Mac's Little Friends

What the hell are the Cubans doing in Africa

2012-01-23T09:47:00.001+11:00

And now onto the allies of the Maroubran Popular Front, the ever present Cubans. Why the Cubans are in Africa is a mystery, to historians, to academics, to Marounbrans, to the Cubans... everybody.

These figures are from the Mongrel Soviet range (via newline design's Sean Pereira). They go perfectly with the Eureka stuff, and I am so happy with them I have ordered some more.

First up, a sniper.

A good friend of Che Guevara, I am told.

The Cubans are only here to advise you know.

... and to look for land mines.

Lastly, a couple of tough companeros.

More Maroubra Popular Liberation Front

2012-01-16T18:25:00.002+11:00

Leader of his people, the great Macimbo (with thanks to Matakishi)

A man with great assets

...and a family

She alone accounts 4.37% of the national budget.

All he needs is an election slogan: "He took all I have, but I am still going to vote for Macimbo!

Maroubra Popular Liberation Front

2012-01-11T18:33:00.002+11:00

I wasn't going to do this; honestly.

But when I was confronted by the Eureka Zanla range at MOAB this year I couldn't, and didn't resist. Below are the painted results of having bought two of the "we don't want to be vertically enveloped" deals. Although purists should note there are a couple of head-swaps.

They are on a flexible basing system pioneered by Rolf Grein, and these will be used for a range of rules: Combat Cards, Crossfire, FUBAR or Cold War Commander.

Below is the first platoon.

This is what they look like off their bases.

Here is the second platoon.

Here are the some of the bases

This is the executive mansion guard.

This is a platoon commander, showing off his new watch.

The whole gang... so far.

Combat Cards in Nuevo Rico

2011-12-28T12:20:00.002+11:00

This battle was played using the excellent Combat Cards system, with a couple of house rules.

It involved a skirmish between two South American States, Nuevo Rico and San Theodora; both made famous by the inter-war period by the boy-reporter Tin-Tin. For more information on these states in modern times, look here. This battle actually takes place around the year 2018 when both states have squandered their people's resources on equipment that the USA can no longer afford to store.

Below is the starting position for the battle. Both sides need to dominate the area and get two additional victory points if they are the only side to have units in a quarter of the battlefield. If you look closely you may notice a grid of dots. We play on these to avoid the encumbrance of rulers.

Both the San Theodorans (in tan) and Nuevo Ricans (in green) are tying to reach the downed Noevo Rican helicopter in the centre of the battlefield (worth two victory point if yours is the only unit it in contact).

Here is my Nuevo Rican mechanised platoon, bunched up around their commander and ready to charge onto the helicopter.

Three San Theodoran main battle tanks (classed as behemoths) are going to be a problem. Stevens, the egocentric commander of the San Theodoran invaders has three, Nuevo Rico has none.

Here San Theodoran mechanised troops in Bradleys occupy a central position in cover of a field.

San Theodoran infantry perfer to take a stroll in the open.

Well, it is obvious that I need to take that town, and the deck favours me with a visit by two Nuevo Rican gunships.

OK, the gunship's fire is well off mark, but it does give the San Theodoran mechanised unit a fright.

A "fall back" result on the San Theodorans sees the mechanised unit retire to a clump of palm trees.

Nuevo Rican civilians are still clearing the area; very wise.

Another pass with the gunchsips gets an "out of action" result on the San Theodoran infantry holding the town.

At the farthest south of the battlefied, a San Thoedoran anti-armour squad keeps an eye on some enemy recon elements.

The Neuvo Rican problem is that they must cross that road, and that road is covered by a San Theodoran tank. Already a Noevo Rican recon unit is "out of action".

That blasted tank fires on another Neuvo Rican unit who wisely retire back into the field.

If the Nievo Ricans are going to win this game they need to capture the town and get to the downed helicopter. The Noevo Rican command is in disarray (no Issue Order cards, in fact I only got one in the whole battle). In desperation a lone Nuevo Rican mechanised unit dashes across the road (maybe the San Thoedorans have no "opportunity fire" cards.

Yes, the San Theordorans do have opportunity fire cards, and kaboom, they get 4 victory points when the tank hits that mechanised unit in the rear.

Some survivors flee back out of the town.

Next a Nuevo Rican fire support unit tries to cross the road (I did say I was desperate by this stage).

Meanwhile the San Theodoran mechanised APC moves up to the helicopter (that is worth two victory points).

If I can't get round one flank, I will try sneaking round the other. I send a recon unit on a recon mission, but it gets shot up by a San Theodoran infantry squad in a building.

Still trying to infiltrate; a recon unit comes muzzle to muzzle with an enemy tank.

And get blown to pieces for its pains.

I continue to loose vehicles from that single, but well placed, San Theodoran tank.

There it is the dratted vehicle, but I am trying to flank it with mechanised infantry.

The last Nuevo Rican attack fails...

The Nuevo Ricans have lost the downed helicopter (2 victory points) and having been cleared out of 2 quarters of the field (4 victory points) and have lost 15 points worth of troops. This is more than they can bear and my force breaks. The situation along the main road tells the whole sorry tale.

Next time I think we might try a variant to the command rules. I think 1point should buy three commands. Once command can be used to assign any action, while two commands issued to a commander stand would allow him to issue orders. We will see.

HoTT in Africa in Nyasaland

2011-11-13T19:13:00.001+11:00

It has been a while since our last game of Hott in Africa; our adaptation of Hordes of the Things to Central Africa. This 36 point game was set in Nyasaland in the early 1890s (some more background here).

An Imperial British force under the command of Harry Johnston, Her Majesty's Commissioner for British Central Africa, is attacking a force commanded by the notorious arab/swahili slaver Mlozi. Why? To keep Africa ruled by an English Queen, (if you think that is odd, I live in Australia).

To the north runs a small river heading for Lake Nyasa. However, the battle will be shaped by a patch of long elephant grass, some boulders and the small hill in the centre.

The picture below shows the forces approaching each other with the British occupying the hill to the East.

To the south of the battlefield a force of Bemba mercenaries move beyond the ruins of the Church of Scotland Mission station. Someone was responsible for that.

Here are the dastardly Bemba, lead by a Swahili blackguard:- Said bin Stephens.

To the north, near the river a force of native Senga warriors advance towards the reeds.

Mlozi can be seen in the centre, lurking behind a gang of wangwana swahili.

Bearers in British service carry the Fortnham and Mason hampers so necessary to any safari.

The British North flank is held by armed bearers; can they be relied on?

The centre is held by Atonga askari of the Nyasaland constabulary, poorly trained, but armed with the trusty snider rifle.

The South flank is held by trust Sikh infantry, who can be depended on to do their duty.

An Atonga scout keeps and eye on the advancing Bemba from the safety of some boulders.

While to the north the Senga warriors disappear into the elephant grass

The imperial forces watch from top of their hill

The arabs in the centre start to advance over open ground, but their formation is quickly broken up by the askari's steady fire.

The Sikhs also open up from long range.

When suddenly the Senga warriors burst out of the long grass.

The Senga live to burst out long grass! Love it! Here they are waved on by their war chief.

However, out in the open they are also dispersed by long range rifle fire. This could be a long battle.

An overview of the northern flak show how seriously Johnston takes the Senga. He has moved out to face them taking a section of the Nyasaland Constabulary with him.

Way over on the southern flank, the Bemba warriors wither under the sustained long range fire of the Sikhs.

...very long range fire, there are the Sikhs in the distance.

Shamed, the Senga break out into battle formation. They see an easy victory in charging the armed bearers in front of them.

The armed bearers share this view, and don't look too happy.

With a howl, the Senga get stuck in.

Who knew, the bearers stand up to the charge and the warriors fall back.

The British line holds for now.

The Bemba continue to retreat from the Sikhs fire. Mlozi must be wondering why he brought these nincompoops.

The Senga are made of sterner stuff, after all how hard can rolling over a few armed bearers be.

Obviously, they have not heard of Captain Johnstone, hero of the empire. With a few Askari, he forces the Senga to retire.

