The Paras have landed !

Here are the first five Paras of the 10-man squad.
They are 28mm scale metal figures, manufactured by Bolt Action Miniatures / Warlord Games.
For use with Colin's "Platoon Commander" WW2 skirmish Rules.

Cheers
Ian

Middle Plantagenet English - Part 3

Here's King Edward II and his gay entourage (allegedly).
Yes, I painted the lions on the flag and shield myself - they look okay at a distance.!

Middle Plantagenet English - part 2

Here are the slightly blurred pics of the 2x 6-base Welsh Archer batle Groups and an even fuzzier Field Commander Gilbert de Claire.

Middle Plantagenet English

I am starting yet another painting project. This time, it’s a 15mm Middle Plantagenet English Starter Army for use with Field Of Glory against Paul’s Scots in our future demo game of Bannockburn.

My figures are from Essex Miniatures and comprise the following:
1x C-in-C base: Edward II
1x General: Gilbert de Claire
1x General: Humphrey de Bohun
1x 2-base Unit of Royal Household Knights
3x 4-base Units of Feudal Knights
1x 8-base Unit of Spearmen
2x 6-base Units of English Longbowmen
2x 6-base Units of Welsh Longbowmen

I got them for Christmas and have thus far painted 1x 6-base Unit of Welsh Longbowmen
Cheers,
Ian

Sassy v Byzzy 600AD ish

Period: Ancients (books 2 & 3), Rules: DBMM, Players: Sassanid Persians - Guy and Robin, Early Byzantines - Ian and Adrian. Held on: 15th Feb 2010.


Right from the off I realised we were in trouble. My all-Cavalry left wing outnumbered nearly 2:1 in numbers and more than 2:1 in grading factor! All Cavalry led by Robin.

In the centre, I had arrayed my Blades and Bows which were opposed by Elephants and Auxilia.

On my right, Adrians command (a mirror image of my right) faced Hordes defending a hill and Light Horse on their far left.

The lines closed, but as my left and Robin's commands engaged, the rest of my army struggled to move ahead at speed. We held out as long as possible against their massed cavalry command, taking them close to disheartened status.

But it was densinted not to be a Byzantine victory. We were soundly thrashed. Although Adrian did manage to break the stoic Jewish Hordes on the hill. Oy-Vey.

A group of Byzantine rebels have sworn revenge and have joined Rupe's Moorish forces ready for his assault on Guy's Sassy-Nids.

Words by Ian.
Photo by Ian.

ACW Blog: Part III The First Unit

Here's the first 12-man Unit of my ACW chappies.

They have been painted up as McLellands Zouaves as seen on the back of the Perry box: Light grey uniforms with qrange hats, collars, cufs and trouser stripe.

Cheers,
Ian

Napoleonic G-de-B

Period: Napoleonic, Rules: General de Brigade, Players: British - Adrian, Prussian - Guy, Saxon - Rupert, French - Robin. Held on: 8th Feb 2010.

The French with their Saxon allies decided to stand their ground after occupying a village and a farm and the land inbetween to face the British and Prussians from a position of strength. Dense woods effectively split the army in two, but with plenty of space behind to join each other if the attacking Anglo-Prussian force focussed the point of attack on one or the other.


The French guard brigade deployed to their left and the less-prestigious Saxons to the right. The British infantry with a battalion of Portugese faced the guard, and advanced quickly, expecting the French to remain entrenched with their three-gun battery in support. As usual, the French defied expectations by advancing in three flying columns to meet the British, and after some swift skirmisher interchanges, all three columns charged at the British, deployed in line. Only the central guard battalion passed the test to charge, the other two being shot into retreat by the disciplined British volleys of musketry. The lone column charged home and and sent the British battalion backwards into retreat, from which it subsequently rallied. Testing for friends retreating then forced a morale check on the spearhead French guard unit, which, having taken significant musket fire, then broke and routed to cries of 'La Guarde Recule !'.


