WW II West Front 1944 British vs Germans AAR - Iron Cross Rules

Played the third in our trifecta of Iron Cross Rules games last Monday, in this one the Jerries took on the Poms! we played the 'unprepared defenders' scenario set in north eastern France 1944.

The German's PzJg IV made short work of the British Firefly tank!

Forces;

British Attacking
1 x Churchill
1 x Firefly
2 x Sherman 75s

1 x Staghound Mk I

7 x Infantry Sections ( 1 x HQ, 5 with LAW)

7 x Trucks

2 x HMG

2 x Mortars

Germans Defending

1 x JgPz IV
2 x Pz IV Late

1 x PaK 40 with Transport

7 x Infantry Sections ( 1 x HQ, 4 with LAW)

3 x Trucks

2 x HMG

2 x Mortars

Game;

The Jerries were spread out whilst the British thrust their left forward refusing their right flank. The Allied Commander chose the pre bombardment option for this game and scored very well hitting several defending infantry units, the PAK and it demolished the PAKs towing vehicle!

The initial British advance was screened by smoke the Germans reacted by pushing a Panzer IV forward which was promptly reduced to a smoking pile of iron by the lumbering Churchill. Revenge was sweet though and the German JgPz IV took out the Poms Firefly as it probed through some woods.

The British left/German right now became the centre of the action!

Hot close quarter action as the British advanced into a hail of German fire, soon a Staghound was in flames and the German PAK was blasted by Sherman’s pouring H.E. into it. Now the Germans counter attacked, a Pz IV with a Platoon of Infantry (with LAWs) in support charged. A close range action ensued and it was a bloodbath! Two Shermans were cooked and some British infantry were routed but the attacking Germans were shattered, the Pz IV was a smoking wreck and the Platoon of infantry was scattered!

The British still had the edge and were ready to exploit the open German right when the Kampfgruppe Commander launched a final attack with his trump card, his mighty JgPz IV! The tank hunter rumbled forward and was offered a flank shot at the British Churchill but the Brits got the first shot off and it was a good one, the mighty Panzer rolled to a halt and was out of action (the British successfully interrupted the German turn, but on a second try using the HQ reroll option then rolled a 10 on the to hit die, followed by another 10 on the AP roll with a 4 on a D6 putting paid to the Jerry! Some lucky dice).

A small German incursion by foot troops occurred in the centre whilst the final tank dual was in progress but it was too little too late, even though it did put the fear of god into the British mortar support units one of which was wiped out!

It was now the end of turn 5, the Germans had lost over 2/3s of their force and had no armour left they conceded the battlefield to the British retiring their remaining forces, so a Pommy Victory!

Some Pictures;

The British refusing their right advanced onto the table as the pre attack bombardment ceased...

The Germans countered advancing a Pz IV which the British Churchill quickly destroyed!

In turn the Britsh pushed their Firefly forward which too was promptly knocked out the the Germans JgPz IV...

German mortars successfully pinned down some of the British Infantry...

Another British probe this time well supported by infantry resulted in the German PAK smashing the Staghound armoured car, the infantry and Shermans then pounded the PAK into oblivion...

With the German flank now open the British charged forward...straight into a German counterattack. The German Pz IV took out the leading tank...

The Pz IV was in turn knocked out by the second Sherman reacting...

The final stage of the German counterattack saw them knock out the last British Sherman, they were then pounded by the British Infantry supported by a Vickers HMG! The casualties were piling up...

In a final throw of the dice the Germans tried to take out the British Churchill...

Only to see another successful British interrupt and a very good shot...scratch another Panzer!

Our battlefield at the end of the action...

Summary;

Well another Allied Victory, a great game of Iron Cross with the Jerries having  their arses handed to them on a plate yet again! The concentrated British attack with some good dice rolling by Rolf ensured they took the day BUT it was a hard won victory losing four AFVs and some infantry, again the side with  surviving armour was successful. The Germans lamented their useless Pz IVs calling them POSs built in bombed out factories by non German labour! Each of the three recent games started with the first losses to the Germans being a Panzer IV which each time was hit critically and exploded! During this game Guderian gave Hitler a call asking for new dice but was told sternly there was no budget as Goering’s V1s had run over cost 😄.

Next time we’re going to have a go at a Dark Ages Battle with Impetus 2 Rules. Plus got a Blucher Napoleonic Scenario ready to go!

Quatre Bras AAR - Blucher Rules

Still posting old games one using Blucher Rules this time (I gotta look at Captain Darlings Blog soon too!). This game was actually one of last years that missed out on a post 😳! The OOB and scenario details came from the old Honour Forum run by Sam Mustafa which is now defunct, I think it may be in the files of his current Facebook page (not positive as not on Facebook!).

Ney's 6mm Army deploys for action the blurry Dutch/Belgians can be see in the distance!

