Gumbinnen 1914 (yet again!) with Op14

 

Last Friday, and clearly still on a Great War roll, Lloyd and Jerry joined me for a game.  As it was arranged at fairly short notice I dug out a battle I'd fought previously.  Several times. So where are we?

Fly low enough and you can read the road signs.  The game used 6mm toys on Hexon terrain, with 2mm BUAs.  And yes, I know that the aircraft are from later in the war.

The horrors of war!  Russian and German commanders study their briefings.

German air recce.  It only appeared twice in two days. Which was a sortie rate 100% higher than the Russians managed...

The Russian attack north of Gumbinnen running out of puff.

German cavalry division marauding about on their left flank.

German aviators chasing away Russian cavalry while the uhlans prepare to skewer some Russian infantry.

Close up of the uhlans and their cyclist jäger battalion.

As day two drew to a close, so too did the Russian offensive, one corps having left the field and a second soon to follow. The Germans had some nasty moments though, spending most of day one with only a single corps against three!  An very enjoyable game which interestingly produced a result very similar to the Funny Little Wars game played in 2023 - link.

I have several more Op14 scenarios worked out for Belgium and the east so expect to see more of this sort of thing in the coming months.

Action on the River Gette - August 1914

 This was an Op14 game played in late April, using my 6mm toys and Hexon terrain.  The action involved three German corps advancing and trying to get between the bulk of the Belgian army and Brussels.  The German players  - John A, Russell and Diego had a corps each.  The opposition was Pete (aka King Albert I) and Jerry, who commanded three infantry and one cavalry divisions.

The game provided a broadly historical outcome, with the Belgians being driven off after two days of fighting and the Germans turning their left flank.  My thanks to all the players for making the day so enjoyable - and to Russell, Pete and Diego for sharing their photos.  The images are not in time order but should give a fair impression of the look of the thing.

The field of battle - representing around 600 square km of Belgium!

The Belgian cavalry div - much smaller then infantry divs, this has four cavalry regiments and a cyclist battalion.

The German left, showing IX Korps relentlessly advancing.

Belgian 3rd Div dug in and awaiting the Germans!

Late in the game - with Jerry looking more pleased then a general in full retreat should, me apparently in silent prayer, Diego in despair and John and Russell looking teutonically stolid.

Belgian frantically redeploying to the left as the Germans pile on the pressure.

King Albert's HQ near the village of St. Georges.

German air recce - the rotters!

Two corps looking very dangerous on their right wing.

Dug in Belgians repelling an ill-advised German attack.

Pressure mounts on the Belgian left.