The Russian Front game this evening turned out to be a bit of a winner, with lots of low level action and some real seat of your pants flying, especially by the Soviet players who really got into the spirit of the scenario. The game ended with a draw but it was a close run thing right to the end.
The Soviets managed to force the Fw189 to crash and explode, using an unexpected but very effective taran ramming attack. In retaliation, the Luftwaffe shot down three of the La5-FN's and forced another off the table, thereby ensuring an overall draw. They did have some pretty dire luck at times and suffered from a lot of friendly flak fire, so they deserve a lot of credit for the outcome.
The Soviets had the edge throughout the game and achieved their victory conditions in truly heroic style but, with four undamaged and angry Fw190's still in the air, the VVS took a bit of a hammering. The loss of the Fw189 and it's top secret recce film helped to even things up, so a good result for both sides.
I need to think through some of the fall out from the game but, overall, I think it works really well. I'll also have a go at shifting the scenario to North Africa to try out some different angles on the basic set up. It will be interesting to see how this changes the feel and balance of the game?
So, medals all round for the three surviving Soviet pilots, one of whom is currently hiding in the Pripyet Marshes with the partisans. The Luftwaffe won't get any medals this time round but do have some new bits of lightly toasted Lavochkin to decorate the walls of the mess.
Za Rodina!
Great stuff - a really fun looking setup & game!
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