2013 European Mid-war Tournament Report held 4-5 May 2013 at TableTop Nation, 17 Eldon Way, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4AD. with Gareth Richards This year Battlefront Europe held its first Mid-war Tournament at TableTop Nation. 18 players signed up including 9 of 2012 Masters. So competition was going to be hard with some of the best players in the UK attending. We arrived down on the Friday evening to set up the tables and prepare for the weekend. What was supposed to be a leisurely drive turned into a nice hour sat in the car park known as the M25.

So with the tables set up it was back to the hotel and bite to eat, we then meet up with some of the players for the weekend, a couple of beers were shared and discussion about lists and tactics carried on as I took myself up to bed for an early night. Day Two With all the players arrived  the first mission was drawn now using the infamous wooden spoons, a player chosen at random, well ok the person standing next to me is asked to draw a spoon at random. On the spoon is written the mission type and name.  So kicking of the tournament we had Encounter and Free for all. Right: The tables set up and raring to go.

After a break for lunch and players taking fuel from the Hotdogs and Burgers that were available, the second round was drawn. The mission was a Defensive Battle; No Retreat.

With the last match up of the day it saw two of the previous year’s European Champions face up against each other Steve Charlton versus John Hopwood. The mission for round three was a Mobile Battle; Counter Attack.

As the Round Three games drew to a close; the players were drawn to the match-up between John and Steve.

With some frantic manoeuvring of the troops towards the end of the game, Steve managed to hold off John’s Soviet forces to take a 4-3 win.

After a long day of gaming behind us it was back to the hotel for refreshments and then out for a bite to eat and to discuss the days events.

Day Three Round Four started with a Mobile Battle;  this time Breakthrough. A quick break for lunch and time for some shopping as players attempted to plug the gaps in their forces that had been exposed during the course of the weekend. And for a few, adding to their Vietnam forces for an upcoming tournament being held in July. The mission for round five was drawn and the last match of the day was to be a Fair Fight; Dust Up.

The Winners

Overall Champion Steve Charlton	Runner-Up Jez Evans	Highest Non-Winning Allied John Hopwood

Highest Non-Winning Axis Roger Whittam	Best Sport Dave Madigan	Highest Non-Winning Minor Nation Sean McElvoy (had to catch a train)

Best Painted Army Sam Street This year’s winner of the Best Painted Army went to Sam Street. Sam takes a lot of time to put individual touches into his army, with a lot of work and detail going on the bases, to ensure that they really stand out from the table top. Sam’s next project is rumoured to be Vietnam but I am sure we will see soon enough on the tournament circuit.

I would like to thank all the players from coming to our first Mid War Tournament and making it a great tournament. Congratulations to all the winners. Look forward to seeing you all later in the year at the European Grand Tournament on the 21 – 22 September. ~ Gareth.