So much great news to talk about but I have to start with some devastating news to the ASL community. After a stiff fight with medical issues for the past year, John Dober III passed quietly surrounded by friends and family on January 8th. More on John below.
Prokhorovka! has arrived and is all and so much more than I expected.
From the Cellar 11 should be here within a few weeks so we are taking orders now. Included for free will be one replacement countersheet for ‘The Green Hell of Inor’ .
Hollow Legions is still being shipped by MMP to pre-orders. We still don’t have an exact date when they will ship to us retailers but I can’t imagine it will be much longer.
Le Franc Tireur From the Cellar 11 is finishing up at the printer as I write this. Included are 10 scenarios and articles on how to defend in ASL. Also included at no charge is the replacement countersheet for The Green Hell of Inor. These are small meat and potatoes ETO scenarios that test your defensive prowess.
On January 8th, John Dober III left this world surrounded by friends and family.
John and I met at ASLOK many years ago and became instant old friends. We would sometimes seclude ourselves in Cleveland playing as many as eight scenarios in 72 hours. I will miss you my friend.
John, you will be missed by all who knew you. If there is an afterlife, I don’t doubt that you are sitting at a table with Darryl Wright drinking, laughing, and cursing the 11’s you roll (I hear there are no Boxcars in heaven).
John and and his lovely wife Christina graciously opened their home every year for the Hallowed Ground ASL Tournament. With a lot of help from friends like Ed Akehurst, Christina plans to continue the tradition in John’s honor.
We received our order of Prokhorovka! and have finished shipping pre-orders. We have a few extra copies due to some duplicate orders so if you would like a copy, this is the time.
Prokhorovka! Review:
Let me start by saying that one week later I am still absorbing the magnitude of this product. The component quality has been completely upgraded since the release of Brevity Assault with thicker maps and pages and countersheet die cutting in line with MMP.
8 Mapsheets:
The 8 (Yes 8!!!) map sheets are standard full thickness of MMP/LFT/LCP. 5 of them link together for one giant map for the July 12th inferno when the 5th Guards Army was released.
4 Countersheets:
some counters. Note the female Sniper!
The countersheets are die cut to the standards of MMP with original full color artwork.
14 Scenarios:
The paper is semi-gloss and full weight. The scenarios are mostly very large (Up to 20 turns with as many as 189 AFV facing off against each other in one of the largest tank battles represented in ASL. Of note are 2 Starter Kit scenarios, 2 Night scenarios, and 1 CG.
Lone Canuck Publishing has announced Operation Martlet will be shipping the first week of December. I am hoping to have a pre-shipment so we can ship at the same time. Operation martlet deals with the furious Normandy fighting covered in GMT’s fabulous game ‘Operation Dauntless’ that I have previously written about on this site. This is a campaign game similar in scope and size as LCP’s other manageable titles like Purple Heart Draw, Hell’s Highway, Bloody Buron, etc. Speaking of Hell’s Highway, George tells me that he is working on a 2nd edition of the module which explains why it is still sold out. Hopefully we will have that in hand by spring.
MMP has announced that Yanks 2nd edition is on pre-order. This is the exact same edition and contents as the 2016 printing. Hopefully this core module will jump to the front of the long line of products that are in queue for the printer.
Chas Argent has announced that Hollow Legions is at the printer. As usual MMP is tight lipped about release dates so we can only guestimate that we will have it in hand either Monday or by the end of the year. This is a huge package with an equally large price tag so don’t let the pre-order discount escape you. This will not only be the Italian OOB but also include all the desert goodies that were originally included in West of Alamein plus Soldiers of the Negus CG. What does this mean to you? It means that hopefully we will be delivering late 2021. This is the last chance to pre-order with 25% savings with free shipping and no obligation. As soon as MMP takes this off of pre-order status we will be sending out invoices which you can pay right away or wait until we are ready to ship but the pre-order pricing will be gone.
Xavier Vitry, Kaleun of Le Franc Tireur has discovered a tiny stash of Kampfgruppe Scherer: The Shield Of Cholm. I will be offering these as a package with the KGSPlayer’s Guide. They should be arriving some time this week or next from across the pond.
Advancing Fire Prokhorovka Update: Sebi has informed me that he is planning on getting the module shipped to me by December 10th. I will be taking it off of pre-order and sending out invoices in the last week of November. Once again, I am not ordering more than needed to fulfill the pre-orders so please order one now if you want it.
Two new players to Starter Kit. In casual conversation with a member of my beer league hockey team and talking to a neighbor at our annual block party, I have started both on the road to obsession, bankruptcy and divorce by gifting them each a copy of ASLSK1. Although not Earth shattering news in itself, it is an example of how easy it can be to find new players to introduce to the hobby with minimal effort. If you talk about ASL, they will come (Ray Kinsella, 1989). Please expect to see Garrett Holten and Bill Ryder on the ASL FB pages and at conventions in the near future.
Green Hell of Inor Countersheet Update
Le Franc Tireur is currently finishing up From the Cellar 11. This should be extremely popular with articles based around setting up a proper defense in ASL. Also included at no extra charge will be a reprint of the countersheets found in Green Hell of Inor.
Hot off the presses, MMP’s Module covering the fighting between the Japanese, Chinese, USMC, and everything in between is back in stock. This newest edition also contains the Hell’s Corner Campaign Game.
What changes are in the 2021 version? The addition of ‘Hell’s Corner’ map and 5 scenarios.
Hell’s Corner is an ASL historical study released as an insert in Operations Special Magazine #3. It covers the battles that occured along the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal from August to October 1942.
With an emphasis on Korean and Japanese scenarios, you can give your German and Russian counters a much deserved R & R.
This Action Pack is huge containing 2 Geomorphic Mapboards and 16 scenarios. All but three of the scenarios take during the Korean War so along with LFT’s From The Cellar 10, this theatre is finally getting some much needed love.
Hazardous Movement Scenario Pack 2: The Un-Civil Wars thematizes three very consequential civil conflicts that took place immediately before and after the Second World War: in Spain (1936-1939), Greece (1944-1949) and China (where civil war resumed in 1945 and ended in 1949). The pack consists of 10 exciting, innovative scenarios spanning these years. Civil wars, ironically, are very bitter affairs, a fact that is reflected in the combination of No Quarter, Hand-to-Hand Close Combat and Political Commissars (for the Communists) that makes for particularly violent scenarios, even by ASL standards . . .
George at Lone Canuck Publishing has released the fourth installment in the Q6 series. It should be in hand within the next couple of weeks so we are taking orders now. Each of the Quick 6 packs contains 6 short scenarios that can be played in 2-3 hours.
We are in the final moments before locking in our total one time(?) order
for Prokhorovka and Biazza Ridge campaign games. As with Brevity Assault, I expect this to be Out Of Print in a flash. Because of the extremely high cost of shipping from Europe, I am only ordering a few extra copies over the pre-ordered numbers. You can still pre-order here…
There are less than 100 copies left for distribution and retail sales.
There is a planned reprint of the countersheets to correct some very minor imperfections in the die cut. Stay tuned for updates.
I had a chance to play three of the scenarios and every one went down to the last turn if not the last PTC. A lot of fun without too many SSR bogging you down.
