The die is cast

RE LOADED DICE CLUB

2012-01-26T14:27:00.002Z

Don't mess with the family.

The Loaded Dice boardgame club reloaded and reformed for another nights gaming. Great to see a couple of new recruits have enlisted. As usual we played various games including Lost Battles, Fuedo, Pandemic and Family Business.

Lost in Battle.

Glen has become a big fan of Lost Battles and introduce myself and Dave Spratt or Spratt as he has become know to Lost Battles. A wargame where tactical battles are fought on a 5 x 4 grid of terrain tiles. The game covers Ancient battles and campaigns in the Mediterranean and Near East. A campaign system comes with the box which Glen has already got under way.

A plague upon you.

Dave B brought along Feudo. Players move their various units from their castle, around a map, capturing cities and eliminating enemies. Every turn a plague breaks out and may infect your army units. You use cards to move your army, and shillings to purchase additional movement or mercenaries.

Time is ticking.

A few of us got a couple of games of Pandemic in. A great fast play co op game. Our first attempt lasted only 10mins before the world went under. The second game lasted longer but the result was the same.

Hey Tony

Finally we all got together and played Family Business. Mob warfare at its bloodest. Backstabbing, revenge, and general bloodthirstiness, all combine to make this great fun. Every player controls a 'family' and plays various cards to kill off other players' family members.

Whom to gun down.

Cold blooded killers.

ENNISKILLEN CASTLE MUSEUM

2012-01-04T21:43:00.001Z

A couple of pic's from Enniskillen Castles open day. I came across these recently and thought I would stick them up. The Castle houses the Inniskillings Museum which tells the story of the towns two regiments, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. Its worth a visit if any of you fine gentlemen and ladies ever make it to these parts.

http://www.inniskillingsmuseum.com/

BIBRACTE GAUL 58BC

2012-01-03T15:48:00.002Z

A grizzly veteran of the 10th legion, Caesars crack infantry, stands tense and nervous gazing on the hordes of Helvetii who are rushing forward from the trees with loud blood curling roars. These warriors had followed the Romans for days and now the time had come. As the enemy surged forward the old veteran shouted to the new and untested amongst them to hold, hold, wait the command.

"Unleash" and hundreds of pilum fly through the sky. Soaring to reach their peak, then begin their decent of death to the eager among the front ranks of the Helvetii. With gladius drawn the Romans advance downhill. The slaughter was great, Romes finest gaining the upper hand forward, forward. Boii and Tulingi tribesmen joined their brother Helvetii who have started to falter. It was no use the despised Romans keep advancing stabbing, slashing ever forward. Blood and body fluids mix, spilling onto the fertile soil. Suddenly it was over, the tribesmen fleeing in disorder, many to be cut down in the mad panic driven rush for life.

On the edge of a forest not far away stood a tall well built Helvetii noble with greying beard and keen
eyes. Like his well armed companions he sat upon a great horse. He spat, "The ravens will feast well this day". Cursing the foreigners and uttering an oath of vengeance the warriors quickly turn their steads and disappeared into the fast fading light of the great forest.

So ended the battle of Bibrate. This game marks the half way point in the Commands and Colors Ancient Gallic War campaign between Arthur and myself. Arthur who had previously played the Romans now took charge of the Gauls. The game ended with a glorious 7-0 banners shut out for the Romans. The same result as played the other way round at the start of the campaign almost a year a go to the day. This has left me one banner up in the campaign, the first time I have taken the lead. All is yet to play for and it could go either way. But oh what fun, oh what tension and indeed at times oh what torture. Each battle bringing its own highs and lows, moments of hope which are quickly snuffed out or blossom into unexpected victory's.

Up next the Plain of Alsace, will the Gallic noble get his revenge, will the old veteran survive another battle. Will Bray rally his force's and place his boot upon the Roman throat. All will be revealed.

MEMOIR 44

2011-12-10T20:26:00.003Z

Mr Bray prepares for the battle ahead.

Last Saturday night Arthur came a calling for some wargame fun. We had a go at Memoir 44 with his Valiant figures and 1/72 scale armour. In all we played four games. This was Arthur's first time playing Memoir and my third.

The Allies advance.

Smile if you are having fun.

Unfortunately for me Arthur's smile just got wider and wider as the night advanced. He won the first three games before I finally picked up a win in the forth game by placing my infantry in any available towns and forests.

All in all we both agreed that Memoir left us a bit cold. It didn't quite do it for us. Very abstract and light. I think we both prefer a bit more meat to our wargames and Memoir is our least favourite Borg game. Commands and Colors Ancients as well as Napoleonic's will continue to be the go to games for this system.

Overview of the battlefield.

BOARDED TO DEAD, NOT

2011-12-05T23:18:00.001Z

Nine game's a gamed, eight gamers gaming and a partridge in a pear tree. Festive don't you think!

Gangstaa Mr Pink aka DavB lies in a pool of invisible blood with a bullet to the head while his fellow crew members squabble over the loot.

Our first board game night was a great success and a regular meet up is now planned. The board game crew included DaveB, the Brimstone brothers Ross and Peter, Mike, Steve, its a family affair Glen and first born Glynn and me DecB.

What a great nights crack, eight gamers going at it for five hours.(doesn't quite sound right, maybe I should rephrase.) The night got started with a quick 10/15 minute filler game of Hey that's my fish with DaveB, Mike and myself before all the guys arrived. Then we all got stuck in.

Ross ponders his opening move

Glynn and Steve played Commands & Colors Naps.

Glen and DaveB battled it out in the war game Hold the Line.

Mike, Ross, Peter and myself cracked open Dave B's brand new and sweet smelling Forbidden Island a fast play co op game often described as Pandemic lite. It went to the wire with the water lapping around our ankles as the copper arrived to fly us to safety, just in the nic of time.

Next came an oldie but a goodie Nuclear War.

A Satirical game in which each player represents a "major world power" and attempts to gain global domination through the strategic use of propaganda or nuclear weapons. Peter came out on top in this game managing to stave off annihilation for man kind.

Finally we all came together for the last game, Asmodee's Cash & Guns. As the blurb describes, "In an abandoned warehouse a gangster crew is splitting its loot, but they can’t get an agreement on the split! It’s time to let the guns talk and soon everyone is aiming at everyone. The richest surviving gangster wins the game!" We played four games of this with the finally two games being the undercover cop variant in which one of the gang is a copper who has to phone the old bill before he is rumbled.

Top fun. I think the photos say everything.

1-2-3 Reach for them.

Mike steadies his arm for a cleaner shot.

Mr Blue with his loot including the gold bar.

The Seymore Kid, rich beyond his wildest dreams.

THE LOADED DICE CLUB

2011-12-01T22:06:00.000Z

With the long and wet (especially if you live in Fermanagh!) winter nights upon us. Thoughts have turned to gaming. A few of us therefore have decided to establish a board game club, tentatively named "The Loaded Dice Club". After a number of abortive attempts to get a night nailed down we have finally decided on Friday night as our inaugural get together. Lucky we have a community centre close by where we can host the event. As many of us already have board games we are therefore ready and able to go. Game's available to us include Memoir 44, Pandemic, Forbidden Island, Small World, Napoleon's Triumph, Gears of War, Hold the Line, Twilight Struggle, Axis and Allies as well as Cash and Gun's. So lets get it on.

OFF TO THE FRONT

2011-11-20T21:22:00.007Z

Evening, don't you just love it when you get inspired by another project. Well I do and I have. This time its 25mm plastic Valiant WWII German and American plastic infantry. The plan is to paint enough of these little gentlemen to play Memoir 44 with my nephew, who visits from Germany at Christmas. The war will not be over by Christmas, but just beginning in fact.

I have prepped a few of the Germans and painted a test figure to seen what they looked like. What a joy they are to dress, I have painted a lot of 10mm figure's recently and going up the scale has been a real treat.

Figure's are based on 2 pence coin's, sprayed black then painted and a coat of matt varnish applied.

AND NOW A WORD FROM THE WIFE

2011-10-26T22:05:00.002+01:00

We interrupt normal transmission, for a word from the wife.

Not quite sure why I am writing this note but anyhow - have just read Dec's account of his gaming night and it makes about as much sense to me as the rules for rugby! Nevertheless I do enjoy his enthusiasm for the game and it always puts him in a good mood - so I am all for that.

I popped into the loft with the kids last night, to see what was going on - Dave had time for a chat but everyone else was so lost in whatever was going on, that me and the kids felt like gate crashers at the party.

Dec's war game friends are a motley but lovable crew - perhaps strange on first encounter but when you look below the weird surface of the war gamer, and their own language, you can find really interesting and intriguing individuals who have a real passion for their hobbies and a great awareness of world history.

So what ever turns you lot on, weirdo's!

The Wife.

RAPHIA IN PIC'S

2011-10-24T18:09:00.000+01:00

A few additional pic's of the Epic Raphia C&C game.

EPIC RAPHIA

2011-10-23T20:49:00.003+01:00

Has it really been two months since I last updated, oh dear. Life has a nasty habit of getting in the way of one's passion.

Click on for an enlarged photo.

I sent nine hours gaming last night with eight individuals of a similar disposition. We played C&C Ancients, Epic style, the battle of Raphia to be precise. This was a Successor battle in 217BC between two of Alexanders the Greats generals. In our re fight brother faced off against brother and father against son with two sets of brothers and a father playing with and against his off spring, how cool is that. Game one ended with a victory to the Polemics 13-10 while game two ended with another victory to the Polemics 13-12. We used 20mm Hat and Zvezda plastic figs from our collection's. I have only got my plastic figs to the table once before and was delighted to find that they are ideal for C&C Ancients using Kallistra hex terrain.

With four aside EPIC C&C Ancients gives an interesting feel. With so many playing it provided issues of man and card management. Morale is also interesting as it rises and falls as the clashes ebb and flow. Sledging was widespread in our game last night with the dark arts of psychological warfare being employed to undermine and distract enemy commanders.

As a come down from these two battles I played the board game Pandemic with Dave B and Mike until 4am in the morning. It seemed like a good idea at the time, less so when the kids were on the rampage four hours latter. Pandemic is a fast play co-op game where the players must work together to destroy diseases before they over take the world. A good fun gateway game.

Thanks to the crew Arthur, Dave B, Mike, bros Peter & Ross and its a family affair bros Glynn, Rhodri and daddy Glen. Special thanks to Ross for additional photographs.

What next, possible Memoire 44 overlord.

BITTER TASTE OF DEFEAT

2011-08-15T20:28:00.000+01:00

Got a game of C&C Naps in before my holidays. I played against old rival Arthur and this time he gave me a good spanking, 8-3 on the banner count. A bitter taste indeed.The scenario chosen was Waterloo. As you can see from the picture above, it has a lot of units of various types. We used 20mm plastic figs from Arthur's collection.

After some initial manoeuvring and skirmishing, my centre was smashed by a powerful attack by the French cavalry who ripped into my line infantry and artillery.

The Ministry of Munitions has appropriated a new score board to display the banner count. What the kids don't know and all that.

6mm HERE WE COME

2011-07-31T14:47:00.002+01:00

Oh dear here we go again, another project. This time 6mm WW2. At least these little bugger's will be quick to paint, I hope. Above is an example of a number of box's of 6mm figure's I acquired on eBay last week. Below are a few pic's of my first paint job, a German Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf J with side skirts.

When will this addiction end, oh when will this accursed sickness leave me.

DISPATCH FROM THE FRONT

2011-07-21T18:24:00.003+01:00

“To the Victor the Spoils and the Vanquished the Flight”

Lord Charles Breenington

Recently I crossed the border and played a couple of games of C&C Naps with gamer buddy Arthur, AKA Napoleon of the West. We played the scenario Rolica Part 2.

In the first game I played the British. Starting well I nabbed a few banners and forced the French from my right flank with my Portuguese Allies. This bright dawn foundered against a re energised French enemy on the heights in the centre. It came down to a shoot out between Arthur’s one stand of French Light cavalry and my single stand of Line Infantry and Office in Square. With one die he failed to administer the coup de grace, an action I greedily accepted and applied with my only available command card and two die. A dejected French commander shook hands cursed the gods of war, the dice, the weather etc etc and was last seen muttering obscenities on the road back to Paris. He would later have to fully explain himself to a disappointed Emperor.

The cheer’s of the few remaining Line troops, according to the Officer commanding a Charles Breenington, “could have been heard in London”. Sir Charles would later modestly accept titles and decorations from a grateful British Crown.

Game two I played as the French and had another splendid victory. After going on the offensive from the start, I drove the Portuguese on the left wing from the field. The heights in the centre were held in the face of a determined British attack coming in from the right. This assault was repulsed after it had almost overrun the valiant foot Artillery, who at one stage had prepared to spike their precious guns. The retreating Highlanders were caught in the rear as they fled the field. It would take a new generation of Scots to rebuild this famous regiment.

All in all another great days gaming. In order for full and open disclosure I had better declare that this was Arthur's first run out at C&C Naps. Having read this totally impartial retelling of the actions, I think it is highly unlikely that I shall have it all my own way when we next cross swords. Never mind as Lord Charles declared, to the victor the spoils. God save the King/ Vie Va la Emperor.

ROLICA

2011-07-10T21:53:00.002+01:00

Played C&C Naps with figures for the first time this week. Dave B brought over his 10mm Pendraken French and British armies. We played the battle of Rolica three times.

Historically after landing unopposed at Mondego Bay, Sir Arthur Wellesley led a Portuguese/British army of some 15,000 men south towards Lisbon. Opposing him was General Henri Delaborde, with a force consisting only of some 5000 infantry, 500 cavalry and 5 field pieces. The French decide to fight a delaying action against Wellesley’s advance while awaiting reinforcements.

Delaborde chose his first defensive position in the hills just northwest of the village of Rolica. Wellesley advanced in three columns against the French, ordering the Portuguese troops under Colonel Trant on the right and Fergusson’s column on the left to turn the enemy’s flanks, while the artillery and infantry in his center were to engage the enemy in the front and hold them in position.

In the resulting action the British outflanked the French positions forcing them to withdraw to the south.

Game wise the two hill hexes on the French baseline are Victory Banner objective hexes for the British player. If a British unit occupies an objective hex at the start of the British player’s turn, the British player gains a Victory Banner. As long as the unit remains on the objective hex it will count as a British Victory Banner. If it moves off or is eliminated, it no longer counts. The entire river is fordable.

We played the battle 3 times, victory going to the French twice 6-3 and 5-0. The British won once 5-3. Each game played out differently and all were great fun. In the first game the French came off the hills and attacked in the centre, while the British got bottled up on the their left flank crossing the river. After bitter fighting the blues were victorious, killing Colonel Trant.

In the second game the French very quickly over powered the Portuguese troops on the their right wing and routed them with much slaughter. Game three and the French planning went to bits as first they withdrew from the heights in the centre and then launched an attack from the same location. This attack went in piece meal and got badly mauled. A massed cavalry charge almost retrieved the situation for the French before petering out on the British canon.

All in all a great evenings fun. Thanks to Dave for bringing his little lead men, which really added to the look and feel of the game.

HEX OR NOT TO HEX?

2011-06-08T17:30:00.000+01:00

Hex or not to hex that is the question? Well that was the question posed by Steve the wargamer.

http://steve-the-wargamer.blogspot.com/2011/06/hexes-grids.html

He so hexed, sorry vexed me, I thought I would pen a tongue firmly in cheek retort, to my fellow blogger.

Steve poor Steve, surely all those long hours spent trying to get a conclusion to a wargame has sent you slightly round the bend. Snap out of it man, come on, snap out of it. Raise you eyes from the sand table and view the horizon. A horizon clad in earth and green coloured hex tiles.

No more hunched over the wargame table measuring and remeasuring to see if you are able to get the flanking bonus on the isolated French unit. No more fist fights or hair pulling over whether pre measuring is allowed or not. No more aligning, repositioning or shifting of the archers to gain the 2mm's needed to be within range of the enemy.

The time is now, throughout the tape measures of your enslavement and your arcane tradition's, embrace the freedom of the hex. Embrace your inner hex.

IN YOUR FACE

2011-06-05T22:10:00.001+01:00

10mm Successor Phalanx. Figures are by Magister Militum and are based 5 to a stand. I'm using these little hedgehogs as Heavy Infantry for C&C Ancients. They may be slow, but they sure do pack a punch. The shields are a little tricky to paint. In the future I may get Little Big Man decals.

10MM GREEKS

2011-06-01T22:29:00.001+01:00

A few pictures of 10mm Magister Militum Thureophoroi. This is the second unit of this type I have painted. The figures are based four to a stand. They will be used as medium infantry for Commands & Colors Ancients.

EPIC WATERLOO BATTLE REPORT

2011-05-24T17:24:00.007+01:00

As a prelude to hostilities Steve pressed ‘play’ on a Dictaphone previously secreted on his person. Moments later the stirring bars of ‘La Marsailles’ blared forth to the delight of all in La Grande Armee! His Generals stood as one man, and with hands on hearts joined in a rousing ‘hum along’. From this display of Fraternitie it was clear from the outset that France would not take a backwards step. Sadly the occasion was somewhat befouled by the lower elements of the Allied ranks. Shouts of, ‘How’s the haemorrhoids today Frenchie?’ did little to improve the humour of the little Corsican…

With a hand of cards heavily weighted towards the left flank, France opened hostilities with a major assault on Hougoument. Reeking of garlic – the proud infantry of General Declan ‘I’m right behind you men’ Breen marched fearlessly towards the farmhouse. Tragically, in their enthusiasm, they overreached themselves. Cowering behind thick stone, the Allied guns slaughtered the sons of France between the farm and the woods.

Within two turns it became painfully obvious that the attempt on Hougoument would have to be abandoned. As French block after French block was removed from the field, we knew that many a proud matron would never again set eyes on her beloved Pierre or Jean –Paul. Shame on you General Dave ‘volley’ Bruce, shame on you indeed. Hougoument was not again to be threatened for the remainder of the battle. Indeed the Allies advanced to the point where French forces were pushed to the very baseline. Disaster was prevented only by some desperate skirmishing and use of a ‘Rally’ card.

Special note must be made of the heroic solo charge of a unit of Declan’s cavalry. These bold horsemen devastated a full strength unit of British Guards; they then gained the ridge behind Hougoument. Inevitably they fell back under a hail of musketry, but what élan!
Bravo Mes Enfants!

Meanwhile the French centre made a tentative advance under the direction of Marshal Peter’ call me Ney’ Brimstone. La Haye Sainte could not be taken, and the killing ground in front of the Allied lines was not an inviting prospect. Cannon roared and muskets fired as the French built a fresh attack. Momentarily the French cavalry breached the Allied line and fought on the ridge. Banners were exchanged, but hopes of a decisive breakthrough came to nought. General Ross ‘Stonewall’ Verner remained stoic and immovable. Wellington had kept his powder dry.

Stalemate.

On the French right, General Arthur ‘Butcher’ Bray was increasingly anxious for battle. After a slow start more and more troops became embroiled in the struggle for Papelotte and the ridge beyond. General Bray captured the exposed farm, but impatiently seeking further glory, allowed it to be retaken. A personal visit from an irate Emperor reminded the ‘Butcher’ of the necessity of holding Papelotte. The general remonstrated that he felt lonely on the flank, and if trusted with more cards he could take the ridge. Having already listened to remarks such as, ‘Oh God, we made a mess of that – it’s all over, over!’ - the Emperor was sceptical. When handed a drawing of a guillotine the good General stiffened his resolve and bravely retook the big ‘P’. In fierce exchanges his cavalry reached the ridge, but yet again the Allies forced a withdrawal.

At this latter stage of the battle both sides resembled boxers in the final round of a gruelling bout. Both too damaged and exhausted to land a knockout blow. The flanks had largely fought themselves to a standstill. France had many powerful units remaining in the centre, but it would take time to reach the timid regiments of ‘Stonewall’ Verner. Hiding in ditches and playing in sandpits is not the French way! Unfortunately, time was the one thing France no longer had.With the lateness of the hour, Glenn decreed that if the French did not gain victory they would lose by default. The tramp of Prussian boots could be heard in the near distance. France had a banner lead and required only two more for victory – would it be a ridge too far! The Allied forces of Mike ‘give them a good spanking boys’ Wellington could almost touch immortal fame.

There is, of course, no word in French for surrender. Steve ‘is there more beer?’ Napoleon had spotted a potentially fatal flaw in the Allied centre. The King’s German Legion still held La Haye Sainte – but, they were unsupported. Final orders were given. Peter ‘call me Ney’ Brimstone was instructed to launch a single line infantry unit at the infamous farmhouse. He protested, ‘But one unit Sir – it’s madness!’ When told not to think, but to trust in the greatest living Frenchman, he squared his shoulders and advanced on destiny. The future of an Emperor and his adoring people rested on one throw of the dice…

The French line infantry had 4 dice plus one for melee bonus then minus 2 for attacking the farmhouse. Three dice to decide everything, and one flag was needed.
The dice rolled and there on one of them fluttered a flag of retreat. The KGL retired from La Haye Sainte and the French moved in. France claimed three banners and victoire!
Nothing remained now for France’s finest but a late supper in Brussels and hopefully a bit of ‘Oh La, La!’

‘Place a la banniere’

FINIS

NAPOLEON: Steve
Reille: Declan (Left Flank)
Ney: Peter (Centre)
D’Erlon: Arthur (Right Flank)

WELLINGTON: Mike
Perponcher: Alan (Left Flank)
Picton: Ross (Centre Flank)
Hill: Dave (Right Flank)

Referee : Glenn ‘your decision anytime today would be nice’
Battle Report : Steve

EPIC NAPS

2011-05-20T21:06:00.016+01:00

Some photos of the recent EPIC Commands & Colors Napoleonic game held in the battle bunker, upstairs in my garage. The game was played with C&C Naps blocks , terrain tiles and hex terrain from Kalistra. We played four aside with an overall commander, 3 sub commanders. One each for the centre, left and right flanks. Glen prepared the scenario and adjudicated, keeping the game moving along.

To quote the duke of Wellington, it was a 'Damn close run thing'. The French eventually prevailed taking a vital village in the centre to carry the day. The battle took five hours and was great fun swaying back and forth as one side and then the other held the initiative. Everyone present enjoyed this EPIC version of the game. It has inspired us to give another scenario a go at some stage.

Check out this great C&C Napoleonic fan site for idea's and inspiration:

http://www.ccnapoleonics.net/

Selecuid Elephant

2011-04-17T21:41:00.014+01:00

A 10mm Selecuid elephant from Magister Militurm. The tank of ancient times.

SECTION DIVIDERS FOR C&C ANCIENTS

2011-04-17T15:33:00.007+01:00

I created these little terrain chits, using two pence pieces. These act as section divers for my C&C kallistra hex terrain. It enables the generals (gamers) to quickly identify which section of the battlefield is right, left or centre.

THE ARMY ADVANCES

2011-04-06T19:37:00.007+01:00

Some of my 10mm figure's on Kallistra hex terrain, ideal for Commands and Colors Ancients.

COMMANDS & COLORS ANCIENTS

2011-03-27T21:54:00.012+01:00

I have been playing a lot of Commands and Colors Ancients this past year. C&C is a hex based, card driven, board wargame designed by Richard Borg and published by GMT Games. It is based on Borg's Command & Colors system which includes games such as Commands & Colors Napoleonic's, Memoir '44 and Battle Cry.

I have converted the boardgame to the tabletop and used my 10mm miniature Successor Army on Kallistra hex terrain. Units are arranged on the board according to maps and scenario descriptions. Players are dealt a number of command cards equal to their "command value" for the chosen scenario. A great site which provides a huge selection of rule's, maps, tips and advice can be found at:

http://www.ccancients.net/

France 44

2010-01-11T21:43:00.001Z

American GI's in the thick of it.

NORMANDY

2010-01-10T15:06:00.004Z

Pic's from a recent club game set in Normandy. All figures are painted by Paul Mc Connell and are from Valiant Miniature's plastic 25mm range.

MESSYGAMER ROOM

2009-11-20T21:55:00.000Z

Another great podcast on wargaming and boardgames. West Virgina boys Mike and Marshall tell it like it is.

http://messygameroom.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=podcasts

D6 GENERATION PODCAST

2009-09-17T21:25:00.002+01:00

Topical, controversial, and entertaining conversation about miniature war games, board games, and other topics near and dear to gamer's hearts. Do your ears a favour and give these guy's a listen.

http://www.thed6generation.com/

MODERN DAY AFRICA

2009-08-03T19:17:00.003+01:00

French troops deploy ready for combat. Figures from Cyril, Green Machine Gamers Kildare.

FREE FRENCH

2009-07-18T21:46:00.004+01:00

Some Free French figures from Cyril, a member of the Green Machine Gamers in Kildare.

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

2009-06-26T19:23:00.005+01:00

The photo's above show Russian figures from the recent Ambush Alley Ireland event. The models are from Britannia's 20mm range. The game was set in Afghanistan with the Russian paratroopers and mechanised infantry attacking a heavily defended Afghan village.

SEARCH AND DESTROY

2009-06-23T21:25:00.015+01:00

HUE LIA -PEU BON -SOUTH VIETNAM 1967
All photographs were taken at Ambush Alley Ireland Day.

AMBUSH ALLEY IRELAND DAY

2009-06-21T21:52:00.008+01:00

A few club members traveled to county Kildare this weekend to participate in the Ambush Alley Ireland day. We had a great day out, when I got home at 12pm that night howerever I did feel like the models above, shattered. A big thanks to Thomas, Cyril, Skip, Brian and Ruardhi of the Newbridge wargames club who hosted the event. Special thanks to Piers,Skip and Cyril for running the games.

Their were two Ambush Alley games, one set in Afghanistan, one in Iraq and a couple of demos of Ambush Valley (Vietnam version of Ambush Alley) at the event. It really was a fun day out, I hope to post a few picture's on the blog over the next week or two.

The guys in Kildare have a great forum which can be found at:

http://www.guildwargamers.com/

THUREOPHOROI

2009-06-14T20:40:00.007+01:00

My 10mm Successor army continues to grow with the addition of some Thureophoroi.

The Thureophoroi were a type of infantry soldier, common in the 3rd to 1st Century BCE, who carried a large oval shield called a thureos which had a type of metal strip boss and a central spine. They were armed with a long thrusting spear, javelins and a sword. They also usually wore an iron or bronze Macedonian helmet. The thureos was probably originally an adapted form of Celtic shield. It has been suggested that the thureos was brought to Greece after Pyrrhus of Epirus' campaigns in Italy.

Thureophoroi were usually distinguished from both skirmishers and the phalanx and seem to have operated in a role intermediate between the two types. They often supported light troops and seemed to have been capable of operating in a similar manner to peltasts. The Thureophoroi were well suited to the tactical needs of smaller states, mainly border defense. They were mobile and could rapidly advance over varied terrain. According to Plutarch, they could fight as skirmishers and then fall back, assume spears and tighten the ranks, forming a phalanx.

Figures: 10mm Magister militum

MEDIEVAL WARFARE

2009-06-06T21:09:00.005+01:00

Some pic's from Paul McConnell's 28mm Medieval figures, which were on display at this months club meeting.

GREEK CAVALRY

2009-05-26T21:34:00.009+01:00

Photograph's show 10mm Tarantine Cavalry. The Seleucid and Epirus armies of the successor kingdoms found gainful employed for these troops after the death of Alexander the Great.

Originally the cavalry of the army of the Greek city of Tarantas (Tarentum) in Magna Graecia, they were renowned for their peculiar battle tactics. They were the only cavalry of the Graeco-Roman world to employ pure, advanced skirmishing tactics, called the Tarantine Circle. They were unarmored and normally equipped with shield and javelins, which they hurled at the enemy, evading any attempt to engage in close combat. In the Hellenistic era, we have numerous references to Tarantine units, even in the armies of the eastern Macedonian empires, but unfortunately no definite account of their equipment or their tactical use.

Figures: 10mm Magister Militum

HORSE ARCHERS 10mm

2009-05-04T20:43:00.007+01:00

I am currently basing figures for my 10mm Successor Army. Above are photographs of horse archers. The Seleucid Empire incorporated native troops with various expertise's into their armies. The eastern part of their empire provided horse archers including Parthians,Dahae and Bactrians.