On the other side of the battlefield the four battalions of Saxons with a three gun battery and a small unit of cuiassiers in support faced the massed Prussian cavalry. After some manoeuvering on both sides which included the lead Prussian hussar unit being forced to retreat through skirmish fire, the leading Prussian units charged at the Saxons, the lancers getting home against the Saxon artillery without taking any casualties as the battery was low on ammo, and the Cuirassiers and an attached unit of Cossacks crunching into the lead Saxon infantry battalion, which managed to form square before the charge hit home. The unfortunate Saxon artillery battery were wiped-out to a man, but the subsequent pursuit test forced the lancers (fortunately as it later became obvious) to retire to their lines and re-form. The cuirassiers and cossacks won their melee, but not by enough to break the staunch Saxon square (second line at that !). Although they inflicted six casualties on the Saxons, the cavalry bounced-off and also retired to their line to re-form. The Prussians decided to keep up the pressure and sent in a smaller unit of heavy Dragoons against the Saxon square, but this lost the melee and also retired to re-form.

The consensus at the end of the night was for an Anglo-Prussian victory as all three French guard battalions were either retreating or routing.

Another really great game for all concerned, a lot of fun, and with quite a few double-sixes and double-ones to spice things up.

Words: Guy
Photos: Ian

ACW Blog: Part II

As part of an enjoyabke visit to Vapnartak Wargames show in York on the 7th of February 2010.

While at this show we decided expand the American Civil War (ACW) collection of figures. to do this Robin bought 2 packs of ACW infantry and 1 ACW cavalry and Ian bought a ACW infantery pack thus in th club we have 4 infantry and 2 Cavalry packs.

We are proposing to base them on 40 mm frontage by 50 mm depth and use the Piquet (PK) rule set for them. with 3 infantry figures per base we may have 4 figures for battalion command stands. Cavalry will be 2 figures per base.

This will gives 12 infantry battalions and 3 cavalry squadrons each with 4 bases each per unit. Will also have 4 commander figures, 3 union and 1 Confederate.
We propose to split them equally and share the painting between the two sides.

America vs Germany 1944

Period: WW2, Rules: Blitzkrieg Commander II, Players: German - Black Bob & Colin, American - Steve & Ian, Umpire - Chris. Held on: 8th Feb 2010.


An encounter battle between German and American forces, somewhere in the industrial heartland of Germany…

Our objectives were the two hills and the built-up urban area.

Thinks started off badly for us Yanks as the Tigers knocked out two of our Sherman’s and suppressed another three - on his first movement roll.!! But we struggled on for control of the far right hill against conscript troops. Our remaining tanks of the right acting as a deterrent to further Tiger advances.


The other hill was ours without opposition, and conversely, the Krauts took the civilian area.

On our left, our tank destroyers raced over the open ground and engaged Panthers with near total success. Palls of smoke on the horizon, testament to the marksmanship of the gunners.

We tried to wheedle out the infantry on Hill 1 using artillery and infantry, with little / no success. Late on, we had more success against the Tigers, but failed to KO any of them. In the end, we had to concede Hill 1 and thus lost the game by a whisker.


A fun game; cut and thrust all the way. Notable points: Black Bob rolling double 1’s (good) and double 6’s (bad) all night =)

Words: Ian
Photos: Ian

Russian Civil War 1917

Period: Russian Civil Wae, Scale: 28mm, Rules: Red Actions by The Perfect Captain.


Duiring the Russian Civil War following the their Revolution in 1917. A force of Red Russians spotted an aeroplane. It landed not far away so they closed in to investigate. They immdiately encountered stiff resistance from the White Russians deployed upon a hill, who had also seen the aeroplane and set up a machine gun inbtween the plane and the Reds. The Machine gun was flanked on either side by an infantry unit dug into cover.


The Reds pressed forward in two flanking movements left and right and manged with some good shooting to cause the Machinegunners to dive for further cover. Thus allowing the Reds to advance these advances were held up by the White infantry untill the arrival of the Reds cavalry unit which performed a wider flanking action on the White Russians left wing.


At the appearance of the Red Russian Cavalry the pilot of the plane finished his cup of tea and started meandering towards his plane. Inspite of pressing hard the Red Russians were repulsed or held on both flanks, permitting the pilot to take off into the skies.


Words: Robin.
Photos: Ian

Polish v Hungarian 1st Feb 2010

Field of Glory Later Polish v Mid Hungarian 900 pts 1st Feb 2010

Outnumbered and hampered from the start by cultivated fields, the Poles nevertheless advanced on a wide front (which ultimately proved their downfall.


