WMMS 2025

Well, it's that time of the wargames year again with the annual Alumwell Wargames Society WMMS show at Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton. As I say each year now, an Olympic Qualifying stone's throw from GHQ. Phil, William and yours truly were duly dropped off at the venue by Sue for a couple of hours of hobby goodness to recharge the batteries after the long winter hiatus since The Other Partizan. So, without more ado, on to my take on the event, starting with a selection of the many games presented by various wargames clubs and groups.

First up an C11th game entitled Sicily in Turmoil 1063, pitting Normans against Arabs. It chimed with me having visited a Norman castle from the period, though on Cyprus that time.

Lovely terrain and figures presented by the Border Warlords.

Next I was rather taken by this Russian Civil War game being played using modified Black Powder rules.

A lovely idiosyncratic collection of period planes, vehicles and figures were beautifully presented by Leamington & District Wargamers.

Pride of place though for me was a quite splendid armoured train.

The action around Placenoit from the Battle of Waterloo.

A splendid array of buildings gracing a fine renaissance game complete with war wagons.

I'm a keen observer of buildings on the larger game table, this small group I thought was very effectively presented.

A rather splendid SYW game, such a colourful period beautifully enhanced by the lighter coloured terrain.

Derby Wargamers with a rather eye catching WWII game. Again the lighter terrain colour enhanced the details for the viewer.

A fine American frontier log fort graced this game.

Spartan Circle Wargames Group had this rather wonderful Vietnam War game, very evocative of the period and the up country terrain for my money.

Something  now that you don't see so much of today, a game featuring Miniature Figurines or Minifigs 25mm figures. It certainly took Phil and I back right back to our Marlburian game. Pure nostalgia for those gamers like us of more mature years.

By John French and friends the action at Torgau 1760. I was very taken by the silhouette backing the rather fine buildings which suggested a larger town just off the table. A clever idea in my view.

A rather nice touch was the map presentation and order of battle just off table for the interested visitor.

The Knights of St George had a rather nice Participation Game featuring Pirates and Cannibals I suspect. This was the only time I could get near it for a photo.

One regular feature of WMMS down the years is the participation of Re-enactment Societies and Modelling Clubs. This year an extensive WWII group seen here and a lone representative from an Anglo-Zulu War group. At least one of our group enjoyed the WWII kit on display...

Mind, William was very interested in the Modelling Clubs' displays and had a long chat with a couple of folk manning their displays. He managed his budget really well too, buying a Sherman Firefly kit by Airfix, a diecast Challenger II - because he liked it! - and some paint. What did I buy then you might ask? Well, two Medium and two Small trees from The Last Valley; some Wars of the Roses Archers and Foot Knights from Athena Miniatures; and lastly, three packs of Perry Wars of the Roses figures from Dave Thomas. I also received a further pack from Paul as a surprise gift!

Sadly though, one absent stalwart of the WMMS scene from the very first show through to last year was Dave Page from the Kinver group. I learned that he passed away last year, but noone knew until much later as he had no web presence. It was really very salutary for we older gamers, realising another friend and  local hobby fixture had passed us by...

WMMS is a well established event in the Midlands wargames firmament, at one stage the largest one day show in the area. Relocation to Aldersley Leisure Village and the malign hand of COVID, assisted by Boris the Barsteward, has knocked it back a bit. However, hard work by Paul and Dave, together with other club members, has restored the show to health. A whole host of traders, gamers, modellers and re-enactors thronged the venue. The only fly in the ointment was a small drop off in numbers, put down to a combination of Mother's Day and the clocks moving forward last night! I'm already looking forward to next year's version. Perhaps we should put on a game Phil...? 

Return to The Valley

Continuing with our American themed games, Phil and I have reached 1862 and the second year of very loosely linked ACW games here in GHQ set in The Valley. Once again the fate of the Union is entrusted to that well connected military incompetent Useless S Bykleigh, testing his pitiful military ability against ol' PJ Robinson hisself, aiming to drive the damned Rebs once and for all from The Valley. Soon the peaceful rural idyll will be disturbed by of columns of blue and gray snaking across the landscape as each seek to secure that elusive victory! On to Richmond...or not!

The larger Union Brigade with it's supporting artillery on the Union's left is urged forward by Useless S Bykleigh himself.

On the Union right a small Brigade of New Yorkers are supported by two large regiments of Regulars and a battery of rifled artillery.

On the Rebs' left Hood's Texas Brigade makes for a low knol to their front as a base from which to assault the Union lines.

The Rebs' right has not advanced with their expected vigor leaving the two lead regiments from Massachusetts and New York on the Union's left to advance on the Rawnsley House unopposed.

The Two small Brigades on the Union's right move forward under the covering fire of the rifled guns to their rear. The first of the Texas Brigade are noted as they take up their positions.

Soon they are joined by the rest of Hood's boys who form up under ineffective Union volleys ready to move forward on the order.

Hood's Texas Brigade moves forward on the command! Volleys are given and received with both sides taking their first casualties.

One New York regiment cannot maintain its place in the line of battle as casualties mount and falls back behind the Regulars to regroup.