France July, 1944. US DFPh of the last player (German) turn of the Game. The PzIV has just moved to F7 during the MPh. The VC are: In order to win a player must have accumulated >4 more CVP than their opponent at Game End. Any other result is a Draw. The US player so far has 39 VP and the German has 38 CVP. Both players plan to fire at each other using AP ammo in the DFPh/AFPh (if still able to).
The DR log for the rest of the game are (note that I may have added in some extra DR’s. Use only what is necessary):
3,3. 6,4. 1,2. 6,6. 2,3. 1,4. 5,3.
Did Sgt. Drake carry the day or die in his Sherman? Or maybe both sides retired from the battlefield licking their wounds.
Please send your solution to Dritter3@triad.rr.com
Solution to contest #100
Congratulations to Mark Drake as the winner of contest 100. So let’s unpack this one. The US player must control 2 buildings that are unreachable but both are too far to reach without the help of leaders, of which he only has one. So his only chance for victory is to create a new leader in the Rally Phase. In order to Voluntarily Break there needs to be a Known Enemy Unit in LOS so DO NOT blow up the StuG! In this rare case the StuG is your friend. The Bazookas were added into the equation to throw you off track.
GT6 – DFPh – Do Nothing
GT6 – RtPh – Voluntarily Break 2 HS and rout both without the Leader to P14 or R14
UST6 – RPh – Attempt to Self Rally both (HIF CG12) Broken HS hoping for a 2. If a 2 is rolled on either Self Rally attempt, a leader is created per A18.1. If a Leader is not created, it is no longer possible to win so now in a final attempt to salvage your shattered ego you can take a parting shot at his StuG with the 9-1, non-Broken HS and Bazooka.
UST6 – MPh – Using Bypass, CX & Move new Leader with the Rallied HS Adjacent to one of the VC buildings and CX and Move the 9-1 Leader and HS Adjacent to the other Victory Building.
UST6 – APh – Advance into both Building for the Win and go to Gamesquad to find a new opponent because the German player will never play against you again.
Hatten In Flames Rubble Printable Sheet:
One of the features of Hatten In Flames Campaign Game is the Rubble generation between scenarios. If you care to de-clutter the map, here are some overlays that should fit nicely.
Make sure you click ‘Actual Size’ and not ‘Adjust image to Paper’ when printing and the size of the Rubble should be exactly 1.1″ high.
This is our 100th post and I wanted to make it special.. Xavier at LFT has ensured this with the announcement of ‘The Green Hell of Inor’ at the printer as you read this. If that wasn’t enough, Advancing Fire has put up ‘Prokhorovka” on pre-order, their 3rd campaign game and scenario pack. We also have a second generation of Stack Guards now available. A new contest as well as the solution to contest 99. With great sadness I learned of the passing of two great friends of the hobby.
A Note About Pre-Ordering through Ritterkrieg:
We do not charge any money up front nor do you enter any payment information at the time your pre-order is taken. When we estimate that the product is a couple of weeks from being shipped to you we send out invoices. At that time if you still want the product you can pay the invoice -or- you can delay paying the invoice for up to three months thus locking in the great discounted price until you are ready to pay -or- you can ignore the invoice altogether and consider the pre-order cancelled. Most of our customers prefer this method as there are no commitments and no surprise credit card charges for items that you may have forgotten you ordered. In addition, the free shipping to the already low prices can save you even more. Unfortunately, with the huge cost of shipping LFT and Advancing Fire products from Europe, we are unable to offer the same discounts as we do with MMP products.
This is the fourth campaign game pack from Xavier ‘et ses amis’ at Le Franc Tireur. Kampfgruppe Scheer: The Shield of Cholm took us to the frozen-then thawed steppes of Russia. Operation Chariot had us destroying the deep water port of St. Nazaire. Fight for Seoul gave us the chance to live and die in the Forgotten War. Now we are fighting for our live is the fields of France in 1940.
– 2 x A1 maps printed on matt paper, just like FFS or Toktong pass.
– 2 x countersheets
– 32 page Rulebook
– 72 page historical booklet
– 16 scenarios(14 on the historical map, 2 on geo maps)
– 3 Campaign Games
– Player aids, CG Rosters, RGs and such.
Sneak peak at some of the contents of this huge package
When Advancing Fire released Brevity Assault and Biazza Ridge I was trying to find a way to carry their products on Ritterkrieg. Unfortunately I couldn’t make the numbers work at that time. The solution became to take pre-orders and order only this amount of product. So if any of the titles interest you please pre-order and I will get you a copy so you can save on the exorbitant shipping costs that you would normally incur on something coming in from Italy.
13 action packed scenarios (2 compatible with SK rules), including 1 campaign games (CG) covering counterattack battle southwest of Prokhorovka
Four full counter sheets with 384 full color die cut 5/8″ ASL counters and 560 full color die cut 1/2″ ASL counters
Five 37.4” x 22.8” HASL map sheets which, combined in one 37.4” x 114,0” map sheet, represent the historical layout of the “Tank Fields” of Prokhorovka
One 36.8” x 22.0” HASL map sheet which represents the historical layout of the Andreevka and Vasilyevka villages
One 24.4” x 15.7” HASL map sheet which represents the historical layout of the Storozhevoje village
One 30.7” x 23.6” HASL map sheet which represents the historical layout of the area around the Stalinskii State Farm
Rules pages describing PRK Scenario Special Rules (SSR), map terrain and campaign game rules
Stack Guards Get a Facelift and a Small Correction
Complete ammo box with Stack Guards. In this example the 146th Tank Battalion with 76mm APCR that did sooooo much damage to my Panthers in Hatten 🙁Complete ammo box with Stack Guards. This example is the 101st SS Heavy Tank Battalion with 8,8 cm ammo.
It has been over a year since my son Lazarus designed and printed the first set of Stack Guards, there were two improvements that he wanted to address.
The first was quite a simple problem and easy fix. The 3 deep 5/8″ guard is included for use with 1 x crew, 1 x 5/8″ Gun, and 1 x 5/8″ concealment counter. The original hole on the bottom was slightly too big and the crew would fall out if the guard was lifted. This has been fixed.
The second improvement was to make them transportable. For this we needed an enclosed case. Soon he fashioned an ammo crate to store them but the problem of production cost and time made it hard to justify. The fact is that the case with the stack guards uses three times more plastic (making the cost of each unit over $10) and three times the production time (about 18 hours).
So we arrived at a hopeful solution. We will be offering the complete ammo box with cover and we will also be offering just the base of the ammo box with the stack guards for the original price. You can always add the cover later if you like them and want to make them transportable.
Markings on the Box: You can chose between different colors and nationalities for no extra charge.
Customizable? Yes, for a small fee you can customize your ammo box to just about anything you like from your favorite unit to your name to a photo of your pet.
As a last note, I want to thank all of you for encouraging him in his first venture into design, production and sales. He learned a lot that hopefully he will apply for the rest of his life.
Base and the Stack Guards without the cover.
