Yesterday’s game

 28mm, DBM, Late Romans v Saxons. My friend’s figures, mainly Wargames Foundry.

I was one of the Roman commanders.  We lost. Terrific figures, haven’t been on the table for ages. Nice to see them getting an outing and some exercise.

Terrain ideas for gaming

 I’ve been painting more of my backlog of Mark’s Little Soldiers. Now the mountain troops are done ( five infantry to a unit/ per hex and officers on 2p bases) I have some overall clad worker’s militia on the go. Today l set up a wee scenic trial using the mountains l had been working on and some houses l found yesterday whilst sorting.

The mountains are paper mache with Vallejo terrain paint covering them.

I might try and set up a solo game of “ Memories of ‘34” over the the weekend if time allows…

Moving forward and an arrival

 An arrival. See here for more info-

https://tabletopscoutingwidegames.wordpress.com/2024/04/24/backyard-battalions-usa-and-three-man-sorry-kid-patrols/

Also moving the mountains forward…

Currently painting

 These are on the painting table at the moment-

Mountain troops.

Mountains.

Diverse Matters again

 

Near my house there is a disused railway line now cycle track. Here are a pair of Blue Tits nesting in the key stone cracks in a bridge over the track. I have never noticed this happening before.

A sign of Spring springing- the first new shoots on the beech hedge. Almost eagerly anticipated and noted with pleasure.

An interesting Finnish painting from the early 1940s l saw recently online.

Footage of manoeuvres- inter war period

Here is some footage of interwar Manoeuvres . I have posted some, Swedish, Irish, Austrian, American and British footage. The interwar vehicles are fascinating…

 https://youtu.be/jk2rZ07jZ2o?si=kIx0epjizrcwlOup

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/62142/

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/43024/

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/39878/

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/43089/

Diverse matters

 

I recently started another art history course ( weekly for two hours) which this time is on The Age of Giotto. One of the extra joys is the excuse to pop into a small walled garden off the Royal Mile. Here it is the garden showing a little of the layout. See here for more.https://hiddenscotland.co/dunbars-close/

Secondly l have noticed the upsurge of stickers left by visiting football supporters around and about. They are often highly coloured as well as designed well , sometimes being amusing too. I find the phenomenon fascinating.

I found this photo on line of an old Edinburgh station, now defunct. I thought some of my readers might enjoy seeing it.

Finally a little work in progress-

A small Carolingian force, knights, officers on barded horses and spearmen to oppose P’s Arab Conquest force he is working on. I need five archers to complete it which I will pick up at some point soon. Figures are Essex infantry and Old Glory cavalry.

Roncesvaux again

 We fought a game based upon this battle again yesterday. A lighter armed Basque force took on heavier armed Franks in the Pyrenees. The players swopped sides and the rules were slightly amended to allow the Basques to only throw javelins at short range with a lesser effect. Their performance in the previous games was disproportionate. 

The armies laid out prior to deployment which was done by each side deploying a unit alternately.

Frankish infantry and cavalry deployed partially in wooded terrain.

Frankish staff slingers occupy boggy ground knowing that they would be safe from Basque cavalry charges. They remained here most of the game. The Basques vacillated and didn’t attack them.

A exciting melee between lighter Basque cavalry and Frankish knights.

The situation over at the left flank.

Frankish knights advance towards the enemy…

At that point I got caught up as umpire in it all and forgot to take more photos.  The game was going to be called a draw due to time factors but we played one more turn at that point which resulted in a significant advantage opening up for the Basques, who were declared winners. All in all another enjoyable old school game ( figure wise) with the dbv rules which as ever need a few more tweaks but still serve.

After the game l worked on some non Minifigs Carolingians to oppose the Arab Conquest figures my opponent is currently painting. Should be interesting to see both these skirmish forces on the table. 

Neuss 1474

 Anniversary this year of one of the most fascinating incidents of Medieval German history-

https://clemens-sels-museum-neuss.de/en/ausstellungen/neuss-1474

https://www.zonser-garnison.de/english/

My much stalled dbm army ( mainly plastic Perry figures) is/was/will be based round units present at the Seige.

Fornovo 1495

 I had a most enjoyable Zoom game last night, hosted by Jon Freitag. He was very patient with a newbie to Basic Impetus like myself and is a most gracious host.

Overall it was a most enjoyable evening with my Italian allies against the French. My dice throwing and tactical sense were not as one might wish! I do hope to get invited again…

Inspired by last night l look these out for a wee read-

They have languished long at the bottom of a pile of reading material by the bed, they will enjoy the light of day at last…

Bodkin

 My nephew is the creator of this show which is coming very soon to Netflix.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ty0euSYt6I

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KoVnzw4nP10

I am so excited that it is finally here!

Heads will roll

 Been at the old school converting today-

Looking for suitable heads in the spares box…

Heads found and a few spare Detail Guardsmen ready .

The figures have had their necks drilled out and new heads fitted. Painting later…

In other news l have just finished “The Expanse” on Amazon Prime and would thoroughly recommend it. Quite a Space Opera that keeps you guessing what will happen next. Just started “ Fall out” also on Prime, well worth a watch too.

Wargaming archaeological conservation

 Came across this fascinating video recently-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=_JqDf0G0GvIc70A0&v=SsFib19o58k&feature=youtu.be

If you like Spencer Smith figures and The Wargame you’ll love this! Enjoy!

Norwegian uniforms- experimental and otherwise

 I am greatly indebted to Roger ( from   https://modelrailsandwargames.blogspot.com/)  for the following photos and for popping into the museum to take some of them. Thank you !

Now to think about how to replicate in 54mm by means of conversions…

The game

 A most enjoyable game was had today, with me umpiring-

Basque infantry advance through the woods.

Basque cavalry and knights advancing across the low hills.

Confused melee involving Basque and Frankish mounted troops.

Frankish spearmen advance to meet the enemy.

Basque knights ready to charge…

A dark age bird’s eye view of the battle.

Basque infantry still in that wood!

Not very good photo above and below this sentence.

The Franks conceded as a number of their units were destroyed or demoralised. We will re fight this next week with a few tweaks of the rules and the players changing which side they command.