This battle was fought to test the latest version of my adaptation of Joseph Morschauser’s ‘Modern’ period wargames rules. I decided that in this battle a combined Infantry, Artillery, and Tank force would assault a thinly held fixed line of defences in order to see how the additional rules relating to minefields and barbed wire would work.
Scenario
Having won the border battle, the victorious Eastlanders advanced into Morschauserland. Their primary objective was Morschauser City, but before they could attempt to capture it they had to break through the Morschauserland’s main line of defence, the Eastwall.
When the plans for the Eastwall were first put forward some years beforehand the Morschauserland Ministry of Defence had proposed that the defences should consist of a line of large concrete pillboxes and artillery forts – each with interlocking fields of fire – behind large minefields and barbed wire entanglements. It was hoped that this would deter any aggressive moves by Eastland, and that in the event of a war it would blunt any attack and give the Morschauserlanders time to mobilise their army. The reality was, however, somewhat different. Military spending was reduced due to economic pressures, and although some of the pillboxes were built, minefields laid, and barbed wire entanglements erected, large sections of the defence line were left incomplete. It was in such an area that the Eastland advance took place.
Forces Deployed
The following map shows the initial positions held by the Morschauserlanders and the main axes of attack used by the Eastlanders. The first wave of the Eastland attack contained the 203rd Rifles and 101st Self-propelled Artillery (on the northern axis of advance) and 204th Rifles and 102nd Self-propelled Artillery (allocated to the southern axis of advance). The subsequent two waves were to advance onto the battlefield as and when the Eastland commander felt that they were needed to exploit any breakthrough or reinforce any stalled attacks.
Turn 1
Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 1 and the Eastlanders threw a 5; therefore the Eastlanders moved first.
The 1st Wave of the Eastland attack advanced onto the battlefield. The 101st Self-propelled Artillery engaged the improvised machine gun emplacement directly in front of them. They threw a 6 … and the emplacement, which contained the 1st Machine Guns, was destroyed!
It was then the turn of the Morschauserlanders to move, but they steadfastly remained in their defences.
Turn 2
Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 5 and the Eastlanders threw a 3; therefore the Morschauserlanders moved first.
It seemed prudent for the Morschauserlanders to remain on the defensive, and as no Eastlanders were within range they remained inactive.
The Eastlanders, however, did push forward as far as they could, and the 2nd Wave of their attack also entered the battlefield.
The 101st Self-propelled Artillery engaged the pillbox to the left of its axis of advance. They threw a 5 … and for the second time in two turns they destroyed an enemy Unit.
The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery fired again at the mortar emplacement immediately in front of it. They threw a 1 … and missed again!
Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 5 and the Eastlanders threw a 2; therefore the Morschauserlanders moved first.
At this point the Morschauserland defenders had lots of targets that were in range and they engaged the Eastland attackers with every weapon that was available.
The northernmost pillbox opened fire on the nearest Rifle Unit of 203rd Rifles. They threw a 5 and the Rifle Unit was destroyed.
The 2nd Mortars then engaged the advancing 102nd Self-propelled Artillery. They threw a 1 and missed.
The southernmost pillbox opened fire on the nearest Rifle Unit of the 204th Rifles, threw a 1 and also missed.
The 2nd Tanks then emerged from behind town, and opened fire on the advancing Eastlanders. The northernmost Tank Unit fired at 101st Self-propelled Artillery, threw a 2 and missed its target. The central Tank Unit engaged the 102nd Self-Propelled Artillery, threw a 1 and also missed. The Southernmost Tank Unit opened fire on the Rifle Unit next to the 102nd Self-Propelled Artillery, threw a 6 and destroyed it.
Finally the 2nd Artillery engaged the 102nd Self-Propelled Artillery, threw a 4, and also missed its target.
The 101st Self-propelled Artillery moved forward and opened fire on the nearest Tank Unit. It threw a 4 and missed it. A Rifle Unit of 203rd Rifles then engaged the Tank Unit in Close Combat. The Eastlanders threw a 5 and the Tank Unit threw a 4; both Units were destroyed!
