Mike's Games Log 2023

[McCoy]

It's been ages since I played Squad Leader. It was my introduction to serious strategy games. My memory works in mysterious ways but wasn't one of the first scenarious in the game called Chasiv Yar or something like that?

[mikeh]

May 4, 2023 19:20:14 GMT -5 McCoy said:

but wasn't one of the first scenarious in the game called Chasiv Yar or something like that?

Nothing close to that name in this one. Chasiv Yar is in the Ukraine around Bahkmut from what I found out. 

[McCoy]

May 4, 2023 23:19:20 GMT -5 mikeh said:

May 4, 2023 19:20:14 GMT -5 McCoy said:

but wasn't one of the first scenarious in the game called Chasiv Yar or something like that?

Nothing close to that name in this one. Chasiv Yar is in the Ukraine around Bahkmut from what I found out. 

Yes, it's directly to the west from Bahkmut.

[Whiterook]

The first scenario is "The Guards Counterattack", which is heralded as crack many SLers got hooked with  …something about the Volga, if memory serves (it’s been a long time since I played it!).

As an aside, I find it interesting we were talking about Squad Leader on “May the 4th Be With You!” day… SL came out the year Star Wars came into our movie theaters!

[McCoy]

Well, we're old after all...

[mikeh]

May 5, 2023 8:49:47 GMT -5 Whiterook said:

 …something about the Volga, if memory serves

Yes, Stalingrad. Next scenario is the Tractor Factory. 

[mikeh]

2nd Shock Army, 2nd Belorussian Front gives a good push into the German lines. Konigsberg by Revolution Games.

[Whiterook]

I love watching this game! …now, I need to actually sit down and learn it!

[mikeh]

First chit draw was the last thing the Americans wanted. The Germans won the draw and activated 66 Korps HQ which in turn activated the 3 elite Panzer Divisions.

First 116th Panzer took the road to Trois Pints and sent the US 1st Army HQ running.

Second, 2nd Panzer takes St Vith and continues south down the road and sends the US 8 Corps HQ running.

Third, Panzer Lehr Cross's the river taking the road to St Vith and continues on to Vielsom capturing that town. All without lose to any of the Panzer Divisions, two infantry attacks on the flanks had no effects.

The US HQ's return next turn but for this turn they are out of action and it was only the first chit pull! About the only thing stopping the Germans right now is their own HQ's and therefore their supply being able to keep pace. Game Autumn Mist.

[Whiterook]

I really like everything about this game! …the counters are (I think) my fav (…though, that map is mighty nice!)

[mikeh]

Soviet opening bombardment targets Castle Hill area amongst others. Soviet bombardment was quite successful against German and Hungarian forces on the Budapest pocket boundary. Hungarian Nightmare by ATO Magazine.

[Whiterook]

…is ATO magazine good, as a magazine itself? …I mean, as in great articles, too? …what’s their focus, general Wargames or a specific game companies’? Nice battle you got going there.

[mikeh]

Same mission, #1 as last night. Again in deep trouble. NVA troops have pushed the team into a map corner/edge. Overwatch has served the team well getting 2 pins before they could fire on the LRRPs. You can not kill off NVA counters you can only pin them. VC counters can be eliminated. The only way to get rid of NVA is through airstrikes, for that you need to roll double 6, triple 6s at night. I'm out of med pacs and 1 man Kinsey wounded. Kinsey was also snake bit again earlier.

[mikeh]

Avalon Hill's Luftwaffe on the table this evening.

[mikeh]

First day of Winter Thunder in the Bulge is completed. The Germans get a good breakthrough. Turn 1 the Germans get to play all their chits first then the US draws theirs, they only have 3 HQ available 2 of which are Corps HQ's and can conduct combat and place road blocks. The 3rd HQ is an Army HQ's and supplies the Corp units.

Turn 2 gets back to chit draws and the Americans get reinforcements, plus another Corps and Army HQ units. Weather is misty so US gets 2 of its 4 air factors to use.