Field Day

 The new recruits from Ruddle’s County are having a field day . 

Here we see Major Roddy Maclean and The Loch Dubh Rifles on manoeuvres.

The Lochdubh Rifles form a firing line…

The Major is pleased with his men and how they have adjusted to their new quarters.

Meanwhile The Strathbrane Volunteers use cover effectively 

An eagle’s eye view of the proceedings.

Missing the boat and Scruples

 First and foremost l want to apologise to Paul Wright. He sent this to me to review in good faith-

I just haven’t got round to it , I didn’t prioritise  it . Sorry Paul. The rules are excellent, well thought out and inspiring for any gamer I venture. Do support this publication , you won’t regret it. Bob has written a comprehensive review here-

http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.com/2025/04/garden-campaigning.html

As ever I say it best when I say nothing at all.

Secondly on the matter of scruples. I threw myself into the 1944 1/72 figures with energy and enthusiasm. Army lists compiled, figures assembled, based on, undercoated and painting commenced. As l worked I listened to podcasts to reacquaint me with the period. The more l heard the more uncomfortable l became. It just felt  wrong ( for me personally, I am not judging others) to game this. I don’t know why , can’t articulate it properly, it was a visceral reaction. So I have popped them away for now. Maybe l will come back to this project in time , maybe not. My 1940 games don’t make me uncomfortable in the same way. Seelowe never happened so in some way is imagination gaming. It seems ok to me. D day and beyond a different matter.

Mr Toad’s friends and enemies…

 Seeing the Portable Badger rules on the Portable Wargame facebook page earlier in the month encouraged me to finish painting some Wind in the Willows inspired figures. Some came in the “ Guardians of the Riverbank “ set from Northumbrian Tin Soldier whilst others l converted from fantasy figures l found on the web. So here they are completed today.

From left to right- Badger, Rat, Toad , Mole and Otter. They are attired in fancy dress costumes for a forthcoming pageant but the weapons are real enough!

Another shot of these brave fellows.

The enemies of Toad, who have recently occupied Toad Hall and its environs- The chief stoat and his cronies who have run up some natty uniforms from the soft furnishings in the Hall. 

Here they are during their incursion the other night…

Allied to the stoats are some weasels intent on mischief and worse, not to mention taking all the victuals they can lay their paws on.

They are accompanied by some black rats , black in heart as well as coat.

Hopefully l will get these figures in a game very soon.

Yesterday

 I was in Edinburgh yesterday to meet a friend for lunch in the newly refurbished cafe in the Portrait Gallery in Queen Street. I was early so I popped up to the room with a  Jacobite theme. Lots to see and splendidly laid in this most iconic of buildings. I was particularly taken by these-

They are small in size but big in fascinating detail from the 18th century. The gallery is well worth a visit if you are in the area. 

Before l went out l was briefly rummaging in the shed and came across these -

I had completely forgotten about them ! They will serve really well in my current project , adding another 24 figures to my post D day German forces.

West at Easter, with apologies to Simple Minds.

 We are in the season of Easter. After church on Easter Day  we had a lovely meal, created by my middle daughter followed by an Easter egg hunt in the garden.

The sun had come out making it warmer and more enjoyable to be outdoors. 

Last week whilst looking for dice I came across a box file a neighbour had given me just before he moved house. It contained a half finished wargaming project-

It contained 1/72 resin vehicles and American figures from Valiant Miniatures. Some painted and some still on the sprue. Too small to be incorporated into my 28mm Bolt Action project and too big to be in my 20mm Rapid fire one , the box would have to be a stand alone project. But what…

Coincidentally we had recently been watching old episodes of Great British Menu and the theme had been the anniversary of D day. As part of the programme veterans and civilians had been interviewed telling of their memories of the time. It had been most interesting. I realised that my knowledge of the event was less than other campaigns of WW2 . I decided to remedy this and began to listen to Al Murray and James Holland on their excellent podcast “ We have ways of making you talk” and the appropriate episodes. Podcasts can be listened to during, cooking, cleaning and hobby activities and are just the thing for me. I got drawn in to complexity of the D day preparations and subsequent events.

