Land War in Asia

My Favourite Figures: #10, #9, #8

2012-01-25T13:33:00.000Z

Over on Santa Cruz Warhammer, they've started taking submissions from readers about their favourite model. I sent in my choice and that got me to thinking about doing a top ten.

Last year they did a great series of posts on their Top Ten figures, all 40K/Warhammer, but nonetheless well worth a look

I'm not going to drag this out into ten posts (I just know that the tension would kill you! Notwithstanding the fact that you know what my #1 is). I'm also going to confine myself to miniatures which I actually have - makes the whole process simpler I think (and less likely to attack my budget!).

I'm not necessarily saying that these are the best miniatures in my collection, but just my favourites.

#10
Daimyo

I really like this piece in 6mm by Irregular. It shows a seated Daimyo with two hatamoto. I cannot help but think of Kagemusha when I see it. Honestly, if I was to start doing 6mm Samurai again, I would probably go with Baccus (and their seated Daimyo is just amazing) - but still this gets into the top ten.

#9
Gung Ho

The 28mm US Marines from Pulp Figures have oodles of character, but this guy has extra moxie. The hard-bitten sergeant holds his pump-action shotgun easy, and is smoking a pipe! What's not to like?

#8
Eyes On

This reconnaisance pair in 20mm from Liberation/RH Models are so nice. A lot of lines have figures in non-combat poses, but these guys are obviously on a mission (probably to drop something nasty on someone's head). I just need to find that mission on the tabletop...

How about you?

Task Force Shoemaker

2012-01-23T13:10:00.001Z

Vietnamese forces had been using eastern Cambodia as safe havens to rest and recuperate without fear of American and ARVN attacks. Transporting materiel down the Sihanouk Trail these areas also served and supply bases.

On 30th April 1970 President Nixon announced his decision to launch American forces into Cambodia with the special objective of capturing "the headquarters of the entire communist military operation in South Vietnam."

While ARVN forces in the south fixed the enemy’s attention, Task Force Shoemaker including the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment would drive forward to cut off and capture the elusive enemy headquarters while destroying enemy forces and equipment.

I'll be running this mini campaign, following the squadrons of the 11th Armored Cavalry at Warpcon this weekend.

Warpcon is on from the 27th-29th January in UCC in Cork. Visit their site.

Breakdown

2012-01-15T21:31:00.002Z

Two Divisional officers (an S-2 and an S-3) are being escorted back to base, after conducting a field interrogation of a high-ranking VC. Their vehicle throws a track and the crew gets out to repair it.

A Viet Cong cadre chooses their moment well to close in on the stopped convoy

The Americans deploy security - they've got a bad feeling about this!

At the edge of the jungle, the VC take up positions and open fire

The GIs take control of the junction and return fire

The intel officers bail out of the bullet magnet. They're advised that they're probably safer on the outside!

The rearmost security M113 takes an RPG hit and brews up

On the other side the arduous task of clearing the jungle begins - they successfully drive back the VC

Bereft of their supporting firepower, the Americans make a meal out of the other VC cell - a dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues where several GIs are picked off

Showing stern bravery the remnants of the American Squad drive onwards into the jungle to buy the third M113 the time to get out

That mission is a success - but there is one final spectacular reaction sequence which deserves a mention! This one allowed the M113 to drive off into the sunset...

A very interesting one, some alternate strategies for the VC present themselves, maybe I'll post the replay...

Corporate Security Shuttle

2012-01-12T20:02:00.000Z

With the situation worsening in Novaya Sakha, Heymans & Yamada Corporate Security are maintaining a heightened state of alert at all their facilities in the province.

Art by Talros

The Interface Facility outside of Hanhai is abuzz with activity

Maintenance doing a spot check on the defensive capabilities of the interface craft as Special Operative DeVilliers oversees the proceedings

Senior Technician Betsen takes a second look at the cranky V-Tail

The anti-grav drive and the C3i module all look good though

Snatch and Grab

2012-01-10T22:23:00.000Z

With the Tet Offensive in full swing, many Americans units are left without a clear role and some just don't know what's going on.

'D' Company's HQ is out in the middle of nowhere, it's sent patrols and has stationed piquets to catch Viet Cong trying to escape the counter-offensive, but little does it realise that it's caught the very special attention of a Vietnamese commander who's sent in his best men on a snatch and grab mission.

Captain Fanning assumes that the VC he can see are in flight, having never seen the enemy duke it out before - they obviously haven't spotted his position in the dark

But these VC know exactly what they're after - a sniper team set up in the jungle

The Assault group charge in - virtually all the Viet Cong are armed with sub-machine guns and in close range that should prove decisive

Too late Fanning realises his mistake and gets every available man to the edge of HQ's position to open up

It's too little, too late and the HQ is overrun. The Viet Cong's intelligence officer races to the command track to look for anything useful

One of the Company's patrols are coming in

They engage some of the Viet Cong in a long-range firefight, able to pick out the snipers who give their position away

The patrol tries to cover the open ground as quickly as possible

The Viet Cong hold out while they ransack the American's HQ

A brief counter-attack stalls the American advance

Not for long, as the left hook of the patrol starts to make an impression on the VC's defence of the outpost

Some of the VC start to withdraw under fire - they've taken one of the HQ staff prisoner

The other section of the American patrol starts to cut off the retreating VC, taking down one of the senior guerillas

The Americans open fire on the supporting light machine gun, winning that firefight with ease

VC casualties start to mount up but everyone is dragged into the jungle

Leaving the Americans to retake the HQ and count the cost

A hectic night battle, where Charlie really did rule the night. Massed SMGs are hugely effective (so long as you are able to close the range).

