Black Wednesday Rick Robinson and Jim Daniels, Axis vs. The Red Army Rick says: "Hammering the Bolshevik hordes with German 105s and 150s is about as good as it gets!" At right, editor Dave (center left) and Dean (center right) discuss Yom Kippur played by Sam Simon and Dave Powell (back to camera). Ardennes Matt Fenlon, Allies vs. Gordon Dainty, Germans Matt says: "Major American victory. Some good American artillery die rolls, and some bad German ones early in the game really slowed Gordon down. Highlight of the game for me: the 28th Infantry Division's artillery regiment held Clervaux by itself for 2-3 turns vs. 2nd Panzer division!?" At right, Matt Fenlon and Gordon Dainty over Ardennes. Burma (OCS) Dave Powell and Perry Andrus, Allies vs. Sam Simons and Dave Fredericks, Japanese Dave Powell says: "Not played to conclusion, but we ran through several turns of the Japanese Offensive and the Chindit airlanding operations. Game is quirky but lots of fun." Perry remembers: "Dave P. rolling really bad with Galahadcherkassy . . ." DAK playtest (OCS) Dean Essig, Rod Miller, Dave Powell, Keith Fortner (at various times), Axis vs. Rod Miller, Rick Robinson, Jim Daniels (at various times), Allies Jim says: "Allies were able to stymie Rommel's advance at Tobruk. The fuel-hungry fascist forces were unable to move and still gather supply for an assault on the mighty bastion of Tobruk, which was ably manned by valiant but untrained Australians..." Rick says: "Stopping the Axis Hitlerites on their drive to Tobruk. Rommel took one look at the viscious Austrailian-built fortifications and recomended immediate withdrawal from the African theatre of operations if the Axis couldn't send him more fuel." Dean says: "We played the Italian invasion around 5 times and two restarts from the German intervention (one of the Italian starts went through to the German intervention). A number of minor issues about DAK itself were raised (the final nail was put into the coffin of doing direct payment of subsistence supply... trace works just fine, thank you very much). A couple of new little optional rules were tested (and liked very much), for example the density combat adjustments and some modifications to the use of reactionary reserves. The session was very productive and the game shaped up nicely." April's Harvest Richard M. Kehrer (Miles), Union vs. Jay Hiserote, Confederate Miles says: "Draw with the Hornet's Nest scenario. Even with the Confederate's problems organizing and moving units for assults, the Union brigades were still shredded." Jay says: "Draw, forced by player fatigue. Johnston was wounded (in the leg?) the first time he entered the Peach Orchard." Thunder at the Crossroads Chip Pharr, Confederates vs. Guy Winton, Union Guy says: "The superior marksmanship of the Union soldier was demonstrated today. Even mediocre leadership could not keep them from holding their ground. Bloody repulses of massive Confederate assaults was the order of the day. The generals planned and the dice gods smiled." Chip says: "I would like a list of all the gamers who constantly roll terrible dice. I want them as opponents. That way I will have a fighting chance at a draw." Hube's Pocket Keith Fortner and Perry Andrus, German vs. Zack Waltz and Mark Owens, Soviet Keith says: "Zack and Mark demonstrated their experience with the OCS by handling the German forces quite masterfully, destroying a lot of Soviet units, while grudgingly giving up territory. But, the Soviet steamroller was too much even for them as it ground forward, achieving 18 VPs by turn 5. However, the tide changed significantly on turn 7 when 1st, 2nd and 5th SS Panzer , along with the 6th Panzer broke through the middle, destroying 2 Soviet Guards Mech Corps, and driving deep behind Soviet lines towards Kiev. The Soviets responded by swinging three tank corps and a number of infantry divisions to the area to contain the breakthrough. No sooner was the threat quelled, than the Germans made another surprise attack to the far southeast, where the Soviets had just denuded their force of mobile corps. 10 PG, 14 Pz, 3rd SS, 3rd Pz, and 13th Pz penetrated deep behind Soviet lines, threatening to cut off railroads and overrun the Soviet support elements. Fortunately for the Soviets, a wagon extender made it possible for the Soviets to stay in supply and possibly cut off the German penetration, effectively ending any possibility of further German counterattacks. At this point, the Germans conceded the game, as the retreat weekend was about over. It is possible that the Soviets would have failed in their attempt to cut off the Germans, allowing the Germans to resupply their exploiting forces and finish cutting off the southeastern wing of Soviet forces completely, occupying additional Dnepr river hexes and assuring themselves a victory. Alas, the outcome will never be known..." Perry says: "I wanted to try OCS and was taught a few painful lessons. Memorable moments: sucking Zack into massive death ride of 1, 3, 5th SS and a panzer division only to have Keith wipe them out; also having Zack try to cut all soviet RRs hoping to cut us off, but we had a wagon extender . . ." Hunters from the Sky Gerry Palmer, Steve Mayes, Axis vs. Dan Cicero, Len Ludtke, Jerry Axel, Allies Dan says: "The Commonwealth held on at Maleme Airfield until about 1100 on the first day: something of an accomplishment, from what I understand. The Germans are tough in this game, maybe too tough... This was a great opportunity to learn the TCS from people who really know the system." Len (who called the game Hunted from the Sky) says: "The mad dash in a Bren Carrier that got past 5 overwatch shots only to be bombed by the dreaded Stukas was a real joyride/deathride. Plus the death of the First Sturm Bn. was great fun to inflict. High dice, low dice, miracles and disasters abounded throughout the game." Champion Hill (game 1) Robert Thorne, Union vs. Jan Wels, Confederate Bob says: "Lincoln will still need a new General. The Rebs kicked my rear end. The number of 1/2 [casualties] that became 1 was phenomenal. We won't mention the Routs. Jan will forever be in my memory; a fine opponent." Champion Hill (game 2) Jan Wels, Union vs. Dave Demko, Confederate Jan says: "*%#@!*" [after a string of casualty-rounding rolls so bad you'd expect them only 1 in 1,024 times went against him] Dave says: "Though Stevenson was really dishing out casualties, when Jan rolled new order acceptance for all his troops on the same turn, I decided to concede and close up the building late Sunday night. Bob Thorne is avenged, as the Union gained a victory. Jan went back to Holland unbeaten." Those Who Dared (to sign their names) Jerry Axel Jim Daniels Rick Robinson Max C. Workman Mark Shryock Mike Duffy Jay Hiserote Gordon Dainty Matt Fenlon Dave Powell Perry Andrus Will Volny Robert Thorne Guy Winton Chip Pharr Richard (Miles) Kehrer Ernie Watters Terence L. Turnovsky Jeff Taylor Larry McIntire John Leggat Zack Waltz Keith Fortner Mark E. Owens Ken Spuda Martin Schaubel Maurice Buttazoni Bill Quoss Rod Miller David Friedrichs Dave Demko Sam Simons Gerry Palmer Steven F. Mones Jan Wels Dan Cicero Kevin Pierce Alan B. Conrad Len Ludtke Back to Table of Contents -- Operations #23 Back to Operations List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master List of Magazines © Copyright 1996 by The Gamers. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com