The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery opened fire on the 3rd Mortars, and threw a 3, thus missing its target. It then moved forward and engaged the 3rd Mortars in Close Combat. The Eastlanders threw a 6 and the Morschauserlanders threw a 2; as a result the 3rd Mortars were destroyed.
Turn 4
At this point the Eastwall defences were breached, and the defenders had little choice – they could either retreat and leave the way open for the Eastlanders to advance on Morschauser City or stand and fight in the hope that reinforcements would arrive. What they did depended upon the next die throw.
Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 2 and the Eastlanders threw a 6; therefore the Eastlanders moved first.
The southernmost Tank Unit of 101st Tanks moved forward and opened fire on the remaining Tank Unit of 2nd Tanks. The Eastlanders threw a 4 and missed.
The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery then opened fire on the same enemy Tank Unit. It threw a 2 and also missed!
The last Rifle Unit of the 204th Rifles then charged forward and engaged the Morschauserland Tank Unit in Close Combat. The Eastlanders threw a 3 and the Morschauserlanders threw a 1 with the result that the last remaining Tank Unit of 2nd Tanks was destroyed.
Realising that they could do nothing to stem the Eastlander’s inexorable advance, the local militia Machine Gun Units in the pillboxes surrendered whilst the 2nd Machine Guns and 2nd Artillery withdrew to help defend Morschauser City.
This battle did not quite go as I had expected. The minefields and barbed wire channelled the attackers into what should have been a killing-ground, but because the Eastwall was primarily defended by troops armed with nothing heavier than Infantry weapons, there was little the Morschauserlanders could do to counter the AFVs (and particularly the Self-propelled Guns) that the Eastlanders had included in the first two waves of their attack. By the time that the Morschauserlanders had deployed their Tanks, it was already too late to prevent a breakthrough.
It was noticeable that the Close Combat rules that allowed Infantry to take on Tanks worked well; in fact they were the most effective weapon antitank weapons used by the Eastlanders, although the casualty rates were very high.
Finally, I can now see why troops in cover might be given a saving throw to reflect that fact. Had this rule been in use during this battle things might have been more difficult for the Eastlanders.
Scenario
Having won the border battle, the victorious Eastlanders advanced into Morschauserland. Their primary objective was Morschauser City, but before they could attempt to capture it they had to break through the Morschauserland’s main line of defence, the Eastwall.
When the plans for the Eastwall were first put forward some years beforehand the Morschauserland Ministry of Defence had proposed that the defences should consist of a line of large concrete pillboxes and artillery forts – each with interlocking fields of fire – behind large minefields and barbed wire entanglements. It was hoped that this would deter any aggressive moves by Eastland, and that in the event of a war it would blunt any attack and give the Morschauserlanders time to mobilise their army. The reality was, however, somewhat different. Military spending was reduced due to economic pressures, and although some of the pillboxes were built, minefields laid, and barbed wire entanglements erected, large sections of the defence line were left incomplete. It was in such an area that the Eastland advance took place.
Forces Deployed
- Morschauserland
- 1st Machine Guns: 1 x Machine Gun Unit
- 2nd Machine Guns: 1 x Machine Gun Unit
- 3rd Mortars: 1 x Mortar Unit
- 2nd Artillery: 1 x Howitzer Unit
- 2nd Tanks (The Morschauser Greys): 2 x Tank Units
- Pillboxes: 3 x Pillboxes (each containing a local militia Machine Gun Unit)
- 203rd Rifles: 3 x Rifle Units
- 204th Rifles: 3 x Rifle Units
- 101st Self-Propelled Artillery: 1 x SP Field Gun Unit
- 102nd Self-propelled Artillery: 1 x SP Field Gun Unit
- 101st Tanks: 2 x Tank Units
- 205th Rifles: 3 x Rifle Units
- 102nd Tanks: 3 x Tank Units
- 101st Rifles: 3 x Rifle Units
- 102nd Rifles: 3 x Rifle Units
- 102nd Machine Guns: 1 x Machine Gun Unit
- 102nd Mortars: 1 x Mortar Unit
- 101st Artillery: 1 x Howitzer Unit
- 101st Antitank Artillery: 1 x Antitank Gun Unit
The following map shows the initial positions held by the Morschauserlanders and the main axes of attack used by the Eastlanders. The first wave of the Eastland attack contained the 203rd Rifles and 101st Self-propelled Artillery (on the northern axis of advance) and 204th Rifles and 102nd Self-propelled Artillery (allocated to the southern axis of advance). The subsequent two waves were to advance onto the battlefield as and when the Eastland commander felt that they were needed to exploit any breakthrough or reinforce any stalled attacks.
