Ares Games
Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Doncaster 2019, Saturday WGF Table Game #1 - Protect the Balloon

  1. #1

    Default Doncaster 2019, Saturday WGF Table Game #1 - Protect the Balloon

    Game designed and run by Reg (Rebel)

    Germans attempt to shoot down an artillery-spotting balloon, which is directing fire onto two targets.

    RAF (plus a Belgian!) try to stop the Hun.

    British AA try to stop EVERYBODY!



    There are 4 German players already , so I opt for the Belgian Camel, rather than a British one.............
    The map, seen from the Entente lines. Where am I?
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (2).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	142.4 KB 
ID:	276798

    There I am! Extreme right, trying to get behind the Huns, rather than the more usual flying-straight-at-them-while-exchanging-fire-and-trusting-to-luck tactic.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (3).jpg 
Views:	37 
Size:	127.7 KB 
ID:	276799

    The tactic works out brilliantly - I repeatedly leather Paul's (Tikkifriend) candy-stripe 'Udet' D.VII, without receiving a single shot in return!
    2 x 'A' damage cards.......
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (4).jpg 
Views:	37 
Size:	143.9 KB 
ID:	276800

    2 x 'A' damage @ '+1'
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (5).jpg 
Views:	38 
Size:	143.7 KB 
ID:	276801

    Two Germans brave the FlaK and attack the balloon
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (6).jpg 
Views:	38 
Size:	140.7 KB 
ID:	276802

    Meanwhile, 2 more 'A' damage cards @ '+1' on Paul......
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (7).jpg 
Views:	37 
Size:	145.4 KB 
ID:	276803

    The balloon has barely been scratched......
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (8).jpg 
Views:	36 
Size:	157.4 KB 
ID:	276804

    <<In this photo-less gap, I lost Paul, then reacquired him for a single 'A' damage>>

    Paul finally breaks free from me, thanks partly to the interjection of 'Goring', who delivers to me the only 2 damage cards I received in the entire game (one manoeuvre card prior to this photo) - a '5' and a '5 + Pilot Wound'!!!!!!
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (9).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	140.0 KB 
ID:	276805

    Aside from Paul's cripple, no-one else is threatening the balloon
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (10).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	157.6 KB 
ID:	276806


    Now the "Archie" flayed the Germans............


    TWO AA hits on 'Goring' took him down!
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (11).jpg 
Views:	34 
Size:	119.8 KB 
ID:	276807

    ....and a hit on 'Udet' robbed me of a well-deserved 'kill'
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (12).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	142.8 KB 
ID:	276808
    The far column are all '+1' hits, and all 14 points were inflicted by me, without reply - THEN ARCHIE STOLE MY VICTORY!


    At some point earlier, Doug's RAF Camel had been shot down by his own AA, so he had respawned.

    Around this time, the almost pristine balloon takes a lucky 'fire' damage card, and is thus written off as lost.



    Now that I was carrying 10 damage points there was a very strong chance that I could be shot down by just a single AA hit, so the only sensible course of action was to get as far away from that bl00dy AA as possible (otherwise I would be simply gifting Victory Points to the opposition!)
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (13).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	183.7 KB 
ID:	276809
    In my haste to escape, I almost collide with 'Saschenberg'!


    I can't help myself, and get drawn back into the melee, again scoring hits without receiving any, but am lucky that the AA picks closer targets than me!
    'Saschenberg' has been shot down as well, so respawns near the Hun lines (top).
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (15).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	213.4 KB 
ID:	276810



    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (16).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	186.7 KB 
ID:	276811
    I damn-near collide with the respawned 'Goring'!
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (17).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	151.1 KB 
ID:	276812


    I get a shot into 'Goring', but his plane is fresh, and doesn't fall.....
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (18).jpg 
Views:	36 
Size:	168.7 KB 
ID:	276813

    The "Archie" continues to kick everyone's bottom!
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (19).jpg 
Views:	34 
Size:	158.1 KB 
ID:	276814

    I pursue 'Goring' a little too closely, and an overlap prevents another shot.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (20).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	191.0 KB 
ID:	276815

    My cripple flees for the corner, as Paul's comparatively-fresh 'Udet' respawn comes looking for payback!
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (21).jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	158.9 KB 
ID:	276816

    "Run Away!"
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (22).jpg 
Views:	36 
Size:	193.4 KB 
ID:	276817

    The German respawns nail an RAF Camel, and the Game is called.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PtB (23).jpg 
Views:	34 
Size:	160.3 KB 
ID:	276818



    The balloon was lost, and only one of the two bombardment targets was destroyed, so a German Victory was declared.
    From a pilot's point of view, it felt like an Entente victory - the Germans were slaughtered! However, the feeling was a hollow one, since the vast majority of the kills were scored by that bl00dy AA!


