I'm back,bronzed and beautiful(well two out of three isn't bad!!) and last night we had a full turn out for a really interesting and colourful game involving Irish,Spanish,British,Dutch and Prussian troops.
The same old(boring?) format-top photo is scenario,bottom is table before any movement.
We drew sides and Graham and I were the Allied commanders,whilst Paul and Dave were the Irish/Spanish commanders,and Brian opted to referee(and what a splendid job he made of it too!!)
The game got off to a cracking start with my British column holding the flank,but only as a "feint" whilst Graham attacked along the whole front with his allied troops.
Graham's furious attack on the village was met with an equally furious defence by Dave!!
By now the whole table was alive with movement and firing-great stuff!
Toe-to -toe musketry in the centre as the Prussians take on the Spanish-both sides were evenly matched so,unfortunately, it would come down to the dreaded "DICE"-and it did,and we lost!!!!
On my flank,the "holding force" is holding(!!) whilst the other half of the column is marching towards the Prussian who are under considerable pressure-will I get there on time?
As Dave looks in "pensive mood" he is gradually pushing Graham back,but my British are now in a position to offer assistance,if only he would withdraw his Prussians from the front line!!!
My British cavalry are making a difference on Graham's flank,and,baring a disaster, we are stabilising the line(have I spoken too soon??)
Look at that!!!-The Prussians have vanished and Dave and Paul are throwing tremendously lucky dice,felling our officer corps,and driving us back-THE END!!
This was a good game,and a welcome return to wargaming in Westerhope!
If anyone can identify the new yellow flag with the double-headed Eagle on it in the background to the opening photo's,I will send them a shilling!!!
Roll on next Sunday.
Rob, as discussed,photographs of my Napoleonic collection(some of it!) for you to peruse.
Hope to hear from you soon,and beware of Grimsby!!!
French light cavalry-Irregular Miniatures.
"En Masse"
A selection of my French Heavies-all cavalry units are in 12's,all Infantry units are in 24's.
Selection of British heavies,including,of course,the ubiquitous "Greys!"
British infantry and detail.
French infantry and detail.
British and French foot artillery.
All boxed up!!!
In total there are over 1200 figures,mainly Irregular,with a scattering of Hinchcliffe,Mini-figs,Lancashire Games and even a few Prince August!! I have also got 24 Guns to go with the collection,which contains French,British,Portuguese,Prussians etc.etc.
Last night we saw a magnificent attack,a magnificent defence and a magnificent game.
Paul couldn't make it,so it fell to Dave and I to command the Persians,whilst Brian and Graham commanded the Greeks.
Top photo is the scenario,bottom is the table before any movement.
The game got off to a cracking start,with the Spartans(Graham) moving swiftly towards the waiting Immortals-we had bows,the Greeks did not,so Graham's tactic was to cut out the number of shots I could get at him(clever,and realistic ie Marathon!!)
On the other flank,Dave is attacking Brian's position with his Cardaces infantry and Axemen!
The Thebans had been put behind the wall because their troops were untried and I had given them a low fighting value and morale-Dave didn't know this,but was soon to find out!!
Top photo shows the even fight between Brian's Corinthians and Dave's Cardaces inf. bottom photo shows the Spartans attacking the Greek mercenaries-again an even match,and what a tussle!! Neither side could claim an advantage at this stage,and then...........................
A shout of victory(accompanied by a sort of jiggy "dad dance") from Dave heralded a break through against the Thebans,however Brian is moving his reserve Anthenians to block the Axemen!!-this is really going to be tight.
From the other flank,there was a cry of despair,as a combination of Spartans and Athenians manage to start a push back against the Immortals-so I instigated a forward move by my reserves,but I think I have left a bit too late-woe is me????
Yes!! woe is definitely me!!-look at the state of the Immortals-running for their little lead lives!!
The flank is lost,so it's up to Dave to save the day-send in the Royal Bodyguard!!!!!
Top photo shows Dave's use of his reserves,to finally break the resolve of the Thebans and Athenians-bottom photo shows the Royal Bodyguard smashing into the remnants of Brian's Corinthians and Athenians-hurrah!!-it was decided that,even though my flank had been destroyed by the Spartans(and their Athenian allies) the Greek position was untenable,and the Persians were the "masters" of the field!!
One last shot showing the magnificent Spartan/Athenian line,and the "running-away" Immortals.
We won't be playing for a couple of weeks,mainly due to me going off to sunny Corfu,so we'll have to catch up on a Waterloo game and a game for our sadly missed friend Tommy,when I get back.
I have been painting (in-between sore eyes) furiously over the past two weeks,the 100 Greek Hoplites that I had ordered from Warrior Miniatures,and having finished them,I naturally had to have them on the board,and so the game of Thermopolopolis was born!!!
The scenario and table,as the "lads" will see it on Sunday.
Athenian reserve,with Spartans to their left and Thebans to their right-off picture,further right are the Corinthians.
A view from the Spartan-held far left flank,looking towards the advancing Greek Mercenaries and the Persian Immortals.
The rest of the Spartan contingent-looking menacing(as usual!)
The Persian centre and King's Bodyguard.
If he's needed,it means the Persian army is in a bit of bother!!!
Don't three hedgehogs look triple cute????
Roll on Sunday.
Because my eyes are not feeling too good today,I will just print some photo's of the game we had last night,which featured Romans attacking two Alpini strongholds,and it also gave me the chance to use my Warrior Miniatures Testudos-hurrah!!
Scenario and table,before any movement.
Testudos ready to pounce!
"Pounced!!"
Opened out and fighting the defenders.
I am attacking Brian's auxiliaries,on the Roman right flank.
The "ding-dong" cavalry battle on the Roman left flank.
The Romans(Paul's command) have captured,for a while, the stronghold!!
But have failed to capture this one!!
In the centre,the Romans are contesting every inch!!
End-of-the-game shot!The Romans failed to capture the strongholds and were being given a right old lesson in Fighting,from the Alpini.-well done lads,roll on next Sunday!
Aren't two hedgehogs double cute???
