Twelfth Quarter Archive[spoiler=khanaqin]--------
Tournament of The Battle of Khanaqin-------
----1/7...NO TRENCH..........16 Player Tournament---
--------------Wayward Day's Diary: June 4th,1916
-----My third travel in this Great War has brought me to the center of the Sun. Well the Middle East. It appears I am a German soldier who is traveling with the Turkish 6th army. Our commander is Lt.Col. Ali Ishan Bey. We have been sent to stop the Russians under the command of General Baratov. From taking the city of Khanaqin. It is the only massive battle fought between the Russian and Ottoman Empires on the Mesopotamian front. My guess there would have been more. But when the Bolsheviks took power in Russia. They took Russia out of The Great War.
-----Anyway the battle went totally in favor of the Turks. Ishan was able to stop Baratov's advance in the area. The Turks chased the Russians out of Mesopotamia. However, there is news of an Arab revolt. Have to see if it amounts to anything.
Round 1:(maps--because of Mesopotamia)
--The Russians attacked the town of Khanaqin head on. But the Turkish unit led by Sevket Bey held onto the death. The Russians fled.
16 start and 16 move on. Maps:Battle for Iraq,Ziggurat,4-4 player games,2 on Battle for Iraq,2 on Ziggurat,Standard,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,(Unlimited,Chained),30 rounds.
Round 2:(maps--Ishan-born in Istanbul,Genocide,looks Arabic)
--Ali Ishan Bey is widely known for his part in the Armenian Genocide. He was born in Constantinople before the Turks changed the name to Istanbul.
16 start and 8 move on. Maps:Classic Cities:Istanbul,Das Schloss,Thyseneal,2-8 players play,2 on C.C.:Istanbul,2 on Das Schloss,2 on Thyseneal,Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,(Unlimited,Chained),30 rounds.
Round 3:(map--because of Mesopotamia)
--The only massive clash between The Ottoman and Russian Empires in the Mesopotamian front.
8 start and 8 move on. Map:Gilgamesh,2-4 players play,7 games,Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,(Unlimited,Chained),30 rounds.
Round 4:(maps--because of The Ottoman Empire)
--Lands taken and owned and attacked by the West of The Ottoman Empire"the sick man of Europe".
8 start and 6 move on.Maps:WWII Ottaman Empire,Third Crusade,2-4 players play,2 on WWII Ottaman Empire,2 on Third Crusade,Assassin,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,(Unlimited,Chained),30 rounds.
Round 5:(map--Oasis--hot as the Sun)
--The horrible heat led to many desertions and death.
6 start and 4 move on.Map:Oasis,6 players play,3 games,Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Nuclear,Zombie),Chained,Fog(sand storm),30 rounds.
Round 6:(map--Soviet Union--Russia/Bolsheviks)
--The Bolsheviks take control of Russia. They take Russia out of World War I.
4 start and 2 move on.Map:Soviet Union,4 players play,5 games,Assassin,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,(Unlimited,Chained),30 rounds.
Round 7:(map--because Arab Revolt--Middle East)
--After chasing away the Russians. The Turks had to deal with"The Great Arab Rising" or The Arab Revolt.
2 start ,Map:Middle East,1-vs-1,9 games,Standard,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,Fog(sand storm),30 rounds.
-- CSS[/spoiler]
[spoiler=lutsk]
The Battle of Lutsk
While the Battle of Lutsk was relatively short (June 4th to 6th, 1916), it was the opening attack of the Brusilov Offensive (pic of Alexei Brusilov) which became known as the Russian Empire's greatest feat during WWI. It was the worst loss for Austro-Hungarian forces.
On the night of June 4th, the Russians started with a barrage of artillery against the Austro-Hungarian Fourth Army. It was so intense that it broke more than 50 gaps in the barbed wire defenses.
Those defending Lutsk fled in panic or surrendered without resistance. Although they fought back briefly, the overwhelming Russian Infantry pressed forward.
In just two days, 130,000 Austro-Hungarian forces were lost. This forced Austria to halt it's attacks in Italy. It also brought Romania into the war. From this point onwards, the Brusilov Offensive would move ahead in force for the next 4 months.
Credit to the following for most of my info:
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/lutsk.htmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lutsk24 Players start
Round 1: Russian forces pounded gaps in the barbed wire. Random Draw, 5 games, 24 move on, Games: 6 Players, Terminator, Escalating, No Fog. Map - Trench Warfare
Round 2: The defenders fled in panic or surrendered without resistance. 24 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 16 move on, Games: 8 Players, Terminator, Escalating, Fog. Maps - Middle Ages, Classic Cities: Pot Mosbi
Round 3: With overwhelming numbers the Russians pressed the attack. 16 start, Random Draw, 9 games, 8 move on, Games: 4 Players, Terminator, Escalating, Fog. Maps Austro-Hungarian Empire, WWII Eastern Front, Soviet Union
Round 4: A change of direction for many nations. 8 start, Score Resets, Random draw, 8 games, 8 Players, Terminator, Escalating, Fog. Maps Germany, Italy, Orient Express 1883, Europe 1914
-- MJ[/spoiler]
[spoiler=first day of the Somme]
The First Day of the Battle of the Somme was some of the worst losses for the British Empire. There were several nations involved in the battle, including the Newfoundland Regiment, who were with the 88th Brigade of the 29th Division.Of all the battles that the Newfoundland Regiment fought during the First World War, none was as devastating or as defining as the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The Regiment's tragic advance at Beaumont Hamel on the morning of July 1, 1916 became an enduring symbol of its valour and of its terrible wartime sacrifices. The events of that day were forever seared into the cultural memory of the Newfoundland and Labrador people.
The Newfoundland Regiment was stationed in trenches near the French village of Beaumont Hamel, which lay behind German lines. It was a strategically difficult position. The German front lines were about 300 to 500 metres away, down a grassy slope and heavily guarded by barbed wire entanglements. The German 119th Reserve Regiment, tough and experienced, had turned the natural defences of a deep Y-shaped ravine into one of the strongest positions on the entire Somme front. The Newfoundland Regiment's assignment (along with the rest of the 88th Brigade) was to seize control of the German trenches near the village of Beaumont Hamel. The Regiment would be part of a third wave of attackers to leave Allied trenches.
As the first wave of Allied troops left their trenches at 7:30, they were greeted by a devastating barrage of enemy artillery and machine gun fire. It was far stronger than anyone had anticipated. Most men were killed or wounded in minutes. A second wave of troops left their trenches soon after and met with the same fate. The Newfoundland Regiment was still in its trenches, awaiting orders to go over the top as part of a third wave of attack.
The men left their trenches at 9:15 a.m., with orders to seize the first and second lines of enemy trenches. But as they moved down the exposed slope towards No Man's Land, no friendly fire covered their advance. Instead, German cross-fire cut across the advancing columns of men, killing or wounding most of them before they even reached No Man's Land.
The attack was a devastating failure. In a single morning, almost 20,000 British troops died, and another 37,000 were wounded. The Newfoundland Regiment had been almost wiped out. When roll call was taken, only 68 men answered their names - 324 were killed, or missing and presumed dead, and 386 were wounded. 