Once again, I gave this another go solo, and a more aggressive start from the Americans and some lucky rolling from the HQ team see the VC embroiled in a tough firefight before they can even start their intelligence-gathering operation.

Executive Jet Deconstructed

2012-01-06T22:04:00.001Z

After having received the Secret Saturdays Griffin Jet, it was put to work as a toy for Isabel. For better usage, I inserted the (all too easy to insert) handle underneath the body. Problem was, 20 minutes later the handle wouldn't come out!

Depite much wrangling it wouldn't budge. Of course, in this state in was unusable, but it seemed that further wrangling threatened to break the housing

As luck would have it, some of the screws holding the thing [yes, now I am referring to it in that manner!] together were deeply recessed but still to strong for my small screwdrivers to handle

A trip to the hardware store picked up a (rather expensive!) Irazola Philips-head screwdriver to take it apart

Even then though the I could see light at the end of the tunnel, I still couldn't extract the handle out of it!

So I did what any insane modeller would do at 11.45pm. I took it outside with a hammer and broke the attachment hanging onto the handle like a limpet mine!

Calmer now. A recess where the traitorous handle used to be

So, onto more meaningful modelling matters! The cockpit window was far too big for the 25mm models.

I decided to create a further division on the windscreen - cutting out a strip of plastic from an old blister pack

A bit more shaping, and then a bit of super glue to attach to a likely spot

Masking tape to protect all the areas which would remain windscreen after painting

Some silver undercoat to get thing ready for the painting

"Very nice and futuristic" my darling wife said; but I wasn't after a Silver Age jet...

Scorched Earth

2012-01-05T22:25:00.001Z

As the Tet Offensive broke out, ad hoc arrangements were made to ferry troops to the worst hit areas. In one case trucks dropped their cargo loads on the side of the highway to pick up a company on the road.

When calmer heads prevailed, a Quartermaster Sergeant Major insisted the these crates, carrying 100 cases of LAWS be secured for immediate use in the defence of Saigon. Two Squads of infantry with their M113s head down to the fork in the highway to collect.

A cadre of Viet Cong which were heading to the junction to ambush passing American units discovered the crates and once they could hear the heavy tracks down the road, decided to hold out as long as they could and try to set the crates on fire or destroy them somehow

The second squad approaches along the northern fork. The detachment has been spooked already by the presence of mines and the infantry has disembarked and are alongside the trundling M113

On the southern fork, heavy undergrowth screens the 1st squad's advance

They fan out carefully after seeing activity near one of the crates

The ACAV guns ahead of the infantry, moving towards the first crate - it doesn't spot any activity though and Corporal Frost starts to get a bad feeling about this one

As one of the crates starts to smoulder the VC Bazooka team holds it fire, hoping for a better shot. In front of them, a VC sniper team are hidden behind the crate and are drawing a bead on the squad coming up the other fork

The second squad is moving in, but they spot a different group of VC on this side of the road, behind a paddy field wall

As that group of VC set fire to the crate, the Americans run for cover along the side of the road and open fire on the VC

The VC are forced to fall back - but the Cadre leader puts another flare into the crate for good measure!

The VC Bazooka team picks its moment and puts a round right through the M113's thin skin. Most of the crew bail out and hunker down behind the burning hulk

The second squad takes control of the crossroads - worried about their pals across the way, but determined to follow the mission through

Now, rushing to come to the aid of their M113 the GIs hump up the road trying to suppress the VC

Meanwhile the VC have withdrawn and the Bazooka man is trying to get a strike on the second APC

Second squad start to take sniper fire from somewhere and several of them go down along the verges

The second M113 opens fire on the VC sniper team, but only drives them back

Crafty Charlie is using the brewed up M113 as a screen for its flanking movement

By now the Viet Cong have set three of the crates on fire

The second vehicle takes a glancing hit from the Bazooka, knocking out a track

The GIs get into a fierce firefight with the VC pushing them out of the "supply dump"

The VC somehow get the chance to torch another crate

The Americans push on outflanking the VC and using the paddy field as solid cover

Securing two of the crates and taking control of the crossroads, though at a significant cost, the platoon settles down to wait for relief

The Viet Cong are happy with their day's work and withdraw into the jungle. The Americans are sure that they've wiped out a platoon, but as often happens find neither abandoned equipment nor bodies.

Pretty tense battle, though a solid victory for the Viet Cong in the end. I tried this again solo and things were much closer the second time around, the VC pinching victory by a nose, though none of their force made it unscathed.

Adieu 2011

2011-12-30T22:56:00.000Z

So, as it seems to be the time of the year to do this sort of thing - here's a brief rundown on some memorable pieces of the year, with a peek into 2012.

Gaming Highlights

Devil Take the Hindmost

While the prospect of doing a game I'd previously done in 10mm in a different scale seemed foolish; I really enjoyed this. The 28mm stuff really drew people in when I ran it at Gaelcon and got enough interest to make me consider publishing the rules myself. With lots of potential for action without dinosaurs for some more straight-forward pulp-era adventures

Attack State Red

Wrote a handful of scenarios based on the fantastic book following the Royal Anglians in Afghanistan for the Trinity Gamers. They all went well, and I'm on hiatus for completing the full 10 scenarios I envisaged - probably for a return event next year. Of course some great company (and booze) helped make the experience enjoyable!

