
A quick rally, through the exhalations of a senior German commander and the PAK 40 team are back manning the line (see below, "The line must hold, the line must be held, fire the kitchen sink at them or we're all doomed!"):
It seems to be more of the latter as a particularly valiant T-34 commander takes matters into his own hands (see below, one again bouncing back the PAK 40 team, even with senior German commander present - who himself succumbed to the urge to "run away" after coming face-to-face with the fire spitting behemoth that is called the T-34):
"The Commissar is in town" (old song from the late eighties or was it the early nineties?), there is a pistol wielding junior Russian political officer extolling the virtues of a Communist Five Year Plan (see below, there is teh chance that other Red infantry may follow him seeing as he has not been shot yet):
More T-34s advance supported by Soviet infantry as the Red try and expand the breach in the German defenses. On the German left flank a medium range tank duel is being enacted without too much ardour it has to be said. Both sides are in cover and are content to "pop away" at each other looking for a lucky hit (see below, some form of local counterattack has to be attempted by the Germans, as it is getting to "shit or bust" time):
A German infantry force moves up for "tank busting duties", but to their right the German line looks paper thin (see below, teh Russians attack stalls slightly as the Russians decide to "pound away" at static targets such as the German infantry unit on the far right [although that description could apply to any German infantry unit in the Second World War]):
The brave German infantry counterattack positioning themselves of the flank of the T-34, attacking from cover but "fail" in their assault (see below, the T-34 is stuck fast between the horns of a dilemma - disgrace to go back, death if you linger, best to go forward then?):
Although bounced back the attacking German infantry unit is the strongest unit in the German front line (see below, there are three front line German combat units down to their last strength point (see blue dice showing 1's) - the front is about to break):
But the German Grenadiers are hardy fighters, try again and are much more successful (see below, blck clouds of cotton wool indicate a dead T-34):
The Russians however have no shortage of tanks and infantry (see below, the German infantry unit defending the woods is destroyed):
From seemingly out of nowhere another T-34 appears (as the portable wargame does not have the sticky-stop concept of "zones of control" and a T-34 weaves its way through the defenses to threaten the German artillery with an overrun (see below, it is a very bad sign when your rear echelon units come under overrun attack):
A wider panorama of the battlefield shows an intense battle as the German defenses disintegrate (see below, the lack of strategically placed German reserves is really hurting them to react to the Soviet threat):
With the defenses broken it is now a case of "what" (if anything) can be salvaged from this mess (see below, the Soviet armour is attacked and weakened but not destroyed, so it will attack again next turn):
The German artillery which (if it rolls lucky) can destroy armour with desperate direct fire is attacked and worn down to its last strength point (see below, hurt but not broken):
But just when you think things cannot get any worse, they do, a second T-34 rolls into shot (see below, the artillery won't be able to take out two armoured threats next turn):
Russian infantry have penetrated the German right flank and consequently push the German MG Team back, isolating the strongest remaining German infantry in a salient (see below, by being pushed out of these defenses the MG Team have allowed the threat of a dangerous flank attack without defensive bonuses next turn):
The Soviet armoured overrun is in full progress (see below, close range direct fire destroys the stubborn defending artillery gunners):
Overrun achieved and the remaining crew are killed (see below, a fresh T-34 takes possession of the hex - "Where is the Panzer IV?" you may ask, it has quietly retired from the field leaving the infantry to its fate):
There is nothing left to stop the T-34's from carousing around the battlefield behind the German defensive positions while effective Soviet infantry fire removes the German MG Team from play (see below, the middle and right of the German line have ceased to exist):
There is one last remaining German defensive strongpoint on the German left held by a full strength German infantry unit (see below, it is holding the line as the Panzer departs [which caused some strangled criticism from infantry players - but it was agreed all was lost] along with some battered German infantry, probably hoping for a quicker ride home on the back of a tank):
"All is not well!" mutters a senior German as he leader departs the battlefield (see below, not much you can do with a pair of binoculars and nothing left to spot for):
Not a good sign when you are surrounded, down to your last strength point and facing a combined armour/infantry assault (see below, which signaled the end of German resistance in this sector):
A convincing Russian victory (again) but I do so like getting the toys out on the table. Again this battle was played with teh basic Portal Wargame rules, there are additional rules I would like to bring in from Bob Cordery's later sets (Developing The Portable Wargame).
