Prep - when too much can be a bad thing

Hi folks,

Not many updates from me recently I'm afraid. Since the AHPC challenge ended in March I'd not picked up a paint brush until this week. Not sure why, I just didn't feel like it and was procrastinating because I had two more fantasy units lined up that I had to pick colours for.

I did a few things instead - prepping for a Rogue Trader RPG I'm running during lockdown (where I decided to use the Savage World rules instead of the official ones). Building (then modifying) some Jagdpathers. Prepping my 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry Armoured Car Squadron. Cleaning up models ready for undercoating. Sorting through my unbuilt stuff checking what I was short of. Planning future lists. Etc, etc.

The long and short of this was that I wasn't painting but was filling up my painting shelf with more and more stuff. I was struggling to find space on the shelves next to my painting station and getting more disheartened about how much I had to do every time I looked at it.

Combined with homeworking for a prolonged period (where I struggle with getting anything done in the morning, leading me to feel like I am just burning half my day, every day) , I was/am starting to get a bit frayed mentally. Starting to be very negative about everything and getting a little down on myself, work and the hobby. I guess it's depression - but the prevailing feeling has been negativity rather than the overwhelming sadness I have had previously.

Social media played a part in this too - trying to help people with questions about my 'specialist subject', only to have to fight uphill battles about stuff I know and have checked against people quoting populist history nonsense (who can never provide a reference and argue even in the face of photographic evidence...).

So yes, in trying to be productive with my non painting, I ended up digging myself a hole which was further sapping my motivation. Too much stuff on the painting shelf, no idea where to start, feeling weighed down by the lead mountain looming over me, feeling like there was no point to the hobby, that I have been wasting my time, etc.

Today I've taken some steps to try and get myself out of the rut I'm in. I finished one of the fantasy units (more on these soon). I tidied my painting shelf, cutting the visible models down to one troop of 15mm Armoured Cars, a few Cruel Seas ships, one 10mm unit and some 15mm sci-fi models which I just paint when I have colours left on my paint palette. A much more manageable workload.

The other stuff is now on a box on my desk - handy, but out of sight. I'll bring out another unit when I have finished something.

I've also completed a painting chart for my 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry squadron:

And to see what this hole lot looks like (and why it was like a storm cloud over my painting desk):

This lot is a mix of Battlefront with a few PSC kits thrown in. I've a platoon of infantry for my Assault Platoon, and one small platoon for dismounted Carrier Patrol troops.

I've decided - given the types of games we play and the historical info I have, to make a 3 stand infantry troop for each of the carrier troops. One medium base (4 men) with a Bren and a PIAT, one medium base (4 men) with a Bren and a 2" mortar, and a small base (3 men) with a Bren command team. This should represent the firepower these guys had. The PIAT and 2" Mortar will be shooting options for the teams. I've lots of spare infantry figures, so this is no hassle - just more painting!

So - a cautionary tale really. I need to remember:
- Don't let yourself get disheartened by what you have to do hobby wise. You can only complete any collection one small bite at a time (unless your Dave D or Martin!).
- Know your limits, if you feel your getting bogged down or disheartened clear the decks and pick one thing to do at a time.
- Using non painting time constructively is useful, but remember the points above.

As for work - I'm trying something new out this week which I am hoping will help me feel like I'm not just burning time for the sake of putting in my hours! I have a few other options lined up if this doesn't work.

Hope everyone is staying safe and active!

6MMRPC: Moar Shermans WiP & Battlegroup Overlord Game

Guess what I've been working on this weekend! Well, you could guess, read on or watch my new video blog.

On Saturday Amy was off to see her sister and mum for a days shopping so I was left to entertain myself. I ended up taking my figures down to the Carluke and Law Wargames club for a game of Battlegroup Overlord. I had a nice time, but was left feeling a bit flat by our use of the game - specifically what was being left out. The lack of proper army lists, morale and morale counters, tank ammo, etc, which are what defines this game and makes it different from the likes of Rapid Fire.
We talked about it after the game and I think everyone agreed the game would be better with a bit more organisation and proper army lists. YD has suggested we try some of the scenarios in the books, so we may do that.