Old School redux

Went on a bit of an old school jaunt during the year - playing a version of Blasthof Bridge (using C&C Napoleonics), a reimagining of Sittangbad and staging one of Battlegames' Tabletop Teasers (both using Force on Force). More along those lines for the coming I hope

Blogs of the Year

Tiny Solitary Soldiers

Brilliantly realised gaming from a man who convinced me that solo is not a last resort. The painting's not half bad either.

20mm and then some...

Gunbird from The Guild finally bit the blogging bullet early in 2011 - it does not disappoint. His painting and scratchbuilding is just fantastic and his predeliction for wrecks and ruins is charming.

Cold War Hot Hot Hot

Richard's blog shows a single-mindedness that's frightening - his work, whether on vehicles or infantry is just inspiring.

Gaming Releases of the Year

Force on Force

This really covers all the Ambush Alley Games releases since the Osprey edition of Force on Force came out. From present-day Afghanistan to what-if Cold War the sourcebooks are very well put together, with 20 scenarios in most of them. Add Tomorrow's War to the mix and it really was Ambush Alley's year. My review, posted here in April was my most popular entry within a week and almost has a thousand views.

Command & Colours: Napoleonics

The long-awaited release of the latest addition to the Richard Borg Command & Colours stable was up to the usual high standard. Sometimes deceptively simply, intricacies continue to surprise and we're satisfied that the system is a standard bearer of the quick-play, results-oriented wargame.

Byzantium Models' Arabic Buildings

Byzantium released this well-stocked line of resin buildings in August - I'm desperately resisting picking them up as they look the business for my Afghanistan games...

This year seemed to be replete with first-rate wargames, avoiding Saga, but I did pick up I Ain't Been Shot Mum 3 from TooFatLardies and Kampgruppe Normandy from Warhammer Historical too - I may not play but they do look very good.

Projects in the Pipeline
In 2012, I'm keeping my new lead purchases to a minimum - and so all three of these projects are mostly already in the house.

Heymans and Yamada Security Force

A third force for my Novaya Sakha campaign, I'll be adding to the large powersuits and drones with some light vehicles, personnel and some suits! I'm planning to have these guys in action for Leprecon at the start of March. Vehicles from a variety of sources (GZG, Old Crow and Antenociti) and infantry from GZG's 25mm Stargrunt range.

African Warlords

The Guild's Big Game for 2012 is in August, so that's a pretty firm deadline for me. A large mechanised infantry force with supporting artillery and armour. Infantry by Liberation/RHModels and vehicles mostly by S&S at this stage.

Thunder on the Danube

Didn't I promise something for Austria 1809 last year? At least all I have to do here is just run the campaigns and the individual battles which occur. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?

The Thirty Years War (in 6mm - so says the electorate) will be strictly kept on the long finger until the end of the year.

(I'm not going even start on my discussion with the esteemable Conrad Kinch of our doing Waterloo in 2015...)

Great TV

In Treatment

This is probably as direct a drama as I watch - just two people in a room talking for 25 minutes. The show follows a psychotherapist and his patients week by week. A really nice touch is the scheduling, which puts a complete round of episodes on every week. We follow each patient with over 7 or 8 episodes so there's no quick-and-easy solutions to their problems (if at all). Inevitably this third season is also the last, unless plans to revive it in a different format come to fruition. Given similar discussions for Deadwood came to naught, I'm not holding my breath.

Game of Thrones

The big one for the year; I even plugged this as one to watch out for this time last year. HBO did not disappoint. Of course some fans were unhappy, and while I agree with some of their concerns, I thought that the acting was first rate. It's a feature of the medium that would upturn the carefully constructed Points of View of the novels, but in Viserys, Robert or Jaime we got to understand some of the more unappreciated (nay - hated!) characters of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Spooks

Series 10 brought the flagship BBC show to an end - what I really enjoyed about this year's outing was that all 6 episodes were bound together tightly into one plot, with only a couple of side cases to distract. As usual unforgiving high stakes are the order of the day, with some (un)healthy doses of realpolitik.

Books of the Year

Gunpowder and Galleys: Changing Technology and Mediterranean Warfare at Sea in the 16th Century

John Francis Guilmartin classic study of warfare in the Mediterranean has been updated with new research, but his thesis remains intact (even stronger actually).

War

Sebastian Junger's insightful work following an infantry platoon in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan (perhaps more familiar as the documentary Restrepo) is powerful because he gets very close to the men and yet is able to put their psychological state in some kind of context.

1809 Thunder on the Danube

This is only the first volume of Jack Gill's masterful account of Napoleon's 1809 campaign against Austria. Clear analysis combine with useful maps to make this the perfect companion for the aspiring wargamer.

So, there you go! Hope you have a good 2012, may your lead pile grow smaller (but not vanish altogether).

Flanking Manoeuvre

2011-12-22T22:15:00.000Z

After a botched heliborne assault into Zhawar, a renewed ground assault is directed at Dawri Gar. Meanwhile a flanking column is sent eastwards towards the Moghulgai mountain to try to manoeuvre the Mujahideen out of Zhawar.

