Miniature Wargames May 2020

EX NTSID
CO IN
TR EN E
A T
MAY 2020 – ISSUE 445
OPERATION
ARCHERY
An asymmetrical WWII Scenario for 1-48TACTIC
>
05
9 772513 838012
MON BRAVE! OPERATION NORDWIND BENFLEET

Light Cavalry in the age An Ardennes encounter in the 894AD: can the Vikings
of Napoleon hard snows of WWII be defeated? Display until 6/05/20
£4.99
WELCOME THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’
IN THIS ISSUE
04 FORWARD OBSERVER
With the latest news items.
ell, as they say: I called that wrong! In last months editorial I assumed we’d 07 SEND THREE
W all be looking forward to a spring full of gaming shows: Salute guides and
what have you. In retrospect, an easy mistake to make, I would suggest.
However, little did I realise that when I went to visit Hammerhead to make
a report (page 68), it would be the last show I’d be visiting for the foreseeable future.
I don’t anticipate – as I write this in late March – that things will be changing for
AND FOURPENCE
The Battle of the Boyne using
Commands & Colours rules.
12 SMUGGLERS &
the better for any of us for the next few weeks (or perhaps THE HANGMEN
months): for me that means no club or show visits and Rules and scenarios for the Hawkhurst Gang
lots of worries for us all, about loved ones especially. and the “Battle” of Goudhurst 1747.
So – trying hard to stay positive – we have a unique
hobby opportunity here to grasp by the horns: it 24 DEFENCE IN DEPTH
means spare time to paint, plan and build. So write With the latest figure and rules reviews.
articles and scenarios, reduce your lead mountain and
stay safe in these very trying times. Fortunately (as 28 COMMAND DECISION
you can see from my picture) modellers often It’s Essex 894AD but can you push the
have safety equipment in doors that we can Vikings back into the sea? It’s Command
exploit... Back to Mr Zimmerman for some Decision with Jon Sutherland.
final words: “There’s a battle outside, and it
is ragin’. It’ll soon shake your windows COVER 34 OPERATION
and rattle your walls for the times they FEATURE ARCHERY
are a-changin’.” An asymmetrical WWII scenario
set in Norway for 1-48TACTIC
Get in touch By Baueda Wargames.
tabletopgaming.co.uk
40 OPERATION NORDWIND
MiniatureWG
It’s the Ardennes and the Battle for
MiniatureWargames Herrlisheim. Scenario for use with a
John Treadaway selection of popular rule sets.
miniature_wargames_magazine
Editor
46 AMMO DUMP
EXTRA DIGITAL CONTENT
LOOK OUT FOR THESE ICONS AND ENJOY EXTRA CONTENT, ALL JUST ONE CLICK AWAY!
The Editor balances an SF
scenario with logistics.
52 MON BRAVE!
Outposts, Pickets, and Scouting: a
More info Kickstarter Gallery Zoom Panoramic 360˚ Sound Video YouTube Beginners Introduction to Napoleonic
Light Cavalry in Skirmish Wargames.
MINIATURE WARGAMES INCORPORATING BATTLEGAMES
EDITORIAL MARKETING EXECUTIVE
61 THATCHED COTTAGE
EDITOR John Treadaway Luke Hider Build a quaint, multi-period dwelling.
[email protected] 01778 395085 | [email protected]
HEAD OF DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Lynn Wright
PUBLISHED BY
63 RECCE
DESIGNERS PUBLISHER Claire Ingram Books for the discerning wargamer.
Richard Hallam, Mike Edwards [email protected]
COVER: Operation Archery from Baueda Wargames. Warners Group Publications PLC The Maltings, West Street, 68 HAMMERHEAD
Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH | 01778 391000 The Editor takes a final show
ADVERTISING trip before lock-down!
TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL NEWSTRADE DISTRIBUTION
ACCOUNT MANAGER Warners Group Publications Plc 01778 391150
Murdo MacLeod 01778 391129 72 QUARTERMASTER
[email protected] The latest hobby accessories reviewed.
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicola Lock
01778 392420 | [email protected] The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the
publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of this magazine
75 CLUB SPOTLIGHT
MARKETING
is accurate, but we assume no responsibility for any effect from errors or With the Shrewsbury Wargames Society.
omissions. While every care is taken with unsolicited material submitted for
MARKETING MANAGER publication, we cannot be responsible for loss or damage. While every care is
Katherine Brown
01778 395092 | [email protected]
taken when accepting advertisements, we are not responsible for the quality
and/or the performance of goods and/or services advertised in this magazine.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) exists to regulate the content of
78 THE LAST WORD
advertisements. Tel: 020 7429 2222 © Warners Group Publications PLC, 2020 Featuring Gav Thorpe.
May 2020 Miniature Wargames 3

FORWARD OBSERVER
News, previews and community submissions from the wargaming world
WARS OF OZZ range has been designed, sculpted

and manufactured by Old Glory and
VICTORY AT SEA
We’re off to be inspired by The high seas await in 1/1800th
the wizard... when fully released will include 60
packs of miniatures. Warlord are releasing Victory at Sea.
Wars of Ozz, to be released by Sally 4th, The plan is for Wars of Ozz to be Designed to allow everything from
is a 28mm Mass Fantasy Battle Game launched via a four week Kickstarter skirmishes involving single destroyers
inspired by the ‘Oz’ series of books in May 2020. Kickstarter pledges will hunting down merchantmen to the
written by L. Frank Baum between 1900 be shipped 6 months after Kickstarter clashing of massive fleets against
and 1920. The inspirational literature has completion, at which time Wars of Ozz implacable enemies, the rules will
been greatly expanded by Russ Dunaway, will be made available as a general enable players to fight exciting battles
to form a unique new fantasy gaming retail release. Further information will on the oceans of World War II. Pre-
world to battle over, populated with be made available through website: Orders for the game have begun!
Munchkins, Quadlings, Winkies and warsofozz.com which includes links to In addition to the Battle for the
Gillikins combined with Witches, Wizards, Wars of Ozz Facebook Group. Pacific Starter set, there will be starter
Pumpkin Men, animated Scarecows and fleet boxes and famed battleships
Tinmen, Giants, Trolls, Skeletons and for each of the available navies. An
much, much more. The Wars of Ozz rules initial roster of four fleets feature the
are written by Buck Surdu, author of US Navy, Imperial Japanese Navy,
Gaslight and Combat Patrol among many Royal Navy and Kriegsmarine (with
more published works. two more fleets to follow). Using the
The game is a mass battle rather system, players can fight in any naval
than a skirmish game. The miniatures theatre of World War Two.
There’s a Battle for the Pacific Rules
Manual contained within the starter
HELTER SKELTER City One: the city is guilty, the crime
is life, but the sentence is death. Yes,
box plus they have everything needed
to get a player’s fleets sailing and
Judge Dredd: The Dark Judges
there’s a new Dredd game coming next fighting. The set has 15 highly detailed
The barrier between worlds has month from Osprey Publishing! The 1/1800 scale ships cast in resin for the
shattered. Now, the Dark Judges have Dark Judges can be played as a team in US Navy and the IJN. It contains an A0
returned to exact judgement on Mega- any game of Helter Skelter, or one player (that’s 841 x 1189mm) game mat, dice
can face off against them in a solo game (d10s and d6s) plus ship cards.
however this new expansion requires
a copy of Judge Dredd: Helter Skelter
to play.
Expected from the 28th May, it’s
an ‘up to four’ player game with a
playing time of under an hour.
Components include four
miniatures, five oversized cards, and
39 playing cards plus tokens. Retail
will be £25.
4 Miniature Wargames May 2020

COMMETH THE WARLORD
A full range of Warlord Games at Tabletop Gaming Live 2020
Warlord Games will be offering gamers a full range of their classic miniature
wargames including Bolt Action, Beyond the Gates of Antares
and Cruel Seas at Tabletop Gaming Live 2020. It’s a chance
for attendees to meet the people behind your favourite
wargames and get up close to these miniatures.
Warlord Games are also running a Bolt Action
TURN ON THE
Qualifier Tournament: Pit your commanding chops DEATH RAY
against others in the theatres of war from WW2. Corvus Belli and Death Ray
What’s more, you might be able to get your hands on Design to collaborate
Warlord’s more recent releases. Clean up Mega City
One in Judge Dredd: I Am The Law, tell the stories Death Ray Design, the US
of ancient Roman skirmishes in SQPR or attempt to scenery brand, will now make
sink some pretty ships in Black Seas. Stay tuned for scenery specifically for Infinity,
more details on the tournament, and how you can by Corvus Belli and the first
get involved! Go to tabletopgaming.co.uk/information/ results are just available online.
tabletop-gaming-live for tickets to the main event. The first line of terrain, Odinheim,
is a sprawling selection of
gritty, Norse-tinged, cyberpunk
Following on from our Amigasa Trevor tells us a little about the painting modular elements. Death Ray
Uprising scenario in issue #444, of this strange bunch, “these white metal Design team are big fans of
COMMUNITY CORNER
we have discovered the way of the figures were a joy to paint – the sculpts and Infinity and the opportunity for
samurai from one Trevor Marshall, of casts are excellent. I used a combination of them to create new and exciting
Toronto, Canada. Citadel Colour Contrast paints and Vallejo worlds for the game to be played
This group is a selection of tea house with Army Painter Tones as required.” in, should produce some great
customers from the Unlikely Allies As with any set of miniatures, there looking scenery. They’ll be
expansion. They offer unique abilities are difficulties to overcome in their moving away from generic Sci-Fi
to your warband, such as the Ronin painting. “I find the ‘socks in sandals’ to put them squarely in the heart
Marksman for taking pot-shots, or the on feudal Japanese figures difficult to of the Infinity universe. Check
blacksmith who will sharpen everyone’s paint nicely, so I tend to hide their feet that out at deathraydesigns.com.
blade. While they are designed to be in grass and flowers from Gamer’s
a supplementary model to your force, Grass (which also makes
they can be used as an extremely varied the bases look THIS MONTH
rag-tag team of mavericks together. very colourful).” If you’d like to submit
something for Community IN HISTORY
Corner, contact
MiniatureWargames@ THE BATTLE OF
warnersgroup.co.uk
JUTLAND
31 MAY TO 1 JUNE 1916
During the First World War, Jutland was
the largest naval battle fought between
Britain’s Royal Navy Grand Fleet, under
Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, and the Imperial
German Navy’s High Seas Fleet, under
Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer. The
battle unfolded in extensive manoeuvring
and three main engagements (the
battlecruiser action, the fleet action
and the night action) off the North Sea
coast of Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula. It
was the and the only full-scale clash of
battleships in that war and is often the
subject of large WWI naval wargames
engagements.

SEND THREE AND FOURPENCE
THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE

FOR COMMAND & COLOURS
The last time that two crowned kings of England, INTRODUCTION
My first introduction to the Battle
Scotland and Ireland faced each other in battle of the Boyne, like most things in my
Words and pictures by Conrad Kinch early life, involved being yelled at
by a teacher. We were on a tour of
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin
and I had paused to sit in a chair.
This turned out to be the chair in
which William the Third had sat
while listening to the Te Deum
being sung in the Cathedral after
his victory at the Boyne. In those
more unregulated days, this piece
of history wasn’t in a glass case or
behind a rope, so I can confess that I
have briefly, if not stood in William
III’s shoes, certainly sat in his chair.
Of course, it was a brief encounter
as my teacher let a roar at me and
I leaped up like a scalded cat, only
then noticing the small card on the
seat which explained the provenance
of this particular piece of furniture.
Thankfully that is the only occasion
in which my arse imperilled a
historical relic. At least so far...
WHY WAS THIS

Duke of Buckingham: ABOVE Oldbridge BATTLE FOUGHT?
House, which houses
The Battle of the Boyne is the
“Do you not see that your country is lost?” the visitors centre,
is an excellent place largest battle to have ever taken
to start if you plan to place in Ireland with about 60,000
William the Third: “There is one way never walk the battlefield
men engaged all told. While it is
to see it lost, and that is to die in the last ditch.” remembered as a purely religious
›
conflict, it was actually more of a

proxy war between Louis XIV of
France and his enemies. In the late
17th century, there were two powers
in Europe; France ruled by Louis
XIV and everyone else. Europe was
divided into those who wished
to contain France and those who
wished to shelter under her power.
As a Napoleonics man, dipping
his toe in the Marlburian period CLOCKWISE FROM
for the first time, there’s a lot going ABOVE These are all
Irregular miniatures
on. There’s this whole League of from their Marburlian
Augsburg thing (you should look range painted by
it up) and I fear there may be more Mr Krisztian Takacs
and currently in the
books in my future. collection of Mr John
James II was a Roman Catholic Cunningham
King of a largely Protestant country.
"King Billy" pictured
He attempted to implement in on white horse, as is THE ARMIES the Anglo-Irish squirearchy, they
England the same sort of absolute traditional The armies at the Boyne were a provided their own horses and
monarchy of France that existed in mixed bag. The core of Williams weapons and were extremely
These enthusiastic
France. This led to a sort of coup- hunters and country army were his Dutch troops aggressive. A similar situation I
cum-management buy out, where squires were natural as well as Danish mercenaries. think to Prince Rupert’s cavalier
Protestant magnates in England horsemen and These infantry men were tough, horse at the beginning of the
enthusiastic Jacobites
brought William of Orange across disciplined professionals armed English Civil war. They were to win
to take the throne. This was done with flintlock muskets. These were fame under Sarsfield during his
on the understanding that he joined by some Germans and celebrated raid on William’s artillery
would still respect the prerogatives Huguenots (French Protestants) train outside Limerick.
of Parliament. William who was who had fled persecution in their
the Stadtholder of Orange in the native land. His English and Irish THE BATTLE
Netherlands had already been regiments were more variable: a The Williamite army outnumbered
fighting the French for years. He veritable smorgasbord of green the Jacobites by 36,000 to 24,000 or
saw in the throne of England the recent recruits, professionals who thereabouts. William sent a quarter
chance to take an ally out of Louis’s had previously been in James’s of his troops in an outflanking
pocket and put it in his own camp. service and other unreliable movement, which James countered
When the Dutch landed, James characters. As a result, they were by sending a large portion of his
prepared to fight, but was badly mostly left in reserve and the hard men, including his French infantry,
rattled when there were several fighting was done by the Dutch, the best in his army. These two
high profile defections from his Danes and other continentals. forces accomplished little but an
camp to the Williamites. On the Jacobite side, the situation artillery duel as they were unable
James’s nerve broke and he fled was almost entirely reversed. James to come to grips due to the boggy
to France. William consolidated his had 6000 well trained French troops nature of the ground.
power, but Louis, eager to occupy and didn’t commit them. They William’s Dutch Guards
his foe, convinced James III to lead served to cover the retreat of the accompanied by some other troops
an expedition to Ireland, where he army towards the end of the day, then forced the ford near the village
would be a thorn in England’s side. but were not engaged in the battle of Oldbridge and advanced across
The largely Roman Catholic Irish proper. The main fighting force the river, under fire. They were
wished to rectify the injustices of was about 20,000 Irish troops. This badly knocked about, but carried
the Cromwellian settlement and army was raised by Tyrconnel who on defending the bridgehead from
rose for James. preferred Anglo-Norman Irish repeated Jacobite counter attacks. A
After rather sluggish campaign Catholics, but was obliged to enlist charge of Jacobite cavalry dispersed
by the elderly Duke of Schomberg, the Gaelic speaking Irish to make some of the Williamite infantry that
William landed and marched up the numbers. They were mainly crossed, but the Dutch held on and
on Dublin. James met him near armed with matchlocks. the James gave the order for the
Drogheda, north of Dublin and the The Jacobite cavalry were Jacobite army began to withdraw.
two armies faced each other over particularly impressive: The Boyne was not a particularly
the river Boyne. predominantly recruited from bloody battle, with about 2000

casualties all told. Neither William You can explore the field yourself, THE BOYNE
or James were master tacticians, but but there isn’t a walking guide ◗ Victory: Six Banners
they both had plenty of professional available in the Visitors Centre, ◗ Jacobite: 4 cards
advisers. Brigadier Peter Young was though I am told by the staff that ◗ Williamite: 4 cards
of the opinion that soldiers morale they are working on one. While the Williamites move first.
was less decisive than the morale of Visitors Centre is pleasant enough
their leaders. I think it is an arguable (and does a good lunch), to get the ◗ SPECIAL RULES
point but definitely one which most out of your trip, you will need ◗ Leaders: Play as normal, but
stands up with regard to the Boyne. to get a book. be aware of the “Big Show”
William was absolutely determined: special rule.
he faced multiple setbacks COMMANDS & COLOURS: ◗ Infantry: Infantry are four
throughout his life and kept going. THE BOYNE stand units, made up of four
He took he hard decision to flood We used an adaption of Commands musketeers. They shoot as
Holland by opening the dykes, & Colours: Napoleonics for our normal, rolling one die per
rather than let it be taken by the Boyne scenario on the grounds musketeer stand. Some units
French. James as was evidenced that we were only dabbling in the substitute a pikeman for one
by his flight from England after period and better the Devil you of the musketeers. Units with
Williams landing at Torbay, was know. It seemed to work well a pikeman may ignore one flag
more easily rattled. At the Boyne, he for what we wanted. Since then from cavalry attacks. Pikeman
could have fought on and perhaps Commands & Colours: Tricorne attack as normal in melee, but
kept his kingdom, but in reality he has been released which focuses may not shoot.
lost his nerve yet again and cheesed on the American Rebellion, but Infantry did not form square
BELOW
it back to France. William brought quite a there is a Jacobite supplement in this period, trusting in their
His Irish soldiers promptly began considerable artillery coming. Unfortunately, it doesn’t pikes to see off enemy cavalry,
deserting on the not unreasonable park with him, like this cover any of the Irish battles, but so infantry may not form
6lbr saker portrayed in
grounds that if the King didn’t model form I’m sure a bright lad could convert square during this battle. The
fancy hanging around: and why our scenario without too much Jacobite Irish Infantry were
the hell should they? It is said that BOTTOM trouble. You could if you wish, use recently raised and not well
Mind you, the real thing
James fled back to Dublin after the looks quite impressive. the Tactics cards from Expansion 5 armed, though apparently
battle where he encountered Lady It is however, quite Generals, Marshalls & Tactician, but they were equipped with
Tyrconnel, the wife of one of his heavy and rather large we didn’t playtest this with them, matchlocks rather than pikes.
compared to later
generals. He remarked to her that Napoleonic era guns and so they could end up skewing The Irish infantry are rated as
the Irish soldiery has run fast, to so much less mobile things badly. So: on that basis: militia.
which she replied that they might The French infantry were
indeed run fast, “...but your Majesty hardened professionals and are
seems to have beaten them here”. rated as such. They should be
treated as French Line (i.e. +1
WALKING THE FIELD in melee).
Battlefield tourism isn’t really Williams Foot Guards are
a thing in Ireland and there are tough customers and should be
relatively few signposted walks treated as standard infantry, but
that you can go on. The Battle of are allowed to ignore one flag.
the Boyne is the exception here. ◗ Guns: Guns are made up of
There is a visitors centre, which three stands and are classed as
for the princely sum of five euro, foot artillery. Once deployed
will give you a quick run down on they may not be moved
the battle using a topographical except using the Le Grande
model and a rather impressive laser Maneuvre card.
show. I was a bit skeptical when ◗ Cavalry: Cavalry are three
the lady at the desk described it to stand units and otherwise use
me, but it actually looks like you the standard rules.
were watching a sequence from a ◗ Big Show: Both heads of State
computer game play out in front are on the field and this is a
of you. There are some artifacts to battle for succession. In the
examine, a mocked up Williamite event that either of James or
and Jacobite camp and a rather well William are killed, the other
stocked artillery park. side will automatically win.
›
quite slim. It will give you a good suspected COVID-19 at present, so

grounding on the Irish campaign I took the opportunity to follow the
as a whole and some idea of tour along in Google Street view. It’s
its place within the broader not perfect, for example, the stand
European conflict. Of the three at Tullyallen church is blocked by
books I consulted, it has the most hedges, but if you move east along
political detail. the Burris, you can actually get a
Battle of the Boyne 1690 by good view of the ground. It’s not as
Micheal McNally. Much more good as being there, but it’s not bad
extensively illustrated than the at all.
Kinross book, it again gives a Also, this particular book is
broad overview before diving into currently out of print and copies
detail on the battle itself. It follows are quite pricey on Amazon and
The River Boyne is fordable along MAP KEY the Osprey formula and is a good may not include the CD. However,
its entire length, but the marked Black hexes are not in play. addition to the series. If you were while coming back from a Boyne
ford is treated as clear terrain. Jacobite troops are to buy only one book, it should trip, we stopped in at the Visitors
in italics probably be this one. Centre at Newgrange, a neolithic
FIGURES Williamite troops in bold
The Battle of the Boyne 1690: site, which is well worth a visit
The figures we used were from A Guide to the Battlefield by Dr on it’s own account. The chaps at
the Irregular Marlburian range, INF = Infantry Harman Murtagh. This is similar the gift shop there have about 20
which were smallish 20mm, and to the Osprey in that it focuses copies of the Murtagh book left
INF (P) = Infantry with
painted up rather well. They were one Pikeman figure exclusively on the battle and is my and they are €15 each (including
painted by Mr Takacs Krisztian and favourite. It’s well illustrated by CD). They can be contacted at
are now in the collection of John (D) INF= Dutch or Danish Osprey veteran Richard Hook and [email protected].
infantry
Cunningham. There are plenty of the maps, while not as pretty as the
options in 28mm and 15mm and Infantry in Green - Osprey, are good. What sets this CONCLUSION
6mm so availability of figures isn’t are militia apart from the other volumes is that Dipping a toe in other periods is a
a problem. Gun = Artillery it comes with a detailed battlefield dangerous pastime for a dedicated
One option which may horrify guide, complete with photos taken Napoleonics man but I suspect that
purists (but which I’m toying with CAV = Cavalry by the author, as well as aerial my Peter Dennis paper soldiers will
myself) is the Peter Dennis’s War (x)=Leader photography, following the action be getting a work out in the not too
of Spanish Succession Paperboys along. It also comes with an audio distant future. Our rules adaptions
book. This is cracking resource for JACOBITE tour on CD to talk you through the were a bit rough and ready, but
(1) Tyrconnel
figures aimed at Marlborough’s (2) James II action. I used this book on my last they gave a decent game, though
campaigns in Flanders. You colour (3) Berwick trip to the Boyne and it’s as good we have taken certain liberties
photocopy the figures out of the as any battlefield guide I’ve used. to make more of a contest of it. It
WILLIAMITE
book and cut them out, which is (1) Meinhart Schomberg Highly recommended. would a poor show indeed to force
both quicker and cheaper than (2) William III Now, one thing that I realised a wargamer to emulate James III
assembling and painting figures (3) Marshall Schomberg while writing this is that this guide lack of nerve. As for the Boyne
yourself. Unfortunately while is actually a driving guide and battlefield, I will definitely be back,
the uniforms are quite close gives you road directions to get to once this blasted quarantine is over.
particularly if you’re willing to particular viewing areas (called There is no substitute for actually
recolour the odd cuff here and 'stands'). I’m in quarantine with being there. ■
there, the tricorne is worn almost
exclusively. Troops at the Boyne
wore much less shaped headgear,
which was rather more floppy
than the neated pinned and taped
tricorne worn by the later troops.
I’m not sure if that’s a compromise
I’m willing to live with yet... RIGHT
Picture taken by the
author walking along the
SOURCES main line of the Jacobite
Great Battles: The Boyne & position. The river is
Aughrim - The War of Two Kings about three hundred
yards to the left and
by John Kinross. This is a general the grounds rolls gently
introduction to the period and is down towards it

SMUGGLERS &
ABOVE
The Smugglers
take over the
Inn. Shots in this
piece use "The
Stoic Arms" by
4Ground.
THE HANGMEN
The Hawkhurst Gang and the “Battle” of Goudhurst 1747
Words by Chris Swan | Pictures by John Treadaway
ipling’s poem The Smugglers song begins with educated only two miles from where I live and the
K the lines “Five and twenty ponies trotting through

the dark”. It was published in 1906 and tells the
tale of “the gentlemen” or smugglers as they go
about their business. Smugglers were very active across
Kent and East Sussex in the 18th century bringing in
Marsh is only a one hour drive away. In addition, the
Hoo Peninsula which is only a 15 minutes drive from
my home and is bounded on one side by the Thames
Estuary and on the other by the River Medway was
an equally notorious smugglers’ landing site together
goods from France and the Low Countries (modern day with the numerous creeks and inlets which are dotted
Holland and Belgium) to evade excise duty or tax on along the river especially those in and around the
luxury goods including brandy, tobacco, lace and tea. towns of Sittingbourne and Faversham. In the 1720’s
The stretch of coast between Hythe and Rye, the writer Daniel Defoe wrote of the latter “I know
especially Romney Marsh, was notorious for nothing else this town is remarkable for except the most
smuggling “runs” and is the setting for Russell notorious smuggling trade”.
Thorndyke’s series of seven novels featuring Dr Syn, However, the reality was actually much darker and
who is also the former pirate Captain Clegg and is now more violent then the romanticised stories could ever
The Scarecrow: the disguised leader of the smugglers. convey and provides great inspiration for skirmish
I have an interest in his stories and 18th century games rich with plot lines which can be played out
smuggling in general as Thorndyke was born and using a only a few figures.

