tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7724171862717448662024-03-13T06:17:44.094-07:00Ogilvie Fetch that single malt from the liquor cabinet, pour yourself a chota peg, put taper to your havannah and sit back in your favourite armchair and return to a time when the Atlas was swathed in the red of the British Empire.
"Peace" is that brief, glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading. Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-34414044867515244752017-10-06T21:37:00.000-07:002017-10-06T21:37:28.136-07:00Pikeman's Lament testerAt one time 'The Strategists' shared a fascination for the English Civil War and many a pleasant hour was spent pitting 15mm Freikorps Round-heads against Royalists. The rules in vogue at the time were <i>Forlorn Hope</i>. They fitted the bill but as I recall quite a bit of time was spent adding and subtracting factors and such like and many a game ended in an inconclusive draw. As the clock got closer to midnight, thoughts of work and an early start put an end to further game-play.<br />
<br />
With the emphasis on quick-play rules these days <i>Dragons Rampant</i> and its numerous derivatives has gained favour with us for Dark Ages, Medieval / Samurai and now ECW with the Pike and Shot version, <i>Pikeman's Lament. </i><br />
Recently I had the good fortune to purchase a superbly painted and based Royalist ECW 28mm Army at an annual bring and buy. Obviously this rekindled my interest in ECW.<br />
Our first game went surprisingly well considering we had 6 players involved. Fortunately the rules do not differ significantly from the other versions other than unit stats and points values and a number of period flavour special abilities such as the <i>Caracole</i> for trotters and <i>Skirmish /Evade</i> for dragoons.<br />
Detractors from this 'one rule system suits all style of gaming' say that it does not truly represent the specific characteristics and flavour of any period. No doubt there's some truth to that but when you only have 2-3 hours of an evening to assemble the layout array the troops and fight to a conclusion we have found simple does the trick for club nights. Also the rules are easier to remember so you don't have to reinvent the wheel each time.<br />
<br />
The game was a simple "line up two relatively even forces against each other in an encounter battle and see how it plays out" type of thing. Purists shield your eyes as you will no doubt spot numerous Royalist flags merrily waving in the breeze on the side of the Parliamentarians.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2HIVKLitz4/WdhBW0vpSrI/AAAAAAAACDs/poyxzlZ66Eo---deFzVrHLN8SwD8mxtHwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2HIVKLitz4/WdhBW0vpSrI/AAAAAAAACDs/poyxzlZ66Eo---deFzVrHLN8SwD8mxtHwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royalist lineup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iIwmVYOsSa8/WdhBW7BmWnI/AAAAAAAACDw/uQ9yuZewzNUX9KlEqgBRKBt7EGs7x4mowCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iIwmVYOsSa8/WdhBW7BmWnI/AAAAAAAACDw/uQ9yuZewzNUX9KlEqgBRKBt7EGs7x4mowCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Parliamentarians arrayed for battle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The game started auspiciously for the Parliamentarians as their field gun tore a gash through the Royalist foot on their first shot. Much back slapping amongst the gunners...probably just happy the bloody thing didn't blow up in their faces.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkbdikEofDA/WdhHgDbF1AI/AAAAAAAACEA/E_ShUex9fwo2f1N2fD6kT3QxVzLYbcEfQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkbdikEofDA/WdhHgDbF1AI/AAAAAAAACEA/E_ShUex9fwo2f1N2fD6kT3QxVzLYbcEfQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jp5LyXvrIxY/WdhHgcysOlI/AAAAAAAACEE/YOzcki0u-IUE_YxdyvHOQadDVWS0Pb9FQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jp5LyXvrIxY/WdhHgcysOlI/AAAAAAAACEE/YOzcki0u-IUE_YxdyvHOQadDVWS0Pb9FQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break out the rum boys! Bang on first shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Parliamentarians arrayed themselves in the customary formation of cavalry on each flank and foot in the Centre. The Royalists, having somewhat less cavalry, dispensed entirely with cavalry on their right flank. Instead they chose to array all their cavalry on their left, clearly planning to smash through the enemies cavalry and break through on the centre from the flank whilst holding off the Parliamentarian cavalry with firepower and their sharp pointy pikes on their Right.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYpr4JjLHEE/WdhJfDixYaI/AAAAAAAACFM/zJtj_5oOsls6ErfHbC8Wq-bp76Lkvw8MACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYpr4JjLHEE/WdhJfDixYaI/AAAAAAAACFM/zJtj_5oOsls6ErfHbC8Wq-bp76Lkvw8MACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royalist field piece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7L3OiPQJd_4/WdhJg0iVCHI/AAAAAAAACFM/-MtAzr6wmBcbR5rsqJ2VSTHVa6FehqXeACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7L3OiPQJd_4/WdhJg0iVCHI/AAAAAAAACFM/-MtAzr6wmBcbR5rsqJ2VSTHVa6FehqXeACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Parliamentarian Left flank cavalry advanced to within pistol range of the Royalist and and successfully activated a caracole attack with the intention of breaking the enemies resolve and forcing them to give ground which would allow a follow up attack while the enemy had their backs to them. Unfortunately for the cavalry the infantry steadfastly held their ground despite murderous point blank fire from the horsemen and some choice anglo saxon cursing. A well aimed return volley sent the cavalry trotting back out of range to regroup in disorder and humiliation. Not a memorable first night appearance for my new troops.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4YY37DZ404w/WdhJ0vRdSwI/AAAAAAAACFM/9Lsmg276v4gIxsAJcykx5r1l3enSurgxgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4YY37DZ404w/WdhJ0vRdSwI/AAAAAAAACFM/9Lsmg276v4gIxsAJcykx5r1l3enSurgxgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royalist troops blast away at Parliamentarian cavalry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-616J-_tLI9A/WdhJ0ppNrLI/AAAAAAAACFM/A6md86CK6dEBwMNIDVnYd7SmCZPpMmVFgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-616J-_tLI9A/WdhJ0ppNrLI/AAAAAAAACFM/A6md86CK6dEBwMNIDVnYd7SmCZPpMmVFgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sadly for the Parliamentarians their gunners seemed to have been overcome with the success of their first round and decided to break out the rum thus all further shots flew wildly over the heads or fell short of the enemy for the rest of the game. The cooler heads of the Royalist gunners however prevailed and they repeatedly chipped away at the enemies neatly arrayed ranks of foot.<br />
<br />
The Royalists cavalry assault on their Left flank was met head on by the Roundhead cavalry who not only held their own but pushed the Royalists back. Several repeat attempts by the Cavaliers met the same fate and as the day wore on it was clear they were a spent force.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lmnCoXAb5M/WdhRzBX0wdI/AAAAAAAACFY/EPTfCJ-1lKocwrfX_FY6VYcyuvAKO24UwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lmnCoXAb5M/WdhRzBX0wdI/AAAAAAAACFY/EPTfCJ-1lKocwrfX_FY6VYcyuvAKO24UwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the centre both sides were within musketry range but the superior marksmanship of the Royalist musketeers and the ever increasing casualties from artillery had seriously affected the morale of the Parliamentarians and it was becoming impossible to activate them or rally them. It was clear a collapse in the centre was imminent.<br />
<br />
The Parliamentarian cavalry on the their left failed to get back in the fight and repeatedly refused their activation rolls which left the Royalist foot free to move to the Centre to assist their comrades to seal the Parliamentarian's fate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eslFapTWbPc/WdhRzYVBFjI/AAAAAAAACFc/xc1lIYlNFX4tK3dmVWjSabYSswyPfRQBwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eslFapTWbPc/WdhRzYVBFjI/AAAAAAAACFc/xc1lIYlNFX4tK3dmVWjSabYSswyPfRQBwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDoNxeDraGs/WdhJi28fYCI/AAAAAAAACFM/xOj92aWNTdgY-9rywr0_QoLR8-9OHSmqwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDoNxeDraGs/WdhJi28fYCI/AAAAAAAACFM/xOj92aWNTdgY-9rywr0_QoLR8-9OHSmqwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royalist Command</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma_8RElQpYM/WdhJii1f_WI/AAAAAAAACFM/gjIXbBIdq8QH2fWkyeWI3gbqrwyXWm2UQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma_8RElQpYM/WdhJii1f_WI/AAAAAAAACFM/gjIXbBIdq8QH2fWkyeWI3gbqrwyXWm2UQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliamentarian Commander pondering what went wrong?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6hIcm-jX8g/WdhJxs2zIgI/AAAAAAAACFM/hfoC0DcQeUUOjDmcziHVR8lrcNWSq9zOACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6hIcm-jX8g/WdhJxs2zIgI/AAAAAAAACFM/hfoC0DcQeUUOjDmcziHVR8lrcNWSq9zOACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cavalry at the trot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all we felt the rules meet our requirements admirably which are:<br />
Quick-play and bloody with no faffing about.<br />
Played to a conclusion in under 3 hours.<br />
Easily digested and remembered.<br />
Minimal book-keeping and referencing factor sheets (Continual adding and subtracting)<br />
Fun, fun, fun!<br />
<br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-38537946360788952142017-04-16T16:05:00.000-07:002017-04-16T16:05:31.171-07:00Easter Bolt ActionWargaming has taken a bit of a back seat for a while due to work commitments and some great motorcycling weather but with a wet afternoon looming what better way to while away an afternoon than a fast and furious game of Bolt Action with a mate. Some hasty assembly work and a quick spraycoat by Dave ensured that the Allies could add some armour in the form of a Sherman tank to their force.<br />
<br />
The game was a simple encounter between mixed armour and infantry elements of US and German forces somewhere in France.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7N2L5daY4s/WPPj2JIDubI/AAAAAAAACAs/rYRVigR9QigcBq-KnYt1bQWFSFs1rtLiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7N2L5daY4s/WPPj2JIDubI/AAAAAAAACAs/rYRVigR9QigcBq-KnYt1bQWFSFs1rtLiQCLcB/s320/IMG_4495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once objective markers had been placed on either side we began deployment.<br />
<br />
Taking the part of the Americans I made a bold dash forward with my half track to cover the crossroad. Two companies of infantry skirted the forest on the left flank heading for the objectives whilst another headed for the ruined building overlooking the crossroad and the remainder of the infantry and my sherman took a wait and watch approach on my right flank.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXRlvy9ZmvE/WPPnAetL-AI/AAAAAAAACBA/DmiQhlxanDUqyo622_Gp8pd7vihIP7B9ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXRlvy9ZmvE/WPPnAetL-AI/AAAAAAAACBA/DmiQhlxanDUqyo622_Gp8pd7vihIP7B9ACLcB/s320/IMG_4497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEyNRSzV-Mo/WPPnANO1uzI/AAAAAAAACA8/mgI97NjGrEQvelMCOSyhOLc_JPPCjf6ogCLcB/s1600/IMG_4501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEyNRSzV-Mo/WPPnANO1uzI/AAAAAAAACA8/mgI97NjGrEQvelMCOSyhOLc_JPPCjf6ogCLcB/s320/IMG_4501.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RM5ThrA5Qk/WPPm_qn0EjI/AAAAAAAACA4/Jkhc4K8YwoE1ujRc0jrpmgUh5HGH5VfXwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RM5ThrA5Qk/WPPm_qn0EjI/AAAAAAAACA4/Jkhc4K8YwoE1ujRc0jrpmgUh5HGH5VfXwCLcB/s320/IMG_4496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It wasnt long before the Germans showed their teeth. Their scout car advanced up the road to challenge my half track but fortunately he only managed to inflict a pin on it. On the German left a Panzer IV poked its nose out of the woods and drew a bead on my stationary Sherman. An incredibly lucky shot tore through the turret completely blowing it off its mounting and effectively putting paid to my armour support on that flank....great.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4Bw9yHRywI/WPPo2TZRYxI/AAAAAAAACBQ/R85y5ylGzpQiM0-oaBkt-xS2Ppe7hczJgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4Bw9yHRywI/WPPo2TZRYxI/AAAAAAAACBQ/R85y5ylGzpQiM0-oaBkt-xS2Ppe7hczJgCLcB/s320/IMG_4508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8q9gAvEQvE/WPPo2E-krJI/AAAAAAAACBM/hwux55u895o04X8tEI_IohQP8pCnYEnaQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8q9gAvEQvE/WPPo2E-krJI/AAAAAAAACBM/hwux55u895o04X8tEI_IohQP8pCnYEnaQCLcB/s320/IMG_4509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Dave's Germans took a more cautious approach preferring to defend their objectives whilst pushing forward on their left to seek out my objectives.<br />
<br />
By turn 4 Dave still hadn't suceed in dealing to my half track and the half track's HMG was having little effect on his scout cars armour, however my bazooka team made a courageous break from cover to loose off a shot from round the corner of a building at his scout car. Kaboom!... a direct hit.<br />
There's a lesson here...bazookas are lethal. Thay have a handy range combined with massive armour penetration and have the advantage of stealth. I will be adding another team to my force in future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpddN3n9K-8/WPPr7GHd5OI/AAAAAAAACBc/05FnTCn3at0phNVumcXQJPJs26sbA1EvgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpddN3n9K-8/WPPr7GHd5OI/AAAAAAAACBc/05FnTCn3at0phNVumcXQJPJs26sbA1EvgCLcB/s320/IMG_4517.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on my left flank my one of my companies had made it to the cover of the stone wall facing the copse with one of the objectives whilst the other unit, who were furiously sprinting across the open field wer the target of a lethal fusilade from the forest directly in front of them. The germans inflicted 3 casualties forcing me to go to ground.<br />
Some good news though was that my mortar had zeroed in on the germans in the other copse and landed a round directly on them taking out two of them. This unsettled my opponent somewhat as this would make defence of his objective untenable at this rate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8M1SosLPnkM/WPPvslx6ffI/AAAAAAAACBo/1v4ztiXzWgsrUy9cMMnDX-CnaMokL6SrwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8M1SosLPnkM/WPPvslx6ffI/AAAAAAAACBo/1v4ztiXzWgsrUy9cMMnDX-CnaMokL6SrwCLcB/s320/IMG_4499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeQRnSmmTjQ/WPPvtPiSLQI/AAAAAAAACBw/sE-Q5saij9EfIocmx5OakljII-meRaffwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeQRnSmmTjQ/WPPvtPiSLQI/AAAAAAAACBw/sE-Q5saij9EfIocmx5OakljII-meRaffwCLcB/s320/IMG_4505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-239rTMyRZIE/WPPvswU4UpI/AAAAAAAACBs/XwEnLfU8WpksxR-8zPP8dD6kODo0IqQPACLcB/s1600/IMG_4507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-239rTMyRZIE/WPPvswU4UpI/AAAAAAAACBs/XwEnLfU8WpksxR-8zPP8dD6kODo0IqQPACLcB/s320/IMG_4507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Germans, realising that my right flank was weak decided to throw caution to the wind and make a thrust to capture my lightly defended objective. It fell to a company of GI's entrenched behind a stone wall to hold them up. With the combined firepower of the Panzers machine guns and his wickedly effective infantry MMG's the GI's days were numbered.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWXSZVYMA9Y/WPPzPqRJxyI/AAAAAAAACB8/jHYYdKc9kcIrT_ZcHGjtIx7KosG51lKjQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWXSZVYMA9Y/WPPzPqRJxyI/AAAAAAAACB8/jHYYdKc9kcIrT_ZcHGjtIx7KosG51lKjQCLcB/s320/IMG_4519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My only hope of success was to push on with my assaults on his objectives on the Left.<br />
I had three companies in position notwithstanding the fact that the one in the open field was pretty stuffed, despite exhortations and desperate attempts by my 1st Lieutenant to rally them! It was turn 6 and I had to act fast so I threw my relatively fresh company who had advanced to the edge of the copse into a close assault with the fanatical nazis tenaciously defending their objective marker. A furious melee erupted but sadly the GI's were no match for the Germans and despite what I hoped were overwhelming numbers they were wiped out by those nasty men in their pea pattern camo smocks. With no hope of me seizing an objective and Dave with his hands practically on an objective it was clearly a German victory. Well fought Dave and looking forward with anticipation to the next encounter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--42da8T516c/WPP28nbLQxI/AAAAAAAACCI/-cxyUbc08cgsOgaXowjT-8cJMALKgMPfQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--42da8T516c/WPP28nbLQxI/AAAAAAAACCI/-cxyUbc08cgsOgaXowjT-8cJMALKgMPfQCLcB/s320/IMG_4503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiZ293-Pw8M/WPP28srPZEI/AAAAAAAACCM/xVDAbYqRGAQsM7hmRV5I2Qe16tD6TTXzwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiZ293-Pw8M/WPP28srPZEI/AAAAAAAACCM/xVDAbYqRGAQsM7hmRV5I2Qe16tD6TTXzwCLcB/s320/IMG_4516.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I must say that Bolt Action V2 has really rekindled my enjoyment of WW2 skirmish level gaming. It's perfect for those midweek games where time is critical because the forces are small, setup is quick and game length rarely exceeds 3 hours.<br />
<br />
Oh well must fly... I have to send off an urgent order for more bazookas ;-)Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-40398313731283217722016-10-16T02:07:00.000-07:002016-10-16T02:07:42.265-07:00First Bolt Action Version 2 game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KO5WAbLnyAw/WANBPNgf_hI/AAAAAAAAB_g/B5GVSXPRQskZfV94Hko63odolEGaTieZQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KO5WAbLnyAw/WANBPNgf_hI/AAAAAAAAB_g/B5GVSXPRQskZfV94Hko63odolEGaTieZQCLcB/s320/IMG_3799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Having just finished some American Paras and US infantry it seemed a perfect opportunity to try them out against Dave's Late war Germans. A quick read of the new Bolt Action 2 rules and we were straight into it with numerous references to the rules to nut out the finer points. As usual with any first time trial of a new set of rules we failed to reach a conclusion and only got through four moves but even at this early stage it was becoming apparent that the Americas were heading for a hiding thanks to a reckless move with their Stuart which paid the price for getting too close to a panzerfaust and a succession of rubbish dice rolls. The Germans moved rapidly into the village to take up a strong defensive position with good fields of fire whilst the Americans struggled to make headway through the hedgerows. As soon as they emerged fom cover they were cut down by accurate enemy fire.The American Forward Observer repeatedly failed to zero the artllery in on target which didnt help matters.<br />
Although we ran out of time we did get a good handle on the new rules and were particularly impressed with the new command rule "you men snap to attention" which allows your HQ command officer to draw up to four additional command dice depending on rank when his dice is drawn. My first Lieutenant was allowed 2 dice and a command radius of 6" whilst a Major would be allowed 4 dice and a command radius of 12 inches.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUBPgQcAdbs/WANBrzNAF4I/AAAAAAAAB_o/2yc9GYAJscEMSjzBEZ2W6oAQiTK-o6uuACLcB/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUBPgQcAdbs/WANBrzNAF4I/AAAAAAAAB_o/2yc9GYAJscEMSjzBEZ2W6oAQiTK-o6uuACLcB/s320/IMG_3796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLdiVfxyxJE/WANBry2OW9I/AAAAAAAAB_k/c_s4DFlFVOwgST2LDnV5enmpI8kneZEWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLdiVfxyxJE/WANBry2OW9I/AAAAAAAAB_k/c_s4DFlFVOwgST2LDnV5enmpI8kneZEWwCLcB/s320/IMG_3800.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdg6uB5bEoc/WANBsEdnSWI/AAAAAAAAB_s/eqGP5rnriFs5s9TZA8j0ElvFQBJqe8eLACLcB/s1600/IMG_3806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdg6uB5bEoc/WANBsEdnSWI/AAAAAAAAB_s/eqGP5rnriFs5s9TZA8j0ElvFQBJqe8eLACLcB/s320/IMG_3806.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofn029B8tAY/WANBtEwALnI/AAAAAAAAB_w/AijqsorqhwUo196MS05m4zWsMlFXBe1_wCLcB/s1600/IMG_3809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofn029B8tAY/WANBtEwALnI/AAAAAAAAB_w/AijqsorqhwUo196MS05m4zWsMlFXBe1_wCLcB/s320/IMG_3809.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JY68zhCf_-Y/WANCShXU8OI/AAAAAAAAB_4/nrVZPy4B7hgEF0P4fkCHpk0ApY7p0FgiwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JY68zhCf_-Y/WANCShXU8OI/AAAAAAAAB_4/nrVZPy4B7hgEF0P4fkCHpk0ApY7p0FgiwCLcB/s320/IMG_3715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LM2ZKow5_Ok/WANCS3uIkgI/AAAAAAAAB_8/4481IbPIXhoZHThOt4_4zRajhTrMzdmiACLcB/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LM2ZKow5_Ok/WANCS3uIkgI/AAAAAAAAB_8/4481IbPIXhoZHThOt4_4zRajhTrMzdmiACLcB/s320/IMG_3717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-49155973545590285282016-08-31T22:25:00.000-07:002016-08-31T22:25:20.639-07:00Sharp Practice up the Khyber<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVOZIFmzDVQ/V8ewUcJ1FVI/AAAAAAAAB-E/vriLdWyBTmENw2aN6qcz7-LFCEbCTCXJgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2884%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVOZIFmzDVQ/V8ewUcJ1FVI/AAAAAAAAB-E/vriLdWyBTmENw2aN6qcz7-LFCEbCTCXJgCLcB/s320/IMG_2884%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For our second game of Sharp Practice we chose the North West Frontier. We have gamed this using a Colonial adaptation of Bolt Action and also Black Powder but we thought Sharp Practice would lend itself well to the size forces we have at our disposal. The forces were calculated using the Army List kindly made available on the Blog, rabbitsinmybasement.<br />
<br />
The scenario was an attack defender game with the British launching a punitive raid on the naughty Tribesmen of the Nobugagozeer Valley in retaliation for stealing the Regimental goat and comitting unspeakable atrocities on said beast of which I am loathe to speak of in polite company.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZLZlHm8dS8/V8e2gv3YjPI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/bpGQ9YTCttEhkzKfCH1Wygs13AcC-madACLcB/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZLZlHm8dS8/V8e2gv3YjPI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/bpGQ9YTCttEhkzKfCH1Wygs13AcC-madACLcB/s320/IMG_3632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Brits, led by Major Cedric Raxworthy, comprised a mixed force of Brit regulars, Highlanders and Native infantry with a mountain gun for good measure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eteFPzIMHg/V8e2ziMFeeI/AAAAAAAAB-c/p3MseUhC1rkP1zNyszJOunGldxGADMCfQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eteFPzIMHg/V8e2ziMFeeI/AAAAAAAAB-c/p3MseUhC1rkP1zNyszJOunGldxGADMCfQCLcB/s320/IMG_3634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The natives were the usual mixed bag of deadly jezail-armed sharp shooters and spear chuckers with big choppers under the command of the old sheep shagger himself Ahmed el Khazi.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8Qpz-D9J4s/V8e3J1cpsRI/AAAAAAAAB-g/BujHfnOHHzgLvO0PWvdhcJxlXuoLXFBmQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8Qpz-D9J4s/V8e3J1cpsRI/AAAAAAAAB-g/BujHfnOHHzgLvO0PWvdhcJxlXuoLXFBmQCLcB/s320/IMG_2888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Once again we ran out of time due to still checking the core rules for clarifications when we encountered a situation we had not yet encountered and the fact that we were introducing a new player to the rules. We are confident we have a firm grasp on the rules after this game so we intend to refight this to a conclusion next week.<br />
<br />
Despite this we still managed to play around 6 changes of deck or 'Chapters' and had a rousing good time...more so for the Brits as their rapid and disciplined fire made mincemeat of the brazen tribesmen who inexpicably decide to go on the offensive rather than taking advantage of the excellent terrain and exposed themselves, if you'll pardon the expression. <br />
<br />
As in our last we game we quickly learned that successful application of your leaders and command cards can be utterly devastating to your opponent if you get it right.<br />
In one memorable instance the British Native infantry unleashed a controlled and crashing volley on a formation of tribesmen at close range and followed up with a round of cannister from the mountain gun inflicting 4 kills and no less than 12 shock.<br />
<br />
Next time we play this I am going to have a go with the natives but I intend to keep some troops aside near the deployment point to launch an Ambuscade and will adopt a strictly defensive stance hoping to eat away at the attacker with deadly fire from cover to such an extent that he will be played out by the time he makes it to the village as happened in the last two NW games weve played. Another good option for the defender would be fire from cover them melt back towards another section of cover and repeat the process.<br />
<br />
Now the obligatory pics:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_fRmBqDGhw/V8e6TtP4tfI/AAAAAAAAB-w/7tBejMKapkY0qF787NCXqWcabVqAvb8SwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_fRmBqDGhw/V8e6TtP4tfI/AAAAAAAAB-w/7tBejMKapkY0qF787NCXqWcabVqAvb8SwCLcB/s320/IMG_2896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7Tnf5T1EYc/V8e6mbudlXI/AAAAAAAAB-4/QEiYrEoYiV0wJx9ymsHprhJI3xzfVkvbQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7Tnf5T1EYc/V8e6mbudlXI/AAAAAAAAB-4/QEiYrEoYiV0wJx9ymsHprhJI3xzfVkvbQCLcB/s320/IMG_3631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-np5w0L6ilrM/V8e6oAZ4-LI/AAAAAAAAB_E/-jL0-fHdvzQl2JwuFt6U4UPsemrL7AfEQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-np5w0L6ilrM/V8e6oAZ4-LI/AAAAAAAAB_E/-jL0-fHdvzQl2JwuFt6U4UPsemrL7AfEQCLcB/s320/IMG_3635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBWmZb1PpjE/V8e6mVGQPaI/AAAAAAAAB-0/qzY7sr0wgq0LgVE-l04At5SRAAq5MXEEQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBWmZb1PpjE/V8e6mVGQPaI/AAAAAAAAB-0/qzY7sr0wgq0LgVE-l04At5SRAAq5MXEEQCLcB/s320/IMG_3636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uW4mpBOhhZU/V8e6ntqWY-I/AAAAAAAAB-8/AyJob4fciWQF3FnuRXh5HnTjQUHLqIQswCLcB/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uW4mpBOhhZU/V8e6ntqWY-I/AAAAAAAAB-8/AyJob4fciWQF3FnuRXh5HnTjQUHLqIQswCLcB/s320/IMG_3637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttZ31el2wmc/V8e6nw6saMI/AAAAAAAAB_A/TXDBiRCsFJ8afkzSzj8ZulJ9TLrUc1OtgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttZ31el2wmc/V8e6nw6saMI/AAAAAAAAB_A/TXDBiRCsFJ8afkzSzj8ZulJ9TLrUc1OtgCLcB/s320/IMG_3638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z1ynGz_cwc/V8e6ollo2QI/AAAAAAAAB_I/HmbKTa3h0FAIv9QLNgB_tkBjNgsnnmQDQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z1ynGz_cwc/V8e6ollo2QI/AAAAAAAAB_I/HmbKTa3h0FAIv9QLNgB_tkBjNgsnnmQDQCLcB/s320/IMG_3640.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ3fMSNx8a4/V8e69g-viTI/AAAAAAAAB_M/Cm-UDfZMyOoE1ELSQ4menhhTiShZ7FNagCLcB/s1600/IMG_2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ3fMSNx8a4/V8e69g-viTI/AAAAAAAAB_M/Cm-UDfZMyOoE1ELSQ4menhhTiShZ7FNagCLcB/s320/IMG_2887.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-87171316996870051252016-08-20T00:05:00.000-07:002016-08-20T00:05:01.839-07:00Sharp Practice ACW, Old School style.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBOc76xNDHI/V7VMfZ-6TvI/AAAAAAAAB68/2LnTFIuLpHoAp_lj17jSw5-3NZCqFPkmwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBOc76xNDHI/V7VMfZ-6TvI/AAAAAAAAB68/2LnTFIuLpHoAp_lj17jSw5-3NZCqFPkmwCLcB/s320/IMG_1094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I imagine you could count the number of wargamers who game in 54mm scale on well,..several hands actually, but really, I'm sure the numbers are small compared to their diminutive 28mm practitioners. It does require a somewhat larger table and a lot more paint. I have to say however the pleasure derived from playing with these giants is enormous. I assume it's something to do with nostalgia and diminishing eyesight but I've really taken a liking to these chaps. There's something quaint and charming about a line of steadfast 54mm warriors marching down a road or defending a stone wall much the same as H.G Well's famous Little Wars lead forefathers did. Crikey!!.. gone a bit sentimental and soppy there..whoa! give yourself a good slap and get to the bloody point.<br />
