Deadlands

I found something fun to do with my family and a few select friends during this pandemic.  

Imagine my wife role-playing a foul mouthed gunslinger, my son as a card chucking magic-user, and my daughter a miracle creating show girl.  Throw in a pacifist Native American Shaman, a one armed Martial Artist, and a gatling gun wielding Pinkerton Agent (played by a former fellow member of the Dungeons and Dragons club!), and you have a fun making posse. 

The game had to be online because we live in different states and we didn't want to risk giving each other the virus.

There are a numerous Virtual Table Tops (VTT).  I was introduced to Roll20 when the pandemic got started and the groups I was currently meeting with switched to an online format.  It was a natural choice.  It helped that my son and a couple of our friends were familiar with the interface. 

 I'm a big fan of a role playing game called Savage Worlds.  It has its roots in wargaming, and has just enough tactical elements to engage my interest.  A friend of mine had introduced me to the system.  It's an easy to use generic system that serves as the engine to create a role playing environment of your choice, be it science fiction, superheroes, fantasy, or the Old American West.  The good people who created the rule-set also created a number of ready to run campaigns.

Conveniently, my son and I had just backed the reboot of their flagship campaign "Deadlands" on Kickstarter. The campaign is based on an alternate history of the American West set in the late 1800s.  It's a west where magic works and monsters are real.  The players try to survive, tell and epic tale, and perhaps save a few imaginary folks.

Currently they are in the city of "Lost Angels."  They are battling their way out of the city, while an epic battle rages around it.  

Even with the previous experience, there has definitely been a learning curve in setting things up in the Roll20 environment.  Fortunately YouTube has helped a lot with that.

We meet weekly for around 3 hours, and we can video chat as needed.  Mostly we use voice chat.

It was a bit of a challenge working around everyone's diverse schedules.

I hope we can keep it going.

So many worlds to explore.

California International Marathon

 Last post of the year.  Missed the last few months because a lot has been happening.

I moved!

But before I moved, I ran a marathon.























3 hours 48 minutes and 44 seconds.

I finished running feeling pretty strong, a little cramping, but not enough to stop me from walking to my car afterwards.

It was raining, hence the hat, but not that much. So my goal of running a marathon was met, running under 4 hours also accomplished, but not Boston Qualifying.  I've already signed up for the next marathon.  Since speed training doesn't seem to do much for me (I'm not getting any faster), I'm going to focus on bulking up on miles for this go.  During this attempt, I held a lot of 8:30s, but crashed for the last 3 miles to low 9's.  I want to focus on trying to hold the 8:30s or better.  I just finished day 6 of 11 mile runs for a total of 66 miles.  I haven't ran that many miles in a week for years.  If I can stick to the plan, I should break 80 miles a week during training.  I'm blending my own training plan based on McMillan, Hansen, with a little Ed Whitlock thrown in.

I moved to Washington state. My sourdough starter survived the journey.

Sadly, one of my boxes containing miniature supplies did not!  I'm grateful that it wasn't a box with any of my figures, but I lost a good amount of my trees, all of my entrenchment/barbwire markers, a BF109, a P47, my minefield markers, my hit markers, and all of my unit markers - several weeks (if not months) worth of work.

The Soviets are here!

I finally finished enough Soviet forces to put on a game of Rommel.  I used the "Second Targu Frumos" scenario found here.  I might have gotten a little carried away with the videos.

The start of the video is showing the Soviet 3rd Guards Tank Corp.  The Soviet infantry divisions on the board included only one Guards infantry division.  The other two divisions had units that weren't very good on the offense.

First Soviet attack.

In this attack the ISU-122 has the infantry support feature that allows them to negate the down shift for the defenders being in the town, which allowed the pioneer to use its ability to remove a defensive position.

And the result of the attack on the town...

The Soviet 3rd Guards tank corp took the option to come in on the flank.  Ultimately this may be what doomed the Soviet effort.  The massed artillery in this attack was used to double the strength of a Soviet rocket barrage!

And the follow up to the attack...

The 24th Panzer Division, not 26th, and a Recon Puma, not Hetzer.  The Hetzer provided the flank bonus in this attack.

The Soviet attack on the 24th Panzer Division did not turn out well.

The 24th Panzer Division counter attacks and wipes out both of these T34s.

 The 24th didn't do as well here, despite having "Tank Shock."

The Soviets trying to set up a flank attack on an objective, get caught in a spoiling flank attack by the Germans.  This was a direct result of the break through by the Germans taking out those two T34s earlier.

This attempt to hurt the part of the 24th that was doing so much damage did not go well.  The tank advantage enjoyed by the German really caused havoc on the Soviet forces.  I should point out the SU76 was playing the role of a "light tank" and not a tank destroyer.  I don't have any T70s...yet.

A final effort to capture this town and objective resulted in the elite Panzergrenadiers withdrawing to avoid further casualties, but the two other German units held on.

And my video wrap up of the battle.

