RFCM

The next Entoynet battle day is 11th May.
The theme is "Monte Cassino".

PBI.
Miles is creating  a dedicated Cassino table (I think?).
There will probably also be 3 normal PBI tables.
Armies can be German, German Paras, Commonwealth, US,British. All 1942-1944?

As usual we need a list of players.
Then we need volunteers for table layouts. Italian sort of?

I assume so far?

1. Eric
2. Miles
3. Jim
4. martin = German paras
5
6
7
8

If you can  to edit this message and repost it that is a good idea.
ie Use CTRL C to copy list of names. Thne use CTRL V to post it into a reply/new message.

Although the games are normal PBI with a backdrop of Italy, are there any small changes we could/should impose on the day? 
eg On the Berlin day +8 was awarded to the Russians in piggy chase.



martin :)

'Bens free' and will be attending.

D&B

Thanks Dave.

Added.

martin :)

Cassino update


1. Eric
2. Miles
3. Jim
4. martin = German paras
5  Ben
6
7
8

Don't forget Polish and French also some Elements of Italians on both sides by now !
Fighting from Anzio could still be included ? But to be honest not on the Beachhead themselves.
Miles

If someone can build a Polish or French that would be great. Possibly a Gurkha company too?

I think there are 3 German para armies out there, probably 3 American,4 British and 5 German.
Richard has Indians I think?

This should provide good looking games.

I shall use German paras  but using the British 1944 infantry company organisation.

martin :)

Cassino update:

1. Eric
2. Miles
3. Jim
4. Martin = German paras
5. Ben
6. Simon = German paras (hoping for 8 AP every turn, of course) or German Heer - whichever people prefer me to use
7.
8.

I hate to be boring but I think you will find that by Cassino the Italians were out of it except in a partisan role against the Germans. Also the Polish and French contingents were organised, uniformed, equipped and armed along British lines so would look no different from a British or Kiwi company.
John

Thank you John.
That makes it easy.

martin :)

The Polish were mainly in British kit, a lot of French were in a mix of British and mainly American kit. But I think there was African French there in their own Kit ?
Italians I think if someone slipped in an "odd" Italian Platoon on either force no-one will have too much to grumble about ?
Someone wants to put some more unusual forces together that "could have" been there, please do, some 15 different nationalities were fighting on the Allies side at Cassino ?
 Obviously the forces have to conform with 1943-1944 forces organisation in the company Architect;These being US, British and German forces.
Most Germans especially around the Abbey itself were Luftwaffe oriented? Airborne and Herman Goering units ? Apparently they had a shortage of AT weapons ? If someone could clarify that ? Please ?
I know the Germans had whatever tanks and equipment that were available at the time, new ones as well as old ones probably?
 The Italian campaign was one that is slightly off centre as it was never quite given the resources it needed until the end of the war. So some of the equipment and men might not be quite up to standard. So it does have some flexibility in there unlike NW Europe.
Miles

Good and useful background Miles.
Thank you.

martin :)

The players 11th May 2024

1. Eric
2. Miles
3. Jim
4. Martin = German paras
5. Ben
6. Simon = German paras (hoping for 8 AP every turn, of course) or German Heer - whichever people prefer me to use
7.
8.

This gives enough for 3 tables, but I assume a couple more players are joining in.
This will give us 4 of  1 on 1 games, although players might want to double up to play on the special Monte Cassino table.

martin :)

The players 11th May 2024
Enjoyment PBI.
Monte Cassino theme.

Does this look correct?
Have you been missed off or erroneously included?

1. Eric
2. Miles
3. Jim
4. Martin = German paras
5. Ben
6. Simon = German paras (hoping for 8 AP every turn, of course) or German Heer - whichever people prefer me to use


This gives enough for 3 tables, but I assume a couple more players are joining in.
This will give us 4 of  1 on 1 games, although players might want to double up to play on the special Monte Cassino table.

Miles are you still able to provide a special Monte Cassino table?

martin :)

11th May.  Entoyment.
Monte Cassino theme
We have the final (?) list.

1. Eric= German paras
2. Miles= British  + Monte Cassino table (?)
3. Jim=  British?
4. Martin = US + table set up
5. Ben= German?
6. Simon = German paras (hoping for 8 AP every turn, of course)

martin :)

Ben can do German or Canadian?

D&B

Hello Dave and Ben
By looking at the list I think Ben should be German. 
Ben can bring two armies if wished and use one am and one pm.


martin :)

Thanks Martin, he will just go with the Germans.

D&B

It's a Monte Cassino themed table, but it's still a 400 point army each.
Miles

Do we need to know which table we're playing on in order to point up our forces? For example, I believe the German paras at Monte Cassino were supported by StuGs?

Simon

Fine question Simon.
The Monte Cassino is merely a theme.

The intention is to limit the types of armies, but not what is in them.
It would be harsh to force players to buy new stuff specifically for Monte Cassino.