Squads #1 (restored to full strength for this phase of the operation) and #2 move down a stream bed to the dried river bed south-east of Moghulgai

With their BMP-1s and a BRDM-2 (the last one in the recon platoon!) leading they're confidant about the manoeuvre - though the rough ground prevents the vehicles from making best speed. There are some Mujahideen behind the ridgeline.

The platoon moves along the dried stream bed hugging the banks while some of the column breaks off to the left to secure that flank

Clambering up the steep ridgeline, the Mujahideen strike to ambush - but a rockfall brings half of the group down before they can open fire - which is ineffective (though scaring the hell out of the Lieutenant)

At the lead of the column, a heavy machine gun opens fire, but the BRDM weathers the storm and cuts them down

As the BRDM turns right into the river bed a second Mujahideen group climbs the treacherous banks and its fire is deadly - bringing down all four of the fire team in the open.
The Lieutenant's decision to request the Company Medic pays dividends, as all four get back to their feet - quick action sees only one of the soldiers worse for wear!

A freak dust storm breaks out and now everything is slowed to a crawl, and visibility is severely reduced.
Backing up the team above them, both BMPs inch forward putting pressure on the Mujahideen group lurking in the small forested area

On the other flank, the BRDM suddenly develops a problem with its weapons system, rendering the machine gun ineffective - it still has the heavy machine gun though.
The platoon is making good progress and has a dominant position in the centre of things

A hesitant IED attack - which did hold up the Soviet advance for a while - is thwarted by some quick shooting from the BRDM

A mass of Mujahideen arrive from the direction of the mountain but their shot at the BRDM is ruined with the RPG gunner is taken out [ruining the 'Golden BB' card just picked up!] With that the BMPs roll forward with impunity, there's simply no way for the Afghans to see them off. Funnily enough the BRDM develops an electrical fault and becomes a rather static pill box - how is the unlucky crew going to explain that back at HQ!

On the left flank the platoon clear the woods and the house, and despite a fierce assault by some new arrivals, takes control of that end of the river bed

The Mujahideen's brave effort to separate the infantry from their armoured vehicles come to naught, and to heap insult on injury a full squad of paratroops arrive on the battlefield from an unexpected direction to close down all their options!

A tense battle, though one where the Mujahideen were done no favours by their RPG die rolls - they were helped out by the weather though!

*****

Last post for a week at least, so I'll wish you and yours a good holiday (or Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! to all you traditionalists).

Inch by Inch

2011-12-20T21:26:00.002Z

As the Mujahideen from Lezhi retreated south a small Mujahideen force blocked the Manay Kandow pass. The Soviets want to dislodge them before the main Mujahideen force has a chance to regroup and prepare the defences.

A switchback trail passes by a few small compounds - difficult ground held by a rearguard of committed Mujahideen

The rest of the platoon participates in the operation, led by the Lieutenant (the Senior NCO is still invalided out) and backed by 3rd Squad's BMP-1 and another BRDM-2 from battalion reconnaisance.

They are joined by a paratroop sniper team, taking cover behind the armoured car.

The platoon PKM team takes position on the rooftop and immediately zeroes in on a lurking RPG team at the far side of this section of trail - the tankies in the unit breathe a sigh of relief

The BRDM's happiness is quickly extinguished as another Muhajahideen group avoids its heavy machine gun and lets loose with an RPG - knocking out the armoured car - one of the crew is seriously injured and the rest drag him back to cover.
The BMP barrels around the corner and opens fire on them, causing havoc but more importantly killing the RPG gunner

Another VDV fireteam runs on, this is going to be more of a challenge than the Lieutenant thought - these paratroopers are heading straight for the ridgeline. It'll be difficult to get over, but if they get there without delay they'll be able to control the entire area

A Mujahideen group in a small copse advance quickly to a lone house on the other side of the ridge - from here they'll be able to drive back the stripey-shirted Soviets!

Another brave move from the BMP crew - they careen around the sharp bend in the trail and drive the Mujahideen out of the house

The paratroopers make it onto the ridgeline without incident and set up on overwatch - someone's got to save those ground pounders!

The Lieutenant, leading the second team out of 2nd Squad to the ridgeline in support of the paratroopers, finds a warmer welcome there. Two men go down - fire is coming at them from all angles

Some men from 3rd squad race across open ground to clear the large building at the end of the first switchback and despite some heavy resistance they clear that compound

The platoon crosses the ridgeline in force, taking control of the lone house and setting it up as an impromptu casualty centre (one of those hit on the ridgeline is dead and another lightly wounded)

Running behind the BMP looking for another commanding position, the sniper team is caught in the open, but their quick reflexes and some support from the BMP drive back the Mujahideen lurking in the wood

Taking that copse of trees, the Soviets prepare to tackle the last compound - their timeline set by Company HQ is almost up

The Mujahideen group which had been resisting from the compound wall, falls back under pressure and holds out behind the main building

The BMP drives through the gate and the Mujahideen are quickly wiped out. A good success for the platoon - the men look approvingly at this new Lieutenant - beaten up badly just yesterday he's bounced back with the result!

Executive Jet

2011-12-14T16:52:00.001Z

Arrived the other day and has done its duty as a kids toy for the required twenty minutes.

Like the legenday Beanie Hat, it does not fly by itself!

Found it online and reckoned it'd be nice as a corporate interface shuttle for Heymans Yamada executives on Novaya Sakha. I'll be painting over it in corporate grey and blue - and hopefully I'll be able to enter it in time for the latest Speed Build over on the Guild

Project Build Winners

2011-12-08T21:22:00.001Z

The polling booths for the 2011 Project Build closed yesterday over on The Guild.

