Call to Arms is a regional convention in New Zealand and during 2009 six players enjoyed an excellent themed (1944) Spearhead event as part of the larger convention. The games were  played over two days with all the scenarios being developed using the Scenario Generation System.

The first round found my own reinforced British Infantry Brigade deployed in defence and under a hasty attack by elements drawn from a German Panzer Grenadier Division (Tim). In this engagement the main German attack came on the British right over open ground which was, fortunately for the British, well covered by entrenched infantry backed by 17pdrs. On a nearby table American Paratroops (Mike) in defensive positions were subjected to a deliberate attack by German troops (Paul). On the remaining table a German defender (Peter Page) was subjected to another deliberate attack by Russian troops drawn from a Tank "Corps" (Peter Connor). This Russian formation contained an infantry regiment with T34-76s and IS-2s in support. Clearly the Russians were intending a massive breakthrough here as the Russian commander reinforced an already strong Russian formation with the IS-2 monsters using an Option B. The "Deliberate Attack" scenario is a new scenario within the Scenario Generation System and clearly a couple of players were keen to try it out. We then moved on to the second round of games in the afternoon.

On one table elements of a Polish Tank Corps (Paul) faced elements of a German Panzer Division (Keith) in an advance to contact. Several noteable events occured. An advanced German Panzer Grenadier battalion pushed forward and captured a small village creating a defensive bastion that Polish infantry would struggle and fail to capture. 

Above, the view of the battle from the north with the Polish advancing from the left early in the battle. Here the centre left village has been secured by Panzer Grenadiers and will soon be under heavy Polish attack. 

In an effort to ensure the village was held German JagdPanzer's were, at one point, thrown in to stabilise the situation. This in turn drew in the Polish Reserve tank brigade, comprising T-34/85s. To counter this the German left flank reserve, a weak JadgPanther company also advanced into the cauldron. They, like the JagdPanzers were eventually engulfed by waves of T-34s.

On the German right flank while a second Panzer Grenadier battalion advanced while Polish infantry advanced equally rapidly from the east. The cornfields around two small villages were the scene of a bitter engagemnet as Polish and German infantry jostled for position. Eventually a deep flanking Panzer battalion arrived and rolled up the Poles, especially the support companies who were caught in the open and in the flank. Below, the situation viewed from the south looking north with the Germans on the left and bottom just prior to Polish support stands in the fields, which were treated as tall crops in this game, were over run. The engagement however was interrupted by nightfall which prevented a clear winner being determined.

Centre right lines of Polish T-34/85s can be seen advancing into the cauldron. At this point the JadgPanzers were operational and the JadgPanthers were still moving to reinforce them.

On another table elements from a German Panzer Division (Tim) conducted another hasty attack against Russians (Peter Page). While on the remaining table American Paratroops (Peter Connor) engaged a regiment drawn from a German Panzer Grenadier Division (Mike) in an advance to contact situation.

Day Two:

Unfortunately some family health issues for one player, coupled with a fire alarm evacuation of the venue, limited the second days games. As a result only three games in total were played, though as an out of town gamer I was fortunate enough to play in two of these games.

One of the morning's games found a reinforced British Infantry Brigade (Keith) on the defensive and under a deliberate attack by elements of a Panzer Division (Peter Page). The British commander had the option of conducting a spoiling attack while the Germans organised their attack but elected to hold the line and see if he could repel the German thrust. Below, a section of the second British line prepared for an expected attack on the British left. Entrenched British infantry backed by 17pdrs await the German attack...

The German commander drew up an elaborate attack plan involving several timed thrusts. Unfortunately each of his multiple lines of advance tended to run into British forces in strong defensive positions impacting his overall timings and plan. His first battalion sized probing attack fell on the extreme British left. Clearly the German commander intended to outflank the British line here to support his main infantry attack timed to go in the centre. However, the probing advance of the reconnaisance battalion struggled against a determined British defence and under heavy artillery and anti-tank fire was forced back with heavy loss. Below, elements of the German Reconnaisance Battalion, left front, advance on the British left flank prior to the timed attack by dismounted Panzer Grenadiers which would be in the centre left.

The large town, left foreground, is garrisoned by elements of the 1st British infantry Battalion and a forward artillery observer. Additional elements are to the rear forming a second line. Elements of the 2nd Battalion can be seen deployed in and around a town in the left centre. To the rear of both positions additional entrenched British infantry provide a second line of defence which snakes its way towards the top right and the 3rd British battalion's position.

The failure of the German reconnaissance battalion in turn resulted in a stalled attack in the centre where the advance by a Panzer Grenadier battalion, despite German artillery support, was unable to make headway. Unfortuntely for the German commander a similar fate occured on the British right flank against the 3rd British Battalion. Here, combined attacks by a weak panzer battalion equipped with Panthers, as well as a further dismounted Panzer Grenadiers soon faltered in the close terrain. This sealed the fate of the local German offensive and ensured a British victory.

Meanwhile on a nearby table a Polish Tank Corps (Paul) launched it's own deliberate attack on elements of a German Panzer Division (Tim). Here the Soviet's allies had a some success and after a desperate and long battle the Poles were able to claim the field. However, during the battle at least one Polish battalion was forced to break-off to avoid crippling losses while T-34s, lacking all tactical subtly, were thrown forward in the centre against Stugs and camouflaged German anti-tank guns.

In the final game of the day elements of German Panzer Grenadier Division (Keith) were thrown forward against American paratroops (Peter Connor). This engagement was particular interesting as both forces used their defensive lists in a "Mutual Encounter" scenario. The terrain and limited forces meant the German commander struggled to finalise his attack plan. Rather than risk a dispersed attack he opted for a strong main effort on his left flank and a holding operation in the centre abandoning the right flank altogether. The American plan was more simple and three American paratroop battalions advanced on a broad front each securing their own objectives. A forth American battalion conducted a deep flank march but failed to arrive until one American battalion had broken on the same flank. However, the American regimental commander had clearly secured more objectives and as night fell the German commander, reluctantly ordered his troops to break off, no doubt to reform for another attack at a later date.

So ended the Spearhead event at Call to Arms. Nine excellent games spread over two days involving six players. A special thanks to Peter Connor for organising the Spearhead event and all the players for a series of excellent games.