It's been a while...

It's been a while since the last post in this blog, real life and lots of gaming/hobby getting in the way of typing up a few paragraphs. 

The members of the Tendence Historique have been hard as work over recent months. 

One member has started to scrape together "yet another" Bolt Action army. 

This army being one that has a place in his heart. And really means quite a lot to him. 

With the release of the perry brothers desert rats, he simply couldn't resist in setting out pulling to gether a few models to creat his 7th Armored divition inspired North Africe army. 

Haveing a grandfather that was deployed to NA, an truck driver (engineer) attached to the 7th Armored divishion, he simply couldn't resist after all the story from his grandfather when he was a young lad. 

These iconic guns, are Weatwind Productions 25pdrs, with converted perry desert rats for crew. 

The guns are reasonable cheap, they come with crew in western battle dress. 

The Stuart 'Honey' tank, with his love for this tank and sheer firepower in the game 2 of these where and absolute must. 

The Stuarts are blitzkrieg. Stunning models and lovely casts. The underneath of the turret needed a little work, to turn on the hull smoothly, but nothing too scary. 

The second tank across in this picture is of cause, the Cruaader, Warlord model. 

1 word... Beautiful! Tank and model 

And the final piece that means the most to the painter. This is a 3 ton OY truck (from Warlord). On the grill exactly where his grandfather had written it over 70 years ago, is Kidderminster kid. 

Salute 2013

Resolved to make the annual pilgrimage to the largest UK wargames show, a group of stalwart Taff’s girded their loins in preparation for an adventure across the Bridge, and to the big smoke! Wives and girlfriends had received the news with mixed emotions; they knew we may not make it back (with any money) but it was a risk we were prepared to take!
We would come together at first in two groups, and travel from Cardiff with the aim of rendezvousing for second breakfast at Reading service station.
The first group consisting of Ian, Dai, Jack and Rob W (honorary Taff for the day) headed off without incident at around six; Jack had been up all the previous night, the excitement proving to be an effective enemy of sleep, but this would not diminish his enthusiasm during the long day.
The second group, Mike, Rob J and John G set off from Caerphilly a little after six; with a brief delay to pick up Ken, we were also off to a good start.
The first part of the journey passed without incident and with the use of nothing more than the Force the two groups met at Reading as intended. A splendid breakfast, accompanied by witty banter and before we knew it we were ready to set off again. Spirits were high, but there had been a tense moment when John had been quizzed as to his intended purchases. Unknown to us it must have been at this moment that John, a famously abstemious hobbyist, had resolved to make at least one purchase before the day was done!
We set out from Reading, the Fellowship complete and in a convoy of two cars, with Ian leading and us following, using the glint from the reflected sunlight on Dai’s pate as our guiding light, we journeyed around the North Circular. Passing the time discussing the virtues of the Jewish community, prompted by the numerous Orthodox members of that community that were on view as we got closer to the promised land.
We arrived at the Excel Center a little after nine-thirty, and with spirits soaring we left the cars to continue on foot to the show, all except Rob that is, who had brought his own wheel chair. Sitting comfortably he was pushed by Ken into the vaulted chasm that is the Excel Center although Ken nearly threw him on his face at the very first kerb he came to!
It has to be said that spirits were dented slightly when we joined the back of the very, very long queue waiting for the start of the show. Whilst we stood (sat in Rob’s case) waiting for the queue to start moving, we were entertained by the no doubt intended irony of who were sharing the venue with…about twenty thousand marathon runners! As we, men mostly of a certain age and physique, stood in eager anticipation of seeing the latest and best toys our hobby had to offer we watched an endless procession of lycra clad men and women pass by to register for a 26 mile run. I’m not sure which group was more confused by what they saw as they looked at each other, but what I can say is that after about five minutes of trying to hold my wargamer’s belly in, I gave up and just embraced my inner-geek; each to their own!
After a wait of about half an hour we were in….and immediately frozen to the spot in the entrance…wow it looked brilliant!!!
Dai’s military training quickly came to the fore, and he set out the battle plan for how were going to get around; woe betide anyone who deviated! Of course there was too much to see to recount adequately here the full splendour of the show, but I will pick out some highlights.
Of the manufacturers, there were all the usual favourites; Perry’s, Trent, Warlord, Foundry, Fireforge, Forgeworld, Gripping Beast, Victrix Musketeer Miniatures, Front Rank etc, etc and of course our very own Stu with Great Escape Games (and very busy they were).
The stands were mostly well presented, and bursting full with the toys within. It was nice to see some of the planned projects on display from the likes of Warlord, with drafts of the BP and HC supplements for the American War of Independence and Crusades respectively out on show.
As we moved from stand to stand it became obvious that some traders were not relying on the allure of the toys alone to bring the punters in, but had resorted to using shapely females in tight tee shirts or short skirts to help; being hard-core gamers we were immune to such tricks…well mostly!
The demo/participation games were of the highest standard, with a couple of the 28mm WW2 games looking brilliant; a real inspiration. The recreation of Waterloo in 28mm also had to admired, especially as it came with a 1:1 scale Napoleon!
The books stalls took a pounding, and Ken had himself a great bargain from the Bring and Buy; Bolt Action rulebook for just a tenner…Jack's for the rest of the day!
I have to report that the Battlefront stand was very rubbish, and FoW around the show looked like it was flagging a little, which was a shame.
After six hours of taking it all in we decided to call it a day and head for home; Mike had been to the cash point on three separate occasions but despite this it was Ken who had spent the most on toys; who says that public sector pensions are not what they were! Rob did buy some furniture, but that doesn’t count….
With the Fellowship assembled at the cars we headed for home, totally knackered, but having thoroughly enjoyed the day. As we drove into the setting sun we all agreed that our hobby was in a great place, with so many great companies producing so many great toys. We have a brill club full of like-minded people, and a super venue in Firestorm to bring it all together!
We are motivated for another great year of gaming!

