Olicanalad's Games

Go Telyermum!

2012-01-22T07:54:00.000-08:00

I will, of course, be using the Ager Proelii rules set recently published in Miniature Wargames (issue 345 January 2012) to fight this Telamon style scenario.
After deployment, I rolled D12s for army die and command quality for each side’s command group leaders. The Gallic army came off best with a D12 army die and sequence deck. The Romans got a D10 army die and deck. Leadership rolls were very average for both sides.

Next I totted up the unit integrity of both armies. The Gallic army mustered only 100 unit integrity points. The combined Roman armies mustered a whopping 150 unit integrity. This disparity is largely due to the larger units making up the Gallic army – larger units gain a smaller number of unit integrity in relation to their size than ‘standard’ sized units.

Dividing the unit integrity value by 12 gave the number of army characterisation cards that each army would receive: Gallic 8. Roman 12.

The characterisation cards gave the Gallic army 43 army morale chips (poker chips in the photo) and two characterisation sequence cards – Wild Card and Aggressive.

Note that the pictured sequence cards are not the ones published with the rules in Miniature Wargames (which are quite plain), these are my personal decks (for my own use) that feature pictures downloaded from google images. Covering my arse, I think they might not be all available under copyright permissions – but who knows?

The Romans got 61 army morale chips and three characterisation sequence cards – Like Hail, Deft Cavalry, and By Saturn!!

The game is now set to go. I’ll leave you with a few extra close up shots.

Telyermum

2012-01-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

I've set up the following battle, which I'm calling Telyermum, to be fought next Wednesday night. I thought is was time to fight a battle without a Carthaginian element, and so I came up with this.

The dispositions are loosely based on the battle of Telamon 225BC. It was at this battle that an army sized Gallic raiding force of 50 - 70,000 men was attacked, as it retreated back to Transalpine Gaul with its loot, by more than 100,000 Romans and allies attacking from two directions.

The most interesting fact about the battle is recreated in my scenario - the Gallic army is facing in two directions and fighting back to back against the Roman pincer movement. I have chosen to fight slightly more evenly matched forces and given the Gallic army better defencive terrain.

All figures are Renegade. The Gallic army is 12 chariots, 80 cavalry, 396 war band infantry plus command stands. The Roman army is 64 cavalry, 576 infantry plus command stands.

Weapons and Warfare in Renaissance Europe by B.S. Hall

2012-01-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

I have just finished reading Weapons and Warfare in Renaissance Europe by Bert S. Hall.

It examines several aspects of warfare in the later middle ages and sixteenth century, but concentrates on the effect of gunpowder in western Europe, gunpowder production, gunpowder weapon development and tactics, and its consequences in relation to other military arms and tactical development (heavy cavalry and pike squares).

It is a fine and detailed study, and although there was nothing that I did not know already (outside of gunpowder production and how it works - it is not as simple as "it goes bang"), it does state WHAT IS KNOWN about firearms and tactics very clearly.

One thing, which I found most interesting, was his interpretation of arquebus "volleys" during the Battle of Pavia. He has deduced that the volley fire came about due to the heavy fog. The arquebusier being 'loaded', saw a unit of French loom out of the mist at close range and fired at all at once, the French unit would disappear back into the mist and having no target the arquebusier would reload and await the next target looming out of the mist. I can see this, and it is a very clever conclusion as to how fire control during this battle was different to that in other battles - they were allowed time to reload because the French could not see them, at a distance, to launch an organised charge against them. The mist became 'the wall' for the arquebusier to operate behind.

The book is a good addition to my library. I can recommend it in the 'further reading' category for those with a keen interest in 16th Century warfare. It does not provide much in the way of information that will be directly useful for 'war gaming the period'.

I bought it from Amazon; it is a fine second hand copy in hardback, which I managed to pick up at a similar price to a new paper back (£18.50 including postage). This is something I've noticed before, and I much prefer hardbacks, even if they are not exactly in perfect condition.

Ravignano set up - Italian Wars rule set playtest

2012-01-06T04:47:00.000-08:00

I am still doing some basic play testing of Thirst of War and Blood. This time I have set up a field battle centred on control of some high-ground.

The armies are historical but, they are out of time and place. The French army is based on that at the Battle of Marignano 1515; the Spanish / Papal army is based on that at the Battle of Ravenna 1512. Numbers were taken from Renaissance Battles 1494 - 1700 Vol.1 by Peter Sides, except that there are no war carts, I have put the Papal infantry at 4000 rather than 2000, and I have given the Papal light cavalry crossbows rather than arquebus (of the latter I am, temporarily, short). Figure scale is between 1:40 and 1:60 - I'm not much of a bean counter.

To make life interesting (this is a solo game) I have added an off table force – The Medici Black Bands – which will arrive on a Stratagem card, as off table flank reserves, on the French left / Spanish right. I have not decided which side they will end up fighting for. This will be decided by a roll of the dice.

The French Army comprises: 1500 Gendarmes, 9000 Landsknechts, 4000 French pikemen, 2000 Gascon Crossbow, 500 French light horse, artillery.

The Spanish / Papal Army comprises: 1800 Italian Men-at-arms, 450 Spanish Men-at-arms, 900 light horse, 800 Genitors, 8000 Spanish infantry in four brigaded coronelas, 4000 Papal infantry, artillery.

I aim to play this game out over the next few days. I'll try and take some shots of the action and provide a narrative account.

The Battle of Fastapasta - Well it was good for me

2012-01-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

The Venetians cross the stream threatening the Imperial flank, which is only lightly defended, whilst a frontal assault is launched by their heavy cavalry in support.

Meanwhile, feeling a little unsupported and wasted in the grounds of the abbey, the Spanish coronela there begins to pull back.

The French turn a Group Melee card. They use it to launch the Venetians into the fray with mixed, but not unexpected, results. Along the river bank the Venetian troops make steady progress against the mounted crossbow units sent to hold them. At the works, the Venetian cavalry are routed with heavy loss - the French are now handing morale chips to the Imperials.

The Imperials turn a melee card - they must fight all ongoing melees. The Landsknechts rout the coronela facing them and advance to take the ground. When things are going for you ride the wave: The French pike, inferior to the Spanish on the slope above them, still manage to hold their own in what is proving a hard fought contest. The Imperials have had enough, the coronela recently withdrawn to the rear walls of the abbey, risking blue on blue, pour in fire.

Just in range! The French are still riding that wave! A big dice roll is in order - 10 Vs 1 - that will do - 3 unit integrity loss. Ouch!!!

The next thing that happens - the French win a swing of 9 impetus - and the Gods of War are with them.

Everywhere the French advance, fighting as they go. What's more they win almost everywhere they fight. Only the French pike finally break - but they fought well and distracted the Spanish reserve long enough for the rest of the Franco - Venetian force to break into the camp.

End Game. The Spanish are now handing morale to the French and they are running everywhere.

And that is where I ended it. The surprise, was the immense amount of French luck. On zero morale they almost managed to cycle their deck avoiding the their Army Morale cards whilst a zero morale. As for the rules in general, well the quick reference sheet is a hotch
-potch of highlighter pen and pencil scribbles, with several rules changing, or being added, mid game. On the whole things went quite well. I'll try another solo game this week - there is no official game scheduled here this week.

More Italian Porn - Fastapasta, Turn 2

2012-01-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Turn 2 of the Fastapasta game sees action become general. It also sees the French and Venetians reach a single morale chip, having lost over forty during the game, whilst the Imperialists and their Papal allies sit pretty with twenty one. The only way the French can win, but I'm getting ahead of myself: Turn 2.

Whilst the Imperial Landsknechts attempt to evict the Swiss from 'the outpost', with little success,..........

.......the Venetians begin to cross the bog and stream to the flank of the Imperial camp......

.....and the French and Venetian main force storm the outer defences.

After a fierce fight the Landsknechts force the Swiss out of 'the outpost' but are spent in doing so. Meanwhile the Swiss have rallied several UI losses and are ready to renew the assault.

Note the Genitor cavalry which has worked behind the Swiss and is harassing them at every opportunity.

Then, to make matters worse, the Imperial commander is killed trying to rally the Imperialist pike - all of his units are vexed.

The French turn a Group March and there Venetian command moves into position.....

........and then almost immediately turn Chow Bella - they declare it as a melee card for the French pike and Landsknechts.

"Here they come!"

In a series of dashing melees the french and Landsknechts storm and penetrate the defences. But the Venetians are held.

The French pike push on into the camp. Advancing uphill into the reserve Spanish coronela they receive a crashing volley of arquebus fire that the French will find hard to rally.

At 'the outpost' things go badly for the Imperialists - the Landsknechts break.

Things are not going well for the French either, the Venetian pike is forced back from the works then showered with arquebus fire until it falls back in great disorder.

So endeth Turn 2. The French are breaking into the camp everywhere, but they have expended so many morale chips in UI losses, and UI rallies, that they must win just about everything from now on without failing army morale checks en route. Here are some general close of turn shots.

How to cook Fastapasta

2011-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

The above shot shows the Battle of Fastapasta at the end of turn one. I used the embryonic "Thirst of War and Blood" to fight the battle. Over the last couple of weeks these rules, in their tabular form, have received much attention and 'on paper play-testing'. They are still not right, but they are certainly getting there.

In the very first initiative the French turn a march card. On the far side of the field the French command, including the Swiss pike, rolls more and triple - three moves! The Swiss have a D12 combat die and, moving their combat die in inches, advance 36" in a single bound. This is a game of decision; as in real war, once the enemy starts to move it is often too late to transmit orders to intervene - which is often far too easy in most war games, where things are signposted by movement rates that are far too short.

What is more, they have rolled even so can initiate a melee versus the Landsknecht pike square. They win the first round. The Landsknechts only save themselves from rout by expending a morale chip to invoke stubborn status - they have lost less unit integrity (UI) than the total number of rear rank stands - to convert a rout into a push back.

Almost immediately the French turn a melee card, on a won 'lull card' roll where the initiative can be stolen, and must resolve the ongoing melee. This time the advance of the Swiss is slowed - a hard fought melee, the Swiss still have the advantage but the sheer weight of the Landsknecht pike square is beginning to tell.

The Swiss storm the earthworks (below) rolling over the artillery and into contact with the Landsknechts. This will prove to be important later....

The French turn an officer check card and rally back their losses. (I've used some nice contemporary portraits on the leadership quality markers - this one is Alfonso of Ferrara).

In the next round of melee a draw is obtained - more UI losses but no advantage to either side.

Then the Imperialists turn "Four horsemen"; a characterisation card. It gives four extra impetus points to turn cards! It enables the Imperials to position themselves against the French attack which looks like it is about to become general.

The battle between the Swiss and Landsknechts continues on every melee card that is turned. The fight turns dramatically in the Landsknechts favour, but they are unable to take full advantage because they are pinned by the other Swiss pike square.

On the other side of the field the advance of the French Landsknechts and Picard pike is slowed dramatically by well timed artillery fire. Both squares are vexed and move at half speed.

Then the turn ends on an equal roll, in this case double ones.

Below are some shots of the field at 'turn end'. They show that much more went on in the turn (of 17 impetus each) than is pictured in detail above.

The Fight between Landsknechts and Swiss.

The Imperialists rush their Papal allies to guard the rear of the camp.

The Imperial camp under attack.

Here they come!

I'm fighting this one solo. I aim to get in several more turns over the next few days. I'll try and do a similar report for all.

The Battle of Fastapasta - Deployments

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Having fought a battle on similar terrain over the last two weeks, Peter and I liked it so much we decided to use it again but on a larger table with more room behind the Imperial camp. The scenario is quite simple, the French and Venetian force must destroy the forces of the HRE and the Pope by attacking them in their well situated camp.

The Battle of Fastapasta will be fought next Wednesday night.

French Deployment

Much of the main French Venetian force in front of the camp is pictured here.

Pike: 180 figs
Shot and crossbow: 72 figs
Gendarmes and other heavy cavalry: 32 figs
Light cavalry: 16 figs
Guns: 3 models and crew

To the left of the troops pictured above, Gascon crossbowmen are advancing through the woods toward the priory.

I've decided to do infantry skirmishers 3 to a stand (60mm frontage x 45mm deep). I'm not going to penalise skirmish fire when formed up 'deep' as they represent troops moving about (front to back and vice versa) to shoot and reload, but their depth will make them a better target - Dn1 for skirmish, Up1 for being deep.

Venetian Stradiots. Poorly situated behind the bulk of the Venetian force. Fully based, I like my depiction of 'cavalry skirmish' on extra depth bases even more.

Venetian pike and shot at the crest of the long ridge.

French Landsknechts - bloody traitors!

The French flanking force. A very powerful force including Swiss pike and Medici's Black Bands.