Learning their lesson in modern firepower, the Arabs in the centre take cover in the long grass.

Living his "boy's own" adventure, captain Johnstone advances on the lone Senga chief (who has been abandoned by his tribesmen)

Whoooooaaah, one less apostle of empire, one more head for the fireplace! The bearers and Askai recoil in horror at the loss of their hero.

On the southern flank, the Arab commander manoeuvres onto the Sikh flank, obviously with mischief in mind, the Sikhs turn to face.

The Sikhs fight off the first change, they are safe for now.

Meanwhile, on the north flank the Senga war chief is surrounded and killed

Leaving Johnston's head on a stake. That bit will need to be deleted for the "Boy's Own" version.

While the British deal with the threat to their flanks, the centre is weakened and the arabs start to advance.

Watch those flanks.

... and look behind you

Only this small gun can slow the Arab advance.

One more attack on the British south flank is more than the now leaderless British can take.

A close run thing, but the British must no retreat to Blantyre.

Hidden Ships in Modern Naval Battles

2011-10-23T13:10:00.000+11:00

A defining characteristic of naval campaigns is uncertainty about what lies over the horizon. These rules introduce this element of uncertainty into Modern Naval Battles and I recommended using these for the scenarios I published previously.

Representing hidden ships and submarines this we introduce radar and sonar blips into the game. Blips represent the uncertainty of identifying the identity, size and composition of enemy fleets at a distance.

For one reinforcement point each (representing the cost of E.C.M.), a player can buy two radar or sonar blips and place them as hidden cards in the second or third rows at the start of the game. If bought as a reinforcement, the blip cannot be placed in the first row.

Each radar blip is either a ship (not submarine) represented by placing the card face-down or a dummy card using a ship card from another navy.

If a concealed ship takes an action, or moves to the first row or enemy successfully attacks (see below) the radar blip, the card is turned over, if the card is a dummy it is immediately removed.

Submarines have sonar blips instead of radar blips, these operate in the same way, but cannot be spotted by adjacent ships or submarines in their first row. Submarines that "go active" immediately become visible to the enemy.

The enemy can launch missile, torpedo, bomber strikes or airstrikes attacks against a radar blip or ASW attacks on a sonar blip if in range, but due to the uncertainty about the enemy's exact position, they may miss. To see if the attack fails to locate the target, first see if the attack is successful (if applicable). If the attack was successful, the radar blip gets an Evasive capability of '6' if two rows away from the firing ship, or '3' if a sonar blip, or a radar blip further away from the firer.

If the radar or sonar blip successfully evades the attack, it remains hidden. If the evade fails, then the blip is revealed to be either a dummy and is removed, or a ship or submarine which takes then takes any damage from the attack.

A player can, of course also play defensive cards (i.e. Intel, Near Miss or Screening Ship) on any radar or sonar blip under attack. Also if a ship has intrinsic Evasive capability this can be applied to any successful attacks.

Additionally, an intel card may be used to spot any enemy radar blip.

Scenarios for Modern Naval Battles

2011-10-23T12:26:00.000+11:00

We play Modern Naval Battles: Global Edition by Dan Verssen (http://www.dvg.com/), and we play it quite a lot. In fact I even have my name on the recently released ship expansion set. We also usually play it with 1:700 scale miniatures instead of cards (but that is another story).

My 1:700 Japanese Fleet

One of the things I remember from my childhood was playing a game called Seastrike. Seastrike was at its best when you used scenarios. This meant that you had no idea what you opponent was up to, which made asymmetric warfare possible and exciting. I wanted to add this excitement to Modern Naval Battles because the standard 25 point game can get a little dull in the middle. Also, as my friend David Making points out, the Modern Naval Battles fleets are not fairly balanced, and as in real life, asymmetric warfare gives the weaker fleets a chance.

I have come up with a set of six scenarios, intended to be used with Modern Naval Battles.

To make these scenario's work, means the addition of one house rule. That is that all reinforcements purchased after the setup phase of the game (including cards) cost double their reinforcement value. This stops skirmish flotillas growing into full scale battle fleets.

I also recommend playing my hidden vessels rule (published here, but if you are not using these, ignore all references to blips and hidden ships below).

Six Scenarios for Modern Naval Battles

Each player secretly chooses a scenario. Check at the end of each turn to see if a player has won or lost by meeting the conditions of victory or defeat. If more than one player wins or loses in the same turn, then the result is a draw. Regardless of the scenario, a side that has no ships or submarines on the table at any time, immediately looses.

Setup

Each side can sets up ships, aircraft and submarines one at a time. Ships can be placed in any row in the players own half of the table.

1. Skirmish

"Commander probe the enemy fleet and discover their strengths and weaknesses."

Points $12

Victory: Keep at least one ship on table for 6 turns. Blips do not count as ships.

Defeat: losing more than $15 of friendly forces.

2. Symbolic

"Commander, our government demands a political statement. Using the forces at your disposal, sink an enemy vessel worthy of a news story."

Points: $15

Victory: At any time after the end of turn two, sink one of the largest visible ship in the enemy fleet, or any ship larger than 6 hull. Blips do not count as ships. If there are no visible ships, destroy a submarine.

Defeat: Don't loose more than $15 of friendly forces.

3. Convoy

"Commander, our fleet needs to be resupplied. Get that supply ship through at all costs commander."

Points $18

Victory: Keep a single non-combatant supply vessel afloat for 7 turns.

Defeat: Supply vessel sunk

4. Control

"Commander, your orders are to sweep the enemy from the seas."

Points: $20

Victory: Sink all or $20 points or more of enemy shipping or submarines.

Defeat: Losing $20 points of friendly forces.

5. Interdiction

"Commander, patrol this stretch of water and ensure freedom of movement for our forces."

Points $25

Victory: Stop enemy from meeting victory conditions for 8 turns.

Defeat: Enemy meets victory conditions. if the enemy also on an interdiction mission, then if lost more points at the end of the 8th turn.

6. Invasion

"Commander, cover the landing beaches until we can land 18 squads of marines on the enemy coast."

Points $30

Purchase 'non-combatant' assault landing ships for 4 reinforcement points each. A landing beach is positioned on the table's centre line.

Victory: Land 18 squads of infantry on the enemy coast. Each landing ship can land 3 squads in one turn if in the first row (adjacent to the landing beach), 2 if in the second row, and only 1 if in the third row.

Happy Gaming

Combat Cards Scenario Rules

2011-10-04T10:53:00.000+11:00

Purpose
I really like the rules system Combat Cards (http://www.tacticalassaultgames.com/category/combat_cards/page/3/). But to simulate some historical periods, or scenario specific situations, I found I was applying modifiers to the core rules. These modifications then, are for the interest of people who are traveling down the same path.

The purpose of these rules is not to to be incorporated in the core rules, which are a masterpiece of elegant rules writing, instead they are to be added on a case-by-case basis. However, we now play Combat Cards with the first three amendments as a matter of course.

1. Commands

The Actions printed on the cards represent the uncoordinated tactical initiatives of sergeants and corporals rather well. But the random nature of cards does not represent the ability of an officer coordinating a skirmish over radio on a modern battlefield. The random nature of the cards also makes the game a little too frustrating at times.

To model the influence of the commander, and free up the game a little, we introduced commands. Each player can buy the ability to issue commands from his position off-table. The number of commands represents the quality of communications, training and morale that allows an officer (the player) to control his force.

A command allows the player to issue any action to any unit exactly as if he were playing a card and withthe same limitations. Two commands can be given to a leader to give him an "Issue Orders" situation.

Army type     Commands/turn    Cost    Army size
Civilian           0            0         36
Militia            1            1         35
Professional       2            3         33
Veteran            3            6         30
Elite              4            10        26

Poor Training
Some troop types should not be able to receive commands due to their lack or training, or brains. Therefore civilians, creatures and swarms cannot be issued commands.

2. Discarding cards

This replaces the current golden rule about either playing, or discarding cards. This frustrated players and penalised forces with a limited range of unit types unduly.

Instead, once a player has played is last action, he can discard any unwanted cards before recharging his hand.

