Preparing For Battle

The Oberhilse army has reorganized although a few battalions of volunteers and a few squadrons of cavalry are not yet ready to take the field.

While the army is waiting for reinforcements, a series of drill sessions are being held. 

Maintenance Of The......Oh Look!

Sighhh......there I was, working on my fictional 1830's forces when I stumbled on one last straggler of the one-piece Scruby ACW cavalrymen of the sort that have been recruited into my 1790's British Light Dragoons. As it happened, I needed exactly one more to finish the 2nd squadron.........sighhhh..... why wait?

(Please let me know if the above doesn't show. My favorite Chrome laptop, with the best photo adjustments, has been banned from Google Drive, so for now I'm trying ways to circumvent when necessary until I manage the new photo options.)

Right, back to the 1830's.....

Still A Mess But Making Progress

 I've decided on dropping the 1812 look and focus on the 1830's with my fictional opponents. 

If you can't see this picture, please let me know.

Work is progressing......

The Officer's Mess

When I made my list of "periods" I was unsure about my assorted melange of troops from the War of 1812, the US vs Mexico war and the 1830's Canadian rebellions. 

Yup, what a mess I'm making!

One option would involve tripling the number of figures so that I could do all three, usually to be used once in a blue moon. Other options were to ditch them all, continue using the mishmash of troops, or keep a token 1812 unit for each side to go on a shelf and let me focus on the 1830s. 

For a start, I will do opposing British and US forces (under the guise of Faraway and Oberhilse. That will give me a fictional war  in the mid-19thC. Same weapons but different terrain and tactics. 

,

Let Us Pass Over (Now with apologies)

******* 

It has come to my attention that some or many of the photos are not showing to all viewers even though they all show on my screens and on some of my viewers' screens. A little exploration suggests that some of the pictures are too large and are getting blocked. 

My previous surprise was that many of my devices were no longer able to take an image on my GDrive and modify it (inc making a pic smaller in size of file in addition to trimming, adjusting lighting etc etc as desired).  The new ones I did have access to, allowed me to adjust colour, trim bits, etc etc BUT would not reduce the size of the file.

I'm now investigating the result of adjusting the size on my phone before down/uploading, as well as looking for other apps as an option if they are not too expensive for something I only use a few minutes a week.

The missing pics should be starting to appear soon!  -Ross

hmm. or not. So far every free or cheap app I've looked at has removed an option to reduce the size/(density of pixels) of the photo. Now all they do is have an option to crop. 

In the meantime, I'll have to back off and then crop the pictures It'll take a bit to get it right unless I can find an affordable app. 

Now back to the post as it was, though I may crop a few of them, reducing the width of the battle being seen, into a small part or several portions.

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Winter has turned to summer and the armies of Oberhilse and Faraway march again. 

Having failed their New Years assault (see the main action here) the Oberhilse command has formed a new plan to make a surprise attack to seize the stone bridge over the Little Blue River. If they moved fast and keep the expedition a secret they should be able to launch a major invasion.

Apparently, either Faraway had a spy who sent word, or they just assumed that Oberhilse  would attack when the spring hay was cut and stacked, and summer arrived.

(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)
A quick clash of cavalry was indecisive but the infantry on both sides took their place and the Musket fire was loud and heavy, To the North, the land did not look like cavalry terrain, so both generals ordered their cavalry to move South to find a ford.  

A passing hot air balloon with a newspaper reporter, with a camera, managed to pass overhead.
(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)

There were fewer fords on the river than expected (#@#dice), especially in the convenient crossing places. There were a few spots where pointblank shots could be exchanged but in several spots, it was the less deadly long range musket fire.

The Faraway regulars were taking heavy casualties so the Fencibles were ordered to pass through and hold the bridge. 

The day was getting late and casualties were heavy on both sides. After a quick consultation, the order came out to Brigadier Wavey for his cavalry to cross the river and drive back the enemy cavalry.
(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)    

As the sun began to set, the Queen's cavalry crossed the ford to encourage the enemy cavalry
to back off while heavy casualties from  musket and canister fire was
begining to weaken the morale of the Oberhilse infantry. 
(Note: please click on the blank picture to see the full view....at least until I figure out how to fix it.)

Hot Pursuit! 
(but the bugler was soon ordered to blow the Recall.

As the day turned to dusk, the order was given to the Oberhilse troops to fall back in good order,
and the battered Faraway infantry were happy to let them go.

An Early Sketch...

 ...by a War Correspondant:

Report to follow when the battle is won and lost.

It's been a busy day.....

 But I got a few turns in.

Sunday should see the middle and the end fought out.

The World Has Changed But, ....

....battles will go on, but with a new backdrop and a table that is 4" taller. 

For the first game on the slightly modified table, Oberhilse and Faraway are at it again in the 1840's

.....but they are fighting on a taller table with an enveloping backdrop

But enough of this: "Let the battle begin!".

Summer Rerun: 10 Years Ago

Ah summer, a thousand and one chores outside, especially cutting firewood for the coming winter now that my usual supplier has retired. Effort vs cash.
(Our wood stove is a main source of heat when the winter nights drop to -15C,-20C....... )

Since I'm also rearranging my game room when I have time, any game or figure additions are likely to be a few days away. So here's a look at the 2016 Fall In wargame convention, I think the last HMGS Con that I drove 1,500 km each way. Portland Maine was only 1/2 that distance and I've missed meeting with some of my American friends, but, my passport has expired.  .

F&IW 40mm homecast figures from the collectons
 of 2 of the HAWKS club and their Canadian mascot.

For a bit more on my blog report on HMGS  2016 Fall In Con, see:

Falllllll Out!

Any future wargame convention, if any, will be the same distance from Nova Scotia but in Canada. 

Hopefully, in a day or two I'll have time for figures or a solo game with a blog post to follow.

Now They Are Horde-able

 This was a bit easier than I expected. 

Apparently I should add some armoured Spahis for the early 16thC, but it'll probably be awhile before I work that out. A few more artillery and infantry will come first before the next engagement.

Retraining

All the firearms are gone (to the dismay of the Turkish cavalry) and half the Spahis are now rearmed and practicing with their new (old fashioned) weapons. 

Once my new pack of really thin drill bits (oops broke another one) gets here in a day or so, I'll finish them off and add some Elastolin Janissaries and cast some more ordinary Infantry.....and shields....and gunners......oh!....and guns....and..............

Chanaaaaaaaa_ng Arms!!

The work will probably be intermittent and slow, but it has begun. The Turkish cavalry's pistols and carbines are being changed for bows or lances.

to be continued......

The First Encounter

Well..... its been "one of those"  weeks, well, two weeks to be honest. (it's June! Spring is easing into summer and there's planting and mowing and well,...."WINTER IS COMING!"...so there's firewood to be cut down, split etc). That's why the 12 turns I played took me 2 weeks despite each turn taking 5-10 minutes! 

Anyway, my late 18thC Mamluks have had experience of combat with infidel soldiers and they are keen to do it again, but in the mid-16thC now. They just need to rearm the cavalry with bows instead of firearms,  recruit some more troops and.....and....and, well, you know. 

However, both the Sultan and the Holy Roman Emperor are now determined to continue the fight. (What can I do to stop them?) I suspect some recruiting will end up being done by both sides.

Now, here is the brief illustrated news about this first clash (previous pictures not repeated...I think...).

________________

Rumors had started to appear about Turkish raids over the Emperor's lands and so a force was recruited and marched to the border. They managed to arrive in the nick of time as the Turks arrived at the little Blutaip river where there was a very small border guard at the main ford. (see previous posts for the early moves)

The Imperial forces arrive just in time to dispute the crossing.

The Imperial reinforcements pushed on while the Turkish light troops searched for fords and probed the strength of the defenders along the line. 

There were just enough Imperial troops to dispute the handful of river crossings but the Turks also had just enough troops. They sent their cavalry and skirmishers to probe for fords while the bulk of the Turkish infantry and artillery marched forward and began to deploy.

The Turkish light cavalry managed to cross the river on each flank, but not with enough strength to clear the Imperial cavalry and flank the Imperial infantry. Meanwhile, the infantry at the main ford fought a long bloody fight across the river, muskets, pikes, sword and shield and whatever was at hand.

At last, in the center, the Turks got their powder wet or they ran out of it, we'll never know for sure but the Imperial arquebusiers fired a deadly volley as the pikemen and halberdiers  pressed forward and some of the Turkish infantry broke.

With the sun sinking low, the Turkish commander recalled his cavalry. Time for a Truce.

 

And Now The Battle Has Come And Gone

A battle report to follow. 

Late in the Battle

I'm going to have to convert the Turkish cavalry's firearms to bows given that the setting is the early 16th Century, and then add more Turks and Imperials, and......

Inch by Inch, Roll by Roll

 (to misquote an old song)

I've finally had hobby-time but it was quickly obvious that my tastes have developed into a desire for an even more simple, quick playing rules. Despite various domestic interruptions, I have made progress on a new, simpler, quicker playing 16thC rules and had just enough time to play one turn!

Tomorrow's forecast involves rain. Its looking good for finally playing the game to an end.

One Is Better Than None

 Its been one of those weeks. Here's a peek at turn 3.

Hopefully, the game will be played Saturday and a battle report posted on Sunday or Monday.

. 

And So It Begins

Due to brilliant commanders, the Imperial reinforcements arrived at almost the same moment as the Turks. As the armies deploy, the battle begins.

To be continued...

ALARM!!!

 In the mid 16thC, on the Eastern frontier of the Imperial lands, Turkish cavalry suddenly appear! 

ALARM!! STAND TO!!!

As reinforcements, already notified by scouting patrols, arrive, the villagers gather what goods and livestock they can, and head for the woods and hills!

"Get Up Daisy!!"

...To be continued...

For My Next Act.....

Holy Roman Emperor's army clashes with the Sultan's raiders.

Having decided that the Revolutionary French miniatures were not interested in returning to Egypt, it didn't take long to decide that the Mamluks and various infantry would serve a 16thC Turkish Sultan and march on Vienna. 

It took longer to get around to reorganizing and, in much of the army,  rebasing to match my 16thC armies. More cavalry, guns and infantry will follow if the first raids are worth it.

Re-use, Re-hat, Re-paint

Some time around 2006,  Sash & Sabre released a range of 40mm Alamo figures. At the time, I was starting a collection of 40mm figures for the mid 19thC Sikh Wars and I couldn't resist at least 1 set of the Mexican ladder set in their broad shakos (like the 1840 British shakos).

https://redbookplayed.blogspot.com
Scenario 15

Well, the British Army was well started, but without Sepoys, and the Indian force was barely started, when I got distracted by other collections to face various friends' armies. As years went by, and friends moved away, etc etc and I started accepting that there were not enough years to complete both armies for two score projects.

The 1830/40's 40mm collections had a start on the Sikh Wars, the Patriot Rebellion in Lower Canada (Quebec), the Upper Canadian rebellions, and the Mexican/American War. Some how, they all got started, but none were ever finished. 

The result is that the ladder lads almost never got into action beyond that one game. So, since there were plenty of assaults on defended cities and forts in the West Indies during the French Revolution Wars, and my Revolutionary armies are getting use and still expanding, I decided to convert my storming troops to fit in.

Now to build a walled city to storm......

May Day Parade in The Dominion of Faraway

While Faraway is now ruled by an elected Parliament, there is still an hereditary King or Queen who "advises" and approves the laws passed by Parliament and who is loved by his/her subjects, 

Her Majesty salutes as her forces march by.

Road Blocks Can Be A Problem

There is an old army saying "Fastest with the most-est" but  having studied military history, planning, and keeping a reserve, can also help a General to win.

For those who have just dropped in, the Northern and Southern armies were racing to seize a crossing over the Bloostream River, while preventing the enemy to do the same.  Each army had 4 brigades of infantry support by cavalry and artillery and both were hurrying along parallel roads heading south.    

An observer in a balloon made this illustration of the armies deploying.

Both armies grabbed their end of the 1st bridge while rushing cavalry and infantry to seize the bridge in the town to the South. General Porter, the Union commander, ordered his 2nd brigade to rush by the road to reinforce the town. The 3rd brigade was ordered to move by road to block the ford in the middle in case it was attacked and the last was to move to a central reserve position.