Above text and images are excerpts from Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador
http://www.heritage.nf.ca/ website
Read all the details at
http://www.heritage.nf.ca/first-world-w ... mel-en.phpRound 1. Germany had marched through Belgium and into northern France. 24 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 24 move on. Games: 8 players, Standard, Flat rate, random fog, adj forts. Maps - France, BeNeLux, Germany
Round 2. Newfoundland Regiment is with the 88th Brigade of the 29th Division. 24 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 18 move on. Games: 4 player, Terminator, No spoils, no fog, unlimited forts. Maps - Wales, Scotland, England
Round 3. Many soldiers sent letters home in the days before the battle. 18 start, random Draw, 6 games, 14 move on. Games: 9 player, Terminator, Esc, no fog, chained forts. Maps - Canada, North America, Golfe Du Saint-Laurent
Round 4. Allied trenches stretched along one side and Germans along the other. Score Resets. 14 start, random draw, 6 games, 14 move on. Games: 7 player, Standard, random spoils, random fog, adj forts, TRENCH. Maps - Trench Warfare, Siege
Round 5. This was a death trap for our boys. 14 start, random draw, 8 games, 8 move on. Games 7 player, Standard, random Nuclear/Zombie spoils, random fog, chained forts. Maps - Island of Doom, Madness.
Round 6. Beaumont Hamel plunged Newfoundland and Labrador into a period of mourning. 8 start, 8 games. Games 8 player, Standard, random flat rate/esc/no spoils, Fog, chained forts. Maps - France 2.1, Unification Germany, British Isles, Golfe Du Saint-Laurent.
-- MJ[/spoiler]
[spoiler=bazentin ridge i]
Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14-17, 1916
The disastrous opening of the Battle of the Somme on is still remembered as the bloodiest day in British military history, but it was merely the beginning of five months of horror that resulted in 1.3 million casualties on both sides, including 310,486 killed and missing. The lion’s share of these were inflicted in a series of incremental Allied offensives throughout the summer and fall of 1916, as the British and French pushed forward again and again in search of an ever-elusive breakthrough.
The second big push fell just two weeks after the first assault, during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge from July 14-17, when the British scored a rare victory but then failed to exploit it, giving the Germans a chance to regroup and dig in again – by now a frustratingly familiar result on those rare occasions when either side scored a success.
In the early morning of July 14, the shelling culminated in a five-minute “hurricane” bombardment. By 10 a.m. on July 14, the British 3rd and 7th Divisions had torn a hole in the German defenses, clearing the way for an advance into the High Wood north of Bazentin le Petit, but the divisional commanders were under orders to hold their positions and couldn’t call on reinforcements, which were being held in reserve in case of potential German counterattacks elsewhere.
Meanwhile the British attack didn’t succeed everywhere: the 9th Division in particular, attacking the German lines near the village of Longueval, suffered very heavy casualties as it tried to push the Germans out of Delville Wood. South African troops continued to battle for Longueval and Delville Wood from July 14 to July 17, but the planned cavalry attack was called off after an abortive advance by the Indian cavalry division revealed the Germans were still well entrenched.
By July 17, the arrival of growing numbers of German reinforcements finally spelled the end of the fleeting British success at Bazentin Ridge.
Above text and image are excerpts from Mental Floss
http://mentalfloss.com/Read all the details at
http://mentalfloss.com/article/83219/ww ... ntin-ridgeRound 1. The British scored a rare victory but then failed to exploit it. 25 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 25 move on. Games: 1 point per game, 5 players, Standard, Flat rate, fog, random adjacent/chained/parachute forts. Maps - British Isles, Classic Cities: London, England
Round 2. Douglas Haig ordered the Fourth Army to push ahead on the southern front. 25 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 20 move on. Games: 2 points per game, 5 players, Standard, Esc, random fog, unlimited forts. Maps - WWII Western Front, WWII Eastern Front, Europe
Round 3. Indian cavalry hindered by shell holes and debris strewn across the battlefield. 20 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 15 move on. Games: 3 points per game, 5 players, Standard, Flat rate, no fog, adj forts. Maps - Indian Empire, South Africa 1885, Dark Continent
Round 4. The situation remained a stalemate – albeit an extremely violent one. 15 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 5 move on. Games: 4 points per game, 5 players, Terminator, random Esc/flat/no spoils, fog, chained forts. Maps - Halloween Hollows, Salem's Switch, Monsters
Round 5. German reinforcements finally spelled the end of the fleeting British success. 5 start, Random Draw, 9 games. Games: 5 points per game, 5 players, Standard, Esc, no fog, unlimited forts. Maps - Germany, Holy Roman Empire, France 1789
-- MJ[/spoiler]
[spoiler=bazentin ridge II]-------
The Battle of Bazentin Ridge...July 14th,1916/Story Line...----------Tis I Wayward day. I still find myself in the bend of the River Somme. I feel like I am in a Jimmy Stewart movie
. But instead of a cattle drive. This bend in the river is filled with mounds of dead bodies. It is a moonless night this evening. Our commanding officer General Henry Rawlinson has given us the go time. For our attack on the German lines. July 14th,1916 at 3:25 a.m.. 4 divisions of the B.E.F.'s 4th army is going to slam into General Fritz von Below's 2nd German Army. On a front that is 6,000 yds(5.5km) long.
------We find ourselves just down from the German lines, which run from just past Guillemont and Ginchy. Northwest along the crest of Bazentin Ridge to Pozieres. Down the Albert Bapaume road. The attack plan laid out to us. Is to take the villages of Bazentin le Petit, Bazentin le Grand and also Longueval. They all lay adjacent to Delvillewood,and the Highwood on the ridge beyond.
------I hear footsteps behind me. As I turn around, I hear "Major, chin up old boy!" Why it is General Henry Rawlinson himself. The General seems optimistic about his plan. I ask him, how he chose this plan. He says,"I'm choosing to attack at dawn, when there will be no natural light for the German machine gunners to see far ahead." "What about our artillery General?",I whispered. "Well,you see I have decided ,when the attack is to start. To maintain surprise, the infantry were to be preceded by a 5 minute hurricane bombardment. Rather than the 30 minute barrage the Germans are use to. After that, a creeping bombardment, as the infantry moves forward.",he stated. He then walked away towards the battle room. As I watch the General walk away. I can't help but think of the men. When the attack begins. They will be attacking up hill the whole way.
------I head in the opposite direction, and bump into SGT. Jones. He is one of the engineers. "What are you up to Sarge?",I ask. Jones says,"I have been crawling in the mud and over dead bodies all day. My unit has been cutting German barbwire for hours." "There is a massive brewing.",I say. Jones whispers,"I tell you something Major. As I was working out there. Cutting the barbwire. My unit discovered the Germans have been listening to the telephones of the 63rd Brigade. So word around our unit. Is H.Q. has tricked the Germans with a fake message. That operations have been postponed for the time being." As he smiled. I laughed,"Well maybe we can fool'em."
------Pvt. Mchugh came towards us. "I can hear you guys", he said. "As you been cutting Sarge, I have been laying down tape and markers. So the men can advance in the dark. I've been on my stomach all day and night.", he muttered.
------Just then the sky lit up. I looked at my pocket watch. It is 3:20 a.m.,the attack has begun. The hurricane bombardment has cracked open the night. I think of all the new German troops under that barrage of fire and steel. A RFC pilot told me yesterday. He has been watching many German troop trains coming this way. They have been traveling from Flanders. It is now 3:25 a.m. the bombardment has slowed down and there go the men. They will be attacking Trones wood sector first. Lucky for them ,last night the 4th army was able to assemble 22,000 men and supplies 500 yds closer to the Germans with out being noticed. As reports come in. The attack started out with a miss hap. The attack started out to the east of Trones wood. The men thought they were attacking north. As the troops advanced, they could not stop the Germans from fixing the cut barbwire. Because of the long high grass, made it had to see. The men of the 7th division are exhausted. They have had 5 days rest. Before they were brought back for this battle. There has been no time to replace it's lost men.
