Raising the Siege of Groß Bikelheim

For our weekly game, in GHQ of course, Phil and I had decided on a SYW game. This it transpired was to be smaller than our usual offering as there was an unexpected outside time constraint. We still aimed for 12 Turns though, hoping the reduced  army sizes would speed play. The scenario pits a French force, inferior in infantry, cavalry and artillery attempting to raise the siege of Groß Bikelheim. The French are commanded by my old favourite persona, the Comte du Merde; the British besiegers by Lord Rawnsley. The early pictures hopefully give a sense of the table layout. If the British can breach the town's walls then they can carry off the Eye of Bikelheim, a monstrous telescope, the wonder of the Age!

A general shot of the Tabletop battlefield at the start of Turn 1. Groß Bikelheim is in the far right, the British siege lines and encampment in the near right.

The French relief force enters in Turn 1, it's commander hurrying into the besieged town to encourage it's defenders.

The Eye of Bikelheim can be seen in the town's square. It's defenders comprise a regiment of Grenadiers de France and a regiment of Grenadiers Royale. A coach stands ready to carry off the Eye at the first opportunity.

The British encampment, from where the assault will originate comprising Grenadiers supported by dismounted Dragoons.

The main British force supporting the assault phase of the siege, two brigades each of Infantry and cavalry.

Not an auspicious start for Du Merde! One regiment Shaken and Disordered by artillery fire, the two remaining advancing too enthusiastically following a Blunder!

As often happens, a run of poor to indifferent Command Rolls, for Rawnsley on this occasion, allowed du Merde to reorganise his infantry brigades and advance on the enemy.

Hesitant British cavalry have received much damage from the French guns and infantry. The Horse Grenadiers, already Shaken, break in rout and flee to the rear. Other cavalry becomes Disordered, freezing the attack on the French right. The French cavalry sits in disciplined ranks awaiting it's moment of glory!

The first two composite formations of Grenadiers have moved forward to assault the town's defenders. The second wave of Dragoons and Grenadiers await their order to move forward into the maelstrom.

Determined defense by the French has blunted all the British Brigades' advances except for the assault lead by the Grenadiers. Fire from the defending infantry and artillery now concentrates on those elements leading the assault.

French artillery and infantry fire in the centre drives back the British infantry supporting the assault. The  leading squadrons of French Dragoons and Cavalry ready themselves for the decisive charge against the hesitant British cavalry. 

The Grenadiers leading the assault are smashed by fire from the defenders and finished off by a gallant charge executed by the Hussards de Byklé.

The infantry of the French relief force drive forward as the British attack crumbles under heavy fire!

Massed, but ineffective, British cavalry can only look on in disbelief as their infantry falls back exposing them to the French artillery fire once more!

The final assault by the composite formations of Grenadiers is shattered by the defenders' fire! Shouts of "Vive Le Roi!" echo through the lines of resolute defenders!

The victorious Comte du Merde and his staff gather around the Eye of Bikelheim, having saved this wonder of modern science from the marauding, cultureless British hands!

While the poor bloody infantry who bore the brunt of the fighting must settle for a quick roast of game, probably killed by a stray shot during the heat of battle!

For those who enjoy knowing such things the buildings/walls of Groß Bikelheim are the venerable Hovels ones which I highly recommend to fellow gamers. The trees and such are by the similarly recommended The Last Valley. The figures are from my collection, almost all Foundry/Casting Room Miniatures, with a few from Front Rank in the French lines. Their should be a second follow up game later in the week, all things being equal. In the meantime, the Comte du Merde signs off for now! "Á Bientôt Mrs Amis!"

South Carolina Provincial Infantry

Things have been very slow here in GHQ post The Other Partizan last Sunday. Usually I'm more than enthused after the event, but this time I was just tired mostly. In fact all I managed in the first half of the week was to clean up and spray undercoat the few figures I'd bought at the show. Old Age rearing its head I fear!

