"It Ain't Half Hot Phil!"

Despite the thermometer heading for the mid 30's here in GHQ Phil and I decided gamely to go ahead with this week's planned gaming session. Unfortunately William was poorly and couldn't join us but we decided to persevere with the Bolt Action Burma '43 game I had planned. The tabletop battlefield laid out thus in GHQ  ~

The objective for both sides is to seize and hold the bridge by the end of Turn 6. To spice up the unfolding action the entry point of each unit is diced for as its dice is drawn, 1 - 5 from left side to right, with a 6 being a no show. The whim of the 'dice gods' provided a challenging initial deployment for both sides in coordinating their struggle to achieve the objective. As you'd expect now, an anotated photomontage follows carrying you down into the unfolding drama of the action ~

The Vth Army Force sees its HQ, 3" Mortar and Gurkha PIAT enter the table on its far left and immediately advance towards the summit of the hills overlooking the bridge objective. 

The two sections of Gurkha infantry arrive on the far left and run along the road towards the bridge objective. 

In the centre their tank arrives along with three squads of British infantry. They make a Run move towards the ruined temple complex which overlooks the approach to the bridge objective. 

On their far right another squad and their HMG arrives and also make a Run move towards the other face of the temple ruin.

The Japanese on the other hand have the bulk of their force arrive towards the centre, handily placed to rush the bridge objective - if the 'dice gods' smile on them that is...

Rather less usefully their tankettes and light tank, accompanied by their anti-tank gun, arrive on their far right and advance mostly along the bank of the River.

In the set up I included a red dice which on being drawn conferred an optional double move on the unit whose dice proceeded it. The Vth Army's tank was the first beneficiary in Turn 2 using the bonus to reach the bend in the road to the front of the temple ruins.

The Japanese tankettes' advance is halted by a hit from the light howitzer hauled up onto the hill overlooking the approach to the bridge objective. This signalled the beginning of an artillery dual which lasted right through the game!

Meanwhile the first squads of Gurkhas has reached the approaches of the bridge objective. More Vth Army squads move along the river bank and along the road, someway behind the tank!

The Japanese leading squad reaches a wooded area beyond the temple ruin and takes up an Ambush position in Turn 3 to block the enemy movement around their flank. Other squads advance on the temple ruins in force. If they can beat the Vth Army to occupy the ruins that approach to the bridge objective will prove very costly.

The Japanese deploy their infantry gun and move their HQ into position to direct the attack. Two more squads are sent rushing forward to support the attack on the temple ruins.

The Japanese medium tank advances on the flank of that attack to engage the howitzer in support of its fellows on the opposite river bank.

On the Vth Army's left the support HMG and 3" mortar deploy to cover the Gurkha assault on the bridge while the PIAT moves into range to deter the Japanese armour's advance on the bridge objective. [Don't look for the PIAT, a MMG is playing the part!]

The Gurkha squad advancing on the bridge objective comes under fire from the Japanese infantry gun, loosing 2 men and picking up a Pin marker.

In the centre the Vth Army's squad is the lucky recipient of the Red Dice and its double move almost, but tellingly not quite, reaches the temple ruins. The tank is well placed to offer support.

In Turn 4 the Vth Army's HMG moves into position to cover an approach on the enemy's right while thec3" mortar puts down fire on the stalled tankettes.

One squad of Gurkhas take up position on the far side of the road while the second squad moves onto the bridge objective,  taking casualties and Pins in the process.

Japanese infantry emerge suddenly from the jungle and fire on the surprised Vth Army's leading squad! More casualties result, together with a Pin.

Despite the set back in the developing firefight around the temple ruins things look very promising for the Vth Army's cause as the tank crests the hill line overlooking the river and the bridge objective. It fires on the Unsuspecting Japanese medium tank, causing an adverse reaction. The tanknis immobilised! One threat to the Gurkha squads is effectively eliminated!

More Japanese infantry squads close on the enemy around the temple ruins. Banzai! The fighting in this area is intense but favours the bolder Japanese assault.

More Japanese infantry work their way around the Vth Army's flank. If they are successful they will sweep up on the unsuspecting centre and might yet win the game.

Despite the medium tank's demise Japanese infantry make a determined approach towards the bridge objective. The Gurkhas holding the far end of the bridge objective will be hard pressed to hold on.

The mixed body of Japanese armour on their left, along with the anti-tank gun are making slow headway on the Gurkhas defending their hold on the bridge objective and are coming under fire from front and flank. Their lack of infantry support is a further handicap. 