3. Squares

I play Combat Cards on 100mm squares, which removes the burden of measuring with rulers. Each square represents a very short distance. Conceptually when a unit moves into a square, the square becomes the dimension of it's base.

Movement distances and ranges can be measured with one diagonal square, but otherwise needs to be measured orthogonally. A square containing a terrain feature that provides cover or an obstacle is considered to be fully occupied by that feature.

Line of sight goes into a piece of elevated terrain but not through it. Line of sight goes into but not through a single terrain square that provides cover.

4. Scouts

This is a troop type that is sometimes necessary. Scouts use the same values as commanders, but instead
of being able to issue orders, they can use the reconnaissance situation instead.

5. Big Guns

In some scenarios, the difference between firepower and heavy firepower is important. In this case, where firepower or close combat is two or more levels higher than the target's protection, and the fire is from half or less of the total range, we allow an additional one level higher firepower attack modifier.

6. House-to-house

These rules make make simulating houses a littleeasier, especially the middle-eastern compound type. A house counts as bunker but with moderate protection (factories could be heavy protection). A single unit can move into the building if it could reach it's centre point. The unit must then nominate which way it is facing. A unit can change facing by using a move or assault action. Line-of-sight goes into a built up terrain square but not through it.
A unit leaving a building, or forced to fall back from one, measures it's movement from the centre point.

7. Cavalry

In the early part of the last century, cavalry still had a part to play in warfare. Cavalry were used for
reconnaissance, fought well against infantry, but were not much use agains defended positions, and could
shoot, but not well. Cavalry should therefore be thought of as civilians mounted on creatures that can use the
reconnaissance situation. They:
􂿣 Can use the reconnaissance situation
􂿣 Cost 3 points
􂿣 Can make a rapid move
􂿣 Shoot and assault as civilians
􂿣 Also assault as creatures

Therefore when cavalry fight in close combat, they get two attacks, once as a civilian, once as a creature.

Combat Cards, first game

2011-05-07T12:29:00.003+10:00

For a long time I have been looking for a card based game for tactical combat in the modern era and near future. I think I found what I was looking for in the excellent Combat Cards from tactical assault games. You can find them at: http://www.tacticalassaultgames.com/category/combat_cards/

Here are some pictures of my first game, but I have played almost every week for a couple of months now.

This games shows the resurgent Turkish army of 2050 fighting the truculent and rebellious Greens again. The Greens are known for their habit if driving vehicles into the nearest building to take on infantry (don't ask).

More Indian Mutiny

2011-01-30T18:34:00.002+11:00

My lates painting for the Indian Mutiny Project

Bengal, 1857: Although heartening, the enthusiasm of the local tour guides was a little overwhelming.

The only way to get heavy guns around India

Ghazis, too many Ghazis

72 Mahratta tribesman

Too much lead, not enough time: RCW game

2011-01-12T16:43:00.006+11:00

I like lead on the table, and lots of it. I also like simple rules systems like "Hordes of The Things" (HoTT) that will give me a quick simple game. The problem with HoTT is that one element in only three or four figures, and this does not feel like a regiment to me.

In this Russian Civil War game, we doubled all dimensions and played HoTT with a frontage of 120mm. To put more variation into the "shooters" category, we allowed elements to be rated as Elite, in which case all odd dice scores are rounded up, and Conscript, where all even dice scores are rounded down. Generals are also free to move from unit to unit at "rider" speed.

The game was played on a nine by five foot table and the battle is set in Shinjiang province in 1920. Each element represents a regiment so in all the game was the clash between the sharp end of two divisions. You will notice I tend to scatter individually based figures around the table. This is for visual effect, to make HoTT look less blocky, and has no effect on the game.

Where is the initial setup looking North. The Red Soviets are on the left, the Chinese, White Russian and British Indian counter-revolutionary running dogs are to the right.

Here is the table viewed from the North

The reds had an aircraft (rated as a Flier in HoTT)

The battle opened with a column Mongol cavalry advancing on the White left.

The Reds counter this by pushing a cavalry brigade up the railway track and towards the White camp. Looming above the camp is the White General perspiring slightly. It could be the Sydney heat, it could be the threat to his baggage.

Spooked by the cavalry, the White commander detached a Punjabi Battalion supported by light armour to head them off.

On the White left the cavalry column continues to push forward.

The column is being shadowed by the Red airforce.

And its movements are followed by a regiment of the Red Army (conscripts) and a machine gun detachment

On the Red left flank the sight of a British tankette in the distance brings the Red cavalry brigade to a sudden halt. Here both units will remain for the remainder of the battle.

Here is the overall situation looking from the South.

The Red aircraft strafe one of the Mongol hordes...

... as it advances on the Red right flank

Caught between the aircraft and Red infantry, the Mongols break and flee (this seems to happen a lot).

One strafe and they are gone!

The British tankette cautiously advances up the railway track towards the Red cavalry, but seems in no hurry to get there.

Reds and Chinese regular infantry skirmish in the woods in the centre.

A fire-fight develops all along the line, with first one side, and then the other retreating.

To break the deadlock, the Whites throw in the British brigade (rated as elites). British to the front, Punjabis in support.

But even this does not break the deadlock.

Even when the White commander joins the British brigade to encourage them, they cannot break through.

Red sailors holding the line.

Finally the Red aircraft returns to the fray after spending several turns lurking uselessly near the White Camp

Here the aircraft "buzzes" the White Russian regiment's rear.

A roll of a six brings in the Red artillery. This is a "God" in HoTT terms. I put the artillery piece on the base line, the element is the point of fire.

A White regiment breaks and runs, but the Reds don't have the troops (or PIPs) to exploit the gap.

The Red biplane is brought down in flames, although the pilot can be seen here fighting it out with a pistol. This has happen in every single game to date, it is a wonder anyone will fly in these coffins.

In a storm of flame and noise, the Red artillery takes out the second Mongol horde. The next PIP roll is a one, and the artillery runs uot of ammunition; @#$&**!

Nevertheless, seeing Mongols blown to bits unhinges the White commander, who uses a PIP score of 6 to retire his entire line to some broken ground.

The Reds follow up.

Both sides reform and eye each other up warily.

The Reds probe cautiously towards the White left.

The Reds advance on their right, but they are met with a bayonet charge by the Punjabi and British regiments.

This breaks a Red regiment, which routs past a commissar.

Intense White fire in the centre causes the conscript Red regiments in the centre to break, leaving two huge gaps.

Exploiting this situation, the punjabi regiment wheels and hits a Red regiment in the flank.

When this breaks the Reds had reached their 12 point limit and retire back over the border to Russia.

But they will be back.

Epic scale HoTT is my favourite way of playing these rules despite my opponent's grumblings, and I am painting up an Indian Mutiny matched pair. More to follow no doubt.

Eureka's thirsty horses

2011-01-03T13:04:00.000+11:00

I bought this vignette of thirsty horses, a horse trough and a crone smoking a pipe from Nic from Eureke at MOAB this year. Here is what they look like painted.

...and a horses ass view

Russian Civil War Reds: so far

2011-01-03T12:29:00.004+11:00

It seems everyone in the hobby has a back-of-beyond army; here are pictures of mine.

This Red Army division is used for various rules systems:

Hordes of the Things (yes it does work)
Contemptible Little Armies (but not anymore)
Black Powder (I know its the wrong period, the rules just seem to work, especially if all Russian units are rated unreliable)

Firstly, the obligatory red sailors.

Here is a Red gun taking a breather while they try to remember what they did with the firing pin.

The mysterious Siberians; who can aim, apparently.

The red cavalry, doing their best in difficult circumstances.

Bolsheviks do everything en masse

A red machine gun detachment lurks in the rubble

A red horde

A tchenka in a hurry.

Trotsky expounds on the advantages of going left. Used a magician in HoTT.

A spy looks for more fuel for her plane. Often a sneaker in HoTT.

A soviet in session, no doubt.

Trying to have it both ways. Single bases and 60mm HoTT bases.

The mutinah: 1857

2010-12-29T09:25:00.006+11:00

This is the start of a major new project for me, The Indian Mutiny. Probably using Black Powder rules as well as HoTT (on really big bases; 120mm wide) for quick games.

