Hello wargamers! My very good buddy Tim and I decided that we wanted to start a campaign since we are both suckers for narrative gaming. I recently introduced Chain of Command to him since we both love games set in World War II, and he took to it like a fish to water. For reasons discussed a little later, we decided to theme it around fighting in the forests and towns of the Bastogne area of Belgium. I will be taking command of the 26th Volksgrenadiers that assaulted the Americans during operation Nordwind. Tim would take command U.S. Airborne. 101st Airborne Division, 501st Regiment, 3rd Batalion, H Company, 1st Platoon
The best part of this entire idea is that not all of this is going to be "made up." Tim knew and frequently conversed with someone who was actually there and is the actual commanding officer of the company that he is going to play. I could write about everything I was told, but I figured I would just let Tim write it himself. His respect for the man being the utmost of respect and admiration. I garner it would be hard to properly describe in writen words how much he loved and respected the man.
Tim Writes:
"I decided to go with U.S Airborne for my army for this campaign, mostly out of respect for a man that meant a lot to me growing up. Captain George Eldridge was a family friend just named George to us. As a kid, I was told that George fought in World War 2, but I didn't have any concept of what that meant. What I did understand was just how good of a person George was though. A leader in my local church George was like another Grandfather to me, but it wasn't until I was much older that I began to understand just who this man was. George was a paratrooper, a veteran of D-Day, Market Garden, The Battle of the Bulge, and so much more. He was a recipient of the purple heart and TWO Bronze Stars. One of which was received during the Battle of the Bulge for which this campaign is set. George was a hero. Not only for who he was during the war, but for who he was when he came home."
When Tim told me about George I was shocked to know that he was lucky enough to get to know someone like that. Envious of the situation, I always enjoyed the third-hand accounts I had the opportunity to hear about. My imagination alite, I knew we had to do something to celebrate their lives and accomplishments. I decided we should play some Chain of Command and theme it around the Battle of the Bulge.
To those that have never seen Chain of Command, the game is considerably different than some of the more mainstream games and attempts to create a more authentic organization of forces that doesn't allow "the most optimal build" of armies. The platoons are pre-structured and what kinds of support you can bring is randomish before each game.
If that is too difficult to understand and implement you don't have to worry. I am going to show the force organizations before we meet the actual characters just to show you what we are working with. Knowing what guns we are shooting helps make the pew pew sounds in your head. The real glorious part about the Chain of Command system is the character creation in the campaign book. You get to create the officers that will be trying to reach your objectives. It becomes your job to get them there without sending them home in a box.
26th Volksgrenadier:
Force rating: regular -2, Green -6
HQ:
SL + SMG
Squads 1 to 3:
JL + SMG
One panzerfaust (‘faust 60 Sep 44 - Dec 44, ‘faust 100 after)
MG team:
2 crew
Rifle team:
4 riflemen
1 man with SMG
(Platoon had 2x spare MGs)
(SMG could be swapped for assault rifle late war)
The specific regiment and company numbers of my force are not specified since I am not a military scientist and I just enjoy the micro-examination of characters too much to make all of that up. I rolled up the information on the men and filled in the little details as best I could. If something is amiss, I hope it doesn't kill the immersion too bad.
Senior Officer
Heir to a long line of German aristocracy, Fritz von Muller enlisted into the Wehrmacht to continue the proud military tradition in his family. While growing up in the town of Frankfurt, he was raised to believe in the supremacy of the German people while the world was seemingly falling apart around him. Fritz was hopeful when he saw ambition and pride returning to the people around him, but he remained apprehensive with how the country was being run by Hitler and his Nazi party.
His first deployments were mostly security details of occupied countries. Fritz did his best to make life as easy for his men and the citizens around him, but the no matter what he did he continued to watch his Fatherland shatter apart around him. Hitler's two front war had cost the country dearly, and Fritz was finally deployed to the Belgian border for Operation Nordwind. His men seem skeptical of their new commander, but Fritz knows that he has to prove himself in this true crucible of war if he has any hope of salvaging the Fatherland.
Junior Officers
Albert was a former gamekeeper in the southern rural German town of Rosenheim. A man of average height and intelligence, he thought that the war presented an opportunity to raise from his low-born station. He joined up before the war started and has been fighting for his life ever since. Only becoming an NCO after a field commendation when the Americans broke out of Normandy with Operation Cobra. He fought with distinction, but was never recognized by his superiors for his accomplishments. When he was sent to Holland for R&R he thought he would be rewarded with a promotion to officer, but the opportunity never came. He hopes that one day he will rewarded for his hard work, but he is not so sure anymore.
