The other Summer of 69…

 In this case AD 69 when Gaius Julius Civilis ( a German chieftain and Roman Officer ) led a revolution against the Roman Empire. This was the background to yesterday’s game using DBM rules. 

I was one of the Roman commanders. As the auxiliaries were deemed to be unreliable in this time of revolt our army consisted of mainly legionnaires, a few archers and some Numidian light cavalry and infantry..

A view from behind our lines showing ourselves and the enemy- a heady mix of German Tribesmen and Roman auxiliaries that had join the revolt. One of the German tribes were the Chatti, and were led by a chieftain I called Alan Carr , Chatti man.

The revolting Auxiliary cavalry attempt to make a flank breakthrough, they are held back by some Numidian cavalry who made some excellent dice throws.

Facing the enemy from within the Roman ranks…

German cavalry about to make a breakthrough on the other flank , a few legionnaires stand in their way..

A there we left it until next time, it had been an exciting game. Full of bad jokes and awful dice throws.I look forward to finishing the game. For information on the real Batavian revolt and the larger than life Civils , follow the links below-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolt_of_the_Batavi

https://www.ourcivilisation.com/smartboard/shop/tacitusc/histries/chap14.htm

https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/02/julius-civilis-the-bavarian-prefect-who-rebelled-against-rome-to-create-an-independent-kingdom-uniting-gaul-and-germania/#

December

 

A excellent read after a busy day’s volunteering, just the thing with a coffee. Highly recommended btw.

Traditional Advent calendar made in Germany.

That was the week that was

 

Plugging away at the Minoans…

60mm chariot is pretty big…

The force gathers…

Wee outing to see Anton du Beke at the local theatre with a friend.

Catch up in Edinburgh for lunch in a very festal National Portrait Gallery.

Beautiful dawn to start Wednesday.

Ancients in 60mm scale

 

 Working on some Ancients currently, Bronze Age and Minoans to be precise, 60mm size figures and in resin.On the workbench, love the cow hide shields they carried.

An interesting talk to listen to as l worked away.

Archers drying on the radiator. They will function either as a unit alone or be part of one containing long spears too.

Paint pot and 28mm figure for size comparison.

Unit based . Foliage needs to be added and the bronze spear tips painted.

Size comparison again.

Another photo of the spear unit , notice different shaped shields representing the personal choice of individuals within the same unit.

Mixed spear and bow unit. 

Some books from the Ducal Library on the subject. Some were bought 1990 or earlier and the one standing up at the back was bought a couple of years ago. Fascinating details contained within its pages.

I am hoping to to use the figures with the Neil Thomas rules, Midgard and l would like to have a go at writing a simple fun period specific set, one side of A4 at longest.

Other figures are primed and ready on the workbench …

Favourite photo

 This photo turned up as a fb memory. It is one of my favourite photos of me. It was taken at the end of a working day. I popped into the hall for a wee look. I was kindly asked if I wanted to hold the owl. I did so with delight and a colleague snapped this-

Anyone for a caption competition, for fun only…

Huge !

 

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!