This is the first unit, the 18th Bengal Native Infantry. The officers are missing for obvious reasons.

The first unit of Mahratta infantry on movement bases

...and in skirmish formation

No one, not even the Gora sahib and memsahib, gets in the way of the maharaja of Maroubrapore's elephant.

Bow Wow!

Swashbucklers army review

2010-12-02T15:25:00.002+11:00

A friend of mine has a conquistador "Hordes of the Things" army. For years I have been threatening to "singe his beard" with a complementary English "sea dog" army. As a Scot, I feel I deserve some credit for doing an English army. Here are the first 48 points.

First up, Captain deBarandiston (who is an ancestor of mine on my mother's side) the flag is the family coat of arms.

Here are the guys making off with the spanish loot.

What is this? A catholic priest in a staunchly anglican army. This must be a sneaker spy.

This a gentlemen adventurer "pippin frogmorton" with a ready sword (and no brains) makes this a Paladin on HoTT terms.

Another gentleman adventurer out for Spanish loot. This one is a hero.

Here is a pike block to keep the cavalry at bay.

What English army would be without archers.

Staunch, rotund and very English, here are the billmen.

The very latest in sixteenth-century military technology, here are the muskets and arquebus boys.

Lastly, of course, a "shippes gonne"!

Battle on the Volga: Bolshies versus Komuch, near Kazan, 1918

2010-11-29T18:06:00.001+11:00

Comrade Trotskii's address to Macovitch's division of the 5th Red Army, 1918:

"Those peasants and workers, who have sold themselves to the White Guards and voluntarily do not throw down their weapons will be shot, along with those dear sons of the bourgeoisie, officers, lawyers and landlords. Bourgeois conspirators, foreign agents-provateurs and White Guards officers will be exterminated without exception. Do not allow the enemy to move a step further! Tear Kazan from his hands! Drown him in the Volga! Forward to Kazan."

Here is the battlefield.

Modern Naval Battles: 3rd Battle

2010-08-28T14:55:00.001+10:00

The latest skirmish between the navies of Samudra and Singabore.

Singaborean Fleet

2010-08-15T16:19:00.002+10:00

Here is the Republic of Singapore navy, dedicated to preserving our freedom and our right to shop.

RSS Protector
This Aegis Destroyer is the flagship of Task Force Yap.

RSS Renown and RSS Repulse

These two Littoral Combat Vessels have been recently purchased from the USA

Patrol Craft

These patrol craft are used to scout and protect the perimeter of task force Yap.

RSS Swordsman
The most common class of Singaborean submarine

RSS Valiant and RSS Vengeance
These Frigates are used to keep enemy submarines at bay.

Singaborean Naval Aircraft
These aircraft secure the airspace above Task Force Yap.

Singaborean airforce
Occassionaly the Singaborean Airforce are called into help.

Assorted Singaborean submarines
We don't get to use the Akula Class submarine very often

Task Force Yap in a box

Modern Naval Battles: 2nd Battle

2010-08-11T21:41:00.011+10:00

I bought a copy of Dan Verssen's card driven game "Modern Naval Battles" (http://www.dvg.com/). After one game I felt I had found the modern naval game I had been looking for since the 1980's.

A frenzy of buying, gluing and painting gave me a 1:700 scale fleet. We have made a few additions to the rules to make airsrikes less abstract and adding CWIS and surveillance aircraft, but otherwise we play the game out of the box. We also designed our own ships and we feel we now know a little of the pain of naval procurement.

Our games take place between two "imagi-nations". My fleet, led by Commander Yap, belongs to Singabore, a wealthy island republic whose inhabitants are obsessed with shopping. My opponent is the wily and despotic President Macintosh of the rogue-state Samudra.

Our first skirmish was fought between Samudran submarines and a Singaborian ASW force. After the inevitable Singaborean victory, both nations conducted emergency armament programs and returned to the fray.

This is the after-action report of the Samudran victory. This is a Modern Naval Battles game fought with a few extra house rules, and miniatures instead of cards. The game is a 16 point game.

Below is the scene of the action. The game is played with each side positioned in one of three zones:

The first is the visual horizon,
the second is the radar horizon,
the last is the rest of the ocean.

The two "holes" visible in the picture below show the sea bottom, and are where submarines are wont to lurk. To the right are the stack of cards that drive this game, to the left is the devious President Macintosh fondling his paunch. In the distance the first Singaborean ships enter international waters.

Firstly some Singaborean ships. Here is the patrol craft RSS Sea Tiger

RSS Vengeance is an ASW frigate armed with a light gun, surface-to-surface missiles, ASW missiles and a close in weapons system (CWIS)

RSS Protector is ths flagship of the Singaborean Navy. It is armed with a medium gun, cruise missiles, and AEGIS anti-air missile system, 2 CWIS cannons, an advanced command control centre and with advanced targeting (another addition we made to the rules).

Let the battle begin.

On entering contested waters, the Samudran fleet is strategy absent, no radar contact, no sonar, just a single speedboat. It looks as though the perfidious Samudrans have take a speed boat and bought 17 action cards. Well it doesn't say you can't do that in the rules... this is why the World needs the United Nations though.

Since the Samudrans have the first move, they trade in two cards and buy an AWACS plane for two points (this is another of our house rules).

In my turn I trade in eight points of cards and bring in a submarine, the RSS Swordsman.

Now its my turn to attack, and the Samudrans are about to learn a lesson; protect your surveillance aircraft. The RSS Protector fires two long range SAMs at the Samuran aircraft and they are followed up by a Singaborean fighter for good measure. With nothing to defend it, down goes the hapless plane.

The Samudran's turn, and they trade in all their cards and buy a ship and a HUGE blip appears on the Singaborean's radar. "Crikey!" mutters Commander Yap in his CIC. The Samudrans have bought a Slava class cruiser from Russia (no we know where the aid budget went).

Nothing deterred the Enemy flagship is greeted with some missiles. A cruise missile from the Singaboean flagship and a surface skimming missile from the RSS Vengeance which has just come on.
The black dice are the size of the warhead, the white dice on the cruise missile to the left is its ECM factor. Unfortunately, the Samudrans have bought a lot of "near miss" cards and manage to dodge both missiles.

The Samudrans trade in all their cards again and suddenly a swarm of torpedo-armed fast attack craft (FAC) appears. The Singaboreans whistle up three of their own patrol craft to protect the flagship. Below the RSS Sea Dragon faces off the FACs.

The view from the Singaborean flagship RSS Protector

The Samdrans seem to have bought EVERY torpedo card in the deck, and a swarm of torpedoes leap from their their FACs. With no planned defences the RSS Vengeance and two patrol boats explode.

The Singaboreans call up another patrol craft, the RSS Unity, and a surveillance plane (not shown here) to keep the FACs at arms length.

Back to the Singaboreans turn, and they lob another two surface-to-surface missiles guided over the horizon by the surveillance plane, but once again the enemy cruiser dodges them.

In return the cruiser sends over a cruise missile aimed at the RSS Gallant who has been monitoring the enemy from radar range. Medium range SAMs from RSS Protector take out the missile before it can do any damage.

Again the Samudran FACs charge forward with reckless abandon launching their sole remaining torpedo (which misses).

The Singaboreans keep up the pressure with two surface-to-surface missiles and a cruise missile aimed at the Samudran cruiser. The Samudrans have bough another surveillance aircraft (which allow then play the "Intel card". This, and the huge supply of near misses still held by the Samudrans save their flagship again.

Meanwhile the Singaborean airforce surveys the wreckage of their fleet. All that damage by tuppenny FACs!

The Samudrans use more cards to reinforce with a submarine, which comes up from the sea bottom pinging like crazy. A well placed torpedo cracks the RSS Swordsman's hull, and boat goes to the bottom. This latest reverse is too much for the Singaboreans (16 points in fact), and Commander Yap steers the RSS Protector and its remaining escorts home.

Here the scene as viewed from the south west as the battle ends.

This war is not over and Task force Yap will be back!

