Minceheim Mercenaries

 Finished these mercenaries this afternoon-

The figures are Lead Adventure. I love their animation plus the wonderful armour they are equipped with.

I am rather pleased with the result. I must confess to be a sucker for a two handed sword…

Aircraft for MLS

 I looked on eBay for some aircraft to use in the Memories of ‘34 game with MLS. Initially l wondered about 1/72 plastic kits . I have some interwar ones already for gaming in that period but wanted a change, probably something smaller. So after a look around l bid successfully for these-

The wing span is around four inches. They are die cast metal.

Manufactured by Corgi as part of a series about the history of flight.

I think they work well with the larger scale figures, look right on the table flying a few inches above the surface. I have gone with a slightly antiquated vibe as counterpoint to the modern efficiency of tankettes and other ground forces. Currently considering painting them in colours to reflect which imagination they will serve. 

In other news I am endeavouring to tidy the garden and part of the lead mountain collapsed over night-

The painted AWI militia survived , as did some large scale railway figures,but a partially built 16mm. Mdf railbus kit took a lot of damage. I will have to see today if I can patch it  up…

Pleased excuse the socks and sandals combo. Only worn to go to the shed and back, honest.

Another VBCW game - the first appearance of the Norwegians

 Another game today and the first outing for the Norwegians. Here is what I sent the players-

“It is a clash between the Anglican League Swedes and a Norwegian force which has landed off course whilst trying to “liberate” the Northern isles. Forces as follows- 

Swedes- HQ, three regular sections each with lmg and rifles, one irregular unit of volunteers with no lmg plus a wee mortar.
Norwegians- HQ, two regular sections each with lmg and rifles, one regular section with lmg , rifles and three figures with grenades, a heavy machine gun and a large mortar.
It will be interesting to see how these take on each other.
Scenario- hold the village pub garden to defend the local ale.”

What they were not told was the village pub was defended by some retainers of the Duke of Brunswick who was in Britain to offer aid, troops and support King Edward Edward. They were a third force , albeit small , commanded on the table top by the Duke himself and played by the umpire, me.

Here is a photo of the layout and of the Norwegians-all regular army and part of an expeditionary force.

What happened and who won , coming shortly…

Grenzers!

 I’ve always liked grenzers. I read Rothenberg’s “ Military border in Croatia “ from the Uni library as a student  and that increased my interest. They have cool uniforms, a bit of dash about them and interesting weapons  such as double barrelled muskets rifles and spear musket rests! What’s not to like?  So it is not surprising that I raised a unit for the 1790 vanity project, here are three stout fellows-

Who can resist the read cloaks , cool hats and muskett rest spears?

I have been wondering how much use the spiky rest would be in combat? Might deter cavalry perhaps but could be a liability ? I always imagine they threw them away  or “ forgot” to take them with them. Anyone tell me more or even supply me with a period quote about the use of spike musket rests in combat? 

Don’t stop the cavalry or maybe I should?

 Been thinking of additions needed for the 1790 Tradgardland project. I had  thought of vignettes, baggage and a few bits and bobs then it struck me - Cavalry! I got some images up for inspiration-

Great pictures but not a solution. Anyway the game will be set in snow with snow based units including ski troops. So here’s the question- how useful are cavalry in a snow covered battlefield? Do I need them or not? What eighteenth century precedents do we have for cavalry in winter warfare? All answers are eagerly anticipated!

Follow up to yesterday’s post…

 Got this off the shelf today- 

Btw do pop over here-

https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2022/11/25/my-elastolin-castle-invaded-by-st-trinians/

to see another splendid castle and interesting background.

Ostmerk on the march.

 Ostmerk troops marching through Weltschmerz…

Get the King ! A Vbcw scenario

 I came up with a scenario for P  & G today for our VBCW game. We played this period a lot during Covid via Zoom. The scenario ran as follows- the aircraft carrying Edward viii had to make an emergency landing due to engine failure. He was seen leaving the aircraft by locals. They told the two factions - Liverpool Free State and Anglican League Swedes where he was. Both factions attempted to capture him and escort him off the table-

The table at the start of the game and close ups of the King and his transport.

I umpired using the “Went the day well?” Rules which are ideal for platoon action games. It was terrific fun all round. A few more photos-

Another game is planned for the very near future. P.S the Swedes managed to capture the king and escort him off , a victory therefore to the Anglican League.

Coming soon Ostmerk mountain troops

 I had an email from North Star saying that wave three had been dispatched so I thought I had better get thinking about Ostmerk uniforms for mountain troops-

Ostmerk manoeuvres

 Ostmerk infantry are training with their new bicycles in recent manoeuvres. Both infantry and light mortar teams are equipped with bikes for rapid advance…

Solo mechanisms

 I hope to play the forthcoming games as the Danish general. I am looking for suggestions as how to run the British opposition using some solo mechanism that makes their decisions for them. I am talking about in a battle not a campaign. I know many of you are solo gamers and or in the Solo Wargames Society. All ideas welcome.

Ostmerk schnelle Radfahrer

 

Finished this unit of Ostmerk bicycle troops this afternoon. Figures by mls ,bikes by Warbases. I glued these bergens from the wave three deal onto some figures. They are nicknamed “Ostmerk schnelle Radfahrer” or the Fast cyclists. Hopefully giving the Ostmerk army extra clout in the games to come…

Banat of Samovar, ANPPP militia

 Been working on the Banat of Samovar troops today. Here is the ANPPP militia with their transport and newly acquired weapons-

The ANPPP regularly use horse drawn carts to transport their militia around.

A hand cart has been pressed into service by the ANPPP militia to carry their heavy machine guns to and from the battlefield.

The ANPPP militia have just acquired anti tank rifles and mortars. Here we see the militia men training with these new weapons.

The second wave crashes in

 The second wave of Mark’s Little Soldiers has arrived in the Duchy. Here are some Ostmerk troops awaiting painting-

Wave two will provide mortar teams, anti tank rifles, flamethrowers and smg armed troops amongst other things. I do like the designer’s nod to old Elastolin figures as in the case of the flamethrower.

Also a wee box arrived from Warbases with mdf bicycles and other transport options. They are currently on the painting table having been assembled and undercoated.

He’s got the look or at least he’s trying to get one

 Set up some battlefields today-

Felt cloth with trees, no demarcation of woods by areas of green felt . Trees with wooden bases , still unpainted.

Hex mat but used in non hex mode, trees on demarcated woods and hills. 

Infantry go ahead through the woods whilst tankettes advance on the flank…

Heavy machine gun dug in behind hedge, infantry skirt the woods whilst making for the rolling hills.

Not happy with the look yet but trying options…

Reading

 Interesting six page article in this month’s Wargames Illustrated on MLS-

A memorable journey

 

The book on the left I bought in 1988. It is volume one. This morning I bought the book on the right, volume two. I can’t believe it has taken me so long!

These are beautiful travel books which conjure up a lost world of interwar Europe. Norman Stone says of this one - A book so good you resent finishing it. High praise indeed. The first few pages, over coffee this morning, whisked me effortlessly through time and space to Holy Saturday 1934 , Esztergom, forty miles upstream from Budapest. 

Do give these a go, you certainly won’t regret it. Just right for someone working on Mark’s Little Soldiers and a mittel European imagination.

Can’t see the trees for the wood.

 I got these trees today. I can’t make up my mind whether  I like them or not. Probably need to paint them for full effect. However a wooden toy feel might work. Comments please…