I've included some pics of the table and of some of YD's models

After the game on Saturday I didn't get much done. I think the fact I hadn't enjoyed myself put me on a downer. I'd hasten to add that I didn't have a bad time, the atmosphere at the club was great and we had a laugh. I think the fact that I had it in the back of my mind that it might be my last game at the club - and slightly worried about being able to find games after I move (which is growing increasingly likely) - made the fact the game wasn't what I had hoped for a much bigger deal. It effectively made me doubt the wisdom of continuing to collect and paint my mini's when my future in the hobby is a little in doubt - and when even the local club is running so fast and loose with what aspects of a rules set they use it doesn't bode well.

Anyway, Sunday afternoon I got my mojo back and made a start on my next 4 Shermans. 2 x Sherman I's and 2 x Sherman Fireflys. These 4 models are the last of those prepped prior to the painting challenge. My work on them consisted of an edge highlight using a 50/50 mix of Vallejo Model Colour Khaki and Russian Uniform - with a small drop of Ivory. I just use this on prominent surfaces like hatch handles, panel edges, around hatches, along the top of the gun barrel and around any section I deem to be an edge.

I did the same with the wooden items (only using beige brown), rubber and metal (using black grey) and other bits and bobs. Once I had done the edge highlight I also did a quick dry brush on Russian Uniform again, just to tone down the highlights and blend them slightly.

Still to do are the decals, aerials, weathering and matt coat. Hopefully I'll make good progress on those next weekend.

In other news, my transfer at work is almost authorised so a move to Middlesbrough looks likely by October. And my total weight loss as of today is 2 stone 9 pounds - a long way to go but I'm pretty pleased with my progress over the last 16 or so weeks. That includes 3 separate weeks (holiday week, birthday week and Edinburgh show/visitors/visiting Son week) where I put weight on.

Posted with Blogsy

2nd (!!) Annual (!!) 6 Month Mountain Reduction Painting Challenge

So, only a few short months after the end of the last challenge the second one is starting.

The time period for the challenge has changed, with the challenge starting on 1st June and running till 30th November. This means it avoids the Christmas period and for me means that I have better weather to work in - Scottish winters are not particularly great for varnishing or spraying.

This time around the rules have changed slightly - which will help keep things interesting and allow slightly more leeway with purchases. The rules, taken from The Spider Web of History blog:

Rules changes, and some exciting additions IN BOLD.

1. No purchasing of new miniatures, EXCEPT if you use a joker.  You get three jokers to use on a figure purchase.  Could be a blister pack, an ebay bundle, or a single figure... you can't splurge. The only exception to this rule is if you need bitz or A FIGURE (Singular) to complete a unit/warband etc.

1.1 - There is an opportunity to "earn" additional jokers.  If you complete an entire project (whole unit/army/warband etc.) with pictures of starting, WIP, and completion, you earn yourself a Joker. - In order to allow myself the purchases to finish my painting chart I will be aiming to do this when a platoon have been completed. As I did last year, my painting chart has some 'aspirational' units on it, not just the ones I already own.

2.  Gifts do not count against you. Holidays, birthdays etc. Also, if you're given gift cards by your hobby illiterate family or friends, you can without penalty use them on anything you want miniatures wise.

3.  Paints, terrain (or materials), and other hobby supplies do not apply to the no purchasing rule.

4.  At least one hobby related blog post and/or Instagram update a week.  If you instagram, be sure to hashtag your pic with #6MMRPC

5.  Zombtober will be part of the 6 month challenge so, Zombie related stuff during October is ENCOURAGED. Other theme suggestions are welcomed. - Again, as last year I will be having Tanktober rather than Zombtober. At least assuming I have tanks to paint by then!

6.  Anyone that wants to submit a before and after picture of a miniature that they are proud of completing during the course of the challenge to dmcffd@gmail.com will be entered into the running for a gift certificate to a online wargaming store of their choice.  Judging will be by an un-biased person.  Amount on the gift certificate will be dictated by winners nationality but should work out to about $30 U.S. I (Spiderweb of History) will not be eligible to win. 

My plan is to have a couple of different painting lists this time - my usual 15mm WW2 painting list, a Full Thrust list and a Battlefleet Gothic list. I do not expect to complete all of these! But I figure that giving myself options will help keep things fresh and stop me getting to the point I did last time round, where I wanted to paint space ships but felt I couldn't as I had a painting chart to work to!

I would encourage anyone that's interested to think about giving the challenge a shot. The Facebook group (although Facebook is not a must have!) and fellow bloggers really help with motivation, as well as giving you a reason to think hard about your purchases - while encouraging you to focus a bit on your painting.

