OPERATION CHROMITE - INCHON KOREA 1950

On Saturday 15^th I joined the Gothenburg Gamers and friends for a special big game – Operation Chromite - the 1950 UN landings at Inchon during the Korean War.  The game was held in Garvald Village Hall with lunch provided in the Garvald Inn.  The troops and terrain came mainly from the collections of Colin Jack, Peter Nicholson, Chris Henry and Rob Anderson.  Chris Henry who developed the scenario altered the historical events to allow Chinese Volunteer Army reinforcements to arrive several months early to support their North Korean comrades. 

Rob Anderson and I commanded the UN (entirely US) forces landing on the southern Blue beech.  Our 2 battalions of Marines (Bolt Action Platoons) faced a few Korean troops as we landed and Rob then had to fight of a human wave counter-attack by the Chinese volunteers on his end of the beach.   We then had to move thru the southern suburbs towards the centre of Inchon but were slowed down to advance moves by the rubble blocking all the minor roads.  The landings on the northern Red beach went well but struggled with the blocked roads and were held up by more Chinese volunteers supported by T34/85s and SU-76 SPGs.  The UN had massed M7 Priests on Wolmi-do Island to support the Northern attack but they all fell victim to North Korean infiltrators as the UN failed to provide any infantry security troops for the M7s.   The UN air attacks proved relatively ineffective.  Air attacks in the Korean War supplement are much less effective than in the basic WW2 Bolt Action rules.  At the end of the game the winners were declared to be the few surviving North Koreans who still held the vital temple in the centre of Inchon.

A good fun day overall and an unusual subject.    Below is a link to my photos on Flickr.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLry5RV

Central Inchon - the vital temple clearly shown - before the bombardment

Rob's marines approach the beach end of Blue beach

My force disembarks on the quay front at Blue Beach

UN troops and armour pour ashore on Red Beach - note all the armour is here...and Peter Nicholson

USAF in action

The unfortunate M7s burning on Wolmi-do Island - infiltrators in action

US F4U Corsairs fill the skies

JUNE 6 1944 - PEGASUS BRIDGE

On Wednesday Donald Adamson, Colin Jack and I played the second scenario from Warlord’s Campaign D-Day: Overlord book.  The game was staged in my garage and the centre point was the massive 4Ground Pegasus Bridge.  I have been given this to sell on eBay.  Scenario 2 is the initial British glider Coup de Main to capture the bridge.  I umpired, Colin commanded the British and Donald the surprised German defenders.

We used Bolt Action and it was a British triumph, Colin losing only 3 figures to take the bridge.  They had one fatality more than in the historical action.   The British veterans emerged from their safely landed gliders and at short range made fairly quick work of the on table dug-in Osttruppen.  This was the first time we have used the BA night fighting rules including the flare option.
During the game we had a power cut of half an hour – luckily endless candles were provided by Mrs Gilchrist - and play continued.  Here is a link to all my photos:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLDQ87r

We will use this layout again – scenario 3 ‘Taking the West bank’ beckons. ….if I still have the bridge.

Here is the OB
SCENARIO 2 COUP DE MAIN
BRITISH FORCES
Major Howard and companion
2nd Lieut and companion 
4 Para Sections of 2 SMG, 4 Rifles, Lmg
2 Sections of Royal Eng with SMG, 4 Rifles
3 Horsa Gliders – there must be no more than 2 sections and an officer in each glider.  Glider rules pg 200
Note - All Brits are Veterans and Stubborn.

GERMAN FORCES

On Table
5 Inexp MMGs
2 Osttruppen squads (Shirkers) of SMG, 6 Rifles
1 Inexp Med AT gun in Vt600
1 Bunker
Note - All on table units start with 1 pin marker.

In reserve on west side of bridge
Reg 2nd Lieut and 2 companions
2 Osttruppen squads (Shirkers) of SMG, 6 Rifles

Layout setup before the action

Glider 1 bursts thru the barbed wire

Major Howard opens up with his sten.  Take that Gerry!

Yes this is night time - Colin and Donald survey the scene

2nd section climb the bridge

German commander attempts to surrender to Major Howard.  Sorry sir I thought he was reaching for his gun!