<br />
What I really want to share is my first ACW game of <b>Sharp Practice V:2</b> in 54mm scale<br />
<br />
As it was our first game both I and my opponent Dave had a bit of a learning curve coping with the interpretation of the rules, in particular the activation and command aspects. The basic stuff like movement, firing and fisticuffs is really very simple and quickly becomes intuitive. I feel that a couple more games will see us up to speed. Certainly the demo clips put out by the Lardies and viewable on Youtube are excellent to get you started. This is my first foray into card based movement and command mechanisms but I am pleasantly surprised how well they works. There a lot of subtle nuances and clever stuff imbedded in these rules that become apparent as the game progresses. I think these rules admirably fill the gap between small scale hardcore skirmish games with a handful of figures and full scale battles with a cast of several hundreds. An average force is around 50 figures plus a few characters and maybe a gun as an optional addition.<br />
<br />
I wont inflict a blow by blow account of every dice roll and morale test of the game but will instead share some of the highlights and jolly it along with a narrative which bears just the merest resemblance to what actually happened.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE BATTLE OF HICKORY CREEK</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The table looking North:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0RDhO7B7mE/V7VSonPmjWI/AAAAAAAAB7M/1yF0sOLwHrgUT5Aakfv4sDRIsD-eoMCZACLcB/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0RDhO7B7mE/V7VSonPmjWI/AAAAAAAAB7M/1yF0sOLwHrgUT5Aakfv4sDRIsD-eoMCZACLcB/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The battlefield is a relatively flat lanscape interspersed with forests, swampy marshland, fields, stone walls a crossroads and intersected East to West by Hickory Creek, currently at a low ebb due to glorious Summer weather.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
We played the encounter scenario with the Union force under Colonel Kinleith (Me) arriving on the Western side and the Rebs under the venerable Colonel Ambose T Scrivener (Dave) arriving from the East.<br />
I tried to make the terrain as even as possible with equal amounts of broken ground, forest, swamp, walls and fences etc. Note the home made garden twig trees bordering the swamp to the East. Cheap and cheerful and made in less than two hours.<br />
<br />
<b>Pre Battle Narrative</b><br />
The story goes that a Union Vanguard is forging ahead to secure a clear passage for the main Army and to make contact with enemy forces. Funnily enough the Rebel commander has the same idea. The scene is set for a punch up.<br />
<br />
The forces are not completely by the book and frankly the writers encourage you to mix it up a bit anyway so don't get too hung up on points and other such nonsense. The Lardies prerequisite with these rules is to have fun and encourage a story line which appeals to me a lot. Also we wanted to keep things fairly straight forward till we have a good grasp of the rules. Morale was diced for giving the Union the edge on 10 and the Rebs a rating of 9<br />
<br />
<u>Union forces</u><br />
C in C Colonel Thomas Kinleith<br />
Comprising:<br />
10th Maine: 3 x groups 7 men, 1 x leader &1 x subordinate leader attached.<br />
5th Ohio Coloured Volunteers: 2 x groups x 8 men, 1 x Leader<br />
12th Wisconsin: 8 x skirmishers, 1 x Leader<br />
6th Ohio Artillery: 1 x medium smoothbore field piece.<br />
<br />
<u>Confederates</u><br />
C in C Colonel Ambrose.T.Scrivener<br />
Comprising:<br />
16th Georgia: 3 x 7 men, 1 x Leader<br />
4th Indiana: 2 x 8 men, 1 x Leader<br />
3rd Carolina Cavalry 7 x men, 1 x Leader<br />
20th Alabama Artillery: 1 x Medium smoothbore field piece.<br />
<br />
Deployment points were decided by dice rolls and unfortunately the Confederate deployment point was very close to a wood which somewhat hindered deployment. The Union fared better with mostly open country and a lovely smooth road to march straight up the middle. Thankfully it wasn't the swamp to their Right Flank. The game allows you to opt for multiple deployment points and I think I would go for this approach next game.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SE8E0_0bPW8/V7fgfu7l2PI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/IvTNy-GrPXIOjx46ZSiZjWZF0-wHRtlzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SE8E0_0bPW8/V7fgfu7l2PI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/IvTNy-GrPXIOjx46ZSiZjWZF0-wHRtlzQCLcB/s320/IMG_1097.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjOrml3jMhI/V7fgs6cEXAI/AAAAAAAAB8c/3-Vz8ElCUnsEBzKDQ5xNI0gFwSM8OTK2QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjOrml3jMhI/V7fgs6cEXAI/AAAAAAAAB8c/3-Vz8ElCUnsEBzKDQ5xNI0gFwSM8OTK2QCLcB/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Georgians lost no time in advancing to the edge of the wood whilst the Indianans moved round to their right to take up position behind the stone wall to secure a solid defensive position on the flank. Their gun and cavalry struggled forward at a less than hasty pace due to the broken terrain and less than helpful movement dice.<br />
<br />
The Union shook out in good order with the Ohians advancing in column up the road, the Maine men moving in open columns up the centre. The Maine leader opted to split off a group from the formation under the command of Lt Robards to secure the stone wall by the crossroads to their front and cover the advance. The artillery galloped forward to get into action asap to support the advance. The Wisconsins spread out in open skirmish order on the left flank.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pKLmT6JJE0/V7flzrupN8I/AAAAAAAAB8w/Hz15zOERBoQHvCO8rT3dKKUNEVzHHVUSQCEw/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pKLmT6JJE0/V7flzrupN8I/AAAAAAAAB8w/Hz15zOERBoQHvCO8rT3dKKUNEVzHHVUSQCEw/s320/IMG_1087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Ohians soon came under fire from the Rebels in the treeline to their front taking a number of early casualties and suffering 6 shock points. Fortunately Capt Lewis managed to rally off some shock and with the aid of command cards and got them into position behind a stone wall and formed up ready to return a steady fire.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVPiRpuHCMw/V7flzo3TisI/AAAAAAAAB80/Xjd_CpqiC_omgqOcl1HdOqNB6L5cDeEyQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVPiRpuHCMw/V7flzo3TisI/AAAAAAAAB80/Xjd_CpqiC_omgqOcl1HdOqNB6L5cDeEyQCLcB/s320/IMG_1088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Rebs then directed their well aimed volleys towards the large mass of Col Robards Maine troops shredding the packed ranks with deadly fire. The Maine boys took 5 casualties and 7 points of shock, These were spread between the formation and fortunately their morale held but things couldn't continue like this for long.<br />
<br />
<b>The Rebs go Wild!</b><br />
It was at this point that a random action occured due to three conseqeutive command cards being drawn. It fell to the Confederate commander to make a throw on the random event chart. The Rebs clearly had their dander up after witnessing the devastation they had inflicted on the Yankees and the Georgians surged out of the woods a double move whooping and hollering the fearsome Rebel Yell in an uncontrollable charge towards the Maine men.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWkj2lrpwp0/V7f_s8yn-8I/AAAAAAAAB9w/Bpf21giSeqEmPtOFd8P0KWPFWln_JEDPACLcB/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWkj2lrpwp0/V7f_s8yn-8I/AAAAAAAAB9w/Bpf21giSeqEmPtOFd8P0KWPFWln_JEDPACLcB/s320/IMG_1066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One I prepared earlier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not ideal as it turned out as this allowed the Ohians behind the wall and the group of Maine troops by the crossroads to unleash crashing volleys which stopped the Georgians in their tracks killing 4 men and inflicting 7 shock. Wisely their Colonel withdrew them to the cover of the woods to regroup.<br />
<br />
By now the Union artillery had unlimbered, loaded and and drew a bead on the still deploying Confedearate artillery. Their first round was bang on and two Reb gunners were cut down.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdnQASlyU_A/V7fsPjwZpNI/AAAAAAAAB9I/CJXGLF4XyyEC0QWVDf_Sw06DGel9cyOIACLcB/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdnQASlyU_A/V7fsPjwZpNI/AAAAAAAAB9I/CJXGLF4XyyEC0QWVDf_Sw06DGel9cyOIACLcB/s320/IMG_1103.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unfortunate Alabama artllerists.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcbloMicmHs/V7fsPidgr6I/AAAAAAAAB9E/zLk2MGTLbyw7eCaHtAjwHU2kG9FnAZg7QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcbloMicmHs/V7fsPidgr6I/AAAAAAAAB9E/zLk2MGTLbyw7eCaHtAjwHU2kG9FnAZg7QCLcB/s320/IMG_1108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trusty Britain's Napoleon smoothbore still going strong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Thanks to continuing rubbish movement rolls the Carolinan Cavalry dithered about finally emerging from the wood and setting off at the canter towards the crossroadswith the intention of cutting down the isolated Maine group behind the stone wall and hopefully push on to take out that damned gun.<br />
<br />
Both sides seemed content at this point to settle down to trading volleys but the Union had a decided advantage thanks to having the bulk of their troops formed up behind stone walls and a good run of command cards which allowed them to rally off shock points and maximise their firing. The Wisconsins in particular did deadly work ably assisted by their colloured comrades.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcxFpRMjusQ/V7fxKSsw1AI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/AmYe48ea_Z0usmFgyMwGr88S8IKZ0zkFACLcB/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcxFpRMjusQ/V7fxKSsw1AI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/AmYe48ea_Z0usmFgyMwGr88S8IKZ0zkFACLcB/s320/IMG_1109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rInxJBLe4h4/V7fxxPH1vjI/AAAAAAAAB9c/Sqr6W04sN1gjrTK15WvOb-QhikV3Jjp8gCLcB/s1600/IMG_1074%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rInxJBLe4h4/V7fxxPH1vjI/AAAAAAAAB9c/Sqr6W04sN1gjrTK15WvOb-QhikV3Jjp8gCLcB/s320/IMG_1074%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reluctant Carolina Cavalry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Yet another telling round from the Union artillery put paid to the unfortunate Alabama Artillerists killing all the gunners. We were both thoroughly enjoying ourselves but time had whizzed by and we decided to call it quits. It was decided that due to the Unions strong position they had scored a minor victory however if they were to secure their objectives this would involve some costly advances across open ground in the teeth of an enemy well dug in and still in pretty good shape.<br />
<br />
In conclusion both Dave and I rate the rules highly. They deliver a fun and challenging game with plenty of excitement and some forward planning with your deployment and allocation of command cards can really have a big impact on your performance. You really feel like you're down there on the field with your troops issueing orders and facing the fog of batttle and whiff of powder. Bear in mind we are a long way off being fully up to speed as there is mountains of additional stuff that we can bring into the games such as characters and unit characteristics. I dont think die-hard 'proper' wargamers will appreciate the loss of control caused by random events and the narrative role-play style of the game does not appeal to all tastes as a bit of imagination is required. Hey, war isnt scripted and there are numerous examples of unexpected events completely changing the course of a battle.... there's always chess I suppose.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-10613417313888164892016-08-15T04:03:00.000-07:002016-08-15T04:03:00.775-07:00My first Confederates.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arK1rxL7ZbA/V7GYqmAk9OI/AAAAAAAAB5s/58oNrzurZEMAqqlzLhGi6JhU5YiZ_J95ACEw/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arK1rxL7ZbA/V7GYqmAk9OI/AAAAAAAAB5s/58oNrzurZEMAqqlzLhGi6JhU5YiZ_J95ACEw/s320/IMG_1035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
My good mate Rodger and I have been plodding away painting up 54mm ACW troops for skirmish level wargames. Being something of a Rebel at heart, Rodger always favours the Confederates whilst I steadfastly support the Union. In fact I can truthfully say I have never taken the wargames field in command of a Confederate force. I have finally weakened however and decided to assist the Confederate cause by painting a few figures to bolster the numbers. Ten to be precise.<br />
<br />
These are my first efforts at painting Rebs and to be honest I found them great fun to paint. I really like the irregular nature of the uniforms, if thats what you'd call them, as opposed to the standardised uniform of the boys in blue so painter fatigue is not such an issue. I may even be tempted to do a few cavalry once Ive painted my Expeditionary Force Union Cavalry. It will also be good practice for when I start painting my Armies in Plastic Boers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5R3QoHxU0x0/V7GYqDkFa6I/AAAAAAAAB5c/nYgSuMdaKRQiZNtxbl1WJim0ofvfw4hvwCLcB/s1600/Confedearate%2BForces.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5R3QoHxU0x0/V7GYqDkFa6I/AAAAAAAAB5c/nYgSuMdaKRQiZNtxbl1WJim0ofvfw4hvwCLcB/s320/Confedearate%2BForces.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate Forces arrayed for battle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3zdFnT12pA/V7GYqC_X38I/AAAAAAAAB5g/A4I4QDDPmFoi8aOnjorQiTxGDBsjphzeACLcB/s1600/Confederate%2Bofficer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3zdFnT12pA/V7GYqC_X38I/AAAAAAAAB5g/A4I4QDDPmFoi8aOnjorQiTxGDBsjphzeACLcB/s320/Confederate%2Bofficer.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate officer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-deBDzfQiPPo/V7GYqONaRXI/AAAAAAAAB5k/SN1neqsbyZ0lR_56hyvOIna9LAlMI30DQCLcB/s1600/Here%2Bthey%2Bcome%2Bboys%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-deBDzfQiPPo/V7GYqONaRXI/AAAAAAAAB5k/SN1neqsbyZ0lR_56hyvOIna9LAlMI30DQCLcB/s320/Here%2Bthey%2Bcome%2Bboys%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they come boys!<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just to make sure the balance of power doesnt shift to much in favour of the South I've evened up the score by painting some Iron Brigade and a unit of Coloured soldiers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfGFokEpdyY/V7Gch26W2CI/AAAAAAAAB54/9DWfgnJ-8aEnhhXAKLfVU6siEOM_Kcl1wCLcB/s1600/54th%2BMassachusets%2BRegt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfGFokEpdyY/V7Gch26W2CI/AAAAAAAAB54/9DWfgnJ-8aEnhhXAKLfVU6siEOM_Kcl1wCLcB/s320/54th%2BMassachusets%2BRegt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pogmDrvy6Iw/V7GdKC_0jiI/AAAAAAAAB6I/PpUWmRbhfbICrJFzW2yaszvgolJCVvwmwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pogmDrvy6Iw/V7GdKC_0jiI/AAAAAAAAB6I/PpUWmRbhfbICrJFzW2yaszvgolJCVvwmwCLcB/s320/IMG_1060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-It50XHAJWzE/V7Gch4jmJqI/AAAAAAAAB58/Uzqhc71Tzb0i3j6n59H1h1cor8buXrFhQCLcB/s1600/The%2BIron%2BBrigade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-It50XHAJWzE/V7Gch4jmJqI/AAAAAAAAB58/Uzqhc71Tzb0i3j6n59H1h1cor8buXrFhQCLcB/s320/The%2BIron%2BBrigade.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufus Dawes leads the Iron Brigade in a charge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNTnEr0Gb7Q/V7GciTBndSI/AAAAAAAAB6A/84RtBZGWHTw7YQzVa9a23CAmxh-gp98QACLcB/s1600/Union%2BForces.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNTnEr0Gb7Q/V7GciTBndSI/AAAAAAAAB6A/84RtBZGWHTw7YQzVa9a23CAmxh-gp98QACLcB/s320/Union%2BForces.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union forces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In keeping with the old school feel of this I've converted some figures to artillerymen to crew my recently purchase Britain's Napoleon 12 Pdr Smooth bore.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FREePObYDOc/V7GeKjfW3LI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/voLW4ZygcM4lxV0NS5hHemc9IqTNW1shwCLcB/s1600/Load%2Bcanister%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FREePObYDOc/V7GeKjfW3LI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/voLW4ZygcM4lxV0NS5hHemc9IqTNW1shwCLcB/s320/Load%2Bcanister%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Load canister!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZTQbULP_-8/V7GeKvJlmLI/AAAAAAAAB6U/V87uoXHnPrAd0WwEO7UWp7-EFv9Es4d_ACLcB/s1600/Trusty%2BBritain%2527s%2BNapoleon%2B12%2Bpdr%2Bin%2Baction..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZTQbULP_-8/V7GeKvJlmLI/AAAAAAAAB6U/V87uoXHnPrAd0WwEO7UWp7-EFv9Es4d_ACLcB/s320/Trusty%2BBritain%2527s%2BNapoleon%2B12%2Bpdr%2Bin%2Baction..JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pristine Britains Napoleon 12 Pdr c/w ramrods and bucket.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally Ive added a couple of pics of Rodgers outsanding Confederate cavalry for eye candy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLmNNOhY8yU/V7Ggfw6eXtI/AAAAAAAAB6o/OWzyHzS4epYZ20dRyxy3nIvzPNPn9jBgQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLmNNOhY8yU/V7Ggfw6eXtI/AAAAAAAAB6o/OWzyHzS4epYZ20dRyxy3nIvzPNPn9jBgQCLcB/s320/IMG_1070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KasmeaW3Zg/V7Ggf7EpW5I/AAAAAAAAB6s/r1u0IrhSnyc58MU5YHdlsbna75AZF4nGQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KasmeaW3Zg/V7Ggf7EpW5I/AAAAAAAAB6s/r1u0IrhSnyc58MU5YHdlsbna75AZF4nGQCLcB/s320/IMG_1072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kvDdKzkGBg/V7GgfyD-MrI/AAAAAAAAB6k/AT13cy4ab6MT1N6CI4gWzS7SCROl0fUwQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kvDdKzkGBg/V7GgfyD-MrI/AAAAAAAAB6k/AT13cy4ab6MT1N6CI4gWzS7SCROl0fUwQCLcB/s320/IMG_1073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-54249262054573297642016-07-03T04:19:00.001-07:002016-07-03T04:19:07.604-07:00Normal wargaming has been resumed, the wargames room is back in business.After an absence of nearly four years due to the eldest daughter inhabitating the wargames room I have finally returned to reclaim the Man Cave or as I like to call it, 'The Redoubt'.<br />
Last Wednesday night saw the grand re-opening of the redoubt and what better way to mark this auspiciuos occassion than with a steampunk wargame. In honour of the occassion fellow Strategist Stacky, alias Major Sherlock-Brown and myself donned full military regalia.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMIbrUTWA_M/V3jlPNO2gAI/AAAAAAAAB3s/RUp1KVtauwU8vmDl-dkasFcBzZmewnnJQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3446%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMIbrUTWA_M/V3jlPNO2gAI/AAAAAAAAB3s/RUp1KVtauwU8vmDl-dkasFcBzZmewnnJQCLcB/s320/IMG_3446%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the Queen, Huzzah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The game was played on my new 8' x 6' table in all its glory...size does matter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The game was loosely based around my fictitious Voltavian Campaign which is less of a campaign than a collection of crazy ideas burbling away in the back recesses of my brain in which the forces of Britainia and Teutonia do battle for control of the Gallian Principality of Voltavia. At present both sides are heavily engaged in a game of attack and counter attack in and around the region of Anthracillia. For the purposes of this game it was an encounter battle to seize the town of Biltzen.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2EDKQwdNRU/V3jpXi4NYzI/AAAAAAAAB34/9NEJv92me4MEfYgVDcLKAjLHjIu0mHHUgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3402%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2EDKQwdNRU/V3jpXi4NYzI/AAAAAAAAB34/9NEJv92me4MEfYgVDcLKAjLHjIu0mHHUgCLcB/s320/IMG_3402%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biltzen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cRwvbG-nvI/V3jpXlPzprI/AAAAAAAAB38/8ies36NGjhcjy5_FtN0VE-jOehUI7z9VACLcB/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cRwvbG-nvI/V3jpXlPzprI/AAAAAAAAB38/8ies36NGjhcjy5_FtN0VE-jOehUI7z9VACLcB/s320/IMG_3410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The forces were fairly evenly balanced with all arms represented on both sides. The rules used were FUBAR. To be honest we felt the rules struggle a bit with large forces and six players because, due to the activation rules, at any one time several players are standing around waiting for their chance to do something. If, like the poor Britainians on this night, you roll a succession of ones and twos for your activation rolls it's darn near impossible to achieve your objectives. The Teutonians and their Vostoyan Mercenary Allies on the other hand blissfully threw fives and sixes and quickly moved into the town to take up defensive positions in the deserted buildings. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVAdXApGL5k/V3jwT6eYa3I/AAAAAAAAB4U/8z3TYy2Ou1kT4rsbKzqbgdzsGVzLX7TKwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVAdXApGL5k/V3jwT6eYa3I/AAAAAAAAB4U/8z3TYy2Ou1kT4rsbKzqbgdzsGVzLX7TKwCLcB/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9adlwv1zp8/V3jwTgXSYaI/AAAAAAAAB4M/3y50DyZGqeosfO2oE4HfhzZxtqjtd8qnACLcB/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9adlwv1zp8/V3jwTgXSYaI/AAAAAAAAB4M/3y50DyZGqeosfO2oE4HfhzZxtqjtd8qnACLcB/s320/IMG_0992.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vostroyan Mercenaries advance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tp0OSS_I89Y/V3jwTzEn_wI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/l_UMUcq8LE8wV5MJHw7K7MaFRond3qCUgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tp0OSS_I89Y/V3jwTzEn_wI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/l_UMUcq8LE8wV5MJHw7K7MaFRond3qCUgCLcB/s320/IMG_1003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian Sturm-Truppen Grenadiers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEq2ziZrOJA/V3jwURVU3HI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/2kEwkQ1Ezhw-BGZycFVdVsGZrXI7XSAWQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEq2ziZrOJA/V3jwURVU3HI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/2kEwkQ1Ezhw-BGZycFVdVsGZrXI7XSAWQCLcB/s320/IMG_1004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian steam walker firing in support, outskirts of Biltzen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Accurate fire from their armour and the arc rifle armed Sturm Truppen grenadiers quickly put paid to most of the Britainians lightly armoured scout tanks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpCdR1I0Cho/V3jw2V0MYNI/AAAAAAAAB4c/OMTwVU0KxeklUyMlE_-TgwXD96HBCWtjgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpCdR1I0Cho/V3jw2V0MYNI/AAAAAAAAB4c/OMTwVU0KxeklUyMlE_-TgwXD96HBCWtjgCLcB/s320/IMG_0971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDLybokO5Jg/V3jw2asRQ0I/AAAAAAAAB4k/VpdV0tDqkPYcKcWPrnMYB3iJd2zRnGO2wCLcB/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDLybokO5Jg/V3jw2asRQ0I/AAAAAAAAB4k/VpdV0tDqkPYcKcWPrnMYB3iJd2zRnGO2wCLcB/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1XsltaTCUG4/V3jw2azeJvI/AAAAAAAAB4g/R2Mj-weLBB4-Zobo4X7oXRzM1dEYTweVQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1XsltaTCUG4/V3jw2azeJvI/AAAAAAAAB4g/R2Mj-weLBB4-Zobo4X7oXRzM1dEYTweVQCLcB/s320/IMG_0989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QsCmPTUCIxQ/V3jw2zPLPEI/AAAAAAAAB4o/jwqeoYWZfk4orLTGqxIaEkWpn5K5zeLcwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0999%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QsCmPTUCIxQ/V3jw2zPLPEI/AAAAAAAAB4o/jwqeoYWZfk4orLTGqxIaEkWpn5K5zeLcwCLcB/s320/IMG_0999%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheres those bloody tanks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qB9Ia-kg9I/V3jw3K-csKI/AAAAAAAAB4s/akpu9b7kZz4wHHfmSrm1W0Y3mVFSQljzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qB9Ia-kg9I/V3jw3K-csKI/AAAAAAAAB4s/akpu9b7kZz4wHHfmSrm1W0Y3mVFSQljzQCLcB/s320/IMG_1002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iSzeuj5ZqE/V3jw38EFqjI/AAAAAAAAB4w/RJL_-L49dgc5kqXdbJJe1HMPyaMwo6osQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iSzeuj5ZqE/V3jw38EFqjI/AAAAAAAAB4w/RJL_-L49dgc5kqXdbJJe1HMPyaMwo6osQCLcB/s320/IMG_3423.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoking Britainian armour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijwNxtOYTNY/V3jw4TwuEKI/AAAAAAAAB44/QHe8Kb8CoKs_TPDIOgOmmT-Pi4-hQVKyACLcB/s1600/IMG_3427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijwNxtOYTNY/V3jw4TwuEKI/AAAAAAAAB44/QHe8Kb8CoKs_TPDIOgOmmT-Pi4-hQVKyACLcB/s320/IMG_3427.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Electric Artillery deploy thier Teasla Arc Cannon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_kkaMVoAtQ/V3jw4Jo9nBI/AAAAAAAAB40/cb7oR4ZmLEcxHARz9fzsCcEHnreHqhWNQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_kkaMVoAtQ/V3jw4Jo9nBI/AAAAAAAAB40/cb7oR4ZmLEcxHARz9fzsCcEHnreHqhWNQCLcB/s320/IMG_3429.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Majesties 24th New Munster Steam Fusiliers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUJq84NmEPM/V3jw49Nf_bI/AAAAAAAAB48/MepBSibTKbEehcKUrAtpPqjMerBNy0G5ACLcB/s1600/IMG_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUJq84NmEPM/V3jw49Nf_bI/AAAAAAAAB48/MepBSibTKbEehcKUrAtpPqjMerBNy0G5ACLcB/s320/IMG_3441.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gordon Highlanders return fire, suddenly minus armour support.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With no armour support the Britainian fusiliers could't make headway against the well dug in defenders without sustaining unacceptable losses. It soon became apparent that discretion would be the better part and a strategic withdrawal was ordered by turn 7.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ah well at least they could take solace in a commemorative port. Three cheers for the Queen..Huzzah!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCU95pqREdY/V3jxW85hAwI/AAAAAAAAB5I/br07LGK9tlwQ4JgFfXM70NAIBdoovGO3ACLcB/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCU95pqREdY/V3jxW85hAwI/AAAAAAAAB5I/br07LGK9tlwQ4JgFfXM70NAIBdoovGO3ACLcB/s320/IMG_0990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapitan Von Houston and Major Sherlock -Brown lock horns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_ZtGff2X4Y/V3jxWvAY_GI/AAAAAAAAB5E/1Z0F1Rm_OzUMD0Jq8c3J1wEn6CzeKBiVQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_ZtGff2X4Y/V3jxWvAY_GI/AAAAAAAAB5E/1Z0F1Rm_OzUMD0Jq8c3J1wEn6CzeKBiVQCLcB/s320/IMG_1007.JPG" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for another port methinks, ah.. happiness is a wargames room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgbaN-4o968/V3jxW1y2d7I/AAAAAAAAB5M/sr6n_ZdZ9ZULBhgkyGnRCNZCR9ThdY7zQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgbaN-4o968/V3jxW1y2d7I/AAAAAAAAB5M/sr6n_ZdZ9ZULBhgkyGnRCNZCR9ThdY7zQCLcB/s320/IMG_3445.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lads 'overjoyed' at the reopening of the Redoubt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-65111571761322296132016-06-12T02:12:00.002-07:002016-06-12T02:12:32.305-07:00Inspecting defences.Major Sherlock Brown and myself have recently returned from an inspection of defences in the Otago Region of New Zealand. Fortunately we found time to sample the local fare and whisky and catch up with fellow Fusiliers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JO9X5-dDxFA/V10nGAzXVnI/AAAAAAAAB3c/-qW9X9daPWcmtc2oJHT9P0DW2xEiwW4twCLcB/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JO9X5-dDxFA/V10nGAzXVnI/AAAAAAAAB3c/-qW9X9daPWcmtc2oJHT9P0DW2xEiwW4twCLcB/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of Krupps, the guns of course!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WX4cGs6Nko/V10j5cEoglI/AAAAAAAAB20/dvDHvH1WrXAaEG8YRLqB9aVDadLa-R3nwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WX4cGs6Nko/V10j5cEoglI/AAAAAAAAB20/dvDHvH1WrXAaEG8YRLqB9aVDadLa-R3nwCLcB/s320/IMG_0784.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An awfully big gun. 62 pdr from the Dunedin St Clair defences</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD8j4FsIht0/V10j5N_gjXI/AAAAAAAAB2w/5hUyVKOwvPQIbtqBiihCf9Ae5JLux9wTACLcB/s1600/IMG_0787%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD8j4FsIht0/V10j5N_gjXI/AAAAAAAAB2w/5hUyVKOwvPQIbtqBiihCf9Ae5JLux9wTACLcB/s320/IMG_0787%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking fall of shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nczU51MFPlE/V10kNCIGQCI/AAAAAAAAB28/D7zbGFWhC5oIJxpMtn_h1ivuHFgl2cuzwCLcB/s1600/Major%2BOgilvie%2Band%2BMajor%2BSherlock-%2BBrown%2Boff%2Bduty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nczU51MFPlE/V10kNCIGQCI/AAAAAAAAB28/D7zbGFWhC5oIJxpMtn_h1ivuHFgl2cuzwCLcB/s320/Major%2BOgilvie%2Band%2BMajor%2BSherlock-%2BBrown%2Boff%2Bduty.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Majors Ogilvie and Brown </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAz-pBk7vNY/V10kNB0zSfI/AAAAAAAAB3A/XMwYiOKGFcgameDd7ZyPSF4fdeKjpg_ygCLcB/s1600/Poser%2Bwith%2Bpipe..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAz-pBk7vNY/V10kNB0zSfI/AAAAAAAAB3A/XMwYiOKGFcgameDd7ZyPSF4fdeKjpg_ygCLcB/s320/Poser%2Bwith%2Bpipe..JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After dinner pipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUEd1F4Z_A4/V10kNQ5saAI/AAAAAAAAB3E/_uc65Qbb8ucTWjnsi1tTW1tY26UizXmmQCLcB/s1600/The%2B24th%2BRegt%2BNew%2BMunster%2BSteam%2BFusiliers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUEd1F4Z_A4/V10kNQ5saAI/AAAAAAAAB3E/_uc65Qbb8ucTWjnsi1tTW1tY26UizXmmQCLcB/s320/The%2B24th%2BRegt%2BNew%2BMunster%2BSteam%2BFusiliers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 24th New Munster Steam Fusiliers </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWqJ3cIrkgQ/V10kNsYpHfI/AAAAAAAAB3I/hn4IQwzRRYclFW48TuoOscRrs_MxikLoQCLcB/s1600/The%2BSteam%2BFusiliers%2Bmess%2Bnight..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWqJ3cIrkgQ/V10kNsYpHfI/AAAAAAAAB3I/hn4IQwzRRYclFW48TuoOscRrs_MxikLoQCLcB/s320/The%2BSteam%2BFusiliers%2Bmess%2Bnight..JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mess Night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-53726012329562399852016-01-26T01:35:00.003-08:002016-01-26T01:39:59.785-08:00Smooth & Rifled ACW figuresI managed to purchase a number of boxes of 54mm scale ACW figures (Armies in Plastic and Call to Arms) recently at bargain basement prices. I've long had a fascination for larger scale figures and have often toyed with the idea of gaming with them.<br />