------The 4th army is making gains, but slowly. From this news the High Command tried an attack in the daylight, with the 10th Cheshire on the village of Ovillers. But were cut down by German machine guns. They tried again at night. Succeeded in taking Ovillers. But lost so many men, they had to withdraw. All along the German lines, the British infantry advanced forward through the mist. With just enough light to tell German troops from British ones. They pushed through 2 German trench lines, through the barbwire. German positions fell one after the other. A lot of Germans troops escaped. Because many of the British troops lacked the training to hit soldiers beyond 300 yds.
------As a few German prisoners are brought in. I talk to one. He tells me and shows me a piece of paper. It is an order from German General Fritz von Below. It reads,"Despite my ban on the voluntary relinquishment of Positions, apparently certain sectors have been evacuated without an enemy attack. Every commander is responsible for ensuring , that his troops fight to the last man, to defend the sector for which he is responsible. Failure to do so will lead to Court Martial proceedings. THIS ARMY ORDER is to be made known to all commanders."---Below,July 14th, 1916...
------As time passed ,a message runner from the Longueval alley trench came running up. "Hey,Stanley Spencer!",I shouted. Stanley ran over to me. I asked him,"How are things in the alley?" As he looked at me with a sad face,trying to catch his breathe. He answered,"Just awful,In the trenches of Longueval alley. Many bodies have been covered by loose earth. From the sides of the trenches caving in. The bodies under the dirt form a springy, cushiony floor. It gives an unpleasant feeling,when walking on them." He also says,"H.Q. has been getting false reports on the battle for Longueval. Reports of capture of Longueval is untrue. Which has been leading the High Command the wrong way. Making them make all kinds of blunders. The truth is the Germans are holding onto the north part of Longueval. It is stopping the troops from advancing west. The Germans are also counter attacking and fortifying their positions at Longueval." He then takes off towards H.Q.. More reports of the battle come in. As a lull fell over the battlefield. Except where South Africans continue to attack German machine gun fire at Longueval.
------As the 15th of July begins. The Germans are still holding on to Delvillewood and Longueval. Which is giving cover for attacking German troops brought up from Flers. The Highlander light infantry and the Scottish rifle corps, were sent to take Highwood. They were soon joined by the King's Royal rifle corps. But they all were driven back. The High Command has judged Highwood to be untenable, an should be bombarded back to the stone age.
------The 16th and 17th of July brought much of the same poor judgement of the High Command. The 4th army leaders demanded the Highwood be taken by dawn. The British brought their artillery closer. When they should have moved it back to a safer distance, along with the infantry. German artillery fire, cut all the telephone lines. The German infantry counter attacked. British troops are being slowed down by mud. When they try to bring shells and troops up to the fight. More important , the bombardment at Highwood. Is failing to destroy the German machine guns.
------Although this stage in the fight for the Somme is looking like a British victory. The rain is stopping French troops from coming to the aid of the British. The time wasted by Rawlinson has been horrible. At one point a handful of British soldiers walked into the Highwood unopposed. Rawlinson decided to wait for the cavalry. He could of sent the infantry into the Highwood. When he finally sent the cavalry in, hours later. The Germans had plugged up the holes in their lines. German machine gunners ,cut down Rawlinson's cavalry. Also with the wasted time. More ground all over the battlefield could have been taken. After the battle for Bazentin Ridge. Most attacks on both sides were defeated by defensive fire power and the inclement weather. Which frequently turned the battlefield into a slough of mud. As I look over the battlefield through my field glasses. All I can see aside from the human death. Is the ruins of walls were buildings once stood. The sticks of trees that found nesting places among the debris. The whole landscape has become what looks like a volcanic uproar.
------As I turn and head back to H.Q. my satchel still isn't glowing. It looks like I'm still stuck on the Somme. But that's o.k. ,because a special person is reported to be in the Delvillewood sector. We will find out more in the battle of Delvillewood.
-------
The Battle of Bazentin Ridge.../Tournament...-------
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1/7.......................16 player tournament......---------
--------Wayward Day's Diary: July 14th,1916
----The Battle of Baznentin Ridge could be called a British Victory. Fought between the British 4th army under the command of General Henry Rawlinson. Up against the German 2nd army of General Fritz von Below. As the British slowly made small gains moving forward. In the closing of the battle. Attempts to use the opportunity of early success. To capture Highwood failed. Due to German success in holding onto the northend of Longueval and parts of Delvillewood. From which attacks on Highwood ,could be engaged from the flank. Along with poor weather , mud slowed the attack. To add to the bad waste of time by H.Q.. Not sending cavalry in sooner. When they decided to. The Germans had regrouped and repelled the cavalry. Also the cavalry was delayed by the destroyed ground , shell holes and trenches. But all and all a some what...British Victory...
Round 1:(France map)
16 players start and 16 move on.Map:France,1-vs-1,5 games :Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 rounds.
Round 2:(England,Germany,Duck and Cover:Bombardment Begins)
16 players start and 8 move on. Maps:England,Germany,Duck and Cover:4-4 player games, 2 on England,2 on Germany, 2 on Duck and Cover: Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 rounds.
Round 3:(British Isles---B.E.F. pushing forward)
8 players start and 8 move on.Map: British Isles,1-vs-1,5 games :Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Escalating,Flat Rate),Chained,Fog,30 rounds.
Round 4:(Classic Cities:London,Indian Empire--Rawlinson birth and death places)
8 players start and 6 move on.Maps:C.C.:London,Indian Empire:2-4 player games,2 on C.C.:London,2 on Indian Empire: Assassin,Auto,Sequential, Flat Rate, Chained, Fog, Trench, 30 rounds.
Round 5:(Flanders 1302,Rail Europe--Germany moved troops from Flanders by Rail)
6 players start and 4 move on.Maps: Flanders 1302,Rail Europe:1-6 player games,2 on Flanders 1302, 2 on Rail Europe: Terminator, Auto, Sequential, Escalating, Chained, Fog ,30 rounds.
Round 6:(Scotland,South Africa 1885--Scotts and South Africans joined the battle)
4 players start and 2 move on. Maps:Scotland,South Africa 1885: 1-4 player games, 3 on Scotland, 3 on South Africa 1885: Assassin, Auto, Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 rounds.
Round 7:(Trench Warfare)
2 players start:Map: Trench Warfare: 1-vs-1, 9 games, Standard, Auto, Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 rounds.
-- CSS[/spoiler]
[spoiler=seventh isonzo]
Freemium friendly Seventh Battle of the Isonzo, September 14-17, 1916Since it joined the war Italy has launched a series of offensives along the Isonzo. Most of these have been bloody failures.
But the last offensive, the sixth, saw the Austro-Hungarian pushed back as the Italians surged forward and captured Gorizia. That success was unexpected. The Italians were hoping only for minor gains and were unprepared to exploit their breakthrough, allowing the Austro-Hungarians to fall back and establish new defensive lines.
In preparation for another attack Italian artillery has been blasting the enemy for the last few days. However the bombardment’s effectiveness has been diminished by poor weather, which had made it difficult to observe the enemy lines. The Austro-Hungarians have also carefully camouflaged their positions, so the Italians are more or less firing their guns blind and hoping for the best.
Now Cadorna sends the infantry forward. The Austro-Hungarians are being pressed by the Russians in Galicia and the Romanians in Transylvania, so he hopes that this Italian assault will be the hammer blow that breaks their resistance.
Unfortunately the battle goes more like the first five Isonzo battles than the sixth. Italian troops emerge from their trenches and begin to move forward, adopting close-order formations like something from the Napoleonic Wars. Then the Austro-Hungarians open up with their hidden field artillery and machine-guns, cutting great holes in the Italian columns. To one Austro-Hungarian officer the Italian attack looks like “an attempt at mass suicide”.
