Combat Commander July Ladder Game. I think it was over before it started. Opponent: David Pepin (Axis) Result: Loss turn 7 Axis 28VP
This month, I had the pleasure of playing against David Pepin one of the best players on the ladder. I was assigned the British in this scenario and I have to say that I knew I was going to be in trouble before it even started. A Veritable Bloodbath - British have trouble in Holland. I watched 4-5 practice games and I watched the dreaded Axis beat the brains out of British 4 of the 5 games. I knew that it was going to be a struggle to win, especially playing against such a talented player. Here is my AAR for the July ladder game. The Axis get a bunch of fortifications to set up before any troops get placed on the board. Here was David set up.
The goal for the British was to rush the Germans in the building on the lower edge of the board. The brits on the top of the board were assigned a role to keep the Axis busy up top, so they could not reinforce down below. I think the plan was pretty good until play started. The beginning of this game can be brutal, as there is a lack of terrain to hide in and the Axis have some solid machine guns to place and form fire lanes. The brits are just sitting in the ipen and at the beginning everyone is suppressed as well. Not a good combo.
Heading into Turn 1 things were looking decent of for the Brits. No one had died, all of the teams have recovered and the dusk hinderance adds a little cover for the British advance. Things were looking good at this point.
Start of turn 2 and if you all notice the top part of the board has changed drastically. The Axis had a good little fire attack and the Brits had no chance. Now the leader will try to streak down the board to get back into the war. This was the start of the end for the British. The gang at the bottom of the page has not been able to advance as much as I would have liked.
It seemed that every time, the British would get some move orders the Axis always had a hidden wire awaiting them. It was a slow go for the Brits. It also seems that every time I place smoke with my mortar the breeze comes in or the turn ends and the smoke goes along with it.
I think maybe 10 cards were played before my deck ran out and pushed the trun forward. Not what the Brits needed. We were still trying to push forward, but that Heavy Axis MG was being totally dominate.
Turn 5 hits us and the British are going the wrong direction. Routing has caused some back tracking and that is not a good omen for the British. Time is running out and we are not even close to getting into some close combat with the Germans.
Another quick time trigger and the game is coming to an end. the British have stalled their advance and at this time are trying to survive. It was at this point that I decided to call the game. It was not looking good and I was down by 28 VP's. Like I said above, I don't know how the British can win this scenario. Only time will see, how the numbers come out at the end of the month. Special thanks to David Pepin, for being such a good opponent. Until next month everyone, Be Safe, Be kind and wargame on!
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