A few excerpts from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle to give a flavour for the period of the Britannia 600 AD Campaign. I’ve used the Anglo Saxon Chronicle because of its picturesque language rather than any clarity it might bring to the time. For a more accurate and complete account see Britannia: Anglo-Saxon History.
Campaign
I like wargaming campaigns and multi-player Games. I have a list of my campaign rules and multiplayer games including campaign name, style and tactical rules. I’ve also written up what I like in a campaign and multi-player game. I typically use DBA, Linked scenarios, 3 Round, Engle Matrix, and Race for … X style campaigns, although I’ve also got material on a Free For All Campaign and Diplomacy style games.
15mm Wargaming Figures for Britannia 600 AD
There are a few possible suppliers of 15 mm for the Britannia 600 AD Campaign. My existing Dark Age kit is from Donnington Miniatures and Essex Miniatures. I mix them together but this won’t appeal to some as Donnington Miniatures are much bigger than Essex Miniatures, in fact they are much bigger than anybody else. At the time I put my Gothic army together I didn’t have a choice, but now there is much more on offer …
Campaign Rules for Britannia 600 AD
These are the rules for the Britannia 600 AD Campaign. Use the DBA/HOTT Campaign Rules except as noted below.
HOTT and DBA Army Lists for Britannia 600 AD
In Britannia 600 AD field armies are 12 elements (plus camp follower) in DBA or 24 AP in HOTT. The army lists below allow much larger numbers than this for two reasons. Firstly and mainly, to allow choice. Secondly, to allow a larger than normal field armies to be used for a more involved campaign.
I have tweaked the DBA army lists, partly because some of them don’t really match what we know about the protagonists, and partly to support fantastic elements suitable for a HOTT campaign. After a general discussion of the Common Elements, both Realistic Troops (DBA + HOTT) and Fantastical Troops (HOTT), I then look at the specific national army lists. For our purposes there are only five types of armies: Welsh, Picts, Saxon, Irish, and Scots.
Russian Recce – A Crossfire Battle Report
Rich Wilcox and I tried out the first scenario – Tarnopol: Russian Recce – from my Tarnopol 3 Round Campaign. This scenario was based on my experience of Reconnaissance before Pontecorvo, which revealed several problems with that HTD scenario.
No-mans land – A Crossfire Campaign
A version of No-mans land – A Mini-Campaign, adapted to Crossfire.
No-Mans Land Mini-Campaign
This is a skirmish level mini-campaign set in no-mans land on a fairly static front. It is applicable to any period (see the possible settings). Each player is a junior commander whose job is the patrol and control the area between the opposing forces. Over three game days and nights each player must plan and execute 6 missions from a predetermined list. The interest lies in the fact that each player is picking from a different list to that of his opponent. The key problem being addressed is “How does a commander react when faced with events not covered by his orders?”
SU-152s Up Close and Personal – A Crossfire Scenario in Tarnopol
This Crossfire scenario features Russian SU-152 Self Propelled Guns clearing the streets of Tarnopol. It can part of the 3 Round Tarnopol Crossfire Campaign but can also be played in isolation. See also the Battle Report.
Russian Recce – A Crossfire Scenario in Tarnopol
This Crossfire scenario is a Russian reconnaissance probe towards German held Tarnopol. It can be played as part of the 3 Round Tarnopol Crossfire Campaign but can also be played in isolation. See also the Battle Report.
Push to the City – A Crossfire Scenario in Tarnopol
This Crossfire scenario represents the pivotal Russian assault that broke the men of the German 949th Grenadier Regiment at Tarnopol on 28 Mar 1944, and the counter-attacks that followed. It is part of the 3 Round Tarnopol Crossfire Campaign but can also be played in isolation.
Breakout from Tarnopol – A Crossfire Scenario in Tarnopol
A Crossfire scenario about the German break out attempt from Tarnopol. It is part of the 3 Round Tarnopol Crossfire Campaign but can also be played in isolation.
Battle Group Friebe – A Crossfire Scenario in Tarnopol
This Crossfire scenario features Panzerverband Friebe’s attempt to break through to Tarnopol. It is part of the 3 Round Tarnopol Crossfire Campaign but can also be played in isolation. See also the Battle Report.
Tarnopol Matrix – An Engle Matrix Campaign
“Tarnopol Matrix” uses Engle Matrix Games mechanisms for a wargaming campaign within the historical context of siege of Tarnopol in Mar-Apr 1944.
3 Round Tarnopol – A Crossfire Campaign
3 Round Tarnopol uses the 3 Round Campaign mechanisms within the historical context of Tarnopol for a Crossfire campaign. The structure of the game guarantees three different Crossfire games are played from a possible set of five scenarios.
Race Through Normandy – A Crossfire Campaign
This three round Crossfire campaign simulates both the fighting in the bocage in Normandy, June 1944, but also the competitive spirit prevailing between the American and British / Commonwealth forces fighting in Europe. Nominally the campaign represents the Canadian drive on Caen and the US drive on St Lo. It is a version of the Race for … X Campaign.