Eye,Eye!

Spot of bother with the old eyes,has now been "seen to"..........................

This is my "hurty" face.................

This is my "feeling alot better" face..................

Now that's just taking the piss!!!!!

 

Sad,Sad,day!!

It was democratically decided by Paul,that we needed a new "Look" when we attend shows and put demo. games on,so he ordered some Sky Blue polo shirts(note the colour-Sky Blue!) from Asda.

 This is my "it's grim up north face" but why am I not smiling? Well, it's goodbye to our "Geranium Red" shirts and it makes me sad.....................

It's like losing an old friend,but the "sky Blue" shirts will make up for it surely!?

If the sky ever gets to this colour blue,we're in trouble!!!!-ooh look it's got my name embroidered on it-ah,well thats better,only one thing for it now-celebrate........................

That's better-happy,happy day now! I've only got 4 crates of beer,2 bottles of Rum and half a bottle of Vodka to get through before I start the "Sober October" scheme!!!!

Zulus-thousands of 'em!

Last night,Brian,Graham,Paul and I had a "classic" Zulu game,based on Chelmsford leaving his camp at Isandlwana,and moving into the Mangeni Valley looking for the main Zulu army!-Brian and Graham were British commanders,whilst Paul and I took the role of Zulu commanders.

I seem to have "lost" a couple of photo's,but the British had stopped for an early morning break,out-spanned their wagons and have off-loaded a bit of good quality barricade type items-just in case!!-The photo above shows a bit of panic as the first wave of Zulus appeared-in fact both "horns" -Graham grabbed all the barricade items to protect his troops,leaving Brian in a bit of a predicament.

Both "horns" forming up in classic Zulu style-the centre regiments also appeared at this time,sending both British commanders into "meltdown"-instead of forming a typical defensive formation(ie a square) they opted to fight the Zulus in the open-that is apart from most of Graham's troops who were now safely(?) behind the wagons and ammo boxes etc.etc.

Two shots of the Zulu Left Horn(commanded by me) and the very vulnerable British line-haven't they spotted the mass of warriors advancing from the Zulu Centre? In the background Paul's Right Horn is making contact with Graham's troops-and doing very well too!!

Top photo shows the British right about to be "eaten" by the Zulus,bottom photo shows the advance of the Zulu Centre-has the British commander gone blind?-look to your flank,sir!!!!

Top photo shows the "trap" being sprung-bottom shows the sad state of Graham's troops!

The end!-even Melville and Coghill couldn't wriggle their way out of this one!!-even though we both took horrendous casualties getting into the British lines,correct Zulu tactics(and some horrible dice throws from Brian and Graham!) won the day for Paul and I-and yes,Brian did ask for a draw!!!!

 

MDF Buildings.15mm.

I spent he whole of last Wednesday building 7 MDF buildings for my 15mm ACW set-up.

 This is the original barn/farmhouse that you get with the "Epic" starter pack c/w lengths of snake fencing-Brian asked me to build his for him,because I said it was a "doddle" and would take me no time-and it didn't!-I wish that the same could be said for the other buildings I bought!

I bought two packs of the buildings,so that I could make a small town etc. to fight over-as you do! the buildings are as shown-a house with a veranda,a barn and a stable/workshop.I can't say that I really enjoyed making these,as the instructions are "diagramatic" and I did manage to get confused(Age related?) at times,making a tremendous "cockup" of one of the buildings(which I have managed to hide!)

All three types made up and ready for the battlefield.........................

MDFville! in all its glory! We won't be playing this weekend as Paul and Dave(c/w Chris) are attending Carronade show in Falkirk,Brian is hosting a Birthday "bash" and Graham is flying off to Land of Grotty(Lanzarotti) for a well earned break,and I am getting my eyes seen to!

Battle of Pine Creek 1863.

I have had a most entertaining two day battle,using my 15mm ACW figures,I called the encounter Pine Creek,which most probably doesn't exist,but it served my purpose!

Terrain map and table before any troops.I was using all of the figures which amounted to 60 regiments per side,ie 4 divisions each-could I cope using my simple solo rules?

I used photo-copied "cigarette cards" to depict the divisional commanders,to add a bit of realism(?) and then laid the troops out as per my written plans for both sides-it looked quite spectacular!

Each division was given a task to perform,as above,and off I went!

I marked the dispositions on the terrain map-the planning stage of the game was as interesting as the game itself-the Union reserve column came onto the board on move number 5(throw of a dice) and the Confederates on move number 3-this was significant and put the Union troops under alot of pressure later on!

The initial moves were particularly interesting-the terrain dictating formations and who got there "the fastest,with the mostest!"

This shows the centre action-musketry and artillery were causing casualties on both sides,which prompted divisions being hurled in to reinforce and replace battered regiments-great stuff!

The Confederate reserves are making a big push to out-flank the Union,who can only spare one brigade from their reserves-will this be enough???

Top shows the "Reb's" big push for the flank,middle shows the sorry state of both centres,and bottom shows the very sorry state of the Confederate right flank-only one thing for it now-the famous Rebel Yell,and get in with the bayonet!!!!

Top shows the ill-fated Rebel charge-shot to bits and forced to retire(it's good being retired!) middle photo shows another Reb brigade being sent to help out the out-flanking troops who were being sorely tried!-bottom shows the position being saved by the Union commander sending another of his brigades from his hard-pressed centre!!

Top photo shows the Union left-now secured,and they are about to out-flank the Rebels,bottom photo shows the state of both centres-red "pom-poms" denoting casualties-lots of them!!

THE END!-a costly victory for the Union-this was a very inspirational game,so much so that I am already planning the next big battle-wonderful wargaming!

I played the game on Tuesday and Thursday,spending the whole of Wednesday building MDF 15mm ACW houses,barns etc. but that's another blog!!!!

 

Battle of Fort Dexter 21AD.

On Sunday night Dave,Graham,Brian and I had a 15mm Roman vs Barbarians game using my "solo" rules...................

Terrain map and table layout-all Roman figures are from Warrior Miniatures,all Barbarian figures are from Lancashire Games.

Detail of the Gallic Chariots-Graham commanded the Gauls,Brian commanded the Germans and Dave and I shared command of the Romans.

Both Barbarian commanders begin their attacks,using chariots and light cavalry to "soften" up the Legions and cavalry.

The Roman line stands firm-Graham has used his chariots only to begin his attack,and the warbands(as you can see) are still on the hill,awaiting the outcome of the chariot's skirmishing.

Then,CRASH!! the warbands hit the Roman line and all hell was let loose-the blue "pom-poms" denote the cohorts haven't thrown their pila-but when they did the Gauls didn't like it one little bit!!

Brian's Germans are now making their presence felt against an Aux. Legion-I had blunted his attacking power by using my Cavalry very aggressively,tying up half of his warbands-however the remainder were quite effective,being used in a dense (wedge) formation.

Top photo shows the result of the Gauls carnage-Graham was virtually wiped out! bottom photo is the view from the Roman side of the board-the Germans were doing well,but their flank was in real danger(Roman Legions now free to harass them at will)-so a solid Roman victory-hurrah!!

Because I have only used these rules playing solo games a few "anomalies" crept into the game,which I noted,and if we use these rules again,I will have to implement some changes,but altogether a good game,and enjoyed by us all.

Now an "intriguing" photograph-I was passing a high class furniture store(Barker and Stonehouse) yesterday,and saw this chair in their window-what I want to know is "why would anyone want a pair of stirrups on a chair-what possible use could they have???"

YEE-HAR_ride 'em Cowboy!!!