28mm WWII Bug

So....

We have been absent from the blogfor a little while, but obviously not the wargaming!

Lots has been happening in recent weeks, but one system/era seems to have us all talking and  wanting more each time... WWII in 28mm.

The HT games tend to be quite big loud games with lots of shouting and laughter, so for this we need a simple yet effective, and of course enjoyable rule set. For this we have been using Warlord games Bolt Action. A brilliant little rule set, that lets you play for fun, not too complicated, and uses a very unique turn system. We are currently talking about a campaign that will see our troops and units go from regular conscripts to harden war veterans. We hope it will add a lot of interesting aspects to an already fun and gripping game system.

On Saturday 6th of April 2013

This Saturday a couple of our members along with a few friends with slimier enthusiasm took part in an extraordinary Historically accurate big battle, it was based on the the Second World War battle for Normandy, to be more precise the battle for Cean and surrounding villages.

It was a spectral that saw a mass of Canadian infantry, fool hearty British paras (The red devils) and the best of allied Armour, face off against sneaky Waffen SS panzergrenadiers, with all the trimmings of Tiger tanks and pak 40s.

German Orders
To: SS-Standartenfuhrer Kurt Meyer, 25th Panzergrenadier Regiment, 12th SS Panzer Division
5th July 1944

In our glorious defence of the Reich, you must hold the village of Cairon until reinforcements can be brought forward. The main highway D22 to Buron (and Caen beyond) must remain available to our forces.

Deposit your forces in depth around the village to prevent the Canadians from marching too quickly along the D22. Further Panzer units will be dispatched from the divisional reserve once the intention of the Canadian Scottish to your north-west becomes clear. You may be required to send motorised forces to assist in holding Buron.

Fight for every inch of ground. In the Fuhrer we trust.

SS-Brigadefuhrer Otto von Hennig

The battle was a lot of fun, with the German players being able to set ambushes and ruses with markers where a SS unit was hiding. This meant that the Allies had no choice but to trundle forward not knowing what may lay in the next wood or ditch, which were sites in the rolling boccage of Northern France.

For this game we used the very fun, and more in depth rule set of Rules of Engagement, from Great Escape Games.

The First Allied Column rolling towards the town.

Canadian Infantry advancing cautiously through the boccage.  

Canadian Infantry advancing cautiously through the boccage. 

A German Pak 40 waiting for the right opportunity to fire.

Sneaky SS sniper team picking off Canadian officers .

2 Tigers from Cean brought up to support the defenders. 

The Battle of Danzig 1807

This Thursday we travelled to the, Battle of Danzig 19th March

This week, we took the chance to get our Napoleonic armies on the table again.
A table top game that saw the incorporation of a Prussian Star Fort, French earth works and a lot of artillery!

The game fluff (as they say in the wargaming world)

A statement from The Forth Coalitions high command, Moscow.
January 12th 1807

Two allied Division are to be dispatched, one Russian and one Austrian, to the Northern coast of pussia, where they will find the support of the British Royal Navy.
With the main goal of supporting the Prussians, and to attempt to Holt or stall the French Dog, Napoleon, advancing his armies east. The Allied command staff in charge, have full authority to attack Napoleons forces on site and to deploy where ever is needed by the Prussians. All Diplomatic agreements have been passed prier to this mission departure.
The over all goal of this mission is to hold Emperor Napoleon at bay, and to show him and his armies that the country's of the east are not afraid of him or his unjust war.

Update from Moscow
2nd March 1807

A large division of Napoleons Grand Army, Commanded by Marshal. Joseph Lefebvre, has marched on a small Northern Prussian town, called Danzig.
The French have begun a laying siege on the Fort protecting the town.
French Reinforcements are believed to be en route.

Two French battalions taking the hail of volley fire from the Austrians

French reserves moving to intercept the Russians.

The first French brigade keeping up their fire on the fort.

The Prussian trying to fight out.

Prussians advancing on the siege works

Carnage on the Sabbath day.

Brothers Vs. Brothers

This Sunday we look forward, to a bit of American Civil War.

The First Battle of Bull Run, 1861.

The battle of Bull Run - 3pm The struggle for Henry Hill
Union commander - General Irvin McDowell
Confederate Commander -  General Joseph E Johnston

 Earlier this morning... Confederate forces attempted a full frontal assault on Union forces dug in at Mathews hill.
Union forces defend with not much problem, and force the Confederate infantry back down the hill.
 With Union troops full of vigor  they form up to pressure the confederates that are now in full retreat to Henry Hill, where General. Jackson (nicknamed stone wall during this battle) had arrived out of the woods with his division, at the top of the hill. Union officers in all their wisdom believed that the confederate retreat would be so disorganized  that they would never be able to reform another attack. It took the Union commanders 3 hours before they decide to press home their long lost advantage.
 Union troops form and march on the new confederate position, only to discover that it is much stronger than they could of imagined.
 Coming under a mass bombardment from well placed Rebel artillery. Jacksons Division was being strengthened with fresh waves of Infantry coming from the nearby train station (The first time in American history that reserves had been brought in by train).
 Supported buy artillery union troops push up Henry Hill and Into the fray.

Objectives
Confederates -
1) Hold Henry Hill
2) Secure Henry House, If Union Troops advance on it, Engage and route them.
Confederate Division orders:  to be disclosed on entering the battle

Union -
1) Secure an Attacking position at Henry House. And push on to the summit of Henry Hill.
2) Push Confederate forces off Henry Hill, attempting to route them in the process.
Union Division orders: to be disclosed on entering the battle

Confederate Cav, turning and charging.

Union  Advance with heist up the center. 

Union rear Guard, trying to Catch up with a very hasty central advance. 

Assault on the Union extreme left

World War II in 28mm

28mm Annihilation on a Thursday

This Thursday we venture into future from El Cid, to the countryside, towns and city's of central France.

