Monday 31 October 2016

Napoleonic French 20th Chasseurs a Cheval - 1805-07 project update

Elite Miniatures French Chasseurs expertly painted by Nathan at Elite Miniatures Australia
Its been a while since the "1805-07" thread has had an update which on the surface would mean that it has come to a grinding halt.


Nothing could be further from the truth.


Though I have been very much enjoying my ancients gaming in recent months, the Napoleonic project has been ticking along at a nice pace with many figures reaching readiness with basing, awarding of colours and being sent off to be either painted or sitting on my own desk awaiting the required issuing of uniforms (in the form of a lick or two of paint!).



I always like to include the elite squadron in my cavalry units

Another view of the lads as they launch what hopefully is a successful charge



The lovely reverse colours of the trumpeter helps set off this particular command stand.  I do like the fact he is
brandishing his sword and has the trumpet on his hip as he prepares himself for action.

The 1805-07 Chasseur habit veste has the lace on its front which is quite different to the plainer
chasseur coats of the mid to later period of the wars.


Once again this unit will see a fair amount of action against the Elite Miniatures Russians, Austrians and even some early Prussians being mustered to take on the Corsican Ogre.


As has been the habit lately on most of my very best Napoleonic French cavalry units these were painted for me by the very talented proprietor of Elite Miniatures Australia Nathan Vinson.


Great job Vinnie!!!

Saturday 29 October 2016

"Their skin must be made of iron!" - Roman Civil War TTS Latest

Wonderful Limited Edition Gripping Beast Roman General courtesy of old pal Andrew P
We had a wonderful game of "To The Strongest" at the club on Wednesday night.  We decided on 1 Late Roman Civil War as east met west at 160 points.  Once again we had two players aside with Martin S deserting me and allying with Steve Y who is on a distinct winning streak  Cookie and I decided to take on the boys with some aggression and speed.

The set-up is in progess







Immediately the good guys advance and get stuck in.  Archers to the rear to provide some missile support


On the left Phil advances his cavalry





I do love these figures.  The shield design works very well




The central command, led by the General on foot, continues to support the main central attack


All looking good so far


Cookie takes the rough ground with veteran lights and prepares to issue a few volleys




Martins Legio has now dispatched the raw legio facing it and advances

Slightly out of sequence however you can see the moment just before the action depicted in the previous
photograph...auxilia in the foreground prepare to make their move

These light infantry now feel particularly exposed!

An allied Frankish/Alan unit advances on the auxilia - Steve Y has a good record with these troop types.




However an impetuous attempt to flank an enemy has left them critically exposed

A great view of the unfolding act

Those auxiliary still are holding up the flank and those light infantry to their rear are about to
turn around and destroy the advancing legio with javelin fire! Go figure.


There the game ended. 


The final two victory medals were handed over and the victors were quite pleased with themselves.  The absolute honours and rewards of land in Iberia etc. should be given to every soldier in the auxilia unit on the extreme left flank of Steven Y's command.  They took on enormous odds, were hit numerous on occasions to both the flank and the rear and SAVED EVERY BLOODY TIME!!


Hence the title to this blog "Their skin must be made of iron" - for as far as we were concerned, they were certainly made of tough stuff indeed!


We salute you...until next time.









Wednesday 19 October 2016

Macedonians v Later Achaemenid Persians -To The Strongest at the NWS

Clash of Pike and Spear in the centre


Wonderful game of To The Strongest last night at the NWS with the Alexandrian Macedonians and Later Achaemenid Persians each having their first runs with the rules.  Running the Persians, my obvious concerns were...well lets be frank...they were Persians!  Not a great deal of quality in the list other than Greek Hoplite mercenaries, Apple Bearers and some decent cavalry.  Historically pretty accurate.


The Macedonians of Alexander have power and grace at every turn.  As they should!  It was going to be a tough ask however Marty and I were confident we could give it a good shake.



The initial set up with the Persians already looking a little bit too stretched in deployment whilst
the Macedonians are seeking to exploit their superior cavalry edge on the flank 

Phil's beautiful army painted by master artisan Chris

Marty's command on the Persian right flank

Central command containing the majority of the decent Persian foot


Mercenary Greek Hoplites watch the advance get underway

On the Persian left a brave unit of Slingers advances to take the rough ground ahead

Along the Persian lines - scythed chariots awaiting an opporunity

Though Phil's army is actually based and built upon being an Antigonid Successor one, they certainly
still look the part for this slightly earlier battle.  Just a few too many shields on the cavalry but who cares-
they are so beautiful to look at! 

