I'm Back.! "Zulus Knocking at the Door"

Hi! Everyone, it's been a long time since I posted anything on the sight, yes I know it's remiss of me but I have not done much gaming lately. It fact, as you will see, this Zulu game is the first game that I have played since the Franco-Prussian game in June.

So last Saturday the 19th Russ and I played a very enjoyable game of British fighting off a Zulu attack, you mind say somewhat simmular to "Rorke's Drift". The above photo shows the Zulus knocking on the front and side doors. The Zulus at the front door ended up depleted and being pushed back.

This is a another view of this part of the battlefield. As I said this unit of Zulus suffered heavy casualties and were pushed back. I this was the player in command of the Zulus, ME, holding the world record on the night for rolling Ones! Note the Catling gun and figures, these belong to Russ that he purchased from Front Rank miniatures. The detail on the gun and miniatures are the quality one gets with Front Rank.

In this photo the British have build a wall from mealie bags. As with the Catling gun, this piece of the scenery was supplied by Russ. The unit behind the bags fought off two Regiments of Zulus

Before the game I took a photo of the rules. Let me say, if you want a set of rules that not only reflect colonial warfare but give you FUN then "Sword and the Flame" are for you. The game we had was the first time we played using this set of rules, we both found them not only easy to use but gave Russ and I heaps of laughs!! Russ (British) thought he would get over run but the rules for all their simplicity in the end balanced everything out. So in future when Russ and I play colonial we will be using these rules as well as "Piquet"



Two photos of showing two Zulu regiments rushing up to take on the British. The Regiments in the middle of the photo finished the game some-what depleted.

Russ did a "Bromhead" trick holding a unit in reserve. Remember, in the film "Zulu", Michael Cain formed the firing line to plug a gap. This reserve unit are standing by a waggon I scratched build from lollypop sticks. What one can do with a little imagination.





Well! Russ' reserve in our game was not called in to the action, he only had to use one figure.

A better photo of the Catling gun with crew.

Well thats it for now so until my next game, which will be a battle from the Austro-Prussian war, which Russ will be putting together, Happy gaming and remember "Game to have Fun" "Stop the Press!" our little group are about to commence a "Pike and Plunder Campaign, (version 2)" in the near future. Using the very good system developed by James Roach.

Saturday 26/06/09. Wargame Scenario Prusian left flank "Battle of Worth"

No 1. As the early morning sun ascents into the skies above, the Wurtembergers are about to step off to confront the French at the "Battle of Worth" or the "Battle of Froeschwiller". The battle took place on the 6th August 1870. The French were under the command of Marshal MacMahon, the Prussians under the command of H.R.H the Crown Prince of Prussia. The main protagonists on the day, were the Bavarians, Wurtembergers, Hesse, Nassu and Saxe-Weimers.
There was no actual plan for the battle, the Prussians just happened to collide with the French, while the French were taken by surprise. A some what typical type of battle in the early stages of the Franco-Prussian War.
For this game I featured the attack of the Wurtembergers and a brigade of Bavarians around the town of 'Worth'.
"Command Pique" were the rules used on the day of the game.
On conclusion of the game we discussed the strength and weakness of the rules. One main critisisum was the slow movment of the units, put down, that there were not enough monvement cards in the packs. The answer may lay in the fact, that we did not use these card effectively. Another comment by a player, was that the rules did not provide the player with a chance to manuvar. This I doubt, because the players who had the cavalry were able to move their units around the flanks. Another comment was, "The cards run the game" yes they do, but this is to give the "Fog Of War". For gamers who enjoy the sequence, "you move I move" then "Pique" is not for them.
These rules provide the author with the ablity to think and not be able to counter an opponants moves as in "you move I move". Remember, Generals today have a great deal of technology on hand to assist them in achieving their goal, where as in the periods that the majority of use play, generals did not have such technology and had to rely on their natural skills. I feel that to game these rules one must take time to understand them.



No2. This brigade of Dragoons were on the left supporting the Wurtmbergers. As the progressed this brigade came to blows with 2 French Cuirassier Regiments. They ended the day loosing the Melee and fleeing the battle field. The figures represented the 1st Lieb regiment, 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Baden Dragoons. In the actual battle it was the Wurtemberger Dragoons in this position.



No3. The Baden Lieb Dragoons coming to grips with a regiment of Cuirassier. Both were crack units. The Daroons ended up loosing the melee and fleeing the battle field.






No 4 Two photos showing the brigade of Bavarians in position, waiting for the order to move off. The brigade commander is Major General Dietl.



No5 The same Bavarian Brigade moving up onto the ridge. The Brigade came under heavy French fire from the famous "Chassepot" rifle. Along with the "Mitrailleuse" the was greatly respected by the Prussians. To the extend, that the Prussians would often target the "Mitrailleuse" batteries with their artillery.


No6 The same dragoon Regiments as featured above. The figures in the left hand corner of photo represent Major General von la Roche-Starkenfels, commander of the brigade, with two dragoons as escourt. Reading from left to right are the 1st Life Dragoon Regiment (Leib Dragoon Regiment) Red Facings, 2nd Dragoon Regiment (Margrave Maximillian) Yellow Facings and 3rd Dragoon Regiment (Prince Charles) Black Facings.
If Iam putting on a scenario, I always get a sense of satisfaction in researching the battle, regiments and Generals, plus the historical background of the actual battle itself.



No7 French line infantry, ready to receive a charge from the Bavarians. After a number of hard fought melees, the Bavarians were routed and the French testing their morale, falling back, lucky not to run off the battle field.


No8 View of the French on the ridge.




No9 Two Battalions of Wurtembergers moving up. This Brigade finished up the Neiderwald.







No10 Three photos, Looking along the main road of 'Worth'. Baden troops waiting for the drums to beat the advance.




