- with Greg
Another Panzershreck weekend has passed and I tell you what, they just keep getting better and better! Half of the fun of travelling for a wargaming tournament is the getting there and how you do it. Banter, trash talk and plotting is just part of what happens and the rest of it is just a laugh a minute.
For those of you unfamiliar with the New Zealand geography, we travelled over 500km (about 300 miles in old money) from Auckland to Palmerston North to take part in the event. 4 lads piled into a people mover can make for some interesting conversation. But, this is New Zealand, and the scenery on the drive is definitely worth it.
The drive itself is a blast. Stopping by small-town New Zealand and seeing all the happenings and goings on that we wouldn't normally see.
This year we stopped at the New Zealand Army museum in Waiouru on the way down rather than the way back for obligatory photos with tanks.
Once we arrived at our RVP in Shannon (Kia Ora Pearce Whanau for having us once again!), we unpacked and got down to the serious business of plotting and planning for the following day. In actuality, none of this happened and we watched Deadpool, drank bourbon and then watched terrible music videos. In what has become somewhat of a tradition, we try and find a "catch-phrase" with which to set the tone for the gaming. This year we would Drop It Like It's Hot.... SNOOOOOOOOOOOOP!
Day 1 of Panzerschreck dawned and we were in business. I'm not going to give you run downs of the games I played or anything like that, the photos of the event tell the stories better than I could. Glider assaults, Strelkovy blobs, Panzers and more all on display, all vying for the top results and the best tactics. Laughter and fun were definitely the order of the day. This year's event was 2000 point EW so there was definitely some grinding games across the course of the weekend and from what I understand, a number of hard-fought draws.
Day 2 saw the army parade first thing in the morning and everyone had their force laid out for us to ahhhhhh over. I tried to capture as many of them as I could. As wargamers, we all know that getting a beautifully painted force on the table is a labour of love. Its worth showing them off.
The last photo is Bede Bailey's entry which took out Best Painted. Frenchies!
And there can only be one winner on the day...
1st Place - The BB Guns
2nd Place - First to Warsaw
3rd Place - Conquest 04
Wooden Spoon - Bratwurst and Spaghetti
Wayne and Victor were good enough to donate their prizes to the next lowest scoring team, The Old Dogs. Best sports was, eventually, given to The Beer Snobs who had seemingly forgotten their team name. Well done to all the teams and a massive thank you to Battlefront for prize support and their continuing support of the event, both in terms of prizes and also making the trip and participating. Its not often that you can proudly say you've curb-stomped the writers and developers of one of the biggest wargames in the world!
This year was also the first Panzerschreck since the passing of our friend and comrade, Nick Garden. The lads from Wellington all made fitting tribute with this year's shirt being dedicated to him. Kia kaha lads.
And what does one do when they're completely shattered after a weekend of wargaming? Magic: the Gathering and couch-potato'ing, that's what!
You will note the pile of EW intelligence briefings on the couch....the plotting has already begun for next year's Panzerschreck which will once again be EW. Yay!
EPILOGUE
The drive back to Auckland was even more stunning this year. Despite having to detour for a serious accident on the Desert Road, the scenery was no less beautiful.
Fearless Veteran leader on his birthday.
We also managed to get some civic service in, reporting maniac drivers to the local constabulary.
If you've never had the experience of road tripping for a wargaming tournament or event, you absolutely have to do it. The experience and memories definitely over-shadow any fatigue you have for the next couple of days.
This, IMHO, is the best way to enjoy our hobby. Getting out in the community and having an absolute blast. So what are you waiting for? Get planning!
