The eternal quest continues; not the meaning of life of course, the search for the ultimate World War Two Company/ Battalion level wargames rules. Today the leader of the Forest Dice Studz ventured to the big city with the latest candidate: I ain’t been shot mum from the Two Lardies stable.

What initially impressed me was that the forces were at a realistic density. The above Kamfgruppe was tasked with a defence of about eight foot of table and that was a stretch but not unreasonable in 1944?

I really liked the use of “ blinds” to hide the forces’ true deployment. The Soviets came over the horizon but the defenders were not sure where the main blow would land. I was also impressed by the range of the 15mm minis. No more would we stutter at 16 inches away aka Flames of War. Rather troops opened up from across the board( causing some consternation to the veteran Soviet Commmisar)

The game moves along at a fast pace even with two new players. The mechanisms are quite tight and contain just the right level of “ crunch” or calculation I.e. they are simple( not as simple as Memoir 44 but understandable)

Skillfully using overwatch, the Soviet infantry grimly moved forward under the fire of maxims and T34s. The defenders suffered mightily but gave ground only slowly.

At the end of a day’s battle, the majority of buildings were just about occupied by the Nazis. Two Soviet companies dashed for the outlying houses but alas they were not to feel the warm embrace of the Soviet motherland today!

We really enjoyed the game. Our thanks to the boys who came down to show us the system. It looks like my Flames of War minis have thankfully found a new use.

Michael B

Firestorm Games, Cardiff