Service Ration Distribution (Hobby)

Operation "Bagration" 1944: The Rout

2012-01-21T11:31:00.000Z

This battle is based on the headlong retreat of the remnant of the German 9th Army in the face of the crushing attack by 1st Belorussian Front during the Bagration Offensive. The idea for this scenario is that five ad hoc German Kampfgruppen are trying to cross a river to relative safety before being destroyed (well, duh). They are being pursued by very strong Russian forces which build up at a random rate during the game and also may come on at random points. So too the Germans. Two Battle Groups will act as rear guard for as long as possible but one will leave to join the escape. Fuel is the key. No one German unit has enough to take all its vehicles across the crossings...what do you do?...what do you do?

Engineers put up a bridge

Flak units deploy in cover to protect said crossings

Good fields of fire will give them a dual role

Where the old civilian bridge had been destroyed infantry can cross on foot at obstacle crossing rate (RF)

Chain dogs (Field gendarmes) hover by the road with instructions to direct traffic...and keep order in case of panic

...but they are somewhat nervous of Russian air attack

Exit ramps are prepared...its easier in sand that terrain boards.

Fraternally watched over by light Flak

Nervous light Flak...but on the lucky side of the river.

Still, what goes up must come down and the sappers are preparing for demolition....you know, just in case...

So the race is about to begin.

Basic Napoleonic Painting: New treatment for old Airfix

2012-01-20T11:29:00.001Z

Bah! Humbug! Spend a fortune on fancy new metal? Never! You'll be wanting a living wage next. Christmas is over and the reality is...I'm broke. Still, the much maligned 1/72 Airfix figures are still around and a neighbour, friend, person who thinks you sad and takes pity, relative or person who had grown up may yet have a bag of these old popular figures in a cupboard some where. Get them, or the ones you know you have somewhere, and paint them up. They make great units!...oh, don't make that face...look, even the odd ones from the Airfix French Napoleonic Artillery are useful...stop smirking, it's true...

When I base I use 'No More Nails' 'Hard as Nails' 'Don't Bite Your Nails'...well you get the picture. But it just isn't useful for basing. Stick a blob on the front of the shako and half your chagrin at these old figures will fade as it makes a sound pompom that will take paint.

So this is the bare article, and yet...

...happy days looks not bad with paint. Of course, the main complaint with nearly all plastics is that the paint flakes off.

This, though depends on your primer. A good plastics primer is an expensive type of paint (though not quite as expensive as say Army Painter) but is worth it a) because if you decant it into smaller containers so that the whole lot is not exposed to air all the time you paint, it will probably last for years and do thousands of figures and b) because primers for plastic are extremely flexible and don't lose figure definition and don't flake.

As you can see, the primer (which is white) takes cheap black acrylic really well...

...and then away you go...Obviously, I use the black undercoat method for Napoleonic's.

But, if you are a white undercoat painter, you can cut out a stage and go straight to the colour stage. I think the artillery marching figure makes a good flank company infantryman.

On a tip from a mate (Colin) I now paint figs on nails. I know other folk do this with metals which sometimes requires that you glue the fig to the nail and snap it off after painting and varnishing is done, but with plastics blue or white tack is plenty strong enough.

Chickamauga 1863. The Christmas Game; Part Two

2011-12-29T15:14:00.000Z

The Confederates recce screen push as far as possible but run up against the MLR and falter. Not to worry however, as the main body, moving with their customary speed and elan, are right behind and coming in fast...

The skirmish line kept the bridge clear for the next regiment to cross

Sharpshooters take a heavy toll on the left flank

Rebels begin to run out of steam..

Shaking out for assault...

...confused fighting on the left because of broken ground and the farms...

'This teddy bar fur is mighty thick'

'Somebody gotta invent a 'one way' sign'

More Rebs pour across the bridge...

...and fighting intensifies in the centre...

'We need a new flag!'

The Union is holding...but only just.

Yeehaa! Target rich environment...

Union getting the upper hand on the left.

Centre reaches critical point...

...but no-one blinks...

More Reb cavalry arrives..

'OK, water wings ON!'

Pushing to the creek..

Holding, holding...

Close country, close quarters.

At last, some Union cavalry...but can they cope?

Surprise, surprise...a staff officer! But it's a good call as he orders in the cavalry just as the Confederates have annihilated the Union right.

'Charge!'

The last of the right hand Regiments makes a final stand at the very edge of the table. Job done as they held up twice their number all through the game.

It has all come too late for the Confederacy. Their own right has failed at the farm (in distance) but their cavalry can't break the newly arrived Union troopers and must retire. So, an honourable draw was decided on.

My thanks to the usual Billys, Hughie, Colin et al for another great game.....anyone for a Chinese?

Chickamauga 1863. The Christmas Game; Part One

2011-12-28T14:25:00.000Z

2011's mince pie and sausage roll game was held at Tall Billy's home and royally entertained we all were. His gaming room is both neat and functional and contains a wealth of superbly painted figures and scenery.

The game itself was a part of the battle of Chickamauga in 1863 during the American Civil War and was, apparently, the second bloodiest battle of that war. Being a virtual ACW novice I was ready to be captivated by the story of this slice of the battle, but to be honest i wasn't paying a great deal of attention because the visual display was extremely eye catching....Now for the piccies...

Calm waters of the tower before the storm.

Peaceful landscape.

Reeds Bridge...I'm told.

The Union troops are on the defensive to start off with in this area.

Batteries line up...

...and down the road appear the Confederates.

The recce cavalry (encouraged by Yosemite Sam) spread out to make contact with the enemy.

Beyond the farm and saw mill they see them

...a small force of dismounted troopers with rifles.

Things start to kick off from the right flank.

Heedless (and headless) the cavalry push on.

Zouves give fire...

...light troops rush for the bridge

A columns of troops break down the fence to deploy

Union forces are, as yet, spread fairly sparsely across the nine mile front

...contact...

...Union troops fan out to stop the recce cavalry finding hole in the line thus far reached

The Confederates begin to arrive in force. Time for tea and nibbles, much more to come in part two...

Eylau 1807: Napoleon's First Reverse? Part Two

2011-12-20T17:08:00.000Z

The French frontal attack didn't go terribly well. When the blizzard cleared they found themselves facing devastating fire from artillery and good grade infantry.

'Aspirin, we need more aspirin

No expense was spared on special effects...nope, not a penny.

Prussians having helped out the Russians not the boot was on the other foot

More artillery...

... and more men; Davout has arrived.

French cavalry mass for the grand charge. Smart move or desperate Bonaparte?

'Jolly dee, off we go!'

Plenty of cavalry to try to do justice to the charge at Eylau.

The battle developed the feel of the tide coming in.

It go messy.

Not everything was as happened on the day but the result was near enough historical.

'Next time I fight in the cold I'm bringing a hot water bottle'

Napoleon draws the proper conclusions.

'Do I look cool in these shades or what?'

Davout turned up in the nick of time...again.

'All this just for a day out for the Phoenix.'

and, of course, Ney is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He saunters back in order to make a statement to the press. As we all know Ney could really pick his moments.

And...relax. Looked good, had fun and got a result. Excellent day. Watch out for the Christmas report this year (Deo Vollente) as it is ACW like you've rarely experienced it.

Eylau 1807: Napoleon's First Reverse? Part One

2011-12-19T17:26:00.000Z

After lunch the French under Soult and Murat arrive to find the enemy waiting on the plateau beyond Eylau

The talc lay thickish on the ground for, you see, it was winter and also 2 for 1 at the pound shop.

...and as it was indeed winter it got dark quickly..especially when the lights were turned off

'Who are we?' - 'Dunno it's too dark'

Advancing rapidly the French tried to surprise the Russians. They were unsuccessful as the Russian knew we'd booked the room the previous week.

