Last night Graham,Brian and I had an all-tussle,kick and rush type of Ancients game,and it was a "cracker".
I had set the game up as a 4-hander but as only three of us turned up,I took on the role of Roman commander,controlling 2 full legions(not an easy task!!) whilst Brian and Graham took control of two lots of German tribesmen-my objective was to cross the river,the German objective was to stop me-simple but effective!!
This is the table before any movement-Romans on the right,Brian's command to the front of the photo,Graham in the background.
This is Brian's view of the 7th Legion advancing-because some of his troops were behind a barricade,and I had to advance uphill,I put the fighting ability of this legion as "high"-but they still had a hard job of it!!
We're off!! Both Graham and I advanced to contact asap,and,being out-numbered,I was quickly flanked and driven back,but as the main lines contacted,the tussle was much more even,neither side gaining a real advantage early on.On the other flank,Brian and I contented ourselves with some skirmishing,stones,javelins and arrows flying all over the place!!
Skirmishing done,now in with the sword and spear!!-this looked spectacular,and lasted a few moves before my superior training(and generalship?) started to come into play,and the defences eventually fell,and I gained the flank,in the last move!!!
The fight between Graham and I continues!!! but I am aware that he now has "spare" warbands bearing down on my exposed right flank,where two cohorts have fled-oh dear!!
Graham has,indeed, taken advantage of his "spare" warbands,and is giving me hell!!-I think all is lost on this flank(10th Legion too!!)
Two final shots showing my 7th Legion capturing the defences-because I had won one flank and lost the other,a draw was decided to be the fairest result-although it must be said the,theoretically,because I had crossed the river,I had won!!!!!
This was good game,and I enjoyed it,as did Brian and Graham-well done to us all.
Better late than never,our battle last Sunday was based in the Sudan.
This is the scenario,Brian was in charge of the Naval Brigade(on board the train at the start of the game) he had options of where to place his troops-he chose hill"B". Graham was in charge of the Egyptians inside the "Junction", and I was in charge(?) of the Egyptians inside the "Fort" and a brigade of British troops coming onto the board behind the "Fort".
Dave was in command of the Dervish hordes,whilst Paul commanded the Haddendowah troops, of which he had 4 more warbands coming onto the board from point "X" on the map(move 4).
Top photo shows Dave's initial attack on the fort,bottom shows Paul's troops heading towards the "Junction"
The Naval Brigade is leaving the train and heading towards hill "B"-why didn't Brian get the train nearer the hill??
These two photo's show my troops under severe pressure from Dave's Dervish!!
However at one point,to stop one of his units from retiring(it's good being retired!) he put his CinC into the fray,got him killed,and the whole of his force had to take morale-some failed,and some held-just!!-oh how we laughed(except Dave!)
Graham is doing a grand job of defending his position,against overwhelming odds!!
Isn't this a nice view from Brian's hill?-the whole battle is unfolding in the plain below,and Graham is screaming for help and fire support!!!
Graham's defence is collapsing,and the Haddendowah are in!!-Brian was cajoled into helping Graham by firing into a warband that was attacking the side wall-however,and it's a big however-it was deemed that Graham would also have to take casualties from Brian's fire-he was NOT a happy pussycat!!!
Over on my flank,I have got my lancers into all sorts of bother,but my infantry are standing firm,but the "Fort" has fallen-oh dear,how sad,never mind!!
Oh look,let's give them a big cheer,here come the Naval Brigade!!-too bloody late-both positions have fallen,and the Dervish/Haddendowah have been declared the winners!!!
One final shot of the "Junction"
As usual this colonial game was fast and furious,and good fun.
No-one came up with an idea for next week,so am I to suppose we won't be playing??
It would be nice to see some WW2 action,15mm or 28mm,or Napoleonics or ACW!! come on boys,give me some help.
A couple of readers asked if I would post some photo's of my 15mm Warrior Miniatures English Civil War figures,so here goes:-
Top photo is the Parliamentarian army,I have used most of the figures supplied,but still have a few Musketeers left over.Bottom photo is a detail of one of my regiments-9 pikes,1 standard bearer,2 officers and 8 musketeers,making a total of 20 figs.,and I have 4 regiments,plus........
An artillery piece,with 4 crew,and 9 cavalry figures-in the background you can see a Brigadier figure with 2 standard bearers,on for the green brigade and one for the russet brigade-not bad for the price!!
I have done exactly the same for the Royalists,and I have used the free flags from Warflags 25mm range for both armies.
Final two photo's-I am quite pleased with the results,but have had to adapt my "never great at the best of times" painting technique to suit these little devils!!
Top photo is the army that is sent(look at the price!!) and bottom is the extensive range that Warrior do-very impressive!
I get this publication sent every couple of months,and if you haven't already got onto it,you're missing out on hundreds of inexpensive books covering every conceivable period in history,including lots of wargaming ones.
Now for a conundrum.................................
I received this book in the post two weeks ago-I didn't order it,and don't know who did-it has been paid for(£4.51!)-I have asked friends and family if they sent it,but have no clue as to who did.It is a translation from Spanish to English,and contains some interesting illustrations(while not exactly accurate),but is a good read/reference for anyone studying the Zulu War. Can anyone out there enlighten me??
Last night we had a 100% turnout for a run through of the game we are staging at Stockton on November 30th 2019.
The game we are demonstrating is The Battle of the Little Big Horn 1876, and will incorporate Reno's rout,and Custer's last stand,as well as as our "usual" display of period weapons etc.
Here are two shots of the Sioux and Cheyenne camp,on the day there will be "embellishments" to the tepees,but you'll have to wait until the day to find out what!!!!
Custer's command on their way to their final resting place,on Cemetery Hill!
Reno's troopers commencing their ill-fated charge towards the Camp-are they in for a shock!!!!
Finally,I just couldn't resist it.......................................
Chief of all the Westerhope tribes-"Watawanka"-the things I do for Wargaming!!!!
Roll on next Sunday,we will be playing a Colonial game set in the Sudan.
After a couple of weeks away from wargaming(but not painting!) I appear to have my "MOJO" back,and am raring to go!!
On Sunday I am arranging to put on the game we,hopefully, will be putting on at Stockton at the end of November-it will be exciting,colouful,and while not unique as such,although I haven't seen too many of this kind of game,hopefully it will get me back into the swing of things!
Whilst taking a break,I have been painting my 15mm English Civil War figures from Warrior Miniatures,and have finished all the figures I have-but today I sent away for another two ECW armies!!-I have struggled a bit with the painting of these diminutive little chaps,but have now found a method which suits my style(ie painting over all the details I find not necessary!!) and the end result is ok(in my eyes anyway)
Roll on Sunday.
The American Military have a word that describes last night's game-FUBAR!!!
It has now got to the point,that I am giving up club wargaming for a couple of weeks,to get my enthusiasm and sanity back!!!
We haven't had a good old fashioned Ancients "bash" for a while,so I thought that Sunday would provide the "fix",featuring Romans vs Dacians.
The scenario and table as the "boys" will see it on Sunday-each side will be given a reminder of the tactical and weapon capabilities of the armies,but as yet I don't know whether to allocate sides or "lucky-dip" it!!
The Naval contingent(so good I printed it twice!!)-this will be an interesting command!
The formidable defences on the Danube.
The Dacian right flank hill-quite an obstacle!
The whole Dacian position.
The "token" 1/2 Legion in testudo formation.
Hopefully we will have a full turnout for this game,so roll on Sunday!
