Taking the CoC Challenge (2) - a different perspective

I asked Andy what he thought of his first game of CoC - here's what he said....

Chain of Command … A lesson learnt the hard way!

Having been asked to try out these rules I popped across to Asgard games in Middlesbrough with Ken and Paul for a quick game.

It was based around the successful crossing of the Albert Canal and the subsequent battles for Gheel. As the allied player I took command of 16 platoon of the 7TH Green Howards my local Infantry Regiment and one I had the pleasure of serving with.

As the is based in the North East I took my recruits from the local area.

After rolling on the Character generation I took the guise of a fresh faced 2nd Lt.

2nd Lt Thomas "T" Cake,  Strapping six footer, Queen Elizabeths Grammer school, from Darlington, Capt of school cricket team. Head Boy.

Sgt "Smudger" Smith, "Colonial" Average build. From the Dales.

No.1 Section Cpl "Dusty" Miller, Factory Worker, Average build. From Middlesbrough

No.2 Section Cpl David "Poncey" Williams, Bohemian, Intellectual looking, Average Height. From York

No.3 Section Cpl "Chalkie" White, Grease Monkey, Average Build, Unremarkable. From Sheffield

So first off was the patrol phase which I have to be honest I didn’t understand the concept or what I was really trying to accomplish, which is where it started to go wrong. The idea seems to be to pin the enemy in an un advantageous position so as to make placement of squads difficult., which I didn’t….

(After wards I read up more on this section, on the two fat lardie’s tactics section and believe I’m now more prepared).

So using my skills as a section commander I placed my first section under cover of a hedge, with my Bren group set up in over watch at a 45 degree arc at the corner.

The German’s advanced and my Bren group opened up, which just seemed to annoy the Germans and allow them to spot me. This is when I realised how much the British are out gunned.

(Those MG42’s don’t half throw out the dice.)

My one redeeming feature of the British platoon is the lifesaving 2” mortar which just kept pouring smoke onto the German MG teams. Another problem I had was the inability to roll 6’s which adds to your COC dice and the ability to end a turn (more later).

SO my second section comes into play and I strip off the second Bren team and form a fire base of two Bren teams which came under control of my Platoon Sergeant. My second section under cover of smoke ran for the cover of a building opposite the field. (not a problem I’m covered by lots of smoke….OR so I thought.

The COC dice comes into play and the Paul the German player ends the turn…SO.?

Well off goes the smoke and to the Germans delight there is a British rifle section in the open. Trying to get rid of the mounting markers and the casualties I have just taken my Platoon sergeant takes over two section.

Meanwhile the first section is taking more casualties and I deploy my third section just forward and plaster the German section in front with the help of the two other Bren teams.

Great I thought next turn grenades and a bit of Bayonet drill will soon sort those damn jerries’ out!

This is again where the dice let me down, two sixes by Paul, leaves me losing the next turn and allowing two turns for the Germans to rid themselves of markers and pour on two turns worth of fire, which left the third section in a very poor state.

In the end finding the road to be too heavily defended my platoon retired back to its own lines.

Rolling on the after game table and the opinion of my commander and troops gave me.

CO's opinion "5"

Men’s Opinion "6", 2"

Support I roll a “1”

“So Lt Cake has fallen back. Four "dedders" I'm afraid, with three more sent to the RAP so seven men down (only six as one of the dead is from the spare 2" Mortar. CO is less than impressed and the men are a bit concerned - both need their opinions checking.”

"OK Cake, looks like you have taken a bit of a pasting, but we need to get to the main road, so get your lads a brew, ammo up and try again, I'm sure Jerry is also taking a beating and is ready to collapse if we can push hard and fast. Just remember your Battle Drill"

And with a not so outstanding performance under my belt I ammo up and prepare for  another bash..