Contest #100
Hatten in Flames CG1: After 5 bloody days in Hatten, everyone is dead, broken or so far out of LOS and range that these are the only units left that can have an impact on the outcome. It is the end of the German turn 6 MPh and the StuG just failed an ESB attempt causing it’s immobilization in a particularly precarious location. Good news for the Jerry’s is that they still hold on to 7 victory areas (6 are needed for the CG win). In order for the American player to win, he must take back control of both the synagogue (hex T7) and Eglise St-Michel (hex N7). What should the American player do starting with the German Turn 6 DFPh and every phase after to have the best chance at carrying the day and ultimate victory?
As always, email answers to dritter3@triad.rr.com
Solution to Contest #99
The solution to this one is pretty simple if you remembered one key rule that I often forget. The thick white box on the KV signifies that it is Restricted Slow Traverse. Because the AFV is CE, is is neither capable of firing it’s MA nor it’s CMG. Further, because it is behind a wall, it’s BMG is useless as well. So the tank can be completely ignored and the Sniper used on the Squad, ensuring the Italian victory.
Copyright MMP/Hasbro
So long, until we meet again…
This summer has brought the tragic news that Bill Sisler and Sam Belcher have left this world.
Dave Ginnard, a longtime friend of Bill eloquently wrote:
To all of my friends in the ASL and gaming community: scenario designer, ASLOK T shirt artist, and my great friend since before both SL and ASL, William (Bill) Sisler left us from cancer on May 31st of this year. Bill was the consummate ASL player and will be terribly missed by our community. RIP my friend.
If anyone has a photo that I could post of Bill, please email it to dritter@triad.rr.com
On June 5th, 2021 the ASL world lost one of it’s greatest ambassadors. Sam was a generous, humorous (generally self-effacing) and dedicated person, who looked for EVERY opportunity to introduce and teach the game to new players, be it at a wargame convention, or a local meet up for the Puget Sound Advanced Squad Leaders (PSASL). Sam’s engaging spirit was infectious as was his good humored “trash talk”. Sam was a major figure in the Northwest ASL scene dating back to the 1990’s (those heady days when we were crammed into Metro Seattle Gamers in Seattle’s Ballard Neighborhood, or tucked in the back of Gary’s Games in the Greenwood Neighborhood). His leadership took many forms over the years; as Tournament Director at Enfilade for 20 years, and reinvigorating the somewhat dormant PSASL group in the 2000’s. Sam centered the group in a community common space in North Seattle where hundreds of non-wargamers were exposed to (and many became interested in) ASL. Sam would frequently pause his game and enthusiastically describe ASL to the interested person, no matter their level of knowledge about the WWII context of the game or board gaming. Many of you met Sam when he embarked on a tournament “spree” for a year after his retirement. Many kinds words and stories have been shared by those he met and played during that time. Sam would always joke about his poor winning record as a player, but we all know Sam loved the game almost as much as loved teaching it. When players would move into the area, Sam was one of the first to make contact and get them involved in our club. Sam also enjoyed woodworking and turned that passion into first class, unique dice towers. Many of you still have those one-of-a-kind towers! A few of us locals have wooden sniper # cubes and other small gaming aids he created, and one lucky player has an NWASL trophy with a wooden AFV counter base made by Sam! Sam was recognized in 2012 for his generosity and contributions by becoming the first recipient of the memorial “Hank Award” given at the Game ON! boardgame convention held yearly near Seattle. Sam remained active in the ASL scene right up until his passing, only recently beginning to hand the torch over for others to follow in his large, impactful footsteps. Sam Belcher’s priceless contribution to this hobby is evidenced by the dozens of active players that Sam took the time and patience to nurture over the last 2 decades. Sam recognized the “graying” of our beloved game and worked diligently to ensure its vibrancy for years to come. He will be sorely missed by many. RIP, Sam. You have done very well.
Happy Father’s Day to everyone celebrating. I know that for so many of us, our fascination with WW2 and ASL has it’s roots deep in the stories told by fathers and grandfathers of their experience while in service to their nation. Thanks Dad! Without you I never would have had a $10,000.00 collection of cardboard 😉
First, Beyond Valor is back in stock but for how long? As with all information coming out of ASL HQ, lips are tight but I have a feeling this was not a complete production run so MMP may be out of stock again soon.
Starter Kit Expansion Pack #2 is on pre-order and the good news is that SK stuff usually gets knocked out pretty quickly so I am hoping to have my hands on it this year.
After over a year of production and shipping delays, we finally have a restock of all (or just about all) of our Battledice courtesy of Helen and Chris. They should be here and shipping the third week of June including all of the backorders and I.O.U’s that you have been so patient with.
From the Cellar 10 is en-route across the pond and should be arriving at any moment.
Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Bonus Pack #2 is a new scenario and map pack for Starter Kit players. This Bonus Pack features two new 8″ x 22″ boards (i and j) and eight new scenarios that encompass a wide range of actions from China in 1938 to The Philippines in 1945 that feature seven different nationalities (Germany, Japan, Soviet Union, United States, Great Britain, China, and Norway).
Unlike most Starter Kit products, Bonus Pack #2 is NOT a standalone game; ownership of ASL Starter Kits #1-#4, and Expansion Packs #1 (either edition) and #2 are required to play all the scenarios herein.
This first endeavor from Chuck Hammond and Chad Cummins has a lot to unpack. The first thing I notice when I open up the plastic is the quality of the product. Encased in a beautiful folder, the full color scenario cards are very well printed on satin 110 lb. card stock that has a great feel and makes everything easy to read. The intro and Aftermath, always my favorite nighttime reading are well written and give a good feel for the battles. The ten scenarios offer nine separate nationalities spanning 1937 to 1944 with an emphasis of fortifications that offer both players some superb puzzles to create and to crack. Every scenario has the defense setting up with Mines, Wire, Trenches, AT Ditches, Fortified Buildings, and/or Pillboxes. Although I haven’t played any of them yet, Chuck insists that balance was the priority number 1 and it was playtested to death by some of the heavy hitters in the hobby. The scenarios are old school meaty and long (7 to 11 turns, averaging 8.35 turns) and with very large OB’s, with the smallest action pitting 24 squad equivalents and the largest with 58 (average is 37). So if you like big, reminiscent of the first generation of scenario design, this one is a must have. The only areas I see an opportunity for improvement are relatively small considering this is a first effort for HM. First it would be nice to add graphics to the scenario cards. I know that some people don’t mind the lack of silhouettes but I am very visual and have a hard time grasping the OB without my little soldier drawings on the counters. Also, the layout for scenarios requiring more than one page (6 of the 10 scenarios in this pack are two pagers) is usually to put the additional information on the back of a separate scenario as this allows you to read the entire set-up and SSR without the need the flip over the card. My last small criticism is that although the folder is a testament to the quality and pride going into this product , I keep my scenarios in a binder and I will have to cut the folder to fit it in a sleeve. Having the same cover photo on cardstock could have saved a couple of bucks at production time but not a big issue either way. These are minor complaints in an otherwise superb looking product and I do recommend picking this up before it is gone. I look forward to more from these great designers.
Contest #99
It is the MPh of the last player turn (Italian) of the game. The Italians need to take building X12 to bring glory to what’s left of the Roman Legions. He realizes that there is plethora lead facing his every move. After first NAM to W15 for 1.5 MF’s, a Russian squad in U13 fire at him with a 4 flat and roll a 3,3. This cowers to NE on the IFT and activates an Italian Sniper. A subsequent roll of 1 and then 5,1 for direction/distance.
