Map of Ukraine 1943/44: Strategy and Tactics 118 - The Tigers are Burning

Although this is an old S&T Ziplock game from way back when (in 1988, when I had stopped wargaming, RPG's and the like, foolish child that I was, instead my head was full of  busy computer science undergraduate stuff). The territory and the underlying terrain are now all too familiar subject matter for students of the 2022 to 2025+ Russo-Ukrainian "Continuation War" (see below, since 2014 this has been fought over between these two protagonists, before that there was the Second World War, before that the Russian Civil War, before that the First World War, before that the Russo-Turkish War, before that the Crimean War and it goes on and on): 

Not sure at all how history will play this one out!

Board Game Geek Link: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameversion/28271/strategy-and-tactics-magazine-edition

Nice Blogger Site showing WWIII - Modern US/Soviet/Russian 6mm - Armour, Infantry, Engineering Units and Aviation Units

This is really nice work (see below, a WIII extravaganza of 6mm moderns - lots of US and Soviet kit on show, where he goes I hope to follow): 

https://little917.rssing.com/chan-12028885/all_p1.html

Way down to the bottom of the link there are some beautiful examples of Pontoon and GSF Ferry units, something I will try and duplicate for my modern 6mm Russian/Soviet engineering units. This has helped me in my attempts at finishing off the Cold War (WWIII) Spearhead OoB Soviet Motor Rifle Division (still currently a WIP)

WWIII - Somewhere in Belgium in the late 1980's a Cold War Goes HOT [Part 1 of 2] Ebb and Flow

The Sunday morning quiet of a sleepy Belgian town is rudely broken by military diesel engine revving noises as camouflaged armoured reconnaissance vehicles trundle inconsiderately into its sleepy suburbs. Recon is wit, speed, aggression but tempered with enough caution to live long enough survive and report. The Soviets thus win the opening moves with their aggressive thrust (see below, the Soviets advance across two thirds of the table whereas the Belgians are content in gaining local objective points around the town, the consequences of which means that the Soviets can spread and seek out the weaknesses of the Belgian defence):    

The Soviets are poking their noses around corners of fields, folds in the ground, trails through woods - constantly testing for gaps and finding out where the Belgians are and are not. This empty road seems to point straight into the NATO backfield (see below, a tempting  open flank is found that really needs to be explored by "Bear Two" - no Belgians in sight either, even better): 

The Belgian reconnaissance commander is bemused by so many reports coming in of enemy movement across the whole front, surely the Soviets cannot be here so soon? Small arms fire is heard from the outskirts of the town, looters or the enemy? The implied reported numbers mean that the Soviets are here in force, it must be a whole recon battalion which implies at least a couple of regiments will be following up behind. There is going to be some hot action starting here very shortly. Still the valiant Belgian is reassured in himself that the Belgian formation is tank heavy, so they should be well placed to stop the Reds in their tracks (see below, the morning solace is broken all hell is about to break out): 

 

Significantly a Soviet recon creeps quietly across an important river. The Soviet Lieutenant briefly reports, "Bear Three. Route Green Three is open, feet dry!" Back at the mobile command centre, a wry smile breaks across the face of a grizzled Soviet Motor Rifle Divisional Commander as he taps a Red BTR Battalion marker on the map, "Forward! Fast!" (see below, there is a fleeting opportunity to exploit the slow moving Belgians):  

Incredibly the Russian motor cycle reconnaissance platoon along with a BRDM2 armoured car support troop races around the sleepy Belgian suburbs without encountering any opposition. Not understanding how they are still alive they radio in "Bear Two. Route One Open. Repeat, Route One Open!" This generates yet more frantic activity at the Russian Divisional HQ. Three battalion markers, each representing a BTR formation is moved across teh map to the town. "Take the town!" barks the General, knowingly committing a full regiment of his best (BTR) infantry supported with their organic tank companies (see below, a Soviet Recon unit disbelievingly with an open road and no sign of any opposition): 

Meanwhile the Belgian recon is hunkering down behind a riverine and near a friendly town. They nervously expect to meet Soviet Recon elements at any time. They are hoping their powerful M1's will appear soon. The Belgian caution resembles more of a peacetime operation, following a known COA with NATO Allies playing Red, repeating a common TEWT pattern and a plodding ignorance of an active enemy stalking them (see below, the Belgian recon is far more content to watch across the river than actively probe beyond it, they are bivouacked and awaiting orders and thus vulnerable to unexpected "events"): 

"Events" such as a whole battalion of BTRs crossing an undefended bridge on the Belgian left flank, something which the peace loving Belgians are totally unaware of (despite the Belgian player being able to "see them" out of the corner of his eye). So, 'Bear Three' has the company it requested, is really happy and is ready to push forwards to create more mischief. The Soviets are flanking left in battalion force, even if jut to be a nuisance (see below, undoubtedly the Belgians will have to react to it and in teh process be "distracted" from teh defence of the central town): 

