It is time to have a look at the output for the last three months of the year.
Normans & Saxons
Looking at the Normans project, I have completed some slingers for any force the first 12 are from Gripping Beast (with the addition of some spare Saxon bucklers from Victrix) the remainder are the 12 Victrix figures from the Dark Age Archers and Slingers pack.
Slingers
For the Normans I needed some archers (with silly hair cuts) to add to the force. These were again Victrix. Most are individual based to be able to use in the various skirmish games.
Total = 48
Islamic Forces for the Crusade
While looking through the “pile of potential” I stumbled across an Islamic force purchased some years ago when the original Saga Crusade supplement was published (around 2018).
The first up were 16 Infantry 8 armed with spears and shield and 8 armed with sword and shield.
We returned to the Napoleonic megagame for the 2nd round.
Action started on the French left flank where the cavalry was preparing to charge a weakened Austrian column.
Preparing to launch
While the infantry columns advance driving back the enemy skirmishers.
French and Austrian columns close
In the centre the French advance and close to deliver musketry fire into the defending Russians but the reserve French brigade refuses twice to move up to support and remains hesitant!
Centre: French lines engage the Russians
On the French right the Prussian columns have continued their advance and were closing on the defending Bavarians.
Prussian columns approach the Bavarian line
As the Prussians closed on the Bavarians the allies moved cavalry through the line to threaten the flank of the French centre. The Prussian columns launch a charge but throw poorly (a double one) and are repulsed!
Allied Cavalry advance to support the infantry
In the centre massed Russian columns have moved up to face the French in the centre.
Russian massed columns await the French
To address the threat of the Allied cavalry a brigade of French cavalry led by the Polish Lancers moves forward to protect the flank of the infantry.
French Cavalry move forward to counter the Allied Cavalry
Back in the centre to French fire is desultory as three out of four units lose fire discipline and do not inflict any casualties.
Desultory fire from the French as unit lose fire discipline
Things get worse as a Russian column manoeuvres into position to launch a flank charge on the French line!
Russian column on the flank of the French Line
However the line manages to survive (only because the Russian threw a double 1 on the charge test) and stands. The French now launch a further assault on the village in the centre trying to dislodge the Russians.
Line survives the charge and another assault on the village
The assault on the village was a success for the French throwing the defenders out, it also caused a fire to break out on the side facing the Russians which meant no one could move or fire through that side for the rest of the game.
Russians evicted from the village and fire breaks out
The French columns formed line on the left and started to give fire onto the Austrian columns but like the centre they lost fire discipline threw poor dice throws.
French deploy into line but lose fire discipline
The French continued to push forward on the left but the Austrians deployed their reserves to address the problem.
On the left the French continue to push forward but more reserves arrive!
In the centre the French reserve brigade had finally moved up to support the two lead brigades, while I pondered how to get the lead Frencn line out of trouble as it had now taken heavy casualties and had become “worn”.
French reserve brigade finally moves up
The French artillery was busy drawing a “bead” on the Russian column that was now reforming in the middle of the road and blocking the Russian artillery battery.
Russian column blocking the guns
But time had beaten us again and we would have to return for part three of the game.
Another run out of the Very British Civil War forces. This time the scenario rolled was “Demolition” where both sides had to destroy the enemy camp or in this case the “phone boxes” were used as the communication centres for both forces. Half of each force had to be held off table as reserves however these reserves could enter the table from any table edge using the “Fog of War” deployment option.
The Anglican League deployed 2 of their 3 sections and the HQ to defend the objective.
Anglican League heavily defend their “camp”
While the Miners deployed a section in the Church yard and an MG on the roof of the garage.
Miners had their objective in the churchyard
The AL start to push down the flank to try and gain the building.
Anglican League pushing up the flank
As the Miners reserves arrived the AL command remembered they had an appointment elsewhere and headed to the farmyard.
While the command moves to the farmyard
The reason the commend did a runner was the arrival of the Vickers MK III on their flank.
Vickers MkIII moves on to threaten the Anglican League objective
The AL countered by moving on the their Armstrong Whitworth armoured car which took a hit from the MK III.
Armstrong Whitworth moves on and takes a hit
They then got serious and moved on a Renault and Anti Tank rifle team along with a “tank hunter” team to try and destroy the MK III.
Renault and AT rifle arrive to tackle the Mk III
The AL then moved their light howitzer up to try and bring the churchyard under fore to soften the Miners section up before the infantry moved up.
