Chain of Command 2 First Game

I had lots of good games with Chain of Command, many of them with General Ballroom. In fact I was rather surprised that a second edition was coming out - I thought the game worked just fine and what it needed if anything as more scenarios or campaign packs to open up new theatres of the war.

However as I like the game and TFL are good chaps deserving of support I did indeed pick up a copy of the game at Partizan earlier in the year. It took some time for the starts to align and other distractions to pass by but eventually General B. and I were able to get together for a game.

Following the advice in the new rules we went with scenario one - Probe.

In the previous rules, counter-intuitively, scenario one  wasn't necessarily the best game to start learning with, however the updated version limits the troop types available and adds in a new victory condition that makes it more appropriate for a first game.

I took a 1944 US force, to which I added both mortar and MMG, whereas the Germans had added some tooled up Fallschirmjagers!

The pictures aren't great and don't really capture the action all the well TBH - we were both a little busy getting used to the rules and the changes to the rules.

My Yanks were soon taking some shock from the many German MMGs.

A bold rush saw one of my JoPs captured early on, which was something of a blow!

I deployed the MMG and started putting fire on the Germans.

However flanking attempts saw me reposition the gun into the woods.

I tried using marching fire to crest the hill and hit the Germans, but poor rolls meant I was stuck behind the ridge

I was more successful at occupying the woods.

Though shock was a problem.

However a bold assault on the woods was thrown back with considerable shock on the attackers.

The Fallschirmjagers were lurking menacingly.

Bold use of Marching Fire saw me catch some Germans in the open.

And with several Junior leaders falling victim the German morale dropped to the point they lost a dice and victory was mine!

Good, tense learning game. At first the new options with the CoC dice seemed an unnecessary complication but by the end we were better in to the swing of it - it's really just a couple more decisions to make. Lots of the other bits of the rules are tidying up rather than big changes, though close combat was less bloody but easier to resolve.

Overall a good fun game nad we're going to (as the rules suggest) play through the other scenarios in the book before embarking on another Pint Sied campaign. 

29, Let's Go Campaign: Home Run at Osmanville

Despite the Germans having soundly trounced the US forces in the campaign we played through to the last scenario.

It's been a few weeks now, so my memories are dim, but here anyway are the pictures.

I took a mortar to help shoot in my forces. It was, as far as I recall pretty ineffective.

My boys were soon jumping off and taking up positions.

The Shermans were soon trundling toward the objective.

One along each approach road.

Providing encouragement for the infantry.

Who themselves were soon fanning out along the road.

However inevitably a German with a Panzerschreck popped up!

As did another, and my  Heavy Metal support was soon all ablaze!

Bravely the troops pressed on to assault the objective.

Whilst their fellows provided covering fire.

With the objective in US hands and German morale tumbling, Ballzimmer launched a desperate assault.

 

A fierce firefight broke out in the orchard.

Fortunately my troops weathered the storm and as the smoke cleared the last few Germans unfurled their white flags.

Another cracking game. Chain of Command is *hard* to play well and really makes you think. We've enjoyed the campaign, despite it being a comprehensive German victory (the last three games were played even though they had already won the campaign).

We're looking now at another PSC for 2025 - perhaps Old Hickory to give me a chance to see if I can do better with Americans on the defensive.

29 Let's Go Campaign: Radar Station at Cardonville

 The American attack continues. In fact the campaign is lost, but we feel like giving all the scenarios a whirl anyway.

In truth, this game happened a few weeks ago and I can't remember wha happened at all - so here's some pictures.

American's jumping off.

Pushing up and taking fire.

A friendly Sherman.

Shock beginning to mount.

More Americans arrive.

And a group end up in a nice little orchard.

And now some phone pictures.

I think it was a very narrow victory to the Germans. Or possibly the Americans. I'll check with Herr Ballzimmer and report back.

29 Let's Go Campaign: Flanking St Germain-Du-Pert (2)

 And so we return to Northern France in June '44

The Marder, though carrying shock remains active

While the "Ronson" blazes brightly

The Americans at the distant hedgerow provide covering fire for their comrades

The Marder turns its gaze on infantry

They wisely start to move.

But find themselves caught between an Mg42 in the house and the Marder.

Or should that be two Marders?

Bravely the battered squad takes destiny by the scruff of the neck

And cheered on by their fellow countrymen, advance on the tank and hurl grenades into the top! The resulting explosions killing all the crew.

However it's a hollow victory for the Americans. Despite pushing the Germans to the limit their force morale breaks and they again withdraw.

Great fun game and the grenade hurling assault on the Marder was a climactic cinematic moment. 

The campaign by this stage is very much lost for the Americans but we're going to play through the remaining scenarios anyway.