Cavalry? In World War 2?

With the modern French army almost complete (as complete as it will be until I can order a few extra bits) I have struggled to decide what to do next. Keith was expressing the pain,  havingjust finished painting 140 horses for his current napoleonics upgrade, so I thought that I should show some solidarity.

I have had these WW2 cavalry (Russian and German) sitting in a bag since they were painted for a Rapid Fire Project in the '90s. Righto. basing up for Spearhead, as additions to the Spearhead armies. I have no idea why I bought the German army wagons, but they might be a cute little piece of eye candy for a game (serving no useful purpose). I suspect the cavalry will be of limited use as an operation unit at the tactical table top level, but for a change.. why not!!!! The figures are all from the Heroics and Ros range.

Russian cavalry

German cavalry

German artillery.. again not sure they will see service in any games..

And the German army wagons ...

There are not really enough there for a full formation according to the OOB, but ..  These were one of those quick wins, but... that still hasn't solved the problem of what the next painting project will be.

Mumble mumble mumble .....

French Reserve regiment 1984

This is (I think) the last of the ground elements for the 1984 French army (for Modern Spearhead).

This is a Reserve regiment equipped with AMX-13 tanks, and mechanised/armoured infantry in AMX-VCI armoured personnel carriers.

I ran short of infantry figures (9 figures short.. gah!!), so they will have to be done at some stage when we are out of our rāhui, and a little commerce can resumed. I still have the air assets to complete, but as I've run our of those great GW circular clear plastic flyer bases, I'll need to rethink how I mount them... hmmm So near and yet so far.

Cold War French 1984

My 'quarantine/rāhui project has been the painting/basing of the 6mm cold war French arm that Adrian gave me quite a few years ago. This was. apart of the material we swapped, 15mm League of Augsberg army for a fantastic stash of 6mm moderns equipment. They are being based for Modern Spearhead (my Moderns rules set of choice). Tonight's work means that the core armour and armoured infantry battalions are now complete, along with a core of divisional AA and ATGW assets.

The tanks are the AMX-30, while the infantry APCs are the AMX-10P. I am not sure which manufacturer these are form, but the infantry are Heroics and Ros US Modern infantry.

Next on the board is the mechanised battalion mounted in VABs. I also have the material for a reserve regiment with AMX-13s... that'll be a lot of fun to play.

Early Minoan/Mycenaean auxilia

My Early Minoan/Mycenaean army (15mm Essex) was bought/painted under DBA v 2.0. The list changed slightly with v3, and so I needed to paint two bases of 4 x Auxilia.

Several months ago Jim came up with 8 suitably Bronze Age figures which he kindly gifted (thanks, Jim!!), and in the midst of the struggle to decide what to paint next, these seemed like an easy win. Despite a few hours of video conferences today for work, I managed to complete both bases.

Sadly I am, after only 48 hours, once again facing the struggle to decide what to paint next. The problem is that I am struggling to find something that inspires me. There is plenty in the stash, but....

Oh well.. the struggle is real. However I suspect that when the world comes out of its enforced quarantine (a much longer period of time than many expect, I suspect) there will be a myriad of new figures and armies waiting impatiently to take to the table top. 

A positive portent in troubled times

Some photos of what in better times would have generated much 'gaming activity. However the photos do mark the completion of two longstanding projects. The act of completion is of course symptomatic of the nationwide lockdown, something for which I much prefer the Māori word 'rāhui'.. a much gentler/kinder word.

Anyway... the projects:

1. The labelling of the bases for the French 1940 army for Spearhead. The first miniatures for this were purchased waaaaay back in the 90s for a different rules set. The expansion to a viable Spearhead force began last year, and the bases have sat completed in every respect except the labelling. With that done, the army is now playable, not that that will be happening any time soon but you get the idea.

2. The last remaining artillery batteries for the Prussian army for the Franco Prussian War (played using Frank Chadwick's Volley and Bayonet rules). The figures for this were originally purchased in the 200s, so have sat awaiting attention possibly 15 years.

All of these figures are 6mm figures from the Heroics and Ros ranges.

So now, as we face at least another three weeks of 'rāhui', I need to look into the stash and see what takes my fancy next. In common with any 'gamer, there's quite a bit to choose from. The completion of these projects is a positive portent, at a time when it is important to maintain hope, and an element of forward focus, in order to sustain positive wellbeing.

Kia tau te mauri.

On the creative use of junk...

In common with several billion of the planet's population, we are now in 'isolation'. There is a much nicer word in Te Reo Māori.. Rāhui. Sounds much nicer than 'isolation', or 'quarantine', but anyway, in amongst the challenges of leading a school remotely, I have some time finally to do some hobby work.

