A WWI Zombie Battle

 

See the previous post for the zombie units.  The standard zombies can move one square and get plus D6+2 when hitting.  Fast zombies can advance two squares, hits=D6+2.  Shooters advance one square and get D6 when shooting but D6+2 in H2H.

Human units get D6-2 hits against any zombie unit, except heavies, which get D6.  

Hits uphill are divided by two. Flanking hits are times two. 

The solo wargame cards from One Hour Wargames were used.

The zombies are advancing across the field from left to right.  The British enter from the right.  Notice that they enjoy three fortified positions.  The bridge in the center does not allow them to be flanked when two units are on the bridge.  The green squares on either side are hills, which give the occupants the advantage for forcing the zombies to fight uphill. Also, the blue squares indicate water so the zombies can only attack from the front.

The first time I played this, the British knew nothing about zombies so they advanced toward the center.  By the time they realized they were in trouble, too many units were destroyed.  A few survivors gathered on a hill but were soon overrun.

The second time through, the British had intel about the threat they were facing.  They sent the cavalry unit forward to scout while the other units remained in their defensive positions.  The cavalry could move three squares.  At first sight of the horde, the cavalry fell back to the bridge. 

Zombie units mindlessly slogged forward through withering fire until they could grapple with the British hand to hand.  The British units in face-to-face combat held on long enough to allow another British unit to flank the attacking zombie units.  This destroyed some zombie units, but at great cost.  When the shooting zombies got within range, they fired with more effectiveness than the British.  

At the end of the second run-through, two British units survived.  However, I think I could have been more effective, so I will try again. 

The third time went badly.  The British used the same battle plan.  They quickly pulled back the scouts and waited for the zombies to get in range, then fired with great inaccuracy, rolling 2 after 2.  The zombies first took out the bridge units, then some wandered toward the eastern hill and others toward the southern hill.  The shooter zombie unit had been peppering the British on the southern hill to great effect.  

When the 15th round was over, two British units were still operating and three zombie units.  However, the British were badly wounded.  It was clear that they would not survive another round. 

Well, what do you expect to happen in a battle with zombies?

A WWI zombie army

 During WWI, a British company stumbled into a battle against units of undead soldiers risen from the trenches and marauding the countryside.  Types are as follows.

Shambolic.  This is the most common zombie.  Based with six figures.  They move slowly and cannot shoot.

Fast.  Less common.  Their speed more than makes up for smaller numbers.  Hand to hand only. Three on a base.

Smart.  The rarest kind of zombie, they can pull the trigger.  Three on a base.

The British units may have to fight hand to hand if they cannot destroy a zombie unit by firing.

The feared shambolic zombies

The twice-feared fast zombies

The thrice-feared shooter zombies.

Rupert of the Ore Mountains vs Jan of the Free Bohemian District (Imagi-Nations)

Rupert, the younger son of the King of Saxony, was graciously granted authority over the Ore Mountains by his father.  His father gave him only one instruction: Do not get us into a war.  

Rupert was happy with his assignment, even though it was as far away from the capitol as possible.  Shortly after arriving in the Ore Mountains, he noticed a village in the foothills on the northern bank of the Ptz River. This was the village of Grnczy.  The Ptz flowed into the Moldav River.  Rupert graced the villagers with his presence and while visiting them explained that the Ptz was the natural southern boundary of Saxony.  He left a small garrison consisting of one unit of pike and shot.  Then he returned to his base.  He also placed other units in the nearby mountains just in case they were needed as reinforcements.  His forces also included two units of mounted hackbutters who were located north of the mountain range.

The villagers queried General Jan of the Free District in northern Bohemia about their new nationality.  Jan was not pleased.  A small army marched across the bridge over the Ptz.

The garrison in the village of Grnczy held out heroically until reinforcements arrived from the mountain garrisons.  The shot units fired back and forth until the Bohemians ran out of ammunition, allowing them to charge.  After the melees commenced, the reinforcing Saxon units were unable to shoot into the scrum.  Units on both sides began to collapse.  At the end, the Saxon army prevailed.  Its two surviving units were badly mauled, however.  

The campaign to free Ptz had just begun.

 

Scenario 5/Bridgehead/Ancients

In this scenario,  the Britons are on the right (south) and the Romans are on the left (north).  The battle starts with one unit of Briton skirmishers north of the river.  My intention was to immediately move them into the trees where they had cover.  No other unit types can enter the trees. 

After a few rounds, the Britons had formed an elegant defensive posture.  They waited for the Romans to start the dance.  

Truth in advertising: this was my third attempt.  The Romans won the first two.  The Britons were trying to get smarter.  The defensive formation worked well for several rounds but eventually the Romans broke it apart.  At the end of 15 rounds, the Britons still had the skirmishers in the woods, so technically it was a win for them.  However, the unbloodied Roman skirmishers were on their way and it was clear who would have won if they battle had lasted longer. 

 

Mars figures, Thirty Years War

 Airfix does not make sets for the Thirty Years War, so I took a chance on Mars figures.  See pictures.  The price was low and I was very pleased with the figures.  Not much flashing.  Sufficient definition for me.  Nice combination of poses.  Paint adhered easily without washing first.

I was looking for Reiters but the mounted arquebusiers seem to fit.  The infantry set only had three swordsmen, so I need to time-travel in some others, along with regular cavalry.

 

Scenario 3/Control the River/Boadica vs Romans

 

These armies have been improved somewhat.  The bases are now narrower than the fronts.  All the figures are from the correct era.  Airfix Ancient Britons and Romans are used.  I supplemented the Romans with Hat Gothic cavalry, who are working as mercenaries.  The other change is I bought a big bag of dice and used them to keep track of hits instead of hash marks on a note pad.  

The first picture shows the Romans lined up and ready to advance.

The Britons moved aggressively across the river.  They charged the skirmishers but the Goths flanked the Celts and the Briton's chariot flanked the Goths.  What a mess. Meanwhile, at the eastern crossing, two infantry units slug it out.  The Brit skirmishers cannot get a clear shot, nor can the Brit archers. 

After the dust settled, most of the units were scattered.  All the infantry were gone on both sides.  The British skirmishers retreated up the hill and waited for the cavalry to charge them.  However, the cavalry just waited for the Roman skirmishers to get into range and let them do all the work. This was the situation at the end of the 15th round.  Boadica lost.  Darn.  

One Hour Wargames/Machine Age/quick army

The machine age, in OHW, ranges from 1900-1939.  The units are cavalry (dismounts and shoots), artillery, infantry and heavy infantry.  Heavy infantry have machine guns.  All combat is by shooting; no hand-to-hand.

Airfix WWI sets in HO scale are readily available.  If you choose to pit the Germans against the British, one box of each will provide both infantry and heavy infantry.  The cavalry and artillery units could be set up by purchasing horse artillery.  For example, the Royal Horse Artillery set contains usable horses and a cannon.  You could base three horses together with three infantry men standing beside them to represent the riders.  The cannon can be based with a couple of spare figures.  The artillery base should have 2"-3" fronts.  The other units have 4"-6" fronts.

Four sets make up two armies.  Watching for sales, you might be able to get them for less than $10 each.

In my inexpert opinion, you could use these armies in Europe any time after the ACW.