Battle of Monte Cassel 1677 - Sun King Wargame

Hello There! Another rummage through the photography files has turned up another game around A fellow wargaming friends, Adrian. He arranged a game with four players, including Adrian as player and Umpire.

The board was set up as above with the French on the left and the Dutch on the right.

The Dutch centre, above, gave fire as the French came on. The Dutch regiments were two battalion of the Nassau-Friesland and a battalion each of the Brandenburg and Schwartsenberg Regiments. They took a lot to dislodge them from this position! 

The windmill, which was more for scenic effect, despite its size!, was also defended by the Aylva Regiment. Again behind hedges.

As you can see there was plenty of exchange of fire before melees took over the game and the Dutch were pushed back in the centre and French right wings.

My photographs have concentrated on the centre and French right wing. Here the infantry fighting took place. Over on the left wing a massive cavalry battle was taking place. Adrian, who organised the game, has added it to his blog here. On his blog you can see this cavalry fight as well as further units identified from his army.

As usual, this game was very 'see-saw' and was very enjoyable, with great company.

Romans and Saxons Re enactment - Stonham Barns-24-25 June 2023

Hello There! Still busily clearing the backlog of photographs from 2023. It turned out to be a lucky year where I was able to visit a number of venues and shows, including Stonham barns on a few occasions.

On the above date there was a 'Celts, Romans, Saxons' display. This show was a continuation of the ACW and Napoleonic display that I blogged on here.

As I know little about this period of history I will let the photos do the talking, however the re enactors were very approachable, helpful and knowledgeable.

Although using padded and low speed arrows a demonstration of a 'small' Saxon shield wall was very informative and interesting.

Although re enactment, I also took the opportunity to photograph various shield designs.

This display had a very helpful attendee and was able to describe the military career of the Legion which was in the demonstration complete with military honours.

I have taken part in a number of games where a Roman camp was represented on the table. here was a recreation of an actual tent.

The re enactors also had a Roman 'Scorpion'

At one point a demonstration and potted history of the Roman troops, the different types, uniforms, arms and tactics were clearly explained to a close audience. This was particularly nice and although there were many members of the public present to listen it did feel very personal and well presented.

One thing I recalled was that the designs on the front of the shields were described as potentially metal badges or motifs, rivetted to the shield,  rather than just solely painted.

Going on to the Saxon camp, again the individuals were very approachable. I am tempted to say that a few wargamers that go to wargaming shows, to do demonstrations games could learn a lot. On saying that, I have the impression that this situation is slowly improving over the years.

A very informative show that was a pleasure to attend. I hope that in 2024 there are plenty of similar at the same venue.

A New DAK and WWII German Themed Display Frame

Hello There! With the Christmas and New Year festivities now passed I have had some time to pop a few more posts on here!

I have had a few pieces of militaria for a long time now. With acquiring some recessed frames I have added to the display in my front room.

Here the epaulettes and tank destruction badge are repro but the German Italiano medal is genuine.

After buying the repro items at Military Odessey, this year, I saw the medal at a military fair in Thetford earlier in the year and thought it would add to a nice display.

I painted the frame a suitable 'DAK', (!), uniform greem and mounted the items once dry.

SELWG, 15 October 2023

 Hello There! With the timings of the wargaming shows this year, there were two, (The Other Partizan and SELWG), which were consecutive weekends.

The show was again at the Lea Valley Sports Centre. This venue provides plenty of space and plenty of light for photographs. I took the photograph above at the end of the day so the crowd is thinned out, but it was busy at the start of the show and still well worth the visit!

The Newbury & Reading Wargames Society put on the Battle of Hydaspes. This was using 28mm figures and was very impressive with the large Macedonian pike blocks!

Next up, the Battle of Thapsus by the Society of Ancients. Like many ancient battles the terrain is minimal and sparse but the game was impressive with big colourful units.

Now something that you do not see often at shows, or as a demonstration game. A Modern game, or more accurately a Cold War, 1980's scenario. Put on by the Milton Hundred Wargames Group and using Team Yankee rules this game did have a lot of 'drop on' terrain but was nice to see due to the often unseen period.  

The Shepway Wargamers put this game on which had appeared at the Partizan game the week before. As I remember it was using 28mm size figures and recreated a small English village and its countryside surroundings very well. There was also a good scenario with the game as well.

There were many small details, such as this land girl with shot gun ready to deal with any 'Nazis' she may find!

The Home Guard are well represented complete with their homogenous armaments and defences.

The Central London Wargames Club showed off these new Napoleonic rules, 'Emperor of the Battlefield' I was not in a position to pass comment on the rules but visually one of the differences was that the centre of the table held 28mm high figures while the flanks held 15mm high figures.

Here is the front cover of the rules which had only been published that month.

Retired Wargamers Reloaded, regular attendees to the shows I have visited, put on a 20mm Pegasus Bridge scenario. 

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I particularly liked the 21st Panzer Division French conversions.

Complete with the French power lines. I have seen these supplies in laser cut MDF and resin in the past but these could have been 3D print as that medium is all the rage now and the result is a lot more instantaneous than waiting for an order in the post.

A nice representation of a brewed vehicle as well.

I have looked at the SELWG website to find out who put on this lovely 18mm AB Miniatures Napoleonic game but have drawn a blank.

Overall it was an enjoyable show. I did feel a little 'partied out' after a second weekend of a show, so may not do that next year. I went to SELWG because I had some scenery on the bring and buy sale but did not personally feel the staff attending that stall really supported my products well as almost all of it was placed on the table at the rear of the stall and despite asking if it could be put on the front, it was not. Oh well.