Waterloo 2025 AAR

 

Waterloo 2025 is the 2nd game in the TS Wargames (tswargames.com) WW III series. The rules are very similar to Ardennes 2024 (the first game in the series) with only a few minor changes (e.g. stacking limits, air drops). This game includes some really wild scenarios, including the use  of the National People’s Army of Germany and the Molenbeek Brigade.

 

As I play solo two-handed, I’ve added a couple of rules to add more chaos to the scenarios. There is a weather chart that is rolled every other day.

Weather

• Roll 2D6 every other day  

RESULT                      WEATHER                       IMPACT

     2                           Minor draught               +1 to all Mech MP’s

    3-4                               Fog                        -2 range for Artillery and Air

    5-9                            Clear                         No change

   10-11                           Rain                        -1 MP for all Ground

   12                                Mud                         -2 MP for Mech & -1 MP for Infantry

 

Initiative

The scenarios list who has Initiative. However, I now use the following process to give the second phasing faction an opportunity to “steal” the initiative.

• Initiative

  • At beginning of turn, 1st Phase player rolls 2d6.

    • If roll = 2 or 12 >> 2nd Phasing player gets Initiative that turn

    • If roll = 3, 4, 11 >> 2nd Phasing player spends 1 Air Point, 1 EW, 1 Spec and takes Initiative for that turn. If faction does not have required resources, then cannot assume initiative.  

    • If roll = 5-10 >> no change

 

The following is the beginning of an AAR of the complete campaign.

 

Bruxelles Scenario:

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The Molenbeek Brigade riots in Brussels took several days to resolve, but the gutsy Belgium forces were persistent. Having an HQ in the area (guarded/underneath Infantry Company B) aided the Belgium forces in organization (and a +1 to die rolls). The battle shifted to the north of Brussels, and the Molenbeek became disorganized and were forced to retreat. Casualties were 4 Molenbeek Infantry units vs 1 Belgium infantry unit.

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The incredible chaos in the region stimulated the British and French to send forces in. The Belgium and Molenbeek forces quickly become combat collateral in the upcoming “New Border” scenario. Air battles, the use of electronic warfare devices, and Special Ops personnel will all enter the fray in this scenario.

 

Stay tuned… more to come

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The New Border Scenario

June 20, 2025

 

We are six days into a true tug-of-war as the French and British have faced off in Belgium with the Belgium forces and the Molenbeek Brigade caught in the cross-fire. The Molenbeek Brigade was quickly dispatched as both sided entered Brussels. The Belgium forces were not as eager to dissipate, and have put up quick a fight 

 

Each day has brought push back along the L Line (the dark grey line that runs through the "L" in BELGIUM), separating Flanders in the North from Wallonne in the South. Both sides have utilized thermobaric artillery to knock out some key positions and HQ’s. Combat is clearly focusing in on control of Brussels, which will be critical with the eventual arrival of the combined German/Russian forces.

 

The air power from both sides has been relatively ineffective, despite the clear skies (based on weather chart) for most of the days. The drought even allowed expedited movement of the mech units, accelerating the combat. Both the French and the Brits have utilized Special Ops, and have paid the price – neither side has remaining Spec Ops personnel left alive.

 

June 20th is shown below as the British are about to open fire and initiate their Combat Phase.

 

Stay tuned, more to come.

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The Dyle Scenario

June 23, 2025

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The French and their Allies have continued to hold off the British, as Brussels remains entrenched in battle. Knowing that the Germans and Russians are about to join the Axis forces, the Allies decided to impede their march and have blown several bridges in Flanders. The Allies have set their line in Flanders, north of the L-Line. They have also fortified several of their positions, which decreases mobility but improves their defensive posture.

 

In the next several days, the Germans will arrive, from the East along the Dille River and are expected to quickly join the battle at Tienan, Leuven and of course, in Brussels. It will be a challenge for the Allied forces to hold them off and maintain control of Brussels.

 

Rumors are circulating that a sizable Russian force will arrive from the southeast at the beginning of July. Two Russian HQ’s are being built in Perwez and near La Bruyere in the southeast of Wallonne. Negotiations are continuing with the Allies to enlist the large USA forces that are mobilizing in the south of west of Wallonne. It may take several days for those negotiations to conclude. Let’s hope they are on time…..

