|
Post by mikeh on Sept 24, 2022 21:10:21 GMT -5
The German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper takes up station on the Frische Haff to add in the defense of Konigsberg should it become necessary. A German HQ can activate Hipper to bombard any Soviet units within 2 hexes of Konigsberg.
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 24, 2022 21:21:44 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 24, 2022 21:21:44 GMT -5
On the 3rd Belorussian Front elements of the the 28th and 11th Guard Armies widen a gap in the front between Germany's Herman Goring and 41st Panzer Korps.
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 26, 2022 11:10:37 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 26, 2022 11:10:37 GMT -5
Gross Deutschland returns. It was withdrawn on turn 4 (I think!) by the chit draw.
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 26, 2022 20:46:10 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 26, 2022 20:46:10 GMT -5
Soviet armor cuts the rail line depriving the German 6th Corps movement, they will need to use the roads to escape northwards. Edited out the word strategic as strategic movement is only allowed on roads, although rail roads have unlimited movement if you start and finish on the rail line and do not start, end or pass through an EZOC.
|
|
|
Post by Whiterook on Sept 26, 2022 21:26:41 GMT -5
I love the desperation (not sure that’s the best word for it) of this game… it’s a good representation of the uncertainty of being able to do what you want, weighed upon the fulcrum of Lady Luck’s knee! That’s what I love about chit pull games… I’ve seen so many gamers poo poo chit pull, but it adds a Fog of War and Lady Luck angle to play.
I like your draw cup! I’d kept old coffee mugs for such purposes through the years, but lately, I’ve been picking up alternatives at the Dollar Store when shopping with Karen. One I’ve been using is clear plastic desert mini bowls, and I just picked up some plastic crème brûlée cups. I’ll be sure to post pics in the Quartermasters area.
Oh, and that Heavy Cruiser is Sweet!!!
|
|
|
Post by mikeh on Sept 27, 2022 16:36:09 GMT -5
"Desperation" I like it! The 6th Corps got all loaded up hoping to get out of the trap scott free and it doesn't look like that is going to happen, they will have to fight their way out. One good thing for the Germans though is they control the rail lines farther north. The Germans are not the only ones who can use strategic movement on the lines. Let the others poo-poo, for solo play chit pull is my favorite way to add uncertainty to the battle. Where would we be without a good opaque coffee mug to pull our chits out of! The wife gave me this one a few years ago.
|
|
|
Post by Whiterook on Sept 28, 2022 9:50:37 GMT -5
"Desperation" I like it! The 6th Corps got all loaded up hoping to get out of the trap scott free and it doesn't look like that is going to happen, they will have to fight their way out. One good thing for the Germans though is they control the rail lines farther north. The Germans are not the only ones who can use strategic movement on the lines. Let the others poo-poo, for solo play chit pull is my favorite way to add uncertainty to the battle. Where would we be without a good opaque coffee mug to pull our chits out of! The wife gave me this one a few years ago. As in the real world of war, logistics will make or break ‘ya… often, what you want to do, and what you can do on the battlefield are two separate things. Of course, watching them fight their way out is much more exciting to watch! I agree 110% with you in chit pull… and for me, it’s the same thing with card draw games… it is a much more solo-friendly way to game, because of the element of mystery (and usually some big surprises) introduced in the sequence of play and events that make Fog of War, and what would normally be predictable, unpredictable. To me, it’s probably the next best th8ng to having a FtF opponent across the table…plus, yiu don’t have to clean the house beforehand to the missus’ expectations, AND you get all the Candy for yourself! WIN! Ahhh, coffee cups… for me, I’ll occasionally see a cup I just have to have, mainly for th novelty of it, or as a souvenirs. They do tend to end up as draw cups, don’t they!??
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 29, 2022 10:23:43 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 29, 2022 10:23:43 GMT -5
Soviet Armor of the 5th Guards Tank Army, 2nd Belorussian Front takes aim at the Victory Point of Thorn. Volksturm has been called up. Note Volksturm only has a defense value it can not attack or move but is placed at threatened towns, cities or villages. Of the four Volksturm counters available only two can be placed regularly, the other two are "called up" as it were through random events.
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 29, 2022 10:38:52 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 29, 2022 10:38:52 GMT -5
Germans hang tough against 3rd Belorussian Front, although some Soviet units have slipped behind their lines. 3rd Belorussian Front receives less activations then 2nd BF over the course of the game. According to the game notes, which I just read the Germans should try and reinforce against the 2nd BF with units fighting the 3rd BF.
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 29, 2022 10:43:03 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 29, 2022 10:43:03 GMT -5
A few Soviet units approach Konigsberg but as there is only one turn left they will fall short even if they can activate.
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 30, 2022 0:50:15 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 30, 2022 0:50:15 GMT -5
Game over. These are the final positions. Elements of 2nd Belorussian Front are almost to the top of the map while units of 3rd Belorussian Front wound up on the approaches to Konigsberg. After counting up Victory Points still under German Possession (7) the results are an "Historical Soviet Victory". In other words the Soviet units in the game did just as well as their historical counterparts.
|
|
|
Konigsberg
Sept 30, 2022 0:56:00 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mikeh on Sept 30, 2022 0:56:00 GMT -5
The closest the Soviets got to Konigsberg. If I remember correctly historically it would be about another month(?) before Konigsberg fell. Thanks for following along.
|
|
|
Post by Whiterook on Sept 30, 2022 13:46:01 GMT -5
Great AAR! This has been one of my favorites — it’s the fantastic action of this game that kept me on the hook, expertly relayed in after action reports that clearly defined what was happening. KUDOS! Every phase seemed to be a barnburner with great stakes at odds. I really love the design of this game. That it came to a historical equal shows the good design of the mechanics. Note Volksturm only has a defense value it can not attack or move but is placed at threatened towns, cities or villages. Of the four Volksturm counters available only two can be placed regularly, the other two are "called up" as it were through random events. … I love that concept! I can’t say I recall another game that had this type unit. This was a pleasure to follow along on!
|
|
|
Post by mikeh on Sept 30, 2022 16:24:26 GMT -5
Thanks Em glad you followed along and liked it. Whenever I play a new game I don't look at victory conditions or read the players note as I like to see what happens and where it all ends up. When the game ended and I looked at how to total up victory points and saw the results I was very pleased.
Now it's time to work on my 6mm minis for a while but these games (Celles, Across the Narva and Konigsberg) are not going to be far from the table. Hats off to Roger Miller and the folks at Revolution Games.
|
|
|
Post by Whiterook on Sept 30, 2022 16:44:17 GMT -5
That’s wise… I as well, rarely read the designer notes util much later down the road, as I find it then takes too frontal a focus in my initial plays. I think it’s more fun to discover how you fared under fire, later.
Greta on the minis… I hope to see build threads on them, as I learn a lot! I gotta get back to my Vietnam figures soon, so I shared similar paths.
|
|