I went on the hunt for a suitable set of skirmish rules and came upon Smooth & rifled which look like they may be the ticket but until I have some figs and scenery I cant comment on them till theyve been playtested...more to follow.<br />
<br />
It's always a chore having to paint both sides of a conflict so I hit on a cunning plan. My good mate Rodgerof Rebel Barracks fame is a real ACW Confedertae fan and a sucker for nice figures, the plastic soldier type of course. All I had to do was give him a peek at the figs and some subtle encouragement and in no time he was walking out the door with a box of Confederate infantry and plans to get stuck into painting. To my delight he set to with a will and has already completed around twenty figs ready for action.<br />
This put the ball squarely in my court to get my troops painted and based.<br />
<br />
I present my first 54mm ACW figures.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzKYpgJHbDM/Vqc8PV2jmWI/AAAAAAAAB1s/pzScVZgcNhA/s1600/IMG_2201%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzKYpgJHbDM/Vqc8PV2jmWI/AAAAAAAAB1s/pzScVZgcNhA/s320/IMG_2201%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BN4bb28TvBk/Vqc8PYaT0hI/AAAAAAAAB1w/wldstoH4HW4/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BN4bb28TvBk/Vqc8PYaT0hI/AAAAAAAAB1w/wldstoH4HW4/s320/IMG_2507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuxZjT1k4Uo/Vqc8PoW5fzI/AAAAAAAAB10/bAXIagJAtZo/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuxZjT1k4Uo/Vqc8PoW5fzI/AAAAAAAAB10/bAXIagJAtZo/s320/IMG_2508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XoOHRiC2I0/Vqc8QNxCOzI/AAAAAAAAB2A/UoB_-LQ8I50/s1600/IMG_2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XoOHRiC2I0/Vqc8QNxCOzI/AAAAAAAAB2A/UoB_-LQ8I50/s320/IMG_2509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCrw0CGvsUk/Vqc8QCWgdBI/AAAAAAAAB18/o9aKuvorcSQ/s1600/IMG_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCrw0CGvsUk/Vqc8QCWgdBI/AAAAAAAAB18/o9aKuvorcSQ/s320/IMG_2510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2ZIxtr45tA/Vqc8QbCzWAI/AAAAAAAAB2E/aHauCQHeMqk/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2ZIxtr45tA/Vqc8QbCzWAI/AAAAAAAAB2E/aHauCQHeMqk/s320/IMG_2511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kqnwxw9ZfwI/Vqc8Q2-KG5I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/3-k-tJKXNOI/s1600/IMG_2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kqnwxw9ZfwI/Vqc8Q2-KG5I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/3-k-tJKXNOI/s320/IMG_2512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The figures are fun to paint but I found the flag a cast iron bitch to do and frankly I'm not overly proud of the finished article...the stars look wrong and the stripes are a bit wavy but it'll do I guess.<br />
<br />
Now let battle commence.<br />
<br />
Oh BTW the picture in the background was taken by my intrepeid mate Rodger on a trip he made to Gettysburg last year. Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-85556021589558215052015-09-29T02:24:00.002-07:002015-09-29T22:19:52.401-07:00Britainian Forces retake AnthracilliaAfter fierce fighting Britainian Imperial Forces have retaken the Voltavian industrial town of Anthracillia and halted the Teutonian Army in its tracks.<br />
<br />
Reports are confusing ( mostly because yours truly has forgotten huge chunks of what actually happened) but it appears Britainian Steam Armour units and infantry supported by motorised artillery have wrested control of the vitally important town of Anthracillia from the Teutonians thus depriving the Teutonians of a source of <i>Anthracillium* (See footnote)</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij7EgnF6Pj0/VgozEUHJMXI/AAAAAAAABxo/kOyA7H85ubo/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij7EgnF6Pj0/VgozEUHJMXI/AAAAAAAABxo/kOyA7H85ubo/s320/IMG_0931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthracillia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Looking South to North, the towns main objective, the Manufactorium, is located in the centre of the town. The town itself consists of a number of bombed out buildings and a cemetery. Hardly somewhere to have your holidays but..<br />
Other key terrain features are a number of small woods, a peach orchard and a river.<br />
<br />
The Teutonians, including a unit of Vostroyan Mercenaries, hold the Manufactorium and a number of adjacent buildings. They are banking on the timely arrival of armoured reserves and infantry. Unfortunately for the hard pressed Teutonians their lines of communication have been the target of persistent sabotage attacks by the Voltavian Resistance so their arrival isnt guaranteed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob940LduBPM/Vgo8FVy9hdI/AAAAAAAAByg/-Gsu95fKGHs/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob940LduBPM/Vgo8FVy9hdI/AAAAAAAAByg/-Gsu95fKGHs/s320/IMG_1824.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vostroyan Mercenaries defend a building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The Britainians on the other hand have pulled off an organizational master-stroke by amassing a powerful combined force of infantry, including the elite Welsh Guards, and a number of the very latest <i>Valiant Class</i>, Cruiser weight, steam tanks plus a number of towed artillery pieces manned by The Royal Artillery.<br />
<br />
The opening moves begin with the Britainians thrusting their armour forward across the river on their left flank whilst rapidly advancing in the centre towards the protective cover of the cemeteries walls and the outlying buildings on their right flank.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqdXnsJm46E/Vgo62ynzjVI/AAAAAAAABx8/6a-xTKK3yco/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqdXnsJm46E/Vgo62ynzjVI/AAAAAAAABx8/6a-xTKK3yco/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combined arms move up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-XyaWFcDZY/Vgo625Y_UXI/AAAAAAAABx4/5wZLgYbtaD4/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-XyaWFcDZY/Vgo625Y_UXI/AAAAAAAABx4/5wZLgYbtaD4/s320/IMG_0936.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Artillery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7sJoFUADHE/Vgo621cRsyI/AAAAAAAAByA/wPYUt3z6vyg/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7sJoFUADHE/Vgo621cRsyI/AAAAAAAAByA/wPYUt3z6vyg/s320/IMG_0938.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britanian forces occupy the cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3deYkMmu2E/Vgo635wEDaI/AAAAAAAAByM/hYsWRCyNodA/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3deYkMmu2E/Vgo635wEDaI/AAAAAAAAByM/hYsWRCyNodA/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Valiant Class cruiser tank lays down suppressing fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwbg_654o5Q/Vgo7QH2uf9I/AAAAAAAAByY/B24_RoUd49U/s1600/IMG_1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwbg_654o5Q/Vgo7QH2uf9I/AAAAAAAAByY/B24_RoUd49U/s320/IMG_1773.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Welsh Guards advance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The Britannian tank immediately draws fire from the Teutonian Tesla Cannon, located on the top floor of the Manufactorium, as it crests the stone bridge. Luckily its anti static armour shield does its job this time.<br />
The Britanian infantry follow closely behind whilst the towed medium field gun unlimbers at the base of the wood with a clear line of sight to bring down suppressing fire on the Manufactorium as a unit of Gordon Highlanders ford the river aiming to outflank the Teutonians and flush out any ambushes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysYwtMWIpOU/Vgo9TBnllRI/AAAAAAAAByo/UaQCW2d5_lo/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysYwtMWIpOU/Vgo9TBnllRI/AAAAAAAAByo/UaQCW2d5_lo/s320/IMG_1827.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian Tesla cannon with attendant arc generator<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fS5KONHhqtA/VgtbJbLy0ZI/AAAAAAAAB1E/rw52f2BrkWU/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fS5KONHhqtA/VgtbJbLy0ZI/AAAAAAAAB1E/rw52f2BrkWU/s320/IMG_1811.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile in another part of town the Britainian's reach the sanctuary of the cemetery walls and their armour and infantry take up position amongst the buildings on their right flank.<br />
<br />
From these positions they commence a bombardment and strafe of the Teutonian positions to soften them up prior to launching their assault.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mP24Hx0ji7M/VgpILyNGq3I/AAAAAAAABzw/AJW8403zP28/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mP24Hx0ji7M/VgpILyNGq3I/AAAAAAAABzw/AJW8403zP28/s320/IMG_1828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light field gun in action on the outskirts of Anthracillia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDLpliy5Flg/VgpAatT0n8I/AAAAAAAABy0/GLxzbwdCX08/s1600/IMG_1813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDLpliy5Flg/VgpAatT0n8I/AAAAAAAABy0/GLxzbwdCX08/s320/IMG_1813.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An engineer carrying out emergency field repair by hitting tank with big spanner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ23XiHdo9Q/VgpAavbo3GI/AAAAAAAABy4/qBAn46t2Tt8/s1600/IMG_1817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ23XiHdo9Q/VgpAavbo3GI/AAAAAAAABy4/qBAn46t2Tt8/s320/IMG_1817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet your new neighbours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Amidst the din of battle the beleagured Teutonians hear the unmistakable clatter of tank tracks to their rear. "Ja, Ja ist Gut, Panzers" a somewhat relieved Teutoniam Commander exclaims. The Teutonian armoured reinforcements have arrived.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CzX26CmqbsY/VgpCi-gh6fI/AAAAAAAABzM/9a8HYPc9Lyw/s1600/IMG_1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CzX26CmqbsY/VgpCi-gh6fI/AAAAAAAABzM/9a8HYPc9Lyw/s320/IMG_1826.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian armour moves up to support the Vostroyans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMSgg9s0YX8/VgpIvbvPspI/AAAAAAAABz8/rZc_DsogUas/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMSgg9s0YX8/VgpIvbvPspI/AAAAAAAABz8/rZc_DsogUas/s320/IMG_0945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian reserves rushing to reinforce beleaguered defenders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The Teutonian tankers waste no time in seeking out the Britainian armour but some pretty uninspiring shooting sees the Britainians come through relatively unscathed. Once again the Tesla cannon fails to score a hit. In response the Britainians pepper the Manufactorium with well aimed fire and succeed in picking off two the Tesla gunners.<br />
<br />
Things settle into a bit of a slugfest as both sides are content to whittle away at each other from cover but weight of numbers is beginning to tell on the Teutonians as one by one their numbers dwindle.<br />
<br />
On the Britainian left flank the Highlanders come under some deadly accurate fire from a unit of Jager concealed along a hedge line whilst a fearsome Teutonic steam walkers maxim gun pours fire into them as well, effectively halting the Highlanders in the tracks and forcing them to ground with four casualties.<br />
Some incredibly effective return fire succeeds in severing one of the walkers steering rods, forcing it to veer to the left. No doubt the Highlanders marksmanship is inspired by the skirl of Piper McNulty's pipes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2TDI5Q5KsQ/VgpHVWoM8YI/AAAAAAAABzg/8FnR2h_OVzQ/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2TDI5Q5KsQ/VgpHVWoM8YI/AAAAAAAABzg/8FnR2h_OVzQ/s320/IMG_1815.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highlanders caught in the open</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwI_bSLQvTQ/VgpHVWL9S5I/AAAAAAAABzk/q42ZII2waiQ/s1600/IMG_1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwI_bSLQvTQ/VgpHVWL9S5I/AAAAAAAABzk/q42ZII2waiQ/s320/IMG_1822.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian Jager in ambush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Another Teutonian tank emerges from the cover of the peach orchard to engage the Britanian tank but despite a direct hit fails to inflict any damage. The plucky Brit tankers are barely rattled by this and fire back hitting the Teutonians engine compartment sending acrid smoke billowing from the tank and forcing it to career back into the cover of the orchard.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgtxBxB1QjA/VgpNiwlfc_I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/VtgTq8u4nzs/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgtxBxB1QjA/VgpNiwlfc_I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/VtgTq8u4nzs/s320/IMG_1805.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaboom!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6STgggw2i1M/VgpNi67imbI/AAAAAAAAB0M/ZqQ1JLN9frk/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6STgggw2i1M/VgpNi67imbI/AAAAAAAAB0M/ZqQ1JLN9frk/s320/IMG_1834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Another direct hit on the Tesla cannon wipes out the gunners leaving the Manufactorium minus anti tank protection. Seizing the initiative the Britanian commander orders an assault on the Manufactorium. The Brits, under the cover of a Valiant tanks machine gun, storm forward in the face of a hail of gunfire and, despite taking a couple of casualties, reach the building's imposing steel walls. Vicious hand to hand combat ensues and both sides are are practically wiped out but the heroic Teutonian defenders hang on by a thread.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPuBVFl0sic/VgpPtYh96FI/AAAAAAAAB0g/ZuR5ADuuysw/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPuBVFl0sic/VgpPtYh96FI/AAAAAAAAB0g/ZuR5ADuuysw/s320/IMG_1839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On the Teutonian left flank unrelenting pressure from the enemy has depleted their numbers though the tenacious Vostroyan Mercenaries seem to be holding up well with no casualties as yet. Unfortunately they are too pinned down to be able to render any assistance to their comrades in the Manufactorium.<br />
<br />
The Britanians, throw in another unit to assault the battered defenders of the Manufactorium with the inevitable result. The sight of the Union jack proudly fluttering atop the upper story of the building says it all. The Manufactorium is in Britanian hands. The Teutonians have suffered a major set-back.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jztBRLMh43g/VgpRxQ_Yt0I/AAAAAAAAB0s/_ee3ExzAJfY/s1600/IMG_1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jztBRLMh43g/VgpRxQ_Yt0I/AAAAAAAAB0s/_ee3ExzAJfY/s320/IMG_1836.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final assault</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uja37qZe_Xs/VgpRxZ6y4ZI/AAAAAAAAB0w/3Rx7PL9iRuQ/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uja37qZe_Xs/VgpRxZ6y4ZI/AAAAAAAAB0w/3Rx7PL9iRuQ/s320/IMG_1841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
*Anthracillium <i> essential element in the manufacturing of armour piercing ammunition. (See Prof Arbuthnott's Metallurgical Science and Modern Warfare, Chapter 4)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7X5NoREZdhY/VgtvmJcPvUI/AAAAAAAAB1U/V9Hpn0z1oV4/s1600/12039185_147922908889428_8505541748176298713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7X5NoREZdhY/VgtvmJcPvUI/AAAAAAAAB1U/V9Hpn0z1oV4/s320/12039185_147922908889428_8505541748176298713_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Britainians celebrate the great victory.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The gent at the back reacts to the news that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's his round next!</div>
Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-31671805812854622182015-07-19T05:01:00.003-07:002015-07-19T05:01:37.038-07:00Steampunk...what else?Apologies for a rather prolonged absence since my last post, I've been somewhat distracted from gaming by a number of Steampunk events of late. The most notable of these was the Oamaru Steampunk festival in June and the Sirculating Soiree held at Avesbury House in Christchurch . Needless to say Yours Truly attended along with a number of my hand picked Ministry Agents and of course, the Memsahib.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NQHxLaQE5A/VauIAPBzUhI/AAAAAAAABss/W6qUx28ayPU/s1600/IMG_0332%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NQHxLaQE5A/VauIAPBzUhI/AAAAAAAABss/W6qUx28ayPU/s320/IMG_0332%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GX71lASMLS8/VauI4a0KlDI/AAAAAAAABs4/TbpMmbCb15U/s1600/IMG_0343%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GX71lASMLS8/VauI4a0KlDI/AAAAAAAABs4/TbpMmbCb15U/s320/IMG_0343%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
But enough of such nonsense, time to get back to some proper wargaming. Fortunately I have still managed to beaver away on my steampunk forces and even managed a couple of smallish trial games using FUBAR. We're still getting to grips with how to achieve nicely balance games that don't favour one side too much as we've found that troops in the open get well and truly thumped so plenty of cover seems to be the ticket.<br />
<br />
Rather than bore you with battle reports of trial games I thought I'd include a few pics of some selected highlights and follow up in a future post with an upcoming full dress game that I'm staging in a couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TS1NIf0ZDBU/VauLjJVmVkI/AAAAAAAABtE/wIzc5MaVNzc/s1600/IMG_1707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TS1NIf0ZDBU/VauLjJVmVkI/AAAAAAAABtE/wIzc5MaVNzc/s320/IMG_1707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IABKnuIkLI/VauL2r0HIlI/AAAAAAAABtU/DAVLVq1Lqqk/s1600/IMG_1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IABKnuIkLI/VauL2r0HIlI/AAAAAAAABtU/DAVLVq1Lqqk/s320/IMG_1711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1PIG2jVhbE/VauL2pJJJMI/AAAAAAAABtQ/ziYNOrxoowE/s1600/IMG_1712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1PIG2jVhbE/VauL2pJJJMI/AAAAAAAABtQ/ziYNOrxoowE/s320/IMG_1712.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCUjR9WLM00/VauL2nFordI/AAAAAAAABtM/RKkmHFcuRCc/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCUjR9WLM00/VauL2nFordI/AAAAAAAABtM/RKkmHFcuRCc/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdBJdVJmLik/VauL37IoG3I/AAAAAAAABts/drcQlp922vU/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdBJdVJmLik/VauL37IoG3I/AAAAAAAABts/drcQlp922vU/s320/IMG_1718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93K3y1VID1A/VauL4tnJSgI/AAAAAAAABtk/90j_7nEJT2Q/s1600/IMG_1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93K3y1VID1A/VauL4tnJSgI/AAAAAAAABtk/90j_7nEJT2Q/s320/IMG_1719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rk3zhU9DPw/VauL49YJlmI/AAAAAAAABto/npJ22xUOJ8A/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rk3zhU9DPw/VauL49YJlmI/AAAAAAAABto/npJ22xUOJ8A/s320/IMG_1720.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WPgs9ymdnA/VauL6IhPU6I/AAAAAAAABt4/I9r3PnlQdwc/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WPgs9ymdnA/VauL6IhPU6I/AAAAAAAABt4/I9r3PnlQdwc/s320/IMG_1721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of the troops still require a bit of work on the bases but I hope to have this in hand in time for the Big Game.<br />
<br />
Some of my favourite figures are the Ironclad Miniatures Grenadier Guards and Redoubts Brits in Home Service uniform. If the sight of these splendid chaps, resplendent in scarlet doesn't stir your blood I'm afraid you're beyond help.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1wP4HUqOsw/VauN-resd2I/AAAAAAAABuM/De3NXtF9PE4/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1wP4HUqOsw/VauN-resd2I/AAAAAAAABuM/De3NXtF9PE4/s320/IMG_1554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsSdcd6R_Qo/VauN-pu4qGI/AAAAAAAABuI/Kd4iUt14f6M/s1600/IMG_1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsSdcd6R_Qo/VauN-pu4qGI/AAAAAAAABuI/Kd4iUt14f6M/s320/IMG_1555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wcWrbvlq5g/VauN-RbDtxI/AAAAAAAABuQ/8WWBq2YbJhs/s1600/IMG_1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wcWrbvlq5g/VauN-RbDtxI/AAAAAAAABuQ/8WWBq2YbJhs/s320/IMG_1556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JeG_xUMJcbY/VauN_0NWU7I/AAAAAAAABug/ttkeg07YTEw/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JeG_xUMJcbY/VauN_0NWU7I/AAAAAAAABug/ttkeg07YTEw/s320/IMG_1586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No shows complete without the 'Baddies'. Northstar Miniature's Prussians in re-breathers and some Automata straight off the assembly line. What will those dastardly Prussians think up next??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sIpM4K3Ej4/VauO8cOGavI/AAAAAAAABuw/5iRy8Xl9sRY/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sIpM4K3Ej4/VauO8cOGavI/AAAAAAAABuw/5iRy8Xl9sRY/s320/IMG_1692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--lRu89UKBoQ/VauO8ZdgEVI/AAAAAAAABu0/xQOksAYZ7hs/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--lRu89UKBoQ/VauO8ZdgEVI/AAAAAAAABu0/xQOksAYZ7hs/s320/IMG_1698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88w5PR4hZK8/VauO7gJoUOI/AAAAAAAABuo/_Pq4ZY0tppQ/s1600/IMG_1700%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88w5PR4hZK8/VauO7gJoUOI/AAAAAAAABuo/_Pq4ZY0tppQ/s320/IMG_1700%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Toddle pip for now Old Things".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-88108457795584491042015-04-19T02:22:00.002-07:002015-04-19T02:22:22.746-07:00Franco Prussian Fracas, Beumont.For our Wednesday night tabletop delectation fellow Strategist, Adrian, put on a Franco Prussian scenario from his endless cache of Volley and Bayonet scenarios. The figures and all the terrain were from his immaculately painted collection.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLkkssXT9To/VTNxRnjHAaI/AAAAAAAABrQ/Pgmc7ohZVbE/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLkkssXT9To/VTNxRnjHAaI/AAAAAAAABrQ/Pgmc7ohZVbE/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French commanders confer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This evenings game was Beumont. I know zilch about this real life battle so google it to see what really happened.<br />
<br />
The battle was a holding action by the French to allow their baggage train to escape following a prior defeat at the hands of the Prussians.<br />
The French set up with troops holding the Southernmost village astride the main road with more troops covering their Left flank.<br />
Way back down the road to the North another large French force are defending the bridge to maintain an escape route.<br />
<br />
The Prussians begin the game arriving from the Southern baseline with more troops due on turn two and a large Bavarian force set to appear on the Prussian left flank about midway along the table.<br />
<br />
I 'll keep the narrative brief and try to put some sense of order to the accompanying photos as my recollection of events allows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdy3IJ9Ke9Y/VTNeY8MQKGI/AAAAAAAABpM/DS_NELrOf98/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdy3IJ9Ke9Y/VTNeY8MQKGI/AAAAAAAABpM/DS_NELrOf98/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French defend the line of retreat while the baggage scarpers.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Prussians were quick out of the blocks and quickly pushed forward their infantry whilst deploying their guns to shell the town. As the commander of this particular force I knew that I couldn't afford to waste time pointlessly assaulting the town so opted to get to grips with the French infantry pronto.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8KPGScWpa6Y/VTNfzSXLyGI/AAAAAAAABpY/68exgtAQbpo/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8KPGScWpa6Y/VTNfzSXLyGI/AAAAAAAABpY/68exgtAQbpo/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian forces advance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zbvk0pUxX0/VTNfzRf7g4I/AAAAAAAABpc/u5h-i5sHSVI/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zbvk0pUxX0/VTNfzRf7g4I/AAAAAAAABpc/u5h-i5sHSVI/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring artillery down on that town!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZIYlT5w3Zw/VTNf9-LCanI/AAAAAAAABpo/0OEIv6OpvUo/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZIYlT5w3Zw/VTNf9-LCanI/AAAAAAAABpo/0OEIv6OpvUo/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French defenders about to cop hell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No sooner had the Prussian gunners unlimbered their guns than they were bringing down accurate and telling fire on the French. The French responded with some indifferent volley fire.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The Prussian infantry soon came within range of the French Chassepots but, as turned out to be the case for most of the night, failed to inflict enough casualties to halt the Prussians.<br />