Swiss pike: 108 figs
Shot: 32 figs
Gendarmes: 16 figs
Light cavalry: 16 figs

Imperial Deployment

The main Imperial camp. The bulk of the Imperial and Papal forces are here.
Coronelas: 144 figs
Papal infantry: 92 figs
Heavy cavalry: 16 figs
Light cavalry: 16 figs
Guns: 2 models plus crew

Brigaded coronela, Papal crossbows and artillery man the defences.

Romagnol pikemen in red slashed white stand ready to support.

In the background (on the road) a Spanish officer takes his dog for a stroll before the commencement of battle.

The priory is manned by Spanish veterans - woe betide any attackers here!

Spanish and Papal cavalry stand in reserve to plug any breaches.

The outpost. Guarding, what was thought to be, the only bridge over the major river to the rear of the camp this contingent has been surprised to see the French - the French must have put a pontoon across the river somewhere downstream.

Landsknecht pikemen: 90
Italian shot: 12
Heavy cavalry: 8
Genitors: 16
Guns: 1 model plus crew

Imperial banners - my own personal favourites; it's the eagles.

The Imperial artillery emplaced outside the village.

Actually, it is a shot of my newest building; which I you like too.

Hopefully, with spare time between now and next Wednesday and having purchased two new bottles of brown acrylic ink today, I might manage to finish the basing before we start playing. I'll post some shots and a report on how the rules are coming on.

Thirst of War and Blood - Italian Wars

2011-12-15T03:06:00.000-08:00

Peter and I have started to work on a new set of rules for fighting battles set during the Italian Wars period. Last night we started play testing the basics. The rules have a working title: Thirst of War and Blood. The title comes from a satirising of Europe, in 1522, by Erasmus.
"These are the instruments, you must know, that are still irritating Kings to thirst of War and Blood under the splendid notion of Empire and Glory: and with the same art and industry they inflame the spirits of the Nobility likewise and of the Common People."

The test game I set up uses most troop types and terrain. It is clear that the rules will be quite an easy task to get right as most of the donkey work on basic mechanisms has already been done for the 'Ager' series - melee with pointy sticks doesn't change much over time! It is more a matter of giving the rules a distinctive period feel; which will be harder but rewarding.

Here are some shots of the battle. The troops are on newly sized bases, but the bases are unfinished - thankfully they are not, being dull brown, too stark.

The French are attacking the armed camp of the Spanish and their Papal Allies. The Spanish are rushing reinforcements to the camp.

The Spanish reinforcements arrive just in the nick of time.

The French flanking attack appears - Medici is here!

French pike assault the outer defences and break into the camp before being checked by a newly arrived brigaded coronela.

The battle at the barricades and ditch is in full swing. The French Landslnechts are being held back under muderous fire from artillery and Spanish arquebusier. The battle is in the balance.

Peter and I will finish this battle next week. I hope you like the look of things to come.

Ager Proelii - Publication announcement

2011-12-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

AGER PROELII

Ager Proelii (Field of Battle, or more accurately Field of Engagement) is a set of period specific war game rules for the Punic Wars. The original working title was Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars. The rules follow the base mechanics of Piquet Inc.'s Field of Battle by Brent Oman, some very neat ideas from Classic Piquet by Bob Jones, and some ideas of my own.

Ager Proelii will be published by Miniature Wargames in issue 345 (January 2012). The rules come as an advertisement free, 20 page centrefold pull out with cover page and card stock for scanning / photocopying. A full colour set of glossy rules for under a fiver - that's what I call a Christmas gift!

If you liked Ager Sanguinis (a rule set for the early Crusades) that were published by Miniature Wargames in 2009 / 2010 you'll like this set too (it seems that many of you did, as this edition is no longer available in hard copy). If your interest is in the Crusades, rather than the Punic Wars, but you liked Ager Sanguinis this edition of Miniature Wargames is not to missed. Many of the new (and better) mechanics, especially for game set up and melee, are easily transferable. Peter and I used these new mechanics in our recent Crusades campaign to very good effect.

Master for a Ravenna war cart

2011-12-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

At Ravenna the Spanish and their Papal allies deployed somewhere between 30 and 70 war carts. These had been devised by Pedro Navarro. They were armed with heavy arquebus and were fitted with defencive spear points and scythes. From the description I have (given in F. Taylor's The Art of War in Italy 1494 - 1529) I have made the following model.

The wheels are by Irregular Miniatures, but the rest is constructed from Miliput and various odd bits of tube an metal. I will make a mould from RTV rubber so I can cast a few in white metal. The piece will be cast (without wheels) in three pieces, possibly four if I finish and fit the wooden 'gun shield'. I'll buy the wheels from Irregular Miniatures.

The gun shield is almost finished, but I'm not sure if I'll add it as I rather like the model as it is here.

Playing about with basing

2011-11-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to vary my fare I've begun to seriously think about how to rebase my Italian Wars collection. Here are some figures newly mounted on MDF bases. The bases have not been finished because I'm still not entirely sure; I have not decided how to base most of the infantry armed with missile weapons.

All stands have a frontage of 45mm. Infantry stands are square. Close order cavalry stands are 60mm deep. Skirmish order cavalry stands are 90mm deep - you'll be surprised by the result I think.

A brigade of Spanish coronelas.
This one is eight stands strong. Four arquebus stands backed by two pike and two sword and buckler stands - in this case a total of 35 figures (the sword and buckler casualty takes up double the room of a live one!). This represents 1800 men (3 - 4 coronelas).

Landsknecht pike square
16 stands of Landsknect pike for a total of 96 pikemen. This represents about 5000 men.

Gendarmes

This is a typical four stand unit of cavalry representing about 400 heavy cavalry.

Stradiots

A typical four stand unit of light cavalry representing 400 men. The unit has the same frontage as a heavy cavalry unit with the same numbers. This is because I believe light cavalry formed up in a 'cloud' rather than a regimented skirmish line; if they came to grips they would 'bunch'.

The photo below shows a heavy and light cavalry unit in combat. I think this works.

Blog news.

2011-11-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

Poll

What would you like to see here? I have not asked you all recently, in fact the last time I asked there were only a couple of dozen (if that) people following this blog. Since then the numbers have mushroomed somewhat. Time for a poll!

Punic Wars Project

My summer has been a whirlwind this year, and for the first time in many a year I have fallen behind in my project work - namely the Punic War armies. I'm a few months behind schedule. I have only painted 1800 figures out of the 2100 or so I had to paint by the end of this month (still not bad for two years work). In the past I have been very strict on deadlines but, as there were events occurring beyond my control (including the suicide of my sister), I have decided to give myself a break. The project has a new deadline. It will finish before the end of March 2012. That should be enough time to finish the Spanish army (approx 350 done, 200 to go) and the last bits of the African side of the Carthaginian army (approx 270 done, 100 to go) plus some odds and sods including terrain.

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars - Ager Proelii

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars is currently at Miniature Wargames. All of the writing and photos have been done and handed on to Andrew Hubback. I think it will be published in the next couple of months - probably for Christmas. This is a full set of rules weighing in at 12,000 words (there or there abouts) that are to be published as one article (centrefold pull out) with cover page and card stock. It will be published under the title AGER PROELII (Field of Battle). If you liked Ager Sanguinis for the Crusades this is well worth picking up for upgrading that set of rules with some new and interesting ideas, many of which Peter and I used when fighting our recent Crusades campaign on the Isle of Fob.

Next Year

Next year I will be project free. In the last six years I will have painted over 5000 28mm figures for myself plus several other bits besides. This does not mean I'll be idle though. My plans for next year (and the year after?) include the following:

7th Armoured Division November 41 at a ratio of 1:5 in 15mm (figs purchased).

15th Panzer Division November 1941 at a ratio of 1:5 in 15mm (figs purchased).

Seven Years War collection upgrade, including a total rebasing and increase from 16 to 24 man units, plus the painting of about 500 new figures (figs purchased) to beef up the unit numbers. This collection was created in my pre-project days.

Italian War collection upgrade. This is mainly a rebasing job, but somehow I've managed to pick up about 300 extra figs on ebay over the last four years so a bit of new painting.

Ancient Naval in 1:600. Just a few Xyston bits and pieces to do for this including about 20 ships to bring the fleet up to 120 vessels. I actually have to put my hand in my pocket for this one.

Project planning: Peninsular War. I'll be starting to collect the figures for this shortly. My plan is to part fund the collection with some article writing.

Thank You

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement in the comments section, not to mention the page hits every month; which are currently averaging over 8000. They have kept me at it this year - especially at some of the hard parts.

James Roach

Famous last words - Isle of Fob campaign ends

2011-11-17T03:28:00.000-08:00

The Isle of Fob campaign ended last night during campaign map play. Following an end of turn double on the first initiative roll of the night, Peter elected to play the first three initiative points he won first in the hope of drawing a card to raise revenue (National Will Points) but the card was not there. I played two Lull cards back to back and Peter won the second; he played his Lull card - big mistake - and lost it. I played a Tactical Advantage card declaring it as Nation Morale, which you can do on a won Lull. But then Peter rolled his blue D12 scoring 11 - "Only a 12 will do then" I said.

Peter read the rule regarding failed nation morale whilst at zero national will points and scoring odd: The nation sues for peace and total victory is awarded to the other side. The Seljuks, on their last legs, had somehow bluffed the Franks into evacuating the Isle of Fob.

VICTORY!!!! VICTORY!!!! VICTORY!!!! VICTORY!!!!......I could go on.......

Mediterranean church completed

2011-11-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

Well, it works for me!

BTW, the tombs are movable. They are for dividing the church yard into separate 'village sections / deployment areas'. I did part of the yard unturfed; I fancy putting a statue / fountain here at some point in the future; and it breaks up a large area of 'grounds' quite nicely.

It was painted with artists yellow ochre acrylic (from a tube), ink washed in very dark brown, then dry brushed with shades of magnolia emulsion paint. The roof was painted with enamels. Stained glass, brickwork and doors were painted with inks.

Italian Wars / Peninsular War buildings

2011-11-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

OK, so you've seen this building constructed, but now it is finished. I like 'modular' village / town sections where the space to put the troops (yard or garden) is built as part of the model - any troops in the yard count as defending the whole section; this makes fighting for built up areas easy to work out.

Now you've seen this one finished, here are some more at the built but need finishing stage. The first are all constructed using Warbases building blanks with additional balsa and Will's Pantiles. The last building, the church, is of my own design but makes use of Warbases windows and doors.

A residential building, possibly the inn.

Another residential building.

The Forge. A simple building with bags of space out front. Not all buildings need to be complex.

A stable block. I have not decided if I should use this as a small building on its own or add it to a future building complex - so it has no yard.

This church is loosely based on a picture I found of a church with a very large tower and small naive. It also had the pillar supported balcony on the front. The church had a flat roof (possibly) and the bell tower was more ornate at the top.

Scale wise, the tower is 24cm tall. The churchyard is just over a foot square.

I reckon two or three more buildings will see me for all of my 'horse and musket' Mediterranean needs.

Campaign Report

2011-11-10T03:53:00.000-08:00

The campaign map shows the positions and situation of the armies just before what Peter and I are now referring to as the end game. The situation map at the end of this post highlights just how bad the situation has got for the Seljuks (who have had to evacuate many town garrisons just to form an army after the disaster at Barinaeum) and for the Franks (who's national will is close to collapsing following the winter battle at Ghazzan).

At the coastal battle of Barinaeum the Seljuk army was smashed. Following this battle the Seljuks came close to folding during subsequent campaign action.

At the winter battle at Ghazzan, with the last resources available (and at zero National Will), the Seljuks managed to rescue the situation. The national will of the Franks was shattered and the new Malik of Fob was given new hope of final victory.

The campaign could end during the next session of campaign action. If the Franks can rally their forces and get through to the next 'tax collection' they will be in a winning position as the Seljuks have virtually no tax base left; the Seljuks must force the Franks to sue before then by forcing a surrender during 'map play'.

Building blanks by Warbases

2011-11-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

At Fiasco on Sunday I picked up some laser cut MDF building blanks by Warbase.co.uk

These come as one of 4 shapes, all of which will fit together to make more complex buildings - ideal for Italian Wars, etc. All of the buildings come with doors and windows; at first I thought the patterns on the pieces were printed - but they are not, they are laser etched.

With some bits of balsa (chimney and balcony) and some Will's pantiles I knocked this one up as a tester. From memory, the smallest building is £1.50, the largest £3.50. The building below was made of a two storey section (£3.50) and a 'tower' (£2.50). At this price it is not worth the time and effort to cut out the pieces from scratch, especially the windows and shutters.

