WWII 28mm - Play Test using Rate of Fire, Crusader Publishing

These games were put on by Nick S to test the Rate of Fire rules by Crusader Publishing.

Rate of Fire WW2 Skirmish Rules - Crusader Publishing

The initial game was set up as a US Reconnaissance in force with the Germans defending,

Troop List
US
HQ Section
1 Lieutenant with pistol (Leader)
1 Sergeant with SMG (Leader)
2 Riflemen with SA-Rifle's
HMG Section
1 Gunner with HMG
2 Assistants Riflemen with SA-Rifle's
1 NCO with SMG
2 Squads with
1 Rifle Section
1 NCO with SMG
6 Riflemen with SA-Rifle's
1 LSW BAR Section
1 Gunner with BAR
2 Assistants Riflemen with SA-Rifle's
Plus
3x M3 Halftrack
1x M8 Greyhound
1x M4 Sherman
1x M24 Chaffee

German Defenders
HQ Section
1 Sergeant with SMG (Leader)
6 Riflemen with Rifle's
1 LSW MG42 Section
1 Gunner with MG42
1 Assistant Rifleman
1x Opel Blitz
1x Sd.Kfz. 234
German Relief Force (Coming on at turn 2)
HQ Section
1 Lieutenant with pistol (Leader)
1 Sergeant with SMG (Leader)
2 Riflemen
1 Rifle Section
1 NCO with SMG
6 Riflemen
1 LSW MG42 Section
1 Gunner with MG42
1 Assistant Rifleman
Plus
1x Sd.Kfz. 251
1x SdKfz. 222
1x Sig III

The Game
The Americans advanced on both flanks but unknown to them the Germans had deployed well in advance of the village. As the Sherman went to smash through a hedge on the left flank it was immobilised by a Panzerfaust. It was still able to fire but as it only had AP it was not really any help as infantry support.

On the right flank the Chaffee did its own little hedge dance only to meet a Puma hidden in the trees as it pushed into a field. Its 50mm soon destroyed the Chaffee before it had a chance to spot it. Nick has a very good line in smoke for destroyed vehicles.

In the centre the Greyhound pushed forward on the road with its accompanying infantry. All the American infantry debussed to move forward in the hunt for the German infantry. As they started to move they were able to push the scattered German infantry back support arrived in the form of a Stug III, SdKfz. 222, Sd.Kfz. 251 and infantry support.

At this point the Americans decided that discretion being the better part of valour, they would bug out and give the Germans the game.

The second game was reversal of roles but instead of going the length of the table we went across.
The Germans advanced on each flank.

Troop list 2nd Game

US Defending.
HQ Section
1 Lieutenant with pistol (Leader)
1 Sergeant with SMG (Leader)
2 Riflemen With SA-Rifle's
HMG Section
1 Gunner with HMG
2 Assistants Riflemen With SA-Rifle's
1 NCO with SMG
1 Squads with
1 Rifle Section
1 NCO with SMG
6 Riflemen With SA-Rifle's
1 LSW BAR Section
1 Gunner with BAR
2 Assistants Riflemen With SA-Rifle's
Plus
2x M3 Halftrack
1x M8 Greyhound
1x M18
1x 6 Pounder

German Attacking Force
HQ Section
1 Lieutenant with pistol (Leader)
2 Riflemen
2 Squads with
1 Rifle Section
1 NCO with SMG
6 Riflemen
1 LSW MG42 Section
1 Gunner with MG42
1 Assistant Riflemen
1 Squad with
1 Rifle Section
1 NCO with SMG
6 Riflemen
1 HMG Section
1 Gunner HMG
2 Assistant Riflemen
1 NCO with SMG
Plus
1x Sd.Kfz. 251
1x SdKfz. 222
1x Sd.Kfz. 234
1x Opel Blitz
1x StuG III
1x PzKpfw IV F2

As the Germans moved forward on the left they were assaulted but an M18 Hellcat, which was hull down across the road. One thing that these rules allow for is where a shot hits. If you take an aimed shot then the chances of hitting are increased. Anyway the lead German Panzer IV opened fire but the dice throw was against the hull. As the M18 was hull down the shot did no damage.

On the right two German Armoured Cars advanced with their infantry support and managed to destroy a Greyhound and moved forward with its, now deployed, infantry support.

The Americans once again decided to retire in reasonably good order the field belonged to the Germans.

One thing that we learned is that you either have to have very few Germans or lots more Americans.

The infantry are pretty closely matched but you really need more Sherman’s to take on the German
armour we have.

The rules are interesting and with the ability to be able to take aimed shots you can try to stop a bigger vehicle which you can’t destroy, i.e. take out tracks on a Panther with a 6 Pdr.

Your players were Si, Nathan and Steve L.