Category Archives: After Action Report

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The Last Hundred Yards Mission 14.0: Another Bump in the Road — A Narrative Style AAR

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September 18, 1944: On the main road to Nijmegen, north of Veghel, near a small village the locals called Voederheil, Captain Speirs lowered his binoculars and swore to himself. The fleeting grey figures he had seen moving about in the buildings ahead could only be Germans, and that meant yet another delay. His men were tired. He was already eight hours behind schedule, and now he had to deal with another blocking force. After conferring with Lieutenant Higgins of Able Company, they moved out. As he turned to leave, Speirs could hear Higgins muttering something about “just another bump in the road”.

Since this was to be a joint operation with Able and Baker companies, Captain Speirs had put Lieutenant Higgins in nominal charge of the combined units as he had the most combat experience. So, Higgins gathered the other lieutenants: Ricci, Kelly, Stillwell, Reynolds, and Garcia. Before he began, Higgins looked across the road at the reduced squads of Baker company. They had been hard hit in the past few days and looked it. Reynolds only had one squad left. Of course, Able company wasn’t much better off.

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A Hitler’s Reich Gaming Experience or “Why a Perfect Plan Isn’t Always Perfect”

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by Herman (Ted) Bingham

Introduction by Hitler’s Reich Co-Designer Fred Schachter: A wonderful part of our beloved hobby of gaming is the opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts through a variety of means.  This was the case when I responded to a BGG Hitler’s Reich site post, captivatingly titled “Is Hand Size a Game Breaker?”, from the author of this article, Herman (Ted) Bingham.

What follows is an edited version of Ted and my posts and related emails converted into InsideGMT article form. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy this read which only goes to show that with a game such as Hitler’s Reich, initial impressions can be deceiving and its great fun putting a theory to the test.

Incidentally, if you’ve not yet viewed it, here’s a video from Hair Brained Games, a revisiting of the Hitler’s Reich Game after four years which features its Second Edition Rules: Hair Brained Games Revisit – Hitler’s Reich (GMT Games) – YouTube.  

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“Cat-Herder-in-Chief”: Playing the Mr. President 2017 Hard Scenario (Part 3)

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When last we left our intrepid President, he had spent most of his previous actions to set up what he believes and hopes will be “max odds on both upcoming wars.” And he may well have accomplished that – we’ll see. But the thing about Mr. President is that there always seems to be a new threat axis coming at you – and it can happen quickly. We’re starting the 2nd quarter of Rick’s presidency this time, with the 2nd Activation Phase of the turn, and the first half of the Activation Phase is weighted heavily toward the game opponents’ actions and Rick’s reactions. So we’ll see if or how much Rick’s threat analysis has to change and adapt by the end of the Activation Phase. – GB

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Great Battles of Julius Caesar Deluxe Edition Session Report — Bibracte (58 BC)

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I am finding the Great Battles of History as a very well suited system for a solitaire play. It is pretty straightforward to lead both sides, with some randomized elements – like trumping opponent leaders – which has to be taken care of. The actual fight, maneuvers and orders in many cases are evident and does not need a deeper system / flowchart / decision matrix. You can take them all by yourself.

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Great Battles of History vs Commands & Colors – Battle of Callinicum (531 AD)

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As I had a pleasure of playing in short succession the Byzantine Battle of Callinicum (531 AD) using both Mark Herman Great Battles of History (GBoH) and then Richard Borg Commands Colors Medieval (CCM) I would like to share not-so-typical after action report. Yes, I will look into the details of the engagement, historical result, how it went on the board and what result was. But I will also do the comparison of how it feels to play with both systems. Should be fun!

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Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles Session Report – Second Kondonai 1564 AD

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We are continuing with Lukasz our series of C&C Samurai Battles games. Usually as consecutive, geographically or chronologically connected sets of scenarios. Today I am presenting a two-day battle, which you can play as mini-campaign, where results of first engagement directly influence the second. I am talking about Second Kondonai 1564 AD.

Enjoy the picture-rich session report plus historical background!

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“Cat-Herder-in-Chief”: Playing the Mr. President 2017 Hard Scenario (Part 2)

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Gene: When last we left our intrepid cardboard President, Rick had just finished the first half of Activation Phase 1. Note that the Activation Phases are organized so that the first half (the left column) of each Activation Phase features more “game opponents” actions with some player reaction opportunities. The second half of each Activation Phase, which Rick is beginning now, gives the player more action opportunities, with a small reaction segment for the opponents. So Rick should have a good opportunity during the rest of this phase to plug holes created by the opponent’s actions and to grab the initiative and began to work his plan. We’ll start with his Ally Actions, which can be very useful if you’ve kept your Ally Relationships strong.

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Alexander’s Successors Wars as Depicted by C&C Ancients

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Recently I have played C&C Ancients a lot less in comparison to the time when I was initially enchanted by this game. Still, it oftentimes gives me a lot of satisfaction and nowadays I usually play sets of historically and chronologically connected scenarios.

Recently I brought to the table couple of Civil War battles (Caesar vs Pompey), and later on the Greco-Persian Wars. This time we decided to completely change the settings and armies compositions. We moved to the Alexander’s Successors Wars! What we played was:

  1. Paraitacene (318 BC) – first of the grand clashes between Antigonus and Eumenes, a battle to be long remembered.
  2. Gabiene – (317 BC) – a battle which almost ended the the War of Diadochi – after which Antigonus became a true Lord of Asia and most powerful pretender to inherit the Alexander’s legacy.

Without further delay, let me invite you to the session reports! Enjoy!

PS. As always, you can click on each picture to see details.

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Fields of Fire: The Bulge Campaign Mission #6 AAR (Part 4)

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Mission 6 – Attack on Schöneseiffen

2nd January 1945

Part 4 – Turns 8-10

We’re ready for the final assault, hopefully there are enough commands to go around and get the job done.

Turn 8 – Street Fight

The orders are to take the town by sundown, and we’re starting to feel the time pressure now.

Savage fighting on the outskirts of town has caused massive damage to both sides. 2/2 captures the secondary objective, driving away the enemy spotter. But not before one of our Shermans explodes after a direct hit from the mortar fire he called down last turn. A second StuG III joins the fight supported by an assault rifle wielding squad. The lack of commands going around is really hampering us. We have two spotters, but they never seem to get a break. And we have a green 1st PLT HQ with no radio struggling to get anything done but somehow still moving forwards. 

Someone needs to hit the town with as much firepower as we can manage. And quickly.

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Fields of Fire: The Bulge Campaign Mission #6 AAR (Part 3)

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Mission 6 – Attack on Schöneseiffen

2nd January 1945

Part 3 – Turns 5-7

Returning to our efforts to walk across the beautiful open snowy fields while Germans drop artillery on us. We’re making progress. Half the map is secured, but there are hidden spotters and snipers out there that we need to deal with.