tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14304630075702371592024-03-18T16:51:24.400+00:00KEITH'S WARGAMING BLOGKEITH'S WARGAMING BLOG.
This blog has been created to share my exploits in the hobby of wargaming. I game in the WW2, Seven Years War, Napoleonic and Ancient periods. The blog also contains a few details of my book 'Airborne Armour'. Please don't quit the site without leaving a comment, even if not related to a specific post. Most wargamers have something interesting to say about the hobby!Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-47015843468320541352024-03-16T10:55:00.005+00:002024-03-16T13:05:11.311+00:00The Attack On Wurstburg 1758<div style="text-align: justify;">It's well past time that I recorded some plain, old-fashioned wargaming on this blog, if only for my own benefit. So to start with, this is a report on a game from just a few days ago, played with some old friends and using a scenario from one of the stalwarts of the now-defunct <i>Honours of War</i> website. Thanks then to Konstantinos Antoniadis for this scenario and the many others he has posted over the years. Some of them (including this one) can now be sampled by joining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/915148229853205" target="_blank">the Facebook Group</a>. Just go to the Files section.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bgcDlAKHs0IgTCz7cYT9U6vF9z4dZ7-MVecbnHmfLnqDMhav4eWbocICMu8MWieQdjEtocUhgSbrloecYtYueNw3H5Vth63oD5FhxuOC3WtZ5x9l0GDBSHO7YEd8L-PJYEFEMKqRqLcvvJbEM04xcNEvDwnlPWe2Ddgjhb3UYxvGMLYaujzCaYoKMuK3/s1024/Wurstburg%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1024" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bgcDlAKHs0IgTCz7cYT9U6vF9z4dZ7-MVecbnHmfLnqDMhav4eWbocICMu8MWieQdjEtocUhgSbrloecYtYueNw3H5Vth63oD5FhxuOC3WtZ5x9l0GDBSHO7YEd8L-PJYEFEMKqRqLcvvJbEM04xcNEvDwnlPWe2Ddgjhb3UYxvGMLYaujzCaYoKMuK3/w400-h250/Wurstburg%20map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Konstantinos' map is shown above. His forces were French vs. Prussians - in my game the Austrians replace the French. The Austrians are defending the town of Wurstburg and the countryside to the west. They appear to be a little unprepared as the vital bridge is only lightly defended by inferior Bavarian troops, and the outlying units to the west are also weak. In addition to the bridge, there are alleged to be two viable fords across the river, one east of the bridge and one to the west. In the original scenario a pontoon bridge is to be built west of the bridge ('d'), but as I have no suitable troops I went for the ford option. The Prussian attacking force outnumbers the defenders by about 30%. The map shows the opening dispositions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The great attraction of the scenario is the steady arrival of reinforcements for both sides, in particular the strong corps of von Kleist which arrives from the west ('h' on the map). This gives a game full of action, manoeuvre and choices. It also turned out to be very well balanced. The scenario was written for <i>Honours of War,</i> but I played it using my <i>Post of Honour</i> rules (also available for free download on the Facebook Group). The maximum turn allowance was reduced to 10 moves, which turned out to be fine, and I simplified the victory conditions by using objectives. These are shown by red dots on the map. Four of the six objectives would need to be claimed by the Prussians in 10 moves to win. Of course, if either side reached its breakpoint before then (9 units for the Austrians, 12 for the Prussians), they would automatically lose.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Game in Pictures</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The game opens with Prussian hussar detachments searching for the two fords, whilst the Prusian main forces either commence crossing via the bridge or wait impatiently for the hussars to be successful. Konstantinos had his own rules for the latter process - I produced what I called my 'Find The Fords Table'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwvqG8jdOQDLgyzIX8EnIyvqxyaOsZHoyE3QPHHAL7Igr3G1gsslVQXa6GvsLFtaAbEkEZg7EYMBTgQ97osCrq6nPo_wQjQr6h6Wln_h7-E31BicpuK6uEAMcSjgM9VC4k8WJCAh2wanvAXeYYvO3lS_2qvXP7GS5kNwGiPoFJxNdqBA0IY0eXrCD2m1OR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2750" data-original-width="2799" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwvqG8jdOQDLgyzIX8EnIyvqxyaOsZHoyE3QPHHAL7Igr3G1gsslVQXa6GvsLFtaAbEkEZg7EYMBTgQ97osCrq6nPo_wQjQr6h6Wln_h7-E31BicpuK6uEAMcSjgM9VC4k8WJCAh2wanvAXeYYvO3lS_2qvXP7GS5kNwGiPoFJxNdqBA0IY0eXrCD2m1OR" width="244" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the pre-game dice rolls for quality of brigade commanders, the Prussians had aquired a glittering array of 'dashing' commanders, and seemed full of confidence. The Austrian players (of which I was one) were rather more sober in outlook, hoping to hold on and praying for the reserves to arrive (or perhaps the other way round).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm afraid the opening moves remained unphotographed as I led the other 3 gamers through the rules, but the images below should give an idea of how things progressed post-lunch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou55J8r0cRCMM9iKRReXkocmiTVJoWRi1Wdj4U9rD8g5kW_SGkc8j0xHKGEeD6pkQzmyrGzUV44BAGoUm7uvMCkvUMzxfRo-I1-1OcxV9Mq2VSQkMCxPodpxCOq_4zdsNgjShIht-2AqREe6lqf_CRoArqSUjlCdHyRADGt-CxihZ9_kdr_E8qXm16sMO/s5184/DSC09629.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou55J8r0cRCMM9iKRReXkocmiTVJoWRi1Wdj4U9rD8g5kW_SGkc8j0xHKGEeD6pkQzmyrGzUV44BAGoUm7uvMCkvUMzxfRo-I1-1OcxV9Mq2VSQkMCxPodpxCOq_4zdsNgjShIht-2AqREe6lqf_CRoArqSUjlCdHyRADGt-CxihZ9_kdr_E8qXm16sMO/w400-h300/DSC09629.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We join the game as von Kleist's Prussians arrive via the western table edge (foreground).<br />To the left two regiments of Austrian dragoons throw themselves into the fray to buy time.<br />Adam appears well satisfied by Prussian progress. <br />Or perhaps finishing the last of the Custard Creams accounts for his expression.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbdnHObzthovb9E8hJcCx01LY8qP8dgphxBeED8tpex5Zk9dd1M8TzRqt8kqfXe1SiKl18yoq1wY6bOs-TbGkwkMXePnAjCjVp5TTyunZ3_TKj_EEoCFtDxoiMvkFz2Y9YHyE9kNBt6YJqEWMP7UOlY90SDF2yjwqvO2_G5cXLh0OiENRcU_h6RPoptHT/s5184/DSC09622.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbdnHObzthovb9E8hJcCx01LY8qP8dgphxBeED8tpex5Zk9dd1M8TzRqt8kqfXe1SiKl18yoq1wY6bOs-TbGkwkMXePnAjCjVp5TTyunZ3_TKj_EEoCFtDxoiMvkFz2Y9YHyE9kNBt6YJqEWMP7UOlY90SDF2yjwqvO2_G5cXLh0OiENRcU_h6RPoptHT/w400-h300/DSC09622.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prussians have crossed the river in force and are building the pressure against Wurstburg.<br />Austrian reserve infantry are arriving on the left of the photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUJ3Jcts-vyZT7h5COSaz3hhrsGtHAgF6T2-v3OuGZggbelgxVKmx-Lv97GhdPV7fz7wzBTjMm6pamA4Wt0GB4OeRtNMBPuP1YZs3pL4nHJDFDVnjbMPvFY2F_Dq_z3p2t02AdUavLomlrIDYSJt9p_pGrPca8t13RHJD2WYjVb7RCX67laRPoCJncTjp/s4766/DSC09624.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3575" data-original-width="4766" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUJ3Jcts-vyZT7h5COSaz3hhrsGtHAgF6T2-v3OuGZggbelgxVKmx-Lv97GhdPV7fz7wzBTjMm6pamA4Wt0GB4OeRtNMBPuP1YZs3pL4nHJDFDVnjbMPvFY2F_Dq_z3p2t02AdUavLomlrIDYSJt9p_pGrPca8t13RHJD2WYjVb7RCX67laRPoCJncTjp/w400-h300/DSC09624.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bavarian battalion in Dumhof was quickly smashed by Prussian artillery. <br />Now the remainder of the brigade is in trouble as the position on Windmill Hill is unhinged.<br />They have turned to their rear, but are still being connonaded from across the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbE24EQWJab5YViQeV5yyMBlHZeX3D9F4p-gN3-NaTJWeBW_T_HnX2Xg6B9kwXRg-Hxx4W7bdBDoqSBay-q145iUiAMryWqadcOLikO8e1JF0AW1q_uIbacXCTlAVYK5irbPOrT_JhMyYGaPRIrQ8Uf1NM2BDdEiYrxdXjgHMPY65KkTXtQoNKlhY6NTt/s4741/DSC09631.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3556" data-original-width="4741" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbE24EQWJab5YViQeV5yyMBlHZeX3D9F4p-gN3-NaTJWeBW_T_HnX2Xg6B9kwXRg-Hxx4W7bdBDoqSBay-q145iUiAMryWqadcOLikO8e1JF0AW1q_uIbacXCTlAVYK5irbPOrT_JhMyYGaPRIrQ8Uf1NM2BDdEiYrxdXjgHMPY65KkTXtQoNKlhY6NTt/w400-h300/DSC09631.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bettter view of the Austrain infantry reserves arriving in Wurstburg.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu835QDQqtSRZGf0C3XDE6fTgCFHQYcUXHu-qddXqQfIANyGDZTlC_5qTDtnpxjTg1LdpsIlneI15wxB8kyFeKatb7ykSRBTrBHIKE8HfatnFkVOT0i3jH21GHsxPkI78KlXqud0-FeJ2rrExS84hojNJyxWB3uWUD5N0w2K6bQ-ddgSs73F9Kklnej-l/s3950/DSC09635.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2962" data-original-width="3950" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu835QDQqtSRZGf0C3XDE6fTgCFHQYcUXHu-qddXqQfIANyGDZTlC_5qTDtnpxjTg1LdpsIlneI15wxB8kyFeKatb7ykSRBTrBHIKE8HfatnFkVOT0i3jH21GHsxPkI78KlXqud0-FeJ2rrExS84hojNJyxWB3uWUD5N0w2K6bQ-ddgSs73F9Kklnej-l/w400-h300/DSC09635.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrain reserve cuirassiers hover behind Trommler Farm waiting for a suitable <br />time and place to intervene (bottom right), as von Kleist's advance continues.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX1Yq285j9CLCf9h2mTzTWfjHfLsMTLYm5lZbkhEf7YtKiioG6UkTy3RjIx3rRN6-g6FmlrAxUFIRkpF7dcmkgSfml8m_2P_3LzRdvTbp-x-kpC1z47wOIuTNUYBoeS8Sog5gfKeVN0NjNoKb3TewJj20N1SK16opPh9Yv0BUEjxRNAjwK8VmXGOazRun/s4789/DSC09638.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="4789" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX1Yq285j9CLCf9h2mTzTWfjHfLsMTLYm5lZbkhEf7YtKiioG6UkTy3RjIx3rRN6-g6FmlrAxUFIRkpF7dcmkgSfml8m_2P_3LzRdvTbp-x-kpC1z47wOIuTNUYBoeS8Sog5gfKeVN0NjNoKb3TewJj20N1SK16opPh9Yv0BUEjxRNAjwK8VmXGOazRun/w400-h300/DSC09638.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now the Prussians have broken into Wurstburg. At top left the Austrain grenadier reserves are arriving, whilst at top right the Prussian grenadier brigade has crossed the bridge and are about to enter the fray.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4Rx2OE22AC3vJ7ZiJiLsVVRs6fuqY6LA4Z2HtLf-wrjqZCoXGlGlccy9iBQpkVYuvnMjPMiECnIyWyn0OKbLUYCIRTrcaYeJ1IsHh6bdylbrlkWU2nRnduOgGZId8XHWIAeMwEfqpK_m25jMWdhsxsQWhAxCF_xobHaGTdNJJXGFKbuLtrdn4rd0P_v8/s4886/DSC09648.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3667" data-original-width="4886" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4Rx2OE22AC3vJ7ZiJiLsVVRs6fuqY6LA4Z2HtLf-wrjqZCoXGlGlccy9iBQpkVYuvnMjPMiECnIyWyn0OKbLUYCIRTrcaYeJ1IsHh6bdylbrlkWU2nRnduOgGZId8XHWIAeMwEfqpK_m25jMWdhsxsQWhAxCF_xobHaGTdNJJXGFKbuLtrdn4rd0P_v8/w400-h300/DSC09648.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview during the end game. The Prussians have claimed 3 objectives (bridge, Windmill Hill, and Wusrtburg north), and are disputing 2 others (Trommler Farm and Wurstburg south). But the <i>Kaiserlichs</i> have sacrificed too many units whilst holding back the Prussian tide, and have reached their breakpoint. Reserve biscuits have arrived at top left.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc36PnIaiEmEeKWhIjyUqw5eWrEPY2Mu2Fs26pDC97l8vF0x6RlePggvJaNCP3blL8l4paF0Vph3zq37JyC6OCbMtaAV2QEPj1Q1GUvndabTsovQRPImuigksPWB3Tgz-FIKiBEpQx_tDkv6bvsEvm-FR2uKV0QaBKyw3KKWLnybt9r0tVb1bzHo8fQud/s4631/DSC09651.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3473" data-original-width="4631" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc36PnIaiEmEeKWhIjyUqw5eWrEPY2Mu2Fs26pDC97l8vF0x6RlePggvJaNCP3blL8l4paF0Vph3zq37JyC6OCbMtaAV2QEPj1Q1GUvndabTsovQRPImuigksPWB3Tgz-FIKiBEpQx_tDkv6bvsEvm-FR2uKV0QaBKyw3KKWLnybt9r0tVb1bzHo8fQud/w400-h300/DSC09651.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Austrian Grenadier detachment bravely continue to dispute control of Trommler Farm, <br />but have been bypassed by the Prussian cavalry on their right, and <i>Freikorps</i> on their left.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBRtPOuAOpGQngZcCiH90i5vQkTsgvGpQZ29JUZ6vk5LhVPMhJ-TX-JBfwn_MoxOZU28KUWng8_3YOhlWhMKslKHryhm6HXBmHXIIHyKbXb31d6DCMjn5B4iViNwQGsrM2QwMVVwW6sQ9doz7pvOoq5mjwipNld0altEXFUXBSkwpBab3vosoDtEG5aUR/s4663/DSC09661.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3497" data-original-width="4663" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBRtPOuAOpGQngZcCiH90i5vQkTsgvGpQZ29JUZ6vk5LhVPMhJ-TX-JBfwn_MoxOZU28KUWng8_3YOhlWhMKslKHryhm6HXBmHXIIHyKbXb31d6DCMjn5B4iViNwQGsrM2QwMVVwW6sQ9doz7pvOoq5mjwipNld0altEXFUXBSkwpBab3vosoDtEG5aUR/w400-h300/DSC09661.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The concluding positions around Wurstburg.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS29WwesKjubGhQaGwbEIKsegeBhC0vEy85s1NVPxZFZbEO_y7l-vGXFw_UFDO_SI0Us9ujmGX9-1h2Asi6nfqJTQDY7oherdVtid2R1loFVzmOOIVBuau4dvdVClzDYcJeaOslxgouV4_wN6TYVrYbx59c9STQzZkF9L8QrEMQlreYx8TdJcNey08GeT7/s5184/DSC09667.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS29WwesKjubGhQaGwbEIKsegeBhC0vEy85s1NVPxZFZbEO_y7l-vGXFw_UFDO_SI0Us9ujmGX9-1h2Asi6nfqJTQDY7oherdVtid2R1loFVzmOOIVBuau4dvdVClzDYcJeaOslxgouV4_wN6TYVrYbx59c9STQzZkF9L8QrEMQlreYx8TdJcNey08GeT7/w400-h300/DSC09667.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The north of the town is lost to the Austrians, whilst the Austrian grenadiers have their bases <br />firmly planted on the southern town objective marker. But the game is up.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, a Prussian victory in the final turn. Their set of dashing commanders had produced a run of double moves which had greatly aided their triumph. On the other hand, von Kleist had arrived later than hoped, and the Austrian dragoon brigade had done wonders against the Prussian cavalry on the Austrian western flank, before being finally crushed. So Austrian hopes of victory had not been dashed too early.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was a fine game, and all four of us enjoyed ourselves immensely. This is a scenario I would recommend for any Horse and Musket gamer, regardless of the actual period.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <i>Post of Honour</i> rules worked very well, I thought. In essence, they are <i>Shadow of the Eagles</i> for the 18th century, and are in fact the rules from which <i>SotE</i> were developed. Of course, <i>Honours of War</i> would have been just as good!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks for visiting. 'Til next time!</div></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-52128311685016134342024-02-23T18:25:00.006+00:002024-03-09T20:29:32.333+00:00The Cotswold Wargaming Day 2024 - And Facebook<p style="text-align: justify;">Well, it's that time of year again, and I'm planning my annual wargaming event. This year, I am having a change of venue from Northleach to Cirencester.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>THE COTSWOLD WARGAMING DAY 2024</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunday 20th October</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>09.30 - 17.00</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">at</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Big Battles Ltd</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Unit 3 </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cirencester Business Estate</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Esland Place, off Love Lane</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cirencester GL7 1YG</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPI9H_w3SkOOeiNrfLiY44im6LvLXlr6JlsSdnKXQA-jc4hW50WJuLwh3zAWTTCqzG1JqIjj_fMLEtIKVrUcEW-V-NEfSbvoA5UyKkzCUHISdCLHUYz4jlhx4AxgVf2tjNaibrVOGIAxlDhVSuwMLafFNlRCtArwyTX8L_xhPiJyVZrAdkkHCmy0vxuh7g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPI9H_w3SkOOeiNrfLiY44im6LvLXlr6JlsSdnKXQA-jc4hW50WJuLwh3zAWTTCqzG1JqIjj_fMLEtIKVrUcEW-V-NEfSbvoA5UyKkzCUHISdCLHUYz4jlhx4AxgVf2tjNaibrVOGIAxlDhVSuwMLafFNlRCtArwyTX8L_xhPiJyVZrAdkkHCmy0vxuh7g=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year at the old venue.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was of course nothing wrong with the old venue - I have been very happy with it. Except that there was one issue - the number of 6' x 2' folding tables I needed. About 40 or so were in fact required, and half of these had to come from the other community facility in Northleach, the Cotswold Hall. Apart from having to transport 20 tables from one end of the town to the other in my car, I had to get permission to store these overnight at the Westwoods Centre (permission was always freely given), and then hope to set everything up the night before, once again with permission. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the real issue was, what would happen if those 20 tables were needed at the Cotswold Hall for an event on the same day? Well, what would happen is, is that I would be f*cked. A risk I was prepared to take (being on good terms with the supervisors of both venues), until I discovered the venue mentioned above in an industrial estate on the edge of Cirencester. Any miniature gamers in the Cirencester area not aware of these guys should <a href="https://bigbattles.co.uk/" target="_blank">check their website</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, to cut a long story short, the Big Battles venue looks just about perfect for the CWD - they have the room, the flexibility to accomodate a number of games with different size tables, under-table storage, plenty of parking on a Sunday and free tea and coffee (!). Plus, I don't have to transport, set up and tidy away anything at all. I'm thinking that maybe (just maybe) I might have time to present a game myself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As usual, invitations have gone out to my mailing list. The event is also highlighted on my Facebook group:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/915148229853205">https://www.facebook.com/groups/915148229853205</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you haven't been before and fancy pitching up, please be my guest on the day. I'm planning to charge £10 a head for players, assuming an attendance similar to last year's. Casual visitors not playing might get away with free entry - I'll see how I feel on the day! Ideally, contact me for a proper invite and maybe you can get a game, or even put one on. Do this via the Facebook group, or leave an email address in the comments here - I'll delete it once we've made contact in an attempt to protect your privacy (not that any of us has any privacy online these days).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hope to see you there!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>FACEBOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm pleased to say my Facebook group has taken off nicely, with over 60 members as I write this. Naturally, a number of members of the old websites were sad to see those sites go (as was I), but a lot of them seem to have bitten the bullet, joined Facebook, and then joined the group. If you have any interest at all in my rules, or just an interest in wargaming the SYW, Napoleonic Wars, or WW2, I invite you to head over and apply to join.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just today, a member was kind enough to upload an Excel spreadsheet that gamers can use to create <i>Honours of War</i> armies with the correct points values. Naturally, I thanked him for taking the trouble to do so. In reply he said:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Just happy to know that I can give back something for the joy that wargaming (and thus, whoever gave time to write rules, or explained them) gave to me."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, that was a very nice thing to say. It certainly made me glad I'd started the group. In fact, I will say that I hope the group will become a source of eclectic comment and discussion not just on my rules, but wargaming in general, in so far as that may be possible. I look forward to encouraging and receiving comments, discussion, photos and various uploads. A number of scenarios have already been generously provided to grace the Files area of the group.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And so, on that upbeat note, I will leave you - 'til next time!</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-14920064912129909372024-01-28T18:30:00.004+00:002024-03-09T20:32:56.760+00:00Ah Yes...Facebook<p style="text-align: justify;">I have never really thought Facebook was a good place for wargaming sites. The Facebook pages or groups I visited seemed to lack focus and looked to me like a jumble of messages and posts with little order or organisation. So I set up 'proper' websites for <i>Honours of War</i> and <i>Shadow of the Eagles</i>, with forums, download sections, author content etc. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Well, the <i>Honours of War</i> site has worked pretty well for about 9 years, but activity is now limited to a few stalwart members. These guys post some great content, but for a set of rules published in 2015 a website was beginning to look like a luxury I couldn't afford.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The <i>Shadow of the Eagles</i> site had some interest at first, but this has faded recently and there is currently very little activity. The simple fact is that <i>SotE</i> sold less copies than <i>HoW</i>. This is pretty easy to explain - the Napoleonic rules market is much more competitive than the SYW one, and Osprey have a much higher profile than Partizan Press - particularly with their 'Blue Books'. With the annual renewal of the site coming up, at much increased cost, renewal just didn't seem worth it for a site generating almost zero posts on the forum. (As an aside, check out the Little Wars TV review of the Blue Book series <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeagCEmcEYA&ab_channel=LittleWarsTV" target="_blank">HERE</a>).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tSO5ncHbn4WY5w4O-0l5lvYTow8DkoXHVk1DEerQ0NCHo3IQaNwKyQyQm6R_PPsB4lhYzmyRCF6hF9uP8thVp2tJyz7fS_qBjX4XGZ_12g8iHOaYo84v7VlEm0pFGxWzL3Jo82tyr98aakC12kfQPVwEOqphPr80zTwQjcmNYP84XFTUX9j6zrht6PgM/s5389/Doc2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2526" data-original-width="5389" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tSO5ncHbn4WY5w4O-0l5lvYTow8DkoXHVk1DEerQ0NCHo3IQaNwKyQyQm6R_PPsB4lhYzmyRCF6hF9uP8thVp2tJyz7fS_qBjX4XGZ_12g8iHOaYo84v7VlEm0pFGxWzL3Jo82tyr98aakC12kfQPVwEOqphPr80zTwQjcmNYP84XFTUX9j6zrht6PgM/w640-h301/Doc2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, people kept telling me Facebook and Instagram were the places to be if one wanted to generate interest in your rules. Once you joined Facebook and your page or group got going, you became part of a significant online conversation, where people joined and posted on your little group, and you joined and posted on their groups. Interest might therefore flourish. This is the problem for small-time rules authors - once the initial publicity has faded, there is the danger that your rules will just sink without trace amongst all the other rule sets.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So there we are - I want to keep interest in my rules alive, and Facebook seems to be a good place to help that along. At least, that's the case according to my kids - and my wife. And a number of fellow gamers. And Dave Ryan at Partizan Press, who always wanted me to have a Facebook page. And recently, well-known military historian and Osprey author Angus Konstam also encouraged me along this route.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, in a month or so, I will be saying goodbye to the <i>HoW</i> and <i>SotE</i> sites. To anyone who ever posted on those sites, or just joined to download free stuff, my sincere appreciation and thanks. I learned a lot from the questions asked and comments made, and this resulted in some rule amendments and errata corrections. All the errata and new or amended rules will continue to be available on Facebook, free to download. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Facebook group is set up, and you can apply to join via the group page:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/915148229853205" target="_blank">Honours of War, Shadow of the Eagles, Startline Facebook group</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for <i>Startline</i>, the discussion group on groups.io will continue (see the <a href="https://groups.io/g/Startline" target="_blank">Startline Discussion Group</a>). After all, this group has only just started and I want to keep the momentum going. Anyone interested in <i>Startline</i> should keep an eye on both groups. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the record, where <i>Startline</i> is going remains uncertain, but I'm enjoying working on the rules immensely. I'll just keep plugging away and time will provide an answer as to what to do with them. The secret to success (as the Buddhists and mindfulness experts tell us) is to love the process, not crave an outcome. That works for me!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, I hope to see you on the new platform. 'Til next time!</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-62148225111448162112023-11-06T15:10:00.018+00:002024-03-09T20:32:11.907+00:00STARTLINE - Wargaming World War Two<p style="text-align: justify;">I have mentioned previously on this blog my work on a set of company-level WW2 rules inspired by the WRG 1973 set 'Armour and Infantry'. I have spent many pleasant hours working on these rules recently, and thought it was now time to open up the content to my fellow gamers.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF3q4hvkXaK6De_REsV0PlLFtF0BATe4DtISLLxmx6vUjiKKV5pOv5NqiWn6BiqliKS8QolF05njvNyW4oQT63AAis2eqi1o_C9FAM3wNuRVKnKf1IODgHHtJQgqeVH1mvBYG7T1R0XKFoWEDUFApE_liAwfbmcjnP6e0gObpA2RpPpAOt6vvKFfwfbWOx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2006" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF3q4hvkXaK6De_REsV0PlLFtF0BATe4DtISLLxmx6vUjiKKV5pOv5NqiWn6BiqliKS8QolF05njvNyW4oQT63AAis2eqi1o_C9FAM3wNuRVKnKf1IODgHHtJQgqeVH1mvBYG7T1R0XKFoWEDUFApE_liAwfbmcjnP6e0gObpA2RpPpAOt6vvKFfwfbWOx=w400-h239" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The changes to the original rules have increased to the extent that I now consider the rules to be a new and separate set, which I have called <i>Startline</i>. You can go to the group via the link below, and join up if you wish:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://groups.io/g/Startline" target="_blank">Startline Discussion Group</a><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">All interested wargamers are welcome to join. If you have not received a specific invitation, membership is subject to approval, to keep out spammers. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">You can download the present version of the rules and a few other files I have included for background. At the moment a QRS is not available, mainly because creating one is a bit of an issue. </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Startline</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> covers the whole of WW2, but each wargamer will only want the details relating to the part of WW2 he or she is gaming. So I'm still working on a useable format.</span></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;">Those of you on the CWD mailing list should have received an invitation email - if not, one will arrive in the next day ot two. Apologies if this represents unwanted junk mail - just ignore it and it will go away! Wargamers who have expressed an interest in my ongoing work via this site should also receive an invite - but if you want to just go straight to the group and sign up, that's fine.</p><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, this is a just a hobby project at the moment. The group is there for individual gamers to download a set of rules, game with them if they wish, and post any comments or suggestions they have. In other words, we are just exchanging ideas on a personal set of rules. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope to hear from you via the comments on this post, or via the group. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-60566972525338550182023-10-26T13:28:00.010+01:002024-03-09T20:31:12.740+00:00Cotswold Wargaming Day 2023 - The Judges Scores Are In<p style="text-align: justify;">And so, a slightly delayed report on CWD 2023. One or two non-wargaming parts of my life took up some time recently, and so I waited for a quiet moment to properly enjoy putting the report together. In fact, two fine AARs are already out there, from <a href="https://notjustoldschool.blogspot.com/2023/10/cotswold-wargaming-day-2023-vibrant-and.html" target="_blank">Chris Gregg</a> and <a href="https://wargameswithtoysoldier1685-1985.blogspot.com/2023/10/cotswold-wargames-day-2023.html" target="_blank">Steve Johnson</a>. Both are well worth visiting.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This year we had 11 games scheduled at one point, but sadly unavoidable issues cut that down to eight in the end. One good result was that everyone was together in the main hall, with no games in the 'side room ghetto'. I counted 31 gamers present, or 33 if you count me and my long-suffering other half (more on that later). For the moment, here's a quick run-down on the 8 lovely games that were played on the day.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Indian Mutiny in 28mm - Ian Bailey</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">True to form, Ian had a great looking game set up in half an hour or less. For me, it was a classic with multi-player particpation, great figures and fine terrain. As a result, Ian was the winner of 'Best Game' and the Stuart Asquith Trophy. Rules were <a href="https://www.wargamesillustrated.net/mad-dogs-englishmen/" target="_blank"><i>Mad Dogs and Englishmen</i></a> .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxsJwy5D_KKmapKSRjk8u_AJiZHTHzNzzahLwwXU7X1DzOASr8sC1vdt2DWUJJm1adf__8CT7l-e7dW2BDUe9i13cvJH0Z2aJ6deUoNIQJSFZp4rxTDStP5_6m6QpgN0eW0SEzYMfiv1oAucHl60jzqLk61Sf0G-ktpWp9nZkvet0OmJ-4VYApg7hoJVEe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxsJwy5D_KKmapKSRjk8u_AJiZHTHzNzzahLwwXU7X1DzOASr8sC1vdt2DWUJJm1adf__8CT7l-e7dW2BDUe9i13cvJH0Z2aJ6deUoNIQJSFZp4rxTDStP5_6m6QpgN0eW0SEzYMfiv1oAucHl60jzqLk61Sf0G-ktpWp9nZkvet0OmJ-4VYApg7hoJVEe" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH4ciEcsuj886cNKzkzze0UoNnPpRn7EbsQpCTJIYvFcr0NvUi7ugKyMYdWl4rsZhzqbLXaoA9JJnDC1xz6z_Rgj4dfVdrTLfppYNG3c5pMCNrqbZyr77KZntKSPG9CY_qongglZVCOMFrmB3zmep_m3ZIvQJ3YOgwRKPsBSvlDYfIfGRfc0tiF_X4Ekn1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH4ciEcsuj886cNKzkzze0UoNnPpRn7EbsQpCTJIYvFcr0NvUi7ugKyMYdWl4rsZhzqbLXaoA9JJnDC1xz6z_Rgj4dfVdrTLfppYNG3c5pMCNrqbZyr77KZntKSPG9CY_qongglZVCOMFrmB3zmep_m3ZIvQJ3YOgwRKPsBSvlDYfIfGRfc0tiF_X4Ekn1" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge-tjSzSRuVy7FlA3GTM-WDdvzeKCRBwNS7Kh52ylodJJ0TXTkL0tUVO_4_JKl2bcXSp_Fmc-4_cbJLxM_ZY_3wCJ-1whTU8Cb2uXF6pPfW_SuKoNm_lr7ExXZBiVmaP4nH3gGe4Tdfzh1DtA8RZmqBVX1Xt1_95dNwhiKxtgztB3OCnBlvBsc__ancNnT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge-tjSzSRuVy7FlA3GTM-WDdvzeKCRBwNS7Kh52ylodJJ0TXTkL0tUVO_4_JKl2bcXSp_Fmc-4_cbJLxM_ZY_3wCJ-1whTU8Cb2uXF6pPfW_SuKoNm_lr7ExXZBiVmaP4nH3gGe4Tdfzh1DtA8RZmqBVX1Xt1_95dNwhiKxtgztB3OCnBlvBsc__ancNnT" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIUVVYUD9uP3SXyjGj9nNuTWXzm9OGv3Y6yrs1XpMrNCKQn4MoZKHnCCmdwQ8Wst6Sj1RD0K4Gu8_fTerM0NxsOcIGKAEvj8htXHXqfajvhRQn60dOwlUysKWXP8IT7BWgqj4zwwBfpgylRnOcFO2VDugmGHtKzm69lRRqnYIG1EBs639IvF5oaVCtUPTo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIUVVYUD9uP3SXyjGj9nNuTWXzm9OGv3Y6yrs1XpMrNCKQn4MoZKHnCCmdwQ8Wst6Sj1RD0K4Gu8_fTerM0NxsOcIGKAEvj8htXHXqfajvhRQn60dOwlUysKWXP8IT7BWgqj4zwwBfpgylRnOcFO2VDugmGHtKzm69lRRqnYIG1EBs639IvF5oaVCtUPTo" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrjr2jhl6MRmMGJLiA5RWBZGqjTOcd0i7zvvfyTgvHv0WL0_n3k1fYt4KE-fwKcep0XfOVrSmlViLU07jtK5vrW5o8QNuJdJVDPuEcqykoVtFv7Qo6otMl4YFHKvDI-C4XdkZRikVERe95A8x3eTytP0ZP3P4cPjIRX8p27BM3dZJatMvOZjZarE4hhEY3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrjr2jhl6MRmMGJLiA5RWBZGqjTOcd0i7zvvfyTgvHv0WL0_n3k1fYt4KE-fwKcep0XfOVrSmlViLU07jtK5vrW5o8QNuJdJVDPuEcqykoVtFv7Qo6otMl4YFHKvDI-C4XdkZRikVERe95A8x3eTytP0ZP3P4cPjIRX8p27BM3dZJatMvOZjZarE4hhEY3" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Western Desert in 28mm - Stuart Surridge</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stuart and friends returned with another fine game, using a home-brewed set of rules combining <i>Bolt Action</i> and <i>Chain of Command</i>, an innovative idea which set the stage for what turned out to be a very innovative show, as we shall see. The opponents were Italians and Free French troops.