The Great War Mini-Tournament 6 Nivelles Offensive
The Great War Mini-Tournament 6
The Nivelles Offensive
Tournament Draw
Deadline: 28 February 2021 (but earlier would be better)
This table shows the match-ups and scenarios for each round. The first player will play the German side and the second player will play the French side.
Please report in the discussion below in the form
Round #
Player 1 (German) x medals, xx figures lost
Player 2 (French) x medals, xx figures lost
Results
Germans | Banners Won | Figures Lost | |||||||||||
Player # | Player ID | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | ||
1 | Mark McG | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 57 | ||
2 | mk20336 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 50 | ||
3 | gotigerssc | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 9 | 66 | ||
4 | Gonzo | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 62 | ||
updated 16/1/2021 | |||||||||||||
French | Banners Won | Figures Lost | |||||||||||
Player # | Player ID | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | ||
5 | EZPickins | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 29 | 19 | 22 | 14 | 84 | ||
6 | mirkobruner | 5 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 30 | 17 | 17 | 25 | 89 | ||
7 | toganalper | 5 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 21 | 83 | ||
8 | Clexton27 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 22 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 62 |
Semi Finals
Semi-final Round | Scenario | ||||
German Match | gotigerssc | German1 vs. German2 | mk20336 | 257 - Nivelle Offensive (Berry-au-Bac) - 16 April 1917 | |
French Match | Clexton27 | French1 vs. French2 | mirkobruner |
Semi-finals | Banners Won | Banners Lost/Blocks Lost | ||||
German Match | Game 1 | Game 2 | Total | Game 1 | Game 2 | Total |
gotigerssc | 7 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 16 | 37 |
mk20336 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 23 | 40 |
French Match | ||||||
Clexton27 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 13 | ||
mirkobruner | 4 | 4 | 19 | 19 |
FINAL
Final Round | Scenario | ||||
Final Match | gotigerssc | German winner vs. French winner | 258 - Nivelle Offensive (Moulin-de-Laffaux) - 5 May 1917 |
mk20336 (German) 5 medals, 23 figures lost
gotigerssc (French) 7 medals, 16 figures lost
My cards were exceptional in this game despite having any for my left flank. At the beginning it felt like I was always ordering at least 4 units per turn. The French started by trying to advance infantry as quickly as possible. Germans held their positions and took opportunistic shots where they were presented. French counter-attacked a Storm of Fire and the tanks did five damage across three units. I eventually brought my tanks in to CC with trench units (1 of them bogged down). Did not have the greatest success with my attacks but by the middle of the game I had built up 13 HQ tokens. Was able to play Direct from HQ to order 6 units and push again. An Infantry Assault + Three on a Match helped me eliminate one unit and then push the fld art out of its fortified position and onto open ground. Felt like the turning point in the game. Despite only having 1 figure remaining it was never defeated. Mostly because I had run out of left section cards.
Heading into our final turns it was tied 5-5. If the Germans are able to take out the bogged down tank they will win the match. I had to sweat through it but none of the confirm rolls hit. On my last turn I got a medal for the trench and used my tank on that trench to take out a two figure MG unit in CC for the win - by rolling two flags of all things. Two of my medals were claimed on Butt &Bayonet cards from one figure units that were swiftly eliminated by the Germans in subsequent action. Two of my other medals came from the second and third trench line, respectively. Two of Michal's medals came from time pressure.
# of die rolled to confirm hits on tanks 6* (4 on the last turn) - much less tank action than game 1
# of actual confirmed hits 0
*Michal rolled way more dice attacking tanks that just came up empty.
Always a tense and close battle when facing off against Michal. Looking forward to the next one against him!
Game 1
Mirko Bruner (German) 4 medals, 19 figs lost
Clexton27 (French) 7 medals, 13 figs lost
It was a humbling experience for Mirko as his hands were almost literally tied by his cards. In the course of the game, Clexton27 had (3) Infantry Assault cards - although he only used two during the game, ALL centre, ALL right, Battle Fury, Trench Raid twice, Whistles & Bugle Calls, etc. The game started with the French bogging two out of three tanks and the German reserve artillery punishing the French elite forces. Mirko even used Stretcher Bearer to remove a wounded French Captain. Many dice thrown at tanks with little yield. If it was not for the (2) Recon-1s that each gave a medal, things would have been more dire for the Germans.
Eventually Clexton27 was fortunate to unbog one of the original bogged tanks and begin the blitz on the German left. Pressure was both steady and unrelenting and eventually the whole side collapsed to the onslaught. Although French forces were weakened, they penetrated to the German 3rd Trench and ended the game on a French start medal fest.
File Attachment:
File Name: TGWSemis_Game1.vlogFile Size:212 COM_KUNENA_USER_ATTACHMENT_FILE_WEIGHT
After a review of the game log file I found that (2) figures were accidentally counted against German side - adjusted to 19.