The Monte Cassino "Dedicated" table will be used by some/all players during the day. This depends on numbers and tables. Miles has issues a map of exactly what the table is like. I or Miles will hunt that down and put a link here.

It looks like we will be having 3 tables as we have 6 players.
1x Monte Cassino special.
2x Normal. Scenery etc done in the normal way.

martin :)

Sorry, I cannot find it.
Can you help out Miles?


martin :-[

I found the map.
Quick key to the map:
Blue and Green squares are the 12 scenery templates as per rules within reason?
Brown Squares are Partials 20 ? Some ideas nicked from Mexico and Spanish games ?
Orange Crosses are the 3 Objectives in rows 3/4/5 as per rules
Objective in Row 5 square is a square left or right too close to the others?  but that's because the Abbey tower is 3 squares in ?
So I had to compromise!
The Road(s) are in Red.
Miles
(https://i.postimg.cc/YGscQFR5/IMG-1423.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGscQFR5)

(https://i.postimg.cc/dk1P762R/IMG-1424.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dk1P762R)

Thank you Miles
Do you need anything extra for the set up?

martin :)

Not for now Martin,thank you. First off I ve it to make sure the table set up works ?
This will be a very rough version of the table.
If the table works then I will be making it up over the summer.
With having some foam squares off yourself and Stewart, to give some height and contours to the back half of the table.
Will also need some ruined buildings and things for the front half of the table.
 I ve set up the front half of the table with "Whole" buildings for now ? Monte Cassino town for the Allies to get through ?
I might have to adjust scenery around to make it easier to get through yet ?
Miles
(https://i.postimg.cc/KR2zjKq9/IMG-3111.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KR2zjKq9)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7fnL2xjq/IMG-3112.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fnL2xjq)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PvzdY43S/IMG-3116.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PvzdY43S)

(https://i.postimg.cc/dkCstv8P/IMG-3117.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dkCstv8P)

(https://i.postimg.cc/FkQ9YqZf/IMG-3118.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FkQ9YqZf)

These are the best Italian style buildings I could find in my little collection? So please forgive me ?
The table will hopefully be acceptable, but it will look rough ? The 3 Square castle is a Legionnaires style Fort and a Castle tower for now.
The Abbey is only part way complete and the hilly dead ground around the base of the Abbey will be rough and Rocky.
But this is the first outing for the table ?
But hopefully the important features and 3 Objectives will be there ?
Miles

Looks great to me Miles.

martin :)

Germans should be mainly based on Luftwaffe Airborne and Herman Goering divisions, but this can be very varied and many different permutations? Mainly Average all sorts of tanks, assault guns and AT guns. Some Veterans and some SS but not the mainstay of the Italian campaign. If fighting away from Monte Cassino then a " normal" German army 1943-44 including DAK uniforms are acceptable.
The Germans can be a mix of various units as they were good at mixing and matching units together in the later war years ?
Stug 111, Pz 111s but were becoming obsolete by then, Pz 1vs also tigers, Panthers and elephants plus Pak 40s and of course the famous 88.To. Are a few.
I know my British will be made from my 8th Army box.
Miles

I am going to sprinkle my army with gritty dust.


martin :)

Is that dust that is particularly tough?

I think it's well 'ard.

Simon

Quote from: Smiley Miley 66 on May 07, 2024, 05:39:55 PMGermans should be mainly based on Luftwaffe Airborne and Herman Goering divisions, but this can be very varied and many different permutations? Mainly Average all sorts of tanks, assault guns and AT guns. Some Veterans and some SS but not the mainstay of the Italian campaign. If fighting away from Monte Cassino then a " normal" German army 1943-44 including DAK uniforms are acceptable.
The Germans can be a mix of various units as they were good at mixing and matching units together in the later war years ?
Stug 111, Pz 111s but were becoming obsolete by then, Pz 1vs also tigers, Panthers and elephants plus Pak 40s and of course the famous 88.To. Are a few.
I know my British will be made from my 8th Army box.
Miles

So my German paras should be Average, but may have a couple of StuG IIIs and Pak 40s, Miles?

Simon

11th May.  Entoyment.
Monte Cassino theme
We have the final (?) list.

1. Eric= German paras
2. Miles= British  + Monte Cassino table (?)
3. Jim=  British
4. Martin = US + table set up
5. Ben= German?
6. Simon = German paras (hoping for 8 AP every turn, of course)
7. Big Mike=


martin :)

In my teeth


martin :)

Simon up to you, Average or Veteran? Depending how many units and men you want to deploy?
Miles

Ben has been called into work today for Saturday, due to staff shortages through too many staff going sick! He cannot make the Monte Cassino game,he sends his apologies to all.

D&B

No problem Dave. Pass on my good wishes to Ben.


martin :)

UPDATE

11th May.  Entoyment.
Monte Cassino theme
We have the final (?) list.

