Battle Report: Warhammer 40,000 Training Exercise

We decided it was high time to post another battle report and not allow perfection to be the enemy of the good in putting it together and posting to Swords and Space. A few weeks ago, Dad/Godfrey and Alber had time to do a quick 535 point battle of Warhammer 40,000.

The battle was Blood Angels (Albert) vs. Inquisition/Astra Militarum (Godfrey)

The battle depicted a joint training exercise between the Angels Sorrowful 2nd Company and elements of the Vth Inquisitorial Storm Trooper Cohort. Bear with us, as this was our first 8th edition battle in years AND our time every using MyMiniReport to prepare it

Angels Sorrowful, 2nd Company Detachment:

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Blood Angels) [42 PL, 525pts] ++

+ No Force Org Slot +

**CHAPTER**: Blood Angels

+ HQ [12 PL, 178pts] +

Chaplain [6 PL, 90pts]: 5. Recitation of Focus, Bolt pistol, Invocation of Destruction, Jump Pack [1 PL, 18pts], Litanies of Hate

Librarian [6 PL, 88pts]: Bolt pistol, Force stave [8pts]

+ Troops [22 PL, 235pts] +

Scout Squad [4 PL, 55pts]
. Scout [11pts]: Boltgun
. Scout [11pts]: Boltgun
. Scout [11pts]: Boltgun
. Scout [11pts]: Boltgun
. Scout Sergeant [11pts]: Bolt pistol, Boltgun

Tactical Squad [9 PL, 94pts]
. 4x Space Marine [48pts]
. Space Marine (Special weapon) [23pts]: Plasma gun [11pts]
. Space Marine Sergeant [23pts]: Bolt pistol, Combi-plasma [11pts]

Tactical Squad [9 PL, 86pts]
. 4x Space Marine [48pts]
. Space Marine (Special weapon) [26pts]: Meltagun [14pts]
. Space Marine Sergeant [12pts]
. . Bolt pistol and boltgun

+ Elites [8 PL, 112pts] +

Sanguinary Guard [8 PL, 112pts]
. Sanguinary Guard [28pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword [8pts]
. Sanguinary Guard [28pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword [8pts]
. Sanguinary Guard [28pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword [8pts]
. Sanguinary Guard [28pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword [8pts]

++ Total: [42 PL, 525pts] ++


Inquisitorial Storm Troopers of the Vth Cohort

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Astra Militarum) [31 PL, 525pts] ++

+ No Force Org Slot +

Regimental Doctrine: Regiment: Millitarum Tempestus

+ HQ [7 PL, 75pts] +

Lord Commissar [4 PL, 35pts]: Bolt pistol [1pts], Power sword [4pts]

Tempestor Prime [3 PL, 40pts]: Display Astra Militarum Orders, Tempestus Command Rod [5pts], Warlord

+ Troops [18 PL, 336pts] +

Militarum Tempestus Scions [5 PL, 61pts]
. 4x Scion [28pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [13pts]: Flamer [6pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [13pts]: Flamer [6pts]
. Tempestor [7pts]: Chainsword, Hot-shot Laspistol

Militarum Tempestus Scions [5 PL, 120pts]
. 5x Scion [35pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [18pts]: Plasma gun [11pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [18pts]: Plasma gun [11pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [21pts]: Meltagun [14pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [21pts]: Meltagun [14pts]
. Tempestor [7pts]: Chainsword, Hot-shot Laspistol

Militarum Tempestus Scions [5 PL, 106pts]
. 6x Scion [42pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [18pts]: Plasma gun [11pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [18pts]: Plasma gun [11pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [21pts]: Meltagun [14pts]
. Tempestor [7pts]: Chainsword, Hot-shot Laspistol

Militarum Tempestus Scions [3 PL, 49pts]
. 3x Scion [21pts]
. Scion w/ Special Weapon [21pts]: Meltagun [14pts]
. Tempestor [7pts]: Chainsword, Hot-shot Laspistol

+ Dedicated Transport [6 PL, 114pts] +

Taurox Prime [6 PL, 114pts]: Taurox Gatling Cannon [20pts], Two Hot-shot Volley Guns [14pts]

++ Total: [31 PL, 525pts] ++

INITIAL DEPLOYMENT: Both tactical squads and the scouts for the Angels Sorrowful deployed as seen below, with the scouts in the ruins to the left. The Librarian is with the scouts and the Chaplain (Chaplain Pontius) is "deep striking" with the Sanguinary Guard. The Vth Cohort Stormtroopers deployed one squad with 2x plasma and 2x melta behind the fortifications in the centre, with the dual flamer squad plus Lord Commissar in the Taurox Prime behind some rubble in the top-right corner. The remainder are in Valkyries ready for grav-chute insertion. The Angels Sorrowful had first turn:

