Competitions and tournamets- setting the record straight...

Now a couple of commentators on my recent MW articles have said in their  various ways that I'm a bit sniffy about competition wargaming and tournaments. Well like most people with an axe to grind  they  seem to have decided what I wrote before actually reading all of  it. .
 As I've said on this blog more than once I don't play competitions any more there is too much "unhistory" for my taste- also I suspect that they'd also be a bit intense and the idea of "learning the rules" fills me with dread but that doesn't mean I actively dislike 'em  I merely CHOOSE not to involve myself in them.
 Going further why - if I am as sniffy as these chaps imply- why over the years have I sponsored and or given prizes for several such competitions. Indeed the current Trophy given for the individual champion at the Donnington show was originally donated by Old Glory back in the mid 1990s.- that's the big armoured kinght thing on the show handbills .
We sponsored the then World Team Championships  for around a dozen years or more  through the 90s and noughties as well as giving prizes for some of the games and displays . I've also give army size prizes for competitions at War Torn and Smoggycon  Hardly the actions of a chaps who hates competitions ...
Over the years I've found the organisers of such tournaments to be without fail nice chaps doing their thing is sometimes trying circumstances,
What do I mean trying circumstances- well larger tournaments often look like a wargamers sweatshop-with those lines of identically sized symetrically terrained table  but  you try getting all those tables and all that terrain in the right place at the right time in the right order. Try getting all of the games to finish on time when  some dweeb just won't realise he's beat... The temptation to slap pillocks like that silly HAS to be resisted.
 Try correlating all the results when one or more competitions has over run its allotted time (that same dweeb again) and the whole show is winding down and chaps want to get home. I've seen organisers grinding teeth in frustration  and usually mild mannered blokes(not me)  effin and blinding . Not a job I'd fancy..
Over the years I've dished out the prizes at these competitions  and that can be trying- but sometimes fun too Back in the 90s I'd give a prize of a bottle of good champagne to the best Dressed team at Derby - just for a laugh- I was sick of seeing scruffy arsed  gits  shambling up to the stage for a grimace and a limp handshake.. Now this prize was I think ALWAYS won by the South African team- who turned up in Springboks blazers and ties. looking as if they actually gave a damn. Nice one lads .
Indeed on the whole- though the situation did improve  markedly over the years -the worst of the limp wristed scuff always tended to be English. The Italians ,Spanish, French and Belgians (these are the nations I remember there may have been others ) seemed to have more about them  and looked as if the actually cared about what they did.
 So all in all  I'm not anti- competition at all-  however I'd maintain that a minority of the competitors really need a personality transplant ...
 A few examples
 Mention has already been made of those who  over run their games and keep the rest waiting- at Derby this could be for well over an hour. There were years where my crew and I didn't get away until well after 7pm always waiting for some chaps who was fiddling about keeping the other 100  +competitors waiting before the prizes could be awarded. The because of said dweeb some chaps who were due prizes  didn't hang about and did a flit- not always even having the manners to inform the  organisers that they were off .

 -The  Absolute Nadir ...

 At one of the earliest Derby shows that we sponsored  Rus Dunaway- the CEO of Old Glory US and I though it would be a nice idea to give a couple of large 15mm armies to the 2 top prize winners. these were substantial 15mm armies well over 1000 figures each . . Now these were given with no strings attached so what did the mannerless  limp wristed tosser who won one of the prizes do
 Walks up to me- somewhat later (he may even have phoned as well  )
" I don't want these . I'm not interested. I want something else " - The memory of my utter distaste for this arsehole lingers on  even after 20 years.


 So if I am occasionally a bit sniffy about some COMPETITORS  is it any wonder .

 However now a story about competitions which truly wrings the heart .
 Derby again - one of the last shows at the University.
 As it happened my kid brother had driven up from London to see me for a few jars on the Saturday before continuing on back to our Parents
 Now at this time he drove a shiny new Aston- Martin DB9- surely the coolest motor on the planet.
 So Sunday morning he and I drive into the show- raising the odd eyebrow the while. I start work and he has a  look around to get some idea what his big Bro' does for a living before  leaving around lunchtime.
 with me so far?
 Now in the early Afternoon one of the organisers comes up to me and says
"Is that your brothers sports car out there in the Car Park- its on fire !"
Now this was some poor chaps TVR-a make  which had a bit of a reputation for electrical fires . and it was by now in a bit of a state ......
Later the prize giving
 The owner of said smouldering  TVR comes up to receive his SECOND  prize
 for the FLAMES OF WAR competition...

Are Wargames tedious ?