Being me instead of completing the Box file contents l looked on line for opponents and found “ Germans in Normandy 1944 “ box of 67 hard plastic figures for a very reasonable price-

Work has begun on them. I like hard plastic figures preferring working with plastic cement to superglue. I will finish the Germans then finish the half completed Americans. After that a few German tanks need to be sourced and a game will be had…

. 

Happy Easter !

 Happy Easter from all at the Duchy of Tradgardland .

Jesus Christ is ris­en today, Al­le­lu­ia!
Our tri­umph­ant ho­ly day, Al­le­lu­ia!
Who did once, up­on the cross, Al­le­lu­ia!
Suffer to re­deem our loss, Al­le­lu­ia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Al­le­lu­ia!
Unto Christ, our heav­en­ly king, Al­le­lu­ia!
Who en­dured the cross and grave, Al­le­lu­ia!
Sinners to re­deem and save, Al­le­lu­ia!

But the pains which He en­dured, Al­le­lu­ia!
Our sal­va­tion hath pro­cured, Al­le­lu­ia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Al­le­lu­ia!
Where the an­gels ev­er sing, Al­le­lu­ia!

Sing we to our God ab­ove, Al­le­lu­ia!
Praise eter­nal as His love, Al­le­lu­ia!
Praise Him, all you heav­en­ly host, Al­le­lu­ia!
Father, Son, and Ho­ly Ghost, Al­le­lu­ia!

A wee game - Dominion of the …

 Trying these out. I don’t have late 19th century Colonial British so substituted inter war chaps. My Later Pathans will work too. I marked out the playing area with the dice, will draw one later.

Here’s Bob play test and review video of these rules, well worth a watch-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1hZTuyXEOq4

The game played Illyrvm v Britain

 I played the game through using One Hour Wargames. It was an enjoyable solo game with some surprises in the shape of some awful shooting ( dice throwing) at times. Not taxing, surprisingly exciting and a fitting first outing for the Illyrvm forces. Here are the pictures of the game ( dice represent the number of casualties a unit has taken, each unit can take fifteen before being removed from play) at the end of each turn-

First turn and an exchange of fire

Further fire fights ensued.

Illyrvm troops move to hand to hand fighting on the left flank and also assault the village.

British troops in the woods on the left flank are eliminated as are the British troops attempting to hold the village.

Overwhelming supremacy on the left flank and the village being now in Illyrvm hands promoted me to declare a victory to the Illyrvm forces. 

I look forward to the next game with these troops being played using the Portable Napoleonic Wargame…

Skirmish rules tweaking

 P was keen to get his newly painted Arab Conquest force on the table and I provided opposition in the form of my Carolingians . DBV says you roll to see who has initiative with the winning side trying to activate each of their units in turn prior to your opponent then doing the same. We decided to try something more random using the Bolt Action dice in a bag, one for each unit on the table in number. Dice were pulled one by one and the player can assign it then to a unit of their choice.

The table set up , terrain added and my forces looked out.

Initial disposition with one of my units having moved up to the stream edge. The Bolt Action dice marks it has activated this turn.

An Arab attempt at out flanking was thwarted by Carolingian skirmishers .

Fierce fighting at the stream edge.

The game further through. P is recovering from surgery  and got fatigued so we stopped early with an honourable draw declared by the umpire. Our addition of the Bolt Action dice ( to see who activated only and not used to mark orders) led to a less predictable, more exciting game. We will certainly do this next time. 

Overcrowded table

 In my enthusiasm to see all the Illyrvm forces on the table for the first time l have set up a wee, if overcrowded table. The British have taken the village of Brudnet and surrounding woods. The Illyrvm forces are charged with retaking the village and securing the bridge nearby. I will play this out over the coming days…

Further charming men etc

 I did paint those aforementioned fellows in the Grey Croatian hussar uniform-

Went to a hot , sunny South Queensferry yesterday. Coffee and middle daughter’s swim.

Returned home to give the grass first cut of the season. Enjoy the sun this weekend as it appears ( here at least) rain and cooler weather are on the way…