Hood's artillery are soon in action supporting his infantry's assault on the Union right. He is alarmed to see that to his right the attack has faltered and the Union left is advancing. He may be flanked it seems!

Never daunted by the odds Hood's boys press the attack vigorously as Union losses mount.

It's not all going the way of the Rebs though. Despite losses the New Yorkers are holding up well and have Broken the first of the Rebs to their front!

As battle rages Ol' PJ is pleased to see the leading regiments of his third Brigade marching down the Valley Turnpike to the sound of the guns.

On the Union left an attempt to flank Hood's advancing regiments fails and under fire from front and flank the Union infantry Break and flee the field. No Red Badge of Courage moment for these volunteers!

Fighting around the Rawnsley House and along the lane from the Turnpike is fierce. The Union lines are holding up the advance of the North Carolina brigade.

The general situation is very confused. While the Union left is holding off the Rebs for now the right is falling back under pressure from the Rebs' third Brigade in the centre. Sadly for Ol' Useless his fourth brigade have not made the hoped for impact. One Brigade on the right is retiring Whipped leaving the Regulars heavily outnumbered and being pressed back.

As dusk approaches neither side has been able to convincingly break their opponents. The Union right is falling back under pressure but their left is holding up well despite flanking fire from freshly arrived Reb infantry.

Despite determined urging from their officers in the fading light the Rebs just cannot get to grips with the determined Union regiments clinging to the fence lines around the Rawnsley House lane.

As darkness comes on the Union troops slip away leaving the exhausted Rebs unable to turn a winning draw into a decisive victory. Ol' Useless lives to fight another day!

It's been more than a while since we played out the full 12 Turns of a game without a clear winner here in GHQ. We called it a winning goal draw for PJ's boys as the Union right was being pressed back and the Left flanked by arriving fresh Reb infantry. Time had run out for both sides...

Mounted Viking Raiders

When I was deliberating the extent of my involvement as a backer for Matt Bickley's Footsore Vikings I carefully chose the option which I felt would most readily fit in to my 1066 & All That collection. As I've been painting my way through the figures I've become reassured that I made the correct choice. I did though add two packs of mounted Vikings to my core selection, I confess because my sole base of mounted Saxon Thanes had just been trounced by the Normans! Now, did C11th Vikings fight as mounted Heavy Cavalry? Or did they fight as Light Cavalry, or as mobile Mounted Infantry or just as Raiders?  Can't say honestly that I know, nor will I be spending time trying to find out. I follow Dave Andrews' stock reply, I wasn't there so I can't know! Just humour me on this please, here are the latest  'toys in a game' ~

As usual the base is 3mm MDF from Warbases. The banner is once again a free download from Wargames Foundry, reduced to about 75% if I recall accurately. That's it then for the present. My Kickstarter purchase is all ready now for gaming in their turn. I have a similar number of Matt's Footsore Welsh, but won't be tackling them yet a while. Next up are some Wargames Foundry Saxons/Franks (masquerading as Goths) for my Late Roman collection. At least I've already punched out their shield transfers!!!!! 

Bondi with Bows

Having finished off the basing of the Viking Hirdmen from my Kickstarter I pressed on briskly with the next element for the project, eight Bondi with bows. I have largely chosen muted colours for these, reflecting I hope their lower status in the hierarchy of Viking society. They are based in fours on 60x50mm bases rather than the single 120x60mm base I used for the Hirdmen. In this way they can be fielded as a support base for the Hirdmen, as a distinct unit (by abutting the two bases), or as skirmishing infantry using the two bases spread out (or even mixed with the other skirmish bases). The bases are from Warbases as usual treated in my usual manner to harmonise with the 1066 & All That collection. Anyway, no more waffle, here they are ~

All that remains now are four mounted Viking Hirdmen and I will have completed painting the figures from my Kickstarter Vikings purchase. More on those, and the project in general, in due course I would hope. Speaking of which, those elements completed to date ~

Meanwhile my thoughts turn to two scheduled games here in GHQ before the end of the month and WMMS (on 30th March at Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton 10.00-4.00pm).

Viking Hirdmen

Just before we left for our truncated week's break in the South Lakes area I completed the painting of the next base of figures in this mini project. These are a pack of eight Hirdmen in mail armour from Matt's Footsore Vikings, supplemented by two figures from the 'Bondi with spears' pack in rather more staid poses than their brethren I featured in the last Viking post. The shield transfers are from LBMS of course and the base from Warbases as ever. Their banner is a free download from Wargames Foundry, reduced by 50%. Not much more I can say about them, so here they are ~

Next up in this sequence will be figures from a pack of 'Bondi with bows'. When I have completed them it will leave just four mounted figures from my Kickstarter purchase and this mini project for the 1066 & All That collection will be completed. The Viking contingent will then comprise two bases of Hirdmen, two of Bondi with bows, one of mounted Hirdmen, two bases of Bondi skirmishers, one of Berserkers and two Command stands. Here's a sneak preview of the project's progress so far ~

From the Saga of Bicca Biccasson mini project I could add a Shaman, a number of Heroes and various Monstrosities to play games in the Midgard genre if we wanted some light gaming.