No11 Scott placing his French units on the ridge. The top photo shows the final set up of the French.


No12 These French units faced off with the Bavarians.



No13 The town of 'Worth' before it experiances the noise of battle. Little did the town know that it would give it's name to a battle.

Preparation for Franco-Prussian war scenario "Battle of Worth"

Hi! everyone, it's been a long time since I have put fingers to the key board. My time as been spent painting Franco-Prussian War Foundry figures and preparing the terraine for the up and coming scenario, the Prussian left flank attack against the the French position on a ridge out side the town of Worth. I have not included the river that actually runs through Woth, as I have yet to see if I have enough river segments to run the full length of the table. If I dont, I shall not worry, as it did not seem to impead the Prussian attack.
The game will take place this coming Saturday, 27/06/09. I will give a brief outline of the actual battle on the weekend, so stay "tuned". The 2 photos represent the town of Worth, I have placed a factory on the outskirts of the Town, just to give an Industrial effect. The Model is a office and engine shed model kit, the chiminy stack is an off cut of PVC Piping (those off cuts, do come in handy). The Town itself was in the centre of the Prussian Line. Note the Prussian Gun Limber, passing though the Town. The model is from the Foundry Figures Franco-Prussian War Range. This company produce figures of a very high quality.

A little way down the road is a farm house with a smal wood along side. I bought the Farm House from BattleLine Scenic. The Rep is based at the Class House Mountains here in Queensland and Yes! He does have a "Web Sight".




Two shoots of Niederwald. this Forest was occupied by French Chasseurs at the sart of the battle, but they were pushed out by the Prussians. Niederwald was on the extreme left flank of the Prussian line and on the right flank of the French.

A view of the ridge looking from the road. The French actually took up postion on this ridge

Another view of the Town. "Command Pique" will be the Rule set that we will be using on the day. To save time, my friends have asked me to roll up each armies characteristics
I shall bring this brief narrative to a close so until the the next chapter, heres to Freindly Gaming.

2nd group of photographs - captions to be edited

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Layout of Trench system and Japanese Figures (Russo-Japanese War)

Long time since I last published somethink on my Blog, I thought I would post up some photos of the trench system I construted ealier this year along with the "Old Glory, Boxer Range Figures" that I told you about a couple of months ago. The first photo is taken looking along the trench.



This is the back of the same trench, taken from behind the command post. The materials I used were, cardborad and clay for the banks. Sand and cat litter, giving the rough effect to the banks. Lollypop sticks were used for the roof of the command post and for the decking. The sacks are from "Green stuff" from "Wargames Workshop". I have yet to add more features, like barbed wire, boxes representing ammunition etc. In the third photo are "Old Glory Figures" painted to represent Japanese Infantry in the "Russo-Japanese War" of 1904>05. I have painted them in their blue summer uniform, in the back ground is a squadron of Japanese cavalry. I've yet to paint more figures, which are on my paint table, all undercoated and ready for the paintbrush. I rather like these figures for their animation. The flags I made myself.
This Conflict saw extensive use of deep trenchworks, artillery, barbed wire and machineguns. The observers from other Nations didn't seem to learn any lessons.
So, I'm slowly preparing for the time when I can field both sides in order to game this period.

Battle of "Toledo"

As promised, the report on the game that Russ and I played last sunday. Another view of the "village" used as terrain in the game. The village was placed on my right flank.

Same shot of the Church that I featured earlier.

Blacksmith hard at work, unaware that not very far away are two armies about to join in combat for who has the right to rule.

a local Squire about to bring in supplys for his "Boss".

I title of this slide is "The Young Infante and his personal Standard Bearer" joining the army, ready to do battle against the King. In the background are Andalusian Allies.

The Infante has now taken up postion with his personnal "Household Knights". These were placed in the centre of the battle field.

The Infante's close "Friend" "The Bishop Of Castille" (Figure holding the Standard) In the "WarHammer El Cid Rules" I payed extra points making him a "Crusading Bishop". The unit that has this character is a powerfull force to be reckoned with. Leadership of 10 subject to Hatred.



Two photos of the very same Bishop coming to blows with the Kings unit. I am sorry to say the Bishop lost the combat, resulting in the entire unit running away. I had to throw panic tests for three of my units, guess what happened, yes, your right, all three failed, which resulted in all three running off the table, leaving my left flank exposed. After this poor excuss for dicie throwing I surrended the game to Russ.

My Battle line looking down the left flank. The unit in the foreground are another Andalusian infantry unit.

Russ' Right flank, showing a number of crossbow men in skirmish formation.

My skirmish archer unit facing the Might of Russ' infantry

Unit of Caballeros charging my mercenary bow unit. This combat lasted 2 turns before my unit decided they had had enough, so they ended up going to the Inn in the village Ha! The Caballeros swept all before them opening up my right flank.

Ballesteros,Crossbow men about to recieve a charge from Caballeros light cavalry. I thoght by standing and shooting I could inflict 25% on the charging unit, but alas I failed leaving the Crossbow men to fight gallantly on. In the end they just could not hold and ended up making off in the direction of the Inn. Yes! the Inn Keeper on the day made a fortune. He was last seen sun tanning on the local beach.

My Infantry looking on Russ' Battle line. Note the middle flag of the unit in the foreground, this I used as my "Battle Standard". The flag features the "Virgin Mary holding Christ" as you have not already worked out, the day did not go to plan the Renegade Infante ended up running away. The photo below is the same one as featured above "How did that sneak in"?
I always enjoy using "WarHammer El Cid Rules" Russ and I use them whenever we play a medeval game, which I must say is a favourite period of mine. Hope you enjoy looking at the photos, as much as I enjoyed taking them.