A Demo Game for Fiasco: Harran 1104 AD

2011-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here is the Ilkley Lads game for Fiasco 2011. To save on wasteful handouts, which get picked up and not read, or which due to printing costs rarely cover the game in enough detail, the Ilkley Lads games that have been given to me to organise will come in this format. A couple of pamphlets containing the information here will be available to read at the table on the day. Alongside the pamphlets will be a stack off address slips for this site - simples innit.

The Strategic Positions

Following the release for ransom of Bohemond of Antioch in 1103 AD the northern Franks celebrated by launching two offensives. The first was against the region around Alleppo from which they extracted tribute to pay back loans made for Bohemond’s ransom. The second was against the Byzantines who were trying to reclaim the Cilician territories to the northwest.

In the spring 1104 the northern Franks felt secure enough to turn against the Moslem states to the east. Their strategic goal was to take the mighty fortress of Harran. If this could be taken it would cut communications between the Moslems of Syria and the Moslems of Iraq and Persia. In March they began to raid Harran, and it became clear to the surrounding Moslem states that it was only a matter of time before the Franks besieged the place.

1103 AD had been a time of division for the Moslem world. The Seljuk Sultan Barkiyarok and his brother Mohammed had been at war. Peace was made between them by the division of territory in January 1104 AD; but it was an uneasy arrangement that suited no one. Following the death of Kerbogha of Mosul, Soqman the Ortoqid prince of Mardin had failed to gain the succession (he had backed the wrong horse in the civil war) and was at war with its newly appointed Seljuk atabeg Jekermish.

Harran, independent of Mardin and Mosul, was in a state of turmoil following a successful uprising against its general called Qaraj. His successor Mohammed of Isfahan was murdered by a servant called Jawali; a former page of Qaraj with whom Mohammed had become unwisely intimate. Jawali’s succession was weak and he was incapable of governing and protecting Harran effectively. When Frankish raids against Harran’s fields and trade routes began in the spring of 1104 AD he was in no position to counter them.

Harran was vital to the security to both Mardin and Mosul; Soqman of Mardin and Jekermish of Mosul quickly made peace and, patching up their differences, launched a counter offensive against Edessa to save it.

Hearing news that the Moslems were massing 70 miles from his capital, Baldwin of Edessa sent for help to his lieutenant Joscelin of Turbessel and Bohemond of Antioch. They would beat the Moslems to the punch by marching on Harran immediately. The armies concentrated before Harran and had they stormed the place immediately it would have fallen easily. But the Franks wanted the place intact and they quarrelled over whose flag would fly above its walls once it had been taken. Before the argument had been settled the combined armies of Soqman and Jekermish had swung south and were upon them; this move forced the siege to be broken. The battle that followed would take place across the river Balikh (the exact location of the battle is unknown, but it is certain that it took place some distance from Harran itself).

The Battle

The battlefield was split north to south by the river Balikh. The river was fordable along its entire length, though the banks were muddy in places. To the south west (the Frankish side of the river) lay a large hill. All of the surrounding ground was gently undulating scrubland strewn with bushes and stunted trees; this did not hamper movement, but goes someway to explaining why visibility was hindered.

The Frankish plan of battle was cunningly simple. The Edessans would hold the open ground in the centre / centre left and draw the Saracen into a close quarter fight. Once the Saracen was entangled, the Antiochenes would emerge, from their ambush position, over the brow of the hill (right flank) and crush the Saracens from flank and rear.

The Moslem plan was somewhat similar. Firstly, Soqman’s Turcoman cavalry would engage with the enemy then feign flight back across the river. If the plan was successful the Franks would be drawn into pursuit and then crushed by fresh cavalry set in ambush on the Moslem side of the river.

As it was, the Saracen’s plan succeeded and the Frank’s plan failed. On seeing the Turcoman horse archers fleeing the Edessans thought the battle won and fell into pursuit. Once they had crossed the river thousands of fresh cavalry fell upon them from all sides and they were utterly destroyed and their leaders captured.

Bohemond’s Antiochenes did not even enter the fight. On cresting the brow of the hill, brushing away some light resistance as they did so, they saw the slaughter of the Edessans in the plain below; Bohemond ordered a retreat.

General Scenario Notes

I have devised this scenario to be played with Ager Sanguinis rules by James Roach published in Miniature Wargames in January 2009 issue 309 (with some later unpublished amendments, most of which come from the development of Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars to be published later this year).

The terrain and the forces should be deployed as per the deployment photograph. The forces of Jekermish and the Antiochenes (Bohemond and Tancred) are deemed to be ‘invisible’ to all other forces until they move, shoot, or are discovered. The Antiochenes will only be discovered if Soqman sends troops to reconnoiter from the hill’s summit. The troops from Mosul (Jekermish) will be discovered by the first Frankish unit to cross the river.

Edessa and Antioch

The combined strength of the two armies was put at more than 3,000 cavalry and 9,000 infantry, including many Armenian subjects from the Edessa region. By stripping every garrison of available men it represented almost the entire fighting strength of the northern Franks. For this battle, and using my own units, my figure ratio was roughly 1: 40.

Army Die: D10; Army characterization: 7 cards; D10 sequence deck with one Stratagem card.

Army of Eddessa

Baldwin (Motivation Die: D10): 1 small unit of Knights, 1 unit of turcopoles, 1 unit of Frankish sergeants, 1 unit of Armenian spearmen, 2 units of Armenian bowmen.
Joscelin (Motivation Die: D10): 2 small units of ‘Armenian’ Knights, 1 unit of Frankish sergeants, 1 unit of Armenian spearmen, 2 units of Armenian bowmen.

Army of Antioch

Bohemond (Motivation Die: D12): 2 small units of Knights, 2 units of Frankish sergeants.
Tancred (Motivation Die: D12): 2 small units of Knights, 2 unit of Frankish sergeants.

The Antiochene ambush

Add a ‘Stratagem’ card to the army’s sequence deck: On the appearance of this card the Antiochenes, providing their position is not known to the enemy, can make a triple move as per ‘Move’ card counting it as ‘even’. For the remaining initiative pips in their phase, any enemy unit they contact may not evade, and, where required, any ‘Tactical Advantage’ cards can be used in place of a melee card for a single melee resolution. Its use represents a perfect ambush. Remove after use or the Antiochenes are discovered.

Mardin and Mosul

The best guess at Saracen numbers is 10,000, all of which were cavalry. I have seen certain accounts that break down this figure to 7,000 from Mardin and 3,000 from Mosul, but I have chosen to go with Steven Runciman (A History of the Crusades 2. The Kingdom of Jerusalem) who states “Soqman with a considerable force of Turcoman light cavalry and Jekermish with a slightly smaller force composed of Seldjuk, Turks, Kurds and Arabs.” In game terms this works much better. For this battle, and using my own units, my figure ratio is roughly 1: 40.

Army Die: D12; Army characterization: 6 cards; D10 sequence deck with two Stratagem cards:

The Army of Mardin

Soqman (Motivation Die: D10): 2 units of Ghulam cavalry, 1 unit of Arab heavy cavalry, two units of Turcoman horse archers and 1 unit of Bedouin.

2 Tribal leaders (Motivation Die: D10): Each with 3 units of Turcoman horse archers.

The Army of Mosul

Jekermish (Motivation Die: D10): 1 unit of Ghulam cavalry, 2 units of Arab / Kurdish heavy cavalry.
1 unnamed leader (Motivation Die: D10): 4 units of Seldjuk horse archers.

Turcoman feigned flight

Add two ‘Stratagem’ cards to the army’s sequence deck: On the appearance of this card, Soqman’s two Turcoman command groups deployed beyond the river may attempt to lure the Edessan commands into an uncontrolled advance.

To attempt feigned flight, one unit from each Turcoman command must move (up to 16”) to contact with a unit of each Edessan command. Roll D8 [Turcoman] Vs D10 [Edessan].

If the Turcoman roll is higher all Turcoman units immediately make a rout move towards, and possibly across, the river. The Edessan units become vexed and must pursue the enemy until they contact an enemy unit or they are rallied: Leaders not in pursuit rally with a Down 1 modifier; leaders in pursuit rally with a Down 2modifier. Turcoman horse archer units in feigned flight count as routed except that when rallying they do not count the down 2 routing modifier and they may be rallied by Soqman as well as their own tribal leader. Any unit in feigned flight that is contacted by the enemy is properly routed.

If the Turcoman roll is equal or lower the Turcoman unit becomes embroiled with its target and must remain in contact.

Figures

All figures (except for 24 ‘Arab’ foot archers by Renegade Miniatures) are Perry Miniatures from their First Crusade range. All figures were painted by James Roach of Olicana Painting Services using Humbrol enamels. All figures are based on 4mm ply wood. Infantry bases are 60mm x 60mm. Cavalry bases are 60mm x 90mm.

Terrain

The table is 10 feet by 6 feet. Terrain tiles are the reverse side of tiles by TSS painted with household emulsion (shades of Dulux Whole Meal Honey). Trees are by Last Valley. Hills are home made. They are constructed from high density polystyrene insulation board. All other terrain is scratch built.

The Ilkley Lads

The Ilkley Lads are an informal group of ‘40 and 50 somethings’ operating out of various private addresses in Ilkley West Yorkshire.

A short guided tour of my war game room

2011-10-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

Several people have commented on my war game room. I think it is time to show you around.

After climbing several flights of stairs (four storeys) to the top of the house we come to the door of the war game room. It opens.....

As you walk through the door three large cabinets loom on the left - bulk army storage......

Not all the cabinets are full, as yet, but they can each hold 2000 to 3000 figures. Above, and below, all space is utilised

This really is bulk storage, that top shelf holds 400 infantry....

And the handy middle drawers hold the accouterments of war..............

A small alcove is used for rules, safe campaign map storage and other bits and pieces........

Next to bulk storage is World War Two Corner. This features one of my better auction house buys - the oak glass doored cabinet cost £2 - and a rack of wooden file boxes from Ikea, upgraded with some brass knob handles.

Under the window is my work station. The chest of drawers holds client figures, and I'm sat typing on that laptop at this very moment; now gone........

I love my desk - another bargain from a bankrupt jewelry shop (£10). BTW, one of my most prized possessions is the tiger head motif: This is the original artwork for RAF 230 Squadrons 'badge' painted by my dad; it was made into a stencil that appeared on all their Puma helicopters.......

The centre of the room is taken up by my war game table. It is 12 x 6 and set on two banks of kitchen base units......

The units are full of terrain....................

Main lighting is practical rather than attractive - 9 foot of strip light.....

On the 'long wall' I've mounted 6 tall CD cabinets, all but one of which are use.............

So there it is. It's a big room (18 x 15 at its largest measurements) but it is looking pretty crammed. In six to eight years I'll run out of room - my bookcases are already in the spare room though, so you never know...........

A lot of Gaul - Gallic Army finished(ish)

2011-10-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

Except for a few bases which need to be inked, dry brushed, flocked and tufted the Gallic army is finished. All figures are Renegade Miniatures. All figures are painted in enamels. Here it is (not deployed for battle):

The Cavalry: 80 horsemen, based in twos on 45mm x 75mm bases.

Chariots and command figures: 12 chariots based on 60mm x 100mm. 6 command stands on circular bases.

War band figures: 396 Gallic warriors based on 72 stands, each 60mm x 60mm (half have 5 figs, half have 6 figs). 32 skirmishers armed with bows and slings mounted two to a base, each 60mm x 40mm (these skirmish types will not get used much as they normally only figured when besieged).

Next up, the Spanish need to be completed.

Barinaeum and the death of a King.

2011-09-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

Last night we fought the latest battle in the Isle of Fob campaign. Following up their victory at Ghazzan, Gudrupee the Malik Fob advanced southward in an attempt to take the Christian capital. They were met on the open Plain of Barinaeum by King Louis with a large force of mixed cavalry. The winter battle that followed was very short and sharp. The forces of Gudrupee were almost destroyed and Gudrupee himself fell in the fight.

Christian Deployment:

Moslem Deployment:

The Moslems in trouble:

The Death of Gudrupee:

Knights crash home:

Horse archers harrassing civilians in the Christian rear:

Trebbia part 2

2011-09-29T01:50:00.000-07:00

The Roman infantry clash with the Carthaginian hordes in the centre - the meat grinder whirs into action.

But on the Roman right flank the Carthaginian envelopment is into full swing.

On the Roman left the allied cavalry has collapsed and the Romans are in serious trouble - they are running out of mrale chips.

The Roman centre just before it collapsed on a failed major morale check.

I don't think many Romans got away.

Cheeky Gauls

2011-09-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

I've managed to sneak in a few units of Gauls this month. 6 x 22 Gallic war band units and 13 chariots (and a few un-pictured command figures). This almost completes the Gallic contingent. I only have 18 cavalry and 32 skirmishers to do - giving an army of: 396 war band figures, 32 skirmishers, 13 chariots, 80 cavalry and a dozen or so figures on command stands; enough to do Telamon, I think [?].

