40mm Imagination Posts From My Old Blog (Part2)

Battle of Hook's Farm (2)

This is the situation on move 2 . I am trying out one or two adaptions to 'Funny Little Wars' to alter it for tabletop use ( the original being designed for outdoors) . I have started using random movement distances - Infantry in line = 2xD6 , in column or skirmish = 3xD6 , half the distance for rough terrain , Militia/Reserve infantry re roll the highest dice (represents their lack of enthusiasm). Cavalry roll 3xD6 - better horsemen (ie Hariboan lt cavalry) re roll the lowest dice (better horses) , Both troop types add 1xD6 on roads and charging . Artillery move 3xD6 .

By move 3, both sides moved troops to control Hook's Farm and the Treborian Cavalry made a right flank march to attack the Ferraro Roccaian left around Firefly Church . No firing took place .

The Treborian Reservists moved up hill to the farm and the Treborian gun hurriedly unlimbered as the FR  infantry column came over the hill crest. The Ferraro Roccain gun and infantry deployed next to the church and the Hariboan Lancer moved to counter the Treborian cavalry flank move .

The Teborian CinC rushed a infantry column up through the wood to support the artillery .

On move 4 the FR column charged its opposing enemy column , but failed to reach it - the Treborians counter charged but after 2 moves of melee were beaten back .

The Treborian gun dare not fire in fear of hitting friendly troops , things are not looking good for the Treborian Reservists as they are being out flanked on both sides .

This is the situation on the Treborian left at the end of move 4 , over on  the othr flank , troops deploy and the Lancer prepare to charge the advancing Treborian cavalry.

Apart from a little skirmishing  in the centre there had been no firing , but with the troops deployed I expect it to  change in the next move ...

Friday, 20 May 2011

The Battle of Hook's Farm (1)

A old time classic battle-first fought by HG Wells in "Little Wars", I was given the idea for  re fighting this battle when rereading a copy of Classic Wargames Journal and thought I  would let the armies of Treboria and Ferraro Rocca battle it out .

The forces per side were equal - 2 Infantry units ,1 Militia unit , 2 Cavalry units and 1 gun . The positions of the units were diced for , with Treboria taking the nearest table edge .

2 views of the battlefield with the initial troop dispositions , each gun has 10 rounds of ammunition (in the matchboxes) and the infantry has 10 rounds of ammo as well , cavalry have 8. The object of the game is to drive the enemy off the battlefield and hold the high ground around Hook's Farm. To be continued....

Saturday, 7 May 2011

Some more new figures and thoughts...

Been touching up and  rebasing some Irregular 42mm British Colonials I got off Ebay at a reasonable price . Overwhelmed by actually seeing some painted figures that I was interested in , I went ahead and bought them and then thought - 'what am I going to use them for?'. They didn't fit in with my other 'Balkan' figures and the idea of starting another period in 42mm didn't make sense . When I first bought the Irregular 42mm figures I was not sure where I was heading , I liked the figures for their 'toy soldier' looks and the period of history in the Balkans is interesting , the only problem was that everybody was starting to wear khaki uniforms ! - boring ! . I looked further into it and found that in the 1890s-1900s armies for these nations where still using the older brighter uniforms - if only the Balkans War  had happened 10 to 15 years earlier !. The rot had set in - I decided to use the earlier uniforms and when I miss-ordered some cavalry and got the wrong figures (Greek cavalry -should be in Khaki) I decided to make up a Hussar type uniform -'The Hussars of Excellance' were born (see earlier posts) . By now the madness had set in , I have always admired other bloggers who have their own'Imaginations', so I decided to do my own, set in the  1890s Balkans area . Having spent about 40 years painting 'proper' wargame armies this was refreshingly different and the figures painted in a 'toy soldier' style are soon done . I was mulling over what rules to use when a wargaming colleague 'A' introduced me to 'Funny Little Wars' - "have a look at these - they are weird - you will like them !"  he said  . So here we are about 6 months into the project several £s poorer ( Irregular are several £s richer !) and quite a lot of figures painted , lots of games played and fun for all the family - well me anyway . I'm busy tweaking the rules a bit - the originals were to be played in the garden ( the weather ,hens , cats and not wanting to alarm the neighbours prevent this) - more of this in the future. Oh and the British colonial troops are the first unit of the British Intervention Field Force (Overseas). BIFFO ! Oh dear think I need to lie down!.

Monday, 2 May 2011

Dawn Raid (2)

The Treborian forces push through the village driving the militia before them . A Treboian secret agent sneaks up on the FR militia .

He hurls an 'infernal device' , causing devastation in the militia ranks . Major Velkro confronts the Treborian agent -

and is gunned down (both needed 6's to hit - Velkro threw 342 Agent 166- Velkro did not make the required saving throws !) .

The last of the Ferraro Roccain Household Guard is shot down , The Treborian Staff Officer races up the winding steps to the tower door - shoots the lock off and releases the Envoy and his manservant.

The battle rages below the tower , as the FR  reserves march onto the table, with only limited forces left the Treborians will not be able to make it back to the docks and are forced to spirit Sir Morris into the woods, their flight covered by the few remaining British Legione and the Hussars of Excellance .

Sir Morris Oxford is free ! - BUT  for how long !? . Interestingly this is the second time I have played this game , the first time with my gaming colleague 'S' (I forgot to take any photos - due to the excitement ) and both games turned out with the same end . A Treborian victory but with horrendous casualties.

Thursday, 28 April 2011

Dawn raid (1)

This Scenario is based on one in a issue of 'Classic Wargaming magazine ' . The Treborians have launched a seaborne raid to secure the captive British Envoy Sir Morris Oxford . A select force of the newly formed British Legione  and 2 dismounted Cavalry unit have come ashore and hope to attack the Schwartz Pool tower before the local forces can mobilise .

The town militia turned out, but were driven back by the superior Treborian forces.

Major Velkro rallies them in the village streets , but the Treborians push forward and enter the village

A unit of Hariboan lancers alerted by the fighting move towards the village and charge the British Legione

The Treborians also had 2 Agent Provocateurs hiding near the village , one approached the Ferraro Roccain gun position and laid a 'infernal device' to blow the gun up (he diced a 6 - it would take 6 moves to blow it up ) . He was surprised half way through laying the bomb by the FR  gun crew and fired at them with his pistol (needing a 6 to hit and firing 3 times )  , he threw three 6s - my wargaming colleague 'S'  tells me the odds are 1 in 216 ! , after this interruption he detonated the charge and blew the gun up ! .

The Treborian attack continues , but FR  reinforcements are on the way !.

Sunday, 24 April 2011

The British Envoy found !

Acting on information gathered from captured Ferraro Roccain prisoners of war , the Treborian secret service has found the secret location where Sir Morris Oxford is being held .

The small seaside village of Schwartz Pool (trans. Blackpool) , he is being aloud a certain amount of freedom but he is always accompanied be picked Household Guards

Sir Morris takes the sea air

He is being held captive by the evil Major Velkro and every night he and his man servant Chivers are locked up in the grim tower that over shadows the village .

He is being imprisoned in the the Schwartz Pool Tower !!!!!

Thursday, 21 April 2011

The British Legione

British Legione inspected by Archduke Albert

The Treborian High Command has decided to raise a Auxiliary force to help fight Ferraro Rocca . They have recruited a Legion of British ex servicemen . Unfortunately the quality of some of the recruits lack some of the more soldiery qualities , the Quartermasters department got a good deal on some ex British uniforms - sadly these are somewhat out of date (about 50 years) (no wonder they were cheap !). It remains to see how these brave chaps will fare against the enemy . The Archduke Albert was overheard to comment 'I hope they frighten the enemy - because they certainly  perturb me !' .

Saturday, 9 April 2011

Battle of the Pomemben Bridge (4)

Move 7

The Ferraro Roccain dismounted cavalry in the farmyard were charged by the Treborian infantry and routed in the resulting melee - but not before they had sniped the Treborian Staff Officer who lead the charge .

A near miss !

The FR gun fired its last 2 shots at the Treborian heavy gun and command group and although coming close ,failed to cause any damage . The Treborian  Reserve unit retreated over the bridge having taken further heavy casualties .The Ferraro Roccaian infantry reinforcements also received heavy losses from the opposing infantry and rather accurate artillery fire. 

Heavy casualties on both sides

Move 8

With half his army either fled or casualties King Paul II called an end to the engagement and with their troops still in a strong position , Treboria captured the bridge . The battle was originally going to take 10 moves but it was evident that the Frerro Roccain attack had faltered . The rules worked well , artillery caused heavy losses - when it hit ! . The Treborian secret service are working on several leads from information received from captured FR soldiers  as to the where abouts of the captured British Envoy Sir Morris Oxford .

                                     

End game!

Thursday, 7 April 2011

Battle of the Pomemben Bridge (3)

Move 5

The Cavalry clash ended with the defeat and rout of the Haribo Lancers , the armoured car fired into the Treborian column crossing the bridge causing some casualties , but came under fire from the Dragoons in the wood . The Ferraro Rocca gun fired on the victorious Treborian Hussars , killing two . The Treborian artillery fired at the advancing FR  infantry and managed a hit - also killing the accompanying staff officer (my shooting was a lot more accurate this move)

A hard pounding !

The Treborian Heavy Artillery deployed and the infantry opened fire on the FR dismounted cavalry moving into the farm . (Please click on photos to enlarge)

Ferraro Rocca fights back

On move 6 the carnage continued , the Treborian Reserve unit deployed and took casualties from the armoured car and the flanking FR infantry .

Carnage !

It was not all one sided though - the FR infantry took hits from the Treborian heavy gun  and as the Ferraro Roccaian final unit moved onto the board it to took hits from the Treborian gun on the hill .

Move 6

The FR cavalry in the farmyard skirmished with the Treborian infantry and managed to kill their officer , they in turn suffered a casualty , but their skirmish order and cover protected them from most of the shots . The Ferraro Roccain infantry crossed the river to support them . As casualties mount the battle hangs in the balance !.

