Gameday in Albuquerque

The Camino Real Historical Gaming group put on an event yesterday in Albuquerque which featured 8 tables and 20+ games over three sessions.  There was a Flames of War Hit the Beach scenario, two different Bolt Action games, Star Wars: X-Wing and Armada, English Civil War, a Samurai game, plus more.  I was able to play in the Flames of War event and check out the SW: Armada minis before heading back south after a short detour down Route 66.  Thanks to Mike, Jon, and Keith for playing.

The table.  1st Infantry Division assaults the 352. Infanteriedivision on June 6, 1944.

The boats make their approach through the surf.

The German positions.  Off-shore preliminary bombardment has reduced this platoon to a single stand and a supporting observer.  An 8.8cm pillbox, two HMG pillboxes, two 8cm mortar nests, plus mines and wire will need to hold the line.

The second position doesn't lose any stands from the bombardment.  A full platoon of three stands, plus an attatched Panzerschreck, observer and Company Commander are supported by a 7.5cm pillbox, two HMG pillboxes, two 8cm mortar nests, mines and wire.

A 10.5cm artillery battery loses a gun to the naval bombardment.

The Americans hit the beach!.  The surf is rough, keeping one of the platoons from landing.  The others make for the sea wall as quickly as they can.

By turn two they are taking cover from the wall, but two platoons lose their commanders to accurate fire from the German defenses and are slowed down.

Turn three sees the Americans reach the first minefield, but several teams are lost trying to cross it and the platoon breaks.

German fusiliers arrive on turn four and begin to make the long march to the beach.  Amother gun goes down to the naval barrage.

By turn six the Luftwaffe begins to reinforce the German positions, bringing a pair of 8.8cm FlaK guns from the rear.

The presence of the 8.8cm guns chase the naval AOP away from the artillery battery.  Another Fusilier platoon arrives on the far side.

By turn eight the American assault units have finally breached the mine field and reached the wire behind it, but withering fir efrom the HMGs and mortars keep them pinned down.  Even after the defending infantry teams have all been destroyed by artillery and supporting fire from a single surviving Sherman DD tank, the pillboxes are holding.

By turn eleven the German StuGs have arrived from reserve and approach the beach.

The 8.8cm FlaK platoon arrives to defend the command post at these two buildings.  The game ends with the Germans holding the beach and the Americans nursing their wounds.

This was really fun, I had never played any FOW scenarios.  Both sides had around 2000 points, which was probably too many.  The German bunkers were able to hold off the entire American force without assistance.  Their supporting infantry were either destroyed during the pre-game bombardment or stayed pinned down without firing most of the game.  The German artillery fired one bombardment in eleven turns, hitting nothing.  The US naval support focused on them, killing half and keeping them pinned.  Only once did the American make it into position to assault one of the bunkers, but defensive fire kept them from succeding.  The surf was brutal, nearly half of the American boats were delayed and of the five Sherman DDs that attempted landing, three were swamped before making the shore.  Thanks to Keith for putting this together, and thanks to the Camino Real group for organizing the day.