Epic D-Day Wargame

[@kevlarburrito6693]

You know what would have made this scenario particularly interesting? A sleep over. What I mean by that is, the participants get invited over to spend the night and next day, with the understanding that a game *may* take place. They are not shown the table, but, during the night, the German players are woken up in the middle of the night and have to defend themselves from the Allied players, who have had the previous few hours to prepare and plan their moves. The German players therefore have to react while tired and MAY get re-enforcements the following day in the form of an additional player who arrives (with the armor).

[@SlicesofHistory]

That would be so funny

[@theswedishwargamer]

that would be hilarious

[@hirohito6495]

Yeesse

[@chillpotato7239]

Epic idea

[@williampoole1742]

Dude that is the best idea ever

[@MC-pt8kv]

Tony: "Welcome to festung Europa." Me: "That's the Army Heritage Museum, I can see the Civil War cabins behind you."

[@kevlarburrito6693]

"I repeat..." And suddenly...the field artilleryman in me began to have an eye twitch.... For those wondering why: In the US Military "repeat" is the radio verbiage used to "repeat the last fire mission given" over any one particular radio channel. The proper military terminology is "I say again."

[@brentonrettig6028]

4:20 Rommel last saw combat in 1943 right before he was removed and replaced by General Kesselring in Italy. Also you guys should do the Battle of Fredericksburg this season too.

[@henryredcoat3522]

The game I've been waiting for since the trailer! Keep 'em coming

[@LittleWarsTV]

Lots more coming!

[@henryredcoat3522]

@@LittleWarsTV Can i ask you something? A friend from mexico wants to enter the giveaway and he wants to know what are you able to send him?

[@LittleWarsTV]

Winners from outside the US (including Mexico) could pick from any of the prizes if they are willing to pay for international shipping. If not, we do have some options (the WSS print and digital subscriptions), PDF copies of a couple rule sets, including Rommel, etc.

[@jeremybain3830]

This was awesome, can't wait to see what happens to the airborne that failed to save Omaha. Looks like Tom Hanks ain't saving Private Ryan this time!

[@firestrikeriii5043]

No

[@williamreynolds9414]

As a wargamer and a Canadian, I visited Juno Beach last June (2019). I was impressed by the Juno Centre and the geography of the area. Great set up and great game.

[@jaypoole8056]

Wow what an episode. Kudos to Miles's (Marcks) tactical acumen, not only did you play a pivotal role in victory on the first day, but that subtle deployment towards Omaha and subsequent successful defense of the beach, followed with the destruction of the 508th, means that no only will you be awarded the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, but a glowing commendation from der Fuhrer. Luckily for you that Bohemian corporal will never know that you and the rest were prepared to retreat and yield the beaches.

[@milotura6828]

Ha

[@historysfeinestbattles1013]

Indeed, tho it's Miles'

[@noahdefrancisco2911]

Marcks, in real life, was reported to have been quite a competent and effective general as well.

[@edwardaugustus9680]

1:02 Yes Omar Bradley. Monty really got assassinated post war, he really did try to smooth things over with the American generals but got nowhere as they found any reason they could to dislike him. Sure he was difficult but was much better than Rommel.

[@ArcticTemper]

Yeah Monty got mud thrown on him, Brad got written oht and Old Blood n Guts got the Hollywood makeover. Ike did everything mild enough to stay above it all, while Uncle Bill was the best Allied general anyway so was just ignored.

[@drewslater6790]

Looking forward to giving this a watch! Love the mixture of history, gaming, and even personal thoughts on the matter!

[@lukeberry7980]

I’m continuously impressed by the quality of videos you guys put out. Love the channel

[@gigglyloop]

That cliffhanger!!! Can't wait for the next episode

[@leesheppard2432]

Another great video. This battle has particular significance for me as both my father and his brother were there, although neither knew it at the time. My father was serving as a radar operator on a British destroyer off Juno Beach while his brother was with the British Airborne supporting the Orne River landings. Sadly, they would never meet again - my father’s brother was killed in August 1944. Lest We Forget.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks for sharing that, Lee. The Orne fighting--everything around Caen really--was pretty brutal in 1944.

[@jamesevans886]

Truly great game guys. I don't think either German strategy would have worked that well. Rommel is often favoured here for his experience with the allies. However he never experienced the sledge hammer blow of a full Allied invasion. Assaulting the beaches with tanks more than likely have been a waste of good armour. Look at the German counter attack against the US beaches in Scilly or at Anzio. Here both counter attacks were stopped dead in their tracks by Naval gun fire. Tanks lose against the navy's battlewagons. The other strategy of holding them way back would have been just cannon folder for Allied Air. A hybrid strategy may have worked better by the infantry doing a fighting withdrawal back about 25 miles just out of naval gun fire accurate range before launch the first armoured counter attack. Certainly not moving up during the day. I greatly enjoyed watching part one and can't wait for part two and more on the Rommel rules.

