The Book of Lists (2013)

Every year I must make hundreds of lists for Flames of War. Each depends on my whims, aspirations (dreamed-up or actualized), and some I've made just for fun.

I'm old school when it comes to the physical act of list building. Being a writer by trade, I'm a pen and paper sort of guy, so all of my lists are actually put down on paper and added up without even using a calculator (though I always run them through a calculator before committing a list to a game). I find this process of writing a list down one of my favorite aspects of the wargaming hobby. It's something to do with the interaction between lists, paper, pen, and brain.

Before this year I put these on scraps of paper and slipped them into the relevant book I was noodling a list from. These had a habit of falling out and making a mess, or worse, getting lost just before a game. So this year I decided to keep them all together in a small notebook of lists. I found it quite fun to add new lists to this book in much the same way one would keep a journal or something similar.


Now at the end of the year I've looked back at the book's 81 army lists, I can see where my head was at throughout the year. Its full of EW, MW, and LW lists, and many sub-variants are side-noted in the margins. I've used it extensively and plan to carry on with the habit next year.

I have selected a few of the lists from this year's book to feature here. I chose the ones I remember the most, the motivation behind it, and what became of it. Some are still wishlists waiting for the right moment or event to become a reality, others have become legitimate projects with painting progress and games to their credit.

Let's have a look back at 2013's book of miniature armaments...




Excerpts from the Book Of Lists, 2013


Beute StuG Batterie (Confident Veteran)
HQ25
Beute StuG Platoon205
Beute StuG Platoon205
Beute StuH Platoon255
Gepanzerte Panzerpionier Platoon260
add Panzerfaust10
add 3x half-tracks30
Gepanzerte Panzerpionier Platoon260
add Panzerfaust10
add 3x half-tracks30
R-Vielfachwerfer110
Heavy Panzerspah Platoon (2x 8-rad)70
Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon (2x 2cm 10/5)80
Total1550
List 1: Beute StuGs!
From: Atlantik Wall
Period: Late War
Notes: Beute StuGs are all the rage. They have low armour and powerful guns, making them a cheap and well-rounded force to field. The PaK40 makes the basic Beute StuG a deadly weapon against medium tanks. However, my pick for the best unit in the force is the Beute StuH platoon, armed with 10.5cm guns. These break-through guns will wipe out nests of infantry and put down bombardments to support the StuGs. It's an excellent unit.

The other support units are weirdly wonderful, from the odd R-Vielfachwerfer to the awkward looking Pioneer half-tracks. That's a lot of interesting kit, but sadly it is a long-term project and this list suffered to my magpie attention span! It's on my to-do list, so one day I'll get to it! 

List 2: SNLF - Rikusentai
From: Rising Sun
Period: Early War
Notes: I was excited when I heard the Japanese would be in the new EW book. I've always kept the Pacific theatre in the backlight, focusing more on Europe. A few years ago I got some excellent books on Tarawa and immediately dug deep into the Pacific. I look forward to the day that Battlefront covers the US Marines and Army in the PTO, but until then I'll get started on my Tarawa defender force: the SNLF.

Using the Hohei Chutai as a template, I'll start working on the SNLF force straight away in 2014.
Hohei Chutai (Fearless Veteran)
HQ50
add Regimental Standard75
Hohei Platoon335
add Banners25
Hohei Platoon335
add Banners25
Hohei Machine-gun Platoon160
Light Sensha Company (2x Platoons)490
Total1495

Tank CompanyVeteranTrained
HQ165130
upgrade Jumbo6050
upgrade M4A3 Late x12015
Tank Platoon (4x Sherman)335335
upgrade M4A3 Late x24030
upgrade M4A3 76mm x211090
Tank Platoon (4x Sherman)335335
upgrade M4A3 Late x24040
upgrade M4A3 76mm x2110110
Armored Mortar Platoon11085
Armored Rifle Platoon295225
Cavalry Platoon (1x Patrol)9070
Total17101515
List 3: To Bastogne!
From: Blood, Guts, and Glory
Period: Late War
Notes: The 4th Armored Division's drive to Bastogne is pretty interesting and action-packed. I wanted to build a force based on this assault and this list is something of a take on it. For a kick I pointed it out as Trained, just to see where it comes in at.