<br />
I kept the pedal down and was soon trading fire with French units right across my line while still pummelling the town and nearby French infantry with artillery causing one French infantry unit to rout. I brought my remaining guns round the French Right flank and covered their advance with a unit of cavalry (Dragoons)<br />
At this moment my ally, Geoff,, arrives on the French left flank with his force.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICRfxDmjQLk/VTNjslo2RmI/AAAAAAAABp0/-E1f_e0sinE/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICRfxDmjQLk/VTNjslo2RmI/AAAAAAAABp0/-E1f_e0sinE/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussians appear on the French Left flank. (See red dice)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Clearly the French are in a very sticky predicament here as their rear is threatened and they face a strong force to their front. Fortunately they are stationery so receive a double complement of dice when firing...not that it does any good. They don't even slow the Prussians down.<br />
The plucky French commander throws in a cavalry attack against the Prussian Hussars and a melee quickly ensues.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YgWLcs963M/VTNlRGnFuTI/AAAAAAAABqA/8miUk7dqIIA/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YgWLcs963M/VTNlRGnFuTI/AAAAAAAABqA/8miUk7dqIIA/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Lancers charging Prussian Hussars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unfortunately the French crappy dice throwing continues and the French Lancers are routed.<br />
The Prussian infantry follow up with a massed assault on the French from front and rear. This is too much for the French and they are driven back towards the centre road and the retreating baggage train.<br />
<br />
Now it is the turn of the Prussian's Bavarian allies to arrive on the French right flank. Their light blue uniforms and checker-board flags make a stirring sight. Their aim is to head off the baggage and block the French line of communication.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQKI8S5m8yk/VTNnFTRy01I/AAAAAAAABqM/Iyeqg-2JZJE/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQKI8S5m8yk/VTNnFTRy01I/AAAAAAAABqM/Iyeqg-2JZJE/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bavarians arriving on the French right flank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOrN8zJz73w/VTNnFQjowMI/AAAAAAAABqQ/QuT7SME-LBY/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOrN8zJz73w/VTNnFQjowMI/AAAAAAAABqQ/QuT7SME-LBY/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They are met by stiff French resistance and both sides trade fire and face off in a number of mellees. As the game progresses this half of the Bavarian command eventually goes exhausted however the remaining half are still in good shape and advance en-mass to sit astride the main road forcing the French to move from defending the bridge to shoving them out of the way.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile down my neck of the woods things are progressing to plan as I push aside the French on my Left and in partnership with my ally Geoff bring overwhelming pressure on the centre.<br />
<br />
By now French units are routing or are being destroyed at such a rate that it is only a matter of time before they reach the inevitable morale collapse. By comparison Prussian losses are minimal. Clearly the dice gods favour the Prussians this night as the dejected French Commander, Chris, can only stare in disbelief at a continual succession of one's and two's whilst his opponents roll sixes with ease. As one who has been on the receiving end of this sort of thing on numerous occasions I couldn't help but feel for Chris.... fortunately his wife is a trained counsellor.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DexF4gMyzq4/VTNrWni7pQI/AAAAAAAABqg/t_dV5oxEPcI/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DexF4gMyzq4/VTNrWni7pQI/AAAAAAAABqg/t_dV5oxEPcI/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French baggage in sight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Agb2IfNy31Y/VTNrWrA0b8I/AAAAAAAABqk/OOOZw1wZ54I/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Agb2IfNy31Y/VTNrWrA0b8I/AAAAAAAABqk/OOOZw1wZ54I/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I detect a note of despondency in the French Command<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The situation at turn six sees Chris's French command suffer morale collapse as expected, leaving the way clear for the Prussians to race forward with their cavalry to begin assailing the French baggage and with their escape rout cut the French call it a day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ed75fjdIrU/VTNto2DeFcI/AAAAAAAABq4/Ws2DFUbqXdY/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ed75fjdIrU/VTNto2DeFcI/AAAAAAAABq4/Ws2DFUbqXdY/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian Dragoons eyeing up the French baggage train</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMICFA74az8/VTNto2GDr8I/AAAAAAAABq0/Aazx67UWu_0/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMICFA74az8/VTNto2GDr8I/AAAAAAAABq0/Aazx67UWu_0/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Thanks to Adrian for putting on another challenging and attractive game and thank you the 'Dice Gods' for smiling upon me this night.<br />
<br />
<br />
My celebratory beverage of choice for the night was.....Longbeard Blonde<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvxtlgWGihc/VTNwWOb1cSI/AAAAAAAABrI/0Q_5ZHXMefE/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvxtlgWGihc/VTNwWOb1cSI/AAAAAAAABrI/0Q_5ZHXMefE/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longbeard Blonde, IPA, intense hops and lingering fruit notes....outstanding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some more of Adrian's superb troops<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTmsxTf5nqQ/VTNyCSxGe2I/AAAAAAAABrY/-HOjRSuLl7c/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTmsxTf5nqQ/VTNyCSxGe2I/AAAAAAAABrY/-HOjRSuLl7c/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ty_tpEQxd_I/VTNyCe9sW3I/AAAAAAAABrc/p0IjdKeMgO4/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ty_tpEQxd_I/VTNyCe9sW3I/AAAAAAAABrc/p0IjdKeMgO4/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xv4so5y75_o/VTNyCCHiVgI/AAAAAAAABrg/Rrg_2ErU6a8/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xv4so5y75_o/VTNyCCHiVgI/AAAAAAAABrg/Rrg_2ErU6a8/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hMnjDHyyXo/VTNyDKk-yQI/AAAAAAAABro/rWEz5m_Fgjs/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hMnjDHyyXo/VTNyDKk-yQI/AAAAAAAABro/rWEz5m_Fgjs/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4AYtOHX25c/VTNyDgaMrUI/AAAAAAAABrs/Lmso83KcPAY/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4AYtOHX25c/VTNyDgaMrUI/AAAAAAAABrs/Lmso83KcPAY/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4oK4k_6oQc/VTNyEIkxVlI/AAAAAAAABr4/ZySdq-G4RGM/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4oK4k_6oQc/VTNyEIkxVlI/AAAAAAAABr4/ZySdq-G4RGM/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83grH6knv8M/VTNyEJKGtrI/AAAAAAAABr8/wNjThEkqJFA/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83grH6knv8M/VTNyEJKGtrI/AAAAAAAABr8/wNjThEkqJFA/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-67743850350108958112015-04-09T05:02:00.000-07:002015-04-09T05:02:17.606-07:00Bolt Action in the Pacific, The Green Hell.Wednesday night's game was a WW2 Bolt Action engagement between the Forces of Imperial Japan commanded by Colonel Notsoyumi Sukiyaki (Dave Houston) and the 2nd US Marine Corps commanded by Colonel Richard 'Rick' Draper over some pitiful scrap of an island that had limited strategic importance, absolutely no night life whatsoever and some very nervous looking goats.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EEvKAvVW0Ko/VSZCulQ98cI/AAAAAAAABlk/Ubt3iXwCVHw/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EEvKAvVW0Ko/VSZCulQ98cI/AAAAAAAABlk/Ubt3iXwCVHw/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Notsoyumi Sukiyaki issues orders from his command post</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNK2R-lAhXU/VSZI7BlggZI/AAAAAAAABmM/r7ZfhWH98wA/s1600/IMG_0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNK2R-lAhXU/VSZI7BlggZI/AAAAAAAABmM/r7ZfhWH98wA/s1600/IMG_0781.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese marines wade ashore to reinforce the island </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>The Japanese force</b> is a mixed bag of Regular Imperial infantry and Veteran naval assault troops, some rather odd looking anti tank suicide pole troops, a self propelled howitzer and a small machine gun armed jeep.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYccvuaKKJ4/VSZGylr5tbI/AAAAAAAABl4/B4JLbvRmMMM/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYccvuaKKJ4/VSZGylr5tbI/AAAAAAAABl4/B4JLbvRmMMM/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The forerunner to the Toyota Starlet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Japanese enter the table from the North and begin the game with all their troops in reserve behind their baseline.<br />
<br />
<b>The US Marine force</b> consists of a Regular infantry-only force with the usual support weapons,<br />
80 mm mortar, HMG, flamethrower and MMG's<br />
<br />
The Americans also begin the game by deploying from behind their baseline at the southern end of the island.<br />
<br />
<b>The objective</b>, located approximately in the middle of the table, is a downed Japanese Navy float plane which crash landed, after running out of fuel. Incredibly inside the dead pilots satchel is the plans and latest coordinates of the Imperial Japanese Navies' 3rd Pacific Task Force including the Battleship <i>Musashi</i>. and the carriers <i>Suckimota</i> and <i>Sockitumi</i>. Recovery of this vital information is paramount for both sides.<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du05_RoguYQ/VSZECQ21I-I/AAAAAAAABls/vBRorCK9IjQ/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du05_RoguYQ/VSZECQ21I-I/AAAAAAAABls/vBRorCK9IjQ/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The battlefield </b>consists of a small island bisected by some rudimentary tracks, a couple of native dwellings, two prominent rocky outcrops and scattered palms and jungle.<br />
<br />
The Americans get off to a great start as one American order dice after another is removed from the dice bag. Colonel Draper pushes forward a unit to capture the smaller of the two dwellings. He positions his mortar at the rear to bring down support fire and likewise places his HMG near the rear with a clear field of fire right up the length of the table. His remaining troops take up watch and shoot positions on the jungle fringes.<br />
Finally the Japanese order dice start to emerge from the bag and Colonel Sukiyaki wastes no time in bringing up his S.P gun up behind the large building while his remaining troops advance towards the centre and flanks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evlcV2FXHog/VSZMzBGSykI/AAAAAAAABmg/BuZPJvbDFu4/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evlcV2FXHog/VSZMzBGSykI/AAAAAAAABmg/BuZPJvbDFu4/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Some excellent spotting by the Jap Forward Observer allows the S.P gun to bring down fire on the enemy troops lurking in the jungle on the American Right Flank,<br />
Unfortunately the Japanese gunner is not up to the mark and, despite a very impressive display of smoke and flying shrapnel, not a single GI is hit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2wNh4IuQEc/VSZOUIC3NJI/AAAAAAAABms/rx34pr6ZTSg/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2wNh4IuQEc/VSZOUIC3NJI/AAAAAAAABms/rx34pr6ZTSg/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
At this point the US Navy lends a hand as Colonel Draper retaliates by calling in an air-strike by a trio of carrier based Corsair fighter bombers.<br />
Now, I have to say here that I have been present at numerous games where air strikes have been about as useful as teets on the proverbial bull. In most cases they either fail to turn up, get shot to pieces by ack ack or blissfully drop their payloads on their own troops. Well this night none of the aforementioned happened, instead the Yankee fly-boys not only arrived on target they proceeded to unleashed hell as a great handful of 5's and 6's were thrown. KABOOOMB!! bye bye S.P gun.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjqB_LzYTEw/VSZUD5R1CcI/AAAAAAAABm8/KNoemOdktSY/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjqB_LzYTEw/VSZUD5R1CcI/AAAAAAAABm8/KNoemOdktSY/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KABOOOMB!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Undeterred by this cataclysmic setback so early in the piece Colonel Sukiyaka continues to push his troops forward toward the objective in the jungle, he also secures the larger building by positioning troops inside it to cover the main central track.<br />
Somewhat rashly, he orders the jeep forward on what appears a suicide mission to pour fire into the enemy troops advancing up the track and in the smaller dwelling. Some average shooting puts paid to a couple of marines but a return fusilade of fire from the Amercian HMG and the grunts in the building pepper the hapless jeep, exploding the fuel tank and annihilating the heroic crew.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGf-eiaV_AA/VSZUNpLus-I/AAAAAAAABnE/XRC87-2C2Bc/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGf-eiaV_AA/VSZUNpLus-I/AAAAAAAABnE/XRC87-2C2Bc/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With the loss of the enemies' jeep Colonel Draper considers this a perfect opportunity to assault the large building. Two units dash forward to the walls including a flame thrower to overpower the Jap defenders. The flame-thrower is singled out for particular attention by the Japanese riflemen and he is cut down before he can even ignite his flame. A number of other Marines hit the dirt but the attack still goes in. A short but bloody melee ensues leaving the G.I's in possession of the building and the Japanese defenders wiped out to a man. "Well if they wont surrender what the hell else are we s'posed to do Sir?" asks Sergeant Kawolski.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-mwB7wwpzQ/VSZYEyebF6I/AAAAAAAABnQ/8_kIuRwHV0s/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-mwB7wwpzQ/VSZYEyebF6I/AAAAAAAABnQ/8_kIuRwHV0s/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once Colonel Sukiyaki has stopped beating his head against a nearby rock in apoplectic rage and frustration he manages to regains his composure enough to orders his Naval vets to race forward at maximum speed to seize the objective and remove the secret documents to safe keeping at all costs.</div>
<div>
To support them he sends a unit of Imperial infantry round the Right flank along the edge of the beach. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sensing the prize may yet slip from his grasp Colonel Draper switches his attention to the central patch of jungle and the wrecked aircraft. He orders as many units as possible forward to assault the objective. </div>
<div>
As his men race across the open ground in the centre they are met by a fanatical but futile Banzai charge by the pitiful remains of a unit of regular Imperial infantry, swords waving and flags fluttering. Barely breaking stride the GI's open up on them and the glorious charge is stopped in its tracks leaving a carpet of dead Japanese.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-0BtanU-wk/VSZc2tPyjiI/AAAAAAAABnc/tYg9dTlm2dQ/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-0BtanU-wk/VSZc2tPyjiI/AAAAAAAABnc/tYg9dTlm2dQ/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BANZAI!!<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
With very few other targets to concern them the Americans can now bring their considerable fire-power to bear on the objective. "Spray that God damned jungle with everything you got boys" yells the Colonel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Wvs3gjymPs/VSZhl5JYTjI/AAAAAAAABno/hJv2AxRhCbA/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Wvs3gjymPs/VSZhl5JYTjI/AAAAAAAABno/hJv2AxRhCbA/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonel Rick Draper in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmCrQEshoc/VSZiAkHZEBI/AAAAAAAABn0/bXSzhnYRF1s/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmCrQEshoc/VSZiAkHZEBI/AAAAAAAABn0/bXSzhnYRF1s/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire in the hole! 80 mm mortar bringing down some pain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GIuKffRNsQ/VSZiArmV0WI/AAAAAAAABnw/fSeHC2uURhs/s1600/IMG_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GIuKffRNsQ/VSZiArmV0WI/AAAAAAAABnw/fSeHC2uURhs/s1600/IMG_0817.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spray that jungle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The American Mortar and the troops from the American Left flank bring down accurate supporting fire as the Marines charge toward the objective. Japanese casualties begin to mount at an alarming rate and there are very few Japanese order dice left in the bag. Incredibly the fanatical Naval veterans continue to pass their morale test.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To close the deal the Americans send a unit racing up the middle and round the Left flank unopposed to cut off the enemies retreat. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's now obvious that, though the Japanese are in possession of the top secret plans, they cannot get the plans off their end of the table and in fact another turn would almost certainly see them wiped out so, thanks to some incredibly lucky dice throwing and excellent tactics and some abysmal luck on Colonel Sukiyakis part the Forces of Democracy prevail with a decisive victory 'God Bless America!'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qv_Y7BbhDq8/VSZlwqDXGrI/AAAAAAAABoE/VVnwtqMx_6g/s1600/IMG_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qv_Y7BbhDq8/VSZlwqDXGrI/AAAAAAAABoE/VVnwtqMx_6g/s1600/IMG_0826.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know those Nip pilots are small but this is ridiculous?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3uuTYoAVp8/VSZlwpDYxDI/AAAAAAAABoI/HDXpxvAEKME/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3uuTYoAVp8/VSZlwpDYxDI/AAAAAAAABoI/HDXpxvAEKME/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incoming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jriIhtX08bg/VSZmlhvY-iI/AAAAAAAABoU/B6BnXFqmPvA/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jriIhtX08bg/VSZmlhvY-iI/AAAAAAAABoU/B6BnXFqmPvA/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radioman Wally Cronkite radios back to headquarters "Objective secured"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIUCQPlaY0c/VSZmr3AWt7I/AAAAAAAABoc/E204TAdfWPY/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIUCQPlaY0c/VSZmr3AWt7I/AAAAAAAABoc/E204TAdfWPY/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonel Sukiyaki's last bottle of Asahi before committing Hari Kari.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-84329465986125582452015-04-04T03:04:00.000-07:002015-04-04T03:05:20.956-07:00Steampunk shennanaginsAs it was my turn to arrange the Southern Strategists fortnightly game I thought it about time I inflicted another steampunk game on them. I say inflict because our merry group of gamers are evenly split between the traditionalist, strictly historical types and the more adventurous open minded spirits. I say this tongue in cheek because I fully accept that this style of gaming is not everyone's cup of Darjeeling. My fellow Strategists have been wargaming mates for over 25 years so clearly we have learnt to accept each others little foibles with gentlemanly good grace and not a little grinding of teeth at times.<br />
<br />
<b>"VOLTAVIA INVADED", Teutonian forces occupy Voltavian Industrial Region.</b><br />
<b>Britainia Declares War</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
My scenario was based around the ongoing struggle between the Teutonians and the Britainians over the Teutonians unprovoked invasion of the coal and mineral rich principality of Voltavia. As an Ally of the Voltavians the Britanians have no choice but to declare a state of war against the Teutonians in outrage at their naked aggression and illegal occupation of the Voltavian coal mining and industrial region of Anthracillia. This conflagration is showing all the signs of escalating into something much bigger as neither side is prepared to back down despite frantic diplomatic wrangling behind the scenes. Their has already been talk of atrocities being comitted by occupying Teutonian forces but for the moment this appears to be purely conjecture and rumour.<br />
<br />
<b>The scenario </b>had the Teutonian advance columns racing forward to capture the crossroads and village to secure their route of advance and lines of communication.<br />
Rules used in the game are FUBAR Vic Sci-fi and figures are a mixture of Black Tree, Foundry, Great War Miniatures, Renegade and Ironclad from our various collections. Please excuse WW1 Germans mixing it with Sudan era Brit Naval Brigade...hey nobody said it had to make sense!<br />
<br />
<b>The game</b>.<br />
The Britainians are pooling every resource at their disposal to halt the Teutonian juggernaut and have thrown up a hasty defensive perimeter around the village as they await reinforcement by any friendlies available within the vicinity of the village.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcsn8I69Clg/VR-j1KbzlEI/AAAAAAAABgI/Pq2HF1scSIM/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcsn8I69Clg/VR-j1KbzlEI/AAAAAAAABgI/Pq2HF1scSIM/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britanians arriving from the South as the Teutonians arrive from the Northern edge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="goog_1408832932"></span><br />
This was a bit of a knocked together game so dont look for finely balanced forces and well thought out terrain as will become readily apparent from my report.<br />
<br />
From the very beginning both sides suffered miserably form abysmal activation throws. The Brit tanks with the exception of the WW1 female Tank refused to budge and it was rumoured that this may have been caused by Teutonian secret agents tampering with the fuel reserve. Damned unsporting!<br />
This however didnt explain the extremely tardy advance of most of the British infantry reinforcements. Possibly suffering the after effects of a dodgy batch of Miggins, Field Pie, Mince Mk2 which would account for the foul odours emanating from the Britanian latrines.<br />
Fortunately for the Brits the Teutonians werent faring much better as their artillery and tanks refused to advance.<br />
The Teutonian infantry on the other hand positively raced forward and were advancing in force on the Britanian left flank.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JtSsrNzNldk/VR-oEbEiOgI/AAAAAAAABgU/sA4-kUmqCqM/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JtSsrNzNldk/VR-oEbEiOgI/AAAAAAAABgU/sA4-kUmqCqM/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian lead elements of infantry rushing forward to seize the crossroads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was at this point that the Brit female heavy tank made an appearance and began pouring a sustained and galling fire on the Teutonian infantry. The Teutonian Jager also came under heavy fire from the Britianian troops located in the village.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8a3eDo0LS5I/VR-pFxAIdTI/AAAAAAAABgc/JtNNA1PFqdc/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8a3eDo0LS5I/VR-pFxAIdTI/AAAAAAAABgc/JtNNA1PFqdc/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After draining and refilling the Britanian light tanks fuel tanks a more acceptable rate of progress was adopted and the Brit reinforcements, including a Company of Naval ratings and their supporting Aeroneff cautiously took up position on the Brit right flank next to the cemetery and rag tag bunch of Voltavian Militia and Brit regulars who were frantically throwing up sand bag defences in the centre to hold the crossroads.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LCQM3g1hDA/VR-qHpfZXiI/AAAAAAAABgo/KrAxBD5y6W4/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LCQM3g1hDA/VR-qHpfZXiI/AAAAAAAABgo/KrAxBD5y6W4/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brrrm Brmm The Britanians get their tank going</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOzDVWeahTA/VR-qHYNtJPI/AAAAAAAABgk/Uq-F6Fu6oZM/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOzDVWeahTA/VR-qHYNtJPI/AAAAAAAABgk/Uq-F6Fu6oZM/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Magesties Scout Aeroneff Goshawk in an aerial support role.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The sudden appearance of the strange Britianian Aerial contraption seemed to throw the Teutonians into something of a tizz as every available gun was brought to bear on her. Despite a number of telling hits including a shot clean through her boiler the plucky Aeroneff stood her ground.<br />
<br />
The Teutonian Armour remained afflicted by an inability to move which left the Britanian heavy tank unrestricted license to deal to the unprotected Teutonian infantry. By now the Teutonian grunts were trapped in the crossfire of the tanks MMGs the rifles of the Britanian infantry and an Armstrong Gun that the Brits had managed to bring up on their Left flank. Inexpicably the Teutonians continued raining fire on the Brit Aeroneff rather than getting to grips with the annoying heavy tank. Their continued fire did however pay off as a lucky shot bore straight into the Aeroneffs magazine just as a hail of machine gun fire swept the Brit gunners from the deck. KABOOM!! the the doomed craft fell to earth in a maelstrom of burning fuel and twisted steel plating.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jE3uqXcDw9E/VR-x3xiIOfI/AAAAAAAABg8/t_AlQveIn1Y/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jE3uqXcDw9E/VR-x3xiIOfI/AAAAAAAABg8/t_AlQveIn1Y/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It was at this point that the game degenerated into something of a one-sided affair for the Brits as they had firmly ensconsed themselves in the village and were dug in on the cross-roads. The Teutonian infantry had taken appalling losses and were clearly incapable of seizing their objectives. With no hope of pushing forward the Teutonians decided to order a strategic withdrawal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DtSCscO1h8/VR-zaLYiGrI/AAAAAAAABhI/CAyTRCuQoDM/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DtSCscO1h8/VR-zaLYiGrI/AAAAAAAABhI/CAyTRCuQoDM/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The village safely in Britainian hands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5-nS4NMOy0/VR-zzFGL0WI/AAAAAAAABhQ/AhyJWu37suI/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5-nS4NMOy0/VR-zzFGL0WI/AAAAAAAABhQ/AhyJWu37suI/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German light tanks and Teutonic Knight Walker blasts away at Britainain forces<br />
