New Year Wargaming Weekend - RJW

The second game which I missed was from New Year's Day.  This time we were trying out Bloody Big Battles for Russo-Japanese War...

New Year Wargames Weekend - Moderns

I just noticed that whilst I had posted about the Ronin game we played during a weekend of wargaming over the New Year (that's 2016/17 just in case you were wondering!), I had omitted to post some photos from the other games.

The first was a 15mm Moderns game, although I'm afraid I can't recall which rules we were using - it may have been Sabre Squadron...

Another Outing for Maurice

Here is another belated post from over 12 months ago.  This time it's some photos from a 15mm Marlburian game using the Maurice rules from Sam Mustafa.

A friend of mine had expressed an interest in trying out the rules and I was happy to oblige if only to get my toys back to the table (I'm in the process of expanding that collection right now from what you see here).

This was a simple engagement with the Allies holding a village on their right and the French, commanded by me, advancing to try to take it from them.

Anyway here are some pictures of the game:

Besieged in Belhipur

Part of my appalling backlog of posts includes this one from a wargaming weekend over a year ago!  This was the final game of the weekend and a first outing for the second edition of the Too Fat Lardies' Sharp Practice rules using my Indian Mutiny collection.

A small group of ladies have been caught in the village of Belhipur by a large force of mutineers.  But rescue is on the way in the shape of a mobile column.  Their objective was to fight off the mutineers and take the women to safety.

Here are some photos from the game:

Initially all seemed quiet in Belhipur

But then the Mutineers arrived

The ladies all react differently to the crisis!

A small unit of Sikhs is on their way

Followed by some loyal Bengal Native Infantry

The Mutineers form line to fend of the British

But they advance regardless

Mutineer cavalry attempts to outflank the advancing British

Sicilian Skirmish 1943

I had planned to run a game of Chain of Command at the club this week - setting it as part of Operation Husky in late July 1943.  But I had somewhat more interest than I anticipated and so I decided to expand it and use the Big Chain of Command supplement.

So we had a US Infantry platoon supported by a platoon of M4 Sherman tanks advancing into a small Sicilian village on the flank of the main advance.  Expecting desultory resistance from the Italians the Yanks were in for a bit of a surprise as a platoon of Fallschirmjäger had taken up residence.

Starting with some stereotypical shock and awe, the Americans laid down a pre-game barrage and following the patrol phase deployed an infantry section which then advanced quite casually - expecting that any resistance would still be dazed by the artillery.  They were in for something of a surprise as, wandering across an open space they came under fire from not one, but two, MG42s both directed by NCOs.  Needless to say the result was pretty unpleasant for the GIs.

The Americans had their revenge however, as quickly following the encounter, two Shermans deployed and shelled the house containing the offending machine guns with high explosive!

The firefight continued despite the shelling and the rifle section of the advancing US squad took heavy casualties, including their Corporal, and promptly routed.

The next US platoon was somewhat more circumspect with their advance, leap frogging from building to building whilst the tanks continued to fire on the MG positions.  With the German squad pinned by the HE shells a lucky shot made the building unstable.  The German platoon sergeant leapt into action, rallied the squad and led them to safety just before the building collapsed.

Meanwhile the second US squad had been spotted by the German artillery observer who called down a barrage on them from his supporting 8cm mortar battery, much to the distress of the Americans.

With the infantry advance slowed by the mortar barrage, the tanks decided to advance alone.  On narrowly escaped an ambush from a Panzerknacker team whose teller mine failed to damage the tank.  But when it advanced a little too far without infantry support a Fallschirmjäger section close assaulted it with some improvised anti-tank weaponry, grenades attached to jerry cans of petrol.  The first failed to damage the tank but the second was luckier and the Sherman was knocked out.

With another Sherman advancing on the flank supported by two US infantry squads the German FO became a little over confident and called for his mortars to fire for effect without a ranging shot.  Unfortunately they fell rather too short and fell on his own position!

A desperate fire fight ensued between the Germans, now mostly sheltering in the church and the advancing GIs.  With two more of the tanks immobilised by the panzerknacker team, their advance slowed again and with dusk beginning to fall the Germans withdrew.

Overall a very interesting game with each player taking away some painful lessons!  Here are a few photos:

Back Once Again!

So it has been a while since I last posted anything.  Sorry about that but real life managed to get in the way and I'm afraid that whilst I have found time for a little gaming, the blogging has taken a bit of a back seat.  I am hoping to put together a few posts about some of the things I have been up to over the last few months but given my recent performance I'm not going to make any promises!

I thought I might as well give a little update as to what I am currently working on though:

WW1 Eastern Front - I have actually managed to paint a division each of 15mm Austro-Hungarians and Russians, and am working on a second division for each of them.  The figures are all from the Peter Pig WW1 range and I am using the Battles with Brusilov rules.

Pulp - I've just finished basing some US Rocket Corps from Pulp Figures and have picked up quite a few bits and pieces for the Pulp Alley rules, including their solo deck.  So I am hoping to get some games of this in on the varied terrain that I already have including my recently completed set of 4Ground Chicago Way buildings.

Gothic Horror - I managed to pick up some of the 4Ground Baker St to Whitechapel buildings and have made up a small brick terrace and currently have the warehouse on the workbench.  I've had the figures for this for ages, waiting for some suitable terrain - I just need to find my unfinished Hansom Cab now!

Indian Mutiny - I have completed a unit of the 1st Madras Fusiliers (Neill's Blue caps) all apart from the standard and just need to base up some accompanying artillery etc.

Marlburian - I'm just basing up some Danes to add to my Allied forces and some French allies are in progress.

Sudan - I picked up the figures for the next phase of this project (Khartoum and the early period) earlier in the year - just need to get those painted now.

Mexican Adventure - I have the final packs for my Mexican Republicans on order so that means I have everything I need to finally move this long stalled project forward.

I'm sure there are a few other bits and pieces I have forgotten but I think that's plenty to be getting on with for now!