Castle Project.

I mentioned in my last blog that I was going to "construct" a Castle using the paper towers and walls from the E.C.W. book of paper figures,well,I am not the one to let the grass grow under my feet,so today the project took shape............................

Working on a factory-type production line,and with the experience of making the towers before,I quickly cut,scored and glued 6 towers and 9 wall sections,as well as some doors for the towers.

A selection of doors-the card squares are for the tower floor to be stuck to,to give them rigidity.

Completed tower above and below just one of the many configurations I can use with towers and walls I have made!-they need some figures to show scale.................................

Not too bad,I can see some "lively" encounters against these walls!!
What next?????-I must be able to think of something!!

New 25mm Village.

Firstly,the "understatement" of the year-for the past two weeks I have not been well!!
Now on with the blog............................................

I received my quarterly(?) copy of this fantastic publication last week(I don't know which day because I have not been well!) and looking inside spotted this............................

Now,I wasn't interested in making paper soldiers(way too fiddly for my sausage fingers!) but a new set of rules(fast play as well!!) got my attention-the book is "lavish" and the figures are great/genius,but at the back are these fabulous buildings to make up using photo-copy card(a bit like photo-copy paper but thicker!) which I just happened to have.....................

Card and buildings sheet,which you can photo-copy as many times as you like-the instructions were "sketchy" but common sense and glue and craft knife and scissors,produced these in just a morning's work............................

Separate doors,windows,chimneys(which I didn't use!) are provided,so you can put them where you like.One and two storey buildings can be made,I even "customised" a building-clever boy!!

Details of the windows available-fantastic!-this is the gable end of the church,complete with "sticky-out" bit on the side!-Thatch and tiled roofs are available too,and all for £4.99p!!

Laid out on my "village/town board to see the effect it could have,but needs some 25mm figures to give the scale.....................

I am pleased,and my next "project" will be to make a Castle,using the towers and wall sections,which could stretch the width or the length of our 10 foot by 6 foot table-not bad!!
The fast play rules-well,compared with our house rules,aren't, and way too complicated for my brain(well I haven't been well you see!!)

Battle of Magfar 1882.

Last night we donned our pith helmets and polished our sandals and marched into Egypt,fighting red-coated British against an entrenched Egyptian army.

Top photo is the scenario,bottom is the table before any movement.Paul commanded the left and centre of the British line,whilst I commanded the right.Brian was in charge of the troops in the town,and Graham commanded the troops in the isolated fort next to the canal.

I was in charge(?) of the rocket troop-this is how it was supposed to look when being fired:Next photo is what happened when I ordered it to fire on the Town..............................

Bloody thing exploded on takeoff!!! killing all the crew.................................

Whoops! sorry lads it was an accident!!

Top photo shows my attack against the Town,bottom shows Paul's attack against the isolated fort,both Brian and Graham were looking worried!

Every club has one-ours is called Paul!-you know,, the guy who always throws high dice,lucky dice,always hits his target,kills opposing officers etc. etc.!!!-well last night the "King" of dice-throwing was reduced to a quivering wreck by throwing low dice all night!!!-and managed to get two out of three companies of the Naval Brigade slaughtered-his attack was not going well.

My cavalry are moving onto Brian's flank,whilst my infantry are moving forward,but taking casualties from the Egyptian guns.As he was outnumbered,Brian moved two companies from his right flank onto the centre of his position,in readiness to support the town if needed,leaving Graham with no hope of reinforcements!!

Paul's remaining Naval company supported by the Black Watch and Marines are storming forward,hoping to take the Fort and defensive wall-come on Paul,redeem yourself!!

My troops are fighting hand-to hand at the Town walls,and winning!!-I am just about to attack Brian's defensive wall......................

I did and the melee went my way,after a tremendous struggle-Graham's troops decided to retire(it's good being retired!) which left Paul free to dismantle the Dam and claim a victory,and with the Town in my hands the game was over-Brian had the audacity to ask for a draw!!!!
I enjoy Colonial games,they are fast and furious affairs,this was no exception-well done lads.
Roll on next week-possibly an Ancients,but who knows?