Not quite so happy with my showing this year, primarily because I lost the will to paint Thirty Years War in 28mm - I did get a few nice scenarios written up and some substantial rules for a Command & Colours variant.

Speaking of which, voting to decide what scale I'm switching to for the Thirty Years War continues (top-right hand corner of the blog). Currently 2mm is languishing on 3 votes while 6mm and 10mm are tied with 8 votes apiece.

This year the format was slightly different in that we voted for every task and not just at the end. A better system I thought and stand-out tasks could get a lot of credit.

So, without further ado, the winners' podium!

Olivier in 3rd place with his Berlin terrain and German and Soviet forces. [on 85 votes]
While I could pick out some of his individual photos his game report is just irresistable!

Click for a bigger version

All his tasks: 1 2 3 4 5

Michi in 2nd place with his Star Wars stuff. [on 92 votes]

Click for a bigger version

All his tasks: 1 2 3 4 5

Ansbachdragoner in 1st place with his Sword Beach terrain and figures. [on 138 votes]

Click for a bigger version

All his tasks: 1 2 3 4 5

Well done to all who completed their projects, I'm sure you'll agree there's some beautiful work there. My own personal favourite was Janner's Crusades project.

Next year, I reckon I'll be doing a load of stuff for the African Warlords game in Kildare.

Pike and Shot - A Sense of Scale

2011-12-01T22:05:00.001Z

Having written a set of rules for Pike and Shot (I'm sure that my gaming companions won't let me ignore those British Civil Wars for long!) I really should put together a collection to fight massed battles with them.

However the question of what size miniatures to use is still open.

As I see the issue, I really want a sense of mass on the battlefield, so I'm ignoring the larger scales and considering 10mm, 6mm or 2mm only.
I'm inclining towards 6mm (given I have a lot of 6mm already) but await your decision. The poll is in the top-right hand corner of the blog.

To help you to make a decision before entering the polling booth, I'm going to link to a few blog posts from others who are using the miniatures I'm considering

10mm
Pendraken

From The Warrior Pole

6mm
Baccus

From Keep Your Powder Dry

2mm
Irregular

From Fighting Fantastist

Bad Moon Rising

2011-11-30T21:46:00.001Z

A second patrol, led by Lieutenant Boggs sets out to locate the Reverend Johnston.

Strung out in the jungle, Boggs leads from the middle (by the book) armed only with a pistol

He splits the patrol into two teams, able to support each other, but not liable to be hit all at once

There's a Spinosaurus on the other side of the ridge

It rushes to the other side of rocky outcrop where it can see the Marines

Rearward team clambers up onto a ridge from where it can engage the Spinosaurus over the head of the others

The Lewis Gun gets into action - state of the art firepower

But what's this behind them - sneaky raptors!

And a surprise lurker on top of the ridge - the native warrior lunges at the Lewis gunner, knocking the weapon out of his grasp (to shatter on the way down the rocks)

While the Marines atop the ridge struggle with the warrior, the two Raptors creep closer

Though the Lewis Gunner is killed before the Marines can drive the warrior off, they turn their attention on the Spinosaurus who withdraws behind some cover (They reckon they've just made it mad!)

The order is given to move out...

but it's too late to get away from the surprisingly speedy Spinosaurus. Supporting fire from the ridge wounds its leg and drives the beast off (for now),

They withdraw to higher ground - but they're cut off by the Raptors, who finally make their move

They survive, killing one and maiming another (thankfully avoiding friendly fire in the fierce melee). But now they've got big company

RAWR! A carefully aimed shotgun to the head puts the giant creature down

Back on the ridge, a newly arrived Raptor jumps up - it's driven back to the ground by a drumload of Tommy Gun rounds

The Marines clamber down and the Lieutenant puts a bullet in the beast's head. They keep going up the trail in an attempt to catch up with the lead team

They've reached the other side of the ridge having come in contact with a Raptor on the way down

They're caught awares as they check around for Johnston - another native spears Jones in the back

Two Raptors pounce on Boggs and his men as they pass by the Spinosaurus' carcass, they kill one

The other Raptor runs off into the undergrowth to think on a different approach

As it comes around for another look, Boggs and Mitchell stay motionless and very quiet - the Raptors runs past

At the bottom of the ridge another ambuscade results in a dead Marine, Gooch sees off the native with his shotgun

But he's leapt on by the circling Raptor as he reloads his shotgun

Boggs and Mitchell rush past the warriors, making every round count - even accounting for the Raptor still feasting on the body of Gooch

]

Finally the two find Johnston: "let's get out of here"

One last visitor is shot down as it crosses the open ground towards them

*whew* A nightmare for the Marines - very straightforward at the beginning (although the Spinosaurus did better than usual!) and amazingly enough three of the five Marine dead were accounted for by native warriors!
I'm upgrading Boggs to 'hero' for this; killing two Raptors with his pistol - we'll even give him a sub-machine gun for the trip back to the boat!

Final game of Solopalooza - I'll definitely be doing more of this (though my preference will remain for human opponents other than me!)

Exercise of Arms

2011-11-29T22:14:00.001Z

I've written these Thirty Years War rules (modifications really) for Command & Colours: Napoleonics.

