My first two 'factions' for IHMN - Servants of Ra and Black Dragon Tong. Not my best efforts but keen to get these on the table to see hwo the system works.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Friday, 4 October 2013
Clearing Ville Dix Panses
Ville des Dix Panses (Ten Paunches) lies some twelve miles inland behind Sword Beach. Today is D+2 and the breakout from the Normandy landings is meeting much stiffer resistance as fresh German Forces move into the area.
The village is believed to be held by elements of a Panzergrenadier platoon. Intelligence suggest the Germans are lacking armour which is just as well as the troops taking on this mission dont have the usual luxury of Armour either.
The platoon mission is to probe in force and take the critical road junction which controls access to four main highways just beyond the village.
Fought with Chain of Command.
The astute among you will notice that the Commando's are masquerading as regular British infantry!
Another interesting game of CoC. What I particularly liked was the ebb and flow of the command system. The game forces you to make real decisions rather than having omnipotence.
The Brits got dragged into a shooting match which was always going to be difficult against PzGren armed with two MG42's per section. Some bold manouvres early on were rewarded which went unrewarded later on - Ce'st la Guerre!
Impatience finished off the British Assault. Two Senior Officers were left in open ground trying to sprint across what proved to be too big a gap between areas of cover. It costs them dearly forcing a loss of 5 morale points!
The village is believed to be held by elements of a Panzergrenadier platoon. Intelligence suggest the Germans are lacking armour which is just as well as the troops taking on this mission dont have the usual luxury of Armour either.
The platoon mission is to probe in force and take the critical road junction which controls access to four main highways just beyond the village.
Fought with Chain of Command.
The astute among you will notice that the Commando's are masquerading as regular British infantry!
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| Ville Dix Panses - road junction in background |
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| German Jump Off Points after the patrol phase |
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| Recce Platoon carriers and No1 and No2 Section join the action. A scout patrol has made it to the woods trying to steal a flanking march. |
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| No1 Section pass through the cornfields. Everything is very quiet - too quiet... |
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| No2 Section creeps up on the Chuch. Can they nab a Jump Off Marker before the krauts have had time to deploy? |
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| Despite some poor rolling in previous phases, things begin to take shape for the Grenadiers. Previous phases had seen a glut of 5's being rolled but a similar glut of 1's meant the krauts had been pretty much unable to deploy the forces they needed to blunt the British thrust forward. |
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| A Panzergrenadier Section supported by the Screck team take up positions in the Mansion |
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| The MG42 team in the church tower are taking a right battering. Pinned and with heavy casualties surely the British will mount an assault? |
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| The British Recce section deploy in the bungalow supported by a 2" mortar skulking out of sight in the woods. |
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| They've been spotted but thankfully the Krauts aim is a little off. 4 Hits, no pins, no casualties |
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| Back to back phases and the germans finally manage to bolster the jump off point within the church. Another full section takes up defensive positions backed by the Platoon Senior Commander. The Brits may have missed their opportunity for a jump off point steal |
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| The Recce platoon take incoming... |
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| But get payback taking out the Shreck team. |
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| No1 Section meet a withering hail of fire from a german Crossfire and high-tail for better cover. The British assault is looking dodgy at best. |
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| No2 Section withdraw from the church and begin a rapid redeployment, shifting the emphasis of the attack from the right to the left flank. |
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| A CoC dice and three back to back phases make this bold manouvre a distinct possibility |
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| With no targets, the German section in the church seeks to flank the British attack. |
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| Some sniping by a lone Bren team picks off the remnants of the MG42 team in the church tower. |
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| Sunray Down!!! The all or nothing redployment by the British to move around the exposed german flank proves to be a folly as not one but both of the British Senior Commanders are killed in subsequent germans phases. With force Morale down to 2 (from 9) the British conced defeat and retire to lick their wounds |
The Brits got dragged into a shooting match which was always going to be difficult against PzGren armed with two MG42's per section. Some bold manouvres early on were rewarded which went unrewarded later on - Ce'st la Guerre!
Impatience finished off the British Assault. Two Senior Officers were left in open ground trying to sprint across what proved to be too big a gap between areas of cover. It costs them dearly forcing a loss of 5 morale points!
Thursday, 29 August 2013
2013 Lead Mountain Progress - with four months to go...
With four months to go of my 2013 Lead Mountain Challenge, the following review of progress makes interesting reading indeed
10mm
I also managed to get some of the Vikings done (about a 1/3rd of the figures I bought which is just enough to play Dux Bellorum
The Napoleonic French and Austrians and the matching ECW armies remain untouched as does the matching SCW armies for A World Aflame. Similarly the Post Roman Brits for Dux Britannarium also remain unloved...