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1shibLOaX4e72J7rU9KEV9xEJGdjl0pR-_iQB3vMNvVhbRIFWEvlEEwf29UF8uxXxRYM8MXL6UD2ohCKlPj1vdpusF48vX_0zCuU-QDr2TYJKFBvra5AhQrbw8Me8eQOtIIG-WM2DWiG-okL4Qafiqr2xUlEYqaCEFtb-ArF8el99SpuMs9ms0BX9AnmQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1shibLOaX4e72J7rU9KEV9xEJGdjl0pR-_iQB3vMNvVhbRIFWEvlEEwf29UF8uxXxRYM8MXL6UD2ohCKlPj1vdpusF48vX_0zCuU-QDr2TYJKFBvra5AhQrbw8Me8eQOtIIG-WM2DWiG-okL4Qafiqr2xUlEYqaCEFtb-ArF8el99SpuMs9ms0BX9AnmQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6DOc4a_ZX-7OX_UiOLAEMkvhrpmex5hdhGCfWt1HCEMbC-PB6WDc2g5j7NhwxX-VnkiJKoVsgw1kHpvljgRG3XqX1wBwpnguCKE1-Ds37hU7kMrHUTeDhABpsROJr3xdBq31G_ESnnzxkeoGqsTx84M8Is7x9GsY7bpub_vJ9OzNSLp55dwdKKogzUCiC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6DOc4a_ZX-7OX_UiOLAEMkvhrpmex5hdhGCfWt1HCEMbC-PB6WDc2g5j7NhwxX-VnkiJKoVsgw1kHpvljgRG3XqX1wBwpnguCKE1-Ds37hU7kMrHUTeDhABpsROJr3xdBq31G_ESnnzxkeoGqsTx84M8Is7x9GsY7bpub_vJ9OzNSLp55dwdKKogzUCiC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDcURCKg2_043n_HXxRcJyJq1OiGF0Tgqa96BabNcvlCOmYJWx4KwI64lxXSfXspkvN5v3DuGK5aZLMbT-eYfJ8IE9X8Ng5ruvFI5r0zt3HxDzrfPu4WHYxTv4JRyUK7MYqW6P00qr2yLQ5JWia0HR3PSfirsS6a7Lf14qc8_8aCl-DzpcTPRjE4_3MLeI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDcURCKg2_043n_HXxRcJyJq1OiGF0Tgqa96BabNcvlCOmYJWx4KwI64lxXSfXspkvN5v3DuGK5aZLMbT-eYfJ8IE9X8Ng5ruvFI5r0zt3HxDzrfPu4WHYxTv4JRyUK7MYqW6P00qr2yLQ5JWia0HR3PSfirsS6a7Lf14qc8_8aCl-DzpcTPRjE4_3MLeI" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3. The Battle of Maipu 1818 in 25mm - Napoleonics in South America - Tim Cull</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The theme of innovation continued with this game set in an unusual period, which also featured the clever and detailed scenario planning Tim is well known for. So, after a briefing on the situation, players found the gaming table suddenly covered with a black cloth and were thrown in to a night attack, following which a new daylight table appeared and the main action commenced. I've never seen that done before. Tim got one of three prizes from <a href="https://www.empressminiatures.com/" target="_blank">Empress Miniatures</a> for 'Most Innovative Game'. The rules in use were <i>Liberators!</i>, a period specific set which have <a href="http://grenadierproductions.com/" target="_blank">their own website</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqyseM4qDztnqj4KUJPBlWH1hJaeZ7uVGfEI94qHAGmvvJRV8pokyC7VQUCE64vI1l77dUVjBfoA8jlAFzgP0ER_-lqht3EMfliPXVsvtiSMBc2F6Uso-Ij8_8vS_O8DlozYZtixF_2kUsuACfOvfhAlbQNbCOkgy_9k9RfGu9NiUvmwvLP1FkSpj3SJex" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqyseM4qDztnqj4KUJPBlWH1hJaeZ7uVGfEI94qHAGmvvJRV8pokyC7VQUCE64vI1l77dUVjBfoA8jlAFzgP0ER_-lqht3EMfliPXVsvtiSMBc2F6Uso-Ij8_8vS_O8DlozYZtixF_2kUsuACfOvfhAlbQNbCOkgy_9k9RfGu9NiUvmwvLP1FkSpj3SJex" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwDwRyUQRGIcBBEjWcnqxwQdgwIFkvBzq0E7h0oUwWiak0w606ugYpeMMdN18Op1ittieItq_YtFn16jxke7KsWkw513lzbTbC0ggXy7kMA6XAIu4xV-lOqQDbuCVy0z-_atH7cGS7OaSWkwFrDAnLCxNMbLNX2KebQDARG0ggLGB02cqMvS13neKIwCa5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwDwRyUQRGIcBBEjWcnqxwQdgwIFkvBzq0E7h0oUwWiak0w606ugYpeMMdN18Op1ittieItq_YtFn16jxke7KsWkw513lzbTbC0ggXy7kMA6XAIu4xV-lOqQDbuCVy0z-_atH7cGS7OaSWkwFrDAnLCxNMbLNX2KebQDARG0ggLGB02cqMvS13neKIwCa5" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvODtIV1KJEDDWO-S269PAnxbnns-NYV3k7ykSvXVOs59Z1-8dA9BaNQZnpX2CDBW6mnt_44KVqU_JfTHddUda2x2iED5u8a4BTTTvCyqGscghyWGWO_p4Ir2eTe0pvJ89I5jFYh7IQp31P0BrwDUS3a39pfQJBCIBuz-O0jFO9L3lxTRkD1DINuhZvx1f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvODtIV1KJEDDWO-S269PAnxbnns-NYV3k7ykSvXVOs59Z1-8dA9BaNQZnpX2CDBW6mnt_44KVqU_JfTHddUda2x2iED5u8a4BTTTvCyqGscghyWGWO_p4Ir2eTe0pvJ89I5jFYh7IQp31P0BrwDUS3a39pfQJBCIBuz-O0jFO9L3lxTRkD1DINuhZvx1f" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>4. Sharpe Practice ACW in 28mm - Mark Richards</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Will the surprises never end? Mark brought over a lovely game using the Sharpe Practice rules, but featuring a scenario from the ACW. Nice! Intense play was taking place throughout the day - as with most of the games, I wish I could have joined in.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiereYInWWMirLBuFKidphpt0Fo1DfxyO3uI_KduxHsLU1F7xn8lvISqAlvBAdNiq_o8ZObUVJ8yn0m069J153OseTq2zniCn8RlK13SPxZuLRmB5Jbjfgz05LWcowxf4wr-MOO-EVjGQtjfLi1oDigjZ4VO1WdZAnCQDieEcol0ogJehS59Fmhw4Xm7lTz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiereYInWWMirLBuFKidphpt0Fo1DfxyO3uI_KduxHsLU1F7xn8lvISqAlvBAdNiq_o8ZObUVJ8yn0m069J153OseTq2zniCn8RlK13SPxZuLRmB5Jbjfgz05LWcowxf4wr-MOO-EVjGQtjfLi1oDigjZ4VO1WdZAnCQDieEcol0ogJehS59Fmhw4Xm7lTz" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzvKl25xsE0bNZlr0kulAjw4uy9NE492OmxILXusb1atFLJXyuJ-ZHRM3Utv2L2tn1kUi-69UbBRF_P5pKdcFKELr2mY0Ho5AXYl4YS5Qdki2d9M5i7WArVvbPUPSF8ExAkWDscyQu889w7KyUqXdLvXB7xzxGc2pmE5WwQIYIdRIL5pD7Hl6qexYEX8KD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzvKl25xsE0bNZlr0kulAjw4uy9NE492OmxILXusb1atFLJXyuJ-ZHRM3Utv2L2tn1kUi-69UbBRF_P5pKdcFKELr2mY0Ho5AXYl4YS5Qdki2d9M5i7WArVvbPUPSF8ExAkWDscyQu889w7KyUqXdLvXB7xzxGc2pmE5WwQIYIdRIL5pD7Hl6qexYEX8KD" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_TW85gfrN6eJe4IgmZF4uXXkVwwAKpBvgkr0ig3IgUSIYFIyUCNE6JycCfbg5TLm3q3Lm8pZ881_TkbLTE5zLqv3BD-2chFzFmw0l3l8QHhyeg4ECAfddq863_QHUJGeMLfNTxQnp0bbGLgKhl7WoLmY6dwYgQXoU5Tgrt_npLTnhIUObL04zHz9vI3kE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_TW85gfrN6eJe4IgmZF4uXXkVwwAKpBvgkr0ig3IgUSIYFIyUCNE6JycCfbg5TLm3q3Lm8pZ881_TkbLTE5zLqv3BD-2chFzFmw0l3l8QHhyeg4ECAfddq863_QHUJGeMLfNTxQnp0bbGLgKhl7WoLmY6dwYgQXoU5Tgrt_npLTnhIUObL04zHz9vI3kE" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>5. 'Napoker' Participation Game in 28mm - Tony Dillon</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tony brought over his delightful scenery and superb figures to present a Peninsula participation skirmish game, featuring (who else?) Richard Sharpe. The rules were his own, simple but great fun, with much kicking down of doors to reveal what was inside the various houses. If it was wine inside, you actually got a glass of wine! And a chocolate coin if food was within. Brilliant. My wife Jane and I played a game and really enjoyed ourselves - this was the first time in over 30 years of marriage we had played a game together. And yes, I got a thrashing. Reminded me of our wedding night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tony received the Pendraken Miniatures prize for Best Vignette. His game included three or four groups of lovely figures, any of which would have won the prize. He also won the Chris Gregg prize for Best Presented Game - the first time anyone at CWD had won two prizes. Well done!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ5PKVs1m9d4npx1NwRI0GzLCt8UaMm7YJ_oBl-WeefmxvCh6ZB1statY_Jygl_25Y384EDBV8PBhwCkrC9MB9YI3YLRKlu0e72Wlo69ykyny4033IhEFuk-9iW4pY4K5sxLQZ0WEUWMrLTReFKGlLAhsV7kb6YEXniNjEpOOtCSd70vy1uizZrpjJ5W5D" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ5PKVs1m9d4npx1NwRI0GzLCt8UaMm7YJ_oBl-WeefmxvCh6ZB1statY_Jygl_25Y384EDBV8PBhwCkrC9MB9YI3YLRKlu0e72Wlo69ykyny4033IhEFuk-9iW4pY4K5sxLQZ0WEUWMrLTReFKGlLAhsV7kb6YEXniNjEpOOtCSd70vy1uizZrpjJ5W5D" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAzGt6akLn-VPU4f3x5_bjSLIlt6a7ca519fAjSAw44nR1z6T9uliTHBsQ9NDmYrVO7gh6kcFhoV-g_8Ukkp-0mcFEdA2y4P0iT9q5Q29ZfgLDv_ROTwFoPNFig6kk9bxv0Y5W99DRKb7W6g5syR07RXEQ0hQsLS_hGcypwzs9lafr-OoxQsEPU3fyNKUq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAzGt6akLn-VPU4f3x5_bjSLIlt6a7ca519fAjSAw44nR1z6T9uliTHBsQ9NDmYrVO7gh6kcFhoV-g_8Ukkp-0mcFEdA2y4P0iT9q5Q29ZfgLDv_ROTwFoPNFig6kk9bxv0Y5W99DRKb7W6g5syR07RXEQ0hQsLS_hGcypwzs9lafr-OoxQsEPU3fyNKUq" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguidSYMmHu9BRnqFaZY1A8g8jOeLDeVM5Lo-3HnR5TYcKzB9gCsw2a3KVWd0FQOvoAWdqS7dXBPU05dsQ_NJ24vI30c3ZaBY8xkmw1dVhtMq8fwTSiiqGcUwI60gga9GmPulgETxdCyJ66Koyg5RblM9Hc5nh9NTh0JTeSdi_flaN8QeEx0wVwyHjCoZEO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguidSYMmHu9BRnqFaZY1A8g8jOeLDeVM5Lo-3HnR5TYcKzB9gCsw2a3KVWd0FQOvoAWdqS7dXBPU05dsQ_NJ24vI30c3ZaBY8xkmw1dVhtMq8fwTSiiqGcUwI60gga9GmPulgETxdCyJ66Koyg5RblM9Hc5nh9NTh0JTeSdi_flaN8QeEx0wVwyHjCoZEO" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7wVeWchYQFDrr9pV0iH_UOJj0qnjiQ9POgqCi81yE8VBLkijyIIhhKaZ0S3tIirwK_JvjgwZulowxp9lliMIfigGSxoEKMZ2RGzaKqlDdyK83V6Zldbj46jim8l6HqmO6wbFNgvqbfhQxVSd76mjEhgJB8br55ePNJgxPlCbE4AbDHMZ4W3VN5eSvCvDK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7wVeWchYQFDrr9pV0iH_UOJj0qnjiQ9POgqCi81yE8VBLkijyIIhhKaZ0S3tIirwK_JvjgwZulowxp9lliMIfigGSxoEKMZ2RGzaKqlDdyK83V6Zldbj46jim8l6HqmO6wbFNgvqbfhQxVSd76mjEhgJB8br55ePNJgxPlCbE4AbDHMZ4W3VN5eSvCvDK" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>6. Battle of Inkerman 1854 in 20mm - Stuart C. & Cirencester Wargames Club</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another nice terrain which was set up very quickly, and as usual a game played with intense interest and concentration by my local gaming club. Roy Boss provided a wonderful old school figure collection of 20mm metal figures which were widely admired. They won one of the three prizes for Most Innovative Game, for their rules around fog of war which were used in the game. The overall rules were a lightly adapted version of <i>Shadow of the Eagles</i>. The adaptions, including the fog of war rules, can be found in <a href="https://www.shadowoftheeagles.com/file-share" target="_blank">the file share section of the SotE website</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFqiHltLJXOWx-LoUYrgq115d2RMvsEHI0QCaOlGanWW9l__MXiO5HYEKCPf_r5-0vyo9vmMolbTrAxUgU2sdbUE70JNqDhzXmhVxteiQk22HFrgZlW2Cp4GBe9volDCOcuxIa01d4OclZVqX0g5UTqc-R6odXd6Wo-QmKGDAD6w57aNLKHFXFDZ5vbczw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFqiHltLJXOWx-LoUYrgq115d2RMvsEHI0QCaOlGanWW9l__MXiO5HYEKCPf_r5-0vyo9vmMolbTrAxUgU2sdbUE70JNqDhzXmhVxteiQk22HFrgZlW2Cp4GBe9volDCOcuxIa01d4OclZVqX0g5UTqc-R6odXd6Wo-QmKGDAD6w57aNLKHFXFDZ5vbczw" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVFdAj2_X4qUhcZvzLjgQ9mnqfUyPO1H8fAEjF6LJ8tNKVzVYA18_MIvyI-RT4q4JFL3eDlL4Ih95iLjMJct0NrHshepDRW--fbD74Z4boZ5GC12LN8uZjOSi25Y5swApLHmCDF4WV_OzCYE54Pxh1UVJKgdtoPcSuBfasbGsV9Z7UlzX0U1oFdYTQR1Z9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVFdAj2_X4qUhcZvzLjgQ9mnqfUyPO1H8fAEjF6LJ8tNKVzVYA18_MIvyI-RT4q4JFL3eDlL4Ih95iLjMJct0NrHshepDRW--fbD74Z4boZ5GC12LN8uZjOSi25Y5swApLHmCDF4WV_OzCYE54Pxh1UVJKgdtoPcSuBfasbGsV9Z7UlzX0U1oFdYTQR1Z9" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVDu2gFrWWIqspWcB6kDD9ffwlA_nOxkjyrAF9WwxXv4_gJ1vHA7Lx1nwF7vp2P7RitlFhJPO1LECzeJE8oVFCLmrviMy_6Afu32xbNwY36nR7QYQLwHFvnJhiOOntkWiXutUQqa3UBNx3_zBUs6Tllxcp3-J4UzI7nrl4yayZERSZSvuWoQVbVc5585nK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVDu2gFrWWIqspWcB6kDD9ffwlA_nOxkjyrAF9WwxXv4_gJ1vHA7Lx1nwF7vp2P7RitlFhJPO1LECzeJE8oVFCLmrviMy_6Afu32xbNwY36nR7QYQLwHFvnJhiOOntkWiXutUQqa3UBNx3_zBUs6Tllxcp3-J4UzI7nrl4yayZERSZSvuWoQVbVc5585nK" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>7. Imaginations India 1755 in 10mm - Steve Johnson/Dave Fielder</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For background details of this excellent game, see <a href="https://wargameswithtoysoldier1685-1985.blogspot.com/2023/10/cotswold-wargames-day-2023.html" target="_blank">Steve's website</a>. A fine and funny back story had been invented for this imaginary battle, which meant the game got another of the Most Innovative Game prizes. A great variety of well painted units were also present, and the rules choice was, well, nothing but the best - <i>Honours of War</i>, of course, with the odd amendment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhns4t2MVX8DdVH0Cfl5RZjXeWC_0liQgLJVAGofGCVxYbnNqykDOcSLcPLuR0lQioHnBg7PQBhVajXUOPsrPwkcI8iOK4OH800OEvSG377SP5mqQWCtiALlMLOzkgEZDqgmGqHIZgO22K6o3VmoXa7y93T8DfMZbdXKHRPoNuKzv29TkjHGjguiRuLI7IC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhns4t2MVX8DdVH0Cfl5RZjXeWC_0liQgLJVAGofGCVxYbnNqykDOcSLcPLuR0lQioHnBg7PQBhVajXUOPsrPwkcI8iOK4OH800OEvSG377SP5mqQWCtiALlMLOzkgEZDqgmGqHIZgO22K6o3VmoXa7y93T8DfMZbdXKHRPoNuKzv29TkjHGjguiRuLI7IC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiagGqPtp0RCtZmD58y2H0skI1hro-j4u6ngeLHEonoguyycahEYq5TfOG4sanTSnntsNRPsoZu0WLHxCg42xGv8VbteEf-88r5JA9RyFyE0hDjTNHKOCp2IfBhiv_2rXf4w8AJFQDLccEvp0_jj4k-NBNzzPcKaJsXAQ3sGIn8C5ByscnguiAT5ABXHve5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiagGqPtp0RCtZmD58y2H0skI1hro-j4u6ngeLHEonoguyycahEYq5TfOG4sanTSnntsNRPsoZu0WLHxCg42xGv8VbteEf-88r5JA9RyFyE0hDjTNHKOCp2IfBhiv_2rXf4w8AJFQDLccEvp0_jj4k-NBNzzPcKaJsXAQ3sGIn8C5ByscnguiAT5ABXHve5" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5g3Bldi2Xx-R_gOeY_LaTN5ranLIAKSC2WtHaxiqBIDO2_xpoM_Ff6Yo9EVDNQdK3YeKrKwjBdzOTKIqn-5XzRrglz4cpdLqp6_lwKlGj-rB13O_XFls1rXXTtQniM-S9HGo9aGw17O0EwZHunMXT3GF1E6QcbWnYWAGsuFoyy8-dOIHqfPZF8IfoTTMG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5g3Bldi2Xx-R_gOeY_LaTN5ranLIAKSC2WtHaxiqBIDO2_xpoM_Ff6Yo9EVDNQdK3YeKrKwjBdzOTKIqn-5XzRrglz4cpdLqp6_lwKlGj-rB13O_XFls1rXXTtQniM-S9HGo9aGw17O0EwZHunMXT3GF1E6QcbWnYWAGsuFoyy8-dOIHqfPZF8IfoTTMG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX-9Tl88eZn4gZeAdVp7_e13RoVfP6lZFyrMc41RsVOuKwaFn5ei2mZpjVJ-393jFq7Jc5Ic4xgS8NyTDIvUpmD-S2GzF7ipS-S1OSgryTYRNXUn04jM-4ZHkNOpfeKdXVQek5pSckWlmTv2NR0bvZA7o96wjKn0GiWe-ZGy359hkveMYh_G0uY0DZBjQ7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX-9Tl88eZn4gZeAdVp7_e13RoVfP6lZFyrMc41RsVOuKwaFn5ei2mZpjVJ-393jFq7Jc5Ic4xgS8NyTDIvUpmD-S2GzF7ipS-S1OSgryTYRNXUn04jM-4ZHkNOpfeKdXVQek5pSckWlmTv2NR0bvZA7o96wjKn0GiWe-ZGy359hkveMYh_G0uY0DZBjQ7" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>8. Battle of Sidi Barrani 1940 in 10mm - Paul and Matt James</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More Western Desert loveliness from Paul and Matt, but using a very different set of rules from the other game in this period - BKC IV. Yet more innovation here - naval gunfire support for the Brits, which you don't see very often. A number of the models were in base coat only, but at the CWD we don't worry about such things a great deal. Some nice middle-eastern style buildings. Great to see Paul and Matt back at the show.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPeR6Fbc56Yvjw8IiTs4kGtnqYFC4iN2Mwt5hORDoWU3vJlJi-IKMj2xHG_2EyVnGeloIlkyI6qGecM8bYolHGzAbAWm2SjUBlnWd39KZPkl0ocpNMZJq9b9-CegO3hrh81eJ-xuRz1fwYI8WxBDzdK1EOCIjONyBtp4NxoG3CJk_sB_IOfCbc3OwnsIkS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPeR6Fbc56Yvjw8IiTs4kGtnqYFC4iN2Mwt5hORDoWU3vJlJi-IKMj2xHG_2EyVnGeloIlkyI6qGecM8bYolHGzAbAWm2SjUBlnWd39KZPkl0ocpNMZJq9b9-CegO3hrh81eJ-xuRz1fwYI8WxBDzdK1EOCIjONyBtp4NxoG3CJk_sB_IOfCbc3OwnsIkS" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3YfA4iwzmZvY5HqmPi7h73jxs-6gEmZ_L5kGec0VczWgi5TVCayY9VqpQHl4Hz5ECw0i_Xn9uQNz7U_XlFr33sLqq5kYMma-jYJi9F18wMHaVhlm70V6J86t6srOFv0O7E2cSTatGTGb_kR7Syc71LeOy2wpufD7HgTscZiczJ0Gtm0RVtdbCz0QSannK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3YfA4iwzmZvY5HqmPi7h73jxs-6gEmZ_L5kGec0VczWgi5TVCayY9VqpQHl4Hz5ECw0i_Xn9uQNz7U_XlFr33sLqq5kYMma-jYJi9F18wMHaVhlm70V6J86t6srOFv0O7E2cSTatGTGb_kR7Syc71LeOy2wpufD7HgTscZiczJ0Gtm0RVtdbCz0QSannK" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Highlights of the Show</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Firstly I want to pay tribute to the generous nature of those who provided the prizes. I have maintained the tradition of giving prizes at the CWD as it is a way to thank those who have taken the trouble to put on games, as well as being a fun way to bring everyone together during the show. This year I was intending to restrict myself to just one prize, the Stuart Asquith Trophy, as getting together the books I had been giving away was becoming problematic. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No sooner had I mentioned this on the CWD mailing list than Chris Gregg came forward, offering to create a bespoke artwork for me to present. Then Steve Johnson offered to contact his friend Leon at <a href="https://www.pendraken.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pendraken Miniatures</a> to try and arrange something (they came through with a £25 voucher to spend on their website). About the same time, Paul from Empress Miniatures (who had attended the show in the past) also offered some prizes from their product line. He brought along 3 copies of the <a href="https://www.empressminiatures.com/vietnam-war-bohica-wargames-rules-151-c.asp" target="_blank">Bohica rules for the Vietnam War.</a> My problem was solved. I thought the donators should choose the title of their prize, so Chris Gregg's was for Best Presented Game, Pendraken's was for Best Vignette, and Empress Miniatures' was for Most Innovative Game.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyY1M_FV__zhI_fIhNUEpJOiBoH3OAoEQS7qur04SBBrgYJOgmsdcsmuzHpLzf8rdIO__HZ5XYqcnovQ3hz_SwviOgRxPA1R9yhskL5LhXq_KYNC1MsWfj_QiJJgLPyA8Im3MGNrb9LGWpzYjDYuYmXQMReT0I5e2d-mIFCoWV36SjdDewaQNLkOQ1k9S6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyY1M_FV__zhI_fIhNUEpJOiBoH3OAoEQS7qur04SBBrgYJOgmsdcsmuzHpLzf8rdIO__HZ5XYqcnovQ3hz_SwviOgRxPA1R9yhskL5LhXq_KYNC1MsWfj_QiJJgLPyA8Im3MGNrb9LGWpzYjDYuYmXQMReT0I5e2d-mIFCoWV36SjdDewaQNLkOQ1k9S6" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Which leads me to my second highlight. By a happy coincidence, I thought this years show had a definite theme of innovation, as I have tried to point out in the above descriptions. Creativity is one of the best aspects of historical wargaming as a hobby, and I am particularly drawn to what I would call intellectual creativity - as demonstrated (for example) by clever scenarios, unusual historical periods, and clever rule mechanisms. All of these things were on display at CWD 2023. In fact, after a quick chat, Paul and I agreed that there were three games (at least!) that warranted an award for Most Innovative Game, so one book was presented to each of three games, as described above.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A personal highlight was not only taking part in one of Tony Dillon's participation games, but doing so with my wife Jane as my opponent. A first in over 30 years of marriage! It was a tribute to the game and Tony's umpiring that she actually rather enjoyed herself, despite being convinced that wargaming is boring and that wargamers are basically nuts (in the latter case, she may have a point).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNMUXL1xG3L4qqvTLarQ90E6Oa1S9TJw67L6-DtpoCsLu1jNPFEk59eLZXS8OZSmTcAyJeJB8PmmUNibtBfhx_dwGNzUho9DSyt8wUr6x9h1u0gXjT4UQFc5TY_5gBHFM9qQl8rwTJAExEL-fkMM1G3ak1Ru_M4azSGwRoHQWwvs5fycmFcasZz5hCf76W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNMUXL1xG3L4qqvTLarQ90E6Oa1S9TJw67L6-DtpoCsLu1jNPFEk59eLZXS8OZSmTcAyJeJB8PmmUNibtBfhx_dwGNzUho9DSyt8wUr6x9h1u0gXjT4UQFc5TY_5gBHFM9qQl8rwTJAExEL-fkMM1G3ak1Ru_M4azSGwRoHQWwvs5fycmFcasZz5hCf76W" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, it was good to see a bit of bring and buy action taking place, as well as having Chris Gregg's usual display of military-themed art on display. This adds a nice extra dimension to the show, and I hope it may continue into the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So there you have it. Another cheerful and engaging event, which I for one found rather inspiring. It was worth every minute spent organising. Thanks again to all involved. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next time, some news for WW2 gamers. Stay tuned!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-63758976754607969132023-07-21T19:43:00.001+01:002023-07-21T19:45:59.652+01:00Please Support Dan<p>Last week I was walking a short section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with my wife and some friends, when we met the guy shown below going the other way.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxoJMIwm-4CpfjnOJsodzTD18GdsU1HZ108ojpZgwLovgFxzTW7KuvVSE_Mne5flc1oAolpUi5XedOVHvXTOcTNQsLouw_w0gKGIol-cdy7fyTkKtAT_6i_3HMg6eVi7v6Y-lCeo4oH4T0O7NVt85dbtZ5y3RipFeSYnYln2rfZ8DNZxck4yOBoi2OjRlV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxoJMIwm-4CpfjnOJsodzTD18GdsU1HZ108ojpZgwLovgFxzTW7KuvVSE_Mne5flc1oAolpUi5XedOVHvXTOcTNQsLouw_w0gKGIol-cdy7fyTkKtAT_6i_3HMg6eVi7v6Y-lCeo4oH4T0O7NVt85dbtZ5y3RipFeSYnYln2rfZ8DNZxck4yOBoi2OjRlV=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic-XcHKpVOaHwdu0DoGzwsbnfGk628vrrVgT5GKvWShgpfNjiXtpllfMM99UPO6PLhWmzagjglfvBD0TJoFqPgmbKFor9E1ZMH0SMBBj3BOtGRVPYpdL0IPGhJpveFQMvnUX39Iuxn6sAP6uSyTUVXLS56UTkXdgiLYw3Wiiq7_jEFHUYlFSCzln5ZeQMy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic-XcHKpVOaHwdu0DoGzwsbnfGk628vrrVgT5GKvWShgpfNjiXtpllfMM99UPO6PLhWmzagjglfvBD0TJoFqPgmbKFor9E1ZMH0SMBBj3BOtGRVPYpdL0IPGhJpveFQMvnUX39Iuxn6sAP6uSyTUVXLS56UTkXdgiLYw3Wiiq7_jEFHUYlFSCzln5ZeQMy=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Dan McNeil is walking the entire length of Britain's coastline (including its islands) in support of the SSAFA (<a href="https://www.ssafa.org.uk/" target="_blank">the Soldier's, Sailor's, Airmen and Families Association</a>). He's been going since March 2021 and still has a way to go. What a hero.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We gave him a tenner - maybe you can help him out as well via his Just Giving page:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danwalksuk?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=danwalksuk&utm_campaign=pfp-whatsapp&utm_term=83f6a9405bde4ab59190f173714ed0cb" target="_blank">Daniel McNeil's Walk Around Britain</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN09UXozLW_i-3bNfY-I8wRqQApbdbGyljW-N2Ov0nl5PR3dHGm0nm04Zb76cS5PIZhl-Is3CqjAhsnZVToqBoVjsxj-5Gon6e1FNLPa8Bd788tQdHnqUgn4EUX3P1IQgYLo1HPOvnIYtzPd-gZtPJ8tFOBW4u6u8vJoZ8-iSSZMIxQlyro0GIqucYCyeQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN09UXozLW_i-3bNfY-I8wRqQApbdbGyljW-N2Ov0nl5PR3dHGm0nm04Zb76cS5PIZhl-Is3CqjAhsnZVToqBoVjsxj-5Gon6e1FNLPa8Bd788tQdHnqUgn4EUX3P1IQgYLo1HPOvnIYtzPd-gZtPJ8tFOBW4u6u8vJoZ8-iSSZMIxQlyro0GIqucYCyeQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Dan isn't the only young person we know of doing great things for charity - I expect you know (or have heard of) someone like Dan as well. Couldn't hurt to send a donation his way.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div><p></p>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-56765434289949189852023-06-14T19:38:00.003+01:002024-03-09T20:30:41.684+00:00Airfix Nostalgia - Redux<p style="text-align: justify;">Well, it seems I just can't get away from those old Airfix kits. My original <a href="http://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/airfix-nostalgia-project.html" target="_blank">Airfix nostalgia project</a> was supposed to be all over in 2020, but it seems the itch still needs scratching. So this is a short post recording a couple of recent bits of kit building. </p><div style="text-align: justify;">The first kit was one of those 'Vintage Classics' that Airfix currently have an extensive range of. So you can buy one of the models you remember from your youth, with the old school artwork, but the decals and instructions will all be bang up to date. Personally I'd prefer to have a facsimile of the old style instructions, but you can't have everything. Quality of the kits is generally very good. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I picked the DUKW kit for two reasons - I remembered having fun building it and playing with it from when I was about 10, and it was also a vehicle that my dad told me he had driven in the war. In particular, he drove one up the beach at Anzio in 1944 (whilst the beach was still under fire), serving in a machine-gun battalion of the Middlesex regiment. So there it was, on a shelf at my favourite model shop, the Cheltenham Model Centre. No brainer!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj8e9J63HM1aBxTetUBRztfUy-2J4N16NMETU3YweVMe0vDNuqbkZPN1p_kWqyhOJIjcsWCcwEIzy3j8Kf8Mi7J3d3cWFd7KvC51gU967kN7FhX1Ixe0NzQRIQ3PjV-7UvjCfhk8qMQLbxVDV8IQdmdfce5A8I-JM4Eu9qdVXS1LwZOf3-KeIm_Bv-CQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="984" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj8e9J63HM1aBxTetUBRztfUy-2J4N16NMETU3YweVMe0vDNuqbkZPN1p_kWqyhOJIjcsWCcwEIzy3j8Kf8Mi7J3d3cWFd7KvC51gU967kN7FhX1Ixe0NzQRIQ3PjV-7UvjCfhk8qMQLbxVDV8IQdmdfce5A8I-JM4Eu9qdVXS1LwZOf3-KeIm_Bv-CQ=w400-h280" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second is a genuine late 60s kit of a Ju-87 Stuka. This was another kit I distinctly remember building, at a time when I didn't even bother to paint my models, just glueing them together and then impatiently waiting for the glue to dry so that I could fly them round the house. Sad old fool that I am, getting my hands on one of those old bagged kits was once again a real thrill. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back in the day, the model would have been put together in an hour at most, but a combination of other things to do and a desire to savour the full nostalgic experience meant making this particular Stuka took a couple of months of short spells of activity. One positive surprise was that the decals, over 50 years old, still functioned, and so all I needed to add was a tail swastika from a modern decal company. Such things weren't allowed back in the late 60s, at least if you wanted to sell your kits in Europe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp4H-oD9fcIUE51vAc7VdYpGeHWAZtlc8d4JVXiDGW2dwnX8uGvfQjbuIeuylu7O_zsbTznJ5DF2siK59KbB4xo9dO_v_MvyvnmpLD_ZDJiFuI9FuB75NihPzRjyBbbjhPbMMzUvmwo3TZhJ2ih2cCf48dxmFU-PyWoO3YeojynD_1Pcd8iiIYBWBtig" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2937" data-original-width="3848" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp4H-oD9fcIUE51vAc7VdYpGeHWAZtlc8d4JVXiDGW2dwnX8uGvfQjbuIeuylu7O_zsbTznJ5DF2siK59KbB4xo9dO_v_MvyvnmpLD_ZDJiFuI9FuB75NihPzRjyBbbjhPbMMzUvmwo3TZhJ2ih2cCf48dxmFU-PyWoO3YeojynD_1Pcd8iiIYBWBtig=w400-h306" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe those decals neeeded a couple of extra coats of Microsol!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It seems this project is now open-ended. I have a genuine 50+ years-old boxed Me-110 kit waiting on the shelf, and my eldest son bought me a trio of 'Vintage Classics' for Christmas, so that will keep me going for a while. I find making up these old kits at my current slow pace to be so relaxing, and the nostalgia is great for promoting peaceful and pleasant reminiscences. Retirement is good!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time.</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-87009419405353370692023-06-06T14:45:00.009+01:002023-06-09T13:01:46.137+01:00Things Go Wrong In The Western Desert, 1942 <div style="text-align: justify;">So, a few weeks ago, I headed over to Roy's full of anticipation for a WW2 game set in the Western Desert. I had been working on my WRG-derived rules - I had recently checked over all the gun and armour stats and had even come up with a fancy alternate activation scheme for the turn sequence. What could possibly go wrong?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day actually started very well. Roy had a pile of box files waiting, extracted from the depths of his Alladin's Cave of a wargames room, and I had the pleasure of picking out the forces I thought would make an interesting game. We threw history to the wind and went for a <i>Flames of War-</i>style tank punch-up set in 1942, with minimal infantry and just a battery of supporting artillery on each side. The table was 6' x 4'. The forces were:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>British</b> - Force HQ: Dorchester ACV</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crusader tank company: HQ (Crusader III) plus 3 platoons each of 3 x Crusader III</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Grant tank company: HQ (Grant) plus 2 platoons each of 3 x Grant</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carrier platoon: in 6 x Universal Carriers</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recce section: 2 x Humber II</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Artillery: 4 x 25pdr off-table plus AFO</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>German</b> - Force HQ: Sdkfz 250 with Rommel impersonator</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Panzer company: HQ Pz. III (<i>kurz 50mm</i>), platoon of 4 x Pz. IVG, platoon of 4 x Pz. III (<i>lang 50mm</i>), </div><div style="text-align: justify;">platoon of 4 x Panzer III (<i>kurz 50mm</i>)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Infantry platoon: in 4 trucks, plus towed 88mm Flak 36 and towed 50mm Pak 38</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anti-tank section: 2 x <i>Diana </i>SP 76.2mm</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anti-aircraft section: 2 x SP AA 20mm</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Artillery: 4 x 10.5cm <i>LeFh</i> off-table plus AFO</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The British had 17 tanks to the Germans 13, but the latter had some powerful anti-tank gun support. The models were 15mm-1/100th scale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We deployed by alternate platoons, and then set to. The action was quickly under way, and proved deadly - rather too deadly, in fact. But before some analysis, here are some snaps of the game:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgXMPsGI_2ecmc-b8ZmvbtIdXdRTvjC75DYoMjYdOcU4NAGVBO4HSglzSxi0f6-S9bRMybqv7FDZCMsezen8ewdv3mCcdOyg098H1KLC08-hKwPfh_3DxvODIyqCCQpUY01JHXNn1f_ONqNMx0eNQKpirBqNhgsTog5lNrv1rETsw8hlTK_ZyEvN0aA/s5184/DSC09558.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3431" data-original-width="5184" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgXMPsGI_2ecmc-b8ZmvbtIdXdRTvjC75DYoMjYdOcU4NAGVBO4HSglzSxi0f6-S9bRMybqv7FDZCMsezen8ewdv3mCcdOyg098H1KLC08-hKwPfh_3DxvODIyqCCQpUY01JHXNn1f_ONqNMx0eNQKpirBqNhgsTog5lNrv1rETsw8hlTK_ZyEvN0aA/w400-h265/DSC09558.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy took the Brits - Crusaders to his left, Grants to his right.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqaEpLoVrpyly1y2-NgpO_o6D3OW45oqBqGtVLiBKyZ-o68AuuM8Iq3VXrAeh1NOkqkQDamWjiK6Ewe9GI18uiQGh_vXFH4PgFUjUwruK5GOlgIzmQDO_HS2Hj53uyG8239DjAgU_ZWBpz0OhNQI3tletlNXch_ntVbEBRNVWP6ekJfTzRyLsiI5DFQ/s4438/DSC09560.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3335" data-original-width="4438" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqaEpLoVrpyly1y2-NgpO_o6D3OW45oqBqGtVLiBKyZ-o68AuuM8Iq3VXrAeh1NOkqkQDamWjiK6Ewe9GI18uiQGh_vXFH4PgFUjUwruK5GOlgIzmQDO_HS2Hj53uyG8239DjAgU_ZWBpz0OhNQI3tletlNXch_ntVbEBRNVWP6ekJfTzRyLsiI5DFQ/w400-h300/DSC09560.