Spanish Civil War Game and Salamanca

 Phil very kindly invited me for a virtual game last weekend, they are fun to put on but it is nice to sit quietly with a cup of coffee and play as well, less to pack up afterwards. It also meant I got to command some of his lovely Spanish civil war collection. A period I quite like and has a slightly romantic feel to it, although as I already do Russian Civil War I don’t think I need a new 20th C project.

We had a fairly simple scenario and played using bolt action, I understand Phil normally plays nationalists so we swopped over and I could play as the ‘bad’ guys. The photos I have taken were captured screen shots so quality is limited, for a closer look check out Phils Blog NEWS FROM THE FRONT.

Lovely Spanish civil war set up, the objectives for my Nationalists is simple, kill as many revolutionary dogs as I can, get across the railway and if possible capture the Railway station. The set up was hard for the revolutionaries as they came on from a single corner, this put them at a bit of a disadvantage from the start. The nationalist force split into three from left to right, 3 infantry units supported with light machine guns look to get to the wall to cover any movement across the battlefield. 2 mortars get into the vineyard hoping to cover enemy on the bridge. The rest look to get down the right flank through the wheat field.

Covering fire across the railway into the woods. In the distance the revolutionary’s  spread across the table

If a plan is working stick with it !

Finally the mortars are in place and can open up but nothing hit initially, we have made it across the table to capture the railway station. Confidence is high so the left flank starts to advance as well, overwhelming the Revolutionary’s 

Final shot, the Pzl as drawn fire from the Revolutionary howitzer. In the end it was pretty much a sacrifice that needed to be made to protect the men but eventually it is hit and bursts into flames. On the left the gun crew and attacked in revenge and tackled in hand to hand combat.

We didn’t need an extra turn to decide the victor, the Nationalists had overwhelmed the Revolutionary’s on this occasion. We agreed the setup had been harsh for the defenders but it was a very enjoyable game and fun to play. Looking forward to the next and probably tougher context !

Also played the next Pennisular battle Salamanca phase one attack on the French left.

Thinking this was the rear guard the french attack only to find it was half of the British army !

The french advance down the left and the British counter on this occasion with a determined cavalry assault on the french. It turns out to be an even battle and no clear advantage is gained.

The french then turn to their right flank and wipe out the British rifles who had moved onto the hills

The overall position, french pushing on the right, stalled on the left, but the British ahead 4 to 3 so they send forward the Portuguese division

Nervously the french play a reform card allowing them to carry out a quick but significant adjustment to their battle line and focussing everything they have on the right

The french overwhelmed the British light infantry on the far right and have to flee, but they are still countering effectively with the Portuguese infantry in the centre, a very close battle with 5 to 5 and victory needing just 6 flags !

The french throw everything in the get to grips with the Portuguese high risk and are lucky not to be wiped out

The french lucky for a change are able to charge home with bayonets and rout the Portuguese claiming victory !

Two in a row for the french but it was the dice that helped in the final couple of turns.

Thanks for looking a unit nearly painted this week and hopefully another AWI outing. Lockdown is a real drag but hobby stuff is keeping me going, looking forward to summer and I am officially part-time now. Not certain my wife is as happy with that as I thought she would be, perhaps i should have said it would give me more time to do jobs around the house rather than painting soldiers 🤣

KBO

Random painting progress update

A summer cold and family stuff means a short break from gaming but I have managed quite a bit of painting 😀

The Kaiser No 1 Regiment

A closer look at these diminutive Austrians, Pendraken figures the Austrians slightly quicker to complete than the Prussian, I definately prefer the paper flags

Randomly some Belgium native forces who had sat on the paint table for ages undercoated I just need to find a suitable flag, these are Foundry classic figures

Some more SYW this time Prussian Hussars can’t remember the Regiment, again quite fun to paint at this scale 

Finally El Cid GB figure but I will use him as a range of different Al Andalus commanders

Shield entirely made up but I might put a bit more detail on the base when I remember 🙂

That’s it for now but two more units close to completion......

Holiday Projects and Painted stuff

As usual the lack of recent postings here at the Dungeon reflect some holiday time away. A lovely week with the family in Scarborough, as always I sought out those little historical elements whilst eating lots of ice cream.

A World War 1 13lb ship gun rescued from ship sunk off shore and now at the harbour

The final medieval town cross quite close to where we were staying

Scarborough Castle

The final remaining piece of the C14 Town wall

Pickering Castle on a very hot day in Yorkshire, I think I had two ice creams this day

My kids are somewhat older now so holidays have a bit less pressure so I always take some stuff to paint, despite being out and about, most of the time I managed to paint quite a bit 🙂 I also did a couple of 15 mm tanks for a different project.

The bulk of an Arthurian Saga Warband, the nice thing here is I picked up these figures second hand at York show a couple of years ago from a collection being sold off following the owner passing away. Nice in a strange way that they have finally found their way to getting painted.

Another Confederate unit, some North Carolina boys

Some African warriors, mainly generic, but a couple at the back from specific colonial period.

Finally in Scarbourgh you can dress up and have your photo taken in period costume....too good a chance for me and the lad as military history buffs to dress up 😀

One Year Older 🤓 How lucky am I !

Another year older today and still not back at work 😀
I got to open the presents I had ordered ages ago, even for me this was a bit too much after Saturday but I hadn't really intended going to the Reivers Show. I have also managed to finish putting some transfers on a couple of US and RAF planes which Steve had very kindly painted for me, and been for a lovely walk on Hadrians Wall.

First up a shiny new copy of CONGO. Have played SAGA and Muskets and Tomahawks and found them both excellent so looking forward to this.......benefit is I already have nearly enough figures to play. A flick through and the book is beautifully produced....Colonel Cavendish is already on a steamer to Africa as I write.

Bumped into this book on Amazon and couldn't really say no for 1p plus postage !

Hawker Typhoons loaded with rockets to ground attack German troops heading for the Normandy coast.

Spitfires lent to the Americans

Two fantastic looking Thunderbolts.......I wouldn't want to be a German Panzer driver !

 

Northumberland this morning

Hadrian's Wall always reminds me I should collect some Romans....but not yet , not yet.

Well it is my birthday.........hopefully blog the Normandy battle we played a couple of evenings ago.

Northumberland : Castles, Battlefields, VBCW, CONGO and Operation Sealion

Have been on holiday this past week to lovely Northumberland lots of dog walking, beautiful Castles, sunny weather and some chill out time which allowed me to get some relaxed painting done. In no particular order....

Alnwick Castle always impressive ....have been before but my daughter overjoyed to meet Harry Potter

 

Edlingham Castle c.1400 not far from Alnwick ...didn't seem to be in a very defensive location as easily overlooked by nearby hills. 

Next to a lovely old church.

 

Warkworth .....first time here would like to go back when less busy but they had a medieval combat display which was fun.

 

We also managed a trip to Flodden, since the 500 year celebration they have put in some excellent display and information boards and a really good path around the main part of the battlefield. This shot is taken from the centre of the Scottish position looking towards Branxton and the English.

 

We also visited Etal Castle where they have a reasonable display about the battle 

 

and a tiny, rather tired looking diorama but I always have to take a photo if I see 

figures....it is crying out for a Big Perry type table display !

 

Dunstanburgh, again been before but a lovely walk which ended in Craster eating smoked kipper heaven !

 

And now the painting............. The Congo slaves got finished to add to the Zanzibar figures

 

These photos are rubbish ! But I picked up some WW1 officer figures at Historicon with a view to painting them for VBCW. These two feel like a pompous Royalist General (might change his cap band to a different colour thinking about it) and an Albertine Captain.

 

Two more....again I can be flexible who they fight for although the guy on the right clearly has some Royalist affiliation.

 

Finally with some quality down time........I managed to crack through some Germans for 'Sealion'. 

Three squads each with a submachine gunner, an MG43 and an Officer.

 

A close up of one squad....

 

Sultan of Zanzibar : IHMN

I have finally got round to painting some figures....just seem to have been so busy for the last few months gaming and planning stuff. Anyway sat half finished on the painting table has been the Sultan of Zanzibars' IHMN company. The sultan himself Khalid bin Barghash and his company will find themselves fighting Colonel Cavendish but will also find his way into Darkest Africa in forthcoming CONGO adventures.

Sorry pictures are not great....I also have a few slaves to paint up😀