Scenery

Painting has taken a bit of a back seat of late, I'm hoping to be able to find some time over the Christmas Holidays but I have been building a few of the excellent Dave Graffam models which have been on sale at Wargames Vault.  For a mere £0.63 I think these represent excellent value.

So far I've built:  a church

A longhouse

And the pub.

Some earlier work making wattle fences.  I could do with some more of these and I'll post a quick step by step guide next time.

Lion Rampant - First Game

I purchased the Lion Rampant over the summer as a possible alternative for my Normans and Saxons and had been looking forward to giving them a try.  I'd found some draft lists on the forum suggesting three units of mounted sergeants, one of foot sergeants and two of archers for the Normans with two foot men at arms, one foot sergeants, two foot yeomen and one bidowers for the Saxons.  I was just about able to make up the units although some were slightly out of period... 

Turn 1

The Normans won the dice off to start and were able to activate all three of their mounted units who began the advance.  Similarly the Saxon left wing was able to advance before the second unit of Huscarls failed.

Turn 2

All the Normans were able to continue the advance aside from one unit of archers who clearly had something better to do.  On the Saxon side Robin and his chums raced into the spinney while the adjacent yeaman formed a shield wall (schiltron) the remaining units all advanced.

Turn 3

The Norman leader unit charged the Saxon leader and scored nine hits which means the Saxons lost two men although they subsequently failed the leader check.  In response the Huscarls scored seven hits also leading to two casualties although the leader survived.  All courage tests were passed and the Normans were forced to retreat.

Turn 4

The unit of cavalry on the Norman left were able to advance before the next unit failed its activation test.  The Saxon Huscarls, infuriated at the loss of their leader charged the Norman cavalry although this time the Normans failed their courage test and retreated battered.  The two units on the Saxon right formed into shieldwall while the other Huscarls advanced towards the Church.

Turn 5

The left hand Norman cavalry charged the Yeomen in shieldwall inflicting one casualty but suffering two in return and failing the subsequent Courage test.  They were then charged by the Foot Sergeants who inflicted a further casualty while Robin & Co fired at the right hand unit of cavalry who suffered one loss.

Turn 6

Disaster, the Norman leader failed his rally test and fled the field causing the right archers also to flee off the table.  Both remaining cavalry units failed their respective tests and suffered further casualties as a consequence.  The Saxons resumed their advance.

Turn 7

Things didn't get any better for the Normans as both remaining cavalry units failed their rally tests and were eliminated.  The foot sergeants in the centre managed to charge the Huscarls and force them back.  The Saxons failed their first activation.

Turn 8

The Norman sergeants charged again although this time they were repulsed suffering a casualty and a further two when the Saxons returned the favour.

Turn 9

The ding dong in the centre continued with both sides suffering two casualties although this time the Normans failed their courage test and retreated battered.  The Saxon foot sergeants attacked the last remaining unit of archers and forced them to retreat.

Turn 10

Both Norman units failed their rally tests and it became obvious, at this point, that any further resistance was useless and I decided to end the game.  This was a decisive victory for the Saxons, their Huscarls had suffered heavily and they had lost their leader but, otherwise, they were virtually untouched.

A very enjoyable game taking around two hours which, I felt, was reasonable a first attempt.  The rules seemed very clear although I'm sure I made mistakes.  I'm looking forward to giving them another go as written although there are some areas I'd consider fiddling with, particularly unit activation which can see your phase over without anything happening.  I like the randomness but wonder if some sort of card system would work better. 

The Civil War Trilogy - Shelby Foote

Well, I've finally finished Shelby Foote's three volume history of the American Civil War.  This is a wonderful narrative history of almost 3,000 pages which I was first introduced to while studying the ACW at university more years ago than I care to remember.  I'd previously read much of the first two volumes researching my dissertation on the Army of Northern Virginia but had concentrated on the Eastern Theatre and never really touched on the third volume.