Gains are minimal and often lost to Austro-Hungarian counter-attacks. The sixth battle is revealed as an aberration as the Isonzo returns to its normal pattern of bloody stalemate.Above text is from article:
https://ww1live.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/isonzo-24/
Image is from same article listed above
(This tournament is freemium-friendly but NOT "freemium exemption". You
must keep 1 slot available for the duration!)
Battles:
Round 1. Italy launched a series of offensives along the Isonzo. 32 start, Random Draw, 1 game, 32 move on. Games: 2 players, Auto deployment, Flat Rate, no fog, chained forts. Map - Italy
Round 2. The sixth battle saw the Austro-Hungarian pushed back. 32 start, Random Draw, 1 game, 32 move on. Games: 2 players, Auto deployment, Escalating, fog, unlimited forts. Map - Austro-Hungarian Empire
Round 3. The Italians were unprepared to exploit their breakthrough. 32 start, Random Draw, 1 game, 16 move on. Games: 2 players, Auto deployment, No spoils, fog, parachute forts. Map - Imperium Romanum
Round 4. Artillery blasting the enemy for the last few days. 16 start, Score Resets, Random Draw, 1 game, 16 move on. Games: 2 players, Manual deployment, Flat Rate, no fog, chained forts. Map - WWII Western Front
Round 5. Hopes that this Italian assault will be the hammer blow. 16 start, Random Draw, 1 game, 16 move on. Games: 2 players, Manual deployment, Escalating Spoils, fog, unlimited forts. Map - Unification Italy
Round 6. Italian troops emerge from their trenches. 16 start, Random Draw, 1 game, 8 move on. Games: 2 players, Manual deployment, No spoils, no fog, parachute forts. Map - Trench Warfare
Round 7. Italians adopted close-order formations like the Napoleonic Wars. 8 start, Score resets, Random Draw, 1 game, 4 move on. Games: 2 players, Polymorphic (2), Auto deployment, Flat rate, no fog, unlimited forts. Map - Napoleonic Europe
Round 8. Austro-Hungarians cut great holes in the Italian columns. 4 start, Random Draw, 1 game, 2 move on. Games: 2 players, Polymorphic (3), Auto deployment, Escalating Spoils, fog, parachute forts. Map - King Of The Mountains
Round 9. Isonzo returns to its normal pattern of bloody stalemate. 2 start, Random Draw, 1 game, Games: 2 players, Polymorphic (4), Auto deployment, No Spoils, fog, chained forts. Map - Poison Rome
-- MJ[/spoiler]
[spoiler=guillemont]
Battle of Guillemont, September 3rd to 6th, 1916
Progress on this eastern flank of the British line was essential if the French and British were to cooperate properly north of the Somme. By the start of September the capture of Guillemont was becoming more urgent, as the plans for an attack north toward Flers and Courcelette began to take shape.
The successful attack on Guillemont was made by XIV corps, and was led by the 20th Division, with the 5th Division to their right. Their target was Leuze Wood, 1,500 yards beyond the village, on a ridge overlooking the village of Combles.
The southern part of the attack on 3 September suffered the most heavily. There the 13th Brigade had been relying on the French for a final bombardment of their objective, Falfemont Farm, but the French became stuck in Combles Ravine, and were unable to make and progress. The leading waves of the first battalion to attack were wiped out by German fire. To their left the 95th Brigade (5th Division) captured its first three objectives, and reached a line east of Guillemont.
The 20th Division attack on Guillemont began from a series of trenches very close to the German front line. The village itself had been destroyed by repeated artillery bombardments, but underneath it was a maze of German strong points. Despite this the 20th Division attack succeeded, captured its three objectives and reaching the Ginchy-Wedge Wood road, east of Guillemont. Elsewhere British attacks on Ginchy and further west around the front met with little or no success on 3 September.
The advance east of Guillemont continued over the next three days. By the end of 6 September the British had reached their target line, around Leuze Wood, and were ready to turn north to deal with Ginchy. Everything would soon be in place for the next big attack, at Flers-Courcelette.Above text is from article: Rickard, J (21 September 2007), Battle of Guillemont, 3-6 September 1916,
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/ba ... emont.html
Image is from guernseydonkey.com, showing the 6th Royal Irish regiment, as they were heading back for a rest after taking Guillemont
Battles:
Round 1. The 6th Royal Irish regiment attack the village of Guillemont as part of the middle stages of the battle of Somme. 30 start, Random Draw, 8 games, 30 move on. Games: 6 players, Standard, Manual deployment, Flat rate, fog, chained forts. Maps - Ireland, Celtic Nations
Round 2. German defensive fire pinned down the French 127th Regiment in the ravine. 30 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 24 move on. Games: 6 players, Terminator, Esc, no fog, adjacent forts. Maps - Egypt: Valley Of The Kings, France 1789
Round 3. The 95th Brigade (5th Division) captured its first three objectives. 24 start, Random Draw, 4 games, 16 move on. Games: 8 players, Standard, Flat rate, fog, parachute. Maps - Operation Drug Lord, All Your Base Are Belong To Us
Round 4. The village itself had been destroyed, but underneath it was a maze of German strong points. 16 start, Random Draw, 4 games, 8 move on. Games: 8 players, Terminator, random Flat rate/Esc/Nuke, no fog, chained forts. Maps - Draknor - Level 1, Stalingrad
Round 5. The British had reached their target line, and were ready to turn north. 8 start, Score resets, 9 games. Games: 8 players, Assassin, random Flat rate/Esc, parachute forts. Maps - North America, Northwest Passage, First Nations North America
-- MJ[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Delville Wood]-----
The Battle of DelvilleWood...July 15th,1916/Story Line...-----
---------Yes, I Wayward Day am still hanging around the Somme battlefield. It is a foggy,misty morning of the 15th of July,1916. As the fighting rages on. The British High Command has decided to begin THE SECOND PHASE in the battle for the Somme. With early success in the battle. H.Q. has decided on an operation to secure the British right flank,at Delvillewood. Now that the battle of Albert offensive. Has led to the capture of fortified villages,woods, and other terrain. Which offered observation for artillery fire, jumping-off points for more attacks, and other tactical advantages against the German 2nd Army of Gen. Fritz von Below.
------General Rawlinson heads towards me. "Major,I need you to take this dispatch to the 158th Artillery Brigade. We are ready for an assault on Delvillewood." "Right away,Sir.",I said. I hopped on a brown horse, who had black feet and a white star on forehead. "Giddy,up!",I yelled. Off we went into the darkness. The misty fog didn't help seeing either. Pieces of cut wire, fox holes, trenches, and for all I know there could be bodies on the ground. Anything could trip us up, and stop us from getting to the 158th. I can't wait to get there either. For my ears have over heard of a very special person there. Being from the future ,I know all about this wonderful, exciting man.
------It is the real life Indiana Jones himself. Lt.Col. Percy Fawcett. Even in 1916 he is a world renowned adventurer. After forty-five minute horse ride. I finally reach the BIG GUNS of the 158th. I jump off my horse at Fawcett's tent. His clerk Cpt. Evans shouts down the way,"If you're looking for the Colonel, he is in the mess tent!" "Thanks!",as I wave to him,heading towards the mess tent he pointed to.
------I see Fawcett at the far end of the mess tent. He is smoking a pipe , as he is eating sausage and beans. As he is going over maps and other papers. I walk up to Col. Fawcett and say,"Here Col., it is a dispatch from Gen. Rawlinson." Fawcett smiles and says,"Thanks Major, You must have had an interesting ride in the dark. Sit down and join me." He points to the cook to bring me something to eat. "I'd love to sir.",I say."Call me Percy,Major.",he said. As he opens the dispatch and reads it. He tells me that the 158th has been ordered to open up a barrage on Delvillewood and the surrounding area. Then the newly arrived 1st infantry brigade,South African is to push forward into Delvillewood.
