First Solo AAR

[The Bane]

So, I think I may be ready for my first solo foray into PBI! I thought I would do an "play along" AAR type post, if that is permissible.

I am attempting, as will be seen in the "photos" that follow, a trial game to see how I like the rules and see what kind of forces fit my play style using PowerPoint. Strange I know, but I have done it in the past and it worked out okay for me.

Here is the initial setup
Road placement and objectives only.



Followed by Defender terrain placement
Defender using difficult terrain on Attacker's side to limit avenues of approach, hopefully.



Attacker then places terrain
A depression and some rocky outcroppings to use on the "Western" avenue of approach to move through and attack from? As well as some in the Defenders edge to restrict lateral movement and reenforcement.



Tertiary terrain placed.
Not sure how this goes. I know it goes after Secondary Terrain placement, but does it alternate piece by piece or all the Defender then all the Attacker. I went with alternating placement.



And a quick pic of the forces.
There appears to be more German Forces than there are because I made "tokens" for both mounted and dismounted as as I recall the Transports (no MGs on the motorcycles) withdrawal after deployment.



Let me know what you think or if you have any questions. Turn post will be forthcoming.

Best,
The Bane

[Leslie BT]

What is the software that you have used to create all your terrain templates and table?

[martin goddard]

Not to distract from the purpose of the article bane , but that software use is veery good indeed. Salute!

I would state that a few games with infantry only, would really get you into being the company commander.
Tanks add another 50% to the mental work needed.

At shows we often do a "2 platoon attacks 1 platoon" experience.Give victory points for each building square held after 4 turns.  This makes it easier in a solo game, because the defenders are probably going to be fairly static?  Players like tanks, but infantry are at the heart of PBI. Tanks should find the scenery against their "wished for" area of operation. In PBI they act as support for the infantry. they cannot hold objectives or operate in closed scenery to effect.

In closing, have a great game, but do consider infantry only Bane.

[Colonel Kilgore]

That's a great use of PowerPoint, The Bane!

[Sean Clark]

Wow! Great stuff. I agree with Martin that the 2 v 1 platoon is a good 'beginners' game to lock down the mechanics. But I look forward to the outcome with interest.

The PowerPoint approach is great for scenery lay out. I'm working on some scenarios for the 15 mil and may try to emulate your efforts. If you have any rules you'd be willing to share or a 'how to...' that would be most helpful.

[The Bane]

Leslie BT
The software is straight Microsoft Office: PowerPoint

martin goddard
Thank you. I've used PPT before when testing rules, so kind of figured out some good tricks that at least work for me.
This really is an infantry only game, but it does have Transports. But in all reality, it is basically 3 Average Infantry Platoons with an Average Light Mortar and LMG Platton in support vs 2 Veteran Infantry Recon German Platoons with a Mixed Mortar / MMG Platoons in Attack mounted in vehicles. But yea, I get your meaning. 2:1 straight bog standard Infantry would probably be better for simplicity. Even though they are both < 400 pts, and the Germans are Veteran vs Polish Average, I think the Polish have such a numerical advantage that the Germans don't have much of a chance, but keen to see what happens.

For the points for holding building squares, how many building 1x2 terrain features would you use on a standard 8x8 grid "table"? I am assuming scoring is basically to take and hold more squares of buildings than your opponent?

Colonel Kilgore
Thanks, appreciate it.

Sean Clark
I think I should have gone a 2:1 game, but I have put so much into this thus far I have to see if it is "game-able". I could do a 'how to...' if there was enough interest. Might take a bit to put together and write out explanations of each of the steps to where they would be understandable. But definitely doable.

[Sean Clark]

Why not submit your 'How to' to Martin for inclusion into the 15 mil magazine? I can't be the only one who would interested in it.

[Leslie BT]

great stuff.

The gaming stuff in Powerpoint works really well.

As Sean asks, an article for The 15MM?

[The Bane]

Sean Clark | Leslie BT

I'll see what I can do for something that might be publish worthy, but I want to get through the game first and having little luck with that considering the holiday schedule.

Best,
The Bane

[The Bane]

So I started working on what forces would be available, keeping in mind that Attacker would have '2 Off' and Defender would have '2 On' and eachf force had their 'First Platoon'. With the First Platoon, the Polish got to choose but the German failed their roll and the Polish got to decide what platoon was the First Platoon for the Germans.

It wouldn't have mattered for the Polish, as all their platoons are the same, but there was a slight difference for the German platoons and the Polish chose not to face the German platoon with the extra Anti-Tank Rifle.

The Polish (Defender) deployed first...