'We must be Russians' - 'Why?' - 'I don't speak French'

The battle for the town was serious...you just could get booked in anywhere.

Come the morning the Russians, now with full weight, were spoiling for the dice.

There were more Russians than I'd ever seen in 25's before, Minifig, Hinton Hunt, you name it.

The Russians had the edge in artillery (400 to 300 pieces on the day apparently) and we'd loads.

You can see from these pictures how the mobiles make any suitable set of tables or surfaces into sand tables

Note the Hat figures fit in pretty well.

'Say "bang!" I dare you'.

"I stick out like a sore thumb!"

'Don't hit the ammo, please, please, please!'

'Did someone up front say "cavalry"?'

A blizzard kicked up (someone sneezed) just as the main French frontal attack was due to go in and it the direction was slightly out...but not as much as on the day.

Part Two to follow...what happens when the armies come close and see each other? Is there cavalry? If so to whom does it belong? These and many more questions will be yawned at next time.

Eylau 1807: Napoleon's First Reverse? Intro.

2011-12-19T13:22:00.000Z

A couple of years ago we at the Phoenix had a Christmas game in 25's of the Battle of Eylau in 1807. Ferdy provided all the figures, rules, and scenarios and we used the mobile sand tables. We set up in an 'L' shape in which this battle is roughly formed and settled down for a day of gaming. In the fine Christmas tradition of the BBC this is a repeat, though never before blogged. Here to introduce the battle with an unbiased and fair comments is General Bennigsen...

"Is it on?....sure?..Oh good..."

"Ahem!..Hello. My name is General the Count Leontii von Bennigsen and I won this bat..."

"Oh, what now!...what is it? Eh! oh, him again..."

"Hey! Lenny! Merry Christmas big man? Did ye get ma card?"

"Yes indeed, a merry Christmas Kutuzov...wellied again I see! Anyhow, I was just saying how I won Eylau back in '07..."

"Won? WON? YOU? ye couldn't win a game of solitaire if ye cheated... blow-hard! I'm off down the boozer!"

And so the controversy continues. Bennigsen formed up at Eylau to avoid being outflanked and cut off and, along with 'general winter', set the scene for a near run thing on a very bloody day.

The following are a number of shots (no pun intended) from the battle, both the night action and some of the highlights.

As an aside, this was to be one of the last times that this fine lifetimes collection of 25mm classic figures was to be seen due to the 'Great Toy Soldier Robbery'.

Salamanca (almost) Part Two

2011-11-21T19:39:00.000Z

Victory conditions were that each hill was worth 25% and each division was also worth 25%. Once established on the hills it was thought that the extra French division would be enough to dislodge the British and their Allies.

French column against British line...it wasn't 'till after the battle that we realised that support didn't actually mean going into the attack but standing back cheering. One line could blow away 3 columns!

Fighting suspended whilst horse racing is on...

...ridges to the rear enabled support fire over the heads of the advancing infantry, usually very dodgy.

'I'm right behind you lads'

The last French regiment is committed.

...very effective 9pdr support

French right flank made some head way....

...but the Allied line was continuous and deep

They came on in the same old way...

'One more 1 and I'll blow out ze brains, n'est pas?'

...and threw rubbish dice.

'A hard pounding, gentlemen' - 'Yes, sir, for the French.'

Target rich environment.

The Brits could give as well as receive

The Dutch played the part of Hanoverian's and Brunswick's.

'Aha, pointy stick wins over musket!'

Push comes to shove...

the exploding cannon balls (round pins stuck in card with cotton wool) mark the casualties until we make up proper casualty markers.

Looks confusing...I had to have smelling salts to recover

'Hey, mister, can we have our ball back?'

....see!

Try as they might, the French could not gain a hill

...and finally a division broke in the attempt.

Although the right was going strong, the left gave way as, apparently, it did on the day

Very impressed by the greatcoated Strelets figures. They fitted in well with all the modern plastics.

As usual we had a good laugh, cry, tantrum and handshake afterwards (not that I recall any racism on the pitch) and a Chinese carry out to boot. My thanks to Billy,Billy, Billy, Billy, Alan and Colin for a cracking days gaming and the spur to paint more stuff.

Salamanca (sort of) Part One

2011-11-21T17:26:00.000Z

Yes, the battle based on Salamanca produced an epic clash of plastic. Though not too large, considering previous battles, Approximately 1100 French fought it out with 750 British and their Allies. Two British Divisions and three French, going by the Shako 2 rules set. Those of you who have read of this battle will know that the French and Anglo-Allied armies had march within sight of each other for a while. The French commander saw dust ahead an assumed the Brits were off to capture the town with their cavalry and so sped up his march that a gap became evident. Wellington saw this gap and ordered an attack across the valley to isolate the lagging part of the French column and the rest, as they say, is history....

'We'll be coming round the mountain when we come'

To set the battle on an even basis we began it by reasoning that the French leading division is off the table.

'I see you!'

This recreates the gap in the French column.

The French must continue to move in the column for another 3 moves unless they see what the enemy is doing then they can react straight away.

The 'off table' division has to roll a dice 6 and take a delay of whatever they throw. Then the order of arrival is cavalry, then artillery and then infantry.

Problem for the Brits was that they were seen straight away due to an over excited cavalry commander...

...and the reserve division threw a 1.

'weeeeeeeeeee' (oui)

So, on came the cavalry brigade...

'Oi, watch my crop!'

...followed by the artillery

Plus HQ, staff, C-in-C, his ADC's, teddy bear and spare tooth brush.

'Form square'

British cavalry speed over the hill...

Brits shake out into line and advance

..on come more French guns...

...the gunners...

...and the target...

Brigade HQ between skirmish screen and columns.

The French were remarkably quick off their mark

'You're right, red is not a good camouflage colour'

...but it was inevitable that the Brits would get the hills first

but could they do it with enough strength?

Billy 4, yes we have to number our Billy's, pointing out that he's been extremely clever with his British cavalry and trapping his French attackers

Meanwhile, on the British right flank, strength builds...

...despite the arrival of the reserve division...

British Heavies throw themselves at the French guns quite successfully

...now the mad dash of the infantry will decide all; arriving in strength, first.

forming line...

...with artillery to break up incoming formations

...but nothing puts off the clash of plastic!

'Oh! There you all are. Good show'

skirmishers out!

Here We Go

2011-11-16T21:22:00.001Z

Columns of infantry, cavalry and guns must move onto the field of glory before the clash of plastic can materialise. The hour approaches. Here are a few shots of the troops of both armies moving at the behest of their commanders and betters into the line.
Ah! the memories this invokes. The veteran Airfix move confidently along with the now seasoned and well rehearsed Esci/Italeri. Yet, the Hat Industrie, new and eager for a taste of action vie with the Zvezda for opportunities for glory. There are some though, odd, grizzled Warriors made of sterner metal of many a long year; elderly Minifig and occassional Hinton Hunt.

HLI follow on the Highlanders to the famous cry of 'Airfix forever'

An officers work is never done...an NCO has to do it for him.

Infantry in skirmish order cover the wood as the Hussars go by

Even the odd heavy squadron is mooching about the field

Fusiliers, Rifles, Shire Regiments of Foot all fussed over by anxious leaders

The beer is in...

...nibbles at the ready...

Johnny Franciose across the way is here...

'Hurry up, you'll be late'...

Frogs can see the Roast Beefs in the distance...

'Let them come, mon amis'

Voltigures doing their speedy best...

The 'Beau Filles' are on..

...the lights...

...and the 'Gross Freres'...

Not long now...

Kirriemuir 2011 Part Three - The stuff I didn't have room for in parts one and two because everything was great and I'd taken too many pictures

2011-11-14T18:50:00.000Z

Well, the title says it all...and a lot more besides.

