The Sword And The Flame based games at the upcoming HMGS-South's Recon-2023 convention

                                                                              

Here is the list of The Sword And The Flame based games at the upcoming HMGS-South's Recon-2023 convention at the end of this month in Kissimmee / Orlando Florida.

Thursday (4/27/23) 20:00 hours: Game: Zanzibari Slaver Raid. 

Description: The Zanzibari slavers are at it again. Can they be stopped? Rules: TSIA - The Sword In Africa, 4 hours, location: TSTAF table, Main Ballroom far left corner.

Friday (4/28/23) 09:00 hrs: Game: Zanzibari stronghold. 

Description: The Zanzibari have set up a base camp and are causing havoc in the area. Can they be stopped? Rules: TSIA - The Sword In Africa, 4 hours, location: TSTAF table, Main Ballroom far left corner.

Friday (4/28/23) 14:00 hrs: Game: Moonshine Redistribution. 

Description: American Civil War skirmish game. Rules: 

Fistful of Lead, 4 hours, location: TSTAF table, Main Ballroom far left corner.

Friday (4/28/23) 20:00 hrs: Game: One more Taku Fort to take ! 

Description: Boxer Rebellion 1900 - Take or defend the last Taku Fort on the Pei Ho river , save the Christian Converts and Father Archie , make contact with the mysterious Mr.Chin, protect the Austrian Lieutenant for he has a song to sing and will the Chinese Imperial troops fight the Boxers or the Allies ?

Rules: TSATF - The Sword And The Flame, 4 hours, location: TSTAF table, Main Ballroom far left corner.

Saturday (4/28/23) 09:00 hrs:  TBD ...

Saturday (4/29/23) 14:00 hrs: Game: The Sword And The Flame 1 hour demo's. Description: 

Come learn to play The Sword And The Flame colonial miniatures game. There will be 2-3 short games for

1-4 players max per game. These will be very small scenarios with only a few units for those wanting to try

out this amazing rules set. Russians in Afghanistan and French in North Africa.

Rules: TSATF - The Sword And The Flame, 4 hours, location: TSTAF table, Main Ballroom far left corner.

Saturday (4/29/23) 20:00 hrs: Game: The Prisoner – Rescue Colonel Flashman - Sudan 1885. 

Description: Friendly Sudanese tribesmen have notified the Anglo-Egyptian HQ that a gathering of Dervishes encamped some miles distant appear to have a white captive with them. It is suspected that said prisoner to be none other than Colonel Sir Harry Flashman who was reported missing last week from a survey party. London has stated that Col. Flashman will be rescued at all costs – dead or alive!

Rules: TSATF - The Sword And The Flame, 4 hours, location: TSTAF table, Main Ballroom far left corner.

Tabletop Convention Link:   https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-south-recon-2023

Link to HMGS-South and the PEL games list: HMGS-South website link

                                                                                   

Яussian Colonial Artillery Limber by Askari Miniatures

                                                                       

I've always wanted to build a Russian colonial force for use in Central Asia, the Boxer Rebellion, as well as what if's in Afghanistan, Australia, Japan, and elsewhere... For starters my Russians are engaged in a NWF campaign invading south from Bukhara into Chitral Territory as being recoded on The Lead Adventure Forum - Never Trust Anyone On The Frontier NWF Campaign and where I entered this campaign on my blog.

I love to research the units, uniforms, battles, commanders, etc. Whenever I decide to build an Army I usually buy figures from every manufacturer who produces the ones I need or that I can use for the period or battles in question. For this project I started with Askari Miniatures and Eureka Miniatures. 

For this blog post I'm going to focus on the Russian Artillery Limber made by Askari Miniatures (Russian Limber). I love Al's Limbers and guns. The quality is top notch, the castings clean, and all the items are thoroughly researched. These products are quite possibly the best guns and limbers on the market in this scale.

From the Askari website:

While the other Great Powers participated in the "Scramble for Africa" in the late 19th century, the Russians   advanced eastward and southward into the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The armies of the Caucasus and Turkestan became the sources of military innovation for the rest of the army.

Our Russian figures represent the army that conquered Turkestan in the 1860s and 1870s. Their uniquely Russian-style uniforms became general issue throughout the army. Thus, sometimes with a change of color, these figures can be used for the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, also known as the Bulgarian War of Independence.