Now here is a thought for an idle hour.  Is what we do ultimately pointless and  indeed tedious repetitive drivel fit only for those who need to take their socks off to count past ten???
. Now as I type this I'm not at all sure where it will lead, It is merely "stream of consciousness" writing - a bit like James Joyce's virtually unreadable book "Finnegan's Wake" - which I had to suffer many years ago
 Now having only managed to play three games this year- well play , actually one. Umpired two is more accurate. Perhaps I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms- its been a very poor year for actual games.
 No ones fault really - other chaps have lives and sometimes getting all the various TWATS in one place simply hasn't been possible.Playing away as it were not often an option as I don't drive. Any how games at the pub are - here's that word again -FUN .

1/100th Hurricane. I fancy a bash at air warfare- different, something I've never done so far .

Having said that I couldn't be one of those blokes who play once a week or more- the repetitive tedium of the dice rolling  alone would drive me to drink . A game a month is plenty either played or umpired.
 Now it's true I do find the actual playing often quite repetitive.   There comes a point in most- if not all- games where experience tells you how it will go - once the tipping point is reached for instance -  yet in the past I've heard chaps drone on about how it should be played out "just for the game " and defying any military logic- well no thanks  dice rolling is neither FUN or even amusing merely causing monstrous ennui  after a while.
 So unless there are  reasons set into the scenario to keep going until chucking out time I won't, as boredom may have set in after 3 or 4 hours  playing or my voice may have given out after the same period of umpiring unless suitably lubricated.- not always by any means  but the possibility is there.
So chaps a question- in all sincerity-  for a change-  whats in the game ? and just the game. I've got a handle on the history part - and I have a handle on the pint and chat with you mates part and I have a handle on the modelling and painting part- the toy soldier bit. I seem to have lost my handle on the actual playing- at least when I'm not doing it-
 I've seen chaps get really intense when actually playing- not nasty- well not much  but just intense as if it matters   yet sometimes- not always but sometimes all I see is the repetitiveness of move 1  orders-move roll dice -  fiddle about- move 2  orders - move- roll dice- fiddle about, move 3  repeat but slower, with more fiddling move 4 repeat but with more fiddling about move 5  drink pint  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !
 Now when Umpiring its a bit different there is a lot more to do -  Move one- Watch in serene detachment as both sides ignore the scenario notes. Move two gentle reminders sent out  Move 3  - watch them " Fall into the pit that they have digged" giggle whilst supping pint .Move 4 Descend upon the hapless player like the Wrath of God.......

1/100th Fiesler Storch- recon and observation  Same scale as 15mm . Easy meat for a Hurricane ....

Now by no means all games run like that- it depend on the players but as a general rule I find that the more "game orientated" a player or players are the more likely tedium is to set in, Fortunately most of our group are pretty much "period orientated"  so often the mere game mechanics will take second place to the "period feel" -  said mechanics being in theory the way to get the period feel so if the mechanics are out of sync then change 'em forthwith ...
 see my Teeny-weeny tanks post. for an example of changing during the game.
 Of course the attitude will depend upon  what you want form your wargames- what the overall objective is if you like , not of any given game but of your participation in the hobby .This seems to me top be a perennial question which rarely if ever gets answered fully if at all .
If you are "minimalist" - the games the thing , playing is all  rules are Holy Writ  then fine  that is your choice  you must have a way of handling the tedium but most of the chaps I know just are not like that nor am I.
 They are just as interested - if not more so- in "period"   rather than simply the mere gameplay.. So from my perspective are far more "The Complete Wargamer"  that I would try to be.
Now I've just this minute finished reading Robbie Roddis latest post on
"The Independant Wargames Group " blog and -I can see where he is coming from - though his reasons  appear  far more serious than mine.
  For myself  its possibly because I've been at it since 1970 off and on and whilst most changes in the hobby have been really beneficial  the change in the "character" - or lack thereof of some of its more whiney participants has not.(Or perhaps I actually mean the increase in available technology that allows them to whine Hmmmm!! or indeed me to have a small rantette !! )

Some of my 15mm Desert Rats- these haven't been out on the table for a couple of years. Maybe they should

The current trend for overly serious, seeking to take offence, anally retentive Know- nothings has got my goat more than a little of late. Indeed in all walks of life we see the continual Rise and Rise of Po- Face so why not Wargaming.
 But Hey ! I'm a big Lad I'll get over it .And yes I'll stick pins in 'em where I can  so when you are in the Trenches you get shot at ...  but...
 The Resistance Lives On
 Indeed mostly have before I typed this- I've some new toys to paint and a few new ideas I want to try out . So  staying in the hobby  always seeking for alternatives to the samey -gamey rut

Teeny- Tanks in Modern mayhem

 So there were were in the pub  when Andrew the Tekkie says
 "I'll run the next game"
 "Okay sounds good ." says I eager for a chance to actually play as a change from Umpiring.
 Andrew reflectively s takes a pull at his pint
"Floating Jeff has  lots of teeny -weeny tanks- Cold War stuff , so I'll have a go with that Tank Wreak  rule set I bought a while back .
So there Gentle Reader we see sundry TWATS  gathering at the pub for the game  laat Saturday- 26th July
 Intial British  briefing and orbat as follows

BAOR Briefing

Colonel Andrew George Ponsonby-SmytheCopestake

Officer Commanding

Situation

Day 4 of the war, and the situation remains finely balanced. Whilst the Soviet Armies have yet to enact a definite breakthrough of our forward lines, the pressure they have placed on front-line units has led to a massive strategic withdrawal, a far more massive endeavour than any pre-war plan supposed.