on the outskirts of Anthracillia, Voltavian Campaign, March 1889</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In hindsight this game was poorly thought out by yours truly. The forces were totally wrong for an attack defender game. The Brits probably had at least two too many infantry elements and the heavy tank with its three forward firing MMg's was devastating. The Teutonians would have benfitted by the game being played across the table as well as they would have had room for flanking and would have got their armour and artillery into play much sooner and more effectively. That said I am very happy with the FUBAR rules and I love the look of the thing so sadly for my more conservative fellow gamers you haven't heard the last of the Voltavian Campaign.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEE4R3RbvFI/VR-2Xeq43OI/AAAAAAAABh4/jGaLLs5E3aQ/s1600/Feldwebel%2BKatzenheimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEE4R3RbvFI/VR-2Xeq43OI/AAAAAAAABh4/jGaLLs5E3aQ/s1600/Feldwebel%2BKatzenheimer.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NK0d9yrL5jQ/VR-2Xe72-HI/AAAAAAAABhg/kuoJYJyYSFA/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NK0d9yrL5jQ/VR-2Xe72-HI/AAAAAAAABhg/kuoJYJyYSFA/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" height="320" width="301" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cb2RVcouIk/VR-2XHotBsI/AAAAAAAABhc/O2vc03aZ4HE/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cb2RVcouIk/VR-2XHotBsI/AAAAAAAABhc/O2vc03aZ4HE/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" height="320" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5AbefHHvYg/VR-2YDC1wGI/AAAAAAAABho/CHcFwC4EeFE/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5AbefHHvYg/VR-2YDC1wGI/AAAAAAAABho/CHcFwC4EeFE/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" height="320" width="230" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7NCciAZF4M/VR-2ZCtgFZI/AAAAAAAABiU/_1aL4i0PhBo/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7NCciAZF4M/VR-2ZCtgFZI/AAAAAAAABiU/_1aL4i0PhBo/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QYDMIwdkVg/VR-2ZrahWAI/AAAAAAAABh8/-q8pAWZKOlA/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QYDMIwdkVg/VR-2ZrahWAI/AAAAAAAABh8/-q8pAWZKOlA/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZZXMA3O30o/VR-2aLTOxiI/AAAAAAAABiM/OPjnR0hApQs/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZZXMA3O30o/VR-2aLTOxiI/AAAAAAAABiM/OPjnR0hApQs/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97JhKlPcSow/VR-2aSqGPmI/AAAAAAAABiQ/vPBQZeg6IGY/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97JhKlPcSow/VR-2aSqGPmI/AAAAAAAABiQ/vPBQZeg6IGY/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7DCpXGGnsPc/VR-2bjdDuqI/AAAAAAAABic/nT1TjgcMCLQ/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7DCpXGGnsPc/VR-2bjdDuqI/AAAAAAAABic/nT1TjgcMCLQ/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4aRZgw-jBU/VR-2b625jRI/AAAAAAAABik/XRyso9rGQAk/s1600/Privates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4aRZgw-jBU/VR-2b625jRI/AAAAAAAABik/XRyso9rGQAk/s1600/Privates.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXYlMIXD-3E/VR-2cLvjPVI/AAAAAAAABig/ecW6tb01P38/s1600/Professor%2B'Mad'%2BOtto%2BVon%2BKleist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXYlMIXD-3E/VR-2cLvjPVI/AAAAAAAABig/ecW6tb01P38/s1600/Professor%2B'Mad'%2BOtto%2BVon%2BKleist.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-8464762606849879692015-03-29T17:21:00.000-07:002015-03-29T18:33:34.032-07:00A human stole my baby. The sequel....at lastIf anyone is still out there......Helloooo.<br />
<br />
Due to one of the best New Zealand Summers in memory it's been positively ages since I've even looked at my computer. With so many outdoor activities on the go the thought of sitting in front of a bally computer or at my painting table has barely crossed my mind, hence my inexcusable delay in bringing you the sequel to our somewhat absurd and delightfully silly Back of Beyond game held many many months ago. (See previous post)<br />
<br />
If anyone recalls, which frankly is extremely unlikely, we left our intrepid adventurers somewhere in the steamy and crocodile infested waterways of the African Jungle in search of a Dinosaur egg of all things.<br />
<br />
I take up the story at the point where all the main players have arrived on the scene. You'll have to excuse a bit of poetic licence because, to be honest, I'm struggling to remember exactly what happened or in what order so here is the abridged and somewhat hazy journal of events as they transpired. Facts are highly over-rated don't ya know.<br />
<br />
Sir Percival's party have just rounded a curve in the track and there before their eyes, defying all the laws of nature is the bleached bones of an intact Brontosaurus skeleton. "By Jove!" exclaims Sir Percival, "Just what we're looking for".......<br />
It's at this very instant that the ground beneath their feet begins to tremble accompanied by an ominous deep throated roar of animal rage,... no its not a 7.6 magnitude earthquake but something equally frightening...an enraged female Tyrannosaurus bearing down on them at a brisk pace. Imagine Ena Sharples reacting to someone stealing her seat in the Snug at Rover's on pub night and you get some idea of the sheer terror by gum!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ylFmKaRfTA/VRfldy4UcBI/AAAAAAAABY4/b9OarzWRE0c/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ylFmKaRfTA/VRfldy4UcBI/AAAAAAAABY4/b9OarzWRE0c/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Open Fire! yells Captain Anthruthers, somewhat pointlessly, considering every gun is blazing away as fast as trembling fingers can pull triggers or cram bullets into breaches. At first the beast simply shrugs off the rounds like pebbles but an incredibly lucky shot from Corporal Smythe hits the Dino straight in the eye sending a round burrowing straight into the beasts diminutive brain and felling it like a sack of wet cement.<br />
"Oh I say well done Smythe, Great shot that man indeed" congratulates the Captain, blissfully unconcerned that they've just killed, possibly the only remaining live dinosaur in the World. Actually from the Umpire's perspective this was damnably annoying as the Dino was supposed to account for a fair number of Sir Percival's party to give the game some balance and I was more than a little fond of the ugly brute.<br />
<br />
"Well at least we know we're on the scent of those eggs" ponders Sir Percival, "if I'm not mistaken I'd say Mrs T Rex was guarding her nest when we disturbed her".<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpCban-Qlbw/VRfmKVicTFI/AAAAAAAABZA/sFJzUOI8Rio/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpCban-Qlbw/VRfmKVicTFI/AAAAAAAABZA/sFJzUOI8Rio/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grrrraaahhhhh!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCOy4aQnSHM/VRfmKQ15hGI/AAAAAAAABZE/US9vwNKoCoM/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCOy4aQnSHM/VRfmKQ15hGI/AAAAAAAABZE/US9vwNKoCoM/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ex T Rex in her death throes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile in another part of the Jungle our sausage eating friend Baron Von Schlessinger and his band of hired thugs have alighted from their Zeppelinette and are just getting their bearings when suddenly, bursting from the undergrowth, emerges a war party of the cannibalistic Snoozenuluzem tribe wildly brandishing their spears and raining arrows upon the party.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIpKPfrffmU/VRfn3hqGQCI/AAAAAAAABZc/WLzWNhFX6eg/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIpKPfrffmU/VRfn3hqGQCI/AAAAAAAABZc/WLzWNhFX6eg/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoozenuluzem welcoming committee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2CBCtw4l4Q/VRfn3nsAFNI/AAAAAAAABZU/sUQoC7IUmMQ/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2CBCtw4l4Q/VRfn3nsAFNI/AAAAAAAABZU/sUQoC7IUmMQ/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wounded and dying Snoozenuluzems.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Fortunately the Baron is no stranger to the attentions of hostile natives and coolly draws a bead on the closest native with his trusty Manlicher rifle, felling him in mid stride with a shot clean through the head. The rest of the party open up and sadly for the out-gunned natives their arrows and spears are no match for the white man's cowardly fire-sticks which kill from great distance. Deciding to fight another day they slink back into the jungle leaving the ground scattered with their dead and dying.<br />
<br />
Once again the best laid plans of the Umpire were thwarted as the natives were supposed to cull at least a couple of the Barons men....I can see a pattern emerging!<br />
<br />
After dusting themselves off the Baron looses no time in heading for the site of the Dinosaur fossil intent on locating the egg. Unfortunately for him his compass reading skills are not quite up to snuff and he blunders straight into a fetid, primeval swamp. It will be some time before they can extricate themselves from this smelly predicament.<br />
Unbeknownst to the Baron, a party of British Marines led by First Lieutenant Prescott, alerted by the sound of gunfire and blood curdling war cries, are pushing forward towards the swamp to see what all the fuss is about. Within minutes the two parties stumble upon each other. Needless to say a furious melee erupts between the bitter foes with rifle butts, cutlasses, pistols, boots and fists to the fore.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NE6BF2ivJBg/VRfvSpqTysI/AAAAAAAABZ8/3rZ4vQe986o/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NE6BF2ivJBg/VRfvSpqTysI/AAAAAAAABZ8/3rZ4vQe986o/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a near run thing with casualties mounting on both sides and many a chilling scream is heard as the wounded and dying are sucked beneath the scum covered surface of the swamp, helpless to save themselves. Actually it would be more of a Arghh!!...gurgle, gurgle,help, gurgle....sploop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8qRaB-waqSA/VRfyBpOvZlI/AAAAAAAABaU/-ZHUCwKIdms/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8qRaB-waqSA/VRfyBpOvZlI/AAAAAAAABaU/-ZHUCwKIdms/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A furious melee ensuing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W72xh1oohQs/VRfyBr1gsiI/AAAAAAAABaQ/DquiH_prfUM/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W72xh1oohQs/VRfyBr1gsiI/AAAAAAAABaQ/DquiH_prfUM/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things are looking a bit grim for the Baron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Just as the Baron is about to go under his saviour miraculously appears in the form of the indomitable Oberst Von Fliehofen and his highly trained Jungle Jager. Tasked with assisting the Baron, they have stealthily tracked the Marines to the swamp with the intention of wiping them out and linking up with the Baron so they can deal once and for all with that Britischer nincumpoop, Frockmorton.<br />
<br />
It should be mentioned that the hapless Oberst managed to get himself completely lost in a dense thicket of extremely tall Elephant grass, that grows with such abundance in the African Jungle...NOT, and only the unmistakable sound of the Baron's trusty Manlicher gave him any clue as to which direction to head,<br />
This was about the only thing that went the way the Umpire planned as anyone who strayed from pathways or clearing had to roll against their skill factor to see whether they were lost or not, then a random direction dice was thrown to see which direction they would exit. Fortunately for the Oberst a lucky dice throw saw him pointed like an avenging arrow in the direction of the Marines<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nGv4rBLXRM/VRhxweRVkpI/AAAAAAAABbI/_8ILK-qiCxE/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nGv4rBLXRM/VRhxweRVkpI/AAAAAAAABbI/_8ILK-qiCxE/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" height="195" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vorwarts I think??? The lost Jungle Jager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway back to the battle in the swamp. The sudden arrival of a full complement of Jager tips the balance decisively in the Baron's favour and, rather than waste the live of his men, 1st Lt Prescott orders his men to surrender.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksjxof0jLho/VRh4dKhvlGI/AAAAAAAABbY/1bg60WhGOkI/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksjxof0jLho/VRh4dKhvlGI/AAAAAAAABbY/1bg60WhGOkI/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
It's at this point that a furious exchange takes place between the Baron and the Oberst. Intent on making good his promise to the Kaiser to secure the Dino egg the Baron ruthlessly orders the Oberst to "shoot the damned sailors as they will only slow us down and can't be trusted". "Mein Gott!! you really are nothing but an evil schweinhund Baron" exclaims the honourable Oberst. "As a Prussian Officer and a Gentleman I flatly refuse your dastardly order and in fact will order my men to shoot you and every last one of your foul brethren if you so much as look sideways at the prisoners".<br />
<br />
"Ach! you old fool, the Kaiser will have your head for this". It's at this point that a very large tube appears under the nose of the Baron's nose in the form of the Oberst's Luger pistol, thus indisputably resolving the crisis of command. "Now where is that bloody Britisch Proffessor? wonders the Oberst"<br />
<br />
Whilst all this has transpired the incredibly lucky Professor's party have not only discovered the dinosaur nest but they have managed to secure an egg and place it in the special thermetically sealed transportation case they have brought with them. With the prize in tow and safely stowed atop their mule all that remains is to beat a hasty retreat back down the track to rendezvous with her Majestie's Aeroneff and a safe passage back to Blighty..... That's assuming other interested parties don't get in their way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqMigvxOhhg/VRh9OjvniyI/AAAAAAAABbk/ovw5DBYUpz4/s1600/IMG_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqMigvxOhhg/VRh9OjvniyI/AAAAAAAABbk/ovw5DBYUpz4/s1600/IMG_0749.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After a brief and somewhat frosty consultation the Baron and the Oberst concede that the plan most likely to reward them with any hope of finding the cursed Britischers is to follow the track with the intention of catching up with the Professor, annihilating them and stealing the egg, which they must surely be in possession of by now. It seems likely that the Professor would take the quickest route to make good his escape so, with that thought in mind, the Baron and his surviving cohorts, the Oberst his men and their prisoners set of at double time along the now, familiar trail towards the waiting enemy flyer contraption.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Pd-Lrf-5Mw/VRiAmjBO5mI/AAAAAAAABb0/4xBvhAIXnyQ/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Pd-Lrf-5Mw/VRiAmjBO5mI/AAAAAAAABb0/4xBvhAIXnyQ/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurry men I see them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0HP8OBe_4Q/VRiAmgpRgfI/AAAAAAAABbw/r7G2gdYoW2A/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0HP8OBe_4Q/VRiAmgpRgfI/AAAAAAAABbw/r7G2gdYoW2A/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" height="320" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Its not long before the Prussian's plan pays off as just ahead at the ford they spy the rapidly escaping British party. "CHARGE!!" orders the Oberst. "Somebody grab that mule" yells the Baron.<br />
<br />
Aware that they have been tumbled the steadfast Captain Anstruthers orders his men to form rank and prepare to receive the enemies charge. "Front rank kneel, volley fire, fifty yards, commence firing!" orders the Captain. "Sir Percival, if you would be so good, would you form your party in a defensive huddle behind us with the mule in the middle?.. "I'm confident British pluck will win the day against these bally sausage eaters"<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIrlxLbVKdw/VRiFexcYiQI/AAAAAAAABcM/-o0EuV-2GVI/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIrlxLbVKdw/VRiFexcYiQI/AAAAAAAABcM/-o0EuV-2GVI/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwX5wtceYjQ/VRiFgpzultI/AAAAAAAABcs/7W7rOkCsgRg/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwX5wtceYjQ/VRiFgpzultI/AAAAAAAABcs/7W7rOkCsgRg/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The Brits pour on a blistering and accurate fire and the Prussians are bowled over at an alarming rate. True to form Sir Percival and the Captain, played by our fellow gamer and thoroughly proper type, Adrian, outperformed all others throughout the game with a succession of 9's and 10's. In fact I don't recall anything less than a 7 being thrown by him all night.<br />
<br />
With a last desperate throw of the dice the Oberst rallies his men and by sheer brute force and grit manages to break through the British line and make a beeline for the mule and its precious cargo. Just as he has his hand on the beast's halter the formidable Mrs Dorothea Miggins calmly strides forward, leans into the stock of her Purdy 12 gauge in that perfect skeet shooting stance that has seen her win the Woolwich Other Ranks Wives Skeet Shooting Cup six years in a row and perforates the startled Oberst's chest with a round each of buck and ball.<br />
<br />
"Aaachhh Mein Gott!! killed by a verdamnt woman" the Oberst gasps in horror as his bloodied body slides to the ground. Unfortunately I am unable to publish photographs of this grisly, yet heroic encounter as they are far too gruesome for my reader's delicate constitutions. We are British after all!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6TznF4C34w/VRiLSOXk98I/AAAAAAAABdA/9JV6vXIijOA/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6TznF4C34w/VRiLSOXk98I/AAAAAAAABdA/9JV6vXIijOA/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xL6qFTkYy4/VRiLSB6o-AI/AAAAAAAABdI/_9ZcOBTINOE/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xL6qFTkYy4/VRiLSB6o-AI/AAAAAAAABdI/_9ZcOBTINOE/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx4cwFB_SFM/VRiLSPO_OPI/AAAAAAAABdE/OGbJ7pmaCPs/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx4cwFB_SFM/VRiLSPO_OPI/AAAAAAAABdE/OGbJ7pmaCPs/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Seeing the game is up the wily Baron slinks away leaving his men to cover his retreat all the while knowing that whilst the accursed Britischers have won the day they will, most assuredly, be hearing from him again....watch this space.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pNO2bWdk9mA/VRiNjm5xfiI/AAAAAAAABdc/fVMBrZVSq_s/s1600/The%2BUnflappable%2BMrs%2BDorothea%2BMiggins%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pNO2bWdk9mA/VRiNjm5xfiI/AAAAAAAABdc/fVMBrZVSq_s/s1600/The%2BUnflappable%2BMrs%2BDorothea%2BMiggins%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The truly formidable Mrs Dorothea Miggins on a Tiger shoot, India 1884</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Post note to this hair raising adventure.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7PHnh11B0c/VRikGNS94iI/AAAAAAAABds/fqxrcIaWevw/s1600/P1010315%2B-%2BCopy-crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7PHnh11B0c/VRikGNS94iI/AAAAAAAABds/fqxrcIaWevw/s1600/P1010315%2B-%2BCopy-crop.JPG" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
<br />
Captain and Mrs Ogilvie (The Memsahib) enjoying a recent soiree at the Royal Geographical Society wherein we had the indubitable pleasure to listen to a most enlightening and entertaining lecture by the renowned explorer and adventurer, Sir Percival Frockmorton on his now famous Dinosaur Egg Extraction Expedition.<br />
<br />
Note: The dark glasses are purely a temporary expedient due to my prolonged exposure to the harsh Sudanese sun following my recent tour of duty with the East Surreys in that Godforsaken hell hole.Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-43197958206357662642014-11-13T03:24:00.000-08:002014-11-13T03:24:23.432-08:00Back to the Back of Beyond<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>A human stole my baby!</b></span><br />
Another Rip-snorting Adventure</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's been quite some time since the lads have done battle in the dark steamy jungles of Africa so, for my fortnightly game, I decided to put on a sequel to our previous epic 'Quest for the Emerald Orb' game. Much to the dismay of some of the more traditional gamers among our happy band.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Background</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The, somewhat convoluted, story goes that whilst searching for the 'Emerald Orb', in a previous adventure, The Royal British Geographical Society Expedition, headed by that intrepid explorer and stout-hearted son of empire, Sir Percival Frockmorton, stumbled upon startling evidence of Dinosaurs. To be precise his old friend, Professor Yeatman-Briggs, slipped in a giant steaming pile of kaki while packing his pipe! Fortunately he had the presence of mind to recognise that no animal known to man, other than a dinosaur, could produce such a prodigious pile of poo. Further investigation revealed, incredibly, the fossilized skeleton of a Brontosaurus half buried in a peat bog.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The site was carefully mapped for future reference and the party single-mindedly continued on their quest for the orb knowing they would be back.....<br />
A year later and Sir Percival has been entrusted by non other than the Queen herself to lead a top secret Expedition to return to the site and extract a dinosaur egg for incubation and hatching back in England...preposterous but true! One needs a vivid imagination and a complete disregard for reality when writing this stuff.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq4qCaWSBJQ/VGQ75SLnanI/AAAAAAAABWk/ps6pk_QxCLE/s1600/IMG_0210%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq4qCaWSBJQ/VGQ75SLnanI/AAAAAAAABWk/ps6pk_QxCLE/s320/IMG_0210%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Percival (Left) and Prof Yeatman-Briggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It is at this point that I should inform you that every move the Expedition makes is being carefully followed by that arch fiend and bitter rival of Sir Percival, Baron Otto Von Schlessinger and his gang of thugs. It transpires that through his nefarious network of spies and the, unspeakably horrible, torture of a member of the Royal Geographical Society, who stupidly allowed himself to be lured into the Barons clutches by one of the Baron's most alluring female agents the Baron has detailed knowledge of the expedition's plans and is intent on thwarting them and stealing the Schweinhund Britischer thunder by snaffling the egg for the glory and honour of a grateful Kaiser and an adoring Fatherland.<br />
<br />
<b>The Forces</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<u><b>The Royal British Geographical Society Expedition </b></u><br />
Sir Percival and Lady Veronica Frockmorton<br />
Lady Veronica's travelling companion, Dorothea Miggins<br />
Professor CedricYeatman-Briggs<br />
A team of pack mules and some hangers on from the Royal Society.<br />
A military escort of soldiers from the East Surrey Regt under the command of Captain Rupert Anstruthers<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnk7OE_y_2A/VGSUhTACfrI/AAAAAAAABYQ/ZqiL_roCnpI/s1600/IMG_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnk7OE_y_2A/VGSUhTACfrI/AAAAAAAABYQ/ZqiL_roCnpI/s320/IMG_0749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
The steam Aeroneff HMA <i>Goshawk </i><br />
Commanded by Captain Fenton Makepiece and a company of Marines<br />
Ordered to rendezvous and effect an extraction of the expedition and render any assistance<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qG4I7AQ_VkI/VGRCDwDWVbI/AAAAAAAABW0/3VLPMc5puhI/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qG4I7AQ_VkI/VGRCDwDWVbI/AAAAAAAABW0/3VLPMc5puhI/s320/IMG_0740.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMA's Corsair Class Aeroneff, <i>Goshawk</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Opposition.</b></u><br />
Baron Otto Von Schlessinger<br />
His trusted side-kicks, the Ribbentropp brothers, Max and Gunther<br />
A gang of hired mercenary Boers and big game hunters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZIVqNLNWX0/VGSTR9vBFjI/AAAAAAAABYI/y8oKqYrLAtM/s1600/Count%2BManfred%2BVon%2BFreyer%2BSchlessinger%2C%2BAdventurer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZIVqNLNWX0/VGSTR9vBFjI/AAAAAAAABYI/y8oKqYrLAtM/s320/Count%2BManfred%2BVon%2BFreyer%2BSchlessinger%2C%2BAdventurer.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baron Freyr Von Schlessinger and the Ribbentropp Brothers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The Zeppelinette <i>Mephisto</i>, The Baron's preferred means of transportation and ticket out of danger.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghzNisYNS0w/VGRCRVII-_I/AAAAAAAABW8/9AwvHi3FvT0/s1600/IMG_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghzNisYNS0w/VGRCRVII-_I/AAAAAAAABW8/9AwvHi3FvT0/s320/IMG_0707.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zeppelinette <i>Mephisto</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In addition the Baron has at his disposal:<br />
A ground force of specialist jungle-trained Jager of the 21st Jungle Jager Regt<br />
Commanded by Oberst Felix Von Fleihoffen and under orders of the Kaiser himself to render any assistance to the Baron and answerable directly to the Baron<br />
A <i>Himmel-Krankenwerken</i> portable aether telegraph machine and operator to maintain communication between the Baron and the Major.<br />
<br />
<u><b>The lay of the land</b></u><br />
<br />
The table consists of a steamy jungle interspersed with swamps, quicksand, elephant grass and crocodile infested waterways. Usual movement impediments apply to the terrain and a number of cunning and devilish hazards await the unwary, of which later...<br />
A river wends its way lengthways through the jungle. In the North west corner lies the Village of the <i>Snoozenuluzem</i> tribe of head hunters. The river is crossable along its entire length. Somewhere near the middle lies a treacherous area of mosquito ridden swampland. Two large rocky outcrops rise majestically above the jungle canopy.<br />
A narrow track wends its way through the jungle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg43g4S9tsU/VGRGwK3KsQI/AAAAAAAABXI/k4ryWaM_4kY/s1600/IMG_0677%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg43g4S9tsU/VGRGwK3KsQI/AAAAAAAABXI/k4ryWaM_4kY/s320/IMG_0677%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf2d6t71ksM/VGRHB84MBBI/AAAAAAAABXQ/4fctI1xFp8U/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf2d6t71ksM/VGRHB84MBBI/AAAAAAAABXQ/4fctI1xFp8U/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Snoozenuluzem's village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbm0knI-8X8/VGRHDeGC4JI/AAAAAAAABXU/HOwRwTAm0h4/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbm0knI-8X8/VGRHDeGC4JI/AAAAAAAABXU/HOwRwTAm0h4/s320/IMG_0689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British Expedition sets off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>We take up our story as </b>the British Expedition is within a short hike of the dinosaur fossil site. They begin their trek from their camp-site at the Southern baseline.<br />
<br />