------We talk for a few hours. Percy tells me of his expeditions to South America. His trips down the Amazon. Indian tribes in Brazil. He speaks of giant spiders. He shot and killed a 60ft snake. But it sank into the quicksand before Percy could reach it. Many think he made it up. But I believe him, because everything else he talked about in his books. Science has proven to exist. Except for the 60ft snake. Teddy Roosevelt offered $1,000 reward to anyone who found a 30/40? snake. This prize still has never been collected. Many believe today's oxygen levels don't allow such a creature. But who knows? He lets on about his friend, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After a couple of glasses of brandy. We say Good bye to each other. Percy says,"Major, this Hellish experience at the Somme has convinced me, there must be a better world out there. After this blasted War. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to find it." "Stay safe Col.",I tell him. As I get on my horse and head back to H.Q.. I feel sad inside, knowing Percy and his son will be lost in the Mato Gorosso,The Brazilian, Amazon inn 1925,never to be heard from again.
------As I enter camp ,it is just ahead of the South African 1st Infantry Brigade. They are led by General Henry Lukin. A they pass through on their way to attack the Germans. I am standing near some British regulars. I can hear them talking softly to each other. As they watch the South Africans, they see the large Boer contingent of the 1st South African brigade. They remember the Boer War. They think many of them just fought against us a few years ago. Now we fight side by side against the Germans. I turn towards the regulars and say. Not to mention the South Africans just sailed from Egypt. They had just defeated the Senussi tribe, who were helping and led by General Gaafer Pasha of the Ottoman Empire. The Senussi had been attacking troops in North Africa.
------The goal is to clear the Germans out of Delvillewood and near by areas. To allow British troops safe cover to attack the German "Switch Line". A very key defensive position for the Germans on the Somme. A crash ,flashes of light , it looks like Percy's guns are starting to rain Hell down on the woods. With an order to take the wood "AT ALL COSTS!". Over 3,000 South Africans will soon get their first taste of fighting at the Somme. False reports of the wood had been taken,by Col. Tanner. In fact the German were holding on to the Northwest part of Delvillewood near the town of Longueval
------I spoke with a captured German officer. He said,"Delvillewood had disintergrated into shattered trees ,charred and burning stumps ,craters thick with mud ,blood,and Corpes,Corpes. Everywhere. In places they were pilled four deep.".
------One of the British regulars,Lt. Anderson Spoke out.Hey! I'll tell you something about the fighting at Delvillewood."Great",I said.Anderson speaks,"The South Africans find themselves facing over 7,000 Germans. Artillery shelling from both sides have pushed over trees and exposed their roots. This is making things hard for them to dig trenches. The South Africans are not only up against a larger force, but have to survive in trenches ,with no depth to them. That offer little protection,if any. The surrounding terrain all but dictates that most of the combat. Has been reduced to hand to hand. Fighting with knives ,bombs,and bayonets. Cursing and brutality on both sides, such as the Men can be responsible for when it is the question of (your life or mine),mud and filthy stench. As every part of the trenches seemed filled with dead-sodden ,squelchy,swollen bodies. Fortunately the blackening faces were invisible except when Verey lights lit up the horrible scene. The terrain makes it difficult to move wounded men back to a medical station. Food and water along with ammunition are running low. As we stood or walked on putrefying bodies. We hadn't the faintest idea when or how help could reach us. That is what I'm doing here,for help."
------I tell Anderson "The is no plan at the moment to send anything. Since the attack on Delvillewood began. The Germans have laid down an artillery barrage of their own. On areas of the wood captured by the Allies. It is reported that 400 shells are landing on Delvillewood every minute. Combined with frequent rain, the wood is not only churned up with fallen trees,but it is all has become a quagmire."
-----As Lt. Walks away. More reports are pouring. One catches my eye. It appears the guns of the 158th artillery. , luck has run out. Closer to the enemy lines, than they should be. The 158th has been spotted by enemy planes. Soon after they were attacked by German Artillery. Lt.Col.Percy Fawcett was gassed and baldly wounded ,sent back to a medical unit.I knew this was going to happen. But I couldn't warn Percy. About the German artillery or when he and his son would disappear in the Amazon.
------The skilfully placed German machine gun posts and well hidden snipers greatly hindered any Allied advance through the wood. The South Africans has been relieved. From men of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers,the Royal Berkshire, and the King's Rifle.
-------They tried to take the dog.
-------They faced a heavily fortified enemy that was supported by very accurate artillery fire. They in turn were relieved and replaced by the 14th,17th,and 20th divisions.
German casualties matched Allied casualties but loss of records makes this hard to verify. The South Africans had 3,155 men at the start of the attack on Delvillewood. They suffered 2,536 casualties,4 dead for every 1 wounded man. By the time they were relieved. This represented a loss of 80% killed or wounded and missing. 104 officers out of 123 were killed, wounded or missing,nearly 85%.
-------Four Victoria Crosses were awarded for outstanding bravery:
1)Private William Faulds
2)Sergeant Albert Gill
3)Private Albert Hill
4)Corporal Joseph Davies
------The Victory wet to the British in the end. Delvillewood was cleared of Germans on Sept.3rd,1916. The Germans took it back in March 1918. The Allies would take Delvillewood back for good,for the rest of the War,in Aug.1918.By the 38th Welsh Infantry Division. Being from the future I know the South African government bought the land of Delvillewood inn the 1920's. Delvillewood is well preserved with the remains of trenches ,a museum and a monument to the South African Brigade at the Delvillewood South African National Memorial.
------All I can think of as I look over the landscape. A destroyed wasteland in every direction. Is what the men have come to call it. DEVIL'S WOOD. If ever there was Hell on Earth ,this spot is it. As I wait here, because my satchel is still not glowing. So I'll stay in Hell and wait I guess.
-----1/16.................30 Player Tournament...---
--------Wayward Day's Diary: July 15th,1916...
-----------A British South African led assault on the German held Delvillewood. Opens THE SECOND PHASE of the battle of the Somme. Gen. Henry Lukin hopes to lead his S.A. troops in clearing out the Delvillewood area of Germans. To protect the British right flank. Help give the British Army a better jumping-off point to crush the German 2nd Army of Gen. Fritz von Below. In the end a British Victory. The land left a wasteland. Both sides would continue piecemeal attacks and piecemeal defense on narrow fronts in the Somme area the rest of the War.
Round 1:(Trench Warfare)
30 Players start and 30 move on.Map:Trench Warfare,1-vs-1,3 games:Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 2:(Unification Germany,France,England-countries of the Somme battle)
30 Players start and 28 move on.Maps:Unification Germany,France,England,5-6 Player Games,2 on Unification German,2 on France,2 on England:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 3:(Classic Cities:London,British Isles,Indian Empire-Places of British Generals)
28 Players start and 24 move on.Maps:C.C.:London,British Isles,Indian Empire,4-7 Player games,2 on C.C.:London,2 of British Isles,2 of Indian Empire:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),Chained,Fog,30 Rounds.
Round 4:(Trench Warfare)
24 Players start and 24 move on.Maps:Trench Warfare,1-vs-1,3 games:Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 5:(Duck and Cover-Rds 5-7 Honoring Percy Fawcett-Artillery Commander)
24 Players Start and 20 move on.Map:Duck and Cover,3-8 Player games,5 games on Duck and Cover:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Flack Rate,Nuclear),Chained,Fog,30 rounds.
