First one off the Slipway

It may be just wood, paper, putty, cocktail sticks and a little bit of brown paint but she is a little beauty in my eyes (see below):

It also is cheap and designed to be built in bulk. I just need about another forty of these. Watch this space!

;)

The Seventeenth Century Boat Factory

As promised my first DIY ship (work in progress). A small off-cut of DIY trim (1cm by 4cm), some cocktail sticks, paper and Milliput putty (only because I had some lying around, I later picked up a cheap packet of Plasticine). Still to do the flags and the base (see below, in RN or Spanish colours):

Same model but the "flash" went off on the camera (see below, to the RHS you can just see the stern of a Dutchman WIP):

The umpire reported back the final stats of the game:

Anglo-French 48 damage points, 3 ships lost (HMS St Andrew, Royal Sovereign & Prince)

Dutch Republic 23 damage points 1 ship lost (Maagd van Dordrecht)  

Overwhelming Dutch victory

 There will obviously be sleepless nights in the British Admiralty .. watch this space for a rematch ;)

January/February "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere inthe 'LowCountries' (Part 8) The End

A dispatch has made if in front the battle recounting its last hours ...

The final position: While the French consolidated their gains the arrival of the Dutch guard and the spirited defence of the Prussians (pounded by musket and shot and harassed by the guard cavalry) meant that the allies were able to hold on.

The stalwart allied defence of their right (see below): 

The Dutch guard come up to support the wavering English defenders (see below): 

The Prussians (an 'all musket formation' the shape of things to come) hold off all attacks despite suffering 50% casualties (see below, one base missing and a lot of casualty rings on one of ones remaining): 

The French hold the two towns on their right (see below, a fortified tavern the scene of murderous hand-to-hand fighting): 

The left most strong point has fallen but the French are in no position to contest the bridge without a deadly firefight they are unlikely to win (see below): 

The battle progressed a few more moves but the French decided that they were running out of infantry to press the attack home. Therefore we stopped it last night. The idea is to have a look at the campaign board game next week so we can learn it ready for the campaign.

So in the end the Allies have successfully defended and gained the "battle honours" of the day (an unhistorical result) for simply "still being there" at close of play. As indicated it is the best of wargame results as it allows both sides to return to the map to plot a "what-if" and possible follow up battle/mini-campaign.

Great fun was had by all. I just wish work and family commitments could have let me play some more, maybe the next one!

:)

January/February "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere inthe 'LowCountries' (Part 7)

Sadly I missed the last instalment of the "Big Batle". However I was fortunate to receive this update from one of my fellow commanders ...

"The French are pressing the attack on their left (the allied right). One battalion has left the town in column. The allied cavalry allowed them time to form up before charging!" (See below): 

My comment: The French march remorselessly onward (see below):

"Fortunately after a little persuasion one allied cavalry squadron ploughed in. The infantry were shaken by the charge and fired high missing most their targets. In the ensuing melee they were routed from the field hotly pursued by the allied horse." (see below): 

"Also both towns on the left of the allied lines fell with the allied forces eventually fighting to the very last man. The French forces on their far right were sent orders to turn the allied left since the towns had fallen. Their forces came out of the town in column and then lined up at the river. They exchanged volleys with the defending allies who reformed to face them. The French volley was largely ineffective but the allies withering return volley caused the French to run." (see below): 

"Despite this local success the allies are only slowly forming a viable defensive line against the ensuing onslaught of infantry ploughing through the towns and fields on the allied right." (see below): 

"Still the situation on the allies right looks difficult. As the French bring more of their troops to bear, the allies are awaiting the appearance of the Dutch guard, who they understand are marching down the road in support. Can the allies hold their nerve?"