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cracking <i>Diana</i> models - or to be more accurate, the two<br /> <i>7.62cm FK36(r) auf Panzerjäger Selbstfahrlafette Zugkraftwagen 5t (Sd.Kfz. 6/3)</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9x16iyN2oJFVi3is5trZZnPw8O3e5J6C37pG9Cs2I7dNYkT_2NiNJJa5uB7UM_Mm7bWftpLJRoFFDPgA2K4HvrzVZYuj_KB_IfYSfCvHIZzxK16XDC-MhcAjfF70iQolnlrcWWbWWk_lkf6IIhLHzF8mbdBFSkpawpNGQrYau3lq53bAmLwtr6P_nA/s5184/DSC09562.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3657" data-original-width="5184" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9x16iyN2oJFVi3is5trZZnPw8O3e5J6C37pG9Cs2I7dNYkT_2NiNJJa5uB7UM_Mm7bWftpLJRoFFDPgA2K4HvrzVZYuj_KB_IfYSfCvHIZzxK16XDC-MhcAjfF70iQolnlrcWWbWWk_lkf6IIhLHzF8mbdBFSkpawpNGQrYau3lq53bAmLwtr6P_nA/w400-h283/DSC09562.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grants get going in the foreground. <br />Their thicker armour was useful, but 2 were soon knocked out.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9bMFTvqEB13G5aO7bIJQoX1m7cbFKdbszu7Guzm0LQ1RrUwUM9W-a8VQ9nQ1IqzBDrtXnC0QsKda-mSyNnJjEnCByaoWlMSzOErLwBlQYlj9pEh3nB8MWDRAqVvBJjup1Aa1kUTf2mZZHU_ICOE-tlbCVR4GWG8hJmqa2Oxn86-YZpHlaZZVmkwGyw/s4573/DSC09563.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="4573" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9bMFTvqEB13G5aO7bIJQoX1m7cbFKdbszu7Guzm0LQ1RrUwUM9W-a8VQ9nQ1IqzBDrtXnC0QsKda-mSyNnJjEnCByaoWlMSzOErLwBlQYlj9pEh3nB8MWDRAqVvBJjup1Aa1kUTf2mZZHU_ICOE-tlbCVR4GWG8hJmqa2Oxn86-YZpHlaZZVmkwGyw/w400-h283/DSC09563.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But by move 4 the Pz.III (<i>kurz</i>) platoon had been wiped out...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczzvGq6St9icdDVJq_3SXoOPvI6gS4CUAMkzDz6PtIVahp1Js5vCzMNAxgkp_pZeexQ-iL7LAF6r4fvmSuHvejYIkn7GKXRpD1XuILCylY_E5eYUn5jjysLQvNdxMVgLB15EcXnd6pm6x2x8UcMIu0BqWK9PpFuAN9zxWdU5W2aEurawynywq7OH7zA/s5043/DSC09564.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3756" data-original-width="5043" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczzvGq6St9icdDVJq_3SXoOPvI6gS4CUAMkzDz6PtIVahp1Js5vCzMNAxgkp_pZeexQ-iL7LAF6r4fvmSuHvejYIkn7GKXRpD1XuILCylY_E5eYUn5jjysLQvNdxMVgLB15EcXnd6pm6x2x8UcMIu0BqWK9PpFuAN9zxWdU5W2aEurawynywq7OH7zA/w400-h297/DSC09564.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...as had the platoon of Pz.III (<i>lang</i>). Plus half of the PzIVs!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW0_kLYAbFelIxpsuIGdKiH5S1uVBjvsgzzkYBAFaW5pMN4UXJoOf_pHcjlyDaVQtQEtTnQRvYVOz08IufSD1r4Qi0hm2yGE6FMdaqE7-jXrNGN2zaBwFUrg5LoyT9YHkeGsw08XpUl2Xpl27ku1xY5RWuD8kasetk5AZoSzMlUzAWKXqqvDQKuLztQ/s4729/DSC09567.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3539" data-original-width="4729" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW0_kLYAbFelIxpsuIGdKiH5S1uVBjvsgzzkYBAFaW5pMN4UXJoOf_pHcjlyDaVQtQEtTnQRvYVOz08IufSD1r4Qi0hm2yGE6FMdaqE7-jXrNGN2zaBwFUrg5LoyT9YHkeGsw08XpUl2Xpl27ku1xY5RWuD8kasetk5AZoSzMlUzAWKXqqvDQKuLztQ/w400-h299/DSC09567.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 or 3 Crusaders had also been destroyed, but my Rommel impersonator had little <br />choice but to call it a day. A game that seemed to be over before it had really started.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Truth be told, it had not been much of a game. It wasn't hard to see why. A stationary Crusader with a 6pdr could hit on a 2 up to 500m, then a 3 up to 750m (the usual battle ranges). Against a Panzer III, a knock out was automatic if hit. So tank knock outs were just too easy and predictable, even if the stats stood up historically. Firing from the other direction was slightly more difficult, with even the long 50mm gun rated slightly weaker than the 6pdr, but knock outs were still pretty easy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This was a result of not seeing the wood for the trees. I had gone over the stats repeatedly with my reference material, but the consequences during a game had eluded me. Most of my games had been set in Poland 1939, where the tanks are mostly just armoured cars with tracks, so easy knock outs are expected. Not so later in the war. This was also the first time I had tried a real tank-heavy engagement, popular with many gamers but a rare occurence in real life. So this had been a valuable play-test. But how to solve the problem?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Phil Barker mechanic for deciding whether AFVs are knocked out was quirky and original, and I had decided to keep it as part of the character of the rules. For those not familiar, it consists of a table with most WW2 tank and anti-tank weapons down one side, and the six armour classes (later increased to 8) along the top. A typical cell has a range band and a number - '4 at 500-1000m', for example. This means that a particular gun, firing at that particular armour, will knock-out automatically at under 500m, knock-out on a roll of 4 or more at 500 to 1000m range, and be ineffective at over 1000m. Also, quite a lot of cells say 'All K-O' or No K-O'. The system was refined a little in rule books after 1973, but the basic mechanic was retained. It might be of interest to show an extract, pictured below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFmNZadF0hMWHxVRwF9NTSU-bnaHP4hKawwpxXpC8PZw13OhrypzuV7eClcrMfa7yin0yd5HU7ZjaV1wpC6Th4soQgnPBDx_2j5X3qk90qZOp5GJtxXexmAQUeWIkmDecrDcZsHDtQnF2dvERJB-ntICKqyJgkRlVMd1u8KYwLF7nIPxTXCAxYS7ShQ/s4449/IMG_20230606_0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3170" data-original-width="4449" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFmNZadF0hMWHxVRwF9NTSU-bnaHP4hKawwpxXpC8PZw13OhrypzuV7eClcrMfa7yin0yd5HU7ZjaV1wpC6Th4soQgnPBDx_2j5X3qk90qZOp5GJtxXexmAQUeWIkmDecrDcZsHDtQnF2dvERJB-ntICKqyJgkRlVMd1u8KYwLF7nIPxTXCAxYS7ShQ/w400-h285/IMG_20230606_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© WRG 1973.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One obvious option was to just go through the table I was using and alter all the stats to make things a bit less deadly. But I quickly began to think about ditching the system in its entirety. It was rather inflexible and lacked nuance - it was usually a choice between no knock out possible, a 50-50 chance of a knock out, or an automatic knock out if hit. It had also become apparent that fitting particular AFVs into one of the 6 classes could be tricky when they were on the cusp between the parameters for one class and the next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My decision was to change to a much more well-used and familiar system - attack and defence values, which I had first encountered in Donald Featherstone's <i>War Games</i> from 1962. I had been tempted to make this change from the outset, but respect (and nostalgia) for Mr Barker's concept had held me back. But now it was time for the change. No need for armour classes - each AFV could have a defence value number that represented my best guess at the strength of its armour, whether front, side or rear. And similarly for guns - the attack value number at any particular range (and with any particular ammo type) could be tailored as required. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There are a variety of ways the system can be used, but I went for that described by Charles Grant in his 1970 book <i>Battle - Practical Wargaming</i>. Look up the attack value at the appropriate range, add the sum of 2 D6, and the total must exceed the defence value of the tank's armour to knock it out. If not knocked out, the tank remains 'neutralised' (i.e. suppressed) as a result of being hit, as with the original WRG rules.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The good news was, I had a specimen system already available from my own adaption of the Charles Grant rules, which I had used for many years back in the 1970s and 80s. A few hours work and I had my attack and defence value tables done. Interestingly, I checked the probabilities of various knock-outs with my most recent set of commercial rules (the <i>Battlegroup</i> series, which use a very similar system) and found a reasonable match. So I'm going with this change. Rolling 2 dice is somehow rather more satisfying than rolling just one, which is an additional bonus. The inevitable tweaking of probabilities that will take place in the future will be much easier with the new system. All other firing rules from the WRG system remain in use, although I once again adjusted the hit probabilities to make hits just a little less likely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As an example, to knock out one of those Panzer IIIs pictured above with a 6pdr will now need a hit roll of 2 up to 250m range, then 3 for up to 500m, then a 4 for up to 1000m. For a frontal attack, the attack value of a 6pdr at 500-1000m is 5, the defence value of a Panzer IIIH is 11, so a roll of 7 with 2D6 is required to knock-out, a probability of 58% in favour. Naturally, as the range shortens this probability increases. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As with so many things in rule writing, I have once again been taught that getting the 'feel' right for a satisfying game is more important than a spurious 'accuracy' which says that if this gun could penetrate this armour at this range, then a knock-out will always result, whether in real life or on the gaming table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">By the way, the alternate activation system seemed to work quite well, replacing a standard IGO-UGO arrangement with one where units from each side take their 'bound' alternately. That is, in the game described, a German unit fires and moves, then a British unit fires and moves, and so on. It seems a bit more modern (I might even say a bit more 'on trend' for 21st century gaming), and gives more of the feel of real battle where punches are traded in quick succession. Plus, the choice of what order to activate your units gives a little more tactical choice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I hope this hasn't all been too tedious for readers. Perhaps this kind of detail may be of interest to some of you. And of course, this blog is for me as much as you, recording my adventures and decisions in this strange hobby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Roy has foolishly agreed to a re-match, so with luck we will have another, rather more enjoyable, game with the same lovely models. I will endeavour to report back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div><p></p>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-1389041146540302562023-04-24T15:16:00.006+01:002023-06-09T13:04:59.392+01:00"Is This a Hobby or a Military Exercise?"<p style="text-align: justify;">The quote is from Donald Featherstone. He wrote the words in 1960, during a dispute over editorial policy in <i>War Games Digest, </i>the pioneering historical wargaming magazine that was at that time being published in alternating British and U.S editions. You can still <a href="http://www-personal.umich.edu/~beattie/timeline/milex.html" target="_blank">source the full article here</a>. Don wanted the magazine to stick to strictly recreational wargaming articles, whilst Jack Scruby (the U.S. editor) was happy to have general discussions of military history published as well as articles tending towards attempts at simulation - in fact he was happy to publish anything relating to military history or wargaming that he could get his hands on. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCBx6W6zsWJxVX6zMu-3IYNw7BhBu2iN2XYEUgv2iF-mD7JNb2Iy7edUV6YYEXYZiyG_nEjgE6gSEE3_TvgsxozbEoZWcZsOmvvhfmQZA5Xx2Te54HkbqzlRa0_mrrfmUlaBxc449HYl5iZh-jgyN0NlmBfE9Z2lWDVLAHiSpusUTG9QlafJ_ezdLpgg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCBx6W6zsWJxVX6zMu-3IYNw7BhBu2iN2XYEUgv2iF-mD7JNb2Iy7edUV6YYEXYZiyG_nEjgE6gSEE3_TvgsxozbEoZWcZsOmvvhfmQZA5Xx2Te54HkbqzlRa0_mrrfmUlaBxc449HYl5iZh-jgyN0NlmBfE9Z2lWDVLAHiSpusUTG9QlafJ_ezdLpgg=w228-h320" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The dispute ended in <i>WGD</i> winding up, and each side of the pond producing their own magazine - Don's <i>Wargamer's Newsletter</i> and Jack's <i>Table Top Talk</i>. The full exchange of views is also <a href="http://www-personal.umich.edu/~beattie/timeline/jsdf.html" target="_blank">preserved online here</a>. Who was right? I have sympathy with Mr Featherstone's view, but you can understand where Mr Scruby was coming from. He was short of articles, and was happy to have his magazine reflect whatever was being sent in. But who was right in this instance is not the point of this post. The point is the question posed by Donald Featherstone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These days, historical wargaming with miniatures is pretty much acknowledged to be just a hobby. Right? We're into <i>recreational</i> wargaming. We're all just playing with toy soldiers. Well, recently I had the free time to check out a couple of podcasts, in both of which non-wargamers (but people keenly interested in military history) invited wargamers onto the podcast to speak about their hobby. And it appears that the idea of a military exercise is not dead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The first podcast I heard was on James Holland's <a href="https://wehavewayspod.com/" target="_blank">We Have Ways Of Making You Talk</a> channel. It was called 'The Miniature War', and can be heard <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-miniature-war/id1457552694?i=1000596652289" target="_blank">on Apple podcasts here</a>. Their wargaming guru was Nick Skinner, well known as one of the Too Fat Lardies. I strongly recommend you listen to the podcast if you can. But I'm afraid Nick lost me when he started by saying "it all goes back to Kriegspiel". Personally, I thought it all went back to H.G.Wells and <i>Little Wars</i>. But, from what I heard, Nick seemed to be all about confusing military exercises and recreational wargaming. He certainly seemed to end up confusing James Holland, which is not surprising. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Nick's main wargaming example was the recent Too Fat Lardies project that involved putting on some <i>Chain of Command</i> games at the museum in Arnhem. This was a remarkable and fantastic effort which succeeded admirably in entertaining visitors to the museum and publicising the hobby. But of course <i>Chain of Command</i> is a set of rules for recreational wargaming. It's a game between players. Kriegspiel was a predictive learning tool where members of the Prussian General Staff <i>umpired</i> (yes, you've guessed it) a <i>military exercise</i>, most famously trying to work out what would happen if Prussia went to war with France in 1870. Which doesn't sound like a recreational game to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You can ocasionally find a game of Kriegspiel being played at a wargaming show, but playing games of Kriegspiel is a niche hobby within a niche hobby. Sadly, the phrase 'playing with toy soldiers' never left Nick's mouth. He seemed very keen to convince his audience that the hobby of historical wargaming was some sort of serious 'learning tool' (a phrase he uses at one point.). This is, in my opinion, rather silly. But we can discusss that below. For the moment, I will say that genuine Kriegspiel and <i>Chain of Command</i> are very different things indeed, and mixing them together is a mistake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQF6OcfTksBIX3zCnDKmzHO8bTdgr83tcbVXqz3N1JGripm8N-MtOnYdTZefI606UeoIUWTdUOUmgmK7h9WXqR0KtzxIBPI4LMgl7YIbIv2m4HnA96thcnaZbO0NPoKCepmPcdSz_FRvnABj8gFUXLw0ZNhc0GwhmtdvBOaZBLHdyiMxg3v6jHviWwbQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQF6OcfTksBIX3zCnDKmzHO8bTdgr83tcbVXqz3N1JGripm8N-MtOnYdTZefI606UeoIUWTdUOUmgmK7h9WXqR0KtzxIBPI4LMgl7YIbIv2m4HnA96thcnaZbO0NPoKCepmPcdSz_FRvnABj8gFUXLw0ZNhc0GwhmtdvBOaZBLHdyiMxg3v6jHviWwbQ=w228-h320" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fine set of wargaming rules.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Those seeking to understand our hobby were on much firmer ground with the second podcast. This dated from 2019 and occurred on the <a href="https://readyroombrief.com/fights-camera-action/" target="_blank">Ready Room channel</a>. It involved a couple of the leading lights from Little Wars TV. LWTV already have a succinct and accurate summary of the background to our hobby available as a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHgLWPjQ_M0&ab_channel=LittleWarsTV" target="_blank">YouTube video</a>, so I expected a better result than Nick Skinner's effort. I was correct. The whole podcast goes on for 2 hours, and does diverge into non-wargaming issues towards the end, but the first hour is an entertaining discussion on what our hobby consists of. For LWTV fans such as myself, there is also some interesting background into how the club and its YouTube channel started out. This is another podcast I urge you to find time for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There is no messing about in the Ready Room podcast. Our hobby is clearly described as just that - a hobby. And no-one is shy about saying they enjoy playing with toy soldiers. To be fair, Gregg does say how regularly playing Gettysburg as a wargame over the years has taught him that the Confederates appear to have had little chance of winning that particular battle. But how far this means recreational wargaming is a learning tool is questionable and something I'd like to have a quick chat about. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>A Military Exercise?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The strap line for the James Holland podcast actually includes the words, 'What wargaming can teach us about the Second World War'. So, what can we learn about warfare from recreational wargaming with miniatures? The answer is, nothing. Or, to be more precise, practically nothing. The only exception I have come across is Professor Philip Sabin's <i>Lost Battles</i>. But in this book it is clear that he develops an academic modelling technique relating to ancient warfare rather than a game, a technique which is probably better run through computers than played on a table top. Simulations tend to make rather dull games.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There is an overall point here. I do not want to simulate war in my games, even if such a thing were possible. It has been said that those wargamers wishing to simulate WW2 should dig a hole in their garden in the middle of winter, then live in it for a least a couple weeks, whilst friends and family members occasionally throw the biggest fireworks they can buy at your hole - preferably in the middle of the night. War is about death and destruction and I do not wish to simulate it. I want to play with toy soldiers in a game based roughly on what is known about a particular period, and which results in historically plausible outcomes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">But how do we know what an historically plausible outcome is? By knowing the period through research, mostly via the reading we do in books and online. This leads to my basic point, which is about the flow of information. Information flows from what we know about warfare <i>into</i> our wargames, not <i>from</i> our games into a body of knowledge. We make our games by knowing about military history, not the other way round. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One might say that someone with little knowledge of WW2 tactics might learn the power of an MG42 by playing <i>Chain of Command</i>. I suppose my point is that they won't have learnt anything new. The knowledge about MG42s came from the rules author, who learnt it by reading books about WW2 tactics. You can't learn about the power of an MG42 by making a 1/76th scale model of it and putting it on a table. And, to be frank, you can learn a great deal a lot faster by reading than playing a wargame. The latter really is a very time consuming and cumbersome way of acquiring information that everyone who's interested already knows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">How about the Gettysburg example? Well, without wishing to deny Gregg's lived experience, I have severe doubts about recreational wargaming having anything real to say about the outcome of Gettysburg. So much of the outcome of a battle of that size is about command relationships and command decisions that can't really be gamed at a tactical or operational level. And the distance between a recreational game and a real battle is just so great that the chance of anything at all being learned seems like wishful thinking. Having a go can be very enjoyable, but then 'enjoyable' is not a good word to describe an actual bloody battle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So, I was rather disappointed with Nick Skinner's description of historical wargaming with miniatures, and pleased to find a much clearer and rather more enjoyable description given by the guys at LWTV. Please, if you can, listen to both podcasts. I'd really enjoy reading your reactions in the comments section.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div><p></p>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-2841675664863515282023-03-31T17:56:00.002+01:002023-06-09T13:05:31.554+01:00Clear The Woods September 1939<div style="text-align: justify;">Here we go with another WW2 scenario, played using my WRG 1973 revised rules. This time I was fortunate to have a live opponent - many thanks to Steve for coming over and helping out. If anyone finds the title and map of this scenario ringing some bells, both belong to a Napoleonic skirmish scenario laid out in WSS magazine a year or two ago. The original magazine is, alas, long lost, so I can't refer readers to the source.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Suffice to say that the Germans are attacking from the west, entering the table on move 1 along the two roads (sectors A and B on the map). Force A is based around a Combat Engineer platoon, force B is based around a Kradschutzen platoon. Their overall objective is to clear the wooded terrain of the enemy, and make a clear path for the tank units following them up. The Poles are there to delay them as long as possible. The four specific objectives are indicated by the red dots on the map, and as indicated in the scenario details the Germans have to take at least 3 of them to win. Game duration would be as long as we decided it was worthwhile - this was, after all, basically a test game.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As usual, the table was 6' x 4'. If anyone needs reminding, the models are 15mm or 1/100th scale. The Poles were free to dig-in as required.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD-aLJlrLOaoBzV-2x5tyCwtR5ftH15DyMSxu688uciqkA13UHBLuFAZNJYSw2QLwyTVLHZg6IQ2OeWVGmBlTQKEMJZhGAGQrPdJO-LZbaNiXEmStHbOmZFWaR_sOrKnottp01lfuIfh2V43NVDtKqXSagNwDkyRDq0hc8MCH1wBw8U-0WimMnJfYhg/s4801/Clear%20the%20Woods%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3724" data-original-width="4801" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD-aLJlrLOaoBzV-2x5tyCwtR5ftH15DyMSxu688uciqkA13UHBLuFAZNJYSw2QLwyTVLHZg6IQ2OeWVGmBlTQKEMJZhGAGQrPdJO-LZbaNiXEmStHbOmZFWaR_sOrKnottp01lfuIfh2V43NVDtKqXSagNwDkyRDq0hc8MCH1wBw8U-0WimMnJfYhg/w400-h310/Clear%20the%20Woods%20map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Forces</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB8Q82y341h99i7yFi0EZqYXt-sozGNn0ZiipYFK44gadaAAMq30YI_PjGfxmZLE2dzA7IPy0IEKi5sSC6v16H4qjo7ADzv7Eo4z3J07eko2nuA_DkqSoWnIrILT3SMpJ_uGbrejE3BPmDXqziZMfQXq8tW-btv57OGi9H8-B2mGimyRi-Mkq42sxqHA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="451" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB8Q82y341h99i7yFi0EZqYXt-sozGNn0ZiipYFK44gadaAAMq30YI_PjGfxmZLE2dzA7IPy0IEKi5sSC6v16H4qjo7ADzv7Eo4z3J07eko2nuA_DkqSoWnIrILT3SMpJ_uGbrejE3BPmDXqziZMfQXq8tW-btv57OGi9H8-B2mGimyRi-Mkq42sxqHA=w523-h640" width="523" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>How It Played</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Due to the rules requiring elements of a platoon to stay within 200m of their command element, or 50m from each other, the Poles would need to deploy the cavalry platoon guarding one road, whilst the recce sections guarded the other. Thanks to Steve, I was able to see how my 'dummy counters' rules worked to disguise the details of the Polish deployment (quite well, as it turned out). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As so often with a new scenario, it turned out to be a little unbalanced, and the Germans had a tough time making progress without proper armoured support. Hence the recommended addition of an under-strength panzer platoon along each road. This should create a more mobile and equal game. You could try more armoured cars if you prefer, giving the Germans a full armoured car platoon of 4 or 5 vehicles down each road to give the Germans a proper chance of punching through the Polish defences.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_ie3wtZX7GJoLR-MpEweMXhCSZSGH_Y3z4FgwD7bJSXfiiKvTRBIdO9mO0gHqOWlUW5OJB_WqmEKaRj7fIQLwz7tmF86ULhxKim8m3zi1Pb-4dkHR5pu_1kei9Gmls_7uVkfm16lsT16zt6ud4RjNGynVcv_OwCToTCKo2MT5yXzSgrakOTYW5lwHg/s5055/DSC09506.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3585" data-original-width="5055" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_ie3wtZX7GJoLR-MpEweMXhCSZSGH_Y3z4FgwD7bJSXfiiKvTRBIdO9mO0gHqOWlUW5OJB_WqmEKaRj7fIQLwz7tmF86ULhxKim8m3zi1Pb-4dkHR5pu_1kei9Gmls_7uVkfm16lsT16zt6ud4RjNGynVcv_OwCToTCKo2MT5yXzSgrakOTYW5lwHg/w400-h284/DSC09506.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview of the table, with dummy counters in place.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwv9j5eOI-vUCJ89AKKTAk5oitFHzW3P14jF2z7X8QhqpQiGOE4MUhHYzbj7Es85HnLGFcP19K1kE42XCU_l5-fVmgnPq2qxshlQ267ZaRY0MgRC5t0m31dWS7Jra_99iqwoFwxydRzzasafBFvEwikq2PTxkv3sIyzmKMSJJKKTblwulkm7OaaWwHg/s5184/DSC09508.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwv9j5eOI-vUCJ89AKKTAk5oitFHzW3P14jF2z7X8QhqpQiGOE4MUhHYzbj7Es85HnLGFcP19K1kE42XCU_l5-fVmgnPq2qxshlQ267ZaRY0MgRC5t0m31dWS7Jra_99iqwoFwxydRzzasafBFvEwikq2PTxkv3sIyzmKMSJJKKTblwulkm7OaaWwHg/w400-h300/DSC09508.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Germans made reasonable progress on the southern road.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7BbiBQj2w4fugVpONtDq0zGdq1b4gd0V4iiUmok_uZTNa9mntpgcfnY-IS_ZG5576IG2o_11mcAkbVMvLSPF4Nt32ixCL7djeeqLxBW-V-ZaepVHeelSNJ2TC1x8t0wD0sosLAG0AKOrTOYyzdK1kSdUg6d4hIIOkdvRSmamKMU1DRlfY7H4GCjL5g/s5184/DSC09512.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7BbiBQj2w4fugVpONtDq0zGdq1b4gd0V4iiUmok_uZTNa9mntpgcfnY-IS_ZG5576IG2o_11mcAkbVMvLSPF4Nt32ixCL7djeeqLxBW-V-ZaepVHeelSNJ2TC1x8t0wD0sosLAG0AKOrTOYyzdK1kSdUg6d4hIIOkdvRSmamKMU1DRlfY7H4GCjL5g/w400-h300/DSC09512.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things were a bit slower on the northern route, due to a nicely<br />placed artillery strike which caused casualties and disruption.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8iF0AEIEQekrF3Vv0i2H1yBnRXa3GuF-xRwvjyiznDnEvR7VL4cWaEYkx1XfYrQSFJ0atcJ7OiYU8y--szeRIdvRQ_sIbYnQh_ZqXjfE09ZVwIPkxw-olFVUb55TLqLyP2pkV4GXi4szsFCFftlcoTYajHzgUWUroMDgEnsYRHCfg9gSkEP2aGhiuw/s5184/DSC09515.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8iF0AEIEQekrF3Vv0i2H1yBnRXa3GuF-xRwvjyiznDnEvR7VL4cWaEYkx1XfYrQSFJ0atcJ7OiYU8y--szeRIdvRQ_sIbYnQh_ZqXjfE09ZVwIPkxw-olFVUb55TLqLyP2pkV4GXi4szsFCFftlcoTYajHzgUWUroMDgEnsYRHCfg9gSkEP2aGhiuw/w400-h300/DSC09515.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As dummy counters were revealed, it became necessary to <br />winkle out Polish opposition.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAak7PipiwFYoEbJsYb26fG0YVmuzy8Q9M1CiNwudRcNCwlDvKMFFS8P9fFPUSZrRBFRXz7o2hGQ9OO3i0kMrIeTEvPPqkCJD2YerxGdPJ-07y5KBct0QWbJd3a_JyouR9ftgqnPVnPg0-S3B9uM03BqOVxyUz1JYX9jrJDyQYcmVnsNe-gwedDRCzEA/s5000/DSC09517.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3594" data-original-width="5000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAak7PipiwFYoEbJsYb26fG0YVmuzy8Q9M1CiNwudRcNCwlDvKMFFS8P9fFPUSZrRBFRXz7o2hGQ9OO3i0kMrIeTEvPPqkCJD2YerxGdPJ-07y5KBct0QWbJd3a_JyouR9ftgqnPVnPg0-S3B9uM03BqOVxyUz1JYX9jrJDyQYcmVnsNe-gwedDRCzEA/w400-h288/DSC09517.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leading armoured cars from the southern column reach the ford.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwsSki6VGHhREw33MKtLLL9aLO5pQpNyH0AcNwDbwhXN1-yOMpAAva4LyHYcgetOumzhYJNpgBlUO9PbyhoGEPeEik-kEbcMrguOn0ptnOXtnDsAEaBnOwJuFCssSqNSXMSs0qWMW3qvyIfkmBJ2jjh-51tw0s0vTZ8LNNBPSnFZJnEspKPNEHbGfdg/s4634/DSC09520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3476" data-original-width="4634" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwsSki6VGHhREw33MKtLLL9aLO5pQpNyH0AcNwDbwhXN1-yOMpAAva4LyHYcgetOumzhYJNpgBlUO9PbyhoGEPeEik-kEbcMrguOn0ptnOXtnDsAEaBnOwJuFCssSqNSXMSs0qWMW3qvyIfkmBJ2jjh-51tw0s0vTZ8LNNBPSnFZJnEspKPNEHbGfdg/w400-h300/DSC09520.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Polish 'strategic reserve', as Steve called them, take some <br />mortar fire at the crossroads. Polish AFO seen behind.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TXd2RNa8ITceOOKwrsgnIHcDD3m4XYJBxVgsiksTuDU-wFC_iabIzJ2fQQgTgoKvQg3vzXNxrk67hZ02XZu1c8h49zVp4-ndWkXgZyMca8BqEW73hD0ezH23cIeBv93xI9F5GatBtlAghgYfvVYvlA41UZBOODxHPxtHqXKSZhZk3GU-kx5HY35wjQ/s4987/DSC09523.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3700" data-original-width="4987" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TXd2RNa8ITceOOKwrsgnIHcDD3m4XYJBxVgsiksTuDU-wFC_iabIzJ2fQQgTgoKvQg3vzXNxrk67hZ02XZu1c8h49zVp4-ndWkXgZyMca8BqEW73hD0ezH23cIeBv93xI9F5GatBtlAghgYfvVYvlA41UZBOODxHPxtHqXKSZhZk3GU-kx5HY35wjQ/w400-h296/DSC09523.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Poles are making a stand at the northern roadblock.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsNV-lanVirMuMHsBKSjv-QmMJ57RREHFsctQbi8871AKc2N2cwAKC1o3Rn0PyShKhFkAdA_4zZ1_pHsQGqjOx1HFG7GkeSN2HnLLZ3W-8HobDsJfNymWiUPm4_5TZU5AJBA-wTq7QdFgVueZ22_iX_tzUzWF0apZVHeDEx8Gt_LNXisFahNZuB1tVw/s4382/DSC09531.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3286" data-original-width="4382" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsNV-lanVirMuMHsBKSjv-QmMJ57RREHFsctQbi8871AKc2N2cwAKC1o3Rn0PyShKhFkAdA_4zZ1_pHsQGqjOx1HFG7GkeSN2HnLLZ3W-8HobDsJfNymWiUPm4_5TZU5AJBA-wTq7QdFgVueZ22_iX_tzUzWF0apZVHeDEx8Gt_LNXisFahNZuB1tVw/w400-h300/DSC09531.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A German airstrike appears, but as so often the effect is limited.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zM5cqWXkqRnZvhVnjJ6sUwqCzKHDf3YrcdLTyzseyzbg9HO5HFB2HovKnDMcZSybSOEDELqsjmEZ4ykkWlL8MHp1dsKSd9IqPWrnEvfJQ8WYXmLoHJbgkJaGThB8Hjiq2vMXSOaeUrC8qTNAKUQWbMRERCc0QOC6ahW0wp_mVkD_Jr3l1AbZUy0Y5g/s5024/DSC09529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3550" data-original-width="5024" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zM5cqWXkqRnZvhVnjJ6sUwqCzKHDf3YrcdLTyzseyzbg9HO5HFB2HovKnDMcZSybSOEDELqsjmEZ4ykkWlL8MHp1dsKSd9IqPWrnEvfJQ8WYXmLoHJbgkJaGThB8Hjiq2vMXSOaeUrC8qTNAKUQWbMRERCc0QOC6ahW0wp_mVkD_Jr3l1AbZUy0Y5g/w400-h283/DSC09529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 7 moves it was time for Steve to head home. <br />German progress had been halted - it seemed they <br />needed more mobile firepower to make a breakthrough.