Battle Report: First Ever Flames of War Battle

For our first battle, we wanted to use models that are either complete or nearly complete. We had to house-rule a bit since we don't have the vehicles ready to make a legal German force. The Germans brought a "Mixed Panzer Company" but only one platoon since that all we have, so there's a Company Commander in PzKpfw IV Ausf H (on the left) plus a three-strong platoon of the same tanks. The German force was commanded by ALBERT.

For the Soviets, we brought a "Mixed Tank Battalion" with a KV-1 Company of three tanks (bottom right), a T-34 company of three (bottom left), and a tank hunter platoon of four 76 mm Anti Tank guns. The AT guns haven't been based yet because we haven't received the flock and static grass we ordered yet. The Soviet force was commanded by JAMES.

Here is the initial setup: the Germans deployed in the woods at the top of the map, with the PzKfw IV platoon to the left and the Company commander's tank to the right. The Soviets deployed in a line with the 76 mm anti tank guns to the left, the KV-1s in the centre, and T-34s to the right.

To the right is a little bombed-out German village with several houses and craters at a crossroads. To the left is a river and a ruined factory across the river.

FIRST TURN:

The Soviet forces all moved forward, with the much quicker T-34s passing their cross check and moving tactically through the forest. The Soviet gunners were unable to hit the German tanks, however, who were concealed in trees and over 16" away requiring 6+ to hit.

The Germans made use of "blitz"  orders on their turn to get better firing positions and destroy one T-34 and bail out another, then using "shoot and scoot" the Pz. Kpfw. IV platoon backed out of view behind the forest (the company commander failed his orders check).

TURN 2:

The one remaining T-34 crew decided they had had enough and, notwithstanding "Not One Step Back" fled the battle (failed last stand check) and were duly executed for cowardice by the commissars (technically the battle should have ended here since the Soviet Force only had one unit left in their formation, meaning failed Formation Last Stand, but we house-ruled it given the small forces). The KV-1 company pressed forward and were able to destroy the German Company Commander. The Germans in their turn blitzed out again and were unable to beat the KV-1 heavy armour, then "shoot and scoot"-ed back behind the forest.

TURN 3:

Pretty much a repeat of turn 2, with the KV-1 moving forward again and the 76 mm anti tank guns being forced to reposition as the remaining Germans were now out of range. The Germans managed to bail-out one KV-1.

TURN 4:

The Soviets continued to close-in but were unable to hit the PzKpfw IV through the trees. On his turn, Albert decided that his static tact was not working and he needed to reposition to make use of the Panzers' speed and greater range vs. the Soviet cannon. Instead of shooting, his platoon therefore made a cross-country dashed and then did a "follow me" order in an attempt to get into new cover behind the village log cabins.

TURN 5:

Albert had taken a calculated risk, exposing his PzKpfw IVs' weak side/rear armour to the Soviets in favour of moving as fast as possible. Fortunately, given the long range and some poor rolls, James' KV-1s were unable to do any damage, while the 76 mm slowly tried to reposition (soft skin transports would have been nice). On the German turn, the Panzers were able to get in amongst the buildings, although with a failed "follow me" the commander ended up ahead of his troops.

TURN 6:

The KV-1s trundled along, trying to get into position, with one of them getting bogged-down in the woods. Their fire was once again, ineffective given the long range and the concealment behind the buildings the Panzers enjoyed.

On Albert's turn, he moved his platoon commander to within command distance of the other two tanks, who moved around for a side shot. Despite only one shot apiece, they each hit, and each penetrated the KV-1 heavy side armour (a pair of 2's rolled by James on his armour save). Two KV-1s down.

TURN 7:

Another "Last Stand" check failure for James, and the remaining Soviet forces fled the field. Victory to the Germans!

Post battle thoughts: The Flames of War rules are quite fun and make for a fairly quick game. They are straightforward and streamlined. Some people hate the unit cards because they "clutter" up the game space, but at least for us new players the quick reference helped speed things up. We found that the game was a lot more intense for the Germans who had to be very careful and crafty whereas the Soviets are more like a sledge hammer -- a nice historical feel. We're looking forward to doing games with more proper forces next time (the German army in this game was actually illegal and the Soviet one far from optimized).