This was a tough scenario for the Soviets.  The anti-tank ability of the Germans was decisive in letting them inflict significant damage on Soviet armored forces in their flank attack.  The tank advantage enjoyed by the German in most of the armored battles was also important.  The minefields also played a more significant role than anticipated.  In retrospect, I should have committed the Soviet reinforcements to help secure the other 3 objectives.

Still it was fun to finally get my Soviet toys out.  Back to painting.

Spain

This summer, my wife and I decided to spend our summer vacation in Spain, well, at least part of our summer.

We didn't plan it, but we ended up visiting the 4 most populated cities in Spain; Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, and Barcelona.  What I mean to say, is that we didn't pick these cities because they were the most populated.  We flew into Madrid, so it was a no brainer to stay and visit a few days.  We wanted to see Seville, Granada, and perhaps Gibraltar, so we picked Malaga as a base camp  for those places.  Ironically we didn't go to any of those other places because we kept plenty busy in Malaga, and Seville and Granada just got too damn hot!  We chose Valencia because we thought public transport would get us there - we ended up taking a plane.  Barcelona was on our must visit list.

We stayed a couple of nights in Madrid overlooking the plaza mayor.

They were having a big event celebrating the UEFA Champions League Final.  A lot of English folk were in Madrid, even more than usual, due to the two teams being from Liverpool and Tottenham (London).

I really enjoyed the Jamon, and there was a lot of it.

We tried a "Spanish" omelette, and it was quite tasty.  The omelette was like a frittata with potato and onion. We had this in the morning in a local market - its like a big warehouse with lots of little shops facing internal walkways.  Sitting nearby was a fellow having a beer, and another with hard coffee.  Never too early in Madrid I suppose.

Of course I ran in Madrid.

The other three cities were on the southern coast.  In Malaga we had Paella.

We visited the Alcazaba and Castillo Gibralfaro, where we found a little museum and these miniatures!

Every Spanish city has churches.

We enjoyed some fried seafood.

 The Spanish are very into having tuna on their ensalada.

And I ran...

We went to a couple of cave complexes in Malaga, and took a hike in the nearby hills.  We got to visit a pueblo blanco.

We then went to Valencia.  We had to take an early taxi to the airport to catch a plane that flew us from Malaga to Lisbon, to Valencia.  They made me check my bag on the second plane.  In Valencia we rented bikes and saw this impressive edifice (Opera House).

Valencia diverted its river after a 1957 flood, and transformed the old riverbed into this awesome park where we road our bikes and I ran.

We only stayed two nights in Valencia, and I think in hindsight I would have subtracted a couple of nights from Malaga to add to this wonderful city.  In addition to some more Paella, and the best Italian dinner in Spain, we had a snack of "Fartons" and "Tiger Nuts" drink.

Our final destination of note was Barcelona. Here I ran, ate, and saw some cool scenery.

These last 3 items we saw while on our E-bike tour.  

We spent our last night back in Madrid, puttering about a hotel near to the airport.  

Other than this last night we rented places through Airbnb.  My favorites were the first place over the Plaza Mayor, and a top floor flat in Barcelona with  a wonderful, very large roof-top terrace.  In Malaga we had a private roof-top terrace, but its view was no good, and access was via a stair-well.  The wifi didn't extend that far.  Not so Barcelona, the terrace was basically a porch out the glass doors of the living space.  We had easy access, an expansive view of the city including La Sagrada Familia, and wifi!

We didn't rent a car.  In addition to the aforementioned plane trip through Lisbon, we took trains: Madrid to Malaga, Valencia to Barcelona, and Barcelona back to Madrid.  We used the bus, a couple of taxis, bikes, and our own two legs to get around.  We may return to Spain in the near future and spend a couple of months enjoying the Spanish lifestyle to it fullest.

Part 2 of Rommel Game Videos

I returned to my gaming table today...

A German Spoiling attack.

Second tactical phase, the elite Panzergrenadiers and Panther company spring into action.  I failed to mention the Germans had the armor advantage over the Hellcat and inflicted an additional hit that ended that tank destroyer company.

The Americans held onto the square, barely.  Now they use the position to attempt to take the objective.  The odds were not with them...

With just enough operational chips, the Americans activate a second tactical phase...

The Germans reorganize their defenses.

I got a chance to use the "Gap in their lines" tactic...

This game could go down to the 16th turn.  I'm not sure if there is much interest in finishing the videos.

Some Rommel Videos

I set my gaming table for Rommel using my homemade mat.

I rolled for terrain as called for in the rules, and then generated it randomly, and placed it randomly.  Here is a video of the set-up.

The scenario called for a fighting withdrawal by the Germans.  There were 5 objectives for the Americans to capture.  These objectives disappear over time.  So the Americans are in a bit of a rush to capture 3 as soon as possible.  They gobbled up the first one on the first turn.  Here are videos of the first three attempts.

Second attack: the Germans were able to use some tactics to hold on.

The third attack: with just enough op chips to launch a third tactical phase, the Americans take the objective.

Conducting three tactical phases for a turn was expensive.  The Americans were doing some maneuvering that I didn't cover in these videos.  This gave them a shot at a second objective.  Here is a video covering a little of that maneuvering and the German response.

