The long weekend saw my lovely wife shoot off to visit friends in the north island. This in turn left me with a golden opportunity to make (gaming) hay while the sun shone, so to speak. A quick email trail saw Bolt Action come out on top for the coming event. Four players (two per side) with 1250 points each on a twelve by four foot table. Germans and American’s vs Russians and US Paratroopers, not the slightest bit historical but good fun all the same. Dusting off my camera and my para’s, who have only seen action a couple of times in the past, I set the table up for an epic days gaming.

In the foreground Warski’s Russian horde faces off against Aaron’s Germans. While, at the far end of the table Craig’s Americans verse my Paras.

Aaron’s 88 sits on the main hill looking for victims

My Sherman cowers behind the burnt out barn way down the table.

Craig’s troops make good use of the many stone walls.

German troops move through the hills.

Warski stations his tank and infantry in the woods and low ground hoping to avoid any unwanted attention from Aaron’s 88.

The Russian mortar team awaits fire co-ordinates.

While my artillery spotter scans the rock walls for targets.

The 88’s first victim is immobilized.

Skulking behind the bocage my troops come under fire.

Clear the barn.

A German halftrack supports their flame thrower team.

My boys hug the hedge line by the corn patch.

On the opposite side of the table Craig’s more numerous troops advance towards the very same corn patch.

Warski’s halftrack backs away from the approaching panzer.

A ranging shot from my artillery hits the ground.

Craig’s artillery zeros in on my troops, but it is continually delayed and never actually lands for the entire game.

The Panzer IV moves down onto the road.

Time to move.

The Russians push across the road.

The Germans counter this move with a tank.

“I will shoot the first man that runs away”

Boom!!! Hurrah!!

Meanwhile pressure mounts at the other end of the table.

Craig pushes forward with his tank, forcing mine out into the open for a risky shot. I get lucky and knock his tank out only to find I’m in range of the dreaded 88. My luck holds and two near misses later I rush it back into cover.

My commander leads from the rear.

After a lucky mortar hit I push forward and assault the troops behind the sand bags. My boys win the melee but, are quickly gunned down as Craig rushes more troops to the area.

His troops pushed on to take the corn field and crossroads only to be gunned down by my Sherman which was hiding from the 88 further up the road.

 I think this is about where we called the game. We had played for most of the day only stopping to throw lunch on the BBQ. Not sure (points wise) what it all washed up as, but I believe neither side could claim a clear victory here. Can’t say I would have minded who won in the end as it was a very enjoyable day of gaming.