Whilst this is an unpopular policy with our German friends, it has allowed Second and Fourth Allied Tactical Air Forces to target the Soviet’s increasingly elongated supply lines and severely interdict their follow on forces. As this continues, both sides are beginning to show the strain of continuous operations. Losses to 2^nd/4^th ATAF are high and replacements are only slowly arriving, demonstrated by the increasing scarcity of air cover to FEBA troops. Ammunition remains at a premium, usage rates are far in excess of pre-war estimates and stockpiles are low. This is hampering our ability to support FEBA forces with artillery.

Negative as this sounds, there is hope in the short term.

REFORGER is in full swing, and CENTAG, the area under most pressure, will receive additional forces in the next 24 hours. Additional units have arrived at Cherbourg and Le Harve and are disembarking now. These will be funnelled to your area of operation.

However, we haven’t been able to hide the fact that REFORGER convoys have completed their trans-Atlantic voyage. Intelligence has caught wind of a last push by Soviet Category A forces in your sector to enact a breakthrough to the coast. Thankfully for us, the initial fighting seems to have broken the back of Soviet Frontal Aviation and no air support is expected for the Soviets.

Objectives

Using the forces at your disposal, defend in depth the three valleys of theTantobietzen area. You will initially have just one battle group, scrounged from what is left of 2^nd RTR and two companies from 1^stBtn Staffordshire Regiment.

Follow on forces consist of two further companies of 1Btn Staffordshires and two companies from the Royal Scot Dragoon Guards. Early arrival of REFORGER forces is not anticipated but may happen. Hold them. That is all we ask. Slow them down, grind them to a halt. Do not loose fighting cohesion! I am sure you are ready for another bash at the enemy after your recent experience of Die Waliser!!!

Good luck, God Bless You, and God Save The Queen!

Initial Deployment

1 x HQ group                      1 x Challenger 1

                                                2 x Sultan

1 x Battle Group               2 Cpy’s Challenger 1 (2 x HQ vehicles, 6 x Challenger 1) 2^nd RTR

                                                2 Cpy’s Warrior (8 x Warrior IFV) 1^stBtnStaffordshires

                                                2 Recce Troops (4 x Scimitar) 1^stThe Queens Dragoon Guards

                                                2 ATGW Troops (4 x Striker)7^th Arm Bgde Recce

                                                AA Troop (1 x Tracked Rapier) 12^th Air Defence Regime

 It was with this tiny force that we were supoosed to hold off the Orange hoardes......(For the uninitiated "Orangeforces" was the  official NATO designation of the Russian armies -  NATO were Blue the Russians Orange- this on exercise after all you couldn't call them the Red Commies ... they might be listening ......)
 The Orange forces  were briefed thus ... 

GSFG Briefing

Colonel Jeffry JeffreyvitchAdwasetzski

Officer Commanding

Situation/Objective

Day 4 of the war and the imperialist forces cling to their spoils like the greedy thieves they are! Valiant Soviet troops have plunged mercilessly into the weak belly of the puppet German capitalists and we are on the verge of an historic victory!

You shall lead the final push to the coast, wiping out the enfeebled British lackey’s with the cream of the 20th Guards Red Banner Army! Clear the three valleys of Tantobietzen!

Personal note

JeffryJefferyvitchAdwasetzski, I cannot further the lie. I remember too fondly our fishing trips along the Volga with your grandfather, and the tales he told of the Great Patriotic War. The truth is, if you fail in the task above, I fear we shall all be lost. We have taken too long to push through the Americans at Fulda, too long to smash the Bundeswehr, and as for the British, well, their plan (for we know it was theirs!), of trading ground for time was a masterstroke. It weakens us and angers the Germans. Very Russian! Their airforces, although decimated by our Frontal Aviation and ground fire, still continue to pound our reserves and supply lines without drawing breath, whilst our own pilots are too scared to fly over our own troops, in the event they are shot down by our valiant rocket troops! And yet, our esteemed comrades in Naval Aviation and the Red Banner Fleet, despite their valiant efforts, have failed to stop any REFORGER convoys reaching Europe. They made the Americans pay, but in terms nowhere near enough suitable for us. American reserves are already supporting the Central Front and I fear your area of operations will see them shortly.

