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.