Garden Makeover 1 Wargame with Phil 0

Sometimes I amaze myself with my own stupidity. Phil and I were scheduled to play an Indian Mutiny game here in GHQ on Monday, a day which just happened to coincide with Day 1 of our garden makeover - delayed by a week due to pre Christmas snows pushing prior jobs into our time slot. I’d laid out the terrain yesterday, but intended to lay out the figures before Phil arrived today. Silly Boy! I couldn’t get into GHQ when the time came, piles of earth, the old patio stones stacked and broken pots, not to mention a jungle of plants, all bared the way! Never mind, we enjoyed a fine burger for lunch courtesy of Sue and a good natter about our Italian Wars project, not to mention putting the hobby at large to rights. So, no game report and pictures today, instead a look at my progress on the painting table recently ~

The first bases for my army of the Papal States. Each base will be a unit in our early games until we grow the forces.

The first base of TAG Elmetti with flags by Pete's Flags.

Hand gunners from FRONT RANK, with TAG Officer.

Swordsmen to the rear by WARLORD GAMES.

More FRONT RANK hand gunners. to the rear are more WARLORD

GAMES swordsmen with a TAG officer and a FOUNDRY standards bearer.

"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!".

PERRY MINIATURES clerics with a head swap on the Cardinal,

giving my army spiritual comfort from Cardinal Bicclione!

All for the new Italian Wars project with Phil of course. I'm working on the two mounted clerics now and the first Elmetti for the second base of four figures. As the bases arrived from Warbases I've got the rest of my TAG figures either undercoated or ready to spray on the undercoat. Everything has been knocked back by the garden makeover work and my inability to get in GHQ before tonight!
On a personal note I saw my consultant today and as a result I will be admitted for a total right hip replacement on 10 March. Obviously the blog will be quiet for a bit after that. in the meantime, back to the brushes!

I have not been idle.

I have in fact been plodding on steadily with two of my projects, namely making additions to my AWI armies and getting started on my Papal Army for our Italian Wars joint project. I just don’t have much in the way of completed units to show yet. I’ve two more figures for my AWI 23rd Foot to complete the unit. I hope to do those this weekend. I’ve completed a second base of Swordsmen for the Italian Wars project and have one Elmetti just needing highlights to complete the first mounted base. I’ve also assembled and spray undercoated two bases worth of Front Rank handgunners, a base of TAG Papal Guards, two more bases of TAG Elmetti, a base of TAG crossbowmen and a twenty figure base of TAG pikemen with command and halberd armed figures. I hope they will be done by Easter.
As I received a few more figures from TAG yesterday in the post I thought I might share my observations as they and their figures are a new company to me. When I was chatting with Matt about the project and which figures I might go with he suggested I might find TAG figures to be a tad on the small side. {I guess he meant for my old eyes and hands.}When the first batch arrived before Christmas I was pleasantly surprised to find them very compatible with the handful of Perry Miniatures I already had. The castings were clean and what few vent runs and bits if flash present easily removed. Mold lines were not pronounced as they can be on some figures. The figures are nicely animated on the whole, with clear details which will definitely aid this geriatric painter in the coming months. On the down side, the metal used in their manufacture is quite soft and so I replaced the pikes and flag poles with wire ones from Coritani, but I foresee problems with the lances of mounted Elmetti being easily bent when moving blocks of figures during games. I shall have to be careful considering my track record with delicate bits! But on the whole my experience is positive so I will confidently recommend TAG to any considering figures for this, or other periods the company services. That said, I intend to consider other company’s products to fill out the project later on. I’ve already added some older Foundry packs of Gendarmes and I plan to add some from their Casting Room range too. I like the look of the Steel Fist figures, of which Phil has several in his army, so they are on my list too. Like all projects I confidently expect this to take on a life of its own as it grows...
Finally, on a personal note, I have been referred to the local Nuffield Hospital Orthopaedic Department for surgical assessment on my right hip. I’m not a brave person when it comes to physical pain, but I can’t go on like I am so I hope they will decide to replace the hip sooner rather than later. Of course that will considerably disrupt my hobby activities, but it’s a small price to pay to be free of pain and mobile again! I’ll keep you posted of course. Toodle Pip!

Making a slow start.

I've made a bit of a start on my part of our Italian Wars project. So far it consists of a minor Command base and a base of Swordsmen, with a second such base underway. I've nothing else undercoated for painting yet, as we are waiting on the bases to be cut to our specification by Warbases. My Papal Army of Pope Alexander VI is based around The Assault Group's Papal Army Offer, supplemented by various extra bases. I joined their Membership Scheme for a year to get 10% off any orders I made and free postage, making a decent saving on my initial and subsequent orders. I've supplemented these with some Warlord/Pro Gloria figures for my second pike block and with some extra Gendarmes from Wargames Foundry. I also picked up a very large gun from a Trader at Wargamer last month from the old Games Workshop Empire range. The clerical element was provided from Perry Miniatures and some hand gunners from Front Rank.