Game;

From the outset of the game the French knowing time was against them pushed on aggressively; using two Infantry Brigades to mask the Dutch/Belgians deployed straddling the Brussels road near Gemioncourt most of the rest of the IInd Corps with Guard Cavalry support pushed down the Main Road toward Quatre Bras, meanwhile a Cavalry Brigade was sent to secure Thyle and the nearby bridge.

Wellington short on troops but with command pips a plenty funnelled his fast arriving army straight into action! The fighting to the south of Quatre Bras was brisk and ferocious with French Cavalry forcing the Allied troops into squares which their Infantry and Artillery poured fire into!

Sweeping past the foot slugfest the French Cavalry pressed on toward their objective but Wellington foiled them getting strong formations into Quatre Bras, frustrated the French horseman charged adjacent units before they had deployed inflicting heavy losses on them but they were unable to secure the important crossroads.

To the east strong newly arrived Allied reinforcements drove the French Cavalry Brigade out of the Thyle area securing it and the crucial bridge that linked the Allied Army to their Prussian friends around Ligny.

At this point the French had shot their bolt, now outnumbered and their units worn they fell back southward from Quatre Bras, a last brief but violent action around Gemioncourt saw it change hands returning it to Allied control and seeing the French back where they started!

An Allied victory, albeit at great cost…

Some Pictures;

Ney's IInd Corps face the Dutch/Belgians!

Our battlefield, Quatre Bras is in the foreground, the Dutch/Belgians can be seen on the far side of the stream and Ney's boys can be seen on the opposite edge of the table.

Wellington poses with the 'original' Dice Shako!

Ney orders the IInd Corps forward leaving two units to deal with the Dutch/Belgians.

 The lead units of both Armies columns meet south of Quatre Bra!

Allied infantry in form square south of Quatre Bras with French Lancers nearby they take a pounding from the French Muskets and Artillery!

French infantry sweep northward to the east of the Brussels road!

The French occupy Thyle...

French artillery fire on Allied units near Quatre Bras.

Kellerman's Cuirassiers advance!

Wellingtons position to the east of Quatre Bras, the Brigade to his right is 'hit' by French horse unprepared, they suffer terribly but hold their ground!

French Cavalry covering Thyle and the right flank are pushed back as more and more Allied units approach.

The Allied army builds up around Quatre Bras ruling out any chance of a French victory.

Summary;

Another victory to the Allied Army we have yet to have a French win with this scenario. I am actually surprised how almost every time they reach the crossroads only to get overwhelmed by the numbers they face as the game proceeds, maybe a variable arrival of D’Erlons Corps and unrestricted use of the Guard Light Cavalry might alter the balance. Mind you it shows that Blucher Rules are good as they replicate the days action well (given balanced dice rolls!).

Romans vs Barbarians - Impetus 2 AAR

Still on catch-ups this time a game from May 2025 featuring Romans and ‘Barbarians’ using Impetus 2 rules!

I don’t have the exact OBs for this clash but we started with two balanced forces per side from the Impetus lists and then removed two bases from the Roman line up and added a few bases to the Barbarians side! Yeah so far with balanced lists we haven’t been able to beat the formidable Roman Legionaries! The ‘removed’ Roman bases were available as reinforcements to them during the game if they got into a tight spot.

The Game;

Both sides set up in traditional ancients style, foot in the centre with some light troops screening them and horse on the flanks. The Barbarians took advantage of the large units option, these are less mobile but give the unit more hitting power and resilience.

Both sides advanced their horse units on both flanks engaging while all across the line light troops started exchanging rocks and javelins.

Rome's horsemen were on song and on both flanks were prevailing over the Barbarians!

With their horse failing to flank the Roman Legionnaires the Barbarians pushed their massed foot forward. The Romans seeing this advance girded up their loins and prepared their Pilums! A great crash rang across the battlefield as both sides foot came to blows in close combat. As usual the Roman Pilums were deadly but the Barbarians continued to press on.

At great cost the  fierce warriors inflicted losses on the Roman adversaries and pushed their line back but importantly it did not break. Victory was in the grasp of the horde but it slipped through their fingers when the Roman horse intervened on the Barbarian’s right and turned the tide of the action decisively in the favour of the Men of the Tiber.

Broken the Barbarians fled a hard fought win to the Romans!

Some Pictures;

The Roman Legions line up...

...as does the Barbarian Horde

The Roman Leaders were in the van!

The Barbarian Leaders were travelling in style...

Both side horse units engage while the foot shuffled around before each other trying to gain an advantage.

The Roman left and Barbarian right come to grips with each other while the horse continue to fight on the flanks!

The Barbarian large units were being reduced in strength but they were slowly whittling down the Roman cohorts!

Whilst engaged to their front a Roman unit in the centre of the line is attacked by more Barbarians! They hold their ground despite great pressure.

On the Roman right their horse prevail and promptly charge the Barbarian foot with great effect...

Barbarian skirmishers and a large unit of warriors...

Surprisingly the Roman horse also secure the left flank and they were promptly engaged by rampaging Barbarian warriors!