Turn 1Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 1 and the Eastlanders threw a 5; therefore the Eastlanders moved first.
The 1st Wave of the Eastland attack advanced onto the battlefield. The 101st Self-propelled Artillery engaged the improvised machine gun emplacement directly in front of them. They threw a 6 … and the emplacement, which contained the 1st Machine Guns, was destroyed!
The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery followed suit but only threw a 1, thus leaving the 3rd Mortars unscathed.First blood again to Eastland! The 101st Self-propelled Artillery destroyed the 1st Machine Guns.
As the rest of the 1st Wave of Eastland troops were out of weapon range, they did not engage the defending Morschauserland troops.The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery failed to destroy the improvised mortar emplacement occupied by 3rd Mortars.
It was then the turn of the Morschauserlanders to move, but they steadfastly remained in their defences.
Turn 2
Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 5 and the Eastlanders threw a 3; therefore the Morschauserlanders moved first.
It seemed prudent for the Morschauserlanders to remain on the defensive, and as no Eastlanders were within range they remained inactive.
The Eastlanders, however, did push forward as far as they could, and the 2nd Wave of their attack also entered the battlefield.
The 101st Self-propelled Artillery engaged the pillbox to the left of its axis of advance. They threw a 5 … and for the second time in two turns they destroyed an enemy Unit.
The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery fired again at the mortar emplacement immediately in front of it. They threw a 1 … and missed again!
Turn 3The 1st Wave of Eastland attackers engaged the Morschauserland defences at close range whilst the 2nd Wave advanced to support them.
Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 5 and the Eastlanders threw a 2; therefore the Morschauserlanders moved first.
At this point the Morschauserland defenders had lots of targets that were in range and they engaged the Eastland attackers with every weapon that was available.
The northernmost pillbox opened fire on the nearest Rifle Unit of 203rd Rifles. They threw a 5 and the Rifle Unit was destroyed.
The 2nd Mortars then engaged the advancing 102nd Self-propelled Artillery. They threw a 1 and missed.
The southernmost pillbox opened fire on the nearest Rifle Unit of the 204th Rifles, threw a 1 and also missed.
The 2nd Tanks then emerged from behind town, and opened fire on the advancing Eastlanders. The northernmost Tank Unit fired at 101st Self-propelled Artillery, threw a 2 and missed its target. The central Tank Unit engaged the 102nd Self-Propelled Artillery, threw a 1 and also missed. The Southernmost Tank Unit opened fire on the Rifle Unit next to the 102nd Self-Propelled Artillery, threw a 6 and destroyed it.
Finally the 2nd Artillery engaged the 102nd Self-Propelled Artillery, threw a 4, and also missed its target.
It was then the run of the Eastlanders to move.The Morschauserlanders engaged the attackers with every weapon that was available … but to little effect!
The 101st Self-propelled Artillery moved forward and opened fire on the nearest Tank Unit. It threw a 4 and missed it. A Rifle Unit of 203rd Rifles then engaged the Tank Unit in Close Combat. The Eastlanders threw a 5 and the Tank Unit threw a 4; both Units were destroyed!
A Rifle Unit of the 204th Rifles rushed forward and engaged the Morschauserland Tank Unit situated next to the central pillbox. The Eastlanders threw a 4 and the Tank Unit also threw a 4; for a second time both the attacking and defending Units were destroyed!Although the Tank Unit from 2nd Tanks was not hit by the gunfire of 101st Self-propelled Artillery, it was destroyed in Close Combat by a Rifle Unit of 203rd Rifles.