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>De-Brief</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Poles had won, but it seemed obvious the Germans needed a bit more 'oomph' to make a game of it - unless of course the Polish forces were reduced. So I think adding about 3 German tanks up each road should do the trick - the Germans will be able to overcome the initial Polish defences, giving them time to dismantle or go around the roadblocks before taking on the FT-17s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This was Steve's first try at these rules, and he seemed to settle into them without too much trouble. He commented on their 'old school' feel, which is hardly surprising considering their vintage. Will he be abandoning <i>Blitzkrieg Commander</i>, his favourite rules of many years? I doubt it, but it seems we have an altenative set of rules with a different figure scale to add variety to our WW2 engagements.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">To see Steve's report and his comments on the rules, go over to his excellent blog:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://wargameswithtoysoldier1685-1985.blogspot.com/2023/03/wrg-rules-1925-1950.html" target="_blank">Wargames With Toy Soldiers</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"Til next time!</div></div></div><p></p>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-69150442617744750112023-03-08T17:49:00.009+00:002023-06-09T13:06:09.024+01:00The Action at Rudnik - Poland 1939<p style="text-align: justify;">For the moment, my main project continues to be developing my variant of the WRG 1973 <i>Armour and Infantry</i> rules. Tweaking the morale rules (or 'reaction' as the rules call it) had been causing me some trouble, but I thought I now had it figured out.</p><div style="text-align: justify;">I decided to test things out using a full-blooded attack-defence game with a battalion-sized German Kampfgruppe attacking a Polish position. I hope any readers gaming WW2 will find the scenario of interest, regardless of the rules you are using.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The terrain map (6' x 4' table) is shown below. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF9e-esrP8BN2ER83MENRfKRcZ4lvB7wqL2nakG_sS_z6Zbyy_m9-L75zSbQRnxhK7rzW9tMhEozNsQUUHmjbsW5jPng-JKT69_OClflBHp2CtR6eVAbgjGqi_RHEyP7AxTSd6aiFE8pp6PefSI4F4D_z-WI8jmIMZ8LH1cDkQcR6LpDbFsQMVCaxug/s3635/Rudnik%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2481" data-original-width="3635" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF9e-esrP8BN2ER83MENRfKRcZ4lvB7wqL2nakG_sS_z6Zbyy_m9-L75zSbQRnxhK7rzW9tMhEozNsQUUHmjbsW5jPng-JKT69_OClflBHp2CtR6eVAbgjGqi_RHEyP7AxTSd6aiFE8pp6PefSI4F4D_z-WI8jmIMZ8LH1cDkQcR6LpDbFsQMVCaxug/w400-h272/Rudnik%20map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Germans are coming from the south, and are looking to open up the routes to the north. They need to capture Rudnik and force a crossing of the bridge. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All the hills are classed as 'low', which means that they are just representing folds in the ground or low rises which block line-of-sight but have no other effect on the game. The narrow river is crossable by infantry, but vehicles will roll as they wade: a 1 or 2 and they are stuck. The pillboxes hold an MMG each. The defenders can dig-in as required. Polish reinforcements dice from move 2, needing a 5+ to arrive. If they fail, they try again next turn on a 4+, and so on. Arrivals dice 50-50 to see which road they will arrive on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The forces were:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>German - 'Kampfgruppe Meyer' (attacking from the south)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kampfgruppe HQ - Command group in radio truck</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Panzer Company HQ - 1 x panzer I command tank</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 x light panzer platoons - 3 panzer II, 2 panzer I</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 x heavy panzer platoon - 2 x panzer II, 2 x panzer IV, 1 x bunkerflak (attached)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Infantry company HQ - 1 x light truck with radio</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 x infantry platoons each - 1 x platoon command group, 3 x rifle group, 3 x rifle/lmg group, 1 x 5cm mortar group, 1 x anti-tank rifle group, 1 x MMG group</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recce section - 1 x sdkfz 231 (6 rad), 1 x sdkfz 222</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anti-tank section - 1 x light truck with command group, 2 x towed pak 36</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Off table mortars - 6 x 8cm mortars with on-table MFO</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Off table artillery - 4 x 10.5cm howitzers with on-table AFO</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Polish (defending. Placed up to 700m/28" from north table edge)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">HQ - Company command group in truck with field telephone</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 x infantry platoons each - 1 x platoon command group, 6 x rifle group, 3 x rifle/lmg group, 1 x 46mm mortar group, 1 x anti-tank rifle group, 1 x 37mm anti-tank gun with tow. Right flank platoon also has a towed 75mm field gun attached.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">MMG section (attached to left flank platoon) - 2 x MMG group</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Attached tank platoon - 4 x Renault FT-17</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reinforcing tank platoon - 4 x 7tp</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reinforcing recce section - 2 x Wz-34 armoured cars</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On-table mortar section - 2 x 8cm mortars with command group and MFO (telephone only)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Off table artillery - 4 x 75mm field guns with on-table AFO</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Photos of the Battle</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsGzHxuvj7nUWWLwTSiT0FQcwRSEu_lRAfwgFfmhks-L8ElVWgDUgAFJDsMDJf9YKJfywumje_iFJwx8MHQJC4s7n5qFsoms9dVuVcH5Ftslveg8FZ6iLSm7VsNRO3MSViB4EErbdI9ixYJK0V9Qjp-DOTSzZE_AQ46LS1pofy4DARke4bMsMzZ9Ewg/s5184/DSC09405.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsGzHxuvj7nUWWLwTSiT0FQcwRSEu_lRAfwgFfmhks-L8ElVWgDUgAFJDsMDJf9YKJfywumje_iFJwx8MHQJC4s7n5qFsoms9dVuVcH5Ftslveg8FZ6iLSm7VsNRO3MSViB4EErbdI9ixYJK0V9Qjp-DOTSzZE_AQ46LS1pofy4DARke4bMsMzZ9Ewg/w400-h300/DSC09405.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Polish 75mm field gun waits in Rudnik</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B52JGQ2FOdd40Q0FVBG91IgTtE1SjHcn3u7UQdS6i2Up1KbC9r41SV7Ur9s6U5W3E6q61UxkuxclpjqmJhH0QhIskA7nBUM9FsqtAS7QX4CPgcRc1XXknkx2sXxxvVX2HWFG6R27RnHHuOdEMqpAGa0J9sZXF9DGBE7cJ3hwci8TAnm5fznNQ0kXgA/s4900/DSC09407.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3718" data-original-width="4900" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B52JGQ2FOdd40Q0FVBG91IgTtE1SjHcn3u7UQdS6i2Up1KbC9r41SV7Ur9s6U5W3E6q61UxkuxclpjqmJhH0QhIskA7nBUM9FsqtAS7QX4CPgcRc1XXknkx2sXxxvVX2HWFG6R27RnHHuOdEMqpAGa0J9sZXF9DGBE7cJ3hwci8TAnm5fznNQ0kXgA/w400-h304/DSC09407.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Polish positions in Rudnik. <br />Many infantry bases were inside the houses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiqmdD97jyTqP3QSB0DDhIfF2ZL3H1CyCqwnFBNtTPBjSt934Pgpow7_j59WfI7sV1DLdiNGwmwBYBoAOGU9VgpbqL4lRL9zHrBBapBsnuSzQlrQRFvo0PvD7TzC09NYe2EkqXmYVNkbzH8B8CjUPK2qSUTd76p2eksaRiNsBACfimNlWp_7TcxerAg/s5184/DSC09408.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3654" data-original-width="5184" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiqmdD97jyTqP3QSB0DDhIfF2ZL3H1CyCqwnFBNtTPBjSt934Pgpow7_j59WfI7sV1DLdiNGwmwBYBoAOGU9VgpbqL4lRL9zHrBBapBsnuSzQlrQRFvo0PvD7TzC09NYe2EkqXmYVNkbzH8B8CjUPK2qSUTd76p2eksaRiNsBACfimNlWp_7TcxerAg/w400-h283/DSC09408.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish positions around the bridge.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCulcvn_VDgxk3uHM64JVobhH9HThACKkTuW4GZY_kUSxUL_ikBNyH8PLqzRIrE_FEupc5-h6tw62Q1Zg5mgw8UPzinCtCRa0N_n0IXE-qFaFt62ylFyVGbIFwVbC1FqfzxWlguzr5cyUIqGAA_Vaq3VfBwDnywWyvqkbYUuFvPzF5zQrcoiipZbGCxA/s4895/DSC09415.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3671" data-original-width="4895" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCulcvn_VDgxk3uHM64JVobhH9HThACKkTuW4GZY_kUSxUL_ikBNyH8PLqzRIrE_FEupc5-h6tw62Q1Zg5mgw8UPzinCtCRa0N_n0IXE-qFaFt62ylFyVGbIFwVbC1FqfzxWlguzr5cyUIqGAA_Vaq3VfBwDnywWyvqkbYUuFvPzF5zQrcoiipZbGCxA/w400-h300/DSC09415.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall shot before game start. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsSvbMDsBinP7kLQtZkjyhfARJw6WtInif8qQkSZllBZoJSem9TQSYmKduyuVjziWPQTP9sELpO400ntX6LGwGWTMFmGNbHGKrw2f_gqiDaLCFgTFU03ane5L5kY9_5jbmRqz-_uDSEgNho4-S4bkdhdYzjs7MWJmz6-jW7dAqmuT0Gx5ruHPyrUMqg/s5184/DSC09418.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsSvbMDsBinP7kLQtZkjyhfARJw6WtInif8qQkSZllBZoJSem9TQSYmKduyuVjziWPQTP9sELpO400ntX6LGwGWTMFmGNbHGKrw2f_gqiDaLCFgTFU03ane5L5kY9_5jbmRqz-_uDSEgNho4-S4bkdhdYzjs7MWJmz6-jW7dAqmuT0Gx5ruHPyrUMqg/w400-h300/DSC09418.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pre-game barrage fell on Rudnik and was deadly.<br />Many infantry elements were knocked out and the platoon fell back.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa2Pp8J-bDS959osVD7-HbYWO0Z2cNs11lFj7oChM5YrlYdicPqY2Y1kuatG-BnUfwZogYQbjEgD_QiQwd1guoSd7N7fdoSSkNuqIDuCe9c0KQRFhvGOGHA1OHnroa6Ss2ybvRTpDgcNSdjdXjoRDjwBOVMUeZWXP_ZYmB6e9uPnP2BskH-vDOfegDQ/s4827/DSC09420.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="4827" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa2Pp8J-bDS959osVD7-HbYWO0Z2cNs11lFj7oChM5YrlYdicPqY2Y1kuatG-BnUfwZogYQbjEgD_QiQwd1guoSd7N7fdoSSkNuqIDuCe9c0KQRFhvGOGHA1OHnroa6Ss2ybvRTpDgcNSdjdXjoRDjwBOVMUeZWXP_ZYmB6e9uPnP2BskH-vDOfegDQ/w400-h283/DSC09420.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German armour races forward past the orchard.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFyg15G4TnY2037cNLT2xTft-n-JrWLbJmZQQpvn6Zm6GpYacEllqrP2dK6t9hb5GazDBA1ve6by6cvjetDidhmolcNKjaWVs4QaKFu37zIWLBSaMimO-Ig26h6WliVPP7-BhmfOiMJoRxO3gO-rfCiCDPJ55mrr6qjT_EE8ns04__Qyln7Epeav1pw/s5184/DSC09423.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFyg15G4TnY2037cNLT2xTft-n-JrWLbJmZQQpvn6Zm6GpYacEllqrP2dK6t9hb5GazDBA1ve6by6cvjetDidhmolcNKjaWVs4QaKFu37zIWLBSaMimO-Ig26h6WliVPP7-BhmfOiMJoRxO3gO-rfCiCDPJ55mrr6qjT_EE8ns04__Qyln7Epeav1pw/w400-h300/DSC09423.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish artillery claims a truck on the German left flank.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipItpbyucziOK38H4w7BAqXOcdK2uZyNSkq6vAGhCNVwcOSRyI5yoctDMnVojeAc3COmEY7d9hVCemn6B0JfZQm_9V5ks2_9lZNhyzqRsFkedad93OcnlcNR0lKdxhcrv_QlGgNZsr8KQ0W_2Hl68zP5twIgjYQUTg-MLXbK3tepUQNlS4xmj8gUKrLA/s5184/DSC09425.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipItpbyucziOK38H4w7BAqXOcdK2uZyNSkq6vAGhCNVwcOSRyI5yoctDMnVojeAc3COmEY7d9hVCemn6B0JfZQm_9V5ks2_9lZNhyzqRsFkedad93OcnlcNR0lKdxhcrv_QlGgNZsr8KQ0W_2Hl68zP5twIgjYQUTg-MLXbK3tepUQNlS4xmj8gUKrLA/w400-h300/DSC09425.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tank platoon with infantry on the German right.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK6YMyyeyuCC3ERoSYSKT03ewsWJv-2k2fGxhta2xQVyTsfQiA5SQu7SiBBG8rzJcao3rzA5nhygWYJDnSYEkgmFc1P0QI4xJ2LhptGK-SY-XGP19t5vbDD9z7DV1YXpaeDBZqJlhLCg0y4YLZ4vDMv85C-yR-UnliC2do75cGAMPi_npdBimpId0DQ/s4706/DSC09427.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3420" data-original-width="4706" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK6YMyyeyuCC3ERoSYSKT03ewsWJv-2k2fGxhta2xQVyTsfQiA5SQu7SiBBG8rzJcao3rzA5nhygWYJDnSYEkgmFc1P0QI4xJ2LhptGK-SY-XGP19t5vbDD9z7DV1YXpaeDBZqJlhLCg0y4YLZ4vDMv85C-yR-UnliC2do75cGAMPi_npdBimpId0DQ/w400-h291/DSC09427.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the Poles fall back, German armoured cars enter Rudnik.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogc3os44H6fgHahLYobBMpgtdeXkN5fRqJKkDQUN9GRmDAVyWNGaUllzR1ptB0uVuf2F66WNSgOolVJi0StPy_q7jKexU5ksVYdnE8LFR2olAeUSTce9UjBIRax_FLxvblOkI1quo1WEf77uRlB1QJOuVxq639EwqR3uXZvEueBZQ3o3VPG0fuc2uhQ/s5184/DSC09430.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogc3os44H6fgHahLYobBMpgtdeXkN5fRqJKkDQUN9GRmDAVyWNGaUllzR1ptB0uVuf2F66WNSgOolVJi0StPy_q7jKexU5ksVYdnE8LFR2olAeUSTce9UjBIRax_FLxvblOkI1quo1WEf77uRlB1QJOuVxq639EwqR3uXZvEueBZQ3o3VPG0fuc2uhQ/w400-h300/DSC09430.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Germans edge forward towards the bridge.<br />The pillboxes are pounded with suppressive fire.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hSdaY38RK1X0vj_OycNaW0suhyDGPZJvzvIvpQeCC7jT-jyOqszYob9RqxiRU_7WYw9qU3Y3b6AxUqn5aO8mRz4qKiWSIOUw3rzo48S_1S0gUm2zH7xgc2fFmAJCi9F-WbEVh5FbtbR9-zvyMGDJNoM9A8QW0bjrqFZUmwcU-kwcSVxVn7yjQCvJ4A/s4968/DSC09435.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3609" data-original-width="4968" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hSdaY38RK1X0vj_OycNaW0suhyDGPZJvzvIvpQeCC7jT-jyOqszYob9RqxiRU_7WYw9qU3Y3b6AxUqn5aO8mRz4qKiWSIOUw3rzo48S_1S0gUm2zH7xgc2fFmAJCi9F-WbEVh5FbtbR9-zvyMGDJNoM9A8QW0bjrqFZUmwcU-kwcSVxVn7yjQCvJ4A/w400-h290/DSC09435.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish reinforcements (the 7tp platoon) enter the table,<br />passing by the Polish mortar position.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUB6oXep35NrcMsJjiiCWOy5AfJTo-j0jugHzcrxrtWvnCntl_3eMG1GyI9sDK3RF_MhJ3_7SIyhH3Ba8yZeXp27J6gBbS7mkjNoE0A8gVwTR4uLCXpyJd2n52wpRE52L5s21Z9ZpqTdF-paty--pRPMdeV_A8ifm5fFpY5ArK5mcK6O1iqiSTt3xbA/s4816/DSC09441.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3487" data-original-width="4816" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUB6oXep35NrcMsJjiiCWOy5AfJTo-j0jugHzcrxrtWvnCntl_3eMG1GyI9sDK3RF_MhJ3_7SIyhH3Ba8yZeXp27J6gBbS7mkjNoE0A8gVwTR4uLCXpyJd2n52wpRE52L5s21Z9ZpqTdF-paty--pRPMdeV_A8ifm5fFpY5ArK5mcK6O1iqiSTt3xbA/w400-h290/DSC09441.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview in mid-game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtwzIskqJAekiJsaTQTVH4Pkg-OjjTK4Q0YWV7E-I_m8YkJQY7VoaWeaOkO9OjDpgI3QFZjq0RBAE8ii1qsDNElqPIgVongpIg0VssBx-1OT1faCIchzdXzt4nRAR7bSDvJOCM9M5hhRTcPYotID63ypVQsZNtA_12VdoK8v2rC4FFoCbH5JEvw7JQg/s5184/DSC09451.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtwzIskqJAekiJsaTQTVH4Pkg-OjjTK4Q0YWV7E-I_m8YkJQY7VoaWeaOkO9OjDpgI3QFZjq0RBAE8ii1qsDNElqPIgVongpIg0VssBx-1OT1faCIchzdXzt4nRAR7bSDvJOCM9M5hhRTcPYotID63ypVQsZNtA_12VdoK8v2rC4FFoCbH5JEvw7JQg/w400-h300/DSC09451.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Germans press forward to the bridge, firing as they go.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4smQJCbouDKdPVEYM3UhIC21dGuUC8KXwb2sdnWTzV73YASP86Q59qQoNZf6a63AdskoPTdaMeVgLdujUOyQqO978bt_9efL2XmeNkYOLhKui9yT3z8BkX-6YVOufnYyZay4eOOTnFB68Lfs7nXOCTq_-vYC29QlgsZisY2pfZ8NuQx_mvrAXNyEcQ/s5184/DSC09452.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4smQJCbouDKdPVEYM3UhIC21dGuUC8KXwb2sdnWTzV73YASP86Q59qQoNZf6a63AdskoPTdaMeVgLdujUOyQqO978bt_9efL2XmeNkYOLhKui9yT3z8BkX-6YVOufnYyZay4eOOTnFB68Lfs7nXOCTq_-vYC29QlgsZisY2pfZ8NuQx_mvrAXNyEcQ/w400-h300/DSC09452.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish casualties around the bridge include <br />a 37mm anti-tank gun and an FT-17.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQJ7IrpWMPhRGH3HY_GcRWcH8uNYHPc4RQMekQqVSuN1v3t_TOKBy55aAy6uYBrTz_uWD6B6Q-0wnJsQO-cf2jKQmxeHe4345gwf3MdiZ2wkdDjTqXOrj021LHLbSLi_KECbVT1tnegZmDZ07mky8RyHwt3llvXm0lbiRRhyuLuY7y6qsStnAADh7HA/s5184/DSC09457.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQJ7IrpWMPhRGH3HY_GcRWcH8uNYHPc4RQMekQqVSuN1v3t_TOKBy55aAy6uYBrTz_uWD6B6Q-0wnJsQO-cf2jKQmxeHe4345gwf3MdiZ2wkdDjTqXOrj021LHLbSLi_KECbVT1tnegZmDZ07mky8RyHwt3llvXm0lbiRRhyuLuY7y6qsStnAADh7HA/w400-h300/DSC09457.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At last the German infantry close up to the stream, <br />only to be bracketed by Polish mortar fire.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnUx0sddiACXdSb2sRYAN6jHSRkHSVFKOVRMyMF57ujfbluWZO9gn6Mgit0MT9mu3lcSYal_UT-x0uRkf1k75_20mFGJiivsMyIelaEJJP1UBj5S1giBQCKM2BXuSJVNDIVw8XUhVfSmcNSjAx_eGLKICex6MEUgA9Gxl9cXII3QE9LFwwLpTtSApKQ/s4922/DSC09461.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3638" data-original-width="4922" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnUx0sddiACXdSb2sRYAN6jHSRkHSVFKOVRMyMF57ujfbluWZO9gn6Mgit0MT9mu3lcSYal_UT-x0uRkf1k75_20mFGJiivsMyIelaEJJP1UBj5S1giBQCKM2BXuSJVNDIVw8XUhVfSmcNSjAx_eGLKICex6MEUgA9Gxl9cXII3QE9LFwwLpTtSApKQ/w400-h296/DSC09461.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Poles evicted from Rudnik manage to fight back.<br />German armour burns in the village square.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiWnF018qEGTIS9kLBJlUUpOmydynx-kJqIp4C4Kq5SG_KtqE7W4-EErB75fdY6flQCO6C2qAWXS-YvAsaQPxePlLr_hN1T-g3vCx9C4CyenTm3tC8n2CVdu0EJvlpI2oWI_XUVUosZePA17cZ-7fOmGjB0MhLCgaJuEjt_WyS8GkoMueS1_5TomCSQ/s5184/DSC09476.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiWnF018qEGTIS9kLBJlUUpOmydynx-kJqIp4C4Kq5SG_KtqE7W4-EErB75fdY6flQCO6C2qAWXS-YvAsaQPxePlLr_hN1T-g3vCx9C4CyenTm3tC8n2CVdu0EJvlpI2oWI_XUVUosZePA17cZ-7fOmGjB0MhLCgaJuEjt_WyS8GkoMueS1_5TomCSQ/w400-h300/DSC09476.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Stuka strike arrives over the bridge area.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwIh7l8bBs4GlmQ0fgmE0xAKKb3x0C1wrnirKZqmcwDoxpStFiEgS-ZzevnzL3QcrX3-8NgEHSa-Ts9bD0vn4J_VUW0PlF0bAmqLf-OR-sZ-678VMYuqvUWN3A6bJYj3LXfI2G22KZkV70TchWfhbHgYeId_aYhozP43yHErxMPVU1nuVp6B3oMdAMA/s5184/DSC09481.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwIh7l8bBs4GlmQ0fgmE0xAKKb3x0C1wrnirKZqmcwDoxpStFiEgS-ZzevnzL3QcrX3-8NgEHSa-Ts9bD0vn4J_VUW0PlF0bAmqLf-OR-sZ-678VMYuqvUWN3A6bJYj3LXfI2G22KZkV70TchWfhbHgYeId_aYhozP43yHErxMPVU1nuVp6B3oMdAMA/w400-h300/DSC09481.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Poles at the bridge are under pressure but holding...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcbQVKR6lN_Siz_xKz1md9OO7pwMCJfoEQurAZBXqpnVV4l9cL0NL3DnIAJVaj6y_gzytn1xLWmisYMXSfEfgiHIJTouG5BVRAlqXVCDJ1AkUofrnZSdIEIHReRS-voF8fv4vzB2HlpInjiJ_UP9OhMgFye8I_CrWhnjwX7rSgK2JVNTG4tiesm6wUg/s5077/DSC09483.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3537" data-original-width="5077" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcbQVKR6lN_Siz_xKz1md9OO7pwMCJfoEQurAZBXqpnVV4l9cL0NL3DnIAJVaj6y_gzytn1xLWmisYMXSfEfgiHIJTouG5BVRAlqXVCDJ1AkUofrnZSdIEIHReRS-voF8fv4vzB2HlpInjiJ_UP9OhMgFye8I_CrWhnjwX7rSgK2JVNTG4tiesm6wUg/w400-h279/DSC09483.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...They have the support of both tank units.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1LUaD2wOFLOSMN_piTT8mRCJMlr2KiNUZYH7dVDcFxPpXEiMnHb-5fXFs14WDSyXqRJpiqUIJFeYpD1Gu80OYotWO7pwTRV0Vz-Ei0yXxiplFkved020gVLPBs4wWrB9YP3s5pjK-k418LbPUMdRS0c8_rLm48LvY5jSgm0UT-Ivk7FOzilu4niUtg/s4895/DSC09486.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3439" data-original-width="4895" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1LUaD2wOFLOSMN_piTT8mRCJMlr2KiNUZYH7dVDcFxPpXEiMnHb-5fXFs14WDSyXqRJpiqUIJFeYpD1Gu80OYotWO7pwTRV0Vz-Ei0yXxiplFkved020gVLPBs4wWrB9YP3s5pjK-k418LbPUMdRS0c8_rLm48LvY5jSgm0UT-Ivk7FOzilu4niUtg/w400-h281/DSC09486.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 6 moves I stopped the game. Rudnik is in German hands,<br />with Polish armoured cars acting as rearguard for the retreating infantry.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conclusions</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even playing solo it had been a fun game, with the rules nicely tested out. The reaction rules seem to be fixed, and most other issues were minor. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Usually I show knocked out tanks and guns with grey-dyed soft toy stuffing. For this game I used my new Litko <a href="https://litko.net/products/small-flaming-wreckage-markers-7" target="_blank">'flaming wreckage markers'</a>. I like the way they catch the light and give the illusion of flames.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Germans had taken Rudnik, and after a struggle the Poles at the bridge were finally beginning to crack, with the infantry platoon falling back. But the FT-17s and 7tps would doubtless make the Germans pay if they tried to rush the bridge. However, the bridge position was now outflanked to the west and I decided the Poles would pull out to avoid being trapped. A German victory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-66470416919790346412023-03-03T21:04:00.003+00:002023-06-09T13:06:54.356+01:00The Cotswold Wargaming Day 2023<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Cotswold Wargaming Day 2023</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday 15th October</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Westwoods Centre</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Bassett Road</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Northleach</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Cheltenham</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Gloucestershire GL54 3QJ</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>09.00 - 17.00</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNmkwUDVnRehRO-GceNR8LqFiIRWsq5380yqfk5_3WrGawXKbZnnn-XmXtfGijVXUAu9ynOIcMco_r2xVZJ_hgITOJuvwwubEB1ocTk8g44ForcJpX2rYkDKG079GisLSuxQ6Q03fDKgALeLkgOpFBFyZClnpUiXz4-dHhhi5C10Ej5khapxckJiqkYA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNmkwUDVnRehRO-GceNR8LqFiIRWsq5380yqfk5_3WrGawXKbZnnn-XmXtfGijVXUAu9ynOIcMco_r2xVZJ_hgITOJuvwwubEB1ocTk8g44ForcJpX2rYkDKG079GisLSuxQ6Q03fDKgALeLkgOpFBFyZClnpUiXz4-dHhhi5C10Ej5khapxckJiqkYA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of last year's 'Best Game'.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And so, year five of this event beckons. The formula will remain much the same as in previous years. All those on the mailing list have received an email with the details. If you are not one of those, you can just turn up on the day if you wish (all wargamers are welcome), or leave your email in the comments section if you are thinking about putting on a game or you need any more info. I will get back to you and will remove your address from the comments afterwards to protect your privacy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There will be a charge of £10 to attend, to cover costs. Any excess left over will go to charity. Free coffee and biscuits, and the chance to win the Stuart Asquith trophy for best game!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope to see you there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-45878784109972025652022-09-26T18:49:00.117+01:002023-06-09T13:09:17.610+01:00All The Action From CWD2022<p style="text-align: justify;">Once again, Northleach's premiere annual wargaming event took place on the 25th of September. Thirty-two elite wargamers crowded into the Westwoods Centre in Northleach's leafy Eastend to have fun, and contend for the prestigious Stuart Asquith Trophy. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">By the time I arrived at the centre at 08.30, there were already some keen gamers waiting for the doors to open. Soon there were games being set up, whilst my wife (bless 'er) and I finished getting the tea, coffee and biscuits ready, and I distributed welcome leaflets and flyers for Caliver Books. Many thanks to Dave Ryan of Caliver for coming through yet again and contributing books to be awarded as prizes to deserving gamers.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, let's check out the 9 games that were being played. With most games I'll be giving the name I had from the booking emails, which sometimes differs from the guy who put in most of the work. Please forgive any errors or ommissions - remembering names has never been my strongpoint.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 1</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ian Bailey and colleague brought along a cracking 28mm AWI game set in 1776. They were using the <i>British Grenadier</i> rules. Plenty of action at this 12 x 6 table all day, which looked quite a task for just 2 guys. The quality of the terrain and figures was top notch - and all set up within an hour.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj698ZqeAdTGtahgoAug2xKtbORw1OPJBg3rugvbiJPSVuV76BF7TqHOgGaj1awvHVQVzbDu6wdundTNDpWpkqcYnP-bJK_mU14OJ0jmfBJvKuxgrUxWSOzlMSLOcKrSyjPQCLo-6svENBEZhPK2Q7NIWu8xpXjhlo0Bc3tEvADfWnsQQbicniY3_QyNQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3539" data-original-width="5055" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj698ZqeAdTGtahgoAug2xKtbORw1OPJBg3rugvbiJPSVuV76BF7TqHOgGaj1awvHVQVzbDu6wdundTNDpWpkqcYnP-bJK_mU14OJ0jmfBJvKuxgrUxWSOzlMSLOcKrSyjPQCLo-6svENBEZhPK2Q7NIWu8xpXjhlo0Bc3tEvADfWnsQQbicniY3_QyNQ=w400-h280" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still setting up, but the banter has already started...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfubLRUu0XyH3kEnZcIfwT05TlaugQNCmJdISwn_OOYbRAGxSlYZdRxsk4GxQudEueVmabTuJ9a3h2o-HWUX8_3Wv1FCSzh3JIdcAraSKcuSiVVWQL3KpvfbSOw-0n4izyB5E5DhApWLWLyVmcfJTMAGgCA4hLIcQFRaYBxVN643_FxsyOlgF43a57Hw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3798" data-original-width="5184" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfubLRUu0XyH3kEnZcIfwT05TlaugQNCmJdISwn_OOYbRAGxSlYZdRxsk4GxQudEueVmabTuJ9a3h2o-HWUX8_3Wv1FCSzh3JIdcAraSKcuSiVVWQL3KpvfbSOw-0n4izyB5E5DhApWLWLyVmcfJTMAGgCA4hLIcQFRaYBxVN643_FxsyOlgF43a57Hw=w400-h293" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdaRGnNvOHJNj7W08RtH_2cS25mYo9VIwOvFVlQpR_AKLfmi3GAAmTrjr37eVqhYccesuqUmvAIHyy56ePjSLrdXOny4YAyvyOFMvxMES69KeBoyGz3OOyAzADNvNEUllb7kPPGUA6v2-HlLtFAPjjFi8QjOGxyBG4pjAgLextY_tBBScbJZbeMNPh6g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3725" data-original-width="5006" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdaRGnNvOHJNj7W08RtH_2cS25mYo9VIwOvFVlQpR_AKLfmi3GAAmTrjr37eVqhYccesuqUmvAIHyy56ePjSLrdXOny4YAyvyOFMvxMES69KeBoyGz3OOyAzADNvNEUllb7kPPGUA6v2-HlLtFAPjjFi8QjOGxyBG4pjAgLextY_tBBScbJZbeMNPh6g=w400-h297" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHDp-lOZVkSfqO9VEi2L7e1cDnzDgaIRMM9Or_LCUBG8QPS5KJU3mN0zjx0GWJ9qoO4X_QnfQ5ltyvbrsB4SVg64JWJdCalyFLhsxOw1QiI0VGzZP8d9ndcqhoZts_6ONJlRTTFbPXz-wEWVJIf4FgSK8LLFXqOrdYUEiSigE68eVLtCwU1KmTNwxELA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3455" data-original-width="4848" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHDp-lOZVkSfqO9VEi2L7e1cDnzDgaIRMM9Or_LCUBG8QPS5KJU3mN0zjx0GWJ9qoO4X_QnfQ5ltyvbrsB4SVg64JWJdCalyFLhsxOw1QiI0VGzZP8d9ndcqhoZts_6ONJlRTTFbPXz-wEWVJIf4FgSK8LLFXqOrdYUEiSigE68eVLtCwU1KmTNwxELA=w400-h285" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8jswGweMr4QyB1vWN5-lo1DrwGkHuv5Dt0r6KO9Aqx2OTvL19cMM3rKRPyQd7VJzjDZTV-5fml34_LPcl8TaGWh0Q0uckohz49bx-iRC5zg2IvCj_It0yBykGU9NNtWuuOKr2aPWoETdcjkv6L-tWk1pFruyeHSf2MqbwMdkMvNgaQRUobrp1UMxxEQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3553" data-original-width="4927" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8jswGweMr4QyB1vWN5-lo1DrwGkHuv5Dt0r6KO9Aqx2OTvL19cMM3rKRPyQd7VJzjDZTV-5fml34_LPcl8TaGWh0Q0uckohz49bx-iRC5zg2IvCj_It0yBykGU9NNtWuuOKr2aPWoETdcjkv6L-tWk1pFruyeHSf2MqbwMdkMvNgaQRUobrp1UMxxEQ=w400-h289" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC1RuFMrzv22cwnU2YJIpyx0DKWFBviwVn6aMVkiW2XmSAc1FKLdo3NY8SBMGMfWkbNDR91bNnBRcHA2nHL_9vFKccsJTUsPbDbUw1T2L4tgErlXLFfoz4Kktfqswmsz8JvsKr33r0pPWWOor5pP3EH9osd9ICgNtFpqopdMMLFpqj8u46o9YouYWbEg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC1RuFMrzv22cwnU2YJIpyx0DKWFBviwVn6aMVkiW2XmSAc1FKLdo3NY8SBMGMfWkbNDR91bNnBRcHA2nHL_9vFKccsJTUsPbDbUw1T2L4tgErlXLFfoz4Kktfqswmsz8JvsKr33r0pPWWOor5pP3EH9osd9ICgNtFpqopdMMLFpqj8u46o9YouYWbEg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbAJDrax7GLGDaZ6Ol53fQFKrSzH2b2KHXm1PZgy52w7PutKsNvW6wQcHcEkyj_OIIRz3D1sVbBHkmeovfTbgk_WinXl0cGUJ6WLnNBZZHq5CLj6Z4BZ3Fj0XF5E776xoT2qJeCNmTY3Fd3qJnKTIBEQGgEK42I3ZikYPnAanr9YjmidA7IQ3n46iXKQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4683" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbAJDrax7GLGDaZ6Ol53fQFKrSzH2b2KHXm1PZgy52w7PutKsNvW6wQcHcEkyj_OIIRz3D1sVbBHkmeovfTbgk_WinXl0cGUJ6WLnNBZZHq5CLj6Z4BZ3Fj0XF5E776xoT2qJeCNmTY3Fd3qJnKTIBEQGgEK42I3ZikYPnAanr9YjmidA7IQ3n46iXKQ=w400-h276" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYUJNQu3eAA7vqlL9Ewa5zZgkQGboQe83hlKcOwdyqFMoLjRGmEM1CIYGBOTadW3pN1CUCWEXYyxjI_V2KKCwtxtSsh0gzhDzY75JoKKdkXm0qDBTEDzshBNI06BMMKmdYt2GAYH4p-PtQQeHtkH7KZArmKd2vhcIgrKOn3UZwxWCd7KHaTAhioSm4dA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3581" data-original-width="4864" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYUJNQu3eAA7vqlL9Ewa5zZgkQGboQe83hlKcOwdyqFMoLjRGmEM1CIYGBOTadW3pN1CUCWEXYyxjI_V2KKCwtxtSsh0gzhDzY75JoKKdkXm0qDBTEDzshBNI06BMMKmdYt2GAYH4p-PtQQeHtkH7KZArmKd2vhcIgrKOn3UZwxWCd7KHaTAhioSm4dA=w400-h295" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivqXk3ZPXP58vumJU2Iw_ISB33K6M8hKfN_c6HO1PWnVpna-HA97KQnJaFvoAucMJquD4aK0y0dnf7mrPZzryMNvto9SezKGLkOTv8B95bDHcRahpdnaz8nazUQPAUqFcuL9ECe9rpMhmk8bz3MN3-VMqzWQLPe6nxpt1GWwLuDueNepeIHq5ypAiFmw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="5184" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivqXk3ZPXP58vumJU2Iw_ISB33K6M8hKfN_c6HO1PWnVpna-HA97KQnJaFvoAucMJquD4aK0y0dnf7mrPZzryMNvto9SezKGLkOTv8B95bDHcRahpdnaz8nazUQPAUqFcuL9ECe9rpMhmk8bz3MN3-VMqzWQLPe6nxpt1GWwLuDueNepeIHq5ypAiFmw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 2</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was a 20mm WW2 game using the <i>Battlegroup Kursk</i> rules, put on by Paul and Matt James. They were using the 'Death's Head at Andreevka' scenario from the rulebook, set in 1943, and using an 8 x 6 table. Paul was also good enough to start the day by taking a couple of hours with one of my other gaming buddies (Jon), to play through the same scenario using the current version of my WRG 1973 <i>Armour and Infantry</i> revision. All very useful. The game featured heavy nostalgia value with Airfix Churchills much in evidence (operated by the Russians), and the old Airfix 'Waterloo Farmhouse' (a.k.a.<i> La Haye Saint</i>) forming part of the village.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy-zedQ9RhWIE3SG6WXoN7VYZMEF8X0zrtmuyuqm2fB1209Bs0S2oa4a7WII_6ZiNfxceufsnbGDGu8AXTm8XSSAjqlojcAs2nZfTeTSuMh9ZiMpttaTEHU_KCIHYldHgheiov1G69eq8IFl_wx640uqz4gygq_dMi_JcQvh0Y8i_i43b3-aNLW3mOog" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3241" data-original-width="4780" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy-zedQ9RhWIE3SG6WXoN7VYZMEF8X0zrtmuyuqm2fB1209Bs0S2oa4a7WII_6ZiNfxceufsnbGDGu8AXTm8XSSAjqlojcAs2nZfTeTSuMh9ZiMpttaTEHU_KCIHYldHgheiov1G69eq8IFl_wx640uqz4gygq_dMi_JcQvh0Y8i_i43b3-aNLW3mOog=w400-h271" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaah... Airfix Churchills. <br />Does anyone remember glueing all those bloody bogie wheels?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiONfbTyIhyBGpyXrOMZ4gxKnf13U2OWHsXiskPgJx3-K__A6jwjinguo9mZcuvSOvQUlNJFk-VKijTjtWfDLOhxjqhMcwcejPKRy-u-bHceSYFDfUejarIusvI3kltzT8HQ7uKHpjn6ZZskDkT4QUZsK8YTll-zeE0WLC3ZrePw4wCN6-V6sM45NnTVw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3608" data-original-width="4921" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiONfbTyIhyBGpyXrOMZ4gxKnf13U2OWHsXiskPgJx3-K__A6jwjinguo9mZcuvSOvQUlNJFk-VKijTjtWfDLOhxjqhMcwcejPKRy-u-bHceSYFDfUejarIusvI3kltzT8HQ7uKHpjn6ZZskDkT4QUZsK8YTll-zeE0WLC3ZrePw4wCN6-V6sM45NnTVw=w400-h294" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnDtalUVJJlG33whv9cfbCzGoJag1hFPag1WN0_OMjXZBM-cwZzpAh2epv_mV-CoP6l8x1LUPTMoa97LRSXOXtuCgnD0a-BAxp3hBPfshCqm1b78Jnnq5nylC7lbaiRMck07ZI0hPrBAtH9c2EkFO5YKmNOwhRCnazvsRakw16mRG7PfCnj2s02GDwbw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3427" data-original-width="4772" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnDtalUVJJlG33whv9cfbCzGoJag1hFPag1WN0_OMjXZBM-cwZzpAh2epv_mV-CoP6l8x1LUPTMoa97LRSXOXtuCgnD0a-BAxp3hBPfshCqm1b78Jnnq5nylC7lbaiRMck07ZI0hPrBAtH9c2EkFO5YKmNOwhRCnazvsRakw16mRG7PfCnj2s02GDwbw=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon on the left, Paul on the right.