The Roman’s centre held and inflicted losses that pushed the Barbarian army past its breaking point and they rout from the battlefield!

Summary;

Well this battle turned out to be one of the closest encounters we’ve had between Romans and their foes but as usual they triumphed and without the need for their reinforcements! The rules worked well as usual and the game played out in a timely fashion, we had time for coffee and a chin wag after!

This Monday we’re on again not sure whether to go with WW II and Iron Cross again or something different!

WW II West Front 1944 - Iron Cross Rules AAR

Last week we played another game of Iron Cross pitting the Yanks against the Jerries late in the war situation. We used the Escalating Engagement scenario.

USA OOB

4 x M4s

2 x M18s

7 X Infantry Sections 4 with LAWs (includes HQ)

2 X HMG Units

3 x Trucks

German OOB

3 x Pz IVs

1 x STUG III

1 x PAK 38 + Transport

7 x Infantry Sections 4 with LAW (includes HQ)

2 x HMG Unit

3 x Trucks

The Game;

Both sides deployed armour with tank riders initially and looked for the best terrain in which to deploy, the vehicles duked it out over the first few turns  while the balance of the forces arrived on the field of play!

Vehicle losses quickly mounted, the Mark IVs were on equal standing with the Yanks vehicles and the STUG had slightly better frontal armour but was knocked out spectacularly exploding on Turn Two! The duel of armour which featured some tank hunting infantry prowling from cover to cover ended with the Americans retaining two M4s while the Germans had only their PAK 40.

Using their mobility to avoid the PAK the remaining Yank armour whittled away at the Jerry infantry breaking their sides morale, a Victory to the Allies!

Some Pictures, not many though I was too busy playing!

The Yanks gained control of the central ridgeline but the German PAK 40 sorted them out, not before they took out a couple of Panzers and an Infantry Section!

A US Hellcat ran rampant through the German lines it became the target of the PAK 40, a Pz IV and some tank hunting Infantry who in the end took it out...

Th infamous Germán PAK 40, it was the most prolific Unit on the table when tallying up Kills but the Yanks prevailed!

Summary;

This game went well, the forces were balanced and aggressive 🙂! Ended up with the side with remaining AFVs wins (Yanks)! We did again mange to forget a step in the rules but it was across the game and effected both sides equally. We’ll be playing Iron Cross yet again in a couple of sessions time and will try to get the rules down pat!

WW II East Front 1945 - Iron Cross Rules AAR

Early July we played a game of Iron Cross pitting the Soviets against the Germans late in the war. We used the capture an objective scenario with the Soviets on the attack.

Soviet OOB

6 X T-34 76

3 X T-70

7 X Infantry Sections (includes HQ)

2 X HMG Units

2 X Mortar Units

German OOB

1 x Pz IV

2 x PAK 38 + Transport

4 x Infantry Sections with LAW (includes HQ)

1 x HMG Unit

1 x Mortar Unit

The Game;

The Soviets using their mortars to lay down smoke (quite effectively) and refusing their right flank advanced with their infantry using woods as cover and their armour going hell for leather toward the objectives, a risky tactic with the defenders hidden setup and the effectiveness of the German Panzerfausts.

The mix of smoke, massed armour and poor German dice rolling led to the Soviets rolling up the German right flank destroying a Panzer IV, two infantry sections and their mortar support in the process! The Nazis were in deep trouble having inflicted no losses on the attackers at this point.

In the centre of the battlefield the Soviets repeating the same tactics were again successful wiping out another German section and their HMG support taking a few hits in the process and losing a T-70. The losses were inflicted by the German PAK units which were unlucky deployed facing the flank the Soviets ‘refused’! They did redeploy and were effective but at this point with the German centre and left virtually overwhelmed their moral was broken and the Soviets secured what turned out to be a relatively easy victory!

Some Pictures;

The Germans under pressure finally get a break when a PAK38 knocks out a T-70 with a flank shot!

The German Panzer IV tried to ambush the T-34 Column it missed with several shots and when it hit twice the rounds were ineffective...

...unfortunately the Soviet return fire was accuarte and when the Panzer was hit the effect was deadly!

It then became an armour rampage!

Unluckily even the Germans Panzerfausts were faulty on the day, normally they'd tear a T-34 apart.

The German centre was overrun with a combined arms assault!

Both the PAK 38 were able to redeploy but the Soviet smoke was very well placed by their mortars.

Summary;

This game was the first time we used hidden deployment and it didn’t help the defenders to much 🙂! Also the first time we used house smoke rules which in hindsight were a bit too generous next time we’ll adjust them. Last thing to note on the first turn of combat the Umpire (ahem me) stuffed up the base to hit number but due to the poor German rolling luckily it didn’t have too much of an effect. We’ll be playing Iron Cross again in a couple of session to iron out the bumps as we enjoy using the rules! In the meantime I'll try catching up with posts here and on Captain Darling's site!