I had made a start though in the previous week on a unit of Provincial Infantry for my French and Indian Wars expansion project. Purely on a cost basis I chose to buy the figures from Redoubt Enterprises, a decision which came back to haunt me when it came to cleaning them up! Emerging from my Post Partizan Lethargy I have finally managed to finish them off now. I thought you might enjoy seeing them ~

They are painted to suggest a unit of Provincial Infantry from the South Carolina colony, largely as I found a suggested flag on the net for free. This, together with their blue faced buff uniform, means that they will stand out from the British Regulars in red and Rangers in green. If funds and mojo allow at some point I will add a unit of French Canadian Militia from Galloping Major at some point. Meanwhile I've started on the first figures for a second regiment of Grenadiers de France for my SYW collection. More on them I hope in future posts.

A Day at T'Other Partizan

Phil and I tootled over to Newark Showground earlier today to pay a much anticipated visit to what is essentially now our 'local' show (given what seems the likely demise of WMMS) a mere two hours away now! 

The Other Partizan, likes it's twin earlier in the year, is for me the premier historical wargames show of the year. There are many other fine shows of course, not counting the soulless, over-priced and over-hyped travesty that is Salute. (Just my opinion you understand, others may disagree if they wish!). But to my taste the Partizans are the very pinnacle of wargames shows!

Why you might ask? Well, a combination of Traders; Wonderfully crafted Display Games of all sizes, scales and genres; Participation Games for those so minded; a meet the Authors feature; and finally even a Lard Zone for any who have been seduced by the Dark Side! Plus, I get to meet good friends from Oop North ~ Hello Kevin, Peter, George and Matt! And even from Doon South ~ Hello Ray! That I'm not on my own here I think is amply demonstrated by the vast array of parked cars and a show rammed to the rafters with happy gamers. Enough waffle, here are my pictures of just some of the games I enjoyed seeing when shopping was completed ~

Phil Oley & friend showing his quite marvellous C18th Imaginations War of the Vauberian Succession.

An interior view of the terrains urban centre piece.

I loved the buildings and the 'look' of this game. Small details draw you in and suspend belief so it becomes a real scene.

A grand representation of the desert in this wargame, I think by the Derby chaps. Just the right amount of terrain items and clutter to give the game the right 'feel'.

The chaps of the Very British Civil Forum getting stuck into their own world setting for a VBCW game! Top marks for enthusiasm chaps!

An ACW game complete with train! What more could you ask?

The splendid centre piece on the VBCW! The garden scenes were just excellent!

One of several Wars of the Roses games. I liked the winter trees in the foreground.

The Iron Brigade's Viking game, small but beautifully formed, well done Kevin and Peter!

An AK47 game set in a fictional African country. Perhaps not politically correct for some tastes but an excellent and unusual game in my view. More of these niche games are needed I'd hope.

Barry Hilton and the League of Augsburg's game. Packed with details and colour!

The Boondock Saints Venetians v Ottomans game. Unusual, colourful, full of little details, and just beautiful to behold!

A second view from a different aspect of the Ottoman lines.

Even the navy gets a look in! My choice for 'Game of the Show'!

Saxons in shieldwall awaiting the inevitable Norman assault!

Again, simple terrain which conveys the scene effectively and without being over fussy. Room for all variety of approaches to the visual in our wonderful hobby!

More Vikings, but on a grander scale this time!

The New Zealand Moari Wars featured in the Lard Zone. The Pa was just splendid, very redolent of those I've visited in New Zealand.

A second view with very typical vegetation shown in the foreground. The Pa I suspect is a 3D print.

A final view of one of the Viking games. Again simple and unfussy terrain draws you in and invites you to see the detail!

Now no wargamer goes to any show without a list and cash/card burning a whole in his wallet for the next 'must have' purchases. Here are mine~

From The Last Valley: two enclosed gardens and a small graveyard. Thanks Andy!