Warfare of mid-seventeenth century is often referred to as “Pike and Shot” recognizing the important relationship in an infantry formation between pikemen and firearms. EXERCISE OF ARMS attempts to give flavour to the style of use and respective strengths of these arms, while conceding the emphasis placed upon cavalry during this period.
Some additional modifications are foreseen after a significant round of play-testing. Pike to Shot ratios, mixed cavalry units of Kurassiers and Arkebusiers and such should probably be covered in more detail.
The presence of militia and lifeguard units should be easy to represent – C&C Napoleonics already does this.

For larger battles (on an Epic or Breakthrough map) a mechanism to model the use of brigades – according to system – would be necessary.

Further revisions will take place, paying closer attention to the later stages of the Thirty Years War and to the British Civil Wars. Any comments or suggestions are most welcome.

Download the PDF

Combat at Aire

2011-11-28T22:00:00.001Z

Wellington’s victorious army was too tired to give immediate chase to the defeated French after the Battle of Orthez, but Wellington did dispatch General Hill with two divisions of infantry, a cavalry brigade and horse artillery to deny the French time to regroup. Hill caught up with General Clausel’s rear guard at Aire. Marshall Soult ordered Clausel, with two divisions, to hold Aire long enough to allow Soult’s artillery stores and ammunition to be moved out of harm’s way.

The French hold the ridge line overlooking the River Grave. The British and Portuguse allies have made a crossing in the centre but their flanks have still to cross the bridges

The British left begin the crossing in force. The French opposite are heavily outnumbered and their artillery battery is positioned behind the ridge near the Seminary

The French lights in the centre try to hold back the British advance, in cooperation with the line units further to their right

Over on the French left, the heavy Dragoons advance to the bridge, threatening the Portuguese Cacadores

A well-coordinated attack on the French right repulses the British back across the river with serious losses

Back on the other flank, an ill-advised French attack across the bridge forces the Portuguese into square but leaves them open to counterattack by the Horse Artillery and cavalry

The Portuguese counter-attack across the river (over the defeated French dragoons) is initally successful but then driven back to the river

The Portuguese have the reserves to win this engagement and soon the French line are fighting for their lives at point blank range, with their retreat cut off!

One last throw of the dice - a stirring bayonet charge in the centre almost shatters the Allied line, and while it destroys the Portuguese threat there they are able to reform on the other side of the river

A nice battle indeed though a victory for the Allies; this was replayed with six players (each taking one section) and despite almost total ruin for the French we pulled it out of the bag for victory 6-5 at the last gasp!

To the Boat!

2011-11-22T21:04:00.001Z

Having located the lone Sampson, with nothing but his rifle, a few rounds and a canteen, Baxter turns back for the river.

The (hastily requisitioned and armed) Navy Gunboat Visayas waits at anchor on the St. Paul river

Commanded by Ensign Newbolt, he's ordered the crew to make ready for a fight and bring up ready ammunition for the deck gun

Baxter's Patrol returning with Sampson

In a bid to make contact with the gunboat crew ashore as quickly as possible, Norton races ahead of the main group

In his haste, he's ambushed by a native warrior, but Norton sidesteps him with ease, ducking under the thrown spear

Meanwhile back on the ridge, two large Achillobators are moving in

Norton reaches the Shore Party, and breathless convinces them to return with him - he knows what's hunting Baxter and his men

An Allosaurus has been trailing them all morning!

With them in sight for once, it races over the ridgeline and towers above them

The Marines are beset on all sides - and their last minute firing has little effect on the creatures

Jackson is torn in half by the Allosaurus, and one of the Achillobators kills Hill too. Baxter smacks the beast in front of him with the stock of his shotgun but that only serves to annoy it!

Norton leads the Shore Party back up the trail - time is of the essence

Sampson has backed away and, taking careful aim with his rifle hits the Achillobator attacking Baxter - the round hits its head and renders it punch-drunk. Baxter takes the opportunity to sprint away from the mayhem

The two groups meet up and with thing quietening down, they creep into the undergrowth to try to evade the terrible lizards

As they move past a still pool, a crocodile surges out of the water - the same "albino alligator" which nearly got Norton two days earlier

The beasts give chase, but this time the Marines and Seamen are ready for them - they open fire to deadly effect

Even the Allosaurus has been slain - they wade out to the gunboat

Quite pleased with this game - and the tweaks that make Perilous Trail a solo game.

More to follow - has the other Marine patrol found the Reverend Johnston?

Better Late than Never

2011-11-20T21:43:00.001Z

We can joke about Americans arriving late for wars - and the day after Gaelcon the Marines arrive!
Staff Sergeant Baxter leads a patrol into the jungle away from the St. Paul river where their gunboat lies.

Also, testing out solo-play for Perilous Trail! Solo Nexus made November Solo Tabletop Gaming Appreciation Month
Spacejacker (Tiny Solitary Soldiers) coined the term Solopalooza - which I am stealing!

Baxter, Norton, Jackson and Hill move slowly through the jungle.

Up into the foothills through lush jungle

"Stay frosty" Baxter warns them. Jackson has a bad feeling about this one - Hill tells him that he always says that!