Round 6:(Classic Map,World 2.1-Percy a World Adventurer)
20 Players Start and 18 move on.Maps:Classic Map,World 2.1,4-5 player game,2 on Classic Map,2 on World 2.1...:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,Fog,30 rounds
Round 7:(Brazil,South America,First Nations S.Amer.-Lost Expedition)
18 Players start and 16 move on.Maps:Brazil,South America,First Nations South Americans,3-6 Player games,2 on Brazil,2 on South America,2 on First Nations S.Amer.:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Escalating,Flat Rate),Chained,Fog,30 Rounds
Round 8:(Trench Warfare)
16 Players start and 16 move on.Maps:Trench Warfare,1-vs-1,3 games:Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 9:(Dark Continent,Africa,Africa II--Henry Lukin career in Africa)
16 Players start and 12 move on.Maps:Dark Continent,Africa,Africa II,2-8 player games,2 on Dark Continent,2 on Africa,2 on Africa II:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,Fog,30 Rounds.
Round 10:(Trench Warfare)
12 Players start and 12 move on.Map:Trench Warfare,1-vs-1,3 games:Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 11:(Egypt:Lower,WWI Ottaman Empire--South Africans go Egypt to the Somme)
12 Players start and 8 move on.Maps:Egypt:Lower,WWI Ottaman Empire,3-4 Player games,2 on Egypt:Lower,2 on WWI Ottaman Empire:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),Chained,Fog,30 Rounds.
Round 12:(Trench Warfare)
8 Players Start and 8 move on.Map:Trench Warfare,1-vs-1,3 games:Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Round.
Round 13:(South Africa 1885,Germany--S.A. troops attack German held Delvillewood)
8 Players start and 6 move on.Maps:South Africa 1885,Germany,1-8 Player game,3 on South Africa 1885,3 on Germany:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Nuclear,Zombie),Adjacent,Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 14:(4-Star Meats--South Africans cut down by machine guns)
6 Players Start and 4 move on.Map:4-Star Meats,1-6 Player game,3 on 4-Star Meats:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Nuclear,Zombie),Chained,Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 15:(Scotland,Celtic Nations--Relief Force)
4 Players start and 2 move on.Maps:Scotland,Celtic Nations,1-4 Player game,2 on Scotland,2 on Celtic Nations:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
Round 16:(Wales-Relief force,would later win Delvillewood for Good in WWI)
2 Start,Map:Wales,1-vs-1,9 games:Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear,Zombie),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 Rounds.
-- CSS[/spoiler]
[spoiler=pozieres]------
The Battle of Pozieres...July 23rd,1916/Story Line...-----
----------Well,Wayward Day here. Yes you quest it. I still find myself stuck on the Somme. The battleroom is a mess this morning. As I look own at the battle map of the Somme. I can see that the German 2nd Army under Gen. Fritz von Below has had a part split off. It has formed the German 1st Army of Gen. Max von Boehn. Across the German lines ,Haig's 4th Army is joined by the British Reserve Army of Lt.Gen.Hubert Gough. Who has been holding the line north of the road since July 1st. Three Australian divisions of the I Anzac Corps has been sent to join Gough's forces. The High Command has decided to attack the village of Pozieres on the Albert-Bapaume road. Pozieres is the most important German defensive position. The German second line,runs to Mouquet Farm in north,runs behind Pozieres to the east,then south towards Bazentin Ridge and Longueval. This part had been captured by Gen. Rawlinson. With the chance to turn north right away and pressure Pozieres.
------But Gen. Haig decided with the lack of ammunition to immediately execute another large scale attack after July 14th. Haig thought the Germans couldn't reach Pozieres and Thiepval with help. Because of the British eastward troop movement. Haig then ordered Rawlinson to concentrate his forces between the Highwood and DelvilleWood. The plan was to take Pozieres by a slow step-by-step advance. The 4th Army did try 4 times early on to take Pozieres. But were driven back with high casualties. They now on the morning of July 23rd,1916 have gotten prepared for a massive attack on Pozieres. The attack had been planned for the 18th of July,with Rawlinson leading the attack. But Haig transferred the sources to attack Pozieres led by the Reserve Army of Gen. Hubert Gough. As the Generals talk in the battleroom. Gen. Gough,who is known as a "thruster", turns towards Gen. Harold Walker,"I want you to smash and capture Pozieres!",yelled Gough. Walker said,"I will only attack after adequate preparation has been made."
------They begin to move the little wooden army figures on the battle map. The Australian 1st Division is to attack Pozieres from the south. As they in 3 stages,half an hour apart. While north of the Albert-Bapaume road. Gough's British regulars will attack the German trenches west of Pozieres. The German lines have been bombarded the past 7 days with shells, that include phosgene and tear gas. As soon as the shelling stops. The infantry that has crept close to the Germans in No Man's Land. Will jump up and rush the German trenches. Reports were coming in fast. As the Second Stage got underway. The Australians advanced to the edge of the village. Past the remains of back gardens of the houses lining the Albert-Bapaume road. The 3rd Stage brought the line to the road. The few Germans left in the garrison retreated to the northern edge of the village, or into the German Lines to the east. The Australians intended to capture the German Lines as far as the road,but failed. Strong resistance from German defenders in deep dugouts and machine gun nests. Also the confusion of a night attack on featureless terrain. The weeks of shelling had smashed the ridge to a field of craters. Which made it hard to tell where the trench line ran.
------The failure to take the O.G. Lines as they were called. Made the eastern end of Pozieres vulnerable. So the Australians formed flanks short of their goal. On the western edge of the village, the Australians captured the German bunker known as "Gibraltar". Reserve Australian troops moved up to secure the rest of the village. The attack of the British regulars on German trenches west of Pozieres achieved some success. But the main attack of the 4th Army near Pozieres was a costly failure. The battlemap and reports showed Success on the Somme. But it brought the death of Victory. Which surpassed the death of failure. For the Australians, Pozieres was such a case. One Aussie wrote,"Pozieres ridge is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on Earth."
------With Pozieres being the only British gain on the 23rd of July. Pozieres became the German Army's main focus of atttention. Because it formed the critical point of their defense system. Gen.Below ordered it be retaken at all costs. 3 German attempts were made on the 23rd of July. But British artillery and machine gun fire drove them back. Communication was hard to keep up with on both sides. It wasn't even until the 24th of July that the Germans realized the British had captured all of Pozieres.
------The British were slowing down all over the front. This allowed the Germans opposite Pozieres to use most of their artillery. To rain down fire and hell down on the village and it's approaches. The western approach to Pozieres, from Casualty Corner to Sausage Valley,was hit by shell fire so hard. It would be recalled "Dead Man's Road". The British prepared for a German counter attack. Instead of a German counter attack. The Germans decided to use the men to build up defense on the O.G.Lines. The 2 sides thinking the other was getting ready to attack. Called for their artillery to keep pounding the other side. When the Australians were finally relieved. They looked like men who had been in hell. Drawn and haggard and so dazed that they appeared to be walking in a dream. Their eyes looked glassy and starey.
------As the reports of the fight keep pouring in to the battleroom. The room has the Generals at each other's throats. Meanwhile on the front lines. The British 1st Division has tried to take the intersection of the German O.G. and Switch Lines. Known to the British as Muster Alley. Each side started throwing hand grenades at each other. The British and Australians alone threw 15,000 grenades. As the attack along the line progressed. They men encountered uncut barbwire, the heavy German bombardment earlier made it hard with raised dust. Not allowing the Australian artillery observers to aim their guns and see the barbwire entanglements. Some minor progress by the Infantry was made. But the attack had become a failure. The division suffered such losses. It was pulled of the line to serve as a reserve unit. Gen. Haig blamed ,Gen. Birdwood for the failure of his men. He shouted ,"You're not fighting Bashi-Bazouks now!" Birdwood lowered his head in shame. Gen. Gordon Legge of the I Anzac Corps has a plan. His men will attack the crest of the ridge,near the old windmill mound of Pozieres. They will go at dusk. As the men assemble in the day. They have to move and get ready in the trenches. More needed to be dug. As the men tried to dig new trenches. The Germans thought they were attacking. The Germans called down barrage shelling on the digging parties. As both sides continued to shell each other.
