A little something different: To Defend the Earth Review

To Defend the Earth is a collection of short stories by William Stroock about an alien invasion of Earth.  Over 10 chapters, you are given a glimpse into the event from many different perspectives and at different points along the timeline.  The book is largely focused on the Military aspects of the conflict, written with a Historian's eye lending a great sense of realism.  There's tons of action and good dialogue, even if sometimes the characters are overshadowed by Orders of Battle and descriptions of sweeping action-packed engagements.  read below for my full review!

To Defend the Earth is available right now for 99 cents on Amazon's Kindle - well worth the pocket change for an exciting and interesting read with a different take on alien invasion.  Read on to see my full review!

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Final Arnhem Test

I just finished up Arnhem a few days ago, so Steven and I wanted to get a test match in. We played a variation of the Low Luck method.

So, on with the pictures and some commentary!

The Germans sneak on to the board to assault a house full of Red Devils.

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Tale Of 2 Cities - Week 3: Dirty Jon's Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie

In my last article, I talked about assembling the force and what was needed to get all the models and materials together. This time, I will return to speaking about the strategy for using the force, but in a bit more detail.

These guys better do the job...I am counting on them!

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A Tale of 2 Cities Week 3: Steven's US Rifles

In my last article I discussed the core of the company (the Rifle platoons and weapons platoon), so this time I am going to look at 3 of my support units, why I chose them, and how I intend to use them.  In next week's post I'll talk about the artillery and tying the whole army together and facing specific situations and missions.

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Early War German Kradschützen

Quick post today taking a look at this Kradschutzen box I've had sitting around for ages and finally painted!  I won these guys eons ago at a tournament but couldn't bring myself to assemble them. 

The assembly was really quite daunting for someone like me who really does not enjoy modeling!  I love painting, but not assembling.  Even painting was a challenge only because there was so much bloody surface area!

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Mid War US Armored Rifles vs German Armored Panzergrenadiers

Fairly quick batrep here.  I am gonna let the pictures do the talkin'.  The battle was quite interesting- we basically ran foils of each other's army.  Then we faced off in an evenly-matched battle.  Thus, the result wasn't all that surprising.  We both suffered from stalled attacks in the face of stiff resistance and neither one of us could make anything happen.  The mission is Dust Up.

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Breaking: EW Nats Results

Click to enlarge the results from the EW Nationals!  

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Terrain Tutorial: Trench Lines

In the last year FoW has seen a dramatic increase in the number of companies that can take some sort of field fortifications in their company diagram.  Your company may find itself defending the Mountains of Italy, the Steppes of Russia or the Deserts of North Africa and  may require more than just hastily prepared foxholes to hold off the tide of the advancing enemy.  What they might need is the added protection of a trench line.

Trench lines give infantry concealment and bulletproof cover like foxholes, but allow your infantry to move along the trench line and remain gone to ground, provided that did not fire and the trench doesn't get picked up if your troops move away.  In battle this means you can move troops to and from hot spots along the line and bring troops in from reserve under the protection of their trenches.

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Tale of Two Cities (Week 2) Joe's US Armor Company

Greetings,

Mortar crews getting finished up ...

     Week 2 !?! Where did week 2 sneak up on me ?  How many times have we heard this as hobbyist and gamers?  Time to get to work and let the readers know where my forces are heading for Week 2.

     As a reminder, I am going with the US Armor Company.  They can be found in The Turning Tide book.  EasyArmy.com once again is helping me get the list to you !

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Tale of Two Cities (Week Two): Tom's PzG Lehr

Tom's Panzergrenadier Lehr

Week Two:  The Infantry

 I've decided to start by assembling and painting all the infantry I will need.

First up, obtain the models.  Panzer Lehr has its own range of figures, from way back in the Villers Bocage days.  Historically, the Lehr division had its own shorter style of tunic, which is modeled on the figures from this range.  My FLGS didn't have enough Lehr figures on the shelf, so I mixed in other Germans.  I'm not worried about accuracy -- the Germans had all sorts of supply issues, and their troops wore a mixture of different uniform styles. Just make sure that whatever you buy, you get enough shreks.