Leon is a tall, thin man from the town of Spremburg near the Polish border. After the Hitler Youth, he joined the army to help his country and to help the ethnic Germans that were in other countries. After so many years of war he is tired and just wants the war to end so that he can find a quiet part of Germany to live in.
Ben is the son of a World War One veteran near the town of Detmold. Ben's shape has been described as more of a barrel of muscle than the shape of a normal man. Ben joined the army after the Hitler Youth and after hearing about the victory in France that would lead to the self-sustainability of the Germany people. After joining, he has been disappointed to find that he has not been a part of a major offensive and dreams of the day that he can prove himself to the Fuhrer. Ben became a NCO due to the virtue of being around the longest in his squad and his eagerness to drive back the "evil" Americans that are coming to destroy the Fatherland.
U.S. Airborne. 101st Airborne Division, 501st Regiment, 3rd Batalion, H Company, 1st Platoon
Force rating: Elite +8
HQ:
SL + Carbine
SL+ SMG
Bazooka Team, 2 men
Squads 1 to 3:
JL + SMG
One panzerfaust (‘faust 60 Sep 44 - Dec 44, ‘faust 100 after)
LMG team:
3 crew
Rifle team:
8 riflemen:
Mortar Team
5 Crew
Tim doesn't write gibberish on the internet nearly as much as I do, but he was excited to get into this project and create some narrative. I figured I would just let him take this part away.
"Though I believe George was a Captain by late December 1944 I have made him a Lt for the sake of the rules system. Also, out of respect for those who served with George in H company I have decided to use made up names and backgrounds for the rest of the men."
Senior Leader:
George was born in Lawrenceville, NJ and signed up to be a paratrooper because he wanted to be the best and thought they had the nicest boots. George trained and jumped into Normandy on D-Day with the 82nd Airborne but during the lead up to Market Garden was transferred to the 101st Airborne. A big man at around 6 feet tall, George has a commanding yet friendly presence. His goal is to see his men through the winter and out the other side alive.
Buddy is from West Newton, PA. The son of a strict coal miner, Buddy is used to hard labor and being yelled at so the army was a perfect fit for him. Buddy has fought with the unit since D-Day and was promoted to Company 1st Sgt in Holland. Not the biggest man, Buddy makes up for his size as a stern but excellence leader. Buddy always makes the physical and mental welfare of the men his top priority.
Junior Leaders
Born and raised in Glendale, California, Ben can't stop dreaming of returning as he lays in a frozen fox hole with trees exploding all around him. Ben comes from a long line of Union motion picture workers, and intends to continue that tradition when he returns home. Ben is a replacement that took over for a Sgt that was badly wounded in Holland and sent home. Having turned 21 only weeks ago, Ben is the youngest NCO in the entire company. He is eager to prove his worth to his men, and especially himself.
Chuck is a trouble maker from Reno, Nevada. Charles grew up amidst the casinos, glitz, and glamour of Virginia Street in Reno. Charles likes to have a good time, thus the nickname, but that attitude has often gotten him into trouble. Charles has had his stripes taken away twice. Once for being drunk and another time for fraternization with a French woman. Necessity and the fact that he is a damn good soldier has once again seen the chevrons sown into Chuck's sleeve. All he has to do now is keep them there.
Buck is from the small town of Clio, Alabama. Buck had never seen the other side of his home county's line before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. A practical and spiritual man, Buck has a good heart and is a fine NCO. Years of hunting with his "pa" and brothers also made him a great shot with a rifle. Buck only needs a slight nudge to start telling stories of how he was hunting with them since practically the time he could walk. This makes Buck hate the lesser range and accuracy of the Thompson Sub Machine gun which he often says is "as useless as a paper hanger with one arm".
Alright blog readers, that's the set up. The ball has been placed on the tee, and now its just going to take the puny arms of two armchair historical gaming nerds to swing and hit the damn thing. Hopefully its a homerun, but if even one person finds this as entertaining as we will then I will take that as a win.
Keep up the boom boom guys and leave a comment if you are rooting or tooting for anyone. I am sure I can take it since I am sure most people want to see the 'ol 101st hold on to Bloody Bastogne.