Their knights on the left flank never got to their intended targets, being hassled by horse archers and then routed by a timely flank charge which heralded the end of the game. The town militia on the right, Supported by cavalry and hussars, held out for longer that expected as enemy light horse managed to get around their rear.


Interesting game; some amusing incidents hither and thither, but on the whole not really a game I fancy playing on a regular basis.


Once again, sorry about the poor quality of the photos.

Words by Ian
Photos by Ian

Swiss v Italisn 25-01-2010

A DBMM bame using Martin and Steve's 15mm Renaissance figures.

The game begins

The Swiss launched an assault in the centre and right wing. Artillery and support were on a hill on the left flank. They faced the Italians with Albanian allies and some Swiss mercenaries.

A push of pike on the right wing.

Once the more agile Italian force got on the Swiss flanks, the massacre began, although the left flank made good progress against the Albanians and two elements of handgunners held up a column of Light Horse.

The End.

Losing more casualties than they caused, the centre and ruight inevitably collapsed.

Italian / Albanian = Steve.
Swiss mercenaries = Adrian
Swiss Centre and Left = Martin
Swiss Right = Ian

Words by Ian
Pics by Ian

DBMM Battle: Samurai v Timurid 18-01-2010

Samari v Timurid

The report of the following wargame took place on the 18th January 2010, using DBMM rules, 350 points per army and 15mm figures.

After initial Agression and deployment dicing Timur became the invader and after early morning maneoveuring the battle commenced at 11 am ish

The Timurids deployed their mounted forces in two main wings left and right with a weak centre.

The Samari deployed their Horde in front of their central foot command and then two further right and left wing commands of mixed mounted and foot.

As the Samari advanced the Timurid left wing moved further out, and the central command move to the rear of the right wing command. (as per IW's picture)

Combat commenced on the Timurid Right wing with the Stampeding Camels and Elephants have some initial success, however the wyle Samari soon managed to surround both foes and destroyed them. Timur then tried without much success to punch a hole through the Samari's left and central wings but the valiant Samari poured men in from both commands blocking the attempt.

Over on the Timurid Left both forces stood off each other as the Samari had the advantage of the upground and the right wing protected by a wooded area.
Eventually the Timurids charged uphill into the affray which see-sawed up and down as each side battled hard to maintain\ gain any advantage.

In the end actual time caused the game to be drawn to a conclusion after toting up the morale points lost it was agreed to call this a drawn game.

Report by Robin
Photo by Ian (apologies for poor quality)

Blitzkreig Commander Battle Report 18-01-2010

American Para's landed and died in droves, British Para's landed and died in droves (this took a bit longer than the American Para's cos the Brits are harder). Our glorious German Volksturmjagers despite being old men in their eighties and nineties put up a good show more succumbing to lumbago and arthritis than enemy fire (despite the claims to the contrary of the Allied Airborne commander). The American Para's were more interested in sight seeing than the job in hand and spent most of the game meandering aimlessly across the battlefield undoubtedly searching for French Totty and wine to liberate.
Report by Chris.
Photo by Ian

New Venue Photos

That's Adrian (standing) and Guy (seated) by the way. They are playing a General de Brigade game.

Wild West

Hi.
And so another painting project begins!
At some point this year, we hope to play some Wild West skirmish-style games.
Martin provided a load of unpainted figures, of which we all took a selection.
I plumped for the Apache indians (don't know why really - just a spur-of-the-moment thing).
Here are the first three...

The Last of the Wood Elves...

Hussah.!
Another project ended.
I finished off the last of the Wood Elves; 24 Glade Guards including a Leader, Standard Bearer and Musician.
They will be going the way of the other units from the Army Box Set... eBay.! Should raise enough funds to start another project =)
Cheers
Ian


.

5mm Sarmatians - Part III

Hello again.

At last, they are finished.!

Here are the Cavalry...








And here is the full army...








That's a total of 3 Generals, 6 Knights, 10 Cavalry, 2 Light Horse and 6 Psiloi.

Cheers
Ian
...

Hyborian Conquests III

Hyborian Conquests III is to be my latest on-going project, and hopefully my best.

Basically, it will be a fantasy wargame campaign set in the world created by Robert Erwin Howard to host the many stories featuring the legendary hero Conan the Barbarian.