------Gen. Legge's men made it to and captured the O.G.Lines. When the Australians got to the O.G.Lines. They were totally obliterated by prolonged shelling. The Australians advanced beyond their objectives. The men from their spot in the O.G.Lines on the Pozieres ridge,could look out over the green unshelled countryside. To the village of Courcelette and he woods of Bapaume 5 miles away. The German Gen. Max von Boehn ordered Hill 160(the windmill mound) of Pozieres ridge be retaken at any price.
------As I left the battleroom,tired of listing to all the bickering of the High Command. I head down the camp. I come across a wounded man laying on the ground,in a stretcher. "Who might you be.",I asked. "I'm Lt. Albert Jacka of the 4th Australian Division.",he said. As I see his bloodied body and torn uniform. "Wow,is that a Victoria Cross!",I yelled with amazement. He says,"Yes,I earned it at Gallipoli." He goes on to tell of the German counter-attack on the windmill mound. "Well Major it all started when we walked into the German O.G.Lines unopposed. We felt like we could see all the back to Australia. Then all of a sudden a few Germans charged our position. They dug in after we stopped the charge with machine gun fire. Next all hell broke lose. The sky opened up with fire. For our position was shelled from all four directions. Including the German stronghold Thiepval ,which lies to our rear. The shelling was slowing down the 4th Australian Division, as we were relieving the 2nd Australian Division. The Germans stopped shelling then opened up a counter-attack on a 400 yard front. They over ran the thinly occupied O.G.Lines. Trapping most of our Australian infantry in shelters of the old German dugouts,as they advanced towards Pozieres. 7 men of my platoon and I, jumped out of our isolated dugout. Charged the Germans from the rear. Other Australians scattered across the plateau joined the action. Soon a fierce hand-to-hand blood bath was underway. A grenade blew me off my feet. Shrapnel ripped through me all over. I past out, and only woke up just a short time ago.",he said in pain.
------"Well you and your men did it Lt.,your Australian division with your act of courage. Gained the advantage, most of the surviving Germans were captured. No more attempts to retake Pozieres have been made. They have pulled back. We have won the Pozieres sector.Lt. We have won!",I shouted happily.
------As I shake the Lt.'s hand,we say good bye and good luck to each other. I hear,"Come on Major!",Gen. Haig shouted. He says,"We are on our way to meet the returning men from Pozieres." As I look over the reports of the high cost the Allies paid to acquire Pozieres. I see the 5,400 British casualties and the 23,000 Australian casualties. Lt. Jacka let me know when we talked. That aside from the bad mistakes of the High Command. Many losses were due to Australian inexperience and their "reckless daring".
------As I think of that, Gen. Haig informs the men of 3 such reckless daredevils.
1)Pvt. John leak 9th Battalion,3rd Brigade,1st Australian Division
2)Lt. Arthur Blackburn 10th Battalion,3rd Brigade,1st Australian Division
3)Sgt. Claud Castleton 5th Machine Gun Company,5th Brigade,2nd Australian Division
------I leave camp ,head in the direction of the old windmill mound. As I stand on the spot of the 17th century windmill. I look through my field glasses at the untouched landscape ahead. My satchel starts to glow...A flash,dizziness, off I go...But Where???
------
The Battle of Pozieres/Tournament...------
------
1/7..............................16 Player Tournament...------
--------------Wayward Day's Diary:July 23rd,1916......
--------The Battle of Pozieres began with the capture of Pozieres by the Anzac or Australian Imperial Force, of the Reserve Army. The only British success in the Allied fiasco, of July 23rd. When a general attack , along with French troops further south. Broke down into separate attacks due to communication failures and poor weather. German bombardments and counter-attacks began on the 23rd of July and lasted until August 7th. The fighting ended when the Anzac Corps Reserve Army took the plateau north and east of Pozieres from the Germans. It over looked the German stronghold of Thiepval to the rear. A costly British Victory.
Round 1:(Trench Warfare)
16 players start and 16 move on.Map:Trench Warfare,2-8 player games,2 on Trench Warfare:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),Adjacent,Fog,Trench,20 rounds.
Round 2:(England-A lot of the Generals born in England)
16 players start and 8 move on.Map:England,2-8 player games,2 on England:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),Adjacent,Fog,Trench,20 rounds.
Round 3:(British Isles,Germany-2 Empires duel on the Somme)
8 players start and 8 move on.Maps:British Isles,Germany,1-8 player game,1 on British Isle,1 on Germany:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),Adjacent,Fog,Trench,20 rounds.
Round 4:(France)
8 players start and 4 move on.Map:France,2-4 players games,2 on France:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,20 rounds.
Round 5:(Unification Germany-German troops regroup for a counter-attack)
4 players start and 4 move on.Map:Unification Germany,1-4 player game,2 on Unification Germany:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,Fog,20 rounds.
Round 6:(WWI Gallipoli-many Anzac troops came from Gallipoli)
4 players start and 2 move on.Map:WWI Gallipoli,1-4 player game,2 on WWI Gallipoli: Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),Chained,Fog,Trench,20 rounds.
Round 7:(Australia-The Australians Win Pozieres for the Allies)
2 players start,Map:Australia,1-vs-1,1 game on Australia:Standard,Manual,Sequential,Nuclear,Adjacent,Fog,Trench,20 rounds.
-- CSS[/spoiler]
[spoiler=sixth Isonzo]-------
The 6th Battle of Isonzo/ Story Line-------
-----------August 6th,1916------------
------------A hear my name yelled,"Wayward Day,Major!". It wakes me up,more then that it is yelled in German. I look around and see, not only that I'm in an Aus/Hun uniform. At Aus/Hun General Svetozar Boroevic's headquarters, in the Aus/Hun Empire's Slovene territory. I see the date on the tear away calendar on the back wall of the battleroom. August 6th,1916,it looks like I get relive "Gorizia",the 6th battle of Isonzo all over. As I see what the Central Powers are up to. Ever since the Aus/Hun High Command launched the Strafexpedition offensive. Things have been falling apart for the Empire. As they try and fight a war on 2 fronts.
------The Aus/Hun Army pulled troops of the Isonzo valley sector. To not only take part in their offensive in Trentino. But they had to send troops to the East. To try and stop the Russian Brusilov offensive in Bukovina. They felt confident to move troops. Because of the terrain of the Isonzo valley,and the trench lines. I walk over to see what Gen. Boroevic needs. He asks me to give him reports of the defense of Gorizia. I hand him a stack of papers and photos. As he looks things over, he begins to fill in everyone in the battleroom, the High Command's plan. After Aus/Hun offensive failed in the Spring. With the Russians attacking the eastern frontier. An Italian attack seemed near at the Isonzo. They have already tried 5 times. They know the Aus/Hun Army is being thinned out all over. So a 6th attack makes sense.
------The General barely started speaking, when a messenger rushed in with news. "The Italians are attacking at the Isonzo river again!",he yelled. As the General turned and looked his way. The General's face saddened, he looked like he had been punched in the stomach. As the hours and days pass in the battleroom. Things and events would stabilize the front lines at the Isonzo region. Even though the Aus/Hun Army was fighting a war on 2 fronts,with little resources. I would watch Gen. Boroevic move the troops around on the battle map. He was able to slow the Russians down in the East. He was also able to plug up the holes in the defense at Isonzo. Although they had been beaten out of the city of Gorizia, a piece of the Aus/Hun Empire. The 1st bit of actual Aus/Hun territory taken by Italy in World War I. For the Aus/Hun Army, the loss of Gorizia represented merely a symbolic defeat, and pushed back the front lines. But did not destroy the defensive system of the Aus/Hun Army in the Isonzo area.