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The Dyle Scenario

26 June   2025

MidWeek Update

 

It has been a bloody week for both sides. As expected, the Germans have arrived and have brought havoc to the eastern borders of the war in Jodoigne,Leuven and approaching Brussels. The Allies (mostly French, Belgium and Polish units) have formed their line north of the L line, and passing directly through Brussels. They have held control of most of the City, but the Germans have made inroads from the East, and the British continue to pound from the North. Thermobaric charges are heard exploding on both sides of the battle, as key HQ’s and positions are targeted. Casualties are mounting on both sides

 

In the Air, both sides have put up tough fights, and air superiority has been difficult for either side to maintain and take advantage of. Despite that, the Axis powers now have air capability from the RAF, Germans and very soon.. the Russians. The Allies continue to struggle with only the French Air forces, eagerly awaiting the flying might of the USA.

 

Reports are that it will be three more days (1 July) before the USA arrives. However, with Russian having established HQ’s in the south east of Wallonne, the arrival of their massive forces is imminent.

 

The Allied forces are thinning, will they hold out for three more days.

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The Dyle Scenario

June 30, 2025  -  “I can hear footsteps”

 

The last several days of June were relatively quiet. The British were able to hold onto the NW corner of Brussels, denying the French and Poles a possible victory. Both sides worked to build fortifications, reminiscent of the trench-building of WWI. And both sides eagerly await the massive reinforcements that will come from the Russians to the Axis side, and the US forces to the Allies.

 

The most hotly contested area was in Leuven and the bridge over the Dyle River. Earlier in the week, the British were able to blow the bridge – removing a major highway route for the arriving Russians, who will mostly come charging from the East. However, the Germans were able to chase the Brits off and rebuild the bridge. Utilizing Special Forces to help with targeting, the Brits blew the bridge once again on June 30th using ThermoBaric charges. The US forces will arrive from the South and West and will be forced to fight through their own Independence Day holiday. It remains to be seen whether Brussels can win its independence from the building Axis powers. 

More to come…

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July 4th, 2025

And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when Brussels declared in one voice:

"We will not go quietly into the night!

We will not vanish without a fight!

We're going to live on!

We're going to survive!"

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!”

 

The Allies moved quickly in the beginning of July to fully fortify Brussels and repel the Axis forces out of the city. Fully controlling the City for an entire day could put an end to the combat (it is one of the Victory Conditions). The US forces moved north through Wallonne, pushing aside several Soviet Forces. Using both Air Forces and Tactical Missles, they “ploughed the field,” allowing the infantry and armored divisions to move up through Waterloo and along the van Villebroek River, and take positions in the south and east of the city. The Polish and French forces continued to guard the north and west with fortified units.

 

As part of this operation, the Allied forces withdrew quickly from Leuven, east of Brussels, surprising the Axis forces (mostly German) who had dug in to secure the bridge and the town.  

 

In the far SE of Wallonne, the Polish forces with some US reinforcements, are keeping the Russians busy, preventing their advance to support the Battle for Brussels.

 

Heavy Rain (-1 to mech movement on House Rule Weather Chart) slowed the advance, but multiple areas of engagement developed.

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… and it’s over

July 4, 2025

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After the tremendous Allied effort, the Axis powers knew time was running out. One last push to get inside Brussels. They threw everything they could at the Allies from all sides. The Axis abandoned the Leuven, leaving only an artillery unit. However, the German forces ran into roadblocks – their own forces on the highway, impeding movement; and the resilient French units, now bolstered by the US. Several battles took place, but the Germans could not pierce the Eastern border of the City.

 

To the West, the remaining British troops attempted to enter through the NW corner of Brussels, but were repelled by the US forces. Although neither side had Air Superiority, both sides used all they had to augment the attacks and defense.

 

The greatest opportunity for the Axis was to the North, where the US 3rd Tank Brigade was defending the area just off the highway. The British were the closest, and they brought the 1st Y to the battle. Germany tried to aid by interfering with Allied communication/logistics through their Electronic Warfare technology; but it was not enough. The Allied forces held, as both sides suffered losses but did not have to retreat.

 

As the end of the day arrived, the Axis realized they were beaten – as the Allied forces had full control of Brussels. The Axis leaders were forced to request armistice and agree to withdraw from the area. The Allied forces agreed, and the Belgians celebrated the 4th of July along with their American colleagues.

 

All was right with the world, until the next battle.

 

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Another great game and scenario from TS Wargames. I love the map (I cover it with rolled vinyl) and the terrain; and the counters are well made and fell out of the sheets easily (I’m not a clipper).  I’ve become comfortable with the rules, so the game flow fairly well. Playing solo, two-handed is a bit limiting, but I can still develop a great narrative, and most of the tactics are obvious based on the situation. The counters can be a bit tough to differentiate -  US vs GB vs France) – but I’ve gotten used to it.

 

Now that I know the rules and the flow, this remains one of my favorite hex/counter war games. It provides some unique narratives and has enough crunch (artillery, air combat, Special Ops, Electronic Warfare) to keep it fresh. Looking forward to the next release later this summer.

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