HUGE WSS Game Friday 28th December 2007 - Part 2

The fight continues....

Some more of Mark's Allied Infantry heading towards the Center of the Battlefield near my position.

Shortly afterwards it was dinner time, which was at approx 1PM. Not having been able to take any photos of the action between Tony Walmsley, his grandson and Mark's figures with them being the other far end of the table I took the opportunity to do so.

Paul's French Horse Squadrons en route to challenge Mark's Allied Forces. Photo taken during dinner.

Tony Walmsley's forces en route to face Mark's Allied Forces. Photo taken during dinner.

Tony's French and Mark's Allied Infantry facing each other. Another dinnertime shot before gameplay resumed.

With gameplay resumed it now appeared that Paul's French Horse now occupied most of the Center ground and were soon heading towards mine and Mark's position. Mark's Allied Infantry therefore formed a defensive square, with field guns unlimbered, near one of the villages.

By this time also my Infantry had been slowly killed off, though they were also inflicting casualties, combined with low morale meant that most of my Infantry in the frontline ended up routing meaning Infantry behind could not advance. With Paul's French Horse en route, after being unable to successfully stop a previous Cavalry Melee against him, I decided to Charge! his French Horse. I didn't want them coming any further towards me. Note the large amount of French Horse in the background.

It turned out that the French managed to hold on to the Villages. Most of the figures on the table belonged to Paul Robinson. Piedmontese figures by Andy Sharpe whilst the remainder belonged to Mark Alcock. An Order of Battle was produced by Paul for all the players. Including Tony's Grandson that meant a total of 7 players participated in this game. Before I forget here is the breakdown of Tony Walmsley's forces: 12 Battalions Line, 1 Battalion Elite, 12 Squadrons Dragoons and 10 Squadrons Horse.

View of the Battlefield near Mark's position at the end of the game. The game finished approx 3.30PM. Most of us had been here since just before 10am.

End of game shot. Andy Sharpe's Piedmontese on left with Jase Whitfield's French still occupying village on right.

Close up of Jase's French forces in the village at the end of the game.

Another view of Andy Sharpe's Piedmontese in action (on left) at the end of the game.

To conclude, it was a good game which I did enjoy as did we all. Big thanks to Paul Robinson for organising it. I always enjoy taking photos of War of the Spanish Succession figures because they are so detailed and incredibly colourful.

The scenario apparently was loosely based on events in 1707. Don't think the Allied Forces could have won out even if the game had carried on for a bit longer.

Looking forward to 2008 with more games of this kind. Happy New Year.

HUGE WSS Game Friday 28th December 2007 - Part 1

This is my overdue report of the HUGE WSS Game at the club on Friday 28th December 2007, organised by our own Paul Robinson. It was a big game with thousands of figures on the table, lasting just under 5 hours, where photos were taken by myself, Paul and Tony Walmsley.
The game actually started just before 11am. Everyone who arrived before had helped set up the terrain boards. Paul already had a plan set out for how he wanted the terrain, which was followed. Other than Paul himself, there was Jase Whitfield, Mark Alcock, Andy Sharpe and myself. Tony Walmsley joined in after 11am accompanied by his grandson.

After the terrain was set up, some of the French Forces were positioned in their 3 villages on the tabletop. This is one of them. The French had to hold all 3 villages and are expecting reinforcements. The Allied Forces had to try to capture all the villages so that their army could move forward. Rules used were the club's own.

The Other 2 villages on the tabletop. The tabletop had to be extended a few extra feet, making room for more roads. There were 8 entry points onto the board. Allied players had to roll a D4 to determine point of entry. Of course, each point of entry was numbered. Allied player then had to throw 6D6 per turn to determine how many units arrived each turn. You had to score equal to or below a turn number to arrive. You could decide which units you used. After turn 6 you could continue to choose units until all your force was present.

French players had to roll 1D5 each, the highest score being the earliest (in turns) that any unit as reinforcement may arrive. Thereafter they roll 1D10 needing to score equal to less than the move number. If successful they roll 1D6 to determine how many units arrive.

One of the Villages held by the French before any gameplay.

Andy Sharpe's Piedmontese as they began coming on. Andy was in the Allied Forces along with myself and Mark Alcock. The French Forces players were Tony Walmsley and grandson, Paul Robinson and Jase Whitfield.

Jase's French forces under Siege from mine and Andy's Allied Forces. My Allied Forces are bottom right.

Close up of the action as Jase and Andy's Forces start to clash.

Andy Sharpe's Piedmontese Advanced and attacking the Village.

A view of the action going on in Mark's portion of this massive Battlefield. With plenty of activity in the center Mark was sending some of his Allied Forces towards mine. In total Mark had 2 Battalions Elite Foot, 15 Battalions Line Infantry, 3 Squadrons Elite Dutch Horse, 3 Squadrons Elite Danish Horse, 15 Squadrons of Horse, 4 Squadrons of Dragoons and 4 Field Guns for the entire game. Rather a lot.

A view towards the village quite literally from where I was sat at the table. My forces were made up of both Mark's and Paul's figures. I had 1 Battalion Elite Danish Foot, well, Dutch Guard. 4 Battalions Line Infantry. 10 Squadrons Horse and 3 Field Guns. At this time however I had just sent the figures forward the same way they had come on the tabletop which for the Cavalry turned out to be a mistake.

Some of Jase Whitfield's French Reinforcements begin arriving on the tabletop. In total Jase had 1 Battalion Elite, 8 Battalions Line, 20 Squadrons of Horse, 3 Squadrons of Dragoons and 4 Field Guns.

Mark and Paul's forces in a Cavalry Melee. Paul's total forces for this game were 1 Battalion French Guard and 12 Squadrons Elite French Horse.

Andy Sharpe's Allied Piedmontese forces consisted of 1 Battalion Elite, 5 Battalions Line Infantry, 6 Squadrons Horse, 8 Squadrons Dragoons and 1 Field Gun.

With such a large number of photos taken for this game along with the fact there were thousands of figures on the table, this battle report is split into 2 parts and to be continued...

15mm Napoleonics on Saturday 29th December 2007

Before I begin my report of the WSS game that happened a day before, I am giving my small report of the 15mm Napoleonics game that happened the day afterwards at the club on Saturday 29th December 2007.

Playing were Mark Alcock as the French, using his figures, with Jase Whitfield on his side. On the Prussians side were Dave Tuck, using his own figures, ably assisted by John Ogden. Before the game began, as I was not playing, I was asked by Mark to put tokens under the 4 buildings and the wood in the middle of the table. On these tokens were points. The game was played on our 18 foot table downstairs. However, as some players had not turned up so did not get my game, with me feeling a bit under the weather, I left during dinner. As I am typing this I am sniffing like I don't know what and think I've got another cold coming on. Here are some photos I took of the game.

Taken before the game started, with all the figures on the table. This was at approx 10:55am. Prussians on right, French on left.

About 45 minutes in, both forces prepare to clash near the wood.

Prussians under John Ogden's command head towards Mark's French.

A view of the Advancing Prussians under John Ogden's command. Advanced with field guns un-limbered and ready to fire.

A view of Mark's French occupying a Farmhouse.

Advancing French commanded by Jase Whitfield down other end of table.

A view behind the line's of Dave Tuck's Prussians.

Dave Tuck's Prussian Generals.

View of Dave Tuck's Prussian Infantry and occupied building.

French under Jase Whitfield guarding this Farmhouse.

John's Prussians in Cavalry Melee with Mark's French.

The French advanced on the Prussians and quite literally staring down the barrels of the Prussian Field Guns.

John's Prussians and Mark's French clash in the wood.

John's Prussians defending a Church.


The game looked even to me before I left and could have gone either way. Even if one side had seemed to score a decisive victory over the other, the points tokens hidden under the buildings and wood could affect the outcome.

I did think it was nice that I had been requested to bring my camera the day before so that I could take photos of this game.

15mm napoleonics overview

French figures by mark alcock. Playing on marks side is jase whitfield. Prussians by dave tuck. Playing on daves side is john ogden. Photo is before any gameplay.

WSS Game

The WSS game at the club went really well and was absolutely huge. I will not give my full report tonight but slowly over the weekend and in 2 parts. Playing were myself, Mark Alcock, Jase Whitfield, Andy Sharpe and Paul Robinson. Tony Walmsley also joined in on the French side from 11am. Longest game I played in a long time. Really good. I took loads of photos of which the majority came out alright. Some didn't. When I post my report I have decided to make the exception and publish ALL of the photos from the game on this blog before uploading to the galleries.
I am the club again tomorrow at 10am where the Rapid Fire! game is taking place as well is apparently a 15mm Napoleonic game. Better get the camera charged up again. So you can expect more updates on this weekend's game over the next few days.

Cavalry melee madness

Chaos down my end of table

Marks forces

Wss xmas game 2007

Playing are paul robinson, mark alcock, jase whitfield, andy sharpe and me

Merry Christmas! (Oh and We're on TMP again)

Merry Christmas to all. Hoping you having nice day so far. Yesterday my friends and I actually went out around 1pm, around a few pubs in Cleethorpes before finally leaving to go our separate ways about 6.30pm. Bought a small crate of Carling, went back with some of them to their house for a few hours, just in time to catch a repeat of Doctor Who on BBC3 and watch the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. More importantly, I had a few more cans. Didn't feel that hungover this morning and not had my Xmas Dinner yet. Won't be going to anyone else's house for Xmas Dinner. Will be having something vegetarian later with...veg obviously. Also have a little booze to have with it later, some fruit cake and best of all, a Chocolate Xmas Pud I got from Asda which cost me about a £5. Will be tucking in a bit later. Going to a friend's house tomorrow for my proper Christmas Dinner.

In the Christmassy spirit, I found this nice vid on YouTube. Might have caught a bit of it on the news. Being someone who likes cats and has one, I couldn't resist it. It's some cute cats doing Jingle Bells.