Artillery moves up to threaten the church
The Miners managed to bring a section across and engaged the AL infantry moving down the flank.
Miners stop the advance on the flank
The AL triggered an event that meant that it started raining for a couple of turns however it didn’t really effect the game.
Event reduces ranges
Near the AL objective the Mk III had turned and engaged the Renault and destroyed it. This was the first time any armour had been destroyed in the games due to poor dice throwing from each side!
Renault bites the dust while worrying about the “tank hunters”
This time the Miners triggered an event that meant that one of their sections was upgraded, it was decided that the nearest to a house.
Advantage for the Miners
The upgraded Miners pushed forward close on the AL section which has now been reduced to 3 men from 10.
With the aid of the beer the Miners move forward
The AL “camp” was open but the Miners had no infantry to close and try to destroy it.
Anglican League open but none of the Miners infantry in the vicinity
The Miners however had their “camp” well covered and still heavily defended which had stopped the AL advance.
Miners still holding their objective
By now we had played the 6 turns rolled for a 7th which didn’t come up so another game ended in a draw.
Again another good laugh and I now have to go away and try to VBCW some amendments.
We had another game of the Very British Civil War as the Anglican League looked for revenge against the Miners. This time we added more support troops with armour entering the fray.
The Miners were commanded by Nigel and me, while “”Broken Dice” David and “Uncle Albert” Julian commanded the Anglican League.
The scenario we played was the “Seek and Destroy” mission from the Bolt Action rules using the “meeting engagement” deployment where forces were either designated as the “first wave” and entered the table on the 1st turn or could be held in reserve. For the Miners everything was designated as “first wave” after struggling to deploy some of the reserves in the last game. The Anglican League held a couple of units in reserve.
In the first move the Miners moved up the supports on early deploying the light howitzer, Rolls Royce armoured car and the “Tachanka” which is a Vickers machine gun mounted in the back of a hastily armoured van.
Early moves for the Miners
The majority of the Miners infantry were moving up through the village and looking to destroy the Anglican League.
Moving through the village
A couple of sections of Anglican League moved onto their left flank supported by an Armstrong Whitworth armoured car and a mobile pillbox.
Anglican League arrive in force
A section of miners moved up to support the armoured car and await the advancing Anglican League forces.
Looking for targets
An early run of the “action” dice meant the support on our right flank were all put on “ambush” awaiting for targets to appear.
Ambush set but will it be triggered
In the village a Vickers MkIII moved up in support of the infantry and to engage the Anglican League armour that had appeared.
Vickers MkIII moves forward in support
The Vickers and the Renault R35 exchanged shots with verry little effect while the Vickers used its machine guns to target the Anglican League holding the churchyard.
Armour taking pot shots at each other
The Miners were now well ensconced in the village with an MG in one building and the Sniper in the other while the command admired the rear garden.
Miners hold the village
On our right flank the Anglican League broke cover and engaged the miners.
Units engage
The mobile pillbox had to move down the road and try to engage the Miners in the centre as it couldn’t cross any of the walls or hedges!
Mobile Pillbox trundles forward
The six turns passed quickly with neither side making any real breakthroughs and the game ended when the extra turn wasn’t rolled. With both sides only destroying 2 units a piece the game was a draw and the commanders withdrew to discuss where things had gone wrong.
Miners command have a meeting to discuss what to do next
Another entertaining game with no “events” happening and I am happy how the rules are working for the VBCW.
So Nigel decided that we needed to have a large Napoleonic battle that would give us a chance to get the Napoleonic collections on the table. This was going to be a multi-session game using the General de Armee rules.
Each side would have 5 Divisions that could be used with some initially being deployed in reserve. The French were being played by “Broken Dice” David (Bavarians), Paul (French) and me (French with a scattering of Poles). The Allies were played by Alan (Prussians), Dave A (Russians) “”Uncle Albert” Julian (Austrian) and the Allied Cavalry reserve by Dave B who was missing for this session.
The French deployed with the Bavarian Division on their right flank, with French divisions holding the centre and the left flank. The Guard and Cavalry divisions were held in reserve.
The Allies deployed with the Prussians on their left flank, the Russians in the centre and the Austrians on the right with the Austrian Grenadier and combined cavalry division held in reserve.
Initial Deployment
The French left flank prepares to advance and engage the Austrians on the left flank supported by a cavalry brigade.
French let flank prepares to advance
The Austrians await the advance while a brigade slowly advances through the woods.