The best part of this entire idea is that not all of this is going to be "made up." Tim knew and frequently conversed with someone who was actually there and is the actual commanding officer of the company that he is going to play. I could write about everything I was told, but I figured I would just let Tim write it himself. His respect for the man being the utmost of respect and admiration. I garner it would be hard to properly describe in writen words how much he loved and respected the man.
Tim Writes:
"I decided to go with U.S Airborne for my army for this campaign, mostly out of respect for a man that meant a lot to me growing up. Captain George Eldridge was a family friend just named George to us. As a kid, I was told that George fought in World War 2, but I didn't have any concept of what that meant. What I did understand was just how good of a person George was though. A leader in my local church George was like another Grandfather to me, but it wasn't until I was much older that I began to understand just who this man was. George was a paratrooper, a veteran of D-Day, Market Garden, The Battle of the Bulge, and so much more. He was a recipient of the purple heart and TWO Bronze Stars. One of which was received during the Battle of the Bulge for which this campaign is set. George was a hero. Not only for who he was during the war, but for who he was when he came home."
When Tim told me about George I was shocked to know that he was lucky enough to get to know someone like that. Envious of the situation, I always enjoyed the third-hand accounts I had the opportunity to hear about. My imagination alite, I knew we had to do something to celebrate their lives and accomplishments. I decided we should play some Chain of Command and theme it around the Battle of the Bulge.
To those that have never seen Chain of Command, the game is considerably different than some of the more mainstream games and attempts to create a more authentic organization of forces that doesn't allow "the most optimal build" of armies. The platoons are pre-structured and what kinds of support you can bring is randomish before each game.
If that is too difficult to understand and implement you don't have to worry. I am going to show the force organizations before we meet the actual characters just to show you what we are working with. Knowing what guns we are shooting helps make the pew pew sounds in your head. The real glorious part about the Chain of Command system is the character creation in the campaign book. You get to create the officers that will be trying to reach your objectives. It becomes your job to get them there without sending them home in a box.
26th Volksgrenadier:
Force rating: regular -2, Green -6
HQ:
SL + SMG
Squads 1 to 3:
JL + SMG
One panzerfaust (‘faust 60 Sep 44 - Dec 44, ‘faust 100 after)
MG team:
2 crew
Rifle team:
4 riflemen
1 man with SMG
(Platoon had 2x spare MGs)
(SMG could be swapped for assault rifle late war)
The specific regiment and company numbers of my force are not specified since I am not a military scientist and I just enjoy the micro-examination of characters too much to make all of that up. I rolled up the information on the men and filled in the little details as best I could. If something is amiss, I hope it doesn't kill the immersion too bad.
Senior Officer
- Oberleutnant Fritz Von Muller:
Heir to a long line of German aristocracy, Fritz von Muller enlisted into the Wehrmacht to continue the proud military tradition in his family. While growing up in the town of Frankfurt, he was raised to believe in the supremacy of the German people while the world was seemingly falling apart around him. Fritz was hopeful when he saw ambition and pride returning to the people around him, but he remained apprehensive with how the country was being run by Hitler and his Nazi party.
His first deployments were mostly security details of occupied countries. Fritz did his best to make life as easy for his men and the citizens around him, but the no matter what he did he continued to watch his Fatherland shatter apart around him. Hitler's two front war had cost the country dearly, and Fritz was finally deployed to the Belgian border for Operation Nordwind. His men seem skeptical of their new commander, but Fritz knows that he has to prove himself in this true crucible of war if he has any hope of salvaging the Fatherland.
Junior Officers
- Unteroffizier Albert Fischer
Albert was a former gamekeeper in the southern rural German town of Rosenheim. A man of average height and intelligence, he thought that the war presented an opportunity to raise from his low-born station. He joined up before the war started and has been fighting for his life ever since. Only becoming an NCO after a field commendation when the Americans broke out of Normandy with Operation Cobra. He fought with distinction, but was never recognized by his superiors for his accomplishments. When he was sent to Holland for R&R he thought he would be rewarded with a promotion to officer, but the opportunity never came. He hopes that one day he will rewarded for his hard work, but he is not so sure anymore.
- Unteroffizier Leon Schmidt
Leon is a tall, thin man from the town of Spremburg near the Polish border. After the Hitler Youth, he joined the army to help his country and to help the ethnic Germans that were in other countries. After so many years of war he is tired and just wants the war to end so that he can find a quiet part of Germany to live in.