The latest additions:

Once I get the Gauls out of the way, I'll start on the completion of the Spanish contingent.

Flight stand construction for 15mm aircraft

2011-09-19T04:23:00.000-07:00

Following a question from Bill in comments.........

Before I start, ignore the drilled hole in the first few pictures. I have used a similar method for 1:144 aircraft, but I wanted to check that the base was heavy enough for 1:100 diecasts. I'm still grinning..........

Materials: Jam jar lid (60mm diameter), plastic(ish) pole, a crocodile clip and some lead (ignore the hole).

Melt the lead and pour it into the lid on a level surface (a thank you to Giles, who laid my stone floor) up to just below the rim (ignore the hole).

Whilst you have the gas on, holding the crocodile clip with a pair of pliers, heat up the base end of the crocodile clip until it changes colour. It does not have to be red, just changing colour, you want to melt it into the plastic not burn the plastic. Then push the clip gently but firmly into the plastic pole. This 'plastic' pole is actually a venetian blind opening thingy that I laid aside when the blind was replaced - it's always a good idea to keep such things.

Now drill the hole for the 'plastic' pole (the hole!).

Normally, I would have spray painted the base, for a finish, and stuck it all together before showing the final assembly, but as this is a bit of home grown precision engineering, I'll show you the construction before I disassemble it for painting (remember that hole?).

Diecast Hurricane repainted for the Desert

2011-09-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

This time it's a Hurricane MkIId. Although I've kept the original lettering (easier to do that way), I've painted it as 6th Squadron - only the pedants will object to such heresy and they can call for pitchforks and torches at their leisure. For their information, it also made its appearance a year later than I'm gaming!!!

The model is a Postage Stamp plane by Model Power. It is 1:100 scale. Obviously, the colours were wrong for the desert so this is a total repaint rather than a revamp. Note: I filed away the 'sticky out bits' on the engine cowling as they do not feature on the ones I have pictures of.

Trebbia report

2011-09-15T03:31:00.000-07:00

The battle started with Roman velites advancing on the African skirmish line where a brief but bloody contest took place along the whole infantry front. The honours were just about even. Then, the Carthaginian cavalry charged. On the Roman left the allied cavalry just about held their own, but the Roman cavalry on the right were bowled over and chaos ensued.

Here are some shots of last night's action.

To be continued...........

Beefing up some diecast Stukas

2011-09-15T03:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, I picked up these 1:100 Fabbri / Italeri Stukas for my 15mm Western Desert collection. They cost £3.00 each plus postage.

I think they are very nice little models and they would pass muster as they come........but, I thought a bit more work on the paint job would make them fit with my wargames models better. I used Humbrol enamels over the existing colours. This is how they came out - upgraded model on the right.

Big Time Trebbia

2011-09-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

Next week Peter J. and I will re-fight Trebbia again. This time we will be doing at double the size we did it last time. Figure scale has been set at about 1:60. Peter, BTW, is actually pictured below - for those interested in what at least one of us looks like.

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars is now with Miniature Wargames. It will, all being well, be published as a one article, centre fold, pull out in the December issue.

The pictures above show the general deployments. The Romans, in triplex acies formation, stand in the sleet with their backs to the freezing water of the River Trebbia which they have just crossed, sodden and cold to the bone.

Carthaginian Army: BLUE
Hannibal : Blue / Blue officer stand.

Command A: Blue / Green officer stand.
2 units each of 12 Spanish cavalry figs, 2 units each of 16 Gallic cavalry figs an 2 units each of 8 Balearic slingers.

Command B: Blue / White officer stand.
3 units each of 24 Libyan spearman figs, 2 units each of 24 Spanish scutarii figs, 2 units each of 8 Libyan skirmisher figs and 2 units each of 1 elephant fig.

Command C: Blue /Brown officer stand.
3 units each of 44 Gallic war band figs and 3 units each of 8 Numidian skirmish figs.

Command D: Blue / Yellow officer stand. As per Command B.

Command E: Blue / Pink officer stand. As per Command A.

Roman Army: RED

Consul, Sempronius Longus: Red / Red officer stand.

Command A: Red / Green officer stand.
4 units each of 12 allied cavalry figs.

Command B: Red / Blue officer stand.
Legion (including ala) comprising 2 units each of 12 velites figs, 2 units each of 24 hastati figs, 2 units each of 24 principes figs and 2 units each of 12 triarii figs.

Command C: Red / White officer stand. Legion as per Command B.

Command D: Red / Brown officer stand. Legion as per Command B.

Command E: Red / Yellow officer stand.
Legion as per Command B, plus 1 unit of 50 Gallic war band figs.

Command F: Red / Pink officer stand.
2 units each of 8 Roman cavalry figs.

The deployment map shows the number of stands (bases) in use in the game. Here are some close up shots of those stands.

Some new ships

2011-08-31T04:36:00.000-07:00

These are some merchant ships for my ancient galley collection. The ones with the white stern posts are Xyston ships. The ones with 'wood' stern posts are my own castings from the mould featured in a previous post. They will definately do!!

I had to paint these up for a photo shoot at my place next Monday. Dan from Wargames Illustrated is coming for lunch and to photograph the Battle of Rhium for an upcoming article by Neil Smith.

Latest Punic Wars painting

2011-08-31T04:20:00.000-07:00

A few additions to the Punic Wars project: Two Elephants and a unit of Carthaginian heavy cavalry.

This completes the troops required to fight Trebbia at my 'full scale' where the Carthaginian force can be scaled against the Roman force featured in a recent post.

Next up for the Punic Wars project, the completion of the Gallic army - which entails painting another 164 infantry, 16 cavalry, 12 chariots and some command figures. This is now underway.

Ghazzan - Which one girl with beard?

2011-08-25T03:13:00.000-07:00

We Finished the battle of Ghazzan last night. A crushing victory for Gudrupee the Malik of Fob. The more regular Frankish troops where routed or slaughtered defending the hill whilst their less martial element looked on from the gardens, vineyards and orchards below. After the battle, every harem slave merchant within 200 miles licked his lips - "Which one girl with beard?".

Here are some shots of the battles conclusion.

Isle of Fob Campaign

2011-08-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Ghazzan.

Though roughly equal in numbers, the forces of Islam are qualitatively superior. The Franks are also suffering from being half starved through lack of supply. The Battle of Ghazzan will be settled by who holds the key piece of terrain - the hill. During the first night's play the Turks envelop the hill slaughtering everything in their path with devastating quantities of archery. It is looking like being a Turkish crushing victory - but, like all Piquet games, it isn't over until the fat lady sings. To be continued...................

IR 38 Zastrow - FOR SALE.

2011-08-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

FOR SALE - £80.00, plus package and postage at cost. SOLD

I am offering this Prussian SYW fusilier unit (Infantry Regiment 38 - Zastrow), from my personal collection) for sale. It is 16 figures strong. Figures are by Sash and Sabre (I think). It is wholly painted in enamels. The flag is hand painted. Bases, should you choose to use them, are 40mm x 50mm card mounting board, textured and flocked - figures are glued down with PVA.

My email is available via this blog: jlaroachATblueyonderDOTcoDOTuk

UK payment accepted by personal cheque, overseas buyers will have to pay by Pay Pal and pay the banking costs. Buyer may collect in person, to save postage, if preferred.

Reason for sale: I will in the near future be upgrading all of my SYW infantry units to 24 figs. This is the only unit by Sash and Sabre that I own and I can't be bothered ordering and reproducing a paint job for this one unit. Be assured, any money will be re-invested into the SYW collection.

Thanks for looking...............

Roman Consular Army - Finished!

2011-08-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

I have now completed the first of my Punic armies - the Romans. The other three (Gallic, Spanish and 'African') are all over half finished.

The Army comprises:
8 units velites (each 12 figs)
8 units of hastati (24 figs each)
8 units of principes (24 figs each)
8 units of triarii (12 figs each)
8 units of cavalry (8 figs each)
7 command stands (15 figs)

Total: 655 figures - roughly a consular army at 1:33. The army's frontage is about 10 feet.

The velites are represented at half strength due to battlefield durability and foot print - they should, historically, be 24 figure units.

Crusades campaign update

2011-07-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

What follows are the bare bones of progress in our Isle of Fob Crusades campaign. This is due to various reasons including holidays and being absolutely snowed under with work - for some reason the summer is always a very busy time for me - with little time to think let alone write.

The Battle of Kinana: Marginal victory to the Seljuks.

Campaign moves following the Battle of Kinana:

The Battle of Qaqun: Although greatly outnumbered the Seljuks actually managed to scrape a marginal victory in one of the most bloody battles that I've played for years. It was such a heated affair that I forgot to take photos during the second half of the battle. The Seljuks managed to hold their hill, took the hill on the far side of the river, but lost the village - it was a blood bath for both sides.

A Campaign for the Summer - Isle of Fob

2011-06-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

Peter J and I have decided to fight a Crusades campaign this summer. It is The Isle of Fob campaign as published in Miniature Wargames as part of the Ager Sanguinis series. I do not intend to give a blow by blow account of campaign moves. Instead of this, campaign moves will be recorded with a photo of the campaign map after each player's phase if a significant move has been made.

Initial deployment:

Campaign Background:

….In the summer, in the year of our Lord 1110, sore pressed by incursions on his northern borders by Asiatic hordes, the Emperor [Byzantine] withdrew armies and garrisons from quieter parts of the Empire to meet the threat. This was folly for, in leaving the Isle of Fob unprotected, he invited the attention of divers Seljuk princes.

The Isle of Fob is not, in truth, an isle. It is a large tract of land connected to the mainland by an isthmus that borders the lands of the Hashishmendid Seljuks. No sooner had the garrisons left the Isle the Seljuks, led by a certain Emir called Gudrupee, crossed the isthmus and occupied Chiosus. It was late in the year and here Gudrupee encamped for the winter and declared himself Malik of Fob. On promises of land, wealth and the Glory of Allah his army was swollen by reinforcements in readiness for the campaigning season.

Fearing for his cherished Isle the Emperor was at a loss, for in sending troops there he must give up another cherished part. Then fortuitous help came to him. A Crusade, led by Louis of Chernobil, was on its way to Jerusalem and was at that very moment passing through the western borders of his lands.

It has long been known that the Isle of Fob is a blessed place; for it was to here that our Lord’s Cup was taken and hid in one of the many monasteries. The Emperor, being both wise and cunning, let it be known throughout Christendom that this Blessed Relic would surely fall into the hands of the heathen if left unchecked.

At once, the Patriarch of Jerusalem hurried to intercept the Crusade and, with the aid of the Emperor’s fleet, diverted Chernobil and his followers to the Isle of Fob. Chernobil and his followers landed at Lampron and, on Christmas Day, entered the town.

But now the Emperor’s plans became untied. Betraying the Emperor, the Crusaders crowned Chernobil King of Fob and set to plan conquest of the Isle for themselves.

Thus the scene was set for the bloody War of Fob………

Campaign moves leading to the Battle of Kinana

The Battle of Kinana

Franks - Army B: 3 SP, plus castle, plus tactical advantage cards = 5 SP. Draw 4 unit number cards for 14 units. This was a low unit draw - 14 off maximum. The Franks have invested a lot of trust into this small army; SP reflects more than numbers, it also reflects an investment of 'national will'.

Turks - Army C: 2 SP, plus 2 tactical advantage cards = 4 SP. Draw 3 unit number cards for 19 units. A very high unit draw - 2 off maximum.

The Battlefield
The Franks are defending and terrain is randomly determined using Army B's sequence deck. They also have two more posture cards in their hand than the Turks, so they will be able to deploy into both flank deployment zones. They win the 'side of table roll' and choose to deploy on the hilly side of the table.

Lake Trasimene Scenario

2011-05-24T03:24:00.000-07:00

Historical Summary

In the last days of 218 BC Hannibal defeated the combined Roman consular armies of Scipio and Sempronius at the Battle of Trebia. The Roman Senate was shocked by the defeat but used the winter, when little military activity took place, to renew its efforts in the prosecution of the war against the invader.

The new consuls for 217 BC were Servilius Geminus and Caius Flaminius. Each was given command of a newly levied consular army, bolstered by the survivors of Trebia, for the coming campaign. Hannibal was still the wrong side of the Appenines with only two possible routes into the Italian peninsular. Geminius’ army was posted to Ariminum (modern Rimini) to cover the eastern, and easier route; Flaminius’ army (c. 30,000 men) was posted to Arretium to cover the western route.