gotigerssc (German) 7 medals, 21 figures lost
mk20336 (French) 6 medals, 17 figures lost
Just an absolute fight that I was extremely lucky to win. Most of the action was on the German right and center. The French advanced on the German right but were met with quick resistance from the soldier units nearby. A Stretcher Bearer gave the French a leg up when they removed my officer unit. The German infantry units held up for as long as they could while eventually claiming multiple medals on that side before being eliminated. Turning point was when I played Infantry Assault and went after a German tank on the third trench line. During the assault I was able to roll a confirm 1 against the 1 figure tank and come up with a hit. I was now up 6-4 with two tank kills at 2 medals each. He claimed another medal for a unit on the third trench line as well as taking out my last soldier unit on my right to tie it up. My field artillery then took out a 2 figure unit in CC to seal the victory. Ultimately, we both had rolls that could have translated into a win. A brutal fight.
# of die rolled to confirm hits on tanks 23
# of actual confirmed hits 4
It felt impossible at first.
Game 2 should get played within the next week.
- [Out Of Date Custom Code] This module contains outdated custom code, which is not guaranteed to work with versions of VASSAL released after 6-Aug-2021.
- [Out Of Date Custom Code] Please check whether there is an updated version of this module. If not, please contact the maintainer of this module and request that it be fixed, or post a message on the Vassal forums and ask for help.
- C&C The Great War version 3.0
so get it played before 6th August!!
I'll see what is going on with that..Bart may know, but at the rate we are getting new VASSAL updates we will be up to VASSAL 3.5.236
I fiddled for a few minutes and everything seemed to run normally, so whatever the problem, it seems a minor one.
Mi®ko
The French opens with the best card ever. Bugle and Whistle Call: A major advance. The response of the Germans is merciless and with good rolls 1 LMG French unit is eliminated in one go. The Game is played mainly on the right side of the French Side where they eventually keep the Germans occupied.
A 1st Wave of two units enter the German Trenches securing two medals for the Allies.
The only one (and very Lucky one) shell of the French Artillery is a devastating one for the Germans: 3 Hits on target causing 6 damages in total. One Trench Foot for the French saves a worn out unit from defeat.
A last Forward played by the French gave the attacker the final points to win the battle.
Great Opponent and Great Game.
File Attachment:
File Name: 04_Caronne...n21.vlogFile Size:181 COM_KUNENA_USER_ATTACHMENT_FILE_WEIGHT
Player 1 EZPickins (French) 5 medals. 19 lost
Player 2 Gonzo (German) 3 medals, 17 lost
Good cards including Rush & Rotation enabled the French to attack the farm from the German right flank, It went back and forth for awhile but the French eventually won out.
Good game and Travis was a fine opponent.
Player 1 (German) Mark McG 4 medals / 18 figs lost
Player 2 (French) Clexton27 6 medals / 16 figs lost
A well fought battle by the Germans but the French tanks won the day by not bogging until their final turn and eliminating (3) German units and providing two medals themselves by occupying the German Trench line. Thanks for the fun Mark and for all your efforts in creating this gaming opportunity with the Mini-Tournament.
File Attachment:
File Name: MT06_TGW_R...-12.vlogFile Size:145 COM_KUNENA_USER_ATTACHMENT_FILE_WEIGHT
File Attachment:
File Name: MT06_TGW_R...-12.vlogFile Size:145 COM_KUNENA_USER_ATTACHMENT_FILE_WEIGHT
Some kind of computer error entered my message 3 times and would not let me attach a log file. I have tried to remedy but am getting nowhere. Help if anyone has any idea how to delete the unnecessary repeats or get the log file attached. Thanks in advance.
Have gotten log file straight but still unsure as to other unnecessary messages.
Player 1 (German) Mark McG 4 medals / 18 figs lost
Player 2 (French) Clexton27 6 medals / 16 figs lost
A well fought battle by the Germans but the French tanks won the day by not bogging until their final turn and eliminating (3) German units and providing two medals themselves by occupying the German Trench line. Thanks for the fun Mark and for all your efforts in creating this gaming opportunity with the Mini-Tournament.
Player 1 (German) Mark McG 4 medals / 18 figs lost
Player 2 (French) Clexton27 6 medals / 16 figs lost
A well fought battle by the Germans but the French tanks won the day by not bogging until their final turn and eliminating (3) German units and providing two medals themselves by occupying the German Trench line. Thanks for the fun Mark and for all your efforts in creating this gaming opportunity with the Mini-Tournament.
It also adds a FT-17 unit, which I figure can use the same stats as the Whippet for the time being.
Thanks Bart for updating this.
www.vassalengine.org/wiki/Module:The_Great_War
Player 1 (German) mk20336 4 medals / 11 figs lost
Player 2 (French) Clexton27 6 medals / 15 figs lost
An all out assault made it a tough go for the Germans. French began by playing an Espionage card and before the game got underway, the Germans had already lost (2) Butt & Bayonet cards. French maneuvered two tanks up with no bogging. Germans countered with Recon-1 and started the medal count early. Next flurry of cards from the French forced the German left MG back to the rear with a Short Supply and an Infantry Assault. French followed with a 2-2-2, an ALL-Right and another Infantry Assault. The French flooded the trenches and gained (4) medals just on the Temporary Medal rule for the French.
