654th Jagdpanzer versus Strelkovy

Finally I managed to get in a game at The Realm on Wednesday. Daniel had played 3 games this week and was burned out on FOW and gearing up for an Ia Drang battle. Luckily, Jeff pulled in and was eager to play like I was.

We rolled the Encounter mission. I don't remember the exact composition of his force, except that he had 2 big infantry blobs, a GOW battery, and 3 IS-2's with tankos.

I chose to deploy the StuGs and a grenadier platoon, while keeping the other grenadier platoon and mortars in reserve. The StuGs and grenadiers held the right flank opposite one of Jeff's infantry blobs. The command group of Jagdpanthers and Noak stood in the center across from the GOW battery.

On the first turn, I was lucky and blew two of Jeff's artillery pieces off the hill. The CiC, 2iC and Noak spent turns shooting up the artillery. After the game against Erik's Nisei, I'm very conscious about artillery because the support units of the 654th are Confident Trained and all my armor is Top Armor 1.

The StuGs on the right flank weren't enough to stop the blob. I lost one to arty. 3 hull MG's aren't enough to pin a Strelkovy company. I also didn't advice my grenadiers and dig them in. Instead, I kept them in the trees near the objective, allowing Jeff to advance with minimal casualties.

I got my first reserves and promptly put another grenadier company along with the other one. Again, it didn't advance and all it did was get in the way of the first grenadier platoon and inhibit the maneuver room of the StuGs.

My Jagdpanther platoon arrived on the left flank and charged after the artillery. I knocked Jeff's artillery down out of the re-roll targeting phase, but didn't get him below the magic number.

It also put the Jagds in danger of Jeff's reserves, which showed up the next turn in the form of IS-2's. He had two butt shots on the Jagdpanthers, but only managed to kill one. Whew.

I knew the right flank was going to collapse with a fading CT infantry and bailed StuGs. I wanted to pick off the IS-2's to gain a VP. Jeff rolled 3 saves versus AT16 and I only managed to kill one and bail one.

After assaults and flamethrowers and sappers, the right flank went poof and Jeff captured the objective.

Loss, 1-6.

Good game, Jeff!

Platoon of the match: Noak and the command Jagdpanthers destroyed 5 artillery pieces and 1 IS-2.

The AAR is a little sparse on the turn by turn blows. Instead, I want to focus on the things I learned.

This is my 4th game with the list and I'm 0-3 versus infantry lists.

Against infantry, especially big blobs, I need the mortars. I should have brought them on to pin the Strelkovy as the first reserves. Secondly, I should have used the StuGs to kill the arty observer in the trees. I focused on the blog instead of the observer and paid the price. Finally, I should have advanced the infantry and dug them in. I didn't because I was worried about CT troops getting hit in the open by arty.

I'm seeing where I need to improve with this list. Jeff was real aggressive with the Strelkovy, not fearing 7 stands of CT infantry. Perhaps a platoon of HMG's, could've discouraged him from the advance in the open. The mortars might have, because he asked if I had a template weapon deployed early.

I could swap a grenadier platoon for 10 stand pioneer. I get 3 flame throwers, but lose the R/MG of the grenadiers, which cuts down on my MG dice. The pioneers get pinned easily as CT, further reducing their defensive fire.

All vehicles in the list, except Noak, have only 1 MG. I need more MG dice against infantry.

I am toying with dropping the 2iC Jagdpanther and going with Noak and 3 Jagdpanthers for heavy tanks. The StuGs aren't going anywhere because I'll need them when I face Shermans and T-34's.

The extra points will allow me to add anti-aircraft vehicles for dual purpose use and a HMG squad. I'm not making changes yet. It's only been 4 games with the 654th. I'm still learning how to play it effectively against all armies.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!

Its Memorial Day Weekend here in the US. Take the time to remember those who serve our country before putting the first steak on the BBQ.

In Game Pics!

First roll of the dice versus the arty. Needing 5's to hit.


The Infantry blob


We need more guys!


I hate Arty!!



2nd Jagdpanthers shoot take stock of the arty


Uh oh, here comes Jeff's reserves


Kill the IS-2's!!



Strelkovy roll tide!

Pz IV E Platoon - new photos

I went 0-for-3 in Flames of War games the last two weeks. No, I didn't lose 3 games; I didn't get to play 3 games. Family and work stuff came in at the last minute to derail my chance to get the games in. Last Wednesday, I was unpacking the army to set up when the phone rang. It was the woman and back in the bag the tanks went because I was suddenly needed back home.

C'est la vie!

In the meantime, I didn't like the outdoor photos of the Pz IV's I posted earlier. I've been thinking about buying a portable photo studio, but I'm not sure how often I'd use it.

I briefly used a shelf of the wife's curio cabinet because it has internal lighting. Yes, those are Godzilla figures in the back. She's nice enough to have me place them there amongst all her figurines.

The photos didn't burn out half bad and at least show the winter whitewash to better effect than the other photos.

Still undecided about the photo studio after posting. How much will the wife tolerate me moving her figurines out of the way to take pictures of tanks and infantry? Not much.