This oversight has now been rectified and I've now, slowly, worked my way through it over the past year with the aid of an atlas to assist my somewhat sketchy knowledge of US geography although it should be said that plenty of maps are included.

I have to say that I'm very pleased to have made the effort. Foote's writing is magnificent and really makes the conflict come alive with colourful portraits of many of the participants both great and small.  He's not afraid to say that a general was not up to the task and rightly castigates many for their incompetence while praising the efforts of the more successful.  

I'm aware of many of the criticisms of his work, including deriding abolitionists and downplaying the role of ex slaves, together with a complete absence of footnotes, however, as a work of narrative, military history it has to be among the most enjoyable series of books I've ever read, comparable with Gibbon or Oman.

All in, a serious commitment but one that more than repays the effort.  Maybe it's time to revive the slumbering ACW project...

Thunder on the Danube

Thunder on the Danube Vol I - John H Gill

I recently picked up the first volume of John H Gill's trilogy on the 1809 campaign for a mere £1.19 on the Kindle.  Now I will admit that I have a weakness for multi volume histories. Having a job that involves a considerable amount of train travel certainly gives me the opportunity.  I'm particularly looking forward to the paperback of volume iv of Jonathan Sumption's Hundred Years War, I managed a couple of units of archers for Basic Impetus after the last one.

This didn't disappoint.  A brief build up to the campaign is followed by a detailed description of Charles' initial moves and Berthier's blunders before Napoleon arrives and takes a firm hold.  The details of unit movements are very detailed, down to individual companies at some points.  I dug out the road atlas but sadly this was too small scale for events and my knowledge of Bavaria isn't that good.  I may have to invest in some larger scale maps for the next volumes.

All in all, thoroughly recommended if you have an interest in Napoleonic warfare and makes a pleasant change from the Peninsular or Russia.  Now I really must get around to finishing Napier.  So far I've managed to resist buying a few packs of Austrians but with SELWG just around the corner the temptation is still there.  I look forward to the next installment.

The Hardest Day/Battle of Britain Day

The school holidays are finally over, a mere seven weeks this year, and things are slowly returning to what passes for normal.  Hopefully this means I should be able to catch up on Blogging.  Painting has continued, one of the few things I've managed to keep going, and I'll update on additions in the near future.

Today is Battle of Britain Day and several flights of Spitfires and Hurricanes will be leaving Goodwood and on a variety of routes around Southern England.  Maps of routes here.  It looks like Blue Section should be flying nearby so I'll head up to the Downs with the dogs at lunchtime in the vain hope of catching something.

There was a similar flight on 18th August, The Hardest Day which we were able to catch as they took off from Biggin Hill and the headed to the Isle of Wight before returning.

We also visited Kenley Aerodrome that day to walk the dogs.  Kenley was attacked by a flight of low flying Dorniers that day causing casualties and much damage.

The airfield itself is still used by local gliding clubs but you can walk or cycle around the edge where several dispersal pens survive.  Worth a quick visit if you're in the area.

Edit - Take off has been postponed to 2.00pm due to the weather, not sure I'll be able to catch them now sadly.

Harold's Army

To go along with William's Army, the starter army of their Saxon opponents is also complete.  This is based on the lists provided on the Impetus website.  The core of the army is a Gripping Beast box of Saxons, I'm aware that they are really equipped for a slightly earlier period but they will suffice for now.  If I get round to painting more figures then they can be moved "down" to the Fyrd or Great Fyrd.

First are the Huscarls, two units of eight figures.

Next is the Fyrd, three units of eight figures each.

The Great Fyrd, two units of eight figures, and arches, one unit of four figures.  To my understanding, there is very little evidence of many archers being present at Hastings

Finally, a shot of the completed army.

Figures are mostly Gripping Beast, a combination of metals and plastics, and Black Tree with transfers from Veni Vidi Vici and Little Big Men.

I've also had the chance to have a quick run through of the rules and am reasonably confident they should provide an enjoyable game.  More in a future post.