[@augustin5611]

I live next to the sea, in the south of France, not to far from Bordeaux. And even today there's still bunkers and blockhaus at the feets of dunes on the beach (they have fall with time) or abandonned into the woods.

[@DarkMatterWorkshop]

Intstant like ! Love this channel and you actually pronounce the name Gerd as it should 👍

[@alexwitzaney9018]

My buddy went to Normandy for the 60th anniversy of the invasion. Being a Canadian (I am as well), he focused upon Juno. I always reflect upon the sacrifises of all Allies in that operation as well as all of WW2. It was a war won by cooperation between all the Major Powers and Minor Powers at the time. Like your historical background preamble.

[@Tupinamba77]

As always, awesome wargaming! I very much look forward to the continuation. Cheers!

[@tubatk421]

These videos are really entertaining! Can’t wait to watch the conclusion to this battle when it comes out!

[@blackkaiser532]

Excellent content guys, love the channel!

[@madwez]

thank you for the fun and the pleasure loved it!

[@stevenhombrados1530]

Go Chal! Go! Make those Canadian troops honour!

[@ethanmathers8914]

I used your map tuturiol to make a map of the battle of the bulge it's a very useful video please do more keep up the great work love from the UK:)

[@reecedfelhaber439]

WOW WOW WOW.... when I was a child, I made this and wrote a multiple rule books for exact games like this me and my brothers and friends would play!!... I wish I had still everything of my childhood !! I love this so much and would love to come have

[@iratespartan13]

Looks like the Germans have the upper hand. Losing supply to those paras may be decisive. I didn't see how airpower was being used. The Jabos prevented so much movement in daytime historically and I think were a huge part as to why the allies were ultimately successful. Looking forward to the conclusion!

[@LittleWarsTV]

No question on the end of D-Day the German team has the upper hand. Airpower is a "tactic" that the allies have in combats. We also used a special scenario rule that said any German mechanized units using reserve movement (Rommel allows units to move 1 grid at tactical speed or 6 at reserve speed) would automatically suffer from allied air interdiction, with a 50% chance to take immediate casualties. The Germans in our game responded accordingly and rarely, if ever, tried moving quickly on the roads.

[@Kili121416]

Great stuff ! So rare to see a Game at this scale. Can't wait to see the dramatic conclusion.

[@leonleese4919]

I like the idea of using two or more sets of rules so that actions of a different size can be played seamlessly.

[@hamm6035]

This is a very good video, I just like the way everything is presented. The battle is exciting, just enough info to keep us wondering and waiting for the next shoe to drop. Best half hour of my day.

[@KingGhidorah_]

I love the Saving Private Ryan beach assault audio overdub. Brilliant!

[@greglockton6246]

Excellent work guys, can't wait for Part 2....

[@Ewen6177]

Check back nearly 375 yrs ago and try looking at the campaigns of the 1st Marquis of Montrose ( James Graham)

[@joshuawood7954]

best birthday gift ever

[@SlyBlu7]

Not even 5 minutes from my mom's house where I lived a few years. I was there when they built the museum, I used to run on the path out there you guys were standing on, and I used to work at the barracks right up the road. I keep forgetting you guys are local PA folks!

[@Jamiethedragon365]

Watching this in the year of the 80th anniversary of D-Day

[@robertcbarry]

Something else not too commonly known for lore, the Allies didn’t really need to jam German communications to stop those Panzer Divisions rolling because only Hitler could give permission to deploy the Panzer Divisions. At the time of the invasion, Hitler was asleep with orders to not be disturbed for any reason so really it was a question of who was brave enough to run in and wake him up...then get shot for defying orders. Note to military commanders, this is what happens when the Head of State is actually the CinC rather than ceremonially.

[@austinhadley6086]

the quality and professionalism in this video convinced me to subscribe

[@LittleWarsTV]

Glad to hear it Austin! Hope you’ll check out a few of our other episodes!

[@FingonNZ]

Superb stuff folks! This may be your best yet! 👍👍

[@LittleWarsTV]

Wow, thanks Greg!