THE BACKGROUND the Kent and Sussex coasts and claimed that that more
“Brandy for the Parson, ‘Baccy for the Clerk” tea had been smuggled into Britain than had been
Smuggling in the 18th Century was very lucrative brought in legally.
and was supported by many members of society from In the early 1700s the Customs service had a duty
the local farmer, who might supply ponies to carry to intercept smugglers’ ships but had only 20 armed
contraband or a safe location in which to store it, to the Revenue craft supported by 4 small ships of the Royal
squire or lord of the manor, who was often the local Navy to cover the whole coastline of England and
magistrate and turned a blind eye to the activities of Wales. On land, the only force opposing them was the
the smugglers in his area provided that they supplied Riding Officers of the Revenue Service. Originally set
him with goods or paid him off. As Kipling’s poem so up to stop the illegal export of wool, by the mid 1700s
aptly phrases it: “Brandy for the Parson, ‘Baccy for the their duties covered all forms of smuggling. A solitary
Clerk, Lace for a lady; letters for a spy - watch the wall my Riding officer would be assigned an area of coast to
darling as the gentlemen go by.” patrol (four miles in the most active smuggling areas
The biggest profit was made from smuggling Tea. and ten miles elsewhere) and, as his duties included
In the 18th century tea was an expensive luxury. A tackling violent bands of smugglers, he could summon
single pound of tea cost more than a skilled workman military support from local garrisons – usually
could earn in a week. This was due to the monopoly Dragoons – to aid him when necessary. When Daniel
on importing tea held by the East India Company and Defoe rode through Hythe towards Rye in the 1720s
King George’s Government who added an import he saw riding officers and Dragoons searching the
tax which more than doubled its price at auction. marshes for smugglers “as if they were huntsmen beating
Smugglers could buy tea cheaply in Holland and sell it up their game.”
in England for 10 times its purchase price but this still The government did not provide enough money
meant it was cheaper than “legal “tea on which tax had BELOW to employ a full-time force of professionals so many
A band of
been paid. In 1777 Excise Officers estimated that in that villainous Riding officers had other jobs and carried out their
year alone over 1,100 tons of tea had been landed on rogues. duties in their spare time or when convenient to
themselves. Some were in league with the smugglers.
One smuggler from West Sussex said of the Riding
Officer for his area: “it is easy as can be to make him quiet,
for do but dash a bottle of Brandy in his face and he is as
blind as a beetle”.
The preventative services did have some success.
For example, between 1723 and 1736 “over 200 boats
had been seized, 2,000 men prosecuted and over
200,000 gallons of brandy confiscated, although over
250 revenue officers had been beaten or wounded and
10 had been killed.” However, even the most honest
officers were wary of large armed gangs and of the
local population who supported them through greed
or fear. Such was the case across West Kent and Sussex
under the power of the Hawkhurst Gang.
THE HAWKHURST GANG

“Unredeemed brutes.”
The gang was first mentioned as the “Holkhourst
Genge” in 1735. Named after the village of Hawkhurst
in Kent, the gang reportedly used the Oak and Ivy Inn
in Hawkhurst and in the Mermaid Inn in Rye, West
Sussex as their main bases.
Allegedly the gang could call upon several hundred
members when needed and virtually ruled large
parts of Kent and Sussex. The gang’s success relied
on their ability to dominate through terror; the gang
was often referred to in local papers as “unredeemed
brutes.” For example when a young man called
James Marshall was thought to be taking too keen
an interest in their activities in Rye he was taken
away and never seen again. Such brutality was not
›
SMUGGLERS & THE HANGMEN
restricted to innocent bystanders. When one of the BELOW

gang was suspected of providing information against Troops deployed
under the
them he was flogged to death. They even fought viaduct and
“turf wars” with other gangs. When the gang fell along Sidney
out with a group from Wingham near Dover in Kent Street.
over a consignment of tea the argument was settled
with swords The Hawkhurst gang won the argument
wounding seven Wingham men and seizing 40 of
their horses for use as pack animals.
The gang was so powerful that it even felt able
to attack the military. In 1740, Thomas Carswell, a
Riding Officer, and his escort of Dragoons found
some smuggled tea in a barn and were transporting
it by cart to Hastings. They were attacked on route
between Hurst Green and Robertsbidge by about
thirty men. Carswell was killed and his escort was
captured and disarmed before the smugglers made
off with the cart and the tea. On another occasion in
1744, they unloaded so much contraband from three
cutters at Pevensey Bay in East Sussex that it took
around 500 pack horses to transport the smuggled
goods inland. Nobody tried to stop them. The gang’s
criminal activities were not just limited to smuggling.
They were also accused of “supporting themselves by
highway robberies and house-breaking”.
GOUDHURST & ITS MILITIA

“The people having Notice of it got all armed”
The gang was very active in and around the small Kent
town of Goudhurst and frequented the Star and Eagle
tavern in the town. The Maidstone Journal of 1847
recalled that: “It is well known that a hundred years ago
the farmers’ wives and daughters used to attend the weekly
markets at villages with their butter, cheese, eggs and pork
and that in many instances the smugglers laid hands on
them, stripped them and bound them in a state of nudity to
adjacent posts or trees and then pelted them with their own
butter and eggs leaving them in a most pitiful state.”
The acts of theft and intimidation grew so bad that
many in Goudhurst faced a choice of either deserting
their homes or uniting to oppose the smugglers. The
residents chose the latter and signed a declaration
“expressing their abhorrence of the conduct of the smugglers,
and their determination to oppose them.” To back up
their declaration they formed “The Goudhurst Band
of Militia.” The militia was led by William Sturt who
had been baptised in St Mary’s the Virgin Church in
Goudhurst and had returned home after leaving the
army. Sturt had served in Henry Harrison’s Regiment
of Foot, (later the 15th Foot) where he had reached
the rank of Corporal. It is possible that he was present
one night in 1744 when 30 men from his regiment
ambushed a band of smugglers at Bexhill, Sussex
during which several gang members were killed and
10 were captured, all of whom were later tried and
executed. He almost certainly took part in the English
The Smugglers attack.
raid on L’Orient in Brittany in 1746.

RIGHT Clearly the gang could not let this act of defiance go 7th October they found that the customs house was
The “Nest unpunished and so their leader, Thomas Kingsmill, protected by the guns of a naval sloop but realised that
of Vipers,”
anarchists give informed the residents that his gang would attack at – as the tide fell – the ship’s guns would no longer be
fire from their 5 o’clock on 21st April 1747 and “by force of arms, takes able to cover the quay. At around 2am on 8th October
hideaway. possession of the town, murder its inhabitants, and after they broke into the customs house and recovered all
plundering would reduce it to ashes” and to “broil and eat of the tea but left behind the brandy and rum as they
the hearts of defenders.” had insufficient horses to transport it. They were
What actually happened was very different. unopposed for the whole of their return journey.
The Kentish Post for 22nd April 1747 reported However, their acts of brutality finally led to their
that “Yesterday, about Five o’clock in the afternoon, 15 downfall. Several months after the raid in Poole a
Smugglers went to Goudhurst, all armed with Pistols & member of the gang known as Diamond was captured.
knives and swore they would fire the town. The people On route to the trial the gang kidnapped the key
having Notice of it, got all armed and received their first witness against him, Daniel Chater, and his escort, a
Fire, but none were hurt; they fired at the Smugglers riding officer called William Galley. They were both
and shot two through their Heads, whereupon the others tortured and Galley was buried alive. Chater was
RIGHT made off.” The two dead smugglers were identified thrown “headlong into a well and fancying they heard him
Police reserves
arrive on Sidney as Thomas Kingsmill’s brother George and a man breathe or groan they threw posts and stones in upon him.”
Street by way called Wollit. The Government and, more importantly, the local
of a viaduct on population had had enough. A list of known gang
Nelson Street.
HEROES OR HUNTERS members was published in the London Gazette and
“Extremely Vigilant in endeavouring to apprehend the those named were given 40 days to surrender or they
Smugglers” would be condemned to death. In addition, informants
Historically it has been assumed that the Goudhurst were promised a royal pardon together with a £500
Militia was formed solely to defend the village from the reward for each smuggler who was captured. Thomas
ravages of the smugglers. However, some local historians Kingsmill and the key members of the gang were
now challenge this view following the discovery of a soon caught, tried and convicted. Kingsmill and three
letter from the 1740s in which Mr Wood of the Customs others were hung at Tyburn on 26th April 1749. In
House writes to Surveyor General Collier asking whether all 25 members of the gang were hung and a further
Collier supports the actions of a group of residents 40 transported to North America and the Caribbean
from Goudhurst who “have taken up arms and frequently as conscript labour. The bodies of 14 gang members
rummage all Houses and Places suspected of harbouring were hung in chains as a warning to others. Thomas
smugglers and are extremely Vigilant in endeavouring to Kingsmill’s body was hung in the gibbet at Goudhurst.
apprehend the Smugglers”. Wood’s suggestion is that they As the papers reported, the Hawkhurst Gang was
were in fact acting as bounty hunters. essentially “smashed up to the relief of all peaceful and law-
This is feasible given that the annual wage for a abiding citizens.”
farm labourer in the 1740s was around £15 per annum As for William Sturt, he married twice, became the
and the reward for each smuggler captured was £50. Master of Goudhurst Workhouse in 1765 and died on
Indeed a petition to the treasury from members of the 25th June 1797 aged 79.
Goudhurst Militia after the battle supports this theory,
as in it they request a £150 reward for the killing of ARMS & THE MAN
George Kingsmill and Wollit. So Sturt’s Militia may “The people having Notice of it got all armed”
well have been formed as bounty hunters but whether
heroes or hunters they certainly gave their oppressors a THE SMUGGLERS
bloody nose. The report from Kentish Post says the smugglers were
armed with Pistols. This makes sense as they would
THE END OF THE GANG have normally needed to use both hands to move
“Smashed up to the relief of all peaceful and law- barrels or bundles or packages off of boats and on
abiding citizens.” to ponies or into carts or wagons. Single shot pistols
Although the smugglers had suffered a setback to their were freely available and could be thrust through or
power in Kent, their reputation further afield remained hooked onto belts or placed into horse holsters. These
unchecked. In September 1747 the Revenue Service were sturdy and robust weapons and most had a
captured a Dorset smuggler’s ship, The Three-Brothers, brass fitting on the butt making them useful as a club
placing its cargo of contraband, “upwards of two tons of once fired.
tea and thirty-nine casks of spirits” in the Customs House It may well be that the smugglers also made use of
in Poole. Blunderbusses. The Blunderbuss, or its smaller pistol
The Dorset smugglers asked the Hawkhurst Gang version the Dragon, (from which the word Dragoon
to assist them in recovering it. On arriving in Poole on may have originated) has a flared muzzle intended not
›
CLOCKWISE only to increase the spread of the shot but also make and expensive. Used for hunting by the rich they were
FROM ABOVE
it easier to reload when on horseback or on a moving usually called Sporting Guns.
Ladies of the
town. carriage. Modern tests have shown that shot from a The Militia may well have carried some form
blunderbuss could spread out to a width of over 30” of bladed weapon with the most well off carrying
A band of
and could thus cause multiple wounds or hit more swords but more likely given the rural setting some
villainous
rogues. than one target. A blunderbuss was typically loaded of the Militia could have been armed with edged
with a number of balls but anecdotal stories often or tined farm implements such as scythes and pitch
The townsfolk
refer to such weapons being loaded with nails, tacks, forks. Both sides may also have made use of clubs,
try to flee the
fight. scrap metal and even broken glass or small stones and cudgels and axes.
pebbles. Firing such objects would have resulted in
damage to the gun’s bore but meant that ammunition THE PREVENTIVE SERVICES
for it would have been easy to find. The Kentish Post Riding Officers would have been armed with pistols,
also says the smugglers were armed with knives but usually carried in horse holsters and probably a
this was a catch-all phrase often used to mean any form sword. The Dragoons would have had carried one or
of bladed weapon used in combat, so would include two pistols in horse holsters, a musket and a hanger
swords and cutlasses as well. or sword, whilst any infantry would have carried a
musket and bayonet although any officers would have
THE MILITIA been armed with pistol and sword.
The Militia is supposed to have been armed with
shoulder arms but it is possible that one or two SMUGGLING STORIES
smugglers might also have carried such a weapon. So smuggling in the 18th century was big business
Muskets were available and these would have been and a bloody one at that but our business is playing
supplemented by Fowling Pieces. These could be single games! With that in mind I have created a scenario
or double barrelled shoulder arms used for hunting which is inspired by the defence of Goudhurst but not
game or water fowl, hence the name. These fired small wholly based on it. It involves the fictional town of
shot or pellets and were in effect shot guns. During this Gillinghurst, which I have placed near to a river I have
period rifles did exist in Great Britain but were rare named the Meadway and its surrounding marshes. I

have set my story in Kent but the scenario can be set Captain Stout’s Militia
anywhere in the UK which has a coast nearby. The NAME TYPE DICE PERSONALITY SKILLS/TRAITS WEAPONS
scenario also includes options for the players to add “Captain” Jack Stout Main 3 cards Natural Leader Brave Musket – 24
Ex-soldier Character 2D10 High Quick Witted paces
additional challenges to the game which capture some Fighter Pistol – 8
of the suspense and romance of the fictional stories as paces
Sword
well as some extra fun.
Doctor Luke Drabble Secondary 2 cards Disciplined Expert Shot Double
In addition, I have provided the outlines for two Local GP Character 1D10 Healer/Medic Barrelled
Fowling Piece
additional scenarios inspired by real events which – 20 paces
players may want to try out once their appetite for Isaac Potts Secondary 2 cards Stealthy Marksman Musket – 24
smuggling stories has been wetted, preferably with Local Poacher Character 1D10 Surefooted paces
Knife
contraband tea. Squire James Marston Minor 1 card Brave Quick witted 2 x Duelling
Local Land Owner Character 1D10 Pistols – 10
paces
SCENARIO 1: Sword
TAKING POSSESSION OF THE TOWN Saul Meadows Minor 1 card Rash Tough Musket – 24
The Town of Gillinghurst Farm Labourer Character 1D10 paces
Club
The town should have a number of buildings including Jacob Meadows Minor 1 card Brave Brawler Musket – 24
the Church of St Christopher the Poor Traveller, the Farm Labourer Character 1D10 paces
Club
Swan Inn and the Squire’s House.
I set the town up on a 4’ by 4’ table and used six The Militia begin the scenario deployed in the churchyard but up
buildings including a walled Church together with to two characters can begin the game deployed in any building or
hedge rows and fields to give a rural setting but buildings within 12” of the church.
players can use whatever buildings and scenery they
have provided that the Church, Inn and the Squire’s The Hangmen
House are all represented. These should be placed NAME TYPE DICE PERSONALITY SKILLS/TRAITS WEAPONS
within 12” of each other arranged on opposite sides Septimus Gallows Main 3 cards Ruthless 2 X Pistols – 8
Gang leader Character 2D10 High paces
of a road which runs through the town or grouped Sword
around a town square.
Silas Gallows Secondary 2 cards Bloodthirsty Fighter Pistol – 8
His violent Brother Character 1D10 Rash paces
The Protagonists Cutlass
In the first scenario they are The Hangmen, a group Jonathan Jenkins Minor 1 card Brave Fighter Pistol – 8
of smugglers who dominate the local area through A Smuggler Character 1D10 paces
Cutlass
acts of violence and terror and their opponents, the
Nathaniel Sly Minor 1 card Rash Fighter Pistol – 8
Gillinghurst Militia Men. A Smuggler Character 1D10 paces
The Hangmen’s name not only refers to their method Hand Axe and
Knife
of punishing any who oppose them but is also a play
Harry Bedews Minor 1 card Brave Brawler Blunderbuss –
on words on the name of the gang’s leader, Septimus A Smuggler Character 1D10 12 paces
Knife
Gallows. The gang currently consists of Septimus and
six others, including his violent brother Silas Gallows. Mark Crudely Minor 1 card Rash Brawler Blunderbuss –
A Smuggler Character 1D10 12 paces
Until now the gang has ruled the roost but the arrival Knife
of “Captain” Jack Stout back from the wars to his home
Israel Crow Minor 1 card Quick Witted Brawler Musket – 24
town of Gillinghurst has put some backbone into the A Smuggler Character 1D10 paces
Cutlass
locals who have now formed a Militia to oppose them.
This includes the Doctor Drabble who is the town’s GP The Hangmen begin the game deployed on the table edge furthest
as well as a noted hunter and naturalist, Isaac Potts the away from the church and a minimum of 24” from it: they may be
local poacher, Squire Marston a local landowner and the split into between 1 and 3 groups.
Meadows brothers who are farm labourers. The Militia is
also not above actively seeking out suspected smugglers VICTORY CONDITIONS
and capturing them for the reward. They have recently The Smugglers must:
seized a suspected smuggler called McGowan who is ◗ Seize the Church and free the prisoner
their prisoner and is locked in the crypt of the church ◗ Loot and /or burn down the Inn to set an example
until he can be handed over to the authorities. ◗ Cause as many casualties as they can on the Militia.
The Hangmen have announced that they will burn
down the town tomorrow at 4.0’clock unless McGowan The Militia must:
is released, the Militia disarm and all of the town’s ◗ Defend the Church and their prisoner
valuables are handed over. Naturally the residents ◗ Cause sufficient casualties to the smugglers to force them to
have refused and so conflict is looming. withdraw
◗ Roll for initiative to see who will go first. ◗ Capture any of the smugglers for the reward
›
The side which gains the most objectives is the of the Dread Pirate Roberts. Once he found it he cheated one of his
winner – if no objectives are gained or both sides gain fellow treasure hunters, a one legged seafaring man known a Barbecue
the same number then the game ends in a draw. Bronze, out of his share. Bronze has now arrived at the Swan Inn and is
waiting for a chance for revenge. He wants to kill the Squire and escape
Time Limit from the table. His figure is placed in the Inn and can be played as a
The game should have limited playing time to reflect member of the gang or as a totally independent character.
the need for the smugglers to free the prisoner
McGowan before Dragoons from the neighbouring NAME TYPE DICE PERSONALITY SKILLS/TRAITS WEAPONS
town of Hoochester arrive. Thus after 6 moves roll Barbecue Bronze Secondary 2 cards Ruthless Expert shot 2 X Pistols – 8
A Sea Cook Character 1D10 Quick Witted paces
1D6, if a 1 is rolled the game stops at that point; if this Sword
does not happen, then on the next turn roll again with
the game stopping on a 1 or 2. On subsequent turns “Tunnel”
increase the score needed to end the game by 1 and so In Goudhurst there is legend that a tunnel stretches from the local
on until the game automatically stops after turn 11. pub to Church Yard but in Gillinghurst this tunnel is real and the
smugglers know of it. If they enter the Inn roll 1D6
ADDED CHALLENGES
If you want to make the game more challenging then DICE SCORE EFFECT
you can add in one or more of the following options. 1 Can’t Find It – look for the tunnel entrance again next turn
Chose those which take your fancy or otherwise select 2 Found It - They have found the tunnel entrance but need to open it - roll again
next turn adding + 1 to the roll
them randomly with each player rolling 1d6 to see
3 or 4 Along the Tunnel –the smugglers take 2 moves to travel along the tunnel, and
which ones are in play. Reroll any duplicate results. they will appear in a random area of the church yard.
5 or 6 Along the Tunnel Quickly –the smugglers take 1 move to travel along the tunnel
DICE SCORE COMPLICATION and they will appear in a random area of the church yard.
1 Mist rolling in from the Sea
2 A One legged Seafaring Man Up to 2 smugglers can travel along the tunnel at any one time.
3 Tunnel Note: You could allow the defenders to use the tunnel instead thus moving
4 The Hooded Man unseen between the Church and the Inn.
5 Grenade!
6 The farmers’ wives and daughters “The Hooded Man”
The recently arrived Reverend Bliss is not what he seems. He is also The
“Mist rolling in from the Sea” Hooded Man, leader of the smugglers called The Wild Hunt who use
Goudhurst is actually far inland but I have chosen to supernatural scare tactics to disguise their activities. He wants Septimus
locate my town of Gillinghurst within a few miles of Gallows and his brother dead so he can take over all smuggling in this
the Kent coast. This option allows for a sea mist to roll area but must not be seen to perform an act of violence so must kill the
in and obscure visibility. Gallows in secret. His figure is placed in the Church and can be played as
◗ Anyone in the Open and in clear visibility is a member of the Militia or as a totally independent character.
automatically seen
◗ Anyone in the open but in the Mist or in clear NAME TYPE DICE PERSONALITY SKILLS/TRAITS WEAPONS
visibility but in some form of cover needs to be Reverend Bliss Secondary 2 cards Ruthless Expert shot Pistol – 8
“The Hooded Man” Character 1D10 Quick Witted paces
located by a visibility test. Dagger
◗ Anyone in the Mist and in some form of cover needs
to be located by a reduced visibility test.
◗ Any character who fires has their chance of being
spotted improved by 1 category
◗ At the start of the game roll 1d6 and check the
weather chart. Unless a 6 is rolled test again each
turn to see if the mist thickens or clears.
DICE SCORE EFFECT
1 Thick Mist – the range for clear visibility is 12 paces.
2 or 3 Mist - the range for clear visibility is 24 paces.
4 or 5 Slightly Misty - the range for clear visibility is 36 paces.
6 No Mist and mist clears away
“A One legged Seafaring Man”

Squire Marston has a secret – several years ago as a
young man he took part in a voyage to find the treasure