As soon as the weather allowed, Hannibal moved south. He chose the western route over the Appenines and then crossed the marshes of the Arno which had flooded after the winter rains. The marshes proved especially difficult going, and for three days the army struggled through them without dry ground on which to rest: Hannibal lost an eye to ophthalmia during this march because conditions did not allow proper treatment. But his strategy was sound. His choice to move early, by the hardest route, allowed him to cross the last major natural obstacle into Italy without interference and he now stood in the fertile plain of Etruria.

Hannibal quickly bypassed Flaminius at Arretium and marched his army (c. 50,000+ men) south, pillaging and burning as he went. It must be remembered that it was immensely humiliating when an enemy violated the fields of a state or its allies without interference and it is doubtful if any consul, at this time, could stand by whilst it was happening. Flaminius had no choice but to follow, and follow quickly, to avenge the insult – he could not, with honor, wait for Geminus to join him.

Hannibal continued south, provoking the Romans with every step he took and every farm and village he sacked and burned. When he reached Lake Trasimene the Romans were only a day’s march behind and coming up fast. Studying the road which led through a narrow defile between the hills at the lake’s northern edge and the lake itself, Hannibal saw an opportunity to deal Flaminius and Rome another devastating blow. During the night of 20 June 217 BC Hannibal set a trap for the Romans by laying an army sized ambush.

Polybius, our best source for the 2nd Punic War, says: “He himself [Hannibal] occupied the hill at the eastern end with his African and Spanish troops. His slingers and pikemen were ordered to make a detour and march round from the front under cover of the hills, and were posted in extended order to the right of the valley. The Celts and the cavalry were moved round to the left of the valley and likewise stationed in a continuous line under the hills, the last of them being posted at the entrance to the defile between the hillside and the lake. All these dispositions were effected during the night, and having surrounded the valley with his troops posted in ambush Hannibal made no further move.”

When Flaminius’ army made camp, on the night of the 20th June, his camp was in sight of Hannibal’s camp. At first light Flaminius led his army into the defile. Being so close behind he must have been sure that he could catch up to Hannibal before the day was out, stop his freedom of movement and deprivations, and bring him to battle. How right and, at the same time, how wrong he was.

Polybius continues: “That morning a thick mist still hung over the lakeside. Then, as soon as the greater part of the Roman army had entered the defile and was already in contact with the Carthaginians [the slingers and Libyan spearmen at the head of the defile, which the Romans wrongfully thought were a rearguard], Hannibal gave the signal for battle, passed the word to the troops who were lying in ambush, and fell upon the Romans from all sides at once.”

Polybius says that 15,000 Romans perished in the valley, amidst the reeds and croaking frogs, or sheltering neck deep in the lake (where they became sport for Punic cavalrymen after most of the fighting was over). Flaminius was killed, fighting bravely, with his men. Up to 15,000 Romans were taken prisoner, including 6,000 Romans who managed to escape as a body by breaking through the troops directly to their front (they were captured without a fight on the following day). Many hundreds managed to escape the valley in small groups, arriving at their homes (including Rome) over the days that followed. Hannibal’s casualties were minimal, perhaps as low as 1,500.

NOTE: There has been much debate over the composition of Flaminius' army. Some authors contest that Flaminius had a standard consular army of 20,000 or so men, but the casualty and prisoner totals go against this. Personally, I favour Flaminius having a standard consular army bolstered by the remnants of a Trebia consular army in addition (about 10,000 extra men). Apart from the quoted casualties, I have three other reasons for this:

Firstly, it would be logistically easier to raise two new consular armies rather than 'refit' two battered ones that had suffered 50% casualties - manpower was not an issue in 217 BC.

Secondly, given that the strategy was to split the consuls to guard both the eastern and western routes into the Italian peninsular, and that two consuls had been defeated at Trebia the previous year, I find it hard to believe that Rome would risk giving battle with an army half that size.

Thirdly, we know that Geminus had 4000 cavalry and this is a double complement. Some argue that the extra were raised from the allies in addition to standard numbers. I think it would be more likely that the standard 1800 were raised for Geminus' standard consular army and the rest were remnants from Trebia - which tends to favour my 'consular army plus' theory.

If nothing else, it makes the game less lop sided.

The Wargame

This scenario was written for use with Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars rules. I have recently spoken to Andrew Hubback of Miniature Wargames Magazine and it looks likely that the rules will be published in that magazine later this year. Hopefully, it will be published in a similar manner to Ager Sanguinis Crusades - a multi-page (12?), advertisement free, centrefold pull out with cover page.

My armies are somewhat larger than most wargame armies for this period so feel free to scale numbers - the rules were not written with only large games in mind.

My Roman Army for Trasimene

The Roman army is split into 6 command groups. Each legion is comprised of a Roman legion and its ala which form two triplex acies formations. My army totals 580 figures.

Extraordinarii: 1 officer stand, 2 units of 8 cavalry, 2 units of 12 velites, 2 units of 24 hastati.
Legion 1 (deployed in triplex acies): 1 officer stand, 2 units of 12 velites, 2 units of 24 hastati, 2 units of 24 principes, 2 units of 12 triarii.
Legion 2 (deployed in column): 1 officer stand, 2 units of 12 velites, 2 units of 24 hastati, 2 units of 24 principes, 2 units of 12 triarii.
Legion 3 (Trebia remnants, deployed in column): 1 officer stand, 2 units of 12 velites, 2 units of 24 hastati, 2 units of 24 principes, 2 units of 12 triarii.
Roman cavalry (deployed in column): 1 officer stand(Flaminius), 2 units of 8 cavalry.
Allied cavalry (deployed in column): 1 officer stand, 4 units of 8 cavalry.

Libyan Phalanx 1: 1 officer stand, 3 units of 24 Libyan spearmen, 2 units of 16 Libyan javelinmen.

My Carthaginian Army for Trasimene

The Carthaginian Army is split into 7 command groups. Hannibal is a 'floating' officer stand without a command group. My army totals 857 figures.

Libyan Phalanx 1: 1 officer stand, 3 units of 24 Libyan spearmen, 2 units of 16 Balearic slingers, 1 unit of 16 Numidian javelinmen.
Libyan Phalanx 2: 1 officer stand, 3 units of 24 Libyan spearmen, 2 units of 16 Libyan javelinmen.
Spanish infantry: 1 officer stand, 4 units of 36 Spanish scutarii, 2 units of 24 Spanish Caetrati.
Gauls 1: 1 officer stand, 4 units of 44 Gallic warband, 2 units of 12 Gallic cavalry, 1 unit of 16 Gallic cavalry.
Gauls 2: 1 officer stand, 2 units of 44 Gallic warband, 2 units of 12 Gallic cavalry.
Spanish cavalry: 1 officer stand, 4 units of 12 Spanish cavalry.
Numidians: 1 officer stand, 4 units of 12 Numidian cavalry.

Scenario notes

The Romans will use a D10 sequence deck and army die. All commands will used a D10 motivation die, except for the extraordinarii which will use D12.

The Roman army comprises 121 unit integrity points and will draw 6 cards from the characterisation deck; morale chips are doubled.

On the first two initiative rolls of turn 1 Rome will use its initiative second. For the duration of turn 1, all manoeuvre cards will be treated as group manoeuvre cards.

The Carthaginians will use a 12* sequence deck and a D12 army die. Libyan phalanx, Spanish cavalry, Spanish infantry commands and Hannibal will use a D12 motivation die; other commands will use D10.

The Carthaginian army comprises 160 unit integrity points and will draw 7 cards plus a stratagem card from the characterisation deck; the stratagem will be number X - Surprise Attack. Morale chips are doubled.

Here are some shots of the Ilkley Lads Trasimene game at Triples this year. I have now finished with Trasimene and I will not bore you with it any longer!

Punic Update: The Trasimene Armies

2011-05-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

At last, I have finished the armies for the Battle of Lake Trasimene for the game at Sheffield Triples this coming weekend. Here are some shots of the figures ready for packing.

Breakdown:

ROMAN ARMY
Cavalry: 8 units of 8 figures = 64

Hastati: 8 units of 24 figures = 192

Principes: 6 units of 24 figures = 144

Triarii: 6 units of 12 figures = 72

Velites: 8 units of 12 figures = 96

Command: 7 stands, 15 figures total

Total 583

CARTHAGINIAN ARMY

Spanish Cavalry: 4 units of 12 = 48

Numidian Cavalry: 6 units of 8 figures = 48

Gallic Cavalry: 4 units of 12 figures, 1 unit of 16 figures = 64

Libyan Spearmen: 6 units of 24 figures = 144

Spanish Scutarii: 4 units of 36 figures = 144

Gallic Warband: 6 units of 44 figures = 264

Spanish Caetrati: 3 units of 12 figures = 36

Balearic Slingers: 4 units of 8 figures = 32

African Skirmishers: 7 units of 8 figures = 56

Command: 7 stands, 17 figures total

Total 853

Next up on the painting list, the last of the Romans and two elephants for a big Trebia battle, a mere 100 figures or so. Then I'll be finishing off the other national contingents, Gallic, Spanish and African, a rather more substantial 800 odd. Ho Hum, but at least I'm down to three figure totals.

Into the Valley of Death..........

2011-05-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Lake Trasimene is now taking shape. My 'hill stuff' arrived today; it was sunny; rain forecast for tomorrow; paint brush down and take up the saw. The hills at Trasimene are substantial and form three sides of a bowl - no 'cow pat hills' for this game.

The hill material is 50mm thick DOW Floormate by Sheffield Insulation. You can buy it online, but this means buying quite a bit - eight sheets, each 2450mm x 600mm x 50mm. With VAT and carriage this runs in at £123.00 a shot, but time is short and I had to bite the bullet. This job uses about half of it, though quite a bit is 'uncut filler'.

I cut the sheets in half with a normal saw (into 2 x 4s), laid some pieces on my table and began to mark out the forward slopes with some basic lines.

After remarking a wavy front edge I cut them vertically with a coping saw, marked out the top contour 3" in, then cut the slope by cutting on the angle between lower front edge and the contour line. This method gives a fairly uniform slope.

Coping saws are an essential, fairly cheap, tool for this kind of thing as you can vary the angle of the blade within the saw bow. In this case I shifted it through 90 degrees.

Once I had done the first contour - all 20 feet of it - I started on the summit pieces in a similar manner.

Once the cloth was thrown over it, the lakeside was added with a few trees and a few troops it began to look quite good. I still need to paint 36 Gallic cavalry and 48 hastati before Triples, and several units will need basing, but all is well in hand now. Also, my table is only 12 feet long and the table for Triples will be 14 feet, so imagine, if you will, two foot more hill between the central 'summit / knoll' and the hill on which the Numidian cavalry stand.

I hope that this set up meets with the approval of those who know this battle.

A simple lake shore for Trasimene

2011-04-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

Continuing the work for the Battle of Lake Trasimene game at Sheffield Triples next month, this weekend I tackled the lake shore. This will form one side of the battlefield and is 12 foot long (the table will be 14 to 16 foot long). I could, of course, just declare one edge of the table as the impassible lake shore - but there is no fun in that, and the casual onlooker might not grasp the predicament of the Roman army - trapped and ambushed between hills and lake.

I decided to construct the shore from 2 foot sections of 2mm thick MDF. Each length is 8 inches wide. I painted the water first using household emulsion with a bit of artists acrylic and ink added for some subtle shading - it's a bluesy, greensy, black. I then applied some muddy bits using artists acrylic (tubed stuff) in a thick sloppy manner; once dry it was dry brushed, lighter towards the drier bank. I then applied two coats of yacht varnish to the water.

I wanted a proper bank that was higher than the water, but only slightly as I didn't want it to look like an 'embanked canal'. I used string, glued on with wood adhesive, back filled with Plasticine to give a constant height. This was sealed with a couple of layers of wood adhesive, painted and then flocked. It has the look of a lazy lake creeping up onto the gently sloping land and I'm happy with it.

This kind of terrain always looks a bit dead. It needs some vegetation to add some life. But adding vegetation to the lake pieces makes them hard to store; so I decided on applique reeds, made from the natural bristles of a sweeping brush, painted green, and glued to penny pieces to go on the mud. The rest can be dressed with existing terrain pieces.

The finished (I still have to drybrush some reed bases) and 'dressed' lake shore: That will do nicely.

I'm now planning the hill sections which will go along the other three edges. These will be made from 2" thick insulation boards. Using the baize cloth, which can be 'thrown over' them, will mean that they only need cutting to shape - the baize cloth! - there is method in my madness.

Great Scot, I think I have it!

2011-04-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

I hung the cloth on the clothes line again today and added another four tins of spray paint to the mix. These included, three quarters of a tin of caramel; a third of a tin of desert sand; three more tins of yellow. Each tin was 300ml.

To remind you of how I left the cloth last time, here is a photo.
Here is how it looks now - much, much better, I think.