Figures : Magister Militum

Scale : 10mm

Walhalla

2009-04-19T11:40:00.005+01:00

Walhalla, my very own wargamer's paradise. Walhalla is a take on Valhalla which in Norse mythology was a majestic, enormous hall (I wish) ruled over by the god Odin. It was to here that the fallen warriors travelled to upon death.

The loft of my newly built garage is to become my 19 foot by 12 foot personnel battle HQ. It is from here that I hope to fight my way through the month's and year's ahead. As you can see it is not yet finished, hopefully it will be operational in June.

PRITZKER MILITARY PODCAST

2009-04-11T19:48:00.004+01:00

The Pritzker Military Library is a research library for the study of military history in Chicago. The collection of the Pritzker Military Library includes over 25,000 books, periodicals, videos, artwork, posters, and rare military ephemera. The library produces podcasts which include interviews with U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Discussions with retired military figures and talks given by military authors on their new books.

The Pritzker Podcast archive can be found at :

http://feeds2.feedburner.com/pmlfeed/

HOW IT ALL STARTED

2009-04-05T19:58:00.005+01:00

C.F Wesencraft's book Practical Wargaming,

This was the book I stumbled across in my local library aged 11 or 12. It triggered an interest in wargaming which I still hold over 25 years later. The book published in the early 70's provided the reader with playable rules covering the history of warfare. I used small plastic figure's on my parents living room floor to command the armies of Lee, Hannibal, and Napoleon. I fought epic battles and bloody wars. Today I still fight such battles and like then still enjoy a fantastic hobby..

AMBUSH ALLEY

2009-03-20T20:19:00.001Z

A few more pic's from the clubs Ambush Alley game.

IVAN & FRIENDS

2009-03-16T19:42:00.006Z

Some more photographs from last months Russian front game.

TANK KILLER

2009-03-08T20:44:00.014Z

A tank killer lies in wait. These photographs were taken during a WWII eastern front game held at the clubs monthly meeting. Figures and vehicle are from Paul McConnell's collection. Paul has written a set of rules "No Prisoners!" which he is currently fine turning and play testing. The rules will cover the period from the Spanish Civil war to WWII.

The Self propelled gun in the picture is the Nashorn. The Nashorn (German for rhinoceros) was one of the most effective anti-tank guns deployed during World War II. Its tungsten round was capable of penetrating 190 mm of rolled armour at a distance of 1,000 m. The gun's tremendous performance enabled the Nashorn to engage enemy tanks while staying out of range themselves. Though only lightly armoured and with a high profile, it stayed in service until the end of the war.

SOUNDS FAMILAR

2009-03-07T21:04:00.011Z

Chopper goes down in an East African shanty town.

I played my first game of Ambush Alley at the clubs monthly bash. Ambush Alley is a modern miniature wargame that allows players to recreate the intense counter-insurgency actions in an urban environment. It is a really enjoyable, fast paced game, with an intuitive easy to understand game mechanism. The game can be played at any scale from 15mm up. 15mm scenarios call for a 2’x2’ table, while 28mm games only require a 4’x4’ table. Ambush Alley is accessible for those on a tight budget as few scenarios require more than ten figures for the Regular force and a dozen or so for the Insurgents.
FIGURES : Peter Pig & Old Glory
RULES: Ambush Alley
PAINTER: Glen Seymore

THE SAXON STORIES

2009-03-03T19:44:00.001Z

The Last Kingdom is the first book in 'The Saxon Stories' series by Bernard Cornwell. The series follows the wars between King Alfred the Great and the Danes or Vikings. The Last Kingdom focuses on Uhtred's upbringing and early adulthood. The book begins when Uhtred marches with his father to war against the Danes at the age of ten. He links his destiny to the Sceadugenga or "Shadow-Walkers".

To listen to the author discuss this book, go to the link below and click on Bernard Cornwell on the listen again section:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/bookclub/

PODTASTIC HARDCORE HISTORY

2009-02-24T21:19:00.001Z

In "Hardcore History" Dan Carlin brings the past alive. Was Alexander the Great as bad a person as Adolf Hitler? What would Apaches with modern weapons be like? Will our modern civilization ever fall like civilizations from past eras?. Ear candy for all us podcast junkies.

http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hh

POINT 2 POINT PODCAST

2009-01-07T20:45:00.001Z

Point 2 Point is a great podcast about board wargaming hosted by Jason and Scott. They discuss and review wargames as well as interviewing game industry insiders and board game creators.

http://point2point.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=podcasts

Cold War

2008-11-22T21:15:00.011Z

Set in 1980's Germany this battle between Russian and British foe's, went to the wire. The Red Army finally took the nuclear reactor outside Bonn after stiff opposition from the English armour & infantry. NATO air superiority over the battlefield failed to halt the assault due to poor weather conditions and the over running of ground air support positions.

Rules - Blitzkrieg Commander.

Figures - 6mm Heroics and Ros \ Skytracks, all figures painted by Dave Bruce.

AK47

2008-11-22T20:54:00.007Z

Some photographs from a modern wargame. This scenario was set in the Liberian border and pitched peace keeping special forces against attacking rebel troops. The defenders easily repulsed the poorly lead and ill trained rebels. The United Nations later identified many of the causalities amongst the insurgents as boy soldiers.

Rules - AK47
Figures - 15mm Peter Pig painted by Mark Waters

SPAIN 1812

2008-11-02T21:25:00.019Z

Light troops defend against a determined French assault.

Charge!

French troops come ever onwards.

Spanish troops defend the river bank.

Over view of the battlefield.