The PIAT opens fire on the lead tank in Turn 5. Boom!!! The tank is destroyed! It will be up to the tankettes now to sweep the Gurkhas away and support their infantry's attempt on the other side of the bridge objective. 

Banzai! The Japanese charge recklessly forward determined to halt the Vth Army's squads trying to occupy the temple ruins. The outcome is in their favour as the lead squad is wiped out!

More Japanes join the fighting around the temple ruins. Heavy firing continues from both sides around the bridge objective. The Gurkha squad on the bridge is driven back in Turn 5!

Turn 6 sees more intense combat around the temple ruins and an ultimately unsuccessful Japanese attack on the bridge objective. The tankettes are driven off and the Gurkha squad manages to get back onto the bridge. The result is a bloody win for the Vth Army. 

The Kindness of Friends...

...is a constant theme in this wonderful hobby of ours I find. Last week Phil presented me with a small box. It contained a few figures, he said, which would be useful for my nostalgia driven War of the Spanish Succession project. Opening it up back home revealed four finished figures and two others. The finished figures comprised: a mounted Dutch general by Ebor Miniatures; a mounted British general by Dixon Miniatures; two British officers on foot ~ one by Ebor Miniatures, the other by Dixon Miniatures. The two other figures were both drummers, one by Ebor Miniatures and one by Dixon Miniatures, always useful for filling out command stands or vignettes.

I have combined the three British figures to make a command stand for my planned first British infantry brigade. "Lord Rawnsley receives the latest news from Captain Watkiss, while Colonel Bykleigh looks on." ~

I have almost completed the Danish battery of 12lb guns, just a few highlights and then the bases to texture, colour wash and vegetate. I still hope to have these finished and blogged for Monday, if this heat ever eases that is. 

Prins Carls Infantry Regiment...

...finally musters in and joins its compatriots in GHQ. The figures are from Wargames Foundry's venerable range sculpted by the Perrys. The flags are from David's Moffit's excellent blog, Not by Appointment, and the bases as ever are from Warbases. I hope my loyal reader will approve of the finished unit ~

The third base which completed the regiment proved a slow job in the midst of the organised chaos of decorating.

I've already started the first of the two 12lb guns and three artillerymen to serve the gun. I'd hope to complete both by next weekend now the chaos of the decorating is but a haggard memory...

I have the third Danish infantry regiment to complete the brigade I planned. I can't start them as yet however, I'm waiting on three replacement figures from Wargames Foundry. After over 40 years as a customer I got a pack with three figures from a completely different code. They should be sorted this week I hope ready to join the queue in the Lead Pimple!

From Amidst the Chaos!

 The second base of figures for Prins Carl's infantry regiment has passed under the Brush of Doom and joined its fellow completed last month. The first figure for the third base has been completed and four more are very nearly finished. All this while the decorators are working in what looks like organised chaos to the outsider.  Enough blathering on, here is the new base for your considerstion ~

As you may recall The War of the Spanish Succession project is mainly driven by nostalgia. I fell to wondering where the two Minifigs War of the Spanish Succession armies Phil and I had sold on to a gamer in South Wales had ended up after John Tuckey has passed on, him being their last known owner. Hopefully they are loved by a gamer and doing battle still over someone's tabletop battlefield. In the meantime here are both completed bases ~

 As Ebor Miniatures are on holiday until August 20th I have to wait patiently before placing my order for more figures, for the first English infantry brigade. No rush though really as Phil told me recently, I have plenty to occupy me already in stock! I can't argue with that obviously, but that never stopped me - and others no doubt - ordering up more! In my sights for further acquisitions are Dixon Miniatures, for a Dutch infantry brigade; or Reiver Castings perhaps? That leaves Front Rank to consider, perhaps for a second brigade? As you see, a set of vague aspirations rather than a firm plan! We shall see in due course where the project takes me no doubt...

Prince Carl's Regiment

Hobby time has been at a premium as you may recall me outlining in previous blog entries. In precious but short downtimes I have managed to complete the first base of figures for Prince Carl's infantry regiment. I thought you might like to see them rather than wait until the middle of the month when they may be completed. The figures are once more from the venerable Wargames Foundry range, the flags from David Morffit's wonderful blog, Not by Appointment, and the bases from the ever dependable Warbases ~

I enjoy trying out various permutations of the figures' positions on the 80 x 60mm bases I'm using for this nostalgia project, trying to capture a moment of the regiment in action. I have, as you no doubt are aware, never reconciled myself to the blistering of figures, longing for the time past when I could choose individual figures to suit my own composition of regiments. Yes, I know Front Rank are sold individually, and they may feature at some point in the project's evolution.

