I would be playing two games over the day, we were doing games from the very early period of the Spanish Civil War, General Queipo de Llano had ordered that the village of Gran Salicias be taken so that the road to Seville can be forced.The village is on the edge of a substantial forest and contains a small church, a collection of houses and an olive grove. The Republicans have fortified the area, throwing up large barricades of furniture and goods in an attempt to stop the advance.
You can get an idea of the geography of the area from the photo on the right, you may also note the small tapas of olives, manchego, falute and tortilla that I set up in the corner to keep the players nourished and in character.
For the first game Matt took the Nationalists and James the Republicans, I kept the game going, taking over each side where necessary.
Initially a Centuria of Falangista under their Jefe Gonzalo Prieto are tasked with taking the village. Four whole Falange of troops are supported by a 75mm Schneider infantry-gun and a Hotchkiss machine-gun. The Republicans are bolstered by a large Tiznao armoured car.
The Nationalists deploy three Falange, one on the left sets up a light machine-gun in the woods overlooking the barricades, one in the centre heads towards a large walled estate and one starts a flanking manoeuvre around the right.
The Falange in the centre captures the house, but are driven back by a ferocious charge by the Milicanos.
On the left the Falange cautiously throws one team out of the woods while the other teams provide covering fire, however the Republicamn Tiznao appears and starts a brisk fire on these troops.
My wife Victoria has painted me a backdrop and I really think it sets off these games, she is very talented with a paintbrush!
Republicans man the barricades and try to drive back the Falangista.
In another brisk hand-to-hand fight the central building changes hands again, the Milicianos are driven back in disorder but the Falange holding it are now low on numbers.
On the Nationalist left the Falange try to press on through the woods, but are unable to make headway in the face of the fire from the Tiznao
The Nationalists set up their Hotchkiss machine-gun overlooking the Republican positions, however trading fire with the Milicianos behind teh barricades it soon came off worse and was silenced.
However, on the Nationalist right, the Falange attacking on that side make a wide sweep and are soon in the Republican rear.
However it was not meant to be, the Republicans deployed a large section of Militia with a light machine-gun and were soon cutting down the flanking Falangista who in the face of fire soon melted away.
Matt moved a jump-off point to the centre and kept trying to deploy his fourth Falange in the house in the centre to press his advantage, however with no office off table he failed five successive attempts to deploy them on a four plus!
In a stunning round of shooting the 75mm infantry-gun took out the Tiznao with two very well aimed shots, however, with lunch fast approaching it was clear that the Falangistas were not up to the task so the attack was withdrawn.
Matt, James and myself, kindly taken by a clumsy WSS editor.
While the chaps went to get lunch - I was still munching tapas - I set up the next game. This time the Nationalists would be attacking with a Seccion of Moroccan Regulares supported by a PaK 37 anti-tank gun and a Panzer IIB light tank. Hearing that the dreaded Regulares were on the way they stiffened their resolve (Highly Motivated) and headquarters despatched a valuable T-26 tank to the front.
This time James Morris would take the Nationalists, James Woodward stayed with the Republicans. It did not look good that there were no figures on the table, so while the lads grabbed lunch, I was assisted by a young helper who rolled the dice. On the first roll he threw four sixes and the building in the centre of the table caught fire - bugger I had forgotten my smoke!
The Republicans were soon deploying and the T-26 was on its way. The Milicianos started to man the barricades. Under cover of the smoke, one Peletone of Regulares made straight for the burning building. and under cover of the smoke took up positions.
The Panzer IB advanced on the barricades and the T-26 was not able to counter while the PaK36 was in place. The tank put some shock on the gun, but as it moved off the PaK37 took a great shot (double-sixed) and hit the tank in the flank, brewing it up.
The PaK36 was victorious and the Panzer 1B was able to push the advantage.
Supported by a seccion of Regulares the Panzer I soon made it to the barricades, the Republicans falling back before them.
Things were looking bad for the Republic, their Force Morale was tumbling rapidly and although there were few Moroccans left on the field of play with only two Command Dice there was very little they could do to counter.
Eventually, a team of Regulares jumped the barricades and captured the jump-off point there, they were cut down by the Republican fire but in the fire-fight the Jefe was struck twice and went down, the game was up for the Republic and the road to Seville was open.
I had a great day and met many old friends and made a few new ones. I'd like to thank Martin, Matt, James and James for their help in setting up and playing the game.
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