They deployed a platoon central covering the middle objective, and a platoon to the right covering the Command HQ objective. Both platoons deployed pretty much the same way; in depth with two 'sections' forward and one 'section' back with the Platoon Leader and their men. The Company Commander deployed centrally between the two platoons so as to be flexible to command and control / aid either (hope that works out for them). The platoon on the left is supported by to AT Guns; one in the village and one on the hill to the left in support. (Not sure how they are Motivated. By the PLs? Will have to look that up.)

The German (Attacker) deployed next...



Their deployment was a bit more difficult to decide on. I had originally responded to the Defender's 'difficult' terrain placement (marsh/rough ground) by placing a depression on the left with some rocky outcroppings so that the attacker could move down through that, only to discover later that it was 'difficult' terrain as well. So the force is a bit split as I see what works best; a frontal blitzkrieg assault or a slow slog through cover.

I don't have high hopes for the Germans, though they do have quite a bit of firepower in the platoon (a LMG in each 'squad' and two with the Company Commander). Also has me wondering, as I don't remember reading it initially and couldn't find it when I searched - when do CC deploy? I chose to have them both deployed from the start figuring they should both be 'on' or 'off' to be fair.


An overview of the field...



Not going to change my setup, unless I 'broke the rules' some how, but would love to hear how you would have arranged your Attack and/or Defend troops with your battle plans if you were playing.

Best,
The Bane

[Colonel Kilgore]

The Bane,

This PowerPoint thing is really excellent! One thing that's important in PBI (and also the Spanish Civil War rules) is to be able to keep track of which casualties belong to which platoon, as these affect morale.

So, one tweak you may wish to make is to be able to distinguish one platoon from the other - perhaps with a differently-coloured outline to your base markers?

[The Bane]

The Bane,

This PowerPoint thing is really excellent! One thing that's important in PBI (and also the Spanish Civil War rules) is to be able to keep track of which casualties belong to which platoon, as these affect morale.

So, one tweak you may wish to make is to be able to distinguish one platoon from the other - perhaps with a differently-coloured outline to your base markers?

Colonel Kilgore,

Yes, PowerPoint does make it easy if you know the software and have access to it.

Funny thing is, in reference to distinguishing platoons, I had done just that but changed them back to black outlines just before posting here. At the zoom level I am playing at (200%) it looks fine, but if you zoom out to 85% to 100% (where I am taking screen shots at) the outline appears to change the color/tint of the base color of the 'miniature'. I couldn't quickly identify a solution without changing the line thickness each time I wanted to take a screen shot at 100% zoom.

But yeah, it is something I will have to figure out how to mitigate here pretty quick.

Anyone Reading

So got up today and started thinking about Courses of Actions (CoAs) for the Germans since they activate first, which got me immediately thinking about responses of the Polish. This is no checkerboard game, even though it's played on squares! My OCD has me swimming in options to consider! For example, if the Germans blitzkrieg a section down the road (as they wouldn't actually know who's there or where), how and when would the Polish react!? I'll be honest I don't know too much about early war tactics. Not sure my modern Movement to Contact drills would be appropriate in this situation. I mean, maybe I am over analyzing it, but I'd like to have a game that is enjoyable and believable for the time period.

I mean, do I as the German CC send a squad down the left flank using Sneak Move this turn or do I try and Smoke the village and blitzkrieg the road with a Road Dash? Or do I Sneak this turn and Smoke next? Or rather try too because Assets are guarantied!.... so many options, too many really?

Best,
The Bane

[alex918]

The Bane,

I'll be honest I don't know too much about early war tactics. Not sure my modern Movement to Contact drills would be appropriate in this situation. I mean, maybe I am over analyzing it, but I'd like to have a game that is enjoyable and believable for the time period.

TBH, all dependent on what intelligence picture the German CC has of suspected resistance. Putting aside the table top game and considering a bit of Fog of War, motorised troops (racing to reach further objectives beyond this village) would probably go for it down the road (Advance to contact) with some sort of flanking/overwatch force inserting into the elevated positions to the right of the village to:
a. Cut and secure the northern Road R to L
b. Look into the town for possible resistance
c. Look for depth positions beyond the town

Obviously with our game heads back on and the Polish positions are known, the path of least resistance would be down the left, take out the gun and secure the high ground, then fight through from L to R. Keeping the victory conditions/objectives in mind.  Smoke always saves your troops from annihilation, dependent if you have it and of course actually get it!

regards

Al

[The Bane]

The Bane,

I'll be honest I don't know too much about early war tactics. Not sure my modern Movement to Contact drills would be appropriate in this situation. I mean, maybe I am over analyzing it, but I'd like to have a game that is enjoyable and believable for the time period.