                   Russian limber mechanical drawing   

                        Russian Limber (A-10p)

Russian limber and the A-8 Russian 4lb gun (A-8-A-10p)

                                                 

                                                                                       

             The limber with a six-horse team (A-10&6horses)

                                                                                             

My limber in progress on my work bench. 

The limber I received had a long limber pole for a full 6 horse team. I cut it in half to use for 4 horses on 2 separate stands of 2 horses each. I intend to build a second limber with 4 horses harnessed in 2 pairs on one stand. Here’s the limber on my bench being completed for a campaign game being run at HurriCon-22  in Orlando / Kissimmee the following weekend. 

The model came very clean with minor flash.The parts fit together well and are sturdy. 

I didn't use Al's horses only because as a buddy of mine gave me his extras he wasn't going to use.

Here is the Askari 4LB Gun and Limber in action facing British troops on the Northwest Frontier. 

The Sword And The Flame Demo Games at Recon-23

 

SMG - South Florida Miniatures Gamers are hosting a few small come and learn to play TSATF - The Sword And The Flame demo games at the upcoming HMGS-South ReCon-23 convention (https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-south-recon-2023) These will be 1-1.5 hour mini games with 1-2 players per side and only 1-4 units per side with scenarios set in Afghanistan and North Africa. The Afghanistan games and will see the Russians moving south into Chitral Territory and the French vs  Berber natives in North Africa. 

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                   

                                                                        Russians  in Afghanistan.  

                                                                                                

                                  

              Moroccans attacking a French held train station. 

                                                                                                      

                                                                    Pathans advancing. 

                                                                                               

Pathans attacking

Bedouin  riflemen advancing. 

French Foreign Legionnaires  marching towards the sounds of small arms fire.  

French Sailor, with a Baumal’s Flags and Brewery flag.  

SMG Club - South Florida Miniatures Gamers

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sword_and_The_Flame

The Prisoner – Rescue Colonel Flashman - Sudan 1885

 

The Prisoner - Rescue Colonel Flashman - Sudan 1885

Friendly Sudanese tribesmen have notified the Anglo-Egyptian HQ that a gathering of Dervishes encamped some miles distant appear to have a white captive with them. It is suspected that said prisoner to be none other than Colonel Sir Harry Flashman who was reported missing last week from a survey party. London has stated that Colonel Flashman will be rescued at all costs – dead or alive!

Imperial Forces:

Senior Officer:  Colonel Rick Welch, DSC

Has a full Sudanese Infantry Battalion.

• (4) Infantry Companies (20) men each. 

Subordinate Officer: Captain Chip Coffey, DSO

Has a mixed force of:

• (1) Cavalry Troop of (12) men
• (1) Disembarked Naval MG with (3) crew.
• (1) Armed Steamer with:

(1) 3LB Medium gun and (3) gunners,

(1) MG with (3) gunners,

(1) Naval Infantry Platoon (20) men.

 

Setup:

Imperial units will enter the table on the short side of the river end and will move as their card colors are pulled. The Cavalry may enter on any board edge save the entry point after turn #3. The Steamer may start docked or enter any turn.

 

Terrain considerations:

These small houses may conceal 5 men. The houses will provide class III cover. The roof tops class II.

 

The wadi will be treated as Rough Terrain and is Class III cover for troops lining the banks. The dense scrub-growth is Rough Terrain and concealment for prone figures but provides no cover from fire. The palm groves are Rough Terrain and Class II cover. The low ridges are Rough Terrain and offer Class II cover.

 

Goals:

The Anglo-Egyptian force must free the prisoner at all costs.

 

Special Rules:

In order to enter or exit a structure, ascend or descend stairs, cross undefended low walls, climb a sand dune, embark or disembark a conveyance, you must drop the high die. 

 

To break into a defended building a 5-6 on a D6 must be rolled to break down the door. Then the Melee will take place. The first 2 defenders get the benefit of cover the remainder do not unless actually behind a barricade.

 

Scenario Options:

At the beginning of every movement turn the GM will roll a D20. On a 20 a freak flash flood will rage through the wadi filling it for 1 turn making it impassible. 50% of any troops inside will drown. Place half of the survivors on one side of the bank and half on the other.