Finally, the cloth with an off cut (even I will never need a 23 foot long cloth) to show the overall change of shade.

This job is now done. Next on the 'terrain to do list' will be the hill shapes and lake shore for The Battle of Lake Trasimene. This will be The Ilkley Lads demo game for Sheffield Triples next month. Time is pressing and running out fast; and I still have another 150 figures to paint and base.

Good God, it's still too green!

2011-04-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

Two images of my 'snooker green' baize cloth after having sprayed it - and it's still too green! The effect I was hoping for can be seen in the middle of the first shot - a pale, mottled, green. Much of it is the colour of the second shot.

The cloth is 16' x 6' 6". I knew that I would have to use a lot of spray paints to get a good effect (it's a big space) but, quite obviously, I have underestimated the amount needed. I started with a tin of black to 'take the edge off' and darken the green. Then a tin and a half of dark brown, then half a tin of beige, then a tin of dark green, then a tin of lighter 'grass' green, then the remainder of the beige, then 3 tins of yellow. When it was hanging on the washing line (for spraying), in bright sunlight, it looked quite light in tone; when I brought into artificial light it's greenness was shocking.

I've ordered another three tins of yellow and a tin of 'caramel'. This should be enough for the finish I'm after - I hope.

My advice to anyone doing this job is to follow the steps I took (darkening the cloth first, with black, dark brown and dark green) as this has given a good depth of shade (I'm not sure that the light green was worth the effort, though the beige worked well) - but when you buy the lightening yellow tone to bring it all 'up' and bind it all together buy lots and LOTS, as you will need cans and cans of the stuff.

For those with a mind to price, the paint bill (including the extra tins) currently stands at £60.00. Not cheap, but the cloth cost me nothing - thanks, Ken.

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars, How It Works, Part 2

2011-03-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Ager Sanguinis turn sequence is not like that found in most sets of rules. It does not follow a set sequence of actions (such as U move, I move, U shoot, I shoot, etc.) and it has no set duration. This is because it is driven by initiative phases and the army sequence decks. To quote from the rules:

“Game turns consist of a variable number of initiative phases. The army die is used to determine the number of initiative pips in an initiative phase. Each player rolls his army die. The difference in the army die rolls is the number of initiative pips each player may use in his initiative phase. Both sides receive the same number of initiative pips during their portion the initiative. The player who rolls higher chooses to use all of his initiative pips first or second………………

…………..The side acting first turns sequence cards from his shuffled face down deck, one at a time, spending 1 initiative pip per card turned. As each card is turned the player can choose to act on the card showing or not, sometimes action is mandatory. When he has spent his initiative pips, or he runs out of sequence cards (in this latter event, the player going second may only use as many initiative pips as the first player used to finish his deck), the initiative transfers to the player going second. After the initiative is ended the process is repeated……………

………….. If the army die rolls are equal, or at the end of a complete initiative one player has exhausted his deck, the turn ends……..”

TURN 1 PHASE 1

Both players roll off army die. Carthage, rolling D12, scores 10; Rome, rolling D10 scores 1. The difference is 9 so each player will get 9 initiative. Carthage makes Rome go first – a common gambit early on, but risky with such a large initiative.

Roman cards (there are no photos of what the Romans did because, frankly, they didn’t do much):

Command – no action.

Stubborn Army Morale – no action.

Group March – Left most infantry command.

The Romans must roll the officer stand motivation die, which in this case is D10, Vs D8 (always Vs a D8 for movement). They score 6 to 3. The command can move twice because it is more than the D8; the die roll is even so moves can be used to maneuver. The command’s velites occupy the woods wheelin one unit to face the open hill, and the rest of the command moves to the base of the hill.

Maneuver – no action.

Lull – a chance for the enemy to steal the initiative. Both sides roll off army die. Carthage scores 8, Rome scores 3. Carthage can turn one card and act upon it. Carthage turns Group Melee – no action.

Melee – no action.

Missilery – nothing in range or visible through the woods, no action.

Command – no action.

Melee – no action.

Rome’s initiative is over and the initiative passes to Carthage.

Carthaginian cards:

Maneuver – no action.

Missilery – no action.

Group Maneuver – no action.

Lull – both sides roll off army die. The scores are equal, Carthage holds the initiative.

March – A general advance:

Cavalry command on the left, motivation die D10 Vs D8. Score is 5 to 7. The score is less than the D8 so the cavalry can move once, which they do. The score is odd so no maneuvers are allowed.

Infantry command, motivation die D10 Vs D8. Score is 10 to 2. The command can move three times because it tripled the D8; the die roll is even so moves can be used to maneuver. The infantry move off echeloning back to their right.

Cavalry command on the right, motivation die D12 Vs D8. Score 9 to 4. The score is more so they can move twice, which they do.

Maneuvre – Wheels and formation change card.

Spanish cavalry wheels to face the velites in the wood. The velites shoot catching them in the flank before they turn (yes, you can shoot at any time, even as the reactive player provided the target is moving or shooting). They use their base combat die adjusted by the combat table Vs the defence die of the target (see note below). They roll D10 Vs D6, scoring 3 to 5 for no effect.

Note: Each unit has a base combat die for its class (war band, elite, etc.), usually a D6, D8 or D10. Each unit also has a defence die, usually a D6 or D8 for its class. The defence die never changes, but the combat die is adjusted by the modifiers in the combat table. Factors in the combat table are the usual kind of things – terrain advantage, initiating a new melee (charge), fierce in first round, etc. But here’s the thing, rather than adding to a die result the modifiers adjust the type of die up or down. A D6 adjusted by up 2 becomes a D10 (two types bigger). A D10 adjusted down 3 becomes a D4 (three types smaller). The lowest die is never less than a D4 regardless of the downs. D12 is the biggest die and any additional ups are added to the result except the maximum score possible is 12 – a D12+2 rolling 11+2 is 12. Because of the dice range combat is always risky and tension building.

Melee – no action.

Melee – no action.

March – general advance:

Cavalry command left, motivation die D10 Vs D8 scores 3 to 2. The command can move twice which it does.

Infantry command, motivation die D10 Vs D8 scores 6 to 3. The command can move twice, but before it does two of its skirmisher units shoot at the velites in front of them. One unit misses, the other scores 8 to 5 which causes 1UI loss (3 pips positive difference) and because the velites defence die was odd it is also vexed (a disordered state); first blood to Carthage. Rome loses 1 morale point for losing a UI.

Note: In the picture above note the stone counter for 1 UI loss, the tuft counter for vexed, and the blank counter on the skirmishers for being ‘unloaded’.

The Spanish and Gallic infantry on the extreme left of the line advance to clear the velites in front of them. They shoot, but to no effect, then advisably evade. The Spanish and Gauls could keep moving, but as this would cause them to go vexed ‘chasing’ they choose to halt in good order on the ground vacated by the velites.

On the right of the line there is an exchange of javelins by both side's skirmishers, to no effect, before the Gauls move into the woods to clear out the unit of velites facing them. A melee card is not required to initiate a melee Vs skirmishers but this is not bad terrain for velites (skirmish order [shock] unit) and they have a terrain advantage for being up hill. Both sides roll off their adjusted combat die, in this case D12+2 for the Gauls Vs D12 for the velites. Disaster, the Gauls score 12 and the velites score 2 – the velites lose 3 UI and are routed. Rome loses 3 morale chips for the UI loss. Double disaster – this has exposed the flank of the other velites to an attack by the Spanish infantry who are now coming up the hill; the velites evade.

Cavalry command right, motivation die D12 Vs D8 scores 8 to 2. This is a very good roll as it is a triple move, and because the roll was even it allows cavalry and fierce units to melee contacted enemy units after contact. The melees are hard fought.

Carthage chooses to fight with its two small elephant units first, and as they are rolling D12+2 after adjustments who can blame them. The facing Roman cavalry is rolling D4 because horse is down 2 for facing elephants!

The first score is 7 – 3 and the cavalry loses 1UI, is pushed back 3”, and is vexed for losing on an odd roll – but these are stubborn Romans and by spending an extra morale point (2 in total) they negate the push back and any follow up modifiers.

Surprisingly the next Roman unit does even better (the same dice of course) and holds the elephants with a tied 4 result; both sides lose 1 UI and a morale point.

The Gallic cavalry on the extreme right of the line now fights its opponent rolling D12+1 (fierce in first round is awesome) Vs D10 and scores 6 – 4, a UI loss each for a close fought melee and a Gallic follow up (there is no actual push back here, the follow up is for scoring higher) but the Romans negate it by spending an extra morale chip – stubborn again!

The next Gallic cavalry unit is fighting the Roman cavalry with the UI loss (basically following up the damage by the elephants). Adjusted combat die are D12+1 Vs D8, scores are 11 to 4 causing 2UI more and the Roman unit is routed. It cannot convert the rout into a push back (for being stubborn) because it now has zero UI and will be routed anyway.

Next up it is the veteran Spanish Vs Roman cavalry. Combat die are D12 Vs D10, score is 7 to 9 for Roman marginal win. Both sides lose 1UI Romans count as following up.

The Roman unit at the end of the line now gets peppered by Numidian javelins, but escapes with a vexed result only.

Note: Regardless of the number of units with which a unit is in contact, a single unit can only fight one melee on a single card.

Note: In the photos above I am using melee in progress “Follow Up” markers. The sword denotes direction, crossways is an ongoing melee with no follow up. Follow up gives an up 1 in the next round of melee, BTW.

The first initiative phase is completed. Both sides roll off army die for the next initiative.
As you can see, this game is not for the feint hearted. Things move quickly. I’m doing this solo, and although I know the rules, that lot took me less than 20 minutes – a lot of which was spent carrying dice and morale chip (poker chips) boxes from one end of the table around to the opposite side of the table (30 foot a trip) and taking notes / photos. It does not take much time to turn cards!

Part three of this piece will be a continuation, including some triplex acies action. I’ve already played out the rest of the turn, I just need time to type it up.

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars - How it works - Part 1

2011-03-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars is based around the mechanisms found in three previously published sets of rules. Piquet (sometimes referred to as Classic Piquet) by Bob Jones. Field of Battle (a Piquet derivative) by Brent Oman. Ager Sanguinis (a Field of Battle derivative for the Crusades) by me. Piquet and Field of Battle are published by Piquet Inc. Ager Sanguinis was published by Miniature Wargames. Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars will, hopefully, be published by Miniature Wargames.

Recently, I've had some email enquiries about how Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars works and how it is different from Ager Sanguinis (Crusades). Here, using a fictional clash between Hannibal and Rome, is a run down of what it is all about. I'm not going to reproduce the rules here, but I’ll try to give a good, fairly detailed, overview.

The set up
The composition of each army is selected and the units are sorted into command groups ('divisions'). Each command group has an officer stand. A note is taken of the total Unity Integrity value of each army. In this case 127 UI for the Romans, 128 UI for the Carthaginians.

Unit Integrity [UI]: Each unit and officer stand has an integrity value. Unit integrity is the all encompassing title given to the physical and morale strength of a unit. Unit integrity is lost, mainly in combat, until a unit reaches zero when it is routed. At minus 1 unit integrity a unit is destroyed. Unit integrity can be rallied back during the game.

Each army now rolls D12 to determine its army die. The army die represents the overall enthusiasm of the army and the ability of its commanders to do battle 'on the day'. The army die is in constant use during the game. For this game the Carthaginians will add 4 to the roll because the commander is Hannibal; the Romans will get no adjustment.
The Carthaginians roll 11 (7+4), The Romans roll 6. A table is consulted. The Carthaginian army die will be D12*. The Roman army die will be D10.

The army die determines the sequence deck that the army will use during play. This sequence deck sequences the actions of each army during a game turn. There are 12 types of cards in the sequence deck. Each sequence deck is 26 cards strong. The composition of cards varies according to the army die (D8, D10, D12, D12*) - the higher the army die the better the deck.

The card decks for each army is as follows. The Roman deck composition is numbered first, the Carthaginian second.

Army Morale: 3/3
Command: 4/4
Group Command: 0/0
Lull: 4/2
Manoeuvre: 2/2
Group Manoeuvre: 1/1
March: 3/4
Group March: 1/0
Melee: 4/3
Group Melee: 0/2
Missilery: 2/2
Tactical Advantage: 2/3

Group cards: A new addition to Ager Sanguinis, these only allow the card to be used for one command group, chosen each time the card is turned. Other cards apply to any and all command groups as standard.

The army die also adjusts the command motivation die roll for the officer stand of each command group and the C-in-C (D8, D10, D12). This is used for movement and rallies (mainly).