I've heard good things about the Lion Rampant skirmish rules and have finally got around to ordering a copy although there appears to be a slight issue with the supplier.  I'm hoping the current forces should provide the basis for two retinues with the addition of some additional archers.  There's also the promised Terra Mundi supplement from Too Fat Lardies for Normans in Sicily although whether or not this will ever see the light of day is debateable.

Phase One of the project is complete at least.

William's Army

Sorry, for the long break, the Summer Holidays always seem to take more time that expected.  I've managed to get some painting done and I've finally the starter armies for my Basic Impetus Hastings Project.

The Norman army is based on a list found on the forum to slightly more accurately reflect the difficulties William must have experienced travelling bringing horses to England as part of the invasion.  The infantry component is therefore stronger than the list for William in Normandy.

First, the most iconic part of any Norman army, the Milites.  Three units of three horsemen, miniatures are by Conquest Games.  

Next the infantry, four units of eight figures each.  A combination of Crusader and Black Tree Design.

Finally the archers, vital for Hastings.  Figures are by Black Tree.

A shot of the completed army for today's trial game, more of which in a future post.

Finally, shield transfers are by Veni Vidi Vici and Little Big Men, I think they really help to provide character to my otherwise mediocre painting.  I have more figures on the paint bench to expand the cavalry arm further and will eventually get around to sorting out appropriate flags and banners.

Too Fat Lardies Summer Special

It must be summer, the Special from Too Fat Lardies has arrived.  I've downloaded my copy and had a quick look through.  A couple of interesting articles/scenarios for Chain of Command and Bag the Hun but, thankfully, it looks like there's nothing to divert me for a change although Garibaldi for Sharp Practice looks interesting.

Well worth the £6.00 asking price.

Waterloo - Belgium Trip

Today being the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and I thought I'd take the opportunity of posting some of the photos from our trip to Belgium in April.  The original aim of the trip, following our visit to the Somme last year, was to take in as many of the sites around Ypres as possible, however, the lure of Waterloo was too great and, after much discussion, we decided to include it.  This was actually Day 2 but let's not let chronological order get in the way.

The weather was not the best with a, virtually constant, drizzle so unfortunately many of my landscape photos aren't really that good.  The fact that I'd only remembered to pack the compact is neither here nor there.

Lion Mound, it's certainly a trek up there, shame about the weather.

Hougoumont - still undergoing restoration, it looks a lot better in the news broadcasts.

La Belle Alliance

Hulot Memorial

La Haie Sainte 

Durutte Division Memorial

Hanoverian Memorial

Inniskilling Memorial

Picton Memorial

A very interesting experience, it's always helpful to walk across the actual field as it provides an additional perspective that is not always obvious from reading the books.  The ridge lined by Wellington's troops is clearly visible as you walk across to La Belle Alliance and the field itself is very confined.  Frightening to think of the number of men killed or wounded in such a small space.

Sadly, it has not, as yet, provided a spur to get on with painting any more Napoleonics although I'm tempted to try a small game next time the opportunity arises.

I'll get around to posting the remaining photos from the trip in the, hopefully not too distant future.  Plans for Normandy next year are already being made.

One-Hour Wargames

I've had this sitting on the shelf for a while and only just got around to reading through it.  The book contains nine rule sets for most of the major periods from Ancient to WWII which are designed to be played on a small table in around an hour.

The rules themselves are necessarily simplistic, consisting of only two or three pages each but should give a quick game on a three foot square table.  This is something I find increasingly important as the amount of time to set up a larger table can be considerable.  Troop types are limited to four per period, for example there are no dragoons or artillery in the Pike and Shot era and some alterations may be required for English Civil War games.

Of potentially more interest are the 30 scenarios which can obviously be used with any rule set and again save time when looking for a quick game.

All in it looks like a very useful little book very much in the style of Donald Featherstone et al and I look forward to trying them out in the not too distant future.

Bag The Hun

An unexpected hour or so of free time today allowed me to get in a quick couple of games of Bag the Hun, Too Fat Lardies WWII air combat game.  