TBH, all dependent on what intelligence picture the German CC has of suspected resistance. Putting aside the table top game and considering a bit of Fog of War, motorised troops (racing to reach further objectives beyond this village) would probably go for it down the road (Advance to contact) with some sort of flanking/overwatch force inserting into the elevated positions to the right of the village to:
a. Cut and secure the northern Road R to L
b. Look into the town for possible resistance
c. Look for depth positions beyond the town

Obviously with our game heads back on and the Polish positions are known, the path of least resistance would be down the left, take out the gun and secure the high ground, then fight through from L to R. Keeping the victory conditions/objectives in mind.  Smoke always saves your troops from annihilation, dependent if you have it and of course actually get it!

regards

Al

Alex918

Thank you for this well thought out response! It is appreciated.

Here is my train of thought, based on that guidance, as I have it... (typing as I think)

So based on your A-C fog of war approach, I went back to a previous slide that just had terrain and objectives on it to think it through. If I, as the German commander, was given those objectives then securing the hill to the right (German's left) would be key real estate. For all the reasons you suggest; cutting off a possible reenforcement route, eyes on the village that all the objectives revolve around, and an advantage point on which to see the hills to the South (Where if I was the Polish, would set up an observation post).

If I was to do that, which is logical, wouldn't I want to attempt the same thing for the hill to the West (I am defaulting to up is North for this)? But having a single platoon to do it, might be over stretching my frontage... An alternative might be to shoot for the hill North-West of the village instead , but I risk not being able to fend off any reinforcements from the West... who would have a straight shot into the fortifications (buildings) of the village.

But, then again, the same could be said of the road coming in from the South. I hadn't considered the effect, honestly, of what the offset East to West road would have on an attack...

A stronger attack, would be like you suggest when taking the fog of war out of the mix, fixing the frontage and flanking to the West to secure the gun site and assault through West to East...

Wait! I know better, or you would think I would after being an Army Scout for nearly ten years! If I apply my modern doctrine training to this, considering I am a commander of a Reconnaissance Company! and not even a full company at that! (I'd figure a full company would be at least three platoons, but I may be off on German TO&Es for WW2). Anyway those are Infantry Objectives, and though PBI is Infantry based, maybe I should be thinking like a Recon Commander?

Did WW2 Reconnaissance units even take and hold ground, or where they considered interchangeable with Infantry? Just being a rapid motorized assault force in WW2? Should I be considering them (the Objectives) as NAIs (Named Areas of Interest) instead? I would think, again based on what type of mission I would have been given in such circumstances nowadays, would be to 'Get Eyes On' and 'Report'.... for the follow on Infantry / Armor.

I am thinking it makes more sense for the 'higher ups' to know if they can plan to; just push through, bypass and cordon, or make a deliberate assault...

If I think of them as NAIs, how do I 'game' identifying the enemy? I mean, I never gave the Germans much hope of 'taking' those objectives anyway. They are out numbered and the Polish are in defensible positions...

What if I instead tweak the scenario a bit?

What if I then said that the German Reconnaissance had to get 'Eyes on' all three NAIs, 'identify' (however I mechanically do that within the game rules) 70% of the defending Polish forces, and then get back off the Northern (German edge) of the battle space while retaining say 50% of their forces?

Does that make more sense tactically? Would it make for a better game?

Wow, what a thinking man's game we have here in PBI.

Best,
The Bane

[alex918]

The Bane,

What if I then said that the German Reconnaissance had to get 'Eyes on' all three NAIs, 'identify' (however I mechanically do that within the game rules) 70% of the defending Polish forces, and then get back off the Northern (German edge) of the battle space while retaining say 50% of their forces?

I agree, your German force would be acting as the screen for the vanguard advance, identifying clear routes for rapid exploitation (Blitzkrieg) and also making contact with the enemy but not full on offensive tactics. Now to game this you could place rumoured enemy tokens (coins) on likely positions and once in LOS roll a D6 odds clear, even enemy present, or have a preset number for an enemy element (EG: 3 or 4 = LMG) and place there. Your attacking Germans quickly become defensive once all objectives are within LOS of a German element and then attempt to disengage and retire off own base edge with as much of the force intact as possible? Sounds like a good game to me.

Not sure how to quantify 70% of enemy when in reality you wouldn't know true strength, how about just 2 of the 3 objectives/NAIs identified? Your still an attacking force just one based on stealth and recconaissance rather than physical destruction of the enemy.

Let me know how you get on, it sounds great.