Pate News presents- Army Bleu on Manoeuvres

 

Once again it’s that time of year and plucky Army Bleu are on Manoeuvres. I say don’t forget the cheese , bread and wine fellows!

No one knows who is in that house, perhaps some Army Black sniper! Sound the charge , draw the sword and forward…

Later in the day a more cautious approach is taken- machine gun to the fore and a rifle grenade for good measure…

After the vin rouge is finished what better than a Molotov cocktail to end the meal!

Army Bleu brings up support for gallant elan filled fellows in the shape of the big little guns, mortar and machine gun. That’ll stop em…

Another day of manoeuvres over and it’s back to camp for frogs legs and campfire fun. Well done fellows!

Only the sniper team remain and an artillery spotter watched by the umpire from the woods.

The Chasseurs de pied have one more gallant charge as the day ends and it is off for them too!

This is your brave Pate News reporter and his new Spahi chums wishing you all a wonderful evening and Bon nuit!

Trials and trains

 Real life has been a tad trial filled of late , nothing horrendous but a combination of things leaving me exhausted and low at times. Did manage a wee training game at home Friday and an outing yesterday.

Britain 1940 - German mountain troops hold a strategic road junction. They await reinforcements to be air dropped by parachute.

The method to land. Action dice is placed by player , direction changed by opponent, two d6 thrown to show drift distance from aiming point, figures land at one inch intervals behind, any landing on impassable terrain don’t make it.

The parachute phase nearly over. Every unit gets a pin marker and needs to regroup next turn.

Landing paratroopers took few casualties.

Reorganisation in progress, orange dice marks number of pins.

The British diced for entry point to table.

The British commander making a point forcefully.

The junction is beginning to come out of German hands.

Yesterday, although l didn’t feel like it l went to the Falkirk Model Railway Show. They had moved it to Forth Valley College with excellent modern facilities and space.Some pictures-

Loved the wee crane and understated but effective modelling.

The quay was beautifully modelled as was the detail .

Charming scene on the above model. A feast for the eyes.

N gauge in a suitcase, terrific fun and use of space.

Loved this nineteenth century layout of Bavarian railway in winter. Didn’t know you could buy stuff of this period. So atmospheric, wonderful scenery too.

The bridge was charming to say the least. Wonder who makes it.

General view of big layout.

And here too .

Lovely 009 scale I think. Narrow guage at its best.

Can’t recall much of this , liked the quiz in the bottom right hand corner asking young people to try and spot certain things in the layout. Excellent scenic modelling too.

I had to walk into the centre of the town for my bus home and enjoyed my wee wander . Next summer will mark forty years since I moved to Falkirk, albeit briefly, time flies!

Off the painting table or a gathering of hosts

 

Yesterday’s game part two

 We finished the VBCW game from last week-

My tank which was destroyed last week was now marked atmospherically with one of those electric tea lights! My opponent had added this wee detail which flickered during the game as a reminder of my misadventures.

I didn’t take as many photos as I would have liked getting caught up in the action. Here we see my opponents advancing through heavy fire.

The aftermath of a charge by my Gurkha unit who annihilated their opponents in hand to hand combat.

Shortly after they succumbed to concentrated enemy fire.

My throwing of ones and twos was unfortunately excellent yesterday, I well exceeded my usual quota.

The game ended with my forces greatly diminished and my opponent occupying the road junctions which were part of the victory conditions. All in all a good fun game in good company, who could ask for more…

On the painting table (2) and a Big Indulgence

 These chaps are coming along very nicely-

Bases to paint and gun metal to add but nearly finished. I am pleased with the results.

The other day when looking for some information for painting the above I chanced upon a book for sale. A big indulgence l know but the individual prints are so charming l couldn’t resist. Seller was a charity so win win as far as I am concerned. Anyway the parcel arrived today-

I am delighted with my purchase and hope to have an enjoyable afternoon exploring my new acquisition…

On the painting table

 

I recently bought some resin figures, 18th century and WW2 in 28mm . I haven’t started the 18th century ones as they require heads to be attached having removed them from their scaffolding. The WW2 ones came complete and are charming figures in some interesting poses, such as running holding helmet on head for example.. A trial paint job went well and I haven’t started the started on the rest. I have allowed myself an indulgence and painted a section of Chasseurs de pied in their 30s period uniform rather than 1940.

Secondly Eric sent me this splendid armoured car which survived its journey really well through the post. A lovely resin vehicle it is . It will probably, when painted serve with Mark’s Little Soldiers or on the North West Frontier or maybe somewhere else…

Thanks Eric, most appreciated.

Yesterday’s Game- VBCW using Bolt Action 2nd Edition

 The Opposing Forces-

My theme is ex British army regulars.

HQ with Captain, Standard bearer and medic in staff car
7 sections of infantry- all rifles and one lmg
Boys anti tank rifle and crew
2 medium mortars and crew
Vickers Med Mk II tank as used on Friday
Vickers Light tank MkVI B as used on Friday
Carden Lloyd carrier with mmg 
ALL points paid for as REGULARS 
Comes in at just under 1500 pts.

The Free State Recruitment Committee have opted for a much more inexperienced/green force, coming in at 1493 and comprising:

HQ section,, with Captain Standard, NCO, and Medic
All five sections of Liverpool Irish Militia
Two sections of Communist Party Militia
One section of Labour Party Assault Column
One section of Veteran International Brigaders
Two T26 Light Tanks
One armoured car, with turret MMG
One M/C Combo, MMG
Two armoured trucks

Victory Conditions- points for holding two important road junctions and the hill with the church at the end of the game.

The photos-

The Liverpudlian troops gathering and awaiting deployment. Also notice one of the important road junctions.

My chaps gathered prior to deploying. Deployment was facilitated by the umpire  drawing dice from the bag and each side deployed accordingly, one unit after another.

My tank deployed waiting to enter the fray, infantry in front moving towards start postion.

The aforementioned tank firing at infantry as they move through the village. They had better watch out as a T26 is deployed in the field at the top of the picture…

The Gurkhas sheltering in the lee of a building. It is the first time this section has fought in a VBCW game . They are normally deployed in North West Frontier gaming duties abroad.

Out of focus Scottish infantry take cover behind a hedge fearful of incurring the attention of the T26 across the table from them.

The Assualt column advances armed with smgs or shotguns. They advance needing to get closer to optimise firing as they are armed with shorter range weapons. 

One my sections advances cautiously into the village. The  Orleikon anti tank crew have taken casualties and are pinned. In the bottom right hand corner a mortar waits patiently for a target. In the middle of the picture notice a spotter looking for potential targets. It is his first VBCW encounter too as he is just back from deployment in the North West Frontier.

My tank has succumbed to enemy fire and will play no more part in the game. 

Coffee preceded the game and lunch part of the way through. It was fun to play yesterday as I have been umpire quite often of late. Nice to see the Dinky tanks on the table as well as my men and equipment from the NWF . We will conclude the game next week sometime. A grand day out in terms of gaming, company and hospitality.