The battle continues ... and I hope to rejoin it :)

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere inthe 'LowCountries' (Part 6)

The artillery dual continues. Despite the French cavalry being frozen in place my gunners performance is lamentable, I guess we were shooting at where we thought they were going to go. Our counter battery fire was much more effective as we dispatched a large French piece of ordnance to the heavens (see below):

Meanwhile the Allied right flank was in turmoil as "about face and form a second defensive line" was the order of the day. Word had come from the farmhouse on the far right (unhelpfully out of camera shot) that it was more likely to "rain whiskey" than retain hold of the bastion (see below, as movement with these formations is ponderous best start any convolutions early to stand any chance of getting it right):

The French were also on the move. Seeing that they had far to many troops crammed in such a small place they thought it best to "recycle the troops" so those that were getting worn by the Allied defensive fire make way fro the fresher troops at the back. It was also hinted that the french needed to extend the frontage of their attack to avoid being "condensed" and not so manoeuvrable (see below):

A horrendous second round of melee is fought with a third French infantry brigade fed in as support. The Allied (British) have seen far better days, rolling a paltry 5 combat dice (needing 4,5 or 6 to score a hit) compared to the 18 combat dice of the French (again needing 4, 5 or 6 to hit). Three to one odds in favour of the French, lots of  "Brigade Level" command with (3) Colonels shouting encouragement  and a (1) General "with a fine wig" attached to boot, plus probably an elite here and there, it all added up (a "+1 for pike was dismissed as thankfully we were fighting in a built up area"). We were quite pleased at the 3 hits inflicted on the French until we received a staggering 13 in return ... that was impressive dice throwing. All that remained of the British was a reduced strength stand "containing the colours" (see below, the flag stands aloft waiting to be inscribed with its new battle honours):

The morale rsult was a forgone conclusion as the brave British are force to retire. The Allies are now scrambling to form a second defensive line before the French infantry can make their mass of infantry count.

Next: A deadly race

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'LowCountries' (Part 5)

Two French infantry brigades launch themselves into the maelstrom of close quarter fighting on the Allied right flank. The French are up in starting numbers (2:1) but have suffered casualties but the considerable number of Colonels (2) and General (1) attached seemed to sway the combat via their modifiers. Nevertheless 'good' Allied dice mean that a grinding draw ensues and the forces remain "locked in melee" see below):

The Allied counter to the potential loss of the right flank stronghold is to cause the Allied reserve cavalry formation to turn about and face this developing threat (see below):

Meanwhile over on the Allied left the French Guard's Brigade (solo) attack on a fortified farm-house is an unqualified disaster and the Guards leaved the field in a rout of surrender (see below, "Where have all the Guards gone?"):

Finally a tranquil shot of another piece of quality scenery, a placid stone bridge not yet troubled by the storm clouds of war (see below):

The significance of this is that "the bridge" is now "blooded" in a wargame battle having been painted by my own fair hands (last century). Cause for great celebration methinks! It was original chosen as suitably wide for a WW2 20mm tank to cross it (even an Airfix Tiger could get across it) despite it being 25mm 'block and brickwork'.

Next: The great reckoning begins

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'LowCountries' (Part 4)

The "hel" of the infantry combat finally started in earnest.

On the Allied left flank the Elite Dutch Queen's Dragoons has seen of the French Dragoons and were now facing a combined infantry assault from two regular French infantry brigades. As the Frencg approached they laid down a devastating defensive fire but took casulaties in return (see below):

To the immediate right of the Dutch Queen's Dragoons an advanced Allied strongpoint was being attacked by four brigades of French infantry, including a Royal Guards unit. They had been assailed by hail and shot from two medium Allied artillery batteries as they traversed the open ground suffering badly. The steadfastness of Guards held sway as came within musket range, even though a stand was removed the attack was going to go in come hell or high water (see below):

Meanwhile the Dutch Queeen's favourites were hard pressed but fighting like demons (aka good dice rolling by the Allied side) to win the fierce hand-to-hand fighting. The key for survival was to win the first combat as the likelihood of being "strong enough" to go again could not be counted on. A small force could hold at bay a larger "worn" force (see below):

The Allied forward strong-point caused the French some organisational and command ordering problems. The elan of the French Guards took them in but their more conservative (with a small 'c') French Line failed to generate the morale courage and wavered in the attack. This left the depleted (two out of the original three stands) French Guards attacking a fortified/built-up-area (albeit still smoking from an Allied artillery bombardment), outnumbered by the defenders 3:2 and taking additional casualties on the way in. You could not paint a more 'worse scenario' for the French Guards but "hey ho", that is how they justify the pay they draw from teh French Crown (see below, the initial combat rolls look bad for the French Guards):

Meanwhile ten French Infantry brigades were hoping to smash the Allied right flank. The sound of canon and musket caried acoss the whole batlefield.