Joining is easy, just post up a blog entry with the rules, join the Facebook group if you are that way inclined and start posting and painting using the 6MMRPC title in your posts.

As a first step, here is my 'New, Updated' Drax(tm) style painting chart for my 15mm mini's.

YD's Napoleonics

Just a quick link to a post with some of my regular gaming buddy David's (known as YD - for Young David - in my blog) 15mm painted Swiss, Croat and French Napoleonic figures.

Swiss soldiers

French command

More pictures can be found over at Paul's excellent blog here.

As I've said before Paul, David and Davey have been the ones (along with the visitors to my blog and the guys at the club) to really inspire me to not just paint my figures but to try and improve my own painting quality.

Their positive and generous feedback combined with their help in offering tips, tools and advice have really played a massive part in getting me back into the hobby in the last few years. And they managed to find space in their cars to take me to all the main Scottish Wargame shows last year! I think you will all agree that YD's figures are outstanding - and his FoW stuff is equally fantastic.

Thanks again guys!

AAR: 51st HD vs Hermann Göring Fallschirmpanzerdivision - Part 1

I had the chance to get along to the Carluke and Law Wargames club on Saturday for the first time in a few months. I've been slowly chipping away painting wise (slow progress is still progress!) but feel I sometimes need to play some games to get me actually going. We agreed on 1750pts.

One issue I had was building an army that included unpainted mini's (to spur me on to paint them) - mainly because I've very few things that are assembled and unpainted. I didn't feel I had the time to properly prepare and assemble anything else. As such, I decided to use stand in's - with YD's permission.

I used two Churchill AVsRE to represent two Churchill Crocodiles and 4 x 25-pdrs to represent some 4.2" Mortars. I also cracked open the Forged in Battle Loyds Carriers that are next in the painting queue and a blister pack of Wasp Universal Carriers. 

My army list ended up looking like this:

Platoon	Qty	Unit	Points
Headquarters
Rifle Company HQ (51st)  p.143	1 1 1	Cmd Rifle team Cmd Rifle Bagpiper team Troop Carrier	40
Combat Platoons
Rifle Platoon (51st)  p.144	1 1 1 6 2	Cmd Rifle/MG team PIAT team Light Mortar team Rifle/MG team Defrocked Priest APC	160
Rifle Platoon (51st)  p.144	1 1 1 6 2	Cmd Rifle/MG team PIAT team Light Mortar team Rifle/MG team Defrocked Priest APC	160
Rifle Platoon (51st)  p.144	1 1 1 6 2	Cmd Rifle/MG team PIAT team Light Mortar team Rifle/MG team Defrocked Priest APC	160
Warrior
Captain John Treleaven (51st)  Fearless  Veteran   p.58	1	Captain John Treleaven	80
Weapons Platoons
Carrier Platoon (51st)  p.145	3	Wasp Carrier	105
Pioneer Platoon (51st)  p.146	1 1 3 2	Cmd Pioneer Rifle team 15 cwt truck Pioneer Rifle team Jeep with trailer	80
Mortar Platoon (51st)  p.147	1 1 3 6 6	Cmd Rifle team Troop Carrier Observer Rifle team ML 3" Mk II Mortar Mortar Carrier	160
Brigade Support
Machine-gun Platoon (51st)  p.149	1 1 4 4	Cmd Rifle team Troop Carrier Vickers HMG MMG Carrier	155
Heavy Mortar Platoon (51st)  p.149	1 1 2 4 4	Cmd Rifle team Observer Rifle team Troop Carrier ML 4.2" Mortar Loyd Carrier	140
Support Platoons
Crocodile Tank Platoon  Confident  Trained   p.157	2	Churchill Crocodile	265
Infantry Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery (51st)  p.154	1 1 4 4	Cmd Rifle team Troop Carrier OQF 17 pdr gun M5 half-track	230

A very flamey list! I really did try to go for an assault list to try and get out of my usual play style. I figured the inclusion of Captain John Treleaven would let me have a platoon that passed motivation on a 3+ - a useful inclusion for my Reluctant Vet Jocks.