Sir Percival insists on a brisk pace as the track affords good going and the river doesn't appear too deep so crossing should be simple enough.<br />
Safely across the river they press on, following the track till they spy, just around the bend in the track, the bleached bones of a dinosaur skeleton. By Jingo!, were on to something here exclaims Sir Percival in hushed tones. "I say Sir Percival, best we slow the pace a bit and keep our eyes peeled" replies Captain Anstruthers, "no sense in blundering into something nasty". Bloody civilian types he secretly mutters under his breath.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inqxHPvO36Y/VGSFACOGXOI/AAAAAAAABXo/1OPckEYGRTA/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inqxHPvO36Y/VGSFACOGXOI/AAAAAAAABXo/1OPckEYGRTA/s320/IMG_0705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I say Sir Percival, best we slow the pace a bit and keep our eyes peeled"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Meanwhile in another part of the jungle </b>the Baron approaches undetected in his silent dirigible.<br />
Through his telescope he spies the British Expedition. "Mwa ha ha! now I have them" he laughs mirthlessly<br />
Spotting a suitable landing site in a clearing he orders the craft to descend and sets out on foot with his cohorts to intercept the British party. Before heading off he orders, (via aether telegraph), Oberst Fleihoffen, who has just come upon the British expedition's deserted camp-site, to follow the cursed British with all haste and combine forces with his to overwhelm them.<br />
"Ja Ja! Dats bloody gut, while we've been marching for days through this verdamnt jungle up to our arses in sheiss he arrives like the bloody Walkyries without so much as getting his shiny boots dirty. Fancy a decorated war hero like me taking orders from a schwein like that!!" he curses. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sb4xxygcmz4/VGSKWOWnmZI/AAAAAAAABX4/Ss0aZk0b3gw/s1600/IMG_0734%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sb4xxygcmz4/VGSKWOWnmZI/AAAAAAAABX4/Ss0aZk0b3gw/s320/IMG_0734%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oberst Fleihoffen and the 21st Jungle Jagers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No sooner has the Oberst and his men disappeared from sight round a bend in the track than The Royal British Navy makes its appearance in the form of the Corsair Class Aeroneff <i>Goshawk</i>. As per his orders Captain Makepiece has located the British camp-site which is also the designated rendezvous point. His orders are to put his craft down on the rendezvous point leaving a skeleton crew to guard the ship and proceed on foot with a party of Marines to meet up with the Expedition and escort it and its priceless prize back to the ship. He will then proceed at top speed to the nearest British port where an awaiting British Heavy Cruiser will transport Sir Percival and his expedition back to Dear Old England.<br />
<br />
At last all the key players are on the field.....<br />
<br />
Follow next weeks thrilling installment of Rip-snorting Adventures dear readers to see how things transpire.<br />
Will Sir Percival find his egg and evade the Baron to bring home the prize or are other nasties far worse than the Baron lurking in the jungle.... ???<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-17318289103866257892014-06-20T18:51:00.000-07:002014-06-20T18:51:08.093-07:00Rivet Wars, Battle in a Box.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UTTm-Ai0bnw/U6TdBOnokSI/AAAAAAAABVU/DlnV6pV6AbY/s1600/images+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UTTm-Ai0bnw/U6TdBOnokSI/AAAAAAAABVU/DlnV6pV6AbY/s1600/images+%25288%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Despite howls of derision from some of the less open-minded individuals of our happy band of wargamers I have dabbled my toe in the board-gaming pond for the first time with a foray into the outstanding new WW1 / Steampunk themed game known as 'Rivet Wars'.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8MaitlztP8/U6TcKwcQi6I/AAAAAAAABVI/TmQKXV5urM0/s1600/images+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8MaitlztP8/U6TcKwcQi6I/AAAAAAAABVI/TmQKXV5urM0/s1600/images+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The above two images are official Rivet Wars images so hopefully I havent breached a zillion copyright laws and am about the be swooped upon in the middle of the night by sinister leather-coated copywright infringement agents...??...now theres a great idea for an IHMN company.<br />
<br />
This latest foray came about quite by accident in fact. Somewhat naively I popped into my local game supplies store with the intention of purchasing some pots of paint and the latest Wargames Illustrated, mysteriously I emerged many dollars lighter, minus paint and magazine but with the Board Game Rivet Wars grasped firmly in tow.<br />
<br />
I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box of goodies.<br />
The two forces are styled on Circa WW1 British / American forces (The Allies) and suitably Prussian looking chaps (Blighten)<br />
The plastic models are extremely well rendered and once you get past the somewhat comic look of the characters you really appreciate the thought that has gone into their design. The terrain tiles allow numerous layouts and scenarios and the rules are easy to understand. Dont, however, think for a minute that the rules are simplistic. This isnt snakes and ladders. I strongly recommend watching several of the demonstration game videos available for viewing on YouTube to better understand the mechanics and subtleties of the game.<br />
<br />
A game winning strategy requires careful deployment of your troops and tactical use of the Action and Secret Mission cards.<br />
<br />
The following images are from a game I oversaw between Dave 'Tex' Houston (Allied Forces) and Richard Draper (Blighten Forces)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuBgwvPLkLk/U6TiBC4kAzI/AAAAAAAABWM/cUI-4UCaRV8/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuBgwvPLkLk/U6TiBC4kAzI/AAAAAAAABWM/cUI-4UCaRV8/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2FBIDuD3ac/U6TiIYgQ1LI/AAAAAAAABWU/fLUtifH_0ss/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2FBIDuD3ac/U6TiIYgQ1LI/AAAAAAAABWU/fLUtifH_0ss/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1oSlEOJiLhk/U6ThZy-cwiI/AAAAAAAABVc/u4y0_SJoT_U/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1oSlEOJiLhk/U6ThZy-cwiI/AAAAAAAABVc/u4y0_SJoT_U/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BICFN_trBjQ/U6TheoCMxII/AAAAAAAABVs/5ILekX6dNFE/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BICFN_trBjQ/U6TheoCMxII/AAAAAAAABVs/5ILekX6dNFE/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6UFAu0aoRc/U6ThaEp0ROI/AAAAAAAABVg/DHYY9axfq9c/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6UFAu0aoRc/U6ThaEp0ROI/AAAAAAAABVg/DHYY9axfq9c/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0T_r752SUo/U6Thw7JNLBI/AAAAAAAABV8/xS20MCAvgxc/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0T_r752SUo/U6Thw7JNLBI/AAAAAAAABV8/xS20MCAvgxc/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLyt1D1NHHI/U6Th5cZf3zI/AAAAAAAABWE/x6kH1Mu68hw/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLyt1D1NHHI/U6Th5cZf3zI/AAAAAAAABWE/x6kH1Mu68hw/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W97GT9GabR4/U6Thp2MeR2I/AAAAAAAABV0/SbBReCebD7Y/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W97GT9GabR4/U6Thp2MeR2I/AAAAAAAABV0/SbBReCebD7Y/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The object of the game is to capture strongpoints or perform secret missions as described on the Secret Mission cards. The winner is the first to reach the required number of VP's as per the requirements of the scenario. In this game Richard adopted a dominant position in the centre backed up by infantry in strongpoints which prevented Dave from achieving enough VP's, even though he raced away to a good start and was leading for over half the game. <br />
<br />
A word of warning...the game is extremely brutal so dont get too
attached to a favourite bit of kit. Your hulking steam tank can be
reduced to a smoking ruin in very short order if you're not careful and
your infantry will be mown down in swathes if you bunch up and get
stonked by artillery...watch out also for those damned wheelie bike
things. Faint hearted types or people of a nervous or sensitive disposition should avoid this game at all costs...you have been warned!!Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-89336717204200925282014-06-04T04:47:00.000-07:002014-06-05T23:08:05.577-07:00Steampunk Festival, Oamaru. A celebration of silliness.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2llK37fUZE/U465Z_8LHII/AAAAAAAABQg/gLoTtPW6gT4/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2llK37fUZE/U465Z_8LHII/AAAAAAAABQg/gLoTtPW6gT4/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The well dressed gent and his lady.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was my very great pleasure to attend the Annual Steampunk Festival, held in Oamaru in the sunny South Island of New Zealand, last weekend. <br />
<br />
The event kicked off on the Friday with 'Fire Night' which is held in the old Victorian Precinct of Oamaru. At night the old streets and buildings of the Victorian Precinct are transformed into a magical place filled with gas torches, street vendors, braziers, traction engines, craft markets and a particularly noisome artillery piece. The highlight of the evening's entertainment is the Fire Dancing and of course Scott's Brewery and the Whiskey Shop wherein it must be said I did partake of a tipple or two of their marvellous amber liquid refreshments. I thoroughly recommend <i>Scott's Pale Ale</i> and the <i>Double Wood 10 year old.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x72FEZ7zz8I/U47ZH6ldGuI/AAAAAAAABQw/Ts7YmfQuuQQ/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x72FEZ7zz8I/U47ZH6ldGuI/AAAAAAAABQw/Ts7YmfQuuQQ/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG" height="320" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eliza Braun and Amelia Constance Paine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDc04WIRUEs/U47ZIcNQBjI/AAAAAAAABQ0/ZAMBepsHNzg/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDc04WIRUEs/U47ZIcNQBjI/AAAAAAAABQ0/ZAMBepsHNzg/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Majesties Ministry of Peculiar Occurances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCHfZViuWt4/U47ZJ0g1k7I/AAAAAAAABRA/2KszJqehSvc/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCHfZViuWt4/U47ZJ0g1k7I/AAAAAAAABRA/2KszJqehSvc/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" height="265" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toffs out on the town for a tipple.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QrSN_j7a0I/U47ZL3Nvt8I/AAAAAAAABRI/paCLcv5wWQI/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QrSN_j7a0I/U47ZL3Nvt8I/AAAAAAAABRI/paCLcv5wWQI/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" height="320" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baroness Sonya Von Gaspankoff of Voltavia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxG1-GWJ0Ng/U47vevsa-3I/AAAAAAAABRg/Ha2gaCpOGdU/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxG1-GWJ0Ng/U47vevsa-3I/AAAAAAAABRg/Ha2gaCpOGdU/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" height="320" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eliza Braun, Archivist, Field Operative, Ministry of Peculiar Occurances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was accompanied on this excursion by my wife Kathryn, my daughter Courtney in top hat (otherwise known as Eliza Braun, Archivist at the Ministry of Peculiar Occurances) her friend Emma ( Amelia Constance Paine, wealthy American Socialite and Explorer) and my Sister, Sonia ( Baroness Sonya Von Gaspankoff of Voltavia)<br />
<br />
We chose to pay a visit to Dunedin on the Saturday to inspect the disappearing gun emplacement at the Tairoa Heads. You simply cant begin to imagine how fascinated the ladies were by this marvel of Military Engineering (more of which in a another post) so were unable to view the <i>Airship racing </i>or the <i>teapot racing</i>.From all accounts this was a real hoot, although technical glitches did cause some rather errant behaviour with a couple of berserk teapots...obviously not a sport for the faint hearted.<br />
<br />
Sunday morning was an opportunity to stroll around the Victorian precinct at leisure, take plenty of photos and visit the Steampunk HQ (this fantastic establishment will feature in another post as I cant do it justice in just a few lines).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SI96k_zlSQ/U47ysOL01KI/AAAAAAAABRw/m5rg-6D5OJ0/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SI96k_zlSQ/U47ysOL01KI/AAAAAAAABRw/m5rg-6D5OJ0/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" height="252" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6c2-ie1rycU/U47yvBaqfhI/AAAAAAAABSA/S_5g1dAGbK0/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6c2-ie1rycU/U47yvBaqfhI/AAAAAAAABSA/S_5g1dAGbK0/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agents compare notes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3stAS8md_ds/U47yxqRCMsI/AAAAAAAABSI/s-a1T8A7vY0/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3stAS8md_ds/U47yxqRCMsI/AAAAAAAABSI/s-a1T8A7vY0/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMjb1eDphLM/U47y2dRWYYI/AAAAAAAABSY/0pU7WZ1SCzE/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMjb1eDphLM/U47y2dRWYYI/AAAAAAAABSY/0pU7WZ1SCzE/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zxRuEm9MvU/U47y4TlyDHI/AAAAAAAABSg/V2pSzhSLumY/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zxRuEm9MvU/U47y4TlyDHI/AAAAAAAABSg/V2pSzhSLumY/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" height="320" width="186" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaePp35P_x0/U47y6WHE7TI/AAAAAAAABSo/3uZp4asC5S8/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaePp35P_x0/U47y6WHE7TI/AAAAAAAABSo/3uZp4asC5S8/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e3xVa0XJ0g/U47y8YRwJwI/AAAAAAAABSw/Ne3poIL9BRQ/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e3xVa0XJ0g/U47y8YRwJwI/AAAAAAAABSw/Ne3poIL9BRQ/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gx5oEktelO4/U47ytYhZUBI/AAAAAAAABR4/QFeKEh9aKKQ/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gx5oEktelO4/U47ytYhZUBI/AAAAAAAABR4/QFeKEh9aKKQ/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steampunk HQ </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In the afternoon we were treated to a visual extravaganza at the Steampunk Fashion Parade compered by that likeable rogue 'Te Radar '. What an incredible display of pure genius. Sadly my miserable snapshots can in no way do justice to the brilliance of the costumes or the amazing narrative that accompanied them. I am in awe of people with such talent.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PLbEFq89pb8/U479Q_QpoBI/AAAAAAAABTY/OPAtGa-73is/s1600/DSCF1458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PLbEFq89pb8/U479Q_QpoBI/AAAAAAAABTY/OPAtGa-73is/s1600/DSCF1458.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Radar, good bloke and all round thorough type. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbwKWQqSpyo/U471ynUngcI/AAAAAAAABS8/D8igrZLOjk8/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbwKWQqSpyo/U471ynUngcI/AAAAAAAABS8/D8igrZLOjk8/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agent Dangerfield, Pericles Bickerstaff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXU8A3hZFxg/U4710cOOowI/AAAAAAAABTE/IMsRjYFssFE/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXU8A3hZFxg/U4710cOOowI/AAAAAAAABTE/IMsRjYFssFE/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aeronef Commander Garnet Quigley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-telDg02CPJI/U479aBlIoSI/AAAAAAAABTo/8Kcd3YtFEdY/s1600/DSCF1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-telDg02CPJI/U479aBlIoSI/AAAAAAAABTo/8Kcd3YtFEdY/s1600/DSCF1465.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Inquisitor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKhRhrsU1yY/U479jGuFYRI/AAAAAAAABTw/Uz6ypi3Q_ds/s1600/DSCF1468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKhRhrsU1yY/U479jGuFYRI/AAAAAAAABTw/Uz6ypi3Q_ds/s1600/DSCF1468.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Grand Finale to the weekend was the Gala ball.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQdEUZ-POGM/U47_sMfiM_I/AAAAAAAABUA/Sey9OWN9tlk/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQdEUZ-POGM/U47_sMfiM_I/AAAAAAAABUA/Sey9OWN9tlk/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You shall go to the Ball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm ashamed to say I didnt attent the Ball as I didnt bring my formal evening steampunk attire. Something I will most assuredly rectify next year.<br />
I'm already planning......<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WYFAQvB6mU/U5Fag_QXpqI/AAAAAAAABUk/sVTRubFYzAE/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WYFAQvB6mU/U5Fag_QXpqI/AAAAAAAABUk/sVTRubFYzAE/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG" height="305" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Percival Fortesque Cutler, Director, Ministry of Peculiar Occurances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
To conclude, what a utterly delightful weekend. I cant recommend this event enough. If you've an ounce of fun in you put this on your must do list! Finally a big thank you to the incredibly talented and hardworking people, Steampunkers and otherwise, of Oamaru, Steampunk Capital of the World.<br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-29590757560476948142014-05-24T19:50:00.000-07:002014-05-24T22:36:39.773-07:00The Gluckenstein Incident, a Steampunk Battle Narrative.Having completed my Samurai figs for <i>Ronin</i> I've launched straight into my next project which has been bubbling away in the dark recesses of my addled brain for quite some time.<br />
I've had an interest in Steampunk / Vic sci-fi ever since I participated in a small '<i>Gaslight'</i> game many years ago. The fact that my daughter is an avid steam punk fan does help somewhat to fire the enthusiasm as well, in fact we are attending a steam punk festival next weekend in Oamaru, Steampunk HQ of New Zealand.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxC1v9dH3eE/U4E3HIvfW9I/AAAAAAAABO4/zo7x8_B5XEE/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxC1v9dH3eE/U4E3HIvfW9I/AAAAAAAABO4/zo7x8_B5XEE/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Kreigbots' Mechanical Sturmtruppen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S56fdzrzn50/U4E3HktEzYI/AAAAAAAABO8/rulaTVTjJOk/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S56fdzrzn50/U4E3HktEzYI/AAAAAAAABO8/rulaTVTjJOk/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Von Kleist and Krumm demonstrate his Lightning Arc Gloves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Needless to say many hours have gone into assembling and painting my Teutonian Army, and fortunately I have managed to convince my good wargaming mate, Tex Houston, into the absolute neccessity of building an opposing Britannic Army.... fortunately he's a pushover for hair-brained ideas so, thankfully, I have an opponent whose almost as mad as me.<br />
<br />
In fact, not only was he enthused, he bleeding well went ahead and knocked together an absolutely brillaint collection of Dystopian Legion and Warhammer 40K conversions that are a pleasure to shoot to pieces.<br />
<br />
With our two forces assembled and chomping at the bit to be in action, it was only a matter of time before some minor incident would ignite a full scale confrontation between these two great Empires.<br />
<br />
<b>Teutonia annexes Voltavia,War Declared!</b><br />
Such an incident was the Britannians intervention in the Teutonians affairs in the small Voltavian principality of Gluckenstein.<br />
<br />
The diplomatic wrangling and argee bargeeing that preceeded this confrontation is a story in itself so I wont bore you with any of that nonsense, suffice to say, the Teutonians, with a jealous eye on their neighbours coal reserves have annexed Voltavia and the nosy Brits have decided to come over all indignant and go to their aid. Henceforth a state of war now exists between Teutonia and Britainia.<br />
<br />
The opening shots of this war have become known as 'The Gluckenstein Incident".<br />
<br />
We used Gaslight (Big Battles) as the rules for this game.<br />
<br />
The game began with the Teutonians agressively advancing toward the village supported by their steam tanks and fearsomeTeutonic steam walkers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUxNqP8uSUA/U4ArSlk-0SI/AAAAAAAABMw/aLpIxU84wy8/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUxNqP8uSUA/U4ArSlk-0SI/AAAAAAAABMw/aLpIxU84wy8/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combined armour and infantry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltSM2Mz59C8/U4ArS4hlFnI/AAAAAAAABMs/ggDrXAjzOrg/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltSM2Mz59C8/U4ArS4hlFnI/AAAAAAAABMs/ggDrXAjzOrg/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian Heavy Steam Panzer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCyO6WNhsMQ/U4ArScfx8mI/AAAAAAAABMo/9Md9PK7YAHI/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCyO6WNhsMQ/U4ArScfx8mI/AAAAAAAABMo/9Md9PK7YAHI/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzers Vorwarts! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KBOdmz-GGEw/U4ArVCiQp8I/AAAAAAAABNA/jH2zHxD0BDA/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KBOdmz-GGEw/U4ArVCiQp8I/AAAAAAAABNA/jH2zHxD0BDA/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totenkopf Sturmtruppen and Jager on the outskirts of Gluckenstein.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Brits, somewhat more cautiously sent their massive Levaithan walkers forward to get the lie of the land and threw forward a unit of Sky Hussars to assess the enemy dispositions. The Brit force was high in heavy ordnance but very low on infantry which was to create quite a problem for them as we shall see.<br />
<br />
The first casualty was a Teutonic heavy steam tank which came under fire from the hulking Brit Leviathan walker. The searing hot shell tearing through the frontal armour and making short work of the poor crew with only one survivor.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMvclRj_V5A/U4Ep_NyLg2I/AAAAAAAABNU/zqTTqycxo2Q/s1600/IMG_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMvclRj_V5A/U4Ep_NyLg2I/AAAAAAAABNU/zqTTqycxo2Q/s1600/IMG_0503.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britannic Leviathan Class walker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0_osFT_U84/U4Ep_jWfiaI/AAAAAAAABNY/TPUjy0zfdNY/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0_osFT_U84/U4Ep_jWfiaI/AAAAAAAABNY/TPUjy0zfdNY/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First blood to the Brits, a Teutonain Steam Panzer takes a direct hit.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Teutonains retaliated with everything they had and their combined fire managed to topple the monster.The Teutonian infantry also accounted for a sky hussar.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVuEMre9YP4/U4E3rD4PyDI/AAAAAAAABPI/T2x7F_suEhU/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVuEMre9YP4/U4E3rD4PyDI/AAAAAAAABPI/T2x7F_suEhU/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Majesties Royal Aetherial Service Sky Hussars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The teutonian scout panzers seemed to be encountering some mechanical problems and it took several attempts to fire up one of the tanks. Fortunately some fuse wire and a hit with a very big hammer did the trick and they headed off to support the infantry advance into the village on the Teutonian left flank.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r83NTB5n6eY/U4Es8f_MQ2I/AAAAAAAABNs/XtKJOYm2cxc/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r83NTB5n6eY/U4Es8f_MQ2I/AAAAAAAABNs/XtKJOYm2cxc/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynx, light scout Panzer, Ausf B<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Brits appeared content to sit tight on the Teutonian right flank and trade blows, counting on superior armour and fire power to annihilate or subdue the enemy. Their Sky Hussars, despite flitting about in their usual flamboyant manner, achieved very little other than to draw fire.<br />
Meanwhile the remaining Brit medium armoured walkers armoured walkers advanced cautiously on the village to tackle the Teutonian infantry which, by now, had established a firm hold of the main buildings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTlUN2bDFqo/U4Evt20fiJI/AAAAAAAABOQ/lLk6i_pP2VE/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTlUN2bDFqo/U4Evt20fiJI/AAAAAAAABOQ/lLk6i_pP2VE/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVeNSW032ZE/U4EvsJdonMI/AAAAAAAABN4/HS_rO4Zdk-U/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVeNSW032ZE/U4EvsJdonMI/AAAAAAAABN4/HS_rO4Zdk-U/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocP_HdgbOEs/U4Evs4wgh3I/AAAAAAAABOA/UfoHdQRUruQ/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocP_HdgbOEs/U4Evs4wgh3I/AAAAAAAABOA/UfoHdQRUruQ/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulldog medium walkers move forward to carry out some house cleaning.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Brits appeared to have made something of an oversight in their planning by not supporting their armour with infantry. It's generally very difficult to shift well defended infantry from buildings without grunts on the ground.<br />
<br />
They did, however, have a fiendlishly clever secret weapon up their sleeve in the form of a Fantham, Mk2 Ground Attack Ornithopter. This delightful piece of kit hovered over the village and began strafing the Teutonians to put their heads down prepartory to lining up for a bomb run.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWGI0J41B8c/U4Ey7-kpZDI/AAAAAAAABOY/S-KTvrcxtlw/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWGI0J41B8c/U4Ey7-kpZDI/AAAAAAAABOY/S-KTvrcxtlw/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantham, Mk2, Ground Attack Ornithopter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sadly for the Brit airmen this wasn't to prove their finest hour. The Teutonians, undaunted by this unusual and amazing contraption, simply took a bead with their multi barrelled plasma cannon and disintergrated the blade off the main rotor. This sent the it into an immediate tailspin and only by superhuman effort was the pilot able to bring his craft to the ground cheating death by a hairsbreadth.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RahCSYlMdak/U4E1APC12LI/AAAAAAAABOk/OMWxeO_C1Yg/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RahCSYlMdak/U4E1APC12LI/AAAAAAAABOk/OMWxeO_C1Yg/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombs away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16PUGbCfwvI/U4E1AUOOfPI/AAAAAAAABOo/IWhZqMdQWMk/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16PUGbCfwvI/U4E1AUOOfPI/AAAAAAAABOo/IWhZqMdQWMk/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thok, thok, thok....BOOM!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To cap off this round of abysmal luck the Teutonians scored a direct hit on a Brit medium walker, neatly severing the body and leaving two smoking legs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7pN54T0B08/U4F1o6lytDI/AAAAAAAABPc/8-ecJqK-puM/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7pN54T0B08/U4F1o6lytDI/AAAAAAAABPc/8-ecJqK-puM/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulldog, MkIV, medium steam walker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MmvrW97EJg4/U4F1oflWJdI/AAAAAAAABPY/v4Ul-Gvs2dA/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MmvrW97EJg4/U4F1oflWJdI/AAAAAAAABPY/v4Ul-Gvs2dA/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Deconstructed' Bulldog.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At this point the Britannian Commander decided to call it a day. With no