American Civil War - Chance encounter

Sunday's game was at Dave's house. Only myself and Dave reported for duty so we diced for the sides. Dave was to command the Union force with me having the Rebs.

The encounter game starts with both sides commanding four brigades per side.
We both had reserves of a brigade per flank which we threw average dice to determine the move they arrived from the road.

Board view from Union left flank

Both armies were marching columns towards the large hill on the other flank.

The initial moves saw both of us march a brigade towards the church atop the flank hill, eventually a place of a fierce tussle.
On the other flank the Union troops occupied the enclosures next to the road while advancing a brigade over the stream (half movement to cross) towards the open flank. My second (Texas) brigade came off the road to confront them!
The center of the battlefield had both commanders satisfied to remain uncommitted until a clearer position of the enemies intent emerged.

Face off

Unusually for me I had thrown a low die for my right flank reserves so they entered on move 2.
This was the signal for my leading brigade (Virginians) on the hill  to attack the 1st Iron Brigade in the enclosure across the stream.                                                  

Forward!

The Union advance across the stream and battery position in support.
These guns eventually caused massive casualties during my assaults.

Firing as they advanced the Rebs crossed the stream and charged onto the Union troops defending the enclosure. Artillery flank fire didn't deter these hero's who fought hand to hand to gain for the position.

The assault on the enclosure is on ... 

Meanwhile the struggle for the flank is evenly poised... Pennsylvania vs Texas
will my early arriving reserves be able to turn the tide on this flank?

Meanwhile on "church hill" two opposing brigades were heading for an almighty clash. I arrived  there first due to the Union troops having to cross the stream first.
However, canny Dave had positioned his artillery to support this assault and they eventually weakened a regiment prior to the musket exchanges.

Both deploying into line.

Blaze away! Who can pound hardest? (Oops wrong period!)

While these struggles on the flanks were ongoing the Union reserves arrived and Dave decided to throw everything at the church hill position. My Virginians were suffering.

I think he's intend on gaining the hill! Two brigades and both flank batteries in support.

 Finally on move 5 my right flank reserves arrive.

With both flanks "busy" it was time to launch an all out attack upon Dave's central right position. Marching up the road and into the enclosure my two brigades attacked in depth hoping to break the line.

Furious fire fights and an eventual bayonet attack seriously weakens the Union defenders.

Hold on! Furious defense of the fenceline

Time to put your brigadier in to bolster those men!

Of course it has been alluded that I occasionally manage a lucky throw ... and so it was the case .. "can't hit an elephant from that....." ha ha down he went!
Brigade morale left a single regiment holding the picket fence.  Dave was having to redeploy his reserve from the left flank to cover the hole.

So we left the game in the following position as someone actually has a job! No not me...

• A weakened Union left held together by that damned battery with my Rebs bloody but re-organising for a final push

Morale markers show the severity of the fight

• The Union centre holding on and the left successfully driving off the Rebs from the church hill and about to maneouver both brigades and two batteries onto my flank!

Brilliant scenario and a great game, phew. Thanks Dave !

At a loose end!

Having been a bit poorly for a few days(heavy cold,chest infection,anti-biotics etc) I have struggled to find inspiration or energy to do anything,let alone concentrate on wargaming stuff!
However I have been "messing about" with my Asian buildings,trying to find a good combination/location on my "Village/Town" ready made board,and may have come up with the ideal setting for them(always subject to change!!)............................

Two views from left and right.

Front view and "birds-eye" view,now for a couple of "set-up" shots to show how I hope the Town will look once I get back to feeling okay.

Can't wait!!
Finally,can anyone tell me why,after twenty or so years,my holly bush has suddenly developed berries on it?????

Very strange!
Roll on next Sunday,hopefully I will be okay,and we will be back into the swing of things.