Over the next month or so I will be offloading a Magister Militum Byzantine Army which is still in bags. Its likely to appear on evil-bay soon!
SAGA (28mm)
2013 has clearly not been the year for 6mm where I have made only minimal progress
I have restarted the matching ACW forces for Longstreet. If I get bored painting them (which is highly likely) they will be done to a basic standard and offloaded on evil-bay.
The WW2 Landing Craft are awaiting a Normandy game of BGO... and have been that way since BGO was released earlier this year... similarly the Early War Germans remain untouched awaiting a potential BGB release. I remain hopeful.
I need to watch Zulu or Zulu Dawn again to relight my interest enough to have another crack at the matching Colonial British and Zulu Armies. Just not feeling th love at the moment!
The FWC ‘Not Squats’, Andrayan's and a few odds and sods Kraytonian wise need some attention but no-one is playing FWC at the moment.
15mm
AWI - no progress here. Half the problem is no-one else is doing Maurice in 15mm. these may end up getting bayed.
28mm WW2
This has been the one area of inspiration this year and I now have a burgeoning collection of Commando's & Late War Kraut Grenadiers and a fair bit of armour and support which I'm using for BA, RoE and CoC.
There is a new U.S Force which is based and undercoated and a growing collection of L.D.V for a VBCW campaign. I have also managed to paint up some Local Bobbies and a Gentlemans Gun Club to add colour.
Butterfly projects
In traditional fashion my willpower this year lasted a very brief period and new projects I have aquired include five different factions for IHMN and aset of Lawmen & Outlaws for DMH. These are all based and undercoated ready for the winter nights.
Projects I am still intending to look at include Muskets and Tomohawks which I own the rules for but simply cannot seem to settle my plans on an appropriate scale at which to undertake the project...
Algernon Pulls it Off seems to have gone quiet and I have ditched my plans to look at Dux Britannarium in 28mm for reasons of cost.
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Panzergrenadier!
Some much needed transport and support firepower for my growing Panzergrenadier force
Sunday, 25 August 2013
First outing - Chain of Command
I got together today with my good buddy Nick B from SADWC for a first game of Chain of Command so thought I'd post a few piccies and thoughts here rather than the traditional Batrep.
The Patrol Phase really gets you thinking! Both players take it in turn to move their patrol markers traying to gain an advantage on the choicest bits of the battlefield from which to take the fight to the enemy.
Once Patrol Markers come within 12" of an enemy marker both markers are 'locked down' and may not move anymore.
Once one sides markers are locked down both players deploy Jump Off Markers. These markers represent where your own troops may be placed on the battlefield once deployed by a senior commander.
The attacking player takes first phase and rolls a number of Chain of Command dice. The scores on the dice allow him to command either a team, section, a junior commander or a senior commander.
All dice that show 5's go into a Chain of Command Pool which once you have a chain of six points give you a Chain of Command Dice which opens a host of new tactical options you can use to thwart your enemy's plans.
If two 6's are rolled in the same Command Dice Roll you can sneak in an additional active phase, throw. Three 6's end the turn, whilst four 6's ened the turn and result in a random event.
Senior Commanders deploy troops onto the battlefield and both they and Junior Commanders activate teams and sections to carry out fire and movement, rallying, overwatch etc.
Players can use Tactical Movement to creep around making best use of available cover. They can move normally and can move 'at the double' - movement is randomised by multiples of D6.
Sections and weapons team can be put on overwatch and can give covering fire denying their enemy access to areas of the battlefield. Both tactics require successful orders from a commander. A very nice mechanic which prevents omnipotence and leaves you with proper command and control issues given the limited number of orders you might be able to make!
Firing can cause Shock as well as Casualties, often doing both! Close Combat is far slicker than other WW2 Skirmish games and whilst still very bloody, feels a far more relaistic representation.
All in all CoC is a very well thought out set of rules with lots of unique mechanisms which make command and control pivotal and central to game play. You really begin to feel a bit of the pressure commanders on the ground must have felt about which decisions are going to be the right ones.
Very, very enjoyable indeed.
The Patrol Phase really gets you thinking! Both players take it in turn to move their patrol markers traying to gain an advantage on the choicest bits of the battlefield from which to take the fight to the enemy.