Speaking of which, the "town" has now become the centre of attention for "three" Soviet BTR battalions. The first of which runs into Belgian teeth, a formidable Belgian defensive formation, a battle line of M1 Abrams tanks deployed onto a key terrain feature overlooking the approaches to the town. The Soviet Tank Coy supporting the BTR Battalion starts a fire fight to cover the Soviet infantry deployment (see below, the BTR battalion is ordered to de-bus into the urban area to its immediate right): 

However, the two other BTR battalions find much less opposition barring their way into the town and push the Belgian reconnaissance units easily aside. A burning M113 tells the sorry tale. The last thing an armoured Belgian cavalry commander really wants to do is play "meet and greet" with a Soviet T-72 in a boulevard. One BTR battalion spreads out in deployment of a fighting line covering the third battalions column of attack into teh heart of the town (see below, deployed Soviet infantry are now advancing into the town and the Belgians find themselves on the backfoot and need to make an emergency deployment): 

The Soviet floodgates have been unleashed. Two full BTR regiments, the wheeled infantry complement of teh Soviet Motor Rifle Division, are set in motion. The broader plan if for the Soviet infantry to find a weakness in the Belgian defensive line. Then the Tank Regiment followed by the BMP Regiment can create a deep penetration. 

1/300 Russian Missile Troop

Classified as "Divisional Level" assets (certainly according to the Modern Spearhead OoB) for my Russian Cold War Motor Rifle Division (see below, a Frog-7 [conventional or nuclear armed] and four SA-6B Gainful): 

Heroics and Ross models.

GMT Historical Game with Modern Connotations: Ukraine 1943

Just looking at the GMT website and I came across this interesting game (see below, a different time, a different war but the same geography and landscape): 

See map: 

https://gmtwebsiteassets.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/uk43/UK43-MAP-2ndEd-1.jpg

For modern purposes it is maybe only half a map, but the range of name places are haunting. Even Poltava is a name that calls out from history, as does Chernobyl. 

Another Go at "The Portable War Game" - WW2 Russian Front Scenario (Long Picture Post)

I have unearthed some photographs from another old game of Portable Wargames from back in 2019, another go at teh Eastern Front Russian "armoured overrun" scenario. The German defenses are interlocking infantry, ant--tank and armoured strong-points backed up with some indirect artillery support (see below, barbed wire crosses abd circles for the minefields, Kallistra hexes with the terrain [hills and woods] I had made for the Fire/Move game, blue dice showing strength points):  

A Red hoard appears at the end of the table, an armoured tank phalanx, well out of range but very threatening (see below, it just goes to show that you never just but one 20mm T-34 model, four seems to be a minimum): 

A Red infantry hoard appears at the end of the table too bring their own artillery along as well, supporting their armoured colleagues the footsloggers are "sprinting down the flanks seemingly eager to make contact (see below, Fritz is popping at them with some long distant [ineffectual] artillery): 

The Russian infantry screens push forward trying to provoke a German response (see below, I cannot help but think this is a post Stalingrad era battle instead of Barbarossa, teh late Pz Mk IV could push it to a 1944 battle, in which case the Russians are using pretty old kit - maybe a Pz IIIL-M would have been a better choice of panzer): 

Anyway the German Panzer decide to move out of its defensive (concealed) laager and take a pop at teh advancing Red infantry while nothing that could hurt it is around (see below, who needs expensive CGI special effects when you have a piece of blackened cotton wool): 

Meanwhile teh T-34s tear down the central track of the board into the teeth of the German defenses (see below, looking scary for teh defenders at this point, not enough anti-tank assets to go around, but also notice the respectful distance the Russian infantry gives the Pz IV on the German left flank): 

The Russian armour survives the defensive fire from the German defenses [taking some damage but is intact as an offensive weapon] and then retaliates in kind (see below, the German defensive values are weaker and ultimately are much more fragile as seen when the German PAK 40 crew is forced to retreat): 

A quick rally, through the exhalations of a senior German commander and the PAK 40 team are back manning the line (see below, "The line must hold, the line must be held, fire the kitchen sink at them or we're all doomed!"): 

It seems to be more of the latter as a particularly valiant T-34 commander takes matters into his own hands (see below, one again bouncing back the PAK 40 team, even with senior German commander present - who himself succumbed to the urge to "run away" after coming face-to-face with the fire spitting behemoth that is called the T-34): 

"The Commissar is in town" (old song from the late eighties or was it the early nineties?), there is a pistol wielding junior Russian political officer extolling the virtues of a Communist Five Year Plan (see below, there is teh chance that other Red infantry may follow him seeing as he has not been shot yet): 

More T-34s advance supported by Soviet infantry as the Red try and expand the breach in the German defenses. On the German left flank a medium range tank duel is being enacted without too much ardour it has to be said. Both sides are in cover and are content to "pop away" at each other looking for a lucky hit (see below, some form of local counterattack has to be attempted by the Germans, as it is getting to "shit or bust" time):

A German infantry force moves up for "tank busting duties", but to their right the German line looks paper thin (see below, teh Russians attack stalls slightly as the Russians decide to "pound away" at static targets such as the German infantry unit on the far right [although that description could apply to any German infantry unit in the Second World War]): 