This months meeting of Omagh wargame club featured a 10mm Napoleonic battle. Superior French forces clashed with retreating English and Spanish troops. Wellington's troops came of best and were able to retreat in good order due largely to the efforts of his Spanish allies and clever placing of light troops. These light troops harassed and delayed the chasing French, causing consternation to the French commanders and many casualties amongst their men.

This battle was organised and umpired by Dave "the" Bruce who supervised the game to his usual exacting standards.

FIGURES : Flashing Blade / Pendraken 10mm.

RULES : Arthurs Eagles, Written by Dave Bruce.

OMAGH WARGAMES CLUB

2008-10-04T19:23:00.013+01:00

Macedonian Phalanx

Macedonian Skirmishers

I took part in a five player game of Diplomacy at this months Omagh wargame's meeting. Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954. Its main distinction from most board wargames is negotiation: Players spend much of their time forming (and betraying) alliances with other players. Set in Europe just before the beginning of World War One, Diplomacy is played by up to seven players, each controlling the armed forces (armies -fleets) of a major European power. Each player aims to move his or her units - and defeat those of others - to win possession of a majority of strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centers" on the map; these supply centers allow players who control them to produce more units. First to control 18 supply centers wins.

I had a lot of fun with this game, a real head wrecker. I believe the majority of those who took part enjoyed the game and are keen to have another go in the near future.

Some useful links for Diplomacy rules and map downloads can be found below.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/diplomacy
http://www.diplom.org/index.py

Play Diplomacy online.

http://www.playdipl%20omacy.com/

Also at the club this week the first outing for Field of Glory's ancients rule set. A few picture's of the game between Republican Romans and Alexanders Macedonians can be seen above. All figures are plastic from the HAT and Zvezda ranges. I believe Alexander claimed the victory.

PODCASTS

2008-10-01T21:54:00.003+01:00

Just bought a MP3 player and have started checking out podcasts. Here are a few that I recommend.

MEEPLES AND MINIATURES : A podcast about miniature wargames and strategy boardgames hosted by Niel Shuck. This show features news, views and reviews. Not to be missed.

http://meeplesandminiatures.libsyn.com/

THE HISTORY NETWORK : A site with a range of podcasts on historical and military matters.

http://www.thehistorynetwork.org/TheHistoryNetwork/The_History_Network.html

10mm NAPOLEONIC BATTLE

2008-08-12T16:29:00.005+01:00

Napoleonic battle with 10mm figures.

SPANISH GAME

2008-08-12T16:18:00.004+01:00

A few pic's from a Spanish Civil War game, held by Omagh Wargames Club.

THORAKITE

2008-05-26T20:42:00.008+01:00

Thorakite -heavy infantry with mail body armour. 10mm figures by Magister Militum.

INTERESTING READS

2008-03-14T21:42:00.007Z

Two interesting reads about infantrymen at war.

House to House by David Bellavia and John Bruning details the experiences of a staff sergeant in the US army during a crucial period in Iraq. You may not agree with it but it is still worth a read.

Sniper on the Eastern Front - The memoirs of Sepp Allerberger by Albrecht Wacker. First hand account by a German sniper of life and death on the Eastern Front during WW2.

SELECUID PHALANX

2008-02-24T20:04:00.011Z

The core of the Seleucid army were Hellenistic units, many of which were descendants of Alexanders Makedonian troops. The phalangites were armed with a long pike (the sarissa) up to 21 feet in length and balanced with a heavy bronze butt spike. They wear linen or similar body armour and carry a small shield called a pelta. Officers and front rankers may have wore metal cuirass body armour. Phalangites continued to wear the bronze or iron Macedonian style helmets.

Figures 10mm Magister Militum.

FRENCH INDIAN WARS

2008-02-09T17:07:00.001Z

British gunners and canon ford a river.

Silent shapes glide through the trees, Huron and Algonquin Indians prepare an ambush.

British troops engage Compagnies franches.

A recent club game from the French Indian Wars. A British column comprising British regulars and American militia are ambushed by Indians and Compagnies franches. Following the initial surprise the British rallied to see their enemy drift away with the onset of night fall.

Figures 10mm Pendraken.

SELEUCID CATAPHRACTS

2008-01-24T23:30:00.002Z

Seleucid Cataphract cavalry - heavily armoured cavalry. The mounted warrior was armed with a lance which was carried in both hands. The figures are 10mm Magister Militum.

AXIS AND ALLIES

2008-01-23T21:38:00.001Z

Free resources including maps and rules for the classic board game Axis & Allies can be found at Board Game Geek (see link below). The game simulates the entire scope of World War II. Players can choose armies representing the Allies: United States of America, United Kingdom and Russia or the Axis: Germany and Japan. See under the section files for resources.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/10093

IN OUR TIME - PODCASTS

2008-01-10T16:00:00.001Z

On November 14th 1854 The Times newspaper reported on a minor cavalry skirmish in the Crimean War:

“They swept proudly past, glittering in the morning sun in all the pride and splendour of war... At the distance of 1200 yards the whole line of the enemy belched forth, from thirty iron mouths, a flood of smoke and flame through which hissed the deadly balls. Their flight was marked by instant gaps in our ranks, by dead men and horses, by steeds flying wounded or riderless across the plain”.

This is the Charge of the Light Brigade, an event of no military significance that has become iconic in the British imagination. It helped to provoke the resignation of a Prime Minister, it profoundly changed British attitudes to war and the soldiers who fought in them and it inspired Alfred, Lord Tennyson to sit down and write “All in the Valley of Death rode the six hundred”.

This and other historical subjects including:

THE ART OF WAR
THE SASSANIAN EMPIRE
ALFRED AND THE BATTLE OF EDINGTON
THE JACOBITE REBELLION
THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE

Are discussed on BBC Radio 4's programme IN OUR TIME. You can listen again to these programmes by going to the link below. Well worth a visit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime_history.shtml

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

2008-01-08T22:28:00.002Z

Reb cannon commence bombardment of Union lines.