Austrians on the allied right flank
The Russians were also preparing to advance through the centre to contest the village.
Russians in the centre
As expected the skirmish lines clash on the left flank as the French columns advance.
Skirmish lines clash on the French Left
It was a similar situation in the centre and the right flank and skirmishers exchanged fire and long range artillery fire dominated the early turns.
Skirmishing in the centre
While both the French and Russians advance to engage in the centre the Bavarians hold just throwing out their skirmishers to slow the Prussian advance.
Prussians advancing on the French right flank
In the centre the exchanges between the skirmishers has started to thin the ranks while the French move up and try to take the village.
Skirmishers taking casualties in the centre
On our right the Prussians push their columns forward to drive back the Bavarian skirmishers.
Prussian columns advance on the Bavarians
The Russians manage to occupy the village first and the first French battalion that assaulted was forced to retreat and another moves into position to try again.
Battle for the village
In the centre the French advance stalled as both of my lead infantry brigades decide to go “hesitant” and refuse to advance!
French advance in the centre stalls
So the first session end with most of the action restricted to skirmishing action along the front no doubt it will get more serious in the next session.
End of the first session
So far an enjoyable, of frustrating experience but proving to be an enjoyable game.
Broke out the Very British Civil War collections as Nigel’s Miners Local Defence force took on the Anglican League forces (commanded by “Uncle Albert” Julian). I provided the umpire services assisted by “Broken Dice” David (who supplied the terrain).
We were using Bolt Action V3 rules with the addition of “event cards” from “Went the Day Well” rules.
The scenario played was “key position” where 5 objectives (2 telephone boxes, a post box and two boxes of supplies) were placed on the table by the players. Forces were deployed in opposite quarters of the board.
All quite in the village
In the early moves both sides started moving rapidly for the objectives with the Miners LDV rapidly grabbing a couple.
Forces move forward rapidly
One of the rules included was that on the first dice drawn for a side each turn that side rolled a D6, if a 6 is rolled an event occurs for that side. The Anglican league threw for an event and drew a card.
Early on the Anglican League get an event
A quick discussion was held to agree which unit should be affected and a D3 was rolled and the unit would be affected for 2 turns.
Unit stuck searching the house
The Anglican League moved up their Mobile Bunker and laid down fire on the Miners in the village.
Mobile pillbox arrives
The Anglican League were confused as a van with bits of armour welded to it reversed down the road. Then to their surprise the rear doors opened and a Vickers MMG opened fire killing one of the crew members of the Anglican League MMG.
Van Tachanka opens fire
With the Miners already holding the majority of the objectives the Anglican League moved their artillery onto the table to try and clear some of the Miners from the church yard.
Anglican League artillery support appears
This was countered by the Miners moving their artillery up behind the Tachanka to engage the mobile pillbox and approaching artillery.
Miners artillery moves and engages
The Miners moved a section of infantry to cover the wooded approach to the village and possibly grab the last objective on the far side of the wood.
Miners section moves up and covers the woods
Seeing this an Anglican League section runs towards the woods and secures the objective supported by the HQ unit and its Medic Team.
Anglican League finally grab an objective
The Miners artillery hits and destroys the mobile pillbox as they also manage to cause heavy casualties on a Anglican League section on the hill.
HE fire takes out the mobile bunker
The Miners have now secured the Church yard but are taking fire from the Anglican League Roadside bomb team behind the church.
Miners holding four objectives
Near the wood both sides are taking casualties as the firefight develops.
Both sides taking casualties
The Anglican League loses the artillery dual and the howitzer is destroyed by HE fire.
Anglican League loses the artillery dual
Turn 6 is played out and the game ends time to count up the objectives. The Miners are holding 4 while the Anglican League only holds 1 so Victory goes to the Miners who will regroup at the Miners Working Mens Club for tea and medals (or something stronger).
Game called
A highly entertaining game and the Bolt Action rules played out well with the VBCW amendments I included. Fast furious and plenty of laughs.
Something a bit different this week as we returned to Kiss Me Hardy. In this scenario a Franco-Spanish squadron (Nigel and me) needed to escort two armed merchants carrying this years treasure shipment from one end of the board to the other. The Royal Navy (“Broken Dice” David and “Uncle Albert” Julian) simply had capture both the merchants to win the game.
The other change was the largest ships were 64’s with the majority of the fleets being frigates.
The game didn’t start well for the Franco-Spanish as we randomly threw for wind direction and the wind was blowing down the table directly at our fleet! That would mean that we would have to tack up the board 😂.