D & D - German Warrior HG Special rules

Picked up my copy of Dogs & Devils today at the FLGS. In fact, I had them scan the book into their computer so they could sell it to me because the box had just been opened. :)

D&D is in the same format and good quality that started with Stalin's Onslaught, Hammer & Sickle, River of Heroes, Hell's Highway and A Bridge too Far. The History Briefing, painting guides and equipment listing is what FOW players have come to expect.

Rather than an indepth review, I'll highlight aspects of the book as I go through it.

I started with the Hermann Goring FJ forces (naturally).

Warrior:

Oberst Ferinand Gosewisch 362. Artillerieregiment

Gosewisch is Confident Veteran. He is a Higher Command teams and replaces a Staff team of a Motorised Artillery Rgt for +40 points.

As Staff team, the battery may re-roll Skill Tests for Digging Inn. Successful Skill Test for Digging In for the battery places all Gun teams in the battery in Gun Pits. If the battery starts the game in Prepared Positions then all teams in the battery receive Overhead Camouflage and all Gun teams are in Gun Pits at the start of the game.

EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS

Command teams in Combat or Weapons Platoons and the 2iC Command team in a Grenadierkompanie containing Gosewisch can act as spotting teams and request artillery fire as if a Company Command team.

OVERHEAD CAMOUFLAGE

Artillery batteries and anti-aircraft platoons in a Grenadierkompanie supported by Gosewisch and within 6" of the Regimental Command HQ, may re-roll failed Skill Tests to Dig In and if successful, receive Overhead Camouflage.

Motorised Artillery Batteries
Rocket Launcher Batteries
HG Hdeavy AA Gun Platoons
Grenadier Light AA Gun Platoons

Teams with Overhead camouflage count as Concealed and Observer aircraft may only spot the team if they are within 16".


HG RULES


ELITE TROOPS

HG Platoons fight to the last and may re-roll any failed Platoon Morale checks. Company Command teams may re-roll Company Morale checks.


STACHELDRAHT

A Panzer IIIM tank equipped with concertina wire on their rear deck may perform a STACHELDRAHT maneuver during its Assault Phase.

Rather than go verbatim, once per game, a Panzer IIIM performs a Stormtrooper maneuver and if successful, may deploy one entanglement on each side of the Panzer IIIM, extending 8" perpendicular to the tank's facing. When carrying concertina wire, the tanks main gun is considered hull mounted (ie fixed).

The Panzer tank acts as a Pioneer Supply Vehicle for platoons within Command distance attemping to dig in.


MOTORISED MOVEMENT

Motorised infantry using Motorised Movement, make a Skill Test to survive their Passenger Save when vehicle is destroyed by weapons of FP 5 or 6, rather than the normal passenger save.



I think the Warrior has very unique abilities. I think he's the first Artillery Warrior in the game. Given all the Allied artillery able to service the 3rd Infantry Division, he'll be a regular fixture at +40 points.

I'm not sure about the Panzer IIIM deploying wire. Note, it costs +20 points to give concertina wire to one tank per platoon.

Panzer IV E Platoon - Winter Whitewash

The winter whitewash is added. Before the whitewash, I sprayed Testors Dullcote on the tanks. I highly recommend Testors Dullcote because it's easy to apply, didn't mess with the decals and dried quickly.

I did a lot of research on whitewashing effects and settled on using watered down VMC white in various coats.

Little did I count on my daughter, the aspiring artist, to break out her artists palette, mixing tools and her animal hair paint brushes and demand to do the wash herself after seeing my test piece (an old Pz IV F-2).

I handed her turrets and hulls in assembly line fashion while she mixed the white to a consistency and transparency she liked. She used q-tips to soak up any access white if it pooled too much.

She doesn't play FOW, but she knows how to do a fine job adding washes!

Panzer IV E Platoon - Decals

Happy May Day everyone!

Channel your inner Russian and take out your tanks, infantry and cavalry and parade them around the dining table. The wife or girlfriend will love it!



Vladimir Putin thinks "Russian conscripts hit on 2+ really sucks"


I've finished applying the decals.

The "ghost on wheels", Balkenkruez, and yellow 11.Panzer Division symbol are all from Dom's Decals (see Links). The tactical numbers are from the Stalingrad decal set. In the set, the numbers are "310, 311, 312, etc". I used a knife to individually cut the numbers. "White 14" was the first number cut. I didn't like the way it looked, so I cut a single number for the other three tanks, "White 1", "White 2", and "White 3". Now I think "White 14" doesn't look too bad and I've seen pictures of early war panzers with three numeral tactical numbers. I hope Battlefront releases early war tactical numbers that are smaller than the Stalingrad or the Late War numbers designed to fit on Tigers, Panthers and LW Panzer IV's.

The glossy look is the result of Army Painter Dark Shade "magic wash". I wanted to apply the after the magic wash because the wash gives a more regular surface to the decals to adhere to. The decals were further aided by generous use of MicroSet to fix the decals and then MicroSol to melt them.

I'll tone down the decals with watered down Vallejo Smoke.

White "1"













The aerial recognition flag is from Old Glory miniatures. I found the decals to be thicker than other decals. I bathed the decals in Microsol and Microset to get the corners of the decal to fold over the turret stowage bin.

What to people think of the flaga? Too big? Too much?

The next step is weathering. I am undecided if I will first apply Testors Dullcoat or do the white wash and then Dullcoat. Drop a comment and let me know your ideas.