My game will be mainly military (employing strategy and tactics), with a rudimentary civil governing element too. The players represent the leaders of armies; the intricacies of government policies being left up to a non-player national leadership (civilian issues will mostly be randomly generated).

My initial plan is to:

1. Locate / Create a simple, fast-play strategy campaign system. Should include map movement by Province, simple income and loyalty ratings.
2. Decide on a good tactical wargame system. Currently looking at Principles of War - a Regimental scale game.
3. Draw up a Game Map. There are some good sources on the internet from which I can build up my own unique version.
4. Locate, acquire and paint the figures. Looking at Pendraken 10mm, 10 infantry or 5 cavalry.
5. Assemble all necessary buildings and terrain.

These items will not necessarily be dealt with in the above order.

Cheers for now
Ian

Fuedal French v Fuedal Spanish

This was the second encounter between the Fuedal French (Robin) and Spanish (Ian) forces this time the spanish were led by El Cid ( a brillant general) played using the DBMM rules set

The Spanish won the agression dice choosing a river, Road, gentle hill (1/2 Fe) and vineyard. The French choose a road, 2FE steep hill, wood and Built up area. The River did not materialise as Ian rolled a 1 & 5. the reat of the features were placed as showen on the fiollowing map along with the initial placings of the commands.

The French first commands consisted of 7 Irregular knights Fast including CinC 4 Irr bow Inferior 2 Irr spear I 4 Irr Psiloi and a Regular artillery Ordinary bolt shooter. The second command consisted of 7 Irr knights F including general, 8 irr Spear I, 2 Irr bow I.

The Spanish first command consisted of El Cid Irr knight F, 7 Irr Psiloi O, 16 Irr Psiloi I, 4 Irr Bow I, 11 Irr Spear I, 2 Irr Blade O, and the cross Bagage Superior. the second command was 7 Irr knights F including general, and 4 Irr cavalry

As the French won the deployment dicing they deployed and moved first. Opening with a 6 knights of the 1st command forming a column of march and making a double move down the road also moving the bolt shooter and archers forward the second command wheel his knights on the right wing to ready his charge towards the Spanish 2nd command.

The Spanish replied by sending the knights of their 2nd command in a column of march down the road to meet the French resulting in the front elements in combat. The French open fire with their bolt shooter at the knight to no effect. But the resulting melee pushed back the Spanish knights.

The French knights expanded their column in the next bound to creat an overlap and brought their other knights forward with a double move to threaten the Spanish flank. After an ineffective round of combats. The Spanish used a brilliant stroke to double their pip points of their first command resulting in a general advance but not sufficient to bring their bows into range. the knights expanded their frontage on either side and their second rank of cavalry advanced to meet the threat of the French knights charging past the woods.

The following French 3rd bound was poor in terms of PIPa but saw the French CinC move into a position to meet the threat of the Spanish Foot along with the advance of 2 spear of the first command. The Knights of the 2nd command went into forward towards the Spanish Cavalry who had halted just out of range. However at this point the French caught sight of the Spanish Ambush behind the hill. This third command consisted of 4 Irr KN F including general and 3 Irr Light Horse O . No Missile fire took place as the their line of site was blocked by the abvancing knights of the second French command. The ensueing combats resulted in various push back on each side. The Spanish PIPs but enough to make 3 march moves with their third command and move some other units into a more threatening position. Again shooting was ineffective or unsighted the French won a melee or two.

Bound four saw the arrival of a French flank march on their left flank the movement of the art and bow towords the the Knights of the second command going into the Spanish 2nd command cavalry. The resulting combats causing losses on the Spanish side. The Spanish moved their 3rd command into a position to block the hole arising from the loss of their cavalry.

Bound 5 saw the arrival of a second French flank march this time on their right. The French moved Spear and bow from both commands to further counter the threat of the Spanish 1st command taking up positions along the road facing hill 1. The melee between the French Knights and the Spanish Cavalry resulted in them being destroyed. The see-sawing melee between the other knights saw an element loss on either side wiped them out causing that command to becoming dishearted. The spear of both the French commands took up postions to counter the Spanish foot.

So with the incoming French flank marches and the loss of the Spanish 2nd command and time as usual passing fast we agreed that the French had sucessfully ousted the Spanish invaders.