I was wrangled into playing in a Bolt Action “Combat Patrol” (500pts) run by the Axes and Ales wargaming club that I attend on Tuesday nights.

It was held at the House of War, a premier destination for tabletop gaming and hobby enthusiasts. They not only have a two story gaming venue, but a vast array of gaming products to meet the needs of most gamers. The House of War were also a major sponsor of the day,

Other sponsors included the Axes and Ales wargaming club, and the Wargames Holiday Centre.

Game One was against Gordon with his Japanese.

The Japanese truck with their MMG’s and disembarking infantry were causing a problem with their mobility and fire power.

The twin linked MMG armoured car was also a headache firing ten dice.

A small town was in the centre of the table with both sides taking buildings.

The Australian Engineers disembark from the Universal carrier with their flame thrower to engage the Japanese held up in the building.

Two Japanese squads (explosions) join their ancestors.

Meanwhile the armoured car is doing a lot of damage on the Aussies held up in the house.

The Engineers continue their advance supported by the Carrier’s LMG.

The game ended in a minor loss to the Australians which considering it was my first competitive game I was quite pleased.

Game 2 was against Jack’s Americans.

This was a straight win loss game determined by who held the majority of the three objectives. Unfortunately I was too busy gaming that I forgot to take many pictures.

My scouts were able to deploy on one of the objectives.

The Americans deployed in some log fortifications

Americans are halted by accurate fire from one of the Australian sections.

American CO and medic “defending” the centre.

The Australians advance on the fortifications destroying the American leader and “capturing” the medic. A decisive Australian victory with three objective and a massive differential in destroyed units.

Game 3 was against old wargaming colleague Ben.

We worked out that the last time we would have played was 40k at the 2009 Arcanacon event! I was looking forward to the game as Ben is always great to play. This time my Australians were taking on the might of Germany.

Aussies deployed near the same town as in game 1.

The Germans were deployed in the ruin near the sea (open terrain).

This was a quarters grab game and the scout deployed outside of their deployment quarter to take an early lead.

The Germans advance,

The first stoush begins with the Germans taking first blood by pinning the Australians in the field.

The 2pdr was getting the worst of a counter-battery fight and chooses to redeploy to face the German Schwimmwagen.

Germans advance into a building to contest a quarter.

The scouts fire causes the Germans in the field to be pinned.

The Australians are holding on in a building against all odds. Their grit and determination saw them still their at the end of the game.

The Germans roll a double six for a test which is a FUBAR. The result was that I could control their shooting against any unit!

Consequently the Schwimmwagen ends up in flames.

The game was very tight and the German officer and team charge the Aussie scouts and were wiped out.

The game ended with an Australian victory. The game was very hard fought but in the best of spirit and we both had a really great time. It was good to be able to catch up and have a natter during the game.

I ended up fifth with two wins and a minor loss and won the second best painting award fro my Australian Jungle Division – just being pipped by Ben with his amazingly painted Germans.

I had a great time and thanks to John and Drew from Axes and Ales.