Friday 26 May 2017

The Battle at bended creek around 1863

This week me and Bart dabbled into the American Civil War, 10mm and Black Powder. I had some Union infantry corps (actually the 12th) left from some Gettysburg project years ago that died a death due to neglect and inertia. Sandy lent us gracefully his Rebels and Union 10mm (infantry and cavalry), and the BP scenario (in the rulebook) gave us all the stats we needed - we just switched the inches to Centimeters ...

The scenario that I came up with in an instant was that an outnumbered Union Corps with an overly strong Cavalry division, had to cross a broad ford at a creek and prevent that an upcoming Rebel force (2:1) but with half the Cavalry reached the other side of the table. I asked Bart and he choose the Union.

The Union cavalry attacked early to give their troops time to cross and deploy, but we soon learned that Cavalry attacks were not a well thought through thing in that era and my volleys sent Bart‘s beloved riders bleeding home. Then his complete corps was stuck in transfer in mid river.

Well the Rebels were formed up on a hill and had a formidable position to meet the onslaught perfectly. That was when I fell also to a typical misconception of these days, that an all out infantry without previous fire support "carry the day" just like in the old days (Napoleon??) ... perhaps not even in those.
I let my complete front attack, yes, I had some "softening-up" successes, but Bart's brutal closing fire set regiment after regiment of my stout Southerners to hell. In the end, we had roughly an equilibrium of shaken and bloodied troops on the field, but my guns and left flank was open like a gaping carp‘s mouth on dry land. My gamble for victory died a blood-soaked and prolonged death.

Never the less it was tremendously enjoyable game, maybe or better because of the simplicity of the rules, we kept the "useful rules" to a minimum. Good to see that even then the basics of the system kept the feeling of the era, including the movement of bigger contingents just felt right, and yes including blunders. BP recommendable in 10mm for bigger battles as well.

Our photographer were at the scene of carnage, so let us formulate these wise words of wisdom: blessed souls of a lighter nervous constitution might find the following reportage disturbing - you have been warned...






































Sunday 21 May 2017

All of a sudden at 1918 ...

I woke up in the middle of the night and saw an owl-like creature at my window and while invading my mind forcing me to make the following purchases ...

The door bell rang and the TV dinner was delivered by Alice. I closed the door and a mouse said to me that I need more metal ...

I dreamt I was followed by three rather unwelcoming chaps with gas-masks through a crater-field as a shrapnel exploded. That was when I woke up at a hospital with a nurse telling me I should paint those metal shards ...

As I listened to Magik Markers "Taste", suddenly three little men dressed in British war-time uniforms danced over the keyboard and begged me to tell their stories ...

... so I did as asked, nothing special really, but I fear there will be more to come.







Thursday 11 May 2017

The Bishop of Mainz and the Duke of Swabia defeat the forces of the Eastern Markgraf around 943

There was uprising and revolt in the east of the realm of the regnum teutonicorum, some recently christianised upstart of a Marchbaron(played by Bart) trying to enter the lands of the Franconians. So the Bishop of Mainz (me) with his Infantry was supported and led by the Duke of Swabia (Peter) with all his veteran milites, to beat the shit out of the ursurper and drive him back to the dark lands where he came from with the help of our 28mm figures and the notorious Hail Caesar rules. We all had one CinC and 3 sub-commander and 9 units. The Holy Roman Empire had the upper hand on milites and Bart the evil Baron, had more crossbowmen, but we allowed him this truly unfair advantage -  therefore in turn, we just came up with no plan at all and just attacked!
Initially Bart deployed partially behind a River (more a rivulet - an 3" obstacle), and we gained the 1st turn. Peters Cavalry swayed and met Barts milites half way in an epic clash of chainmail and breaking lances! While I marched forward for Christi and shot some of the Eastern Ex-Saxonians.

Then Bart counter-attacked and it developed into the usual bloody mess of Norman style metal havoc. Barts crossbow men traversed the rivulet, but he kept his main heavy infantry on the other side of the water. Usually the ones who keeps calm and some reserves wins these medieval massacres, but not this time. I attacked and stood fast against Barts counterattack, meanwhile Peter managed to emerge victorious out of this messy flank bloodbath. 

That was when the dastardly evil Baron Bart accused Peter of cheating! Technically they both got carried away and Peter lost one round of casualties on one unit, but that didn't broke the mould and as Peter was new to the rules, we decided to excommunicate Bart and sent him back into the Lausitz - I cannot think of a more severe punishment!

This Battle report is the only truth because the Holy Spirit told me so!!

It was all in all an very enjoyable game - the winning against Bart was just a bonus. 

His review will probably be biased differently, but hey, that are the pitfalls of true mediaevistic!

The Mainzer contingent
The initial deployment 
The forces of evil 
The defender of christendom are advancing
Help on horses from Swabia
The eastern hordes counter attack!
Barts men crossing the river
Prayers and good arrows ...
... will help against the threat! 
The Swabian and Saxonians are clashing! 
A little help of Carinthians (??)
Hold the line with prayers
The bloody mess after the cavalry bash
The Ottonians are attacking again!
Pushing the Crossbows back over the river
The Duke of Swabia is sweeping up the flank 
More blood, chainmail, swords and horses ...
Meanwhile havoc in the centre
... slowly the holy forces of good are prevailing ...
with the help of the true cross of I.K.E.A.
Na, OK, our milites were quite a wreck as well ...

Our expert in these matters also agreed it was a clear win!