“Grenade” ABOVE “The farmers’ wives and daughters”
The Smugglers
One side, determined randomly, has acquired 2 fused search for the
At Goudhurst the families had fled before the battle started
grenades from the local garrison. Nominate which hidden passage: but at Gillinghurst they haven’t had the chance to – so
character(s) carry them. When they are to be used there's got to they are hiding in one of the buildings other than the
be a trap door
roll 1D6 around here
church. The Militia player chooses a building and places
somewhere! five figures of women and children into it. They count as
DICE SCORE EFFECT unarmed except for some improvised weapons such a
OPPOSITE
1 Boom! – The grenade explodes as soon as the fuse is lit or The Squire is
brooms, frying pans or pots filled with scalding water or
goes off as soon as it is picked up – roll for injury to the
character lighting it and any characters within 2 paces. Test attacked! obnoxious personal substances.
for Effect of Hits as if the character (s) were hit by a High The smugglers could try to locate them and seize them
Impact Weapon.
to use as hostages or the militia may choose to place one or
2 Splutter! – the fuse fails to light or goes out – try again
next turn more character with them as protection.
3 Lands but does not explode - The grenade lands where the If taken as hostages they can be used in two
character wanted but fails to explode this turn. A character
who has not yet had a turn and passes a courage test may alternative ways:
pick it up and try to throw it back - roll 1D6 but deduct 1 ◗ As Human shields – a smuggler places a female hostage
from the roll
4 Missed and Boom! - The grenade fails to land where the in front of him and so any shot fired at him frontally must
character wanted: Determine randomly where it landed first hit the woman – a marksman or expert shot may
before it exploded – roll for injury to any characters within
2 paces of where it landed: Test for Effect of Hits as if the ignore this if they make an aimed shot at the man instead.
character (s) were hit by a High Impact Weapon.
◗ As a bargaining tool – The smugglers place the women
5 or 6 Landed and Boom! – The grenade lands where the
character wanted and explodes– roll for injury to any in a line and offer to exchange them for the prisoner – the
characters within 2 paces of where it landed: Test for Militia must each take a courage/morale test and if more
Effect of Hits as if the character (s) were hit by a High
Impact Weapon. fail than pass then they will agree to the deal.
›
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE

An armed local fights back.
The one legged sea faring man appears. Shiver those timbers!
Captain Stout prepares to fight.
SCENARIO 2: THE FIGHT ON THE SHORE scenario begins. Their objective is to escape off of the
Fiction to the contrary, fights on the beach between table via the countryside. If they can do so with some
Smugglers and Revenue men aided by the military were of the contraband they will score a major victory.
rare occurrences. One example did take place in Botany The last zone is 4’ wide x 24” deep and is the
Bay near to Broadstairs in Kent in 1769 when a military beginning of the countryside, covered in scrub and
patrol accompanied by revenue officers surprised a band stunted trees. This could also include a cliff edge with a
of smugglers in the early hours of the morning whilst path leading up or through it.
they were offloading contraband on the shore. In the As the game is set in the early hours of the morning
ensuing fight 10 smugglers were killed, 8 captured but 4 clear visibility is set at 12”- anyone beyond this has
escaped killing a riding officer whilst doing so. to be spotted although any one firing or using a light
This scenario is set on the Kent coast at Flora Bay a to illuminate the area will be seen automatically. For
few miles from Gillinghurst. It should be played on a 4’ this game use the Hangmen for the Smugglers and the
x 4’ table divided into three zones. The first of these is following for the patrol:
along one table edge is 4’ wide and 6” deep and is the
sea/water’s edge: all movement in this area counts as NAME TYPE DICE PERSONALITY SKILLS/TRAITS WEAPONS
bad going especially for those in riding boots! Jonathan Crane Main 3 cards Natural Leader Brave Pistol – 8
Revenue Officer Character 2D10 Quick Witted paces
Adjoining this is an area 4’ wide by 18” deep High Fighter Sword
which is the shore – made up of shingle or sand – Lieutenant D’Vere a Secondary 2 cards Rash Brave Pistol – 8
again players may want to reduce movement rates Foppish Officer Character 1D10 Bladesman paces
Sword
in some areas due to deep sand or shifting shingle.
In the middle of this near to the water are several 5 dismounted Minor 1 card Disciplined Brawlers or Musket – 24
Dragoons or Infantry Characters each Fighters paces &
barrels, small chests and packages all containing Corporal Adams & 1D10 Sword if
Privates Beamish, Dragoons or
smuggled goods plus 3 or more pack horses/ponies Culpepper, Dodds & Bayonet if
Eaves Infantry
– the Smugglers are grouped around these when the

The patrol may enter the table as one big group or be
split into two or three groups. They are deployed 6”
in at one or both ends of the beach; if three groups are
used then one may be placed anywhere in the country
side zone where it can attempt to block the smugglers
retreat from the beach. Their objective is to capture or
kill as many of the smugglers as possible.
SCENARIO 3: ESCORTING THE GOODS

This type of game represents an attack on a convoy
of contraband. It could be the smugglers escorting
pack horses to a nearby barn for storage or the
Revenue with some dragoons or Infantry taking
seized goods in a cart to a safer location which,
in my setting, is the Customs House at nearby
Hoochester. It may be used as a follow up to The
Fight on the Shore: indeed if the patrol captured
one or more smugglers then the “goods” could be
prisoners being taken to the nearby goal.
It is played on a 4’ x 4’ table the set should have a
road winding through it, perhaps crossing a bridge
at mid point. The surrounding area is covered with
scrub, trees or fields lined by hedges and walls. Again ABOVE
Defend the
RULES SETS & FIGURES
use the Hangmen for the smugglers and the Revenue Inn – any To play these Games I have set out some generic characters
men/Dragoons/Infantry given above. Either or both resemblance for players to use based on the By Crom! Rules which can
parties could be on horseback. If the “goods” are being by one of the be found on this magazine’s web site tabletopgaming.co.uk/
figures to the
conveyed by the smugglers they are on three or more editor is purely downloads, but any good set of one to one skirmish rules
pack horse/ponies: if by the Revenue they are in a coincidental! which emphasises combat with black powder weapons
cart or wagon. Whoever is escorting the “goods” their (Har har me and allows for close combat can be used. A supplementary
laddybucks etc!
objective is to travel along the road from their entry Ed.) page listing black powder small arms used by smugglers
point on one table edge and exit where the road leaves and their opponents and the rules for using them under
the table on the opposite table edge. BELOW By Crom! can also be found on the web site.
A smuggler
The attacker can place half of their force in ambush confronts one To play all of these games you will need around
and bring the rest onto the table from a random of Captain twenty figures plus a further five for the females and
location excluding the table edges where the convoy Stout's Militia children option so these scenarios should be within
men.
must enter and exit. Their objective is to seize the everyone’s pocket. The numbers also lend themselves
“goods” and escape of off the table. In both games a to using larger scale figures such as 40mm or 54mm.
time limit should be set to determine who wins. We used 28mm figures from Black Scorpion’s Pirate
Range and civilians from Redoubts’ French Indian
War range. There are plenty of pirate and 18th century
figures out there providing you choose figures with
tricorn or broad brimmed “floppy “hats, head scarves or
who are bareheaded. The choice is so wide that it would
be impossible to list them all but Out Post Wargames
Service does a range of Highwaymen, smugglers and
both mounted and dismounted dragoons. Also look
at Wargames Foundry, North Star Designs, Perry
Miniatures AWI range, Front Rank and The Galloping
Major to name but a few. Parkfield Miniatures also
does a nice range of 25mm smuggler figures including a
Scarecrow figure along with some Revenue men.
So will the Smugglers make a
successful “run” or will they be
DOWNLOAD THE
caught by the prevention men and BLACK POWDER
hang at the next assizes? Only WEAPONS
you and the gods of the dice will INFORMATION
decide! Happy Gaming. ■ tabletopgaming.co.uk/
information/downloads

A CELEBRATION OF
MINIATURES, RPGS, BOARD
OAR
GAMES & CARD GAMES
AMES
ALL UNDER ONE ROOF!
OOF!
T WO DAYS, ONE V ENUE, HUNDREDS OF GAMES = HOURS
S OF FUN!
TICKETS FROM £16 K I D S UNDER 10 GO FREE
PLAY!
Blockbusters such as:
TAKE PART!
» Play Underworlds with Agents of Sigmar*
» Hands on workshops
» Battle Sheep » King of Tokyo
» Inspiring talks
» Blockbuster » Magnate
*for more information and to book your ticket go to
» Catan » Paupers’ Ladder
» Cruel Seas » Rats to Riches ttgami.ng/underworlds
» Dune » Sushi Go! PLUS! HUGE OPEN GAMING AREA
» Drop Fleet » The Chameleon
Commander » Villainous AND FREE BOARD GAME LIBRARY
» Forbidden Sky » Word Press SPONSORED BY THE LUDOQUIST
» Hive » PLUS lots more!
» Jaws
S E E I T | P L AY I T |
BUY IT
26th and 27th September 2020

Alexandra Palace,
London
BUY!
» Asmodee » Chaos Cards » IronGateScenery
» Atlantic » Critical Kit » Lion Tower
Miniatures » Culverin Models Miniatures
» Accentuate » Darkstar » Kasasagi
Games Miniatures Jewellery
» Artmaster » Days of Wonder » Librium Games
» Battle Foam » Decking » Loke Battlemats
» Battlefront Awesome Games » Meeples’ Corner
Miniatures » DMB Games » Miniature
» Bear Bros » Ed’s Gaming Wargames
Gaming Emporium » My Mini Factory
» Bedsit Games » Exit 23 Games » Naylor Games
» Blue Orange » Fantasy Flight » Pagan Miniatures
» Big Potato Games » Ravensburger
» Blotz » Firestorm Cards » Redwell Games
» Catan » Gail Force Nine » Ruined Sky
» Cerberus Studios » Games & Gears Games
» Gamewright » Sarissa Precision
» Geek Villain » Shades of
» Gen Four Two Vengeance
» Great Art » Tabletop Gaming
» Harps Corp » Themeborne
» Honeybadger » TTCombat
Games » Warlord Games
» Horrible Guild » Zatu Games
Game Studio » Z Man Games
» Iello » PLUS more!
PRESEN T ING PAR T NER

WATCH
OUR PREVIEW
VIDEO AT:
VISIT: ttgami.ng/ttgl2020 tt gami.ng/wat chm
e
TICKET HOTLINE: 0844 338 0338

REVIEWS
DEFENCE RULE BOOKS

& FIGURES
STALINGRAD WHITE OUT

◗ Campaign book for Bolt Action 2 ◗ 28mm miniatures for snowy climes
◗ ospreypublishing.com ◗ wargamesbuildings.co.uk
◗ £20 ◗ £12-£17.50
One of the most infamous and decisive Last month I reviewed the White Out rules
battles of the Second World War, Stalingrad by Sally 4th and I mentioned that they had
was a turning point of the Eastern Front, released an accompanying figure range to
IN DEPTH
showing that the German juggernaut was go with the rule set. In the review, there was
not invincible. This new Campaign Book for even a picture of the Cargo Quad Trax, not
Bolt Action is effectively a reworked one that that I’d seen one in the flesh but I now have
was previously published for the Bolt Action my hands on a few of the actual miniatures
rule set. I haven’t got one of those original for use in the game or, indeed, any other
versions to hand so it’s hard to compare game that needs figures in winter clothing.
what’s changed but I can say a few things. I have three packs: the Skidoo, the
The scenario allows players to refight the Gyrocopter and a pack of the Ski Pursuit
fierce Battle of Stalingrad, from the actions Infantry. Dealing with the transportation
of the surrounding area and within the city first, the Skidoo is a resin and white metal
itself, to the encirclement, concerted relief kit with the resin body as a one piece, 55mm
efforts, and the final attempted breakout. long casting (complete with the rear track
New linked scenarios, rules, troop types, and assembly) and the front skid, handlebars
Theatre Selectors provide plenty of options and rider as white metal. The ‘60s looking
for both novice and veteran players alike. vehicle has a saddle big enough for an
The book is in the usual soft backed ‘Osprey’ additional passenger, and is a very pleasing.
style and is sumptuously illustrated by Peter That is £12.50 whereas – for a fiver more
Dennis with lots of terrific photographic – your guys can take to the skies (for a
illustration of the sort that few can equal and better vantage point for shooting the shape
no one beats them at. It’s 176 pages or so changing huskies, no doubt...). The resin
and – along with the scenarios – has lots of and metal Gyrocopter is 70mm long plus and
scenario specific special rules like Constant 90mm across the rotor. It features a pilot and
Bombardment; Snow; Digging in; Fuel and tricycle undercarriage in white metal.
Ammo shortages; Supply Drops; City Fighting Detail on both vehicles is good although
and Rubble; Messengers; Demolition Charges the crew figures are quite stylised, as are the
and Rifle Grenade Adaptors. Those new Theatre Skiers. It’s sometimes difficult to judge this
Selectors cover Soviet and German forces plus sort of stuff well, especially when they are all
Romanians as well (with some details for the wearing full winter parkas. The Ski Pursuit
latter on things like Tankettes and Armoured Infantry pack I mentioned is £12 and comes
Cars). The German and Rooskies Selectors with four chaps with slot base tabs and skis
are even delineated by the month of the year (if you chose to mount them, though they
(so from August to December ’45). can be stuck scenically into the snow as
I’ll say what I always say at this point well). Armed with a selection of M16 type
with the Bolt Action material: even if you weapons plus one with a pistol, these four
don’t use the rule system it’s an excellent figures come with black plastic bases though
and inspirational potted history and I’d have thought they would ideally suit
scenario book. Sally 4th’s excellent clear plastic offerings.

RED STAR, BURNING STREETS ENTER THE ABYSS FROM THE NILE TO NIPPON
◗ Cold War scenarios for The Zone ◗ Ragnarok supplement ◗ 18mm Samurai & Napoleon in Egypt
◗ caliverbooks.com ◗ ospreypublishing.com ◗ lancashiregames.com
◗ £17.50 ◗ £20 ◗ £3.10 and more
Caliver sent a supplement for the Cold Osprey have released The Abyss, a Lancashire Games, have some new releases
War Era rule set called The Zone by Wayne supplement for their Ragnarok ‘Norse in their popular 18mm range and all should
Bolland that I reviewed in issue 432 of meets Heavy Metal’ gaming system. Set in be available by the time you read this. The
Miniature Wargames. That rule set is a large Ginnungagap (the eponymous – but rather first releases are some from Napoleon’s
skirmish system (30 to 60 figures) and uses harder to pronounce – Gaping Abyss), it campaign into Egypt in the very late 1800’s.
polyhedral dice and I rather liked the system was once what separated the realms of I have a large selection of infantry and
when I looked it over, particularly with its Ice and Fire, keeping them in balance and cavalry. There’s foot figures advancing and
use of the dice mechanics. sparing the other realms from their ravages. skirmishing (ten figures to a pack). These
This new supplement is called Red Star, Ginnungagap has been left unguarded and come as Flank or Infantry in a Bicorn. For the
Burning Streets: the Allied Defense of West unspeakable horrors now await those who latter there’s also a marching pose as well,
Berlin, 1983 and follows a similar physical wish to cross it. Well, that’s the back story... plus there’s command and firing packs.
format as the rules with a soft back and The very splendid-to-handle, 110 page Then there’s a mounted and dismounted
glossy card cover, A4, 60 page book with hardback includes new scenarios for Dromedary Pack (ten if dismounted but –
useful illustration throughout including Ragnarok as well as new monsters to work like most of the cavalry – four if saddled
maps and lots of photographic references through on your cold wind to Valhalla. up). Finally there’s the cavalry ‘proper’ –
that show uniform details and so forth. New mechanics (including ‘Fear’) and new Dragoons and Hussars – plus some artillery
The author (Jason Weiser) starts off with challenges to overcome that emotion give crew (eight figures to that pack and I assume
a good potted history of the (postulated) your characters grist for their mill while you use guns from other ranges. These packs
conflict in late November of 1963. He recounting their own personal sagas. There’s are generally £3.10 although some of the six
provides maps, Orders of Battle for the likes also some new warriors types with all sorts figure command packs are £2.40 and the
of the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA), some of special abilities (including ‘Rune Carving’: over all command pack featuring Napoleon
special rules for the specific environment who’d of thought the ability to write would on his Camel with his Divisional Generals is
and then the scenarios themselves. Finally be so valued...?). There are new spells, new £3.50 for the four models.
there are some suggestions for table sizes, magic or legendary items (from stones and The Samurai all appear to be classic
miniatures and some vehicle charts and arrows right down to a fragment of the subjects in full armour. The foot figures tend
so forth. Along with the West and East Rainbow Bridge itself) plus lots more. to come eight to a pack with the same price
Germans the rules cover Soviet, US and On top of all of that there’s six new (£3.10) but they also have the back banners
British action and are best played with scenarios (World Serpent Fall; Surtr’s Wrath; as separate castings (bear in mind that
15mm or 20mm figures (or a bigger table...). The Abyssal Tear; Pit of the Dead; Taming pretty much all of the infantry and cavalry
The special rules include movement in and Sleipnir; and Anvil of the Dwarf Smiths) plus castings are single piece items). There are
around buildings, ‘mouse-holing’ through Wild Hunt and Tournament rules. lots of weapon options, both mounted and
walls, booby traps, sewer movement and Presentation wise, it’s all easy to read, well unmounted, plus other packs. For example
more. Over ten scenarios cover all phases of laid out and has – along with some good there’s General Diorama (£9.50) with screens,
the week long battle with a Crisis Phase, a miniatures shots – a collection of superb banners, three generals plus a table of head
Second Battle and a Mopping Up phase. artwork (by ‘Ru-Mor’): the Berserker in trophies, a frame drum and more. Detail is
The reality is that – while these are aimed the wolf skin jumping the shield wall is good for all of these: quite chunky and very
at Bolland’s The Zone they would provide stunning but there’s lot’s more besides that paintable, I would say. They are around
useful material for (and are compatible gem. If Viking ‘Eavy Metal Mahem is your 22mm tall so I’m not sure why they are
with) any ‘cold war gone hot’ type of thing (and you already own Ragnarok), this described as 18mm... Oh and you can get a
skirmish rules. is a good investment. lot of army pack deals on the website too!
›
REVIEWS
and there’s a wealth of photographs of

various people’s painted miniatures. After
the introduction and ideas for terrain,
measuring things and dice (exclusively
d10s and an inch tape measure), the rules
themselves are around 40 pages long. The
first ten pages or so of that will be stuff
the gamer will only read once or so: unit
sizes, facings and so on. However, the last
thirty pages cover Turns; Initiative (dice
rolls giving – effectively – a unit by unit
IGOUGO); and Actions (two per unit from
move, shoot, manoeuvre, combat etc).
OATHMARK Combat, Shooting and Morale are ‘NEFS & TANKS
◗ Mass fantasy rule system explained in some detail. Combat, ◗ Aeronefs in 1/1200th and 6mm AFVs
◗ ospreypublishing.com for example, involves a short chart of ◗ brigademodels.co.uk
◗ £25 plusses and minuses to add to a d10 roll ◗ £1 - £2.50
covering differing tactical and situational
conditions and then one, two or three hits
There are a lot of gamers that have been are scored on an enemy unit depending Brigade have some new Aeronef vessels.
waiting a long time for this rule set and how much the roll equals or exceeds a They have new French ships: destroyers,
– in all fairness – it’s been a fiar while Target Number. Rolls of (usually) multiple frigates, patrol craft and a monitor. They are
in the development process. As good d10s are made simultaneously by both all metal models with the smaller vessels
rules should be! Oathmark is finally units involved in a mêlée and the results as a one piece castings with separate masts
here and – along side other Osprey mass are worked out and then applied to where appropriate, while the three largest
combat, non-historical titles like Dan both units. Casualties (in terms of whole vessels have separate gun turrets and (in
Mersey’s Dragon Rampant – it can go figures being removed from the back of a the case of the Suffren monitor) side guns.
up against other ‘non-specific’ systems formation), push backs and morale checks Prices for these are £1 each for the smaller
like (for example) Mantic’s Kings of War. all spring from this. destroyers (Descartes or Vaillante Class); £1.50
What’s the difference? Well, I would say it So what else do the rules cover? for three Motor Torpedo Nefs (Hussard Class)
depends on what sort of games you really Well there’s a number of elements in or Patrols Nefs (Hoche or Perigeaux Class); £1
want to play. the advanced section: apart from the for the Siroco Class Fast Torpedo Boat; either
For me everything about Oathmark monsters I mentioned, there’s Splitting the Regnault Class Destroyer or Le Brouchet
shouts ‘Tolkien’ at the top of its voice. and Joining units (not an easy one to get Class Torpedo Frigate is £2 and the large
I’ve reviewed some of the figures right), Magic Items, Artillery, and ‘Strange Suffren Class Monitor is £2.50. Size wise, they
released by North Star over the last and Catastrophic Events’. This latter section range from the 55mm long Monitor down to
year or so and have often commented includes ideas for Meteor Showers and about 25mm for some of the smaller Patrol
about how they’d be suitable for JRRT’s Plagues of Locusts to name but two! ships. All are to the usual high standard of
works and over the last couple of years There’s a section on Army Building with detail and there are more German Nef’s on
Miniature Wargames has used some Kingdom Creation for different races, the way too!
articles by noted figure painter Graham figure lists and such like. Then there’s a In the 6mm SF AFV line this manufacturer
Green who is heavily into representing Campaign section with lots of guidance also has some new releases for the
early (First age) Middle Earth battles and five scenarios to get you started, Hammer’s Slammers range – although – as
using forces usually composed of (often which are especially useful for those who usual – they may be used with any small
heavily converted) Oathmark figures don’t just want to line up two armies and scale game. All at £1 (unless I say otherwise)
to do just that. Indeed the rule book I smash into each other. Finally there’s a trio there’s the turreted Daedalus Medium Blower
have in front of me includes some of Mr of Appendices: Special Abilities for units Tank; Daedalus Tri-barrel AA Tank (same thing
Green’s work and they are pretty much and perhaps unit leaders (which were with the turret gun replaced by an anti air
all Silmarillion inspired. So, I think that’s covered in an earlier section); Spells with system); or the Laser AA Tank (a different AA
where it is aimed: mass combat, with sections for all individual races including system). They are all slated for use with the
not too much magic, a few unpleasant Orcs and Goblins; and lastly a selection Waldheim Dragoons. There’s also some more
‘monsters’ (trolls, the odd dragon etc) of Magic Items. These comprise a selection tracked vehicles for use with the Ander’s
plus lots of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, of rings, boots, bows, crowns and swords Legion the Kopis Recce Vehicle and the Astrapi
Large Wolves, Orcs and Goblins. which all do special things. AA. Finally for the Ander’s Legion there’s the
The rules – all 180 pages or so of them – The Author has written a scenario for heavier tracked Machete AA systems (two
are written by Joe McCullough. They are us which will be in the next issue to types, both at £1.25). There’s also some early
hardbound and well illustrated by Ralph show you how this fun set of rules work. Slammers blower tanks with different gun
Horsley, Jan Pospíšil and Mark Stacey Recommended. systems to round off the batch at £1.50.