Something 'orrible is kicking off in our (or someone else's) dystopian future. Then again it's on a planet far, far away and therefore too expensive for even our government to get involved in. Beautifully done though.

Back on Terra Ferma circa 1943, the gallant band of the Glasgow and District Wargames Club treated us to a display of 20mm WW2 with all the trimmings, which is just the way it should be.

Sicily, 'Fustian' the Paratroop part of 'Husky' (as opposed to the glider part 'Ladbroke') was faithfully recreated down to the villas and churches using the tried and tested Command Decision rules set beloved of this veteran club.

did you hear a bang dear?

One owner from new, some slight decoration needed

...and I say north is that way...

Paras shake themselves out for the action

These touches are, not just neat but, also a timely reminder considering the date of the game

"Did you hear that Hans?"- "No, we Germans are notoriously deaf, according to ze movies."

And baddies, you have to have lots of baddies.

Well done chaps, a jolly good show.

Kirriemuir 2011 Part Two - The Show

2011-11-13T21:48:00.000Z

In my former notification I mentioned the pro's and con's of the show...now for some detail.

The RAF Wargame Assoc. did a fantastic POW camp and did a participation game

The camp, prisoners, guards, escape routes and everything was in it.

It won 'best participation game'

This 28mm Dublin City Centre 1916 was really impressive

yards of building frontages...

streets, troops and armoured vehicles...

...and the enemy could shoot from any window or doorway...

and there were loads...

...and loads of windows.

Very pretty scenery for a 28mm American Civil War battle

Nice scenery and figures

with plenty going on.

Scratch built 15mm Chinese game, probably the single most impressive game of this scale I've ever seen.

This is the inner gate on the reverse of the previous shot

with camps, bridges and artillery positions outside...

...no scrimping on any part of this scene and that was just the front.

A sumptuous ECW knock about with more lovely vignettes and units.

A detailed 20mm WW1 style Russian Civil War foreign intervention scenario

The Buchan Wargames Group came up with this 28mm Napoleonic 'Crossing of the Berezina' in 1:1 scale. Possible because of the vastly depleted units of what remained of the Grand Army. Cossack units raid the survivors with the aim of the game being survival (for the French) and to get rich (for the Russians).

They spent a small fortune on fake snow but the results were really realistic. I was fascinated by the ice flows in the river.

...and by the frozen bridges. Sorry about the picture quality, please do not adjust you set.

A medieval scrap...

...going hammer and tongs...

...on one heck of a big polystyrene hill. Again in 28mm.

Another 28mm but this time WW2. A scene lavish with teddy bear fur.

Big Ted bears all for the hobby. Well, all's fur in lead and war.

Not a duff game in the lot but there are a couple more to go...tbc.

Kirriemuir 2011 Part One - The Battle

2011-11-13T17:13:00.000Z

First time for ages visiting the Kirriemuir show and this time it was held in the Kirriemuir International Indoor Fixtures Arena (local school) just across from the international airport (a field), the world renown football stadium (another field) and adjacent to the site set aside for the space centre (once they've moved the two coos they'll have space).

It had everything you need for a good show and more than most. Apart from a goodly selection of traders they had good grub at very reasonable prices, a fair size of 'bring-and-buy', plenty of games and demo's going on and a painting competition. A raffle raised funds for the Combat Stress charity.

My only complaint is that I got thrashed (at war gaming) as usual. Simon W. provided both sides of our 28mm strumash with that most famous Irishman Alexander the Great and his army versus Gupta's Indian army and emporium.

Al and Friends

Part of the jumblery...

Starting line up for India

...so too the Macedonians

Indian heavy infantry bow armed

Skirmishers to get the jumblery into contact

Impressive phalanx

Crack Macedonian unit led into action by an aging Gladys Knight and the Pips

...scrum in mid field

...which the Macedonians lose

....Indian cavalry waiting for the off.

On they come..

Chariots crash into light Parthian cavalry on Indian right flank

Jumblery advances but only supported by remaining skirmishers. Al does a sneaky swing out to the Indian left. He could have done just as well on the other flank as he was famous for swinging both ways.

Indian light cavalry support the chariots but keep a reserve

Smart Alex only has to face one unit of militia grade cavalry to expose the flank.

will Al be lucky or fall to the militia?

He's in the thick of the action

...but he breaks through with the (hair) style of Peter Stringfellow at the head of the crowd

Have the jumblery failed?

...well, yes, but although Al was through the phalanx had reached the line and won by a point before he could personally deliver the coup de grace.

Terrain again

2011-11-09T15:17:00.000Z

Mould and pat down the damp, but not wet, sand. The wetter the sand the longer it takes to dry.

This can be fun or laborious according to your child-like beach tendencies. Of course you can just go out into the street and drag in a couple of folk to do it for you.

Once it's all tamped down you need to start delineating features. Flock, sometimes called scatter is tailor made for the job. It can be expensive or you can make your own very cheaply,but in any case, you don't need a lot as it colours this section of the table (around 18' x 6') in about 2-3 standard bags worth.

Mix you different colours of flock to get the shades you want.

I recommend dark for valley floors and get progressively lighter in shade the higher the features become.

Virtually the same pic as last time but with the colour added it enhances the topography

Roads are often formally built or laid on the sand but tracks are easily picked out with light grey scatter. As you can see from this angle, picking out valley floor, slopes and high points is no problem.

Add a few copses and woods...best delineated by a heavier flock before putting down your trees in case you have to move them during the action to get the figures into the woods.

Denote absolute high spots with a bright or very distinctive colour

...and now it looks like your cavalry (courtesy of Billy C) is going somewhere

...in a hurry

Particularly at eye level sand terrain gives the impression that you can't see everything that is going on. The soldiers eye view is very different to that of the commander.

I use a periscope during our games quite often. Its utility is obvious but you can never be 100% sure about dead ground and hull down positions.

...and you just can't tell whether you're under the eye of the C.O. or not.

(With thanks to Billy C. and Colin L. for creative assistance)

Next, you fight your battle, well, d'uh! and if any one's interested in sand tables, mobile sand tables, making flock or has questions about the uses and limitations of sand tables then let me know and I'll try to help with some answers.

20th of November 'Clash of Plastic' report will follow.

Let there be terrain

2011-11-08T18:46:00.000Z

OK guys, break out the Marigolds.... hmm, yellow or pink? Here is how I make the terrain from scratch. We've all played on the beach at Blackpool on a wet Wednesday in August, wind blowing the lid off the butties, sand in the chips, ice cream licked from your elbow by the dog..aah, yes...those were the days absolute misery. Still that's where we all did 'sand castles 101'. Most of us then grow up and only return to let our kids bury us up to the neck. Not me. I got sand on the brain, probably via the mouth (should really have put a flake in the 99 instead) and war gaming on sand is really the ultimate.

1) Rake the dry sand loose with a heavy tarmac rake

2) The previous topography, once the sand has dried, is quite solid. It's well able to support figures and vehicles without disintegrating into dust.

3) Add water

4) Lots of water

5) Use the rake to do a general mix

6) Then, with your marigolds on to protect your manicure, do figure of eight motions and really mix in the sand and water until it's damp and mould able.

7) Once fully damp (not wet) rake it all level

8) Get out your map and, with the rake push and pull the sand into dips, flat areas and heights.

9) Then, with your gloved hands, smooth out the sand into the approximate undulations making sure that their are no extreme gradients. You don't need very high features to represent hills. It's easy to portray slight differences in height through different colours of flock.

10) Then pat everything flat...this takes a while but is worth it because it compacts the sand and when dry it's really quite solid and ready for colouring.

11) This is me just starting to compact. The hills and plains don't look much now but just wait 'till the next episode.

Gasp! Russians beat French Shock!

