Little Wars TV: Nice stuff!

I thought it would be useful to flag this up in case you hadn't come across it already. Little Wars have come up with a really interesting (and free) introduction to wargaming kit. The video covers it in detail but in brief it covers the 6th Panzer Division during Winter Storm and includes:

• Top down paper units (platoon scale) for infantry, anti-tank guns and tanks etc.
• Paper buildings (3D).
• A Fistful of T34s (based on A Fistful of TOWs) rules.
• A seven scenario campaign game.

You can find all of these files at Little Wars TV. The units look great and the rules look nice and simple.

As well as the introductory video, Little Wars is preparing a series of videos covering a play through of the Winter Storm campaign game. I'm not sure if these are live yet.

All in all, a really great idea and a nice note to end the year on. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Red Metal 1943

 

I was asked for an update on Red Metal a while ago. At that stage it was in a bit of a state. I had been playtesting using counters and a hex map of OHW scenario 5. I rolled up the two forces as shown below. These looked quite realistic to me and I have been using them for all of the playtests.

Initial set up in this scenario is easy. One blue unit north of the bridge. In this case it is Leutnant Schmidt with the improvised bicycle fusilier unit. 

The scene at a later stage in the game after Soviet units have entered from random locations.

There were many issues with the rules. The combat tables did not produce enough casualties and interpenetration restrictions held everything up. One thing I found really difficult was the blocking of LoS by units. I usually prefer units to block LoS, one does not open up on an enemy unit over a friendly unit directly to your front, at least without telling them first!

As this issue was bugging me I reviewed a umber of modern tactical games on BGG. To my surprise, few imposed any LoS restrictions. Mark Walker was asked a specific question about this on his Kursk game because the rules did not mention it. Mark decided the answer was no.

Anyway, I have tried to address in the latest, v4, version of the draft. I have set up a page for the game and you are welcome to use it as you wish.

I am also working on getting some real toys in to replace the counters. My current forces using ancient H&R troops:

I have also just received an order from H&R to cover off T70s, ATRs, HMGs and, most importantly, some German cyclists for Leutnant Schmidt!