Last Rules Check for Bir Hacheim Refight

Hello again. This was the last chance to try out the rule changes to the Rapid Fire rules. With a good turn out of club members both sides were well represented and a number of players were able to take pictures during the game. Today's photographs were taken by myself, Chris Cope and Jack Bates.

The main entrance to the defensive line was flanked by a trench system dotted with artillery positions either side.

Some of the guns were crewed by the Chad troops who comprised the 2nd Battalion de Marche de L'Oubanghi Chari. The M1897 French field gun is from MAC Distribution models and the crew are a mix of SHQ, Resicast and Solfig.

Here is an overview of the table. The board was 9' x 9' with a trench line holding an entry point at its centre. The model trench system was scratch built to a modular design so can be assembled in many ways.

The Germans advanced on the right and the Italians on the left. As the game was intended as an opportunity to assess the forces for the larger game, the German assault was assisted by an armoured element.

Some parts of the barb wire was deliberately broken. During the actual battle Axis forces did try to infiltrate the minefield during the night in a bid to make successive attacks easier while the besieged French forces also sent out patrols to stop this interference and attack Axis forces in laarger.

The Italian forces moved forward into a large amount of enemy fire, breached the barb wire and followed their tanks in support.

Supported by their artillery which kept up a smoke screen to stop the defenders firing on the attacking infantry.

The Italian forces had a portee anti tank component to support the attack.

Full use was made of the clubs back drop when photographs could be taken.

On the other flank the Germans approached the barb wire.

This time the German attack had some heavy support.

Also a captured 25 pdr helped the DAK advance.

From a distance the advance looked quite impressive!

The Italians advanced against stiffening fire and lost their tank support but reached the French trench line.

After exploiting the gaps in the barb wire.

The Legion reinforced the trench line and repulsed the Italians on two occasions while the Germans diverted their attentions to the command centre in the middle of the board.

The DAK paused at the line of barb wire then charged at the high ground.

As the night came to an end the Germans stormed the French position.

The modifications to the Rapid Fire Rules worked well and it was obvious as to the games  outcome. Everyone picked up the rules easily and even with the time taken for photographs we had plenty of time to pack the game away.

I have to organise the opposing forces for the big game and complete the players crib sheet. I will go through the changes to the rules in a later post.  

Tunnies Terrain Barb Wire

I have been asked by a customer to post some pictures of my range of barb wire. Equally suitable for 20mm and 28mm figures these highly detailed modular scenic items are available by contacting me through this blog or my facebook page.

The range is available in temperate, (above), and desert. Each of these has five different pieces which are modular.

The sizes of each are:       Long straight length...........18cm x 6cm.........£9.00
                                          Medium straight length......12cm x 6cm.........£7.00
                                          Short straight length.......... 6cm x 6cm..........£5.00
                                          90 degree corner................6cm x 6cm..........£5.00
                                          45 degree angle.................12cm x 6cm........£7.00

Looking from a lower level the Warlord Games figure is glued to his own plastic circular base and the barb wire is fixed to a 4mm thick base of plywood.

Here is a closer view of the 90 degree corner showing the fine detail.

Lastly the 45 degree corner. Barb wire did not usually surround a whole minefield when it denoted its edge, when facing the enemy. The intention was to protect your own troop from entering the minefield but not tell the enemy where the field began.

Here is the desert part of the range which are the same size and price.

Again they are the same height. The upright support posts are malleable and can repositioned if bent out of shape. This stops wargamers getting impaled on them!

Both temperate and desert ranges are painted in colours straight from the pot. This avoids the possibility of a variation in colouring.

A Visiting Wargamers View of SELWG Sunday 21st October 2018

Hello All. I managed to escape my trade stand, with the help of my wife looking after the stand, and took some photographs of the games on show.

This is a view from the balcony at about 1pm. The days footfall did appear good considering that the day was so nice outside.

Here is a view of the game presented by the League of Gentlemanly Alchemists called the Biscotti Wars 1860. This group had the great idea of elevating the playing level of the table which made it much easier to see, photograph and enjoy the details provided. Whilst the fighting took place in the outlying dwellings of the village the main centre piece was a large monastery complete with 'inmates'!? This was particularly pleasing to see. the building was modular in construction allowing a number of permutations to be achieved for various games.

I found it reminiscent of a large resin rendition of Bussaco Monastery which was available in the 1990's. The name of the supplier escapes me at the moment but I hope someone out there can help me with that.

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A further view of the courtyard complete with a monk with a big stick in case there is any trouble! Sorry not very PC of me!

Equally suitable for any Mediterranean scenario I wish I had asked if this was scratch built or was part of a commercially available model.

These lovely buildings graced the table and set the table up very well. I will try to find a website or facebook page to get the club members to help with information about these models.

  

Lastly for ths game a little windmill. I have made two windmills for the war games club I attend so always love to see one of these on the table. Seen far more then than now due to the highly mechanised World that we live in!

*Post Script*  I have been advised by a number of people that the monastery is supplied by Grand Manner.

Here is the Maidstone Wargames Society Zeebrugge game. With a massive ship, boarding parties, German artillery and a railway goods yard, using 28mm figures, this was an impressive game with BIG being the watchword. Looked Great!

A close up of the foredeck with British Naval crew.

Here one of the German artillery crews is facing the wrong way! 

As a British party takes cover.

The stern of the ship just docked.

The boarding parties storm ashore.

The armoured bridge.

And a last closer look at the fore deck.

here is Robert Dunlop's Battle of Matz. This used 1/300th figures but the details of shelled buildings, long lines of trenches and tree lined roads made a great impression on the viewer.

A closer view of these two bombed building showed a great deal of work on such a small item.

 The Battle of Yangmingbao, 1937. This game had a Japanese airfield with many aircraft which caught the eye.

Even from above!

And some rather neglected trucks.

Now a game using 28mm figures. Simon Miller brought this game to the show, which looked very impressive. Beautifully painted figures covered the table.

A deployed artillery battery prepares to do its worst on the enemy.

A couple of close views of two of the many units on the table.

And closing with the domestic scene.

Here WW I aerial combat with The Tunbridge Wells War Games Society playing, The Camels are Coming! The games mat set off the game particularly well. In comparison to other games that games mats can support I felt this the best use I have seen as it puts the models in such a fine context. The Battle for Malta games did much the same thing.

From a distance this game was quite eye catching.

The Russian Civil War riverine action from the Streatham & Tooting Wargamers with Real Time Wargamers gaming 'The Glittering River'

These neat little models held a lot of detail for their small size.

A War for Middle Earth by the Shepway Wargamers. I must admit this period is not something I look at often, being more of an historical war gamer but the detail on these guys and the work that many of these models required was certainly impressive.

I believe I saw this model being positioned into place with a forklift!

This game used 28mm figures and provided a participation game for the day from Gravesend Gamers Guild. With the use of mdf laser cut and coloured building they provided the perfect back drop for participation.

The 'Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright, 28mm participation game from the Crawley Wargames Club was well supported and the club members around the table were particularly approachable and talkative. Just what you need to get the public involved.

And finally the Tunnies Terrain stand which was quite busy at times, despite the intermitent wi-fi! Many thanks to all who made purchases and placed orders.