You have the last Category Aunit in the theatre. Use it wisely. Destroy the British in Tantobietzen and we can push what we have in Category B and C units through to the coast. Fail, and we must conclude the war. 

With ever, my love and respect,

Uncle Vanya

 

The Orange first wave - photo by Andrew Oyston- who also Umpired.

Soviet Forces (GSFG)

1 x Divisional HQ               1 x T72, 1 x BMP2, 1 x MT-LB, 1 x ZSU-23 Shilka, 1 x SA-9, 1 x BRDM

1 x HQ                                   2 x BMP2, 1 x GL, 1 x ZSU-23 Shilka                          

1 x Tank Btn (R)                 3Cpy’s T-72 (1 x HQ vehicle, 9 x T-72)25^th Guards Tank Division

1 x Mtr Rifle Btn (R)         3 Cpy’s BMP2 (12 x BMP2, 1 x SA-9)35^th Guards Motor Rifle Division

                                               

1 x HQ                                   2 x BMP2, 1 x GL, 1 x ZSU-23 Shilka                          

1 x Tank Btn (B)                 3 Cpy’s T-72 (1 x HQ vehicle, 9 x T-72) 25^th Guards Tank Division

1 x Mtr Rifle Btn (B)         3 Cpy’s BMP2 (12 x BMP2, 1 x SA-9) 35^th Guards Motor Rifle Division

This mad an awful lot of Russian armour .- The Brits really really needed REFORGER or they were goijg to get ground into the North German Plain ....

Orange forces first Victory - thats MY pint !

     The Russians got into gear quickly , brushing aside the Brtish Recon  watching the river line. Tom and I as the British commanders began to worry a tad- there seemed to be nothing we could do to halt the Orange juggernaut.  Floating Jeff sniggered the while as his vast forces  moved resolutly onwards 

View from the British position- our Forward elements alrsady brushed aside. /

 Things were looking desperate for the Blue forces when the US cavalry turned up .

             

American REFORGER    

  1 Cpy M1A1 (1 x HQ 4 x M1A1) Team Yankee

                                                1 Cpy Bradley M2A1 (1 x HQ 4 x M2A1) Team Yankee

 these quicly took post on  the reverse slope of "Kidney Hill "  with the Bradley company   to thier flank protected by the  Marshy areas at the front Flank of the said hill.

 No sooner had  REFORGER arrived than the second British Battle group turned up - for once a tasty dice roll or two - There was cheering from the hard pressed BAOR !!

1 x Battle Group            

   2 Cpy’s Challenger 1 (2 x HQ vehicles, 6 x Challenger 1) Royal Scot Dragoons

                                                2 Cpy’s Warrior (8 x Warrior IFV) 1^stBtnStaffordshires

                                                2 Recce Troops (4 x Scimitar) 1^stThe Queens Dragoon Guards

                                                2 ATGW Troops (4 x Striker) 7^th Arm BgdeRece

                                                AA Troop (1 x Tracked Rapier) 12^th Air Defence Regiment

Kidney Hill  The US REFORGER  arrives .

This put a different complexion on the day now we could approach the Russians with something close to parity.

 Nevertheless they hammered on breaking the Bradley Company and its Tanks - over 50% klosses - though a single surviving Abrams platoon  rallied to the British HQ on the Nippelberg and continued the fight.

 Both sides used air elements A US Apache accounted for several russian vehicles and at least 1 Challeger fell to a Hind attck  and a Hind Fell to a Raper strike(cries Bloody hell the thing went off! were heard from its surprised crew)

The battle now developed into a slugging match  with both sides losing vehicles and both sides throwing truly bum dice in almost equal quantities and to be honest niether side getting much of an edge- certainly the Tank Wreak rules gave no techological superiority to the NATO forces, but the Orange forces were running out of steam. They reached and indeed threatened to take Kidney Hill  but  that was their high water mark.. The sight of the Second British battle group forming for a counter attack made him realise it was all up . Little did he know we didn't really have the strength to do much more than hold our own

 

Orange forces High Water mark - Kidney hill under pressure.

  Well the West was safe for Democracy- but only just. 
As for the rules well- a few observations were made at the time- The initiative based move counter move system - by individual compamies was found to be Laborious and indeed - given the scenario just plain wrong so an extempore  Russian Move- British Fire Britsh Move Russian fire    system was adopted with the Umpire free to fiddle to suit the scenario as he chose- no RULES ARE HOLY WRIT twaddle here thans you !  The idea being rather to find a way to     get the feel  of a largish armoured engagement  from the Commanders perspective rather than merely stick slavishly ti a set of games rules.. After all these were teeny tiny tanks so a different perspective was called for   than that we'd use in the lower command level 15mm games.
 Tank Wreak needs fiddling with  but overall- with an Umpire who knows his period -they work well enough  and yes we'll go back to them .