Les Garde ont fini...

... et moi aussi, or so it feels! It seems that I slowed down somewhat as February marched on, at least that's how it seems from my side of the painting desk. 

But now the Chasseurs de la Garde have finally advanced across the painting desk, endured my modest efforts with the brush, and mustered into GHQ joining their fellows in a Brigade. 

This brings the French contingent of my Crimean War project to a conclusion, at least for now. It comprises a Line Brigade of three battalions with a command stand, a Garde Brigade of three battalions with a command stand, and an overall army command stand. Here are the Chasseurs de la Garde ~

The figures are from Great War Miniatures of course via North Star, as is their standard, while the base is from the ever dependable Warbases. The command pack does not include a figure to carry the standard and eagle but it was easy enough to adapt one of the officers into the role via a small act of surgery with knife and file on one hand.

Painting the yellow trim on the uniform jackets is difficult for me if applying the yellow ochre colour after the French Blue of the jackets. A good while ago I realised it's easier to paint the trim yellow ochre first and paint the coat French Blue afterwards. It works for me, though there is one figure where I forgot that rule, and to me it stands out! 

Finally then, here is the whole Brigade of my Garde Impériale commanded by Général De Rumforde under the ever watchful eye of Maréchal De France, Alphonse De Morrisoné ~

Attack on Fort Trumper - Afterword

Rather than risk boring my loyal reader with a second detailed annotated photomontage of the second run through for the War of 1812-15 game with Paul from last Thursday, instead I've opted to present a selection from the many photographs Paul kindly provided which loosely follow the flow of that game ~

The first Militia Brigade were encamped behind Battery Heights at the onset of the action.

The second Militia Brigade was encamped beyond Fort Trumper, which in reality was nothing more than a stockaded blockhouse.

The Last Valley fenced garden makes a colourful and useful addition to the look of the tabletop in many different periods from Ancients to VBCW.

I used these naval boats to represent the two crossing points for the Anglo-Canadian forces. They are venerable pieces once available from Redoubt Enterprises if I recall correctly.

Matt converted the oarsmen for me, what from I don't recall, while he was still at school. There are similar sets now available from Perry Miniatures, at a price of course.

Andy at The Last Valley made this small family cemetery plot piece for me based on a piece I saw on a blog. It's versatile enough to do duty from the F&IW through to the ACW which makes it very useful.

The original collection for the War of 1812-15 I began back in the midst of time when Foundry first consolidated their business in St Marks, Nottingham. They used to sell bargain blisters of 20 or so castings for £5 or £6 and I would buy a few every time I popped over. The range was sculpted by Aly Morrison of course.

The range, which is still available from Foundry, is quite extensive for both Anglo-Canadian and USA forces, encompassing Regulars, Militia and Command figures for infantry, artillery and even cavalry. For the Americans there are also choices in shako and tunic styles to add variety. Fort Trumper itself was a bargain buy years ago ready painted on a Bring & Buy for £14! I believe it to be a Grand Manner piece.

Over time of course, as any veteran wargamer will readily understand, I added to the collection. Firstly from Foundry's Napoleonic British range sculpted by the Perrys, then later from Brigade Games sculpted by Paul Hicks and from Knuckleduster. Figures from all four ranges are in the picture and I'm confident you'll agree they compliment each other nicely.

It would be remiss of me not to say anything about how the game played out. After initially struggling to deploy Paul, as Lord Gornal, soon had his Brigades across the river both before the fort and below Battery Heights.

The Americans defended both crossing points with determination. They held fast on Battery Heights despite being under heavy fire from both banks of the river.

De Watteville's Swiss regiment in British service was forced to surrender when Broken, as an alternative to plunging back into the river and drowning, no boats being available to them!

The Royal Marine Rocket Battery was constantly in action, though sadly for Paul not with overmuch accuracy or effect.

From Casting Room Miniatures these figures were meant to mark scaling points before the Fort's stockade, but as they never made their target Paul used them for scrumping!

The game ended in Turn 7 with the Anglo-Canadian army's Morale Broken by losses, despite the arrival of a third Militia Brigade to support the assault. As the American commander I had the satisfaction of seeing the backs of the enemy as they fled from American soil! A win!!! At last!!!!!