2011-10-06T22:19:00.001+01:00

...And not a picture to prove it. I'm devastated that at the hour of Russian triumph against the French tyrant we haven't a single photo. But fear not as here are some completely unrelated shots (continuing a recent theme) to go with a gushing description of the action.

These piccies are of Ferdy's Eylau battle at the Kreigshut...anyway, listen to this! Ferdy, Big Billy, Wide Billy, Wee Colin, the Cugmiester, Ross and I had a lightning game using Shako 2 rules. It's 1807 and the Russians v the French supermen; the object was to grab both sides of a town that straddled a river before our wives caught us playing with toy soldiers and beat us to death.

The more I play Shako 2 the more impressed I am. In two and a half hours we had a great game start to finish. The Russians got the RHS of the town almost at once and set up close defence but the LHS had to be fought for against fierce opposition. The main problem for the French investing the defended half of the town was that every time they sent messages to their cavalry wing...the messenger died. French honour was saved by an old lady on a donkey (I hesitate to say sitting on her ass) who finally got the order through. Alas it was too late to effect the support of the infantry attack.

Big Billy tried his best to address the issue by insisting that his infantry follow up his initial combat success. Alas, only cavalry can exploit in such circumstances in which case he became adamant that his forces could do this manoeuvre.We all had to explain that infantry don't have horses between their legs otherwise they would be cavalry.

Time pressed on and by move seven it was clear that General Ross had decisively, not only taken the LHS of the town but, smashed the French to his front. General Cugmiester had foiled the enemy in his attempt to envelope the left wing and that the town was firmly...ish held in the centre. It may have transpired that had the game gone on longer the RHS of the town might have been wrested from the Russians grip. This would have resulted in a draw. However, tough, the Russians won, huzzah! Long live the guy in the furry hat! And no amount of facial contortions can change it now!

Good laugh and great time had by all...winning or losing, and prospect of many more fast play games ahead.

And who knows, it may be that a campaign could spring out of Shako 2 in the future.

Danzig 1807

2011-09-29T22:38:00.002+01:00

Jolly good time had by all at Kriegs Hut game. I was sent, as I'd forgotten my camera, some piccies but all of the siege and not of the glorious French victory over the Russian relief forces! So, gentle ogler, you'll just have to imagine it....

Beautiful Danzig. Just off to the right my magnificent first move!

..and to the left of this you might have made out a staggeringly excellent infantry attack from my columns.

Oh, and just behind this siege scene the tactical brilliance of my cavalry brigades right hook behind his infantry!..(not pictured)

And the marvellous coup de grace of his artillery being slaughtered by my gallant cavalry...also not pictured

How spectacular! How sublime! Yet, alas you can't see it, the glory, the cheers, the crisps!

Needless to say..the French won again and my great victory was to be picked for the French team. You could say it was a frog gone conclusion.

All the same the Russian players did sterling work in an impossible (and I mean that sincerely folks!) position.

Auditions are now taking place for the next French victory.

Revolting Finale

2011-09-29T22:08:00.000+01:00

It became apparent that this was the finale. Hard as it is to admit...this one goes to the Colonists. The ground was very close (in fact you could walk on it) and the Colonists moved too quickly. Our house rule was that due to the fact that the Americans broke if they stood (9 times out of 10) then they should rout three moves and automatically recover. In twenty moves the Colonists did a Jesse Owens and the poor old Brits just couldn't keep up for fear of it setting them off again.

Official British formations could operate in the slow, close country but just not fast enough.

The French Allies made a stand and were royally humped.

...but the ground got denser...

...and denser. What they really need in that country are roads!

Good game fellas, but rules as slow as the going.

Revolting Ambuscade

2011-08-18T11:21:00.000+01:00

The Republic to Empire rules getting easier to handle and a further test is to be this latest scenario involving a dash to the river by the Colonials chased by the British in the hope of preventing their egress. Its a kind of preventative Colonial irrigation (pun intended) whereby ambush will hold back the advance of the red coats allowing escape.

The action takes place along the table, rather than across, so the frontage is only six feet. The distance for the Brits is around twelve feet but the Colonials engage straight away, as soon as the Brits are deploying onto the table, but this does leave them with about ten feet to go to get to safety.

The ardent hope is that an early blow while the enemy is still shaking out into position will buy the additional time needed and induce caution into British handling. The obvious notion is that the ambush could have been triggered much further down the table as the Brits would still have to shake out into an answering attack formation and the river would be nearer. However, this situation as it now stands could make for a very long game or a distressingly short and murderous one.

'Ok, OK, six and seven eighths, I believe you!'

On come the Highlanders of the 42nd

Preceded by the Welsh 23rd

'peek-a-boo'

Colonists appear to the front

Deploying the lights the Brits continue to advance to contact

'That hair style those Mohican's have got will never catch on'

One flank refused covered by lights

the line advance

More Colonists showing their hand...and cannon.

Cornwallis must bring on troops faster than the enemy can react to or be destroyed piecemeal.

The skirl of the pipes....keeps the flies off the horses.

Colonists attempt to spring the trap from the rushes

...covered by their own light troops.

Confidence is high...

...then they see the enemy.

Volley fire takes a great toll of the Brits. Maybe the tactic is working...

...no, it ain't.

The Welsh break through the front and the skirmish line dissolves...

'Ooh look, gold teeth...may I?'

...but not for long...

The cover gets thicker disordering the formed troops while the terrain feature remains to be crossed.

Brit skirmishers and Colonial line exchange lead presents.

'Did he have gold teeth?' - 'Nah! just heavy plaque!'

The initial strike is in the balance. Will Cornwallis break through and surround his attackers? Are the Colonists too deeply deployed for that? Can the Brits keep up the momentum? Will the US government abolish income tax? Is the Euro too strong? Will the shortage of available new holes stop polo mint production?

Tune in , same time, same place next week for no answers what-so-ever!!!

Bir Hakim falls!...Rommel fails!

2011-08-17T11:21:00.000+01:00

With apocalyptic consequences Rommel (that's Billy, but take your pick as there were five to choose from) gave away the initiative to the fast converging British and Indian forces rushing to contain the southern sweep of the Axis outflanking move.

True to form the Italian Ariete supported by the Chickeeni and Runawayzi Divisions got bogged down in the minefields. Jimmy, the only readily identifiable player, did stirling work trying to get the Italian logistical snafu into order for the widest punch possible through the mine field belts...wouldn't you know it, the Italian officers mess was without napkin rings for hours before a truck of wounded could be commandeered to bring them forward to the rear.

A considerable amount of attention was lavished on Billy's defence of the Bir Hakim position and, as you might image, a goodly number of the Huns fell before the Legions dogged defence. By the time Bir Hakim fell, I might add, to a man (toy soldier) the most potent and mobile of the DAK units were coming up against the main line of resistance supported by the armoured counter stroke.

In the humble (ha!) opinion of this ~~victorious~~ unbiased reporter DAK chances of any significant further advance was nil. Despite the usual interpretation errors (pokles) on the Axis side the Spearhead rule system (when applied) worked well but was eventually defeated by time and the sheer scale of the forces involved.

'After you, mien herr'

A line in the sand...literally.

DAK engineers take a beating to try and breach their objective.

Swarms or III's and IV's skirt the Bir Hakim defenses.

Italians into the first belt of mines...slow careful work. Fortunately the Italians didn't have tact under constant fire due to the concentration on BH

A Billy strikes at his attackers...unconscious Billy not pictured

It all got very close quarter

House red being delivered to BH kitchens via back door.

Constant air attacks from JU87's. Some were seen off by DAF interception and AA fire but most got through causing devastation.

Over running outer defences.

Support fully mobilised and moving to fill the danger route with fire power.

22nd Armd Bde moves through 4th Indian's positions.

'A hard pounding...eh, gentlemen?'

DAK frontal assault. But the resulting victory was perhaps Pyrrhic.

