The Wind And The Lion

The Wind And The Lion
German gunners range in on the U.S. Marines as they cross the vill. Figures are Old Glory German Sea Battalion conversions. Archway by Miniature Building Authority.

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Pony Wars - B Troop Ain’t Coming Back

 


                  Pony Wars, B Troop Ain’t Coming Back

This is a reprint and upgrade to an old set of awesome rules for the American Indian Wars in the Plains of the American Old West. These originally came out in 1980 and were such a blast to play. All the players would be the US Cavalry playing against the Native Americans controlled by chance and the umpire / games master. I had so much fun back in the day with these rules and can’t wait to try them again! I got my original copy from a flea market stand / bring & buy at an HMGS Historicon convention at the Penn Harris Inn in Pennsylvania around 1985 or 86  

The rules are an exact copy of the original text, however they’ve got a glossy make over with stunning pictures and a hard cover. Very well done indeed. The card decks, the old ones which have long since been impossible to find are finely reproduced and shipped with the rules. Thank you Baccus 6mm LTD for making good on your promise to reproduce this iconic and awesome set!

As a long time gamer and owner of the original rules set I can highly recommend these rules and am very satisfied with the revamped product. I would of however liked the set to be packed in a hard box as the ends of my book are slightly damaged as well as my card box. This however doesn’t detract from my joy of receiving these products. They are available here:

https://www.baccus6mm.com/


                 Here is the forward from the design team:


One of the many glossy evocative photos of beautiful troops and terrain that will surely motivate you to build and paint your own forces and terrain. 


A sampling of pages from the hard cover glossy rules book. 




Excellent cover art and proprietary card deck required for the game mechanics. All made of high quality materials and well produced. 



Caveat: I have no connection with this company selling the rules, the producer of the rules, nor the rules designers. I’m simply a satisfied customer and a big fan of this product. 


Friday, August 6, 2021

Bolt Action Game - France 1941, Sedan

  



26 June, 2021. Duane, aka Doc Yeungling a member of our group who had moved to northern Florida drove down this Friday to run a WWII game for us at Das Krieg Haus. This will be the scenario he’s going to run at this years HMGS-South’s HurriCon 2021

SMG - South Florida Miniatures Gamers link: 


Scenario:
28mm WW2 Blitzkrieg, early war May 194 against three German Platoons in May of 1940. German counter to regain supply route on their axis o your Bolt Action 2 books, but there 
will be some minor rule modific for either ease of play, or realism. 




                  Pregame, table being set up for the battle. 


The table and figures are absolutely amazing, what a visual treat. Doc Yeungling used Bolt Action V2 rules. I’m sure to many it’s a fine set, however it was mot my cup of tea. Nonetheless it was a beautiful table and a fun game!

Here’s the link for the official Bolt Action rules and products.                Bolt Action - Warlord Games


AAR provided by Doc Yeungling who ran the game.


Set in May 1940, near Sudan. French have counterattacked in strength and have a defensive position on an axis of supply, awaiting the Germans.


A German infantry company with support of an HMG, and Medium Mortar section, an artillery batter strike, and air support, with Sturmgeshutz Platoon attached, and Kampfgroupe Commander.

Several buildings are along the road, with assorted trees, walls, hedges, and fields breaking up line of fire, with the crossroads in the left center of the battle.

The French have two infantry platoons supported by a Char Bis heavy tank section, and a light AT gun section, with a medium mortar section. They have managed to get their infantry in buildings and along two stone walls for the most part with squads and support elements in woods, or in the fields to the South of the road.

 The German spread out their infantry platoons across the North side of the table to diffuse the combat power of the French and find a place to break the line or flank them. They grouped the assault guns to their left flank.

 Though the Germans were able to mass the fire from the assault gun light howitzers, they could not penetrate the heavy armor of the lone French tank on their left. They did managed to pin, and cause some casualties, but the stone buildings and terrain gave the advantage to the French. The Germans attacked the center crossroads with two infantry platoons with their armor support on the left. However, the German assault developed and was slowed by unexpected heavy casualties, and pins, while their tow tanks rebuffed all attacks. At best the German air attack caused pins to the French armor while their third platoon managed to get to the far right flank around the French. 

 Telling was the inability of the Germans to get a foot hold in the crossroads in a timely manner, with ineffective fire at the French armor.

 The Germans lost about 25% of their infantry power trying to get close to assault the crossroad, but could not budge the French, with no real way of killing the armor, until they could close assault with the AT grenades, and Panzerknocker teams, or wait for more air cover, and support.

 

In the end the French were able to stop the Germans for the morning (marginal victory), but two things were apparent. One, the Germans had worked to the far right flank, and could catch the French defending that side of the table in a crossfire, and assault the flank with a fresh squad, and with heavy casualties the Germans on the left could bring fire from the assault guns to the crossroads on the flank. This while though taking more casualties, the Germans where finally getting into position. 



               A dram of Good libations to grease the treads. 








Doc Yeungling mulling over the battlefield casualties. 


Some of the local SMG Crew in our Ft Lauderdale Florida clubhouse, Das Krieg Haus. 






Thursday, August 5, 2021

Dispatches from Chitral 18 July 1890 - LAF NWF Campaign

 


Dispatches from Chitral

18 July 1890


FROM: Colonel Dano MacGurule, Commander Chitral Garrison 
TO: General McGuinness, Commander Chitral Field Force
CC: Lt. General. Sir Bindon Blood, C-in-C Rawalpindi


General McGuinness, the siege of our garrison continues old boy. We'd received sporadic musketry fire from the environs early on with minimal casualties, our beloved doctor Capt Stevens had kept us all healthy and patched up, there are no mortal wounds thus far. However, Johnny Pathan has become emboldened and has taken up positions along the gardens walls and within several structures close by the fort. The sporadic musketry has turned into a rather hot fire all throughout the day and long into the night to try to keep us on edge. We believe they are also digging tunnels as we can hear the scraping at night as well as building sangers within effective range to bring more accurate fire to bear. We caught one bloke poking around our tower guarding our water supply, I do fear they will try and cut us off from the river water supply shortly. I'm organizing a sortie for the evening of the morrow to clear the nearby structures and destroy any discovered mines. Please continue on with most haste sir. See you in the mess old boy!

Yours respectfully,
Colonel Dano MacGurule, Commander Chitral Garrison 




Pathan tribesmen snipe the Anglo-Indian defenders manning the ramparts of Chitral Fort. 



More Pathan tribesmen occupy the structures close to the fort and use the walls surrounding the gardens and fields as hard cover. 






Link to the campaign thread on the Lead Adventure Forum. 
An epic NWF Campaign 


Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Dispatches from Malakand 18 July 1890 - LAF - NWF Campaign

Dispatches from Malakand

18 July 1890


FROM: General McGuinness, Commander Chitral Field Force

TO: Lt. Gnl. Sir Bindon Blood, C-in-C Rawalpindi


Dear General Blood. 1st Brigade has reached Malakand unmolested and have set up a cantonment in the vicinity.  We eagerly await the arrival of our 2nd Brigade commanded by newly promoted General Hall. 

They have left Jalala and are marching to Dargai. 


Our scouts report much activity in the surrounding hills, especially behind us. I fear General Hall may be in for some sticky business. 

      1st Brigade Cantonment in the vicinity of Malakand.        

                           A scout from the Corp of Guides. 


Pathans in the Hills watching the 1st Brigade set up the cantonment. 

Friday, July 30, 2021

Letter From Jahaba Kahn to Umra Khan, 17 July 1890 - LAF NWF Campaign

                                          Jhaba Khan

Another entry into the Lead Adventure Forum: NWF an epic Campaign.   

                               LAF NWF Campaign

                           The Amir Ali Razah Kahn


Letter From Jahaba Kahn to Umra Khan,  July 17 1890

Oh great and merciful Umru Khan, beholder of the one true and faithful text, purveyor of all before him, defender of women and children, let it be known that we have risen up against the hated English and their lackey allies. Join us as we honor the one true text and defeat the ferenghi. As you read this we are sieging the English fort in Chitral on the banks of the Chitral River. 

Mines are being dug and sangers built. We have cut off the infidels from their water supply. We shall take this fort in the name of Umra khan and the one true text. Death to the infidels and death to Mulehead Khan. So it is written, so it shall me done.  

 fortnight ago a jirga was held in the village of the Amir Ali Razah Kahn. He called for a jihad and many of the Chitrali chiefs attended. All were in agreement that we must join together to oust the ferenghi. However, Ali Razah is an old, weak, and feeble man. Though he is devout, and a true believer of the one true text, he will not be the future leader of my tribe!

Your faithful servant Jahaba Khan

Jirga in a Chitrali village, at the residence of Amir Ali Razah. 






Both of these buildings are hand made custom works by the redoubtable Chris The Model Maker, CTMM on eBay. He does the most amazing and evocative pieces. These come from our late club mate’s collection, Bill Pritchard. He’d be very pleased to know we are using his collection!


Friday, July 23, 2021

“Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier” an epic NWF Campaign






 I’ve joined a truly epic NWF Campaign run by an exuberant gentleman from Italy based on a website hobby platform The Lead Adventure Forum. This is a remote campaign with folks across the globe. 

I intend to post my own personal adventures within the campaign here on my blog to keep track of my missions, troop dispositions, and battles. My part begins on page 8 of the thread.

A link to the thread on LAF: Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier

And so it begins……


12 July 1890
from General Bindon Blood ,Rawalpindi:
Dear McGuinness, the situation in Chitral has precipitated quickly, old friend Shuja Dad has been murdered by the rebel Ali Razah  Khan who stirred up the Chitralis against us.
Two English civilians residing there were also killed, Mr and Mrs Stevenson, the Chitral garrison made up of a company from the 40th Pathans and one from the Gordon Highlanders , Bombay Artillery under the command of the oldest officer, Col. Dano McGurule  closed in the fort , I don't know how long it will last.
You must immediately organize 2 brigades plus divisional troops and move quickly from Nowshera to Chitral.
Bring a good political officer with you as you will have to cross territories populated by warrior tribes and you may encounter further difficulties.
good luck my friend
BBloodw


14 July 1890

General BBlood, yes indeed sir, the warnings are certainly dire. We have mustered our forces and are moving post haste to the disturbances in the Chitral district. As ordered we have formed (2) Brigades with the required attached auxiliary troops. Our troops morale is high, they are certainly itching for a fight!  Cavalry scouts have already been sent out along our proposed march route. The dreaded Ali Razah Kahn, defender of the faithful text must be stopped at all costs, captured dead or alive, for Queen and country. His lands and village will be scorched. Huzzah!!!!

With upmost respect,
General McGuinness

Foot note: We have attached a most experienced and skillful Political Officer, LT Reginald Lowell. His extensive service and experience on the Grim will most certainly tip the advantage in our favor sir.

_________________________________________________

Dispatches from Chitral Fort: 

14 July 1890 Chitral outpost,
from Colonel Dano McGurule , Commander of the Chitral garrison.
to Gen. McGuinness in Nowshera:
"we reinforced the guards and a wall that was unsafe. The Chitralis fire a few shots every now and then at our sentinels. Morale is high but I think we will be attacked soon, we plan to resist as much as possible, food and water are not a problem at the moment. 
Our spies inform us that the Chitralis are looking for allies in Kohistan and in the lands of the Chilasis, one of their emissary has reached the tribes of the Mamunds in the Bajaur in an attempt to convince them to enter the war, so the road between Chakdara and the Lowarai pass could be dangerous, unfortunately it is the only possible way  to get here."





Dispatches Nowshera 15 July 1890

Good day my dear General Blood,

We have departed Nowshera with the 1st Brigade and are well enroute to Chitral. We are currently on the move with patrols of the 77th Bengal Lancers scouting to the flanks and front of our column. Close behind them the 2nd Gurkhas have taken to the heights and scrub to flush out any possible ambushers. Our Political Officer LT Reginald Ethan has ridden ahead with a detachment of the 77th Bengal Lancers to make contact with friendly tribes on our route of march in order secure safe passage and possible allies. The Queens Shilling is still worth it's weight in gold on the Grim, to some....

Your humble servant,
General McGuinness

1st Brigade
Col. Robert Hall
Capt. "no boats for me" Lucas
Sgt Major Lawrence Brom
(1) Batt 2nd Gurkhas
(1) Batt Corp of Guides
(1) Batt 66th KRRC
(1) Batt 72nd Highlanders
(1) Squadron 77th Bengal Lancers
(1) Battery Bengal Artillery Mountain Guns - mule born

Attached Political Officer:
LT Reginald Ethan

                             General McGuinness