End Game.

 

Not everything went all the way of Treboria !

However the Roccaian infantry took heavy casualties and one of their units failed it's moral and fled !

Swiftly followed by the other one ! , Oh dear ! . The Treborian Infantry has held the objective on the ridge .

And the battle comes to an end , the Ferraro Roccain force hold the far left objective with their artillery and the remnants of the Lancers. They just about hold the center one with the very depleated Soldatii , and the Treborians hold the right one , so technically the Roccaians won but have taking a right pasteing and so it is a very Pyrrhic victory . Great fun, these rules are one of my favorite sets and always give a good game  . WellI'd better clear the table ready for 'A' calling round for a game tonight.

The Battle unfolds .

 

The battle is in motion and by a lucky draw of the cards the Treborian Infantry arrive and head for the objective on the ridge. The Artillery deploys and open fire on the enemy.

First blood, the Roccain infantry come under fire .

On the other flank - a combination of the Artillery and the Lancers see off the the Treborian Dragoons, but with heavy losses to the Lancers.

In the centre the Soldatii de Furtuna come under heavy and acurrate Artillery fire and they break and flee (so much for this vaunted unit !)

The Ferraro Roccain Infantry deploy and advance agains the enemy.

Rupert of Hentza tries to rally the fleeing Soldatii !

On the other side of the board the Treborian General tries to halt and reorganise  the Dragoons.

The Treborians seize the objective but at a cost ! . A further report coming soon .....

 

A return to my beloved 40's

 

I decided that I hadn't played with my 40mm Imaginations collection for ages. So I set up the table, there are 3 objectives marked on the photo the winner holds the most at the end of the game . The forces are from Treboria (entering the table on the right and Ferraro Rocher on the left - who although united against the might of the Sublime Porte are at a constant state of bickering over borders. The rules of course are 'A Gentlemans War' 

The Rochain force marches onto the table of Mars . In the distaance a unit of irregular Lancers have been dispatched to control the far left objective .

The Treborian force - 2 units of the 'Alicia' Dragoons and a battery of Horse Artillery , the infantry will arrive on the first Joker card.

The Rochain Commander Rupert of Henza . Both sides drew Cameo Personality cards, the Rochaians were inflicted with the apperance of the General's mistress , who interfiers with the command structure.

The Rochain drew Spy - he will be deployed near the Treborian HQ .

The Rochain General dispatches the Hariboan Lancers up the road to hold the objective marked by a small bush.

The Ace up the Ferraro Rochain sleeve , a unit of 'Soldatii Futuna' armed with the deadly (?) 'Grenade ale mortii'. Theses are some semi flats I cast up from an old metal mould .

The Horse Artillery deploy under the gaze of an odd looking chap that evidently lives in the roadside barn !? . Up date on the game soon ........

Toy Soldiers in Art No. 37

 

I came across these photos on 'Military Toys of our Childhood' Facebook page , they are Elastolin figures from the maker Bartko & Reher (Berlin) and evidently there is a date on the back January 1936. They are probably from their catalogue , the photos are not very clear but I think they are 'modern ' (well pre war) Germans complete with tents , camp equipment and a sentry box . I assume the white sheet is to represent winter conditions (?) - I like the Alpine type house , sadly the purchasers of these toys would all to soon involved in a real war 

Wet weather job.

 

Well it's pouring down and blowing a gale here in the N.W. and the dog definately didn't want a walk (a quick dash into the garden for a wee !)(the dog - not me !), so I have been busy casting up Dutch/Belgian cavalry from Prince August moulds . The Gods of Homecasting smiled on me and I got these cast up without to many failures.They are on the left - Belgian Carabiniers, with a rolled greatcoat added with 'greenstuff' . On the right- Dutch Hussars, I mounted them on a new standing horse mould I got from Ebay and had to model the Shabraque to the horse again with 'greenstuff' - a good days work and I will be undercoating tomorrow and start painting them next wweek.

Toy Soldiers in Art No.36

Found this whilst browsing , it's a hardback book cover seeminly advertising 'Father Ted's' . Welcome Gifts series published in 1912 (?) . If I was the dog I would get out of the way of the lad with the cannon ! , once more the sailor suit makes an appearence - I half wish I had had the opportunity to wear one in my youth ! . I will investigate more on subject of Fathers Ted's books .

PS Did a bit more digging into the above post it was published bu Raphael Tuck & sons , at one point they were the worlds largest postcard publisher ! , more here at  Raphael Tuck & Sons - Wikipedia 

 

The Dutch-Belgians in action or Poirot's first Battle !

 

So over the last month or so I have been busy casting up and painting a Dutch/Belgian army using the 25mm Prince August moulds and now is the time for their first apperance on the 'Tabletop of Mars' 

Their Commander Brigadier H. Poirot (rumoured to be a distant relative of that detective chap!?) , rather a poor photo - must try harder !

The Dutch/Belgian force - the scenario is they must cross the table to secure a town - the French force will try to stop them .(the card is Poirot's trump card )

The Belgian 36th Chasseur Battalion , rather natty in their green uniforms.

Two Battalions of Dutch 5th Line 

Two Battalions of Dutch Militia , these are converted British Line - I  remodelled the Belgic shako into the older 'stovepipe shako with 'green stuff ' . I am looking forward to seeing how these chaps get on and will report back as the action proceeds.