One Saturday several of us tried CD3 for the Spanish Civil War. The Republicans (commanded by Jack Rady) are defending a crossroads that dominates the local rail line. The Nationalists (commanded by Warwick Young) are to seize the cross roads as part of a supporting attack (the main effort is off board).

The table was 6 feet (E/W)x 9 feet (N/S) with the Nationalists entering from the west. The north end was a hill with a ruined church. The crossroad was roughly centre of the board on top of a hill. One road entered from the centre of the West side, joining a N/S road that ran the length of the table @ 18" from the East side. There were 3 (1 large, 2 small) buildings around the crossroad. A dry streambed ran generally E/W across the board.

The Republicans had 36" of entrenchment's that were placed by the referee, with an additional 24" that the could place freely. They also had 12" of barbed wire (nice models, Jack!).

The Nationalists (as seems to happen in this war) arrived first and helped set up the terrain. During this time they plotted their Air support (Target, Asset, Turn of arrival). Once the Republicans arrived the quickly deployed their forces ( International BN in the village, 1 Bn in entrenchment's between the cross roads and the ruined church, 1 BN in entrenchment's between the village and the streambed (12" south of the hill the village was on), and the third BN in reserve behind the village (out of LOS).

The Nationalists attacked with their Regular BNs on their right near the north edge of the board, then the Carlist BN, the Falange BN and finally the Italians who moved in column up the streambed. (the Nationalist only used the north 2/3rds of the board). The Nationalists advanced cautiously for several turns with the Carlist BN holding back to become a reserve against the Republican BN in the northern entrenchments. After 2-3 turns of fire the Falange had gained little ground, ( one company red) but had caused a couple hits on the defenders. The Carlists advanced to medium range, halted and preceded to get hits on every stand in the company that was facing them.

The next turn the Carlists closed to contact where they destroyed the company facing them but had one of their own companies demoralised and forced back. During this time the Italians had advanced up the streambed, however each time they tried to leave it the would take effective MG fire from the village which would force them back into the streambed. This proved to be the high water mark for the Nationalists, as later turns would have the Italians assault the village and be trounced be a company of the International BN.

The Nationalist BNs on the North fared no better, with each being shot up by the Republican reserve BN and on being demoralised by a Republican air strike (this BN was to attack and support the Carlists as they closed onto a second trench line, (with no support the Carlists were the only targets).

Observations

Republican Marginal victory. (2 BN chewed up, International and other BN fresh)

Nationalist Minor defeat. (gained start line to continue the attack, 2 regular Bn down to 2 companies, Carlist with 2 companies RED, Falange with 2 RED companies remaining , Italians with most of one battalion lost and the other with multiple hits).

Artillery was too effective/responsive Most was used to chase tanks around the board. Tanks were not really an issue, only once were they close enough to effect morale. Most of the time they chased each other around the board.

Air power was mostly effective due to morale effects rather than casualties. And as everyone else has commented play was FAST, @ 16 turns completed with time for War stories, insights, Lunch etc.

ORDER OF BATTLE

REPUBLICAN 1 mixed brigade

command stand
command infantry stand (brigade commisar)
recon armoured car
brigade battery (45mm a/t gun)
4 infantry battalions each with
3 infantry companies ( 3 stands)
1 mmg company (1 /2 stands)

1 international brigade

command stand
command infantry stand (brigade commisar)
recon armoured car
brigade battery (45mm a/t gun)
4 infantry battalions each with
3 infantry companies ( 3 stands)
1 mmg company (1 /2 stands)

attached units

1 foo stand
1 quad aamg ( qu maxim)
3 T26b tanks

off board

1 battalion 76mm field guns
1 air strike

NATIONALISTS
task force ( agrupacion)

spanish brigade

command stand
1 37mm a/t gun
1 81mm mortar
4 PZ1 tankettes

2 army battalions each with

4 infantry companies ( 3 stands)
1 mmg company ( 2 stands)
1 falange infantry battalion @
4 infantry companies (3 stands)
1 mmg company (2 stands)

1 Carlist battalion @

recon infantry stand
3 infantry companies ( 3 stands)
1 mmg company ( 2 stands)

Italian Raggupamento

2 blackshirt battalions @
command stand
recon infantry stand
3 infantry companies ( 3 stands)
1 weapons company ( 2 mmg stands , 1 45mm stand )
attached - 1 47mm a/t gun

off board artillery

2 battalions 75mm field guns
1 battalion 105mm field guns
1 air strike

Letter to Editor in v3n4