Bolt Action - AAR: Rumble in the Desert- 8th Army vs DAK

My first game with 28mm figs! Couldn't quite get to 1000 points, but close. I don't remember the exact math, but they're around 950ish each. Eric Turner and I rolled to see who got which army. The mission is Demolition using the objective markers. I was really excited to see all of the excellent models painted for me by Sonbae.  They look even better in person!

8th Army British 1st Lt + Rifleman VET Artillery Observer REG (free) Artillery Observer + extra man VET 1st Squad: 1 SMG, 1 Bren, 4 Rifles, AT Grenades VET 2nd Squad: 1 SMG, 1 Bren, 4 Rifles VET 3rd Squad: 1 Bren, 5 Rifles, AT Grenades VET MMG Team VET Medium Mortar Team VET Grant I Tank REG

Afrika Korps Germans 1st Lt + Rifleman VET Artillery Observer VET 1st Squad: 1 SMG, 3 Rifles, 2 LMGs VET 2nd Squad: 1 SMG, 3 Rifles, 2 LMGs VET 3rd Squad: 2 SMGs, 6 Rifles VET MMG Team VET Medium Mortar Team VET Panzer IV E VET

SETUP AND DEPLOYMENT

The board.

1st Squad

3rd Squad

The German 1st Squad

Panzer IV

German HMG in the doorway

UNITS IN RESERVE
8th Army British 2nd Squad (right flank) LT Grant I Vet Observer Medium Mortar	Afrika Korps Germans 2nd Squad 3rd Squad LT Observer

DEPLOYMENT SUMMARY

8th Army British: The Brits have 9 units, and choose to start with 2 infantry squads, their HMG, and the regular artillery observer on the board. One of the infantry squads is put into a right flank march. 1st squad on the right, 2nd squad on the left. MMG in the central building, observer on the ridge to the right. Afrika Korps Germans: The Germans begin with their Panzer IV, Mortar, MMG, and an infantry squad. Everything else is put into a left flank march except the artillery observer. Panzer IV. Mortar, and HMG tightly packed covering the objective. 1st Squad slightly to the right.

TURN 1

The Panzer IV draws first blood on the Brit 3rd squad.

1st Squad moves into a building

The Brit observer calls in a ranging round...

The artillery slams into the German position! The Mortar team is wiped out to a man with a direct hit.

The tank and MMG team both suffer from pinning.

As does the German 1st squad.

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Army British 3rd Squad: 1 Rifleman	Afrika Korps Germans Medium Mortar: DESTROYED

TURN 1 SUMMARY

8th Army British: 8th Army artillery slams into the German position, affecting every unit on the board! Afrika Korps Germans: The Panzer IV opens fire on some infantry, knocking out a single man.

TURN 2

The Grant rolls onto the board, and nails the Panzer IV, stunning the crew.

Another Brit observer moves forward.

The German observer moves to a rooftop for a better shot.

The pins accumulate on both the German MMG and the Panzer IV.

German LMGs reposition

While the British 1st Squad holds it down near the Oasis.

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Army British 3rd Squad: 1 Rifleman	Afrika Korps Germans Medium Mortar: DESTROYED

TURN 2 SUMMARY

8th Army British: The Grant comes on the board and stuns the Panzer IV. The Mortar arrives behind the low wall near HQ. The LT fails to show up. Afrika Korps Germans: With most of the force in flank march or pinned, the Germans don't do much except for having the observer get into position.

TURN 3

Top of 3.

British 2nd Squad arrives but is chased by the German 3rd squad!

And then get samwiched by more Germans! They hang in there though, despite losing half in a single volley of shooting.

Similarly, the 2nd British mission drops in! Plenty of pins abound.

The German artillery drops! Ouch! Pins abound.

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Army British 3rd Squad: 1 Rifleman 2nd Squad: NCO SMG, 3 Riflemen	Afrika Korps Germans Medium Mortar: DESTROYED MMG: 1 crew

TURN 3 SUMMARY

8th Army British: The British flanking squad is doomed, while enough pins accumulate on the Grant to effectively mission kill it. In the center of the board, 1st squad advances forward with an eye on the objective. Afrika Korps Germans: Similarly, the German Panzer IV is out thanks to pinning.

TURN 4

Turn 4

The German assault squad charges the Brit 2nd squad.

And predictably wipes them out.

Meanwhile, 1st squad runs, keeping the Panzer IV between them and the rest of the Germans.

3rd Squad moves forward in support.

More Germans arrive from reserve, but they are far from the action.

The assault squad.

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Army British 3rd Squad: 1 Rifleman 2nd Squad: DESTROYED	Afrika Korps Germans Medium Mortar: DESTROYED MMG: 1 crew

TURN 4 SUMMARY

8th Army British: The Brits make a play for the objective. Afrika Korps Germans: The Germans near the objective are pinned to hell, while the flank force has arrived fresh!

TURN 5

1st Squad assaults and eliminates the German observer, grabbing the objective.

Freshly arrived Germans take desperate pot shots at 1st squad in an attempt to score some casualties.

Overcoming his pins, the 2 remaining MMG crewmen assault!

They take down one brit, but are themselves wiped out.

Finally the Germans assault with a nearly full strength squad...

AND WHIFF!!

At the end of the game, the Brits have managed to seize and hold the objective.

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Army British 3rd Squad: 1 Rifleman 2nd Squad: DESTROYED	Afrika Korps Germans Medium Mortar: DESTROYED MMG: DESTROYED Observer: DESTROYED

TURN 5 SUMMARY

8th Army British: 1st Squad moves to the objectives and hangs on for dear life. Afrika Korps Germans: Everything but the kitchen sink is thrown at the British first squad, but it's not enough to dislodge them.

I had a blast! I really like the rules and the aesthetic of the game. I need more figs- everything was vet in order to make it all work. I love that our tanks were pinned to oblivion and did next to nothing. Artillery was devastating in this mission! We were packed tightly and fairly static, which is when it should shine. Looking forward to more!

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