Italians still bogged down and yet have still to suffer counter attack once emerging from their technical predicament.

I, General Richie, resent being sacked halfway through as I was not very well and directed ops from a chair, through fits of coughing, growling, snoring and a temper brought on by the RN (medicinal) rum ration.

As usual Ferdy (Billy) was the perfect host. He fed us, watered us and even attended to the sick and wounded in pride. A great afternoon was had by all and, as ever, my thanks to all the guys for a really fun time.

Gazala Line in 10mm

2011-08-14T20:04:00.000+01:00

Well, would you Adam and Eve it! The Battle for the Gazala Line fought out on Ferdy's sand table on a hot August afternoon in Bonny Scotland....yeah! imagine that...hot afternoon in Scotland!

The Kreigshut resounded to the cries of middle aged men shouting 'Billy it's 27 inches not 32' and 'Stop yer greetin' ya big wayne 'tis but a game' followed by 'Who's eaten all the bhaji?' Ah, yes, semi grown ups at play.

Rommel the renowned Desert Fox ably supported by IL Duce's forces of under employed ice cream men scoop the Allied line by swinging around the open desert end of the minefields and defences (cheeky) isolating the gallant Free French outpost at Bir Hakim.

Whilst the Italians find a way through the mine field the Germans invest the forlorn French outpost and try their outflanking manoeuvre....

The German Italian approach march...note the real sand.

Carefully stockpiled German kit all set on breaking the Gazala line.

'I see no ships'... 'course you don't, it's the desert'

The assault teams rush forth towards the minefield belt

Panzer III's and IV's swing by the open end of the line (definitely not sporting)

Heavy weapons set up to pummel Bir Hakim into submission.

Bir Hakim, the fight back.

88's swing into action.

The corner position causes a slight congestion in the German advance.

...but the Italians have it sussed and start to apply more pressure with engineers, M13/40's, assault guns and infantry to the fore.

Stout defence by the Legionnaires hold back the Axis tide.

STOP PRESS+++STOP PRESS+++STOP PRESS+++

2011-08-11T21:58:00.000+01:00

Coming soon...WW2 in 10mm. Western Desert action from the revamped 'Kriegshut'. Swoon! in the desert heat of Renfrew, gasp! at the array of bottled beers, yawn! at the DAK winning again.

THEN>>>

Revolting Armies clash in ambuscade action. British 'search and complain' mission as Colonists evade to the river exit...

ALL THIS AND MUCH, MUCH LESS...Coming to a hysterical blog near YOU!

Revolting Battle - The End

2011-07-19T23:52:00.000+01:00

The British advance is parried by dogged Colonial firing lines

Colonials stand fast...looks like they may stop 'em

FIRE!

The Scots pull back staggered by shot. The drilled Colonials fill the gap with an exhuberant charge.

...only to find themselves facing a reformed line and half their compatriots blown away or fleeing.

"Steady the 42nd."

Meanwhile France's contribution of first rate troops come up against the 64th Line. The support fails to charge home and it's a fight to the finish for the redcoats and le blancs.

Superior fire power and stoicism (certainly not tactics) win through for the Brits.

The left flank routs from the field...

"Glad that's not me out there."

...watched by their CinC.

"Away the lads"

Regiments demolish each other

but the outcome is not now in doubt.

"Blimey, where's everyone gone?"

Oh, I think we've won

The French advance to the rear. Both wings have collapsed and the redcoats are still coming. Still plenty survive to fight another day.

Thanks to Alan C. for the use of his fine figures and for wearing a tie to a wargame...puts the rest of us slobs to shame.

Intermission...Q musak...and enjoy.

2011-07-18T13:33:00.000+01:00

This is my prototype for Napoleonic French Brigade HQ

The figures are Italeri from their set 6066 and the mounted figure is Airfix but riding a metal horse (a spare horse from the old spares box). Anyone recognising the make of the horse please let me know as I'd like more.

The Italeri set is useful for HQ figures as there are plenty of officers, standard bearers and drummers.

Revolting Battle

2011-07-18T00:11:00.000+01:00

We've got a revolting battle going...American colonists, whine about tax (yeah! we were going to keep the French out for free!) and instead of saying "Fair enough, we really didn't want to have to learn French and eat disgusting food so here is a small contribution for all your blood and treasure..thanks awfully." Talk about a bunch of ungrateful, nimby, dodgy blanket flogging, language chewing.....well, you get the general idea. Would you Adam and Eve it, they declared some kind of new fangled independence malarky and (teddy out of the pram) it's war.

So, milords, ladies and gentlemen, in the red corner sporting the wigs, history and body lice and fresh from kicking the frogs up and down the high street The British 'Redcoats' Army. And introducing in the blue corner from the Eastern seaboard of the new world sporting wigs, parochialism and body odour, the Continental 'Fringe sleaved' Army.....there seconds a re the Royal Navy and Lafeyette French Army units...the ref for this bout is history and your time keeper is the grim reaper (who always makes a profit at these events).

For comedy value we are using the Republic to Empire rule system with AWI amendments....so, seconds out, round one...ding! ding!

On come the Brits, slightly out numbered but with high hopes of ending up one legged match sellers in Regent Street.

M. Boom, the French artillerist and music hall turn opens the batting.

The sneaky British tactic...

...is to march in two ranks...

...right up to the enemy...

...while being shot at...

...by every weapon in range...

'Send quickly to the train de la baggage and retrieve new underwear'

...thereby, soaking up all the enemy's ammunition!!

The Americans oblige.

assisted by the French. But as the lines get closer skirmishers have less ground to play in and the inevitable exchange of fire at point blank approaches....unless somebody blinks.

Scots don't blink

'Tam, whit ur they 'trollies' they on aboot?'

Soon enough push comes to shove.

Suddenly the order is given.

'Would you mind awfully getting so fresh trolleys from the old baggage what!

Le Tondu Surprise: French Win Again!

2011-03-25T20:56:00.001Z

Our on the spot reporter got the news first hand from the combatants. He caught up with Davout queueing for wine and cigarettes for the post battle cafe philosophy discussion....Gitianes or Gauloises and the root of dialectic materialism.

Oui, I, Davout held zee Russian left flanking attack long enough to engage zee centre (oui, zee centre not zee 'middle' zee 'orrible eengleesh word) an' I just cuffed the Russian artillery wiz ma cavalry.....What do you mean 'run out of Gauloises' uh? Zen I'll 'ave 20 Gitaines....So what we never got ze redoubt! I just told zem we already gat one!

Next our reporter tracked down Buxhowden in the 5 star 'Ye Olde Pratzen Heights Dacha and Grill' (Karaoke night Thursdays 7pm to midnight) about 3 miles from Moscow.

Battle!..what battle? Here where's the corkscrew? (hic) anyway I said...stan' still, an' I'll tell ya....(hic) but no, why waste it (hic) 'coz that serf is standin' at an angle... aren't we? (hic) I really loved that 'orse...it was my (hic bestest mate in all the (hic) world....true story by the way.

So there you have it. Eye witness accounts of the action at Austerlitz.

And now for the pictures.

Fog and mist today's Austerlitz duo

A combination of sand and mat

Cavalry ride out of the mist

Caisson hits tree. Insurance details exchanged.

French hit road..the long climb.

Buxhowdens 'carry out' ambushed

...but cavalry retrieve situation

Redoubts forward defence

Dice to rear make Russians nervous

Nervous? No sir, that was the horse.

The General contemplates

Russian Guard

Waiting for the off.

Column of attack...vive l' emperor

Battle heats up

Russians swing out...

...and to the right

Threatening the hinge between the forces on the hill....

...and in the valley. But it fails when the French cavalry catch the guns in transit. Anyway we were all hungry by then and Buxhowden had the munchies.

I was going to post a picture of the participants but the laws of common decency apply to this blog....maybe next time.