I've got the force mostly painted and done, but I still need to do Abrams (who should be added to the list in place of the 2iC). 

List 4: l'Charge!
From: Blitzkrieg
Period: Early War
Notes: I've already got a Panhard company and I'd like to expand it into a cavalry force. Essentially all I would need to do is the H-35s and the 25mm guns. However, I am tempted to replace my current French figures with Syrian ones sans greatcoat because the mechanised infantry typically left their coats in their vehicles unless it was actually bitter cold.

I really like French cavalry tanks. They are fast and hit hard with large platoons. This is high on my list, provided I can get to an EW event next year!
Escadron de Combat (Confident Trained)
HQ (1x Somua S-35)105
Medium Combat Platoon (5x S-35)520
Light Combat Platoon (5x H-35)250
Light Combat Platoon (5x H-35)250
Fuciliers Portés Platoon165
Deep Reconnaissance Platoon (4x Panhard AMD)135
Cavalry 25mm AT Gun Platoon (4x 25mm SA34 guns + transports)75
Total1500

Rangers
(Fearless Trained)
HQ10
Ranger Company (2x Ranger Platoons)330
Ranger Company (2x Ranger Platoons)330
Ranger Mortar Platoon (4x 81mm)95
Ranger Cannon Platoon (2x M3 75mm GMC)95
Tank Destroyer Platoon (4x M10)285
Tank Destroyer Platoon (4x M10)285
Cavalry Patrol70
Total 1500
List 5: Rangers in Brittany
From: Overlord
Period: Late War
Notes: Being a special force, I find it odd that I've don't fielded Ranger battalions more often. They are a world of fun and the new changes in Overlord make them a little more potent.

The great thing about this force is that I can use my normal GIs for Rangers, and I've got everything needed to field this force, including the rare M4 75mm GMC half-tracks. The only hang up is that I'd like to field one FFI unit, so that would be an interesting addition to the collection! 

List 6: Beyond Pegasus 
From: Overlord
Period: Late War
Notes: Many years ago I read Ambrose's Pegasus Bridge. It tells the story of the Ox & Bucks' assault on the bridge and the subsequent defensive battles. It's a great story. It combines airplanes (yuss!) with elite assault troops (sweet!).
I've got most of this list painted, but I still need to do the Cromwells, which I included because I really like the idea of four Fearless Veteran Cromwells!  
Airlanding Company (Fearless Veteran)
HQ 60
add 2x PIAT40
Airlanding Platoon220
Airlanding Platoon220
Airlanding Mortar Platoon (6x 3"mortars)200
Airlanding Anti-tank Platoon (4x 6 pdr, late)160
add Jeeps5
Seaborne Armoured Recce Platoon
(4x Cromwell tanks)
460
Belgian Armoured Car Platoon135
Total 1500

DAK Schützen Kompanie (Confident Veteran)
HQ45
add Panzerknackers10
add HMGs60
Afrika Schützen Platoon190
add Panzerknacker5
add Mortar20
add 2x PaK3880
add 1x Anti-tank rifle20
Afrika Schützen Platoon (above)315
SP Infantry Gun
(2x 15cm Bison)
180
Light Panzerspäh Patrol (1x Sd Kfz 223, 2x Sd Kfz 222) 110
Panzer Platoon
(4x Pz IIIJ, late)
420
Total1455
List 7: DAK Attack!
From: North Africa
Period: Mid War
Notes: This force was a part of my 2013 New Years resolution to get started on a force I began nearly a decade ago. I've got a lot of the miniatures cleaned up and ready, but I still have yet to put paint to model.

I've got plans to get started on this force to double as Sonderkommando Dora, a Brandenburger reconnaissance force stationed in the deep southwest of the Libyan desert. I get closer and closer to starting this project every day!

List 8: Desperate Panzers
From: Desperate Measures
Period: Late War
Notes: I really, really, like the idea of escorts on Panzer IVJs. Using the protection of side skirts to guard against bazookas, these small platoons should be able to sweep aside enemy infantry, provided I went in smartly and decisively. The Panthers are there to support the Panzer IVs only, they are not to close with the enemy.