The TAG nucleus of the Army of Pope Alexander VI

The first base I painted was three figures from Casting Room Miniatures which Phil gave me, together with a figure he'd already painted, as a bit of a guide I think ~

The first base of Swordsmen consist of a mix of manufacturers: three from Warlord/Pro Gloria; one from TAG and one from Foundry ~

When our custom bases arrive I shall be able to spray undercoat more figures and box them up ready for transfer to the painting desk when their moment in the sun arrives... In the meantime, back to the 23rd Foot in the AWI for now!

"Enemy to the Front! Five Rounds, Rapid Fire!"

A stalwart though doomed defence is probably the most honest description of the performance of my BEF force in the second part of our 1914 game (See previous blog entry for the story to date if you missed it). Having left the game after nine turns with the hard pressed Gordon Highlanders holding on grimly on the BEF’s right, shored up by the Borderers, and the South Staffordshires on the left flank nervously watching as the Jaegers, worked their way through the woods on their left anchoring their position, while the Coldstream Guards held the central part of the position dug in amongst the ruins of a country town I was by no means certain how long my battered defenders could hold the line, certainly not the planned 15 turns needed to ensure a win by virtue of holding the position.
As it turned out, my lads performed heroics in the face of sustained German attacks, bravely clinging on all along the front and inflicting considerable damage on their enemy before weight of numbers and mounting losses proved too great a burden and the morale of the BEF crumbled and the retreat continued at the end of Turn 19. The photomontage following will, I hope, tell the unfolding story of yet another incident in the glorious traditions of the (28mm) British Army ~

The much depleted Gordon Highlanders were holding on in
La Ferme Rouge, supported by elements of the Borderers.

Pressure was mounting each turn from the Hun, but steady
fire was preventing the enemy exploiting their advantage.

In the remains of another farm elements of the BEF's
cavalry Brigade were striving to deny this objective to the
Uhlans and their Jaeger support.

On the left, the South Staffords were in danger of having
their flank turned as the Jaegers worker their way through
the woods.

It seems a little early for HQ to be relocating its drinks
 cabinet?

Pressure from the Jaegers begins to tell as their galling fire
'Shakes' the South Staffords.

The Gordon Highlanders have finally broken under the
enemy's relentless fire. With two 'Broken' Battalions the
Borderers cannot advance and the farm is open to the Hun!

Despite sustained fire from the Borderers and support from
the RA guns the Hun surge forward to seize the second
objective.

Its all up for the BEF and a general retreat is ordered,
covered by the guns of the Royal Artllery.

As the Retreat gets underway the Hun occupy their second
objective.

The Jaegers have seized the ruined farm and the town lies
undefended before them...

In all a thoroughly enjoyable encounter over two weeks. Our adjustments and additons to Black Powder seemed to work in giving us the sort of game we wanted, reflecting the nature of Company
based tactics in the period by allowing for Orders to be given at either Battalion/Regiment level or to individual Companies.

A word on the Organisation of a Battalion in our game might help you understand this better. Each Battalion consists of 10 bases: 4 Rifle Companies, each of two bases; a Machine Gun base; and a Command base. The individual Companies may each be Disordered or Shaken, without affecting the others. But in any turn when half the elements or more are either Disordered or Shaken, then the whole Battalion is affected. In the normal way failing a Command Roll brings the Battalion Commander's turn to an end, but Brigade Commanders and the Army Commander may step in as they do in the orignal rules. Each Rifle Company fires with three Fire Dice, as does the Machin Gun base at under 24” { 2 Fire Dice at up to 48"}. The number of figures on the base doesn't matter ~ my BEF have three on most, Phil's Huns have two. Artillery Batteries are represented by one gun and crew, though my BEF have an ammunition limber too. They have individal Commands though are attached to a Brigade for Order purposes, while the Cavalry Brigade is again a seperate entity with its on mini Command structure at Regimental and then Brigade level. I'm not sure where we'll go next in developing these rule adjustments, no doubt Phil has ideas aleady as do I...

Sometime in late summer 1914...

For health related reasons Phil and I fought our regular Monday game here in GHQ over the same terrain layout Jon & I had used last week for our Rapid Fire2 WWII game, only on this occasion in 28mm and set in the early stages of the Great War, using Black Powder rules with our developing in-house modifications. The figures are from both our collections, Phil’s Germans and my own BEF, while the buildings were painted and landscaped for me by Colin & Sue Rumford. Mostly the figures are from the Great War Miniatures range, supplemented by some from Footsore and Foundry. The hedges, walls, trees and woodland are from The Last Valley of course.