hope of launching a counter attack on the village with the remaining
forces at his disposal he reluctantly ordered his bugler to sound the
retreat on his steam bugle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEx145s4pKU/U4F7a-ckrJI/AAAAAAAABPw/ovx-109bE6U/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEx145s4pKU/U4F7a-ckrJI/AAAAAAAABPw/ovx-109bE6U/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" height="281" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up close and personal. A Teutonian Knight engages Britanian infantry.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V995XyBMhaA/U4F8AefmOMI/AAAAAAAABP4/eLj6AnMd0Qs/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V995XyBMhaA/U4F8AefmOMI/AAAAAAAABP4/eLj6AnMd0Qs/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leviathan Class Heavy Steam Walkers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3igtxX5pUC8/U4F8A-oNEeI/AAAAAAAABP8/-vS09kcy-H8/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3igtxX5pUC8/U4F8A-oNEeI/AAAAAAAABP8/-vS09kcy-H8/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian Light Panzer </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IldT34JxWaA/U4F8BjwxfiI/AAAAAAAABQM/E3UP4pI2uOI/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IldT34JxWaA/U4F8BjwxfiI/AAAAAAAABQM/E3UP4pI2uOI/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" height="271" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TrYbzf6i5Ws/U4F8A6q2n7I/AAAAAAAABQA/FdMYjssmxZA/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TrYbzf6i5Ws/U4F8A6q2n7I/AAAAAAAABQA/FdMYjssmxZA/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teutonian HQ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We found the Gaslight rules did the trick but it was decided a lot of work is need to combine the core Gaslight rules and Big Battle rules onto a quick reference playsheet as a lot of time was spent flicking back and forth. I think it fair to say the rules are a bit disjointed compared to some of the latest offerings such as IHMN but are imminently worth persevering with.Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-3924716033373505722014-02-20T02:41:00.000-08:002014-02-20T02:41:08.832-08:00Seven Years War StoushOur happy band of tabletop tacticians, 'The Southern Strategists', met this Wednesday evening as we do every second week for our regular wargaming fix.<br />
This weeks game was staged by Strategist Chris Packer who is a die-hard Seven Years War fan. The fictitious scenario was a Prussian attack against a couple of villages held by an Austro-Russian force somewhere in East Prussia. Rules were <i>Die Kriegkunst</i> and the lovely figures were all from Chris's extensive collection. So extensive is his collection that he can field armies from most of the major protagonists from this era, all gorgeously painted and based.<br />
<br />
The table comprised two villages situated on some pretty featureless flat land devoid of hills or rivers, good going for both cavalry and infantry and affording excellent fields of fire for artillery. Sorry I cant give you a better overview of the battlefield as I forgot to get a snap of it in the haste to get into battle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjYqxKqigJo/UwWe9s1ahhI/AAAAAAAABJE/L4Sep-6ZOdM/s1600/IMG_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjYqxKqigJo/UwWe9s1ahhI/AAAAAAAABJE/L4Sep-6ZOdM/s1600/IMG_0297.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As it was a week-night game Chris kept the terrain simple and the forces relatively small by his usual epic standards. Forgive me if I have this a bit wrong but as I recall them forces were as follows<br />
<br />
The <b>Prussians</b>, commanded by Geoff Martin and Adrian Powell consisted of:<br />
1 Battery heavy artillery.<br />
I Brigade Dragoons<br />
2 Brig Grenadiers<br />
2 Brig Fusiliers<br />
8 Brigs Musketeers <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUx7LejSgdM/UwWfmA0gQFI/AAAAAAAABJM/b_nKmjFaOdQ/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUx7LejSgdM/UwWfmA0gQFI/AAAAAAAABJM/b_nKmjFaOdQ/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian Command</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Austro - Russian force commanded by Roger Wood and Myself consisted:<br />
1 Battery medium artillery<br />
1 Brigade Hussars<br />
10 Brigades Musketeers <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5oq6CdZpMc/UwWf2gniaqI/AAAAAAAABJU/U3dOFktll8Y/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5oq6CdZpMc/UwWf2gniaqI/AAAAAAAABJU/U3dOFktll8Y/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austro Russian Command (Russians conspicuously absent)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Prussians gained victory points for capturing the villages and getting an unbroken unit on the road unopposed for a full turn. Looked like a hard ask but......<br />
<br />
I'll dispense with the blow by blow account of each turn and give you a quick overview and some pics which is what you really want to see.<br />
<br />
Both sides advanced from their respective baselines with the Austrians looking to gain an early foot hold in the more central village and their Russian allies moving into the village on their right flank. The Austrian artillery deployed on their Left flank with a clear field of fire to rake the advancing Prussians. The Austrian cavalry formed up in reserve beside the artillery to offer protection and to counter the threat of the Prussian dragoons. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oeUgCPuhtI/UwXDth5SXnI/AAAAAAAABJk/0Vy3d_kRPps/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0oeUgCPuhtI/UwXDth5SXnI/AAAAAAAABJk/0Vy3d_kRPps/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian Artillery</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Prussians decided to use their heavy artillery to bombard the village hoping to make thing too hot for the defenders no doubt. Whilst their infantry advanced steadfastly towards both villages.<br />
<br />
With the Austrians and Russians firmly ensconsed in the villages they settled down to wait for the impending onslaught. A long distance barrage from the Austrians claimed the first casualty on the Prussian fusiliers.<br />
<br />
The Prussians forces under Geoff's command on their right flank decided to avoid a frontal assault on the closest village and instead concentrated on getting astride the road leaving his fellow commander Adrian to deal with the Russians on their Left.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Whilst the Prussian infantry closed on the Austrian infantry their Dragoons appeared to be eyeing up the Austrian artillery who kept up a galling fire at ever diminishing range. Clearly they would have to be dealt with. A charge was declared but fortunately the Austrain Hussars responded by launching a counter charge in front of their guns. A furious mellee ensued with the outnumbered Dragoons managing to push the Hussars back but failing to rout them. This left them exposed to both artillery canister and musketry so a recall was wisely ordered. Superb discipline on the part of the Prussian cavalry it must be noted.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvNJcGspH5c/UwXI4Mhx86I/AAAAAAAABKE/XImW5OcXqzY/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvNJcGspH5c/UwXI4Mhx86I/AAAAAAAABKE/XImW5OcXqzY/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussian Dragoon in the foreground seems to have adopted a somewhat casual attitude to whole affair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3R8kyS0jTrY/UwXI9AqAifI/AAAAAAAABKM/vM7rHHQJkas/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3R8kyS0jTrY/UwXI9AqAifI/AAAAAAAABKM/vM7rHHQJkas/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The advancing Prussian infantry by now was coming under sustained and accurate fire from the Austrians in the village and the formed-up stationary infantry outside the village. <br />
<br />
The Prussian gunners were finding the village a much harder nut to crack than first thought and their shells appeared to have little effect on the Austrian defenders. Time for a change of plan. It would have to be cold steel and who better than elite Prussian Grenadiers to carry out this task.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy82DurOP5E/UwXK7kDSJaI/AAAAAAAABKY/IJc3untI0xo/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy82DurOP5E/UwXK7kDSJaI/AAAAAAAABKY/IJc3untI0xo/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian heavy artillery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6xBFE7yLsQ/UwXLZ6GONYI/AAAAAAAABKg/EvK0x2p8_n0/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6xBFE7yLsQ/UwXLZ6GONYI/AAAAAAAABKg/EvK0x2p8_n0/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian shock troops, The Grenadiers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This proved a surprisingly easy task for the Grenadiers and the hapless Austrian defenders were thrown back out of the village on the first assault. This left Adrian free to launch his remaining, not inconsiderable force, on the Russians in the far village.This settled into a fair old slogging match with the Prussians being on the recieving end of some particularly lethal dice throws from Comrade Rodger. I seem to recall three sixes in a row at some point though affairs on this side of the table were partly obscured by smoke and I was by now heavily engaged in a desperate tussle with the Prussians on my side of the table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KS4byZQCvDA/UwXN2ITCnmI/AAAAAAAABKs/fXqvWQNPXDE/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KS4byZQCvDA/UwXN2ITCnmI/AAAAAAAABKs/fXqvWQNPXDE/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8a25p5zAU0/UwXN3Rv4NbI/AAAAAAAABK0/6Ix9SP6APtg/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8a25p5zAU0/UwXN3Rv4NbI/AAAAAAAABK0/6Ix9SP6APtg/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPygKLbHvfA/UwXN7VcQNkI/AAAAAAAABLQ/KnIc4Q47iuk/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPygKLbHvfA/UwXN7VcQNkI/AAAAAAAABLQ/KnIc4Q47iuk/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--y5y1O_aTUw/UwXN3iIVtdI/AAAAAAAABK4/N-MbFwPhWlI/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--y5y1O_aTUw/UwXN3iIVtdI/AAAAAAAABK4/N-MbFwPhWlI/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My Austrians, despite some abysmal dice throws, were, surprisingly, holding their own against the Prussians and as the Prussian cavalry was out of the way my artillery was spoilt for choice with regards close range targets to pummel. Whilst the infantry battled it out both sides cavalry went about the business of reforming and dressing their lines ready for another go at each other.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlnty1FvFLw/UwXSp_H6FGI/AAAAAAAABLo/jVOuNerVBu4/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlnty1FvFLw/UwXSp_H6FGI/AAAAAAAABLo/jVOuNerVBu4/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian infantry bearing up against a Prussian assualt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChO3UkutUzo/UwXTC0q9ikI/AAAAAAAABLw/geTMoRFVe6c/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChO3UkutUzo/UwXTC0q9ikI/AAAAAAAABLw/geTMoRFVe6c/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prussian artillery moving up to support attack whilst their infantry block the Austrian line of communication.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some stirring words from the Austrian cavalry Brigadier soon had them charging towards their opponents. At this point the battle on this side of the table hung in the balance as a succesful charge by the Austrian cavalry showed every prospect of rolling up the exposed flanks of the Prussian infantry if a braek through could be achieved. Sadly it was not to be thanks to a 'fershlugghina son of a bitch, whoreson, God awful!!! dice throw by yours truly which saw me bested by 8 points, effectively shattering me and sending me fleeing in rout. Oh the pain and anguish, truly the dice plague has settled on me of late as this seems to be a recurring theme in my gaming at present....not that I'm bitter. From here things went pear shaped for the Austrians as the Prussian infantry pressed home their attacks with typical Germanic efficiency unmolested and took up position astride the Austrian line of communication.<br />
<br />
This left my Russian allies to try to save some face by at least retaining possession of the remaining village. Despite Rodger's best efforts, and believe me, the wily Mr Wood is quite some opponent, he couldn't hold back the tide and at end of play the Prussians were rampaging through the second town in pursuit of the reeling Russians, pausing only to plunder the Mayor's supply of French Cognac.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn8_DCdZEvA/UwXV0QwcLZI/AAAAAAAABL8/1CoCMyUSnLU/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn8_DCdZEvA/UwXV0QwcLZI/AAAAAAAABL8/1CoCMyUSnLU/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russians desperately hang on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVmKR6xDU1o/UwXV0tRxBJI/AAAAAAAABMA/_xdR3Fw3IRo/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVmKR6xDU1o/UwXV0tRxBJI/AAAAAAAABMA/_xdR3Fw3IRo/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJY3wLeQtsc/UwXV1U2hiYI/AAAAAAAABMM/66nkPHcun18/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJY3wLeQtsc/UwXV1U2hiYI/AAAAAAAABMM/66nkPHcun18/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Clearly a decisive victory for the Prussians and well played.<br />
<br />
Thanks Chris for a rip-snorting game and for doing such a sterling job of umpiring and answering our stupid questions. <br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-62978922232756125892014-02-12T02:28:00.005-08:002014-02-15T20:29:39.969-08:00Ronin Samurai Skirmish Battle ReportAt last, the moment a wargamer awaits with anticipation. The blooding of his latest figures against a worthy and equally enthusiastic opponent.<br />
All the research, assembling, prepping, painting, basing and countless hours of retina-punishing peering at figures comes together on the wargames table and 'Voila!' the little men magically come to life. No longer are they a mere creation of lead, glue, flock and plastic...before your eyes they are transformed into 'my troops'. You identify with them on a personal level in a way that only a wargamer would understand and if you are a gamer that doesn't relate to this then I would politely suggest that chess or train spotting is more your game. <br />
Believe me, I have witnessed many a quivering bottom lip as a doting gamer witnesses the destruction of his favourite Zouve unit or lavishly painted Hussars...occasionally even in gamers other than yours truly!<br />
<br />
All that aside lets get cracking on this battle report eh.<br />
<br />
Our game was a straight forward encounter skirmish using 200 point armies from the Bushi, Swords for Hire list.<br />
My force, led by the fire-breathing old warhose, <b>Hikaru Nagasawa</b>, consisted of:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBAkq2M4qvY/UvsLVBqVTaI/AAAAAAAABF8/nCiLG_rjRZU/s1600/Hikaru+Nagasawa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBAkq2M4qvY/UvsLVBqVTaI/AAAAAAAABF8/nCiLG_rjRZU/s1600/Hikaru+Nagasawa.JPG" height="200" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatamoto Hikaru Nagasawa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1 x Rank 4 Hatamoto <br />
2 x rank 3 Samurai<br />
1 x Ashigaru banner man<br />
1 x Ashigaru archer<br />
3 x Yari armed Ashigaru<br />
<br />
I chose the <i>Powerful</i> attribute and <i>Naginjitsu</i> skill for my Hatamoto and mounted him on a <i>war horse </i>making him quite a handful for his foes. <br />
I kept the missile troops to the bare minimum and favoured melee troops as I planned on a swift and aggressive attack.<br />
<br />
My opponent, Dave Houston, alias <b>Nobua Murayama, </b>no slug on the battlefield either, opted for a force comprising a large number of the new fangled, highly dishonourable and cowardly Teppo (Arquebus) troops... obviously scared of getting too close to real warriors no doubt.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8qK5Coufpw/UvsMCdhfZ2I/AAAAAAAABGA/qzOXEDdblxQ/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8qK5Coufpw/UvsMCdhfZ2I/AAAAAAAABGA/qzOXEDdblxQ/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" height="203" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatamoto Nobua Murayama (Far left) wearing his natty Horu or arrow catcher</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgUHIzOPEig/Uvsc_qgH2gI/AAAAAAAABIo/ZLsbQ_Ou9ho/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgUHIzOPEig/Uvsc_qgH2gI/AAAAAAAABIo/ZLsbQ_Ou9ho/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG" height="258" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daves Teppo armed Ashigaru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
His force comprised:<br />
1 x Rank 4 Hatamoto also with <i>Powerful </i>and <i>Naginjitsu</i> attributes<br />
3 x Rank 3 Samurai<br />
4 x Teppo armed Ashigaru**<br />
2 x Yari armed Ashigaru<br />
<br />
** Strictly speaking this is against the rules as only 25% of your force should be armed with the Teppo but as Dave had made such a lovely job of painting them I didn't have the heart to make a fuss, see what a nice guy I am. Actually I figured his preponderance of Teppo troops would make his Buntai a bit weak in melee which would suit my cunning plan... mwah ha ha.<br />
<br />
<u>The layout</u><br />
The battlefield was randomly arrayed with a number of peasant dwellings, a wooded knoll, a small forest and several fields. The table was neatly bisected by a road running north to south and borderd by an irrigation ditch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-dVv9irryo/UvsMzmvtZjI/AAAAAAAABGM/5VemduesvXw/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-dVv9irryo/UvsMzmvtZjI/AAAAAAAABGM/5VemduesvXw/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Turn 1</b><br />
The game opened with both forces entering the table from opposite ends. The bulk of my force, the Ashigaru, advanced rapidly up the road, banner valiantly unfurled, whilst my solitary archer moved into the forest to seek out a good field of fire. I despatched one of my trusted Samurai to provide protection.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfU3dQFjjZQ/UvscwMUmdvI/AAAAAAAABG4/L1zE1IbxFik/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfU3dQFjjZQ/UvscwMUmdvI/AAAAAAAABG4/L1zE1IbxFik/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Ashigaru advance </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My opponent split his teppo troops to take up firing positions on either flank whilst the rest of his force advanced to meet me.<br />
<br />
<b>Turn 2</b><br />
My archer reaches the edge of the wood and begins scanning the field for likely targets. The enemy teppo troops draw a bead on my Hatamoto, who has gamely exposed himself spurring his troops on, (somehow that doesn't sound quite right if you know what I mean) and loose off a volley. Fortunately the innacuracy of the teppo at this extreme range makes this a futile gesture as the bullets whizz past like angry bees without touching him. (I've always wanted to use that line)<br />
<br />
<b>Turn 3</b><br />
My Hatamoto spies two of the enemy Samurai advancing on the wood and takes the opportunity to mount a bold ride-by attack on the nearest one. With clods of earth flying from his mount's hooves and his Naginata leveled squarely at his foes chest he thunders past and deftly strikes the Samurai a beautifully executed back hand blow. Luckily for the enemy Samurai he manages to parry the strike but still suffers a slight wound. The momentum of the attack carries my Hatamoto a further 9 inches toward one of the enemy Teppo men.<br />
My Archer takes aim at the other Samurai but misjudges the range and the arrow flies harmlessly overhead. In keeping with my aggressive strategy the Samurai in the wood burst from cover and meet the enemy Samurai head on with the assistance of one of the Ashigaru from the road. A furious melee ensued with blows being landed in equal measure but alas my samurai is no match for the enemy swordsman who unleashes a vicious overhead blow splitting his skull and killing him outright. No mean feat on the part of the enemy as he entered the fight with a slight wound from the encounter with my Hatamoto. My Ashigauru wisely beats a hasty retreat to the safety of the main body of friendly Ashigaru.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Htl51UJMFp0/UvscynphflI/AAAAAAAABHI/p4u4MDw2imc/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Htl51UJMFp0/UvscynphflI/AAAAAAAABHI/p4u4MDw2imc/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" height="207" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8naYfljsGk/UvsckWe3sHI/AAAAAAAABGg/ndc2bRDDY9o/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8naYfljsGk/UvsckWe3sHI/AAAAAAAABGg/ndc2bRDDY9o/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" height="264" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First blood to Muruyama's Samurai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the other side of the table the enemy teppo men begin frantically reloading while his Samurai and Ashigaru continued their cautious advance. This draw the attention of the bulk of my Ashigaru and they take up the challenge, moving as fast as possible to meet them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Turn 4</b><br />
Angered by the sight of the enemies cowardly teppo men with their smelly fire sticks my Hatamoto spurs his mount towards the nearest helpless and virtually undefended teppo man and effortlessly cleaves his chest open with a powerful lunge from his naganata while his trusty war horse tramples the enemies lifeless body under his flailing hooves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCiYhTsVp2A/Uvsc6shHKBI/AAAAAAAABII/AzuArvO2ZWQ/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCiYhTsVp2A/Uvsc6shHKBI/AAAAAAAABII/AzuArvO2ZWQ/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The other, now reloaded, enemy teppo Ashigaru endeavours to avenge his comrade by taking out my Hatamoto with a close range shot. Clearly the sight of a fully armoured Samurai astride an enraged warhorse bearing down on him has distracted his aim somewhat but he still manages to bounce a shot off the Hatamoto's helmet stunning him.<br />
<br />
One of the enemy samurai from the previous melee opts to take out my pesky archer and makes a run move towards him whilst his heroic mate pursues my fleeing Ashigaru.<br />
<br />
At this point the enemies Samurai over on the other side of the table, led by none other than the mighty Nobua Muruyama and his yari armed ashigaru, bravely face off against a headlong charge by my Ashigaru and their Samurai leader, Kioshi Nakagawa. Muruyama opts to leave his 2 teppo men, on his side of the table, out of the action so they can concentrate on trying to pick off the enemy from a safe distance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMXCJ8WllaY/Uvsc7kpZazI/AAAAAAAABIE/xTywtenjXYE/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMXCJ8WllaY/Uvsc7kpZazI/AAAAAAAABIE/xTywtenjXYE/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSq5tDrMNy0/Uvsc6PJfc1I/AAAAAAAABH8/YtEZ1iHEn-M/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSq5tDrMNy0/Uvsc6PJfc1I/AAAAAAAABH8/YtEZ1iHEn-M/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
In a complex melee such as this quite a bit of thought goes into the pairing off combats. Thoughtful selection of combat tokens to allow enhanement of attacks or defence rolls and to gain the initiative and the all important first strike plays a big part in the combat phase. Because any wounds inflicted on an enemy take effect immediately the defender is at quite a disadvantage if he suffers any sort of wound as this affects his ability to strike back. Also the sequence of multiple attacks on a single figure must be diced for as it is quite feasible to fight off up to three assailants and again the all important initiative can be vital to evening the odds.<br />
This round of combat is particularly savage with yaris and katanas slashing and parrying and a number of wounds being inflicted on both parties though no one gains the upper hand.<br />
<br />
<b>Turn 5</b><br />
The brawl in the centre continues with first my Hatamoto joining the fray then another enemy samurai who was pursuing my fleeing ashigaru adding his considerable swordsmanship to the combat<br />
The remaining three enemy teppo men draw a careful bead on my hatamoto as he gallops past them and manage to inflict another stun marker on him.<br />
Whilst the teppo can be deadly at close quarters its slow rate of fire and its innacuracy at anything over 12 inches seems to prevent it from being a game changer.<br />
<br />
My archer has been contacted by the enemy samurai and, though he does a sterling job of holding his assaillant off, its only a matter of time before he sucumbs to a sucession of telling wounds and goes down fighting to the end. One more head for Lord Muruyama.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INFSFkH8_78/Uvs7PMRZQGI/AAAAAAAABI4/X3_rWUswMKI/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INFSFkH8_78/Uvs7PMRZQGI/AAAAAAAABI4/X3_rWUswMKI/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My archer about to get a spear in his eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Sadly at this point 11.30pm, time was against us as we had work the next day and the game still had another hours fighting left in it and allowing for packing up and the obligatory post game debreifing over an ale it was decided to call it a draw. Neither side had a clear advantage but probably another round of combat would have seen a victor emerge from the combat in the centre. Might be worth recreating that scenario at another stage methinks?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twEvKyNYuaU/Uvsc8_tGSCI/AAAAAAAABIY/600eIAvlz5M/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twEvKyNYuaU/Uvsc8_tGSCI/AAAAAAAABIY/600eIAvlz5M/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" height="284" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Situation at end of turn 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>Thoughts</u><br />
There's no doubt that once we are fully up to speed with the rules, bearing in mind Dave had not even seen the rules prior to the game, we could knock a game of this size out in much quicker time. Both Dave and I thoroughly enjoyed the game and felt the rules worked perfectly for actions of this scale. The combats are tense and exciting and you have to make quick decisions about selection of combat dice and when to enhance your throws and weighing up the odds as to whether an attack will be successful prior to committing yourself. <br />
<br />
A special thanks to my good mate Rodger Wood of Rebel Barracks fame for the use of his wonderful peasant dwellings. <br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-19525920795403572582014-02-07T02:59:00.000-08:002014-02-07T16:52:32.077-08:00Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese (Preparations for Ronin Samurai skirmishing)With Osprey's release of the <b><i>Ronin</i></b>, Samurai skirmish rules I now have a set of relatively quick- play rules that capture the flavour of the period and allow games to be fought to conclusion in a couple of hours without requiring endless cross referencing of wound types and weapon capabilites etc.<br />
<br />