Martin takes the initative and with the help of the "Take the High Ground" stratagem we had drawn
earlier, gets the jump on Steve's command.


In the centre the very impressive phalanx continue to press forward

The Persians decide to checker board - not sure why even now as I type!

The slingers have taken the rough ground whilst the King of Kings observes from the observation
deck of his red racing chariot.

Skythian horse archers clash with Macedonian light cavalry

The slingers are earning their pay.  They have already shot and eliminated a Companion unit and have
disordered a second.  Not bad for some press-ganged shepherds.


Persian Royal Guard cavalry hit some javelinmen but they cannot make the decisive breakthrough that
could expose the phalanx's flank/

More veteran pike advance upon the now very enticing Persian camp

Back on the right, a succession of very average activation draws has allowed the Macedonians to rearrange their
defensive position while the Persians have been unable to take advantage of their brave gambit

Crunch time!

Having at least swept away some light troops, the Persian cavalry cannot get the decisive second disordering
hit on the Macedonians.


Though some painting patchwork is required around some weapons, these old Vendel Persians are
still quite lovely sculpts and very well painted by a few different chaps many years ago.

The Persians lost two Generals dead at critical times in the battle.  Here we see the cavalry Commander
about to issue his last orders. 

These mighty slingers held their ground the entire battle despite overwhelming odds.  Well done lads!!


At this point the Persian Freelancer photographer decided to get on his stolen Arabian steed and hot foot it out of the camp.  The Macedonians in one two turn period captured eight victory medals and claimed a well deserved victory.  Great job Cookie and Steve.


For Martin and myself, we can only blame the fickle wargaming gods who allowed us a brief glimpse of superb chit drawing only to be replaced by a dark wave of disaster.


Despite that, it was a sensational game and a great deal of fun for all of us.

Sunday 16 October 2016

The Sassanids Strike Back! TTS Latest





We decided to give the "Big Grey Pin Cushions" another chance!
We had another wonderful game on ancients last Wednesday night with the might of Rome once again battling the underdog Sassanid Persians.  On this occasion we had Martin and Steve joined by Phil as the Late Romans and Guido and I were determined to put last weeks close run defeat behind us.


The battle as the two armies deploy

The extreme right Sassanid command - sweep forward with the lights at all costs!

Central command under the King of Kings Carlo the Terrible, terrible

Cookies command on the Roman left


The Romans once again went with four commands for added flexibility.  Here is the smallest.

Roman cavalry command on their extreme right

Guidos command facing it.



Persian light cavalry look to advance quickly...bloody 10!


Sassanids looking resplendent on the new battle mat

Sporting their new "Lance" markers the Saravan advance in the centre

The Sassanid "Light Division" advances rapidly as per pre-battle strategy 

The Elephants advance at a leisurely pace in support

Looking reasonably safe the Paighan Raw foot watch on.


Cookie prepares to swat away the lights in a quick series of manouveres

The Sassanid lights fall back in front of Roman allied cavalry

Another view of the withdrawal

The Gothic cavalry chased some units off the table.  A great aspect of TTS is that they at least can come back, unlike
some other rule sets where they would be considered lost.

In the centre the battle heats up.  Veteran and normal legionnaires are hit by heavy cavalry

On the Sassanid left the Saravan advance slowly whilst the Catafracts clash with Roman cavalry in the distance

Roman light cavalry can be seen making its way down the flank



Back on the right the battle rages on as the allied heavy catafracts advance forward

Not so confident now methinks.


A view from the Roman lines as the fight for survival rages on.  Many "rallys" taking place here

Deep units take three disorder "hits" and they will need every one in this fight

The extent of the Roman advance on their right can be seen here-but Guido has a cunning plan.

The elephants take a brave flank charge in the ...well...flank! 

Auxilia hit in the flank as well.

The Saravan break through

The Sassanid left is also on the rampage and the Roman camp beckons.  The day is ours.


Great fun game and wonderful to see so many great figures out on the board.