Thursday, March 15, 2012

Australians v Japanese : Point Blank

Last night Youngy and I faced off in our second go at Disposable Heroes Point Blank from Iron Ivan Games. This time round we are set in the South Pacific on the island of Labuan in 1945.  Australians have assaulted the beaches are now streaming inland. The important Bongo Bongo river lays ahead. Who will get there first? The Aussies or the Japs? I am commanding a section of 10 Veteran Aussies lead by a Corporal. Youngy is commanding a section of 13 Veteran Japs lead by a Sergeant. Some may ask, why the uneven numbers? The answer - We are playing historical wargames here, not magical space leprechauns!  The above historical photograph is a posed photo, taken long after the battle ended.

Today's battlefield is a 4x4 table.  A river running up the guts, surrounded by jungle.

The objective of the game is to cross the river ford first.

 The Japs sneaking through the jungle.

Youngy wins initiative in Turn 1 and moves first.  His priority is to get his LMG team in a position to cover the fjord.  This gunner was the Jap hero of the game, hiding in this spot he had good cover and accounted for all Australian causalities.
 One crazy Jap crosses open ground and is subject to snap fire ; PINNED.

The Australians take up positions in the jungle opposite the river.  The lads are a bit apprehensive of advancing as the open ground is covered by the Jap LMG.  I need to do something about that.

A heroic Australian Bren gunner team makes a dash for a shell hole near the river fjord.  He make the shell hole but his offsider does not.  A second Australian rifleman dashed forward to take the fallen mans place.  He does not make it either.  On his own the Aussie bren gunner is a risk of gun jams, but he fights on.  Only to fall victim in time to the Jap LMG.

 The Jap Lance Corporal carrying a SMG, and a rifleman move out to the Japs right flank.

 Another silly Jap runs out into open ground resulting in snap fire : PINNED.

Another group of Japs move out on the Jap left flank, stealthily approaching the river.  Once spotted at the edge of the jungle they come under fire.  One gets pinned.

The Australian section marksman, with his scoped .303, is the Japs biggest threat.  He comes under all sorts of fire but he is not fazed.  He keeps fighting and dropping Japs.  He eventually kills the Japs LMG Gunner.

Slowly the Australian section is whittled away or pined and the Japs are able to cross open ground towards the ford.
The Japs cross the river and Youngy takes victory.  The Australians melt back into the jungle and radio for a Matilda Frog flamethrower tank to come forward.  Buts that another story.  The Japs lost 7 killed, Aussies lost 6.

Good game.  Rules are becoming clearer.  I have a couple of questions to post on the Iron Ivan forum.  This game took about 2 hours.  I am looking forward to more games in the future.  Good win Youngy.

26 comments:

Allan and Carmen said...

Great report!

28m Bolt ACtion Miniatures ordered :)

PaintPig said...

Very nice Beccas, great write up and figures n' vehicles I really enjoyed these aar's. For primates & apes of various breeds and sizes try TMP =)

Al said...

Yeah, nice figs and report mate, do these rules allow for campaign style games or linked scenarios?

Anonymous said...

Nice report Paul.

The terrain looks really good.

Cheers,

Helen

Paul said...

Nice wee AAR report Paul. The figures and terrain look great.

Well done.

Guidowg said...

Great looking game Beccas. Havent been to the club for ages, too many arvo recently and works picked up.
have to catch up soon.
guido.

youngster said...

Thanks again for the game Beccas, great AAR and photos as usual :)
Looking forward to facing the Aussies again at Bongo Bongo village!

Paul O'G said...

Great report mate - love the figs and terrain!

Jim Casey said...

Point Blank, how does
it "feel" for small unit
skirmish rules?

Catweaseloz said...

what was he matilda doing while the battle was on? Having a brew up?

dwilde said...

Great set up, Beccas,


http://generalwildescivilwarinminiature.blogspot.com/

Thanos said...

Great AAR mate!

What colour do you use for the Jap soldiers? VMC Japan Uniform?

T.

Beccas said...

Hi Jim
The game feels good. I find it a lot easier to understand than Force on Force.
Cheers
Paul

Beccas said...

Hi Thanos
They are not my Japs so I don't know what colours were used. I have some of that vallejo jap uniform. It's wrong.
Cheers
Paul

Beccas said...

Hi Al
You can play a campaign very easily with these rules. And they cover WWI to present so you have a lot of options. Although you have to limit yourself to small skirmish actions. 10 men per side is heaps. Any more and the game would bog down.
Cheers
Paul

Christopher(aka Axebreaker) said...

Nice report and board!

Christopher

DeanM said...

Great looking game with great terrain. Dean

youngster said...

Main colour for the Japanese was VMC Middle Stone. Also used Green Ochre, Green Brown and a little Khaki Grey (from memory) to add some variation (different dyes, fading etc).
Mick Farnsworth's guide was the main reference: http://northstarfigures.com/pdfs/Farnworth%20Colours%20WW2%20Pacific%20Japanese%20100524.pdf
Cheers
Paul ('Youngy')

MiniMike said...

Nice report with some excellent pictures..Enjoyed

Monty said...

Great AAR Paul, I've not looked at these rules as I am fixated by THW Nuts!, although they look good!
Nice one,
Regards,
Monty

Adam said...

I acquired Battle Academy BTW

Reinwood99 said...

"We are playing historical wargames here, not magical space leprechauns!" Love it!

Curt said...

Great report and I really admire your palm tree terrain - quite like the undergrowth... (have to borrow that).

Curt

Phil said...

Very nice looking game, a great report!

Captain Richard's miniature Civil War said...

Great looking set up Beccas...Terrain looks real good

Simon Quinton said...

Great AAR like the squad level skirmish