    It was a very good, well-thought-out, balanced scenario, but on the day outrageous luck skewed the result.

    The AA hit on a D12 roll, of 9 or higher - I watched in horror as Reg rolled 4 times, scoring 9, 11, 10 and 11!

    The balloon could have lasted much longer, but for the lucky 'Fire' card hit.

    I did my best flying of the whole weekend, all 5 games, was hit only once, and finished with absolutely nothing to show for it - no 'kills', and on the losing side.
    Ho hum - I guess that's what happens when I am forced to fly for the Bad Guys!
    Last edited by Flying Helmut; 10-17-2019 at 12:54.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  2. #2

    Default

    Another nice one, Tim.

    Bloody Archie stole your kill, but at least they didn't shoot you down.
    First mission of our Daring Young Men campaign my own Archie shot me down!

  3. #3

    Default

    Nice looking game, the mat and balloon are particularly good. Do you know if the mat is a commercial one?

  4. #4

    Default

    Don't know about the mat - drop Reg a line, he's sure to know.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  5. #5

    Default

    Nice Game!

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Vagabond View Post
    Nice looking game, the mat and balloon are particularly good. Do you know if the mat is a commercial one?
    Yes it is available but I can't remember who I got it from. But if you do find the supplier it is called 'Kent Countryside'. Be careful as it comes with large roundabouts and dual carriage ways (now painted out by me) so not very good for WW1 or 2. Also it was a tad expensive, Ł200.00 plus but it did come with an extra 5 ft x 1 ft coastal strip. If I can identify the supplier I will let you know.
    The Balloon is Skytrex and comes in two halves and I think is still available. The wonderful paint job is all my own work.
    Last edited by Rebel; 10-18-2019 at 09:49. Reason: Addition.

  7. #7

    Default

    Brilliant AAR Tim. Thanks. Just for the record in all the play tests the 'Archie' was useless; except when it came to the game it was deadly!

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rebel View Post
    Brilliant AAR Tim. Thanks. Just for the record in all the play tests the 'Archie' was useless; except when it came to the game it was deadly!
    Yes, I remember you saying so!

    Your dice rolling was lethal - don't ever let me play Craps against you!
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  9. #9

    Default

    Looks like a Tiny Wargames battle mat Reg, one of the BoB ones ?
    https://www.tinywargames.co.uk/battleofbritain

    Terrific AAR Tim

    "He is wise who watches"

  10. #10

    Default

    Thanks, Dave!

    Yes, tinywargames.............

    They have re-jigged their coastal "White Cliffs" mat, eliminating all the modern roads and buildings, at the request of their customers.
    Inspect carefully before you buy.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  11. #11

    Default

    Thanks for the info, I looked at their site about a week ago and found it very confusing, I didn't see an aerial mat without clouds on it. I'll look again.
    Cheers

  12. #12

    Default

    Definitely Tiny Wargames. I see they are now calling it Kent Farmland (I'm sure it was 'Kent Countryside')and they appear to have added the clouds to hide the roundabouts and dual carriageways.
    I did complain at the time and they did offer to take it back. Not only was I upset about the features but I had ordered the mat for Doncaster 2018 and given them 3 months to produce it. Despite their assurances it was finally delivered on the Monday following the Doncaster 2018 weekend so I was not well pleased. The offered compensation (minimal) also never materialised!

  13. #13

    Default

    Thanks Reg - not a wholehearted endorsement of the company. I didn't want clouds because I'm hoping to use it for 1:300th ground warfare as well.

    Tim sorry to sidetrack your thread a little.



Similar Missions

  1. Doncaster 2019, Saturday WGF Table Game #2 - Todesrennen im Himmel
    By Flying Helmut in forum WGF: After Action Reports
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 11-08-2019, 05:53
  2. Doncaster 2019, Friday Game #1 - Listening Post
    By Flying Helmut in forum BSG: After Action Reports
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-15-2019, 05:34
  3. The Balloon Busters: Game 2 - Hammerhead 2nd March 2019.
    By Naharaht in forum WGF: After Action Reports
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 03-21-2019, 06:16
  4. The Balloon Busters: Game 1 - Hammerhead 2nd March 2019
    By Naharaht in forum WGF: After Action Reports
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 03-11-2019, 07:48
  5. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-02-2017, 04:46

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •