20mm WW1,using 'Crush the Kaiser' rules.

 We were at Nigel's house today for a game of 20mm World War One using the excellent 'Over by Christmas' rules from the 'Crush the Kaiser' series of rules. Ian used his Early War French, I was his Belgian ally leaving Nigel in control of the Germans. Nigel had devised a scenario where the more numerous Germans had to advance onto the table and take 3 bridges that crossed a central. The French and Belgians were supposed to be trying to hold the bridges thus delaying the German advance but they had arrived late and were only just entering the table. 

The table before any troops arrived. 

The Germans were coming in from the left, the French and Belgians from the right. 

The Belgian/FRench alliance chose to defend by hitting the Germans as they were packed in crossing the bridges. 

The German lancers wasted no time in claiming the central bridge. We used the weather chart which decided it was foggy or misty on the first two turns before it finally cleared on turn 3. This allowed both sides to get their units on the table without being 'observed'. 

The German lancers moved across the bridge but then as the mist cleared they saw the Belgian Field gun pointing straight at them. The Field gun fired and caused enough casualties on the cavalry to 'pin' them.  

The Belgian Minerva armoured car positioned itself to cover any advance over the right hand bridge. 

Good shooting from the Belgians destroyed the first german gun to try and cross the central bridge. We left the destroyed gun in place counting it as an obstacle to any troops trying to pass by. 

Over on the left side Ian's French took up a strong position only to find that Nigel's Germans had largely ignored that flank. 

A view along the German frontline. We judged that the river bank counted as soft cover for any troops behind it. 

Back in the centre more Germans were crossing the bridge where a fierce firefight was taking place. The Belgians seemed to be coping well. 

Gradually sheer numbers started to turn the battle in favour of the Germans. 

The French were holding the left hand bridge but were only facing a tentative German probe. 

As the Germans charged into the Belgian troops the Belgians were starting to feel overwhelmed. 

Eventually the Belgian Battalion suffered so many casualties they were forced to take a Morale test which they failed and ran. The Germans gleefully stormed over the right hand bridge and had taken the central bridge. Thus a well deserved German victory for Nigel was called. 

We had only played these rules a few times before but we had all re-read them before the game so soon picked them up again and the game had moved along quite smoothly. It was so much fun we play again next week as the French/Belgian alliance try to strike back. 

 

28mm Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Barnet

 Today we all took our 28mm Wars of the Roses figures over to Charlie's house for a game of Hail Caesar. Charlie had devised a scenario. based around the Battle of Barnet, using the scenario from the Wars of the Roses supplement and some ideas Charlie found online. Nigel and I took control of the Lancastrians with Ian and Charlie controlling the Yorkists. Common thought is that this battle was fought in mist so Charlie had come up with some ideas to represent this too. First, deployment was done Lancastrians first then our troops were covered with tracing paper to disguise deployment then the Yorkists deployed and took the first turn. 

Lancastrians to the left, Yorkists to the right.

Centre left was this mdf farm, really nice buildings although I forgot to ask where Charlie got them from. 

In the centre both sides decided to attack so closed quite quickly. 

The battle was taking place in the mist and we threw each turn to see if it either cleared or got worse. 

Most of the battle took place in thick mist so visibility was only 6" during most turns. This really affected play and Charlie also limited the range that orders could be given at. 

The two armies soon closed in the centre and right. Over on the left Nigel's smallest division (Duke of Gloucester) was facing a larger Yorkist division controlled by Ian (Richard Duke of Gloucester). This was going to be a memorable clash. 

Some good shooting saw the Lancastrians slowly getting the better of things in the centre.

Gloucester (Ian) at the top closes in on Exeter (Nigel) who, being outnumbered was just trying to hold his flank. 

Large holes start to appear in the Yorkist centre after some severe clashes. 

Some units were destroyed , others were driven back 'shattered'.  

Then the Duke of Exeter (Nigel) took control, charging into Charlie's larger division led by the Duke of Gloucester, Exeter destroyed 3 enemy units, killed Gloucester and captured EdwardVI back from the Yorkists. With the Lancastrians easily winning in the centre the Yorkist commanders conceded defeat. Lancaster was triumphant, Edward VI was back on the throne and history was re-written. 

This was an action packed game despite the chaos caused by the limited moves and restricted vision. There were also several blunders to add to the mayhem.

Man of the Match: Nigel (Duke of Exeter).  

Finally, I have finished a Viking Command base for my slowly growing Hail Caesar Viking army. This is supposed to be Harald Hardrada, a very large '28mm' figure from Wargames Foundry. The standard bearer is an Athena Miniatures figure. The actual standard is from a free download of Viking flags available on the Wargames Foundry website. I printed the main design then painted over it to bring it to life a bit more.

 

28mm Dwarf Stronghold

 At the recent St Helens 'Phoenix' wargame show I purchased a 28mm model Dwarf Stonghold, one of three dwarven designs available from the vendor (although I cannot remember who they were?). I thought this would make a very useful piece for so many scenarios. 

I think it is a 3d printed model but a well printed one as their is very little of the linear print lines you can often see on such models. Some of my 'Old School Dwarves popped along to take a look at their new home. Does it seem 'wrong' to use such a modern model with such old figures? 

The underside of the model is quite thin so I made a mdf base for it to sit on and also add strength. I also planned to texture the base once the stronghold was painted. 