Fleets looking neat
Chaos soon broke out in the French squadron as some of the fleet successfully tacked and other had to take avoiding action!
Chaos in the Franco Spanish fleet
While the French managed to get some order back in its sailing order, chaos stilled reigned with the Spanish as they tried to tack.
Some sort of order for the French but still chaos in the Spanish squadron
The RN were showing off closing rapidly and we had the sense of impending doom.
RN closing for the kill
The first RN squadron closed with the French and started by setting fire to the Hermion as they sailed past.
RN engage the French at close quarters
On the other side the Spanish decided to play “bumper cars” as they were trying to avoid the RN but were taking damage.
The other thing that soon became apparent was that frigates could not take a lot of damage as the broadsides were rapidly being reduced because of the damage.
Spanish bumper cars
The RN fire soon reduced the Siena to a floating wreck and a roadblock.
Not going well as Siena sinks
The RN thought that “bumper cars” looked a fun game and joined in with HMS Leopard lost its bowsprit so would not be able to tack after the Spanish that had broken through.
Enquiry for the RN
The Dauphin was trying to avoid the RN but the RN had successfully tacked and were trading broadsides!
Merchant trying to escape
The Dauphin escape didn’t work out a the RN managed to grapple and launched a boarding action!
Dauphin the French Merchant boarded
With losses mounting the Dauphin struck after losing a second round of the boarding action. At the same time the Duc de Duras (the other merchant) had her Mizzen mast shot away and failed its strike test and struck! So the RN had managed to capture both of the merchants with only some of our frigates surviving ☹️.
The end
So a convincing victory for the RN but another cracking laugh as things went wrong but another good game.
Organised a quick game of “What a Tanker” where 3 Shermas and a Firefly (Dave B, Nigel, Paul and me) took on a Panther (Alan) and 3 Panzer IV’s (Dave A, “Broken Dice” David and “Uncle Albert” Julian).
On the German left flank the Panther moved up to a “hull down” position with a Pzkw IV in support.
Panther and Pzkw IV move up on the left flank
On our right flank 2 Shermans moved up while the Firefly moved forward and used the garage as cover trying to hide from the Panther.
Firefly hides behind the garage
On our left flank the first of are Shermans went “bang” after being hit by a Pzkw IV.
First of Shermans goes down
With the first Sherman down Dave B got the pleasure of using a reserve Stuart as the first replacement tank.
Replacement Stuart makes an appearance
I backed the Firefly up further behind the garage to avoid taking fire from the Panther and the Pzkw IV as the Sherman who was supporting me had retreated off the board after taking some “temporary damage” from the Panther.
Firefly retires behind the garage
With the Firefly hiding and the other Sherman retreating from the table the Panther had run out of targets and was sat there surveying the scene.
Panther looking for a victim
On our left flank the remaining Sherman was facing two Pzkw IV’s and after surviving a couple of shots finally succumbed and we had another Stuart rolling onto the table ☹️.
Pzkw IV’s engaging a Sherman
The first Stuart had moved up the road and was peeking around the corner trying to spot the Pzkw IV.
Stuart peeks around the corner
The Panther had used its advantage on “fast” trait and rushed forward to try and get behind the Firefly. But the Firefly managed to move to keep the garage between them and faced off against the Pzkw IV. In the meantime Dave B Stuart had used its “fast” capability to get behind the Pzkw IV.
Panther hunting Firefly and Stuart hides behind Pzkw IV
My worry about the Panther was misplaced as the Pzkw IV took me out ☹️.
Firefly dies
The Sherman that had retreated off the board had finally managed to recover and return to the board only to be faced by the Panther. After a quick exchange of shot the last of our Shermans went up in flames.
Panther targets last of the Shermans
The second Stuart (Nigel) had moved through the village and after a brief exchange with the Pzkw IV’s on our left flank moved into position to target the Pzkw IV on the right flank.
Stuart targets Pzkw IV
Finally a success for the allies as the Stuart from the village manages to hit and destroy the Pzkw IV in the field, trigger much celebration on the allied side 😀.
Stuart strikes!
The game was called at this point as a comprehensive victory to the Germans but as always a cracking laugh and good game.
Nigel organised a small General de Armee game with a division a side with the French facing a Austrian, Prussian and Bavarian force.
The game started with the deployment and scouting as usual and with great skill and dexterity the French (me and Nigel) did not manage to spot any of the allied brigades so had to deploy relatively blind.