My initial trial of these rules using a couple of figures a side on my dining room table quickly made me appreciate what a cracking set of rules they are. A follow-up game with my mate, Geoff, only served to increase my admiration and fire my enthusiasm. The use of combat tokens and the ability to enhance your initaitive, attack and defence rolls by the careful expenditure of these tokens is very clever and once you have the hang of it works like a treat. I hope to have some Samurai skirmish battle reports to post in the not too distant future.<br />
<br />
I have been working on and off on some Wargames Factory 28mm plastic
Samurai for quite some time now however my interest in Wargaming and
modelling has gone through a bit of a dormant period and they been
shelved away on the must-finish shelf for longer than I care to
remember. Really I think I was hoping for a decent set of rules to get the project off the ground.<br />
<br />
My Samurai collection is primarily Wargames Factory but I am slowly adding some of the excellent Perry metals to the mix. As one who has spent countless hours converting and adapting 1/72nd scale soft plastic figures I find the Wargames Factory figs a doddle to assemble and the endless possible variations of poses that can be created from the basic figures is astounding.<br />
<br />
I thought I'd share a few simple figure conversions and some examples of my finished models.<br />
<br />
The first are some casualty markers I have prepped ready for painting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LX2sm6utifU/UvS4H83Yj_I/AAAAAAAABCs/GNCI6fPCWT4/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LX2sm6utifU/UvS4H83Yj_I/AAAAAAAABCs/GNCI6fPCWT4/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashigaru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idIvy06hRVg/UvS4HQ9rtPI/AAAAAAAABCk/GdzCMdr2IVQ/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idIvy06hRVg/UvS4HQ9rtPI/AAAAAAAABCk/GdzCMdr2IVQ/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" height="278" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashigaru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H2EHOKj1Sw/UvS4HoSyTlI/AAAAAAAABCo/yvoiqpkyFr0/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H2EHOKj1Sw/UvS4HoSyTlI/AAAAAAAABCo/yvoiqpkyFr0/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samurai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKiGaUpYmro/UvS4JUtVYnI/AAAAAAAABC8/O4p9hWrpbNw/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKiGaUpYmro/UvS4JUtVYnI/AAAAAAAABC8/O4p9hWrpbNw/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samurai</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next figure is straight forward assembly whch highlights the somewhat grisly nature of Samurai warfare.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVzGQI7c5m4/UvS5DbyQVJI/AAAAAAAABDE/B3ilzL1X6mE/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVzGQI7c5m4/UvS5DbyQVJI/AAAAAAAABDE/B3ilzL1X6mE/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" height="320" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />
Some more straight forward conversions / assemblies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43u2dKSgSqM/UvS5d2jdZ5I/AAAAAAAABDM/MKp7cUfW7KE/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43u2dKSgSqM/UvS5d2jdZ5I/AAAAAAAABDM/MKp7cUfW7KE/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" height="320" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GExb2f4Ld4/UvS5oeSqWjI/AAAAAAAABDU/TxLaEmLu9i8/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GExb2f4Ld4/UvS5oeSqWjI/AAAAAAAABDU/TxLaEmLu9i8/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Some painted examples<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCbH6O7y9Fs/UvS6VxOzkXI/AAAAAAAABDg/wm_6r4aLlgI/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCbH6O7y9Fs/UvS6VxOzkXI/AAAAAAAABDg/wm_6r4aLlgI/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSYNdGLqNgQ/UvS6WdLtUgI/AAAAAAAABDo/e5ETwblWYiw/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSYNdGLqNgQ/UvS6WdLtUgI/AAAAAAAABDo/e5ETwblWYiw/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nncLeNmMa98/UvS6WB1FYiI/AAAAAAAABDk/RqAaRDM3spE/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nncLeNmMa98/UvS6WB1FYiI/AAAAAAAABDk/RqAaRDM3spE/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perry Samurai from the Sepuka set.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3seCdU96wI/UvS6Xx-mLtI/AAAAAAAABD4/sjvFTQiC5Yc/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3seCdU96wI/UvS6Xx-mLtI/AAAAAAAABD4/sjvFTQiC5Yc/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pAYdz7R8Mg/UvS6YcuIMHI/AAAAAAAABD8/lF1q618QKFY/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pAYdz7R8Mg/UvS6YcuIMHI/AAAAAAAABD8/lF1q618QKFY/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yc50hVF6TuM/UvS6ZEq0rzI/AAAAAAAABEE/pfCqXOmwnY8/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yc50hVF6TuM/UvS6ZEq0rzI/AAAAAAAABEE/pfCqXOmwnY8/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7NMYlHJ4x4/UvS6aFNSlgI/AAAAAAAABEQ/ju2OVD0JaNA/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7NMYlHJ4x4/UvS6aFNSlgI/AAAAAAAABEQ/ju2OVD0JaNA/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRgJoHVCRQ4/UvS6rx8puOI/AAAAAAAABEY/a_c8p_BNTmY/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRgJoHVCRQ4/UvS6rx8puOI/AAAAAAAABEY/a_c8p_BNTmY/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_E3Oa6ZToI/UvS6sZo-I8I/AAAAAAAABEc/OB1WaVK5gQ4/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_E3Oa6ZToI/UvS6sZo-I8I/AAAAAAAABEc/OB1WaVK5gQ4/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUD21OjTikg/UvS6smNPz1I/AAAAAAAABEk/LvADEwmpd1Q/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUD21OjTikg/UvS6smNPz1I/AAAAAAAABEk/LvADEwmpd1Q/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktIuNDvjPrI/UvS6tZ7g--I/AAAAAAAABEw/Ui6zGkbTOao/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktIuNDvjPrI/UvS6tZ7g--I/AAAAAAAABEw/Ui6zGkbTOao/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvT-6mdw8T4/UvS6uZnRYGI/AAAAAAAABE0/NK7jtJikqUw/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvT-6mdw8T4/UvS6uZnRYGI/AAAAAAAABE0/NK7jtJikqUw/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My first Samurai figures<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPb9bdixqlw/UvS7dJq-skI/AAAAAAAABFA/vq1vkYXtAvI/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPb9bdixqlw/UvS7dJq-skI/AAAAAAAABFA/vq1vkYXtAvI/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR0fnCmFHFw/UvS7fyJBPMI/AAAAAAAABFQ/LVRwfOArZd4/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR0fnCmFHFw/UvS7fyJBPMI/AAAAAAAABFQ/LVRwfOArZd4/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJBCvWI9ICg/UvS7ezVEQEI/AAAAAAAABFI/EphU-w8oPUs/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJBCvWI9ICg/UvS7ezVEQEI/AAAAAAAABFI/EphU-w8oPUs/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njwt3IKzKeA/UvS7kDIKQrI/AAAAAAAABFY/ycHrpVC-WeA/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njwt3IKzKeA/UvS7kDIKQrI/AAAAAAAABFY/ycHrpVC-WeA/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdqNRsziYZE/UvS7m-eKQJI/AAAAAAAABFg/JtxZhqpBFKQ/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdqNRsziYZE/UvS7m-eKQJI/AAAAAAAABFg/JtxZhqpBFKQ/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-83621510329313483062013-07-07T03:43:00.000-07:002013-07-07T03:43:51.297-07:00The 'Other' Gettysburg Movie.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Gettysburg, The Final Day.</b><br />
<br />
Reports are still filtering in from the Battlefield around Gettysburg but it appears the Confederacy has won a narrow victory based on points, though to be honest, from my position smack dab in the middle with 2nd Corps, it didn't feel that way. I felt my opponernt, Tim, and I had the measure of each other with no decisive winner of the contest when time was called, despite some spirited and courageous assaults by Pickett's Division. <br />
<br />
But in the true spirit of wargaming the Union accepts the decision of the umpires with good grace and dignity.<br />
<br />
As previously stated a full report of this battle will follow once all the reports have been collated.<br />
To be honest a game of this size gives one a small sense of the fog of war because I found myself so engrossed in my section of the battlefield that I hardly had time to take it all in. Fortunately a good portion of the day was spent behind the camera or camcorder so I can dissect the event in detail with the aid of photographic evidence.<br />
<br />
I don't claim to be much cop at movie making but check I am working on video of our refight complete with suitably stirring musical score, juddery motion, blurred images, out of focus shots and waaay too fast zooming and panning. Special thanks to my darling daughter Courtney, who does all the tricky computer stuff while Dad sits beside her saying do this or that, or, is it possible to add music...? All I have to do now is figure out how to upload it to my blog, I think it must be way too big because every time I try to upload it things go tits up. <br />
<br />
I've attached some pics of the final day for your delectation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u507_EpGPT0/UdlAl51GxII/AAAAAAAABA8/ju77RnRPdMA/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u507_EpGPT0/UdlAl51GxII/AAAAAAAABA8/ju77RnRPdMA/s320/IMG_0532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--c2JSMFh2Kc/UdlAmZhYpMI/AAAAAAAABBE/3NyF4SAI4Yw/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--c2JSMFh2Kc/UdlAmZhYpMI/AAAAAAAABBE/3NyF4SAI4Yw/s320/IMG_0535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickett's Charge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nNYJJ2LEMk/UdlAmDwja1I/AAAAAAAABBI/AUPqhbWLs9I/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nNYJJ2LEMk/UdlAmDwja1I/AAAAAAAABBI/AUPqhbWLs9I/s320/IMG_0536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_l0-lqqJ67E/UdlAuOIaS6I/AAAAAAAABBU/Vb8co2rZGZY/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_l0-lqqJ67E/UdlAuOIaS6I/AAAAAAAABBU/Vb8co2rZGZY/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xImIHsORsM/UdlAuCDgLOI/AAAAAAAABBY/MKxlJXM_U3w/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xImIHsORsM/UdlAuCDgLOI/AAAAAAAABBY/MKxlJXM_U3w/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_u5Fif3-I2Q/UdlAuMs8GVI/AAAAAAAABBg/Td3qoSbAQPs/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_u5Fif3-I2Q/UdlAuMs8GVI/AAAAAAAABBg/Td3qoSbAQPs/s320/IMG_0546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aftermath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiYTc20vv3Q/UdlAvI6OahI/AAAAAAAABBo/H8mrfA131pk/s1600/IMG_0547+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiYTc20vv3Q/UdlAvI6OahI/AAAAAAAABBo/H8mrfA131pk/s1600/IMG_0547+(2).JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3tqAqzolfg/UdlA20gOvTI/AAAAAAAABCE/qkF-Ty_nEy4/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3tqAqzolfg/UdlA20gOvTI/AAAAAAAABCE/qkF-Ty_nEy4/s320/IMG_0548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KYejxWQL1I4/UdlA2Chn7qI/AAAAAAAABB0/KOxVB-ntVxA/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KYejxWQL1I4/UdlA2Chn7qI/AAAAAAAABB0/KOxVB-ntVxA/s320/IMG_0551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6Bd-vjuMeg/UdlA2B_TpUI/AAAAAAAABB4/WOhN8E0LbZw/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6Bd-vjuMeg/UdlA2B_TpUI/AAAAAAAABB4/WOhN8E0LbZw/s320/IMG_0552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxTUj5A7-9g/UdlA7x-Yt5I/AAAAAAAABCU/IKsJOaKW1QM/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxTUj5A7-9g/UdlA7x-Yt5I/AAAAAAAABCU/IKsJOaKW1QM/s320/IMG_0553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meade, C in C, Army of the Potomac, outside his Headquarters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJAWxGWeW0k/UdlA65k-0-I/AAAAAAAABCM/xT-joUto70w/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJAWxGWeW0k/UdlA65k-0-I/AAAAAAAABCM/xT-joUto70w/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-28800147038529202642013-07-06T03:42:00.000-07:002013-07-06T03:42:23.969-07:00Gettysburg Refight, Let the battle commence!At last the great day is upon us.<br />
Months of preparation and frantic painting and modelling have come together on the day to recreatre the epic event in 28mm. See Rodger Woods Blog, 'Harpers Weekly', for an depth narrative of the lead up and preparation of the table.<br />
<br />
There is so much to absorb with a table this huge and over 4000 beautifully painted figures plus superb scenery so I will just post the selected highlights of Day Two, we omitted Day One to condense things a bit to ensure the battle could be fought to completion over a weekend.<br />
<br />
Look out for more pics of Day Three's action and a full battle report in the near future.<br />
<br />
I cant wait for tomorrow. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAOjl58ozO4/Udfu57IFn2I/AAAAAAAAA8U/QMz1vKxeM_s/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAOjl58ozO4/Udfu57IFn2I/AAAAAAAAA8U/QMz1vKxeM_s/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial deployment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLPG4wWqFUo/Udfu7u3OuoI/AAAAAAAAA8c/2R1fqgSZ98A/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLPG4wWqFUo/Udfu7u3OuoI/AAAAAAAAA8c/2R1fqgSZ98A/s320/IMG_0536.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The calm before the storm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm_rudWnASM/Udfu7vBNOoI/AAAAAAAAA8g/dLwGWh-QlbA/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm_rudWnASM/Udfu7vBNOoI/AAAAAAAAA8g/dLwGWh-QlbA/s320/IMG_0541.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX77_KrMXVM/UdfvCA8wGCI/AAAAAAAAA8s/zmgKQ6mbCXI/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX77_KrMXVM/UdfvCA8wGCI/AAAAAAAAA8s/zmgKQ6mbCXI/s320/IMG_0542.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cemetery Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1Wf_zH9Ghk/UdfvE2wKa7I/AAAAAAAAA88/Z7Qgw8iipKc/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1Wf_zH9Ghk/UdfvE2wKa7I/AAAAAAAAA88/Z7Qgw8iipKc/s320/IMG_0545.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Culps Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PE9HwK8KJ3c/UdfvEFqBANI/AAAAAAAAA80/WgyH9p5ckoo/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PE9HwK8KJ3c/UdfvEFqBANI/AAAAAAAAA80/WgyH9p5ckoo/s320/IMG_0547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRpY9T1HkHw/UdfvKhUqBVI/AAAAAAAAA9E/EuhoYezo_cA/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRpY9T1HkHw/UdfvKhUqBVI/AAAAAAAAA9E/EuhoYezo_cA/s320/IMG_0556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-m7goZfVks/UdfvMdy1AtI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/QeiNjaqEHSc/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-m7goZfVks/UdfvMdy1AtI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/QeiNjaqEHSc/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpfYW3DpTCM/UdfvRpvz3eI/AAAAAAAAA9c/_dZFEYgnJKs/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpfYW3DpTCM/UdfvRpvz3eI/AAAAAAAAA9c/_dZFEYgnJKs/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoods Texans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onlzClW4aWc/UdfvUvMephI/AAAAAAAAA9s/YHbqZN0-Xy4/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onlzClW4aWc/UdfvUvMephI/AAAAAAAAA9s/YHbqZN0-Xy4/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds Eye view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DJnplHDwJU/UdfvTgVWBbI/AAAAAAAAA9k/WbnwcPQ5RUY/s1600/IMG_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DJnplHDwJU/UdfvTgVWBbI/AAAAAAAAA9k/WbnwcPQ5RUY/s320/IMG_0567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hancock the Superb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgo9xo5A6do/Udfvav3DAbI/AAAAAAAAA90/-AjV78Sakno/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgo9xo5A6do/Udfvav3DAbI/AAAAAAAAA90/-AjV78Sakno/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw3IsxemsYM/UdfvclgbjbI/AAAAAAAAA-E/eF21RjFLQkA/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw3IsxemsYM/UdfvclgbjbI/AAAAAAAAA-E/eF21RjFLQkA/s320/IMG_0573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZVYuCt34A4/UdfvbUy4RbI/AAAAAAAAA98/h2EEc7NjMOo/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZVYuCt34A4/UdfvbUy4RbI/AAAAAAAAA98/h2EEc7NjMOo/s320/IMG_0574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3RcJZcicm90/UdfvjU7_mGI/AAAAAAAAA-U/83zpT9nGdXw/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3RcJZcicm90/UdfvjU7_mGI/AAAAAAAAA-U/83zpT9nGdXw/s320/IMG_0575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiWkq9rTIWs/UdfvhxdFkxI/AAAAAAAAA-M/jqA1cJpUFUM/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiWkq9rTIWs/UdfvhxdFkxI/AAAAAAAAA-M/jqA1cJpUFUM/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qcw9YmaNYQ/UdfvlPswaqI/AAAAAAAAA-c/HigQeVySiaM/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qcw9YmaNYQ/UdfvlPswaqI/AAAAAAAAA-c/HigQeVySiaM/s320/IMG_0579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PeWzgRWJ4T8/Udfvosp42AI/AAAAAAAAA-k/ay6b0SRqBl0/s1600/IMG_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PeWzgRWJ4T8/Udfvosp42AI/AAAAAAAAA-k/ay6b0SRqBl0/s320/IMG_0582.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reinforcements in March Column</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOiFSBM5NvA/UdfvsTx2QdI/AAAAAAAAA-0/0-IsXzSJiKU/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOiFSBM5NvA/UdfvsTx2QdI/AAAAAAAAA-0/0-IsXzSJiKU/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1n8GGOihIA/Udfvr1-lz-I/AAAAAAAAA-s/dbQxNOYNKA0/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h1n8GGOihIA/Udfvr1-lz-I/AAAAAAAAA-s/dbQxNOYNKA0/s320/IMG_0585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot work at the Cemetery Gates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4juQgYNM5w/Udfvw-4wt7I/AAAAAAAAA-8/UuDtCbnC7cE/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4juQgYNM5w/Udfvw-4wt7I/AAAAAAAAA-8/UuDtCbnC7cE/s320/IMG_0586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5Q574mZ0p8/Udfv0AK6jbI/AAAAAAAAA_M/ApKtyq04nSM/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5Q574mZ0p8/Udfv0AK6jbI/AAAAAAAAA_M/ApKtyq04nSM/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHXUj0O9Smg/Udfvzg2JdnI/AAAAAAAAA_E/WH09sv_v1EQ/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHXUj0O9Smg/Udfvzg2JdnI/AAAAAAAAA_E/WH09sv_v1EQ/s320/IMG_0589.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yj0Yu5Fv6k0/Udfv4x5oeVI/AAAAAAAAA_U/Tz-UbvIq3f8/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yj0Yu5Fv6k0/Udfv4x5oeVI/AAAAAAAAA_U/Tz-UbvIq3f8/s320/IMG_0590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEBnKmKntuw/Udfv7VrylQI/AAAAAAAAA_c/Dv4rmWr3A4I/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEBnKmKntuw/Udfv7VrylQI/AAAAAAAAA_c/Dv4rmWr3A4I/s320/IMG_0591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Butchers Bill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-TFLleqbGk/Udfv7qLBp7I/AAAAAAAAA_g/_Sp1G2w4KNM/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-TFLleqbGk/Udfv7qLBp7I/AAAAAAAAA_g/_Sp1G2w4KNM/s320/IMG_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkYIUoONWe8/UdfwB4kLJCI/AAAAAAAAA_s/0aqYzZ8DOVM/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkYIUoONWe8/UdfwB4kLJCI/AAAAAAAAA_s/0aqYzZ8DOVM/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGc_dAzwgvs/UdfwEHNdhQI/AAAAAAAAA_8/BfB0GM-kQ0I/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGc_dAzwgvs/UdfwEHNdhQI/AAAAAAAAA_8/BfB0GM-kQ0I/s320/IMG_0599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebels assault Devil's Den</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9fEbGh20to/UdfwDrrY3WI/AAAAAAAAA_0/HPP4uQDJtOQ/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9fEbGh20to/UdfwDrrY3WI/AAAAAAAAA_0/HPP4uQDJtOQ/s320/IMG_0600.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limber up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xblnpmh8vQA/UdfwJ5QtX2I/AAAAAAAABAE/mR_1VQ05w2s/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xblnpmh8vQA/UdfwJ5QtX2I/AAAAAAAABAE/mR_1VQ05w2s/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiG2gMjaeXE/UdfwMXLzeAI/AAAAAAAABAQ/fSburoE3WFI/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiG2gMjaeXE/UdfwMXLzeAI/AAAAAAAABAQ/fSburoE3WFI/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbna6E8Kwts/UdfwMODLHvI/AAAAAAAABAM/7fGiovP8_Ds/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbna6E8Kwts/UdfwMODLHvI/AAAAAAAABAM/7fGiovP8_Ds/s320/IMG_0607.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Zouves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aWPcv_an1g/UdfwQdInjAI/AAAAAAAABAc/ASVWwnNvv9o/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aWPcv_an1g/UdfwQdInjAI/AAAAAAAABAc/ASVWwnNvv9o/s320/IMG_0608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like horsemeat for dinner again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyETC_Z6BDM/UdfwSQYTxqI/AAAAAAAABAk/IzbDu1DAYwk/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyETC_Z6BDM/UdfwSQYTxqI/AAAAAAAABAk/IzbDu1DAYwk/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they come!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SS9E2bH3c1U/UdfwTfrMuvI/AAAAAAAABAs/0iDjit-3H2s/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SS9E2bH3c1U/UdfwTfrMuvI/AAAAAAAABAs/0iDjit-3H2s/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772417186271744866.post-35072147451398357962013-06-29T03:46:00.000-07:002013-06-29T03:46:22.053-07:00Hancocks 2nd Corps ready for Gettysburg refight at last.The Southern Strategists are hosting a refight of the 2nd and 3rd day of the Battle of Gettysburg in Christchurch, New Zealand, this coming weekend, July 6th & 7th. (See Harpers Weekly).<br />
<br />
After countless hours of undercoating, painting, washing, highlighting, and basing,
my humble contribution to the Union cause, two Divisions of Hancocks's 2nd Corps, are finally ready for next
weekend's epic refight. 50 stands in total plus guns, Corps and Divisional stands and markers.<br />
<br />
Frankly this has become something of a chore for me as I'm not one for painting large numbers, and with the deadline looming, I was astonished at just how much effort was required to pull it all together. I havent even had time to check my favourite blogs so if anyone's wondering what's happened to me don't despair. <br />
I now have the utmost sympathy for those poor devils who are compelled to paint complete armies. The worst thing is one has to adopt an assembly line approach to the process and this tends to increase the tedium factor somewhat. The figures are painted to what I would call wargaming standard but probably wouldn't win any prizes in a modelling competition, anyway, enough bleating...here are some pics of 'Hancock's Boys'.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGw59L8Ou-s/Uc6xpyBwvpI/AAAAAAAAA6M/pWVLNz97UxM/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGw59L8Ou-s/Uc6xpyBwvpI/AAAAAAAAA6M/pWVLNz97UxM/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">72nd Pennsylvania (Baxters Zouaves)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMBPrktf9bk/Uc6x5aUw-6I/AAAAAAAAA6U/-WvavCWlVNM/s1579/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMBPrktf9bk/Uc6x5aUw-6I/AAAAAAAAA6U/-WvavCWlVNM/s320/IMG_0509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1kMZ49Qsc0/Uc6yIIV6K6I/AAAAAAAAA6k/soag2QGm0UE/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1kMZ49Qsc0/Uc6yIIV6K6I/AAAAAAAAA6k/soag2QGm0UE/s320/IMG_0510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4TWxn1wkLg/Uc6yFzSP96I/AAAAAAAAA6c/kWz9zOLmLjU/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4TWxn1wkLg/Uc6yFzSP96I/AAAAAAAAA6c/kWz9zOLmLjU/s320/IMG_0512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxbfWySxkJY/Uc6yT-V9aNI/AAAAAAAAA60/40hKbtXKLAk/s1392/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxbfWySxkJY/Uc6yT-V9aNI/AAAAAAAAA60/40hKbtXKLAk/s320/IMG_0514.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corps Command</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCYoV8OeK74/Uc6yUqSDBBI/AAAAAAAAA68/cmM9UPs-CLw/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCYoV8OeK74/Uc6yUqSDBBI/AAAAAAAAA68/cmM9UPs-CLw/s320/IMG_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Hancock the Superb', 2nd Corps Command stand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLmyanxN3Wk/Uc6yTLXZo0I/AAAAAAAAA6s/6Q8i5zqrTHA/s1212/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLmyanxN3Wk/Uc6yTLXZo0I/AAAAAAAAA6s/6Q8i5zqrTHA/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Divisional commander</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfqFiG7dL1g/Uc6yXHeDk-I/AAAAAAAAA7E/2ACJmM4Pudc/s1233/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfqFiG7dL1g/Uc6yXHeDk-I/AAAAAAAAA7E/2ACJmM4Pudc/s320/IMG_0517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVE0tMjbVQA/Uc6yXk7u-sI/AAAAAAAAA7M/--TUaaAZ2CM/s1375/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVE0tMjbVQA/Uc6yXk7u-sI/AAAAAAAAA7M/--TUaaAZ2CM/s320/IMG_0518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rlnpIpFuzuc/Uc6ytR1zHxI/AAAAAAAAA7U/X47d5ZJthdM/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rlnpIpFuzuc/Uc6ytR1zHxI/AAAAAAAAA7U/X47d5ZJthdM/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7sIm-SdcYao/Uc6yuj2NEiI/AAAAAAAAA7k/isH460qxLo4/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7sIm-SdcYao/Uc6yuj2NEiI/AAAAAAAAA7k/isH460qxLo4/s320/IMG_0522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5nd3mzL8bE/Uc6yuLlvRyI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/183YyczXjAs/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5nd3mzL8bE/Uc6yuLlvRyI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/183YyczXjAs/s320/IMG_0523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01s5eDrBXgs/Uc6y1A8_RCI/AAAAAAAAA78/Y-VFzgT727Q/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01s5eDrBXgs/Uc6y1A8_RCI/AAAAAAAAA78/Y-VFzgT727Q/s320/IMG_0524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd Corps, 1st and 2nd Divisions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HKCBf3M0eg/Uc6y03ElncI/AAAAAAAAA70/yp0vb6ZDygM/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HKCBf3M0eg/Uc6y03ElncI/AAAAAAAAA70/yp0vb6ZDygM/s320/IMG_0526.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disorder markers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Su8tebkGtlQ/Uc6yznYhjcI/AAAAAAAAA7s/zBt9wKpHcqg/s1298/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Su8tebkGtlQ/Uc6yznYhjcI/AAAAAAAAA7s/zBt9wKpHcqg/s320/IMG_0528.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakthrough markers (hopefully they'll get plenty of use)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9BZGxxyaMQ/Uc6y3bRsvaI/AAAAAAAAA8E/3wQ5qvECIIg/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9BZGxxyaMQ/Uc6y3bRsvaI/AAAAAAAAA8E/3wQ5qvECIIg/s320/IMG_0529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low on Ammo markers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_pfktDhuLw/Uc6xR8bPT_I/AAAAAAAAA6A/CJEV1sTOLfs/s1531/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_pfktDhuLw/Uc6xR8bPT_I/AAAAAAAAA6A/CJEV1sTOLfs/s320/IMG_0504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Zouaves (You have to love that uniform)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The figures are mostly Perry and Dixon. I love Perry's Zouaves but am not so enamoured with the basic infanrty plastic set, poor definition and bland poses, the second infantry box are a vast improvement. The do make good rank fillers though and are well priced. The Dixon figures are a bit odd looking close up but are a joy to paint with great definition and creases that make highlighting easy. The Perry metals are all superb. <br />
I took some liberties in naming my Zouaves the 72nd because in actual fact they wore kepis, not fez's at Gettysburg and the uniform differed in a lot of other ways as well but what the hell. They did put up a good account of themselves however in wargaming terms. We held an ACW game the other night at Waynes place and they not only repulsed a Confederate assualt but launched a breakthrough charge that swept the damned Rebs from the field. Ogilvie VChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09569841818938941383noreply@blogger.com5