I have seen that Wargames Foundry are having a Summer Sale so I ordered up further figures for the project's small Danish contingent. The warchest has stretched to a third Infantry regiment, two squadrons of cavalry with cuirass, and two 12lb guns and crew. I had been planning to wait on these, but at 10% off I think a change of plan was justified. Ordered on Friday lunchtime, delivered on Saturday morning; you really can't complain about that for service all round! Meanwhile, work on figures for the rest of Prince Carl's infantry regiment continues slowly...

The Fate of the Raja's Treasury

The most recent game with Phil here in GHQ featured a return to The Indian Mutiny. The scenario sees the rebels' close ally, the Raja of Rhanzlistan, seeking to safely remove his treasure from the path of the vengeful Imperial force lead by General Havelock-Robinson. While he waits anxiously for his Mutineer allies he has mustered what forces he can to delay the approaching enemy ~

The Raja's Household Guards, cavalry, infantry and war elephants, form the immediate guard of his person and treasury.

They are supplemented by batteries of artillery, some local and some from his household, and his personal rocket troop.

The Treasury, the immediate objective of Havelock-Robinson's force, is a hive of activity as wagons are loaded with as much treasure as they can bear.

The Raja has called out his Bhurpa allies to supplement his force, or rather act as canon fodder perhaps!

And finally the local riff-raff of the Badmash, who can at least stop a bullet!

Havelock-Robinson launches his assault by unleashing his Hussars on the deploying Rocket Men. They hastily loose off their rockets, sadly unsuccessfully, and are ridden down!

As thecGrest Gun of Bhyklabad opens fire the whole of the Bhurpa-Badmash wing surge forward to block the ferengi's approach.

Highlanders and Gurkhas join Havelock-Robinson's attack, supported by the Rocket battery manned by the crew of HMS Pinafore. Their fire is no more effective than the enemy's!

As Havelock-Robinson coordinates his attack the H.E.I.C.'s foot artillery comes into action under fire from the Raja's big guns located on the hills ringing his position.

The Raja's Household Guard infantry advance to block the path of the developing assault, supported closely by the War Elephants.

The North Staffords advance with steely determination in column formation, foreskin a volley for the bayonet!

The ensuing melee is devastating for the Guards whose losses are heavy. A morale check sees them flee on a throw of snakes' eyes!

Further disaster strikes the Raja's cause when the supporting artillery similarly abandons its guns and flees the action. To compound it the War Elephants are thrown back too!

The Treasury is a scene of wild panic as the recoiling War Elephants effectively block the wagons' route of escape!

Mounted Bhurpa warriors crash into the deployed artillery in a wild charge. Closing Fire sees them Shaken and loosing the ensuing melee!

The Lancers charge a body of Mutineer cavalry. There can only be one outcome...

...the Mutineers are scattered to the four winds! Their raw courage no match for the disciplined charge of the Lancers!

The victorious Lancers throw caution to the wind, lower their lances and charge into the Badmash. There can surely only be one outcome...

...No! The Badmash defeat the Lancers in the melee and they break  their morale shattered by the unexpected defeat!

The War Elephants have rallied and move forward to block the North Staffords once more. Tellingly they have little support and find enemy artillery deploying to their exposed flank.

Buoyed by their victory over the Lancers the Badmash charge on into the Gordon Highlanders. Colonel Calder calmly forms his men into line and gives the enemy a sharp volley! Casualties are rising for the Badmash.

Once more the War Elephants are driven back by the North Staffords, though the threat of the artillery to their right flank is removed by a wild charge from the Bhurpa Warriors. Still no sign of the Mutineers, no urgently awaited by the Raja!

The War Elephants again regroup and rumble forward giving the North Staffords time to form line and open fire on their advance.

The Gordon Highlanders make short shrift of the Badmash, whose morale collapses causing them to flee. In their turn the supporting band are also checked and find little appetite for closing and join the rout!

The 33rd make short work of the wild Bhurpa Warriors,  resulting their charge with withering fire and seeing them flee in rout. Still no sign of the promised Mutineer relief force!

Suddenly the Raja realises that his army is Broken and that his Mutineer allies have failed to arrive and have let him down. He takes a final rueful look at that portion of his treasure he must leave for Havelock-Robinson before joining with the carts as they rumble away!

Such was the margin of  his victory that local publicans soon cashed in on the General's fame by renaming their drinking establishments in his honour. This one seen only recently 'Oop North!