The three infantry platoons would give me staying power. The mortars to provide smoke and pinning. Pioneers for extra assault oomph (and another flamethrower!!!). Machine guns because I like the dinky little MG carriers (and their pinning bombardment ability) and 17-pdrs because the only other anti tank capability on the list consisted of some PIAT's and the 75mm guns on the Crocodiles. I included the half-tracks and transports for all the platoons as I didn't know what mission we would be playing. And the mobility element has been part of the Operation Totalize theme for my Jocks from the beginning.

Young David went for a list from Fortress Italy:

From memory this included 2 artillery guns (105's?) + spotter and command, 2 PaK 40's, 4 Panzer IV's (2 long and 2 short barreled). a Tiger, two SPG half tracks, three Infantry platoons and a 2 gun MG42 platoon. Half-tracks for the HQ platoon and for one of the infantry platoons were also included but not in the pictures.  

Apologies for the picture quality - they don't don YD's figures justice! I was taking the pics on my Ipad for the first time and from a funny angle - resulting in them being upside down and with my shadow on them.

We set up a quick table and rolled for a mission. We ended up with Fighting Withdrawal, and as I had the Crocodiles in my list I was on 'Always Attacks' and YD was defending.

YD set up first and elected not to have anything in ambush. I deployed second - feeling a little cramped and aware that the dreaded FoW parking lot game table was becoming apparent.

My plan was to aim for the objective on my right, using the hill and other cover to close before flaming my troops in. Using the mortars for pinning and smoke are required. On the left I would keep the pressure on with an infantry platoon and the MG platoon, hold the center with an infantry platoon that could also go right should I need them... and generally use the 17-pdrs to screen as much of my force as possible while dealing with the dreaded big cat!

And the plan (sorry, it's just using MS paint and isn't very clear):

But as part 2 will reveal... no plan survives first contact with the enemy!

2014 Roundup

Slightly later with my roundup of last years work, mainly due to being away over the festive period. Christmas was spent at A's family's house near Middlesbrough, where I received exactly what I asked for from my xmas list model wise... only to find I made a mistake with my list and asked for the wrong type of tanks! D'oh!

So if anyone has any American M3A1 Stuart light tanks they would like to swap for British M3 Honey light tanks, let me know!

Anyway, New Year (or Ne'reday in my native Scots language) was also spent at A's parents. This was a cunning ploy on my behalf, as by that point I had purchased an engagement ring and planned a proposal just after New Year. Thankfully she accepted.

Model wise, I dug out all I have managed to paint this year (apologies for lighting and tablecloth!):

Not really a huge number of mini's! Some of them were quite technical - the picture includes the 3 Sherman I Hybrid conversions from Sherman II's, 2 Sherman Crabs with my own chain flails, Ambulance Half Track and modified Forged in Battle Bofors unit.

In the 'Work In Progress' pile:

These models either need touching up, finishing off or varnishing before highlights. Winter weather has prevented any varnishing. I do have permission to varnish indoors, but I felt my time was better spent finishing block painting models at the moment. 

In The 'Oh Sh*t, I've still got a mountain to climb' pile:

The infantry above were purchased from Cameron, along with 3 Universal Carriers. I say purchased, but I still owe the money and have not seen Cameron since. Cameron, if you read this, get in touch! They are painted in a different style than my normal infantry, so will need stripped and re-painted.

In this pile I have a lot of the items I need to finish my 6MMRPC painting chart (and some more on top of that). I still need some Sherman I's and Quad tractors to finish off everything on that chart. I also still need some more armoured cars to finish my recon list, which is a separate project.

So that's the roundup! Gaming wise, I got a couple of games in but not as many as I would like. One of the plans for 2015 (aside from planning for a wedding) is to start trying to acquire some scenery and a green mat/cloth for my kitchen table. I also intend to keep working on the 6MMRP Challenge and once that's done start alternating painting my WW2 models with some of my many, many, many Full Thrust models. Hopefully alongside getting some small regular games of Full Thrust as well.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my engagement post. Those kind responses are a great example of the hobby bringing people together. Those people (that means YOU!) who take the time to read and comment on my posts are one of the great motivators that keep me making my (all be it slow) progress.

Happy New Year!

AAR - Late war Highlanders vs Fusilier Company 16/8/14

A rare Saturday to myself (due to A having a day out in Edinburgh), so Davey and YD picked me up for a day out at the Carluke and Law wargames club.

Myself and YD had agreed to play a 1000pt game of Flames of War, using our respective late war lists. As usual I decided to go with my Highland Division list from the Overlord book. YD went for a Fusilier list from one of his books (I think from Atlantik Wall).