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnsql9UAHqkiPoffULAZZEULCr-EtzRaXaZruGg2pTb_4M5NazgEuOG5DkEFcRFbbS-RPJKpin2dgXsVDfyBGkIU9f5AsLDxKkEVCUCDOEZGL163v_eDc3BKGuCBZDTV6FQdE_0WCWQBC4fUSSnfT36KS147Ll_YtXcH1UJYhLWEbKw5FDJBQqFE7fYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3705" data-original-width="5058" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnsql9UAHqkiPoffULAZZEULCr-EtzRaXaZruGg2pTb_4M5NazgEuOG5DkEFcRFbbS-RPJKpin2dgXsVDfyBGkIU9f5AsLDxKkEVCUCDOEZGL163v_eDc3BKGuCBZDTV6FQdE_0WCWQBC4fUSSnfT36KS147Ll_YtXcH1UJYhLWEbKw5FDJBQqFE7fYg=w400-h293" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_swJVAxu22NYR92WzeIHFInLc4o0A3SRE2yFlBqiWPtH3QGLfbNpX4cZGiA6lb_nyc6t0jhlE685cVNNtPRvCHSaCmeEDfYYaVg5JS4CBuiwEKgHdMxD6yF3M8HVaL59yWP3e9hcugHXVkpuYHCuJ9kkpYScjN6qS60p2bb5a56drFC2imuj4JZYRcQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3310" data-original-width="4912" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_swJVAxu22NYR92WzeIHFInLc4o0A3SRE2yFlBqiWPtH3QGLfbNpX4cZGiA6lb_nyc6t0jhlE685cVNNtPRvCHSaCmeEDfYYaVg5JS4CBuiwEKgHdMxD6yF3M8HVaL59yWP3e9hcugHXVkpuYHCuJ9kkpYScjN6qS60p2bb5a56drFC2imuj4JZYRcQ=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Airfix 'Waterloo Farmhouse' was recognised by many.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 3</b></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">JP returned to CWD with another lovely 28mm Napoleonic display using the <i>General de D'Armée</i> rules. The game used one of the scenarios from the rulebook, the Battle of Möckern, 1813. A great looking wargame with more excellent figures, all painted by JP himself. Table was 12 x 6.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4Rv9HTPsp9KKffFn_BCFG6PbzqUwqDCbZIQiE9KATYAobLQjcaIAOpQb2DrbXu6xT-PsLTxvbeJ7NWZG5_VxpLY1Zq1-45u4vTG5AxKqh6VhqfLLiVbHoLnFcmJf9YfoIbVGWQUiNdY28wkwuLUYxwK3O7ovDb39YPQTJ2dlr0HNI56B6Jep9I-9vaw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3626" data-original-width="4976" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4Rv9HTPsp9KKffFn_BCFG6PbzqUwqDCbZIQiE9KATYAobLQjcaIAOpQb2DrbXu6xT-PsLTxvbeJ7NWZG5_VxpLY1Zq1-45u4vTG5AxKqh6VhqfLLiVbHoLnFcmJf9YfoIbVGWQUiNdY28wkwuLUYxwK3O7ovDb39YPQTJ2dlr0HNI56B6Jep9I-9vaw=w400-h291" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGbStsmpF2GLLtarWImW0Zl7TI9o4ZNHcadbvCVW2DSUdtBotVzZGnQhR2S3pSHMPHuDF0aATxcbdePdQtGU6YusgzQpOKQ10oQV1Ral4wb9-YemzwFWiAurJ7e-1hjAAcha8l7-g-18m_syo2St9sZyU_nhaz2vd2IagAMw_S-zCL10VIVEfLmRd_gg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3564" data-original-width="5052" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGbStsmpF2GLLtarWImW0Zl7TI9o4ZNHcadbvCVW2DSUdtBotVzZGnQhR2S3pSHMPHuDF0aATxcbdePdQtGU6YusgzQpOKQ10oQV1Ral4wb9-YemzwFWiAurJ7e-1hjAAcha8l7-g-18m_syo2St9sZyU_nhaz2vd2IagAMw_S-zCL10VIVEfLmRd_gg=w400-h283" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now That's What I Call A Cavalry Melee (1).</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdIZV2Qh6nzLUb5oPPEFQbkHX8j75dKd0cS03wj5o0zwcKqZc0ohXBJaLiAr64PPXpYbsaal-dLzpGLdWLOftjnqUpM55l9DtirwBRqFxpqomcS_fl41an5saPFryntpXcA9RfNQqWM6z2RBs-yCpUiY08og-MieJTIiBBuoVw8HG0KJ3k31tABmVk7Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3562" data-original-width="5055" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdIZV2Qh6nzLUb5oPPEFQbkHX8j75dKd0cS03wj5o0zwcKqZc0ohXBJaLiAr64PPXpYbsaal-dLzpGLdWLOftjnqUpM55l9DtirwBRqFxpqomcS_fl41an5saPFryntpXcA9RfNQqWM6z2RBs-yCpUiY08og-MieJTIiBBuoVw8HG0KJ3k31tABmVk7Q=w400-h281" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG94HJdIQARZm-GhjPgU1xIu5KBiRH01m2X16E_7xEpfXktZA_7GY81zIv6C6Tj_eXcdMDu_vEqIBeDCpwsXNyrvfb6gcLfXNsO8Z-slj3NVnv2BkDHTX0qN7vKEEiSDGOwRAU_QnvW34LiTB4JFDROtwcCuDHq3B0VBs6Sz-prIdMwGnXdIHb8wRzgQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3208" data-original-width="4512" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG94HJdIQARZm-GhjPgU1xIu5KBiRH01m2X16E_7xEpfXktZA_7GY81zIv6C6Tj_eXcdMDu_vEqIBeDCpwsXNyrvfb6gcLfXNsO8Z-slj3NVnv2BkDHTX0qN7vKEEiSDGOwRAU_QnvW34LiTB4JFDROtwcCuDHq3B0VBs6Sz-prIdMwGnXdIHb8wRzgQ=w400-h285" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvL9wVz16HJwkJwApdpdhMahdKY6s9cw88zdsaC19hiMC-1xlYh3HVYC8OCQuAB3SHwlnqOe8ttPPkDkoqj80NCckJziTOi9K6VXn9tImi0J-LKGi9WiNdG6fYZjkRF7OPKjsiKNq3TYJhICUlGtNFTs02_VSITSXDwfBaAsEEsi_f0Igp3G69Z89jww" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3414" data-original-width="5044" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvL9wVz16HJwkJwApdpdhMahdKY6s9cw88zdsaC19hiMC-1xlYh3HVYC8OCQuAB3SHwlnqOe8ttPPkDkoqj80NCckJziTOi9K6VXn9tImi0J-LKGi9WiNdG6fYZjkRF7OPKjsiKNq3TYJhICUlGtNFTs02_VSITSXDwfBaAsEEsi_f0Igp3G69Z89jww=w400-h271" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhztr2tRIvx3q3ProNAY_EBib4KNlQLQ0jdqBvE1MHq9g58kGkEbHlZxz3YD97jPsF5ejBue2WFuXvPMpHVaM38K-1Lv7iGcSp3quh8MLl1pe-aEXJaJua_F89dV2opMicZM3ubOsGsnrr4p_6b2X8OuM4JbBXmV53qqZvU0aT--2_sda6hQa4ykpg7eA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3566" data-original-width="5184" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhztr2tRIvx3q3ProNAY_EBib4KNlQLQ0jdqBvE1MHq9g58kGkEbHlZxz3YD97jPsF5ejBue2WFuXvPMpHVaM38K-1Lv7iGcSp3quh8MLl1pe-aEXJaJua_F89dV2opMicZM3ubOsGsnrr4p_6b2X8OuM4JbBXmV53qqZvU0aT--2_sda6hQa4ykpg7eA=w400-h275" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 4</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dave Kenyon and friends brought over a <i>Sharpe Practice</i> game set in the Peninsula. A 6 x 4 table, and once again, excellent terrain and lovely 28mm figures. There seems to be a pattern emerging here!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIVNcF64YAuH2wZeWlEtezBvCrK8as2hEhcInrEeA1n-DfBtyK7purPbjVBQ6MXUPA8E6MDgUz_sUi9a0Jjm-1jCA4l0my-WXKfq3YR5oHaJMCxSuQ1H9L9tOMpvbHZDYiiG8a6Jv-2h6JkktiiLIZ5VfFCjueJVtVe_OhLUu8riMRv7hMnxqTiyOptg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIVNcF64YAuH2wZeWlEtezBvCrK8as2hEhcInrEeA1n-DfBtyK7purPbjVBQ6MXUPA8E6MDgUz_sUi9a0Jjm-1jCA4l0my-WXKfq3YR5oHaJMCxSuQ1H9L9tOMpvbHZDYiiG8a6Jv-2h6JkktiiLIZ5VfFCjueJVtVe_OhLUu8riMRv7hMnxqTiyOptg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP1EboShNDoyLep7vKZKeHnyuyAiGG8numjcxh7pwDP1x9bIfhMqObor4XoyJCBvRBr-M025g20z28jYnik8OOcAdkdX5cXtHqDXLHEIUwlluenk0qVJq3GLGZ1dNegbxUTDWvcAWaiknTiwMJltS5EwkVPZSulAKqzoOAJ4PzDVqe4_kboQli5ONxRQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="5048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP1EboShNDoyLep7vKZKeHnyuyAiGG8numjcxh7pwDP1x9bIfhMqObor4XoyJCBvRBr-M025g20z28jYnik8OOcAdkdX5cXtHqDXLHEIUwlluenk0qVJq3GLGZ1dNegbxUTDWvcAWaiknTiwMJltS5EwkVPZSulAKqzoOAJ4PzDVqe4_kboQli5ONxRQ=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like an important dice roll.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrr6-xpUVIJwW8pTPSJMLW2i2_xOLF6rjkSzoMTTH6pznMthjTNEISVa4uKh6DG404KJvzaTy4Ksd4EUxD5bwIZw4VrV4Rympe8bWuiGPtP3VLcTmmoby6WejBHsn7T_t-EqCxZkz1KaEsYGRKCwJlWanV5Iafz_VXL2vTnFVBH_YYln_6t-Nm9nPxaw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5055" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrr6-xpUVIJwW8pTPSJMLW2i2_xOLF6rjkSzoMTTH6pznMthjTNEISVa4uKh6DG404KJvzaTy4Ksd4EUxD5bwIZw4VrV4Rympe8bWuiGPtP3VLcTmmoby6WejBHsn7T_t-EqCxZkz1KaEsYGRKCwJlWanV5Iafz_VXL2vTnFVBH_YYln_6t-Nm9nPxaw=w400-h308" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKLu_qIjvYc0E8t-NHtmf4CrdIKv9mT9BcE1oxkYbamDG6BqDCmR4Ps-U3Px-8q5FbMw7o4n4WNtMDwZnfslaKLIDhex81xi7RqTj_h7gSaMg4dzjwtbqYb9iNljwG7WKKPHt-Dgsa8Eh1ZVDX6heKVA3LGmyAVykYxFHbOqQ0dFUZ2awQc7jt61SlNQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKLu_qIjvYc0E8t-NHtmf4CrdIKv9mT9BcE1oxkYbamDG6BqDCmR4Ps-U3Px-8q5FbMw7o4n4WNtMDwZnfslaKLIDhex81xi7RqTj_h7gSaMg4dzjwtbqYb9iNljwG7WKKPHt-Dgsa8Eh1ZVDX6heKVA3LGmyAVykYxFHbOqQ0dFUZ2awQc7jt61SlNQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Time For A Break.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around late morning I decided to have a go shooting a little bit of video, designed as a tour of the hall. I was surprised by the result - everyone was so involved in their games! No bored gamers munching sausage rolls here. And no waving or posing either, just wargamers intent on what they were doing. They didn't seem to notice me pointing the camera at them. So check out a quick tour of the 9 games and the feeling of the hall. Go full screen. You deserve it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCQfX5LglNaGGwvCNuwih33pzuWgUapDd15b2fWp3orleOiwHDM1kRAb_HuvtDbxMBTl2RcdrXK5UzH3xxPg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On the subject of taking a break, well known Cotswold wargamer Chris Gregg was present. He didn't bring along a game, but he enhanced the day by bringing along a collection of his artwork and some welcome refreshment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmfBWXuEOA5xyANfwAgC-na0zCWc3ppb4FCyQI8w35QodlLz1surytGEwB9j-Q2QX4vJnNyJM8DKIE4KyZsSMLL7KJungEVlxJJgKTi3NIBtUgJmNYC1UujbGbtuEZS-GPhcWawvW3Tm_dVxot28Dr30VuCaMD3uEcJNLLqBGXVdlpWGs9OeW6vhXL3Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3612" data-original-width="5184" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmfBWXuEOA5xyANfwAgC-na0zCWc3ppb4FCyQI8w35QodlLz1surytGEwB9j-Q2QX4vJnNyJM8DKIE4KyZsSMLL7KJungEVlxJJgKTi3NIBtUgJmNYC1UujbGbtuEZS-GPhcWawvW3Tm_dVxot28Dr30VuCaMD3uEcJNLLqBGXVdlpWGs9OeW6vhXL3Q=w400-h279" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi52gKRak5ITAtF29pf5yBsyKm29TJrQSh59ePA4rK7ZSYYrRW99gIwxfb8LM1XPs69vo_dbyWn2Q0O9plFW8fHji-o3wHVDgt8YM2Ga4vOEJVGn2ctfumYgdj6Fsl4_oh79SKXiCVzRY6PdoL8WV5ODPUehobN8q10JrtSsczYMG4f41cfH973RJVIDQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3703" data-original-width="3888" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi52gKRak5ITAtF29pf5yBsyKm29TJrQSh59ePA4rK7ZSYYrRW99gIwxfb8LM1XPs69vo_dbyWn2Q0O9plFW8fHji-o3wHVDgt8YM2Ga4vOEJVGn2ctfumYgdj6Fsl4_oh79SKXiCVzRY6PdoL8WV5ODPUehobN8q10JrtSsczYMG4f41cfH973RJVIDQ=w400-h381" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a gent!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 5</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Will Harley is an old friend of the CWD, and brought along his magnificent collection of Spencer Smith SYW miniatures. His re-creation of Charles Grant's Mollwitz game from 1971 has featured on a number of blogs recently, and it was great to be able to see the game 'live'. Table was 10 x 6.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyR8BQAGM3a8Z6OC4E4oonp9eC2ZtRdG2WLCrZFvChTD0dgs9UC1dlDT_9j6oPvjXwRqK2uv4nj5rG7eQ9pI-1mLtS84Cy5hct0arPLHo5INmKVBFWsAjP8KDVjZrWKpML3kmjWCQGByk7kd-dLxWgZ_qh6xhj7sWw3KO8y7MTONKnnxOi46f2Mxa1uQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyR8BQAGM3a8Z6OC4E4oonp9eC2ZtRdG2WLCrZFvChTD0dgs9UC1dlDT_9j6oPvjXwRqK2uv4nj5rG7eQ9pI-1mLtS84Cy5hct0arPLHo5INmKVBFWsAjP8KDVjZrWKpML3kmjWCQGByk7kd-dLxWgZ_qh6xhj7sWw3KO8y7MTONKnnxOi46f2Mxa1uQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will Harley (right) in fine form with his firing stick.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZgnsFSDl1o_RbOesGWvbGHTofb_xKmt0ieNzYJFVEmvMWt7CNAa0hNm7M9sx2PsdXCRg3hlZ5gtYaYGSyRAm-95tdDv_wu4e4zDbfr16n974KStNmuvrGdSE7UitGJYSrorV_hDiDBT8LcsiQaWrO1Prl9_T90UVEtbqMU4LLljZxwc5SYDf6n2lHqw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3547" data-original-width="4730" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZgnsFSDl1o_RbOesGWvbGHTofb_xKmt0ieNzYJFVEmvMWt7CNAa0hNm7M9sx2PsdXCRg3hlZ5gtYaYGSyRAm-95tdDv_wu4e4zDbfr16n974KStNmuvrGdSE7UitGJYSrorV_hDiDBT8LcsiQaWrO1Prl9_T90UVEtbqMU4LLljZxwc5SYDf6n2lHqw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old School gaming aids - so hard to resist.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif_F5RwOlVnOfZTpjdnucaf72jlJE-r3JXMuWlWh3ZwVKYJksPi19X4BOSV0qgLH9pWhXhuOo33W3M_t7brtAj-eBua0bmq0h0NCwQafoZvq8TTdhZtk71RUb-ckfhj707CRefmgoy8GfbkAYL9IKcy69W0P-Nm4oNxmkaTeQSn4FqzBxTwD5lqxVEmw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3602" data-original-width="5179" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif_F5RwOlVnOfZTpjdnucaf72jlJE-r3JXMuWlWh3ZwVKYJksPi19X4BOSV0qgLH9pWhXhuOo33W3M_t7brtAj-eBua0bmq0h0NCwQafoZvq8TTdhZtk71RUb-ckfhj707CRefmgoy8GfbkAYL9IKcy69W0P-Nm4oNxmkaTeQSn4FqzBxTwD5lqxVEmw=w400-h279" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And what's this - order sheets? The years suddenly rolled back.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN_yP4o-cdszzTR6mdXqp4fN5Rw6bXO1leVBD3ggxx2AqH2zIllzSVQJwMozcKr9uUxTT7kA0gBUrFvWBUjcrW8QMD9u5w-9iYxMRahudqLLk7R7JrIRx4T5KYIM4vvzVIRh5-eBBBIrWPQXYOMHXnb2M1XwKWxr_ihPITA1O0ntlJA4_VAKZNVPkKnQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3584" data-original-width="4992" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN_yP4o-cdszzTR6mdXqp4fN5Rw6bXO1leVBD3ggxx2AqH2zIllzSVQJwMozcKr9uUxTT7kA0gBUrFvWBUjcrW8QMD9u5w-9iYxMRahudqLLk7R7JrIRx4T5KYIM4vvzVIRh5-eBBBIrWPQXYOMHXnb2M1XwKWxr_ihPITA1O0ntlJA4_VAKZNVPkKnQ=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The order sheets in use.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidrVkotS19YM5jBMrCmSC7uB7gZkwcTSLyIogeRjRLxR1Gct11dVdjfxKyTWioKfyMFufGXlxt4nyOZz67s5rXvGcs4atKOBrNIQ9N3T5ZdnDIJ_sE5d-maum0gi6TdyIMUiZdhUDmqXZEmKz1D-_WsOhAKPd-iIx0JJn6U4PoMYmRK5TAE74TtElrJw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="5184" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidrVkotS19YM5jBMrCmSC7uB7gZkwcTSLyIogeRjRLxR1Gct11dVdjfxKyTWioKfyMFufGXlxt4nyOZz67s5rXvGcs4atKOBrNIQ9N3T5ZdnDIJ_sE5d-maum0gi6TdyIMUiZdhUDmqXZEmKz1D-_WsOhAKPd-iIx0JJn6U4PoMYmRK5TAE74TtElrJw=w400-h281" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhanuEqy5ZybvbmRi_Dwly5L9r4BY_pdJ6P1XRV466MM8datDY52FanJFEMPb4SuU8w1wghh_D0ZcYEAWsPkcY2MIpvdKJmkOh6cudcmKvxgTPsEDt6MsLhDHCi_-0VCYLuIbC2Yint1fKKWL6SpxXxUrz9dhG7UMK89vanSmcp0Pi2pJReQUKt9_i3eg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3396" data-original-width="4528" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhanuEqy5ZybvbmRi_Dwly5L9r4BY_pdJ6P1XRV466MM8datDY52FanJFEMPb4SuU8w1wghh_D0ZcYEAWsPkcY2MIpvdKJmkOh6cudcmKvxgTPsEDt6MsLhDHCi_-0VCYLuIbC2Yint1fKKWL6SpxXxUrz9dhG7UMK89vanSmcp0Pi2pJReQUKt9_i3eg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiR266NW9hfytutrxiS7dEe948gpS6xieTkOsx2wtTOdINmyNR2gWi-zR7H7aGYMgyBJSRkIHUYeHiIfvBNODMMh1zJPTpRKVLbf6-s7p0QEMIp4E7BDKiMY7WAX7x2w-xqblSQ3IbcoC9S4BjmImaTiX7P_fuGU6ihfEAPj8_IM50yBVpKHaXIAOJgw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiR266NW9hfytutrxiS7dEe948gpS6xieTkOsx2wtTOdINmyNR2gWi-zR7H7aGYMgyBJSRkIHUYeHiIfvBNODMMh1zJPTpRKVLbf6-s7p0QEMIp4E7BDKiMY7WAX7x2w-xqblSQ3IbcoC9S4BjmImaTiX7P_fuGU6ihfEAPj8_IM50yBVpKHaXIAOJgw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8rtNIl_g8EXDPwSi2XO3uqiOJkM9AS1HA54hG-_iJH9xhCtMVu0BrEToZ79Xh3CadaWtlOvF-EEd689V9YNQjCfoM3iCQwEfqmHRp8L90TddqCdtmD44TZYIy8VdcSTTfeBjSnRpqvBVk38c9oKfKWjyGKZgRQ8QmXMYg-giKA_iqBFxuh0rdZvEivA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8rtNIl_g8EXDPwSi2XO3uqiOJkM9AS1HA54hG-_iJH9xhCtMVu0BrEToZ79Xh3CadaWtlOvF-EEd689V9YNQjCfoM3iCQwEfqmHRp8L90TddqCdtmD44TZYIy8VdcSTTfeBjSnRpqvBVk38c9oKfKWjyGKZgRQ8QmXMYg-giKA_iqBFxuh0rdZvEivA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 6</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Steve Johnson and Dave Fielder presented a battle from <i>Das Rhubarbe Kriege</i>, the fictional war between the fictional states of Ruthenia and Prusskia, in which the rhubarb fields of Ruthenia are the main objective. This all takes place sometime in the 1860s in Central Europe. They were using <i>Black Powder 2</i>, along with the ACW <i>Glory Hallelujah</i> supplement. Figures were 10mm, on a 6' x 4' table.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX-cFLTjEElQEgt0oOaCrZeK5jRTMJyD5e4kusm19qVCBVPvcC_OupAL5L5uwU6LACuoopc53p6vip1-mmactSXvaH12wX_pL9nQaspvxG81FXyhALstju4bEskKL4oTYE5rUp0TgiZCoLHLl2eixrqhmD74gSoatA9XlyBGWYxke7jpS4_YlqBFzBQw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="4427" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX-cFLTjEElQEgt0oOaCrZeK5jRTMJyD5e4kusm19qVCBVPvcC_OupAL5L5uwU6LACuoopc53p6vip1-mmactSXvaH12wX_pL9nQaspvxG81FXyhALstju4bEskKL4oTYE5rUp0TgiZCoLHLl2eixrqhmD74gSoatA9XlyBGWYxke7jpS4_YlqBFzBQw=w400-h261" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve's map of the terrain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicmdvOPcM76lUc3MgxjvWcpR3gXoF2sk3H-pghciuFEkRHYewYyDZzEdGRp1A0VFGkYqTga0cvyLLD2-w0-hejVdYofL--07bXNrl0lQUfvCBcnSan8QBCBNcu-c5KwUeO8Hz-RYuI5D6XFENF7mC1-gCqHhDBJEUAG5uVLsOUZOsh8lL-bHcFZ9hP0Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3728" data-original-width="5058" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicmdvOPcM76lUc3MgxjvWcpR3gXoF2sk3H-pghciuFEkRHYewYyDZzEdGRp1A0VFGkYqTga0cvyLLD2-w0-hejVdYofL--07bXNrl0lQUfvCBcnSan8QBCBNcu-c5KwUeO8Hz-RYuI5D6XFENF7mC1-gCqHhDBJEUAG5uVLsOUZOsh8lL-bHcFZ9hP0Q=w400-h295" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve, Jon and Dave.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEYOoWDBGSsMrBp_5ye02cn9g0RX3pjKhZ7dFTQttFNTf15QvN2dOqKsJCdSG542Nl13CYf3rw4vxiS6Ygs01IjGO8hhOCxXigL_2R8NTJ8xnh-t_uDI9BCLs0w1-U_quRikeOR28yArLkSCthhS94yEBrHaCgAMj42uZu4k3Sd_CAYEdPpvrHhzyyRg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3501" data-original-width="5184" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEYOoWDBGSsMrBp_5ye02cn9g0RX3pjKhZ7dFTQttFNTf15QvN2dOqKsJCdSG542Nl13CYf3rw4vxiS6Ygs01IjGO8hhOCxXigL_2R8NTJ8xnh-t_uDI9BCLs0w1-U_quRikeOR28yArLkSCthhS94yEBrHaCgAMj42uZu4k3Sd_CAYEdPpvrHhzyyRg=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFt_XyeDMhmh8RUd8_f1Q1ELi10QsSzMFN7Rz0BoExRgh3oNcjVijX_Y6G_Z9eA3PVYjVX9wQQoWGug3NPWIOr-B7N2ZGnaczV4RcL-rjwHRm7zZOkvHaVrhJyJkg-zH2ta7ZCyEvzm4cxWLk4HhvCDKpYHZcBAURBYgIuhmP5P-sRE3kwYZ2PoKPoTA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3593" data-original-width="5051" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFt_XyeDMhmh8RUd8_f1Q1ELi10QsSzMFN7Rz0BoExRgh3oNcjVijX_Y6G_Z9eA3PVYjVX9wQQoWGug3NPWIOr-B7N2ZGnaczV4RcL-rjwHRm7zZOkvHaVrhJyJkg-zH2ta7ZCyEvzm4cxWLk4HhvCDKpYHZcBAURBYgIuhmP5P-sRE3kwYZ2PoKPoTA=w400-h285" width="400" /><br /><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmqm5fjS9l4-5tU_lZYgiVTbFeqyGlro4MphuAt3wRZlvlHvIVqcBBVjPsHhP85ayP0NjL0vGX__GwbD2R867Jp085ul8w_LfMpe7PE07nyPO80MVyjjYuOoCsyLs4txxNWKCF_Fi2nc61olykjR5eIe0AoJr1TLTAyXa8T9UOzkDhVL3Gfcif7tKwTA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3454" data-original-width="4816" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmqm5fjS9l4-5tU_lZYgiVTbFeqyGlro4MphuAt3wRZlvlHvIVqcBBVjPsHhP85ayP0NjL0vGX__GwbD2R867Jp085ul8w_LfMpe7PE07nyPO80MVyjjYuOoCsyLs4txxNWKCF_Fi2nc61olykjR5eIe0AoJr1TLTAyXa8T9UOzkDhVL3Gfcif7tKwTA=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The redoubt was a real problem for the attacking Prusskian forces.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJtu4f0LOnivloew66Sij_4ZDloZ8yaDlpopGWZsGMyBr-exOzaLrFy5-8pgHxnXQcmDBTg0uf79-r5ukmC_CUsK7Kk8vgihCFuVChhpxbKXqV35JwlxjWNt7QBO-QTYPD1tacQDvJo29VqMwQY9BR4oSR_LftBf6xV6ThmTYppQO2S0xv39PgRXGzPA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3569" data-original-width="4846" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJtu4f0LOnivloew66Sij_4ZDloZ8yaDlpopGWZsGMyBr-exOzaLrFy5-8pgHxnXQcmDBTg0uf79-r5ukmC_CUsK7Kk8vgihCFuVChhpxbKXqV35JwlxjWNt7QBO-QTYPD1tacQDvJo29VqMwQY9BR4oSR_LftBf6xV6ThmTYppQO2S0xv39PgRXGzPA=w400-h295" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Just hang on a minute..."</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Game 7</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Nigel Vye, with the help of other members of the Cirencester Club, brought along a fine Nine Years War clash set in 1689, representing the real Battle of Warcourt and set on a 12 x 4 table. The Allies under Marlborough are fighting the French. The gamers were using <i>Beneath The Lily Banners </i>to guide their manoeuvres. Again, the beautiful and colourful 28mm figures caught my eye. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh67jeBJnv5kI11j9NF07hQ5_xNEEwyOKONZivFxe3KUeBp_4OL_cMQAlTzmOYhBTg_Cmx2qQk3G0TS8LOPKwVVTfhxrqXSey-ynUlg71ALX53prAga9E07Q5EX6o8vLRvVf0xnEdQ5fKI8V9OLSpmB3a2lFwjgyoKDriswBizetqxwmDmyI_rim_0UYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3454" data-original-width="5039" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh67jeBJnv5kI11j9NF07hQ5_xNEEwyOKONZivFxe3KUeBp_4OL_cMQAlTzmOYhBTg_Cmx2qQk3G0TS8LOPKwVVTfhxrqXSey-ynUlg71ALX53prAga9E07Q5EX6o8vLRvVf0xnEdQ5fKI8V9OLSpmB3a2lFwjgyoKDriswBizetqxwmDmyI_rim_0UYg=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNth_kN8EwtSW3rR1Ajwmx55PY0eApt0Ea7RRND_BB-rosRdxvWuhV6Oygs6p8krn6UFsap0dzteKk7n8nQ6PlWbfWAuQj0zQUVGOEskbwQgP_0vNu4I-gyfCVDX74c8dLh4cSxQ9eVH_LZ_Jqpwva7gdg-n6zH7MeI5rfkM-y2gJ9xsQKi7VYisIj8w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3657" data-original-width="4837" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNth_kN8EwtSW3rR1Ajwmx55PY0eApt0Ea7RRND_BB-rosRdxvWuhV6Oygs6p8krn6UFsap0dzteKk7n8nQ6PlWbfWAuQj0zQUVGOEskbwQgP_0vNu4I-gyfCVDX74c8dLh4cSxQ9eVH_LZ_Jqpwva7gdg-n6zH7MeI5rfkM-y2gJ9xsQKi7VYisIj8w=w400-h303" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJqdDtywBcS2-pq7wy1mgomymbsQCXW-VEsVpXdvTvtHZkTKHbV7JfCQ3tfuTkLILcoF-dJE55GdyrQC1sTITIPPhvhrg4gf_muObAZrKyhG9iaFnR-oMMfOKJ7fVz6aAc_HIarYgDTbKroyHP4x_cn0aS1kHvNJsxoS6YclsdwZkz6yHVcx2fRdDkjQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJqdDtywBcS2-pq7wy1mgomymbsQCXW-VEsVpXdvTvtHZkTKHbV7JfCQ3tfuTkLILcoF-dJE55GdyrQC1sTITIPPhvhrg4gf_muObAZrKyhG9iaFnR-oMMfOKJ7fVz6aAc_HIarYgDTbKroyHP4x_cn0aS1kHvNJsxoS6YclsdwZkz6yHVcx2fRdDkjQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That must be Marlborough amongst the English battalions.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBiH6miBpVFI2R_rFR8b5wuWh--ckDV1v6JEl3GfNR0faqruoW9l82wWgKaDQ1upCYaHFpAU-wouFWvH_7vsL8sbNQqGCOiVte3Q8rNQFQs4CR92CACCN6I2kfzS_X7mu0V0TNimLIB8rCUbVsbpLwKM1tP8RpWA44_hzd6RpdhOu7OPfYZUeJjz0ksA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3662" data-original-width="4991" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBiH6miBpVFI2R_rFR8b5wuWh--ckDV1v6JEl3GfNR0faqruoW9l82wWgKaDQ1upCYaHFpAU-wouFWvH_7vsL8sbNQqGCOiVte3Q8rNQFQs4CR92CACCN6I2kfzS_X7mu0V0TNimLIB8rCUbVsbpLwKM1tP8RpWA44_hzd6RpdhOu7OPfYZUeJjz0ksA=w400-h294" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now That's What I Call A Cavalry Melee (2).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTMDr69VC8tqIeuxXduPQOifl_nbkRiRL8-QgM-dobhZpg_n1zNZHVbw6KNJ5DB9fLbamZV47xJJ7LPc7nHTNoXV8_vAxI91K_Pqff6PzfbJoBYTTvhFeUaFvww_ydp3UalqE9KUUIHJgbndvv3UJRCfddB8I8pRW-4CS8BebcOLKIaRPCHxP03puyzA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3740" data-original-width="5032" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTMDr69VC8tqIeuxXduPQOifl_nbkRiRL8-QgM-dobhZpg_n1zNZHVbw6KNJ5DB9fLbamZV47xJJ7LPc7nHTNoXV8_vAxI91K_Pqff6PzfbJoBYTTvhFeUaFvww_ydp3UalqE9KUUIHJgbndvv3UJRCfddB8I8pRW-4CS8BebcOLKIaRPCHxP03puyzA=w400-h297" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intense gaming! No sitting down here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqFymzSAEJVjaoKvIJTDExSklRXnjh8nloQtEtci3QwPZCQnHDmM2CJYlYwUiQkq67UphWxFhdyLnmy_PL162gb1xUu2XmKPzfah_l5e0KnVIz8ARW-0kkJieEGbmSvmQy9l3TT9-9IRUobJInXMqciOIQ86jO014cvkFQzhfVwme_PuZ81JOb9UGaSA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="5079" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqFymzSAEJVjaoKvIJTDExSklRXnjh8nloQtEtci3QwPZCQnHDmM2CJYlYwUiQkq67UphWxFhdyLnmy_PL162gb1xUu2XmKPzfah_l5e0KnVIz8ARW-0kkJieEGbmSvmQy9l3TT9-9IRUobJInXMqciOIQ86jO014cvkFQzhfVwme_PuZ81JOb9UGaSA=w400-h291" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The phrase 'hammer and tongs' comes to mind!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 8</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stuart Surridge led his colleagues in a re-fight of the Battle of Qadesh - or something very similar! They were using the <i>Infamy, Infamy!</i> rules with an 8 x 6 table - and yes, a lot of lovely 28mm figures, including lots of chariots. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3718" data-original-width="4510" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3DgMbgo806VljwHX7dq42lqwx95DXK9PnJ35R4T2euEltmnNJ37WLuWxVP0QBswBXzkxdcIX_GYUJyRd-rKZ-dDWn2TXVChMMF2Ktfq9gOR1Ibk8-tu1b6VkOHabSg7mWfzXvglLuZrgwppRCUHdAatNgsGAhGUcSiqjZB1ucTF4_Tya2IrX_-FfdXA=w400-h330" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuart (right) and his team.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3DgMbgo806VljwHX7dq42lqwx95DXK9PnJ35R4T2euEltmnNJ37WLuWxVP0QBswBXzkxdcIX_GYUJyRd-rKZ-dDWn2TXVChMMF2Ktfq9gOR1Ibk8-tu1b6VkOHabSg7mWfzXvglLuZrgwppRCUHdAatNgsGAhGUcSiqjZB1ucTF4_Tya2IrX_-FfdXA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfgEx9WzXbFBs3UGcYqi_G7_12jx9T16zPtVef79eYDIDrbXHBniJkxr9FFcFXRwLZ9OxEyeLIyXRJND7D48uyQJ2a_shHAv5em5J9GDy8_Cpd0O1MbIswyn-i-IeX1YoXOtmwKXv0QCBFRbIdn2uNO8tHUqS7Ed11Ut_Oo6Htg9Y3pHa2NhmucSKXzg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3692" data-original-width="5060" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfgEx9WzXbFBs3UGcYqi_G7_12jx9T16zPtVef79eYDIDrbXHBniJkxr9FFcFXRwLZ9OxEyeLIyXRJND7D48uyQJ2a_shHAv5em5J9GDy8_Cpd0O1MbIswyn-i-IeX1YoXOtmwKXv0QCBFRbIdn2uNO8tHUqS7Ed11Ut_Oo6Htg9Y3pHa2NhmucSKXzg=w400-h291" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outstanding representation of the Egyptian camp.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbAbImFYE-0WVV3ChtHSGj9Q88pJ0ZjkVlKq88OK9YkjLgisz0Q5DwGLm8lDUzG0YCs-s_l0m8ajdi4_SDw-uCYvlaauEr8xI5aaCUyEQyRExgS7asV4cpWbsfN7BfnRFZb7f68AQSXIx0DifDBALipKUwAn_q5ND2hDpMRyHTqHNw2HTYKeqRD-YsLA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3158" data-original-width="4803" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbAbImFYE-0WVV3ChtHSGj9Q88pJ0ZjkVlKq88OK9YkjLgisz0Q5DwGLm8lDUzG0YCs-s_l0m8ajdi4_SDw-uCYvlaauEr8xI5aaCUyEQyRExgS7asV4cpWbsfN7BfnRFZb7f68AQSXIx0DifDBALipKUwAn_q5ND2hDpMRyHTqHNw2HTYKeqRD-YsLA=w400-h263" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju--ZqXHpj5TNcEvwIeBjio2dEqnSieYqRZMKTJZBUBGPkC29E2GCqnzeBMPW7fLD4F5Kp47vgkYgPyP6T6-7FTfMqx2-TU72y400xNLfRjog_0numemPehRul6sxh1ZCChEiluTIp_G_itfMaA-MYMJno5sGRjoYdG3BtIKe4EQCqAqFWH2MBbkfBRA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3332" data-original-width="4631" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju--ZqXHpj5TNcEvwIeBjio2dEqnSieYqRZMKTJZBUBGPkC29E2GCqnzeBMPW7fLD4F5Kp47vgkYgPyP6T6-7FTfMqx2-TU72y400xNLfRjog_0numemPehRul6sxh1ZCChEiluTIp_G_itfMaA-MYMJno5sGRjoYdG3BtIKe4EQCqAqFWH2MBbkfBRA=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnWmzNEGK4UF5aInWtWdEzrtHdRcNB_kJNCnZhO0p0E7WRghp6-QCgaZyi3689SGI-TI-VMk-aROqLIvZzyH2eAMQsML0dfX9r4ybIdY8f0ggdjVzYcn3CpFuokLNPINqc_hDYIdVuiLgs2D2LKM9VucxJgEs_zc3sdgCH1vVSlBzWDgAPk9dvND9_uQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnWmzNEGK4UF5aInWtWdEzrtHdRcNB_kJNCnZhO0p0E7WRghp6-QCgaZyi3689SGI-TI-VMk-aROqLIvZzyH2eAMQsML0dfX9r4ybIdY8f0ggdjVzYcn3CpFuokLNPINqc_hDYIdVuiLgs2D2LKM9VucxJgEs_zc3sdgCH1vVSlBzWDgAPk9dvND9_uQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More gaming gadgets. A nice way to track the progress of the game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>And Finally - Game 9</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last year's winner of 'Best Game', Tim Cull, returned to the CWD with another cracking game, entitled 'The Destruction of Yamhad'. This was set in some of the earliest years of what we gamers call the 'Ancient' period, c.1615 BCE. Tim provided a fascinating 2 page background history to this period, concerning which, unsurprisingly, detail for wargaming is usually hard to find. But Tim had constructed a fascinating 2 part scenario around the little that was known, with the result of the first part affecting the second. Tim was using the club rules of the Farnborough Wargames Society, which apparently still lack a snappy title. More top quality 28mm ancients figures were in evedence - and lots and lots (and lots) of chariots. I very much fear Tim and his friends significantly out-charioted the Qadesh game, which was in the same side room. Bad luck Stuart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHEC5_FqT5CcBKkI9UQes739elvCUlu7ppajmL2_lhsRYgN7_CrSuifZHwGWMmhoysBhLZT6Oc2msToqbsYTrE-sUSKzWk-5tMK0Rb3LW-P7YHFhSnLBd_MUDCNiz_vnt-yNtLX4vLzxpRdD_pBtPU63JywcpDbRijWOfgLZyY8drXvY9J98OE_OSCeQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHEC5_FqT5CcBKkI9UQes739elvCUlu7ppajmL2_lhsRYgN7_CrSuifZHwGWMmhoysBhLZT6Oc2msToqbsYTrE-sUSKzWk-5tMK0Rb3LW-P7YHFhSnLBd_MUDCNiz_vnt-yNtLX4vLzxpRdD_pBtPU63JywcpDbRijWOfgLZyY8drXvY9J98OE_OSCeQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part 1 in progress.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjU5sJxzMzK1Z9UYtAKlU0qaegBd0GdXiJS3wGfLfnzjmDJgDnX-cQjxG7D_uVecWOQt1DVe77dcNwdoRBfJys6SMe8_gHOoTF91VjR6JMmKlhcgmKmkLtlBUarXCsJh4v7kT8tU-gWdqwX99c38NHS87wY_9Pawo1xDYMqJpZNMXFQcSHlroVsDdiyyg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3630" data-original-width="4933" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjU5sJxzMzK1Z9UYtAKlU0qaegBd0GdXiJS3wGfLfnzjmDJgDnX-cQjxG7D_uVecWOQt1DVe77dcNwdoRBfJys6SMe8_gHOoTF91VjR6JMmKlhcgmKmkLtlBUarXCsJh4v7kT8tU-gWdqwX99c38NHS87wY_9Pawo1xDYMqJpZNMXFQcSHlroVsDdiyyg=w400-h294" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chariots...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSkzfM08fgPGotHrnQ6AaTGRMXYlbGTjKJP0fzpK50rywLmQ0dcVKRwWVRu_QOpTaxUmEBzE9wrDQBF4eP5suUNlBLW_Vcc3oqUAaNYjdOxg21LlSZqjgNQw5zSjmpguCEuf6JmtfQDl0iFBXRkGStKayHFVE7hIFCsKaa6NCi5R7LC_emU4p-tWVfDA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3369" data-original-width="4874" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSkzfM08fgPGotHrnQ6AaTGRMXYlbGTjKJP0fzpK50rywLmQ0dcVKRwWVRu_QOpTaxUmEBzE9wrDQBF4eP5suUNlBLW_Vcc3oqUAaNYjdOxg21LlSZqjgNQw5zSjmpguCEuf6JmtfQDl0iFBXRkGStKayHFVE7hIFCsKaa6NCi5R7LC_emU4p-tWVfDA=w400-h276" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more chariots.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAK95bzqgsTHJ3Fi9CCf92r1BY0rC0z69ptWw2cedv7ZF_R5nZj-leMez0flrJdAFMifbxlpdc2x-Ng0wq3OHHNyC1M0l7wQLjYNBuXeGmbA6-j7AjarM0pPrQpMhPUvo3lX7X-Q8AU-I7WF2VfMxe4bVSW90aVQltyeDlUGUvwugRyUZgNGxbGTY92Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAK95bzqgsTHJ3Fi9CCf92r1BY0rC0z69ptWw2cedv7ZF_R5nZj-leMez0flrJdAFMifbxlpdc2x-Ng0wq3OHHNyC1M0l7wQLjYNBuXeGmbA6-j7AjarM0pPrQpMhPUvo3lX7X-Q8AU-I7WF2VfMxe4bVSW90aVQltyeDlUGUvwugRyUZgNGxbGTY92Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You guessed it.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaMCgxkMfwwfsk6odIubmOyKHLzT8C6E0r7nopSHNbd1ISeZsDHwxNfDFABU6pdSA5k3d4d_9qWm_2jhZZg-uL0ZaK-yV-t39E5nUvJt1qfqDGQKNnBwvnrrHrq-eGzkvzuiCysx_Zj1j-OhH-YSoTcXghWhneQqbvtuuvIrIsrGAD7NvWx_p5haYk_g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="4993" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaMCgxkMfwwfsk6odIubmOyKHLzT8C6E0r7nopSHNbd1ISeZsDHwxNfDFABU6pdSA5k3d4d_9qWm_2jhZZg-uL0ZaK-yV-t39E5nUvJt1qfqDGQKNnBwvnrrHrq-eGzkvzuiCysx_Zj1j-OhH-YSoTcXghWhneQqbvtuuvIrIsrGAD7NvWx_p5haYk_g=w400-h283" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_2999-gdJLaXNvwGvGhbQJC8tlVrJmmw-fp-_-8I-5KmG-ppX8Niu4cnCOs6f1UoUrKxRV8cau1abC8MEICJnpFIt1dS1xZUrP8j8p02eXyfSmLbHKb_4Unp-BS72rAgH550_5bHSaN6b7Gao_TFYhjt--72Sw_pVu8i9e6eKiWRuaR7gj9UJ8yZNBg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3411" data-original-width="4764" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_2999-gdJLaXNvwGvGhbQJC8tlVrJmmw-fp-_-8I-5KmG-ppX8Niu4cnCOs6f1UoUrKxRV8cau1abC8MEICJnpFIt1dS1xZUrP8j8p02eXyfSmLbHKb_4Unp-BS72rAgH550_5bHSaN6b7Gao_TFYhjt--72Sw_pVu8i9e6eKiWRuaR7gj9UJ8yZNBg=w400-h286" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaming gadgets again! Tim's 'chariot swerve' device. Nice!