MORE FUEL THE ANCIENT WARGAME ARMIES OF THE
◗ 20mm Gaslands Refuelled Highway Patrol ◗ An ‘oldie but goldie’ for white metal minis MEXICAN REVOLUTION
◗ northstarfigures.com ◗ caliverbooks.com ◗ 28MM Wars of the Bruce’s
◗ £6.25 ◗ £29.50 ◗ caliverbooks.com
◗ £39.95
North Star have been steadily releasing a Caliver books have just released The Two issues ago, Chris Swan wrote a
figure range for the increasingly popular Ancient War Game. This is, of course, a splendid piece on the Mexican Revolution
Gaslands game system, especially the latest reprint of the original written by Charles and it included some uniform illustrations
incarnation Gaslands Refuelled. There are a Grant (senior) and has a foreword written by Mike Blake. Caliver published Armies
lot of car add-ons, drivers and bikes released by his son Charles S Grant. The rules were of the Mexican Revolution: Uniforms,
so far. But from the talented sculpting hands first written in 1974 (after Grant wrote The Equipment & weapons of the Armed forces
of Mark Copplestone the latest sets are the War Game in 1971) and the original volume, of Mehico 1910-20 and this work supports
Highway Patrol and the Wasteland Warriors. in decent condition second hand, is scarce that article very well. The book is in
Looking firstly at the Patrol (above) you not inexpensive. Moreover this new reprint hardback A4 and is 240 pages. It is a detailed
can see that some of these figures are in contains seven additional wargames articles study of the weapons carried and the dress
almost ‘50s looking, US police style peaked culled from the pages of the now long extinct worn by all sides in the conflict.
caps, three quarter length military style Battle magazine. This magnificent seven The book is very well illustrated in
jackets, sunglasses and jackboots (and comprise The Hoplite (1975); The Alexandrian colour and with black and white period
probably jodhpurs: it’s hard to see in this Phalanx (1976); Carrhae (1976); A Wargame photography. The colour plates by the
scale!). Armed with pump shotguns and Report (1977: Archaemenid Persian and author (Mike Blake) and Bruno Mugnai are
assault rifles plus a leader in a trench coat Roman); Bodiccas Battle (1978); An Ancient very useful however, let me not give the
and a big pistol, they are stylistically similar Wargames Report (1978: Seleucid and Indian); impression that the book is all just pictures:
to Copplestone’s 28mm work of a couple of and Chaeronea (1978). the accompanying text covers the Mexican
decades ago and are all the better for it. This For those readers who eschew full colour Federal Forces (the Federales) in various
five figure set looks splendidly cinematic. photography and illustration but just want incarnations and time slots (the Porfirista,
The Wasteland Warriors are rather more the hard detail and experience that an author Maderista, Huertista and Carrancist Armies);
‘Mad Max’ and are blokes dressed in old can provide, this could well be the book for plus the Mexican Navy and Air Power;
scrappy clothing, combat trousers and you. Hard backed, slightly larger than A5 Revolutionary and Counter- Revolutionary
so forth, plus an abundance of goggles, and 235 pages, it’s a sturdy tome and – ‘in armies and Soldiers of fortune along with
bandanas and similar fetching outfits. They period’ colour cover aside – is very much US forces and specifically those at the
are again armed with assorted weaponry: a product of the monochromatic period in 1914 Vera Cruz Occupation. There’s also
shotguns and assault rifles plus what which is was written. It also speaks a fair separate sections on Zapatistas, Villistas
looks like some sort of enormous grenade amount about the rules choice (4th Edition (with painting guides to their illustrious and
launcher and there’s – again – a leader type Wargames Research Group with House eponymous leaders), Soldaderas (effectively
with a big pistol. rules by Grant’s local gamers: aka the “Dover a semi-official, female quartermaster corps)
The figures are described as ‘20mm’ and Coven”) but that sort of rules choice does and Women Soldiers.
– from the small mounted on base to the top not restrict the value of the written material In addition to all of that there’s a specific
of a policeman’s hat they are almost 25mm. one jot . section on flags, with both mono and colour
I’d estimate that the actual ‘sole of feet to top The reality is you just can’t get this illustrations, plus an extensive annotated
of head’ height is around 1mm short of that material all together in one place and Dave bibliography. This is a well thought out, and
and they strike an excellent balance between Ryan at Caliver is to be applauded for extensive, book and – if the article that Chris
paint-ability and proportion much as you’d making it available to both old diehards and wrote in issue 443 tickled your fancy – this
expect from all of Copplestone’s work in a new generation. Buy a copy but leave the would be a good place to carry that forward
whatever scale. Recommended. polyhedral dice in the back of the troop box! onto the wargames table.

COMMAND DECISION
BENFLEET
Essex 894AD. Can you push the Vikings back into the sea?
Words by Jon Sutherland | Pictures by Joe Dever
Each Command
Decision aims to
SITUATION REPORT ROLE & COMMAND
offer a series of Successive waves of Scandinavian invaders have taken You are Edward the Elder, son of King Alfred the Great
playable options in advantage of the Thames and the other waterways on of Wessex. You have an excellent opportunity to cement
timeless military
scenarios. You
the east coast of England to strike inland. What had your claim to the throne by striking hard at the Viking
can read the initially been a series of protracted raids has become base of operations on the Essex coast. Your force is
situation and a process of gradual colonisation. As the east coast of superior to what has been left behind by Hastein to
figure out your
own command
England gradually falls under Viking control pressure protect the two stockades. The trouble is that the objective
decisions if you mounts against Saxon kingdoms further west. The lies deep within Danelaw and a visible overt move on
were leading Danes have attempted to conquer Wessex from 870, but your part will warn the enemy that you are coming.
the troops on
the ground.
by 872 the two sides are exhausted. Hostilities reopen
You can either in 876, but the Danes are starved out of Exeter and find COMMAND DECISIONS
work through themselves forced to withdraw once again. Your choices are straightforward and are outlined
the various
options or use
In 878, the Danes are beaten by Alfred at Edington; below. Your Options are:
the mechanics to but with the Viking failures on the continent, the influx Option One: Move as one single force from London to
create the precise of new Scandinavian settlers means that the boundaries Benfleet.
circumstances
of the table top
have come under pressure. The Danes are trying to Option Two: Move in scattered groups towards
engagement. The make a concerted effort to suppress and conquer Wessex Benfleet.
scenarios may with the advantage of well-established settlements Option Three: Move slowly towards Benfleet sending
have particular
historical themes
in England. Wessex has had peace until 892, but the peace emissaries ahead.
and settings, Vikings will discover that Wessex was prepared to be Option Four: Move at speed towards Benfleet
but you can more proactive and aggressive than ever before. Whilst demanding immediate surrender.
easily adapt the
mechanics to
Hastein and his army are raiding inland, he has left his
suit your own fleet protected by a fraction of his forces. Consider your options before continuing to read the narrative.
preferences and
collections.

Option One: Move as one single force from London to Option Three: Move slowly towards Benfleet sending peace
HOW THE
OPTIONS Benfleet. This option means that the Vikings are likely emissaries ahead. This is a cautious approach and Hastein
CAN BE to know that Edward is coming, so bowl a d6 and use is likely to be able to react and try to block your force.
WORKED the following table: Again, reach for that d6 and see what happens:
OUT
Chose ROLL A D6 OUTCOME ROLL A D6 OUTCOME
the chart 1 Half of the ships have been evacuated. On turn five four units of 1 Hastein has doubled back and appears on turn 5 with 2 units of
Viking warriors may appear on any table edge no closer than 12” Hirdsmen, three units of warriors and one unit of bow men.
appropriate from any of Edward’s troops.
for the 2 On turn eight four units of Viking warriors may appear on any
2 On turn eight four units of Viking warriors may appear on any table edge no closer than 12” from any of Edward’s troops.
option table edge no closer than 12” from any of Edward’s troops.
you have 3 Half of the ships have been evacuated.
3 Half of the ships have been evacuated.
selected. 4 All Viking skirmishers must be deployed at least four normal
4 All Viking skirmishers must be deployed at least four normal moves from a fortification.
moves from a fortification.
5 The skirmishers and warriors must deploy within two normal
5 The skirmishers and warriors must deploy within two normal moves of Thundersley.
moves of Thundersley.
6 The Vikings may freely deploy but they may not move until
6 The Vikings may freely deploy but they may not move until turn 3. turn 3.
Option Two: Move in scattered groups towards Benfleet. Option Four: Move at speed towards Benfleet demanding
This is the historical choice that Edward took and immediate surrender. This will warn the Vikings that you
his men mustered at Thundersley before making the are coming, but they will have very little time to react.
attack. Bowl a d6 and use the following table: Roll a dice to see what they do:
ROLL A D6 OUTCOME ROLL A D6 OUTCOME
1 On turn eight four units of Viking warriors may appear on any 1 Half of the ships have been evacuated.
table edge no closer than 12” from any of Edward’s troops.
ABOVE 2 All Viking skirmishers must be deployed at least two normal
Edward's men 2 Half of the ships have been evacuated. moves from a fortification.
assault the 3 All Viking skirmishers must be deployed at least four normal 3 All Viking skirmishers must be deployed at least four normal
inland stockade. moves from a fortification. moves from a fortification.
4 The skirmishers and warriors must deploy within two normal 4 The skirmishers and warriors must deploy within two normal
OPPOSITE moves of Thundersley. moves of Thundersley.
The fortified 5 The Vikings may freely deploy but they may not move until turn 3. 5 The Vikings are in panic and have fired one fortification.
Viking port at
Benfleet. 6 None of the Vikings may begin the game in fortifications. 6 The Vikings are terrified and have fired both fortifications
›
COMMAND DECISION
RIGHT SETTING UP THE BATTLEFIELD

One of The game works best by having a separate fortified
the Saxon
command enclosure to protect the ship repair facilities on
groups in the the creek and a second supply and habitation
thick of the camp slightly further inland. In line with recent
action.
archaeological finds, this could be on a mound or ridge
BELOW above the marshland. Edward’s supply base and camp
A wider view can be located at Thundersley.
of the fortified
port and The area around the shipyard should be crisscrossed
the second with muddy creeks and marshland. Since the Vikings
stockade built and repaired ships here many of the trees in the
further inland.
immediate area would have been felled. The rest of the
table can have scattered woodland. The stockade fort
protecting the Danish homes should be placed on a rise
or ridge overlooking the shipyard. Roads would have
been little better than tracks in the area.

ARMIES VIKING’S ORDER OF BATTLE ABOVE
EDWARD’S ARMY Normally, we would give the Vikings a backbone of A handful
of mounted
It is probable that Edward’s main force, consisting of hirdsmen for their main shield wall, supporting units Vking scouts
noble warriors and a levy comprising of traders and of javelin men and bowmen and then skirmishers are no match
others from London, amounted to some 1200 men. In to work ahead of the main formation and to protect for Edward's
nobles.
addition to this he would have his own group of noble flanks. It has been estimated that Hastein had left
warriors or retinue. Undoubtedly he would have also Benfleet with a raiding force of around 3000 men. He
made use of locals or those with knowledge of the had left behind no more than around 400 men.
terrain in this part of Essex. These men would have TROOP TYPE NOTES SUGGESTED
NUMBER OF
been employed as scouts or skirmishers. It is also likely UNITS
that he would have had a small number of mounted Hirdsmen Relatively heavily armoured and certainly One
troops, which should be classed as light cavalry. classed as heavy infantry. They would be
armed with two-handed axes and shields.
Warriors Spearmen armed with light throwing Two
TROOP TYPE NOTES SUGGESTED spears or axes are recommended. The
NUMBER OF throwing spear option is probably best to
UNITS provide much-needed fire power from the
defensive positions.
Noble Class them as either medium or heavy Two or three
Warriors infantry. They would be predominantly armed Skirmshers Armed with bows or throwing spears Two bows and
with throwing spears and axes. (javelins) one throwing
spear unit
Levy Less well armoured and usually of an Two
indifferent quality. In this instance, with
numbers on their side, they should be
classed as being fairly confident. They too GAMING BENFLEET
would have had shields and were probably This is not a typical Viking force and should not be
armed with throwing spears.
Skirmishers Mix of bow and javelin would probably be Two small units expected to stand up to the Saxons on open ground. They
locals and youngsters. will need to use the spearmen, skirmishers and bowmen
Scouts Lightly armed, shielded infantry and the One to provide defensive fire power, whilst protecting the
cavalry on sturdy ponies with a throwing or
thrusting spear and shield. These are not hirdsmen, who can be used to respond to any breaches in
impact troops and should be considered
to be mounted scouts. They are ideal for the defences. The Viking army should also be hamstrung
pursuit, but not for charging. with the need to protect non-combatants. These should
Siege Rudimentary siege equipment on horse or consist of a number of women and children, along with
equipment oxen-drawn wagons, consisting of a small
battering ram and a number of ladders. wagons and carts containing food and plunder.
›
COMMAND DECISION
Edward’s assault on the fort protecting the dwellings The game table should comfortably fit onto an 8 x ABOVE
took place before sunrise. The intention was for them 5 foot for 20-28mm figures. A 6 x 4 or slightly smaller Edward
breaches the
to get close enough to the camp before any alarm could would suit a 10-15mm game. There are several rule sets defences of
be raised. The battle should therefore start at around that can be used for this battle including Hail Caesar, the landside
0500 and be played out in turns representing an hour. To The Strongest and Field of Glory. stockade.
Note the siege
If the two fortifications have not been overrun by the equipment
end of turn 15 then Edward’s force will fall back to BENFLEET – FACT CHECK moving up.
Thundersley, anticipating Hastein’s return. Benfleet had operated as a repair and resupply base for
The Vikings should not be given the option to be some years. It was a prime location, as it gave the Danes
able to abandon both fortifications and withdraw by access to their ships and ultimately to the open sea. The
ship (unless stipulated). Edward’s troops should be fort consisted of a rampart, stockade and ditch, with
allowed to target the Viking ships with flaming arrows a smaller inner fort inside and was protected on three
once they get within range of the shipyard. It could sides by water and tidal marshes. Unfortunately we
be considered as a tactical victory if Edward fails to know very little about the actual battle and the Anglo
take the shipyard but has destroyed the ships that are Saxon Chronicle does not suggest that Edward faced
beached there. stubborn opposition. We know that the fort was stormed
Since the assault took place under the cover of and that around eighty Viking ships that were still there
the pre-dawn darkness, withdrawal from either were burned. We also know that amongst the many
fortification should not be allowed until the first shots prisoners taken back to London were Hastein’s wife and
have been fired, or a Saxon unit is within charge range sons. Paradoxically both Alfred the Great and Ethelred
of one of the fortifications. Optionally, the fortifications were godfathers to Hastein’s sons. The two men would
should be given a rampart stockade and ditch. The eventually come to terms and Hastein vowed never to
latter was studded with sharpened timbers to break up attack Wessex again.
massed attacks.
EDWARD THE ELDER – MORE FACTS
VICTORY CONDITIONS Edward was crowned king at Kingston-upon-Thames in
In order for Wessex to claim a significant victory they June 900. In the following year his brother Aethelwold,
need to capture both fortifications and burn the Viking in collaboration with the Danes launched attacks on
boats. The Vikings need to hold at least one of the Mercia and Wessex. Edward struck hard and fast. The
fortifications, preferably the shipyard. This would be two sides met at the battle of Holme, Huntingdonshire.
seen as a chance for the Vikings to withdraw from the Aethelwold and the Danish East Anglian king, Oehric,
area once Hastein has returned. Any other outcome were both killed. Edward died on campaign against
would see them stranded in this part of Essex. rebel Welsh and Mercians in 924. ■

3 ISSUES
FOR £5!
SAVING ALMOST £10!
Subscribe to
Miniature Wargames OPERATION
MAY 2020 – ISSUE 445
FREE
to guarantee your ARCHERY An asymmetrical WWII Sce

Character ca
for every rd
reader!
nario for 1-48TACTIC
issues and also

save money! 05
>
9 77251 3 83801 2
MON BRAVE!
OPERATION NORDWIND
Light Cavalry in the age BENFLEET
of Napoleon An Ardennes encounter in
the 894AD: can the Vikings
Call us today on:

hard snows of WWII
be defeated?
Display until 6/05/20
£4.99
01778 391180 quoting MWG/Battle20

or go to: tabletopgaming.co.uk
Offer ends: 30/04/2020. This is a UK direct debit offer only. Subscription moves to
a £12.99 every three months after the third issue has been dispatched.
OPERATION
ARCHERY
An asymmetrical WWII Scenario
for 1-48TACTIC
By Baueda Wargames
We thought you’d like THE HISTORICAL disable a German stronghold Eastern Front happened to be
a game to go with BACKGROUND there. The 2nd group landed just there on leave. Some of them
the free cards on the Operation Archery (also known south of the town pf Måløy itself, were armed with scoped semi-
front cover! Ed.
as the Måløy Raid) was a British while the 3rd group landed on automatic rifles and had quickly
Combined Operations raid during Måløy Island to mop up after taken up position on the hillside
World War II against German the naval bombardment. The west of the town. These troops
positions on the Norwegian 4th group was held as a floating experience in sniping and street
islands of Vågsøy and Måløy, on reserve and the 5th group was to fighting caused the operation
27 December 1941. pass by Måløy on the destroyer to develop into a bitter house-
The raid was conducted by HMS Oribi accompanied by HMS to-house battle. The 1st and 4th
British Commandos and a Royal Onslow, and land to the north groups were soon called up to
Norwegian Army detachment of the town to prevent German reinforce the attack.
under the command of Captain reinforcements getting through The 3rd group was led by no
Martin Linge. The action was from the North. others than Major John “Mad
supported by Royal Navy gunfire The 1st group soon Jack” Churchill. The group very
and Royal Air Force bombers and accomplished its task and was quickly gained control of Måløy
fighter-bombers providing air ordered to act as a reserve. The Island, where those enemy troops
cover. The objective of the raid was 2nd group quickly silenced a who had not been killed by the
to harass the German defences machine-gun post then started Naval bombardment were so
destroying a number of military advancing into the town itself, but demoralized and dazed by its
objectives, and, by doing so, they were immediately met by effect that quickly surrendered. At
force the enemy to deploy larger strong opposition. The Germans 0920 all guns on the Island were
numbers of troops in Norway than were fully alerted at this point under control.
they would have otherwise. and defended every buildings The Norwegian troops under
The Commandos were formed with extreme resolution. To make Captain Linge were tasked with
up into 5 groups. The 1st group matter worst a Gebirgsjäger rounding up collaborators and
ABOVE
The almost legendary landed at Hollevik, about 2 (mountain rangers) unit of seizing documents from the
Major Churchill. kilometres west of Måløy, to experienced troops from the German HQ in the Ulversund

GAME SCOPE combine any number of these to
This was a sizeable raid and play out the raid all together on
could be a daunting enterprise to several tables at the same time, or
simulate in its entirety. However one after the other in succession to
it has plenty of inspiring action make it a mini campaign.
and pretty much any part of For this scenario we will use a
it can be taken separately and small force but in the correct overall
used as the setting for a smaller proportion. The minimum size
size game. Note that – for force suggested is one section of
measurements in 1-48TACTIC commandos with some Norwegians
– the term ‘u’ as in, say, 10u is a versus one squad of German
unit of measurement. In 28mm infantry with some Gebirgsjägers
this is usually one inch (or 2.5cm). and sailors in support. For larger
On the map you will find five games just add multiples of this,
suggested set-ups for standard except that the maximum overall
6’x4’ gaming tables, there are many number of Norwegian volunteers
possible others of course. You can should be 33.
Hotel. Several bloody frontal

assaults eventually managed
to brake the German resistance,
however, in the action, Linge was
killed. The Germans had an old but
still formidable PzKpfw II tank in
a garage near the Ulversund Hotel,
Sergeant Cork managed to reach it
and blow it up before it could weak
havoc among the Commandos, but
unfortunately he was caught in the
explosion and died of his wounds.
At 12:30 resistance was
nearly overcome, the majority
of the industrial targets had
been destroyed.
The Commandos sustained
17 killed and 53 wounded, for at
least 120 defenders killed, and
returned with 98 prisoners and
a complete copy of the German
Naval Code, captured from a
German armed trawler.
A more extensive historical
introduction and bibliography are
included on the TTG website. Ed.
tabletopgaming.co.uk/
information/downloads
›
OPERATION ARCHERY
THE MISSION Gun group 2

Choose at least four objectives from 1 x Cpl with Thompson smg (9)
the list below, refer to the map to 1 x gunner with Bren lmg (8)
make sure they are all adjacent to 2 x assistant gunners with No. 4
each other. Each objective has a Mk. I Lee–Enfield b.a. rifle (6)
Victory Point value (VP) between
brackets next to it. The Commandos Attached Norwegian
will score that many points if Independent Company group
they can achieve the objective, the 1 x Captain Martin Linge with
Germans if they can prevent it. Sten smg (15)
The final score of the game is 1 x Cpl with Bren lmg (10)
given by the sum of the total VP 1 x sniper with M/30 Krag–
worth of all enemies killed plus the Jørgensen (8)
total VP worth of all own Characters 3 x rifleman with No. 4 Mk. I
that have not been wounded plus Lee–Enfield b.a. rifle (6)
the total VP worth of objectives
achieved (for the Commandos) or Additional equipment:
prevented (for the Germans). VP Any number of hand grenades
value of all wounded Characters on and demolition charge tokens up
both sides is not counted. to 17VP
OPPOSING FORCES Force total: 25 Characters, 210 VP

◗ OOB Commandos (Max total ABOVE Gebirgsjäger Sniper team
570 men). NOTE: Demolition specialists can An artisists impression of 1 x x OstGefr. with Mp38 smg (9)
the attack on Måløy on the
◗ 1 Headquarters troop + 7 place unlimited demolition charge west coast of Norway. 1 x sniper with accurised and
Fighting troops + medical tokens. Every other character scoped k98 Rifle (8)
detachment + demolition party + can carry one (only) additional BELOW 1 x sniper with G41 (8)
A suitable German
Norwegian volunteers. demolition charge token each but this infantryman from the
Each troop was composed so will increase it’s AP value of +2. 1-48TACTIC 28mm range. Sailors
that it would fit into two Assault 3 x rifleman with Kar98k Rifle (5)
Landing Crafts and divided in ◗ OOB Germans (Max total 150
four sections comprising one infantry + 50 Gebirgsjäger Additional equipment:
officer and 15 other ranks. + 50 sailors) Up to 8VP of hand grenade tokens
Minimum Scenario force (Victory Minimum Scenario force Force total: 16 Characters, 110 VP
Point value between brackets): (Victory Point value between
Fighting Troop section: 1 officer + brackets): DEPLOYMENT
3NCOs + 12 men divided in 3 groups Set up the table according to the
Rifle Gruppe (squad): 1 NCO map. Commandos deploy first, all
Rifle Group + 9 men together anywhere on the southern
1 x Lieutenant with Sten smg (12) table edge, as close as possible to
1 x Radio operator with Wireless Set Rifle team the coast or on it, if at all possible.
No. 18 and No. 4 Mk. I rifle (7) 1 x OstGefr. with Mp38 smg (9) Mark the place: this will also
1 x Sgt with Sten smg (10) 3 x rifleman with Kar98k be the re-embarkation point.
1 x sniper with No. 4 Mk. I-T (8) Rifle (6) Next, the German player Must
5 x rifleman with No. 4 Mk. I Lee– 2 x rifleman with Kar98k deploy at least half of
Enfield b.a. rifle (6) Rifle (5) his figures, anywhere
1 x attached demolition specialist (see 1 x Gefreiter with Kar98k he likes on the map.
note below) with Webley revolver (8) Rifle (6) The other half can be deployed
1 x attached medic with No. 4 Mk. later, at the beginning of any of the
I rifle (9) MG team German player’s turns, anywhere
1 x gunner with MG34 lmg and he likes on the map provided it
Gun group 1 Luger P08 pistol (8) is at least 20u from the nearest
1 x Cpl with Sten smg (9) 1 x assistant gunner with Luger Commando figure or it is in a
1 x gunner with Bren lmg (8) P08 pistol (5) place where there is no line of
2 x assistant gunners with No. 4 Mk. 1 x MG ammo carrier with sight to any of the Commandos
I Lee–Enfield b.a. rifle (6) Kar98k Rifle (6) (for example, behind a building)

Raid objectives (Victory Point value NOTE: The German barracks ABOVE ◗ “Seize and search” is as the
between brackets) and Headquarters on Måløy The British Commandos above but also at least one
during the raid.
Island are not listed as objectives figure must spend at least
TASK since they were destroyed and BELOW one entire turn in contact
burnt down by the initial Naval German infantrymen from with (or inside) the objective,
A Seize and secure machine gun
position. (5) the 1-48TACTIC 28mm
bombardment). range. searching, unopposed. This
B Seize and secure light Anti-Aircraft
position. (7) ◗ “Seize and secure” means counts as two Actions and
C Seize and search the Naval that there must be no enemy requires the expenditure of 2
Harbourmaster Office. (5) figures within 10u at the end AT. The Character may not
D Seize and search the German HQ of the game. perform any other action
Office in the Ulversund Hotel. (10)
that turn, not even Take
E Search and Destroy the telephone
exchange at Rodberg.(5) Cover, otherwise it will
F Search and Destroy the W/T Station have to redo the search
and mast. (5)
Action. For every turn
G Destroy the small billet North of the
town. (5) spent searching (up to 3)
H Destroy the large billet under roll a D6, on a score of 6 you
construction in the center of the town. have found an additional 10VP
(5)
I Destroy the canning factory. (5)
worth of secret documents!
J Destroy up the Firda factory. (5)
◗ “Destroy” means you have
K Destroy the Fish factories. (5)
to set up a demolition charge
L Blow up the Måløy Herring oil factory.
and detonate it. Setting the
(10) charge require spending a turn
M Destroy the mechanism of Seternes in base to base contact with
Lighthouse. (5)
it, this counts as two Actions
N Destroy the Garage and the tank
inside. (5) and requires the expenditure
O Blow up the Four coast-defense gun of 2 AT. The Character who
on Måløy Island. (10) is doing it may not perform
P Blow up the Anti-Aircraft gun on Måløy any other action that turn, not
Island. (5)
Q Blow up the Oil tanks on Måløy Island. even Take Cover. Once set the
(5) Commandos need to get at
R Blow up the ammunition store on a safe distance (beyond
Måløy Island. (5)
10u) and detonate it
S Destroy the searchlight on Måløy
Island. (5) (which only needs
T Destroy the Power Station. (5) to be declared, it
U Destroy the road between North and does not count as an
South Vågsøy. ›
OPERATION ARCHERY
ADDITIONAL NOTES
If you want to play it at
a larger size simply add
multiple sections as the one
detailed below, and increase
the number of objectives
accordingly. If you go for a
very large game you may want
to include the possibility to
embark to reach the Mortenes
Herring oil factory and/or to
bypass the German lines and
land further North along the
coast. There was a terrible
confusion, fairly rough sea,
incessant air attacks and
several encounters with other
ships, so to simulate that
simply declare which troops
ABOVE Action and does not require nearby, capture it alive if you wish to embark and start
Taking casualties back to
spending AT). A German possible. (5) rolling 2 x D6 every turn:
the landing craft.
Character can remove a set ◗ Opportunity Task 5: Search ◗ A double six score will get
BELOW charge in the same way it was and Destroy a German armed your troops landed where you
Winter clothing for a
set. When it explode a charge trawler that has been forced want them.
German infantryman from
the 1-48TACTIC 28mm will attack any figure (friend ashore by HMS destroyers Offa ◗ A double one score will get
range. or foe) within 10u rolling eight and Chiddingfold. (5) your ship strafed by a German
D6 (4+ to hit and wound). ◗ Opportunity Task 6: 4 German fighter, roll another two D6 to
◗ “Blow up” is the same as soldiers surrender, they could see how many of your men
“Destroy” except that sufficient provide valuable intelligence, will not be available for the
flammable and/or explosive escort them back to the landing mission, take turn with the
material is already available place (you will need at least opposite player to pick which
on site so it does not require one Character as escort for one of them (German starts).
to use one of the demolition every two prisoners. If the ◗ A double two score will
charge tokens carried by the escorts are killed or wounded get your ship showered by
Commandos. The procedure their prisoners will run away. German snipers fire, roll one
however remains identical. (2VP for every prisoner D6 to see how many of your
embarked) men will not be available for
OPPORTUNITY OBJECTIVES ◗ If more opportunity tasks are the mission, take turn with the
Every time a Commandos figure required repeat Task 6 as many opposite player to pick which
reach an objective and get in times as needed. one of them (German starts).
base to base contact with it, ◗ Any other double score
roll one D6: on a score of six TIME’S UP LADS! means you encountered a
an opportunity objective is After 6 rounds signals are target of opportunity, roll one
discovered within 10u. The made to begin withdrawal. D6: on a score of 4 or more
German player will You have 3 more rounds to you get an additional 10 VP,
choose which get everyone back to the re- otherwise you just wasted a
one from the list embarkation point (max 5u from little more time!
below and where exactly place it the marker). The total VP worth
on the table. of all Commandos that are not So – out with the ironmongery!
◗ Opportunity Task 1: Destroy a back in time counts toward the As Major John “Mad
telephone-cable hut. (3) German player’s score as if they Jack” Churchill
◗ Opportunity Task 2: Blow up were eliminated. If you play the ‘s motto went: DOWNLOAD THE
a mines store. (3) scenario as several battles, one “Any officer EXTENDED HISTORICAL
INFO SHEET
◗ Opportunity Task 3: Blow up after the other in succession, to who goes into
tabletopgaming.co.uk/
a small fuel dump.(3) make it a mini campaign, this action without information/downloads
◗ Opportunity Task 4: A would obviously only apply to his sword is
prominent Quisling is hiding the last game. improperly dressed”. ■

Daemonscape
10% discount on all Web orders over £50
FREE UK SHIPPING
Slate Skull Wasteland Paved
Felt lined army and dice trays Objective markers and turn counters, many designs
Find us on eBay
and Facebook
Website www.Daemonscape.com
Resin scenery and bases made in Scotland
OPERATION
NORDWIND
The Battle for Herrlisheim January 1945
Words by Dave Tuck | Pictures and map by Malc Johnston
he Rapid Fire! Team of Richard Marsh and Colin
T Rumford, have, over the years produced some

fantastic Scenario books and Scenarios for NW
Europe 1944/45 is no exception. We had recently
finished our snow terrain boards (build details in issue 442
of Miniature Wargames and – as you can see from issue 443 –
they are getting some heavy usage! Ed.) and by coincidence,
Rob, one of our group, had also just finished five brand
new resin Sherman Tanks to add to his collection.
ABOVE SETTING & RULES

The excellent
rapid fire! book. A winter battle was in the offing, and the Ardennes
sprang to mind. We chose the battle of Herrlisheim, from
MAIN IMAGE the Rapid Fire! book. We then dug out our reference
The defenders
of Steinwald books, and went on the internet, to find out more about
forest. the battle. The Rapid Fire! scenario covers the action
over both the 17th January and the 18th January, when
23rd Tank battalion and 66th Armoured infantry joined
the fight. We chose to base our battle around the action
on 17th only. The best internet source we found came NORDWIND
from The Warfare History Network article: The 12th Operation Nordwind was the German build up west
Armoured Division’s lost Battalion at Herrlisheim. of the Rhine in Alsace. This operation was designed
Some people think all the Ardennes battles were fought to complement the operations in the Ardennes, and
in snow, but that is not the case. Having said that, the battle to drive a wedge between US forces in the region.
we chose was, and it also had fog to further complicate German forces included elements of the 10th SS Panzer
matters. Our rules of choice for the period are usually Iron Division and the 22nd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment.
Cross by Great Escape Games, but either Rapid Fire! or Opposing them was the US CCA 12th Armoured
BELOW Flames of War will give an equally satisfactory game, as division, including elements of 43rd Tank battalion and
MG 42 in action. does the one in the book, which I heartily recommend. 17th armoured infantry.
The 43rd became known as the ‘lost battalion’.
After it entered the town of Herrlisheim, a series of
garbled but desperate messages were received by
Combat Command A, from its commander Colonel
Hall. Neither Hall nor his command were ever
heard from again. The plan had been for the 17th
Armoured infantry to attack from the south while
the 43rd tank battalion skirted the town to the east
to surround it. This involved clearing the Steinwald
forest, and town of Offendorf. The armoured
infantry managed to enter the town, but the German
resistance gradually grew stronger, the further they
advanced into the town centre. They eventually
became surrounded, so their original plan of
surrounding the town was carried out... but by the

enemy! Major Logan’s last message before being REPRODUCING THE BATTLE MAP
US forces enter
overrun was simply: “I guess this is it!” We developed the map in the Rapid Fire! book, showing from the right
So, where had the 43rd Tank battalion gone? The both the towns of Herrlisheim and Offendorf on the hand short table
edge.
unit had arrived at the outskirts of the town as wargames table. This condensed the battlefield, which
planned, after traversing the forest, and then turned as usual with our group was transferred onto a 12’ by 6’ Germans deploy
east to start the flanking move. Continuous radio table. Along with the armour, we used 28mm troops all in the Steinwald
the hills and in
contact was lost at 10am, and various messages were from the collection of Rob Cooper.
Herrlisheim.
received, mentioning incoming anti-tank fire, with a
final message stating the battalion commander’s tank German
reinforcements
had been knocked out. With that 29 US tanks and their
enter down the
crew disappeared. road leading to
The next day a US spotter plane reported three Offendorf.
groups of destroyed tanks, two of which were in a
circular defence formation. These had been destroyed
by Anti-tank fire, tank fire and Panzerfaust rounds.
The Americans had run into elements of the 10th SS
panzer division, sent to expand the German foothold in
Herrlisheim.
Part of the problem was that inexperienced troops
had made uncoordinated attacks on the town. The
infantry needed the tanks as support, and the tanks
needed the infantry to prevent the anti-tank guns
having free rein, and then being attacked by infantry
with panzerfausts.
This, then was the battle we chose to refight.
›
OPERATION NORDWIND
ABOVE THE FOG ◗ dense cover = +1

The mortar
team ranges in
The first area to cover was fog and its effects on movement, ◗ foggy = +2
while a PzKpfw location of the enemy, and firing. We used blanks (small ◗ both units in cover = +1
IV keeps a business cards) and wrote on them the unit type, or that it
watchful eye.
was a dummy. You will notice that all the factors are cumulative so a +1 for
The fog lasts for six turns, plus the difference between cover, and another +1 for it being dense cover and so on.
the roll of 2 D6, if any. So, for example on turn 6, two D6 are This totals to a score of 8. So a score of 9 or 10 on the D10
rolled and score of a 1 and 3 (and 3 minus 1 means a result allows the card to be replaced by a real unit or removed if a
of a 2) means the fog lifts on turn 8. The more perceptive of dummy.
you will realise the fog can clear on any turn between turn 6 Once seen a marker is revealed, and replaced with the
and turn 11. unit it represents, or removed if a dummy. Once a unit
Spotting enemy troops is carried out by taking into opens fire the blank is removed, and replaced with the troop
account the relevant factors which affect the situation of the type it represents. Units that are not revealed (i.e still blanks)
spotting unit and the target unit. Spotting is done by rolling cannot move closer than 6” to another unit or blank until
a d10 and beating the score generated as follows: spotted or opening fire.
ADD TO D10 CONDITION SNOW

+1 for each 6” or part thereof to target unit. Movement in snow is adequately covered by Iron Cross
+1 if target is in cover Rules. Snow is categorised as either rough ground, or very
+1 if cover is wooded rough ground. We made all mounds and hills very rough,
+1 if cover is defined as dense and everywhere else rough, except the roads where a bonus
+1 if both spotting unit and target unit in cover is given.
+2 if target is obscured by fog or smoke To move in either of the terrain types, units must score as
-1 if spotting unit on higher ground follows on a d6. They expend an order chit whether they
-1 if spotting unit is designated as scouts or is a scout/ are successful or not:
armoured car.
VEHICLE TYPE ROUGH VERY ROUGH
If the players want to change or add to these feel free to Wheeled Vehicle 6 Impassable
improvise! This will generate a final score that must be Half tracks 3+ 4+
beaten on the roll of a d10. Other Fully tracked or scout cars 2+ 3+
An example may be useful here: an infantry unit is in Heavy Tanks No test required 2+
cover trying to spot a unit marker which is 11” away and Infantry or supports No test required 4+
which is in dense woodland with foggy conditions in play. Anti-tank or Infantry Guns 2+ Impassable
◗ 11” to target = +2
◗ cover = +1 The only other point worth mentioning on movement, is
◗ wooded = +1 in relation to German Vehicles. At the end of a turn in which

a vehicle has moved, a d6 must be rolled. On a score of 1, it
has run out of fuel. It cannot make any further movement
in the game. If it continues to fire, a d6 is rolled after each
shot, and on a roll of 1 it is also out of ammo and will be
abandoned, by its crew.
All the buildings count as hard cover and are rough
ground.
All other rules are as per the standard Iron Cross ruleset.
Sometimes we limit the number of order chits per player to
10, and we allow any troops that have not moved at the end
of the complete turn for both sides, to move 6”. This only
applies to troops not fired on, or which are not carrying a
morale marker. All the normal movement restrictions still
ABOVE
apply regarding Rough and Very Rough ground. We find MG team fires
FORCES
this method allows the game to progress faster and the into the killing AMERICAN FORCES
players rattle through the turns! zone. ◗ 43rd Tank Battalion
◗ 3 M5 Stuart tanks
OBJECTIVES ◗ 8 Sherman tanks 3 with 75mm guns, 3 with 76mm guns
The objective of the game is for the Americans to clear the and one with 105mm gun
Steinwald forest, and the AFV’s to circle around the town ◗ 17th Armoured Infantry
and drive off at the road along the German short edge. The ◗ HQ squads 2 teams of 5 figures with bazookas
US infantry are tasked with taking and holding the town of ◗ Infantry squads 8 teams of 5 figures two with bazookas
Herrlisheim, once they too have cleared the forest. ◗ Support squads 2 MMG teams, 1 81mm mortar team
The German defenders can deploy, dug-in, in the forest ◗ Anti-Tank gun support squad 1 57mm Anti-tank
and can also deploy 25% of their force, further back or in the gun team
town itself. ◗ For a total of 11tanks and 14 squads of infantry.
The SS reinforcements arrive down the road from
Offendorf. They can commence rolling for their arrival time, GERMAN FORCES
once the first US unit exits the Steinwald forest. Each vehicle Troops defending the Steinwald forest area and
or unit rolls a d6, and is released to the battle on a 6 the first BELOW Herrlisheim town area
turn, 5,6 the second turn etc, etc. A mortar stonk. ◗ HQ squads 2 teams of 5 figures with Panzerfaust’s
◗ Infantry Squads 5 teams of 5 figures
◗ Support Squads 2 MMG teams, 1 120mm mortar team
◗ 3 75mm PAK 40 Anti-tank gun teams
◗ 2 StuG III, Hetzer tank hunters or Panzer IV mark G
10th SS Panzer regiment reinforcements
(see above for entry turn)
◗ 2 Mark V Panther tanks with 4 squads of SS panzer
Grenadiers as tank riders all with Panzerfaust.
◗ 1 75mm Anti-tank gun team
NOTE:
All American infantry and support squads can be mounted
in Half tracks.
All Germans are on foot and all German Anti-tank guns

have Half tracked Tractor towing vehicles.
ARTILLERY
Both sides have the potential to call in Artillery Support. At
the start of each turn before any order chits are spent. To do
this, the commanders each roll a d6. If the US forces win by
a score of 3 (e.g 6 to 3) or the Germans by a score of 4 (e.g 5
to 1) they can place one automatic hit and roll for two extra
hits on any enemy unit. This is obviously quite difficult
to achieve and reflects the poor visibility and poor radio
communications caused by the inclement weather and fog.
›
OPERATION NORDWIND
ABOVE ARMOUR going to struggle to cross the stream, other than by the
Dug in and
The statistics for the various AFV’s and Anti-tank guns are bridge, as the stream counts as Very rough terrain.
confident!
set out below The Germans can use this as a pinch point in their
defence, so infantry need to patrol ahead.
GERMAN FORCES The American tank advantage will reduce once
TYPE FRONT SIDE GUN HITS the Panthers arrive, so conserving them, is balanced
ARMOUR ARMOUR CLASS TAKEN
with the need to push on, and destroy the original
StuG III 15 10 9 5
defenders.
Hetzer 16 10 10 5
Panther 17 13 10 6 HOW DID IT GAME?
Pak 40 9 3 We have played this scenario twice, with very different
Panzer IV 14 10 9 5 results. In the first game the US player was very
hesitant, spending a long time clearing the forest,
US FORCES against what turned out to be largely blanks. The
TYPE FRONT SIDE GUN HITS Germans had dug in on the hill line and in the town,
ARMOUR ARMOUR CLASS TAKEN
falling back through the forest to their dug in positions.
Sherman 105mm 13 11 8 5
Once these were flanked, it was the Germans who
Sherman 76mm 15 11 9 5
suffered, having to cross the barren area on the way
Sherman 75mm 13 11 8 5
back to the town. The arrival of the Panthers swung the
M5 Stuart 12 9 6 5
battle back in the Germans favour, and the US had to
57mm A/T gun 8 3
admit defeat as they had insufficient forces to capture
the town.
TACTICS The second game was very different, the fog cleared
Both sides have a lot to consider in this scenario. Once very early on. This made it easier for the Americans
the forest is cleared there is a very large, very empty to spot their foes, and some lucky rolls for artillery,
area that the Germans can turn into a killing field. If devastated the forests defenders. With far more US
it is no longer foggy when the American forces reach tanks clearing the forest, the Panthers had their work
this area, it can only be an advantage to the German cut out. The US entered the town, but we decided
side. The longer the Americans can be delayed in the they were a little too weak to hold it. We gave them
forest the better. Good use of blank cards, and fire and a marginal victory, much to the chagrin of the SS
retire tactics are recommended. The placing of the commander. He claimed the following day would see a
Anti-tank guns and Panzerfaust teams are also critical. return to the natural order, and he was proved correct
The arrival time of the reinforcements is in the lap of as the Americans withdrew in the darkness!
the Gods, but aggressive use of the best tanks on the This is a very good scenario and my thanks go to
battlefield, could pay dividends, so long as the US the Rapid Fire! Team for pointing me in the direction
artillery doesn’t get in on the act. of this battle. We hope you enjoy playing this scenario
For the Americans clearing the forest quickly, while which can be transported to the Eastern front, or back
the fog is still heavy is a must, but it can lead to German to late World War one or forward to Chechnya or a cold
forces being left in your rear or flanks. The tanks are war imagi-nation battle. ■

3 ISSUES
FOR £5! £10! SAVING
ALMOST
Subscribe
to Tabletop
Gaming to
guarantee
your issues
and also
save money!
Go to: ttgami.ng/shows2020
for more information!
Offer ends 30/04/2020. This is a UK direct debit offer only. Subscription moves to £14.99 every three months after the third issue has been dispatched.
AMMO
DUMP
Balancing inequality
Words and pictures by John Treadaway
ave you ever been faced to be about ‘20s gangsters in and excitment in the scene in
H with the desire to run a

game where your opponent
has a better chance than
you do? Where you think to
yourself: “what can I do? In any
Chicago and I rapidly came to
the conclusion that – sadly – the
point of the game was not machine
gunning one’s foes in February,
up against the wall in a garage,
Zulu Dawn where Quartermaster
Bloomfield is breaking open the
boxes and – slowly – handing out
the ammunition so hindering
the British forces as they face
straight forward fight, one side is but was more about keeping a concerted – and ultimately
going to get hammered?”. I suspect your books straight while booze devastating – attack. Switching to
we all have. running and floozie wrangling. a non-historical story, in Tolkien’s
In that event you do what It was probably accurate in a The Hobbit, it is – classically – the
anyone sensible does in that technical sense – after all Capone last arrow that Bard fires that
situation: you find – or invent – a was brought down for income tax slays Smaug the dragon: the very
scenario that that will make for a evasion – but it certainly wasn’t last chance with his remaining
balanced game and give both sides very exiting. Personally, I gave up ammunition.
a reasonable chance of wining. half way through the game... “Ah ha” I thought to myself:
On the other hand, in combat “That’s what I want to achieve: drama
WE NEED MORE AMMO the tactical need for ammunition through ammo”.
They say that it’s not tactics but – whilst getting just a wee bit
logistics that count. One can argue ‘accountancy’ – does still leave BACKGROUND
that it depends on what level room for drama in a way that The following scenario I wrote
of the conflict one is aiming to hand-to-hand combat with double is set – just for a change – in the
represent on the table top. I once entry book keeping does not. Hammer’s Slammers universe
played a board game purporting It’s not hard to see the tension but, to be honest, that’s not overly

PLASMA IN THE
SLAMMERVERSE
Powerguns
The most effective weapons of the late
3rd Millennium were powerguns. They
worked on the principle that metallic atoms
of a fixed linear magnetic orientation
relevant. It just so happened I was bigger tanks (which aren’t present could be converted directly into energy
playing a game with Tony Francis at the start of the scenario). by the application of heat, pressure and
of Brigade Models and that’s what Powerguns use self contained intersecting magnetic fields. Powerguns
used cartridges of copper-cobalt aligned
we were using on this occasion. ammunition – effectively shells.
in a wafer of microporous polyurethane.
It is inspired by a story written However their infantry use Powerguns released a flash of energy and
by David Drake (author of shoulder launched weapons plasma that struck in straight lines at light
Hammer’s Slammers) where a which operate on a slightly speed. Short iridium barrels were used to
particular force has access to a different weapons system – the protect the firer from scatter. The barrels
were cooled with liquid nitrogen but even
heavy tank but can’t work the hilariously named ‘CAP Gun’.
so had limited life spans.
main gun, just the secondary This is a similar system to the Powerguns came in all sizes from
weapon. Whilst that weapon Powerguns but uses a liquid 1-2 cm infantry weapons to 15-25 cm
system is effective, it’s certainly chemical to enhance the effect heavy tank guns. Starships and planetary
not the main deal. As Audie of the weapon (see the side bar, defence systems used similar weapons
of up to 100 cm diameter. Quick-firing
Murphy proved, you can do a lot right, for more information). In
guns of 1-3 cm could be manufactured
of damage with the secondary consequence they have a supply and these were commonly grouped into
weapon of a main tank, but... truck with some of this chemical multi-barrelled, anti-personnel and air
With that in mind, the scenario available to them in their village defence weapons, gatlings or calliopes.
below can be easily ported to any stronghold. One tactical quirk is that powergun shots
released all their energy on the first
system in any period providing a The Dragoons are facing three
thing they hit, even soft cover could be
couple of things are still factors: detachments of an elite Brazilian protective to a target, at least for the
one side at least (preferably both Mercenary company called the first shot. Powerguns were expensive
sides) need to have access to Brigada Independência (often and difficult to manufacture but were
projectile weapons that require known as the Cobras Fumantes). the standard Terran military weapon. The
Waldheim Dragoons use 15cm Powerguns
ammunition, however the side The Cobras outnumber the
in their main tanks (supplemented by
that has the greater number – or Dragoons at least two to one: missiles) and the same main weapon on
quality (or both) – of troops should they are better trained and have their Medium Tanks plus 2cm Tribarrel
also have access to secondary heavier tanks (compared, at least powerguns for secondary armament on
ABOVE weapons which use a less effective to the mediums that the Dragoons their AFVs. Their anti-tank guns can be the
A fight ensues. same 15cm weapon or an upgraded – and
form of ammunition (or are just have at the start) although the
more powerful – 20cm weapon.
BELOW less effective in general). They still Waldheims may be getting
A Brigada Independência need to be able to fight or it makes support from another detachment CAP (Combustion Assisted
armoured car stops to
replenish at the ammo for a really boring game for one of heavy tanks if a fight starts... Plasma) Guns
truck. player. Just not at full effectiveness. The disadvantage that the Somewhat of a mixed bag, the CAP gun is
often seen as a “poor man’s powergun”,
Brazilians have is that all of their
but – even though it is cheaper to produce
IT’S ALL PLASMA main tank weapons are ‘CAP – this appraisal is not entirely accurate.
In the scenario I was writing guns’ and they have run out of This gun system uses refrigerated
there are two forces involved, the fluid they need to make them liquid propellant in a holding tank which
both mercenary companies. work. They do have secondary is turned into plasma via an electrical
charge. This plasma beam, which is rather
The defenders are the Waldheim weapons, however: the tanks
less effective than that produced by a
Dragoons: they are a mixed have a roof mounted gatling powergun, is, however, enhanced by using
infantry and armour company (a ‘conventional’ slug thrower) the focused particles to accelerate a
with some medium and heavy and a secondary turret weapon metal penetrator (usually osmium). The
tanks plus infantry with of a similar nature mounted round is fired down a barrel which can
be made of cheaper materials, including
towed anti-tank weapons. along side the turret CAP gun.
high grade steel, but which is cooled by
They are veterans and have Additionally the APCs and so the weapons’ own liquid propellant, which
two detachments: an infantry on have good, slug throwing is circulated around the barrel in spiralled
detachment comprising three support weapons and other tubes. The Waldheim dragoons use a
medium tanks; an anti-air/ assets: a light mortar, Anti- shoulder launched version of this weapon
for anti-tank work.
artillery calliope; two towed anti- tank missiles and the infantry
In the later period within the game
tank guns, their towing vehicles are available to bring in extra timeline, these CAP guns were further
and a couple of APCs and the firepower. The Cobras even have developed into an Enhanced version: the
associated infantry (perhaps 30 a couple of Gauchos: scouts on ECAP weapon system. These are faster
men). The infantry are holed up horseback and a trained sniper firing than standard Powerguns and can
be as powerful. This is the main weapon
in the village of Roahka. with them. But – until they can
that the Brigada Independência are
The Waldheims use get to the lorry full of ‘juice’ and equipped with: 14cm on the Anjalika; 12cm
Powerguns on their main tanks, top up their fluid ammunition – on the Suhart; and 7cm on the Bhima
supplemented by missiles on their they have no main guns! Armoured and Arjuna Calliope.
›
AMMO DUMP
SCENARIO BRIEF requires a lack of distractions! It