The French could hold 2 brigades in reserve, which we did with the Poles and the cavalry. The Allies could have a single brigade in reserve and they also left their cavalry in reserve.
Bavarians on the Allied left flank, Austrians on the right and Prussians in the middle
The French deployed the Marine brigade on the left and the Recruit brigade on the right with the artillery in the centre.
French deploy ready for the attack
The French plan was that the right flank (the Recruit brigade) was to advance through the farm and then drive forward on the right while the Marines held the Austrians and Prussians on the left.
However this plan was scuppered on the first turn as the Allies won the initiative and advanced a battalion to grab the village.
As the Bavarians were unformed in the village I threw in a battalion to try and push them out! This failed as the garrison held and the French battalion was forced back with heavy casualties!
Bavarians grab the village and scupper our plans
While I was fighting over the village the rest of the French had advanced and were engaged all along the line and my skirmishers to engage the garrison.
Attacks along the line
The French Marines had advanced and were driving back the Austrian skirmishers and were preparing to launch a charge on the Austrians.
French marines advance
On the left I launched another assault on the village this time the lead battalion was supported.
Another attack on the village
The engage the Prussians the Poles were deployed from the reserves and advanced through the woods.
Poles advance in the centre
To counter the advancing Poles the Bavarian cavalry advanced from the reserves.
Bavarian Cavalry appear
While the last French assault on the village was beaten off by the garrison however the garrison itself was dispersed through casualties.
Draw but the garrison is dispersed
The next turn the French managed to win the initiative so this time a French battalion could advance and seize the village.
Initiative pays off
The Bavarians immediately launched an attack to retake the village but was beaten off and retreated.
This was a lucky break for the French as my recruit brigade had taken heavy casualties and was looking decidedly iffy.
French garrison holds
With the Bavarian brigade having two “retreating” battalions it had faltered and “Broken Dice” first rolled a 2 which would mean that he would have a “Sauve qui Peut” result, basically “run away” but he had a reroll so rolled a “1” so not only did the Bavarians “run away” the brigade was also broken and would quit the field.
Lucky break
So I managed to grab a victory from defeat for the French as we called the game (or it could be that “Broken Dice” grabbed defeat from victory).
Had another game of “Kiss Me Hardy” the Franco-Spanish had 8 ships on the Franco-Spanish fleet (5 1st rates and 3 3rd rates) while the Royal Navy had 6 ships (4 1st rates and 2 3rd rates (2 74’s a 64 and an 80). So we had gone over the top (and unhistorical) on the 1st rates but we would see if this helped or hindered the Franco-Spanish.
Sides were decided randomly with Nigel and me Julian commanded the Franco-Spanish while “Broken Dice” David and “Uncle Albert” played the RN.
As usual we also decided the quality of the ships randomly and the Spanish managed 1 average and 3 poor ships, the French had 2 average and 2 poor. This time RN threw better with the RN 5 elite ships and 1 average.
The Franco Spanish sailed on in a single squadron with the Spanish forming the back of the line (but we had forgot a rule which would bite us later). The RN also formed two squadrons, and battle plans were formed.
French sailed on with the Spanish due to form the rear of the line.
French leading the line
The RN sail on in two squadrons in perfect formation.
Orderly RN sail on in two squadrons
Chaos breaks out as the Spanish arrived, we had forgotten that we needed to take a “sailing test” to hold formation and with 5 poor sailing ship we needed to throw a 6 on a D6 so the line was split.
Chaos when the Spanish arrive
The French try to head the RN squadrons while the Spanish do some random sailing in the rear.
French sail towards the British
As the fleets close things start to go wrong for with the French with fire breaking out on the Orient as she receives fire from the Victory. Also the Genereux had her steering gear shot away.
Close engagement
The Victory and the Orient collided and the became locked when the Victory successfully grappled and the boarding action began.
Boarders away
The Spanish had finally managed to get the wind on their quarters and were able to engage the second RN squadron. The boarding action continued on the Orient with them losing another deck! The Genereux managed to collide and lose its bowsprit in the process.
Spanish appear and engage
To make matters worse for the Genereux she was also set on fire but and another strike test was needed.
Collison and Fire
Another French ship starts to burn as another fire breaks out, things are going badly for the French.
Fire everywhere
More collisions occurred between the Spanish and the second RN squadron with mast falling!
More Collisons
In the next turn the “strike test” card came out early and with three French ships and a Spanish ship “striking” the game was called with victory to the Royal Navy.