Western Approaches game

2010-05-27T21:38:00.003+10:00

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Western Approaches

2010-05-27T21:24:00.006+10:00

Panzer Eight's excellent "WW2 Coastal Wargame Rules" (http://panzer8.webs.com/) don't quite cover convoy rules, which is what I want to do. So here are some modifications.

Turn Sequence

Roll a dice for this turn's visibility
Move convoy
Move sea cards up to 1 point
Roll for initiative, the winner takes actions with one ship, alternate with opponent till all ship have had actions
Move torpedoes and resolve any hits.

Measurement
I a square grid for naval games. Each ship is placed on a "point" and faces one of the 8 points surround it Each facing corresponds to a compass headings (i.e. north or south west). Each point can accomodate 3 ships, but they must all face the same or opposite compass headings (i.e. all north east or south west). Each point is considered to be 500 yards away from the eight points surrounding it, therefore each turn is between 1 and 2 minutes long.

Collisions
If a ship enters a point that contains another ship that is facing a different direction therye will be a collision. This was one of the mains ways to sink submarines. The ramming ship gets a damaged result, while the rammed ship is wrecked if larger and sinking if smaller.

2. Visibility
Each turn check visibility, this is the range at which spotting can occur. A "sea card" has to be spotted before it is revealed to a surface vessel or a false contact, and ships and surfaced submarines must be spotted before they can be fired apon. There is an "ambient" visibility for the whole game. This ambient visibility varies from a of distance 6 points on moonless nights or dense fog and anywhere up to the entire board for daylight.

At the start of each turn, roll a die, and subtract the score from the ambient visibility. This is the range at which sea cards, surfaced submarines, Vosper, MAS Elco or Higgins boards can be spotted during this turn. For all other vessels, add their defence value to the spotting range. So on a dark night (6 points visibility) on a turn where visibility was rolled at (-4), a corvette (defence 5) could be spotted 7 squares away. Surfaced vessels are always spotted at a range of one point.

Sea Cards
The side attacking the convoy can place sea cards on at any point at least 6 points away from the convoys table edge table at the start of the game (I use 27 cards, each labled for a letter of the alphabet). All ships and submarines are assigned to a sea card.

If a sea card is spotted, it is revaealed as a ship, a surfaced submarine or nothing. The sea card is left on the table because it could still be a submerged submarine and is not removed till it has been successfully pinged by ASDIC in which case it is reavealed as a submarine at periscope depth or a false contact. Sea cards can be moved 1 point at the start of each turn.

4. Movement

When activated, one vessel can move, then spot and fire guns; or spot and fire guns, then move. Vessels must move in the drection they face, but can them pivot up to 45° for every square they move into.

MTB, S-boot, PT and MAS, can pivot 90° for each square they move into. The whole movement distance must be expended. A ship can make single 90° turn per move if it stays in the same square.

Evading
Any vessel at speed 3 or more can sacrifice 1 movement square if it takes evasive action (show this with a counter).

6. Firing

Roll a D6 for each weapon firing; target is straddled on a result = 4,5,6 if within half range, 5,6 if over half range.

- 1 if target speed is 6”

+ 1 if target speed is 2” or less

- 1 if firing vessel speed is 6”

-1 if firing while evading

-1 if target is evading

Long shots
Any shot that would take a roll of 7 or more to straddle and rolls a natural score of "6", straddles if a second dice roll is a further "6".

Line of sight
Line of sight is traced from the point occupied by the firing ship the point occupied by the target. If a straight line between these points crosses the base of any ship, or land or smoke, like of sight is blocked.

7. Damage
When a ship is straddled by funfire, compare D6+Attack factor of that weapon, less D6 + Defence Factor of the target.

0 or less = minor damage from splinters
+1 to +3 = target is Damaged
+4 to +5 = target is Wrecked
+6 = target is Sinking

Damaged vessels subtract - 2” to their maximum speed (but never less than 1) and half the Attack Factor of their 30mm or smaller calibre. In addition to this, roll one D6 for each gun 37mm or larger, depth charge throwers and ASDIC: 5,6 = KO.

Wrecked vessels subtract a further – 2” to their maximum speed (slower vessels are immobilized) and the Attack Factor of 30mm or smaller calibre is reduced to 0. In addition to this, roll one D6 for each gun 37mm or larger, depth charge throwers and ASDIC: 4,5,6 = KO.

Sinking vessels cannot move or fire (but are left on the table as an obscuction to movement and fire.

Damaged 2nd time = Wrecked.
Wrecked 2nd time = Sinking.

10. Torpedoes
When firing a Torpedo, place a counter (toothpick points) 1 square away from the firing submarine or ship, in one of the three squares in the arc into which the torpedo was fired. This is the minimum range. After all vessels have been activated for that turn, move the all torpedoes 7 squares along a straight line. each turn thereafter the torpedoe continues to be moved 7 squares along this line till it leaves the board. If the torpedo meets a ship, roll to see if it hits.
Measure the distance from the submarine's firing position to the target, this is the base score to equal or exceed on a D6. Modify this base score with:
+1 if firing at the targets rear or forward arc,
+1 if firing at periscope depth
+2 if the target is evading.
A roll of "1" is always a miss, a natural "6" is always a hitTorpedoes are ineffective vs. Small and Larger MTBs.

Work out damage in the normal way. Torpedoes fired by submarines and destroyers have an attack value of 12, those fired by smaller ships and aircraft, 9.

13. Submarines

1) Submarines are considered Slow Vessels (max speed 3”) with a Defence Factor of 4, armed with 4 Torpedoes on the front arc and 1 in the rear and a 88mm Deck Gun (FPS).

Submarines are a poor gun platform, so subtract – 1 to their “to hit” d6 when firing with Deck Gun(s).

Submarines cannot reload their torpedo tubes during the course of a game.

The main difference from other Vessels, is that they can Submerge at the end of their movement, unless Damaged or Wrecked. This is considered an evasive manouver. Remove the model from the gaming table and consider it “out” from the game.

Submerging

A submarine can be at three levels; surfaced, or submerged at periscope depth or deep. A submerged submarine cannot move. Periscope level is shown with one submerged marker, deep level with two. A submarine which has gone deep, can add one furthersubmerged markers as its action each turn. This represents it evading ASDIC search by turning or other countermeasures

Sonar search

Any corvette within three square, and within FPS arc, can make a sonar search on a sea card or submerged submarine within 3 squares on a 4,5,6. A successful search reveal a submerged submarine under a Sea card, or can remove one submerged marker if there are more than two..

Depth charges

Naval ships who exit a square containing a submerged submarine can depth charge (if they don't move away they blow their own stern off). For each submerged marker the sub has, the ship rolls one dice. If all the dice are:

"1"s = Submarine

"1"s and "2"s Blow tanks and mmediately surface. All submerged markers are removed

"1"s and "2"s, or "3"s crew demoralised, submarine must dive to, and stay deep for the rest of the game (not even if ordered directly by Hitler)

Victory conditions
Each convoy should have 10 points of cargo ships (oil tankers count double).

To win the attacking force must sink one ship per attacker, plus one extra ship for each attacker destroyed.

The defender must get one ship accross the table for each escorting ship.

If both sides win, the convoy action was a draw.

Set up rules for "Victory without quarter"

2010-04-10T10:13:00.019+10:00

Step 1:

Choose an army size. Armies can be large, at ₤30, adequate at ₤25 or small at ₤20.

Step 2

Purchase an army using the following costs and conditions:

A trained battalion, squadron of horse or dragoons costs: ₤2
A raw battalion, squadron of horse or dragoons: costs ₤1
A veteran battalion, squadron of horse or dragoons: costs ₤3
One artillery battery can be purchased for every three foot battalions or dragoon squadrons at a cost of: ₤3
Purchase a defended obstacle (hard cover) large enough to cover 2 battalions: ₤1
One commander or courier is provided free for every complete battalion, or squadron of horse or dragoons. One of these is promoted to be the Commander in chief.

Squadrons and battalions can be kept off table (in reserve). Units in reserve cost half of their normal price. Once their card is drawn they may attempt to enter from the friendly army's rear edge ( as long as it is 12" from any enemy unit). To enter the battlefield the unit needs to roll a die and score a 6 if foot or 5 or 6 if horse.