 

Use the limited ammo rules for the MG.

Die Roll – D6	Ammo
1-2	5 Rounds
3-4	6 Rounds
5-6	7 Rounds

 

Game Length:

The game length is 10 turns, then it becomes nightfall and the Dervish will be breaking camp and execute the prisoner or turn him over to the Mahdi.

 

Victory Conditions:

It will be deemed a major Imperial Victory if Lt. Flashman is rescued alive and is safe in the care of the Imperial Forces at the end of 10 turns. The Officer commanding the rescue force will be eligible for the Victoria Cross. A Major Defeat will be declared if Colonel Flashman cannot be recovered Alive and the commanding Officer may be cashiered. 

This is going to be run at ReCon in Kissimmee Florida (4/27/23) by David Welch as a memorial game for his father who recently passed away.

Rick and I were discussing several projects and scenarios he wanted to run now that he finally retired and would have the time. Very unfortunately he had lost his battle with cancer a short time later.  

Rick is far right, huge smile as always  he loved playing TSATF - The Sword And The Flame ! Here he is at one of my game tables at an HMGS-South con.

http://hmgs-south.com/

TSATF Games at upcoming USA Conventions- TMP Topic

                                                                               

In response to a post on a hobby site “The Miniatures Page” on the 19th Century board, sub page The Sword And The Flame it was asked if there are any cons in the USA that will have TSATF games for an inquisitive Brit looking to Holiday and Game. Since I run TSATF games at all cons across the country I attend as well at our local club I figured I’d reply  

Here’s’s the TMP Topic Link, and my response below.  

Hi Patrick, just to expand on NCC1717, both ReCon and HurriCon in Kissimmee / Orlando Florida both run a full slate of TSATF games. We run at least one TSATF game each and every session on a dedicated table just for TSATF colonial gaming!!!! These start Thursday evening and finish with the last game Saturday night for a total of at least (7) different TSATF based games just on the colonial table, sometimes there are other TSATF games on other tables over the weekend as well. Games are hosted by members of SMG, HMGS-South, Colorado Military Historians, and the The Jacksonville Garrison.

The colonial TSATF games on the dedicated TSATF table will be uploaded shortly.

Con registration and games link: hmgs-south-recon-2023

20 September 1890 - Leaving Shalkani Village

 A strong reconnaissance heads NW from Shalkani village towards the Lowari Pass.

The intel that LT Lowell and Naik Gurung #4864 gleaned from their new Pathan ally Abdali Rahimi Khan is priceless and will save valuable time on their movements north towards Chitral.

The unmapped pass leaving the valley was wide enough for 4 riders abreast, or even a service wagon! Naik Gurung #4864’s hand drawn map, based on Abdali Rahimi Khan’s description is assisting the column out of the valley. The Pashtun escort  leading the Reconnaissance party though very ruffian in appearance is greatly appreciated.

This encounter was played out in Kansas by my buddy Bob as part of our ongoing campaign being chronicled on the excellent Lead Adventure Forum's colonial page, topic thread: Page 1 or 49 Link:

Never Trust Anyone on the Frontier, an Epic NWF Campaign....

                                                  

This AAR comes from my buddy Rhingyll: 20 September 1890 - Leaving Shalkani Village

             Lt Lowell has returned to the camp of the 1st Brigade of the Chitral Field Force. He along with Naik Gurung #4864 have briefed the commanding officer of the brigade, General McGuinness, on the information gathered. One of the village Elders encountered, gave them information about a secret pass that would save them significant time on their march to relieve Chitral. Naik Gurung #4864 did not entirely trust the information that was given to them regarding the pass and wasn’t sure that it existed at all. General McGuinness is well aware of the fact that nobody can be trusted on the Northwest Frontier. A decision was made to further investigate the possibility of this pass and a larger reconnaissance force under the command of Captain Aylmer Cameron (72nd Highlanders) would be sent out. This force would include a heliograph team that would be able to signal back information to the main force as it continued to slog its way northward, to and through, Lowari Pass. After traversing the Lowari Pass, which wasn’t an easy task by any means, the patrol sets up camp.