We have been on TMP again in the past 24 hours also. To read my news posting, click here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/322993/

Looking forward to the Doctor Who Christmas Special, guest starring Kylie Minogue this year, in "Voyage of the Damned" at 6.50pm on BBC1. There is a Doctor Who Confidential following it on BBC3 at 8.30pm. View the trailer below and have a Happy Christmas.

Update on WW1 Terrain

On Thursday after playing Wallenstein I went upstairs to take some photos of our WW1 Terrain that is being built. Mal Taylor and Andy Hamilton were there again putting some more hours in. Andy Hamilton had started texturing 1 of our new no-mans land boards by gluing Kitchen Paper onto it (left).

On this board more of the fencing had been added using Barbecue Skewers.

Same with this board. Think that is all they were able to get done that night. Progressing steadily.




Don't forget to come to our Big Game here at the club on December 28th 2007. Its a big WSS Game. Come if you can. Otherwise I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with loads more Wargaming fun to be had.

Wallenstein

Last Thursday, 20th December, I went down to the club to possibly play some card games. Refreshingly, we played something different altogether. A board game called Wallenstein (see photo left), set in 2 years of the Thirty Years War. Five of us played it: Myself, Mark Alcock, Jase Whitfield, Stuart Motley and a reasonably new player called Mike. Myself and the other Jase were on equal points in the middle of the game, shooting ahead of the others. Things changed by the end of the game though. I was Brown with most of my armies in Bayern. At the end Mark and I were level on 29 points, Jase Whitfield won on 45 points with the others around the 35 point mark. Enjoyed the game though. First time I played it. Look forward to playing it again. For a better description on the game and how to play it, follow the Wikipedia link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallenstein_%28board_game%29

Grimsby Wargames Society in Games of War Forum

As I promised some weeks ago now, I was going to post my photos of the Games of War Demo that I took at the Durham Wargames Group Show on 9th June 2007, in the Games of War Forum. Finally got round to it. You can view it at:

http://www.gamesofwar.co.uk/index.php?topic=274.msg3881;topicseen#new

Another Big Game Night On Monday

3 games on Monday night. Had intended to join in one of them. Even came armed with dice and tape measure. Arrived too late to join in so just chatted and took photos instead.
First up a huge War of the Spanish Succession game on the 18 foot table downstairs. Playing for the Maritime Powers were Andy Hamilton and Andy Sharpe. Maybe I should call them the Two Andy's. On the French side were Paul Robinson and Jase Whitfield.

Overview of the Game Table. Most of the figures on the table (80%) of them belonged to Paul Robinson. The remainder belonged to Andy Hamilton and Andy Sharpe. At the forefront, far left, is Andy Sharpe's Piedmontese in Melee with Paul Robinson's French.

The first 6 figures you see immediately in front of you are Andy Sharpe's Piedmontese, who, by this time, were on the run from Paul Robinson's French who are quite literally behind him.

Andy Hamilton's Austrians. Andy has not had the time to give them the appropriate flags. When he does, I will get you another photo of them. Don't they look great?

Mark Alcock's Wurtemberger Field Guns/Artillery for his 15mm Napoleonic Game against Dave Tuck and Steve Mercer. All the Wurtemberger figures belonged to Mark Alcock with the Saxons belonging to Dave Tuck.

Dave Tuck's Saxons clashing with Mark Alcock's Wurtembergers.

Tony Walmsley's 15mm Seven Years War figures. Tony was playing against Mal Taylor. All figures in this game belonged to Tony.
While I may need some re-educating on my history and wargaming figures (some club members will say that it is a certainty that I need re-educating), Tony's 15mm SYW figures are now instantly recognisable to me that I can now associate his figures properly with the period. For example, those horse-drawn carriages at the back.

A view of the state of play on Mal Taylor's side of the table in the Seven Years War Game.




A Busy Game night. The last game night before Christmas, well, for wargaming anyway.
After Christmas there are some big games going on at the Club just before New Year. On the 28th there is a huge game going on on the 18 foot table downstairs. The game Paul and the lads had earlier should hopefully whet your appetite. View Paul's report of the game on his blog at:
http://grimsbywargaming.blogspot.com/2007/12/ride-of-maison-du-roi.html

For more information on the game on the 28th December 2007, go to this entry on Paul's Blog:
http://grimsbywargaming.blogspot.com/2007/12/grimsby-open.html

I spoke to Steve Jones who dropped in and am also hoping to join in and take photos of a Rapid Fire! game going on on either the Saturday or Sunday after Christmas. Not played in a game of Rapid Fire! for years. Hoping Danny Malone will also be there. I would also like to add that a new Rapid Fire! book has just come out: Battle of the Bulge! by Richard Marsh.
There will therefore not be an entry on this blog next Monday night, well, there shouldn't be. Like most other people this time of year, I will have been staggering round the pubs morning till afternoon and do not expect to be sober by 4PM on Christmas Eve. Believe it or not, it's a tradition with me and some friends of mine. I imagine there'll be loads of people out at that time so we like to go out before it starts to get really busy in town.

I will be able to keep you updated on the progress of the new WW1 terrain boards so expect to see some more photos of them this week.