1. Eric= German paras
2. Miles= British  + Monte Cassino table (?)
3. Jim=  British
4. Martin = US + table set up
5. Simon = German paras
6. Big Mike=

martin :)

Here is the Monte Cassino table for now.
Like I said before it is a bit rough around the edges.
But this will be with changes no doubt something that the finished product will look like at Colours but with sculptured hills, scratch build castle, probably more ruined buildings (rather than whole buildings) in the town itself and of course a ruined looking Abbey rather than a flat boxy thing at the moment!
But the Objective in Row 5 is now in the correct place? The Partial road junction. 
As is the Objective in Row 4? The big Single Tower on the forts left.
It's just Row 3 Objective in 1 square to the right of the table as the Abbey main Building takes up 2 square width, leaving the entrance Square 3rd in !
I am sorry everyone will have to live with that !
Anyway see you Saturday morning, I ve got to repair and do some little things before tomorrow evening as I ve got a family do to attend Friday evening.
I will adjust and re do the map, and put it up on here, so everyone has a rough idea why and where bits are on the table.
Please excuse the toys, the joys of being a grandad lol ! There should be some trees at the back as well, but I hadn't got them out yet !
Miles

(https://i.postimg.cc/7fvppGQM/IMG-3143.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fvppGQM)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mh1vXNVg/IMG-3160.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mh1vXNVg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/pyK050qz/IMG-3144.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pyK050qz)

(https://i.postimg.cc/qttwJQNt/IMG-3149.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qttwJQNt)

(https://i.postimg.cc/fVq5Q1Rn/IMG-3163.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fVq5Q1Rn)

That is lovely Miles. Thank you

No new map is needed, Just tell us on Saturday.
Good job.

martin :)

I will do the map then I ve got a record for myself where everything is ?
Also easier to plot any needed changes ?
Miles

Here is the revised map of tomorrow's table.
After tomorrow the table may have changes to it ?
The main thing it has the main features of the area, the Abbey, the Castle and the main Town itself, with Highway 6 running into and out of the town and the main road going out of town around the "Hill"
The extra brown curly squares are rocky ground to represent hilly bits on the proper table when built.
Miles


(https://i.postimg.cc/mt0xzZxg/IMG-3172.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mt0xzZxg)

Many thanks to those that were there today.
6 good games today.
A good game with Simon on the Monte Cassino table.
Veteran German Paras v Average 8th Army.
Simon won as I couldn't get any objectives, done everything right except when it came to Assaults on Squares.
But we proved the table works. I ve got to re classify some squares but other than that it works.
Martin used his Americans as British ? V my British, I lost chase so had to defend, and lost the game.
But nice to see the other side of the table.
Miles
(https://i.postimg.cc/4Yq1j4qt/IMG-3174.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4Yq1j4qt)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5jgSbSDf/IMG-3175.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jgSbSDf)

(https://i.postimg.cc/fSz7YVS4/IMG-3177.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fSz7YVS4)

(https://i.postimg.cc/RN0QFnzK/IMG-3178.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RN0QFnzK)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PNTQgR36/IMG-3179.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PNTQgR36)

(https://i.postimg.cc/TKzrC75J/IMG-3180.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TKzrC75J)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Mc1147y2/IMG-3181.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mc1147y2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LYRjMJTq/IMG-3182.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYRjMJTq)

Fabulous photographs chaps. Hope the temperature inside the store was ok!

It was lovely cool on the right side of the table. With the AC.
Miles

A good day of gaming.
Thanks to  Jim, Miles, Simon, Big Mike and Eric.
Entoyment did  a good job of making tables available.
Miles created a lovely Cassino table.

My Brits did well. making platoons 12 bases strong seemed a good idea in order to give the units  a longer life span. If I had the points, I would even go up to 13/14 bases for attacking platoons. Those extra few bases allow the platoon to absorb more damage.

Even now a few extra rule problems arose. Luckily only small ones.

Next PBI event = para/infantry day   Sunday 26th May.


martin :)

Indeed, a good and smooth-running day.

Despite the rest of the place being quite busy, Entoyment did well in keeping the tea and baguettes flowing in good time.

Thanks to the other chaps who came out to play, and to Martin for organising us all.

Simon

A few more pictures from my game on Miles's developing Monte Cassino board.

(https://i.postimg.cc/K4gFzhwC/20240511-110610.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K4gFzhwC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5YSrHp5Y/20240511-110624.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YSrHp5Y)

(https://i.postimg.cc/p5yB2Bst/20240511-113724.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p5yB2Bst)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zV7JmS9f/20240511-113732.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zV7JmS9f)

Simon

And my second game, with my Veteran German paras and a brace of StuGs facing Jim's Average Brits with both Shermans and Armoured Cars.

(https://i.postimg.cc/c65pfkyw/20240511-160553.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/c65pfkyw)

(https://i.postimg.cc/xNbtvRM3/20240511-130008.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xNbtvRM3)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PPs4G110/20240511-125959.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PPs4G110)

Simon

Photos are always good

martin :)