What would you do to ensure your best possible chance of winning as the Italian player?
Note: I used deluxe sized hexes for the diagram but this is a standard (non-Deluxe) scenario.
Solution to Contest #98
Much to the dismay of the elite tank crew, Washington finds an unorthodox use for them. Taking advantage of the chivalrous conduct regarding quarter in the desert, he orders the five men to distract the British by… surrendering?!? While the Tommy’s are welcoming their new guests, he and the ten remaining men hop the wall and enter the building, firing at point blank range in a wild melee that just barely carries the day.
The conventional approach would be to fire with the 548 and then advance into CC with all three units. Unfortunately, there is not enough firepower coming from the leader directed crew for even a PTC let alone a NMC for encircling fire. Since the crew adds an insignificant CC strength to affect either the attack or the defense odds (7:4 = 3:2 column & 6:4 = 3:2 column, likewise 4:7 = 1:2 column & 4:6 = 1:2 column), it would best serve the cause to surrender and halve the CC strength of the British (as this is DTO, surrender cannot be refused). This simple move changes the odds of the Germans capturing the victory as follows:
No Ambush: 25.5% to 27.2%.
German Ambush: 40.5% to 41.7%
British Ambush: 13.9% to 15.3%
So the final odds including the chance of ambush assuming that the German failed to break or pin the British squad during the AFPh would be: 26.06% without surrendering to 27.63% if the crew does surrender. Although this is a very modest increase it is absolutely free and without negative effect. Although gamey, there is no ‘*’ next to a ‘W’.
Note that Sgt. Washington could have volunteered to be the surrendering party instead of the crew and the effect would have been the same.
This updated version of HOLLOW LEGIONS includes the complete contents of the original (the entire Italian order of battle and Italian Chapter H—now updated, two desert boards, and eight scenarios), plus all the scenarios, boards, rules, and Desert parts from the now-superseded WEST OF ALAMEIN, plus Soldiers of the Negus, and 29 out-of-print scenarios.
Additionally, HOLLOW LEGIONS now includes the rules and scenarios from Soldiers of the Negus, originally published by our friends at ELR that expands the Italian theater to East Africa and the Second Italo-Ethiopian War of 1935-36. This was Mussolini’s war of aggression to conquer Ethiopia (Abyssinia) from Emperor Haile Selassie’s largely tribal armies and is widely seen as a precursor to WWII. A full complement of counters for both Ethiopian and Eritrean (allied with Italy) forces is included.
In total, HOLLOW LEGIONS includes a whopping 53 scenarios:
The original 16 scenarios from WEST OF ALAMEIN and the original HOLLOW LEGIONS;
21 scenarios from various out-of-print publications (such as the ASL JOURNAL, ASL ANNUAL, and The GENERAL) that feature either Italians or Desert actions (and sometimes both), including the mini-campaign Line In The Sand;
All eight scenarios from Action Pack 3, which featured the Italians; and
Eight scenarios from Soldiers of the Negus.
HOLLOW LEGIONS Components:
one box & lid
ASL Rules Chapter F, revised
Italian Chapter H, revised
Chapter A rules pages (updated for Soldiers of the Negus)
Welcome to “Sand & Snow” a themed HASL issue of From the Cellar, which examines two critical battles that the United States Marine Corps fought in WW2 and in Korea. The two battles (Tarawa and Toktong Pass) that this pack looks at could not be more different in geography, weather and enemy capabilities. As an ASL player you will have to adapt to the changing conditions just as the Marines who participated in these battles had to do.
Note that we still have a few copies of FTC 8 and 9 in stock if you missed them.
A new company from the minds of vetran ASL’ers Chuck Hammond and Charles Cummins. Their first scenario pack titles ‘A World at War’ includes ten full sized scenarios.
Hazmo’s debut scenario pack, “A World at War,” consists of 10 scenarios compatible with the Advanced Squad Leader (TM) game system. A description of each scenario is detailed on the image of the back cover above. A wide variety of combatants (including – but not limited to – Russians, Germans, SS, Free French, British, Italians, Japanese and Chinese) and terrain types (including city, bocage, countryside, hill and village) will challenge even seasoned players’ skills, while the high fun and replay potential of each scenario will provide you with unmatched value for your purchase. Finally, reliable player support on this website will supply you with answers to any questions you may have. In this way, Hazmo aims to optimize your gaming experience!
Contest #98:
I am switching the prize from fortune to fame. The winner(s) of each contest with have their names included in the next contest so they will live for eternity on these pages of glory.
Lost in the desert desperately trying to find fuel, water, or honor, this small group of Germans stumble on a village just as their panzer III sounds the all too familiar cough as it slurps it’s last drop of petrol. After clearing the first three buildings without incident or reward, they discover a squad of Desert Rats holed up in a small stone domicile encased with a wall of field rocks. With an instinct for decisive action, honed during his NCO training at Clevelandshoffen just that previous October, Sgt. Paul Washington conceives an unorthodox plan to carry the day. If he can pull this off, the Iron Cross no doubt awaits him… possibly pinned on him by none other than the Desert Fox himself!
Lybia 1941. DTO is in effect. It is the AFPh of the final player turn (German) and in order to win they must control building Y2 (there is a stone building beneath the British Squad). What is the best course of action for the German player to have the most chances of gaining control of building Y2 and winning the game?
Solution to contest 97
Paul Washington came up with the correct solution so he wins the daily double, a $10 gift certificate to the 2nd greatest store on earth -AND- his name included in contest #98.
Assessment: I assume there is no Sand in play on the map section shown (that would reduce the Trench TEM to +1). Since the Germans have to control the buildings in hex M4, and since both squads have Prep fired (with apparently no result) the only way they will win is to advance in to M4 to CC and eliminate British squad C. The issue then becomes how to provide squad C the best chance of surviving the upcoming CC. The predesignated DRs mean that the German squads will not break (or Pin in their current state). The Germans will have to eliminate the British squad, not casualty reduce it or hold it in Melee since that will not give them control of the hex. British actions:- British squad A defensive fires on German squad D at 8+2. Results would be a PTC, which would have no effect with the predesignated MC DR of 7. – British squad B fires on German squad D at 4+2. No effect on the IFT, but squad D would become Encircled. – British squad C fires on German squad D at 8+2. Since the squad is Encircled, its morale is reduced by 1, but it would still pass its TC on a predesignated MC DR of 7. With squad D suffering Encirclement penalties, it will have to pay double MP (total of 5 MP: 1 to exit the Trench and 4 to enter M4)) to advance in to M4 during AdvPh, which would CX it. The German player would have to decide it he was going to advance both squads in to M4 and suffer the +1/-1 CX penalties for the resulting 2:1 CC, or only advance in the non-Encircled squad to avoid the CX penalties, but which would make the CC 1:1. The Germans would need a 5 or less to win for a 2:1 CC (using both squads D and E with the CX penalty), or a 4 or less to win for a 1:1 CC (only using squad E), assuming no ambush modifiers.
ASL Winter Offensive Bonus Pack #12 (2021) features three new scenarios and one new map (14a/b).
