So Long, 2014

More like 'good riddance!' from a wargaming/blogging perspective. I haven't played or posted much at all. But here's a quick rundown of some highlights...

Gaming Highlights

Rogue Spear (Force on Force)
Ran a short campaign inspired by Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six novels at Leprecon. Smaller Force on Force games seem to be my favourite nowadays, as exemplified by the Classified book. There may be more from me next year along these lines...

Caen Campaign (Memoir '44)
I played in one of the campaign book's campaigns over a short day. Marvellous company and access to Mr. Kinch's drinks cellar makes this one a hit regardless (though the game was also great fun).

Black Sun (Pulp)
I haven't even gotten around to posting my reports on this from Gaelcon yet! But suffice to say this went down a hit. I even ran this entombed scenario three times on the Sunday for different groups of people.





Blogs

Hetairoi
This 6mm Bretonnians project is breath-taking. I love seeing these guys in action...

Dalauppror
While still spending effort on Medieval Scandinavian matters, it's great to see something else here

Table Terror
This Scooby Gang (especially the Mystery Machine) caught my eye. Even more than Michi's usual fare!

Books

Victory Point
Gives some valuable perspective on the events shown/written about in Lone Survivor.









Losing Small Wars
If the recent withdrawal of British forces from Afghanistan gave you pause, you owe it to yourself to read this book.









A Genius for War
Perhaps overstated at times, but this is a fascinating study of how the Prussian/German army staff was set up to succeed in wars, regardless of political leadership.









Releases

SOC-R Spec Ops Boat - S&S Models
These are going to get into some action in 2015 I hope. Some more 'classified' trouble ahead!

Hell Diver VTOL riders - Clear Horizon Miniatures
I just love the concept for these miniatures. While obviously not useful in every scenario, these figures are great colour for your sci-fi VTOLs

Battlegroup Barbarossa - Ironfist Publishing
Going back in time from Kursk and Fall of the Reich for a third look at the armies of Germany and the Soviet Union must've been no easy task. However the guys produce another game feeling significantly different from those which have gone before.

TV

The Blacklist
This is a cheese and ham platform for James Spader - perhaps the only thing salvaging the overblown plotting. But it's simply fantastic







Gravity Falls
Imagine that Twin Peaks had been made for kids, no need. Watch Gravity Falls instead.








True Detective
The writing and direction (all done by the same people across every episode) mean that this is one of the most evenly produced shows I've every seen. Added to the surprisingly strong performances from both leads (Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson ), I recommend without reservation.



I've been spending a lot more time playing boardgames than previously, so maybe that's taking up time and energy previously spend blogging and wargaming. Perhaps I could try posting some of that...

Anyway, hope you had a great 2014, and here's to an even better 2015!

Black Sun - Teaser

So, it's been quite a while since I've been here. I've been gaming a bit, but seem to have lost my mojo for blogging. If you have any ideas/lessons for how to reinvigorate this aspect, please let me know!

But now, back to semi-regular service!

Black Sun

Dr. Ernst Lehman, previously a member of the mysterious Thule Society, but now leading scientist with Himmler’s Ahnenerbe has organised an expedition to a ruined temple in Libya where he believes Frederick Barbarossa’s legendary Black Sun mosaic is lost. This could be the key to victory in the Nazi’s quest for world domination.

Renowned adventurer, Bill Blazkowicz is racing Lehman to the lost temple. Along with a small band of companions, he must thwart the Nazi’s insane plans.

In this three-part campaign, play out Blazkowicz’s daring game of cat-and-mouse against his Nazi foes as he attempts to keep the occult power of the Black Sun from changing the fate of the world!


I'll be running this three-part campaign at Gaelcon from tomorrow.

Capturing the Crossing

The main thrust of Operation Epsom began at 0700 hrs. on June 26th. Early British progress was good, with solid artillery support and even some naval gunfire. It looked like the way was clear. The forward German positions, however, were lightly manned and the British soon discovered the German defence in depth. The goal for the first day was to capture the bridge that spanned the Odon just south of Cheux. The crossing was critical to maintain the operation’s momentum. The 15th Scottish Division, supported by the 31st Tank Brigade, made its way toward Cheux where it soon was bogged down in hours of bitter hand-to-hand fighting.

The German 12th SS Hitlerjugend Panzer Division with elements from the 21st Panzer Division launched a counterattack to repel the British and deny the crossing. The Germans were beaten back with the aid of the British artillery but succeeded in temporarily halting the Allied advance. The British pressed the attack with the 11th Armoured Division, but it too stalled out. Without the support or armour, the British infantry soon ran into trouble and opted to dig in for the night well short of its desired crossing. The German commander, General Dollman viewed the containment as an outright defensive victory.

British armour supports infantry in the attack on the bridge

Their right flank advances with some artillery support - they'll need it as the Germans as well-ensconced in the hill beyond

Germans advancing to take control of the central hill overlooking the farmhouse and bocage are met with a brief armoured thrust

The British tanks are driven back, taking significant damage

In the centre, the struggle over the farm sees the elite German armour take a hammering

The Luftwaffe (twice in one day!) shows up to wreak havoc on the strong British left flank 

Staying around to knock out an armour troop and the artillery battery

The struggle over the farm intensifies, with a infantry assault pushing the German control there to the limit

A final armoured attack nearly cuts off the farm, but the counter-punch leaves the British reeling

A hard-fought German victory leaves the campaign for Caen in the balance...