This outlines the positions and also takes two Leadership Points
brief for the two commanders. (LPs) per vehicle to achieve this
delicate task. However, at the start
THE COBRAS of the following turn the topped up
You are Commander Major AFV will be fully functional and
Franciscus. You have three has it’s main weapons back on line.
detachments of Brigada The Brigada Independência
Independência however they enter the table at the north side
have suffered a major set back. (the top) of the map and are
They have been in the field for represented by the lilac coloured
some time fighting a battle against triangles.
several other mercenary companies
and supplies have been depleted THE DRAGOONS
badly. The liquid chemical they You are Captain Grouty and you
use for their main weapon – their have a simple task. You know that
ECAP weapons – has entirely run the Cobras are coming and you
out. Until they can replenish their know what direction they will
stocks they are reliant on their be arriving from you just don’t
other weapon systems. know when so you have dug in
This means that – although your and lie in wait. Your job is just to
support vehicles have conventional stop your opponents. Your troops
‘slug throwers’ – your Anjalika and have been equipped with the
Suharto heavy blower tanks are latest, upgraded anti-tank guns but
reduced to their just coaxial 2cm and precious little else that will stop
1cm railguns; the Bhima Armoured heavy AFVs. Their blowers might
car can only use its 1cm railgun; and arrive at any moment but you have
the Arjuna Calliope cannot fire at all. been promised tank support if the
They need the juice! shooting starts!
You understand that the
village of Roahka is being held The Waldheims are represented
by an infantry detachment of the by red tokens. In the game we
Waldheim Dragoons and they played (see later on) the triangles
use CAP shoulder mounted, were AFVs, the circles were
anti-tank weapons. Information hidden infantry and the squares
suggests that – as they use it were hidden anti-tank guns.
themselves – they have a supply
of the chemical that is needed by Waldheim Support
the Cobras, however they are dug As soon as the first shot is fired by
into a defensive position. There is either side (probably the first turn
a strong suspicion that they know but who knows...), roll a d6 at the
the Brigada Independência are end of the following turn.
coming and have called on support
from a heavy armoured unit. Result:
◗ On the next turn, if a 6 on a
Objectives d6 is rolled, the Waldheim’s
The Smoking Cobras must locate get support in the shape
– and preferably destroy – the of one troop (Waldheim
Dragoons infantry unit and then – player’s choice). A troop is
individually – draw vehicles along half of a detachment which
side the vehicle which will be in – in a ten element force like
the industrial area. Two adjacent the Dragoons – will be five
vehicles at a time may draw fluid elements (or TUs). As the
into their AFVs and this takes secondary detachment is a
one whole turn of doing nothing tank biased, heavy unit, the
else: no shooting, no moving etc. player will probably pick the
Topping up noxious chemicals heavy armour!

THE GAME
The table layout was as you can
see in the map, left. The village
of Roahka sits at a ‘T’ junction
and has a mix of the older village
buildings along with an industrial
plant in the village centre (where
the ammo truck is parked) and
some pre-fabricated light industrial
units or sheds) scattered along the
roadsides. There are trees and a
couple of small ponds.
The buildings modelled are
all scratch built (by the author)
and almost all have appeared in
Miniature Wargames as builds
(though the ‘peasant’ village
buildings was over twenty years
ago...). Cloths are by Cigar Box and
Geek Villain.
The Brazilians set up at the
north end of the table in three
detachments. Their objective was
the ammunition truck parked by the
industrial plant, right in the centre
of the village. Sure the truck could
have been more hidden but... one
assumes the sophisticated soldiers
of the future have some degree
of detection equipment (and we
◗ The turn after that, roll again: infantry. A roll of 5 indicates ABOVE wanted to play the game in under
a score of a 5 or a 6 gets either that the Walheim player may The Cobras attempt to three hours, which we did). This
burst through a road
another troop or the whole chose where his troops arrive. block and are ambushed fine model is a Konami pre-paint of
detachment (ten elements: tanks However, if a 6 is rolled the Cobra by the Dragoons. the Joe 90 Explosives Truck, suitably
and infantry) if none arrived on player may chose (they obviously plastered with ‘Explosive’ warning
BELOW
the previous turn. saw the reinforcements coming The ambush is not decals and – joy of joys – is a fine
◗ On the third turn after the and were ready for them!). successful... model that needs no additional
shooting starts, bowl again: a
4, 5 or 6 gets the same result
as the previous turn: either
another troop or the whole
detachment (if none arrived on
the previous turns).
◗ In the fourth turn, don’t bowl: any
and all that are left of the support
detachment arrive in the nick of
time (as the cavalry should!)
Arrival point
When any troops arrive, bowl
for the direction they arrive from
when this happens. Using a d6:
◗ On a roll of a: 1,2,3,4 pre
nominate what of the four sides
are numbered as per the map
(numbers on a yellow circle) with
1 being behind the Waldheim
›
AMMO DUMP
ABOVE
Xxx
BELOW
Xxx
ABOVE work to get onto the table. Although Dragoons opened fire (as with Much to the consternation of the
A Waldheim Dragoons there are some older vehicles in the all anti-aircraft style weapons, a Dragoons, however, it was turn four
heavy blower arrives on
the road and opens fire Waldheim force, The Cobras and multi barrelled calliope is harsh on before any of their support arrived.
with missiles (marked the rest of the Dragoons are all from mere infantry), killing some scouts Just as the Cobras had reached the
by green tokens) at the the Brigade range of resin models and triggering the dice rolling for supply truck with two main tanks,
Cobras' Anjalika heavy
tanks while they are in the in their 15mm range, although they reinforcement. four Waldheim heavy blower tanks
process of replenishing make them in 6mm as well. Over the next three turns the arrived to (via a dice roll) their rear
from the truck full of the I set the Waldheims up in hidden Brazilians moved forward with as flank and the Brazilians lost two
fluid they need to retaliate.
On the right - behind the spots or just behind cover. On much speed as they could muster, heavy tanks before they knew what
parked 4x4 - is a Brigada the map, the red triangles were knocking out the lighter Dragoon had hit them.
Independência Kijang APC. AFVs and the red squares were the AFVs when opportunity arose However, the wheel started to
OPPOSITE two anti-tank guns hidden in the with their secondary weapons. turn. First – having taken severe
An aerial view of the industrial sheds with a decent field Meanwhile the Waldheims sprung casualties (over 50%) the Waldheim
ambush as Waldheim of fire for the anticipated arrival an attack from the sheds into the infantry at the south end of the table
troops rush from the light
industrial buildings to the of their targets. Finally the sheds flank of infantry and armoured broke and withdrew, abandoning
west of the main road. half way up the road had some cars on the central road (with very their anti-tank guns. At the same
infantry hiding in them (the red little success) and took out some time the rest of their reinforcements
circles) including the only anti-tank main tanks on both flanks with – more infantry – arrived at the
specialists they had with them, their two, previously hidden, Anti- north end of the table and attacked
ready to leap out and strike fear tank guns although – by firing the rear echelon of the Cobras,
and cyan-death into their enemies them both so fast – they risked knocking out a light mortar that had
in the flanks. burning out their barrels and this been firing the length of the table
The three detachments of Cobras did indeed happen to one of them. (and had even taken out a medium
made their way down the road Smoke ‘em while you’ve gottem, as tank with a lucky shot: in through
(having won initiative) and the they say... the commander’s hatch, I suspect!).

The Waldheims took out a Cobra was balanced and on a knife edge
tank with ATGW fire and some until the very end. How close
other vehicles but the Brigada was it? Although I have little
Independência had, despite time for points costs systems, per
their own losses, managed to get se, they can sometimes be useful
two tanks up and running. The as a rough ‘rule of thumb’. So...
Dragoons lost an APC with all of The Cobras had around 18 or
the infantry inside and more tanks so AFVs (including eight heavy
so their morale began to waver. tanks and a couple of nasty Four Cobras Gauchos mounted on horseback for scouting.
The Cobras took heavy losses too, armoured cars). They also had
on one of their three detachments, as many as 20 infantry split into
anyway... Morale rolls were made: six or seven ‘TU’s or bases. They
the Brigada Independência stayed were of the highest training
but the Waldheim Dragoons did level – Elite – and had three
not... Lots of jokes about ‘Brazilian commanders up to a Major. That
whacks’ ensued and we packed amounted to almost 9000 points
away the models in game terms.
In contrast the Waldheims were
CONCLUSIONS slightly less well trained – being
As I said at the start, this is veterans – and had around half
the sort of scenario that can be of the points cost at roughly
applied to many periods. Tony 4500, with 10 AFVs (when they
Two Waldheim medium tanks lay in wait.
and I had a great day’s gaming all arrived), two towed weapons
in a dark and bleak February (with towing vehicles) and around
which certainly made my day. 30 infantry spread over 8 TUs.
I was also rather pleased that The balance – with the Cobras
Mr Francis won the game: he is handicap of non-working guns
notorious for bad dice throws and the need to concentrate
and – as I use casino d6 dice – we on reversing that problem -
can’t blame that on rotten cubes, worked really well, But – more
just his awful luck. The scenario importantly – we both had fun! ■
The Dragoons final push - but to no avail!
The Cobras' initial advance seen from the Dragoons' perspective.
LINKS
Hammers Slammers website: hammers-slammers.com
Brigade Models: brigademodels.co.uk
Gaming mat by Geek Villain: geekvillain.co.uk

MON BRAVE!
Outposts, Pickets, and Scouting: a Beginners Introduction
to Napoleonic Light Cavalry in Skirmish Wargames
Words by David Hiscocks | Pictures by John Treadaway
hat was the function forces would be marching and As has always been the case
W
ABOVE
of light cavalry in the fighting over, the dispositions of throughout history, the army Cavalry are always good
for flanking attacks:
period? What exactly the enemy, while also attempting with the best intelligence gains From the Cross of Iron
did they do and how to gauge their opponent’s morale a significant potentially battle- game by Border Rievers
should one use them on the tabletop? and readiness for battle. winning advantage as a result. at Derby World Team
Championships 2017
Mr Hiscocks offers us some analysis If they had the
and four scenarios for two popular opportunity they would THE ATTACK RIGHT
rules sets: Sharp Practice and attempt to intercept enemy The secondary roles of most light Light Cavalry
accompanying a supply
Black Powder. Ed communication and supply cavalry units would revolve wagon. 40mm miniatures
routes. Simultaneously they around the day of battle and from the Retreat from
ROLES would be working to shield its aftermath. During the battle Moscow game by the
Wessex Wargamers at
In the hours, days, and weeks friendly forces from the light cavalry would typically, Colours 2018
leading up to the battles of attentions of the enemy’s although not always, be used to
the Napoleonic Wars, the own light cavalry who support the attacks of the heavy
light cavalry troops of both would be operating with cavalry. Once the heavy cavalry
sides would be roaming the the same mission objectives. had launched their charge, their
countryside. As the primary These were critical activities, horses would become blown and
reconnaissance units of the the importance of which take time to recover. The light
period they would be gathering was underestimated by cavalry would be in a supporting
information on the terrain their commanders at their peril. position to either exploit

their success, or cover their were known for having the LIGHT CAVALRY ON
withdrawal until another charge greatest variety of light cavalry, THE TABLETOP
could be launched. deploying lancers, hussars, Translating the tactics and
At the battle’s end they dragoons, and chasseurs a activities of light cavalry into a
would be used to relentlessly cheval, to name but a few. miniature tabletop wargaming
harry their opponents while Nearly all nations deployed situation is not easily achieved.
they retreated, often operating hussars and dragoons, but Very few mainstream rule sets
in combination with mobile other unique units include reward the players for deploying
horse artillery to break up the mounted Landwehr of and using their light cavalry in
enemy formations. Conversely, Prussia, and the infamous a realistic historical manner. The
if they day went against them, Russian Cossacks. It would primary issues is that the majority
then the light cavalry would be be usual for even the smallest of wargames drop the player into
used to screen the withdrawal of detachments of any nation the seat of the commander after
to give their army time to to have some light cavalry any pre-battle activities, such
regroup. Often during these attached, to act as scouts, as those performed by the light
actions they would work in messengers, and pickets. There cavalry, have been performed.
cooperation with fast-moving is therefore no excuse not to Furthermore, there is typically
horse artillery to give them have some light cavalry models little benefit to keeping the light
some much-needed firepower. in your Napoleonic Army. cavalry intact and in reserve
during the game itself so that
COLOUR & LEADERSHIP THE HUSSAR GENERAL they are available to perform
Some of the most visually One of the most famous of the light
post-battle activities which are
stunning and flamboyant cavalry commanders in the Napoleonic not simulated on the tabletop.
units in the Napoleonic Wars, Lasalle fought in every theatre of Unfortunately, these issues lead to
Wars were the light cavalry. Napoleon’s campaigns until he was killed light cavalry often being treated
Furthermore, the independent at the head of his men at the Battle of as a disposable battlefield asset by
Wagram. A thoroughbred light cavalryman,
and demanding nature of light he exhibited all of the stereotypes of the
wargamers, often being regarded
cavalry service often attracted breed, being an inveterate womaniser, and used simply as an inferior
the most eccentric, brilliant, superb swordsman, and exhibiting version of the heavy cavalry.
and memorable officers of the fearlessness in combat. Widely regarded However, the nature of many
era, such as Murat, Lasalle, as one of the premier light cavalrymen of the roles undertaken by light
in Europe of the period, he had a natural
and Uxbridge. talent for all of the duties of light cavalry.
cavalry are such that they are
Every army had some form “…any hussar who does not die by thirty admirably suited to skirmish
of light cavalry, and most had is a blackguard” - Antoine Charles Louis de wargames in 28mm rather than
multiple variations. The French Lasalle, 1775-1809 large scale battles. Writing of the
qualities that a light cavalryman
should have, the noted French
cavalry officer Fortune de Brack
stated that:
“A man must be born a light
cavalry soldier. No situation requires
so many natural dispositions, an
innate genius for war, as that of an
officer of light troops. The qualities
which render a man superior –
intelligence, will, power – ought
to be found united in him. Left
constantly to himself, exposed
to constant fighting, responsible
not only for the troops under his
command but also for those which he
is protecting and scouting for, every
minute finds employment for his
mental and bodily faculties.”
It is during small scale actions
that these qualities will come to
the fore.
›
MON BRAVE!
SCENARIO DESIGN
Thoughtful scenario design
can enable players to explore
the tactics and actions of
Napoleonic light cavalry.
Such games will not usually
be a typical “line up and
joust” game, but should pit
asymmetric forces against one
another, with objectives that
may be unusual in comparison
to many normal wargames. The
role of the light cavalryman
relied on their intelligence and
initiative while operating away
from the main body of the
army as much as their martial
prowess, and this should be
reflected in the scenario. There
are a plethora of rules to choose
from, but for the purposes of
this article I have selected two
popular games: Sharp Practice
by Too Fat Lardies, and Black
Powder by Warlord Games. In
contrast to Sharp Practice, Black
Powder is usually seen as a
game for large-scale battles, yet
– as it has no fixed unit scale –
it can be used to simulate small
actions as well.
CAVALRY ATTACKS
AT NIGHT
“If the Cossacks attack during
the night, it is to keep you awake, 1: OUTPOST DUTY ABOVE one of the short table edges. A
to wear you out… you seldom (SHARP PRACTICE) Advancing infantry: prominent piece of terrain should
another shot from the
have to do anything more than Introduction: be placed in this area to act as the
Cross of Iron game
look alert. If the Prussian cavalry In this mission one force will be by Border Rievers at outpost’s location, such as a hill
attacks during the night, that is Derby World Team
more serious; you must not only the attacker and the other the or watchtower. A leader 1 and one
Championships 2017
be ready, but manoeuvre to meet defender. The attacker’s objective group of cavalry, or one group of
them. If the Austrian cavalry attack is to drive off the enemy’s outpost OPPOSITE skirmish/ light troops, must be
at night they probably have their force in preparation for an assault Cavalry advance from the deployed by the defender within 6”
infantry with them. If the English same Cross of Iron game
on the main body of the enemy’s of this point. The attacking force’s
cavalry understood war, they might
be…the most terrible in Europe…” army. The defender’s objective primary deployment point must be
– Fortune is to identify as many of their deployed anywhere on the board
opponent’s units as possible within 6” of a board edge and
before being driven off so that more than 36” from the defender’s
SCENARIOS: FOUR details of the impending attack primary deployment point.
SQUARE & FIRM can be accurately relayed to the
I’ll present four scenarios army commander to prepare a Force Support:
in this article, which can be counter-attack. The defender must spend at least
played as one-offs or could be 75% of their points on mounted
linked in a narrative campaign Deployment Points: units. The attacker may spend
to begin the character The defending force will set up up to 33% more on their army
development of your newly their primary deployment point list than the defender. Both sides
raised light cavalry formation. first. This must be within 12” of may take D3x3 support points.

Objective: 2: FINDING A FORD Terrain and Minor Characters:
◗ The attacking force must (SHARP PRACTICE) Place a river down one of the long
capture the defender’s Introduction: table edges so that for the majority
primary deployment point to A river separates the two armies, of its length it is in contact with
win the battle. and all of the bridges have been the edge of the playing area. Take
◗ The defender must identify at burnt or blown up. A scouting force 3 blank chits. Write “Ford” on the
least 80% of their opponent’s has been ordered to reconnoitre bottom of one of these chits. Turn
formations. the river to confirm rumours that over all of the chits and mix them
◗ To identify an enemy there is a possible place for their up. Then roll 3D6 for each chit,
formation a defending unit army to ford the river to attack the noting the total on the top of each
must be in line of sight of main enemy camp. The defending of the chits respectively. Place these
at least 50% of that enemy force orders are to put a stop their chits at roughly equal intervals
formation. opponent’s reconnaissance activities. along the length of the river,
◗ Only one formation may be more than 24” from any primary
identified per turn. Deployment Points: deployment points. D3 minor
◗ The leader who spotted the The player’s primary deployment characters should be present.
enemy must successfully points must be placed within 6”
leave the board via the of the centre of the short board Objective:
defender’s board edge in edges. Randomly determine ◗ The scouting force must
order that their intelligence which short table edge will be the determine which of the chits mark
be returned to their attacker’s. The opposite will be the ford. When any formation
commander. the defender’s edge. or group touches a chit it can be
◗ If they are prevented from ordered to start to try and identify
doing so then none of the Force Support: if it is the real ford. This is a
enemy units that leader Both sides may also have D3 x Physical Action Test (as defined
has spotted count towards 3 support points. If the scouting in the standard rules), with the
determining if the defender force has more light cavalry bottom of the chit being revealed
wins the battle. groups than the defender they when the unit score reaches the
gain +1 command card. If the total on the top of the chit. The
Terrain and Minor Characters: defenders have 50% fewer light score is cumulative across turns.
There should be D3 minor cavalry units than the scouting If the ford chit is revealed the
characters present. The terrain force then the scouting force scouting formation that revealed
can be set up in any mutually gain +2 command cards and the it must leave the board via their
agreeable manner. defenders lose 1 command card. primary deployment point with
their intelligence. If they do so
then the scouting force wins.
◗ The attacking force wins if it
stops the scouting force from
completing their mission, or if
they hold the enemy’s primary
deployment point at the end of
the chapter.
3: RECONNAISSANCE IN
FORCE (BLACK POWDER)
Introduction:
In this mission two larger
reconnaissance forces have
bumped into each other. They
must now drive off their
opponents while also ensuring
their own troops remain
sufficiently intact to be able to
continue on to reconnoitre the
enemy position. Each “brigade”
represents a battalion sized force
(approximately 500-800 men).
›
MON BRAVE!
LEFT 4: PURSUIT (SHARP

Cavalry charge in the
snow! From the Retreat
PRACTICE)
from Moscow game by Introduction:
the Wessex Wargamers at In the aftermath of a significant
Colours 2018 battle the enemy are falling
back in defeat. All that stands
in the way of the attackers
achieving a great victory is
a small body of troops that
have managed to form up to
buy time for their comrades to
escape. If they can be quickly
brushed aside the attackers
will be able to cause havoc in
the ranks of their retreating
opponents, turning their retreat
into an all-out rout.
Deployment Points:
Deployment: the second turn roll a D6 for each Deployment points to be set up
One table edge will be player brigade remaining, on a 4+ the as per scenario 5 of the main
one’s table edge. The opposite brigade enters the board. Add +1 rulebook, Sharp Practice II. The
will be player two’s. to this roll for each successive turn defender may not take any hard
One brigade from each side until all the brigades have arrived. obstacles or defences in their
will be the vanguard force. army list or as support choices.
Before the game begins the Opposing Armies:
players must secretly give Both sides’ orders of battles must Force Support:
their vanguard force orders include no less than 75% cavalry. The attacking force may spend
for the first turn, including 33% more on their order of battle
an instruction about where to Objective(s): than the defender. The attacking
deploy onto the board from. 1. Move at least one unbroken force must spend at least 75%
The player’s remaining brigades brigade off the enemy’s table edge. of its points on mounted units.
BELOW
will enter the board behind the 2. Ensure that no enemy brigades Hussars waiting to be Both sides may also have D3 x 3
vanguard force. At the start of manage the same. deployed support points.
Objective:
◗ To achieve victory the attacker
must capture the defender’s
primary deployment point, or
reduce their opponent’s force
morale to zero within 12 turns.
◗ Any other result will be a
victory for the defending force.
Terrain and Minor Characters:

No minor characters should
be present. The terrain should
be relatively open, and there
should be a road running from
the attacker’s board edge to the
defender’s board edge. A number
of carts can be placed on the road
to represent the detritus typically
left behind when an army flees
the field of battle.