Thanks chaps...great game, great day.

Republic to Empire Weekend

2011-03-20T18:34:00.000Z

Allow yourself no preconceptions when going on a war games weekend for the first time. I had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. The following photo's are from a final selection of over 300.

It was a 28mm version of Borodino (the middle bit)

Artillery by the brigade

Beautiful 2ft by 2ft scenic terrain squares

Lovely trees...

..and guns

and positions, with more guns

...and guns...

plus artillery....

Russian infantry under fire from the Grand Battery...

Advancing French infantry

and more guns...

..of the Great Redoubt

and lots more French

...and did I mention that there were a great many guns?

...and Russian Infantry..

did I mention guns...

..and fletches with guns?

Probably not...so, just to recap, there seemed to be some artillery present.

Of course the standard of the figures and the paintwork speaks for itself.

Superb doesn't really describe it nor the photo's show it to its full extent.

The 'off table' Grand Battery (even more guns) was allowed some sobering salvos upon the Great Redoubt...

...reducing it to mince and roughage.

Cuirassiers a plenty

Table 1 of the two, each 12ft by 6, experienced the lions share of the combat.

but a jolly time was had by all, unless you rolled a lot of 'ones' in which case there was a well stocked bar.

At the end of the day it was all so jaw droppingly sumptuous an eye fest that there was always something to see even if you hadn't much to do.

The R2E rule set coped admirably with all the permutations of eventualities

..not once, in a very crowded and complex battlefield scenario, did we have to resort to the old 'let the dice decide' routine. Testament to the rule set in my opinion above this fact was how quickly you could be brought into the action within a move or two....of course, as with any other scenario, there has to be some action for you to get into.

You also have to be a priority of some sort in order to benefit from the 'movement pip' hand out part of the mechanism.

Don't get in a tizz it's a sugar cube

They're pretty, but can they fight?..Oh, yeah!

The scenario was cleverly applied. Each flank of the game was rolled up separately and its effect felt in the main game by the addition or withdrawal of support.

Here is a good example of the only aesthetic glitch in the rule set...marker overload.

...but it does allow for large games such as this one. And we did get very historical results.

Positions were lost and regained with the frenetic regularity of the real battle and by the 'original' units.

Stop the charge, I want to read the flag.

watch the birdy eh!

There was no 'recycling' of troops just hundreds of them arriving at preordained turns.

If you've never been, you owe it to yourself to go once. A whole weekend of spectacular war gaming in comfortable surroundings what could be better?...except victory, of course.

My thanks to all.

Oh, what fun we had.

2011-02-15T11:25:00.001Z

Le Tondu provided us with a good fun game. The biggest confusion of the day was caused by the fact that four out of eight players answered to the name 'Bill'.

It was a good job that Bill, the author of the rules, was there to interpret the nuances.

Only being responsible for the terrain, as I thought, I had to think up the objective on the hoof. I chose the bridge and live to regret it.

Fortunately for the French they turned up with an army composed entirely of elite and guard units. For those who know any Bill know the score. The Anglo-Russo-Brunswick troops did well but died in droves. Someone of supreme incompetence made the most basic of errors (me) and France won the day....now there's a phrase you don't hear often.
The day was marred by the fact that Bill had a break in during the week and the thieves made off with 3,000+ figures. Obviously, anyone being offered hooky gear or recognising Bill's classic stuff on the www should contact the Strathclyde Police so that, hopefully, Bill will get his kit back and the villains will get time at Her Majesty's pleasure in the Bar-L. The clowns tipped the collection into bags so figure condition may make you suspicious. So, 28's, 25's, 15's ancient to Napoleonic keep your eyes and ears peeled for the well being of our hobby and friends.

And back to Allied disaster or to French victory, whichever takes your fancy.

The field was strung out over 18ft of table with the main road on the left and the bridge on the right. France opened the batting and we were off....enjoy.

'Many hands make light work' is not just the motto of the Chinese Electrical Union.

The gap where the rest of the Russians were due to come on.

95th break through French front and get into the gun line.

French Allied cavalry trying to restore the situation.

New Italeri French do stirling work.

One squadron of Polish Lancers destroy a Regt. of KGL Hussars

Polish column advance on Russian line screened by voltigeurs.

Manouvres.

Cuirassiers fall on light dragoons.

HLI shake out into skirmish formation supported by Highlanders and Russian artillery.

Invisible gunners serve French superguns (and no, I'm not bitter)

Enfiladed French Allied column.

Impervious French Cuirassiers drive all before them (no, I'm still not bitter) and get to the edge of the bridge.

Despite Allied victory on the right the French carry the day on their right.

Despite everything a good day was had by all

Le Tondu: All quiet on the eastern front...so far.

2011-02-11T15:16:00.000Z

Super punch up planned for this Sunday afternoon (DV). Some of the Glasgow Phoenix Club are coming down to the seaside for a visit.

Sleepy countryside, farms, rolling hills and not a soldier in sight. (View from hill top over farm)

In the village word has got round and there's no one to be seen

Even in the fields and on the hills the locals have fled. The pink heather patches denote the tops of the hills that dead ground and high points can more easily be identified.

They want to watch the whole thing on TV...Here come some Brits (Airfix)

Are we nearly there yet?

But 18 ft away the French and there Allies arrive (Revell cav, Italeri inf left and Hat inf right)

'Sound the runawayski'

Russian Guard Cossack patrol (Zvezda) surprised to see hunnards of cavalry. Spare underwear in saddle bags.

The tip of the French iceberg (Hat, Zvezda, Italeri, Minifig, the occassional Warrior and the odd Hinton Hunt.

Forever indebted to Roy B. who painted these Nassau's before our humungous Waterloo game of 1995.

The Russian recce arrives 13 battalions strong...yup, just the recce troop.

Martian joins Allied army

Anglo Russian Army arrive...typical, the loo is blocked and they've run out of pies already.

I always do zis, I get all dolled up and then we go walking around in zee mud.

Old guard appear, best dressed spectators in the business, must be getting on for kick off.

Roll up, roll up, come and see why it's better to be a coward!

Battle report to follow.

Storage

2011-01-31T11:53:00.003Z

More piccies of my latest French. I could get quite used to painting the line infantry, even the artillery but the cavalry is just plain hard. Still practice will make it easier. This years modelling project is (Deo Vollente) to build up a Nap French army between three of us to 60 line battalions (36 figs each) 12 light battalions (36) 12 light cavalry regiments (24) 12 heavy cavalry regiments (32) 9 foot batteries (1 limber, 1 cassion, 4 guns and 16 gunners per battery and 6 horse batteries (ditto). In a word NOCHANCEATALL but set the bar high and we might get a proportion. Notice gentle reader no mention of any guard units. The reason for this omission is that the world and his wife have guard units (especially French Imperial) coming out of their proverbial ears and anyone joining in the fun would alomost certainly already be replete with them...yes, even me, the Napnovice know how many times the guard fought....not worth the paint. Having said that I must get some Old Guard immediately.

look ma..no hands

aprez vous m'suer

stop at the wall

Protect the stuff, at all costs, protect the stuff...It's bad enough people actually TOUCH your stuff but far, far worse is when it gets damaged. But lets face it stuff gets damaged usually by YOU..yes, you know who you are...vandal! I used, in the olden days, to have a cupboard in which to shove stuff. Unfortunately my wife also knew and so when we had visitors everything was thrown into this cupboard the instant visitors approached the front door. One sad day the inevitable happened and I saw an item sail through the air, through the half opened door and neatly flip a try of 20mm German infantry all over the place just as the door was slammed shut on an LMG team. Our visitors couldn't be expected to understand the stoney and shocked silence of that long evening interspersed with a gently weeping host laying a wreath and kneeling reverently at an airing cupboard door. Now wipe that tear from your eye gentle reader and I will show you my Napoleonic answer (again) but surfice it to say WW2 figures are locked in their own steel cabinet trays with a sturdy lock at least 60 yards and two fire doors away from children, pets, disinterested friends and relatives and viewed by appointment and invitation ONLY by friends who first undergo a training and vetting proceedure (white gloves optional)....no pressure.