The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery opened fire on the 3rd Mortars, and threw a 3, thus missing its target. It then moved forward and engaged the 3rd Mortars in Close Combat. The Eastlanders threw a 6 and the Morschauserlanders threw a 2; as a result the 3rd Mortars were destroyed.
The rest of the Eastland troops advanced without engaging in further combat with the defenders.When the Eastlanders reached the centre of the Eastwall defences the fighting was short, fierce, and bloody.
Turn 4
At this point the Eastwall defences were breached, and the defenders had little choice – they could either retreat and leave the way open for the Eastlanders to advance on Morschauser City or stand and fight in the hope that reinforcements would arrive. What they did depended upon the next die throw.
Both sides threw a die to see which side would move first; the Morschauserlanders threw a 2 and the Eastlanders threw a 6; therefore the Eastlanders moved first.
The southernmost Tank Unit of 101st Tanks moved forward and opened fire on the remaining Tank Unit of 2nd Tanks. The Eastlanders threw a 4 and missed.
The 102nd Self-propelled Artillery then opened fire on the same enemy Tank Unit. It threw a 2 and also missed!
The last Rifle Unit of the 204th Rifles then charged forward and engaged the Morschauserland Tank Unit in Close Combat. The Eastlanders threw a 3 and the Morschauserlanders threw a 1 with the result that the last remaining Tank Unit of 2nd Tanks was destroyed.
The remaining Eastland troops continued their advance unimpeded.Despite several attempts to destroy the Morschauserland Tank Unit with gunfire, it was a Rifle Unit from 204th Rifles that finally managed to dispose of the enemy unit.
Realising that they could do nothing to stem the Eastlander’s inexorable advance, the local militia Machine Gun Units in the pillboxes surrendered whilst the 2nd Machine Guns and 2nd Artillery withdrew to help defend Morschauser City.
ConclusionsThe Eastlanders advanced through the Eastwall defences. Next stop Morschauser City!
This battle did not quite go as I had expected. The minefields and barbed wire channelled the attackers into what should have been a killing-ground, but because the Eastwall was primarily defended by troops armed with nothing heavier than Infantry weapons, there was little the Morschauserlanders could do to counter the AFVs (and particularly the Self-propelled Guns) that the Eastlanders had included in the first two waves of their attack. By the time that the Morschauserlanders had deployed their Tanks, it was already too late to prevent a breakthrough.
It was noticeable that the Close Combat rules that allowed Infantry to take on Tanks worked well; in fact they were the most effective weapon antitank weapons used by the Eastlanders, although the casualty rates were very high.
Finally, I can now see why troops in cover might be given a saving throw to reflect that fact. Had this rule been in use during this battle things might have been more difficult for the Eastlanders.
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Great write up Bob - I certainly think that the idea of a saving roll for troops in cover makes sense - perhaps differing for soft and hard - although perhaps instead the hit roll could have a modifier applied depending on where the target is. The militia units in the pill boxes (which looked really good BTW)- if they are presumably 2nd line troops do you think they should be downgraded in any way? I really like the look of the game and must get some of those buildings!
ReplyDeleteOgrefencer,
ReplyDeleteIf I do have saving throws for soft and hard cover it is likely to be along the lines of:
Soft cover: Save on a 5 or 6
Hard cover: Save on a 4, 5 or 6
This should make it easier to remember than having a factor change in the die rolls required to 'hit' a target.
It will still make the battles fast and furious but will also mean that units might just 'stay around' a bit longer.
The militia are 2nd line troops but as yet I have not yet formualted some rules for them. I only added them to this battle so that I could explain away who would be manning the pillboxes.
All the best,
Bob
Ross Macfarlane proposed at some point that you could add a cover effect by considering the troops in entrenchments or buildings to be equivalent to armored targets, which would be some help...
ReplyDeleteI dug out all the troops and scenery the other day...
On to a game.
Rob,
ReplyDeleteAfter the last play-test I think that the rules need some mechanism to reflect the effects of cover; it is just a question of trying to find a simple one that people will remember.
I am looking forward to reading about your game in the near future.
All the best,
Bob