German Grand Tournament 2016 Report With Bret Donaghy  On the 2nd and 3rd of April 58 players from 8 different countries descended on Heiligenhaus in the Bergisch mountains outside Düsseldorf to contest the first ever German Flames Of War Grand Tournament. With players from as far afield as the US, Greece, New Zealand and Portugal, the five-game tournament was contested against the more 'local' players from Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and France.

This was the largest Flames Of War tournament ever held in Germany and the 30 tables were very well endowed with themed terrain – including a few more challenging tables such as a Pegasus Bridge table and a variety of city fight and river tables.

The cultural club hosting the tournament provided an evening programme of cinema, a Kicker competition and an auction of items of interest. Hot meals and cold beer/drinks were provided thoughout the weekend and Frontline Games, as co-supporter, was present with a complete Flames Of War shop for between or after the games. All this provided for a pleasant and encouraging atmosphere over the weekend and ensured that all participants were sure that the event had to become a fixed calendar event and that in one year from now we would all do it again to see who would be the next German Flames Of War GT Winner.

And now for the accolades. The GT laurels remain in Germany for this year, with Peter Dziallas taking the prize title home to Hannover. We will see if Hannover is able to keep it when we meet again in 2017. Here are the placings.

Awards

Place	Player	Army	Award
1	Peter Dziallas	Tankovy Batalon	Best Overall
2	Rene Syrer	Schwere Panzerkompanie	Best German
3	Stefan Schmieder	Strelkovy Batalon	Best Soviet
4	Thomas Rickal	British Rifle Company	Best British
5	Bill Wilcox	US Armored Company	Best US
	Panagiotis Skandalis	'Mexican' US Rifle Company	Best Painted

Armies

Above and below: Panagiotis Skandalis' colourful 'Mexican'-themed US Rifle Company, which won best painted.

Congratulations again to the winners and to the organisers and supporters who made all this possible – Battlefront for the prize support and GT Mission Objectives, Thomas, Martin and Harry for putting it all together and Frontline Games. To Thomas, Martin and Harry and the other supporters on the day I can only say they did an excellent job and the German GT is now established.

Till 2017 – see you there! ~ Bret.