                                               Captain Aylmer Cameron

1 unit of Pashtun guides (platoon sized)
1 squadron of the 77th Lancers (Lt Howell)
1 company of the 2nd Gurkhas (Naik Gurung #4864)
1 platoon of the 23rd Sikh Pioneers
1 platoon of 72nd Highlanders (Capt Aylmer Cameron)
1 signal corps heliograph team
Baggage train

Meanwhile, A Russian Brigade commanded by General Vasily Perovsky has successfully crossed the Dora Pass into the Chitral. Progress is slow and Perovsky has sent out a re-con patrol to see if there is any easier and faster path towards Chitral. The patrol, commanded by Major Petrov Stepanovich, has lost its bearings, ventured off course, and is now heading south of Chitral towards the northwestern side Lowari Pass.

Major Petrov Stepanovich

1 company of the Kuban Cossack Regiment
1 company of the Smolenski Line Regiment
1 company of the Kharkiv Line Regiment
1 squadron of Pavlogradski Hussars
Baggage Train

Upon spotting the British encampment, Major Stepanovich has been lost for several days now, and his baggage train has slowly been reduced to literally nothing. He has lost most of his animals and supplies to thieving Chitralis who make off with the animals during the cover of darkness. His men are now hungry and growing restless and he fears he may soon have a mutiny on his hands. But their hunger and desperation could serve to boost their fighting spirit. For Stepanovich, his only option for attack was a full-on frontal attack. He positioned himself and the Kuban Cossacks in the middle, flanked by the Smolenksi Line on the left and the Kharkiv Line to his right. The Hussars were directly behind his infantry in the center.

As the Russians advanced, the Pashtun Guides bolted for the hills, but the Martinis and Sniders of the 72nd Highlanders and 23 Sikh Pioneers opened up a deadly fire from their positions behind the carts of the baggage train. The Kuban Cossacks took the brunt of the fire on their center position. Their advance was halted but the Hussars skirted out from behind them and made a headlong charge towards the 77th Lancers. The two cavalry units made contact and engaged in a rolling melee. The advantage was with the 77th Lancers initially as their lances created a mismatch. It looked as though all for lost for the Pavlogradski Hussars, then fate stepped in. A lot of dust was kicked up during the melee, and the 72nd Highlanders for some reason fired into the melee, causing heavy casualties among the Lancers. The Lancers became demoralized and as the Hussars pressed the attack, the Indian lancers routed and disappeared back into the Lowari Pass.

Meanwhile the Kuban Cossacks were decimated by the continued fire from behind the British baggage train wagons and Major Stepanovich was nowhere in sight. The best chance of success for the Russians at this point was for the Smolenski Line to keep the 2nd Gurkhas busy by engaging them in a long-range firefight while the remnants of the Hussars along with the still at full strength Kharkiv Line Regiment tried to flank the 72nd Highlanders and 23rd Sikhs behind the baggage train carts.
Naik Gurung #4864 was severely wounded during the exchange of fire between the Gurkhas and the Smolenski line.  A sense of panic spread amongst the usually steadfast and brave Gurkhas as their casualties grew. They eventually broke ranks, and like the 77th Lancers, headed back through the Lowari pass, deserting the wounded Naik Gurung #4864. Seeing the Gurkhas flee emboldened the Smolenskis and they pressed on toward the British encampment on the opposite flank of the Hussars and Kharkiv regiment.

The remnants of the Pavlogradski Hussars charged the 72nd Highlanders but were easily repulsed due to their lack of numbers and the bravery of the Highlanders. However, the cavalry charge diverted the attention of the Highlanders and the Kharkiv unit was able to advance within shortrange of the 72nd.

On the other flank, the steady fire of the Snider rifles of the 23rd Pioneers drove back the Smolenski line and they eventually gave up and left the field of battle.
Captain Aylmer Cameron of the Highlanders raised a flag of truce and met with the commander of the last remaining Russians; the Kharkiv Regiment. Cameron had in tow, Major Petrov Stepanovich, who had been captured during the action. Both agreed that further conflict would just result in more lives lost for both sides. Cameron agreed to give the Russians one cart load of food and Stepanovich in exchange for them leaving and ceasing the attack. The Russians were all to happy to hear this and gladly accepted the offer.

The British now broke camp and headed back towards the pass to eventually link up with General McGuinness’ column once again. The Russians, who were lost already, wandered off into the hills with their much needed food. And what became of the severely wounded Naik Gurung #4864?