I've not played this for a while and decided to start with a basic scenario pitting two Spitfires against Bf109s.  The Spitfires soon managed to get on the tail of the 109s.

 Some terrible flying, dice throwing, meant the 109s failed their evasive maneuver allowing the Spit leader to put in a long burst and the lead 109 exploded.

A lucky run of cards then allowed the Spits to circle round and get on the tail of the second 109 who again failed to evade the result that a second long burst sent it down with a dead pilot.

The Spits headed home.

With a few minutes left until it was time to leave for the school run, I thought I'd try the Bag the Doodlebug mini game.  I was slightly annoyed to find that both my Raiden Typhoons had managed to lose their magnets but not to worry as Mustangs were available.  In the first game, the chasing plane managed to get in a quick shot at the Doodlebug but missed.

The pilot then attempted to tip it over but again was unsuccessful and the bug headed on towards London.

The chasing plane failed to get anywhere near the bugs in the next two games and it was time to pack up.

I'd forgotten how much fun these rules are and the beauty of them allows for some very quick games.  I'm looking forward to having another go soon and may even get round to digging out the WWI version, Algy.

Burma British

I've now had a chance to quickly paint up a few opponents for the Japanese.  Again nothing special, simple block painting, a quick wash and then highlights.

I also quickly painted the Sherman.

Unfortunately, the tracks appear to have suffered in storage and it has developed a lean.  Never mind, it will suffice for now.

Next batch have received a watered down PVA wash in preparation for priming tomorrow.

I quick look on the Too Fat Lardies Yahoo Group has revealed two lists for the Japanese, with Type B apparently being suitable for Burma.  This is going to stretch my plastic resources as the rifle squads consist of a corporal, a LMG squad with three crew and a nine man rifle section each.  I may simple reduce numbers as I'm planning actions based on George MacDonald Fraser's memoirs, Quartered Safe out Here which relates his involvement in the 1945 campaign.

Burma Japanese

Well, it couldn't last.  I've managed to be relatively good so far this year and stay focused, however, I recently reread Field Marshall Slim's memoir of the war in Burma, Defeat into Victory, and had a bright idea.  There's a large box of old Airfix plastic figures in the loft.  Further investigation revealed a box of both  Matchbox Japanese and ANZACs so I decided to quickly, to be fair very quickly, slap some paint on a few and give them a quick wash.  They're not going to win any prizes but applying the three foot rule give a wargames standard I'm prepared to live with.

Lists for Chain of Command have yet to be finalised but I'm reasonably confident that I should have most of the figures required.  I can always buy a few metal figures to round things off but the Japanese in particular shouldn't require much in the way of support.   I did find a plastic Sherman which I'll paint up though for the Brits.

I'm trying to convince myself that this isn't a new period but an extension of an ongoing project and it's not that I had to buy any new figures either.  Anybody convinced?

The downside is that I have no jungle scenery and of course this could also be used for Indo-China which I've been thinking about for ages.  I'm sure I'll submit in the event the CoC amendments are released. 

Danes - Second Schleswig War

Painting continues at its normal snail's pace but I've at last completed some Danes for my Nineteenth Century project based on Neil Thomas' book.  This represents the infantry, minus command stands, for the Battle of Oeversee as described in Chapter 11.  Figures are by Pendraken although to speed things along I've gone with 15mm basing rather than that suggested for 10mm.  Just simple block painting with a brown ink wash to blend things together.

Uniforms are very similar to Union troops during the American Civil War and I'm wondering if I can get away with using them for both.

This is one of those little remembered European conflicts with obscure origins, Palmerston's famous quote about only three people knowing the origins springs to mind, although the recent BBC series may go some way to changing that.  I've recorded the first two episodes but not had a chance to watch them yet.

I've now based up the rest of the Danes and the Austrian contingent, however, I'm waiting for a dry day to prime them.  The aim is to paint up Prussians for Rackebull after and then move to the 1866 Austro-Prussian War and finally to the 1870 Franco-Prussian.