Paint

2011-01-28T12:27:00.000Z

I must say I do like to paint.

While we've been testing out new (to me) rule sets for the Napoleonic period I have been busy. The many old Airfix figs I still had unpainted and stacked in shoe boxes at least deserved to be finished before buying some of the newer figures by Italeri and Zvezda.

I think they still look ok en mass and are easy enough to paint. I think they will match in ok with what I plan next, not more Airfix but some of those rather smart Italeri 6066 French Inf. They are bigger figs but, from above which is the aspect wargamers see their armies, they have decent size hats. This is not the case with the 6002 French Inf. from the same firm. Another tempting, similarly sized, fig belongs to the Hat Industrie 8095 French Inf 1808 - 1812. There is a really useful comparative size facility on the excellent and highly recommended Plastic Soldier Review site.

I have taken the average Battalion to be 36 figures and set at painting with a will...although a brush is easier. Storage is via box files which hold 7 x inf bn's, about 4 x cav regiments (24 - 32 figs) or several batteries of artillery depending on the number of limbers and cassions per.

So...so far, 6 bns inf, 10 cav figs (just learning the process) and 7 artillery pieces with four crew each so far...

Vive le Airfix! en avance mon 'Umbrol!

VBCW (Very British Civil War) Christmas Interlude

2010-12-30T15:49:00.000Z

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas....and off we went to Tom's house?..Palace?...Aladdin's cave of modelling and war gaming treasures for a game of VBCW 28mm an alternative history scenario. Basically, for those unfamiliar with the tall tale, King Ed refuses to abdicate over foreign divorced bird, HMG falls, constitutional crisis, polarisation of opinion forces civil war between extreme and fragmented groups, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah...Here in Scotland Socialist Worker readers take up arms against Herald readers with Beano readers stuck in the middle and Peoples Friend readers knitting balaclavas for both sides (Can't readers have to wait half century for Sun to come out)

Great day had by all and here are the piccies.

Gather 'round the banner boys! We fight the capitalist system with the random results decreed by the accident of dice

Leaders will be decided by secret ballot, with election campaign of no less than 6 weeks, open to all ages and genders of persons regardless of ability, disability, stupidity,mobility and liquidity..so long as the don't have a posh accent

On come Royalist group and are ambushed by Communists from woods

Out flank wood skirmish to destroy transport and head for objective..the farm.

Hero of the woods cornered and captured

Everyone else stays hidden

well hidden

'Ello, what's all this 'ere then?

Royalists spot socialist dominating good fields of fire centre of table

Redoubt manned (personed) and determined to fight

Fascist militia supporting women's institute lay down fire and attempt to cross field

Meanwhile, socialists counter attack royals coming up from woods

Follow me, I'm drunk

and destroy unit

After gun battle royalist charge, outflanking the defenders of the centre redoubt

No! no! Not charge, I meant run away!

But the out flankers are outflanked by the 1st Bn the Ironic Regt.

Fascist attack...with incredibly light steps

1st Bn Twinkle Toes Regt (helium coy)

Ha! Vee huns have zee farm!...bagsy all der eggs!

German mercenaries supported by the black and tans overrun the militia holding the farm

The game is lost but the socs still frantically try to recapture the farm despite the crazy odds

...and get slaughtered to a man.

"Sorry chaps...am I too early for WW2?"

OK, so he has loads of cool stuff

Debrief was over nibbles, beer and chinky. Great day.

Le Tondu Familiarisation Continued

2010-12-22T15:10:00.000Z

So....moving slowly along then, Napoleon's favourite adage is adhered to by the Old trousers. J'attack! Le roast boeufs watch them come on in the same old way and.......

British movement column wheels behind 9pdr gun battery to support the occupation of the built up area at right of centre.

Left wing cavalry clash Light KGL and Union Brigade squadrons against lancers

oopsy!

18th Hussars charge to the guns...only to replenish the French gunners supply of horse meat burgers.

Mon Generale! did you see how far zee busby went? And it still 'ad zee 'ead in eet!

Note to self..no charging guns.

French cavalry press their attacks relentlessly...

Blimey! that 'ead eet eez steel rolling.

Oui, oui, I 'eared you play charge zee last time.

Gallant French attempt to hold the flank with their cavalry whilst using mass columns to force the issue in the centre and left of centre.

Two columns made up of three battalions each, supported by artillery, advance past the farm

I get a horse that thinks it's a botanist

Surprise! Come and get it.

usual cavalry repellent

tally ho!

More soon...

Preperation Prevents P*** Poor Performance

2010-11-16T23:49:00.000Z

The excellent rule set by Fernando called 'Le Tondu' are having an outing as the first game on the revamped sand table (24 feet by 6 feet of mouldable joy) even though we've spent no time on terrain as yet. The need to play was just too great. So, before we attend another Phoenix Club event we practice PPPPP and go over the points again. What better way to whet (yes, this is a proper word....look it up) our appetite than to just chuck 1200 figures on the sand and GO.

Guns, you gotta have guns.

Cavalry too...loads of cavalry

OK, light cavalry as well....

French, you gotta have the French otherwise you'd just have to find someone else to fight. And it might not be as much fun as fighting the French. You might have to fight the Spanish and that means you'd have to wait ages for them to turn up....

Yes, yes, lots of French.

Good, it's looking more like it now

Now then, lets throw the dice (you didn't expect us to resort to fisticuffs did you?)

More, oh, so much more, next week.

While we're waiting.....

2010-10-13T23:59:00.000+01:00

Frankly, while we're waiting to fight a new game, I thought I'd run through some previous game shots to show that big games aren't always line up and bang, bang. Sometimes it's a 'find your best position' kind of game. Here are a couple of oldies....

No street lighting in the desert

"Easy on the recoil Hans. My boss wants his truck back tomorrow"

"Left a bit..."

"I should have gone the last time we halted.."

"I spy with my little eye...."

"Very funny, two icecreams please.....push off."

Bridge over troubled water?

"Cut that out. I don't care what he called you driver..we're not bulldozing the red cap"

"And I'm tellin' ya it's this way"

"Niet comrade, horses are not like cats, they love water...trust me, I'm a Cossack."

"Hah! Just follow the tank, he says, I know where I'm going, he says."

"Yeah, yeah, I here ya...hurry up and wait"

...and so it goes.

I See No Ships

2010-08-16T16:54:00.000+01:00

At long last we launch our table..God bless her and all who play on her. It is with great thankfulness and relief that play time has been reestablished and all is well with the 20mm world.

I see no ships

The table is 162 square feet of joy...six square feet added by removing the previous 'bite' near the door end.

Game area added to by removal of store room. Now 60sq ft more to keep things I'll never get round to building and painting in.

I still don't see any ships

Now stuff can get properly lost in the game, not just imagined not to be there...truly lost.

Ah! there you are

Line astern of RN cruisers.....honest

told you

How embarrasing to be overhauled by an LCA, 20mm or not

now just to add 2 tons of builders sand and we're cooking with...sand. Of course, you know why I paint the surface blue but you would be amazed at the number of people that I have to explain it to.

Next time.....The star of the show.....SAND

also

The burning question!

Should the blogs name be changed to something easier to remember?

NO! I hear me cry. I won't know what buttons to press.

COMING SOON...to a screen near YOU!

2010-06-25T10:59:00.000+01:00

The new and improved....wait for it.....wait for it.....WARGAMING SAND TABLE!!!

Featuring-------------24 feet of imperial sized joy.