This was the Club’s first real foray into Bolt Action, so with that in mind and the fact that we had very little experience of the rule set we jumped straight into a game with infantry, support weapons, armorued transports and lots of tanks; in fact the only thing that was missing from the order of battle was air support. We like to keep things simple!
 The scenario was an ad hoc affair, but with an idea that it could represent a small part of the allied effort in September 1944 to relieve the British 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem; so a bit of “Garden” from Operation Market Garden.
The scenario would take the format of the “Envelopment” mission from the Bolt Action rule set, so the Allies were charged as being the attackers with the objective of getting as many units as possible off the enemy side of the field.
The allied line up, as elements from the Guards Armoured Division, was a mixture Sherman and Churchill (okay, probably a bit out of place) tanks supported by some mechanized infantry and a couple of MMGs from the 43rd Wessex Division. All troops were played as steely eyed veterans.

Allied commanders on the night were:
           Captain Mike “it’s a ridge” Baldwin
            Lieutenant Ian “can I shoot something yet” Jones
            Sergeant Darryl “pass me the smoke, this tank’s gonna need it” Morton
            Sergeant Ken “I have chemical weapons” Butt (really?)

            Sergeant Pete “we need more tanks” Fisher
 The German forces blocking the way were some of those nasty SS boys from the 9th; they were well motivated, well led and ready for the fight! In accordance with German tactical doctrine, their forces had been concentrated in the area to ensure the allied advance could be significantly delayed. Heavy tanks in the shape of some Tiger I’s, a couple of Panthers and a single Hetzer (okay, again maybe not so historically accurate, but we wanted to use our new toys!). In support of the armour the Germans also lined up some panzer grenadiers and a couple of panzerschreck teams.

The German commanders on the night were:
       Hauptsturmfuhrer  Jac “I’ve got Tigers” Scrapy (on loan from the courageous Italians)
       Obersturmfuhrer      Dai “not one step back” ?? Smith
       Oberscharfuhrer      Mike “those building look suspicious” Edwards
       Oberscharfuhrer      Rob “I never said I knew the rules” James

