The last time my Chinese Mercs. fought in this area, there were giant spiders and the Miners were dug in and had plenty of heavy artillery.  So when a contract came up to protect the mine we, of course, jumped at the opportunity.   We would send our ade-de- camp and with a small force and gather our pay easy as diamonds in the ground.  Unknown to us our 2nd in command decided that his nephew Po Ling could use the experience so he sent him in command instead.  Well Po had a terrible accident with a lizard recently and a peg leg had to  be put in place so he can move a bit better.

This sets up the battle.  In front of the mine in badly made trench works Peg Leg Po Ling and his Chinese hero’s of many battles, are faced with the hated Japanese commanded by a buddha blessed, sword welding killer, and a steam tank. They are supported by a large contingent of Martians with a Rocket gun and a heavy gun….we gotta get ourselves a Rocket gun.

The Americans were hired to relieve  us.  The Union with a huge land tank,  and the Confederates with a fast Balloon ship.  There were spiders,  they did not make it

Well the Japanese steam tank advance with units of Japanese Infantry and Martians,  the Mine Dogs advanced, and well good Ole Peg Leg Po Ling ran away and I am now missing a unit of Chinese….and I hope Peg Leg Po Ling.

Rules: GasLight – Mars colonial combat  in the Glory years of Steam and wonder weapons.

Figures: 28mm

Chinese Artillery in the line with Peg Leg Po Ling

Mine Dogs move to intercept under cover

In the USA we have hope and a Land Tank

Martian’s ATTACK

CSA and Spiders oh my
Peg Leg Po Ling is on the run

May 20: GASLIGHT on Mars! Victorian Science Fiction in 28mm hosted by Brent.

A Muslim minority is ruling a Hundu population. Hyderabad wants to be independent like Pakistan. After at least 2 seconds of thought India invades! This is a unique battle in the re-alignment period after World War II.

The Modern Army of India, with tanks, air, artillery and the famed Gurkas have attacked the Army of Hyderabad, a mix of Arab mercs, some light tanks, and lot of spear armed fanatics ready to fight to the end!

The battle was centered around urban strong points and the Indian Army had to break these.  The Indians had an Armored Train, but the Hyderabad 25 lb batter got a lucky hit on it right away and that slowed it down for the duration.

A large urban complex called the Sugar Factory was held by the majority of the modern forces in the Hyderabad army and would not be moved.  This created a bottleneck that the Indian Army commanders did not solve.  Armor fights, artillery duels, Cavalry charges and Armored Train combat abounded in this great battle!  Good commnders – good times !

Rules: Modified Spearhead

Figs 15 mm

Next Battle – Gaslight on Mars ! 

Indian Artillery…God of Battlefields

Gurkas with moble support

Irregular Cav – Thieves and Brigands- Good fighters Though!

It was French and Indian Wars using our fav Wilderness Wars Rules.  28mm Figs.

The French had one unit of regulars and 8 units of irregular indians.  We were to cross this little creek and take a village at the ford.

The British disagreed and sent a relief force…which got there, very much on time… and the French, well it is a deep creek …

It was a Decisive British Victory!

the Brits are on the Move

Department of the Marine Move on the town

French Regulars deploy

Indians and Rangers Oh MY!

It was another try at a Mexican American War battle.  I have run around 6 or so events and have used 6 different rules and ideas.  The big issue is to make sure everyone has a good time.  The last event just was not that great so, I had to really make this battle worth doing.  To the credit of all who fought,  they have played all the games I have tried, on the Mexican American war and were still asking for more.  I thank each and everyone one you fine Generals of small troops! 

This battle was basicly a refight of Buena Vista….without the terrain that was used there.   The Mexicans under Santa Anna, were allowed to deploy on the heights and as far forward as they wanted, up to the center of the board.  Well they all deployed right up to the center of the board.

The USA forces, under Zach Taylor,  could then deploy as they wished and the fight began.

Rules:  I used Command and Colors Napoleonics,  with the Spanish Army troop list.  Rule adds all Line, light and gren units of each side got a  free ignore flag results.  The USA could ignore  the first hit results from Mexican musket fire (not the Mexican lights or guard troops ).  USA were British army list and the Mexican the Spanish army list.   The Mexicans only got 2 command cards.  The USA got 6 command cards.

OB’s  The full force of troops at Buena Vista where there.  The objective for each force was to eleminate the other army and save their countries.

The Mexican Army had the inaitive and played the first card.  The entire army went on the attack.  The USA players dice were terrible and the Mexican Army caught them with local superority all across the front line!  In the end the both armies were worn down, but Mexican army was gone.  It was a marvelous fight and whole thing lasted 2 hours!!

Things that made the game what it was.  I gave both sides alot of ignore the flag stuff.  So the melee battles were fierce and to the death!  The USA army is very good and well lead, while  the Mexican “peasent” soldier was found to be able to take “incredible” punshment and not break.  The other, which I will change,  in the rules an artillery unit is 6 to 8 guns, where as the units deployed by me were 2 gun section.  Sooo, the armys of both sides were basicly running around with 80 plus guns…oopss.  I will mass guns into 3 stand units next time and that will do the trick.

We have had great times converting these Command and Color rules for mini use…fierce fights and done in a couple of hours with tons of figures on the board.  More to follow!

Mexican right flank

Mexican gun line

Greniders of the Supreme Power!

2nd Kentucky Standing Tall

Final Attack

We fought two battle side by side so we could get all the gamers playing tonight.

This is a Littlewars Tuneup and it is really looking great

Rules; Wilderness wars, 15mm miniatures

British are ambushed to start it all off

Balcarres Redoubt

Breyman’s Redoubt

Fortified Cabin

Hessians try to save the day

Overview

4/15- Bemis Heights, 15mm AWI with Wilderness Wars. Todd’s play test for Little Wars.

Well I tried my hand at a straight up historical repersentation of the Battle of Kalinin.  It is Oct 10 1941, and operation Typhoon, (German attack on Moscow) was just starting up.

There were 5 German commands and 9 Russian commands!

36th Motor attacks

The game was well played by all players,  but It was it bit big for a Monday night.  I was happy with the results, and we will try and do it as a bigger event!   The German players pushed hard and were on to an historical end.  The Russians fought a hard fight and were also doing well to maintain a force in being.  The above photos are in order 1.  900 Lehr screening for the KG1 of the 1st Panzer.  They are facing the Sovie 184th div  on the Volga.   2. German 36th Motor lining up to attack Kalinin, they are facing off with the Soviet 5th divison (only 1700 strong) which goes on to be a guards div.   3.  Soviet 8th Tank brigade attacking the German lines of communication.  Here the games ended due to time, but it should have been quite a fight.

Rules Spearhead. -  Miniatures are Microarmor and the terrain was hand made 2′ by 2′ boards!

It is the summer of 1918, the action featured two divisions of White Finns supported by German stormtroops and Swedish volunteers attempting to seize a vital rail depot and bridge held by 3 brigades of Red Finns, a Royal Navy gunboat and Royal Marines. The Reds deployed along a rail embankment which afforded them cover and allowed them to command fields of fire over all of the approaches. One White division attacked to the east of the town, the other to the west. To the east the Whites were met with continuous heavy fire which prevented them from ever reaching the embankment. In the west, however, the combination of German stormtroopers and concentrated artillery fire enabled them to drive the Reds from the rail line. Learning of impending disaster, Comrade Trotsky ordered his famous Red Train into action, loaded with a battalion of Kronshadt sailors! The train raced to the town, but just as it approached the main battle line, White artillery scored direct hits on the railroad bridge, forcing the train to stop. At this point, a draw was declared in light of the fact that while the Whites did cut the rail line, they lost an entire division of troops (half of their manpower) in the effort.

Rules Spearhead
Figures 15mm

the train that didn’t

Russian Steady Advance

Last Monday night Feldmarshal Todd and Captain Fitz ran a great battle.  Period is the War of Polish Succession.  Rules:  Konegskrieg .  Minatures 15mm

So the Russians want Poland and sent a mixed force of Horse and fast moving infantry supported by their Holy Roman Empire Allies.

The French would have none of that nonsense in there area of influence so they met that force with troops form the Kingdom of Sardina, France and Spain. (an evil alliance if there ever was one)

As the Russian army moves forward they are faced by a wall of infantry.  Only the Pedmonte Dragoons could be seen hiding behinde 2 brigades of Infantry.   The attack was on!

the Russians expended and bloodied the Spanish on their far left in a small town…small towns always attract troops and attacks and general bad behavior.  I as the Sardinian commander generally avoid any dwelling at all costs!

On the Russian far right flank a steady attack was presented agains the Savoyard/ French forces and where driven back.  It was at this moment when I let loose my dragoons of WAR!   We ran down some routed infantry and some cossacks and then discovered that cossacks come in huge units and ..well scattered and fled.

The battle was a true draw but the Russians very bloody and would need more troops for more battles!

Great times had by all.  Feldmarchal Toddster…”I am Sparticus”  did not flee the battlefield at the first opportunity so that ruined the main plan of the Russian Army !