TARGE 2019 KIRRIEMUIR

This weekend I travelled to the Targe 2019 show held at Webster’s High School Kirriemuir by the Kirriemuir Wargames club.  This year I was helping put on the Gothenburg Gamers Bay of Pigs 1961 demonstration game.  Tim Watson had put the display together and he was supported by his daughter Karen, myself and Donald Adamson.  We used Bolt Action 1 with elements of BA2 as the rules.

We were successful winning the award for the best display game.  The award for the best PP game was won by Falkirk and Districts Falklands War SAS Raid on Pebble Island.  Overall it was an enjoyable show, I was busy for a long time talking to visitors to our display.  Here is link to all my photos from the show

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJhyjmg
Some of the photos below

CIA advisor Donald having a coffee before the action hots up

The Tanks in a Tin Walker Bulldogs run ashore

Large 15mm Ottoman Vs Polish/Lithuanian Commonwealth game

SESWC Wings of War pp game

Iron Brigade wonderful Pacific beach assault

Another Pacific beach assault

Leuchars Boshin War

Falkirk Pebble Island pp game

CLAYMORE 2018 EDINBURGH 4TH AUGUST

This Saturday I was at Claymore 2018 held in the Granton Campus of Edinburgh College.  I was busy as a member of the Gothenburg Gamers putting on our Suez 1956 PP game.  The concept, figures and terrain were all provided by Colin Jack.  The display won 3rd place in the judging for the best PP competition.

We were joined by a veteran Mr David Gray of Edinburgh  who served with 1st Para at Suez.  His battalion landed on the beaches whilst 3rd Para made the airdrop.  He brought along a great collection of memorable of the action - photos, newspaper reports, rules of engagement etc.  He seemed to enjoy his first exposure to wargaming and wargamers.

It was a good show –  I met lots of my acquaintances and chatted with people about the game, Bolt Action rules and history of the Suez Action and also about the forthcoming The Great Game (mammoth Waterloo refight) in Glasgow next June. I took some photos so here are a few of them.   My only buy was some mdf bases from the team at Warbases and I almost forgot to collect them as I was enjoying my time at our game.

Link to all my photos of the show on Flickr
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmqmhCCa

Suez 1956 - the PP game - supporting material - the map case actually has a map of Suez.

Tim showing of the new group banner - and the official rig for the day

Suez the harbour

Thule Gamers - a very large Bridge too Far like game

Durham - 42mm Cossack host versus the Ottoman Empire

Mars the Red Planet?

The Iron Brigade - Zorndorf refought in 1813

Carry on Up the Khyber - another great Leuchars PP game

League of Augsburg - grand Napoleonic game

Kirriemuir - A German city square April 1945 - 28mm Rapid Fire

Bathgate - Fantasy PP Game - King Grom is Dead

BOLT ACTION: 1960 ARAB-ISRAELI WAR

Last week my garage staged a big 28mm Bolt Action game.  It was a 1960 Arab Israeli game based on the Yom Kippur War.  The equipment is too early for the 1967 War.  I supplied the 12ft by 6ft table and the river, Colin Jack supplied the scenario, the troops, most of the terrain and Tim Watson supplied the dust sheet covering.  Tim and Bill Millar commanded the Israeli forces, I commanded the Syrians, Colin the Jordanians and Mr Ray Neal the Egyptians.  Mrs Gilchrist supplied an excellent pre-game dinner.

View from south end of table

The Israeli’s quickly took the west bank village and from that position held of the attack by the Jordanian M47’s across the River Jordan.  Too the south the mass of Egyptian armour made slow progress against the  gallant Israeli AMX13s but did manage to capture a kibbutz.  In the north my armour poured down the Golan Heights but after an early success knocking out an Israeli Centurion the advance slowed down to a long range tank battle.  I lost 3 of my 6 tanks.  In the end the game was adjudged to be a draw.  Good fun and everyone enjoyed it.  Thanks to everyone who has contributed to me getting up to 400,000 views.

My Syrian armour coming down from the Golan Heights

Jordanian M47s under artillery fire

Shell bursts near my leading T55 - Panzer burning beyond

Tim has put a report on his blog at
http://moth107.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/an-evening-trip-around-israel.html?spref=fb

Here is the OB for the game.