Step 3

Determine the scenario:

	Small Enemy Army	Adequate Enemy Army	Large Enemy Army
Small Army	Place 2 victory locations	Place 3 victory locations	Place 4 victory locations
Adequate Army	Place 1 victory locations	Place 2 victory locations	Place 3 victory locations
Large Army	Place No victory locations	Place 1 victory locations	Place 2 victory locations

Step 4:

Establish defender and attacker.
If one unit has the smaller army it is considered the defender, both are the same size, the army with the most horse and dragoons is the defender, if this is the same, dice to see who defends.

Step 5:

Set up game.
The defender sets up 5 pieces of terrain and chooses one side, the attacker them moves or removes 2 pieces of terrain and chooses the other.
The attacked places victory locations (if any) 12" from any table edge and 12" from any other victory location.
The defender sets up one brigade and all artillery and defended obstacles anywhere within 12" of the table centerline. The attacker sets up one brigade and all artillery or defended obstacles within 12" of the table centerline. Repeat this till all brigades are deployed. Then place both commanders.
Start the game by drawing the first card.

Step 6

Winning and loosing:
At any time any enemy unit is closest to a enemy victory location, it is captured and removed from play. At the end of the game the side with the most victory locations wins.

Panzer Eight's Sci Fi rules game report

2010-02-28T11:19:00.017+11:00

I think science fiction rules should be simple. Really simple. Two reasons for my love of easy rules here: firstly I have the attention span of a goldfish, secondly because we aren't trying to model history here.

So when I found Panzer Eight's (http://panzer8.webs.com/) science fiction rules on the web I was determined to give them a try. At a whole 2 pages, they couldn't be simpler, and yet they are subtle enough to keep you thinking. The important thing for me is to keep looking at the table and the figures, and plotting and planning; instead of pouring over a rule book. Since both Mark Stevens and myself memorized the rules within five minutes, the Panzer Eight rules were perfect.

To get round measuring, and make the game even easier I created a terrain mat marked out in 4 inch squares. This meant we were using one inch as equal to 40mm, but that made no difference to the rules whatsoever.

Here is a game report.

The battle is between the revolting Luddites on one hand, and the repressive Federation on the other. The Luddites are rated green (and are dressed in green too), the Federal troops are elite.

The Luddites have occupied, and are destroying the factory on the right. Federal troops are advancing through the rocky ground on the left. The sandy patches are - sandy patches, and cost double to move through.

Each side has only one commander, here is the Federal Captain Howser.

Federal troop are awaiting to attack.
On the left flank, the Federal troops have an armoured fighting vehicle and a self-propelled missile launcher. In retrospect the terrain was far to constrained for the latter vehicle as it struggled to get a decent line-of-sight.
The luddites are massing in the factory area and are supported by some Light Walkers.

A smaller force of Luddites are mooching around on their right flank.
The Federal troops also have two Light Walkers in the centre.
The fanatic Luddite, Stevens, in his natty leather hood, urges his followers forward.The Luddites infiltrate forwards. The barrels in the foreground are one of four victory locations.
Federal armour tries to get into a good firing position on the road.
The Feds advance...
...to take up firing positions.
With a lot of "hut, hut, hut", no doubt.
A Luddite walker takes up a hull down (or hull up) position in a ruined building.
The Missile Launcher cruises around looking for something to shoot at.
A long range shot cripples the Luddite walker. Its inexperienced crew spend the rest of the skirmish trying to fix it.
Not good for morale.
Hold tight behind that wall! In PZ8 rules infantry who do not fire are hidden beyond 5 squares.
The Federal walkers start to advance.
Luddites dash forwards.
Federal walkers cover the road and stop Luddites infiltrating out of the factory.
Luddites start to charge out of the central factory area

And surge forwards from their extreme left flank.
However the Federal walkers still have the road covered, despite Luddite rushes.
A Luddite walker uses some palm trees as cover while engaging a Federal walker.

A rush by some Luddite fanatics brings them into close combat with a surprised Federal trooper.
"That's not a knife; this is a knife"
Feral troopers fall back from the Luddite assault from the factory.
The knife-fight just gets unfair.
The trooper looses the knife-fight but another trooper keeps the Luddite rush at bay.
The road is still clear too.
Howser creeps forward to take a look.
For the moment, the situation is under control.
A Federal walker moves up to winkle a Luddite heavy weapons team out from behind that wall...

... and pays the price for hubris.
Now the Luddites seem to be everywhere at once.
There aren't enough Federal troops to stop the rush.
Even the missile launcher gets jumped by a walker.
"Waaaaaaaagh!"
A Luddite walker explodes as a missile hits it dead on.
The game ends with the Luddites in control of three-out-of-four victory locations; however the Luddites have taken over 50% casualties.
We will call that one a draw.

Good rules! Good game!

HoTT in Africa

2010-01-03T19:04:00.005+11:00

A game of "Hordes of the Things" set in colonial Africa.

Breaking News in the Near Future - a very short game

2009-12-31T13:24:00.010+11:00

This was our fourth game of Breaking News ( http://www.dadiepiombo.com/breaking.html ) by those Italian marvels at Dadi e Piombo.

I don't like playing any form of conflict that lies within living memory. So we have pushed this game into the "near future". The scenario is based around some South Australian neo-luddites (who refuse to be micro-chipped) being attacked by Federal special forces.

The neo-luddites fight for freedom under their battle cry of " keep the bastards honest! Unless you live in Australia, don't even try to understand that one.

The Federal Special forces unit is commanded by the notorious Lieutenant Josehpus T. Bear. A man so callous that he one lost a game of Breaking News by shooting an embedded journalist in front of an independent one. He lost by over 100 points, but didn't care. Nor, apparently did this commanders because he still has his commission.

...but anyway...

Here is the neo-luddite village.

Their bunker: I wonder what is inside?

No sign of the Federal special forces, but the embedded cameraman on the building bodes ill.

H must know something, but the neo-luddites ignore him.

The Feds are out there, but to the east, or the west?

The neo-luddite leader semms to have been to a fancy dress shop in Rundle Mall recently.

Suddenly a Federal special forces man appears on a roof top.

He opens fire with rockets; pinning the nearest neo-luddite freedom fighters. The evil Joshephus T Bear can be seen in the background plotting some new devilry.

... and there it is! The federal special forces infiltrate behind enemy lines.

On burst of rifle fire and the neo-luddite leader is down

Now totally confused the neo-luddites mill about.

Fire comes from special forces, pinning freedom fighters left and right.

A Federal sniper looks for another target.

The neo-luddites loom for the sniper.

They make a break for the flanks, but without their leader the Special Forces always get into good firing position first.

Panic!

Firing from the bunker a neo-luddite captures a glimpse of a helmet, and fires wildly.

One Federal casualty.

Without leadership the neo-luddites don't get another move in, and are picked off one by one.

Curse you Josephus T. Bear!

Red Hott - the advance on Kashgar

2009-12-30T17:04:00.016+11:00

We have been using the rules "Hordes of the Things" to play Russian Civil War games. Although this is a fantasy set of rules, we use it for every period (except strangely, fantasy). Usually we make a few additions to the rules set to better simulate a particular period. In this case the two additions are:

Long Range Fire: elements can shoot at double normal range, but any and all negative combat results are commuted to a retire result instead.
Conscripts: any 2 point element can be downgraded to a conscript. The element suffers -1 on all combat and shooting rolls, but only costs 1 point to muster.

The figure scale is about one element to a battalion or squadron, which makes each command about a brigade and the whole army the pointy end of a division. It should be remembered that in the Russian Civil War it was common for Battalions to be company-sized.

The game was a 72 point big battle fight between my valiant Reds versus General Mark Stevenski's grasping White and Chinese alliance. The battle was fought on the road to Kashgar after Mark's 18-0 drubbing in our last game. Anyway, on with the report...

