Monday 11 June 2018

Broadside 2018 - WWI, The Battle of Marchais en Brie 1914


Yesterday Posties Rejects and other clubs put on a game at Broadside 2018.
Our game was WWI bash, The Battle of Marchais en  Brie 1914. 
Which was part of the Battle of the Marne.


Lee, Postie, Oliver and Dave setting up the game.



The Germans started the game protecting the low ridge and that was their only job, try and survive the French onslaught. The French had to take the town of Marchais en Brie in the centre of the table.


The table from the other side.


The French advance toward the woods,  the see through counters are casualty markers and the red markers are Courage tests. If the enemy throw a 10 on a D10 not only does this give you 2 kills but causes a Courage test, if you fail you're knocked back 4 inches.


A general advance from the French.


Getting closer, but taking lots of casualties coming in.


Bad news for the German's, top right of the photo, the German infantry have lost a stand and also need to throw for a courage test. which they fail and move back into the town, leaving a gapping hole in the frontline defences.


The Germans have 10 batteries of artillery firing every turn, the smoke markers you can see, represent the unit being fired upon and also how many guns are firing on it.


The French get some reinforcments on the right of the photo, and move them over the hedges to challenge their left, where the lone unit of Uhlans have moved into.


We had lots of interest from the public, myself, Richard and Lee's job was to advise the Rejects playing the game, but more importantly, chat to the gamers interested in our game.




A German observation balloon, gave info to their artillery allowing them to fire at the French anywhere on the battlefield, while the balloonless French could only fire up to the crest of the hill.
The Balloon was handmade by von Postie himself, carved out of three pieces of balsa wood glued together!!!


The German's were allowed to move 2 units from the rear, I think they may need them!!!


The French loses 1 inch movement and go down to 3 inches when moving through the woods, which is slowing them down quite considerably.
They are also trying to batter the entrenched German unit, firing all 9 guns at it.



The French break through the woodline, but the Germans have moved troops down in the entrenchments, they look very strong again.


The German's manage finally to get a unit closer to the lines. But the French are now out in the open, they should get mauled by rifle and artillery fire.


The French continue to take heavy casualties.....are they gonna make it?


Its looking doubtful now as their units are pushed back in disarray!


Times up!!!
Unbeknown to the guys playing the game, there was a 12 turn limit to the game.
The French failed to take the ridge so they all pull back, ready for another go in a night attack.
Which in reality is what did happen, and they did take the ridge that night, the German's gave ground and pulled back.

What a great game!
All credit's gotta go to Postie. He's spent the last few months painting all the figures, making the terrain tiles, hedges and entrenchments and writing the rules of course!


42 comments:

  1. Looks great! Postie was busy if he got it all together.

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  2. Great report Ray, looks like you guys had a ball. That Postie character seems a happy chappy as he always has a smile on his dial.

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    1. He can also be a right miserable git sometimes!

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    2. Speaking of Gits, where is your big Irish friend Fran. I haven't seen him for ages, your banter always made me laugh.

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  3. That's a great looking game and give Postie a pat on the back.

    Christopher

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  4. Cheating, cheating, a handmade balloon to observe the poor French guys! What a great looking game, terrain and figures, thanks for sharing...

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    1. They needed all the help they could, and it certainly worked.....in this game anyway???

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  5. Well done chaps, it sounds like it was a triumph!

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    1. It was a great day out and a great game to boot!

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  6. lovely terrain, looks like it was fun

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    1. It certainly was Anton, Postie did us proud.

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  7. What a great lookinh game, must have been tremendous to play.
    (Poisite looks like he's having a maniacal laugh too!)

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  8. Great looking table, brilliant battle. What more could you want? Well done all involved.

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    1. Cheers Phil, we all had a great time, even James and Dave, the losers on the day.

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  9. Great looking game and a great report Ray :)

    It was good to catch up with you, Lee and Postie yesterday :)

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    1. Certainly was Tamsin, we'll have to arrange that visit to Reject HQ, that we keep talking about.

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  10. Awesome loved this game and you guys really interact with the public well I felt most welcome, I now have an additional problem another project this game opened my eyes to 6mm and how it looks visually as well as the game itself I am already looking at Baccus web site damn!!

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    1. Sorry about your new problem, we aim to please! Mr Baccus will be pleased, I wonder if we could get any discount??????
      We always like to have a chat to the public about our games, its a shame other clubs don't do the same.

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  11. This was a great looking game. I didn’t realise the balloon was hand made - it was fab!

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    1. Postie's a madman, carving it out of balsa wood! But I'll agree it looked fab!

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  12. Great looking game, love the balloon!
    Best Iain

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  13. Excellent report mate...It was a great day and a great show I thought. I'll have my own pictures up later today.

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  14. Looks great, Ray! Love the board - and the balloon! Thanks for sharing!

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  15. fantastic looking game - did you let Lee command and cavalry?

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    1. Unfortunately neither myself, Lee or Richard actually played the game on the day. We were involved in the practise game, so we new what to do and more importantly what NOT to do during the game. We advised both the players and the public all about the game d. We all had sore throats with all the talking we did throughout the day!!

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  16. Great looking game and set up, Ray. And, of course, the balloon is awesome.

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  17. I have gone through the pictures 3 times now, very enjoyable and shows 6mm at its best. thanks.

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  18. Thanks for the photo show, Ray.

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  19. Great job guys it looks excellent!

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  20. Fantastic game! Love the balloon!

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