Two beasts lurk in the deep undergrowth

An uphill some Rators creep along a ridgeline

With danger surrounding them, Baxter orders the men onto a rock ledge overlooking a peaceful pool - here they can make a stand against whatever's in the jungle

A Crocodile strikes, but Norton avoids the beast - just like an Albino Alligator he saw in New York Zoo! (OK, I admit it, it's not painted)

Distracted and stepping back from the water, the Marines don't notice the creatures charge out until it's almost two late

A stern fusilade puts down two of them, Baxter waits until he can smell the Raptor's breath before unloading the shotgun into it. Another raptor teeters into the pool, and the waiting jaws of one lucky crocodile

The surviving Achillobator makes a hasty retreat to look for another opportunity

Baxter gives chase and uses his pump-action to telling effect

Rather pleased with how this played out actually - I'm writing up some notes into the game now. Another playtest to come tomorrow or Tuesday.

Wargaming 101

2011-11-18T21:49:00.001Z

I see it's 'Teach your Kids to Game' week

Over the last few weekends, I told a story quite a few times to various people about this wargaming experiment during the summer!

An amphibious invasion by aquatic smurfs (aboard a flotilla of sailboats) with a gaggle of rubber duckies of a peaceful island (dominated by a yellow keep) held by Peppa Pig and her family.

Old-school rules - throw a ball, if you knock it over it's out, and every throw the flotilla moves close to the island!

Given that she's only 3 and a bit, Isabel's aim wasn't quite as good a mine

But she took the nuclear option in the end - point blank range!

Enjoyable fun! She's playing with my dinosaurs already, and she wants to paint a crocodile with me over the weekend...

Battle of Salamanca (Epic)

2011-11-15T21:52:00.001Z

Early on July 22, Marmont's army was moving south, with its leading elements southeast of Salamanca. To the west, the Marshal could see Wellington's 7th Division deployed on a ridge. Spotting a dust cloud in the distance, Marmont surmised that most of the British army was in retreat and that he faced only a rearguard. He planned to move his French army south, then west to turn the British right flank.

Marmont was mistaken. Wellington actually had most of his divisions hidden behind the ridge. His 3rd and 5th Divisions would soon arrive from Salamanca.

The British left crosses the Algabete, with the proverbial wind behind them this Division makes a serious attempt to destroy the French here

The French storm through the British centre, sending the 'Halberdiers' reeling backwards and splitting the Anglo-Portuguese army in twain

The massed cavalry on the British right make attack after attack, but they are fended off and sent packing by the French line

The British advance on the left is stopped and the intense struggle at the ridge between Calvarasa de Ariba and the river continues all morning

The Grenadiers combine with the 'Drogheda Cossacks' to send the advance French battalions back to hell! But is it enough to win the day?

On the left, the British sweep back across the river, with the loss of some guns but inflicting serious damage on the French over the hill

It is not enough, and the French surge to victory on the British right, taking the honours.

This scenario was played three times over the weekend, this time going to the French 12-8; in the afternoon it was 12-10 to the French, but on Sunday the British restored their honour with a 12-9 victory.

Just Businessmen

2011-11-07T21:59:00.001Z

With the Spinosaurus steaks tidied away, these legitimate businessmen can return to their negotiations.

A group of Raptors has been attracted by the smell of spilled rum - they sneak in towards the buildings

The men retreat behind some boxes, preparing their Alamo - but the beasts are smarter than that and approach from around the back!

One of them goes down, and the rest use the feeding frenzy as an opportunity to leg it - they stop, turn around the let the beasts have it

One of the Raptors, who had remained hidden during the initial rush, creeps out behind Reilly and tries to snap his legs off. The wily hitman twirls away and runs, shooting off most of his tommy gun's drum as he does so

Dillahunt, who thought he was safe in the water tower finds something else up there with him

Yates and Salvatore close the door of the house, and the first Raptor to stick his nose inside gets it shot off

Reilly's escape by car is cut off by a Raptor on the roof

Reilly and Dillahunt brave the danger, taking to the cars - two Raptors by the storehouse get an unpleasant surprise as the vehicles try to run them over!

Reilly takes care of his target, but the other Raptors avoids the hurtling car and snaps at Dillahunt - in his attempt to avoid the jaws, Dillahunt loses control of the car and it flips over, rolling over the unfortunate mobster

Reilly gets out of the car and runs into the storehouse, taking out another of the Raptors as he goes - two more are nearby but can't seem to make out his scent amongst the heady stench of rum

Yates and his remaining henchman make their last stand in the courtyard

The last Raptor is put down like a dog

Tommy guns seem to do fine after all!
That was all I had time for at Gaelcon - though I did get to play some of the Wild Geese's Three Musketeers game, Conrad Kinch's Battle of Salamanca. Thanks for reading!

The Bigger They Come

2011-11-06T22:08:00.002Z

The Yates outfit are the main operators in Monrovia. They're about to feel the heat of competition...

Newcomer in West Africa - Reilly, with his man Young arrive at the Yates' place

An uninvited guest has arrived at their business meeting - their initial fusilade doesn't stop the monster, but it does think twice and circles around through some thick jungle

After quickly grabbing guns from the cars the mobsters run for this shack and hunker down - they behemoth oustide doesn't spot them but he does notice Dillahunt on top of the water tower

Taking fire from above the Spinosaurus lurks beneath what seems to Dillahunt like a flimsy structure - he loses his nerve and runs for it (at a pace he didn't know he had in him!)

Charging out after him the rest of the mobster inside the shack open up with everything they have

The gigantic lizard falls to the ground, toast! The tommy-gun barrels are melting! Back to business fellas.

