The Great War Mini Tournament 4 - Cambrai

I would like to join.

Twan van Dijk
GMT+1

If there is a place, I would gladly play in such distinguished group Simply, I suggest something smaller. and if that proves to be a success, something larger then with French expansion?

Red carpet for you, Michal . We are now six with Twan, so we can go with the standard format of two groups for the heats and then semifinals and finals. My hope is to follow this with a new MT with the French expansion, too.

Round 1
Mark McG (Germans): 8 Medals 21 figures lost
Twan (British): 5 Medals 18 figures lost

killed off 2 Infantry in No Man's Land, and then some lucky rolling killed off the British tank on the Right. British tank on Left bogged down, and eventually succumbed to close assault by the Bombers. Bombers also used Trench Raid to polish off some annoying Marksmen. A Recon card somewhere in there completed the victory.

British scored 1 Medal for the 1st trench, and 4 kills. 2 Medals for tanks makes them attractive targets (aside from being deadly to fight).

NML shelling markers are missing on VASSAL scenario, but is middle 3 rows, wire to wire.

Round 1
EZPickins (Brit) 8 medals 13 lost
Gabriele (Ger) 7 medals 32 lost

The British advanced with the tanks leading the way. Early action on the right/right center resulted in the loss of 1 tank and infantry in return for an mg and infantry. British infantry and a tank were now in the forward trenches as well. Most of the action then shifted to the left where the German frontline was eliminated. A tank bogged for a time but survived to advance on
secnd line and take out the mg to secure the win. Good thing as time was about to run out .

I very fun game against a super opponent. We made quite a few errors as we were rusty with me being the worse.

Round 2
Mark McG (Germans): 8 medals 23 figures lost
MichalK (Brits): 5 medals 21 figures lost

An early kill on a bogged Male tank in the Centre took off some of the immediate pressure, but the other 2 tanks were unstoppable. Fortunately the British infantry were helpless in the open as the British tanks took all the orders, and the German artillery took revenge. One Recon card played for a Medal.

One note on the VASSAL setup, the Notes say 2 Special Personnel, but the board edge indicator has 1. It should be 2 SP.

Round 3
Mark McG (Germans): 8 medals 21 figures lost
EZPickens (Brits): 3 medals 28 figures lost

For once the Germans are attacking, though it felt very much like active defence.
Started with 3 Left cards, and pushed here. John played slow and careful with the tanks, which didn't prevent 1 bogging as it advanced after wiping out a unit.

Gained 3 medals on the Left flank, and then moved to the Right. Here the Germans pushed through the village, and with a Infantry Assault rushed the British out in the open and in the forest. Lost 1 unit, but managed to get 4 more medals for the win.

Round 2
EZPickens (Brits): 3 medals, 30 figures lost
Viridovilas (Germans): 8 medals, 20 figure lost

A pair of quick recon cards played by the German at the very beginning of the battle put some pressure on the Brits, that fiercely advanced behind their tanks but forgot the old popular saying: “Never light cigarettes when you are in three”. A fatal omission since costed Brits two infantry losses. Their apparently unstoppable tanks then incurred in some issues during their advance and become bogged down, leaving the English infantry under the heavy fire of a German MG, for this special occasion provided with a heavy weapon loader. A pair of reserve artillery fires coupled with a skilled mortar team made the rest.

Just an observation:

Is " 133 - Cambrai (German Counter Attack) - 30 November 1917" not to 7 banners?

Round 3: 133 - Cambrai (German Counter Attack) - 30 November 1917

Allies: MichalK 7 banners won, 11 blocks lost
Central Powers: gcallarigw, 2 banners won, 38 blocks lost

Well, the game was finally something different then constant British attacks. Still, after initial successes of Central Powers on right and center, Gabriele attack come to a halt once my tanks managed to get into the potion. Remember: your trench does not count in bog roll!

When I have mortar well placed, I usually choose spotter for them. Then I plan for Storm of Fire + Mortar barrage. Then you can really wreak havoc - poor Germans had to suffer it twice so no wonder that their attack on city not only came to a halt but was altogether smashed.

Once this was done that was mopping time as Germans has possibility to win but have to do it rather quickly and with some luck - Gabriele rolls for tanks (even 2d confirmation hits) were completely cold...

Thanks for game!