My good friend The Major popped over for a rare game of Stargrunt II earlier tonight. As we were setting up, The Major started telling me of this encounter he had with a "historical gamer". Well, this led to a laugh about WWII gamers and their King Tiger armies keeping it real, which of course, led to a discussion about what Early World War II Tank truly was the coolest. The discussion quickly became rather heated. Before I knew it, I was challenging my good friend to a game of Flames Of War (a game, mind you, I know he despises!) to settle the question of the coolest, bestest early war tank. My challenge was answered, but with Blitzkrieg Commander (a game, mind you, I adore)!
So.
Winter. 1939. After the invasion of Poland, the German High Command, in a fit of remorse and penance, overthrows Hitler and his Nazi machine, and sues for peace. France is outraged. Her armies were ready. Her pretty tanks all set to go. But wait, the Soviets! They invaded Poland too! France is outraged and sends those pretty tanks into MotherRussia...
The Soviets were ready.
French S-35s capture the village. These tanks always make me think of ducks.
It was a bit slow-going at first with both sides having a Command Value of 8, and with most tanks having a speed of only 15cm.
But once the KVs got into range, things started happening.
Pretty soon tanks were blowing up all over the place.
But wait a minute, most of the tanks being blown up were Soviet! By turn 8 the Soviets fail their last breakpoint test and the French are on their way to Moscow. Great game. Nice to be playing with the 10mm stuff again. This is all Pendraken. Really nice little tanks.
By the way, my current favourite Early War tank is the beautiful T-28.
That's fantastic....what a fun idea. I love the potential of historical gaming for "what if" type of games...sadly many historic gamers are not open to such ideas.
ReplyDeleteI also love how you used some actual "snow" so the tanks left tracks....that add a great sense of realism to the game.
Hi Blue in VT,
DeleteThanks! I much prefer "what if" situations to historically accurate ones too - the real ones are just much too real for me. And "what if" ones are usually alot more fun!
And thanks too about the snow! It seems like where I am was pretty much the only place in North America that wasn't dumped on by piles on snow, so a table full of snow brings a little taste of Winter's joy!