To the Strongest - no Phalangites in these games Simon!

Last weekend I traveled down to Basingstoke to take part in Simon Miller's To the Strongest weekend hosted at the Wargames Holiday Centre by Mark Freeth. Five games were available to play over the weekend and two of these were very large. The rules that Mark has developed remain the perfect blend of simplicity and clever fine tuning that provides plenty to think about as the game progresses. I think the key is that you spend time focused on command decisions for the troops and not on working out actions via tables etc. When I first started playing these rules I was not sure that I would take to a grid table system and the use of cards rather than dice. After several games I have really taken to using cards. The speed at which the cards can be played and the removal at the end of the term helps to keep the table tidy. I also have found that I forget the grid is actually there and this takes away any discussion about flexible views about the how far 100mm actually is! The first set of pictures are from the game based on the Roman Civil War of 69 AD. This was a clash between the forces of Otho and Vitellian. The battle was not actually Cremona but rather a fictitious clash between the forces of both sides. Lots of interesting troops in use such as this Gladiator Cohort on the Othonian side.

The XXI Rapax Legion toils up hill to face some Legionaries of the XIII Gemina and some veterans from XIV Gemina Victrix

What for the order to charge

Flank attack by the Legion Adiutrix

More legionaries advancing 

Not a lot of pictures for that first game. I was focused on reminding myself of the rules! I also lost the game so the less said about that the better. The next game I was involved in was given the title "Barbarians" and was set after the battle of Chalons 424 AD. The object of the game was for a force of Huns with their Gothic allies to escape through the central section of the table. I played this game twice. Once as the Huns and Once as the Romans. This was a great game with lots of interesting aspects. I would be happy to play it again as I think I could do better as the Romans and could also be more successful as the Huns despite winning that clash.

Gothic cavalry advancing

Deep unit of a Gothic Warband. This was to prove to be a tough nut to crack in all the games. 

The Roman Watchtower can be seen on the hill before the Huns. Hunic light archers can be seen scouting ahead of the rest of their forces. 

Roman troops holding the hill line under fire from Hunic horse archers. 

Light Cavalry advancing 

Rapid movement brought both sides into conflict almost from the start of the game. 

Superb figures from Simon's collection

General view of the action showing the Roman line still in tacked. 

Horse Archers in action again. We played both games with the Huns unable to resupply themselves with arrows so it was necessary to use them wisely.

Attilla can be seen at the head of his lance armed bodyguard

The Romans have lit the beacon to warn other stations of the Huns. Or it may just have been to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday! (Contemporary reference)

Roman Light troops keeping watch 

Auxiliaries supporting them

Mobs of disgruntled citizens erupt from the town to protest over high taxes! These were to also prove to be remarkable tough 

Final stage of the game as the Huns, Goths and towns folk deal with the last of the Romans.

I missed photographing the Gothic Warband being attacked in both flanks and the rear and still being able to fight on! I won this game as the Huns but lost it as the Romans. But as I said I would be happy to play it again as there was a lot to think about. The next post will cover the Raphia game. This was so spectacular that it needs a whole post to itself!

A few pictures from Salute 2016

Very busy day at Salute 2016. The Excel venue is huge and I am sure that there was quite a lot of things I did not manage to see. Time spent on the Essex Warriors table was interesting with some old friends and new acquaintances coming to see what we were doing. Well done to all who put the game together and spent time looking after it and answering complex questions from the public.

 A few pictures of the superb 18th Century game put on by another group

 Some of the Essex Warriors gathered around their leader!

The Battle of Kunersdorf

 Prussians getting ready to attack the Russians within their defences

 Some idea of the size of the show. A view of half the venue

 Mad Max also put on a game!

 Not that many pictures as I was rushed to meet friends and buy a few things. I will try harder next year. No pictures of Norseygamer. Moving too fast to photograph. All that could be seen was his credit card running behind him trying to get back in his wallet. 

At Last the 2016 Don Featherstone Weekend report

As mentioned in a previous post Henry from Miniature Wargames asked that we do not blog the event until after this months edition had been published. Consequently these pictures are a little old. The article in MW by Dave Brown gives an excellent description of both the weekend and the battle. I would point out that I was actually responsible for the Polish Corps of Napoleon's army and playing the part of Poniatowski. I think Dave has given me the best write up I am ever likely to get and seems to have seen the gallant actions of my small corps in even a better view than I did myself!

 Here is the calm before the storm as Steve D and Mel review the field. 

 A view from the French side as tiles are depolyed

 The village of Liebertwolkwitz that was to change hands several times during the game

 Marshal Poniatowski and his ADC

 Polish troops marching forward

Russians advancing towards them

Polish 1st Division deploying 

 Lots of activity on the Allied side. It looks like Henry is praying for an Allied victory

 Poles come on in a smart fashion

 now ready to launch their attack on the village

 Polish light cavalry division deploying to the left

 Tony needs the dice which has a 6 on it.

Poles continue their advance

Polish artillery deployed to support the infantry

 The finer points of the new rules

 Dave explains to Henry the way that the rules work.

Mark in usual stance helping to deploy troops.

 Meanwhile the Poles march on!

 Hot fighting on the outskirts of Liebertwolkwitz

 Still the Poles drive the Allies back

 Meanwhile there are other activities going on in other parts of the field

 The fighting to the right of the Polish corps

Polish artillery open fire

 Polish Light Lancers get ready to charge.

 French Heavy Cavalry get ready to charge.

 Where are the Allies?

 Things are looking grim for the Russians on their left wing

Tine to use the assault card!

Two of the Allied commanders looking worried

Some pictures from the Saturday Night dinner

 After Dinner activities devised by Henry

The Victor! John Secker

 Another view of the fighting

 Henry recording Tony's thoughts on his phone

There must be a solution to the Allied problem in the rules somewhere

 Dave indicates there is no solution

 and seems pleased about it. He was Napoleon in the game

 Closing views of the French victory

 Mel receiving the Don Featherstone Trophy

 Final destruction of the Austrian attack

 The French army setting off for Berlin!