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjOlEbnt4olCmEtcfuu5vd5YZ4S12Gf0kVJRVHBOfJQJHUcHHTAJ9Ylu_5QuK7JodH1WwHDtd7G989ktkGLdXPg-NkvM2wQJ6RnHxZBl4SJi0jVYGhsw_GAbFZ-Gmim4nirgyzgNzl9afyUeqBUEoYZZtD6lTlW_30FlTCTp3M6SwR6pKeHGN4ejkzwg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjOlEbnt4olCmEtcfuu5vd5YZ4S12Gf0kVJRVHBOfJQJHUcHHTAJ9Ylu_5QuK7JodH1WwHDtd7G989ktkGLdXPg-NkvM2wQJ6RnHxZBl4SJi0jVYGhsw_GAbFZ-Gmim4nirgyzgNzl9afyUeqBUEoYZZtD6lTlW_30FlTCTp3M6SwR6pKeHGN4ejkzwg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part 2, from inside the walls of Yamhad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaFLF-8N00qaM4BWyBo7JrXKkiJIo7l90jXG_IHm6nD5HPmjR3dGhlgac762IwfkEgp-cB0N0U95YiHwdSO7BDV5FTjQmJJxGDyGqco5y1O25Rq2yUdONUB21WPH_H9_dGBWBgqT6mkDguQu5MWIMXau4qYC6baxBVV4_Cf_X4Jzwn3Q-ueXO391TUQw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3493" data-original-width="5184" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaFLF-8N00qaM4BWyBo7JrXKkiJIo7l90jXG_IHm6nD5HPmjR3dGhlgac762IwfkEgp-cB0N0U95YiHwdSO7BDV5FTjQmJJxGDyGqco5y1O25Rq2yUdONUB21WPH_H9_dGBWBgqT6mkDguQu5MWIMXau4qYC6baxBVV4_Cf_X4Jzwn3Q-ueXO391TUQw=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the walls - a great wargaming scene.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Prizes!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, no CWD would be complete without the prize-giving, which is really just my way of thanking all the gamers who have taken the trouble to bring and set up games for us all to enjoy. I make no apologies for giving another shout-out for Dave Ryan and Caliver books who made these prizes possible - order some stuff from these guys immediately! The company is a great supporter of the hobby. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And so, without further ado...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMNEXud3J2MhFRDm3HnzUDNNLbGgp4LyF_soiWBt_NMhC3j3xr87CBJcpTHtAoR3UG-W-zFBE8MuO-uxW8qF2Hk9ljcW_w3G1kF1MTbAELAxWOhMfw9bLWgGm8i074Fpphl9CxCOpJcH2adn1OSriOgW-SIlnGvA22uei7FuvSnhVp84s5DTGsaFb_Ew" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMNEXud3J2MhFRDm3HnzUDNNLbGgp4LyF_soiWBt_NMhC3j3xr87CBJcpTHtAoR3UG-W-zFBE8MuO-uxW8qF2Hk9ljcW_w3G1kF1MTbAELAxWOhMfw9bLWgGm8i074Fpphl9CxCOpJcH2adn1OSriOgW-SIlnGvA22uei7FuvSnhVp84s5DTGsaFb_Ew=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel Vye and his Cirencester compatriots won Best Game.<br />Keeping 7 gamers involved for around 5 hours is no mean feat.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKqYkUOdErk7gqxmdl1Zfh-Ljwokj8AvyVbEFTkgXzyQVs0-FP_MRY7WRd2FkQpAXoOtZ2SrCP1jRaPy9nECyMvkDzG6MlXefVxe3Z1dUM-Eo_bICTzNk6-ZgmXwLHso_hm7xxFXZHHqs3KQf1qrmNI6zhCetJQ-y94_iCM-bCsjy6ytEYmqBI2blRaA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2983" data-original-width="4400" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKqYkUOdErk7gqxmdl1Zfh-Ljwokj8AvyVbEFTkgXzyQVs0-FP_MRY7WRd2FkQpAXoOtZ2SrCP1jRaPy9nECyMvkDzG6MlXefVxe3Z1dUM-Eo_bICTzNk6-ZgmXwLHso_hm7xxFXZHHqs3KQf1qrmNI6zhCetJQ-y94_iCM-bCsjy6ytEYmqBI2blRaA=w400-h271" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winning team, with the Stuart Asquith Trophy.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvMJTQjIlPrPGcQUDeMLgzhbxZ1KEqF-zhZEinWfkURIhCSdT3T7EZ8fQpk9Kx-SrKBdV4bJkBWpnv_ZQNW9nKl_w8E0G_JoAzfGD5kO3I_EQ6I1G13Gyzx1JD6doshInUQCgFz50OgMH4P6iGJxB3SU-EQe7puPGop1QYwwxFPQ7nN_N5rd4c5Bp5eA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvMJTQjIlPrPGcQUDeMLgzhbxZ1KEqF-zhZEinWfkURIhCSdT3T7EZ8fQpk9Kx-SrKBdV4bJkBWpnv_ZQNW9nKl_w8E0G_JoAzfGD5kO3I_EQ6I1G13Gyzx1JD6doshInUQCgFz50OgMH4P6iGJxB3SU-EQe7puPGop1QYwwxFPQ7nN_N5rd4c5Bp5eA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Models - Paul James.<br />Building six Airfix Churchills has to earn you something.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3Q2t1EYtDIE1I3HcdQ8Va-mdISSm7sU6umo2Fv_GbtbBAYK-Qp75lcb2wR_-1HJH2P3CBT-xXbeCnMTy7bruM0yYbRvOiS5JjCXs3eI9NEOzbtZyVLCEYJVvA3axswndHZKkGiTPGwzS5SGNiN5eFxC928db68ap70MnFTqcYZdj4Jf7kGimGHzgrCg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3Q2t1EYtDIE1I3HcdQ8Va-mdISSm7sU6umo2Fv_GbtbBAYK-Qp75lcb2wR_-1HJH2P3CBT-xXbeCnMTy7bruM0yYbRvOiS5JjCXs3eI9NEOzbtZyVLCEYJVvA3axswndHZKkGiTPGwzS5SGNiN5eFxC928db68ap70MnFTqcYZdj4Jf7kGimGHzgrCg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Terrain - Ian Bailey. <br />A fine looking game all round, but it was the flashing gunsmoke that clinched it...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw3NVDgYRVKrs4T384mHR4bsoxp2Rna8F3xFjKoyrqQJoDUi96mRxoa6ADdQ-emO28IwqrXRvDEZrUFB9TcBw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ1uxcGM9osnZT0bLn1W2BAY5ilrPPJr2qOIc5v5tw5RV73djIDjVkfK_YKrJcgUGLOoLaUP67owDjB04I3VQEbMA-em5YIUgu95PyiN62iTFJXXWyUSo_EDioRKLKwktSaSV-12-yVOQboVUNcSpHeGfFhL3cYLKT5PgF9w0BQYH_S19YUx3W6OJ2eQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ1uxcGM9osnZT0bLn1W2BAY5ilrPPJr2qOIc5v5tw5RV73djIDjVkfK_YKrJcgUGLOoLaUP67owDjB04I3VQEbMA-em5YIUgu95PyiN62iTFJXXWyUSo_EDioRKLKwktSaSV-12-yVOQboVUNcSpHeGfFhL3cYLKT5PgF9w0BQYH_S19YUx3W6OJ2eQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honourable Mentions - the other 6 gamers that made the day what it was.<br />Everyone gets to choose a book.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>And Finally, Finally...</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, all the biscuits were eaten (the sure sign that Real Wargamers had been present), and it was time to pack up and go home. But some people were enjoying themselves so much they didn't <i>want</i> to go home. This is Paul and Matt refusing to leave until their WW2 game was resolved. Well, I guess I did say 5 o'clock. I salute your stalwart dedication to the cause, gentlemen!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji3wjSmiifgrFU73RcnXvIrgshD7zpkl202KvZd5cKwrk7kCh4vzlCmB722kVYgzrTFKHoUAffr8V92BQe59SJldaZ5WHjnvo105yD1wY3CUZUE-y-v1RaDwIJzTvHDGwxWfbMd3A2p5SVOObBkPAurHJ2hojLBI3n9A1K1b_78MuYLMBaxMV8pXQ0pw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji3wjSmiifgrFU73RcnXvIrgshD7zpkl202KvZd5cKwrk7kCh4vzlCmB722kVYgzrTFKHoUAffr8V92BQe59SJldaZ5WHjnvo105yD1wY3CUZUE-y-v1RaDwIJzTvHDGwxWfbMd3A2p5SVOObBkPAurHJ2hojLBI3n9A1K1b_78MuYLMBaxMV8pXQ0pw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>And So We Say Farewell...</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">... to another Cotswold Wargaming Day. That's 4 in all so far, and I count all of them as definite successes. Always a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with excellent games on offer. I continue to be struck by how attendees conjure such fine games from the back of their cars - the terrain is up in 20 minutes, the figures set out in another half an hour, and <i>voilà!</i>, a game that anyone would be proud of. Well done everyone - and I'll see you next year!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-64769448237720792292022-09-21T14:34:00.000+01:002023-06-09T13:10:05.028+01:00In Which I Actually Play A Couple Of Games<div style="text-align: justify;">Yes comrades, a lot of my time recently has been spent in front of my laptop trying to develop an updated version of the 1973 WRG <i>Armour and Infantry</i> rules. These efforts are now bearing some wothwhile fruit, but it was good last week to be able to indulge in two real wargames with real opponents. We all have our own individual ways of enjoying our hobby, and for me in the last few months this has meant too much time researching and writing, and insufficient time actually wargaming. I needed to remind myself <i>why</i> all this research and writing was taking place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Game 1 - The Battle of... erm... Roy's Wargaming Room.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was way past time for me to return the remaining figures that Roy had lent me for <a href="https://www.shadowoftheeagles.com/post/waterloo-2022" target="_blank">my Waterloo game</a> in early August. So it made sense to arrange a game at the same time. Eager for a change of scene from WW2, I took up Roy's suggestion of a game of <i>Armati,</i> one of Roy's favourite ancients rule sets and one in which he is well practised. We used <i>Armati 2,</i> an update of the original rules dating from 2004, and although to gamers of my age this seems like a fairly recent publication date, in the rapidly changing world of wargaming rules <i>Armati 2</i> is out of print and quite hard to get hold of.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a shame, as the games I have played under Roy's guidance have revealed a basically straightforward set which requires players to use historical tactics and which plays quite briskly. This particular battle pitted late Romans against a Goth army in the mid-4th century C.E. This was a battle quickly set up 'on the hoof', and I'm afraid I can't give details of all the units in use, but the Gothic army was, of course, larger, a bit lower in quality, and had lots of cavalry. The figures used were 20mm in size and mostly Newline Designs - a very impressive collection indeed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We each set up behind a blind lowered across the centre of the table (a lovely old school touch which is part of Roy's very fancy wargames room). We found we needed a table extending to 8 feet wide to fit in the armies in use (particularly the Goths), with their very linear deployments, but depth was kept to 4 feet. The terrain was simple, but a sketch map is given below. Two gentle hills, two woods, and a road that was basically decorative:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo-j4yCG5EwzguxYTFNDasM-ojKH7XiPEjdXHLGV5uAWJtmo8p3ofAcCc1KccZqygEMGCceZBWLQ5WM1y6QB_mgr9TWLVnokHKQSRaKmJBDep9cnDbntQdsycpm0VOMp3Usdc9Sp-a2yTVZ8jXuPhQVAHWpiCO3hl00Pq20QGjDJ4-weK06cV8nizSw/s4861/Romans-Goths%20map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2496" data-original-width="4861" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo-j4yCG5EwzguxYTFNDasM-ojKH7XiPEjdXHLGV5uAWJtmo8p3ofAcCc1KccZqygEMGCceZBWLQ5WM1y6QB_mgr9TWLVnokHKQSRaKmJBDep9cnDbntQdsycpm0VOMp3Usdc9Sp-a2yTVZ8jXuPhQVAHWpiCO3hl00Pq20QGjDJ4-weK06cV8nizSw/w400-h205/Romans-Goths%20map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQCWEkpNzU8kKiQMntxX2C1gHpqBQKjkYuMHaaqiLBjvAZnK-iQvn-SmPlDFea4LpjI39UNS9D3tVdIuFLFaqCcgEbBCDh3Qa_rk-Vyi7RsADVydXB1Fsjd1Ad8hEAxBG5LkvsC_-dJoNtpAGztPwUrKkyPrV0ni0CLrclFTAwLMnmG2K7AdQj4y75Q/s5184/DSC09200.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQCWEkpNzU8kKiQMntxX2C1gHpqBQKjkYuMHaaqiLBjvAZnK-iQvn-SmPlDFea4LpjI39UNS9D3tVdIuFLFaqCcgEbBCDh3Qa_rk-Vyi7RsADVydXB1Fsjd1Ad8hEAxBG5LkvsC_-dJoNtpAGztPwUrKkyPrV0ni0CLrclFTAwLMnmG2K7AdQj4y75Q/w400-h300/DSC09200.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of a Goth infantry base, just to demonstrate the quality of Roy's figures.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuyxCqT2BgNY-tNdXR-rezhQ6t44k9eTwgoiz53diZXOAguSDERdyWQVuKUUfnhLaAip0SduN5f9bpb9jNetIQJvoesRtozuO2u94C6exZlZb1Y97kzKCb3QHjbhwaxi1z82k5Faj1BvkKxLmcZFhZaYE_D-Mex8EYH3d1xm3lzfPX5vxnBmbtYYmOA/s5184/DSC09203.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuyxCqT2BgNY-tNdXR-rezhQ6t44k9eTwgoiz53diZXOAguSDERdyWQVuKUUfnhLaAip0SduN5f9bpb9jNetIQJvoesRtozuO2u94C6exZlZb1Y97kzKCb3QHjbhwaxi1z82k5Faj1BvkKxLmcZFhZaYE_D-Mex8EYH3d1xm3lzfPX5vxnBmbtYYmOA/w400-h300/DSC09203.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Goth's (under my uncertain control) charged down off their hill.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONIcMvWGUYvh3omKaqC94-Xauf5a7nFQEORZ5syZ6rNnF7qffTQ0do8UlMt1Z77LjLflnuudBg4IvhTQvmAciAnA-lXfT5e7ibuUhQWDvMaa18WCTlMv0Fgy9wIaJ5Oi7s3VTHoLa60kp4QoIc6FT4MX1X7vaw20udSe0r1Gt4zn19GCghsVwM3c6VQ/s4978/DSC09204.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3691" data-original-width="4978" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONIcMvWGUYvh3omKaqC94-Xauf5a7nFQEORZ5syZ6rNnF7qffTQ0do8UlMt1Z77LjLflnuudBg4IvhTQvmAciAnA-lXfT5e7ibuUhQWDvMaa18WCTlMv0Fgy9wIaJ5Oi7s3VTHoLa60kp4QoIc6FT4MX1X7vaw20udSe0r1Gt4zn19GCghsVwM3c6VQ/w400-h296/DSC09204.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long, thin Goth 'divisions' made manoeuvre awkward - as doubtless it was in real life.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunMjG6fQJ2PFs7Ya6PT9My6Z_AirEkRheg-IfYOcRWv60J--je6-vi0sy1ZY9xrhu-Bf1gql94MhpVVg9e4zEc2wzSb1HiwmW57N-Z28bjTw4tOBmkcjcp29ded2QZVBCiM_WCSzuA5IpwKvE1rgdvA1OLxlLkUCJV23TK71j5c8ZYk5MRvSDSri6rg/s5184/DSC09206.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunMjG6fQJ2PFs7Ya6PT9My6Z_AirEkRheg-IfYOcRWv60J--je6-vi0sy1ZY9xrhu-Bf1gql94MhpVVg9e4zEc2wzSb1HiwmW57N-Z28bjTw4tOBmkcjcp29ded2QZVBCiM_WCSzuA5IpwKvE1rgdvA1OLxlLkUCJV23TK71j5c8ZYk5MRvSDSri6rg/w400-h300/DSC09206.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goth left wing cavalry meets Roman right wing cavalry.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuudf_L-1mTWGksn6R9uY36_j7Ucr9xe32gpq2rEF2WgO3bzje6pjD7TNQ_-TvfpqiTfKt583nhPT9VCTXOGmq-zbPvMcBhvq7UwBzn9dxa1lqH0HHXG-UtWUoHlXwTzqUylt0NWmijymZFoL2zJWwUumYNMoPknBN7YZF3ugTVbWjJ8eFeAiPh5sXeg/s4510/DSC09211.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3399" data-original-width="4510" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuudf_L-1mTWGksn6R9uY36_j7Ucr9xe32gpq2rEF2WgO3bzje6pjD7TNQ_-TvfpqiTfKt583nhPT9VCTXOGmq-zbPvMcBhvq7UwBzn9dxa1lqH0HHXG-UtWUoHlXwTzqUylt0NWmijymZFoL2zJWwUumYNMoPknBN7YZF3ugTVbWjJ8eFeAiPh5sXeg/w400-h301/DSC09211.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy niftily detached some light cavalry and caught me in the flank.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV1iTV5e4jNxKxQEJwQCBXApKex89D3pQkrJvwnI6P-8j8A6jqbRl_wAUyzbXqroZP5zM0UmxJC5T7p9hrAOQll-8pJWsweEstAW8VcH8-VG-Fl6Oh85uCniec6KGk3meqX4L68KJSVSr0Px6Y_jdd5LH6F53F6hYAZ9w5a2tVo3y8GwBhgkGOi1hMg/s5184/DSC09213.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV1iTV5e4jNxKxQEJwQCBXApKex89D3pQkrJvwnI6P-8j8A6jqbRl_wAUyzbXqroZP5zM0UmxJC5T7p9hrAOQll-8pJWsweEstAW8VcH8-VG-Fl6Oh85uCniec6KGk3meqX4L68KJSVSr0Px6Y_jdd5LH6F53F6hYAZ9w5a2tVo3y8GwBhgkGOi1hMg/w400-h300/DSC09213.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infantry slogging match gets underway.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">You can see that the Goths had a second line of infantry, but under the standard <i>Armati </i>victory conditions my army buckled before they could be engaged. <span style="text-align: justify;">So, I lost the battle but had a couple of very entertaining hours gaming. I am currently wondering whether some of the approach of these rules (mostly regarding movement restrictions) should be incorporated into house rules for </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Kings of War Historical,</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> the ancient set I am currently using. <i>KoWH</i> is good on playability, but its roots in fantasy gaming mean that historical flavour is sometimes lacking. </span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Game 2 - Poland, early September 1939</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Game 1 was Monday, and Friday saw me heading up to Birmingham for a WW2 game with Paul. It was time to test out the latest version of my WRG amendments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I chose to use a scenario from the <i>Battlegroup Blitzkrieg</i> rule book, entitled 'Forward The Uhlans'. This pits Poles from the 10th Mechanised Brigade against Germans from the 2nd Panzer Division. The terrain was as per the book, whilst the OOB was amended for the WRG rules - basically, this was an encounter battle with each side having 2 platoons of motorised infantry, 2 platoons of tanks, and some fairly light off-table fire support. Oh, and a couple of recce units out in front for the first couple of moves before the main forces entered the table. For a change, the baselines are the short edges of a 6' x 4' table. I brought over my 15mm Poles, whilst Paul provided (and commanded) the Germans.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc2nxLYP5FvxvXIrtLkG3ngBphp-W4gy8VAp2xpaXfcFaFUps3lOHuImHggm_tCdL6IkYtdV2ExfS15T0U8nbSMCl-Ise8WYQZyM_gOvEXRUdCWuXWc9Md_748UcJtjkaJ918TSsZjiT2H39GIQfZ2ZSGjVJ-5i0JQ9Mq6ynmHFb4-NjiSA2pYvhW8g/s5007/DSC09216.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3156" data-original-width="5007" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc2nxLYP5FvxvXIrtLkG3ngBphp-W4gy8VAp2xpaXfcFaFUps3lOHuImHggm_tCdL6IkYtdV2ExfS15T0U8nbSMCl-Ise8WYQZyM_gOvEXRUdCWuXWc9Md_748UcJtjkaJ918TSsZjiT2H39GIQfZ2ZSGjVJ-5i0JQ9Mq6ynmHFb4-NjiSA2pYvhW8g/w400-h253/DSC09216.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table set-up. Objectives were the church on the left, <br />the road junction, and the farm seen on the right.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBCOeUvIpY_4FcCufXAffsHa_F6Pv31glhXN8kZVPirJFFMoblEltHM9UrthSx5eYveAh77MEymPA5PeHxIIxE5pBfE2IvpNTtmNgwIDozPm5LLbEogexbgLIFkuwmxCOOMs8Eb02WcOoiDA-KzzgOPk9BI7t6TCzpQo0FlL9JbykLMheSpJwyuvY1w/s5184/DSC09217.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBCOeUvIpY_4FcCufXAffsHa_F6Pv31glhXN8kZVPirJFFMoblEltHM9UrthSx5eYveAh77MEymPA5PeHxIIxE5pBfE2IvpNTtmNgwIDozPm5LLbEogexbgLIFkuwmxCOOMs8Eb02WcOoiDA-KzzgOPk9BI7t6TCzpQo0FlL9JbykLMheSpJwyuvY1w/w400-h300/DSC09217.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well into the game, and the Poles have gained the junction and farm.<br />The church is firmly in German hands.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IxdEGKmmCoBt4D8KX1ouM8y_qQ-cGSS7jZ6rGQ0O6J9WrZQDwVaPjhhNLuzS6uZXWPMbquJTXg6p5I6mTSNMFajk7kEQ5uPO45Lz-iUIVrJr0HYZbmYREwkqOqtT-lIgKMKmcBmvcrqkWheCBBVTystJc1IHh-ScQCBJLS2dEq5XX4HlxnNG-65BJg/s5184/DSC09220.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IxdEGKmmCoBt4D8KX1ouM8y_qQ-cGSS7jZ6rGQ0O6J9WrZQDwVaPjhhNLuzS6uZXWPMbquJTXg6p5I6mTSNMFajk7kEQ5uPO45Lz-iUIVrJr0HYZbmYREwkqOqtT-lIgKMKmcBmvcrqkWheCBBVTystJc1IHh-ScQCBJLS2dEq5XX4HlxnNG-65BJg/w400-h300/DSC09220.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish tanks and infantry around the village and road junction.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlSK-ZAesWoQYumqsWL1xK4EQGl1QBXOXIu-BqKP76dE4gBe5W7dNImkz0CU39zzLm-Oe_H_BW-cqp19Izt2U41HYPTwuYQdSkpOI1Q1kAe5fzglYQBdjfHrmtLolZbmaZWyrCnYQD1KhZYHVTGy6d8zR1zP8tQcKJxZJssRcuIxVrMvG-7ARzdNnuA/s5184/DSC09221.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlSK-ZAesWoQYumqsWL1xK4EQGl1QBXOXIu-BqKP76dE4gBe5W7dNImkz0CU39zzLm-Oe_H_BW-cqp19Izt2U41HYPTwuYQdSkpOI1Q1kAe5fzglYQBdjfHrmtLolZbmaZWyrCnYQD1KhZYHVTGy6d8zR1zP8tQcKJxZJssRcuIxVrMvG-7ARzdNnuA/w400-h300/DSC09221.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German right flank battlegroup sets up to attack the farm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85IyMLfwM3T3qs30BBXGfDrAtUK6xKAZhzgXNCUNgZsqXznC6uTk-1Q5QH2XHJFK2WdAqSn4SZfTpUhyp4fFXXZLWOu7HtDcthm-gpSq7jxKd7wgilqkB76y9SI5QcuFzjCNOluDR13EsYJm234VznbCmaeVFsogD73mHrfS0dJcChRb84S26OKnq_Q/s5184/DSC09227.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85IyMLfwM3T3qs30BBXGfDrAtUK6xKAZhzgXNCUNgZsqXznC6uTk-1Q5QH2XHJFK2WdAqSn4SZfTpUhyp4fFXXZLWOu7HtDcthm-gpSq7jxKd7wgilqkB76y9SI5QcuFzjCNOluDR13EsYJm234VznbCmaeVFsogD73mHrfS0dJcChRb84S26OKnq_Q/w400-h300/DSC09227.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the village, both sides struggled to advance across open ground.<br />A fierce firefight ensued with tanks supporting infantry sheltering in the houses.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3zvsbrEucB6vWKB9PqALtORL4jVmFbVkag_lqSnZUm-Ct_gJqw-LMvowigVcjkwkLr27vDATR2s3Im50XTzBWU2J48V12k-ztjoB58AsFNZtJqHp7V-k8ShYTTQcQo7GtwFd_9j9TQz2RHJGrz0yGxiNyt9VsqkZDNZrAUigJFAUjgKEBNjTyKF75w/s4262/DSC09230.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="4262" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3zvsbrEucB6vWKB9PqALtORL4jVmFbVkag_lqSnZUm-Ct_gJqw-LMvowigVcjkwkLr27vDATR2s3Im50XTzBWU2J48V12k-ztjoB58AsFNZtJqHp7V-k8ShYTTQcQo7GtwFd_9j9TQz2RHJGrz0yGxiNyt9VsqkZDNZrAUigJFAUjgKEBNjTyKF75w/w400-h300/DSC09230.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tankettes and infantry advance in the Polish centre, attempting to <br />threaten the impending German advance against the farm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhXDWNQR75jErmHaTWfZzl7YhumQMojYb8MLfzXSjkh9zGzDFqZxdfdICU82siSCzd31Q2hWp5L6CDleTArjxSzs6rEHhPk_YK33JWOYUKNTE_d860GYNIb8SbbJczMIx_5eCegD_nhpK1gQWq1MNlgY9Ba70q2-pnrbgD0ezRjZ_T-uXX29TFJhmNQ/s4748/DSC09231.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3561" data-original-width="4748" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhXDWNQR75jErmHaTWfZzl7YhumQMojYb8MLfzXSjkh9zGzDFqZxdfdICU82siSCzd31Q2hWp5L6CDleTArjxSzs6rEHhPk_YK33JWOYUKNTE_d860GYNIb8SbbJczMIx_5eCegD_nhpK1gQWq1MNlgY9Ba70q2-pnrbgD0ezRjZ_T-uXX29TFJhmNQ/w400-h300/DSC09231.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Polish left flank tank platoon takes casualties at the farm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm8VRsEbIMWxJJYSYVipJvDPMYbEZw0OWXcuBmg4tpap3PoQDOcSPkypiMa1TCjW8LiDOwGXqGTOb3R19ulXMsFX6u9ieyZt3DqIdlr0G9vzLNzOplP3zu2GzZKn4OgschBG979n4800MtAdrl7AC0JgaUAKEOCuDANKGqSuvSIRSgBrWPV6-wpMUNg/s4942/DSC09233.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3624" data-original-width="4942" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm8VRsEbIMWxJJYSYVipJvDPMYbEZw0OWXcuBmg4tpap3PoQDOcSPkypiMa1TCjW8LiDOwGXqGTOb3R19ulXMsFX6u9ieyZt3DqIdlr0G9vzLNzOplP3zu2GzZKn4OgschBG979n4800MtAdrl7AC0JgaUAKEOCuDANKGqSuvSIRSgBrWPV6-wpMUNg/w400-h294/DSC09233.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German light tanks providing fire support in the village.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In the end, the engagement turned into a bit of a slugging match, particularly in the village, which the Germans won. The German attack against the farm succeeded, with many Polish tanks lost. Both Polish tank platoons ended up under half strength, whilst their German opponents only lost a couple of vehicles. It was time for me to head home, and I had no choice but to concede to Paul.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was a very valuable playtest, which showed up issues in the amended morale rules and in one or two other areas. But the basic moving and fighting rules seemed solid enough, and work quickly and simply - a tribute to Mr Barker's original work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gaming is Good</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As usual, it was good to get playing again. Sometimes I find it strangely easy to lose sight of the fact that playing games is the core of the hobby! I was fortunate to have two excellent opponents, both knowledgeable but relaxed in their approach. Just what I needed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, the <a href="http://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/cotswold-wargaming-day-2022-update.html" target="_blank">Cotswold Wargaming Day</a> beckons on Sunday next. Should be a blast - a report will surely follow in the not-too-distant future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til then comrades!</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-24055915701015534082022-09-11T14:24:00.004+01:002023-06-09T13:10:16.616+01:00New Figure Ranges<p style="text-align: justify;">It is of course many decades since 6mm figure ranges started being produced, with their advantages of easy storage and large batttles on smaller tables. Recently 3mm and 2mm ranges have also been developed, taking the concept further. Now some new figure ranges from Iron Bollocks Miniatures are making a bit of a splash.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You may have heard elsewhere about IBM's 0mm figures, but I wanted to flag them up here as, for me at least, they seem like a great new concept with many advantages. But first a few photos of some sample figures and models I ordered recently:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihM9FCrI2Z-0gMmz0O6LCEb8wNUPpcvAdyroPe-WMNd3DnYnXhDFxKx1RaSZlCBmgYn6-nWKmJC3APhv1QdPRkTwXkwJP6sorGo8AIjEOGiEmVMMLmUeqBUtJKDjpSawFQGIyB4NZ6gCjJ4abU7NO0JkyTOOMMZWXqYdsXYvpVVAzGlQE-Zjzf_ZB_Yg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="2800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihM9FCrI2Z-0gMmz0O6LCEb8wNUPpcvAdyroPe-WMNd3DnYnXhDFxKx1RaSZlCBmgYn6-nWKmJC3APhv1QdPRkTwXkwJP6sorGo8AIjEOGiEmVMMLmUeqBUtJKDjpSawFQGIyB4NZ6gCjJ4abU7NO0JkyTOOMMZWXqYdsXYvpVVAzGlQE-Zjzf_ZB_Yg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From IBM's 0mm Napoleonics range. Imperial Guard infantry with skirmishers in front.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyHfyfvYqMRAvwnv3lIBsGH2l0CVp4arfoh-9l8Pg41q1tYDXsw7B93I068soMd1sLOLQt7Vk90B56mWhJSKKq8hb8N_B3DFlTpQCTSHORd3g6DZMLNo1rK2a2iO6r_oDGArMO_hx6vWHlTG0C0JmZllP3-7M5te_6mfYYLZsOt5_CDdaiJr-vchBC0w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="3658" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyHfyfvYqMRAvwnv3lIBsGH2l0CVp4arfoh-9l8Pg41q1tYDXsw7B93I068soMd1sLOLQt7Vk90B56mWhJSKKq8hb8N_B3DFlTpQCTSHORd3g6DZMLNo1rK2a2iO6r_oDGArMO_hx6vWHlTG0C0JmZllP3-7M5te_6mfYYLZsOt5_CDdaiJr-vchBC0w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Roman Legionaries show the incredible detail that IBM <br />have managed to include in these small figures.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg601RU9PB_zSz4dxHuaxw9F7UxZ0S3Gpu69JVYG-ij3KEYDpNY_4ACKy1cb-r8Swk9OTuIbg8zk9aiki4ak-L36MLR_L0Uofr-tPWTzqV3m5Wh8_aURg49oa9jTpzFpqYE_wci-T1OAp-EJuZ6pynnufoEApiX4enQMaaaeecxJXgGhSMGJIOBsQTjCg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg601RU9PB_zSz4dxHuaxw9F7UxZ0S3Gpu69JVYG-ij3KEYDpNY_4ACKy1cb-r8Swk9OTuIbg8zk9aiki4ak-L36MLR_L0Uofr-tPWTzqV3m5Wh8_aURg49oa9jTpzFpqYE_wci-T1OAp-EJuZ6pynnufoEApiX4enQMaaaeecxJXgGhSMGJIOBsQTjCg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of a Sherman Firefly troop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides the possibility of creating really big battles on a small table, there are many other benefits. Perhaps most significantly, the figures look just as good unpainted as painted, as the photo below shows:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikrEqesAcyPYbjUMuwuw6UhX9wCxuIGDWmn5eCA6JZkMfdhJf-pqgRVMqgmM7FGfP4mpz9cS1JubWvyuy4_dI_qbpP2TwMswvqUoPpQSisEl9ApUdcHKUWNdwiFJHCPdESrvTmI0UOhztNDGHxJfN8TBydBVlScPshDys1TP_ZOie0sh3LuZ064yLsaw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="3658" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikrEqesAcyPYbjUMuwuw6UhX9wCxuIGDWmn5eCA6JZkMfdhJf-pqgRVMqgmM7FGfP4mpz9cS1JubWvyuy4_dI_qbpP2TwMswvqUoPpQSisEl9ApUdcHKUWNdwiFJHCPdESrvTmI0UOhztNDGHxJfN8TBydBVlScPshDys1TP_ZOie0sh3LuZ064yLsaw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The difference from the fully painted figures is practically unnoticeable at 'wargaming ranges'.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But let me assure you, painting these figures is not the chore that some might have you believe, even if you're one of those with the highest standards. I managed to produce the results you see in the photos in no time at all, using absolutely no paint whatsoever. Picking out the detail really is no problem. That could be quite a significant selling point. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Basing is also made really simple. Some gamers have actually started using these figures unbased:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeoH0HWEQx8MFLoX0lrAbz7R5BkV94Vuqk0rhKpm-kiLR_5v_0f3uGNqkqCt1U420yRrj2OnG9aU83l8gqsVJZDW9wNRocWVNbwnqVaPJHHSSTdM-_IxI8tNg3itNbm6ZNWp-Iiw94i7LcaqeQaO25pEAvH9SP8XmWuKaPu-sBEHGJCglyYKPSbSVPvw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeoH0HWEQx8MFLoX0lrAbz7R5BkV94Vuqk0rhKpm-kiLR_5v_0f3uGNqkqCt1U420yRrj2OnG9aU83l8gqsVJZDW9wNRocWVNbwnqVaPJHHSSTdM-_IxI8tNg3itNbm6ZNWp-Iiw94i7LcaqeQaO25pEAvH9SP8XmWuKaPu-sBEHGJCglyYKPSbSVPvw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Spartan pike phalanx left unbased - still looking good!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Even if you're a traditionalist and take the time to base these babies up, you'll quickly appreciate another ground-breaking advantage - storage. Storage immediately ceases to be an issue, as the bases can be stacked on top of one another without damaging the figures. Even more interestingly, gamers taking the 'unbased' option have found that no storage space at all is required. Existing cupboards already full of clothes and other household items can be used with ease.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think the images above also demonstrate that you don't have to always use close-ups to create good photos, as some have claimed. Photographing these models is a breeze. The above are only quick snaps, but they compare well with the professional efforts on the IBM site and recent magazine articles. Another advantage for both bloggers and magazine editors!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, what about the 'big army look' that small scale gamers claim for their models? The photo below gives you an idea of how this can be achieved. Having been impressed by the samples, I decided to splash out on opposing Austrian and Prussian SYW armies, each of about 500 figures. The painting process went by in a flash, and (being a bit lazy), I decided to leave them unbased. Nevertheless, I was really impressed by the results:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgedqZZ8GN-yC-Ekg8bh4tXZ6GUjtB5Pssj0F-HFcQIzo_1Al-G8Ng7l_5T51hSLkcYvoIKqn56CoHSmUk9rLpFgQrb_xwl_1rqiND1IvWyNxD2NUAlucTQyTPwtmkOIG2D94WmPdKpnKJLa1DuCCiMNn-owEm9-VRIEjAkSx2E7UUNEu2vWt58qEm0Dg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgedqZZ8GN-yC-Ekg8bh4tXZ6GUjtB5Pssj0F-HFcQIzo_1Al-G8Ng7l_5T51hSLkcYvoIKqn56CoHSmUk9rLpFgQrb_xwl_1rqiND1IvWyNxD2NUAlucTQyTPwtmkOIG2D94WmPdKpnKJLa1DuCCiMNn-owEm9-VRIEjAkSx2E7UUNEu2vWt58qEm0Dg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over a thousand figures on a 3' x 3' table - and still plenty of room for manoeuvre.<br />Quite a sight!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Personally, I reckon these figures could be something of a revolution in gaming. There are, of course, some stick-in-the-muds who are making much of issues around how to tell units apart at this small scale. Admittedly, it can be tricky to tell a 6pdr anti-tank gun from a ballista without closely inspecting the models, but attaching labels or writing underneath the bases easily solves this. How to measure ranges and moves using unbased figures can be an issue, but as always, good basing is needed anyway to really show off your armies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Is 0mm the 'one true scale' gamers have been looking for all these years? I guess we'll see how sales go. Certainly something to look out for as the show season gets under way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time comrades!</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-49106784016194601212022-09-06T10:44:00.005+01:002022-09-06T10:53:27.042+01:00More 3D Printed Vehicles<p style="text-align: justify;">This will be the last post on this subject for the forseeable future - promise! I think I've filled in all the gaps that need to be filled in my 1939 collection.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Firstly, I obtained a couple of FT-17s from a French guy who sells on Etsy, mainly doing French WW1 vehicles. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Rambowot3D?listing_id=1021597942" target="_blank">Follow this link.</a> As I have come to expect, top quality models at a reasonable price.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCZqrv5hupVjzGeQfR4UVsJ8EpyESlZIeE0dvxDIZATwSC0jQGtEzdyCfCAoViqHv8jkwTceqTtmis7e0l0a5hDu-KcjvxyK95IHn46tcEhclGFuEv7J0KlKVlnt9q1sGcBoLkjapvaJoTqbDZda1I7nNP7AkXx8m7WtqPDNHViTQ3n41jKaeHWdGYtQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3094" data-original-width="4125" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCZqrv5hupVjzGeQfR4UVsJ8EpyESlZIeE0dvxDIZATwSC0jQGtEzdyCfCAoViqHv8jkwTceqTtmis7e0l0a5hDu-KcjvxyK95IHn46tcEhclGFuEv7J0KlKVlnt9q1sGcBoLkjapvaJoTqbDZda1I7nNP7AkXx8m7WtqPDNHViTQ3n41jKaeHWdGYtQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FT-17 in standard Polish 1939 camo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAr2-Sd0Jxq0-wJ8gOrVUb_AJ9WIJhhcQucw_-cv8Yn6c59w_sWg0LBlpPXiA76rc5pH_-cUgsRHIOdoM3ueo7BtZVxIIlCLEtNERcqvmX7xUxMvwU-Ie4OikixQqIKMvhOIO7L0_EX-Ibq-blrJuqZ9eCnJZbwnxJQpxNAt78qXMMjp-YSlL6vnpfiQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAr2-Sd0Jxq0-wJ8gOrVUb_AJ9WIJhhcQucw_-cv8Yn6c59w_sWg0LBlpPXiA76rc5pH_-cUgsRHIOdoM3ueo7BtZVxIIlCLEtNERcqvmX7xUxMvwU-Ie4OikixQqIKMvhOIO7L0_EX-Ibq-blrJuqZ9eCnJZbwnxJQpxNAt78qXMMjp-YSlL6vnpfiQ=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare colour photo gives an idea of the original camouflage look.