The unhistorical defence of Little Round Top

The Gallant Defence of Little Round Top 

  The Union IIIrd corps, under Sickles, had taken a severe beating in the afternoon of the 2nd July. Mayor K Warren saw the danger and sent two brigades and supporting artillery to defend Little Round Top and so shore up the whole Union position on Cemetry Ridge. Two brave Union brigadiers stormed across the table as the shabby ranks of grey and brown advanced on their position. A few regiments of Rebs followed the wrong trails but Togoodevans was already decimating the stout union defenders of the Emmitsgurg ridge led by the dashing, and equally stout, Brig. M Baldwin. But help was at hand. Brigadier Ken " ol windy' macteethcruncher had the antidote. Skillfully masking the fire from the other defending Union Brigades, Ken charged without any artillery support. The damage had been done though. Union artillery was wheeled forward to blast the Johnny Rebs from the peach orchards.  The union had lost the Devils Den but the Union had a plan. Brigadier Broad manfully sent his two brigades charging down the slopes of Little Round top and into Hood's overconfident Texans! The carnage was awful but the game ended with the confederates just holding onto the lower edges of Little Round Top. Thanks to all who took part in this game. See you all soon for Picketts Carge? 

Apologies to history!

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

Late Crusades

A quest, to return the Holy Land to Christendom.

In the ever ending quest to quench the thirst of Historical gaming, we intend to delve deep into the holy land, bearing the cross of Christ, and waging holy war. 

This Era has really captured the hearts and minds of most of our Members. Sparking a lot of conversation, and of course money spending.

I predict big things for us with this era. From Heavy Templar Knights to Siege engines hurling rotten cow carcasses. And of course masses of Muslim horse archers, what would the Holly land be without Muslim horse archers! 

A few of us have been captivated buy the new range on miniature, coming form FireForge Games.

Their rapidly expanding range of Late medieval miniature, has us packing the rattling the piggy banks, and scouring the internet for release dates.

FireForge Minitures

Non of us really have a bad word to say, beautiful sculpts, with very little mold lines. 

Extremely excited about what this company has to offer.

Rules to use.

For most of our games we stick with what we know, and it mainly comes by way of Warlord Games with there range of rule sets, For this it would be Hail Ceaser.

But with leaked information of other company's, such as one close to home for us, Greatescapegames, bringing out a rules set for this era in the near future, the tides could be turning.

There is lovers and haters of all different rule sets, but we are always open minded and enjoy a new challenge.

Always on the hunt for rule set that drags you into the game, the realistic the better.

Tales of the last few weeks.

So we have been absent from our blog for a week or two, a lot of painting has been done, as well as a lot of loving! (Valentines day).

Last night Thursday the 21st of Feb. We played our first game of Napoleonic'sr.
The update, wright up and pictures will be up on the Naps thread. It was a fun game.
Not everyone got their miniatures finished, including some very suspicious Spanish? but, the Battle of Talavera was waiting for no man or Model!
And Fun was had by all!