Hi

I have evenually got around to creating a blog!

The main topic will be Wargaming.
That includes all kinds of conflict based games such as miniatures based and boardgames. Historical, fantasy and
science fiction may all make an appearance.
Sometimes the "real world" may interfere with this blog and cause non-gaming related posts. Apologies in advance.

DISCLAIMER:- This blog is a work of fiction. The people, places and products depicted are imaginary and bear no resemblance to real people, places or products either living or dead.

Saturday 19 November 2011

"Give me night or give me Blucher" ........Wellington

After a couple of weeks without a game, Steve and I got around to playing C&C Napoleonics.
We only had the battle of Waterloo left to fight. Having kept a running total of victory points
as a basic "campaign" system, we went into this battle with a two point advantage to the French (Steve).
In preperation for the game Steve had actually visited and walked the battlefield, he brought home some
souvenirs...
                                                     "Mines bigger than yours!!!"

With the board set up, plenty of coffee and french bravado the battle got underway.
The first few turns consisted of artillery fire from both armies. The allied fire was less effective and the French managed to advance their right flank to threaten Papelotte. Their center manouevred and massed for attack.
                                              "Papelotte under attack"
Under pressure the allied light infantry abandoned Papelotte and fell back. The French advanced into the position and put the allied left flank under General Perponcher under threat.
                                                "Perponcher under pressure"
With the left flank in difficulty, Wellington desperately need to divert Napoleons attention.
Scanning the battlefield, he spotted an opportunity on the right. A scribbled note is despatched to General Hill.
Although French troops had massed for an assault on Hougemont they had not yet advanced. They were thrown into dissarray as the allied troops abandoned their defensive positions and attacked!
Whats the French word for "Retreat"?

Back over on the allied right the French attacked continued.
Supported by cavalry and the Guard artillery the infantry charged Perponchers ridge and threw back the allies. The "Young Guard" marched bravely with colours waving and the band playing "Alouette".
They had taken the high ground but suffered terribly for it. A counterattack by the allies threw them back down the slope.
Over on the French left the trouble continued. The British Light Infantry and Grenadier Guards and been supported by Dutch line and the Scots Greys heavy cavalry.
A heroic charge by D'Erlons cuirassiers destroyed the cavalry while Reille led a desperate charge towards Hougemont and cut the Dutch to pieces.
                                          "Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious
                                                                  is to die daily "........Napoleon
 But even this was not enough. The British destroyed Reille and his troops, then charged the French center. This was enough to break the French morale and start the long retreat!
                                                      "Up, Guards and at'em"......Wellington

"It has been a damned nice thing, the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life"...Wellington
The smoke of battle clears and victory banners are counted. 8-4 in favour of the allies.
The campaign total is  French 69  Allies 71.
An incredibly close result after 15 battles. All of them hard fought and bitterly contested.

                                           "A picture is worth a thousand words"......Napoleon
                                         " By God! I don't think it would have been done
                                                       if I had not been there"

The "Command & Colors" game has a lot going for it. Simple, fast and fun, but on reflection it is definately more of a game than a "Simulation". For example, The British attack out of Hougemont was the winning move in our game. In reality the French had plenty more troops in this area which would have made this a suicidal idea. I think this makes the result a case of playing the "Game" rather than the "Battle". For historical battles (or at least historical results) more "house rules" need to be applied.
As  it stands, I really enjoyed all these games and I am looking forward to the next one. I have the game "Napoleons Triumph" to try next. It seems to be a very different prospect in its complexity.

Meanwhile, Steve and his military advisor "General Millie" have things to do
                                         " A' quelle heure part le bus au St Helena ?"

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Gone a bit quiet around here.

Oh dear !  Weeks without a post. Unfortunately also weeks without a game.
here is some movement behind the scenes.

The boardgame version of "Lost Battles" is on the way to this address.
40 ancient battles are included. The boardgame is perfect for travel and evenings when time is an issue.
The rules are written in such a way to fully support use of miniatures without having to rebase.
So I am considering prepping my 20mm plastic Persians. just base colours and a coat of "army painter"

I am currently painting up some more Grey Knight Terminators for Space Hulk.
Photos will follow when ready.

In the meantime, here is a pic of a 10mm Wargame. Played around 5 years ago with Warmaster ancients rules.

A Roman Legion is ambushed and wiped out by hordes of barbarians. Boo!

That will have to do for now, hope to have more interesting news soon!

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Quatre Bras

Saturday evening I wandered down the hill to Steve's (Marshal Neigh) with C&C Napoleonics tucked under my arm.
Only two battles left to play, we had thought to finish them both. Things did not work out that way...

After the obligatory chorus of "La Marsielles", assorted trash talking and pouring of beers (French beer in honour of the occasion) we set up the battle of Quatre Bras.

Initial view from Allied position.

After many experiences with the French artillery and Neighs dice rolling, I decided to fall back from the central area of high ground. I still think this was a sound plan but as it happened my despicable opponent had been forming a cunning plan.
With some minor skirmishes developing on both flanks the French launched a massive assault towards Quatre Bras. The Dutch contingent of the allied army collapsed under the pressure.
With victory conditions of nine banners, this put the French on 8points.
Neigh was on the verge of a heroic victory.
At this critical point the allies had to throw everything into an attempt to retake the town.
Cue the Grenadier Guards. Cold hard steel and raw courage, they charged into the town and in a vicious street to street battle ejected the frogs!
All Steve could say.... "Whats French for Merde?"
Although it took another few turns for the allies to gain the last victory banner that they needed to win, the French had expended their reserves of valour and had no way back into the game.
Final score 7-9 Allied victory.

This battle was the hardest fought yet! With no obvious mistakes by either side, it took us three hours to reach the deciding points. Absolutely terrific stuff that leaves us both anxious to play the last game, Waterloo. A two point advantage to the French should make it exciting.
Steve is off to visit some World War one battlefields in Belgium for a week. During this trip he is going to Waterloo for a day. So our battle will have to wait. Hopefully he will see the battlefield and realise that history cannot be denied.