SYW Figures: on the left from Foundry French Grenadier Command, British Grenadier Characters & Prussian Mounted Officers. On the right Eagle Miniatures Prussian Grenadier unit.

A kind gift from Colin Rumford, the Rapid Fire 1940 scenarios book.

A treat to myself from Caliver Books. I got a discount too so a double treat!!

And finally and more ore prosaically: some Pill bases from Warbases and three new brushes for the stock from ABC Brushes.

Well, there you are, our Grand Day Out. If you went I hope to enjoyed it as much as I did! If you didn't go then I'd recommend giving either show a visit next year, you won't regret it.

Carrying On Up The Jungle!

Phil and I met today for our weekly game here in GHQ. Sue and I had spent most of last week and the early part of this week dealing with builders, roofers, bankers, internet service providers and Severn Trent Water so the game I set out was a WWII Burma game, as the terrain is quite bespoke and simple to lay out. I'd determined that the Japanese, led by the gallant samurai Onamoro, would be attacking. To win the game one tank together with one infantry unit must exit the table on the Imperial side. Brigadier 'Mad Phil' Rawnsley would lead the imperial forces attempting to block the Japanese advance! As is my wont, a photomontage follows presenting a feel of the unfolding action for the interested reader ~

Type 94 tankettes lead the Japanese advance on their left. They are somewhat out gunned by the Grant seen in the distance blocking the village route. Unknown to them is the fact that it is broken down and cannot move!

On the right the Type 95 Ha-Go advances with infantry support. The infantry gun drawn by an elephant makes stately progress in their rear.

The type 97 Chi-Ha advances on a hill position held by the Gurkha battalion. It's machine gun fire proves utterly ineffective! Is this a portent of things to come wonders Onamoro? 

The second and final off table salvo from the 105mm guns knocks out the Grant. Heartened by this the Type 94s return to the advance on the village in support of their infantry.

A mortar salvo strikes the hillside, damaging the Type 95 Ha-Go, but the infantry advance presses onward! On the ridge line in the cover of the dense jungle more Gurkhas await. Will they have any nasty surprises to spring?

Back on the Japanese left the Type 94s advance with their infantry support hoping to flank the village and break for victory. The mortar has put down smoke to screen the advance from the Imperial HMG concealed in the line of trees.

Away on the Japanese right flank the Type 95 Ha-Go leads it's supporting infantry into an assault on the Gurkhas defending the ridge line. The PIAT operator takes aim at point blank range. Surely he cannot miss?

The surviving Type 94 breaks for victory with its supporting infantry someway behind. They find themselves assaulted by the Imperial infantry occupying the village. Combat is fierce and no quarter is asked or given!

Another Japanese tank, the Type 97 Chi-Ha, is destroyed! Despite their loss the infantry surge forward on the Gurkhas with cries of "Banzai!" The defending Gurkhas fight bravely in vicious hand-to-hand fighting, their Kukris flashing in the sunlight, but they are driven back with losses by the fanatical Japanese attack!

Only a sole Type 94 has reached its objective, but without infantry support cannot claim a victory! All along the front the Japanese attack has taken heavy casualties and failed to make progress against stubborn defence. At this point, with casualties exceeding 50%, Japanese morale suddenly collapses and hands victory to the Imperial forces!

We used Rapid Fire Reloaded as the basis of our rules for this game with some areas not covered imported from Rapid Fire!2 where we felt it enhanced the feel of the game. The figures and tanks are mostly from Warlord Games, the Grant being a notable exception from Colonel Bill and unattributed. Terrain is by The Last Valley enhanced by jungle pieces I created from plastic aquarium plants. The buildings were from Mutineer Miniatures originally. I'm not sure who sells them now though. Despite the circumstances, and the result, this was a very enjoyable game. This collection doesn't get out on the tabletop battlefield as much as it might, so it's good to see it enjoy it's moment in the sun.