+- PG-HQ Forums (https://www.pg-hq.com/comms)
+-- Forum: Panzer Grenadier (https://www.pg-hq.com/comms/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: General Discussion (https://www.pg-hq.com/comms/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Thread: Crete: The Absence of British Scenarios (/showthread.php?tid=2424)
Crete: The Absence of British Scenarios - saracv3 - 11-26-2020
I have been reading Crete 1941: The Battle for Heraklion. (Yannis Prekatsounakis, 2016). Excellent first account read! Heraklion, which is the most populous city on the island, is left out of PoC. I believe that the reason for this is because another countersheet would be needed for the British. There only a half dozen or so British units included in the game. There are 493 total counters in the game. It seems as if Crete was rushed into production last Fall when other games were supposed to come out at the same time. I’m referring specifically to Gates of Leningrad.
And the rush job shows up in a few areas: Editing mistakes, Map 98 (Just learned that AP has made a corrective overlay and Phillippe Leonard has redrawn the map. This can be downloaded from his webpage.) There are 39 scenarios instead of the advertised 40. A Greek Army commander counter is missing.
And, any scenarios having to do with Heraklion has been left out. The airdrop around Heraklion might be considered the fourth airdrop, occurring late on May 20, about 1600 hours, the same time as Rethymon. were four British battalions and the 2/4 Australian Infantry protecting the city and its airfield along with at least three Greek Army regiments and police and many Cretan partisans. The Germans lost almost half of their paratroopers in the jump of 13 companies!
The British didn’t really lose the battle but ran low on supplies and found themselves in a tightening German noose that ringed their positions in Heraklion. The Germans eventually built up their forces and overwhelmed the Allies. German airpower attempted to flatten the city. On the night of the 28th, the Royal Navy evacuated the entire force, and according to the book, conducted an incredibly stealthy operation. Not a single man was lost!
Another chapter could be added to the scenario booklet, and should have been. As much as 6-8 additional scenarios could easily be added, producing at least 45 scenarios for kCrete. It is still possible to do this with an extension of say, 11 scenarios, thus getting 50 scenarios for Crete. More scenarios could be developed for the partisans, for example.
Comments are welcome.
RE: Crete: The Absence of British Scenarios - plloyd1010 - 11-27-2020
I have the same question as I've asked twice on Consim, what is your initiative roll? Judging by the lack of support for PG-HQ, I guessing it's pretty low for most. Now that my little skree is done...
Everything you need to add British scenarios is in Afrika Korps and Desert Rats. I suggest AfKo for the leaders. The British have 5 Infantry battalions present (1st The Welch Regiment, 2nd Leicestershire, 2nd York and Lancaster, 2nd Black Watch and 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and the 7th Med. Royal Artillery Regiment (serving as infantry because they don't have their guns). There is a ½ counter of Matilda II tanks and 3 counters of light tanks available for support. Have at it.
Also, when there is Vassal support for PoCr, the British 1939-42 extension will be part of the package. All the units you need is there. Just add one of the British desert leader extensions to make it complete.
RE: Crete: The Absence of British Scenarios - saracv3 - 12-06-2020
Skree. Very nice word addition for me since I’m a Craig. Yes, at the moment, recovery from COVID has put my initiative pretty low. But at least I throw a few bucks towards PG-HQ every month. Not as much as I would like.
Another game to draw from would be Dunkirk and maybe Africa Orientale Italiano. For the paratroopers, what about various games on the Western Front, such as the Airborne series and Invasion 1944. Some of the soldiers profiled in [/i]Heraklion[i] were killed in Normandy. Yes, I would have interest in pursuing an extension.
RE: Crete: The Absence of British Scenarios - saracv3 - 09-08-2021
I rubbed my eyes a moment ago when I read the Saucer News section of the latest AP Newsletter. Dr. Mike wrote one word: Heraklion. No, I did mot drrop ideas to anyone. Yes, I buy a lot of games from AP, but so do a lot of others in this club. You got to hand it to Peter or Mike P. for the spark here. I don’t know how old his Consim post regarding Heraklion is, but I’ll certainly go read it now! It’s great news that a Heraklion might come to fruition!
RE: Crete: The Absence of British Scenarios - plloyd1010 - 09-08-2021
I got a Gold Club notice of an upcoming campaign book, Parachutes Over Crete: Heraklion. 9 scenarios in 3 campaigns, done by Mike Perryman.
RE: Crete: The Absence of British Scenarios - JayTownsend - 09-13-2021
Yeah, I just ordered it:
Heraklion was defended by a British brigade, and the scenarios/battle games are all based on historic actions just like those in the game itself. This is a thing that really happened!