A step forward in technology

Today, I joined the ranks of iPad users! This is really just a test message using it to update the blog.

I've also started my last semester at NDU and am moving again thanks to the US Army. More to follow in July!!

Falkland Express: A Modern Naval Battles Global Warfare Scenario

(February 21, 2012)

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Scenario: "During the Falkland Islands war, the British Fleet ran desperately low on spare parts to keep their carrier-based Harrier jump-jets operational. A fleet supply ship was quickly loaded, met up with an escort, and sailed to the war zone at top speed." (Verssen, n.d. p.9)

Forces:

• United Kingdom Fleet - HMS Broadsword and Military Non-Combatant (supply ship)
• Argentina Fleet - ARA Hercules

Special Rules:

• Game lasts 3 rounds.
• Neither side can bring reinforcements.
• Neither side can use Air Strikes.

Victory Conditions:

• Argentina wins if it sinks the Military Non-Combatant.
• UK wins if the Military Non-Combatant remains afloat.

Game 1- This was the first time playing Modern Naval Battles Global Warfare, so this was a test game. I played it solo just to get used to the rules. It was an interesting, but the scenario rules really limited each side's actions. The Argentina Destroyer, ARA Hercules, only has the ability for gun combat.  In this game. it never got off an offensive shot because it didn't draw a Gun Combat action card. It did successfully fend off 3 SSM attacks by the UK Frigate HMS Broadsword. The merchant ship remained afloat after 3 turns so it was a UK victory.

Game 2- I decided to replay the scenario. Again, I played it solo. The Broadsword was the first to act and engaged the Hercules with a SSM attack. The Hercules failed to defend against the attack, was hit and sunk. A very quick game.

Game 3- I played this scenario again, only this time it was a two player game. I played Argentina and acted first. I played a gun combat card and the UK had no organic or defense through an action card. The Broadsword was damaged and took 2 hits. My son played the Broadsword and launched a SSM attack against the Hercules. The Hercules failed its roll for defense and took 3 hits of damage sinking the ship. Another bad result for Argentina!

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References:
Veressen, D. (2008). Modern Naval Battles: Global Warfare Rulebook. DVG. Retrieved February 21, 2012 from
http://images.dvg.com/www.dvg.com/mnbrules.pdf

Test Drive - Modern Naval Battles: Global Warfare

I received the game Modern Naval Battles: Global Warfare as a Christmas gift and finally was able to give it a test run today.  I only played one scenario, but I think that this game is very good overall.  It is a card-based game, not a miniatures game.  It may seem strange that a card game gets a spot on a miniature wargame blog.  Thanks to the long range and speed of modern aircraft, missiles, and torpedoes, simulating modern naval combat on a tabletop is just not practical.  And this was the first real day off that I've had since starting school again, so this is really all I have to write about right now! 

I can't speak to how accurately this game simulates modern naval warfare since my background is with the Army.  The rules were simple and easy to learn.  The game also seems to play fast.  The test games that I played were all complete in 30 minutes or less.  Perfect for those of us with limited hobby time!

A write up will follow soon.

Here's a link for more information from DVG's site: http://www.dvg.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/49/Modern%20Naval%20Battles%20-%20Global%20Warfare

And for even more information, a pdf version of the rules can be found here: http://images.dvg.com/www.dvg.com/mnbrules.pdf

There's even a sample scenario and AAR here: http://images.dvg.com/www.dvg.com/mnb-gwscenarios.pdf

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!

There's a lot coming up this year.  I found out that I'm being reassigned again this summer, so we're moving back to Maryland.  We still have friends there so we're very excited to be moving back. 

2012 will certainly be as busy as 2011!

Merry Christmas!

Ahhh!
A very nice Christmas Mass last night, a day full of presents, games, snacks, movies, and family time, and a great Christmas dinner!  Dessert is next.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!  

'Ultramarines' the Movie

Aaron and I just watched the movie Ultramarines.  It got some very poor reviews.  I didn't think it was that bad.  Certainly not worth $30.00.  The story was a little slow at points, and it was a bit predictable.  I thought the graphics were good though.  I don't know what other's level of expectation was when this first came out, but I can understand being disappointed if the expectation was something along the lines of Star Wars. 

Aaron really seemed to enjoy it.  He's getting increasingly interested in Warhammer 40K.  We actually played a small game a few years ago so I foresee more in the near future.  Hey he's even reading "The Horus Heresy".  Hmmn...a kid spending time reading for fun and hanging out with Dad.  Who said GW was bad!

Back in Action!

Well, the paper is turned in and the semester is over.  Time for the Christmas season and some quality hobby time!  Here are some random thoughts about what I'll be doing:

1. I just finished reading "Iron Coffins: A Personnel Account of the German U-Boat Battles of WWII" by Herbert Werner.  Great book!!  And great potential for war-gamming too.  More to follow on this one.
2. American Civil War by GASLIGHT Solo Scenario - I've moved forward a bit on this.  I'm being very deliberate with this project because my real aim is to document the thought process, choices, and decisions.  I think that this is the essence of solo war-gaming.  Expect more write-ups soon.
3. American Civil War by GASLIGHT Battle Report - My son and I managed to get a game in.  It was a small encounter between reconnaissance forces.  This may take some time to get published since I took no pictures.  I do have notes and a battle map.  Getting this published may take some time as I fumble through the map making.

That's all for now.  Stand-by for updates.