MMP has an ulterior motive, however, for the manufacture and sale of this particular product. Proceeds from the sales of each WO Bonus Pack #12 are donated to the WWII Foundation. You get a new map, three more ASL scenarios, and help a great project dedicated to memorializing the efforts of the men who fought in WWII get a very nice donation. This really seems like a win/win in our opinion.
ASL Winter Offensive Bonus Pack #12 (2021) contains: one new 11″ x 16″ double-sided ASL mapboard (14a/b) three new ASL scenarios (WO36-WO38):
WO36 Dompaire Destruction – 4½ turns, boards 11b & 14a, 13 September 1944, Dompaire, France
WO37 The Vital Hours – 5½ turns, board 14a, 17 September 1944, Wolfheze, The Netherlands
WO38 Three Bars of Chocolate – 7½ turns, board 14a, 29 November 1944, Lindern, Germany
Designed for the aficionado, Winter Offensive Bonus Pack #12 is not a complete product and assumes the buyer owns the core Advanced Squad Leader game system.
Contest #97
Libya, 1941. DTO is in Effect. Rommel is on the attack. In order to win, the German must Control building hex M4 at Game End. It is the British DFPh of the final player turn (German). What should the British actions be for the rest of the turn to best deny the Germans a win. Assume all IFT and Morale Check rolls are 7’s . Any German Advances will be into M4.
Graphic Clarification: The two German 4-6-8 Squads are both IN Trenches and have both Prep Fired. British Squad C is in Building hex M4.
Solution to Contest #96
Paul Washington, no relation to George other than in stunning battlefield prowess, is the winner of contest #96. So let’s dissect this one. The biggest problem facing the Panther is that it has no way to avoid presenting a side/rear facing to at least some of his enemies. As things stand now, the chance of a hit from each unit are:
R7: Final TH of 8 (turret hit needed) 1/3 chance of a hit. Final TK of 10.
R10: Final TH of 7 (turret hit needed) 10/36 chance of a hit. Final TK of 2. (So only a CH can penetrate).
W11: Final TH of 5 (turret hit needed) 5/36. Final TK of 15 (Side shot with APCR).
Not great odds of survival.
But…If you recognized the clue I left for you in the wording of the puzzle, you pulled out your Hatten map and are aware that hex S9 also contains a stone building. So this is how I would play it:
Panther fires CMG at R10. Turns turret and fires MA at W11 (4 TH, all but dud kills). It still has not fired the BMG so turns hull and turret to face R8-R9 without firing. During the AFPh, the Panther chooses the Building +3 TEM instead of the HD Wall. So even if the Panther did not manage to do any damage with it’s Defensive Fire it has dramatically improved it’s odds of survival as all 3 American units need to roll Snake eyes for a chance to kill the Panther.
The 2 Bazookas can not do more than Shock the Panther without scoring a CH (16 TK vs. a 14 armor at worst from the front armor facing).
The Sherman only hits on a 2 (TH: Base 10,+1 size, -4 Moved, -2 Orchards, -3 Stone Building).
So at best the Americans would have about a 7% chance of taking out the Panther and winning the game.
Well it’s finally here. MMP has released the eRulebook. Unfortunately, we are not able to sell you this fine product but you can download it in PDF form from Wargame Vault. The cost is $59.99 plus tax. Here is the link…
Content: Standing at 708 pages so far, I think it is a wonderful addition to the ASL world. The hyper links make it easy to scoot around from the index, to the vehicle notes, to the rule sections, the the charts. My favorite thing about the eRulebook is that my tired old eyes can zoom in on the text. My only complaint has more to do with the search function which is not MMP’s fault but shortcomings in the reader as it sure would be nice to be able to type mist in the search bar and it bring you right to E3.32 (I remember the Jetson’s did not have this problem in the 21st century). All chapters are present including chapter H. The charts including the OBA and Overrun flowcharts are all there as well.
Price: I don’t think I would have thought twice about the $60 price tag until I compare it to the $40 for a printed version of the PRB. It may be that the PRB is more underpriced than the eRB is overpriced. At any rate, we know what we signed up for when we got into this hobby so I bought it without hesitation. Added to the value is the commitment to updates, additions, and errata without further cost. So it is a one time cost dynamic living document that should be the final word to settle rules questions.
Example of my view using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Note the tabs on the left side, useful to navigate straight to the index where hyperlinks will take you where you need to go.
Stock Warning: The total amount of copies being printed of this pack and these boards is a fraction of a normal print run. I guarantee this product will be sold out in no time. Please order before they are gone as the boards will be impossible to find later on (other than e(xtortian)Bay).
This looks like an incredible product from some real vetran’s (deliberate spelling mistake, tell me why 😉 ) of the hobby. First thing you notice is three really nifty looking geomorphic boards. NP1 looks to me like it is ideal for PTO and NP3 looks to me like something out of the fertile lands of Tunisia. Then there are the 15 scenarios. Although I haven’t actually had a chance to see them up close, the first thing that I notice is that eleven of the fifteen are 6 turns or less. Also, I see that the scenarios take you from the opening days of WW2 to Korea, then to Vietnam (?!?). I can’t wait to see the units involved for both the French and the Vietnamese.
Board NP1 :
Board NP2 :
Board NP3 :
The scenarios
YASL14
Szczuki
vs.
5.5 turns
Szczuki, Poland, 4 September 1939 : The German 3rd Army, which was part of Army Group North, drove hard out of East Prussia. They were heading south towards Warsaw as part of the overall German plan to trap the Polish armies west of the Vistula River. In the path of the German advance was Army Modlin, of whom the Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade was a part. The Polish were fighting the German advance tooth and nail.
YASL15
Chances are Slim
vs.
6 turns
40 KILOMETERS FROM THE HUNGARIAN BORDER, Poland, 27 September 1939 : The Cavalry Operational Group (Grupa Operacyjna Kawalerii) was close to the Hungarian border when Soviet forces hit them from the front and rear. Soviet tanks led the way as the Poles fought desperately to stave off the attack.
YASL16
Legion of Doom
vs.
5.5turns
Stary Sanzhary, Ukraine, 3 October 1941 : The Independent State of Croatia contributed to Hitler’s East Front crusade by loaning the 369th Rein-forced (Croatian) Infantry Regiment to the Wehrmacht. Known as the ‘Croatian Legion’, the regiment was operating in support of Army Group South in the Ukraine. On October 3rd one of the regiment’s officers, Hauptmann Vasilije Maljgin, noticed that armed men were hiding in the woods around the village of Stary Sanzhary. The 11. Radfahren-Kompanie (bicycle company) and an at-tached Reiterzug (cavalry platoon) were ordered to reconnoiter and clear out any enemy troops. The bicycle company approached the village from the west while the cavalry came from the northeast.
YASL17
Hill 200 – gateway to rzhev
vs.
5.5turns
Hill 200, Polunino, Russia, 4 August 1942 : During the summer of 1942 the Soviet military leadership considered the central (Smolensk-Moscow) axis to be the main strategic area of importance and massed their forces accordingly. From the 1st to the 3rd of August, the Russians attempted to broaden the penetration to the northwest and northeast of Rzhev. On August 4th, following an air raid and artillery fire the Soviets attacked. At 1355 hours, under cover of a moving barrage, approximately 25-30 Russian tanks and a large mass of Russian infantry rushed the positions of the German 6th Division, with the main weight of the attack falling on the 58th Infantry Regiment’s 1st and 9th Companies.