The Treborian CinC  surveys the damage done by his  gun

Monday, 4 April 2011

Battle for the Pomemben Bridge (2)

Move 3    

More FR  infantry arrive , the gun switches target and misses the Treborian Hussars (match can be seen beside them - close but no casualties ) . The Treborian Heavy Artillery move up the road drawn by a steam tractor

Move 4

The FR gun limbers and moves to the hill for a better field of fire , the cavalry dismount and move into the farm yard . The Haribo Lancers arrive and confront the Treborian Hussars . The FR  Armoured Car  arrives on the road and moves towards the bridge . The Treborian  Reserve Regt moves over the bridge with the heavy artillery behind it , on the top right the gun deploys - shoots - and misses ! (something wrong with my aim this game !). The Dragoons dismount and move into the wood , behind them a infantry unit deploys

The Cavalry face off

Sunday, 3 April 2011

Battle for the Pomemben Bridge (1)

Trying something different this time with my latest battle report , will take a photo each move to record what is happening on the table (hopefully a picture being worth a thousand words) . The armies of the two warring nations - Treboria and Ferraro Rocca are advancing to capture the important Pomemben Bridge , this is a scenario take from the Grant/Asquith  book 'Scenarios for all Ages' - The Important Bridge ! . The armies are about equal strengths and this is the first time ALL my painted figures have been used !

Move One

The armies start to move onto the table Ferraro Roccains nearest the camera , King Paul II commanding on the hill on the right . The Treborians move on the road to the left and the cavalry on the far edge of the table, (forces and entry locations where decided by dice rolls . A further FR force will appear on the road at the right of the table but has been delayed 4 moves). Archduke Albert of Treboria is commanding and situated on a hill on the left .

move two

More troops enter the game , Treborian cavalry move to secure the bridge and their infantry deploy to respond to the flank threat of the FR cavalry . The gun deploys - fires !- and misses ! (the matchbox holds the guns ammo - how appropriate )

                                   

                                                       

Saturday, 2 April 2011

British Envoy captured (2)

While S's cavalry were sweeping around to the rear the lead Treborian infantry were in trouble , taking heavy casualties from rifle fire , S finally landed a shell (matchstick) directly in the centre of the unit, taking 6 figures out at once ! . they fell back but were rallied by the force CinC . S's infantry also fell back and also were rallied . The Cavalry now attacked the rear Treborian infantry and caught them trying to maneuver into a firing position and in the following melee the infantry lost half their figures ! , this combined with the rifle fire of a newly arrived Ferraro Roccaian infantry unit caused them to rout . Oh dear ! things are looking grim for the convoy . The arrival of the Treborian reinforcements looked like it might save the situation , but this was countered by the arrival of the Black Hand unit . The Treborian artillery unlimbered and started shelling the Black Hand , a lucky shot rebounding off S's tea mug and landed in the centre of them , S's protested this , but the rules used say were a matchstick finaly lands is were the damage is done! . Don't leave detritus on the table!.The Treborian Hussars charged the FR artillery and although taking casualties they overran the gun

However this was to late for the British Envoy , with his Infantry escort in retreat he was captured by  the Ferraro Roccaian infantry

What will the dastardly Ferraro Roccaians do with him ? . We await the next chapter with baited breath !.

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

The British Envoy captured (1)

Sir Morris Oxford & his manservant about to board the Steam Carriage

Before the game we rolled for the position of forces entering and on which move they appeared . S diced = Black Hand unit Z on 5th move , Cavalry unit X on 4th move, Infantry+gun Y on 3rd move, Militia unit X on 6th move. My reinforcements came on at B on 5th move .

The journey started off uneventful , but soon Ferraro Roccaian infantry and artillery where attacking the leading unit . S new to matchstick guns shot badly but his infantry were better shots and the Treborian infantry were in trouble . The column stalled and FR  cavalry entered the table and started to move to attack the rear of the Treborians . More photos and the next instalment soon .

Sunday, 27 March 2011

Breaking news ! British Envoy abducted by Ferraro Rocca !

The world is astounded by the shocking news that the British Envoy Sir Morris Oxford has been captured by a Ferraro Roccaian raiding party. Sir Oxford was on a fact finding mission to Treboria and was traveling in the State Steam Carriage with a escort provided by the Treborian Army . Whilst on route to the capital of Treboria the party where attacked by a strong enemy force and although  reinforcements tried to help and drive off the attackers , they where unable to prevent his capture !. Ferraro Roccaian  sources are reported to say that Sir Morris Oxford was in fact on a mission to sell more arms to the Treborians and not on a cultural tour of 14 century monasteries . This was a game that was played recently with a wargaming colleague S . We used the old favorite 'Wagon Train' scenario by Charles Grant , it was the first time S had used the 'Funny Little Wars' and he had great difficulty mastering a match firing cannon . 

Sir Morris party where traveling from A to B  . Enemy forces come on at points X Y Z . Reinforcements for the Treborians come on at B , all are introduced to the game on dice throws

The Treborian escort comprised of 2 units of infantry and the Reinforcing party a unit of cavalry and a gun . The Ferraro Roccaian forces where 1unit of cavalry 2 units of infantry a gun and a party of Black Hand irregulars . More details of the action to follow