Author: Neil

Stephen Etheridge has released the following information about March’s big game:

Gentlemen,

The main game for 4 March will be another of my soggy naval encounters, this time set during the Anglo-Dutch contretemps during the 17th century.

As Pete said on Saturday last, we will be limited a little for space as the main hall will be in alternative use, so it would be helpful for me to gauge numbers who want to (or will!) play.

Each player will control a squadron of ships (3-5), or so the plan is currently. The game will be using rules from Rod Langton, “Tiller and Whipstaff” which are reputed to be quick play………….but I will see about that when I playtest them!

Can you reply ASAP so I can get planning.

Thanks,

Stephen, aka Old Father Neptune

If you are interested in participating, please let Pete know as soon as possible.

Neil.

The following announcement has been made about February’s big game:

Men!
The Army needs good men!

It’s a Man’s life in the American Civil War Army!
Join the Army today & become an Officer really quick!

Apply to Gettysburg Quartermaster’s Office at Union HQ/ CSA HQ & be the heroic leader that stirring tales are written about!
(Long beards or flowing moustaches are an optional extra)

Join up today to lead Johnny Reb or Billy Yank to Victory!

If you are interested in participating, or if ACW isn’t your thing and you’d like to offer something else, please let Pete know.

Neil.

Our first big game day of 2017 saw three different games being played. The main game was a 15mm Napoleonic battle using General Brigade de luxe rules recreating Vittoria 1813, Assault on the hill of Arinez.

A selection of photos of the game can be found on Flickr.

Pete, who organised the game kindly provided the following recap:

Continue reading “Photos and write-ups: January 2017 Big Game Day”

Details from Pete of January’s main game:

Just to confirm the January game I’m running will be 15mm (well 18mm actually) Napoleonic – General Brigade de luxe rules (ie Dave’s 3rd edition not that he ever calls it that!). Vittoria 1813, Assault on the hill of Arinez.

The more the merrier. but please could I have confirmations by Jan 2nd. email

Pete.

We miss New Year’s Day this year as the first Saturday is the 7th. Probably means there will be less left over Christmas fare that will need consuming.

As always, there is room for other games if Napoleonic warfare isn’t your cup of tea, so feel free to offer something up. And there are figures for Saga and The Men Who Would Be Kings available to make use of, just let us know if you’d like them got out.

Neil.

A small selection from December’s big game of Medic, Medic! can be found on Flickr.

Thanks to Pete for putting the scenario together and for everyone who participated. I believe every force commander claimed their objectives had been achieved, even the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who were thwarted in their attempt to secure some much needed Russian equipment! And not once did any of the UN forces cry out “Medic, Medic!”, even when the US cobra was downed.

Neil.

Sunday November 27, 2016 saw myself, Pete, Richard and Steve head to Lincombe Barn Folk House, Downend, Bristol for Reveille 2016 to put on a Zulu Wars demostration game using the Osprey Games rules, The Men Who Would Be Kings.

We managed to play three games of the scenario “Intombe River: The Rematch”, though due to what was later described as a “times table error”, the fist couple of games resulted in the complete massacre of the Zulu forces by the British, with the loss of almost no casualties! (A total of about five across the two games).

Once a rebalancing of the forces was undertaken the third and final game proved to be a much closer affair, though when time was called the British did once again have the upper hand. Open ground really does make things tough for the Zulus to assault British Infantry!

All in all we had a great day, seemed to generate much interest both in the game and the club and have another game to add to the list of offerings when a particular month’s main game doesn’t appeal.

A selection of photos from the game can be found on Flickr.

Neil.
Your humble correspondent

December sees the club return to a game that hasn’t made an appearance for quite some time: Medic, Medic!

The description from the rules document states:

A fast play set of rules for demonstration games etc. covering modern colonial and intervention actions
Developed from a Mike Slack original idea by Pete Connew of the Abbeywood Irregulars.

Games are set in a fictional 1990s Turkmenistan with players taking on the roles of various United Nations Forces as well as local forces.

From Pete’s description of past games, it seems interaction between the various UN force commanders can play as much a part as boots on the ground (or figures on the tables).

If you are interested in participating, please let Pete know by December 1, so he can balance the scenario accordingly.

Neil.

Useful Links:

Medic, Medic! Rules
Medic, Medic! expansion
Turkmenistan: A History

A small selection from November’s big game of Mission Command can be found on Flickr.

Thanks to Alan for making the trip down to put the game on and for everyone who participated. It was a close run thing with neither side having really gained the upper hand by the time we decided to draw things to a close. A day well spent.

Neil.

Thanks to Toby Whitty for the write-up of the Maurice game from last Saturday.

Preamble: “Maurice” is a very innovative rules system to play games of 18th C warfare concentrating on the difficulties of command and control. More information about the rules themselves is here: http://www.sammustafa.com/honour/modules-games/maurice/

Continue reading “October’s Big Games: Maurice Write Up”

It’s fast approaching Mission Command time again – 5 November, and there will be fireworks in Frome!

A Day in the Sun
Somewhere in Normandy, July 1944

This scenario is based on one that we used as a demo at Salute 15 (not exactly the same however, so quite playable by those attending that event).

Overview: The British are maintaining pressure on the Germans to the north of Caen. 6th Airborne Division, far from being withdrawn for recuperation, now forms the northern coastal flank of the continuing British operations to expand the beachhead to the east and south. Opposite them are elements of the much depleted 2 Panzer Division.

It’s clear to everyone that a major push is coming from British 1 Corps divisions and 30 Corps further south, but this northern flank will perform a vital hinge for both. The Germans have heard the noise of armoured vehicles moving into position opposite them, but then again, so have the British…

For this game, we can adjust forces to fit the available players – it will be roughly a brigade each side.

Please would you let Pete know whether you’re interested in participating in this Mission Command game. Feel free to indicate a preference for British or Germans, and I’ll try to accommodate your wishes. When I have an approximation of numbers of players, I can adjust the scenario accordingly. It’s also worth noting that the revised Mission Command now has rules for AFVs to overrun infantry – exciting isn’t it!

Alan