ARAB-ISRAELI 1950-1960
ISRAELI FORCES		Veteran
Light Armour Brigade			3 x AMX 13
Light Armour Brigade			3 x AMX 13
Reserve Armour Brigade			2 x Sherman E8
Independent Tank Batt			1 x Centurion
Independent Tank Batt			1 x Centurion
SP Artillery			2 x M7 Priest
Infantry Battalion			12 x Infantry
Infantry Battalion			12 x Infantry
			MMG
			Medium Mortar
Kibbutz Garrisons			4 x 6 Infantry		(Regular)
EGYPTIAN FORCES		Inexperienced
Heavy Armour Brigade			3 x SU100
Medium Armour Brigade			2 x Super Sherman
			1 x Sherman Bulldozer
Anti Tank Battalion			1 x Archer
Infantry Battalion			12 x Infantry
Paratroops			10 x Infantry		(Regular)
			Medium Mortar
SYRIAN FORCES		Inexperienced
Heavy Armour Brigade			2 x T55
Medium Armour Brigade			2 x Panzer IV
Light Armour Brigade			2 x R35
Infantry Battalion			12 x Infantry
Infantry Battalion			10 x Infantry
			HMG
JORDANIAN FORCES		Regular
Heavy Armour Brigade			2 x M47 tanks
Arab Legion			1x Panhard A/C
			10 Infantry in Lorry
			HMG

M47 assaulted by Israeli infantry who immobilised it!

Some words from Colin about the source of his figures.  Nobody seems to make the correct troops so some improvisation is required.
Most of the Israelis are Reiver Castings Post War infantry with bush hats + Commando Miniatures support weapons.  Also some Artizan British Commandos, desert version.  The Kibbutzim are just any Partisan figures.
Arab Legion are Artizan + Foundry Arab MMG.
Egyptians are Reiver Castings Post War infantry with beret + Artizan 8th Army (no shorts).
Syrians are Commando Miniatures Indonesian and Arab infantry.

28MM VBCW: THE ACTION AT ALNWICK

I got back into wargaming last week following our 3 weeks Christmas and New Year cat sitting for our daughter in London whilst she was away on her honeymoon.   It was a VBCW game 'The Action at Alnwick' using Bolt Action which Colin Jack set up in his wargames room.  Tim Wilson, Ray Neal, Dave O'Brien and Donald Adamson also took part.  Colin supplied the scenery and the bulk of the figures employed.

Planning to have the first game in my garage for over a year in 2 weeks time......

MarkVIb covers advance of the French monarchist volunteers

Confused Alnwick street scene with abandoned BUF armoured trucks

Overhead view of the Loyalist Lanchester

The 2nd Mark VIb passing the command car

The cinema is an impressive model.

The red battle bus of the Grimsby trawlermen

28MM VBCW: BERWICK 1938 GAME 3

I was at Hugh Wilson’s this week for the 3^rd part of our Battle of Berwick VBCW game.  This covered the 2^nd day of the counter-attack by the forces of the BUF and the Northern Militia.   We played 6 turns using the Bolt Action night fighting rules and then 10 daylight turns.

View over the table - the 3 bridges and the harbour in the distance

Warship supporting landing party attacking the walls

 

As before the BUF outnumbered the Scots by approximately 2 to1 but due to command limitations within Bolt Action we could not deploy all our strength onto the table.  The Scots called up an airstrike and like both attempts in our last game it proved a disaster as the novice pilot attacked and wiped out the newly arrived Scottish cavalry.

Lancelot covers the engineering party clearing the main road bridge

 

At the end of the game the BUF, after a desperate series of assaults and counter-attacks, had captured the railway station.  In addition our infantry supported by the medium tank Lancelot had cleared the main road bridge.  We also got our giant Char 2C Black Prince into action at the railway bridge.

More photos with descriptions on Flickr at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bill26048/sets/72157648601926444/

Scottish RAF attacks their own cavalry - a tragic error

Classic rustic scene - cricket team, cycling club and a 65 ton heavy tank