Next: The murderous right

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'LowCountries' (Part 3)

The main concern of the Allied high command was focused on the developing major attack on the Allied right. Three brigades of Allied infantry (one of which were Dragoons) manned the stout defences and fortified buildings, with one infantry brigade in reserve (see below, it has to be noted that the French had reduced the defensive protection of the nearest house through continued bombardment):

The French infantry were massing ominously in front of the valiant Allied defenders (see below):

In total ten French infantry brigades (and two additional Dragon formations off camera) faced the defending four, pretty much the prescribed three-to-one odds (see below):

Meanwhile the French cavalry dance continued (see below):

With a jiggle here and a retire there they were a mass of moving horse slowly picking up casualties (see below):

The "yellow measuring tape of dismay" shows the direction of a retiring French cavalry reigiment (see below):

This dance was interrupted as noises from both flanks indicated the infantry was going in!

Next: Unleash hell!

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'LowCountries' (Part 2)

In front of me the French were fine looking fellows mounted on handsome beasts, so I promptly opened fire. The first round was a sighting shot, unlikely to hit, but as the the French Central Command was bereft of orders I managed to get a second shot at a lovely stationary target (see below):

The gunners aim was true, I needed 8 or over on a d10 and three of my shots landed home (see below, ow):

That made the French horse rather "skitterish" after that and where possible they were in a constant state of motion to try and put my gunners off their aim (see below):

Meanwhile the Allied Army positioned elite Dutch dragoons to earnestly defend the Allied strong-point on the Allied left flank against dubious looking French lights, whose purpose in turn was to shield two regular brigades of French infantry that were readying themselves for an assault (see below):

On the Allied right a similar Dragoon skirmish was underway, but also (we in the Allied command group) noted it was evident from very early on that pour right flank was the intended target of the French main assault as no fewer than ten French infantry brigades were seen "on their way" (see below):

The French commander was in no hurry however, quite prepared to spend time to ensure his French line infantry brigades were correctly set-up for the main assault. His deliberate, measured  slow movement was an exhibition of stagecraft of the highest order, despite the irksome protestations of the French cavalry commander currently "under the guns".

Next: The infantry get stuck in!

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'Low Countries' (Part 1)

The 2016 great Xmas game from my Redcar wargaming friends was delayed to an alternative mid-January start because of conflicting diaries and social engagements, but if truth be told I think it was an all the better game for it. It was one of those spectacular double digit player games that leaves you chilled and happy. Glorious scenery, figures and a very chilled gaming experience. All I know was that I was in command of part of an Allied army somewhere in modern day Holland (the correct historical term was hotly disputed all day by the two opposing sides) facing a large body of angry French troops who thought we had no business being there (see below, a large body of annoyed French Infantry .. there was also rather a lot of annoyed French cavalry lurking just in top-left camera shot too):

The good guys (aka the Allied army) promptly hid behind defensive earthworks and buildings. In fact take a look at those scratch built 25mm scale buildings they are absolutely fantastic (see below):

In fact the Allied army lay behind good defensive positions and it was not going to come out and play with the naughty French boys despite all that taunting (see below, again note those beautiful scratch built buildings):

The full extent of the French Army, superior in foot and horse at about a 3:2 ratio, running ten foot along the table edge (see below):

My particular command was of two brigades of infantry and a field piece behind sturdy defensive fortifications facing off against "thirteen cavalry" (yes I said "thirteen") regiments. However despite their daunting numbers the cavalry had no real prospect of "charging the defences" while manned by my stout infantry. The cavalry were there in fact to "pin" the infantry in place while the French infantry threatened another vital sector. If the Allied infantry moved the way would be clear, if they stayed the door was firmly closed on the French. In the meantime my artillery had some fine target practise (see below):

My last "Ace" was three regiments of my own cavalry, fine looking fellows. The sheer mass of the French cavalry can be seen at the top of the photograph (see below):

These three cavalry regiments were my "shock" troops that could (should or is that would) react to unforeseen events to my left or right. The whole battlefield was certainly one spectacular sight! I also look a fine sight in my resplendent finery a top of my white steed in the middle of my front two cavalry units (Note: The generals did not seem to be true generals unless they wore large foppish wigs, maybe it kept them warm!).

Next: Let battle commence!