 The Germans deployed first, in line with the scenario, putting out all of the infantry, support weapons and a single Tiger; leaving the remaining armour in reserve with the logic being that  they deploy to could counter the main allied armoured thrust wherever it materialised. The single Tiger was deployed in the centre of the table, in a concealed position. All of the Infantry was either “hidden” in terrain or hiding behind buildings!
 This done the allies commenced with their preparatory bombardment, which was moderately successful, putting pinned markers on most German units.
 The first wave of British armour moved on to the table at a steady pace, and on the same axis as the Tiger. The German high command looked confused, was this the British being crazy like a fox, or just plain crazy; only time would tell!
 The rest of the allied forces moved on to the battlefield at a cautious pace and took up fire positions….but with nothing too much to shoot at. The one exception to this rule was the three lead Sherman’s having a bead on a single Hanomag; three shoots rang out, but laughably (to the Axis side anyway) all three shots were ineffective, the luckiest halftrack on the table!
 The German forces kept their powder dry for the most part, wishing to maintain the advantage of concealment over taking long-range pot shots with small arms. Of course the Tiger commander had different ideas and duly rolled out of concealment, the gunner quickly acquired a Sherman in his sights and the 88mm gun did the rest; one dead Sherman.
 The British command immediately recoiled at the impact of the Tiger and froze in position; this is not a good tactic for dealing with big cats! Round two saw the arrival of more German heavy armour, and by the end of the turn the first wave of British tanks were pretty much accounted for; the only exception being a single Sherman that had been wise enough to try and sneak up the opposite flank. It was now involved in an exchange of fire with the Hetzer, with neither tank scoring a hit.
 Meantime, in the centre the bulk of the British infantry was rooted to the spot and rather than trying to force their way through the blocking German infantry with the use of cold steel, were instead laying down MMG fire at targets that were well hunkered down; no dice Tommy!
 Another wave of British tanks arrived next turn and bravely took up over-watch positions facing the opposing heavy armour; and the next couple of turns comprised of much the same as the first couple; brief exchanges of tank fire resulting in the destruction of the British armour. However, one skilled Churchill tank commander, positioning himself expertly, helped to account for the destruction of the two Panthers. The rate of attrition of the British armoured assets had been heavy, but at least now their bravery had been rewarded with some enemy kills.
 The gunfight between the lone Hetzer and the lone Sherman continued….as did the fruitless machinegun barrage in the centre.
 Realising that time was running out, the British command shifted the main axis of their attack and the last two Churchills moved onto the field in support of the lone Sherman, still slogging it out with the Hetzer…Hans the Hetzer commander started to feel a little lonely, but held is ground.
 Emboldened by the destruction of the Panthers and the pressing time constraint the allies started to force their troops forward. With motivational shouts of “I’m right behind you” (or more precisely, I’m right behind this building, that is right behind you) from Captain Baldwin, two squads of infantry broke cover in the centre. The squad led by the courageous Lieutenant Jones was immediately met with a burst of fire from an enemy squad sat waiting in ambush; a couple of squaddies went down, but the remaining hardened veterans held their ground. The other squad, led by Sergeant Morton, fixed bayonets; their intention was clear.
 At the same time an Allied M3 halftrack broke cover and decided to make a dash for it; hoping to punch through the enemy infantry screen using the many machine guns at its disposal, the commander had forgotten about the panzerschreck team sat in cover at the other end of the road. The vehicle moved into the open at double speed and was met with the briefest of flash to bang times of the AT weapon being fired and finding its mark. The M3 careened off the road a burning hulk.
 The glory of the ‘schrek team was short lived though as the Allied MMG teams drew a bead a blasted the SS storm troopers; Sergeant Butt’s patience had paid off!
The duel between the Hans in his Hetzer and the three British tanks continued; the Hetzer eventually getting the better of the Sherman and generally leading a charmed life in avoiding its own destruction by the remaining two Churchills.
 With time just about out the game closed with a “death or glory” infantry charge down the middle, led by Sergeant Morton against Hauptsturmfuhrer Scarano’s crack SS infantry squad. True to form the Bosch didn’t like it “up em” and were well sorted in the ensuing melee. The road to Arnhem was open, for the moment at least, but it was a case of too little too late and the German force claimed a victory.
 The game was played in the good spirit that is required of members of the Tendence Historique sect belonging to the club. Little consideration was given to the respective points values of the two companies, with the Germans clearly having an advantage, but to the credit of the allied players they battled on manfully and picked up a couple of Panthers as a reward.
 Well played all

A View of the battle field. 

British Churchill's supporting a platoon of Sherman's. 

British position and an eyeful of Tiger 

Sneaky SS setting and ambush

A Sherman 'Tank'...... hiding!

The British were cautious at first site of German Heavy Armour! 

28mm Napoleonic

Napoleons World in 28mm

We currently have around seven Gentlemen, collecting, painting and modeling 28mm Napoleonic. Three French, Three British and One Spanish.

The First of our battles is due on the 21st of February 2013. We will be starting in the Peninsular and working are way into Europe, following some of the biggest and capturing battles of the Napoleonic era.
Many of us planning our next army before even finishing the first.

The First battle for us will be Talavera, Hopefully for the french players, sharp will be off on one of his wild adventures.

El Cid

Jan 24th- El CID.

Will the vengeful Christians stop the heathens in Iberia?
Rules set we will be using 28mm Hail Caesar

Some Pictures from the night

The Moors choice the Field of battle and form up.

The Christians Infantry on full advance.

The Christian cavalry trying to make a table long charge attempt, but blunder after blunder from some very poor dice. Meant their gallant charged slowed to a trot. 

The Christians crash into the awaiting Moors. 

The Moors, Black Guard ranks being smashed by the christian heavy infantry, supported buy Arab militia.