My final video, of the first attempt to take the "second" objective.

Of Spelt, the Painting Table, and Training

First post of the new year, hopefully I can manage at least one per month this time.

Running

I just finished the third week of training for the Silicon Valley Half-Marathon.  Pace has been good, but recently my right hip started acting up, so perhaps I am pushing too hard.  I will eliminate doubles until it gets (hopefully) better. 

Some sub-8 miles during a 3 mile tempo run:

Today I managed an 8:05, 7:53, and an 8:03.  All have so far been under the 8:12 pace called for in Hanson's.  I've modified Hanson's.  The tempo runs fall on Sundays if the plan calls for an easy run that day.  On Friday I run short repeats and do hill sprints.  Wednesday remains devoted to interval/strength training.  On weeks were a "Long Run" of moderate pace is called for, I will move tempo to Friday and find somewhere else to fit hill sprints in.  So far 150 miles for the three weeks.

Culinary

I've recently picked up some Whole Spelt flour.  I resurrected my Levain and made some pizza with it.  

 My son was home for dinners, so ham and pineapple was a must.  Even Poppy was interested.

 I cured and smoked a pork loin.  Sadly, I didn't get a picture.  A single one of these is enough for three dinners for my wife and I.  For the third one, I felt the call of potato au gratin.  I focused my attention on a rich and complex sauce first.

 Then I cubed an assortment of Russets, Red, and Yellow potatoes.

 Mix them all together and bake for an hour and a half.  It looks like too much sauce, but it was soooo good!

 Wargaming

I finished enough Union soldiers for a battle of Altar of Freedom or Field of Battle 2.

 The Pendraken figures have a good variety of poses.

 Some cavalry and command stand.

 A better picture of the artillery.

These 28mm Front Rank figures took longer to paint.  This is a French cavalry unit.

Salerno 1943: A Rommel AAR

My son and I hosted a couple of friends for a game of Rommel.  I wanted to try using the "Mid-War" operation sheets and the terrain placement rules as written.  I decided on a loosely historical setting of Salerno, pitting the 36th Infantry Division (the Lone Star Division) against elements of the 16th panzer division, and 26th and 29th panzer grenadier divisions.

This was the Rommel "Breakthrough" scenario, with the Americans on the defense.  The idea was the Germans were trying to breakthrough to the beach head to drive the Allies out of Italy.

Here are the forces:

Unit	#	Cost	Total
16th Pz Div
Inf. Battalion	2	8	16
Panthers	1	13	13
Wespe	1	4	4
			0
26th Pz Gren			0
Inf. Battalion	1	8	8
Panzer IV	1	13	13
Stug	1	12	12
Field Howitzer	1	3	3
			0
29th Pz Gren			0
Pz Gren.	1	11	11
Panzer IV	1	13	13
Motor Batt.	1	8	8
Field Howitzer	1	3	3
			0
155mm Artillery (Parent)	1	4	4
Nebel werfer (Parent)	1	2	2
			110
Americans (36th Infantry Division)
141st			0
Green Infantry (4/3)	3	7	21
105mm Howitzer	1	3	3
			0
142nd			0
Green Infantry (4/3)	3	7	21
105mm Howitzer	1	3	3
			0
143rd			0
Green Infantry (4/3)	3	7	21
105mm Howitzer	1	3	3
			0
M4 Shermans (Parent)	2	11	22
			94

The German plan became very apparent as they threw the bulk of two kampfgruppes at my lone regiment on the North flank.

Our extreme south flank was unopposed.


So our CnC decided a bold "Off Road" move to attack the German artillery was in order.

The Germans continued to press the north flank.

Which left our infantry battalion in a position to wipe out the 155 and Nebelwerfer.  Finally, moving to oppose our rampaging troops, the Germans send back a battalion of Panzer IVs.  Our troops retreat onto their supply source!

Back on the north flank the Gremans reach the second objective and our troops have more defensible terrain.

Plenty of fighting has taken place in the center too.

The lone battalion on the supply source was eliminated and the Panzer IVs returned to the attack in the center.


We got to turn 12, called it a draw, and went for pizza.  It was very probable that the Germans would take a second objective, but their own objective and supply source were still vulnerable to a determined attack, so we thought it could go either way.  The multiplayer modifications are based on number of players and not on size of forces, so this may have had an impact on this scenario with 110 vs 96 points.  The Germans had scads more armor, but the Americans had more units.  These "green" units with higher attack, than defense values were poor defenders, and encouraged us to attack.  I resisted this temptation with my regiment simply because the German forces were concentrated there, and I felt is was more important to delay.

Here are the Op sheets that I modified for our 4 player game. They were only reset once.  You can see the double boxes I put in for the extra tactics.  Rolling 8 or 4 dice for op "chips," and a maximum of 12 ops increased the attrition rate on both sides.



One last thing we noted about the terrain placement.  Due to the process, scenario, and forces, all of the "rough" terrain ended up on the American side of the table.  It seemed a little unreal.