The Great War Mini Tournament 5 - French

Scenario 241 - Verdun (Bois Des Caures) - 21-22 February 1916

EZPickins (Germans) 2 medals, 20 figures lost
mk20336 (French) 6 medals, 11 figures lost

In couple of last scenarios I was not using artillery but here multiple times - with devastating effect (I had couple of 3d hits plus 4d OT once!) John could not do anything about it - despite very well coordinate attack on my left (woods) which quickly killed my two units. I also had 2 recons which made things easy - we finished in record 50 minutes. Thanks to John for both games this weekend.

Dear All,
In Scenario 242, when you call the Vassal file the French Inf in the left Fortified position and in the right bottom building are both seemed to be double stacked. I assume this is a mistake but pls be careful. It causes a mistake at theautomatic figs lost count, I guess. May be I am wrong but can someone else also check this. When you look the scenario writeup, in this picture there you can also see them very vaguely as double stacked. They look like bold.

Scenario 242 - Verdun (Beaumont) - 21-22 February 1916

gotigerssc (Germans) 6 medals, 20 figures lost
toganalper (French) 4 medals, 23 figures lost

Tense fight throughout with both of us rolling for the win at different points. NML roll was good for the Germans. Most of the action happened on the German left and center where I had the right cards to make a push and take the objectives and trench on that side. Neither of our reserve artillery could do much damage although they secured a couple of hits. The start of my final turn saw me with the majority of the building hexes that gave me the 6th medal and the win. Very well played by Samim.

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

MichalK (Germans) 4 medals, 13 figures lost
Viridovilas (French) 6 medals, 18 figures lost

Germans directed their assault towards their left wing, taking full advantage of their mortar-fire advantage. The battle was tough around the fortified positions of Malancourt and Haucort, but finally the French were compelled to dislodge. Only time constrictions, coupled with a strong counterbattery fire by the enemy artillery, denied general von Kneussl victory.

Scenario 247 - Verdun (Fort Vaux) - 7-8 March 1916

toganalper (Germans) 5 medals, 29 figures lost
gotigerssc (French) 7 medals, 19 figures lost

Another one that started out with a good NML roll - especially on the German right. Using that cover, the Germans made a push after a couple of reserve artillery shots and was able to take the town. The mg in the town had a short supply played on it that essentially made it ineffective for much of the game. The mg unit near the woods eventually fell, but like the actual battle the remaining German troops were not able to take the fort at that time. One of the seven medals for the French was claimed on recon. Best of luck to Samim in his remaining matches!

243 - Verdun (Samogneux) - 24 February 1916

mk20336 (Germans) 6 medals, 22 figures lost
theimann (French) 7 medals, 23 figures lost

The French put the pressure on early with a Recon card (gaining a third VP). The Germans pushed hard on the town hexes of Samogneux and ultimately came out victorious, but at what cost?
The end game came down to an out gunned and out manned French force hunkered down in their fortified positions on Hill 344. As the Jerries closed in for the victory, a timely box barrage from the French guns squeaked out a win for the Poilu.

242 - Verdun (Beaumont) - 22 February 1916

mk20336 (Germans) 2 medals, 29 figures lost
pickelhaube (French) 6 medals, 8 figures lost


The Germans managed to take the French trench but the French were very lucky in this game. They had good cards trough out the game (big show, fields of fire and direct from hq) but more importantly rolled a huge amount of bursts.

243 - Verdun (Samogneux) - 24 February 1916

Togan (Germans) 6 medals, 17 figures lost
MichalK (French) 7 medals, 24 figures lost

Very tense and suspenseful game played mainly on German right / French left (where 5 hexes of town are placed). Togan had great artillery which wrought havoc multiple times. I lacked good cards - like But and Bayonnet, to be able to respond to melee attacks. Fortunately, I had 3 recons and Trench Raid in last turn.

Thanks to Togan for game!

Scenario 241

mikrobruner (Germans) 3 medals, 24 figures lost
toganalper (French) 6 medals, 14 figures lost


Most of the fighting started with french artillery and distant shooting in the french left flank The Frenchies were able to scare the Germans to give up their initial push on the left. The action shifted to the center and the German left section. AS it become 5:0 for the Frenchies the Germans repositioned and brought all force to take the left objective and kill the Frenchies over there. The final was decided during the Big Showdown, when the weakened German unit dissipated under the mortar fire.

I was very lucky on my dice and mikro had to suffer thru it. Thanks a lot for a cool game.

Scenario 244

Twan van Dijk (Germans) 1 medal, 20 figs lost
toganalper (French) 6 medals, 10 figures lost

French had very successful shooting results from their marksman, and especially the two lonely marksmen at the front of the line really showed how tough they are by using their Bayonets and preparing special ambushes, which were both successful, The French were able to gain also 2 medals by recon cards. The German just did not have enough time to launch his well prepared attack on the left flank of the Frenchies. So the French win at the and by a safe margin thank to the dice Gods

Thanks a lot for a great game to Twan.