A few buddies and I got together to play some Bolt Action. Two of them had never played before, and the other had only played once. I put together some simple introduction forces so they could learn the basics. The forces mirrored each other for the most part, and we played to kill. All forces were Regulars.
Soviet Force
2 x 1st Lt.
4 x LMG Squad (NCO w/SMG + LMG)
2 x MMG w/ gun shield
1 x Medium Mortar
1 x Sniper
2 x T-34/76
1 x Free Inxp. Squad
German Force
2 x 1st Lt.
4 x Squad (NCO w/SMG + LMG)
2 x MMG
1 x Medium Mortar
1 x Sniper
2 x Panzer III L
The board
T-34 arrives from the board edge
Soviets advance
German MMG opens fire
Sneaky Germans
German Squad gets caught in the open
Maxim moves to support the T-34
Mortar fire strikes first
The German squad caught outside the house draw more fire
Soviet troops take up defensive positions
Meanwhile the pigs rut around in the manure
Naval troops shoot some more Germans, then duct into the house
A Panzer III moves up to save the German infantry
T-34 moves out
German bodies everywhere
Caught in the middle of it all
German MMG redeploys
This doesn't stop the T-34 through
Soviet sniper takes up position on a hill
T-34 takes the fight to the Germans
With first squad dead, 2nd is ordered into the kill zone
Panzer III comes in from reserve
So do more Soviet Infantry
The Panzer III make quick work of the aggressive T-34
K-Boom
The battle is raging and the momentum turns in favor of the Germans
The burning T-34 wreck chokes the battlefield with thick black smoke
German mortar fire misses
Withering gunfire cuts through these Russians
Drawing the attention of every German unit with a gun
Germans start their offensive
Covered by MMG fire
In an attempt to take the lead in kills, the Inexperienced Russians charge toward the enemy through the blood of the dead.
Also covered by the sniper
Finally, on turn seven, the other T-34 arrives but fails to hit, even at point blank.
This Panzer III tries to shoot the new T-34, but misses also.
The Aftermath
The game started strong for the Soviets, but like most Bolt Action games, it was unpredictable and the Germans ended up winning by killing five units to three. We had a few interesting things happen during the game. First, because of how I placed the terrain, LMGs became very valuable. LMGs could hit when others could not, and benefited from the extra range when determining if a target was at long range. The game was an awesome first game for those playing, and everyone had picked up the rules by turn two. Everyone had a great time, and can't wait for out next game.
