June 28th Game Day at JJ's Game Lounge AAR

[Jim Aikens]

We had a solid 9 members in attendance for the June edition of our ASL Game Day at JJ’s Game Lounge in Chatsworth.

Sal Palaez’ Americans fell to Blair Bellamy’s Germans in the Paratrooper classic “Le Manior”.

Dave Rosner’s Brits defeated Ed Esparza’s Japanese in “Double Trouble”.

Dan Plachta’s Chinese defeated Mike Soffa’s Japanese in “Debacle at Sungkiang”.

Dan and Mike then paired up again for “Ears for Souveniers”, with Mike’s Japanese falling to Dan’s Chinese.

Because Blair and Sal’s game got over fairly quickly, Blair was able to connect with a late-arriving Nick Nicholas for another classic oldie “Silence that Gun”. In their first playing Nick’s Americans defeated Blair’s Germans. They then turned the scenario around and tried it again, but ran out of time and called this second playing a draw.

And while all that was going on, Eric Visnowski and I teamed up for the Schwerepunkt scenario “For Whom the Bell Tolls”. This scenario represents Band of Brothers’ Easy Company’s attack into Carantan, supported by 6 Shermans and some armored infantry. They face an initial garrison force of a platoon of 4-6-7’s with a MMG and LMG. These Germans are reinforced by a company of SS supported by 6 AFV’s, including StuG’s and Marders.

I took the Americans, and my initial assault across open ground into the town got cut up pretty badly, made worse by Eric’s hot dice and my very cold ones. My attack seemed to go nowhere, though I was finally able to bring up a flanking platoon of paratroops and the armored infantry, while Eric’s SS moved almost unopposed into the town. Around the middle of the game my dice started to improve slightly, and I finally caught a break when a sniper took out a squad holding a key German position. That allowed me to finally use my weight of numbers and firepower to blast my way in, though casualties continued to be heavy. The tank battle proved interesting and exciting as it swirled around the town. In this regard Eric had some bad luck by breaking two MA’s a critical points of the fight. Eventually the weight of American firepower proved decisive and my much-depleted infantry was able to grab and hold the last VC building for a victory.

Eric and I always have great games, and this one was epic. We both liked the scenario a lot (it is very balanced on the Roar.) Although it’s fairly large, it actually played pretty quickly and is a good choice for a game day. We both thought it was worth playing again.

We enjoyed our usual excellent lunch at San Carlo Deli next door, and the survivors made their usual trip to Marie Calendar’s for a late dinner and pie. It was excellent day with an excellent turnout.

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