An old friend Richard who has been to the shed a couple of times , a newcomer called Stephen (better known as Legatus Hedlius
(check out his blog - very amusing - http://legatuswargamesarmies.blogspot.co.uk/)
and my good friend Matt.
The game was all set up and hopefully the following background notes help to explain the objectives.
The Gold
Rush
This particular scenario sees those dastardly fellows in Black Shirts trying to move gold bullion from London to Portsmouth – to do this they must break the cordon of Anglican supporters in the A3 region. In a nutshell the BUF win if they can move the gold across the table, the League win if they can capture the gold.
 |
| The BUF will move from right to left |
BUF
Instructions
The BUF
is particularly keen to lay its hands on supplies from the continent but to do
so it must stump up the cash first. Gold bullion taken from the bank of England
has been hastily loaded onto a reinforced truck and sent south. Its ultimate
destination being Portsmouth. At which point in time the gold will be passed
over to loyal elements of the Royal Navy.
The
convoy has been hastily assembled and must run the gauntlet of known Anglican
forces operating in the Ripley Area. Two routes are open to the BUF – the
direct but guarded route through the town and out onto Guildford along the rail
line or the less built up area towards the bridge at Pyrford Lock.
Recognising
that spies and traitors have almost certainly reported the transportation of
the gold at the last minute a decoy truck has also been commandeered and
assigned its own protection.
In
essence the BUF forces must traverse the board successfully with the gold
convoy. The player commanding these forces has been assigned two escort forces
for these convoys the truck containing the gold maybe placed in either of these
convoys (this is their choice).
The BUF
players may then decide which road(s) the convoys should enter. The BUF player
may not put both Convoys on the same road although they may both exit at the
same point if they get that far.
Whatever
happens the gold must not fall into the enemies hands. If there is a danger of
this occurring the bullion should be returned to Woking.
The
truck carrying the gold is extremely loaded and as such has restricted movement
(umpire will advise) – it will also bog down on a 1-3 if it leaves the road –
two successive boggings will render the vehicle immobile – best keep it on the
roads. Tracks will cause the trucks to bog down on a 1-2. The decoy truck has
been loaded with lead to simulate the gold.
If by
chance the truck is bogged down or rendered immobilised, the only way the BUF
can draw this engagement is to ensure that it is not captured. All enemy units
on the table must therefore be neutralised.
Prior to
the convoy leaving Aerial reconnaissance revealed the positions of a number of
League forces in the area but bear in mind these photos are over 8 hours old.
The BUF
player should bear in mind that the League may have moved troops, placed
obstacles on the road etc. The visible items will not be placed on the table
until the convoy forces have been determined.
 |
| The Village of Ripley |
The
Anglican League Instructions
Last
night the League’s Surrey forces were informed that BUF is planning to move
sizeable but unknown volume of gold to the Navy in Portsmouth from its regional
headquarters in Woking. Realising that such a treasure
would be a valuable asset in the war for themselves tan urgent order has been
sent out to sure the gold. A screen of forces have been thrown up along the
stretch of land between Ripley to Pyrford Lock.
Intelligence
suggests that the convoy is attempting to reach Portsmouth and as such could
leave the area on any one of the roads leading to the A3.
Your
mission is quite simple prevent the truck carrying the gold from crossing the
board. A word of caution destrying the truck with the gold on board is probably
not particularly sensible this close to enemy lines much better to capture the
vehicle intact.
The
Forces at your disposal have been placed. Some of these are observable by the enemy
from the start of the game others have been hidden. These have been marked on
the map and are assumed to be in Ambush mode at the beginning of the game.
Your
forces are limited and spread across the territory. You will need to cover all
roads at the beginning until such time that you know which route the BUF are
taking.
