Wednesday 4 July 2012

Bovington play-test: Breaking the D-Q Line, September 1918


Another quick teaser in advance of our participation game at the Wargames South show at Bovington Tank Museum this Saturday and Sunday (7th and 8th July).  Last night we ran through the participation game for Saturday and it went pretty well, all things considered.

Like all play-tests, we spent a little too long trying to remember some of the less used rules in "Through the Mud and the Blood".  It's funny what you forget when you haven't played a set of rules for a few months!  I chatted for some time with the other players about how they found the balance between the sides, the precise force compositions needed for the games and the victory conditions.  A couple of the players kindly agreed to pretend to be completely new to the wargaming hobby and ask difficult question (bless 'em!) - all very useful preparation for the weekend!

All in all, I was pleased that we'd run through the game as it's highlighted some things Richard and I need to remember when umpiring, and has allowed us to make a few small tweaks to the forces available.




Here's a few snaps which I managed to take of the very early stages of the game.  I'm deliberately trying to give nothing about what happens next!  First, the initial British force from 9th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, and their Big Man "character cards".




Then the table viewed from the British side …



… and the German side



A picture of a British infantry section cautiously advancing, and then the view from the perspective of No. 4 Section, 1st Company, "B" Battalion of the Tank Corps




And finally, just one of the things which just might be waiting for the British assault battalion in the German fortified village of Etaing - amidst the rusting bath-tubs and broken furniture a German MG08 heavy machine gun.



I've not much to do to the game before the weekend, just finishing a couple of figures and a couple of finishing touches to one of the buildings.  One thing I thought you may enjoy is the background hand-out for the game, which I've posted as a document on the right hand side of this blog under "Playtest Scenarios and Campaign Dairies".  It's nothing very grand, but it gives a bit of context for the participation game.  I'll post the full scenario, briefing notes, OOBs, special rules and victory conditions after Sunday.



Hope to see some of you over the weekend!

22 comments:

  1. Game looks excellent. Will you publish the scenario in the Summer Special?

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    1. Thanks Chris. I'll posting the scenario here in a few days time! So no need to wait for the TFL Summer Special!

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  2. Looking fecking beautiful and good luck with the weekend Sidney!

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  3. Looks great! I can't wait to read the full specifics of the scenario.
    -Curt

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    1. Thanks Curt - the full scenario is coming shortly!

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  4. This is just looking lovely... players should have a blast!

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    1. Thank you very much DHC - it was a very enjoyable couple of days gaming. I think everyone had a really fun time.

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  5. Excellent looking game. The support materials is outrageously good! I'll be looking forward to reading the post-game comments

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    1. Thanks Benito. I tried hard with the background material for the game as I was aware there'd be a lot of non-wargamers at the show as well (just looking at the museum). If it's sparked anyone's interest, that's "mission accomplished" for me!

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  6. Fabulous terrain and figures. Inspiring stuff. Best, Dean

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  7. Awesome looking board!! I really like those Big Man Cards as that adds a great touch! Good luck and sounds like your really prepared.

    I have question please that's a little off topic, but do TFL have a Spanish Civil War 1936-39 game?

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks very much Christopher. Yes, there's a set which we have used for the Spanish Civil War (as well as other inter-War conflicts). It's called "Triumph of the Will" and it's available on the TFL website. It's one of the earlier rules, but it gives a really good, fast moving game. I really enjoyed the Russian and Spanish Civil War actions we played using those rules.

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    2. Great thank you Sidney! One again great looking set up!

      Christopher

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  8. I don't think I will be able to get along to this as working on Saturday and will probably be a family day on Sunday, dam and blast! Will you be putting this game on at Colours or at Warfare later this year?
    I can see that your attention to detail covers all aspects of the hobby and I am sure your weekend will run like clockwork.

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    1. Pat, a shame you couldn't make it. I would have loved to have met up. but thanks for the comments, and no doubt we shall meet up at a show one day!

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  9. Brilliant stuff - very impressive ;)

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    1. Thanks Monty - very pleased you've liked it so far!

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  10. I really wish I could see these pieces for real....
    Cheers
    paul

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    1. Thanks Paul. We travel a fair bit to show these days, so who knows. Fingers crossed we can meet up sometime and show you the game "in the flesh" so to speak. I very much hope so, as I know you'd like it.

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  11. Had a wet but enjoyable time at Bovington yesterday (Sat). Rich was on form, but spent a lot of his time fielding questions about Dux. Still, he handled it like a trooper.
    The terrain though, is even more impressive in person. You should be rightfully proud of your work!

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    1. Thank you very much indeed, that's really kind. Thanks for making the trip on Saturday in the rain!

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