Once Patrol Markers come within 12" of an enemy marker both markers are 'locked down' and may not move anymore.
Once one sides markers are locked down both players deploy Jump Off Markers. These markers represent where your own troops may be placed on the battlefield once deployed by a senior commander.
The attacking player takes first phase and rolls a number of Chain of Command dice. The scores on the dice allow him to command either a team, section, a junior commander or a senior commander.
All dice that show 5's go into a Chain of Command Pool which once you have a chain of six points give you a Chain of Command Dice which opens a host of new tactical options you can use to thwart your enemy's plans.
If two 6's are rolled in the same Command Dice Roll you can sneak in an additional active phase, throw. Three 6's end the turn, whilst four 6's ened the turn and result in a random event.
Senior Commanders deploy troops onto the battlefield and both they and Junior Commanders activate teams and sections to carry out fire and movement, rallying, overwatch etc.
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| Troops being deployed by a senior commander |
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| Tommy and Jerry creeping around the Bocage |
Sections and weapons team can be put on overwatch and can give covering fire denying their enemy access to areas of the battlefield. Both tactics require successful orders from a commander. A very nice mechanic which prevents omnipotence and leaves you with proper command and control issues given the limited number of orders you might be able to make!
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| A Tommy fire and manouvre drill expertly executed! |
Firing can cause Shock as well as Casualties, often doing both! Close Combat is far slicker than other WW2 Skirmish games and whilst still very bloody, feels a far more relaistic representation.
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| A Tommy Infantry section is decimated by fire from an MG42 before Jerry riflemen move in for the kill. Actually in the game the assualting Jerry rifle team was manhandled by the ubiquitous Tommies and wiped out to a man... |
All in all CoC is a very well thought out set of rules with lots of unique mechanisms which make command and control pivotal and central to game play. You really begin to feel a bit of the pressure commanders on the ground must have felt about which decisions are going to be the right ones.
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| Jerries Senior Commander in a bit of a pickle |
Very, very enjoyable indeed.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Both ends of the spectrum
I've been working really hard of late with barely a weekend off since I moved to the new job, however having time off during the week when the house is quiet I have rediscovered my mojo a bit and managed to find the inspiration to finish off some loose ends.
With the impending release of Too Fat Lardies Chain of Command, my main focus has been on getting lots of 28's out of the way so it was great to put the finishing touches to some Wehrmacht Command and a number of British armoured vehicles that had been languishing in the back of the cupboard.
I also have a 6mm game of Battlegroup Kursk lined up with a colleague so found some time and a few models knocking around that I had forgot I had and gave them a re-paint ahead of the game later this month.
With the impending release of Too Fat Lardies Chain of Command, my main focus has been on getting lots of 28's out of the way so it was great to put the finishing touches to some Wehrmacht Command and a number of British armoured vehicles that had been languishing in the back of the cupboard.
I also have a 6mm game of Battlegroup Kursk lined up with a colleague so found some time and a few models knocking around that I had forgot I had and gave them a re-paint ahead of the game later this month.
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Shingle Street Gentleman's Shooting Club
Finally got around to finishing these off (less a bit of work on the bases...) The Gentleman's Shooting Club of Shingle Street
Led by another veteran of the Great War, Captain W.L Simpson (MC) of (retd) , the Club is all set for a bit of 'Boche Bashing'. Pip! Pip!
Simpson was with the 2nd Battalion of the Suffolk's as part of the BEF seeing action near Mons and Le Cateau. Simpson remained with the Battalion throughout the war and was wounded in the second battle of Arras on the Wancourt-Tilly road in 1918.
Led by another veteran of the Great War, Captain W.L Simpson (MC) of (retd) , the Club is all set for a bit of 'Boche Bashing'. Pip! Pip!
Simpson was with the 2nd Battalion of the Suffolk's as part of the BEF seeing action near Mons and Le Cateau. Simpson remained with the Battalion throughout the war and was wounded in the second battle of Arras on the Wancourt-Tilly road in 1918.
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Breaking my summer duck
After almost four months of not raising a paintbrush in anger, i finally managed to find some time in between work and real life to get on with my 28mm WW2 projects.
My incentive is the impending release of Chain of Command by Too Fat Lardies.
First up, a Sherman and M3 Half Track to support my US Infantry.
My incentive is the impending release of Chain of Command by Too Fat Lardies.
First up, a Sherman and M3 Half Track to support my US Infantry.