YASL18
Recon on the logging trail
vs.
5 turns
WEST OF HILL 700, Bougainville, 11 March 1943 : With the main Japanese assault by Colonel Magata’s 1st and 3rd Battalions about to hit the 37th Division’s 2nd Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, both sides needed to know the intentions or positions of the other before the big battle broke. Recon in force was ordered and clashes along the Logging Trail down by the lowlands near the hills erupted.
YASL19
Indirect Panther
vs.
8 turns
Ukraine, 16 February 1944 : Kampfgruppe Haack was a scratch organization of units hastily assembled to guard the left flank of VIII Armee. Urlauber Regiment Baake provided the infantry strength of the kampfgruppe. Comprised of escapees from units encircled in the Cherkassy Pocket and troops recalled from leave, hastily organized into platoons and companies, the regiment lacked heavy weapons. In addition to guarding the flank of VIII Armee, the overextended kampfgruppe was ordered to establish contact with the right flank of III Panzer Korps, which was attempting to relieve the troops trapped in the Cherkassy Pocket. Directly in Kampfgruppe Haack’s path was the Russian 325th Rifle Division, entrenched on hill 204.8.
YASL20
Broe Bay Brouhaha
vs.
6 turns
Inasi village, Noemfoor, 23 July 1944 : Douglas MacArthur coveted Noemfoor Island for the three airfields it possessed. D-Day was set for July 2, 1944 and the U.S. Army’s 158 RCT clambered ashore against little opposition. On July 3rd and 4th the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment’s 1st and 3rd Battal-ions were to be airdropped into the beachhead centered on Kamiri airfield. Due to the size of the drop zone as well as the condition of the airfield, the two battal-ions suffered a 9% jump casualty rate. This was bad enough, but soon the 503rd would be called upon to clear the Japanese off the southern end of Noemfoor.
YASL21
A Matter of Honor
vs.
6 turns
Orote peninsula, Guam, 26 July 1944 : Six weeks after Operation FORAGER crashed ashore on Saipan, American commanders turned their attention to the liberation of Guam. Two points on the island’s eastern shore were selected for the initial beach landings. The assault force comprised the 3rd Marine Division (3rd, 9th, and 21st Marines) reinforced by the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade (4th and 22nd Marines) and the Army’s 77th Division. On 21 July, the first waves of LVTs stormed the beaches close behind a thunderous naval barrage and bombing by swarms of U.S. Navy and Marine aircraft. The Japanese, for their part, were ready for the onslaught, and caused considerable delay to American efforts at consolidating the twin beachheads into one. By D+5 the Orote Peninsula was the last Japanese stronghold on the eastern side of the island. The 4th and 22nd Marines were ordered to attack the peninsula and seize Orote airfield, as well as the old Marine Barracks, abandoned since the Japanese invasion in December 1941.
YASL22
Where the Reindeer Dare Not Go
vs.
5.5 turns
East of Luostari, Murmansk oblast, Russia, 11 October 1944 : During the initial phase of the Petsamo-Kirkenes Offensive, the Soviet 14th Army’s objective was to rapidly advance to Petsamo and Luostari and attempt to cut off the retreat of German forces. Unfortunately there were only two roads in the sector, the ‘Russian Road’ leading to Petsamo, and the ‘Lanweg’ leading to Luostari. The terrain was mostly tundra, with hills, brush and rocky outcroppings. This really confined the main advance, and especially the armor, to the two roads. The advance along Lanweg was slow, and finally a bridgehead was established across the Titovka River. To continue the attack, the 99th Rifle Corps placed all the available armor at the disposal of the unit leading the attack, the 65th Rifle Division. The armor included KV-85 heavy tanks and ISU-152 assault guns.
YASL23
Bloody Christmas Hill
vs.
5.5 turns
Mont de Sigolsheim – hill 351, France, 26 December 1944 : During Operation Habicht (Hawk) the Germans captured Hill 351 on December 14th. It had taken them three days to take the hill from the U.S. 36 Infantry Division, and they nicknamed it ‘Bloody Hill’. Hill 351 commanded the surrounding valley, overlooking the towns of Sigolsheim, Kientaheim, Riquewihr and Bennwihr. The 15th RCT, 3rd Infantry Division was tasked with taking the towns back, but after entering Sigolsheim and taking heavy small arms, artillery and mortar fire from Hill 351, they knew the hill had to be retaken. Defending Hill 351 were 200 SS troops that were fanatic and given orders to hold to the death. The Americans launched attacks from Dec 24th to the 26th, with the last attack on the morning of Dec 26th stalled by ferocious artillery and mortar fire. The men of B Company had to dig in for cover only 150 meters from the crest line on the northwest corner of Hill 351. Then at noon Lt. Colonel Ware arrived with his S-3 and the commander of D Company and 25 men on what the Americans nicknamed Hill 351, Christmas Hill.
YASL24
The Flying Column
vs.
8.5 turns
Cabanatuan, Philippines, 1 February 1945 : Now that Douglas MacArthur had actually set foot on Luzon, he thirsted after, even more so, the glory that would accompany the recapture of Manila. The First Cavalry had come ashore on January 27, 1945 at Lingayen Gulf. MacArthur, sensing the Japanese in front of the First Cav were weak, almost immediately ordered Major General Verne Mudge to slash southward to take the capital on the fly. Mudge organized three flying columns consisting of armor, reconnaissance, engineering and self-propelled artillery, along with the dismounted troopers in an effort to indeed bounce Manila. At one minute past midnight, February 1, 1945, the flying columns roared southward.
YASL25
Stein’s Stinger
vs.
8.5 turns
Iwo Jima, 19 February 1945 : The job of the 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Division on D-Day February 19th on Iwo Jima was to fight east to west across the southern neck of the island to isolate Mount Suribachi. The area just off the beach at the base of Mount Suribachi was a moonscape of shell craters and brush. Company A of the 1st Battalion was to have been the battalion reserve ; however it was soon called forward to assist in the attack as casualties mounted. Among the men of Company A was Tony Stein. Stein had been a toolmaker in civilian life. This now served him well, as he had fashioned a personal, hand held heavy machine gun from the wing gun of an old wrecked Navy fighter back on Hawaii. Stein called the weapon his ‘stinger’. With a network of pillboxes now blocking his Company’s path, Stein and his ‘stinger’ went to work.
YASL26
Whiteout
vs.
5.5 turns
Hoheleye, Germany, 2 April 1945 : The U.S. 9th Infantry Division advanced against the southern edge of the Ruhr Pocket in the steep wooded valleys of the Sauerland, with the 47th RCT on the left aiming towards Oberkirchen, the 39th RCT on the right driving for Winterberg and the 60th RCT in the center pushing towards Langewiese. The 60th RCT took Girkhausen with the Germans offering only light resistance, and then set its sights on the next town, Hoheleye, a sleepy little resort that featured a large hotel, the Wartburg-Winterberg. Unbeknownst to the Americans, fanatic SS troops from local school and training units were billeted in Hoheleye. To complicate the situation, a freak spring snow squall had enveloped the area, suddenly curtailing visibility.
