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Thread: Weekend Game - WoW; that was fun...!

  1. #1

    Default Weekend Game - WoW; that was fun...!

    An AAR on a game played over 2 days in Devizes, Wiltshire, 2nd/3rd February 2013

    Up to 12 players gathered in the 1st floor room of the Hare and Hounds in Devizes at 9.00 am on Saturday, the 2nd, to hear Simon, the game planner and umpire, give his briefing of what was to follow.

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    The table was 12’ long and 6’ deep. The two sides were based along the long edges, battle to take place across the depth of the table. Each side had trenches, anti-aircraft guns and strategic targets to deploy in an area initially demarcated by that trusty piece of technological kit (and highly appropriate in this case), a piece of string. Trenches were in the first line, AA guns behind and then strategic targets, although mixing of AA and targets was allowed. All the strategic targets were allocated points which the enemy could gain by bombing them. Some of these targets were decoys. Each side allocated points to targets secretly. Each side had a mixture of bombers, 2-seaters and scouts. Shot down machines were out of the game permanently. Planes with damage that were able to return to their own baseline could be repaired. Each player was allowed to control one plane on the table with others in reserve to use when his first machine was damaged or destroyed. Points were gained for destroying enemy aircraft, trenches, AA guns and, of course, strategic targets. Points were also gained for photographing enemy targets. These points were only awarded if the photos were successfully returned to base – if the plane taking the photos was destroyed, so were the photos. Most importantly, photos successfully returned to base identified if the target was genuine and how many points it was worth thus enabling the guesswork to be removed from planning bombing raids.

    The game was to be played in a series of Missions, each of which lasted 20 turns. The commander of each side, hopefully after discussions with his subordinates, could plan which machines to use from those available and what their tasks were.

    Rules were basic. No altitude. The only special damages were Jammed Guns, Aiming and casualties to non-pilot crew on multi-crewed planes.

    This is how the game went and it should be pointed out that the account will be somewhat tilted towards the Entente side since your correspondent had the honour of flying in that cause.

    There is a little slide show at the end of this report.

    Mission 1. Both sides put out a mixed force of scouts and 2-seaters. The intention for both seemed to be to try and identify enemy strategic targets by aerial photography and generally “test the water”. Things started disastrously for the Entente however. As they approached the enemy lines, a storm of small arms fire erupted from the trenches. As usual, this gave every impression of being ineffective until an astonishingly lucky shot hit the commander’s machine and the revered Skipper plunged to earth and destruction. Although shaken by this, his men forged ahead and were soon locked in combat with the foe. Meanwhile, your correspondent, in accordance with orders, flew serenely over the enemy lines and began taking photos of likely targets. Whilst the Hun was gaining an advantage in the dog-fights, the sky was clear round the Entente 2-seater and several valuable photos were secured. All that remained was to get home – an easy enough task given the absence of enemy machines. Alas…! This hubristic thought had no sooner been formed than the very last enemy trench before no-man’s land and freedom opened up with derisory small-arms fire and, for the second time in this Mission, scored crucial hits. Down came the DH, along with your correspondent and the photos – their information destined never to seen by any eyes, friend or foe.

    So, Mission 1 ended in the Central Power’s favour, particularly in terms of losses amongst Entente 2-seaters – crucial to obtaining reconnaissance photos.

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    Mission 2. The Entente side had suffered crucial losses in the first Mission but they had destroyed a considerable amount of the trenches and AA on the Central Power’s right flank so it was decided to commit a Caproni bomber on that side to bomb unidentified targets. It was to be escorted by a Morane-Saulnier N a Snipe and possibly a Spad although surviving records are not clear about this. The Central Powers had Fokker DR1 and Albatrosses. The Caproni and the RE8 both managed to bomb targets but the mighty bomber was savaged by ground fire and enemy aircraft, eventually falling from the sky, the centre of a hideous fireball. Its escorts did not fare any better and once again, the Entente finished a Mission weaker than their opponents.