COLLECTING A LIGHT
CAVALRY FORCE
In 28mm scale there is a
remarkably large range of
figures and rules to choose from:
almost a bewildering variety.
Consequently, for a gamer new
to Napoleonic warfare who is
looking to build up a new army,
building a small light cavalry
force with supporting arms
is eminently achievable and,
in comparison to many other
infantry-based skirmish forces,
would be visually distinctive on
the tabletop.
Depending on which
nationality you decide to collect,
between 30-40 cavalry along
with a unit of horse artillery,
and perhaps 20 light infantry,
would make for an interesting Formation 2 To build this force you will ABOVE
and effective force with scope ◗ Leader 2 need to purchase: Cavalry advance: from the
Cross of Iron game
for future expansion. Perry ◗ Leader 1 ◗ Two boxes of Warlord Games
Miniatures or Warlord Games ◗ 2 groups of Hussars (Use the Chasseurs a Cheval
are manufacturers I would rules for Light Dragoons) ◗ Two boxes of Warlord Games
recommend for the beginner, Formation 3 Dragoons
both having a large range of ◗ Leader 2 ◗ Perry Miniatures Line Horse
plastic and metal figures to ◗ Medium artillery (9 Pounder) Artillery aiming 6 Pounder,
cover the main combatants. An and limber (FN110 & FN112)
additional advantage with those To build this force you will ◗ Perry Miniatures Dragoon
two manufacturers is that – for need to purchase: Command Galloping x1
those wanting elements from ◗ Two boxes of Perry Miniatures (FN202)
both companies – these figures plastic British Hussars
do not look out of place next to ◗ Perry Miniatures Royal Horse SUMMARY
one another. Artillery firing 9 Pounder, and Light cavalry are an essential
When you want to scale up limber (BH38 & BH40) yet widely misunderstood
your forces for larger brigade ◗ Perry Miniatures British Light element of the Napoleonic
or divisional level games, this Dragoon Command x1 (BH33-35) army, distinctive in both role
small starter force will make for a ◗ Two boxes of Warlord Games and appearance. From the
versatile core force, perhaps as a Union Brigade cavalry flamboyant hussars to the
basis of a cavalry brigade. rough Cossacks, every nation
SELECT
For those wanting some French Peninsula Force, 1809- employed light cavalry of
BIBLIOGRAPHY
inspiration, two army lists 1812 (Points cost: 70) all types in large numbers to Philip Haythornthwaite,
for Sharp Practice have been Formation I undertake a range of essential Napoleonic Light
included below, alongside ◗ Leader 3 military duties. On the tabletop Cavalry Tactics
a corresponding list of ◗ Leader 1 these actions are a far cry from (Osprey Publishing,
2013).
miniatures you could purchase ◗ 3 groups of Dragoons typical “line up and fight”
Antonis Brack, Light
to collect these. (including dismounted option) battles of most wargames, Cavalry Outposts
Formation 2 leading to tactically challenging (London, 1876).
British Peninsula Force ◗ Leader 2 scenarios with an unusual G.F. Nafziger, Imperial
(Points cost: 67) ◗ Leader 1 twist. The sheer ubiquity and Bayonets: Tactics
of the Napoleonic
Formation I ◗ 2 groups of Chasseurs a Cheval versatility of light cavalry means
Battery, Battalion and
◗ Leader 3 (use rules for Hussars) that virtually every wargamer Brigade as found
◗ Leader 1 Formation 3 can justify and benefit from their in contemporary
◗ 3 groups of Light Dragoons ◗ Leader 2 inclusion in the ranks of their regulations (London &
(Use the rules for Dragoons) ◗ Medium artillery miniature force. ■ Mechanicsburg, 1996).

Save almost £12 a
year and go digital!
READ ON ANY DEVICE AT ANYTIME!
N O W I N C L U D E S E X T R A D I G I TA L C O N T E N T
N O T AVA I L A B L E I N T H E P R I N T E D I S S U E !
2 4
SHOW REPORT
AL HA
STRIWARFARE NGARS
15MMILDININGDU > >>
FREE TWO BU S: TWO DIF FERENT ST YLES
The Editor goes to the last
Warfare show in Reading
1 5 6
GAMES
I
went to the two day event that once described as a ‘spit and fry’ – a MAIN IMAGE & 1
is Warfare at Reading to have a burger van – out side in the car park There was an interesting selection The Huntingdon and
District Gamers with their
look at the games and general for supplementary culinary diversity of demo and party games: one of splendid Lawkes Drift in
vibe. Warfare is one of the and support) and a packed car park the best I’ve seen at the show, to 54mm.
shrinking number of shows that is subject to flooding. But that’s all be honest. Interestingly, some of
2-4 Best in Show the Cold
spread over a weekend to allow for history now: more news later on! the games I enjoyed the most were War air and ground attack
competitions to be run. For those amongst the winners at the show game Cassinga Raid by
that haven’t been to the show I’ll TRADE and there were seven of these. Battlefront Wargames UK.
spend a little time talking about the There was an excellent trade mix The Sealed Knot put on an 5 Maidenhead Reapers
venue but not much. And with good at Warfare 2019: about seventy in ECW night raid called Moon over with their WWII 28mm
reason: this was the last show to attendance with a good balance Sedgemoor which was an interesting, game.
be held at the current venue, as the of periods, types and scales. blacked out ‘reveal the troops’ affair 6 A pretty To the
Rivermead Leisure Centre is being Although I said that they were and really rather clever in execution. Strongest game in 28mm
ARY 2020 – ISSUE 441 by the South Oxfordshire
| flattened and then redeveloped. mostly corralled into one main hall, It won Best Party but runners up
ALL WARGAMERS JANU Generals.
THE MAGAZINE FOR Some would say “not before time” there were a couple more traders in were the Maidenhead Reapers with
as it was always a fidgety space with the adjacent ‘Thames Suite’ along their ‘all in the snow’ Battle of the 7 The Chairman’s Award
games slotted into squash courts with a substantial Bring & Buy. It’s Bulge all-tank game in 28mm, and was given to a Wild West
game by the Combined
and other rooms away from the worth saying – at this point – that the Boscome Down and Amesbury Ops team. Good figures a
central area, with the traders mostly navigation to the show is aided by a team with a huge castle (built by train and great scenery.
centralised in one large room. It also useful twelve page booklet with floor many young hands!) for their fantasy
featured over-stretched cafe facilities plans, lists and some club details Duck and Dwarves to the Rescue game,
(requiring what a colleague of mine which is given out to the attendees. again in 28mm. 7
›
The cheapest way

46 Miniature Wargames February 2020 February 2020 Miniature Wargames 47
FREE PRINT OUT 3D CARD MAUS

IN TWO STYLES: GOTHIC OLEU
AND MEDITERRANEAM
N
THE MAGAZINE FOR
BLACK SEAS
ALL WARGAMERS
NOVEMBER 2019 –
ISSUE 439
to read Miniature
FROSTGRAVE
LE
Full sail ahead with
THE BATTIV Wargames is by

naval warfare from
Warlord Games
PERILO US DARK
SHOW Exclusive scenario
REPORTS inside!
TABLETOP
OF THE N E
GAMING LIVE
COLOURS
+
UPCOMING
EVENTS
subscribing to the
FOR YOUR
DIARY
NIGHT OF THE
tle Report
SCARECROWS
Battle
ck Powder Bat
A horror skirmish game
An epic 10-page Bla

AZTEC WRATH with fiction, rules and
Wreak revenge on the painting guide
Spanish invaders
digital edition.
>
>
01
11
9 772513 838012
TRENCH WARFARE
2
PLAYING KILL TEAM

9 77251 3 83801
DUGOUTS OF WORL IN THE

D WAR ONE Display until 7/11/19
£4.99
UR KRONSTADT
TEST OF HONO A classic Table Top Teas
er
ZONA ALFA
Display until 09/01/20
e
Supplies: an exclusiv
Vital with a new spin
£4.99
s new t campaign scenario
GO TO:
PKTMAGS.COM/MWG-SUBS20
HOBBY TIPS
THATCHED
COTTAGE
Practical Wargames Terrain PARTS LIST
To make a barn you will need:
Words and images by Tony Harwood
◗ Corrugated cardboard (for
the core).
his is the fourth instalment of my series Like the previous three creations, this one
T
◗ A large snap-off bladed (or
of scratch-built wargame buildings. This had some self-imposed constraints: the model box cutter) knife.
small cottage was inspired by a book had to fit into an imaginary 6 inch x 6 inch ◗ A hot glue gun.
illustration by Liliane and Fred Funchen, x 6 inch box although I have some further ◗ Old newspaper.
◗ PVA.
specifically a painting showing French Cavalry thoughts about that size constraint which I’ll ◗ Thin card. I use egg box card.
at rest. Some years ago I sketched a simple two get to later) and it must be robust. By that I UK egg boxes are made
view plan with the intention of modelling it mean that the model must be sturdy enough from a wood or paper-pulp
someday, as one does. and withstand the rigours of regular wargame material which is ideal for
club use and my own personal test: to allow modelling these details.
◗ DAS modelling clay .
my two grandsons to play with the finished ◗ lollipop sticks.
models without its destruction. Further more I ◗ Green pan scourers
want it painted to a ‘good’ gaming standard (I (purchased in a UK pound
think) and to be designed for generic in usage. store).
Oh, and it had to be built from cheap, readily ◗ Ground foam for detailing.
◗ Paint and varnish of your
available materials. The finished Thatched choice.
Cottage is 110mm x 110mm x 130mm tall. It is
build with the same techniques as the earlier
LEFT
three buildings but I think it might benefit The finished item with a suitable
from being a little larger. figure for scale.
›
HOBBY TIPS
1. MAKING PLANS 4. ROOMS IN THE ROOF

I was inspired by an illustration Once again I have used some
in the Funchen book Arms and DAS modelling clay to smooth out
Uniforms – The Napoleonic the gaps. This image gives a very
Wars Part 1. I sketched up a good illustration of the surface
quick two view plan: this same texture of the knobbly side of
plan had laid unused in one of the egg box card. Detailing of
my scrapbooks/source books the dormer and lower walls
for many years but I have used was done with a wide range of
the initial sketch to figure out different materials – the dormer
a suitable scaled cottage for was constructed from a piece
use in this series of articles. of scrap insulating foam on top
This is, without doubt, the most of which I have modelled the
intricate scratch-built model window frame. The main window
in this set of models that I to the front has had more detail
completed thus far and it really added from eggbox card and
‘pushes’ the idea of producing the door was constructed from
a model from readily available scrap or spare wood with plastic
and cheap materials. card door furniture.
2. THE BASIC 5. BUILDING THE ROOF

CONSTRUCTION The thatch was another
Corrugated cardboard was experiment in using the £1.00
cut with a snap-off bladed green scourers. I cut the strips
knife and glued together with from the rectangular scourer
my hot glue gun. The window and then chamfered the edges
to the front was modelled with and added small nicks into
more cardboard and the steps the edges with a nail scissors.
to the front also built-up The dormer window roof was
from layers of card. Jumping modelled in the same way but
ahead, later on I used some taking care to confirm the angles
DAS modelling clay (applied of the dormer matched the main
over PVA glue to cut down on roof. The lollipop stick across
shrinkage), and to smooth the top was a feature I had seen
out any gaps and to ‘plaster’ on similar thatched roofs. I have
the side of the upper front used DAS modelling clay and
windows. At this point I added ready-mixed filler to smooth
some internal strengthening out the stones. In addition I have
made from more corrugated added some fine sand (over PVA
card and glued these in place Glue) to the walls which adds
with the hot glue gun. additional texture.
3. SURFACE DETAILS 6. THATCHING

The external decorative Like the earlier thatched hovel
features were modelled from (MW issue 443), I used my hot
eggbox card using a method glue gun to glue the scouring pad
I first saw illustrated by Ian section into place. The thatched
Weekley, many years ago. UK roof and the main walls were
egg boxes ideal for modelling coated with some dilute PVA glue
these details – see my previous and ready-mixed filler. I thought
builds for my suggestions on the green scourer needed some
the best way to use egg box additional ‘body’ and to fill any
cardboard! The stone blocks are gaps around the dormer while
simple rectangles glued in place the wall needed more texture,
with PVA glue while the roof both to add interest to the
eaves and window frames are model and hide some of the torn
made from the same material newspaper seams. I quite like the
cut into strips. The rear of the effect that the layers of green
cottage, although not having the scourer give to the model and,
same amount of features as the for such a simple trick, I think the
front, was also decorated with effect works well.
egg box rectangles to mimic the
large stone block construction
of the original Funken cottage.

7. BASIC COLOUR
I painted the thatch with a
basecoat of mid brown, stippling
the paint into the thatch to
get a good covering, and then
drybrushed with both yellow and
a yellow/white mix. I then painted
on some white highlights across
the upper surfaces of each of the
strips of scourer. The woodwork
areas were painted with a ‘Kevin
Dallimore’ technique: a darker
basecoat, with wood grain
painted on with a fine brush in
lighter tones. With a green door
and the windows basecoated
dark blue, I added a highlight
of lighter blue and highlighted
with a blue/white mix in the top
right hand corner: painting glass
windows is a pain...
8. FINAL PAINTING
The walls were initially painted in
a pale cream but I felt the colour
was too close to the colour of
the thatch and just a little too
drab. I used a white acrylic wash
to lighten the upper portions of
the walls and a mid-brown (a
Snakebite Leather colour) to the
lower walls to darken the tone.
A light wash then highlighted
the individual stone blocks, as
featured in the Arms and Armour
book illustration, before I added
one final drybrush of off-white
to pick out any rough texture
modelled with the fine sand.
9. VARNISH
The Thatched Cottage was
varnished with Galleria Matt
Varnish and a couple of green
foam clumps were glued to the
lower wall areas just to add
some interest. On reflection,
however, I have two issues with
this particular model: firstly, I
think I should have added more
internal strengtheners and
secondly, if I were modelling
it again, I would make it a little
larger (Think outside the box,
Tony! Ed.). Even so, I think the
model has turned out well and
once again proves that good
wargame terrain does not need
to be complicated or expensive.

Wargames Fantasy and
Sci-Fi figures always
sought for cash, part
exchange or swaps.
Website updated
RECCE
B O O K R E V I E W S F O R T H E D I S C E R N I N G WA R G A M E R
WARS AND DECISION IN THE ATLANTIC:

SOLDIERS IN THE THE ALLIES AND THE LONGEST
EARLY REIGN OF CAMPAIGN OF THE SECOND
LOUIS XIV WORLD WAR
◗ Bruno Mugnai ◗ Edited by Marcus Faulkner & Christopher M. Bell
◗ Helion (2019) ◗ Andarta Books/Casemate Books) (2019)
◗ £29.95 ◗ £41.50
◗ 318 pages (softback) ◗ 313 pages (hardback)
◗ ISBN:9781912866557 ◗ ISBN: 9781949668001
◗ helion.co.uk ◗ casematepublishing.co.uk
Gosh, this is a beauty... This book represents the very latest

It is rare to find such a good blend research and thinking on the Battle of the
of information on army organisation, Atlantic. It is an edited book of ten different
uniforms, equipment, campaign aspects written by eminent academics,
experience, social background (including historians and a naval officer. It approaches
the Court), and even unit strengths in the campaign through the medium of
major battles. This second volume in the article chapters such as an overview of the
series covers the Imperial Army of the battle itself with a new perspective behind
late 17th Century, and includes 14 pages it; labour relations in dockyards which
of colour plates of uniforms and flags. impacted on the availability of shipping;
Maps are relatively few, but are helpful. the eclipse of the S-Boat in the Channel;
The proof-reading could definitely be to the work of the global U-boat tracking
improved, but the meaning is almost centres and the cruise of U-188.
always clear, and the writer’s style is It is a fine collection of scholarly work
very readable. As an example of the level and new perspectives which advances the
of detail, there are 50 A4 pages on the knowledge of this crucial campaign during
Emperor’s army (and another chapter World War Two. Eminently readable, one
on the Reichsarmee), ranging from article explores the relationship between the
line troops to militia and with many Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force (entitled
details of theoretical, and campaign, ‘Brothers in Arms’!), ultimately concluding
unit strengths. An appendix lists all the that the Air Staff was wrong in the long
regiments, with date of formation, major drawn out debate between the two Services.
engagements, names of colonels, and As a navy man I agree but I suggest you
uniform details where known. One of make up your own minds on the subject!
my favourite inserts is a photograph of a I enjoyed reading this book which,
mounted Austrian re-enactment group: while expensive, is a great contribution
the photo is dated 1901... to the historiography of this campaign.
Congratulations to Helion on another It is very highly recommended for the
fine volume. expert and general reader alike.
Chris Jarvis Martin S. Pike
›
REVIEWS
lasting 168 days, described in this book,

he defeated Duke Ulrich and suppressed
the peasant uprisings.
The first part of the book describes
the organisation of the League Army,
explaining its command structure, the
horse and foot and ordnance, the baggage
train and its communications; the
second part provides a narrative of the
campaigns and battles.
Informative modern maps, specially
drawn for this book by Dr Lesley Prince,
show the Swabian Circle; Swabia in 1525;
The League’s campaign route against the
peasants of the Hegau and Duke Ulrich
of Wurttemberg; The peasant bands of
upper Swabia; the battles of Leipheim,
Herrenberg-Boblingen, Konigshofen,
THE SAXON MARS THE ARMY OF THE Leubas, and The League’s campaign trail
AND HIS FORCE SWABIAN LEAGUE 1525 against the peasants of Upper Swabia,
◗ Alexander Querengasser ◗ Douglas Miller Franconia and the Allgau. The latter will
◗ Helion (2019) ◗ Helion & Company (2019) be particularly useful for wargamers
◗ £25 ◗ £19.95 who wish to devise a mini-campaign of
◗ 152 pages (softback) ◗ 108 pages (softback) the events of 1525, but both it and all the
◗ ISBN:9781912866601 ◗ ISBN: 9781912866519 other maps would be even more useful if
◗ helion.co.uk ◗ helion.co.uk scales were provided!
Eight pages of colour plates include a
This publication is not so much a book of The Swabian League was a defensive modern illustration of The Command Group
battles, but very much a way of steeping alliance of princes, prelates and of the Swabian League army; reproductions
yourself in the politico-military (and Imperial cities to maintain the peace of sixteen plates from 1545 of the heraldic
indeed cultural) ethos of major parts of within southern Germany. The League Swabian League banners of some of the
Europe in the late 17th Century... Council knew it could not rely on the principal cities; four contemporary coloured
This is an engrossing profile of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, who drawings of ordnance; six plates showing
Saxon Army’s structure, administration, was committed to waging war against costumes worn by the lesser nobility of
financing, uniforms, weapons, tactics, and Francis I in Italy, so it drew up precise Bavaria, some of whom would have served
negotiating of alliances in a period when rules for the troop contingents members in the League light horse, and coloured
they were both eastward-facing (against were expected to provide to raise a drawings of an artillery train and two
the Ottoman Turks) and westward-facing military force of a maximum of 1845 different types of wagons. Numerous
(primarily against the French). The only horse and 10835 foot. These contingents monochrome contemporary engravings
major battle account is of the Relief could be “declared in thirds, quarters of personalities and troops are distributed
of Vienna in 1683, at which the Saxon or fifths of the total troops required throughout the text.
infantry won a fine reputation for bravery and each member was then charged Four appendices quote extracts from
and aggression. There are few maps, but with providing a percentage of the total a field ordinance drawn up by the
copious contemporary engravings plus share.” The contingents and financial Franconian peasants, Regimental and
eight pages of colour plates of uniforms. contributions appear on page 24; the Company Rates of Pay laid down by the
I can see this book being a boon for anyone Archbishopric of Mainz, for example, Imperial Diet of Constance in 1507 and
wishing to develop a Central European had to muster 100 horse and 400 foot. The Habsburg Contingent of horse on
multi-state campaign, with a strong conflict In 1525 the League faced two the Eve of the Battle of Leipheim. Brief
between the interests of an individual state significant threats: an attempt by the commentaries on the colour plates and a
and the common need for banding against exiled Duke Ulrich of Wurttemberg to bibliography conclude the book.
the Eastern foe. Juggling your state finances, recover his territory, and local peasant A very useful book on an unfamiliar
attempting to get ‘cost recovery plus bonus’ uprisings which threatened to become a theme for any wargamer, seeking alternative
when you provide troops to the common general insurgent movement for political employment for his miniature landsknechts
cause, plus providing up-to-date weaponry reform. Georg ‘Truchsess’ (steward) and other Renaissance forces, who wishes
in a period of significant technical change – von Waldburg was appointed supreme to refight these battles or to design a map or
quite a challenge... commander of the Swabian League forces matrix games of the whole campaign.
Chris Jarvis on 2nd February 1525. In campaigns Arthur Harman

The second section follows Bruce in
the recovery of his kingdom, the Battle
of Bannockburn, the death of Edward
Bruce, and equally importantly for
Scotland, the rapprochement between
Edward II and Thomas of Lancaster. The
third section follows the consolidation
of the Kingdom of Scotland, plus the
parallel breakdown of England with the
breakdown of relations between Edward
II, his Queen, his son, his nobility, and
pretty well everybody else. It ends with
the death of Robert having achieved
peace as opposed to a truce, but the final
chapter does look at the next few years.
Looking at the book as a whole, there isn’t
the sort of detail that you would need to
field the detailed armies to refight, the battle
ROBERT THE BRUCE: CHAMPION of Bannockburn. But on the other hand, it THE ITALIAN WARS:
OF A NATION is obvious that the author understands the VOLUME ONE
◗ Stephen Spinks warfare of the period and his accounts of ◗ M. Predonzani and V. Alberici
◗ Amberley Publishing (2019) battles and campaigns is coherent and helps ◗ Helion (2019)
◗ £20 put things in perspective. ◗ £19.95
◗ 320 pages (Hardback) More importantly is his grasp of the ◗ 136 pages (softback)
◗ ISBN: 9781445685076 bigger picture. Spinks has also written ◗ ISBN:9781912866526
◗ amberley-books.com the book, Edward II the Man: A Doomed ◗ helion.co.uk
Inheritance. It is obvious that he has a
It has to be said that Stephen Spinks has not considerable insight into the situation in I reckon that any top-notch publisher
set himself an easy task. The story of Robert England at the time, as well as the moves (especially Helion) should be allowed one
the Bruce has been told many times. I first both parties made to swing the Papacy mistake a year: I think that this is Helion’s.
read the Ladybird book as a child. I also behind them. Similarly you can see the The authors describe the political and
confess that I think that Nigel Tranter’s The part France plays in the story, sometimes strategic setting in Italy in the late 1490s,
Bruce Trilogy, whilst a historical novel, is a accidentally as when the French king including the battle of Fornovo (1495).
brilliant book for a wargamer looking for allowed his sister Isabella of France a base Unfortunately, the weak translating and
ideas. Tranter as a novelist could produce from which to overthrow her husband, editorial control make this the worst Helion
details mere historians were not given access Edward II. title I’ve ever reviewed.
to. Still I shudder to think how many other On reading the book, the author seems The translator seems to have no
biographies of Bruce there have been. Not to be able to bring out the human side knowledge of English military terminology,
only is there the man, there is the legend. of the protagonists. Bruce is obviously so descriptions of weapons, armour, and
However, I think that Stephen Spinks has a great captain. Given the calibre and formations often make little sense. Some
produced an excellent job. He has picked experience of the men he fought against English words seem plucked from an
his way carefully and has tried to give he could be nothing less. But he was also Italian-English dictionary rather than from
us the real man, not the legend. In a post shown to be a shrewd politician, sharing common usage. The combined sub-totals
‘Braveheart’ world he is to be commended. out lands, rewarding his supporters and in each formation often differ significantly
His book has fourteen chapters but they converting many who had been neutral at from the army total. Most places in the
are divided into three sections. The first, best into supporters. Other figures such as text do not feature on a map and the maps
Loyalty and Ambition, looks at Scotland, ‘Black Douglas’ become more rounded, he have no scale. In the key map of Fornovo,
the Bruce family and then focuses on is not merely a paladin, but another fine the formation commanders in the text are
Scotland after the death of Alexander III. commander. Even Edward II is partially sometimes named differently on the map,
Here we see the reign of John Balliol, Bruce rehabilitated. Instead of the cowardly making tracking of moves difficult. The
holding Carlisle castle for the King of monarch of legend, you see somebody eight pages of colour ‘plates’ are fairly
England and then the campaigns of William who was constantly battling on all sides in juvenile in style.
Wallace. The first section draws to a close an attempt to keep his throne. Even a cursory read would pick up these
with Bruce slipping away from the English All in all, a good book and one that problems, and I cannot believe anyone
army outside Stirling, passes through the deserves a place on the bookshelves of at Helion has even read the book. Not
death/murder of John Comyn, and the anybody interested in the period. recommended!
scattering of Bruce’s forces after Methven. Jim Webster Chris Jarvis
›
REVIEWS
troops, but there are reproductions of