A Battery of Royal Artillery 18lb quick fire guns support the
BEF's right flank

The scenario sees the Germans pressing the BEF’s Rearguard as they make a stand in the open countryside. Our main modification sees Companies treated as Battalions, Battalions as Brigades, and Brigades (or Regiments in the German’s case) as Divisions. This allows commands to be given to individual companies to better reflect the fighting of the period while preserving the rule integrity of Black Powder. When a Battalion looses two of its four Rifle Companies then it is treated as Broken, unable to Rally off casualties or it’s already Shaken status. {No HQ Companies can be targeted and any Machine Gun Companies failing a Morale Save are simply removed.} Machinegun Companies are treated as artillery, but have three dice at under 24" and two at 24-48, in both instances jamming on a double one. All troops not in Column are considered to be in Skirmish formation, which helps to reflect the nature of the BEF's tactics especially.
Anyway, enough of that for now, a few images of the game so far to give you a flavour of how it plays ~

The vile Hun sweeping down on the gallant BEF's rearguard

The Gordon Highlanders defend La Ferme Rouge

The South Staffords defend the left of the BEF line

By Turn 9 the South Stafford's losses are mounting

We have played nine Turns so far in this game but have had to call a halt prematurely as my hip was sore. We plan to pick up the action again next Monday and play up to another 15 Turns if needed.

Casualty evacuation under fire from the enemy front and left

To be continued next week...

Somewhere in Normandy ~ WWII 20mm with Rapid Fire2

On Wednesday evening Jon and I fought our first monthly game of 2018 here in GHQ. I’d selected a WWII game using my 20mm collection and Rapid Fire2 rules, our rules of choice for our 20mm games here in GHQ (other rules are available I'm told!) I’ve been mounting my figures singly ever since I started the collection, but I’m finally sick and tired of the time it takes to sort out a game and have begun sticking the figures on movement trays! I ran out of trays before I ran out of figures though, just before anyone notices in the few pictures I took!
Jon commanded Kampfgruppe Weissman and I commanded the British forces. The Germans are staging a counter attack 'somewhere in Normandy', their objective is one of two farms. They start 12” in From their baseline and move first, while the British move from their baseline. The German Force is two battalions of regular infantry, supported by a tank company of three Panzer IVs and a company of  two Stugs. The British have also two battalions of regular infantry and a MG battalion, supported by a company of Churchills and another of Stuarts. They may also try to call in Artillery strikes and possibly air support from a roving Typhoon.
As it turned out the game was very close right to the end. The British occupied one farm and the Germans the other fairly early on. While the British clung on to theirs, the Germans were removed twice by artillery strikes. Tanks on both sides brewed up; the Germans mounted a daring sortee to capture the British held town, only to be beaten off; a Piat took out the Stug at the death and the Germans, or rather Jon, graciously conceded the game after 10 turns. The Typhoon? It hit nothing in four turns!
I've included a few pictures finally to give a sense of the game ~

Oerview from the British table edge at the end of Turn 3

From the German table edge

German infantry support the Stug's attack on the ruined farm

A battery of 25lbers keep the German's heads down

British infantry advance from the captured farm to flank the
enemy attacking the other farm

One of the four failed passes bythe Typhoon!

The German attack has failed and troops withdraw under fire

Next up in GHQ will be a 1914 game using Black Powder rules with our ongoing set of amendments. Pop back next week to see more.

Something new for the New Year...

...I know I said I wouldn’t be starting any new Wargames projects, especially as I usually paint both sides for games in GHQ, so you are fully entitled to call me out on this unexpected development. Towards the end of 2017 Phil and I were discussing aspects of our hobby and came to the decision to start a small joint project in 2018. We’ve decided on the Italian Wars of the late C15th, with Phil collecting figures for the city state of Florence and your truly the army of Pope Alexander VI, a Borgia Pope of course. What triggered this all off was discussing armies we had sold on back in the day. One such was my Papal Army from the days when we played WRG’s Renaissance rules at the Alumwell Wargames Society. My army was 15mm Mikes Models and the most memorable unit a large crossbow unit painted pink! I wonder if they are still in action anywhere?
Anyway, moving on, here is a base of command figures Phil gave me for a test piece. They are from Foundry’s Casting Room Miniatures range I believe. Phil had painted one figure and I have painted the other three. I’m sure you will be able to tell which are which! A couple of views ~

I’m not at all sure at this stage how the project will progress, but I will keep blogging any progress I make. I’ve bought a Papal Starter Army and several figure packs from TAG, some clerics and pavise from Perry Miniatures and some Landsknechts from Warlord. Oh and a ‘big’ Empire gun and crew by Games Workshop which I bought from a trader at Wargamer last month. All of these have been cleaned up but none are undercoated as of yet, one reason being that we’ve no bases for them. We shall be having the MDF bases made for us by Warbases, once we can agree on the sizes we want for the look of our units and games! That will mean at some stage setting out figures on card of various sizes and configurations until we are happy with the overall effect. In the meantime I do have a few other figures I can be getting on with painting...