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    Mission 3 This was the most disastrous Mission so far for the Entente (and the previous two had not been particularly good). The enemy still had powerful machines at their disposal – as well as the Albatrosses, the mighty Gotha bomber made an appearance. The Entente were reduced to their last Morane-Saulnier, a DH2 pusher and a damaged RE8. The early war planes attacked the Gotha but the Morane, with gun jammed, fell prey to the formidable armament of the Gotha. The DH2 was no match for the escorting Albatross and it too was destroyed, followed quickly by the RE8. With total mastery of the skies, the Gotha sailed over the Entente lines, destroying AA emplacements and silencing trenches. After releasing all its bombs and strafing with great effect, it returned to its base, pursued only by ineffective ground fire. Another Mission that finished strongly in favour of the Central Powers.

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    Mission 4 For the first time, the Central Powers were constrained to use an early-war machine – a Halberstadt - (shouts of triumph mixed with irony from the Entente who had been using Morane-Saulniers since Mission 1). Their line-up was completed by another Gotha and an Albatross. The Entente had another Caproni, a damaged RE8 and a Snipe. The bombers both drifted across to the enemy target areas but this time the Gotha did not escape, being downed by the Snipe. The Caproni happily bombed several targets and headed home. The Entente lost the damaged RE8 to the Albatross which in turn was defeated by the Caproni. A Camel, hastily repaired at base, then appeared for the Entente whilst an Eindecker was pressed into service by the Central Powers. For once, the Entente had a superiority in machine types and the Snipe gave chase to the Halberstadt whilst the Camel pursued the Eindecker. The Halberstadt escaped but the Eindecker was not so lucky. In the last act of the game, it was defeated by the Camel but this late victory could not
    disguise the fact that the Entente had suffered a definite trouncing.

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    Summary

    Neither side gained many points from bombing strategic targets. The Entente mainly bombed targets that were worth no points. If your correspondent had managed to get home in Mission 1 with his valuable photographs, that information would have enabled the Entente to direct their bombing to better effect. The Central Powers realised that they could accrue valuable points by knocking out AA emplacements in addition to the impressive haul of points they garnered from plane to plane victories so they didn’t make a huge effort to bomb strategic targets. The end result was a decisive victory for the Central Powers.

    Disclaimer. There may be errors in identfying Central Powers plane types. Your correspondent was too busy trying not to be shot down to always make a definite identification of the enemy. In cases of doubt, your correspondent has named enemy aircraft as Albatrosses and hoped for the best.

    This had been a fantastic gaming experience and thanks to all those that took part but most especially to Simon Hinder for organising and umpiring the whole thing.

    Slide show




    or the Sepia version can be found here: http://youtu.be/reQmBRqdKXc


    Doug

  2. #2

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    A very enlightening view of the weekend. I love the slide show at the end Doug.
    Rob.

  3. #3

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    An effort and fun for all worth reputation increase. Salute Doug, thanks for the report! You guys know how to have a weekend fun

  4. #4

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    Cool AAR and Slide show. It sounds like the Huns were on top of their game. Are you sure you didn't go up against the Flying Circus.

  5. #5

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    Very nice! Gave me a couple of ideas. Thanks!

  6. #6

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    What a fantastic & impressive looking event!

  7. #7

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    Nice one Doug, some brave pilots there taking on albatrii with MS1 !

  8. #8

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    Sounds like a fun game wish I could have been there.

  9. #9

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    Some interesting ideas there that I might well steal! Thank you.

  10. #10

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    Hey Doug,

    Would you have access to the campaign rules you used for this? I would love to get my hands on a copy to aid in my own scenarios and campaign ideas.

    Thanks,
    Michael

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by celticgriffon View Post
    Hey Doug,

    Would you have access to the campaign rules you used for this? I would love to get my hands on a copy to aid in my own scenarios and campaign ideas.

    Thanks,
    Michael
    Michael

    I'll ask the umpire and devisor if he has anything I could pass on. From what I remember, a good deal of it was on-the-spot improvisation.

    Doug



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