French WW1 15mm army.

 Yesterday my French WW1 army arrived from Lancashire Games(in record time!)-lovely figures with exceptional detail(which I will,unfortunately, have to ignore(poor eyes-poor excuse!).

A large pile of lead!

Undercoated and ready to go when dry.

A couple of "test" figures,quickly painted so I know where to apply the paint and which brush to use,also what detail to ignore!!!-I will start the first batch tomorrow-with my speed painting technique,the whole lot shouldn't take me long(when I say speed painting I just mean slosh the paint on and hope for the best!)

It ain't half hot mum!

 Next Wednesday,if Paul is available,we will be playing a Colonial Sudanese game.

Table setup,and Dervish hordes leaving the town,possibly to attack the British squares.

Grand old British squares-they'll beat anything thrown against them(?)

Like ants out of a disturbed nest!!

Some are even riding camels!!

Some "sad" Egyptians who have had to retire(it's good being retired!) to a nearby fort to escape the wrath of the Dervishers-point of the scenario!!

Looking forward to this one.

Dead Dog Junction(Paul's perfect plan!)

 Paul's perfect plan,ran rings around me on Wednesday-both flanks taken,centre taken,out gunned,out manoeuvered,better dice throws-he even laughed whilst I cried!!!!

This was a good game despite the whinges from me,Paul's attack was good,his artillery positioning was good,and his dice throwing was good-if I threw a 4,he would throw a 5,if I threw a 7 he would throw an 8!

However the photographs will tell the tale.........................

The attack on my defensive positions begin(his hands are at it again!)

My left flank under serious assault,despite the cover of the trees,I was being trounced!

He's in the town,I am taking too many casualties to hold it-will I have to retire?(its good being retired!)

Centre gone,left flank gone,town captured-woe is me!!

The sorry state of the Confederate army is evident from this final shot!-Well done to Paul,I'm off to polish my dice(whoa,steady there's no need to be rude!)

Next week,I am planning a Sudanese game-let's see how the "demon dice thrower" copes with thousands of Dervish troops!

Dead Dog Junction.A.C.W.

For our(Paul and I) game this wednesday ,we are fighting an American Civil War game,featuring the little known town of "Dead Dog",which commands a railway junction,vital to both sides for supplies etc.  I have opted to command the Confederates,who are out-numbered,but in a good defensive position in and around the town and junction.

This is the table lay-out,the town is on a slight rise,which will not impede movement-the trees will afford cover,but apart from that it will be plain sailing(???)

The town and the attacking troops-will I be able to hold it?

My troops defending the junction-out-numbered but "fired up"-what could possibly go wrong???

Solo games for two,part two!

 Today Paul and I had a terrific battle,as per previous blog.We both surveyed the table,took stock of what troops we had,and off we went!!

Both sides advancing,Paul(with the most photographed hands in the world!) attacked immediately with his scythed chariots and elephants,with highs and lows against the phalanx-the light skirmishers both did sterling work too.

The companion cavalry did well against the Persian cavalry,mainly because the had a plus two onto their dice-however it was "nip and tuck" for a few of the melees.

On the other flank,things were not going too well,despite the plus two advantage!!

The lonely elephant is holding up my phalanx advance-we'll have to sort that out!-and we did-hurrah!

Paul has moved his mercenary Greeks over to protect the Temple,whilst I am organising my lines.

My phalanx is organised,and Paul has sent his Cardaces infantry in against them.We had the phalanx at plus two onto their dice,and you would think that the phalanx would just roll over the lighter armed Persians-not so!!-this was the best part of the game,and the phalanx nearly came unstuck!!!

The last hope for the Persians-Paul charged the Companion cavalry with last of his reserves-Greek mercenaries-they inflicted massive casualties on the Companions,but in the end they were beaten-another hurrah,and had to retire(its good being retired!)

This was a good tactical game,and could have gone either way-well done to us both.Next week I am planning an American Civil War game.

Solo games for two!!

 Paul and I have been having a couple of games on a wednesday mornings,using my "pom-pom" rules,so far we have been playing only ancients but hopefully we can get to other periods over the next few weeks.

This week we are playing a Macedonian vs Persian game,with Alexander's army having to "re-claim" a temple dedicated to Zeus,which the Persians have desicrated!

This is the table set up,Macedonians on the left,Paul has decided that he would command the Persians.

This is the Temple,that the game is centered around.

The persian army-very colourful,and includes scythed chariots,elephants and mercenary greeks,and lots of cavalry.

The Macedonian army.with Alexander on the small hill-will he lead his companion cavalry forward himself??(no chance!!)

I have been painting two WW1 armies-German and British,and intend playing the very early part of this horrendous war-because I am stretching the limits of history, I am calling it World War John!! If finances permit I might get a French army,just to bring a sense of historical reality into my games.

Both armies,Infantry and machine guns-ignore the Tanks(a moment of madness!!)

Cavalry and artillery.I am having a bit of trouble deciding rules for ranges and movement,but should be up and running soon.

First Manassas 1871

Battle of First Manassas  July 21st 1871

(also known in northern parts as 1st Bull Run)

Confederates hold a vital hill which must be held as well as the adjacent hill on it's left.

Victory goes to the holders of one or both of these features!

Graham and Nick command the Union forces gathering at the foot of Henry House hill.

More troops cross the river on the left to bolster this great attack.

Confederate commanders (John and Andy) have their infantry deployed

in the cover of the hill out of direct range of the Union gun batteries.

In preparation to defend the right flank of the main hill top 

Andy advances the "Reb" infantry regiments to the ridgeline.

Andy also covers the right flank brigade covering the open approach.

The Bluecoats mass their brigades for a huge attack on the front.

Awaiting the onslaught! Steady lads.

Further reinforcements arrive by the central turnpike and stream

crossing point (the only place suitable for artillery).

Let the battle commence! Union troops advance and the guns erupt in violence

Smug Union officers grin/gurn? at the reporters.

John's brigades advance to support the batteries.

Closer they come, batteries ripping the Union line

apart with ball and then cannister.

Graham advances another brigade across the stream and begins

a determined and strong thrust at the enemy's open flank.

A dynamic move... what does he intend?

A move to capture the vacant right hand hill?

The action is intense with cannister , muskets blazing and casualties rising

Will the Union troops stand? 

Their guns blast one more volley at the ridge before the hill is

 concealed by Union regiments advancing. Time to move forward?

Here come the flanking regiments

Their intention is clear now. 

An audacious march beyond the Reb lines.. 

followed by forming on the flank and seizing the day.

Is there any stopping them?

With masterful timing John chooses to unleash JEB Stuart's cavalry

Down the turnpike they charge onto the exposed

 and extremely vulnerable flank of the leading regiment.

War is hell. Broken lines, retirements and still the guns flame

On the far flank Nick and Andy are locked in a fight to the death. 

Andy being closer to the shroud but not stitched in yet!

To add to the intensity Paul marches the Reb reserve brigades

 up the turnpike and occupies the objective hill on the left.

And what say you of Brian? 

Well with his brigades and huge battery of Union guns he is on a frolic of his own!

That's it! he captures those meadows and orchards without any trouble.

Beautiful lines sir.. watch your feet don't get wet!

"Here we are the Rebs" shout.

The centre retires from the Union side as the stubborn flank is worn to a standstill.

Nick's position making some progress without knocking out the opponent off the hill.

Cracking game by all. Brian and I had a relaxing and non too 

stressful watch as the others kicked 7 bells out of each other

Another great scenario from Dave