[@johnatchison1898]

Totally awesome gaming guys. You guys rock. Looks like a great rule set with the OPs board adding another element. You're so lucky to have such a excellent club house and be able to play these spectacular scenarios. Game on. Cheers John.

[@williamballangarry2995]

“Now in Monty’s defence!...” Was actually a brilliant retort. Legit laughed pretty hard at that one 😂😂

[@chrisrobinson196]

Superb stuff, look forward to the next part.

[@andrewrolph5785]

Thanks for this. Excellent, as usual. I look forward to the Rommel rules review. For now could you clarify what the bases represent - battalions? Cheers Andrew

[@LittleWarsTV]

Correct, Andrew. In the standard "Rommel" rules a base is a company, but in our game we made it an entire battalion. That was the only way to handle 200,000 troops on a 12'x4' table!

[@NeoConNET7]

Wow! An excellent choice of battles!

[@baldiesbattlesinminiature5902]

Good show chaps, looking forward to the second half

[@JackSargePainting]

Excellent stuff guys, I look forward to seeing how this turns out. Good to see Monty's men take the approach of slowly & steadily building up to take Caen , I hope they can stop those Panzers.

[@kohlrabe1709]

Thank you very, very much. Lovely watch. Very nice cuts, as always.

[@reglavcor]

Great discussion on the strategies of Rommel vs. von Runstedt. Where is Steve; and why is he not at this battle? And we have not seen Zach this whole season. Why is that?

[@reglavcor]

@@IronIvanKeith I know, I know. You guys probably drummed Steve out of the club; like in the old TV "Branded" series! Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ionPhoZrYsaalck

[@dickiedontnuts9470]

The anticipation of part 2 is killing me

[@rat_thrower5604]

what on earth is that at 5:27? Is it a half track?

[@HethwillWargames]

Was totally hooked :) and now must go check second part. Not everyday one sees corps scale wargaming and how cool it looks ( and fairly small in miniatures count :) )

[@LittleWarsTV]

The entire OOB and scenario are on our website for free if you want to give this a go!

[@banzai2547]

Great vid! Keep up the good work

[@evilmoif]

Great video guys, but you'd better keep a respectful tone when you talk about Monty!

[@LittleWarsTV]

It was hard to pass up on that great joke opportunity...

[@evilmoif]

@@LittleWarsTV Ha ha ha - Looking forward to part 2!

[@uwebech5825]

Well done gentlemen. That was fun to watch.

[@reecedfelhaber439]

A game with you all!! It would be so spectacular!

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME ......WHO IN THE WORLD GAVE A THUMBS DOWN .... REALLYYYYY YOU GUYS ARE GREAT I AM GOING TO START TO FUND YOU GUYS .....THANKS FOR THIS I AM PAINTING AND LOVE THIS STUFF OUR HISTORY ....RIGHT...

[@stowcreek1999]

John Wayne Everett .... Prob bc he doesn’t like Germany.... Or America... Or handmade terrain... Or older men...

[@Anvilarm07]

Very well done. Love the board.

[@e-4airman124]

Another great show thank you

[@pbeccas]

I got to visit the D-Day beaches in June. So I am highly interested in your game.

[@cavtroop50]

Wow what a great looking game. Sounds like it has been fun to play! Can't wait for the next video.

[@sephiroth4488]

This was awesome. Great work.

[@esr243]

Simply brilliant

[@yaitz3313]

Could you guys make a video on how to obtain miniatures?

[@LittleWarsTV]

All the minis in this video are from a UK company called Heroics and Ros. www.heroicsandros.co.uk

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

That was awesome. Thank you so much for this kind of videos.

[@lib556]

National pride makes me point out that 6 UK AB Div consisted of British AND Canadian paratroopers. The First Canadian Parachute Bn jumped into Normandy as part of 6 AB. Sure it's only a bn, but, for a country with such a small population, it was significant to us.

[@alexwitzaney9018]

Fantastic layout!

[@pacificostudios]

Your inside history jokes, like "In Monty's defense" make your videos extra fun to watch.

[@thomaspaine3394]

You guys are freaking cool; I hope to play with you guys one time in my life.

[@lazychuckproductions]

When possible maybe try Operation Chromite where UN forces under MacArthur fight North Korean forces trying to push to Seoul while at the same time a UN defense of the Busan Perimeter. Would probably be fun.

[@gaslightstudiosrebooted3432]

Awesome video! I'll have to get Rommel sometime soon!

[@Ravenicus]

Love the series!

[@sumerandaccad]

Looks excellent. Narrated very well. I was surprised so little was made of the naval bombardment or of air support by the allies. Omaha beach could certainly have used some support

[@SpringfieldFatts]

Looking forward to the review. I really like Blucher but never grabbed Rommel.

[@Radio4ManLeics]

Great looking gaming space. Love it!

[@AndrewBrew]

Great-looking game. I am inspired.

[@russby3554]

Just what I wanted to watch today!

[@Sannsarca]

7:34 is it 6mm minifigures?

[@vincentstella5131]

Great looking table and thanks for another video. I'm not really into such large scale/figure ratio type games nor a fan of the rules but it was still a well presented game. Keep up the good work.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks, Vincent. If you're more of platoon-level guy, we'll be doing a Bolt Action game later this season, as well.

[@MrTakatschun]

Oh damn this will be awesome. Thank you guys for all the great work and the historical background. Its awesome to see history come back to life in your wargames. What about the siege of Troy i would love to see more greek warfare and history.

[@sovietonion3937]

The graphic used showing a 1:1 ratio of British/Canadian units landing at Juno is fairly misleading compared to actual fact. That said... Wow. Great table, great formatting of the video. I've subbed.

[@1917-d2b]

My great grandfather fought in Normandy on the beaches, but on the german side. He survied and managed to get back to germany

[@splatsma]

I wish you'd mentioned the osttruppen and Army of Russian Liberation that were used extensively to man/build/defend the Atlantic Wall in Normandy. Many of the frontline defenses were abandoned early or surrendered due to the conscripted. Yet at the same time some fought to the death because of an Allied propaganda blunder than told the POA (Russian volunteers to Vlasov's corps that were traitors to the Soviet Union), that they would be repatrioted to the USSR. Which was a death sense anyway, causing some units to fight to the end.

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

I love the map, helps a lot to understand what is going on.

[@Golgothaable]

Would love to see you doing Dieppe.

[@truisticprince]

for the love of all that is holy. please expedite the next part, we need to see!!

[@GalegHelross]

Great video!

[@liaamm2742]

monty was legend

[@talesfromshedhq5208]

At 1:24 just after the D-Day Part I titles check out the top left of the screen for the amazing disappearing man. He runs on then disappears :-) Was that Steve?

[@greg0879]

Interesting intro discussion. I think both plans were doomed. Hold back units? The landings can’t be crushed early enough to stem the tide. Everything pushed up to the front? You get obliterated like Army group center did in Operation Bagration and a huge advancement of the front follows for the allies in a short span of time.

[@johnkeeports8795]

Army Heritage Center!

[@yaitz3313]

Is this the largest wargame your club has ever played? If not, then what is?

[@cbowser3]

Yaitz 331 probably Marengo, that was a 5 table wargame.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Agreed. That was the probably the biggest game we've played for the channel. Certainly in terms of table space. We have played games at the club with more miniatures (we had a huge Waterloo campaign years ago).

[@gabzgaming5991]

Looks great.

[@fahr]

looks like it was a lot of fun

[@asenaemre]

Inspirational! I might well but Rommel for my own projects. You guys should do East Front using these rules and scale (I know you did one using FFTOW, but why not one of the Barbarossa 1941 campaigns? Smolensk?).

[@yankeehill10]

Where did you get the minis for this scenario?

[@carn109]

A crazy first day!

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Tremendous. How long did it take to play?

[@yahulwagoni4571]

Gorgeous.

[@harrisonsearles1470]

Some feedback: I think it would have been very interesting if Miles and Tom had explained their reasoning for abandoned the initial German plan. I think that would have added tension to the video and would have helped the viewer have a better sympathy and understanding of the decisions being made on the table.

[@milesreidy2277]

We realized that if we fell back the Allies would have had more room to maneuver and quickly envelope us - sometimes Plans look great on the paper, but not so much on the tabletop!

[@harrisonsearles1470]

@@milesreidy2277 Well, I did not expect that to be honored by a response from Gen. Marck himself! Thank you! I'm looking forward to seeing how LXXXIV Korps fares on D-Day+1.

[@dieseldejavu]

Yep, pouncing on the beaches, particularly the beaches where they had the forces to do so, was the right approach.

[@scalehistoryslc819]

So good, guys!

[@bigremy4569]

where did you guys get your miniatures? I been searching for 6mm ww2 but I can only find baccus, and they don't have a huge selection

[@LittleWarsTV]

Heroics and Ros (UK based) and GHQ (US based) are two very good options with much, much wider WW2 ranges than Baccus. Baccus is fairly new to the WW2 market.

[@custerkiller7670]

Do the battle of Tutoburg Forrest! That would be cool!