A Red hoard appears at the end of the table, an armoured tank phalanx, well out of range but very threatening (see below, it just goes to show that you never just but one 20mm T-34 model, four seems to be a minimum):
A Red infantry hoard appears at the end of the table too bring their own artillery along as well, supporting their armoured colleagues the footsloggers are "sprinting down the flanks seemingly eager to make contact (see below, Fritz is popping at them with some long distant [ineffectual] artillery):
The Russian infantry screens push forward trying to provoke a German response (see below, I cannot help but think this is a post Stalingrad era battle instead of Barbarossa, teh late Pz Mk IV could push it to a 1944 battle, in which case the Russians are using pretty old kit - maybe a Pz IIIL-M would have been a better choice of panzer):
Anyway the German Panzer decide to move out of its defensive (concealed) laager and take a pop at teh advancing Red infantry while nothing that could hurt it is around (see below, who needs expensive CGI special effects when you have a piece of blackened cotton wool):
Meanwhile teh T-34s tear down the central track of the board into the teeth of the German defenses (see below, looking scary for teh defenders at this point, not enough anti-tank assets to go around, but also notice the respectful distance the Russian infantry gives the Pz IV on the German left flank):
The Russian armour survives the defensive fire from the German defenses [taking some damage but is intact as an offensive weapon] and then retaliates in kind (see below, the German defensive values are weaker and ultimately are much more fragile as seen when the German PAK 40 crew is forced to retreat):
A quick rally, through the exhalations of a senior German commander and the PAK 40 team are back manning the line (see below, "The line must hold, the line must be held, fire the kitchen sink at them or we're all doomed!"):
It seems to be more of the latter as a particularly valiant T-34 commander takes matters into his own hands (see below, one again bouncing back the PAK 40 team, even with senior German commander present - who himself succumbed to the urge to "run away" after coming face-to-face with the fire spitting behemoth that is called the T-34):
"The Commissar is in town" (old song from the late eighties or was it the early nineties?), there is a pistol wielding junior Russian political officer extolling the virtues of a Communist Five Year Plan (see below, there is teh chance that other Red infantry may follow him seeing as he has not been shot yet):
More T-34s advance supported by Soviet infantry as the Red try and expand the breach in the German defenses. On the German left flank a medium range tank duel is being enacted without too much ardour it has to be said. Both sides are in cover and are content to "pop away" at each other looking for a lucky hit (see below, some form of local counterattack has to be attempted by the Germans, as it is getting to "shit or bust" time):
A German infantry force moves up for "tank busting duties", but to their right the German line looks paper thin (see below, teh Russians attack stalls slightly as the Russians decide to "pound away" at static targets such as the German infantry unit on the far right [although that description could apply to any German infantry unit in the Second World War]):
The brave German infantry counterattack positioning themselves of the flank of the T-34, attacking from cover but "fail" in their assault (see below, the T-34 is stuck fast between the horns of a dilemma - disgrace to go back, death if you linger, best to go forward then?):
Although bounced back the attacking German infantry unit is the strongest unit in the German front line (see below, there are three front line German combat units down to their last strength point (see blue dice showing 1's) - the front is about to break):
But the German Grenadiers are hardy fighters, try again and are much more successful (see below, blck clouds of cotton wool indicate a dead T-34):
The Russians however have no shortage of tanks and infantry (see below, the German infantry unit defending the woods is destroyed):
From seemingly out of nowhere another T-34 appears (as the portable wargame does not have the sticky-stop concept of "zones of control" and a T-34 weaves its way through the defenses to threaten the German artillery with an overrun (see below, it is a very bad sign when your rear echelon units come under overrun attack):
A wider panorama of the battlefield shows an intense battle as the German defenses disintegrate (see below, the lack of strategically placed German reserves is really hurting them to react to the Soviet threat):
With the defenses broken it is now a case of "what" (if anything) can be salvaged from this mess (see below, the Soviet armour is attacked and weakened but not destroyed, so it will attack again next turn):
The German artillery which (if it rolls lucky) can destroy armour with desperate direct fire is attacked and worn down to its last strength point (see below, hurt but not broken):
But just when you think things cannot get any worse, they do, a second T-34 rolls into shot (see below, the artillery won't be able to take out two armoured threats next turn):
Russian infantry have penetrated the German right flank and consequently push the German MG Team back, isolating the strongest remaining German infantry in a salient (see below, by being pushed out of these defenses the MG Team have allowed the threat of a dangerous flank attack without defensive bonuses next turn):
The Soviet armoured overrun is in full progress (see below, close range direct fire destroys the stubborn defending artillery gunners):
Overrun achieved and the remaining crew are killed (see below, a fresh T-34 takes possession of the hex - "Where is the Panzer IV?" you may ask, it has quietly retired from the field leaving the infantry to its fate):
There is nothing left to stop the T-34's from carousing around the battlefield behind the German defensive positions while effective Soviet infantry fire removes the German MG Team from play (see below, the middle and right of the German line have ceased to exist):
There is one last remaining German defensive strongpoint on the German left held by a full strength German infantry unit (see below, it is holding the line as the Panzer departs [which caused some strangled criticism from infantry players - but it was agreed all was lost] along with some battered German infantry, probably hoping for a quicker ride home on the back of a tank):
"All is not well!" mutters a senior German as he leader departs the battlefield (see below, not much you can do with a pair of binoculars and nothing left to spot for):
Not a good sign when you are surrounded, down to your last strength point and facing a combined armour/infantry assault (see below, which signaled the end of German resistance in this sector):
A convincing Russian victory (again) but I do so like getting the toys out on the table. Again this battle was played with teh basic Portal Wargame rules, there are additional rules I would like to bring in from Bob Cordery's later sets (Developing The Portable Wargame).
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