Perry French 2/7th Hussars - Egyptian Campaign

After one of the players from last Saturday's Rebels and Patriots game suggested (actually more of a complaint) that the French should also have a cavalry unit, went ahead and ordered a box of Perry French Hussars. Painted a unit of six (the standard cavalry size for Rebels and Patriots) up as the 2/7th Hussars - prior to them being issued blue dolmans and fitting peaks to their mirlitons.

As I picked up a bug and had a slight cough I stayed home yesterday from the usual Wednesday game day and painted these up instead. The one draw back is my wife picked up my bug and is feeling pretty bad right now. To top it off she's leaving for a trip to Europe (Scandanavia) next Monday. She should be good by then, and we don't have fevers and it's mostly congestion.

They were painted up using the usual block painting and Minwax staining, the later bringing out details like the braiding on the dolman and pelisse. Highlights were added to some areas to make them pop a bit more as they are hussars.

Printed sabretache designs shared by a kind TMPer sent me years ago were used. These may be a bit later - First Empire - but thought the green looked nice.

They were painted up using the usual block painting and Minwax staining, the later bringing out details like the braiding on the dolman and pelisse. Below is how they looked after the stain was applied - a few hightlights were added later.

This unit will be used in another Rebels and Patriots "Napleon Lost In Egypt" game next month at another game day at Fort Steilacoom. For the record, the Brigade Games F&IW British Grenadiers and French Infantry recently painted have new owners - sold them last weekend. The funds from the sale were already used to order replacement figures from Redoubt. Until next time, thanks again for stopping by and checking out the blog.

Summer Offensive Game Day - Rebels and Patriots Gaming

Hosted my Napoleon Lost in Egypt game using Rebels and Patriots this morning at a game down in Olympia (WA State). They game played out very nicely with four players who play Lion Rampant quite a bit. Interestingly, they got a little "confused" with some of the rules which differ a bit between the two rule sets. The scenario had Napoleon being on his own and moving randomly with a direction die until either captured by Ottomans or rescued by French forces. After that the unit he's with cannot be shot at, but can be Attacked and taken control of by the winner of the combat. After taking possession of him, the unit has to move off the table edge they started from for a win. We played about 12 turns with Napoleon being captured by the Ottomans around turn 4 or 5, but later rescued by the French in a subsequent turn. We called the game after it was decided he would eventually make it off the French end of the table with too few Ottoman units nearby to stop this - and the other Ottoman units engaged with French forces further away.

Start of the game - we used a house rule with players rolling D6's to determine the order of activation. It adds a bit of randomness to the game play.

Ottomans and French in the center of the battlefield.

Early in the game with French and Ottomans manuevering to reach Napoleon - seen in the distance seeking shade behind a rocky outcrop.

French advancing to rescue Napoleon from the Janissaries.

Napoleon on camel - after being recovered from Ottoman troops.

French troops in Egypt trading shots with Ottomans. The red tokens are permanent Disorder markers for units at half-strength or under. All units started with 6-figures instead of the usual 12. They were give normal stats, like 12 dice for over half strength and 6 dice for half/under.

There was another Rebels and Patriots game run in the same morning session. This one was a Mexican American War game run by my buddy Kevin Smyth - A Gamer's Tale blog.

He used the same kind of mat (from Joann's Fabric) as my game, so I had to look at it closely to see it was his in the picture above.

As I was busy running my game, I really can't tell you how his game went, other than the players were having a good time too.

I didn't attend the second (afternoon) period as I got lost looking for lunch and ended up just heading back home as it would've taken too long to actually get to a place to eat and return to the venue. Oh well, it was a nice morning session and plan to host my game again next month at another game day at Fort Steilacoom. Until next time, thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog.

Chain of Command - Battle of Saipan Revisted

Played another game of Chain of Command at my buddy's place down the road. I played a platoon of Japanese again - same right flank, but this time we used the long edge of the board as starting points.

We used laser lights to plot Jumping Off Points at the end of the Patrol phase. There were 3 American players and 2 Japanese players (me being one). The other 4 players are all pretty experienced with Chain of Command, and I think I have most of the most-basic rules down. Playing the overall same scenario a week or so ago helps too. This time we started where we left off the last game; that is, the Americans have crossed the small river and the Japanese in and around the bunker eliminated. The Japanese end of the table now included parts of the edge of the airfield.

Me taking a selfie on the Japanese right flank - the position I had my platoon occupy.

American troops moving up through tall grass. 2 of the 3 USMC Shermans starting on the road.

The Type 97 run by the other Japanese player, passing a hanger on the edge of the airfield.

The Type 95 light tank that I controlled. I ended up trying to make it past the road crossing, but ended up a target for the Shermans as well as a bazooka team. It ended up being able to make it behind an adjacent hootch and survived the game.

The American infantry advance bogged down and taking shock and casualties.