YASL27
A Man Called Hog Jaw
vs.
8.5 turns
West of Seoul, South Korea, 24 September 1950 : The Korean War was about to take a drastic turn. On September 15, 1950, two regiments of the U.S. 1st Marine Division landed at the port of Inchon, 25 miles to the west of the capital of Seoul. The landing was a spectacular gamble by U.N. Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur, and proved to be an equally spectacular success. The U.N. assault completely surprised the North Koreans, whose army was desperately trying to hurl all U.N. forces from Korea by eradicating the Pusan Perimeter. Inchon proved to be only lightly defended by the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA), and the U.S. Marines established a beachhead. Inchon was quickly conquered but the capital would be a much different proposition.
YASL28
Fool’s Errand
vs.
5 turns
The KON BRAI ROAD, NEAR KONTUM, FRENCH Indochina, 1 February 1954 : The troops of G.M.100 (Groupement Mobile) reflected France’s diverse force composition in Indochina. The 7th and 8th Companies of the II Korea Battalion were largely composed of Vietnamese troops from the Plain of Reeds area of French Indochina. They had formed the Bergerol Commando, named after the French commander who had formed the unit. Together with a small French cadre, they were now the 7th and 8th Companies of the II Korea, G.M.100. They had a reputation as tough jungle fighters. The Viet Minh and the Bergerol rarely showed quarter to each other. On February 1st, the 7th and 8th Companies, along with a 50-man native contingent, a platoon of armored cars and a section of engineers, were sent to clear mines from the road leading from Kontum to Kon Brai and check the status of several bridges along the route. It was a tedious and dangerous task. The French would demine a road one day, only to have the Viet Minh mine the same section after they had passed. The opening phase of this mission was to take place in relatively open terrain. However, the latter phase was going to be in more typical, claustrophobic jungle terrain.
We are now taking orders for The Steelworks. We should hopefully be shipping by the end of February/beginning of March.
The Norman city of Caen and the airfield of Carpiquet were important targets on D-Day. The British and Canadian troops that landed on Sword and Juno Beaches were tasked with capturing these vital objects. The British and Canadian troops did not get that far on D-Day. Carpiquet would finally be captured on 8 July during Operation WINDSOR with Caen falling the following day during Operation CHARNWOOD. CHARNWOOD however only managed to capture of the northwestern part of Caen, the rest of the city would fall during Operation GOODWOOD on 18 July. Colombelles is an industrial town north east of Caen, east of Hérouville and the Orne River. The entire area was dominated by the chimneys of the Société Métallurgique de Normandie (Metallurgic Company of Normandy), a giant steel factory at Colombelles. The chimneys were the ideal observation posts over the battlefield for the Germans. General Bernard Law Montgomery decided on an operation to take these posts out. The operation was aptly called Operation STACK.
StW1 –Secure the Crossroads – East of Colombelles, France, 11 July 1944 [Night Scenario]: Game Length: 5½ Turns; British: 9½ Squads, 2x Leaders, 3x Machineguns, 2x 2″ Mortars, & PIAT; vs. Germans: 3x Squads, 3x Crews, Leader, 2x Machineguns, 75mm Anti-Tank Gun & Fortifications; Estimated Playing Time: 2 hours 28 minutes
StW2 –Clearing Colombelles–Colombelles, France, 11 July 1944: Game Length: 5 Turns; Germans: 7x Squads, 2x Leaders, 3x Machineguns, & Fortifications; vs. British: 10½ x Squads, 4x Leaders, 2x Machineguns, 2x 2″ Mortars, 2x PIAT, DC, & 2x BT; Estimated Playing Time 2 hours 34 minutes
StW3 –Tiger Attack –The Steelworks, South of Colombelles, France, 11 July 1944: Game Length: 5½ Turns; British: 7x Squads, 3x Leaders, 2x Machineguns, PIAT, 2″ Mortar & 6x Sherman Tanks; vs. Germans: 12x Squads, 4x Leaders, 2x Machineguns, 2x Psk, Rocket OBA, & 3x Pz VIE Tiger; Estimated Playing Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
StW4 – Knock them Down!– The Steelworks, South of Colombelles, France, 17 July 1944: Game Length: 11½ Turns; British: 33x Squads, 2x Gun Crews, 11x Leaders, 9x Machineguns, 6x 2″ Mortars, 6x PIAT, 11x Sherman Tanks, 2x Anti-Tank Guns, & 2x Carriers; vs. Germans: 12x Squads, 12x Crews, 4x Leaders, 6x Machineguns, 2x Psk, 2x Pz IV, 3x Pz VI Tigers, 4x 81mm Mortars, 5x, Guns, Fortifications, & OBA; Estimated Playing Time: 16 hours 6 minutes
StW5 – Securing the Steelworks–The Steelworks, Colombelles, France, 17 July 1944: Game Length: 10 Turns; Canadians: 30x Squads, 7x Leaders, 11x Machineguns, 4x PIAT, 6x 2″ Mortars, 2x DC, & 2x BT; vs. Germans: 16x Squads, 9x Crews, 4x Leaders, 10x Machineguns, 5x Guns, & Fortifications; Estimated Playing Time: 10 hours 21 minutes
Contest #96
It is the DFPh in the final Player Turn (US) and the American is 4 CVP short for the win. He has moved two Bazooka HS and a M4A376(W) in for the kill. What do you do as the German player to ensure the greatest chance for victory? Note that the M4A3 has not depleted it’s APCR (A5). It may be easier to visualize your options if you pull out your Hatten map.
Please send your solution to email address dritter519@gmail.com. One random winner from correct entries will be selected for a $10 gift certificate.
Solution To Contest 95
Well the Americans are pretty much screwed. The chance for one of them to survive a 36 down 3 attack followed by a 16 down 3 attack SFF (the Amis have to spend 2 MF to cross the roadblockto get into O5 so they can get attacked twice) is less that 0.25% according to the article in ASL Classic. So what can we do to improve our odds dramatically? Here is my plan…
1.Rally Phase: Deploy 667 Squad.
2. MPh: Move the 3 HS (or Squad and HS if they failed to Deploy) to P5.
3. RtPh: Voluntarily Break the units one at a time (Do not Rout together as they will take one combined interdiction roll and this is bad) in P5 and Rout toward N4. Each will have to take an interdiction roll in O5 and if, and it’s a big if, one of them rolls snake eyes (2.8%) for HOB, and they roll an 8 or less on the HOB roll (72.2%) they will end their Rout Phase in O5 in Good order and able to Advance into N4 for the Win!
So the chance of pulling it off is 2.02% per unit. So if the Squad manages to deploy, you have about a 6% chance of winning the game (97.98% Cubed = 94% chance of failure). If the Squad failed to deploy you have about a 4% chance of pulling it off (97.98% Squared = 96% chance of failure) Which is still easier than getting a CH. Both are exponentially better odds than trying to rush the building.
Almost Gone (Out of Print items that are running low on stock):
For King and Country – Status: Shipping with extra copies in stock ready for a happy home.