There is 'culvert' running out from the rear of the stronghold so I drew a guide line in to match it up with some stream section I have. 

The model is built on some rocks. I added a watered down bit of polyfilla to create a rougher texture on the rocks than on the smoother walls. 

My grey undercoat was almost the same colour as the original model. 

Then I forgot to take any more photo's during the painting until the model was actually finished and the base textured. 

The completed model with a few newly painted Grenadier Dwarves having a look round. 

A slightly different view from higher up. 

Rear view showing the culvert and the highlighting I did around the windows/arrowslits I have now gloss varnished the stream to help it match my steam sections.  

The dwarven faces in the corners were painted bronze as were the roundels above the windows. Painting the stronghold was quicker than I thought it would be. 

The Grenadier Dwarves, very pleased with their new home and ready for action. If I tell you they have 'bloomin big axes' can you guess which ruleset they will be used in? 

Ianberht's Last Stand, a final game of Hail Caesar in our mini campaign.

 Ianberht's Last Stand: The Battle of Alverton Moor. 

Charlie, Ian and I were all looking forward to our final game in a loosely linked set of three games. Charlie's Norman Lord, Bohemond rides north to catch up with the Saxon Rebel Earl Ianberht (Ian) for a final battle.  Both leaders need to not just win the battle but also capture or kill their opposing commander. I based the table terrain around that of the 'Battle of the Standard 1138 with the Saxons and their Viking allies deployed where the English deployed and the Normans deploying where the Scottish force deployed. However the forces were quite different from the original battle and our game was just a straightforward encounter battle. Alverton Moor is just a made up name. 

Gathering his knights Bohemond rode north to confront his sworn enemy now gathered upon Alverton Moor, blocking Bohemond's route along the Great North Road.  

It was 600 points each in 4 divisions per side. Most leaders were Ld:8, FV:2 although we use some random cards to offer some random leadership values. 

Upon sighting his enemy Noble Bohemond swore an oath, "by oak and ash and bitter thorn we shall ride north to end the vile deeds of the pernicious Ianberht. By this, my right hand I swear you will soon see this Saxon rabble brought to nought. We will rule this land and our gracious leader, Duke William will be sworn as king by Michaelmass. Then his knights took up the cry 'Dieux Aide, Dieux Aide' (God aid us). 

Noble Behomond

Ianberht, Earl of Ripon summoned his loyal Thegns and all their levy to assemble upon Alverton Moor. This was perhaps his final chance to stop the foul Norman interloper Bohemond gaining control of the North. Upon hearing of the approach of the Norman forces Ianberht deployed his army across the Great Northern Road.

Then brave Ianberht began to arrange his warriors

Gave advice as he strode, told the warriors

How they could stand and hold their place

And bade that their shields they hold correctly

Fast in their fists and not be afraid

For this land was theirs. 

The Saxon army faced the approaching Normans and took up the cry of 'Ut,Ut!' (out, out). 

Ianberht, Earl of Ripon.

Such is the hatred and animosity between the two army leaders that they each share the same objective, win the battle and kill or capture their opposing leader.

Norman deployment with Noble Behomond and his knights deployed at the rear. 

Saxon and Viking deployment with Ianberht deployed at the rear.

Were the two leaders trying to protect themselves in some way? 

Normans to the left, Saxons and Viking allies to the right. 

Charlie was quick to get his light cavalry trying to get around the saxon flanks. 

The two forces approach each other. 

View from behind Saxon lines as they advance onto the central hill. 

At this moment it looked quite threatening for the Saxon/Viking alliance as there seemed to be masses of Normans and they were starting to use their superior missile power. .

Norman light cavalry threatening the Viking Bondi archers. Neither were very good at shooting as they were both still in this area at the end of the battle. 

More Norman light cavalry (who look suspiciously like Pictish light cavalry stand-ins) getting around the other Saxon flank. 

At last, combat ensued with this complex encounter. 

More units were fed in and after some truly awful dice throwing on both sides and a bit of head scratching trying to decide who should be taking 'break tests' the Normans were defeated and pulled back. 

The two forces are getting closer, it was getting a bit tense now, who would commit to the attack first? 

Noble Behomond and his division of Knights remain at the back with no gap appearing for them to ride through to help. 

Another view of the Norman cavalry (very intimidating).

View from behind the Saxon line, note the Norman cavalry still behind their infantry. 

The first clash of the main battle lines happened right at the top of the line. The Saxon infantry getting the better of the Norman infantry. 

In the centre the Saxon Huscarls defeated another Norman infantry unit and gaps were starting to appear in the Norman line. 

(The unit with the red flag were the victors, their foe has been removed). 

More Saxon victories in the centre of this photo and the Norman infantry divisions were getting seriously weakened. Earl Ianberht had rushed his division across to his left to support his Viking allies who despite fighting well were starting to look outnumbered. 

Ianberht and his Huscarls defeat more Norman infantry and suddenly most of the Norman infantry were gone and three divisions were broken meaning defeat for Noble Behomond despite him not ever entering the fray. Behomond turned his knights around and left the battle site, Ianberht was victorious and the North was free of Normans. I somehow suspect that Behomond may return? 

This was a most enjoyable larger battle. Before lunch Charlie (Behomond) seemed to have the luck of the dice but after lunch the dice definitely favoured the Saxon/Viking alliance. 

Our next game is in two weeks time with us moving on to the Wars of the Roses.