Cavalry advance.

Whistle Dixie bhoys.

Some photos from a recent American Civil War game held by Omagh Wargame club. The Union force's are victorious following the arrival of reinforcement's.

THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR

2007-12-02T19:24:00.002Z

Republican troops from the Spanish civil war. Painted by Paul Mc Connell.

SPANISH CIVIL WAR

2007-12-01T17:08:00.001Z

Nationalist troops from a recent Spanish Civil war game. Great figure's painted by Paul Mc Connell.

BATTLE OF DOONEENDORF

2007-11-21T22:26:00.001Z

Prussian Cavalry charge Austrian lines. Figure's 10mm Pendraken

Austrian infantry defend Hell's Hill

NOVEMBER 1757

2007-11-20T22:43:00.000Z

Prussian's cross the Alban

1757 November, The Austrian army, under General Bray, is preparing winter quarters, when the Prussian General Regimus, decides to launch one last offensive on the flank of the Austrian positions.

Near the town of Dooneendorf, Prussian cavalry discover two bridges spanning the Alban river. As the Prussian army marches to the crossing point, the two cavalry brigades cross into the enemy rear. First brigade, made up of grenadiers and veterans, also makes the crossing but the weight of horses and men has caused the bridges to crack. The rest of the army has to cross in single file, causing delays and holding the other five brigades out of the battle.

The Austrian army is finally aware of its peril and sends cavalry and four infantry brigades to support the troops holding “Hell Hill” on the Prussian right. The hill is already under assault from the Prussian grenadiers.

The Austrian army, led by their grenadier brigade, emerges from a forest right in front of the Prussian cavalry. The long columns of infantry are easy pickings for the horse, and soon the Austrian brigade is destroyed. The Prussian cavalry, charges on into the Austrian horse and carried by momentum smashes the Austrians. As General Bray tries to salvage some part of his army the Prussian horse ride down the flank of another infantry brigade and annihilate them.
Finally, with horses spent, the Prussian cavalry withdraw leaving the bodies of two infantry and two cavalry brigades to freeze in the winter sun.

At Hell Hill, things are going no better for Austria. Assaulted by the elite of the Prussian infantry, the Austrian brigade suffers badly and is finally caught in a charge by the grenadiers. Beaten and broken the Austrian troops stream down off the hill. Their panic soon spreads to the rest of the army. There is nothing left for General Bray to do, but call a retreat and try to save some of his men. The Austrians flee the field leaving the Prussians to celebrate their most one-sided victory ever.

Estimated casualties run to 18,000 Austrians for a loss of 1,500 Prussians.
Battle Report : Glen Seymour.

Rules: Modified Warmaster

Spanish Caetrati

2007-11-18T13:27:00.001Z

Spanish Caetrati 20mm plastic figures from Hat.

THE SELEUCIDS ARE COMING!

2007-11-08T21:06:00.002Z

From the East a great Empire is stirring, an immense horde is preparing to strike. Sharpen your weapon's, hide your women folk and prepare for enslavement.

The Seleucid Kingdom embraced most of the Asian territory conquered by Alexander and unified under Seleucus I and his descendants. The core of the army were Hellenistic units, many descended from Alexanders original Macedonian troops. The Seleucid army contained elephants, thorakitai, phalangites, companion cavalry and horse archers.

I am preparing a 10mm army at present containing all of the above. Photographs to follow.

ON MY COMMAND

2007-10-26T21:16:00.002+01:00

Imperial Roman Legionarii painted and based by the excellent Glen Seymour.

ROMAN ONAGER

2007-10-22T22:55:00.001+01:00

10mm stone throwiong engine called an onager or 'wild ass' because of the ferocious recoil.

WHATS THAT SMELL

2007-10-21T12:38:00.001+01:00

SLINGERS OUT GUNNED

2007-10-21T12:37:00.001+01:00

HORSE ARCHERS LET FLY

2007-10-21T12:36:00.002+01:00

DEATH OF A KING

2007-10-21T12:30:00.002+01:00

Roman Heavy Cavalry slay the king

PARTHIAN CATAPHRACTS

2007-10-21T12:27:00.002+01:00

A KING IS SLAIN

2007-10-21T11:17:00.001+01:00

The year is 114AD, location Dooneen east of the Euphrates near the Parni or Parthian capital Ctesiphon. The invasion of Parthia by the Romans is led by 40 year old Gaius Davicus Octavianus and his loyal son Decimus Brutus. The Parthian's led by their great King and overlord Davpur with his loyal subject and commander Auth-trabanus take the field to repel these arrogant imperialists.

The battle lasts well over 6 hours, cataphract and horse archer via with cavalry and veteran legions. The battle is at its height when the Roman heavy cavalry managed to drive some horse archers into the positions of the Parthian King and his body guard. Attempting to slash and stab their way to freedom they are cut down, the severed head of the king is placed at the feet of Gaius Davicus.

The Parthian commander Davpur managed to escape with a sizable portion of his troops still intact. He was to size power and after many year campaigning managed to secure a treaty with Rome. Gaius Davicus Octavianus was to rule the Roman world for almost a decade, on his death he was succeed in 123AD by his son.

IMPERIAL ROMAN

2007-10-18T22:49:00.001+01:00

Imperial Roman 10mm figures used for Ancient Warmaster historical rules.The first two photo's show a scorpion, a light bolt thrower. The third shows some Roman Auxiliaries, all painted by Glen Seymour.

The die is cast

2007-04-09T22:56:00.000+01:00

This blog chronicles wargaming of all scales and periods, held by Omagh Wargame Club. It will recounting the deeds of mighty warriors (model figures), the clash of arms (miniature battles) and the exploits of great kings and generals (wargamer's). Enjoy.