We have now shipped all of our pre-orders so you should already have it or the postman should be rounding the corner in your neighborhood as we speak. We have a few more copies at discounted pricing if you still haven’t gotten yours.
We have gotten our shipment in from across the pond and after filling backorders we still have 8 Handyboxes left so grab ’em before they’re all gone.
Hatten In Flames Review:
First a disclaimer, I am not a CG kind of guy. My brain doesn’t work well with the planning and purchasing part of it. I envy those that are able to process this kind of information but that just isn’t me. I have tried playing Red Barricades, Tarawa, Kampgruppe Peiper, etc. but it usually all falls apart between the first two scenarios. Then I discovered the CG’s of Lone Canuck Publishing. No more trying to manage 6 companies of infantry and three modules of OBA all at once. George managed to bring CG’s down to a moderate size scenario’s scale, commonly one company and a platoon of tanks or so per side. Well this became my portal to test the waters again. Then MMP released Andrew Rogers’ Hatten In Flames. I fell in love with it at once. I am now playing my third and fourth campaign games and I would like to share my thoughts.
Although this is a CG, I feel that Andrew made a lot of design decisions to streamline the rules so that it was not overly complex. Examples of this include an almost flat map with almost all buildings being ground floor only. Fixed SAN and ELR at 3 and 3 for both sides with automatic correction at the end of a scenario. Limit of purchases of a unit to once per Campaign Game (so just cross the unit off the purchase roster once you have bought it). No depletion rolls so everyone starts at full strength. No Night, No Cellars, No Air Support, No beach landing in the snow with bicycles dropping by parachute.
SSR for Hatten are very manageable with most being exclusions (Bore Sighting, Kindling, etc). that are already commonplace in most scenarios but Ground Snow is in effect although this doesn’t do much other than prohibit road rate.
The Battlefield is absolutely stunning. There is something about a winter map that actually makes me want to put on a sweater. The town comprises a T shaped cluster of stone buildings that include a few churches and a synagogue. A raised railway extends the length of the map and there is a lot of open flanking areas to each side, dotted with orchards, each potentially hiding a Bazooka team , MG nest, or M18 Tank Destroyer. Note that the red dots were added by me for VC explanation purposes and are not on the original map.
The OOB has a lot to choose from for both sides. The Germans have some truly fantastic units including Assault Engineers, 548 squads galore, 3 x 9-2 leaders, Flame Hetzers, Panthers, PzJgIV(L)’s, Mortar Halftracks, etc. Don’t forget that it is 1945 and each German has a pocket full of Panzerfausts with a range of 3. The Americans begin with crappy squads that over time battle harden between scenarios into an elite force. 32 tanks and tank destroyers, more mortars than you can count and some devastating artillery.
The Objective of the CG is for the German to finish the 5 campaign dates dominating 6 of the 9 victory areas (see red dots on map above). So a quick look at the map tells us that it is impossible to win without slugging it through the town center and tidying up at least one of the flanks. This gives the Americans a huge advantage in the late game for a counterattack along one of the sides. With poor cover for the defending Germans the Americans can bring down 150 OBA, a dozen mortar tubes and double digit Shermans to make this quaint countryside resemble the Somme.
TheStrategy that I have used for the Germans (I have only played the German side so far) has been to purchase heavy on the Battalion I companies getting in early on the 9-2 Leadership and oodles of 548 squads. I like the PzJGIV’s too as their armor sits at a 14. I try to grab the Synagogue, Eglise St. Michel, and the crossroads for the scenario win with a group in reserve offboard that can take the cemetery if I fail in one of the other three objectives. I don’t want to grab the cemetery to early as I may need it later for a scenario win and it has minor tactical importance at first. I am not big on pushing towards the train station as there is a lot of open ground to cover and once in, there are limited rout options available to get out if I need to. As the American player, I think it is imperative to not set up too far forward on the first day. You are very brittle with a 6 morale and you will be up against 24 FP stacks at every turn. The German will also have many halftracks that can BU and skoot in behind you to cut off rout paths. Defend in depth, give up territory to conserve your force and slow him down with artillery and HIP units (once he finds one, he will think they are everywhere). Remember you only have to prevent the Germans from dominating 4 areas to win.
Balance as of the time of this writing is 10-8 or ROAR in favor of the Germans so it does appear to be quite even.
The Fort Has Fallen! Germans push south through the town after being repulsed for the second time along the walled edge. Jan.10th, 1945 American Turn 3.
The Americans launched a furious attack into the cemetery and wiped out 6 German squads without loss, sealing the scenario victory for the Yanks. Going into Scenario 5, the American must take back 2 more strategic locations or either the Church or the Crossroads for the campaign win. The Final push for the Synagogue on turn 6 (Final Scenario) is repulsed by the Germans. Had the Americans been able to take the Synagogue and one more location in CC, they would have won the campaign. As the US push had stalled and they were not adjacent to the VC locations, the US player graciously conceded. Note that this went down to the last MPh of the last player turn on the final CG date. The Vegas odds switched several times over the course of the scenario and the campaign. My nerves are shot and my brain hurts.
The Remaining forces (Left) after the conclusion of the CG. I estimate around 1/3 were broken. The casualties (Right) would have been much higher had we finished the last player turn as many squads were unable to rout plus the carnage of the CC Phase).
It is the American Rally Phase of the final Player Turn of the game. Under normal circumstances, any decent human being would concede as the American Player and go grab a beer downstairs to drown his sorrows. But these are not normal times. These are the finals of ASLOK 2094, Being run by the great grandchildren of Brett and Wild Bill. In order to win, the American player must control Building N4. To add insult to injury, the designer of the scenario, Pete Shelling’s great grand-daughter made the SSR that all US MMC that wish to Move must Move as a stack if they start the MPh in the same Location. What should the American do to ensure the greatest (yet slim) chance of victory? Note that the US 10-3 is wounded. Building N4 is currently German controlled
Contest #94 Solution:
Okay, so this puzzle is a little more nuanced.
Building J4: I give up any hopes of capturing building J4 as the 4-4-7 would have to fail 3 Morale Checks to make the building capturable as he sits on a stairwell (yes, you had to do some research for this contest and pull out board 1). Routing upstairs including by voluntary Break would deny control to the Americans.
Building L6: G4 squad drops the HMG, moves to H4-I5-J5(Bypass)-K6. Advances into L6 during the APh.
Building M5: Move Sherman M6 (1), sM in hex K4 (2), L5(3), L4(10), K4 Bypasss (12). If Sherman was destroyed by CCRF then 2-3-7 to hex J3 (this will prohibit the Italian Squad from firing into L5 as he will either be marked Final Fire for shooting at the 2-3-7 or will not be allowed to fire at L5 because there is a closer enemy unit. Now pick up the 3-3-7 as riders in D5, move D6, E7, F7, G7, H6, I6, J6, K6, L5, M6, Stop in M6, disembark, and Advance into M5 for the win in the APh.
In The Pipeline:
MMP:
The long awaited re-release of Hollow Legions is expected in 2021 along with the new Winter Offensive. I still don’t have details on either but I will get them up as soon as I know a little more.
Le Franc Tireur:
Something huge which I can neither confirm nor the deny the existence of.
