Monte Cassino

[Smiley Miley 66]

Here are some photos of the part built Abbey just to give people an idea, how little space on A 4 x 4 table it will actually take ?
Miles

[Colonel Kilgore]

Surprisingly compact, but will still be a great feature on the table.

Simon

[Smiley Miley 66]

I might lift this piece up by 1-2 inches ? Just to give that impression of greatness and importance?
The other reason I can put 2 templates of "dead ground" one in front and one on the side, which would cover the " lift" of the Abbey templates.
Also make it impossible for vehicles to get access to these parts of the Abbey, only by the "Front Door" which would actually be one of the 3 Objectives on this table.
If the Infantry do go up these channels they would be under great stress and strain ?? Playing the table will only prove or disapprove of what restrictions may have to be applied to any parts of the table ?
Miles

[Nigel_s]

LOVE IT. I think it's great to see PBI used with historical scenarios. I haven't done that, always a pick up game.` But want to.

[Smiley Miley 66]

Nigel as we have spoken on here before, there are 2 level of Historical games. Like the Gold beach one where that is an historical game on nearly all levels.
This one will be based on an Historical scene.
Then there is this one that will be based on the Battle of Monte Cassino.
It then can represent anyone of the battles or part of from late January/February to June 1944 ?
But the game itself will be a normal 400 point game; on a 4ft x 4ft table. This will have 8th Army type figure's fighting hopefully German Paras ?
Other than that it will be a game fought by both sides to see who wins ?
Yes the Allies will be the Attackers and the Germans will be the Defenders?
I ve already decided where the Objectives will be conforming with the normal rules. Hopefully can get what I need to represent feature wise with 12 Templates. I might have to steal some of the "partials" to fulfil some features on the Terrain ?
I know 4 will be around the base of the Abbey, to represent the hilly slopes ? So this will stop any vehicles coming in and out of the abbey from all but the main entrance?
Some of the buildings and features on the board might be a bit "stylised"
One of the Objectives is the front entrance to the Abbey/Monastery. Another one will be the Castle Tower on the other side of the board. Then the third one will be a road junction on the outskirts of the town area.
There might have to be one or two extra side roads to conform with the town and board needs ?
I will put a map on here shortly, so you can see the ideas and make any comments?
The Abbey will be in its Ruined state, so over the summer I will have to learn how to make rubble ?
I will post updates as I get there.
Hoping this can be the game to take to Colours this year ? The Colours version might be a slightly scripted version so it looks good ? Also so it is easier to play and move figures about ? As playing time is short on a one day show !
Hopefully we can get a few actual proper games played to see if the scenario and scenery works ? First game is mid/late April at Entoyment I believe?
Miles

[martin goddard]

This is magnificent Miles. A lot of work for you, so thanks.

The proposal for the day is roughly this.
Battle day 11th of May?

1. One special monastery table designed by Miles in terms of scenery and objectives.
2. Further 2,3 or 4 tables just normal PBI. Normal scenery. Normal objectives.
3. British, US, Polish, commonwealth + 7 to piggy chase. Thus the Germans can still carry out attacks.
4. Victory points get combined for an overall score (like Berlin).
5. Players use same army twice.
6. 1944 or 1943 organisations. British, US armoured or infantry (no USMC, airborne etc). Germans  Paras or other Germans.

How does that sound?

martin

[Nigel_s]

I think it is great that you are modelling a Cassino board for PBI Miles.

If there's space, and I can get to the South Coast from Norwich (i.e. a weekend pass from Mrs S and Norwich City aren't in the play-offs) I'd love to come down and join in the fun.

[Smiley Miley 66]

I am hoping to keep the table to a normal game as much as possible. The 3 objectives should be in the required areas and most scenery templates will be kept to 12 ? I will have to adapt some of the 20 partials ?
Obviously this table will be set up from the start no scenery movements !
There are several areas around the mountain range that could be the bases of other game set ups ? Even in the Valley areas if others want to theme the tables a bit ?
Tanks are few and far between in certain games, but can be prevalent in others ?
Even games involving Pontoon bridges, and there is a train station  near to Cassino that is a battle/table on its own !
Do please go onto YouTube and look up Monte Cassino some interesting watching ?
Miles

[Ben Waterhouse]

My father in law was bombed by the Americans at Monte Cassino,





he was in the Royal Artillery at the time...

[Smoking gun]

Ben,
Sadly a not uncommon event, the Americans bombed my dad in Normandy he was in the REME. He used to say about aircraft, if it's dark coloured it's the RAF and the Germans hide, if it's silver it's the USAF and everyone hides. If there isn't a plane it's the Luftwaffe and no one hides.

Best wishes,
Martin from Grimsby

[Smiley Miley 66]

This is a good start.

https://youtu.be/m1htPhhNMqY?si=QuiaoxZEJ_doa1Zw

Miles

[Smiley Miley 66]

Here is the first draft of the map.
Blue rectangles and green Rectangle is the Templates (12x6) 12 Scenery Templates. 
One is a forest, to give the defenders somewhere to hide when the come on ?
Orange Square(6x6) Objectives. Unfortunately the row 5 and row 4 are only one square apart.
Objective 1 Row 3. Closed: Entrance to the Monastery.
Objective 2 Row 4. Closed: part of the Castle, The Tower.
Objective 3 Row 5. Partial: Road Junction.
But there's not a lot I can do about that ?
The Brown Squares are the Partials.
The 4 by the Monastery will still be "Partials" but they will be Dead Ground. No Vehicle access. Hard work for the Troop bases to cross ?
There are 3"Double" partials like the ones in Mexico rules. There will be Buildings on them, like a farm, a church with a grave yard. Also two will at the head of 4 to make a Square with a Plaza and a fountain?
The Red lines are Roads.
I ve tried to put as many features in that were around, without going too far, but still keep it in the rules of PBI.
Miles.

[martin goddard]

You have been busy Miles. Thanks.
That table will work fine.

martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

Ok I will get a table together with some buildings and roads to start getting it together.
Some of the buildings and that in the town will be replaced overtime with some more ruined ones for Colours.
Miles

[Smiley Miley 66]

There is one thing that comes out of these projects. My Library grows !
I ve now got 5-6 books on Monte Cassino which I didn't have a couple of weeks back.
So EBay especially and Amazon profits from this ! lol
Miles