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George S. Patton Jr.

As some of you may know- this is a model I've been excited about for a very long time.  I was excited to see his rules in Blood Guts & Glory, and I think Battlefront have done a good job of representing the man on the tabletop!

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WWPD News From the Front Episode 39!

Episode 39 is now Live!  The dudes brave the heat to record a brand new episode!  This is another crunchy one with plenty of rules discussion... but most importantly we have John-Paul from Battlefront join us and drop more than a few juicy tidbits!  




Episode 39: After Hours is also Live!  The dudes are fairly on topic tonight- lots more FoW discussion.  We're on an upswing and have a hard time breaking away from the topic!  Even more crunchiness, with some talk of Nationals lists.





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Tale of 2 Cities - Week 2: Dirty Jon's Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie

As you all saw in my previous article, I chose the Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie for my army list. I have gone ahead and used Easy Army to map it all out:

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Tale of 2 Cities (Week 2) Steven's US Rifles

In this update I am going to focus on the core of my company: the Rifle Platoons and the Weapons platoon.  I am going to do this week's update in a Q&A format to hit some quick bullet points!  As a reminder, here is my army list:

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Circle Orboros Starter Box

Some pictures of the Circle Orboros starter box. Its pretty meh in quality, but I spent a total of 40 minutes from primer to done, and 10 minutes on the basing. So I'm pleased. The new PP plastics are a great quality and very simple to put together.

I'll get back to posting some FoW stuff in the near future!

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Operation Sea Lion: The Alternate Timeline

Our official "Historian" is Patrick Gribble.  The artist is Arran Slee-Smith.  We thought it would be fun to attempt to explain what lead up to the 1944 Operation Sea Lion.  Why?  Cause it's fun!

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Lt. Col Creighton Abrams and Thunderbolt VI & VII

Here's a quick look at Battlefront's take on Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams for Flames of War!  Included in the box are 2 of Abram's rides: Thunderbolt VI (an M4A3 76mm), and Thunderbolt VII (an M4A3E8 Easy Eight with some custom work done to it).  Abrams can also ride in an M4 Sherman, but that is not included in this box.  Besides, who would put poor Abrams in such crap?

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US Tanks vs Gepanzerte Panzergrenadiers in Italy (MW)

Sean and I decided to take a break from our usual stomping grounds of the Desert and the Eastern Front to visit a theater we often ignore: Italy! So we went with Mid War. I ran US tanks, Sean ran Gepanzerte Panzergrenadiers. The mission was Fighting Withdrawal

Steven's US Tank Company HQ: 2x M5A1 Stuarts 5x M5A1 Stuarts 5x M5A1 Stuarts Tank Recon 3x M8 Scotts Full Armored Rifle Platoon 4x M10 TDs

Sean's Gepanzerte Panzergrenadiers HQ + knackers Full Gepanzerte + Knacker Full Gepanzerte + knacker Tiger IE 3x Stug G w/ Schurtzen Priority Cannon Stukas

SETUP AND DEPLOYMENT

The board! The 2 US objectives are on the flanks placed by me. Sean's is in the building in the back center.

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Tale of 2 Cities (Week One): Tom's Panzergrenadier Lehr Kompanie

Tom's Panzergrenadier Lehr Kompanie

Tom here.

I've always had a thing for German half-tracks -- they look wicked sleek, they're fast, and they can throw a satisfying mass of MG dice.

The Panzergenadier Lehr list is a variant of the standard Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier list.  It represents the Lehr "demonstration" or "teaching" division on the western front.  (Think our word "learn.")  The Lehr division got all the new cool, toys -- as a model of what all the Panzer divisions should look like eventually.  Of course, they never did.  The Germans couldn't build enough equipment, fast enough.