A busy time coming up in GHQ now. On Thursday Guy Bowers from Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy is due for a photoshoot to support a forthcoming article on a battle from the Wars of the French Revolution. So I hope to take a picture of two myself for my blog if the opportunity arrises. The French Garde Chasseurs are finally finis so they have to have the bases dressed before they appear for your delectation in another blog post. Then there is the small matter of Matt's Footsore Vikings which I got underway yesterday. The first base of figures is ready for dressing and more are fixed to MDF hexes ready for their moment under the brush! Today though it's off to Phil's, for a bit of Midgard I believe.

'Ommer'ead 2025

Phil and I went over to Newark Showground on Saturday to visit the Hammerhead wargames show. Although in the same venue as Partizan and The Other Partizan it has nothing to do with the Newark Irregulars, being organised by Kalistra and the Forest Outlaws Gaming Club. In common with many other similar events up and down the UK it features Trade Stands, a Painting Competition, a Table Top Sale/Bring & Buy, and games - lots of them! Where it differs of course is that all the games are Participation Games, not a Demonstration Game in sight! 

For me the main attraction of a visit to the show is a day out with Phil and a chance to chew the hobby fat during the journey, the first retail therapy of the year, the opportunity to catch up with geographically distant friends, many of them last seen in October, and take in the games on show. Of course as a deaf Wargamer, even wearing my aids, participating in games in such a noisy environment with folk whose voices I'm unfamiliar with is a no-no. That's really where the format disappoints as the games are generally physically small and let's face it not that spectacular compared to most seen at the Partizans. 

Of course that's not the point of the games on show, they are there to play if you want to join in. It does mean though that not only did I fail to take any game photos but also it shapes the time we spend in the venue. Most of our time there is divided between shopping at the Trade Stands, having a look at what's on offer at the Table Top Sales - if you can beat the scrum of course - and chatting with friends! For me the games are almost an irrelevance then. I enjoyed meeting and catching up with Kevin (down from Aberdeen!);Colin (from Middlesbrough) and his wife Kathryn; Dave Andrews; Dan from WI; Lawrence and Richard, the Partizan supremos - "Things are in the wrong place!"😂; and Jon of course. My path and Paul's failed to cross, despite being there for about two hours.

I mentioned retail therapy once or twice, so I really ought to mention my loot from the visit ~

From Wargames Foundry I got some packs of Late Medieval figures for my Wars of the Roses project. It grates somewhat with me that there seems to be no show discount to draw in punters and their hard earned from this giant of the hobby!

I replaced my Rapid Fire Reloaded booklets from Colin at Valiant Miniatures, having gifted my original copies to Matt last Autumn. Colin wouldn't let me pay for them, another example of the kindness which runs through our wonderful hobby!

From the seemingly omnipresent Dave Thomas (and Phil) I got most of the Perry Miniatures Wars of the Roses figure packs on my and Matt's list. Hopefully I'll pick up the missing packs from him at WMMS on 30th March.

From Great Escape Games - "...not in the right place!"- I got my resupply of Gamer's Grass tufts, taking advantage of the usual and appreciated 6 for 5 offer. I also got one new brush from ABC Brushes!

Overall then, what did I make of my day out? Obviously I think you would realise I enjoyed myself given most of what I've said. Downsides? Well, I find shows noisy and wearing trying to hear what folks say to me. Friends are used to my issues and make allowances, Traders and others obviously not so it can be stressful for me. The games are a real disappointment, despite knowing beforehand what to expect, for I do love the scale and drama of the Partizan games! Even the large Boondock Saynts' game disappointed me in a way! The Table Top sales are very cramped and I'd favour fewer games to give them and the punters more space to do business. I failed to get a look in on my several passes. Lastly then, my perennial show moan: lack of casual seating for we geriatric-in-waiting wargamers, though I did manage to get a seat with Colin, Kathryn and Kevin in the Bistro for 20 minutes!

What then of 'Ommer'ead 2026? Well, Phil suggests he would not go again, mainly quoting the same issues with the games which make the experience somewhat lacking from our perspective. While I agreed with his assessment yesterday, today my resolve is already weakening...