------The Aus/Hun High Command was more interested in the East. The threat of the Brusilov offensive in Bukovina. Due to the fact that at Isonzo, the Italians had more men. But they were under equipped, could not match the Superior fire power of the Aus/Hun Army's heavy guns. The Italian armies would just melt away in front of massive Aus/Hun bombardments. Yet Italian General Cadorna would keep up his attacks time and again. He used the 6th battle of Isonzo, and the success of Gorizia. To justify his tactics. All in all ,a costly victory for the Italians. As I leave the battleroom, head towards my tent. My satchel starts to glow. As I make it to tent , I lay down on my cot. Everything goes dark...I fall asleep...
-----The 6th Battle of Isonzo/ Tournament-----
----1/7....................................16 Player Tournament-----
--------Wayward Day's Diary:August 6th,1916-------
----------The Aus/Hun High Command reduced their forces along the Isonzo front to reinforce their Trentino offensive. Italian Gen. Cadorna used railroads to move troops from Trentino to the Isonzo valley line. For an offensive against the weakened Aus/Hun defenses. The Italians captured the city of Gorizia. It didn't matter much to the Aus/Hun Army's defense. For Cadorna and the Italians it was Italy's 1st major victory in The First World War. Italy would soon after declare war on Germany. But in reality, the Itatians could go no further than Gorizia. Suffered huge losses. It was a Pyrrhic victory. But a huge boost in moral back home in Italy.
Round 1:(Italy,Austro-Hungarian Empire-2 Empires fight on the Isonzo)
16 players start and 16 move on.Maps:Italy,Austro-Hungarian Empire,4-4 player games,3 on Italy,3 on Austro-Hungarian Empire:Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Escalating,Flat Rate,Nuclear),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 rounds.
Round 2:(Yugoslavia-Gen. Boroevic born in modern day Croatia)
16 player start and 8 move on.Map:Yugoslavia,2-8 player games,7 games on Yugoslavia:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,(Escalating,Flat Rate),Chained,Fog,30 rounds.
Round 3:(Rail Europe-Italians used the rails to move men around to new fronts)
8 players start and 8 move on.Map:Rail Europe,2-4 player games,7 games on Rail Europe:Terminator,Auto,Sequential,Escalating,Chained,Fog,30 rounds.
Round 4:(Magyarorszag,Balkan Peninsula-Italy's 1st victory on Aus/Hun soil)
8 players start and 6 move on.Maps:Magyarorszag,Balkan Peninsula,1-8 player game,3 on Magyarorszag,Balkan Peninsula:Assassin,Auto,Squentail,(Flat Rate,Nuclear),Chained,Fog,30 rounds.
Round 5:(Czecho-Slovak Fragmentation,Slovakia-Aus/Huns retreat to Slovene territory)
6 players start and 4 move on.Maps:Czecho-Slovak Fragmentation,Slovakia,1-6 player game,3 on Czecho-Slovak Fragmentation,3 Slovakia:Terminator,Auto,Sequentail,Escalating,Chained,Fog, Trench,30 rounds
Round 6:(Unification Italy,Unification Germany-Italy declares war on Germany)
4 players start and 2 move on.Maps:Unification Italy,Unification Germany,1-4 player game,3 on Unification Italy,3 on Unification Germany:Assassin,Auto,Sequential,(Escalating,Flat Rate),Chained,Fog,30 rounds.
Round 7:(Trench Warfare-Aus/Hun Trenches stop any further Italian advance)
2 players start.Map:Trench Warfare,1-vs-1,9 games on Trench Warfare,Standard,Auto,Sequential,(Escalating,Flat Rate,Nuclear),(Chained,Adjacent),Fog,Trench,30 rounds.
-- CSS[/spoiler]
[spoiler=flers-courcelette]
The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - 15-22 September 1916
The Battle of Flers-Courcelette was a large, long planned battle that ended up using two new tactical innovations - A creeping artillery barrage, and for the first time in history, tanks.
The creeping barrage, instead of trying to annihilate the enemy, was a slow raking forward of thousands of shells, advancing 100 yards at a time. It was not meant to destroy the trenches, but to drive the enemy into them. Then the infantry would closely follow the barrage, in order to get into No Man's Land before the enemy could emerge from the trenches and fire at them.
The infantry was also accompanied by the tanks, also known as Land Sharks. The battle was to include 49 tanks, but most never made it into battle for various different reasons. In the end, only 15 of the tanks made it into No Man's Land. At 28 tons, the Mark 1 tanks could only move forward at a half mile per hour, at the walking pace of the infantry.
With this new artillery barrage and tanks, a carefully prepared infantry attack of Canadians captured the ruined village of Courcelette on the 15th of September. Likewise, the XV corps, including the New Zealand Divisions, succeeded in their objective of capturing Flers.
The attack continued into the 16th of September, but heavy loses, poor progress and bad weather bogged the advance down. Rain fell over the next days, restricting activity on both sides. The Germans reinforced the trenches east of Courcelette with fresh troops, and further attacks on the 17th to the 19th also failed.
In a dawn raid on the 20th of September, two battalions were able to secure a hold in the Zollern Graben but were quickly counter-attacked by German troops using a smoke screen. After a long morning battle, the Germans were able to regain most of what they had lost. Eventually the allied troops managed to advance east of Courcelette, and capturing front-line German trench postions on the 22nd of September.
The use of tanks at Flers-Courcelette was considered controversial at the time, but did lead to advancements that brought breakthroughs in battles in the following year. In the end of the battle, while the Germans had been dealt a severe blow, the attacks fell far short of the desired goals.
Maps:
France, France 2.1 - The Battle Ground
Trench - The Creeping Barrage with Infantry
England, British Isles - The makers of the Land Shark
Canada, New Zealand - The capture of Flers and Courcelette
France 1789, Germany, plus previous maps - Germans make gains then falter
Game Play:
Round 1. The Battle Ground. 28 start, Random Draw, 6 games, 28 move on. Games: 2 point per game, 7 players, Terminator/Assassin, Flat rate/Esc, fog, chained forts. Maps - France, France 2.1
Round 2. The Creeping Barrage with Infantry. 28 start, Random Draw, 4 games, 24 move on. Games: 3 point per game, 7 players, Terminator/Assassin, Flat rate/Esc/Nuke, no fog, trench, adjacent forts. Maps - Trench
Round 3. The makers of the Land Shark. 24 start, Random Draw, 8 games, 14 move on. Games: 1 point per game, 2 players, Standard, Flat rate/Esc/No Spoils, fog/no fog, adjacent/chained/parachute forts. Maps - England, British Isles
Round 4. The capture of Flers and Courcelette. 14 start, Random Draw, 7 games, 7 move on. Games: 1 point per game, 7 players, Standard, Esc, no fog, chained forts. Maps - Canada, New Zealand
Round 5. Germans make gains then falter. 7 start, Score Resets, Random Draw, 9 games. Games: 1 point per game, 7 players, Standard, Flat rate/Esc/No Spoils, fog/no fog, chained/parachute forts. Maps - France 1789, Germany, France, France 2.1, England, British Isles, Canada, New Zealand, Trench
-- MJ[/spoiler]
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ConfederateSS.out!(The Blue and Silver Rebellion)... 
...It felt like slicing my wrist ,when I had to shorten a battle after I had put in hours/days researching...Ouch!!! 
...But I'm adjusting my research tactics... 
ConfederateSS.out!(The Blue and Silver Rebellion)... 