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Tale of 2 Cities: (Week 1) Joe's US Armor Company

Greetings Troops,

     Recently I was approached by Steve to participate in a Battlefront project about a new gamer's process of getting into the hobby.  It is a daunting and scary time for a new gamer.  There are numerous models, lists and terms to learn.  Being a husband and father I know that money can be tight.  I am a HUGE fan of maximizing your units usage.  Usage you say ?  I mean being flexible for Early War through Late War periods in the Flames of War scheme of things if possible.  Using units that can span over more than one period helps you play other lists and not have to break your piggy bank.

     The group chose to pick starting companies out of Turning Tides.  My choice was a US Medium Tank Company.  Here is my list !

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Panzerwerfer Battery

For our Tale of 2 Cities series of posts, I decided to get a GBX38 Armoured Rocket Launcher Battery box to round out my German artillery. 8 of these cleaned my clock at Southern Front a while ago, so I wanted to try them out.


....and, they look cool!

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U.S. M36 Jackson/CGR Painters Review!

So let's talk about the latest and greatest in Tank Destroyers, the M-36 Jackson.  The Jackson is the newest tank destroyer to be released from Battlefront.  Packing a whopping AT 14, the U.S. finally has the ability to pierce the most stubborn German armor.  This is obviously a support option that the enemy cannot ignore. With the version 3 tank detroyer rules, the ability to spring from ambush translates into total devastation for your enemy.

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Tale of 2 Cities - Week 1: Dirty Jon's Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie

When V3 came out, I totally fell in love with the Panzergrens. MG teams got a boost and the Mounted Assault and other transport rules make German half tracks very, very attractive. I settled on the Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie out of Battlefront's Grey Wolf sourcebook.

List Construction

The HQ is mandatory. Switching from MG to SMG/Faust teams is not the complete no-brainer it was before. Do I want to give up the points and the MG team to gain the Faust? I think so, so I upgrade both the CiC and 2iC. I really want to make Allied armor think twice about assaulting -- 2 Bailed Out or Destroyed stops the assault, and the Fausts can help with that. 85 of 1625 spent.

Mandatory combat platoons dictate at least 2 platoons of Grenadiers in 251/1 half tracks. These guys are great with MGs, but a little smallish with only 7 teams per platoon - I am counting on the half tracks to protect against infantry assaults. I go ahead and upgrade the command team in each to an SMG/Faust to help dealing with pesky armor. 545 of 1625 spent.

I decide that I will have 2 mobile armored units for the company. This is a no-brainer with regular infantry, but not with this very mobile list. I want the two armored unis because they will allow me some flexibility of movement and allow me to keep up with the fast-moving half tracks. I decide to go all-out and pick up the most feared tank in the German arsenal - the King Tiger. He is a ton of points, but is just sooooo huge and nasty! I really want to learn how to use this unit, so he is in. 890 of 1625 spent.

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Introducing "A Tale of 2 Cities"- A short series for new players

Joe Krone approached us with the idea of doing a project inspired by "The Tale of 4 Gamers" from years gone by.  The purpose is to follow 2 groups of gamers from just getting into Flames of War through to having their first army done, and talking through all the issues that may crop up from force planning to budgeting to painting.  So over the next few weeks you'll hear from me, Joe, Jon, and Tom as we think through planning and building up a new army.  On the other side of the coin you will be hearing from some BF USA Staff as well, offering a different point of view! (Click here to read the article on  The Battle Front site)

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(TONS of) Pictures from the I95 Game Vault Tournament

Here's a ton of pictures taken by Eric and company from the recent I95 Tournament at the Game Vault in Fredericksburg VA.

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Kapitan Dmitriy Loza

Not a whole lot to say here!  Loza is an option in Red Bear.  I love the look of Olive Drab with Red Stars, so keep an eye here and watch for lots of Soviet Lend lease stuff in my future!