Also featuring--------Weathershield Dulux 'Realistic' sea coloured base.

And starring the all new 'STREAMLINE' design in modern and sophisticated 'SURROUND TABLE'.

'SIGH' ...AT THE POSSIBILITIES.

'GASP' ....AT THE ENORMITY OF IT ALL.

'WONDER'...WHY IT TOOK SO LONG.

'YAWN'.....WHY YOU SHOULD BE BOTHERED.

...and, of course, starring the one and only.....SAND.

(Warning: Playing with toy soldiers may not be as exciting as this trailer makes it out to be. Not for children under 40. Wargaming may cause divorce, laughter, loss of earnings and hair loss.)

Huzzah!

2010-05-20T19:35:00.000+01:00

The human wave tactic is drowning the enemies of the Motherland in blood...mainly ours, but what the hey, no plan's perfect.

Russian tanks break through the defences and begin to turn the flank

try and hit their dice

caught in the open German infantry is bracketed by HE and raked with MG fire

Sings "I'm so wonley..."

Obliviuos to all but revenge the Russians sweep on

Ah! The expected German counter attacks armour appears

Will the heroic defenders of the glorious revolution be repulsed?

"To the right lads, to the right...more smelling salts"

Left arm developes PzIV fingers

We must get bigger wheels for this thing...I hate the five year plan for casters

Onwards, onwards...

Incoming Tide

2010-05-06T20:36:00.000+01:00

PBI charge following up the armour

Time is of the essence in this game. Getting to grips with the enemy restricts his movement and his initiative in his possible responses. Easier done with RF than BKC. Having said that, RF tends to produce the spectacle of armour running willy-nilly all over the battlefield refusing to do things and acting like Italians faced with a choice of unpalatble food or unstylish clothing. BKC produces the statuesque inaction of an orders cock-up.

light stug and leave to simmer

The left hand flank assault continues. Human wave tactics employed by unimaginative Russian commander (me) in an effort to oust the German defenders from their prepared positions asap and prepare for the inevitable German counter attack.

Casualties...what casualties?

all change underwear

T34/85's play at being KV1's...wire, no problem

Revenge!

room for a little one?

Hans wishes he hadn't forgotten his bumper pack of anti-tank grenades

We speed towards the enemy and his, as yet, hidden repost.....more to follow.

Cut the Rollbahn...we're trying to sleep.

2010-04-23T23:08:00.000+01:00

Here we go..ski

Cut the Rollbahn...operation does what it says on the tin really. Thanks to Colin we can play even when big table is sunning itself outside remembering what it was like when it was just a tree. We use the 'metric inch' 20mm which helps the ground scale so we can fight 6x4 like it was 8x6...come on, keep up. We're using good old Rapid Fire 1, nice to infantry and inf support, nasty to tanks and artillery...definitely a more infantrocentric rules set....hey, I just invented a word...ski.

Here they come..enzi

Heil der boss....forget that we're off...meister

Hurrah! for tankograd...ov

still Russian towards the enemy...inskiya

Wonder if we could ask comrade chairperson of the Zavod Imeni Stalina works to make the odd truck?..keep pullinski

more, more, MORE!...next week...tease eh?

T34 Quick Paint Job

2010-03-27T10:27:00.000Z

Three views of Hat Industries 1:72 plastic T34/76 in various stages of undress. You get two in a pack for about eight quid as of today's prices give or take. They are good workmanlike kits, easy to build and fine for larger units where you need a shed load.

If you are doing a temperate colour scheme then slap on some green paint. Make it light/mid green because the dark or bronze green colour scheme was a short lived Finnish War colour scheme...as far as my potted reading has taken me.

And 'slap' is the word. Expand the first group of three pics and you'll see it's a rough, fast paint job. Then, put 50/50 paint and water in your tin lid, jar, pallet or what have you and QUICKLY line everything. Where barrel meets mantle, hatches, grills, wheels, exhausts, joins, weld lines and anywhere that dirt might gather....look at the next three pics expanded.

Then the best technique you'll ever need...the dry brush! No,no stop crying, there, there it'll be OK....blow your nose and wipe your eyes it's easy...trust me, I'm a modeller.

Take the brush, large and soft (no, put that down. It's a roller) and dip it in very light grey paint, any really light grey reasonable quality paint. Then wipe of nearly all the paint on a cloth or paper towel....no, it's not a waste...the result is exquisite (good). Once you've done that draw a line on your thumb with the nearly dry grey brush and you should see your thumb print clearly highlighted (if you can't..too little, if you paint your thumb completely grey..too much). Once you see your print, bingo, you're ready. Turn the model upside-down and start on the bottom tracks (that's easier to hide if you've miscalculated) and then scrub the vehicle all over. Yes, all over and don't forget the end of the barrel as it makes everything with detail stand out....see the last three pics. You see, you get detailing and weathering in one. Easy. Looks like you spent hours detailing. TIP: Use acrylics, it's just quicker.

OK, questions?....if not then get on with it.

Horror Pictures

2010-03-22T11:49:00.003Z

More open plan than originally designed.

More still to come out ie floors completely, some more ceilings and, eventually all the walls.

World in a tin.....still, the bright side is that the wargames room will be extended in the corner by 60 square feet.

Again already

2010-03-17T18:31:00.003Z

More, more just give us more I hear you not saying. From days gone by...

28mm WW2 stuff

In the meantime...

2010-03-17T17:51:00.004Z

Game room totally gutted. Table de-sanded, pulled apart and wrapped in tarps in the back garden. walls floors and all fixtures and fittings pulled out. Dust and debris everywhere, wires hang from socket covers that dangle in mid air. A damp and cold atmosphere of hard to breathe heavy sodden still air pervades the gloom. Heaps of plasterboard, broken chipboard and splintered skirting create an erie and sullen landscape in a now unfamiliar and cavernous interior....woe and thrice woe....casm of despair.....

28mm Wild West anti junkmail campaign

28mm Russo-Finnish game from Shefield Triples once upon a year.

Stuart's convoy game..excellent homemade rule set, terrific fun.

Anyhooo never mind, it'll be grand when it is all back together! In the meantime here are some piccies.

...Oops

2010-01-13T18:32:00.002Z

The game came to an unexpected and precipitate end. Our table became more like the Crimea that originally intended. The mains pipe burst and the deluge was taller than the figures. Fortunately, they didn't need the ability to swim as the water just lapped gently around the table supports. Th fun began when getting the plumber out... "I've turned off the water...what's all this then?" "Ah, yes, well you see, it is a sand covered wargames table. I fight miniture battles on it using toy soldiers and enlisting my friends as generals...blah, blah, blah." Then the loss adjuster.. "Well it won't be cheap...and what's all this then?" "Ah, yes, well you see, it's a sand covered wargames table..." Then the salvage company chap.. "All this flooring has to come up...and what's all this then?" "Ah, yes, well you see..." Then the chippy.. "Can't do it before 2014...and what's all this then?" ""Ah, yes, well.." Then the Sparky.. "I can't get that type of cable any more...and what's all this then?" "IT'S AN INDOOR BEACH AND I WANTED TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE WITH THE TIDE IN!" "Well, I only asked..." Normal service will be resumed as soon a sanity kicks in.

...two

2009-12-19T15:58:00.004Z

Left flanking attack from the Romanians. The companies concentrate to give maximum impact to the assault.

They appear from the table edge straight into close action to their front. Such would have been the fighting at battles like Stalingrad.

Russians pull the neck in and keep quiet.

"Charge!"

German Forward Observation team on hand to cooperate with their allies.

"Radio report to HQ they're in, they're in...oh, yes they are!"

Bang, crash, wollop...boooom...tough old Ivan. the pantomime dame gets a nagant round in the neck

"Oh no they're not...."

Next time it's time for the magic carpet..bombing, oh yes it is...