Adventures on the Wargames Table

I’m delighted to report that Dave and I have kicked off our Normandy campaign!! We’re using a mix of scenarios from the Battleground Europe Bolt Action sourcebook, adaptations of scenarios from the CoC supplement Kampfgruppe von Luck, and just some of our own ideas. Ideally I’d like to bring others (I’m thinking Steve, Mike, George, Rob, Dave, etc) in to the campaign so as to have a series of ‘simultaneous’ battles with linked outcomes. My ideas are still somewhat ephemeral at this stage so we’ll see how it goes. Some campaign notes are shown in typewriter font below. List Restrictions Forces should be selected based on their approximate historical formations; suitable support options are noted below. Depending upon the scenario, further restrictions may apply. The Paras are very lightly equipped, so no AFVs. Infantry sections plus MMG, Medic, Car/Jeep, Light Mortar, Medium Mortar, PIAT, Flamethrower, Sniper, AT Gun*. *later in the campaign as the guns arrived in the second lift on t...

Following the show in Penarth, Colin and I returned to Wargames Table Manor and, after a fine curry, set to with a game of Bolt Action. I'd designed both sides in this 750pt game so the core of each force was an almost full strength platoon consisting of the HQ plus 3 or 4 sections/squads along with a few little extras like a mortar or an HMG or even a sniper. Definitely no armour for this game either. The scenario was simple - wipe out the opposing force. The winner would be decided by how many order dice had been lost (a win required a clear margin of two dice). There are only a few photos as the game was quite intense (in a very enjoyable way) so I forgot to take more. The pic below shows the battlefield after turn one. My plan was to focus my attack on my right flank using the stout walls of the churchyard to give my troops plenty of good cover. Interestingly, Colin's main attack was also on his right flank as he sought to make the best use of the cover offered by t...

It's the last weekend in January so it must be time for the Crusade show, hosted by the Penarth & District Wargamers! This year there was a new venue and IMHO it was a massive improvement. The show itself was superbly organised and the club members were hugely helpful in terms of loading/unloading, etc. As with many wargames shows there were a number of re-enactors. This fine fellow, from the 41st Regiment of Foot , was a pleasure to chat with. Colin and I couldn't resist playing with his musket! Present arms!! The musket had to be prised from his arms!! The show itself was fairly busy throughout the day and it was a real pleasure to catch up with some friends (Hi to Chris, Stu, Scott, John and Dad-John, etc!!). It was also good fun to wander around and have a chat with a few of the traders; having done quite a few shows now you really do see how it's a community of its own! I managed to have a quick wander around with Chris Harris (see his excellent YouTub...

It's game six of our campaign to recreate the allied advance in to Sicily and north across Italy. With three Axis wins and two Allied wins so far it was all to play for. This scenario represents the Allied attack on a section of the formidable Gothic Line . The Allied High Command debate their strategy... or wait for some tea! The field of battle The above pic shows the field of battle. There are three distinct lines of Axis defence, each with a bunker. This scenario has three 1,000pt reinforced Allied platoons, commanded by Orange Dave, Mike and Steve, facing a single 1,000pt reinforced Axis platoon that has had the opportunity to dig in and lay some minefields. The Germans (me) were mainly an infantry force with plenty of LMGs backed up by a tank and some light artillery. The Germans deploy first then the Allies attack in a series of waves. The objective was simple... breach all three lines by capturing the bunker in each line. The Allies have 10 turns to do this. C...

It’s that time of year when we as gamers tend to look back at what we’ve achieved and then waffle on about future plans for new armies, grand scenery projects and glorious conquests!!! Well, I’m no exception ;o) so here we go... What have I achieved this year? Attended my first Bolt Action tournament and had a blast! Competitive? Yes it was, but in a very open and friendly way. Played Kings of War – some superb games especially in Steve’s man-shed and with the Cornish crowd :-D Participated in a superb Bolt Action campaign with Orange Dave (ok, the finale is still to play but the five games we’ve had so far have been awesome!) Completed a number of very enjoyable scenery projects, e.g. the Charlie Foxtrot Brasserie, the CFM Signal Box and a scratch built railway, etc. Took part in several gaming weekends with friends – always great fun! Kept my painting ticking along by completing a WW2 British Para force plus added a few more units to both the Panzergrenad...

My Charlie Foxtrot Models Brasserie kit is complete! As I mentioned before, my intention was to make a 'tile' with outbuildings, etc. Here it is. The back garden even has a little fruit & veg patch. I've added some signs to both the café and the outbuilding. I've also placed some of the bits and bobs I posted recently. The basic idea is that the tile can be placed on a corner or junction. The tiled area is just good quality printed card with a nice matte finish. Here are a few shots of some of the extra components. First the large shed or outbuilding . Pics of my brasserie can be found here . A couple of signs/adverts give a nice French theme. Add a bit of mould and lichen on the roof! Every café needs a suitable convenience... an outside w/c . Here's the tile without the buildings or clutter. The brick piers and gate are from Charlie Foxtrot but pretty much everything else was scratch built. The walls are foam-core with individ...