My Japanese platoon staying in cover. The mortar squad on the left managed to use a spotter with the mountain gun for targeting. That is, until the mountain gun was eventually taken out by Sherman tank and bazooka fire. They later used one of their other squads who took cover in one of the hootches to spot for them.

The American left flank. I managed to decimate the platoon facing mine with lucky shooting die rolls. The American player advanced into range (12") of my platoon in Overwatch. He actually did this to get our troops into action. As long as our troops are over 12" away in the woods they cannot been seen or targeted.

My Type 95 taking cover behind a hootch - the hootch itself was occupied by a squad from the other player's platoon.

The Japanese right flank in the woods having decimated the advancing American platoon. We called the game soon after this as one of the members had to report back to his command spouse. It was a bit too close to call, but eventually the Americans' superior fire power (3 Shermans) would've turned the tide. We plan on playing the tank engagement portion of this battle in the future - once enough Japanese tanks are acquired.

I had a great time with the game, again due to the other players being very experienced with the rules. Tomorrow, I'm hosting a small Rebels and Patriots game at a game day down in Olympia. Incidentally, the guys I played with today like TFL rules a lot, and are having a game day tomorrow up near Seattle for more Chain of Command and "O" Group games. The group I played with on Tuesday night like the Rampant-family rules - including Rebels and Patriots. The guys I play with on alternating Wednesdays like Saga. Most don't play the rules of the other groups - and almost all of them don't play (or like) Bolt Action and Black Powder! Go figure. Anwyay, I should feel fortunate to have such a variety of games to play. Until next time, thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog.

Brigade Games F&IW French Infantry

Just a couple of small units for Rebels and Patriots. These figures painted up quickly as they have minimal uniform details and equipment. Used the same block painting style, followed by Minwax staining. Highlights were added as they uniform is so plain looking, needed to make some of the colors pop a bit.

The ones with blue facings belong to the Compagnies Franches de la Marine - the Independent Companies of the Navy. They were the only regulars stationed in "New France" up until the end of the F&IW.  The ones with red facings are the Régiment de la Reine who were also active in the F&IW.

The de la Reine supposedly didn't have red collars, but again, the uniform would look too plain if left off.

I may get some more of these, but would like to add some grenadiers in bearskins - which Brigade Games doesn't carry. I think Redoubt and AW makes these, and will take a look to see which may match up to Brigade Games the best.

Next in the paint queue are some British Rangers, French Marines, and French Militia. On the gaming front, my buddy down the road invited me to a continuation of our Saipan Chain of Command game tomorrow morning. I am also hosting a Rebels and Patriots Napoleon in Egypt game on Saturday. Oh, and next Wednesday is our usual Saga game day. Seems my calendar is full of gaming opportunities.

Battle of Bergisel 1809 - Black Powder

Now that I'm retired and have no excuse to game midweek, played a great Black Powder game at my buddy's place. A great bunch of folks who meet regularly on Tuesday evenings - starting at 6:00pm. They play a variety of games, including Rebels and Patriots and Xenos Rampant. Actually, they don't usually place Black Powder unless someone like my buddy (or me in the past) host it. The scenario is based upon the Batttle of Bergisel in 1809. My buddy who hosted it has a ton of  Bavarian, Austrian, and Tyrolean figures and terrain for the 1809 Campaign. It's pretty much his focus for Napoleonics. He has some ancestral roots with the area, and has visited the area many times since he was stationed in Germany for many years. I ran a Tyrolean "brigade" on our right flank. My units consisted of two Shurtzen battalions, a Landstrum battalion, and a light cannon. We played about five or six turns, which I managed to take out a Bavarian infantry battalion and Chevauleger squadron by lucky die rolls in firing and combat. The center and our left flank were a bit different with the Bavarians taking our several of the Tyrolean units. When we ended the game, we called it a slight Bavarian victory. We may play another round in the future where we left off - in fact, we may try to use Rebels and Patriots for this. Hope you enjoy the pictures of the impressive game table and figures my buddy put out.

Until next time, thanks for dropping by - oh, and I will be hosting a Rebels and Patriots Napoleon in Egypt game this weekend at a game day. Wishing you the best!

Brigade Games F&IW British Grenadiers

Painted up as the 22nd, 40th, and 45th Louisbourg Grenadiers under Wolfe. Small units of 6 for Rebels and Patriots. May add more figures later, but moving onto some French Infantry next. 

The 45th have green facings, and the 45th have buff colored gaiters.

These figures size up pretty closely with Perry figures - that is, they aren't overly robust and are proportioned realistically.

They're based on GW-style 25mm round bases for skirmish gaming. I could use them for Muskets and Tomahawks, but would need to refresh myself with the rules again.