- Unteroffizier Ben Abbas
Ben is the son of a World War One veteran near the town of Detmold. Ben's shape has been described as more of a barrel of muscle than the shape of a normal man. Ben joined the army after the Hitler Youth and after hearing about the victory in France that would lead to the self-sustainability of the Germany people. After joining, he has been disappointed to find that he has not been a part of a major offensive and dreams of the day that he can prove himself to the Fuhrer. Ben became a NCO due to the virtue of being around the longest in his squad and his eagerness to drive back the "evil" Americans that are coming to destroy the Fatherland.
U.S. Airborne. 101st Airborne Division, 501st Regiment, 3rd Batalion, H Company, 1st Platoon
Force rating: Elite +8
HQ:
SL + Carbine
SL+ SMG
Bazooka Team, 2 men
Squads 1 to 3:
JL + SMG
One panzerfaust (‘faust 60 Sep 44 - Dec 44, ‘faust 100 after)
LMG team:
3 crew
Rifle team:
8 riflemen:
Mortar Team
5 Crew
Tim doesn't write gibberish on the internet nearly as much as I do, but he was excited to get into this project and create some narrative. I figured I would just let him take this part away.
"Though I believe George was a Captain by late December 1944 I have made him a Lt for the sake of the rules system. Also, out of respect for those who served with George in H company I have decided to use made up names and backgrounds for the rest of the men."
Senior Leader:
- Lt. George Eldridge
George was born in Lawrenceville, NJ and signed up to be a paratrooper because he wanted to be the best and thought they had the nicest boots. George trained and jumped into Normandy on D-Day with the 82nd Airborne but during the lead up to Market Garden was transferred to the 101st Airborne. A big man at around 6 feet tall, George has a commanding yet friendly presence. His goal is to see his men through the winter and out the other side alive.
 |
| An actual photograph of Captain George Eldridge |
- 1st Sgt. Buddy Rubbish
Buddy is from West Newton, PA. The son of a strict coal miner, Buddy is used to hard labor and being yelled at so the army was a perfect fit for him. Buddy has fought with the unit since D-Day and was promoted to Company 1st Sgt in Holland. Not the biggest man, Buddy makes up for his size as a stern but excellence leader. Buddy always makes the physical and mental welfare of the men his top priority.
Junior Leaders
- Sgt. Ben Anderson
Born and raised in Glendale, California, Ben can't stop dreaming of returning as he lays in a frozen fox hole with trees exploding all around him. Ben comes from a long line of Union motion picture workers, and intends to continue that tradition when he returns home. Ben is a replacement that took over for a Sgt that was badly wounded in Holland and sent home. Having turned 21 only weeks ago, Ben is the youngest NCO in the entire company. He is eager to prove his worth to his men, and especially himself.
- Sgt Charles "Chuck" or "Good Time Charlie" Meadows
Chuck is a trouble maker from Reno, Nevada. Charles grew up amidst the casinos, glitz, and glamour of Virginia Street in Reno. Charles likes to have a good time, thus the nickname, but that attitude has often gotten him into trouble. Charles has had his stripes taken away twice. Once for being drunk and another time for fraternization with a French woman. Necessity and the fact that he is a damn good soldier has once again seen the chevrons sown into Chuck's sleeve. All he has to do now is keep them there.
- Sgt. Buck Thompson
Buck is from the small town of Clio, Alabama. Buck had never seen the other side of his home county's line before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. A practical and spiritual man, Buck has a good heart and is a fine NCO. Years of hunting with his "pa" and brothers also made him a great shot with a rifle. Buck only needs a slight nudge to start telling stories of how he was hunting with them since practically the time he could walk. This makes Buck hate the lesser range and accuracy of the Thompson Sub Machine gun which he often says is "as useless as a paper hanger with one arm".
Alright blog readers, that's the set up. The ball has been placed on the tee, and now its just going to take the puny arms of two armchair historical gaming nerds to swing and hit the damn thing. Hopefully its a homerun, but if even one person finds this as entertaining as we will then I will take that as a win.
Keep up the boom boom guys and leave a comment if you are rooting or tooting for anyone. I am sure I can take it since I am sure most people want to see the 'ol 101st hold on to Bloody Bastogne.
Lt./Captain George shall stand triumphant.
ReplyDeleteThankfully he did in real life. Can only hope I can slow him down in this made up stuff.
Delete