Monday, March 14, 2016

Creeping Tide_1

This scenario was titled Creeping Tide_1 and it was stolen from John Tiller's excellent PC game titled East Prussia 1914.

The German 37th ID supported by Landwehr and Jaegers were tasked to delay an advance by two Russian Infantry Divisions-the 6th and 8th.

This game featured only the assault of the Russian 6th ID.

The order of battle was:

Russian OB

2nd Army, XV Corps, 6th Infantry Division


2nd Brigade

24th Infantry Regiment (Simbrisk) 4 Bns + MG Co asset 
23rd Infantry Regiment (Nizovskiy) 4 Bns + MG Co asset 
6th Artillery Bde. Div. #2 Bde asset (76.2 Putilovs)
Oren Cossack Regt. Bde asset


1st Brigade
21st Infantry Regiment (Murom) 4 Bns + MG Co asset 
22nd Infantry Regiment (Nizoh-Nov) 4 Bns + MG Co asset 
6th Artillery Bde. Div. #1 Bde asset (76.2mm Putilovs)
Oren Cossack Regiment Bde asset


Divisional Assets
15th Howitzer Division (122mm howitzers off board) 
15th Sapper Bn. 

The opposition from the German 37th ID was as follows:

German OB
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8th Army, XX Corps, 37th Infantry Division Infantry Brigade 75

Infantry Regiment 145 3 Bns + MG Co asset 
Infantry Regiment 150 3 Bns + MG Co asset 
FAR 73 (2 Bns) Bde Assets (77mm Krupp Whiz Bangs)

Landwehr Regiment 18

Landwehr Infantry Regiment 18 3 Bns + MG Co. asset

Division Assets
FAR 82 (2 Bns 150mm howitzers- off board) 
Pioneer Bn 28 

This was the first game in which a formal trench line was in play. In this case the trench effectively blocked the main road and route to the major objectives. The trench line was supported by batteries on either side as well as the reserve unit of pioneers.

One of the German improved positions held by a MG CO and supported by a battalion of infantryin the woodline.

German improved position on their left flank. One battalion of infantry supported by the regimental MG CO.

The Russian right flank prepares to advance. The card system restriction meant that their assault would come too late to matter.

The Russian center-again the card system restricted their use because of the time limit set in the game.

The Russian left flank made an assault against the village and was partially successful but could not hold. The picture shows the first two battalions as they make their way across a killing ground.

Another view of the Russian left center.

Russian high-tide. Two battalions have penetrated the village and another has pushed back the German artillery while another engages the trench line. 

The Russian right flank advances toward the end of the game. The infantry is supported by a Cossack Regiment and a MG CO mounted in a cart.

The Russian left pushes forward crossing an important road.

Two battalions of Russians approach the road they must cross. They must also take two improved positions.

One of the improved positions. The Russians would make some headway but the game was called when the turn limit was reached.

A few more turns and the Russians might have broke through on their right. Here you can see the German improved position taking losses while two full Russian regiments bear down on them.

The game ended on turn 12. The Russians were unable to attain any of the victory conditions. The German player deployed his "free units" well and got exactly the cards he needed to meet the threat to his right flank. The Russian left did launch a spirited attack with good cards but it was not enough. 

Victory belonged to the Germans and MS. The Russian players were JZ and JR while I was the judge.

The game has led me to further tweeks in the card system. The next game will involve a replay of the same scenario with the new tweeks.

Historical Note: Due to the firepower of massed artillery and the machine gun it didn't take long before the infantry formations started to open up in extended order to reduce casualties. 

We try to represent this in the game by having the battalions have three companies in line (3 stands) and one company in reserve behind the line. 

As the war continued the formations switched to three companies up in extended order with one in reserve and eventually to line in open order.  At that point because of casualties frequently there was no reserve.  Trenches provided security.


By 1917-18 the major powers had all adopted open order not in line with hopefully another battalion in support.

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