The Sand Pebbles

Playtested my buddy's "The Sand Pebbles" game today at his awesome bunker. All the figures, watercraft and terrain (including the bamboo rope boom) were made/painted by him.

This game is a labor of love of sorts for him, as he's read the novel cover to cover and watched the movie countless times. The scenario is from the last part of the movie where the US gunboat is steaming to breakout of the rope and junk boom held by the Chinese forces. The rules are a home brew mixture of The Sword And The Flame, Bolt Action and some other rules. It worked well and only a few tweaks will be added the next time - mostly allowing the Chinese to have some of their small watercraft outside of the boom and more able to reach the US gunboat.

Start of the game - I ran part of the Chinese forces - a mix of regulars and militia.

Chinese militia in the foreground malingering on a dock, but ready to board the sampans to render assistance to the tied up junks.

US gunboat "The San Pablo" crewed with 3" gun,  Lewis guns and BAR's.

San Pablo moving fearlessly into a boom of Chinese junks and bamboo rope.

Chinese junks with 9 pounder cannon crews already killed off after taking fire from the San Pablo.

There were Chinese regulars on either side of the river, but their small arms were out of range.

Boarding action by the San Pablo crew having wiped out the Chinese crew.

Some Chinese regulars and militia in sampans firing on the Americans, but not scoring enough hits to make a difference.

Near the end of the game, with the Americans ready to cut the rope boom. It was called a US victory as the San Pablo still had most of her crew and armed with superior weapons.

All in all a great game and fun day to hang out at my buddy's bunker which is packed to the roof with games, miniatures and historical references. 

Entrance to the bunker

Fully heated/AC with latrine.

An Iwo Jima diorama in 54mm he has - a buddy of his gave it to him for safekeeping.

He's hosting this game again next Saturday at the Chehalis Veterans Museum and also next month at Enfilade as well. I'm hosting the La Haye Sainte game next Saturday at the museum too - a sort of refresher/playtest game. Until next time, thanks for dropping by and wishing you all the best.