Well, I've got all of the miniatures lined up, but I'll need to find time to squeeze them into the painting queue!
1945 Panzerkompanie
(Confident Veteran)
HQ (2x Panzer IVJ)175
add Escorts30
Panzer Platoon
(4x Panzer IVJ)
350
add Escorts60
Panzer Platoon
(4x Panzer IVJ)
350
add Escorts60
Panzer Platoon
(2x Panther G)
375
Panzerspäh Patrol
(3x Panzer II Luchs)
115
Total1515

Strelkovy Batalon
(Confident Conscript)
HQ20
Strelkovy Company315
add Lt. Mortars15
add HMGs40
Strelkovy Company (above)370
Artillery Batalon (8x 76mm obr 1936, 4x 122 obr 1938)680
Heavy Tankovy Platoon (5x T-28 obr 1933)270
Total1710
List 9: Wave Attack
From: Rising Sun
Period: Early War
Notes: I've been using T-28s with my Finnish army for many years and I know just how lethal of a weapons platform it is. It only gets better in EW, with reasonable armour (especially top armor 2!), a rear-firing machine-guns and lots of machine-guns and a good main gun. So I've added five to my Strelkovy horde as a mobile assault force.

I also really like the 76mm obr 1936 gun. It has an excellent anti-tank value (10) and the 122s are good at killing things in bombardments. A quick tactical tip: Having a staff team is essential for Conscript artillery!

List 10: Trouble at Kasserine
From: North Africa
Period: Mid War
Notes: This is loosly based on a list that my brother used many years ago. I really liked it and have always wanted to give it a try. This year I collected the necessary models and I look forward to painting the riveted M3 Lees! 
Tank Company
(Confident Trained)
HQ (2x M3 Lee, long guns)200
Tank Platoon (4x M3 Lee, long guns)400
Tank Platoon (4x M3 Lee, long guns)400
Tank Platoon (4x M3 Stuart, with stabilizers)230
Armored Rifle Platoon175
add 4x bazookas80
Total1485

The last several lists in the book are part of my FOW New Years Resolution: to play one game with each US Infantry Division Normandy/Brittany variant. But more on those lists next year!

So that's my year of army lists in review! What have been your favorite lists to play this year? Drop yours in the comments below; I'd love to hear from you!

Comments

  1. Great idea. I tend to write on envelopes and bits of paper. I think getting a note book will be my new years resolution to gaming.
    in 2013...my lists are all over the place. No consistency...just lots of enjoyable games.
    cheers

    ReplyDelete
  2. http://www.editions-pantheon.fr/francoise-h.-gondree/essais/pegasus-bridge-le-pont-de-l-espoir.html



    www.pegasusbridge.fr

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for that fantastic reference! I've bookmarked the site and added the book to my wishlist.

      I'm quite honored to have a member of the esteemed Gondrée family visit! Thank you :)

      Delete
  3. Reminds me of when i used to play DBM,i had a book for each army.
    LES
    PS:Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. For 1780 maybe this :)

    1945 Panzerkompanie
    (Confident Veteran)
    HQ (2x Panzer IVJ) 175
    Panzer Platoon  350
    (4x Panzer IVJ)
    add Escorts 60
    Panzer Platoon  350
    (4x Panzer IVJ)
    add Escorts 60
    Panzer Platoon  560
    (3x Panther G)
    Panzerspäh Patrol  115
    (3x Panzer II Luchs)
    AA Platoon
    (2x Möbel) 110 OR (3x Nebs) 105

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well 5 platoons only :( so maybe not that good

      Delete
    2. I think you can solve that problem by knocking your panthers down to 2, freeing up points for Mobelwagens and Nebs. :)

      Delete
    3. Or dropping da escorts, which would feel kinda pointless ;) Still, the idea of 8-10 rolls on 3+ in an assault, almost makes me drool :)

      Delete
    4. Exactly! I do think that its escorts are what make the list.

      Delete
    5. the problem with the points going on escorts is that, the points used are vs. infantry only, still you need to connect with the panzers, so need to survive before assault... AR range gives one more roll to fire but still...

      Delete
  5. After seeing this I started my own "book of lists"!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment