The Great War Mini Tournament 5 - French

Hi Guys,

I have put a short article about the C&C tournaments in last 6-8 months. Enjoy the essay and play our favorite games!

theboardgameschronicle.com/2020/11/28/co...during-the-pandemic/

Congratulations to both of you. Seems like it was very close. Go Tiger go )

Great games guys! Congrats to you both!

Final Combined Results

Mark McG (3-7; 7-4) 10 medals, 58 figures lost
gotigerssc (7-3; 4-7) 11 medals, 49 figures lost


Game 2

Mark McG (German) 7 medals, 26 figures lost
gotigerssc (French) 4 medals, 29 figures lost

Things started out pretty poorly for the French as a German Storm of Fire + MG Barrage took out one the heavy MG units on turn 2. All while the second French heavy MG rolled a cumulative 14 dice against the German flamethrower with exactly 0 hits. The Germans swarmed the fort with a Rush and Rotation followed by a Lost Messenger that negated the subsequent French response. With a continued assault on the fort the Germans used a Short Supply to send the heavy MG unit to its baseline. While it was the right decision at the time, it came back to haunt them in the end as they had the troops in place around the fort to take out the MG. During this turn the French decided to abandon the fort.

By the end of the next German turn they were up 5-0 and the French were not in great shape. Fortunes quickly turned for the French as they played 3 Infantry Assaults in the left section and strategically used combat cards to push the Germans out of the trenches directly across from the French lines. The score was then 5-4. Things wound down with the Germans moving in to melee with the French in the middle trench to claim the final two medals.

Two excellent games with Mark that could have gone either way with only the smallest of decisions affecting each outcome. Looking forward to the next season!

Game 1

gotigerssc (German) 7 medals, 20 figures lost (adjusted down to account for a mistake hit)
Mark McG (French) 3 medals, 32 figures lost

The cards and dice were definitely on the side of the Germans in this one. Germans started off by assaulting the fort with a heavy MG, flame thrower, and elite officer units. Despite what seemed like an endless stream of Butt & Bayonet and Surprise Ambush cards played by the Germans, they were never able to gain full control of the fort. French tried to take the initiative with an assault on the German right. It worked at first and eventually led to two units being eliminated and one retreating from the fight, but it came with just as many French units falling. Ultimately, a 4 on 1 attack on the fort took out the unit the French needed for control and ended the match.

Game 2 is scheduled for next Friday at 21:00 GMT.

Looks like you and me Justin, Showdown at Ft Vaux!

Game 2
mk20336 (German) 5 medals, 24 figures lost
gotigerssc (French) 6 medals, 21 figures lost

French advanced early in the center and also benefitted from a Lost Messenger card (again) to thwart the initial German response. Hot dice helped the French take the victory, but the Germans still never lost control of any part of the fort. Ultimately, this match could have gone either way as the French had no shot at the fort by the final turn. The Box Barrage ended it by taking out the lone German unit still left in the fort with 4d on target (again, hot dice). Fighting took place in all sections with both ranged and close combat.

Always a pleasure playing Michal and I look forward to seeing him in future tournaments.

Semi Finals

Game 1
gotigerssc (German) 6 medals, 10 figures lost (adjusted down to account for a mistake hit)
mk20336 (French) 3 medals, 20 figures lost

This was a brutal one as the French advanced their center on the first turn. Germans began with a Rush and Rotation to support the fort, which was countered by the French. It was then close combat the rest of the way. Germans were greatly aided by a Lost Messenger card that denied the French another crucial attack on the fort. French ultimately claimed two fort hexes and used artillery to turn another to rubble. Germans claimed one time pressure medal, and could have claimed another from the start, but there was never a lull in the fight around the fort to use it.

Looking forward to game 2 scheduled for Sunday

Semi Finals
Game 1
Mark McG (German) 6 medals, 23 figures lost
Toganalper (French) 4 medals, 35 figures lost

This game had mostly intact wire in the centre, so a lot of action around the flanks, especially the French Left.
Lot of artillery fire in this one, with one sweet Artillery bombardment box barrage on a concentration of French units.
French pressed close but never made it into the Fort.


Game 2
Toganalper (German) 6 medals, 21 figures lost
Mark McG (French) 5 medals, 27 figures lost

Several breaches in the wire in the centre this time, but not the cards to use it, especially after Mata Hari and Combat card espionage.
So the initial approaches were again around the flanks, intially the French right, and then left as I ran out of cards. Finally had the cards to go up the centre, and managed to make it into the fort with 1 unit to gain one Permanent banner. Otherwise it was a bloodbath on either flank again.
Lot more close combat and less artillery fire in this one.





lost connection twice..

any last results to post?

I am ok with any method, seems that total VPs and average brings similar results.

Scenerio 242 - Verdun (Beaumont) - 22 February 1916

mirkobruner (French) - 4 medals, 20 figures lost
theimann(German) - 6 medals, 22 figures lost

The Huns put a human wave against the French Left. Their fortified positions were swarmed like an anthill. Mistakes were made but the Germans prevailed by taking the trench and the buildings around this sector. If only HQ would have been paying attention.

Deadline is 30 September.. definite

My understanding is the Viridovilas is out due to personal circumstances beyond his control, so 3 matches are unplayable.
The matches between theimman and Pickelhaube are stalled because of scheduling
Tom has indicated the other matches will be played, some are scheduled for today.

In terms of determining the finalists, I was considering the average score of each player
so for example, I have 86 medals from 14 games, average of 6.1
Togan has 89 points from 16 games, an average of 5.6

I'll update the results table to show averages, but it is likely it shows what Togan suggests.

Dear All,
Seems like, if we are going to play a final four in this tournament. The remaining final games will not change the finalists whatever the outcome. It also seems that Mark McG will most probably be the 1. rank followed by gotigerssc, mk20336 and toganalper. If Mark plays one more game and receives at least 5 medals this should be a %100 seeding. Do we want to play the Qfinals ? Do we want all thew games to be finished ? Since Mark did not call a final date do we want all games finished by any given date ? What are your thoughts, and Mark what is your plan ?

246 - Verdun Le Mort Homme

MirkoBruner - (Germans) 6 Victory Banners - 12 Units Lost
Pickelhaube - (French) 1 Victory Banner - 16 Units Lost

The first turn of the Germans is to move the machine gun in the Center Section.
It will be this same Machine Gun that will secure victory to the Germans. The attackers have overall good cards and excellent dice rolls, when needed and the game will be played mostly on the left section of the Germans. An Officer unit and a Machine Gun Unit in the Center Section will distract the French long enough

A masterly Played "Lost Messenger Card" from the French will delay the advancing of the Germans.

A German Bomber unit will be able to pierce through the fortified position on the Hill of the "Morte Homme" and from there on many other Units will Follow. The French tries to repel the attackers but in vain and 2 Butts and Bayonets Cards at the right time will inflict severe damages to the defenders.

One last attack by the Center Machine Gun will eliminate the last Unit needed for victory.

243 - Verdun (Samogneux) - 24 February 1916

Pickelhaube (Germans) 24 Figures Lost - 3 Victory Banners.
MirkoBruner (French) 15 Fig Lost - 7 Victory Banners.

After a good initial shelling, the Germans started to advance on the right flank, the French machine gun positioned in the buildings stopped the advancing at least for this first turn.Further attack on the right flank with a Big Show Card by the Germans almost annihilated the french infantry positioned in the buildings and a Direct from HQ played by the French eliminated the first Infantry Unit of the Germans.

The real combat begins.On the third turn, the Germans play a replacement card and succeed in reaching the line of the buildings in Samogneux inflicting further damage on the nearby infantry unit. It is mandatory to repel the advance of the Germans, a Forward Card by the Allies helps them to eliminate the infantry unit that has just arrived.

Mainly the game is played on the left flank of the French, where the Germans are great in advancing and taking control of the buildings of Samogneux. Good rolls for the French are frequent.
The only problem is that for three turns they don't have any card to play on that side.Two Recon Cards played by the French help them in succeeding in this scenario. Last turn of the French with a Machine Gun Barrage shatters any tactical advance of the Germans.

Again good rolls put an end to the game.

So I have been reviewing the state of the various C&C Tournaments, and the associated deadlines. I don't recall we have particularly given a deadline for this tournament, but the pace seems to have significantly slowed. Being a Round Robin, it is more difficult to judge progress, so I am keen to get all the games played.

However, it can't linger on forever.. so to that end I'm setting 30 Sept as the deadline. There are 11 matches remaining to be played, so this seems not an impossible deadline.

It should also allow those players with outstanding matches in the C&C Napoleonics tournaments to concentrate there for the 31 August deadline. Please get those done.

Scenario 245 - Verdun (Across the Meuse) - 6-9 March 1916

Picklehaub (Germans): 6 medal 28 figures lost
Mark McG (French): 7 medals 31 figures lost

French were down 5-2 in this one, and I was pretty sure I was gone. Persevered to try and grab a few more medals, just to make it respectable. Another glass of wine to wash down my medicine.

5 medals later, with 2 Rush & Rotations to keep my presence in the woods, still trying to work out how I emerged from this as victor.

Scenario 244 - Verdun (Fort Douamont) - 25 February 1916
Pickelhaube (French) 4 Medals 15 figures Lost.
Mark McG (Germans) 6 Medals 18 figures lost

A swift and determine German attack up the Left flank, aided by a Rotate card to capture the fortress (3 medals), whilst the French did their delay thing.. 2 medals

Scenario 244 - Verdun (Fort Douamont) - 25 February 1916

Mark McG (French) 6 Medals 5 figures Lost.
theimann (Germans) 1 Medals 25 figures lost

German attacks were mainly up the middle, trying to slip around the French trench and into the fortress. Things turned nasty when a Rush and Rotation pushed them right up next to a nearly empty fort, but some short supplies and French counterattack managed to hold them off.

1 French medal for a Recon, the rest honestly earned.

Scenario 245 - Verdun (Across the Meuse) - 6-9 March 1916

Mark McG (Germans): 7 medal 12 figures lost
theimann (French): 2 medals 32 figures lost

Germans got off to a good start, with some early casualties among the French Special Personnel, French artillery did nothing to hold back the Germans, who swept into Bois des Corbeaux virtually unchallenged. The French rebounded, occupying Bois des Cumieres, and after a intense exchange of fire, surged back into Bois des Corbeaux. Here a bitter melee ensued, with the rest of the battlefield virtually unnoticed.

Germans had the best of the die rolls, as exhibited by the figure loses.

I've done a table update, but really it was just 2 results to add.

Hi Guys,
we are just couple of games from finalizing the Initial Round and before starting play-offs (my understanding is that we agreed on them). Kindly please try to play them ASAP!

Mark,
can you update the table so as July starts we can have current status of tournament?

Scenario 245 - Verdun (Across the Meuse) - 6-9 March 1916

Viridovilas (Germans): 2 medal 21 figures lost
gotigerssc (French): 7 medals 10 figures lost

Very difficult scenario for the Germans - especially with less than great cards. NML rolls were good but a early Mata Hari Spy denied the Germans two good cards (Direct from HQ and Infantry Assault). Luck favored the French as we were able to play the Storm of Fire and Mortar Barrage combo twice. Plus two medals came from recon cards although I had to use counter attack to get one of those. French initially ceded the Bois des Corbeaux only to retake it by the end of the battle.

This completes my matches for the tournament unless I make the playoff (assuming we will do one?). Best of luck to Max the rest of the way. A great competitor.

Scenario 248 - Verdun (Malancourt) - 20-22 March 1916

Mirko (Germans): 0 medal 21 figures lost
gotigerssc (French): 6 medals 5 figures lost

Tough sledding for Mirko in this one. No matter what the Germans did the dice would not roll their way. When the French needed a flag they got it. When they needed a burst they got it. Four or either five German officers fell in the assault. French were also able to claim two medals on recon cards. Best of luck to Mirko in his remaining matches!