The Search for Mrs Johnston

2011-11-03T21:42:00.000Z

Sampson and Kofi join forces with Lewis and the Reverend Johnston

They search high and low for Mrs Johnston - she is still lost in the jungle somewhere

Mrs Johnston, still without a weapon, runs into some Askari - these are the rest of the brigands led by the infamous DuPont

Rev. Johnston is jumped by a native out of nowhere - he manages to utilise his full array of missionary talents (12 gauge) to subdue the man

DuPont takes charge, telling Mrs Johnston to stay in his camp until he sorts things out

Taking direction from DuPont the Askari fan out

Achillobators stalk slowly around the side of the small camp

The leading Achillobator is ambushed by the Askari - their muskets bring it to the ground but have little effect. DuPont takes careful aim and kills the beast stone dead

The Askari melt into the jungle to creep away, but the Raptors come after them - they try to shoot them from cover but in so close their muskets are more of a hindrance

As the search party and Mrs Johnston are reunited, they also sneak off, but DuPont comes out of cover to aid his Askari - spooked by his stealthy movement, an Askari opens fire: slaying the Frenchman with a single musket ball!

Sampson lead them out of danger, staying hidden with Lewis bringing up the rear

The remaining Achillobator chases, spotting them as it approaches - chaos breaks out with some panicking and others running

In the bedlam, the beast attacks Mrs Johnston. It kills her leaving Sampson to run after the rest

A sad end to the day - the indefatigable Mrs Johnston almost made it

The Campsite

2011-11-02T22:03:00.000Z

Chandler and his companions have camped in the hills above the Johnston Mission

In the evening a few of them (led by Cockburn) make their way there to investigate

Their camp with sentries on duty - Peters stands with Kofi and Kwesi at the fire, as the porters bring in the last of the supplies

A swarm of Raptors come out of nowhere charging the men - Sampson has gone off to the left to take a look at something

The noise he heard was a gigantic Allosaurus stomping through the American Mission

Winters and Cockburn blaze away with their guns at the Raptors, but both men go down. Nkunda, their local guide throws his spear at a Raptor in desperation - it hits the Raptor in the eye, sending it scampering backwards (along with his spear)

Kofi points at the Raptors and the sentries open fire

The Raptors move away from the seriously wounded men and towards the campsite - picking on Chandler and Peters. Nkunda is running back to the camp to pick up a machete and the boy Hal runs to Chandler's aid with his shotgun

The Allosaurus looks in over the ridgeline

A firing line is formed by the men, with Chandler at the rear waving his pisto around - the Allosaurus has jumped the ridge with amazing agility

The concerted fire from the men is too much for the Raptors and they skulk off into the undergrowth. With time on their hands the men concentrate on the Allosaurus (Nkunda's machete doing serious damage to its leg)

As thing calm down, Nkunda is overwhelmed by the Raptors

They move on, and the porters are easy picking for them

Carnage in the camp - even Kofi has gone down (though he may just be concussed)

Well Oscar, this is a fine mess you've gotten me into!

The Last Stand - somehow Peters and Chandler manage to destroy two of the Raptors before they fall to their terrible claws

As the Allosaurus leaves the campsite, weakend from Sampson's unyielding fire, a last gasp shot from his rifle strikes true and the Allosaur is killed

From their high perches Sampson and Kofi survey the campsite - only they remain

A terrible day for the adventurers, though some of them are only seriously wounded, without the porters they have little chance of surviving - even the Mission will give them little succour without anyone to help them

The Mission

2011-11-01T21:55:00.002Z

The Johnston Mission is located in an idyllic clearing, and everything seems peaceful.

However on their way are two threats - a band of Askari brigands and a pack of Raptors

The Askari brigands exit the clearing, heading straight for the creatures; but the Raptors close quickly

A large Achillobator stalks through the jungle

The other Achillobator rushes with lightening pace to pounce on an Askari

Captain Lewis, along with his sister and her husband Reverend Johnston race for the car. However in the scramble to get into the car Lewis discharges his pistol and hits his brother-in-law (only the man's sturdy cap saves him from a serious wound). Lewis bundles him into the car to recover from his concussion

Mrs Johnston storms off towards the house while Lewis is distracted - she spots an Askari running hell-for-leather away from the beasts

He's followed by another Askari - Tehpoe, who is caught from behind by a Raptor

The crafty Achillobator sneaks into the shed, and approaches the parked car

The Askari has scurried up the chimney to safety, but the Achillobator clambered up onto the roof after him!

Having downed the Achillobator in the shed Lewis and Johnston walk inside to put the beast down

Tehpoe is outnumbered, but somehow manages to kill one of the Raptors

The Revered rounds the corner and doesn't seem too worried about his accuracy - his shotgun maims the Raptor but leaves the Askari unharmed

Tehpoe is finally slain by one of the surviving Raptors

The two Raptors here are being fended off by the Reverend, but they seem to spot easier prey in Mrs Johnston

racing after her, her attempts to defend herself result in a lost shotgun and she shrieks in terror to run blindly into the jungle

The badly wounded Achillobator, having eaten the Askari on the rooftop, struggles to descend until Lewis' car stalls just beside the house

The Reverend Johnston, striding purposefully to kill a Raptor is blindsided by the wounded Achillobator

Taking cover behind some boxes Lewis and Johnston fend off the remaining two beasts, who slink off into the jungle

But what will happen to Mrs. Johnston, alone in the jungle and without anything to defend herself with?