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Shingle Street Nick
Spurred on by something a little different, here are the Boys in Blue from 'Shingle Street Nick', led by the ubiquitous Sergeant Kipling (DCM*), a WW1 veteran of some reknown.
Although Shingle Street in Suffolk is well known for mysterious goings on in 1940's Britain, it has become the backdrop for a fictitous Bolt Action mini-campaign which will see all sorts of wierd and wonderful units take on the might of the Wehrmacht in the fields of Britain's home counties following a full scale german invasion of England.
Next up, the Gentry, the landowners shooting club and their hounds!
*Distinguished Conduct Meadal
(Level 2 Gallantry Award)
Instituted on 4th December 1854.
The D.C.M. was the first official medal award to recognise an act of gallantry in the field by a member of the armed forces who was below the rank of officer. It was the other ranks' equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order.
The D.C.M. was awarded for gallantry in the field in the face of the enemy. Other ranks in the British Army and also non-commissioned ranks in Commonwealth Forces were eligible for this award.
The reverse of the medal bears the inscription “For Distinguished Conduct in the Field”. A bar carrying the date of a subsequent deed could be added to the ribbon until 1916 when the bar was changed to a laurel wreath. A recipient of the award is entitled to used the letters D.C.M. after their name.
The D.C.M. was discontinued as an award by the British Armed Forces in 1993, when the three awards of the D.S.O, the D.C.M. and the C.G.M. were replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross is now the second level gallantry award for all ranks of the British Armed Forces.
Although Shingle Street in Suffolk is well known for mysterious goings on in 1940's Britain, it has become the backdrop for a fictitous Bolt Action mini-campaign which will see all sorts of wierd and wonderful units take on the might of the Wehrmacht in the fields of Britain's home counties following a full scale german invasion of England.
Next up, the Gentry, the landowners shooting club and their hounds!
*Distinguished Conduct Meadal
(Level 2 Gallantry Award)
Instituted on 4th December 1854.
The D.C.M. was the first official medal award to recognise an act of gallantry in the field by a member of the armed forces who was below the rank of officer. It was the other ranks' equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order.
The D.C.M. was awarded for gallantry in the field in the face of the enemy. Other ranks in the British Army and also non-commissioned ranks in Commonwealth Forces were eligible for this award.
The reverse of the medal bears the inscription “For Distinguished Conduct in the Field”. A bar carrying the date of a subsequent deed could be added to the ribbon until 1916 when the bar was changed to a laurel wreath. A recipient of the award is entitled to used the letters D.C.M. after their name.
The D.C.M. was discontinued as an award by the British Armed Forces in 1993, when the three awards of the D.S.O, the D.C.M. and the C.G.M. were replaced by the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross is now the second level gallantry award for all ranks of the British Armed Forces.
Friday, 1 February 2013
More Bolt Action Germans
This time Heer from Warlord which I have been working on in the run up to Christmas. Seems to be a recurring theme this time of year - lots of people with missing painting mojo's.
These have been finished for a while but I just cant muster any energy to finish the basing off before varnishing.
On a more positive note there has been some progress on my LMP 2013 - nothing new painted but the collection has been added to and in true fashion my willpower lasted all of two weeks before a purchase not on my list of new purchases was made in the shape of Battlegroup Kursk which is getting rave reviews at the club.
I will find out this evening as I have a game lined up with my regular gaming buddy Nick B at SADWC
I bought the final bits and pices for my Irish SAGA warband and have today ordered some Artizan Long Arm of the Law minis and Woodbine Designs Gentlemen and Poachers.
Random purchase you might say, however there's method in the madness so to speak. Rather than collect more Late War British for Bolt Action, I am going for something slightly different and aiming to collect a Home Guard unit accompanied by armed civilians which can double up for AVBCW...
These have been finished for a while but I just cant muster any energy to finish the basing off before varnishing.
On a more positive note there has been some progress on my LMP 2013 - nothing new painted but the collection has been added to and in true fashion my willpower lasted all of two weeks before a purchase not on my list of new purchases was made in the shape of Battlegroup Kursk which is getting rave reviews at the club.
I will find out this evening as I have a game lined up with my regular gaming buddy Nick B at SADWC
I bought the final bits and pices for my Irish SAGA warband and have today ordered some Artizan Long Arm of the Law minis and Woodbine Designs Gentlemen and Poachers.
Random purchase you might say, however there's method in the madness so to speak. Rather than collect more Late War British for Bolt Action, I am going for something slightly different and aiming to collect a Home Guard unit accompanied by armed civilians which can double up for AVBCW...
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