This project began a couple of weeks ago when I discovered the following 'bits' in the waste bin in our technology room. Students had been using our laser cutter to cut disks from mdf, and these were the waste product. They captured my attention immediately, although i wasn't sure quite what for. Home they came, and have sat on the work board for a few weeks.

With a little time now in hand, I then added these bits, a couple of spare painted zombie figures holding severed heads, and some grey Dacron, and just began 'playing'.

This is how I generally approach these creative projects. There is never a 'plan', I never start with sketches, I just sit bits and pieces together, I 'fiddle', trying one thing against the other, to see what captures my imagination.

This is what came out of the exercise.

Perhaps it might be called a 'furnace of tormented souls'. I imagined it being a part of the Undead army for HotT (Hordes of the Things'), perhaps a stronghold, maybe a behemoth, or simply a piece of terrain. Either way, I am pleased with how it came out, a nice little addition to the table top.

Here are some additional photos.

Stay safe and well, everyone.

As we say in New Zealand:
Kia tau te mauri
Kia kaha

Les Guerillas.. Spain 1809

Four bodies swung from gibbets as if the hot Spanish wind had rocked them to sleep, whistling its sweet lullaby through the branches of the nearby trees. A dust cloud wafted in the breeze, raised by the thousands of French boots, lose leather soles flapping with each lift, creating a chattering counter-rhythm to the cadence of the march.

"Merde, les guerillas", and a gaunt French Grenadier hawked and spat at the feet of the swinging corpses as he marched past. Empty eye sockets, surrounded by parched brown skin, leered at the passing soldiers, taunting them at every step. Marching and fighting on empty stomachs was not the work of the Emperor's finest,  nor was fighting without ball and powder. But fight the would, even in this hell hole called the Iberian peninsular, this hades called Spain.

Keith, Andy, Richard, and I,  had gathered for a Volley and Bayonet game using my 25mm armies., with an Anglo--Spanish force pitched against a French force. The armies were each of 3000 points, compiled using the Road to Glory scenario system, then tactical postures of each side determined using the scenario cards.

Initial deployment, the Anglo Spanish on the left, the French on the right

The British right woing

French line infantry brigade

The British right was supported by the Spanish cavalry. The commanders shed these cavalry out to threaten the French left

The French left deployed in a defensive posture, the extreme left refused

The French centre with two devisions deployed one behind the other. The centre was to see the hottest action, the French disadvantaged by the river that divided the centre, limiting the French ability to deploy and manoeuvre

The Spanish, with the plan to hold up the obvious French attack against this flank, while the British cut through the centre

The British Guards have attacked in the centre, bouncing a French brigade

A second British division in reserve

Spanish reserves join the fray

 

French recruits (poorly trained troops) advance to threaten the flank of the British attack

The French attack on their right makes contact, starting the process of pushing the Spanish left backwards

A wider view of the French right attacking

The British reserve division advances to counter the French threat to the flank

The Guards attack again in the centre

The French right attack continues to roll on forward

The French centre has been driven back by the British Guards

Some of the French centre troops having fallen back under the pressure of the Guards' attack, the division exhausted

More French pressure on their right, French cavalry starting to push pas to threaten the Spanish flank and rear

The Spanish left is being forced back

Spanish troops supporting the British in their attack on the centre

Table top view of the French left

The French counterattack on their left centre, ably supported by the remnants of the plate of savouries

The British reserve counter attacks

The French centre also counter attacks against the Guards

The French right hits the flank of those Spanish supporting the British attach. The French brigade however fails moral, and is drive back

The French continue to dispute the high ground seized by the British Guards

The poorly trained French division counterattacks the British reserve - and drives the British back

The French right is continuing its relentless push, but the Spanish use the terrain to good effect to delay the French

The French counter attack against the Guards is driven off.... the battle has reached crisis point

The French cavalry then strikes at the flank of the Spanish centre, and routs and drives back the infantry and the artillery supporting the British. However the French centre is in such a parlous state it will be difficult for them to hold against the Guards whose advance seems relentless. There were more photos of this stage of the action, but photographic incompetence meant I blurred them.. they were not of good enough quality to add here. The sight of French dragoons charging two supported Spanish artillery batteries, routing one and forcing the other back, was a sight for wearied French eyes.

The almost routine failure of the French in their attacks (plenty of 6s on morale, and plenty of dice that were NOT 6s in the attacks) might well have reflected the impact of constant guerilla raids, depriving the army of much needed supplies. However there can be no taking away from the skill of Keith and Andy as they fought a great battle.

And wow what a game... lots of theatre, lots of cinematic moments...and a minor victory to the Anglo-Spanish under the scenario system.