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US Rifles vs Aufklarungs in Hold the Line

Peter and I decided to break in my new game table out here in the People Republic of California. We rolled up Hold the Line with the Americans on defence.

Rifle Company (29th I.D.) HQ Rifle Platoon Rifle Platoon I&R Crocs TD M10s Engineers 105s w/ AOP Airt Support

Aufklärungs Lehr Schwadron HQ Aufklärungs Lehr Platoon Aufklärungs Lehr Platoon Pumas Pak40s Cannon Platoon Tigers of the E variety

SETUP AND DEPLOYMENT

The board. Americans defending the near side.

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British 8th Army Collection Video

The 5th video in the series!

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British Anti-Tank Platoon (6 Pounders)

You all already know from the Podcast and my previous post how I feel about the British 6-pounder AT gun. Well, I sold off some AT Guns from another manufacturer and picked up a Battlefront Tom Stanley Box Set (which seems to be out of print right now) at Cold Wars.

4 of these + Command are only 100 points at the Confident Trained level and 135 at Confident Vet! Version 3 really boosted these guys. Specifically:

- 3+ save when Gone to Ground
- Can fire over Infantry teams at vehicles
- Can fire as Rifle teams when desired
- Can shoot at Tanks in Assault

I needed another platoon of these for Arnhem, having decided to scratch the 17pdrs here, as they never made it into town. These are not Paratroopers, but I think they will be ok to use in the scenario.

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WWPD News From the Front Episode 38 and After Hours!

Episode 38 is Now Live! The dudes bite off a bit more than they can chew!  But the chat is strong, and the good times are had.  The dudes discuss their recent tournament experience, Tank Destroyers, Supply Vehicles, Sea Lion and much more!

• 0:00- Intro, AAR, Op Sea Lion, Game Vault Tournament AAR
• 1:16- ACT II: CGR Painters/Jackson M36 Discussion, Supply Vehicles
• 1:39- ACT III: The Tapestry, Upcoming WWPD, Unarmored Vehicles w/ Gun Teams

Links discussed in this episode:

http://www.cgrpainters.com
http://www.odms-club.com/convention/
http://www.flamesofwar.com
http://www.wssmagazine.com/cms/
http://www.novaopen.com/
http://www.easyarmy.com

Episode 38: After Hours is Now Live!  This episode is split into 2 parts- the first is after recording Episode 38 in the Studio.  The dudes go on a bit about wonky rules and people being jerks.  They talk a bit about movies and general silliness.  The 2nd half sees the guys in the van on the way home after a tournament joined by their buddies Eric and Ted.  The 2nd half hears Ted and Eric's post-tournament AAR, and then takes a turn South.  Warning: This episode gets a little raunchy!

CLICK HERE FOR THE AFTER HOURS FAQ TO FIND OUT HOW TO SIGN UP AND HOW TO MAKE SURE AFTER HOURS APPEARS AS A PODCAST

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Battlefield in a Box: Rural Road Expansion Set

We had another entry in the Battlefield in a Box terrain line from Battlefront Miniatures!  Today we're looking at the new Rural Roads Expansion.  The items are ready to hit the table right away!  These should check in at about $45 USD - price isn't out yet (UPDATE: $45 it is!).  This set includes some neat stuff -- see it all below.

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Whats your Objective? Part 3

In Whats your Objective? Part 1 we discussed available resource and the importance of objectives. In Whats your Objective? Part 2 I made an objective from scratch using things found in my bits box.  In Whats your Objective? Part 3, we are going to take a look at how we protect our cool looking diorama objectives during game play. We will also look at some ways of making flat objectives.

While homemade and store bought objectives look really cool on the battlefield, they are not aways game play friendly.   Many of us have encountered the same problem: inevitably, someone needs to park a tank right on top of the objective during a game.  This can not only look silly, but can also result in a damaged objective or tank.