 |
| The Bridge at Pyrford |
I created the following tables to help the players manage their forces
League Forces
Unit
|
Weapons
|
Damage Value
|
Morale
|
Notes
|
2 x Light Tanks
|
Co Ax MMG
Lt AT Gun
|
8+
|
Regular
|
|
1 x Medium Tank
|
Co ax MMG
Hull MMG
Med AT Gun
|
9+
|
||
Rolls Royce Armoured Car
|
Turret HMG
|
7+
|
||
Wheeled Truck
|
LT AT Gun
|
6+
|
||
Squad1 (6)
|
Rifles + 1 LMG
|
4+
|
||
Squad 2 (6)
|
Rifles +1 LMG
|
4+
|
||
Squad 3 (6)
|
Rifles
|
4+
|
||
Command
|
||||
HMG Unit
|
2 HMG’s Bunker
|
4+
|
||
Major
|
Pistol
|
4+
|
+2 Morale
|
|
Lieutenant
|
Pistol
|
4+
|
+1 Morale
|
|
Medic
|
nil
|
4+
|
 |
| The approaching road to Pyrford blocked by barbed wire |
BUF Convoys
Unit
|
Weapons
|
Damage Value
|
Morale
|
Notes
|
Light Tanks (3)
|
Co Ax MMG
Lt AT Gun
|
8+
|
Regular
|
|
2 x Lancia Armoured Car
|
HMG Turret
MMG Car
|
7+
|
||
Gold Truck
|
7+
|
Slow
|
||
Lead Truck
|
7+
|
Slow
|
||
Squad1 (6)
|
Rifles + 1 LMG
|
4+
|
||
Squad 2 (6)
|
Rifles +1 LMG
|
4+
|
||
Squad 3 (6)
|
Rifles
|
4+
|
||
Squad 5 (5)
|
SMG
|
4+
|
||
HMG Unit
|
HMG
|
4+
|
||
Major
|
Pistol
|
4+
|
+2 Morale
|
|
Lieutenant
|
Pistol
|
4+
|
+1 Morale
|
|
Standard Bearer
|
Pistol
|
4+
|
+1 Morale
|
|
Medic
|
nil
|
4+
|
Fortunately Richard turned up early and I was able to point out where his hidden units were - these were chiefly hidden around the bridge area. Suffice to stay that most of the action took place in the village so by the end of the game they were rushing across the board to try and get into the action !
Matt & Stephen decided who would manage the real gold truck and the decoy - unknown to the League forces. I was both umpiring and managing the HMGs in the bunker.
Their tactic was simple enter the board on the roads that headed into the village and bypass what they felt was the strongest defences on the board. This worked well as they were able to combine their firepower against a smaller league force. It did however mean that all the action centred on the roads leading into the village itself. One of the joys of having a big table does allow players to use the space.
Stephens column nervously approached the village on the far right road. No sooner had he entered his Panzer 1's were involved in a firefight with the Medium Tank sited in the Village. A few shells were thrown and the first Panzer brewed. A subsequent logjam of vehicles ensued.
Realising his trucks were not going to make headway down the road he set his infantry squads off on foot towards the village.
Note: All Armour shown in these photos comes from the excellent range sold by Empress Miniatures
http://www.empressminiatures.com/userimages/procart31.htm
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| The League Tank opened fire |
 |
| The highway to hell - a tanks and armoured car succumbed to AT fire on this stretch
|
Meanwhilst Matt had advanced up the middle of the road. His armoured car soon falling foul to the KMG on the Anglican League Rolls Royce. I was beginning to feel sorry for the fascists especially as my bunker sited HMGs opened up on Matts dismounting infantry.
Things weren't going well for the Blackshirts ...and things were going to become a lot worse
Richard decided to unleash his secret weapon...Gods Fist - A truck and gun combo I recently bought on ebay. Driving out from behind the buildings groans of despair could be heard.
The truck and panzer began to slug it out close range both missing.
With the Fascists forcing there way into the village - the Mgs on the Panzer had made shortwork of a league infantry force. We started to move League forces in from the right. Could they get there in time.
At this point the Fascist tide turned. Stephens Panzer knocked out the Leagues big tank...boom
Matt decided it was time to move up his gold truck as the road was now clear. Slinging Gods Fist into Reverse Richard tried to to knock it out...to no avail.
Matt slung his truck round the corner and down the road. A unit of league troopers under the command of somebody just like Capt Mainwaring tried to stop the vehicle passing. No luck there...as the laden truck whisked off the board. Could this have been the decoy?
By now Matts Panzer had knocked out Gods Fist and was going toe to toe with the last remaining League tank. Eventually the Panzer was hit, caught flame and the crew panicked and fled...
Mean whilst Stephens troopers had command of the village crossroads. All that remained to hold back the tide was a meagre Rolls Royce armoured car. Needless to say Stephens Panzer made short shrift of the armoured car...he even contemplated ramming it but decided a shell was much neater.
With the second road cleared and no league forces top counter the BUF the second laden truck ambled off the board. As it transpired the second truck carried the BUF gold.
All credit to Matt and Stephen for fighting there way through.
Until next time