The brave German infantry counterattack positioning themselves of the flank of the T-34, attacking from cover but "fail" in their assault (see below, the T-34 is stuck fast between the horns of a dilemma - disgrace to go back, death if you linger, best to go forward then?): 

Although bounced back the attacking German infantry unit is the strongest unit in the German front line (see below, there are three front line German combat units down to their last strength point (see blue dice showing 1's) - the front is about to break): 

But the German Grenadiers are hardy fighters, try again and are much more successful (see below, blck clouds of cotton wool indicate a dead T-34): 

The Russians however have no shortage of tanks and infantry (see below, the German infantry unit defending the woods is destroyed): 

From seemingly out of nowhere another T-34 appears (as the portable wargame does not have the sticky-stop concept of "zones of control" and a T-34 weaves its way through the defenses to threaten the German artillery with an overrun (see below, it is a very bad sign when your rear echelon units come under overrun attack): 

A wider panorama of the battlefield shows an intense battle as the German defenses disintegrate (see below, the lack of strategically placed German reserves is really hurting them to react to the Soviet threat): 

With the defenses broken it is now a case of "what" (if anything) can be salvaged from this mess (see below, the Soviet armour is attacked and weakened but not destroyed, so it will attack again next turn):  

The German artillery which (if it rolls lucky) can destroy armour with desperate direct fire is attacked and worn down to its last strength point (see below, hurt but not broken): 

But just when you think things cannot get any worse, they do, a second T-34 rolls into shot (see below, the artillery won't be able to take out two armoured threats next turn):

Russian infantry have penetrated the German right flank and consequently push the German MG Team back, isolating the strongest remaining German infantry in a salient (see below, by being pushed out of these defenses the MG Team have allowed the threat of a dangerous flank attack without defensive bonuses next turn): 

The Soviet armoured overrun is in full progress (see below, close range direct fire destroys the stubborn defending artillery gunners): 

Overrun achieved and the remaining crew are killed (see below, a fresh T-34 takes possession of the hex - "Where is the Panzer IV?" you may ask, it has quietly retired from the field leaving the infantry to its fate): 

There is nothing left to stop the T-34's from carousing around the battlefield behind the German defensive positions while effective Soviet infantry fire removes the German MG Team from play (see below, the middle and right of the German line have ceased to exist): 

There is one last remaining German defensive strongpoint on the German left held by a full strength German infantry unit (see below, it is holding the line as the Panzer departs [which caused some strangled criticism from infantry players - but it was agreed all was lost] along with some battered German infantry, probably hoping for a quicker ride home on the back of a tank): 

"All is not well!" mutters a senior German as he leader departs the battlefield (see below, not much you can do with a pair of binoculars and nothing left to spot for): 

Not a good sign when you are surrounded, down to your last strength point and facing a combined armour/infantry assault (see below, which signaled the end of German resistance in this sector): 

A convincing Russian victory (again) but I do so like getting the toys out on the table. Again this battle was played with teh basic Portal Wargame rules, there are additional rules I would like to bring in from Bob Cordery's later sets (Developing The Portable Wargame). 

Back Playing - Flash Point Campaign - Red Storm

I do like this game. I had to reinstall after a computer crash (see below, hello old friend, how I missed you):

The best computer games to my mind inspire you to go to the table top with miniatures and this one does that (in 1/300 scale) for me! (see below, the frightening Red Hordes have been tamed - I even got the HQ and artillery park, although I still have a healthy respect for the SU-25 Frogfoot tactical bomber): 

Admittedly this is the introductory scenario and I have played it a few times, but it was well worth it to shake some of the "computing gaming rust" off ;)  

Soviet 28m Reinforcements

Assembled in the factory, Warlord Games Russian Infantry than accompanied the Warlord KV1 (with insane KV2 turret option), heading towards the painting department (see below, however we all know of the unexpected production delays associated with the painting department): 

They have at least received their primer and mandatory Vallejo dipping in dirty Brown Wash (see below, pre weathered before the first true lick of camo paint arrives):  

The arms folded posture of the driver is probably because he has just been told he is destined for the streets of Stalingrad in a Chain of Command campaign!

Strelets Soviet WW2 Winter Partisans .. and that strange figure in my set?

Over the festive and New Year break I had the opportunity (like many of us) to do some "hobby sorting" which included some 20mm figure plastic figure basing (see below, some lovely 1/72 scale WWII Strelets Soviet WWII Partisans in "Winter Dress"):  

They are an unusual but lovely set and so full of character (see below, the rugged partisan leader who accepts no excuses): 

Rugged and determined, armed with a SMG and ready to meat out retribution to the invaders (see below, you have got to like those boots): 

The agricultural worker turned partisan, perhaps not a great shot with the rifle but he will be persistent  (see below, gotta love those ear flaps): 

Then this mystery figure, at first I am thinking this is really the partisan's great, grandfather riding one last time against the fascist hoards in defense of the motherland, after all he does look Russian, of a Cossack style of sorts but definitely the wrong century! (see below, what is going on? It turns out this is a Strelets "Easter Egg" or "Cuckoo in the nest"): 

The answer comes from the ever useful Plastic Soldier Review Page: 

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/ShowFeature.aspx?id=15