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondly, Garry at <a href="https://www.paintandglue.co.uk/" target="_blank">Paint and Glue</a> provided a couple of Polish armoured cars to upgrade my recce options.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb9HOhIdN_gc6kbSb5EbAmM8D0MkJPkIdFujwSCJk6SK0qIE7_T8o90gnzRMzpKmqsXIWggGTjAWce1OXpXayfaxWkeKIfh5qLei8nTBiLsWQnsEasXkFFvS8-1oxKrM0fBZabfkJ5k-NXxrbkkZynH1swYWLDNhma7w4O-PsIDS1wdHto3v15MklCsA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3612" data-original-width="4816" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb9HOhIdN_gc6kbSb5EbAmM8D0MkJPkIdFujwSCJk6SK0qIE7_T8o90gnzRMzpKmqsXIWggGTjAWce1OXpXayfaxWkeKIfh5qLei8nTBiLsWQnsEasXkFFvS8-1oxKrM0fBZabfkJ5k-NXxrbkkZynH1swYWLDNhma7w4O-PsIDS1wdHto3v15MklCsA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wz.34 on the left, Wz.39 <i>Ursus</i> on the right. <br />Painting only just started!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And finally, I tried out <a href="https://battlefield3d.com/" target="_blank">Battlefield 3D</a> for an Sdkfz 221 model.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPoV6Ca18u6vXjP618AUh06clht6CCK997t9vgH5TAPgccu8wQFBN4vdpf5C7RHh6Sy77eVZoNcoyVyikQkBIWmoilcuP1oqz7I8BEugeyRIetaeXdsvAcQfVxr5598SBioWw1uWCETpB2Bw5c8hGGb9f6k7jJLIu6pGJG9TskcKNjjr_TN7NTS4w2yg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3550" data-original-width="4733" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPoV6Ca18u6vXjP618AUh06clht6CCK997t9vgH5TAPgccu8wQFBN4vdpf5C7RHh6Sy77eVZoNcoyVyikQkBIWmoilcuP1oqz7I8BEugeyRIetaeXdsvAcQfVxr5598SBioWw1uWCETpB2Bw5c8hGGb9f6k7jJLIu6pGJG9TskcKNjjr_TN7NTS4w2yg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">221 on the left, compared with a Zvezda Sdkfz 222.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm very happy with all these purchases and can recommend all the sellers concerned. This journey into 3D printed models has been a delight. At last, accurate, freely available and reasonably-priced models can be purchased for what remains a bit of a niche period for WW2 gaming.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm hoping a real, actual game report will follow in a week or two and some of these models can be seen in action.</div><div><br /></div><div>'Til next time!</div><p></p>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-12747766365000430632022-07-26T20:13:00.020+01:002022-09-06T10:50:11.319+01:00The 3D Printing Revolution<div style="text-align: left;"><b>From The Particular...</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <a href="https://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/polish-7tp-tank-3d-printing-valley.html" target="_blank">a post from April</a> I wrote about how the unavailability of vehicle models for the 1939 Polish campaign was being solved by the growth of 3D printing. Since then I've managed to locate other sources of tanks and soft skins for this era, and this post is here to pass on links to some great 3D printing sources, and show you how I've been getting on with expanding my collection.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC2I4ATDdwJ060doGNTCVLoT2xQnUQ07Q4pfsVtoePkxmH5nYG526EGG4TMALsPnddj2l-uAZuK4rSnViIJAmeKXN0L98f9ZB_VVsJPT92ku6Zp2omthKj-s8ZhNFJC2-DoUExgF5Po9GX6OATrDvkDhJcVA_seMyHc1EF1xduEYEhPnDg45oMxDdEkA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="474" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC2I4ATDdwJ060doGNTCVLoT2xQnUQ07Q4pfsVtoePkxmH5nYG526EGG4TMALsPnddj2l-uAZuK4rSnViIJAmeKXN0L98f9ZB_VVsJPT92ku6Zp2omthKj-s8ZhNFJC2-DoUExgF5Po9GX6OATrDvkDhJcVA_seMyHc1EF1xduEYEhPnDg45oMxDdEkA=w400-h208" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vickers 6 ton tank, single turret version, in Polish service 1939.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In April I got some great 7tp tank models from <a href="https://www.3dprintingvalley.com/" target="_blank">3D Printing Valley</a> (also check out their eBay store), and was lucky enough to get a tip regarding <a href="https://www.paintandglue.co.uk/" target="_blank">Paint And Glue Miniatures</a>. Garry at Paint and Glue has a great range of Polish-campaign models, and I was able to order Vickers 6-ton tanks in both single and twin turret versions, as well as some rare soft skins and a model of the <i>very</i> rare TKS-D tank hunter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys-m3KT-ITKciF8p0fNWUeALE02AlqewC3xOTS9HV91x2QOP9ASGGn-Vm3WDDWg9WMTBweWKhfOm3Z6vUZT1l-yWowi_c-w_ack-uJvt_zz_Wuoxb2CxDDPWz5GkHMvr2IHOYMpo219aLVHsK1drIA43CfBBT2vRCoUhhyA6kMw350qQxcyZqKhjRCg/s4920/DSC09148.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3380" data-original-width="4920" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys-m3KT-ITKciF8p0fNWUeALE02AlqewC3xOTS9HV91x2QOP9ASGGn-Vm3WDDWg9WMTBweWKhfOm3Z6vUZT1l-yWowi_c-w_ack-uJvt_zz_Wuoxb2CxDDPWz5GkHMvr2IHOYMpo219aLVHsK1drIA43CfBBT2vRCoUhhyA6kMw350qQxcyZqKhjRCg/w400-h275/DSC09148.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Standard' platoon of 3 single turret Vickers tanks and 2 twin turret.<br />This is how they arrived, straight out of the packaging.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR1s-mgNoxluFRwtp94SoMvLSQlV24f3yotYfBTRdEzsnFhmoxkYvnFqRS4Up8Y8Uje_AOm155P6l8RLzY0Y66e4RzAJPgw-q9aRKp5HF6zoSQ0D5CbNn4Sre4J4BWSvSOkfRmzxMiEgLzg8kXTGrOIt0ZtcA3z0NJBvyGyyLtMLmR3xPeaqOdz7PXg/s4987/DSC09149.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3253" data-original-width="4987" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR1s-mgNoxluFRwtp94SoMvLSQlV24f3yotYfBTRdEzsnFhmoxkYvnFqRS4Up8Y8Uje_AOm155P6l8RLzY0Y66e4RzAJPgw-q9aRKp5HF6zoSQ0D5CbNn4Sre4J4BWSvSOkfRmzxMiEgLzg8kXTGrOIt0ZtcA3z0NJBvyGyyLtMLmR3xPeaqOdz7PXg/w400-h261/DSC09149.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the single turret tank (or 'Type B' to be more accurate).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYeTGcEq0Lx-J-PA5wJPZnAI3ii-QrAz-lqr073kDg_0aInjt5QsPhHIrsVpmxjA36-qT3t9vtEfZoJ83JXowmK38bqt5AAwvggytxa1ErcQi8kets91IusW1UtlGe2CM8YCs5VO-GjeWAhHNdsqQGwaBjM_ghoqumCyrk_nKC5yDYx3Y7xg7D73GsQ/s4594/DSC09152.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3091" data-original-width="4594" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYeTGcEq0Lx-J-PA5wJPZnAI3ii-QrAz-lqr073kDg_0aInjt5QsPhHIrsVpmxjA36-qT3t9vtEfZoJ83JXowmK38bqt5AAwvggytxa1ErcQi8kets91IusW1UtlGe2CM8YCs5VO-GjeWAhHNdsqQGwaBjM_ghoqumCyrk_nKC5yDYx3Y7xg7D73GsQ/w400-h269/DSC09152.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Type A' twin turret vehicle after a light sand base coat.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSTqvAknkevQ3dzYdKMQg9dNDEn24pZO_3pfDNazNT9o9scTrK3bKQ-q_geKBX-cthl_3qA3895AAAChBMZZRD8OaB_sZYDGn9VMQRyAuyqq6B_M0AClocmGTvP1dlfXMouT6RDCNiqlB6jcPc6LeO3pU-DspelsoWXyh3DT2KYWlmsPhFGFr7-wH1sg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3209" data-original-width="5149" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSTqvAknkevQ3dzYdKMQg9dNDEn24pZO_3pfDNazNT9o9scTrK3bKQ-q_geKBX-cthl_3qA3895AAAChBMZZRD8OaB_sZYDGn9VMQRyAuyqq6B_M0AClocmGTvP1dlfXMouT6RDCNiqlB6jcPc6LeO3pU-DspelsoWXyh3DT2KYWlmsPhFGFr7-wH1sg=w400-h249" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three finished Type B models.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As you can see, these are all very nice models indeed. Garry has twin turret tanks with both the wz.25 air-cooled mgs or the wz.30 water-cooled guns. The models match the 7tp models from 3D Printing perfectly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paint and Glue also do a number of versions of the Polski-Fiat PF508 'jeep', or light truck. I went for a couple each of the pick-up and radio vehicle versions.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ6SjLfXfGCGIoi39k9itDq2evoITfckae8Gus2qsW-8bgUZf92rvWiQ7evUxXyZXDw-GefYP_o_YJdcP94zo1DdcgGhpdsxiM93idUJ-XpqU9BW1PbEFYIkRm7uea_ZLFrhYI8fCALDVC3tQZhmqdrYe268l-VXXGbtdECqBozoQSntl-Zj3w47w_g/s5184/DSC09164.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ6SjLfXfGCGIoi39k9itDq2evoITfckae8Gus2qsW-8bgUZf92rvWiQ7evUxXyZXDw-GefYP_o_YJdcP94zo1DdcgGhpdsxiM93idUJ-XpqU9BW1PbEFYIkRm7uea_ZLFrhYI8fCALDVC3tQZhmqdrYe268l-VXXGbtdECqBozoQSntl-Zj3w47w_g/w400-h300/DSC09164.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PF508 <i>Furgon</i> pick-up, with a standard load of a 4-man squad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3wM9z8hqV1SZJibQGmcIZM-TtiVH5Txb8Ux6VevCwB3Md2RQyZxkSzy01e6SIwxG7CpqXsuDCD_eVhKmgr_radLzTb2OH8r7kmGPbDBL92FDitLF60XCFmW8sSF6NSK-DesGmb9ICeCaKjaQ5tj3DNz8YAGhQrchXMSQl0mooIpN5rDAnXVgt4-b4Sg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2060" data-original-width="3258" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3wM9z8hqV1SZJibQGmcIZM-TtiVH5Txb8Ux6VevCwB3Md2RQyZxkSzy01e6SIwxG7CpqXsuDCD_eVhKmgr_radLzTb2OH8r7kmGPbDBL92FDitLF60XCFmW8sSF6NSK-DesGmb9ICeCaKjaQ5tj3DNz8YAGhQrchXMSQl0mooIpN5rDAnXVgt4-b4Sg=w400-h253" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PF508 <i>Furgon</i> in Polish service.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKp6zwCH0KIBs4CoxdEGYty0a9r0AIOAt3NQMcX2sbIXFkRyNoFwR6vIiv5JcFO2p3SjIx2-2oQ2Vv3NYu2_4kk1788zlgporRBKUiU-Zv84qaN7zba2iCWIW5aJsU8bK58kK4PI8Xqvc0psMxHezejEFyqf2CHUIVxDC0_eXerZDhHvYY4qsI_dqDqw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3281" data-original-width="4704" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKp6zwCH0KIBs4CoxdEGYty0a9r0AIOAt3NQMcX2sbIXFkRyNoFwR6vIiv5JcFO2p3SjIx2-2oQ2Vv3NYu2_4kk1788zlgporRBKUiU-Zv84qaN7zba2iCWIW5aJsU8bK58kK4PI8Xqvc0psMxHezejEFyqf2CHUIVxDC0_eXerZDhHvYY4qsI_dqDqw=w400-h279" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PF508 pick-up with the radio van version (in undercoat only).</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0krVwJcNJUnfkXgMfIu-dJ-npOv8i_rDuGu2RhJn4abY2UwCaZe2ICSNYt7whUB1kOC7GaDhbsv_jfC4V4bK_jU-DP1lQf0r-3Coqr_97sCmnci0VipaFuJUXVuWHezwswDhn6uso01wO9F88GTwSU5vXG7DCKTcZNWTN4VHR808xFUTL5a7svbJ9Zw/s4789/DSC09166.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3285" data-original-width="4789" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0krVwJcNJUnfkXgMfIu-dJ-npOv8i_rDuGu2RhJn4abY2UwCaZe2ICSNYt7whUB1kOC7GaDhbsv_jfC4V4bK_jU-DP1lQf0r-3Coqr_97sCmnci0VipaFuJUXVuWHezwswDhn6uso01wO9F88GTwSU5vXG7DCKTcZNWTN4VHR808xFUTL5a7svbJ9Zw/w400-h275/DSC09166.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparison with the old True North Miniatures <i>Lazik</i> jeep, a vehicle which used <br />the same chassis. True North seem to be another extinct trader.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And so to the <i>pièce de résistance</i> - the TKS-D. This was a TKS tankette with the superstructure cut down to take a 37mm anti-tank gun. Only 2 were converted, but they appear to have seen service with the Polish 'Black Brigade' in September 1939.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3mwcYuXbpo3hRjl6Qgn5v_cTity9wQ9UyP1KYW5icynViElyJrpXcYwAqkmqGYmtnvCz-xP4Ucxmr8yHryx2N7xWbJORpHREuulgWvM5PUyCwtgKjNO6MGvZtax0fMRnCdSLkVwwacW64_QVziHwm2atcqpgeh_lYELDPKFVyuUQxw66ed-iYy79gww" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3mwcYuXbpo3hRjl6Qgn5v_cTity9wQ9UyP1KYW5icynViElyJrpXcYwAqkmqGYmtnvCz-xP4Ucxmr8yHryx2N7xWbJORpHREuulgWvM5PUyCwtgKjNO6MGvZtax0fMRnCdSLkVwwacW64_QVziHwm2atcqpgeh_lYELDPKFVyuUQxw66ed-iYy79gww=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TKS-D on manoeuvres. This shows the design concept of either towing a 37mm gun,<br />or mounting the gun itself in the vehicle, whilst still towing the gun chassis (as here).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4y8SKeN4nQa_x2TwOrTKO_yaaurG4WbSmrKMT1cx4JfaXLf6Wf2FspeuAlFNM5OMCiJgf0LfFeLsB17YkYwgO5Mlq71tCl8LoM1FTsOUsE00s7v_uA0VS1MTpZzrzWT7DvpIZmQOguuR46q164M94KjaY2gTzA3CR9s9nKL2RZ98TCjiW_4dfKoz7Jg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="608" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4y8SKeN4nQa_x2TwOrTKO_yaaurG4WbSmrKMT1cx4JfaXLf6Wf2FspeuAlFNM5OMCiJgf0LfFeLsB17YkYwgO5Mlq71tCl8LoM1FTsOUsE00s7v_uA0VS1MTpZzrzWT7DvpIZmQOguuR46q164M94KjaY2gTzA3CR9s9nKL2RZ98TCjiW_4dfKoz7Jg=w400-h221" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jagdtiger of its day! Not. TKS-D looking menacing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkGuC1MRUuobtLX2HmU_srac92nWZoacL2wXeOcADkKlp3H3bQBJHLkjM7Mg20wA7Hj42RS0JgsG141ac_l6om674POPF06xht__Gc8D1VbFJ68nQ-KRILrNQEvr2aUJx2ZeMyS9JKYUCPdWxeosbc_rQHs1xzvIb_Z8-j-qgE0QrkN927IoGkcKoMg/s4884/DSC09174.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="4884" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkGuC1MRUuobtLX2HmU_srac92nWZoacL2wXeOcADkKlp3H3bQBJHLkjM7Mg20wA7Hj42RS0JgsG141ac_l6om674POPF06xht__Gc8D1VbFJ68nQ-KRILrNQEvr2aUJx2ZeMyS9JKYUCPdWxeosbc_rQHs1xzvIb_Z8-j-qgE0QrkN927IoGkcKoMg/w400-h295/DSC09174.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Paint and Glue model. The crew figures need to be added.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Paint and Glue also do the TKD, a self-propelled 47mm gun version of the TKS tankette, of which only one was made but which may have seen service. Models of a couple of experimental SP-tankette prototypes are also available. Plus motorcycles and other stuff. All great fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7bdWGknbs8e_hWGYlDEBT6pAIuoEMDBhuX6ltpOP2jyMVHn4g6bMGgnXQo4IJ03CZ_StUw4jX_4BkP_sPDBbru5U3DxArnKMKDxPEYVmS7NNpsVw6ztSNH_hoBXKdnqKECqqZ5cchwvWfzFRBLWEUL5FzXktTa20XN9jI029FLh19t-LkOI7qxctNOw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7bdWGknbs8e_hWGYlDEBT6pAIuoEMDBhuX6ltpOP2jyMVHn4g6bMGgnXQo4IJ03CZ_StUw4jX_4BkP_sPDBbru5U3DxArnKMKDxPEYVmS7NNpsVw6ztSNH_hoBXKdnqKECqqZ5cchwvWfzFRBLWEUL5FzXktTa20XN9jI029FLh19t-LkOI7qxctNOw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view comparisons of light tank-hunters, for the geek in you!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">All TKS-D images and the Vickers 6 ton side-view were found on the excellent <a href="http://www.derela.pl/" target="_blank">PIBWL Military Site</a>, run by Michal Derela. Re-produced by permission. There is no better source (online or in print) for Polish tanks and armoured forces in 1939.</div><div><br /><div><b>...To The General</b><div><div style="text-align: justify;">3D printing seems to be a great new addition to our hobby. Many of you will be way ahead of me here - a Google search for '3D printing wargaming' creates access to a whole new world for a rather ill-informed grognard such as myself. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Getting into 3D printing for wargaming is really a hobby in itself, as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFy1m7fTwxA&ab_channel=Home3dPrints" target="_blank">this gentleman explains</a>. The creation of the files required for the printers, from drawings or hand made models, is a highly technical and skilled process requiring considerable knowledge (especially of CAD techniques), and much practice. The process of printing is also far from straightforward and requires much trial and error, as any number of online 'how to' videos will demonstrate. The kit required for all this can also be pretty expensive. However, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJq3kaqpj_0&ab_channel=GeekGamingScenics" target="_blank">this fascinating video</a> on creating an entire fantasy army with 3D printing indicates what can be achieved. Or check out the possiblities offered by <a href="https://www.wargaming3d.com/" target="_blank">Wargaming 3D</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Given the many difficulties of the process, I am actually quite surprised at the availabilty, accuracy and reasonable pricing of the finished models I have encountered. The quality is also improving all the time - the rather off-putting models I first encountered a year ago with their stepped surfaces seem to have all but disappeared.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For most of us, 3D printing means we now have access to a whole new world of top quality military vehicle models and model figures. The 'cottage industry' world of the 70s and 80s has returned, and our reliance on what the bigger companies will produce is dramatically reduced. Hobby enthusiasts can have a sideline that makes them a bit of money, working out of a garage or hobby room, and they can provide us with models that are usually superior to the cast metal or resin models that we have been buying for the past few decades. In this respect, the balance of power has shifted back to the grass roots, which I think is a very good thing. No doubt the bigger companies will be on to this technology shortly, but hopefully the access to smaller retailers and rare models will continue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have mentioned only a few sources for models in this post - many of you will know of others. Let me know via a comment if you have other traders to recommend. The most regularly publicised source I know of is <a href="https://www.butlersprintedmodels.co.uk/" target="_blank">Butlers Printed Models</a> (who at the moment don't do any Polish 1939 models). I have also recently discovered <a href="https://battlefield3d.com/" target="_blank">Battlefield 3D</a> with their extensive product range.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All we need now is the arrival of colour-printed 3D models. Then all that tedious painting will no longer be needed, and the hobby could really find a new lease of life. Who knows how long that will be?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>EDIT</b> 14th August 2022</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cXvjbSHlsU&ab_channel=Paint%26Glue" target="_blank">this video from Paint and Glue Miniatures</a> which shows how the models get produced. Certainly an eye-opener for me.</div><p></p></div></div></div></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-18463655496105624942022-07-23T12:31:00.006+01:002023-06-09T13:10:35.099+01:00Cotswold Wargaming Day 2022 - update<p>Just a quick shout out that the Cotswold Wargaming Day is still on, as advertised:</p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday 25th September 2022</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Westwoods Community Centre</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bassett Road</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Northleach</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheltenham</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gloucestershire</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">GL54 3QJ</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">08.30 - 17.00</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL6nPeSqKwmZuGkylWgOlM6AXR_YIW1vWcSiDbVy4rHrcL2Xm6Ix4MW3zBunRa2QB9cLlfrgJZjh9FjTBqNrpZj0GWu9t5XW2Hh2DsXP_ej8JLjbKIsQFpAgyounZZ3xmBkCSr1xbu7vfhFZvNrlid8CpY8O4woLiAVwzBT-nZiqiOi5uGrsT0WASfVg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3542" data-original-width="5110" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL6nPeSqKwmZuGkylWgOlM6AXR_YIW1vWcSiDbVy4rHrcL2Xm6Ix4MW3zBunRa2QB9cLlfrgJZjh9FjTBqNrpZj0GWu9t5XW2Hh2DsXP_ej8JLjbKIsQFpAgyounZZ3xmBkCSr1xbu7vfhFZvNrlid8CpY8O4woLiAVwzBT-nZiqiOi5uGrsT0WASfVg=w400-h278" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">An email has just gone out to all on the mailing list - check your inboxes guys! If you're interested in putting on a game and haven't been in touch, just leave a comment. There may still be space. If you're interested in just attending - no further action required. Just come along and say hello.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It looks like attendance for 2022 should be either as good as last year or better. I'll see you on the beach!</div></span></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-33052337054002358092022-07-15T09:36:00.009+01:002022-09-06T10:51:14.187+01:00Waterloo 2022 with 'Shadow of the Eagles'<div style="text-align: justify;">Last Sunday I had the great pleasure of organising and presenting a re-fight of Waterloo at my local community centre. I won't say much here, but a very enjoyable day was had. For a full report, see my post on the <i>Shadow of the Eagles</i> blog:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shadowoftheeagles.com/post/waterloo-2022" target="_blank">Waterloo 2022</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvBTh_zNqaCik1349tgdIs4W1Sisj5ds8UuxU3YLTtL2Hv-7cDL3v71cRANVmS2ofdJ0p-oruouCHCUma38RCK6yDwt0YtY974HLRaX_u02rle_7yNpqqTjVnkZ5-RuMspXmWTwqfO8nUuoCIIz2SePRVXPGpssqxGEmf-IOtBp24IN2adKKvWZpDjWw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvBTh_zNqaCik1349tgdIs4W1Sisj5ds8UuxU3YLTtL2Hv-7cDL3v71cRANVmS2ofdJ0p-oruouCHCUma38RCK6yDwt0YtY974HLRaX_u02rle_7yNpqqTjVnkZ5-RuMspXmWTwqfO8nUuoCIIz2SePRVXPGpssqxGEmf-IOtBp24IN2adKKvWZpDjWw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hougomont under attack. The chateau and orchard are held by British Guards battalions, <br />whilst Brunswick reinforcements arrive via the famous North Gate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I hope you enjoy the account! </p>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-73906572909586642692022-06-06T20:02:00.004+01:002022-09-06T10:51:38.143+01:00Control The River - A 'Shadow Of The Eagles' Scenario<p style="text-align: justify;">Just a quick post to flag up a recent SotE game I had with my old buddy Steve. Of particular interest as it uses a table just 4' x 3', and really distinctive 10mm MDF figures. The game in question is scenario 2 from the rulebook itself.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMJUX0Q40y6SqU3szZGlxj-JEIJ6SBCYvIC1RkGGHRQjIvLVZFM4Mi1jeU6RWcOEuF87RsKFFB9HBVhv8ZQ68Vw2OLclHY79StAYUi0Il4xplMR6po_XsGcEhgj7g6dZO1_2mHFZNZSHo8uaVHJEbCBZrCpgzT4DTcEPIIN5OiqGo_00M_T9wv0E9nGA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3306" data-original-width="4410" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMJUX0Q40y6SqU3szZGlxj-JEIJ6SBCYvIC1RkGGHRQjIvLVZFM4Mi1jeU6RWcOEuF87RsKFFB9HBVhv8ZQ68Vw2OLclHY79StAYUi0Il4xplMR6po_XsGcEhgj7g6dZO1_2mHFZNZSHo8uaVHJEbCBZrCpgzT4DTcEPIIN5OiqGo_00M_T9wv0E9nGA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Steve has put out a <a href="https://wwiiwargaming.blogspot.com/2022/05/scenario-2-control-river.html" target="_blank">fine post detailing the action</a>, so I won't tread on his toes by doing the same here. However, there is a supporting post on <a href="https://www.shadowoftheeagles.com/post/control-the-river-scenario-2" target="_blank">the SotE blog</a> which adds a few points on the rules and how they functioned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Angus Konstam</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Angus is of course a prolific and highly respected military history author, as well as a well-known wargamer. I can't resist flagging up Angus's <a href="http://www.orkneywargames.com/" target="_blank">Orkney Wargames</a> blog, as Angus has been trying out SotE recently and seems to be enjoying them. Well worth a visit for the wide variety of games played in all periods.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hope to see you soon with a bigger post about something really interesting! If I can work out what that might be.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div><p></p>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-29129388340704169012022-05-05T18:00:00.015+01:002022-05-09T17:07:47.516+01:00The Battle Of Madling, 1753<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">Occasionally (indeed, very occasionally), I find myself involved in a wargaming event which represents what we might call the pinnacle of the hobby. We have all had the experience of staring at a wargaming magazine or a YouTube video, or reading a classic wargaming book, and wishing we had the chance to be involved in the fascinating games or events presented there. It is indeed rewarding when we are the ones involved rather than being one of those looking on.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">I was fortunate recently (on Sunday 24th April) to have such a rewarding experience, when invited to Chris Gregg's house for an 18th century imagi-nations battle, masterminded by Ken Marshall and held at Chris's house on terrain specifically crafted by Chris himself. The game would be played over two days and would form part of a narrative campaign that Ken, Chris, and various of their friends were involved in as a continuing project. As is usual with such events, and in particular with Chris himself, the event had taken considerable preparation, both in terms of mental effort and sheer hard work. The map for the battle created by Chris and based on Ken's ideas is just one example of this preparation. It is shown below.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJCRoHxVTzPWww08WsQOyn014i6TwuBFq-rLqvy5gemABTX5N_kSgOTwG6cJ9H4rd6_US2WnN0OGsKPUx71MR4QxDGXgg_PwhR_ASPOkjj-_0HKE691aSu7THcPbvDu3uSR7eUJiCSRwcyri1w6S7xUm1TgxlVKxPpQpdT5MNs5TEH4YbxTbr4Vg-t6A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="2173" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJCRoHxVTzPWww08WsQOyn014i6TwuBFq-rLqvy5gemABTX5N_kSgOTwG6cJ9H4rd6_US2WnN0OGsKPUx71MR4QxDGXgg_PwhR_ASPOkjj-_0HKE691aSu7THcPbvDu3uSR7eUJiCSRwcyri1w6S7xUm1TgxlVKxPpQpdT5MNs5TEH4YbxTbr4Vg-t6A=w640-h557" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright © Chris Gregg 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The order of battle which I was sent in advance (for the 'Ducal' side of which I was to be a Lieutenant-General) included over 50 units, which would be perhaps 1200 to 1300 figures. The 'Electoral' forces I would be engaging were similar, so overall up to 2,500 figures (in round numbers) would be present on an 8' x 6' table. Three collections had been combined to complete the total. And these would be 28mm figures, all painted and based to the highest standards, as I can attest. And guess what - Chris and his friends use <i>Honours of War </i>as their go-to SYW rule book, so this would be additionally rewarding.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Saturday the scene had been set by a game involving the clash of advanced guards, which had led to the positions the Sunday gamers saw when they arrived at Chris's house on Sunday morning. The teams of gamers on each day were different, cleverly catering for those like me who couldn't attend both days. We were welcomed, and thoroughly briefed on what had occurred and what our objectives were for the coming game. And then off we went.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I took only a few snaps of the game in progress on an old iPhone 7. I knew Chris and others would make a thorough photographic record of what took place, and decided to enjoy the game without distracting myself and others with a personal need to take extensive photographs. A few of my photos are shown below. I am tempted to say something about the photos not doing justice to the game, but in a way they do. With such numbers of gorgeous figures and the outstanding terrain, plus the excellent light which Chris has contrived for his wargaming room, it is ridiculously easy to take reasonable photos.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25_s6MkTe_BBMBs-qnWatYnfFMtdGh8bUiGuAtBosB3HKibQTUGL2iky4iY6Z4geFK76LhxgKR3JCk-sN5Go0t4vJhfPMYvLxUf57dBZKiE-MNkkF1jB6pM94PLltfijbaRxebkrQCa5uMhQKOMnYX6K9NcNBFBZ4ap_Zxjkk1noaxlK2Kzz5g2b_jA/s4032/IMG_4294.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25_s6MkTe_BBMBs-qnWatYnfFMtdGh8bUiGuAtBosB3HKibQTUGL2iky4iY6Z4geFK76LhxgKR3JCk-sN5Go0t4vJhfPMYvLxUf57dBZKiE-MNkkF1jB6pM94PLltfijbaRxebkrQCa5uMhQKOMnYX6K9NcNBFBZ4ap_Zxjkk1noaxlK2Kzz5g2b_jA/w400-h300/IMG_4294.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ducal forces (which had something of an Austrian flavour)<br />start to march on the table.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZEHZpBLpzfMdk1RnKUySRXpChIuZw7rsfJs65toZR0yzuT2OX-QzUnXXj6pGOtBglonUYT7Jd7RqIOivaMZ3sG73R9RwaN7ZE5jobSYaz4JcJBFoHTD8Rso97NZhKoh6q6Sig99trsc_uPQ5Pgx5rHbcbqyihEEMJVq4Pf4ykDnCpMr960z-_sRcZQ/s4032/IMG_4299.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZEHZpBLpzfMdk1RnKUySRXpChIuZw7rsfJs65toZR0yzuT2OX-QzUnXXj6pGOtBglonUYT7Jd7RqIOivaMZ3sG73R9RwaN7ZE5jobSYaz4JcJBFoHTD8Rso97NZhKoh6q6Sig99trsc_uPQ5Pgx5rHbcbqyihEEMJVq4Pf4ykDnCpMr960z-_sRcZQ/w300-h400/IMG_4299.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opposing lines form. Looks like linear warfare!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOZIQ3BgvvYwU-SVXNO-t0TWRDzExlCm6ji8H2OsIpOtIL3_YQCDqGVNvV7qsrrMZGQn6GPs0epYv3Jk3XWpMaDUxS1SbAHPsbCxzZWwh83EbtMsD49ykPnjtpGdpJYZmb9dv6BIVfeHag-FHo5dMDXUuXLidgGv3SZ-Hrso6lSnTBgMhRe8KbP6XsQ/s4032/IMG_4300.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOZIQ3BgvvYwU-SVXNO-t0TWRDzExlCm6ji8H2OsIpOtIL3_YQCDqGVNvV7qsrrMZGQn6GPs0epYv3Jk3XWpMaDUxS1SbAHPsbCxzZWwh83EbtMsD49ykPnjtpGdpJYZmb9dv6BIVfeHag-FHo5dMDXUuXLidgGv3SZ-Hrso6lSnTBgMhRe8KbP6XsQ/w400-h300/IMG_4300.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRHuPO_HaWvU2F5VNODByDtyVPje6VXjjHOBaySGIcjTBn4BG8jUwsAg7h1eNA9O6rEv0PDosbhiqwiWEmVz7CCkHzXMwNLEGgFjGl9I0ogaOqCa41J8AW-lA8z6ForoyiuJvtt-29XGlwt78fYTnw3Y8Ymz6eHam2fnFRgHHS84HNJfB2TzE0RigEw/s4032/IMG_4302.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRHuPO_HaWvU2F5VNODByDtyVPje6VXjjHOBaySGIcjTBn4BG8jUwsAg7h1eNA9O6rEv0PDosbhiqwiWEmVz7CCkHzXMwNLEGgFjGl9I0ogaOqCa41J8AW-lA8z6ForoyiuJvtt-29XGlwt78fYTnw3Y8Ymz6eHam2fnFRgHHS84HNJfB2TzE0RigEw/w400-h300/IMG_4302.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfSAWvE58hzmcQFhuJz7VyTQP3eh29uNCuKUTBpclFY18AHhMUytONYoyDWTzvHhp8EwGqX82bLjcJUc8w4IG12i5Fm6iGI6ByG8lcjiMT9nn4K6nIIPES489Yt3uQYGt45PlVmWGgRi_9dfORATzPER6tHe0dTx7Tgyla3YC6ELlbX5j5dD0kx8ADw/s4032/IMG_4303.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfSAWvE58hzmcQFhuJz7VyTQP3eh29uNCuKUTBpclFY18AHhMUytONYoyDWTzvHhp8EwGqX82bLjcJUc8w4IG12i5Fm6iGI6ByG8lcjiMT9nn4K6nIIPES489Yt3uQYGt45PlVmWGgRi_9dfORATzPER6tHe0dTx7Tgyla3YC6ELlbX5j5dD0kx8ADw/w400-h300/IMG_4303.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chance to get an idea of Chris's gaming room.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPXNvuRgGrXOo6PrlwB9rqQmb37aj5clz7aXalU6GnKab0W9UsJbl-WXauVIzvNsrSldP-Gzf3f_kCth4xJuALlutL10SdS1FUejBUKsv83-EtjFl5vKyUk-PEmUBmDce8Iw7KDZcKrBzeVihRLY3pGHwowU3lGuiSfE_vioBw4WrciqcpqtqNHVMSQ/s4032/IMG_4313.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPXNvuRgGrXOo6PrlwB9rqQmb37aj5clz7aXalU6GnKab0W9UsJbl-WXauVIzvNsrSldP-Gzf3f_kCth4xJuALlutL10SdS1FUejBUKsv83-EtjFl5vKyUk-PEmUBmDce8Iw7KDZcKrBzeVihRLY3pGHwowU3lGuiSfE_vioBw4WrciqcpqtqNHVMSQ/w400-h300/IMG_4313.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A final close up. The quality of every detail was astonishing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, Paul (my superior general) and myself started from the north of the map with the highest hopes of driving irresistibly across the table, but the strength of our opponents grew and grew. The ridge you can see on the map at D3, D4 and E4 was the scene of many a dramatic cavalry charge and fierce musketry contest, but eventually our forces were drained and there was obviously no way through. The game was called at around 16.30 in our opponent's favour. Well done to the Electoral commanders.