Martlet Games 3 to 5.5

Today Mark and I ran two and a half games of Operation Martlet and it was a great way to learn the finer points of rules. These battles were fought on the second and third tables of the ladder campaign.

For those not aware, TOOFATLardies has released a set of pint sized campaigns that are not only a great deal of playing value but help new players learn the finner parts of the rules. I am a firm believer that gamers that buy Chain of Command should also pick up one of the pint sized campaigns.

The first game we played, was the second battle of the second tier of the campaign. The last battle we fought with scenario number two was a German victory. This second battle, Mark was able to get most of his troops on the board before me, thanks to the pre game bombardment. I saw the writing on the wall and conceded before I lost any of my valuable troops. That is an important part of this campaign system, to remember that there will be times when you need to cut your losses and pull back. I am certain that the battalion command will be mad that we pulled back, but at least I still have some of my platoon left for now.

Battlefield for scenario number two.

The next two battles were fought of this battlefield with the villa and cross roads as the objective. In the first game the British had a strong position on the German left flank placing a section, a forward observer and a senior leader behind the road. A strong force until they ran into the farm house with an mg42 on the second floor and an infantry section on the ground floor.

British section and forward observer fighting from an awkward position. After two phases of receiving machine gun firer the senior leader takes cover while still spouting orders.

The British Senior Commander taking cover while still giving orders.

After a few more phases the British found losses were mounting and they pulled back to regroup. Next up game five. With game five the British launched a combine operation. A mortar barrage came down near two of the German positions covering the attack moving up both the center and the right flanks.

German position in the center of the German lines; watching the approaching British armour and mortar barrage.

 

One of two British tanks advancing on the German position near Fontenay. One of the reasons why I may be leaving Fontenay and prepare for a counter attack.

The Chain of Command Campaign system puts the players in a position where they have to look at the long term and in the case of Operation Martlet the Germans are trying to slow down the advance with limited resources. The British have significantly more assets at their disposal (pesky pre-game bombardments) but have a scheduled to meet and need to press on. 

I can see where our next two game, five and six, will be fought on the third rung of the campaign ladder. Can the Germans old them off, time will tell.