His list consisted of (roughly):

Füsilierkompanie HQ (352.)  p.33	2 1	Cmd SMG team Panzerschreck team	70
Combat Platoons
352. Füsilier Platoon  p.34	1 6	Cmd Panzerknacker SMG team MG team	185
352. Füsilier Platoon  p.34	1 4	Cmd MG team MG team	130
352. Füsilier Platoon  p.34	1 4	Cmd MG team MG team	130
Weapons Platoons
Füsilier Machine-gun Platoon (352.)  p.35	1 2	Cmd SMG team MG42 HMG	70
Regimental Support
Füsilier Regimental Anti-tank Gun Platoon (352.)  p.37	1 2 2	Cmd SMG team 7.5cm PaK40 gun 3-ton truck	110
Support Platoons
StuG Platoon (352.)  p.39	3	StuG G	285
Luftwaffe Anti-aircraft Assault Platoon  Reluctant  Trained Allied Platoon  p.229	1 2	Cmd SMG team Luftwaffe 8.8cm FlaK36 gun	95
Company Points:			1075

We decided to play a defensive mission (No Retreat) as my army included a Breaching Group - meaning I had 'Always Attacks'. On the picture above (I forgot to take a 1st turn picture, so this one is 2nd or 3rd turn) YD is deployed on the right with his 2 Fusilier platoons and the MG platoon dug in and defending the road line and his 88's on the hill.

My army consisted of:

Rifle Company HQ (51st)  p.143	1 1 1	Cmd Rifle team Cmd Rifle Bagpiper team Troop Carrier	40
Combat Platoons
Rifle Platoon (51st)  p.144	1 1 1 6 2	Cmd Rifle/MG team PIAT team Light Mortar team Rifle/MG team Defrocked Priest APC	160
Rifle Platoon (51st)  p.144	1 1 1 6 2	Cmd Rifle/MG team PIAT team Light Mortar team Rifle/MG team Defrocked Priest APC	160
Support Platoons
Breaching Group  Confident  Trained   p.70	1 2 2	Sherman V Sherman Crab AVRE	155
Infantry Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery (51st)  p.154	1 2	Cmd Rifle team OQF 17 pdr gun	115
Recce Platoon (51st)  p.152	3 2	Humber IV Humber LRC III	170
Infantry Field Battery, Royal Artillery (51st)  p.156	2 1 1 1 4	Cmd Rifle team Staff team Observer Rifle team OP Carrier OQF 25 pdr gun	165
Infantry Light Anti-aircraft Platoon, RA (51st)  p.155	1 2	Cmd Rifle team 40mm Bofors gun	55
Company Points:			1020

This was a bit of a strange army for me - it was mainly designed to include things I had just painted, had still to paint or just had not used. Built around the backbone of the 2 infantry platoons in Kangeroos and the breaching group. I figured YD might include some big cats, so took the 17 pounders. The Artillery I took for a change over the mortars, Bofors because they have just been painted and never used. Recce because I had the Humbers to paint (now started) and breaching group because I like my flail models and wanted to encourage myself to start the Churchills (now started). I also added M5 Halftracks on a whim, taking me up to 1025 points - but YD was fine with this as he had re-jigged his infantry platoons to give himself 3 platoons rather than 2 he had on his original list.

My army on the day - I'm afraid I didn't get a picture of all of YD's stuff - mainly because he already had it deployed on the table!

I decided to make use of the Night Attack special rule the Bits have - mainly because those 88's terrify me. Plus we always forget about the national rules and the Night Attack rule fits with my Totalise Highlanders theme.

Given the layout of the table I deployed my AA platoon in the centre (where it did nothing the whole game - facing off against dug in, concealed and gone to ground Veteran troops...), with my breaching group on the left flank. My infantry, the recce and the A/T guns on the right planning to use the forest for cover to get into assault range of the 88's hill. Behind them sat the 25 pounders. The Churchill AVsRE went up the centre.

 

My main attack was going to be with the infantry in their Kangeroos supported by the Recce to help remove Gone to Ground and provide pinning fire. The 17 pounders were to follow up and deploy where they could cover the infantry from the StuG's I suspected would be wandering about.