When this happens, many people simply swap out their objective for a flat, unpainted large base.  However, that large unpainted base detracts from your wonderfully painted army and terrain.  What options are out there that you can use instead of a blank large base?

Battlefront has a line a flat, inexpensive, full color objectives with national symbols on them which work great for objectives.  You often see these in WWPD battle reports and it is totally safe to park a tank on top of them.   The only draw back to these objective is that Battlefront only has them for the four major nations. If you play Finns, Greeks, Romanians, Hungarians, etc you are S-O-L.

If you don't want to buy these full color objectives from Battlefront or use and dull large base,  you can always make your own flat objectives.  Here are three objectives I made that meet the needs of table top miniature safe combat.

The Open Field Objective
The first, and simplest, is just a large flat base that I have flocked to match my late war British/ Canadian and late war German armies.  This is relatively easy to do and blends in well with your battlefield.

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WWPD Online Gaming Updates

Significant changes have come to the WWPD group in World of Tanks among other things.  Clan Wars has been successful, the clan has expanded into another company, and new have forged new grounds in new games.

First off, WWPD World of Tanks has expanded!  The 2nd WWPD Panzer Division has been officially formed to accommodate overflow from the 1st WWPD Panzer Division and to allow those not interested in Clan Wars, an area of stress free reprieve.  The 2nd WWPD Panzer Division (WWPD2) and the 1st WWPD Panzer Division (WWPD) have no differences other than those in WWPD are expected to participate in Clan Wars if needed, while WWPD2 is more of a social and less serious division.  Otherwise both divisions should be considered identical and the lines between them can be blurred by using the newly upgraded TeamSpeak3 server which can now support 50 members.  Members from both divisions can participate in the same platoons, company battles, and tournament teams, and are in-fact encouraged to interact.

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Panzer IV/70 (V)

I have been working on the old painting queue lately, and I finally got around to the Battlefront Panzer IV/70s I had sitting around. This unit is pretty good for Flames of War - kind of a poor man's Panther. Clocking in at 150pts each, they are a pretty good value for the cost. You give up some armor front and side, a turret and some mobility for the points break.

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EW Poles vs Slovaks Hold the Line AAR

Guest post by the inimitable Anatoli from Anatoli's Game Room.

Back to the wonderful world of Early War FoW, sold my DAK army and played two battles of Early War the same day. Got to say that it totally revitalized my interest and liking for the game which had been on a decline during the last weeks of Mid-War desert warfare.

I have also started to order and scout miniatures for an expansion into the 10th Motorized Cavalry brigade which will be my next project once I completely finish my Polish-Lithuanian renaissance army.

I've been playing the Polish Infantry battalion for a long time and found it to be rather difficult to build it in a way that works in both defense and attack. So using my experience and ideas from the last Early War tournament I put together something that I think finally works regardless of whether I meet other infantry armies and am forced to attack - or end up defending.

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Soviet BA-64s

Just a quick post today!  I grabbed 3 blisters of BA-64s at Adepticon and figured they were a quick and easy way to get some mobile recon into my Soviet lists!

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Sea Lion: Finns vs Americans in Somerset

As part of Operation Sea Lion, a US Armored Rifle company (4th AD- CV) encounters a Finn infantry company at Somerset as the allies abandon the region. The mission is Dust Up! Sean's Finn infantry is made up of Jakaari

Sean's Finns HQ Full Strength Infantry Platoon w/ Torni Full Strength Infantry Platoon Understrength Pioneer Platoon 3x T-34/85 Captured SU-152 (The Kracken) 122mm Battery 3x BT-42s Sporadic HS-129Bs

Steven's Armored Rifles HQ Full Strength AR Platoon Full Strength AR Platoon 2x Sherman M4A3 lates, 2x M4A1 76mm M18 Tank destroyer Unit Cav Recon (trained) 105 Battery (trained) AOP

SETUP AND DEPLOYMENT

The board. Sean rolls to go first.

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