In the picture below you can see my right-flank brigade; the dreaded 173rd Red Cavalry. This brigade has been the terror of the Whites (and their capitalist running dogs, the Chinese). In HoTT terms, the elements with flags are heroes (of the revolution), the remainder are riders. The brigade is commanded by comrade Badenov, a hero of the revolution, seen at the rear in the picture below.

The centre brigade is of less renown. The 18th Tula brigade's infantry are all conscript (shooters). However the brigade has been reinforced with two companies of machine guns and a battery of artillery ( in a direct fire role). Standing next to his staff car is Comrade Macsky, the commander in Chief. He (and his propaganda unit) are ready to spread the revolutionary message -- even in the midst of battle. So we class him as a "Magician".

The left-flank brigade is a mix of elite regiments. In black uniforms are detachments from the Baltic Fleet. In their new 1919 regulation uniforms are some elite ChoN units. Elite in Red Army terms only gets them classed as normal shooters. They are commended by commissar Onatop.

Acting in support of the right hand brigade is a red air force (classed as a flyer).
Stevenski's right-flank is a motley assortment of Chinese troops from the garrison of Shinjiang province. On the extreme right are some date-to-die troops (classed as Warband in this game), the remainder are battalions of shooters.

The centre brigade is made of White Russian Units who fled across the border to take shelter in ShinJiang. With the huge flags are a regiment of cossacks (classed as Knights). On the other side of the artillery can be seen three White battalions who have been ordered to "go in with the bayonet" (and have been classed as "blades"). Behind them are lurking a couple of squadrons of mercenary Mongols. Behind the artillery you can just see an Orthodox cleric; whose religious exhortations will do a lot to cancel out Red propaganda.

The White left-wing is a brigade consisting of an artillery battery, a machine gun company and three battalions of blades. This brigade is commanded by a white "hero" visible in the centre.

"On the points of our sabers and bayonets we will bring freedom to the toiling masses of the east"

"We will do anything as long as we get paid"

Red detachments of sailors start to move through the village.

The view from the Red right flank. That's a lot of Chinese comrade.

They are heavily outnumbered.

The white right flank hunkers down in the fields.

The Red aviation detachment swings over the battlefield and behind the White lines.

The Krondstat sailors take control of the village.

The Chinese dare to die troops stream through the boulder fields to attack the Red left-flank.

White artillery throws the Red centre brigade back.

The Chinese date-to-die troops attack the red sailors.

On the red right, the 173rd cavalry brigade streams around the White flank.

The Chinese flank the red sailors, but in the backgrounds you can see an Ambush (lurkers) sprung on the Chinese by red guardsmen from Samarkand.

Red artillery causes confusion amongst the Red squadrons.

But the Cossacks are also under fire.

The Red aircraft choose this moment to strafe the White centre.

"No retreat!" says commissar Onatop.

Red artillery keeping the Cossacks at bay take a breather.

A luck shot from a Mongolian marksman brings down the Red aircraft. Damn those boys have a short life-span.

The view from the Red centre.

White artillery still play havoc with the Red Cavalry envelopment.

Bad news; a White off-table artillery barrage (classed here as a God) hits the Reds. There must be an armored train back there.

Despite the arrival of his artillery barrage; Stevenski ponders his mounting losses. I think he has just realized what comrade Trotsky meant by "historical inevitability"

In the Centre white battalions advance into a storm of fire from the red conscript battalions.

The artillery barrage moves on to Comrade Macsky. Never fear - we will keep the red flag flying here.

Red cavalry have edged around the fields and are making for the White camp. But comrades - what is this? It's a White gas attack.

The Red cavalry hit the fields from the flank.

Having survived the artillery barrage, comrade Macsky faces up to a charge from the Whites.

Red cavalry have now broken into the fields on the White right flank. White losses continue to mount.

Overrun by Chinese and artillery, the Russian left has broken, only a few battalions and commissar Onatop hanging on as rear guard against the Chinese advance.

However the Whites break, they have taken too many casualties, the result being a 34 to 24 point win for the reds.

Inevitable really.

Death in the Dark Continent: First Look

2009-10-10T22:11:00.008+11:00

I recently bought Chris Peers' new African colonial rules "Death in the Dark Continent". In the past I have loved his simple but evocative rules mechanisms, but have become frustrated by by the fact that the rules didn't know if they were a skirmish set or not.

As the "native player", the need to move and find firing positions for over a hundred individually based figures was exhausting; and as a keen painter, the "taking them off by handfuls" approach to casualties was heartbreaking.

Death in the Dark Continent however is a departure from his previous sets. The first two things that stood out were multiple figure bases, and the use of D20's for shooting (which allows for greater subtlety and a smaller body count.

The bases are 60mm wide, and since I had been using HoTT for colonial games, my figures were all ready to go. The rules suggest 30mm base depth for infantry, but I prefer 40mm, which gives skirmish lines a better look as well as protecting those bayonets.

For our first game we used that classic matchup of the despicable Force Publique versus the unsavoury Zanzibari Arabs. The photos were taken using a phone so are not the best.

The Force Publique, to the left in the picture below, fielded two units (companies of Albibi perhaps) of soldiers, and one of Forest Guards as raw soldiers. One gun and a unit of tribal auxiliaries.

The Albini are to the front, the Forest guards in reserve. The baggage to the rear.

The Force Publique start to move out.

An unusual part of the Arab army is a mercenary NGoni warband from Ujiji in the centre.

Arab and Wangwana columns advance on the right wing.

Manyema and Ngoni warriors advance using the wood on the centre as cover.

The Arab chieftain supervises the advance.

Captain De Witt's company crests a hill.

On the left wing of the Arab army 4 stands of Wangwana slave-soldiers advance cautiously.

Va Horn's company advancing.

Some confused looking Rugga-Rugga mercenaries in the Arab centre.

The Force Publique's baggage skulks in the rear hoping for the best. Some of the Arab allies are cannibals.

Both sides are advancing their right wings and refusing their left. I am hoping to create an open killing ground to cope with the inevitable rush in the centre. Note the cannon taking up position in the on the hill.

Arab Wangwana observe the advancing soldiers and auxiliaries with justified unease. It will be muskets versus breech loaders.

An Arab cannon struggles to get into a firing position through the woods.

Manyema warriors. Because these rules don't account for unit size in close combat, it seems like a good idea to have small 2-stand warbands.

The Force Publique open up with ineffective long range fire before the Arab charge hits home.

Some more Manyema warriors change the Force Publique's weakest link, the raw Forest Guards.

While the Ngoni change the cannon on the hill.

The artillery get ready with canister.

With a cry of "meat.. meat...meat" the Manyema crash into the Forest Guards.
And the Ngoni into the gun.

Arabs keep Van Horn's company busy by skirmishing in front of them.

The Manyema warriors kill a stand of Forest Guards and a morale test forced them to run in abject terror before they become lunch.
Elite Arabs in a shooting match with Van Horn's company. The small stones are disorder markers. In the background the gun's canister breaks the Ngoni, but only after they assegaied all the gunners.

The Manyema who beat up the forest guards return and hit the rear of Van horn's company.

With no reserves left, the Force Publique retire to the East before they are wiped out. Round one to the Arabs.

The verdict. By turn two we had memorised all the rules. The systems are easy enough to play while mildly drunk, while creating a game where skill and judgement counts. I am up for another game really soon.

1708 - Battle of Duns

2009-04-29T19:29:00.009+10:00

This game is set in Fife, Scotland in 1708, when a French army landed with King James the 2nd and 8th (if you are a Tory or the old pretender if you are Whig). Historically the French beat a hasty retreat when the Royal Navy turned up.

Not in this scenario though, the British have been joined by some Whig clans from the West highlands and are under the command of John Campbell Duke of Argyle, or red John of the battles.

The game was played using Basic Impetus with the "overwatch" rules added in.

The game begins in camp.

The armies are arrayed for battle - the confident Bavarian general looks on.

The French Army

The British Redcoats

The British advance. Note the Dutch Dragoons in the wood

French artillery makes the first kills

A crows eye view

Bavarian battalion awaits the outcome

The North British Fusileers

The French generals look perturbed, they really don't like being attacked.

A Dutch battalion advances to the British right flank.