The sequence deck is not the only thing that gives character to the army. Each side divides the total Unit Integrity of its army by 12 and draws that number of cards from another deck called the Army Characterisation Deck. This gives the army a morale chip count and various other cards that replace cards in the sequence deck or are added to it. The Carthaginian draw of ten cards is on the left. The Roman draw of ten cards is on the right. The draw is kept secret from one's opponent!

Morale Chips: Morale chips are lost for each UI loss or voluntarily spent during the game. On reaching zero the army is in big trouble as it can no longer rally back lost UI and, more importantly, becomes vulnerable to army morale checks on army morale cards.

This set up process might seem complex, but it actually takes very little time. What is more, we now have armies that have fighting ability and command and control represented not only in the ability of the player, the strengths of his units and the luck of his dice throwing, because rather more is going on – the army itself has some ‘soul’.

Both armies are now ready to deploy.

On the Roman left the Romans have one command group of six cavalry units. The cavalry is all drilled, close order, stubborn armoured cavalry counting 3 unit integrity points per unit.

Facing them the Carthaginians have one command group of twelve units. These comprise three units of Spanish warband, close order, veteran cavalry; four units of Gallic warband, close order, elite cavalry; three units of Numidian warband, loose order, cavalry; two small units of fierce elephants. All cavalry counts 3 unit integrity points per unit, elephants count 2 unit integrity points per unit.

In the centre the Romans have three command groups each comprised of two triplex acies formations. Each triplex acies formation comprises a unit of velites, drilled, skimish order [S] infantry (3UI); a unit of hastati, drilled, close order, stubborn infantry (4UI); a unit of principes, drilled, close order, stubborn, armoured infantry (4UI); a small unit of triarii, drilled, close order, stubborn, veteran, amoured infantry (3UI).

Triplex acies: The infantry are deployed in serried lines to ease the deployment of miniature figurines during play. The spaces that should exist between the maniples of each line, in game terms, is a 'virtual' thing.

The Carthaginian centre is one large command group. It is comprised of four units of Libyan spearmen, drilled, close order, stubborn, veteran, armoured infantry (4UI each); four units of Spanish scutarii, warband, loose order, veteran infantry at 150% strength (4UI each); four units of Gallic, warband, loose order, fierce infantry at 200% strength (5UI each); four units of Libyan javelin men, warband, skirmish order [M] infantry (3UI each); two units of Balearic slingers, warband, skirmish order [M] infantry (3UI each).

On the Roman right the Romans have one command group of four units. Two units of cavalry and two units of velites (as per similar units detailed above).

The Carthaginians have one command group here. This comprises two units of Gallic cavalry and three units of Spanish cavalry (as per similar units detailed above).

Each command group officer stand is worth 1UI but counts double for army strength, the C-in-C's are 1UI but counts triple for army strength. The Romans have an army worth 127 UI. The Carthaginians have an army worth 128UI.

Part 2 of this post will feature a turn or two of the battle.

Play-test - End game

2011-03-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

Week three of the big game play-test saw the close of the battle. The game took about seven and a half hours to play. Not bad for two players fighting 1300 figures in 40 units or so a side. The game threw up one or two interesting problems and enough general combats to check out the dice modifiers in the tactical combat tables.

I'm now busy doing, what should be, the final editing. We will do a couple more play tests to double check everything, then it will be winging its way down the wire to Andrew at Miniature Wargames.

The Carthaginians temporarily withdraw their Spanish troops in the centre to reorganise and shift emphasis back onto the their right wing. The Roman infantry are proving a very tough nut to crack, their ability to bring reserves into the front line (triplex acies formation) and 'stubborn' status is too much even for Veteran Spanish scutarii.

Finally, the Roman left collapses and the Carthaginian cavalry begin to envelop. The Romans rush battered units to try and form a new line to rearward. But then a new problem for the Carthaginians - their Gallic troops begin waver and crack.

On the Carthaginian left the Romans are outflanked by Libyan spear men and withdraw in good order. The side of the field has been fairly inactive and will remain so.

The Carthaginians are forced to renew the attack in the centre, the Roman centre buckles, the enveloping cavalry arrive.

THE ROMANS ARE OUT OF ARMY MORALE CHIPS!!!!

As the Gauls flee, the Roman centre finally collapses in some style. The Roman units are worn out and when two army morale cards are turned in quick succession the infantry commands fail and the result of the consequential unity integrity loss is rout or dispersal. The battle is effectively over. A decisive, if costly, Carthaginian victory.

The Romans chewed through 84 army morale chips. The Carthaginians started with 58, got as low as 7, and finished with 16.

I will be unable to do a game next week, but this will give me time to set up another big battle and possibly post a detailed preview of an Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars battle set up.

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars - update

2011-03-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

Good news!

Following a conversation with Brent Oman of Piquet Inc. and Andrew Hubback of Miniature Wargames I have an announcement to make regarding Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars. The rules will now be published, in full, in colour, as an advertisement free centrefold pull out in Miniature Wargames (issue to be decided).

I would like to thank Brent for giving his permission to publish. Ager Sanguinis is largely based around classic Piquet & Field of Battle mechanics and his permission settles any copyright issues.

I would like to thank Andrew for committing to such a large, one off, and very 'usable', publication; Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars is a rule book not an article; it will take up considerable magazine space - a bumper issue, me thinks. Those who have the bumper issue with Ager Sanguinis Crusades in it will be familiar with the excellent job Andrew made of it (if you have a copy hold onto it, this edition has completely sold out).

Peter J. and I are still play-testing the finer points of ASPW. One of the hardest things to get right has been triplex acies formation but, we think we've completely cracked it now. Those familiar with the period will know what an essential aspect of Middle Republican Roman warfare this is. In fact, getting the Roman side of the game right has proved the most difficult thing to do full stop but, again, we think we are about there.

Here are some more shots of the current play-test game.

In the centre the battle continues to be hard fought. Here velites turn to cover the rear of the Roman line from marauding Numidians, and Roman cavalry on the left attempt to halt the press of Carthaginians with flank charges.

The Carthaginians were winning the infantry battle, they thought they have it in the bag and were about to turn the Roman infantry flank, when the Roman Stratagem card was turned - Hidden Ditch. This is a card from the army characterisation deck - a new addition to Ager Sanguinis - sneaky huh!

The characterisation deck adds lots of flavour to the standard (and expanded) sequence decks and sorts out army morale points. It features 'stratagems' including reinforcements, heroic speeches, hidden ditches, secret paths,etc. It also features replacement sequence cards, such as 'Aggressive, melee Up 1', wild cards, etc. These give an army some 'soul' and make a pick-up game feel like a scenario.

The Carthaginians decide to up the stakes by trying to outflank from their left (this side of the battle was quiet except for some desultory skirmishing) with Libyan phalanx marching in column through the woods to force the Roman cavalry away and open the door. Pressure was also brought in support of the main attack across the river - the Gauls stopped mooning from the woods, pulled up their baggy trousers, and charged!

We will continue this game next week.

I'll let you know when Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars is finished and when Miniature Wargames will publish.

Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars - playtesting continues

2011-03-10T01:56:00.000-08:00

This battle was set up to test virtually all of the mechanisms in Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars at once. Peter and I agreed to fight the battle in a friendly rather than competitive manner (though winning will count!) over two or three sessions so that everything is done 'correctly'. We think the rules are almost done, we are now fine tuning them, and the game has to stop from time to time so we can discuss outcomes.

As can be expected in a battle involving a river crossing the game had a cagey start. Skirmishing erupted along the entire battlefront. The Carthaginians got the better of it. Then the Carthaginians made their first move of consequence. The Gallic masses swept over the wooded hill (Carthaginian left centre) and though the Romans countered by sending in their own Gallic allies, again it was the Carthaginians who prevailed. Their Gauls swept down the forward slope and taunted the Romans from the trees.

In the centre it was the Romans who moved first. Sending their legionaries forward they were counter charged by veteran Iberian foot as they reached the far bank. The shock was too much for the Roman hastati and they recoiled back to their own side of the river with some heavy losses. Indeed, it was only the flexibility of the Roman triplex acies which stemmed a collapse - Roman principes being hastily rushed forward to defend their own river bank.

On the Carthaginian right, the Gallic, Iberian and Numidian cavalry moved to outflank the greatly outnumbered Roman cavalry (odds of 9:4).

On the Carthaginian left the cavalry wings of both sides advanced, but both were reticent to force the issue.

Get 'em out for the Lads

2011-03-04T04:41:00.000-08:00

The Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars rules are almost done, so it's time to do a play-test involving armies of the size for which they were designed. This game has everything I've painted so far.
I still have some basing to finish before the game on Wednesday, but it's time I did it anyway.

Here are some shots of initial deployments.

Filler shots

2011-02-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of formatting Ager Sanguinis Punic Wars. There are always a few gaps that need filling - to get the relevant rules onto whole pages (rather than split overleaf) for easy reference - so I took these shots. They might not be the ones I settle on for the final version, but I thought you might like to see them.

On Wednesday evening Peter J. and I will put the rules through their paces. I think we are almost there.

Ager Sanguinis Goes Punic

2011-02-17T01:00:00.000-08:00

Last night Peter J. and I played a small Punic Wars game. Primarily it was to see how Ager Sanguinis rules could be modified for the Punic Wars. To make life interesting I set up a scenario where the Romans had to come straight off the line of march and break through the Carthaginians in hilly and wooded terrain. Deployment was 'free' and both sides deployed the bulk of their forces on the same side of the table; with the game played long ways (giving only a 6 foot wide table to begin with), and limiting terrain, this led to everything piling up in a small area of ground - a slogging match.

As for the rules - we used the AS quick play sheet and made everything else up as we went along - they worked well for a first outing. Most troops, formations and weapons have now been classified and their position in the tables decided. I've got to say that Piquet's Field of Battle by Brent Oman (on which AS is largely based) is such a strong, mechanically sound rule set that tweaks are easily made to 'stick' without unbalancing the basic mechanisms.

Keep going - gotta keep going

2011-02-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Punic War project is now beginning to tell on me. Every unit is now a struggle. I've just counted the painted figures and there are 1275 of them. There are still about 1000 to do - Good God! Thankfully, on finishing some of the batches I can say "no more of that type - finally, never again, basta".

Here are the latest Roman cavalry, Spanish cavalry and Libyan infantry. Next up, Gallic cavalry and African skirmish types.

32 Roman cavalry. Actually the last of the allied cavalry. The 64 cavalry for the Romans are now done.

16 Spanish cavalry. These are the last of the Spanish cavalry figures 'in the box'. I now have 48, but I fear I might be a couple of units short.

48 Libyan spear men. This completes half of the 292 I have to do.

All figures are Renegade painted in Humbrol enamels. Shield transfers are LBM. Banner transfer (octopus) is Veni Vidi Vici. Spanish bull's head standards are Gripping Beast. Some Spanish [long] shields are Crusader (? I think).

Bir El Gubi 1941 wins best demo-game

2011-02-07T02:27:00.000-08:00

Bir el Gubi went down well at the York show on Sunday. The game was awarded the prize for best demo-game. We've been doing demos at Vapnartak for years and didn't even know there was one. Our table was in a prime spot, with good light, and was slightly off the thoroughfare - it was very comfortable (compared to some). More pictures of the game, and the scenario notes, can be found below in previous posts .

The show was very busy in the morning and stayed busier than usual all day. The racecourse is a very good venue and everyone at the show seemed to be having a good time - even the traders were happy.

Thanks, to everyone who stopped to look and say hello.

Chow! Ariete for Vapnartak

2011-02-04T03:54:00.000-08:00

I recently did these for the Bir el Gubi game that the Ilkley Lads will take to Vapnartak this coming Sunday. Having heard a friend relate a story, of when coming in to land at Milan airport the illumination of the seat belt sign was accompanied by every Italian putting on sunglasses in unison, I couldn't resist getting the Miliput out for the battalion officer stand - chow, baby.

All vehicles are FoW M14/41. I'll be using them as M13/40 tanks. All were painted in Humbrol enamels and artist's acrylic ink.

The Ilkley Lads present Bir El Gubi 1941

2011-01-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

Next Sunday the Ilkley Lads will be making the annual pilgrimage to Vapnartak at York Racecourse. We will be taking our Bir el Gubi 1941 game. For those unable to attend, and for those who will but want more details about the game, here is a preview complete with the scenario notes.

THE BATTLE OF BIR EL GUBI 19th November 1941

On the second day of Operation Crusader, the offensive to relieve Tobruk, British 22nd Armoured Brigade was ordered to shift Italian Ariete Armoured Division from Bir El Gubi and secure the southern flank of 7th Armoured Division for operations around Sidi Rezeg and Tobruk.

22nd Armoured Brigade comprised three newly operational regiments equipped with new A15 Crusader tanks (168 of them). It was supported by three batteries of assorted artillery and a single company of King's Royal Rifle Corps infantry; 11th Hussars provided reconnaissance. Morale among the tank men, unlike proficiency, was sky high.