The Germans gained medals from Recon-1 and sniping one French Bomber on the German left flank. They also killed (1) SPF- Elite and one of the wave of assault forces flooding their left flank.
Well fought Michal, you had no recourse for the French Blitz. Forgot to start a log file but final game image is below:
Cards played by each are below:
Player 1 (German) gotigerssc 6 medals 9 figs lost
Player 2 (French) Mirko 1 medals 25 figs lost
Extremely tough scenario for the French. Especially considering the cards I drew throughout the match - 2 MG Barrage, Physician, Three on a Match (it hit), Recon (didn't play it), Direct from HQ. My SP were all dedicated to the MG units and it paid off in a big way while pairing them with the barrage cards. Crossfire wreaked havoc. However, the French were still able to take trench space on my right, but just couldn't hold it as I played a DHQ/MG Barrage on the final turn to bring my HQ to zero and claim the last two units in the trench. Mirko played well and was a good sport despite the rolls - best of luck to him the rest of the way!
File Attachment:
File Name: CaronneAfternoon.vlogFile Size:147 COM_KUNENA_USER_ATTACHMENT_FILE_WEIGHT
French : toganalper 6 medals , 15 figures lost
Germans: MarkG 4 medals , 15 figures lost
The battle started with an French assault on the right flank , which was hastily repelled by the crossfire of the Germans from both flanks. The French tanks were useless and all of them bogged down on the way. The French pushed very aggressive in the center, and with the help of the German physician that was captured by an Intelligence card, the French were able to occupy 4 trench hexes. İn a final effort the Germans were able to kill one of the French soldiers in the trenched, which was still not enough to win the game. So after a perfect one hour match the French one 6:4.
File Attachment:
File Name: TGWround3t...ark.vlogFile Size:181 COM_KUNENA_USER_ATTACHMENT_FILE_WEIGHT
Clexton27 wrote: The was some discussion about the medal value of French Tanks. The download from PSC states clearly that they are worth 2 medals.
www.pscgames.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20...ch_tank_download.pdf
In the Nivelles scenarios with tanks it states each unit eliminated is worth 1 medal. I have unilaterally decided as TD that tanks are worth 2 medals when eliminated in these scenarios for the tournament.
www.pscgames.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20...ch_tank_download.pdf
m20336.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/253_02.png
I have looked at this image of the end game and wondered if the score should be adjusted for the French. Apparently they had captured one hill prior to the German turn and thus with the two Permanent Medals from the villages had three medals. However, when the German unit eliminated the French unit from the hill it seems that medal would have immediately been lost, thus a 6-4 result.
P. 7 French Expansion Rule Book
Start Turn Temporary Medal Objective - The Victory Medal for this objective hex is held and captured only as long as a unit of the appropriate side occupies the objective hex at the start of its turn. If the unit vacates the hex for any reason (movement, retreat or elimination), the medal is immediately lost.
Round 1 - Nivelle Offensive (St. Quentin) - 1-4 April 1917
Player 1 (French) Clexton27 - 6 medals, 15 figures lost
Player 2 (German) Gonzo - 4 medals, 14 figures lost
A somewhat one-sided affair as the French had great cards (2-Infantry Assaults, 2 Forwards, Counterattack, 2 Direct from HQ). The opening move was a blitz up the left flank towards Grugiers. The Germans countered by unleashing their Reserve Artillery to cause damage and their special forces Marksman also garnered a lot of early hits. In the end, both the village of Grugiers and Urvillers fell to the French as Germans retreated to avoid giving up units. Toward the end the French made another blitz toward the hills and were able to capture them as well. The Germans had one chance to kill or displace the French on their final turn, but alas, it was a flag fest and French units retreated unharmed. Allies win by capturing two villages, one hill and killing off three infantry. The Germans were able to use two recons for medals and kill two advancing infantry (both special personnel). A fun game and fast as the assault was continuous. Thanks Joe for being a good sport.
Player 1 (German) gotigerssc 5 medals, 17 figures lost
Player 2 (French) Clexton27 4 medals, 16 figures lost
One of the faster battles I have played for TGW. French had all the right cards and made a strong push on their left that swamped me in that section. They were also aided by a Short Supply that sent my heavy MG to the baseline. All of my trench units were eliminated and the French held the farm. They would have won on the next turn because of it, but the Germans just barely squeezed by with Artillery Bombard (on target) to take out a 1 figure infantry unit on open ground for the win. One German medal came from a recon card. Best of luck to Jim the rest of the way!
could be anything under there, but almost certainly not a trench. A building makes most sense, and the VASSAL scenario setup should be updated.
However, given that 2 games are already played, I'm inclined to leave the setup as is for the rest of the tournament, though in truth I think the difference isn't major anyway. Happy to hear other opinions on this.