You'll note the two Kangeroos at the edge of the forest. I had debated sending them via the forest, but decided to send them left around it. A conversation with YD made me doubt my choice, so I decided 'bugger it, they can cut through those trees!'. The Kangeroos spent the whole game bogging their way slowly through this tiny forest, only contributing by one of them laying down 50 cal fire that supported a later assault. I could have deployed the infantry from them, but kept them buttoned up as a ready reserve.

In the center my Churchills moved slowly closer.

The aim was to use the Petard Mortar on those dug in infantry - but I only used the MG's as moving and shooting at dug in, GtG, Concealed Vets with a RoF 1 gun made moving and shooting impossible!

By my turn 3 I had moved up my assault troops close enough to be ready to disembark, so out they popped.

In YD's turn 3 the sun failed to rise, but in the improving light his 88's managed to get enough of a bead on my Recce platoon (perhaps drawn by the tracer from their MG's shooting up the infantry to their front) and take out the two Humber LRC's. His infantry also managed to take a couple of squads of my Highlanders out as they moved up to the start line for their assault.

YD also managed to bring on his StuG's at this point, choosing to place them on the table edge where they were facing my infantry and recce.

The StuG's opening volley (again, a good roll on the vision distance chart made my troops visible) took out one of my Humber A/C's - however, the platoon passed it's motivation check to remain on the table. 

The darkness proved to be a hindrance for both of us, as it seemed to take until daylight (at the start of my turn 4) for my FOO to realise he was looking at a brick wall rather than out a window, and call down fire on those nasty 88's - killing one and pinning the platoon.

The other notable thing that happened on my turn 4 was the 17 pounders disembarked and swung into action. Only one gun had LoS to the StuG's, and managed to knock one of the predatory little Jerry blighters out.

Lots of shooting at the German Infantry at the base of the 88's hill (including from the Churchills, which I brought over from the center) preceded an assault, which failed to connect due to the only close enough highlander team falling to defensive fire. YD decided to counter attack, but his troops were put off by the skirl of pipes and failed to cause any damage. The Highlanders counter attack was not so gentle, wiping out the majority of the Fusilier platoon and causing it to fail motivation and vanish from the table. The HMG platoon also broke off, leaving the highlanders on the base of the hill.

In YD's turn he got his Pak 40's on, and had them deploy facing my Sherman Flails. His 88's unpinned and destroyed one Churchill and bailed the other - Petard Mortars unfired!

His StuG's moved up and killed one infantry team but missed the 17 pounders.  His remaining Fusilier platoon and the company HQ arrived from reserve alongside the PaK 40's, but were concealed by a wood and moved forward to protect the hill objective (and counter my marauding Highlanders).

Fire this turn from the Pak 40's destroyed one flail tank and bailed the troop command tank. These Shermans had so far spent the game shooting with no effect at the dug in, GtG, Concealed Veteran infantry... YD's HMG platoon had unpinned and killed one of my infantry teams.

However, in my turn revenge was swift. While the FOO called down arty on the remaining 88, finishing it off, the 17 pounders put three shots into the two remaining StuG's, knocking out the platoon. My bailed Sherman crew sorted themselves out and the two tanks left in the troop knocked out both the PaK 40's. My highlanders at the base of the hill moved forward and took out the remaining HMG platoon, causing the HQ unit to fail motivation and run.

My Humbers moved forward to a position behind the dug in Fusiliers - to try and remove GtG on them in a later turn and dash for the cornfield objective.

In YD's turn his newly arrived infantry assaulted my Highlanders on the hill top, pushing them back. (Damn reluctant rating). However, time was getting on, so we decided to end with a draw. As a little experiment YD's SMG Panzerknacker team tried an assault on my Shermans - mainly as we had never really used tank assault teams before. The final layout of the battle (lacking some smoke puffs):

And some of YD's lovely infantry:

My most useful unit award probably would be a close run thing between the one infantry platoon I had in action, the 17-pounders or - to my surprise - the 25-pounders. Although the Night Fight rules meant the 25-pounders were silent for most of the game.

my 17 pounders following the assault troops

my 25 pounders waiting patiently for a fire mission!

My most useless unit was....

The Bofors AA guns, which didn't fire a shot the whole game!

As games go it was quite quick, although we did bog down a few times (mainly on the assaults). It was also as good natured and fun as ever. It also seems to have given me the kick up the bum I needed to start working on the unpainted units I had taken along for the day, so hopefully I can post some progress updates on them soon.