Cavalry menace each other on the British left flank

The British attach on the right is running out of steam

Dutch Dragoons attack

The cavalry clashing on the left is the signal for the highlanders to advance

They charge into a French line battalion...

But the French push the highlanders back.

The highlanders at bay take terrible punishment from musket and canon.

The British canon reply, but to little effect at long range.

The French and holding up well on the right flank.

The cavalry melee is furious - but who is winning.

The French centre have fought off all but a few highlanders.

And the Bavarians are pushing back the British and Dutch battalions

Bavarian cuirassiers advance through their own lines to finish off the exhausted British foot.

The North British Fusileers hold despite the panic all around them.

But broken units all around them tell us the battle is over, the French have won.

Drats!

The battle of Formosa

2008-08-23T13:45:00.011+10:00

This battle was fought using Phil Barker's Damn Battleships Again rules.

In 1894, France demanded control over Formosa from China and Japan. To support her claims, France sent the Saigon fleet steaming north under the gallant Admiral Marchant (rated Chivalrous in the rules).

The Chinese fleet, commanded by the Court Mandarin, Ma Kin, who had never been to sea before (an Idiot under the rules) sailed south.

Worried about the situation in the Pacific, the Americans send a squadron under Admiral Chester C Stevens, a notorious braggart (rated Cautious under the rules), to support China.

The alliance between China and America was fragile at best. At one point the Americans declared that after they had won the battle they "were going to sail upriver and bomb Nanking" before remembering which side they were on. The French played on this by reminding the Americans that "blood is thicker than water".

And so, one hour before dawn, in a light wind and calm seas, the two fleets met near the coast.

In the picture below looking South, there is a Chinese shore battery with the Chinese fleet to the east. Keeping some distance further to the east are the leading American battleships. In the center is a flotilla of French torpedo boats commanded by Captain Jacque, who have just buzzed by a couple of junks sailing to Hong Kong. To the North can be seen the leading battleships of the French

A flotilla of Chinese gun-boats pushes past the shore battery.
The French TBs push into the night looking for an easy kill; when they suddenly hear the Chinese and turn on their floodlights.
All guns start firing at the Chinese, but the unprepared French only score one hit.
The Chinese return fire decimates the French flotilla, forcing Captain Jacque to transfer his flag in a jolly boat.
As the sun rises, Chinese gun-boats sail through the French line ramming and sinking at will. Captain Jacque has to get back into his jolly boat.
While the affair of the gnats plays itself out in the centre, the French battle line, now steaming West opens fire on the lead American and Chinese battleships.
The second French squadron. The last ship in the line is an obsolete rust bucket.
The leading American battleship takes a couple if hits.
Concentrated French fire soon turns it into a flaming inferno, first crippling it, and then sinking it before it can steam to safety..
To the South the Chinese battleships and cruisers under Ma Kin maneuver for sea room.
As the French push West, the table gets moved East. Some American battleships have dropped out of view.
To head off the French, Ma Kin pushes his cruisers forward at top speed. Fear of the Dowager Empress means he cannot afford to turn away from the enemy (see the rules). However, faced with the fire of the first French squadron, the Chinese take terrible punishment. French Admiral Marchant's sense of gallantry forces his squadron's captains to engage the enemy one-on-one.
The French, smelling blood, commence a turn to the South.
But fire from the big American battleships takes its toll on the battleship Courbet.
Catching up, the Americans also pound the French flagship.
...not without cost though
Looking North one wonders about the American commitment to the alliance, as the American first class cruisers take shelter behind Chinese battleships. French fire has crippled the Chinese flagship.
The crippled French ships steam out of the battle line.

The Chinese battleships have been hit hard. Now the American ship Texas disappears behind a wall of splashes. No more hits though.
Both fleets have had enough, but as they part the Chinese flagship finally blows up. However, at the last minute, some lucky shots sink two French battleships
This war is not over!

Third action on Trall

2008-07-22T13:18:00.012+10:00

The troopers previous attempt to establish a base on Trall met with abject failure. Reinforced to three squads the Federation command orders the troopers to try again.

The rules are Space Hulk, the scenario is Establish a Perimeter. Stevens, the Bugblatter queen (the bugs) rolled a 2 for reinforcements so only got 20 blips (2 per turn) for this game.

The Trooper's objective is to block off four of the six "bug holes" that surround the ruined terra-forming station in the centre (see below).

The Bugblatter beasts objective is... well who understands the beasts anyway.
The trooper feel much more confident with the extra squad.
And as an experiment, the Troopers took a rocket launcher. Given this game is in the open air, we allowed the rocket launcher to fire indirectly at ranges beyond 12 squares. The beasts were allowed move the a rocket's impact point 1D10 squares away from the target; the troopers could then move it 1D6 back towards the original target square. This made it a widely inaccurate weapon, the only thing it hit all game was a trooper (who luckily survived being hit on the head with a crack misile).
Narrow and twisty passages made the trooper nervous. As do the random missile salvoes from the rear.
...the beasts were sure to be prowling around.
Contact!
Flamers block off likely bug entry points.
The trooper have got three of the four bug holes covered.
Bugs break through the cordon, killing a trooper, but are quickly mown down by gunfire...
... the trusty flamers mop most of the rest.
The troopers make a break for on the of the southern bug-holes but two beasts incredibly survive flamer fire and wipe out this detachment.
Its more than a neo-dog can bear. I don't have rules for neo-dogs, so this one brought up the rear.
All this activity to the south, has left a hole to the north undefended

Sergeant Raphael make a run for the bug hole, and with four holes sealed, the troopers win.
Next game is "Defending the Perimeter".

Trall game 2: establish a perimeter

2008-07-14T11:59:00.011+10:00

Previously, a reconnaissance verified the existence of the Bugblatter beasts on Trall. The fact that the patrol suffered 80% casualties testified the the deadliness of the beasts' claws.

The troopers are now ordered to establish a base of operations in a deserted terraforming station.

The ruins can been seen in the centre of the picture above. The mobile infantry troopers need to secure four of the "bug holes" that surround the ruins (see below).

The troopers cautiously edge towards the ruins

"Watch those corners..."

Bugblatter beasts file out of their holes.

Sergeant Raphael guards a bug hole, three more to go.
The beasts lurk, awaiting the chance to pounce.

The beasts infiltrate through gullies on all sidesThe troopers flame the ruins before occupying themThe beasts can afford to wait

The troopers create a bastion in the ruins and defend the position with flamers and deadly crossfire zones, but the ammunition can't last forever.The troopers are cornered...

... literally.

Eventually the beasts break through the perimeter

Heroic Trooper Pradeep charges out to confront the beasts

He shoots down three in a row
When his gun jams, two more attack Pradeep from the flank, killing him.

It is clear that this is bug's point, and the remaining troopers retreat back to the landing ship. The Hive Queen Stevens rejoices.

The massacre on Trall 1

2008-06-30T08:20:00.000+10:00

Terramormers on the planet Trall 1 have been reporting attacks from mysterious creatures they call the Bugblatter Beasts. A platoon sets out to patrol the hills leaving two squads commanded by 1st Lt. Jenaway and 2nd Lt. Jenaway in reserve. Over the "com" they hear the platoon being masacared and decide to retreat to the landing ship.

This game was fought using SpaceHulk 1st edition rules (with 2nd edition Flamer rules).

Here the two squads start marching through heavy terrain to the landing ship.
-----

Its not to far to safety
----

"I think we can get through this way!"
----

Fire-team Jenaway picks up the pace.
----

When suddenly... "bullets just bounce off 'em sir"
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2nd Leutenent Jenaway orders his squad to find another route.
----

As a percaution they flame the path behind them.
----

"This place crawls", there are Bugblatter Beasts in front of them now.
----

The troopers fight heroically, caught on film by the "inserted" cameraman from FedNet news

The beasts break through the defensive ring, and this is the last image from the cameraman.

The squads' last stand was not recorded on camera, but their remains show they fought to the last bullet.

The Jenaways (elder and junior played the marines). The hive queen, for reasons incomprehensible to humans, was simply called: Stevens.