Facing the British tanks, 8th Bersaglieri Regiment of Ariete Division, well supported by anti-tank and field guns (including 90mm AA and truck mounted 102mm naval guns), were dug dug in around Bir El Gubi. In the rear, of 8th Bersaglieri, the M13/40 tanks of 132nd Tank Regiment stood ready to counter-attack. Here was the cream of the Italian army in North Africa.

At 11am, and without any artillery bombardment, the tanks of 22nd Armoured Brigade attacked. It was described as "the nearest thing to a cavalry charge by tanks yet seen during this war" - it was a 'Balaclava' moment. But, with insufficient artillery or infantry support and despite initially breaking into the Italian position, the attack was driven off with very heavy losses. British 'all tank theory' had been proved wrong - though the lesson would not be realized, or acted upon, for some time to come.

Orders of Battle for a Company Level Game (scaled at 1:5-ish).

SCENARIO NOTES

Rules

I will be using a very slimmed down, less complex and faster play version of Piquet (but it is still Piquet) for this battle. If you wish to use these notes for another rule set you will probably need to amend the arrival times slightly, and come up with a different way for the Italians to place minefields; otherwise the scenario should be easily adaptable.

The Battlefield

When setting up the terrain for this battle I used three primary sources. The maps in The Sidi Rezeg Battles 1941 by Agar-Hamilton and Turner, Benghazi Handicap by Chadwick, and Google Earth. The position of Bir El Gubi, for those wishing to find it on Google Earth, is 31 degrees 32' 14" N 24 degrees 01' 48" E. The trench lines are still clearly visible, and the battlefield is unchanged.

The ground is virtually flat, and seems to have provided good going for all vehicles. The only natural feature of any note is Wadi esc Sciaaba which runs north - south to the west of Gubi. There are two 'villages' in the area, Bir Belchofas and Bir El Gubi; Bir el Gubi is described in Brazen Chariots by Robert Crisp as "a little white-washed house surrounded by a low parapet". I have added two roads, one of which is the Trigh El Abd, but the word 'road' is, like the word 'village', an overstatement - they were desert tracks which served only as a means not to get lost. Although the terrain is reasonably accurate I have scaled it for feel rather than actual ground scale - as the battle area is flat this should make next to no difference.

Initial Deployments

At the start of the game 8th Bersaglieri Regiment and all associated artillery start the game

dug-in in two concentric arcs facing SE, with the front line beyond Bir El Gubi. The front line should be infantry, the reserve line should be a gun line. One company of M13/40s should be deployed just outside and in front of the defences. The remainder of 132nd Tank Regiment, along with the Corps artillery (105mm), are initially deployed off-table.

22nd Armoured Brigade starts the game with two tank regiments and 11th Hussars deployed on table. 2nd Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (Horse in one source) deploys to the west of Trigh El Abd facing Bir El Gubi; 4th County of London Yeomanry are to 2nd RGH's left (they are looking for the right flank of the Italians); 11th Hussars are to the right of 2nd RGH heading north east of Gubi (to find the left flank of the Italians); everything else is initially deployed off-table

Arrivals

The British have one Stratagem 1 card (activating 3rd County of London Yeomanry) and one Stratagem 2 card (activating the brigade's 'support group') in their sequence deck. Both cards activate arrivals from the start of turn 2. Once turned, the arriving units may move onto the table at full rate on the appearance of a relevant Move card. 3rd CLY appear on the far right of the British base line (looking to find the left flank of the Italians). The support group arrives, on the British base line, anywhere behind the advance of 2nd RGH and 4th CLY. Discard the Stratagem cards after use.

The Italians have one Statagem 1 card (activating both battalions of 132nd Tank Regiment, but on different turns) in their sequence deck. The card activates the two remaining companies of the 1st battalion (the other was deployed on table at the start of the game) from the start of turn 3. The card activates the 2nd battalion from the start of turn 5. Once turned, the arriving units may move onto the table at full rate on the appearance of a relevant Move card. Both battalions arrive on the base line at the extreme left of the Italian line - poor old 3rd CLY! Discard the Stratagem card after its final use.

Minefields

The Italians have four minefields. These can be placed by the Italian player during the game on the appearance of Special 1 and Special 2 cards. There is one of the former and two of the latter in the Italian sequence deck. On the appearance of a Special 1 card the Italian player may place one minefield. On the appearance of a Special 2 card the Italian player may place one or two minefields. When a Special card is used it is discarded. Minefields may not be placed under units, otherwise there is no restriction on placement. Italian troops can pass through minefields at half speed without risk. Any other movement through a minefield automatically enforces a D10 Vs D6 fire strike, and if any hits are caused an automatic morale challenge.

Notes:

I have chosen to do minefields this way for two reasons. First, there is no need for mapping (and any resulting argument). Second, I was struck by the accounts of British tanks 'running into minefields'.

The Italian player must remember that he does not have sufficient cards to place all minefields individually.

Primary Sources

The Sidi Rezeg Battles 1941 - Agar Hamilton and Turner

Crusader - R. Humble

Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts - I. Walker

Benghazi Handicap - F. Chadwick

Google Earth

Figures, etc.

From the collections of Mark D. and yours truly. BTW, the shell case at the end of the table is a 2pdr from 1941.

Desert terrain pieces for WW2

2011-01-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

The Ilkley Lads need some terrain bits for Vapnartak. Four minefields, two built up areas and twenty seven dug-in markers.

Mine fields. These are 4mm ply, drilled for wire (spear off-cuts) posts. Wire is 'unwound' picture hanging wire. I decided to paint the wire rusty - 'metal' wire always looks a bit odd to me.

A couple of desert buildings. The ones on the left (very nice little models) are of unknown manufacture with scratch built 'compound'. The one on the left is scratch built, the surrounding wall is made of cat litter. Palm trees are white metal (I don't know by who).

Dug-in markers. At some point I may buy and paint dug-in figures. Until then I'll use markers. I'll need lots, so I made a mould and cast them in plaster.

Master, mould box and mould. I used a sheet of glass to make the bottom of the mould smooth and completely level.

Plaster of Paris in, then scraped flat (the reason for making the mould on glass). Bottoms are almost flat - so very little sanding is required.

One soon becomes fifteen - making masters and moulds save lots of time in the long run!

Once dry, and a quick rub of sandpaper on the bottoms, I PVA glued them to thin card. Plaster is brittle, and this should protect the thin leading edge. The card was trimmed (to nothing) before painting.

All paint is household emulsion and a bit of artists acrylic.

Bir El Gubi - play test for Vapnartak

2011-01-20T02:11:00.000-08:00

The Ilkley Lads will be doing Bir El Gubi 1941 at Vapnartak this year (York Race Course, 6th February). This was the first major clash of Operation Crusader, between British 22nd Armoured Brigade Group and Ariete Armoured Division, on the southern flank of the Axis investment of Tobruk. The game will use Mark D's Italian stuff and my British stuff. I still have a few things to finish off (some mine fields - one down three to go, and 10 Italian medium tanks - which I'll knock off this weekend) but we had enough to have a run through last night. Here are some picks of of the game half way through.

The tanks of 22nd Armoured Brigade attacking from the south (possibly south east) break into Bir El Gubi's defences. They are being funneled by minefields and they are becoming 'horribly bunched'. We are using Piquet rules (heavily amended) which allows for all manner of 'randomisation'. Reading about the battle, one thing I noticed was the repeated line 'ran into minefields'; Consequently, I have given the Italians four minefields that they can place during the game when they turn a 'special card' - they have three in their deck. They can place them anywhere they want, if they want, providing no troops are 'in the minefield' when it is placed. This worked well.

The Battle of Bir El Gubi involved the arrival of reinforcements for both sides. A CLY Regiment (Crusaders) arrives on turn 2 moving to find the northern flank of of the Italians, and the artillery and infantry support for 22nd Armoured Brigade Group arrives at the same time in the wake of the major thrust from the south. On turn 3 the first battalion of 132nd Regt (M13s) arrives for the Italians - they will bump into the newly arrived CLY Regt. Another battalion of M13s arrives on turn 5. Arrivals are timed by turn and the turning of 'stratagem cards'.

The general terrain layout was derived from books and, more usefully, Google Earth. Looking at Google Earth is very useful for getting Western Desert terrain right - unlike a scenario in an otherwise very useful wargames tome - it appears that there are no escarpments or 'hills' at Bir El Gubi. The terrain will not win any prizes, but it will show 'punters' the general flatness and empty waste that is the Western Desert - too frequently 'WW2 desert games' have far too much terrain. BTW, according to Robert Crisp (in his memoir 'Brazen Chariots'), Bir El Gubi was a single white building surrounded by a low parapet - there are two buildings there now!

Main sources, were: The Sidi Rezeg Battles 1941, Iron Hulls Iron Hearts, Crusader, Operation Crusader 1941 and Benghazi Handicap. (For authors, etc, these books are listed in this blogs 'labels' side bar.)

Figures are by various manufacturers including FoW and Skytrex. Painting by Mark D. and myself.

Trasimene set up - observations / suggestions please

2011-01-10T01:40:00.000-08:00

All being well, the Ilkley Lads' demo game for Sheffield Triples (21st & 22nd May 2011) will be the Battle of Lake Trasimene 217 BC. Although I still have plenty of figures to paint for the battle (the bright bits of paper under troops show the footprint of these figures) and some terrain to make, I thought it was time to roughly set out the troops on my table to get an idea of the layout I'll do.

Please forgive the very rough looking hill shapes, the terrain colour and the lake edge (the white strips of card), but eye candy was not my prime concern here. I'll cut out the actual hill shapes (over which I'll throw a green cloth) and make the lake closer to the event. There are no trees on the table either, which will change the look quite a lot.

I think this is the basic layout of the battle I'll use, but if you have any observations or suggestions that would make the game better, I'd like to hear them.

This is the overall deployment. The Romans are centre left and just climbing the hill in the foreground, the Carthaginians are in a crescent surrounding them. The lake is on the extreme left (white card border).

The head of the Roman column. Here the extraordinarii are beginning to climb the hill to engage what they believe is the Carthaginian rear guard of skirmishers. The first Roman legion and first ala have deployed into three line battle formation to support this attack. Hannibal's veteran Spanish and Libyans are lining the hills immediately to the right of their skirmishers.

The Roman column marching up the defile with the Carthaginians lying in wait on their flank. I have decided to include Sempronius' force (remnants of Trebbia) at the rear of the column for a total of 6 Roman legions / ala. They are only mentioned by Livy(and Mark Healey's Osprey?), but I've included them to increase the 'mass' of the column and give the Romans a better chance. The Gauls can be seen occupying the gullies and spurs in the centre of the Carthaginian line, "Zulus, sir, thousands of 'em....."

The rear of the column has entered the defile and the Spanish and Numidian cavalry are deployed to close any escape route to the rear.

OK. So what do you think?

Are the 'terrain lines' about right?

What do you think of the deployments at the head of the column - do they look like a reasonable hypothesis of what would be happening following the initial contact by the extraordinarii?

I've used most of my reference books as sources, picking and choosing the bits I want to use from each. A list of the books can be found in this blog's 'labels' section (see book lists).

Your thoughts please,

James

Figures are almost all Renegade 28s, The table is 12' x 6'. One figure represents about 60 men (ish).

Punic Wars Project - Adrift?

2011-01-06T05:47:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of June I posted my painting schedule for my Punic Wars project. The plan was to paint 720 figures by the end of November. It is now the beginning of January and I've only managed 464. Why?

I could claim excuse for several reasons, but most would be dismissed by a right minded boss without hesitation (work load, family, etc.). The real reasons are three fold:

I committed the cardinal sin. I got side tracked by things new and shiny (see WWII stuff).
I committed to several other wargames related activities (articles, etc.) and found my spare time too thinly spread.
Thirdly, I got bored with things Punic.

The last thing is not something new, I often get bored half way through a project and it is a 'lull' I build into my overall deadlines. But, the new shiny stuff and the articles gave me an excuse to escape the project for longer than usual. Big mistake!

I can't change the overall completion date for the whole Punic Wars project (or, why have one?) so I finished the WWII stuff to a good break point (22nd Armoured Brigade Group) and then put it all away. I got back into the Punic Wars saddle and took out a batch of Gauls. As self punishment I made it a big batch. I finished it on my Birthday (New Years eve). It has done me good - I've already started the projected cavalry and aim to finish them quickly. The project is still do-able, but I can't take another break now.

Anyway, the new painted stuff.

176 Gallic warband - 8 units of 22 (these took 3 weeks). I think they have just the right amount of 'tartan'.

48 velites - 4 units of 12, for the allies in the Roman army (these took 2 months!).