Well the first Bolt Action game yesterday did not go entirely to plan. In fact the first turn was disastrous. The game was the standard meeting engagement scenario. Axis were paired against allies and each tables results would impact on the overall “campaign” result.

A lucky artillery shot took out one of my Commandos and when I tested to unpin them, they rolled box cars which is a F.U.B.A.R.

Rolling on the F.U.B.A.R. table they reacted by shooting at my closest unit! This happened to be my Lieutenant who was in the open! Aaaarghhh!

Even having him duck for cover wasn’t enough to save him from two Vickers K machine guns.

Things did not bode well for the good guys as the Italians moved forward.

Out-numbered and out-gunned the Green Berets were in a wee spot of bother. Time for tea?

No way. I decided something stronger was required and went to the bar!

Made me feel better but unfortunately not the poor old Tommies as more go down.

Italians advancing even further.

Another Commando squad dwindling in numbers.

With my only two units hovering on the base edge it was time to call it a day.

Good guys 0 – Bad guys 1

The axis forces had the better of the Allies in the first round, and although we had gained a foothold on our beach heads we were on the defensive for the second game. The scenario was the Attacker -Defender surprise surprise! Having replaced our Lieutenant we hoped for a better result this time.

After some minor skirmishing which the Commandos were having the best of, things were just getting interesting as the Japanese and the Tommies were about to come to grips.

Japanese trying their typical outflanking manoeuvrer.

The Commando fire support was starting to receive causalities from a well placed Japanese HMG and would need to re-deploy.

Having dealt with one unit and then wiping out the Japanese command squad, the Commando Engineers with their flame thrower were under real pressure with six pin markers.

A well placed mortar round takes them out.

In the end there were very few Japanese left and and it was a big win to the Commandos ten to two VP’s. “Take that Tojo”!

Good guys 1 – Bad guys 1

The second round was a slight win to the Allies as the Gin and Tonics was warming them (me) up.

The last game was a fight over three key objectives as the Commandos took on the might of the Africa Corps.

Fritz was on one objective very quickly but the Commandos held two and were starting to mount a concerted attack on the German positions.

Commandos about to enfilade the advancing German machine gun squad.

The time was right for the Commando Engineers to take control. They moved left and flamed Rommel’s boys in the ploughed field. With the Vickers K’s keeping the Krauts heads down the Engineers then turned on the German Lieutenant in the building and it was more fried Fritz. The following turn they took out the squad behind hedge and it was all over.

With no Germans left on the field of battle the “Key Positions” were all in the hands of the Commandos.

Good guys 2 – Bad guys 1

I am glad that I finally worked out how to combine the use of the long range fire power and hard hitting power of the Commandos. A great afternoon. Well done John for organising this.

As my game finished early, and i needed to get home, I am not sure what the overall campaign result was, but at least I put the Allies on the start to victory for round three.

PS. Just received a communique saying Allies won. Take that Schultz – you know nothing!