It was soon obvious that the Union cavalry had out ridden their Confederate enemies, crossed over the far bridge and seized the town. General Kinch, quickly ordered his 2nd brigade to cut directly across the fields to seize the ford, while the cavalry and the 3rd brigade were to try to beat the Yankees to the town or to throw them out if needed, His 4th brigade was ordered to follow the road and be ready to move towards the ford or the town as the situation dictated. 

The 2nd Rebel brigade marched hard, crossed the ford, and prepared to hold it.

The fighting was heavy along the line but the Yankee cavalry had reached the town first (by the turn of a card).  In the center, the 2nd Reb brigade had to halt their march to the town to face the Rebs coming over the ford. As the 3rd brigade moved up, there was a traffic jam. Porter decided that the quickest answer was to have the 2nd Brigade withdraw and resume their march while the 3rd Brigade deployed to push back the Rebs crossing the ford. 

A fierce firefight around the ford soon broke out and lasted much of the day.

The 4th Yankee brigade found themselves in a traffic jam, with the road blocked by artillery and the 3rd Brigade and 1st Brigades, all involved in a fire fight with the enemy. There was little for them to do but act as a reserve and prepare to advance over the bridge or ford as the situation developed. 

On the far end of the battle field, the fight was bloody on both sides even though much of the fighting was at long range.

The 4th Southern brigade had been marched up the road as a reserve. As they approached the fighting, they were in a good position from which they could move speedily to any of the three crossings.

It appears that the balloon corespondent was still hanging around.

At last the General made his decision. There was no room at the first bridge or the ford but the town was lightly held and it was wide open to a fresh brigade, The order was sent: "Storm the town and carry the Southern bridge."

The 4th Reb brigade veers off towards the south and marches .

No time was lost.  

The 4th Brigade stepped out, deployed with two regiments in the front and one in reserve, and then advanced on the town despite artillery fire and musket balls. The 2nd Brigade and cavalry, despite heavy losses, continued to press the rest of the Yankee Brigade and the dismounted cavalry. 

In moments, it was over.

All across the field, Union brigades, having taken heavy losses in the firefights, collapsed and ran. Only the reserve brigade was there to cover the retreat,

Now, this was supposed to have been a 16thC game, but an urge came over me....so.....that MIGHT be the next game. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE (maybe...for some...) Over the last decade I have had at least 4 gracious gifts of various plastic 20mm ACW figures, many painted in various styles, some still paint-less. I've been very appreciative of these donations and they have swelled my armies and broadened my options, BUT my table has shrunk from 6'x8' to 5'x6' to 4'x5'. As a consequence, I don't have much room for many more 1/72nd ACW figures. SO, if anyone wants SOME OR ALL of the reserves, drop me an email (rmacfa@gmail.com) with your address and I'll pass them on to be enlisted elsewhere. 

Are We There Yet?

Almost!  

The current game in progress

However! I can find a gazillion past versions of my ACW rules, but NOT the set that worked well for my rearguard game last year, or the river crossing game before that. 

Sighhhh.... This week, I've made several attempts to dig out various past versions of my ACW rules but none had a right feel for me at this time, or seemed capable of a 3-4 hour game with few hundred figures. The rules for last couple of games last year were good BUT....where the heck are they in the depths of my computers!!!!??. 

Rearguard Action

 2025 River Crossing game 

But, tomorrow is Saturday and there's a dog show on, so I'll be home alone (people wise) with only a handful of chores to be done. Its just a few adjustments to get the rules working the way I want again, so I'll dig back into the archives, and other sources, without many distractions, and get the game going again.

Now Where Were We?

Why is it that house and yard tasks usually seem more important to some people than me playing a game? Ah well, its a lovely, rainy day, I've dug out the last, untested, horrible, version of ACW rules and have fixed it and am finally ready to go!

Plastic Army of the Potomac, 2026, about to be tested with 8 stand infantry brigades.

  

Contact!

 "Enemy in sight!"

"Brigade! Dismount and open fire!"

To be continued.......