Here's a picture of Foundry figures painted up as the same units here. I sold them to a buddy a while back. Although the details of the Foundry figures were better - like the raised sculpting on the mitre, I didn't really like the overall sculping and poses. The poses for these Brigade Games figures seem better for skirmish gaming.

Thanks again for checking out the blog. Best wishes to you all.

Brigade Games F&IW British Grenadiers - WIP +1

Minwax stained the figures after block painting them. Hopefully the staining will help obscure the not so exact brushwork on the mitres. They should be fine on the gaming table, in any case.

How they looked block painted prior to staining.

Thanks again for stopping by, and wishing you all the best.

Brigade Games F&IW British Grenadiers - WIP

Just a quick WIP post on these figures. These are very nice sculpts (Paul Hicks, I think), but the mitres don't have any raised sculpting. I wanted to tackle the mitres first as they are the most difficult to paint. I used Micron pens for the "G" and "R" script for the 22nd and 40th caps, but had to brush on the white script for the 45th's. The white blotches on the bottom red field are supposed to represent the galloping horse motif. All of this painted for effect and not accuracy - of course. At arms length it should be okay on the gaming table. Also, the Minwax staining should obscure some of it too. If I were to get more British Grenadiers, I would get the ones from Warlord Games or Foundry which have the mitre emblems sculpted on.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Battle of Saipan - Chain of Command - Late, Late Night Gaming

Had a late-night gaming session at my buddy's place, after my Rebels and Patriots game earlier in the day. As he only lives a couple of miles away from me, it was no problem. He hosted a great Chain of Command game using a Battle of Saipan scenario. I ran one of the two Japanese platoons trying to keep the American forces from taking an objective at our end of the table. We started at about 7:30pm and finished right at midnite. As my buddy knows the rules very well, he assisted and coached the few of us who don't play it often. In fact, this was only my third time with the rules - in about as many years. I do have to say I like the rules - as long as someone else with experience is GMing. I think I actually have the basics down - like how to use the command dice, movement, and giving and taking casualties. However, even the two most-experienced players had to refer to charts for specific resulting actions. It does have a lot more outcomes and flavor than Bolt Action, which makes it very interesting to play. In any case, my buddy, as usual for him, had setup a great table with lots of nice terrain. The scenario having us in mostly jungle terrain made it difficult to move and see through - 12" range to spot enemy. The Japanese ended up winning the game per the scenario as the American failed to reach the objective (a hut at their far end of the table). They did manage to decimate the Japanese platoon run by the other player though. My platoon of four squads was intact as it held the right flank. The other platoon had a squad in a bunker which ended up being the target of most of the American units. In fact, two platoons of American infantry attacked it for most of the game. The Americans also had three Sherman tanks and they were targeting a squad of Japanese out in the open until it successfully moved into cover, but only after taking numerous casualties. One thing I like about the rules is the intial moving up of Jumping Off Points (I think that's what they're called). The assigning of actions per the command die rolls are also interesting - something Two Fat Lardies incorporates well in their rules, IMO. Here are some pictures taken from the game showing the impressive terrain on the table.

Americans advancing across the stream. The terrain on the bottom right of the picture is light cover (tall grass), but didn't block LOS.

My first Japanese platoon on the table - in Overwatch. My buddy has a bunch of markers for the game.

A Japanese squad from the other platoon. This is the one that got shot up from the Shermans down the road. The marker represents a Jump Off Point - the markers were 3D printed by the GM's brother.

Shermans on the American right flank. A third tank later came on - and they slowly moved up toward the Japanese positions.

My platoon of Japanese in dense cover and in Overwatch. One of the squads had mortars, but due to visibility had to wait until the enemy were 12" away from them or a spotter in another squad of the same platoon. The hootch in the background was the Americans' objective. They never reached it and were bogged down at the bunker in the center of the table. The Japanese also placed minefields out which channelled the Americans' advance.

A shot of the Japanese bunker run my the other player - note the American squads cautiously moving up, avoiding the minefield to their left.

A view of my side of the table - the Japanese right flank. I later used my "Dirty Move" (forgot the actual techincal term of acquiring 6 pips from rolls of 5's) to relocate the Jumping Off Point further back, behind the my platoon. Supposedly the capture of Jumping Off Points creates bad stuff.

The Shermans - which were a US Marine unit - finally moving up along the road. The infantry were US Army units. The Shermans were too heavy to use the wooden bridge over the stream, but could (and one did) ford the stream on the side of the bridge.

American squads advancing on the Japanese bunker. The red dice indicate the amount of Shock taken. The smoke on the far right is from an American mortar - the one on the left edge of the bunker was from one of my squads. It actually landed 6" to left, but a lucky drift roll placed it there. It helped the obcure the bunkers right flank.

As mentioend above, I look forward to playing more Chain of Command games with my buddy, but doubt I will ever get it down enough to be comfortable playing it without an experienced GM. Thanks again for stopping by and hope you enjoyed the pics.