Bolt Action - Soviet Invasion of Japan, 1951

Of course, this was a fictional battle set up by a buddy. This is the second playtest of the game which he'll host at Enfilade in May. I was one of the Soviet players and ended up having most of my troops and armor destroyed by turn 4. The scenario is the Soviets invade Japan via sea - they've already landed and advancing inland. The Soviets' goal is to capture intel at the two radar/commo sites on opposing hills. Unfortunately, the forces already in Japan besides their own defense forces include US infantry and naval personnel - along with several Pershing tanks and Chaffee and M36. The Soviets had a few T-34/85s and BTR-40s. The Soviets' advance was slowed by rough terrain, as well as US forces waiting in ambush stalling their advance. Two Soviet armored vehicles were destroyed on the two roads inland, thereby blocking the rest of the vehicles. We called the game at the end of turn 5, calling it a clear US-JSDF win. My buddy will do a few tweaks, like not bringing on too much US armor on the table until later in the game. Otherwise, it's a great scenario and should be a success at the convention. Here are a few images of the game - played in my buddy's outdoor bunker full of his gaming collection and books on military history (mostly WW2 and US).

After getting home from the game, my ebay order of Cavalcade Ming Chinese had arrived in the mail - not a bad Saturday!

Here's a comparison shot with Perry figures. A good match in size and style, IMO.

I'm glad to have gotten these Ming figures as they are either OOP, or very hard to find.

Joseon Army - Perry Figures

Here's the Joseon army to date - the only figure not from Perry is the guy in red with one of the hwacha. Also, the multi-barreled gun is from another maker which I can't recall at the moment.

Command stands and hwacha next to an aquarium piece which was re-painted.

I just bought some old Cavalcade Ming Chinese figures to reinforce the Joseon army.

Here are some pictures from 20 or so years ago, when I was stationed in Korea. This was inside a repro-Turtle ship. The armor and weapons were laying on a table with no one else around, so figured we'd try them on.

My two sons are grown up now, the youngest is a Captain in the Army, and the older one recently was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Washington Air Guard. He was enlisted for about 11 years before that.

This was in Namhae, and was pretty much deserted; might've been off-season. No one around, so we just waltzed right inside and toured the ship by ourselves. We later walked up along the shore and stopped by a shrine in honor of Admiral Yi. All this, long before I ever thought I'd be gaming the Imjin War.

Battle of Lutzen - Pike & Shotte

Played with the old ECW figures I sold to my buddy today - first time gaming them since hosting a Marston Moor game with them two years ago. Glad that they're getting a new lease on life - gaming-wise.

The unit flags are yet to be replaced with the TYW ones from Flags of War. My buddy was trying to see if he could preserve the ECW ones already on, but I told him to just replace them as he is only interested in TYW anyway.

I was the overall commander for the Imperial army. We played 7 turns with the game ending in a close draw. The objective was for either side to hold 3 of 5 objective markers at the end of the game. Those are the red squares on the table - which were placed nearer to the side of the Imperialists. 

Early in the game, the two Swedish cavalry units were destroyed by Imperial cavalry in hand to hand combat. Per the rules, supports for the fighting unit was a major factor for the outcome.

I ran several pike and shotte units in the center of the battlefield, and made good use of musketry. The Swedes failing several activation rolls slowed their advance as well.

As the Swedish army advanced they were able to return fire with good results. It was a shooting match for good part of the game.

The Swedish cavalry on their left flank finally were successful in charging into two Imperialist musket units - both just out of distance from their pike unit to form into hedgehog. They were both ultimately destroyed.

The Imperialists' right was held by dismounted troops - they didn't really play a big part in the game other than keeping the opposing cavalry mindful of their presence.

It was great to see the old figures on the tabletop again - and with a good friend who only lives 10 minutes away.

Nippon Army Ready To Invade Korea

Three divisions with a total of 6 small samurai units, 7 ashigaru spear units, 5 ashigaru bow units, 6 ashigaru matchlock units, and 2 samurai cavalry units.

All the samurai figures are Perrys, and all the ashigaru figures and samurai cavalry are Old Glory. Most of the command figures are Perrys.

A group photo of the Joseon army will follow. On the gaming front, my buddy who bought my ECW army is having a TYW game using those figures this Friday. Will post photos and a report of the game.

Old Glory Samurai Cavalry With Perry Sashimono

10 of the figures were already painted a long time ago, but added another 10, and also Perry metal sashimono - along with Perry decals from the Kato Kiyomasa set.

Since Old Glory cavalry normally comes in sets of 10 figures, based a couple for each unit on singles to have an even frontage when in two ranks.

Paired a figure each from the older completed ones with the newer ones to make them blend in better. Some of the older figures had a stronger (dirtier) Minwax stain.

The Samurai army is pretty much ready for invading Korea. Plan to take a "family portrait" of all the units next. 

Pegasus Bridge - Chain of Command

Play-tested my buddy's Pegasus Bridge game using Chain of Command today. He'll be hosting it a Enfilade in May. Enjoyed the game - particularly as two of the players are well-versed with the rules. Although I only play the rules when others host it, and this not often, I think I've actually picked up most of the core/basic rules. My buddy, the host, and I ran the Germans. He's recreated the table using scratch-built buildings and terrain to match the actual historical ones as close as possible.

The initial "Patrol" phase lock down of units is lot easier to visualize using a cuople of laser beams.

This was the third time the others played this scenario (my first time), and it ended up a British victory after a few German units had been eliminated, and the British still holding the nearside of the bridge.

The bridge is from Sarissa.

The view from the Germans' side.

British Airborne in cover in the center of the table.

More of the British Airborne on the opposite side of the road.

I had some really good rolls during shooting - lots of 6's and 5's.

A lot of smoke was laid down by both sides.

The one hand-to-hand engagement during the game - on the British right flank. The Germans took heavy casaulties from their attack.

The was held in the historic building at Fort Steilacoom - the host is a member of the historical society there. He's actually on the hand-receipt for the buildings.

Well, it was a nice day - almost too nice weather to be inside, but as there are a lot of windows it was okay - plus there is supposed to sunny weather all next week too. Thanks for checking out the blog and wishing you all the best.

Perry Kato Kiyomasa

This is the Perry Kato Kiyomasa command pack - along with Perry decals for the set. The Perry website shows the banner on the right looking to be hand-painted. Thankfully, they came out with this decal set.

The helmet has decals that are for small sashimono, but work well for this. I may replace the spear shaft with brass rod as this one looks a bit "bendy."

The Perry website has the helmet's "court cap" painted silver with red suns, but there are examples of it black with these gold rings - which I thought looked a bit more menacing, and appropriate for the "Devil General."

Kato was one of three senior commanders during the Imjin War, and was known to have hunted tigers in Korea. He was one of the most warlike Samurai of the time - which says a lot in itself. He died in 1611, after being possibly poisoned by rivals.

Next up are some Old Glory mounted Samuria with spears - they'll also get Perry sashimono. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog.

Perry Foot Samurai (Swords & Teppo) Completed

Added on the sashimono - note, two of the teppo assistant ashigaru don't have these. 

The designs include a few with the Kiyomasa, Shimazu, and Kobayakawa clans - all participants in the invasion of Korea. Others are based upon those from the Siege of Osaka scroll painting and other sources.

Mixed them up with the earlier yari samurai - kind of grouped per colors and designs a bit, for a somewhat more uniformed look.

Still need to finish up the Kato Kiyomasa figure with his flag bearers.

Perry Foot Samurai - WIP Update

Finished painting the figures themselves, but still need to work on their sashimono. Probably going with various examples like their previous yari brethren.

Perry Foot Samurai - WIP

Painted up the armor and lacing so far. Some of the lacing is a bit sketchy as the sculpting details were hard to make out.

Prior to the lacing the black basecoated figures were given a light drybrushing of bluish-grey to help define the details. Some of the armor was painted red, and some russet brown.

These will eventually join the Perry foot samurai with spears painted a very long time ago.

Imjin War Revisit Update

Completed basing the figures. Need to add sashimono to a couple of Ashigaru units once some decals from Perry arrive - also another pack of Korean bowmen. Still have some Perry foot Samurai to work on too.

Korean royal guardsmen and regular government bowmen. The guardsmen based on 20mm fender washers, and the regular bowmen based 3 figs per 40mm squared - same as the ones already in the collection.

Three of the Ashigaru spear units with sashimono painted with generic patterns - not based on any particular clan or unit.

Sashimono painted prior to attaching to the figures. One of my local gaming buddies gave me a bunch of these Warlord Games/Wargames Factory sashimono. The decals coming from Perry are for the Kiyomasa clan - hopefully they'll fit onto the plastic sashimono which are smaller than the Perry metal ones.

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