Russian Houses from 4ground

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Originally posted 21st April 2013

So I made the usual pilgrimage to Salute on Saturday. Much busier than the last couple of years (could this be a sign of the end of the recession?!) and with a real buzz.

There were the usual problems with the queue: it took an hour to get in which, given the show is only on for a day, is neither big nor clever. 

Met and chatted to loads of Lardies, and picked up some new toys too. One purchase which I couldn't wait to build were some Russian Front log houses from 4Ground. Very nice models which go together surprisingly easily once you get the hang of them. No need to paint them either: these can go straight onto the table, and I will definitely be getting some more. I love the smell of laser-cut wood in the morning!

AAR: Somewhere Near Calais

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Originally posted 18th April 2013

Although some people are now sending me their battle reports direct*, I do still make sure that I regularly search the Internet to make sure I have reproduced every AAR out there on this site.

This does sometimes cause a few problems as my language skills are sometimes just not up to the task!

Here then is an AAR translated from the Hungarian. Google gave me the base text: all the other mistakes are mine!

AAR: Sainte Melotte

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Originally posted 8th April 2013

The latest episode in my Blenneville or Bust! campaign. The Germans counter-attack, with theschwerepunkt being the small Normandy village of Saint Melotte.

But who would my opponent be? Read the AAR to understand what on earth I'm babbling on about!

AAR: West of Pierrecourt & The Campoleone Salient

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Originally posted 4th April 2013

Two superb After Action Reports from Brian Cantwell, both for I Ain't Been Shot, Mum!

In the first, an American recon force tries to scout ahead in the first scenario from the Blenneville or Bust! scenario pack.

In the second, the Germans counter-attack at Anzio: their target is the Campoleone Salient, scenario 11 from the Anzio: Wildcat to Whale supplement pack.

West of Pierrecourt

The Campoleone Salient

AAR: Near Belle Maison

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Originally posted 31st March 2013

I took advantage of the Bank Holiday to get in only my second actual wargame this year: plenty or writing and painting done, but not much gaming as real life bite back with a vengeance.

The game played was one of the scenarios from the Blenneville or Bust! scenario pack: #2B Near Belle Maison. Those of you who favour the Allies and have a nervous disposition may want to look away now!

AAR: TFL Stalingrad Day

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Originally posted 16th February 2013

Excellent news!

I thought I had lost Kev's battle report from the TFL Stalingrad Day way back in 2005:  I had failed to slurp all Kev's content and, when he had problems with his own website, the report disappeared.

Now, however, thanks to those clever chaps at the Web Archive, it rises like a phoenix from the ashes. Hoorah!

AAR: Blenneville

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Originally posted 16th February 2013

The fifth and final battle from Craig Ambler's Blenneville or Bust! camapign.

It's the climax of the campaign: with the British trying to take Blenneville itself. Four straight wins so far for the Allies: will they make it the grand slam? 

AAR: Vartres

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Originally posted 14th February 2013

Craig Ambler reports on his fourth game from the Blenneville or Bust! scenario booklet: the Americans attempt to take a German command post situated in the small town of Vartres.

As a side note, the way this game played, not who won or lost, but the way in which the game played, was exactly what I wanted when I wrote the Vartres scenario. I love it when a plan comes together! 

AAR: The Outskirts of Vyazma

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Originally posted 10th February 2013

Brian Weathersby and crew play scenario 3B from the Vyazma or Bust! scenario pack.

This AAR is subtitled "Men versus Tanks".

AAR: Two More From Bagration

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Originally posted 5th February 2013

Two more game reports from Bagration featuring some brilliant figures and terrain.

Lots and lots...and lots...and lots...of photos!

AAR: Near Chemont

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Originally posted 22nd January 2013

Craig Ambler reports on his third game from the Blenneville or Bust! scenario booklet: the Americans attempt to break through the German lines Near Chemont. Loads of pictures!

Marder IIIs from Forged in Battle

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Originally posted 20th January 2013

The last of the Forged in Battle units bought at Warfare in Reading: this time it's a platoon of Marder IIIs. Paint up very nicely, although I just can't see how you can get three crew members into the fighting compartment. I only managed two, and they are jolly crowded.

AAR: Avaux

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Originally posted 14th January 2013

Craig Ambler gives another great account of a solo game, this time featuring the second scenario from theBlenneville or Bust! scenario booklet: the British advance on Avaux.

AAR: West of Pierrecourt

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Originally posted 8th January 2013

Craig Ambler gives an excellent account of a solo game featuring the first scenario from the Blenneville or Bust! scenario booklet.

AAR: Two IABSM AARs

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Originally posted 28th December 2012

A couple of after action reports from the Christmas period.

First off, Katzenstein uses his British infantry for the first time and, apparently, and unlike whenever I put any newly painted troops on the table, they seem to have won!

Secondly, Sergeant Steiner tries IABSM for the first time. 

AAR from Sergeant Steiner

AAR from Katzenstein

SdKfz 234/2 Puma

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Originally posted 27th December 2012

And still more of the Forged in Battle late war Germans: this time it's the SdKfz 234/2 Pumas from the Panzerspahkompanie's heavy platoon.

I've always thought that these were a must for any later German force, but apparently only 101 were ever produced. However rare, however, these are very nice models: the crew figures painting up very nicely as well.