Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Italian Campaign Begins

Scot and I have now commenced the Italian War Campaign and I must say that I enjoy trying to work out Scots next moves. So far the situation is as follows:

Scot represents France and Venice, yours truly represents Spain and The Papal States.

France A1 army of 120 florins under the command of the French King is based in Naples, A2 Army recruited in France and now marched onto Nice. (No doubt enjoying the Sunny climate)
Venetain A1 army of 59 florins is based in Venice, A2 army of 41 florins commenced the campaign in Ravenna and as now moved to Pasaro.
Papal A1 army of 72 florins under the command of Prospero Colonna a condottiero, mustered his army in Rome and as now moved onto Terni.
Spain A1 army 82 florins under the command Fernando d' avalos, Marquess of Pescara landed at Cosenza and as now marched onto Barletta.
The Spanish army draw a Campaign card denoting a plague in the region. On a throw of 5-6 a plague breaks out but fortunatly the Spanish commander throw a 2 "Phew"
The Papal Commander picked up a Russe de Guerre card with a Fabian Tactic which means my Papal General may avoid having a battle forced on him until the start of the next campaign phase.
Let me say "For those who wish to follow the campaign, why not get out a map of Italy and track Scots and my movements".
Campaigns are not everyones "Cup of Tea" but I find them challanging, in trying to out wit ones opponant and reading the Historical aspects of the period.
Now I'm waiting for Scot to make his next move(s).

First Trail Game for Italian Wars

Goodevening to you all, just a short post. Today, Scot and I played a trail game in preparation for our Italian War Campaign. The game was for the soul purpose to get an idea of the "Piquet" Rule set "Band of Brothers". We may have made some minor errors, having not played them on a regular bases before but when all is said and done, we both had a very good game. I dont know about everyone else but the more I get used this game mechanism the more I enjoy playing these rules. You either hate or love "Piquet", as for me, the more I play "Piquet" the more I'm able to gain an understanding of the philosphy that underpins this system. This is coming from someone who in the past did not wish to play them. Iam no expert yet in how to use the rules to benefit the armies I game with but given time I should beable to hold my own with the more experienced players.
Ho! by the way, Scot won the game, his Gendarmes performed very well on the day. No! it was not an easy victory for him, he had to work hard to win, especially when he had to take on 1 unit of Household Cavalry and 2 units of Heavy Lancers. I apologise to all those readers expecting photographs, only there was no camera available (The Newspaper people, forgot to pack it hA!). Scot has very kindly given me some Landsknecht Pike and Arqurebusiers, these will look good form either my papal guard or a Landsknecht pike block, once again Thanks Scot! and thanks Russ for lending me your figures for the day.
We are now ready to start the campaign, so when Scot and I set a date, I shall commence writing up the background on events and I do hope the "Newspaper people brink the camera Ha!". "What you my ask were Scots Units like?" I can sum in one word "Fantastic!!!!" and with that I shall sign off.

Up and coming "Pike and Plunder Italian War Campaign"

Before I continue with the news, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who reads my Blog sight "A Happy New Year" with plenty of gaming. Now for the news, yes! I know it as been a long time since I put fingers to the Key Board, only I have been busy painting figures, for the Itallian Wars, Franco-Prussian War, World War 1 Russians etc; etc;
At this moment in time it will be Scott and me playing the Campaign. Scott will represent France and Venetian States, as for me I shall represent the Spanish and Papal States. The Rules for the campaign are "Pike and Plunder, Wargames Campaign Rules for the Italian Wars Version 2" by James Roach. I purchased these rules in 2009, for a princly sum of 5 Pounds, I must say a bargain. Having studied them they are well structured and easy to follow. The rules for the Table top gaming are "Piquet Master Rule Set" by Bob Jones and "Band of Brothers 1200-1600 A.D 2nd Edition" by Peter Anderson and Ken Baggaley. These Rules are what Scot and I will be using but I see no problems if a gamer wishes to substitute anothor set of Table Top Rules covering the Late Medieval Period.
Scot has been busy painting figures, Pike and cavalry units etc; the finished figures I shall get to see this coming Friday 15th when we will have a game. If I know anything about Scot's standard of painting, they will be Magnificent! It will also give Scot a chance to the Map of Italy, which I have had enlarged and laminated.
So! for those who wish to get into this colourful period, then I recommend you visit James Roach's Blog Sight "Pike And Plunder", where you will see photographs of his figures, gain an insight to the Italian Wars, plus read some very interesting Senarios.
In the future I shall be posting the progress on the Campaign and poblish photographs of the Battles.

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.