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite all the serious preparations, the game was played with light hearts and much banter, just as it should be. Ken umpired marvellously, and Chris was the perfect host, keeping us fed and watered and chipping in as needed where difficulties arose over play. My own knowledge of the rules was embarassingly rusty, despite some pre-game revision, as I had not played a game of HoW since before the first UK lockdown. But small errors were soon smoothed over in a friendly fashion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In conclusion, a day of gaming and friendship which was inspiring and highly pleasurable. One of my opposing players was my old friend Steve J, who has recorded his own memories of the day <a href="http://wwiiwargaming.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-battle-for-madling-october-1753.html" target="_blank">on his own blog</a>. His photo record is more complete than mine. Chris will be placing his own thoughts and photos on his blog in due course, with a much fuller account of events and, I believe, a tutorial on how he created the fine terrain. I look forward to that appearing <a href="https://notjustoldschool.blogspot.com/2022/03/weekend-games-planned-for-2022.html" target="_blank">on his own personal blog</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I record my thanks to Chris, Ken, Steve J, Steve P and Paul for making the day such a pleasure. One of those wargaming days I will never forget.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-82234989492992054462022-04-26T21:42:00.006+01:002022-05-06T21:19:02.409+01:00WW2: Attack on a Railway Town<p style="text-align: justify;">Playtesting of my adaption of the WRG 1973 rules for the 1925-1950 period continues. I recently developed a scenario to test the rules with some significant forces, and thought it might be of interest to readers to present the scenario as a generic WW2 game that you can adapt to your own rules and figures.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Scenario</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The action involves an attack on a small town where a railway and road cross. The defenders can deploy anywhere in the top half of the table, whilst the attackers advance from their baseline at the bottom of the map on turn 1. Some armour reinforcements arrive for the defender on one of the first three turns via road 'X'. The attacker is tasked with taking the town, and also if possible controlling the road that leaves the table via 'X'. The defender is tasked with preventing this occurring.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwprmGdGWshjiTMcCc5XlmaJm638FaGu5LwQ9hxVrnEE9zbwPlF5wXmM42VVAaGtKLE6he-Cx2nxSVuTRKpTHfu8ZoLiEfHAhFo4KP7c6LmSroTV4vw1pjBiRRNYBfIN7Zl8ejvIRETaHiR03gk1-tZpt7H6a9u13GA9qDxrqtYxoCCS3W9h-ih_X-tw/s3648/IMG_20220426_0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2488" data-original-width="3648" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwprmGdGWshjiTMcCc5XlmaJm638FaGu5LwQ9hxVrnEE9zbwPlF5wXmM42VVAaGtKLE6he-Cx2nxSVuTRKpTHfu8ZoLiEfHAhFo4KP7c6LmSroTV4vw1pjBiRRNYBfIN7Zl8ejvIRETaHiR03gk1-tZpt7H6a9u13GA9qDxrqtYxoCCS3W9h-ih_X-tw/w640-h435/IMG_20220426_0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The map shows a 6' x 4' table. North can be any direction you want.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Terrain</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The wooded hills in the lower left corner are steep/difficult (whatever term your rules adopt) and the woods here are dense. These hills can only be crossed by infantry. The other woods are open, and all other hills are gentle. The hedged field in the centre is ploughed and will slow movement. The 'factory' can be any large building, or you can substitute a village of 2 or 3 houses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Forces</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These are given for rules adopting a 1:1 figure and model scale. Adapting them for a different scale should be no problem.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Attacker</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Force HQ</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tank Company of 3 platoons, each of 4 tanks</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reduced Infantry Company of 2 platoons</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Artillery Battery (off-table) of 4 guns in direct support (with AFO on-table)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mortar Battery (off-table) of 6 weapons in direct support (with MFO on-table)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In my games the attacker also had a preparatory barrage available - I leave players to work out the details according to their own rules. For the infantry company, choose whatever support weapons you feel are appropriate - MMGs, light mortars, infantry guns, or perhaps even an SP gun of some kind to add spice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Defender</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Force HQ</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reduced Infantry Company of 2 platoons</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Armoured Recce platoon (armoured cars or similar)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">AA Section (defending the railway station - must deploy within 10" of the rail/road intersection)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Artillery Battery (off-table) of 4 guns in general support (with AFO on-table)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mortar Battery (off-table) of 4 weapons in direct support (with MFO on-table)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tank Platoon of 3-4 tanks, initially off-table. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Defender rolls pre-game</i>: 1,2 tanks arrive at 'X' on turn 1; 3,4 arrive turn 2; 5,6 arrive turn 3.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The defender's infantry company should have 2-3 anti-tank guns attached. The AA section should also have 2-3 weapons, with 1 or 2 of these being effective against tanks. The recce section might seem out of place in a defending force but their presence adds interest and assumes they have been thrown in to bolster the defence regardless of their normal role.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Notes</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depending on the period and forces chosen, it may be useful to rate the defenders a little lower for morale and skill than the attackers. I suggest that the reinforcing tanks should be of equivalent quality to the attackers. I leave the final balance to you. As for air support, I included a random air support factor, which meant that either side might get a section of ground attack aircraft over the table on any move, but adopting a fairly low chance of this happening.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Photos</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Below are a small selection of photos from 2 games - the first set in Russia 1943 with the Russians as the attacker (held at Roy's house), the second set in Poland 1939 (against Paul at my house) with the Germans attacking. These are just snaps with an iphone so excuse the quality.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRZtAKfCnz1-vvc4jtQK_OaFdk-YGA9CtwF61wfuXvdrR4LiAMGKXkpXTzkDAju8Bqr_UGYvBvRWuJejN9_pfNJSiS09x1SYHc6E_yYQGrtkU65gwN9QXsySijILcyOkhetT7B9MFudJGDFTPWss5WLwY6a8JwCAQfPA3rSI6WtUO4701Zic4_ddU0A/s4749/DSC09062.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3229" data-original-width="4749" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRZtAKfCnz1-vvc4jtQK_OaFdk-YGA9CtwF61wfuXvdrR4LiAMGKXkpXTzkDAju8Bqr_UGYvBvRWuJejN9_pfNJSiS09x1SYHc6E_yYQGrtkU65gwN9QXsySijILcyOkhetT7B9MFudJGDFTPWss5WLwY6a8JwCAQfPA3rSI6WtUO4701Zic4_ddU0A/w400-h272/DSC09062.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1943. No need for roads to be marked in the snow-covered terrain. Note the <br />'dummy counters' indicating where defending units might or might not be.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdaa-bLsB_NEHsQR0jIM2F-mE1598pY3WRxcy4Ax63ex-OnlldjmqZ02zRsabDOTkPFWq26dAGAIvgi0fq5Goa626LA5a-skW-U3OtRwXa3yWB_qF_gIYbMgtTnr_CxdsrxAFRaWct2JrzJQAi5JJTwGcBNin7E7ge0H3dylQiSDqIOCk75iVESMpRQ/s3970/DSC09064.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2894" data-original-width="3970" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdaa-bLsB_NEHsQR0jIM2F-mE1598pY3WRxcy4Ax63ex-OnlldjmqZ02zRsabDOTkPFWq26dAGAIvgi0fq5Goa626LA5a-skW-U3OtRwXa3yWB_qF_gIYbMgtTnr_CxdsrxAFRaWct2JrzJQAi5JJTwGcBNin7E7ge0H3dylQiSDqIOCk75iVESMpRQ/w400-h291/DSC09064.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-34s supported by a KV-2. A bit late in the war for the latter, but I couldn't resist the model.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2S0ApMpYhoiYnqyOvFdLLm8sVfzQ7f2W1ojDw753wqg5FzFN8jqj-F0bWHn8gEK_73jaKn8h1nBBr-NfPLVdApwIv5hYXB-F7d_GQykU8r04j8GMrVUK9gQNI5gAYc5sgW0AHx_vIf7PrtYQHpJJXOIM7e_gbvF4K4enhNzEX8Lp68--v9ad_vfamA/s5179/DSC09069.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3259" data-original-width="5179" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2S0ApMpYhoiYnqyOvFdLLm8sVfzQ7f2W1ojDw753wqg5FzFN8jqj-F0bWHn8gEK_73jaKn8h1nBBr-NfPLVdApwIv5hYXB-F7d_GQykU8r04j8GMrVUK9gQNI5gAYc5sgW0AHx_vIf7PrtYQHpJJXOIM7e_gbvF4K4enhNzEX8Lp68--v9ad_vfamA/w400-h251/DSC09069.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German armour moves out to counter-attack. I was rather taken with Roy's <br />Litko 'flaming wreckage' markers and bought some for myself.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjmEdiyevqbKYgcTBg4So6VfhinfnOgQ5i7NYKQrkC5BbDbzjp8varg3kaw2zFiMb2Ab0o6ikBD_tI703uzEKALiMzTVvF9Ki2FzRKTanPz9J9h9JXdUy92IIBpCoqrvGapSOAvI8A3dzu8HWtC1BUZwcG83lPcUX5LKppCBodo2J7xuuo9bmWtISFQ/s5184/DSC09072.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3624" data-original-width="5184" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjmEdiyevqbKYgcTBg4So6VfhinfnOgQ5i7NYKQrkC5BbDbzjp8varg3kaw2zFiMb2Ab0o6ikBD_tI703uzEKALiMzTVvF9Ki2FzRKTanPz9J9h9JXdUy92IIBpCoqrvGapSOAvI8A3dzu8HWtC1BUZwcG83lPcUX5LKppCBodo2J7xuuo9bmWtISFQ/w400-h280/DSC09072.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1939. An overview of the terrain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSHJJJhds-u7fn9HYcsxcLEEcz0tq_AQzDjpOQe3b1PMIdhtcruZpBJ7rjksDLYLsnljZWkuweD3_OvKwf_IZTuT0r5kxKvJacc6opd0YTzB0tyqsOX2ae-2ah0iFeWz0z-1PPLNtzccmjqhvjjTLlCAf3LKEi1o0ay9ICTthUDZiKNgfaXhETl9h0w/s5184/DSC09080.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3252" data-original-width="5184" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSHJJJhds-u7fn9HYcsxcLEEcz0tq_AQzDjpOQe3b1PMIdhtcruZpBJ7rjksDLYLsnljZWkuweD3_OvKwf_IZTuT0r5kxKvJacc6opd0YTzB0tyqsOX2ae-2ah0iFeWz0z-1PPLNtzccmjqhvjjTLlCAf3LKEi1o0ay9ICTthUDZiKNgfaXhETl9h0w/w400-h251/DSC09080.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German advance on the town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOPhkk3N3If7aNbxLHiI85hUBY6QAqpA306V3PrJVKYaE50m4qlOCxNstwPH7coWp44kVHp5OG4Wi44D1qSL3zcc5xboiflnBnHhlB508ALAp7udHylE9ma-IxVV7vT9JCZXC6O0_MCQ26HL5ilHzzpPxjAb8ZJoTtcWYnF8pjxJghQNAGa4TmWL8aw/s5101/DSC09082.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="5101" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOPhkk3N3If7aNbxLHiI85hUBY6QAqpA306V3PrJVKYaE50m4qlOCxNstwPH7coWp44kVHp5OG4Wi44D1qSL3zcc5xboiflnBnHhlB508ALAp7udHylE9ma-IxVV7vT9JCZXC6O0_MCQ26HL5ilHzzpPxjAb8ZJoTtcWYnF8pjxJghQNAGa4TmWL8aw/w400-h285/DSC09082.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Germans attack via the wooded valley.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWj_04oyj7nGEaArRrCYq36Utc-3CrgE6G3hfM8wiuKEBhp0F5ioPZk4bCmblPfV-JSZtiaeUlNTEXhvxL12ChHn9QbKlbI28ZZIUkAoEjAyAoMIMfDqUwvrna1-6nmNUfon8CjeaTHLRGazjeAY9FPTcJ670edngRFwcSkSB4VYJ9iCb4480VFyz0w/s5184/DSC09089.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3334" data-original-width="5184" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWj_04oyj7nGEaArRrCYq36Utc-3CrgE6G3hfM8wiuKEBhp0F5ioPZk4bCmblPfV-JSZtiaeUlNTEXhvxL12ChHn9QbKlbI28ZZIUkAoEjAyAoMIMfDqUwvrna1-6nmNUfon8CjeaTHLRGazjeAY9FPTcJ670edngRFwcSkSB4VYJ9iCb4480VFyz0w/w400-h258/DSC09089.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The factory under pressure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomTgwsbqKp7X4NOBHQduxjuxjHaISWsAyny2wLO5camB9Ann-sSqzVwpY1ZMiVuhKrYM5fliTqh2re24glgVqC0XgHREI0YvMvWEHv9rhKiMu4RPJTXQo43WqfvjYm4jw6T0n5Ox0UHX5xq6hKe-IX-wcHh41uwrgGfLf6Oab24NoHw9m16RjKGeswA/s4983/DSC09093.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3618" data-original-width="4983" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomTgwsbqKp7X4NOBHQduxjuxjHaISWsAyny2wLO5camB9Ann-sSqzVwpY1ZMiVuhKrYM5fliTqh2re24glgVqC0XgHREI0YvMvWEHv9rhKiMu4RPJTXQo43WqfvjYm4jw6T0n5Ox0UHX5xq6hKe-IX-wcHh41uwrgGfLf6Oab24NoHw9m16RjKGeswA/w400-h290/DSC09093.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As can be seen, the rules produced a bloody battle. Burning wrecks litter the battlefield.<br />Polish AA section seen in foreground behind the town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Rules</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both battles had numerous halts whilst rules issues were discussed. Many thanks to Roy and Paul for their tactful but honest input, and their patience. Suffice to say there is a long way to go with these rules - since these battles I have made further significant changes which now need playtesting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, it's great to be returning to face to face gaming and meeting friends once again over the wargames table. I know many gamers are feeling the same as 'normal life' resumes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>EDIT 2nd May</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A copy of the latest 1939 version of the rules is available <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-wzIAU15iTtES349y_nJik8agxg9n5BNP3bffRoYQyI/edit" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The usual caveat applies - this is just the latest version of a distinctly under-tested rule set in its early stages. Also, this is for 1939 only, so only very basic stats - no armour above class E! Let me know of any problems accessing the file, which is stored on Google Drive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>EDIT 6th May</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If anyone has been trying to access the rules and coming up against a permission problem, that should have now been solved. Anyone can now access the file.</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-6168168424502626682022-04-15T20:25:00.006+01:002022-07-26T22:20:29.455+01:00Polish 7tp Tank - 3D Printing Valley<p style="text-align: justify;">World War 2 is currently my hobby focus, mainly because of the work I'm putting in on the WRG 1973 rules. More on that elsewhere, but I recently found (as one so often does) that I needed more tanks - specifically, more Polish 7tp tanks for my 1939 collection.</p><div style="text-align: justify;">The problem here is that collecting anything for the 1939 Polish campaign these days quickly hits the barrier of restricted choice, or plain unavailability, regardless of the scale you are using. Battlefront/FoW have of course ditched their early war collections (cheers guys), and I thought the only source for the 7tp in 15mm would be QRF. Unfortunately (as I thought) the QRF models are all out of stock at the moment. I have <a href="http://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/battlegroup-blitzkrieg-polish.html" target="_blank">mentioned previously</a> that the QRF Polish tank range is frankly a bit crap, and I stand by this assessment. Then, in an unusual moment of common sense, I simply searched online for 'Flames of War 7tp', hoping to find some second-hand models for sale on ebay. And what should I find but some excellent 3D printed models of the <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255221327425" target="_blank">Polish 7tp tank</a> on the ebay page of <a href="https://www.3dprintingvalley.com/" target="_blank">3D Printing Valley</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As you will find on following the link above, 3D Printing Valley offer a real Aladdin's cave of interesting resin kits in 1/100th and 1/56th scale, of high quality and reasonable price. I'm no expert in 3D printed models, but of those I have seen the ones from 3D Printing Valley are about the best. Let's look at some photos:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHZrj8SERuMXlsBGFfnGWWeUHVOK9PvXSsFveQzLyNFstMnJksTrtkL1q_AX5_bibjfK1G27wd5UUZtq-PjkK94q3U9uY2crATqYbSZEISYlblZa6NlsEHYExE0hethjc7e3SsaTIzzLkytbdbPqsfiGUVBjzjbGgNLAijOBmyuqUF6nLK2Qxm2tCvFA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3586" data-original-width="4782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHZrj8SERuMXlsBGFfnGWWeUHVOK9PvXSsFveQzLyNFstMnJksTrtkL1q_AX5_bibjfK1G27wd5UUZtq-PjkK94q3U9uY2crATqYbSZEISYlblZa6NlsEHYExE0hethjc7e3SsaTIzzLkytbdbPqsfiGUVBjzjbGgNLAijOBmyuqUF6nLK2Qxm2tCvFA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghost tanks. The models come in a rather interesting translucent resin, <br />but it was clear straight away these were first class models.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHxUnzCa_Tz0iPVBna7N8vY22heg9BJDedjm5FYpXRfQpESnrCwOOrovbmDTuhog5wBaxtFsp31DxGenP2P6ZZ3imCqaSAXGuV2a3RBzpjNXXT7mp2ELZfGaN3VphWzV0t5-W3FOEFdlJbLtUzWg6FmGI6zZLqDnkWAqCN1n4vzvlICCWdPSLhUSNHxg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3572" data-original-width="4762" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHxUnzCa_Tz0iPVBna7N8vY22heg9BJDedjm5FYpXRfQpESnrCwOOrovbmDTuhog5wBaxtFsp31DxGenP2P6ZZ3imCqaSAXGuV2a3RBzpjNXXT7mp2ELZfGaN3VphWzV0t5-W3FOEFdlJbLtUzWg6FmGI6zZLqDnkWAqCN1n4vzvlICCWdPSLhUSNHxg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: model as received, model with undercoat, finished model.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTLv8_P-IbPUnYw_sbxmMpAxeaHzulC0Dts0DRhPbW4IOLK9kgDcR9WC3NJ21WU1JujFaNyP3VDfbniOZJHZVlyY-3jfnDqdt1WpesVCcIFtdV-trT3dtAHiIRntulO7jcAoJfq4Cku07zIbatGJ3TRDFubMja4CH7my-J9-nIbm17KGLXeCnB-V-7lw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3543" data-original-width="4724" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTLv8_P-IbPUnYw_sbxmMpAxeaHzulC0Dts0DRhPbW4IOLK9kgDcR9WC3NJ21WU1JujFaNyP3VDfbniOZJHZVlyY-3jfnDqdt1WpesVCcIFtdV-trT3dtAHiIRntulO7jcAoJfq4Cku07zIbatGJ3TRDFubMja4CH7my-J9-nIbm17KGLXeCnB-V-7lw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right again: FoW model, QRF model, 3D Printing model.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was immediately clear to me that the 3D Printing model is the best kit of a 7tp in 1/100th scale that has appeared thus far. It comes in 2 pieces, turret and hull, so no construction at all is required. And it is very hard indeed to find any of the ridges that spoil so many 3D models - the whole thing is remarkably smooth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Size-wise, the 3D Printing offering is the largest of the three examples in my collection, by a whisker, and may be a millimetre or two too long if my measuring is correct (on the other hand, both the QRF and FoW models are dimensionally incorrect, although in different ways). Nevertheless, I was very impressed. There was no finishing to be done on the 4 models I bought apart from a couple of minutes of filing required to improve the fit of the turret. There is, however, no provision for a command figure in the turret if that is your thing - a fairly major bit of surgery would be needed to put in a hatch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Look no further for your 1/100th 7tp models - these are great and come highly recommended. I very much hope the 3D Printing Polish range, and in fact all of their ranges, will sell well and expand rapidly. Come on guys, the world needs a decent Polish Vickers tank model, and it needs it now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stay safe everyone, 'til next time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Edit: 16th April</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many thanks to Will who left a comment directing me to <a href="https://www.paintandglue.co.uk" target="_blank">Paint and Glue Miniatures</a>. This 3D models company has an excellent Polish range, which includes (be still my beating heart) a very nice looking Vickers 6 ton, Polish version. Plus a TKS-D, a model I've been hankering over for many a year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Will says in his comment, there is a whole range of interesting WW2 models from a variety of nations also available from these guys. Check them out. And thanks again Will!</div></div></div><br /></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-27714244197607306642022-03-05T11:08:00.005+00:002022-03-14T15:05:28.482+00:00Solo Rules Testing - 3<p style="text-align: justify;">So, the old 4' x 4' table came out again for my last planned rules test. This time I wanted to remind myself of the ancients rules I'm currently using, Mantic Games' <i>Kings of War Historical</i>. Well, I say 'Mantic Games' but they don't actually sell or support these rules anymore! As usual I'm well behind the times and using old, long forgotten rule sets. But you can check the background to this decision at the posts linked below:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Post: <a href="https://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2018/12/kings-of-war-historical.html" target="_blank">Kings of War Historical</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Post: <a href="https://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2019/02/kings-of-war-historical-playing.html" target="_blank">Playing and Discussing KoWH</a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">You can still get copies of the rules if you search around the net, from ebay and other sources. But it's worth pointing out that they differ very little from the original <i>Kings of War</i> fantasy rules, and these are still going strong and in their third edition. Even better, you can download the basic rules for free <a href="https://www.manticgames.com/games/kings-of-war/kings-of-war-third-edition-free-rules/" target="_blank">from the Mantic Games website.</a> This really is the spirit of the hobby and Mantic should get a big thumbs up for this kind of offer. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In fact, the free download gives you most of what you need to play - as far as I can tell the playing rules are all there, it's only the army lists and various bits of fluff that are absent, and as these are fantasy rules you don't need any of that. However, what turns the fantasy rules into a playable ancients set are the stats and special rules which give the various periods and units their flavour. For this a copy of <i>Historical</i> is really needed, unless you are feeling really creative and are ready for a bit of serious work.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Game</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, a few captioned photos of the playtest. Sorry for the quality, but I snapped these in haste with an iPhone 7. Those are 28mm figures in use. You don't need a sketch map as the terrain was just a flat board with a terrain mat over it. The small forces involved are from my imagi-nations, the countries of Latium and Paphlagonia, and so you will see various units of hoplites, legionaries, cataphracts and chariots (and others) mixed up in both armies. Sadly my lovely Celts missed the cut.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAegvttqF3RGumI6F2inXkeoYUqfiwqOpu38J6tJv0NczYnY_ay8Xu4UgH5YYy8gnAubPFPld_6gmJcrMLAyhJl_nJ4L3CkDflIuXdhcijsNgu-sF4O9UWyd7sWtVVzlI6VZ7eCe9yzuScJ0kh2wBRwJZYuSMUGjzvpNOwCMTWon8KoDIDvmq6oMs32w=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="4032" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAegvttqF3RGumI6F2inXkeoYUqfiwqOpu38J6tJv0NczYnY_ay8Xu4UgH5YYy8gnAubPFPld_6gmJcrMLAyhJl_nJ4L3CkDflIuXdhcijsNgu-sF4O9UWyd7sWtVVzlI6VZ7eCe9yzuScJ0kh2wBRwJZYuSMUGjzvpNOwCMTWon8KoDIDvmq6oMs32w=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the first move. Forces of Latium in the foreground.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLqP4WV_EcPwaSH3rDSvP9roE8-oNO0wLc2sYselc1f-Iuhx7zq2CGCAgPwuqRM_AFUpmhsLtKyHFCDXsLMN4eW3_1o7-gIHZ-V7xOTSWc67uDaINlYmqZZ8LebFSNeS8L5LmexWqUxJzP71IMs6CiMr-22Y6bGIzYYssEk8Ws9nIiqxkYq0RqFrJxFw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLqP4WV_EcPwaSH3rDSvP9roE8-oNO0wLc2sYselc1f-Iuhx7zq2CGCAgPwuqRM_AFUpmhsLtKyHFCDXsLMN4eW3_1o7-gIHZ-V7xOTSWc67uDaINlYmqZZ8LebFSNeS8L5LmexWqUxJzP71IMs6CiMr-22Y6bGIzYYssEk8Ws9nIiqxkYq0RqFrJxFw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flanking cavalry come together whilst skirmishers and bowmen <br />on both sides try to weaken their opponents.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqR1pViavf4qtxBPdE5oVlr6KGm23ODqaept69Qh_t8iSt7CS0c7cgV3RzRLfkE7bdRRM9La7YRwoVmLEOCiKBPjbfnYSHvZ4zzC8o6SCC07XJ0ynnW339KB3jh1ctCulbIFwrYAGNEAj58kCc_QmlMjkjp2D2nVPy5qAgh-_xzKaGwt_5PBXiYSs1FQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqR1pViavf4qtxBPdE5oVlr6KGm23ODqaept69Qh_t8iSt7CS0c7cgV3RzRLfkE7bdRRM9La7YRwoVmLEOCiKBPjbfnYSHvZ4zzC8o6SCC07XJ0ynnW339KB3jh1ctCulbIFwrYAGNEAj58kCc_QmlMjkjp2D2nVPy5qAgh-_xzKaGwt_5PBXiYSs1FQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blue and Yellow Shields phalanx units of Paphlagonia.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3sZ925sBeaUScp4kWlgHxAlF0drIN6sD7EQ0ALQrIgNRyfn_bgofvCCwXmJLNeLHs850aWkrN9ghYsZvEPB72PHq5RiwBlTunXhlqGodrsecB4dIaXpCtAGgriEmhdS_ohG4N6lL3Ppono9nVHoNJ7B4PknnW1At-VMfZYC1-8GxNouFswPsNKXi63w=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3sZ925sBeaUScp4kWlgHxAlF0drIN6sD7EQ0ALQrIgNRyfn_bgofvCCwXmJLNeLHs850aWkrN9ghYsZvEPB72PHq5RiwBlTunXhlqGodrsecB4dIaXpCtAGgriEmhdS_ohG4N6lL3Ppono9nVHoNJ7B4PknnW1At-VMfZYC1-8GxNouFswPsNKXi63w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cataphracts of Latium vs. Paphlagonian heavy chariots.<br />The chariots lost!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmyADYpmBY8Nqr919gvISmWPooNcrgvKhKpZTIgqUrxd2nI7kn9JFIuWcGgkNr-KKlaOav7P2UfU52naT7vQfK2cXH6EwzQWdoASg4ZUwGJ_VQoJQAWJlf27qgxaJh_qOZA1vnMZ7DpcNpUm4NKDUKpkt_CDQlIIzi26nR5nRPP1uo9uAdM04Y8omJYQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="4032" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmyADYpmBY8Nqr919gvISmWPooNcrgvKhKpZTIgqUrxd2nI7kn9JFIuWcGgkNr-KKlaOav7P2UfU52naT7vQfK2cXH6EwzQWdoASg4ZUwGJ_VQoJQAWJlf27qgxaJh_qOZA1vnMZ7DpcNpUm4NKDUKpkt_CDQlIIzi26nR5nRPP1uo9uAdM04Y8omJYQ=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cataphracts wheel around into the Blue Shields (top).<br />A gap in the Latium main line has been created by the Paphlagonian bowmen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-MDTps3OTICyTBdtnj7FNAv2suC8-K0zP37fsaq1Dfb4mUkuFBU5XI0PIsvNIeQMC_rqSI8VAb4o3SY0qqShIJrbPkt08guijaGNg0BZk72inonIUWKr30dhyCqH_Fm9ysE5fhjmNEXDj9kjLyjl3DTr1eREaLv5zNIfZaYzgcnC0qAQVB_Lfq1zjIw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-MDTps3OTICyTBdtnj7FNAv2suC8-K0zP37fsaq1Dfb4mUkuFBU5XI0PIsvNIeQMC_rqSI8VAb4o3SY0qqShIJrbPkt08guijaGNg0BZk72inonIUWKr30dhyCqH_Fm9ysE5fhjmNEXDj9kjLyjl3DTr1eREaLv5zNIfZaYzgcnC0qAQVB_Lfq1zjIw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cataphracts crash in but this was a melee too far for them,<br />resulting in their destruction by long pointy things.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmdsUl6m-TqQLnDw9mEsKZTvKe7DXwJEfAGlCF2ge5kAR9XFW1O2XTJXTFRYtS_6hw7Z1hSGNR3dD2HqJIfbrc8M72jutWhXMyyVjtNjyjRPTwMm5Z9V9opqWWfND4r4O_DeSTHkyXXIYbuWn6_gpaXjlu7QVIr-XwY4K3onMKUuUwvQ3Q8Xd_5IZ48Q=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="4032" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmdsUl6m-TqQLnDw9mEsKZTvKe7DXwJEfAGlCF2ge5kAR9XFW1O2XTJXTFRYtS_6hw7Z1hSGNR3dD2HqJIfbrc8M72jutWhXMyyVjtNjyjRPTwMm5Z9V9opqWWfND4r4O_DeSTHkyXXIYbuWn6_gpaXjlu7QVIr-XwY4K3onMKUuUwvQ3Q8Xd_5IZ48Q=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally the main lines come together...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuQImD11La2gIY9mgQGZowRA8TpvrzHVHmNWtKXhi5_iux_lzJ9_t3MxLBVgGGwUm9qN78Ap3mXt-zwPdG1kqViD1xDeroEQv-vnTNdcdq0tN7_4gnx3b8m8KWSUMr9xUcpxKmppak-f0c7Gy9JOrMBCI0zonzlHacAmeFdFtdu0YG1qVkJhTWk8kq-A=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuQImD11La2gIY9mgQGZowRA8TpvrzHVHmNWtKXhi5_iux_lzJ9_t3MxLBVgGGwUm9qN78Ap3mXt-zwPdG1kqViD1xDeroEQv-vnTNdcdq0tN7_4gnx3b8m8KWSUMr9xUcpxKmppak-f0c7Gy9JOrMBCI0zonzlHacAmeFdFtdu0YG1qVkJhTWk8kq-A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...resulting in a Paphlagonian victory. Latium's left flank hoplite unit is destroyed <br />(helped by a flank attack from light cavalry), and the red markers show the <br />remaining two are 'wavering'. Game over.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conclusion</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was a fun little action which reminded me how much I like these rules. They provide a fast moving game, and with a few tweaks they have all the period flavour I want. A great shame they never really seem to have taken off. Perhaps Mantic should try again. If you're listening guys...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This and the previous games in this series have also proved to me that a 4' x 4' table is no real barrier to having nice games, even in 28mm, without having to try those silly skirmish games that are all the rage these days. Skirmish games? Don Featherstone must be turning in his grave!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It feels like I've been through a period of preparation since Christmas, looking at new rules and rules not used for a while, and dusting off my model armies. I reckon I'm ready to go with some 'proper' gaming. Time to phone some friends and re-start the banter and dice rolling.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Til next time!</div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430463007570237159.post-5789712952002483012022-02-21T13:59:00.001+00:002023-06-09T13:11:01.683+01:00Cotswold Wargaming Day 2022<p>I am pleased to announce that the Cotswold Wargaming Day is back:</p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">COTSWOLD WARGAMING DAY 2022</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WESTWOODS COMMUNITY CENTRE</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">NORTHLEACH GL54 3QJ</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">08.30 - 17.00</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN9Mnhy8lXw1_a02qDxL4S7T_nQP9rYL6WVWPn0tIomTB_1a1fXL9qX3IGsgqf0hwKVccGWfm61qHxFtt-RZCCIb3uW_8WhW7ZEE9VK9dP0FnfpYpa3nH8dcS1D6YxTINsuHDGa_hkrlm32vSf_1BUkWj7q6IWFzeraeVjnNY9yjFcWiH_A3IhHq92tA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN9Mnhy8lXw1_a02qDxL4S7T_nQP9rYL6WVWPn0tIomTB_1a1fXL9qX3IGsgqf0hwKVccGWfm61qHxFtt-RZCCIb3uW_8WhW7ZEE9VK9dP0FnfpYpa3nH8dcS1D6YxTINsuHDGa_hkrlm32vSf_1BUkWj7q6IWFzeraeVjnNY9yjFcWiH_A3IhHq92tA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last years 'Best Game' winner.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Not much to say that's new - the format this year will be <a href="http://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2021/10/cotswold-wargaming-day-full-story-and.html" target="_blank">the same as last year</a>. An email has gone out to all on the mailing list. If you are new to this event and are interested, you can just turn up on the day to chat and join in, or contact me via the comments section if you want to put on a game. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last year was a great success despite Covid and a fuel 'crisis'. I reckon this year could be even more special. Hope to see you there!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Keith Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903769462646267048noreply@blogger.com10