a few contemporary cigarette cards of
such units and a monochrome drawing
showing some of the wide variety of
turbans worn in the Indian Army. It
would be impossible, in a book of this
size, to cover such colonial forces in
any detail; the authors have, wisely in
my opinion, not tried to do more than
acknowledge their existence.
The other great value of the book is
the large number of colour photographs
of artefacts from the authors’ collections
(there are 140 illustrations), accompanied
by very informative explanatory captions,
that illustrate the development of military
equipment during the period.
A very brief Selected Bibliography of
only seven works concludes the book.
The main text is comprised of five
THROUGH ADVERSITY; BRITISH EMPIRE UNIFORMS sections: China, Hong Kong and the Far
AND BOMBER BOY 1919 TO 1939 East; India between the Wars; North
◗ A. Goodrum; and D. French ◗ Edward Hallett and Michael Skriletz West Frontier; The Middle East, Palestine
◗ Amberley Publishing (2020) ◗ Amberley Books (2019) and the League of Nations Mandate,
◗ £20 each ◗ £14.99 and The Rest of Empire. In each section
◗ 304, and 336, pages (hardback) ◗ 96 pages (softback) the descriptions of the uniforms worn
◗ ISBN:9781445695457 & 9781445684659 ◗ ISBN: 9781445688947 and equipment used in that theatre are
◗ casematepublishing.co.uk ◗ amberley-books.com sometimes accompanied by concise
accounts of the duties and some of the
I am going to review two books here that Edward Hallett has been involved in operations undertaken there, such as
are both pertaining to the air war in WWII. World War Two living history, is a regular the Moplah Rebellion in southern India
The first title is a neat idea – telling the contributor to the Armourer magazine in 1921-1922, the Chanak Crisis in the
human story of the development of the and writes the Tales from the Supply Dardanelles in 1922, and the deployment
RFC and RAF from its fledgling WWI Depot militaria blog – the largest online of the Union Defence Force (UDF) against
days, to the very different technology of the site devoted to collecting and researching Chief Ipumbu of the Ukuambi Tribe in
Cold War, through the lives of three pilots British and Empire military artefacts. South Africa in 1922.
in successive generations. As with most Michael Skriletz specialises in collecting This book will obviously be appreciated
accounts of individual lives, it is a mixture khaki drill uniforms and webbing and is a by figure collectors who want to create
of operational experience and amusing member of the Karkee Web Research Team. accurate models of such troops by
anecdotes, albeit with little technical The focus of this book is the uniforms converting similar figures and paint them
background, and should appeal nicely to and equipment of officers and men of correctly. The section on the North West
serving and retired flying personnel. the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Frontier will be very useful for wargamers
The second book is the WWII story of a Marines who served overseas between wishing to stage a refight of the scenario
colourful and forthright Australian bomber the wars. There are numerous full colour A Punitive Expedition to the Pushna
pilot, who flew a variety of bomber types reconstructions, based upon period Valley, featured in Donald Featherstone’s
and saw action in three continents (Europe, photographs: some of which show familiar War Game Campaigns (Stanley Paul,
North Africa, and Burma). He was in action items of uniform and equipment, but worn 1970; reprinted as Donald Featherstone’s
for the whole war, which must be pretty in ways typical of overseas, rather than Wargaming Campaigns in 2014 by the
rare: from memory, Bomber Command had home, service in the British Empire; others History of Wargaming Project). The
over half its serving aircrew killed in action feature unique and unusual pieces which information and illustrations will also
and – bearing in mind that many will have have not been published before. Both front be a helpful reference for those staging
commenced service in 1944 onwards, when and rear views are shown of many, but not ‘Pulp’ themed wargames or roleplays
loss rates fell – your chances of surviving six all, of these reconstructions. who need to paint figures such as those
years in action must have been minimal.... Although there are reconstructions in Copplestone Castings’ Back of Beyond
Probably not books for most wargamers, of an Australian, a Canadian and a range, for example. A good investment for
but a worthy reminder ‘Lest we forget’. South African infantryman, there are those interested in the period.
Chris Jarvis none of Indian Army or other ‘native’ Arthur Harman

MDF WARGAMING
SCENERY
Designed
for all your
favourite
games!
UNIQUE
MINIATURES GAMES www.ttcombat.com
View the full range at

armourfast.com Extensive range
of scenery to build
realistic landscapes
and terrains
Javis Resin Battle Zones
Exclusive Armourfast
Grass & Mats & Scatters & Walls &
Foliage Sheets Chippings Fencing Scenery
SHOW REPORT
HAMMERHEAD
The Editor goes to the 2020 show
1
I
took a trip to Hammerhead As ever the show was very slick and 1 Some excelent painting
2020. Despite it being on the very well run with almost 60 traders and scenery on Anchor
Line by The Boondock
edge of mass gatherings being and around the same number of Sayntes
cancelled, numbers seemed participation games spread over the
steady so the games and traders two halls (the main and the smaller 2 A tank battle in the snow
- Cold War era - Dave
seemed to be having a good time. gamers lounge). Malc and Friends make
good use of those snow
boards!
3 Main hall panorama
4 The Flight of Finarfin by

Morris and Chums
5 The Battle of North

Coker - by the Very British
Civil War Forum
6 A Sharp Priactice game

by Like a Stone Wall
Gamers
2 3

GAMES
This will be brief as space is limited
so I’ll mostly let the pictures do the
talking. My favourites included
very nice First Age Middle Earth
game (using Dragon Rampart, I
believe) by James Morris and Friends
called The Flight of Finarfin; a
splendid 6mm Insandlwana by
Reveille Studios; a great looking
28mm WWII game called Driver
Advance by Huntingdon Wargamers;
a 28mm colonial game by the always
impressive Boondock Sayntes called
Anchor Line; and an ACW Sharp
Practice game by Like A Stone Wall
Gamers. But there were so many
other good games: the Battle of
Shanghai 1937 by the Redditch
Gamers looked good, as did an Very
British Civil War outing by the
VBCW Forum. The Poldark game by
4
the Forest Outlaws (complete with big
ship and Cornish Cove in 28mm), a
7TV game by the company and crew
in the same scale (complete with a
V2 and a Nazi flying saucer...), and
lastly a 28mm tank battle in the cold
war era (or possibly Chechen Civil
War) in the snow, by Dave Tuck and
crew which looked spiffing.
It was a great day to buy and
game and I’m looking forward to
5 6 next year: Saturday 6th March. ■
›
SHOW REPORT: HAMMERHEAD 2020
7 Jolly Boating Weather!.

The Poldark game by the
Forest Outlaws
8 The 28mm WWII Driver

Advance by the Huntingdon
Wargamers
10 9 The Flight of Finarfin by
Morris and Chums
10 Infamy Infamy! by the

Harrogate Wargames Club
11 Isandlewana in 6mm:
Reveille Studios
8 11

Colonel Bills
www.colonelbills.com
D’Arlo Figurines - 28mm Border Reivers
...Exclusively available from Colonel Bills

..and don’t forget that our trained guides are available to
help you to navigate a path over your lead mountain!
We recycle historical castings—
and we find new Generals for old soldiers
Email: [email protected]
REVIEWS
QUARTERMASTER
DEEP CUT ALIEN PLANET VAUBAN TO SHOREHAM
◗ The latest gaming mat news ◗ Small scale 1/1000th scenery
◗ deepcutstudio.com ◗ brigademodels.co.uk
◗ €25.90 upwards ◗ £2 upwards
Deep Cut Studios have been cranking There are some new releases from Brigade
out some new mats recently and – Models aimed at small scale gaming,
from my perspective – they have been aimed at either naval, air or Aeronef styles,
excelling themselves. Two of the latest I guess. First off there’s a piece which
releases really caught my eye: one is the brigade titled “Shoreham by the Sea” a
latest Infinity mat to tie in with Corvus little something from the early age of
Belli’s game system. This is called commercial air travel: some Civilian Airfield
Combined Army and – although I haven’t Buildings. Shoreham is the oldest licensed
got one for review – it ties in well with civilian airfield in the UK, dating from
the one I have especially for the colour. 1910. It has a very distinctive ‘30s art deco
The Combined Army matt features a lot of terminal building which has starred in
purple in the colour scheme and it makes a number of films (both as a British and
for a very pretty mat and – for €54.90 – indeed an Axis structure). During WWII
you can have one in ‘mouse mat’ material the airfield was used by the RAF and
in the official 4’ x 4’ size. was home to various aircraft including
But, there are two other new ones that Lysanders, Spitfires, Hurricanes and
I really need to flag up. There’s a superb Defiants. The main hanger was badly
Asteroid Version 2 mat that is mostly grey damaged in one Luftwaffe attack, losing
with photo realistic craters and which the outer skin, but the framework survived
– as I’ve recently been involved with a and it was restored post-war. Since 1945 the
game over the surface of the moon – is airfield has expanded and has a number
something I find very appealing indeed. of additional hangars and light industrial
However – and finally – the mat I’ve units, but the original three buildings are
actually been sent for review is Alien still there and this is what this £4 resin kit
ACCESSORIES & TERRAIN
Planet. I do a lot of SF gaming and – I’ll represents. You could also add some 15mm
confess – it’s just too easy to chuck a sand (by 22mm diameter) round oil tanks to the
or a grass coloured mat on the table and set, to make it less specific to Shoreham
call it done. This latest offering has grey (the latter should be around £2).
rocks and some sort of low vegetation But if this all sounds a bit too modern,
printed on it but running over the whole how about stepping back to the age of
mat (and Deep Cut kindly sent me a Vauban with some modular Star Forts in
magnificent 6’ by 4’ rubber item) are veins the same scale? I’ve only got preliminary
of a purple, crystal sort of outcropping. examples of this but – like their medieval
It cuts a balance between being castle sets in the same range – Brigade
recognisably ‘realistic’ whilst – at the have released sets of triangular bastions,
same time – being just ‘off world’ enough walls, gates and gun platforms that will
to work and I’ve very impressed with it. enable a gamer to build – for between
For scale I’ve included a close-up shot of about £10-£20 – almost any configuration
an MSV (a Captain Scarlet Mars rover) from a small four pointed star to a big five
in about 1/300th and it looks very nice. pointer with exterior gun platforms which
Prices start at €25.90 for cloth in a smaller might be as large at 10 inches or so across
size, but they can be had on PVC or when complete. All pieces are cast in resin
mouse mat rubber like mine for €49.90. and suitably detailed and, of course, make
Each comes in a clear plastic sleeve/case splendid terrain for any period right up
for storage and carrying. Recommended. until the current day.
72 Miniature Wargames December 2019

COMING UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE OUT MAY 7TH
BELGEROTH’S
LAST STAND
A Miniature Wargames exclusive Oathmark
PLUS
The Multi-talented
Kevin Dallimore
Scenario by rules author Joseph A. McCullough builds and
paints the latest
Oathmark Elves
PLUS
ROME IN DACIA ELDER SCROLLS BUILD DEAD MAN’S HAND

You’re Decebalus and the Romans Step by step: a ruined tower We gonna build a well, and
are coming! commission by Tony Harwood Mexico’s gonna pay for it!
BUY YOUR COPY ONLINE AND GET FREE POSTAGE IN THE UK

OR SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE OVER 33% (SEE P.33 FOR MORE)
CONTENTS
MAY BE
tabletopgaming.co.uk SUBJECT TO
CHANGE
Wargaming
figures and
kits exclusively
in 1:72 scale FREE
GE
POSToArders
On all 30.00*
over E£CODE
01843 293723 US
MWG-P
30
y 2020
* Until 1 Ma
Shop online at
WWW.1-72.CO.UK
GAMES
STORE
B U Y Y O U R FAV O U R I T E G A M E S
D I R E C T LY F R O M U S !
tabletopgaming.co.uk/games
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
SHREWSBURY WARGAMING SOCIETY the Marcher Wargames Show in

Five decades of gaming! Shrewsbury and we keep that
tradition alive with our own mini
Interview by James Winspeare
wargames show at our clubhouse
on the first weekend in December
How did the club first get started What are some of the most ABOVE with many games, table top
The club at work and play.
and how has the club changed over popular games at club? Does it sales and an evening’s meal to
the years? lean particularly heavily into one TOP RIGHT celebrate the year’s events where
Since starting as an after school genre/ period? A close up of one of the all are welcome.
clubs show games.
group at Priory Boys School, Meeting in Shrewsbury every
Shrewsbury Wargames Society Monday and at least one weekend a Do you run other social events
has evolved over the years into month in our own private clubhouse, through the year?
a club dedicated to recreating, we play a wide range of historical We have various social events in
educating and keeping alive local miniature games across all periods our caledar, which we tie into our
and world history in all miniature and scales from 6mm to 40mm gaming events. As mentioned
forms. Celebrating our fiftieth with a focus on 15mm and 28mm there’s Marcher in December but
anniversary in 2019, we have from smaller skirmish actions to full with the Battle of Shrewsbury
always prided ourselves to put scale recreations of Blenheim with event we have been able to add
on games in our local community 32 �igure regiments. We include all in a summer “Marcher” as well
such as the Battle of Shrewsbury the favourite science �iction settings with BBQ and beers on site. For
event; recreating the first Longbow as well as alternative histories our fiftieth anniversary the club
against Longbow battle for the such as Fallout, VBCW and even has run several social events from
wider public at the battlefield a good selection of board games an anniversary meal to journeying
itself, and the Heritage Open Day like Conflict ‘44. Some of our most to Belgium: visiting Waterloo, the
events at Shrewsbury Castle and popular games would be Lion fortress of Eben Emael and the
Soldiers of Shropshire Museum. Rampant where we have recently Crisis Wargames Show (our first
We put on displays at various run a “Lord of the Ring’s” style club show in Europe) and one we
wargaming shows around the campaign to great delight as well as hope to return to it with a display
country and we have organised some beautiful Southern American game soon!
various club trips abroad to sites con�licts from 1816-1835.
around Europe to visit and honour Conclusion
men of the Shropshire regiments What events or tournaments do If you would like to join us or
as well some of the greatest battles you run? simply want to know more
and campaigns in history. We This year we are also hosting the please visit our Facebook page
are proud of being part of a keen Very British Civil War Community’s by searching for Shrewsbury
local gaming community with “Big Game” weekend in October, Wargames Society and we
the Gatekeepers Wargames Club, over the 24th/25th with of course encourage all members from 14
If you’d like your club
focusing on Games Workshop the traditional curry night. Keep years old upwards. Whatever you
featured in Miniature
and card based wargames, and an eye on our Facebook page for Wargames, get in wish to play we will be more than
the new Nerdy Board Game Café an announcement of another event contact at miniature happy to clear a table and after fifty
providing a broad range of options we are hosting this year as well. wargames@ years we’ll have everything to play
for the gamer in Shropshire. We had a long history of hosting warnersgroup.co.uk alongside you. ■
May Miniature Wargames 75

A Fistful of Dice
Independent Wargaming,
GET YOUR FREE ISSUE OF Hobby, Roleplay & Card
Mexican Infantry standing firing - 50p Game Shop & Gaming Centre
M I N I AT U R E WA R G A M E S Mexican Rurale officer mounted - £1
O R TA B L E T O P G A M I N G ACW, Colonial Nineteenth

Century, Russo-Japanese,
WHEN YOU SIGN UP Mexican Revolution and
WW1 ranges
TO OUR FREE NEW French Intervention
0333 340 7470
in Mexico coming soon
N E W S L E T T E R T O D AY ! 72 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1LN
www.afistfulofdice.co.uk
FREE to download rule sets /fistfulofdice
by Andy Callan
www.jacklexminiatures.com
A ୑ A Gਠਬਤ Eਭਦਨਭਤਤ਱ਨਭਦ
Our range of 20+ titles covers rules for GRAVESEND
Wargames in all periods specialising in
Naval and Air. Our aim is to allow you MODEL CENTRE
to use lots of your models in a battle
lasting 2-4 hours, whilst having fun.
ALL YOUR WARGAMING,
New Release now available MODELLING & RAILWAY
 Aerial Battles 1939-1945 NEEDS UNDER ONE ROOF
In the pipeline
 Officer’s Handbook (Issue 2) SHOP OPEN:
 Other titles will be updated during 2020 MONDAY - SATURDAY
Our titles are available through … 9am til 4.30pm
• Sunday 10am til 4pm
as PDFs or in printed form. We offer 15 The High Street, Gravesend, DA11 0BQ
SIGN UP HERE: extensive product support. For full

details visit our website at:
(Next to the Julius Caesar Restaurant)
E: [email protected]
ttgami.ng/freesample aandagames.co.uk
[email protected]
Tel: 01474 536531
Find us on Facebook
www.gravesendmodelcentre.co.uk
Farnborough Wargames Society presents:
VALHALLA 2020
Sunday 28th June, 10:00 to 16:00
Entry £5.00 (+Concessions)
This includes entry in the Prize Draw
QT Multipart 25
Come and join games Build your own figures

being played in a friendly *Grab a head
and relaxed atmosphere! *Grab a body
*Grab a shield
Participation Games
*Grab a weapon
Competitions
Bring & Buy
Trade Show 20%
Save Sole on figures!
UK stockist of
Refreshments Wargamer’s
Enter 20420 Whims Battlemats
at checkout
Alderwood Leisure Centre
Alderwood school
Producers of QT,
Tongham Road.
Aldershot Pendragon, Amazon
Hampshire & Old Dixon
GU12 4AS
25mm figures
CAR PARKING: FREE
www.fwgs.org.uk/valhalla www.wargamesdesignworkshop.co.uk
[email protected]
THIS SPACE
COULD BE
YOURS!
To advertise in the
next issue,
please call
01778 395059 15mm 1/100th scale
PW745 BMP-2 £7.50ea
Resin & white metal kit
Unit 1 Charnwood Business Park

North Road
Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 1LE
tel: 01509 213789
www.skytrex.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Turn your Lead to Gold!

Is the loft threatening to collapse? Are you ever going to paint those
figures? Would you like the cash to start another period or scale?
I buy collections of painted or unpainted figures, any make or scale

including Games Workshop and historical figures. Also Board Games,
RPGs, model kits, books and terrain.
I will buy your entire collection (not just the good bits), pay in cash, and
collect the items from your door. No distance is too far!
Contact me on 07914 609709, email: [email protected]

or write to Rob Palmier, 23 Clanfield Avenue, Wolverhampton,
West Midlands WV11 2QU
It has to be
OOlOOR PAR1Y PAIN1S ...it's the only one!

STARTER PACK £16.00
ANCIENT £16.00
FLESH TONES £16.00
FEUDAL/MEDIEVAL £16.00
FRENCH NAPOLEONIC £16.00
BRITISH NAPOLEONIC £16.00
A.C.W THE BLUES £16.00
A.C.W THE GREYS £16.00
CAMOUFLAGE £16.00
HORSE BOX [SHEENS! £17.00
SAMURAI £16.00
BASETEX £16.00
Payment to Colour Party Paints

8 Woodhall Place, Thornbury, Bradford 8D3 7BX, UK.
[email protected] I www.colourparty.co.uk
Thetis 1/3000 range
DM6 DM10
DM4
Running out of space for your dioramas?

These are just four of our small-scale range of harbour items . All
cast in resin, they are supplied unpainted and work well with our
Davco 1/3000 ships to create a table-top sized diorama.
Why not check them out on our website?
DM5
www.navymodelsandbooks.co.uk
[email protected] Tel: 07413403154
THE LAST WORD
GAV
THORPE
Long time Black Library publisher, freelance
writer, games designer and New York Times
bestselling author talks ‘choice’.
e live in a twenty-four every weekend between February “This is that games all the time, has perfectly
W hour world, apparently,

surrounded by an
endless stream of
media, so finding time for our
hobby amongst all of the other
and November, and quite often
several things. Throw in club nights,
in-store games, tournaments and
campaign weekends and the diary
can look too full. (Though let’s be
where social
media can
really be
painted armies and stunning terrain
collections. (Also known as Dave
Andrews.) Our paint jobs never quite
measure up, we feel we are failing in
our commitments to the hobby gods,
distractions can be difficult. From honest, that’s a non-issue over the
detrimental and that it is our fault that we don’t
the simple time-sink of social media next few months at least). to our have the time because if only we
to the lure of binging another series All of this combines to give the perspective. applied ourselves a little more…
on Netflix, never have we had so impression that we don’t have None of which is good for mental
many demands on our time and time to do the things we want to be
It’s hard to health. A hobby is meant to be
attention. Some of us have to fit in doing , or worse, that we think we keep up an engagement that relaxes and
our painting and playing around should be doing. This is where social with the rewards, not berates and belittles.
family, work and other social media can really be detrimental to It’s important to step back from the
commitments, while others perhaps our perspective. It’s hard to keep
Jones’s coal face of plastic and white metal
don’t have the ready cash available up with the Jones’s when there are when there now and then and remember why
to keep up with what seems like a so many Jones’s to keep up with. are so many we do this thing we call our hobby.
constant stream of great new games The instinct to compare ourselves It doesn’t matter if you only paint
and miniatures. to others is amplified across the
Jones’s to one miniature this year. Nobody
There are many reasons to internet, where others’ achievements keep up else is judging you if you haven’t
believe that we are in a golden are both filtered as successes only with.” actually played a game since 2001. I
era of gaming, of all types. and removed from context. collected and painted a little bit but
Choice has never been greater, No longer is it just magazines did virtually no gaming between
and the advancement of various like this one or the demo games leaving GW in 2008 before getting
sculpting, design and production at shows where we see gloriously back into things fully a couple of
technologies coupled with cheaper modelled battlefield hosting years ago. Even if you are only
manufacturing capacity in China beautifully painted miniatures. Our reading magazines and wishfully
means that it has never been easier social media feeds are full of hobby thinking about that next project,
to create a good-looking product. goodness, along with an endless you are still a hobbyist. You’re not
As consumers we are spoilt supply of people reporting on their competing with anybody else.
for choice, whether old timey games, tournament results and Look after yourself and enjoy
historical players, adherents of other activities. On the one hand what you want to enjoy. Give
the resurgent juggernaut Games this can be marvellously inspiring. yourself time of to watch telly or
Workshop, Kickstarter addicts or I love hobby Twitter and a daily play video games or whatever.
something else. dose of other people’s enthusiasm Play with unpainted soldiers
On top of that there are also so buoys me up when my motivation occasionally if you need to. Don’t
many shows to visit, whether a is flagging. On the downside it’s fret about that To Be Painted pile
local club or a huge event like Salute also easy to end up creating some never getting smaller.
or UK Games Expo. Pretty much mythical chimeras hobbyist out of It’s your hobby, you chose it, you
something is happening somewhere all of these different people – one can’t fail at it. ■

Miniature Wargames May 2020

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Miniature Wargames May 2020

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Miniature Wargames May 2020

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EX NTSID

MON BRAVE! OPERATION NORDWIND BENFLEET

May 2020 Miniature Wargames 3

WARS OF OZZ range has been designed, sculpted

4 Miniature Wargames May 2020

May 2020 Miniature Wargames 5

THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE

WHY WAS THIS

conflict, it was actually more of a

8 Miniature Wargames May 2020

quite slim. It will give you a good suspected COVID-19 at present, so

10 Miniature Wargames May 2020

K the lines “Five and twenty ponies trotting through

12 Miniature Wargames May 2020

THE HAWKHURST GANG

restricted to innocent bystanders. When one of the BELOW

GOUDHURST & ITS MILITIA

14 Miniature Wargames May 2020

16 Miniature Wargames May 2020

6 No Mist and mist clears away

“A One legged Seafaring Man”

18 Miniature Wargames May 2020

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE

Captain Stout prepares to fight.

20 Miniature Wargames May 2020

SCENARIO 3: ESCORTING THE GOODS

May 2020 Miniature Wargames 21

TICKETS FROM £16 K I D S UNDER 10 GO FREE

26th and 27th September 2020

PRESEN T ING PAR T NER

TICKET HOTLINE: 0844 338 0338

DEFENCE RULE BOOKS

STALINGRAD WHITE OUT

24 Miniature Wargames May 2020

and there’s a wealth of photographs of

26 Miniature Wargames May 2020

May 2020 Miniature Wargames 27

28 Miniature Wargames May 2020

RIGHT SETTING UP THE BATTLEFIELD

30 Miniature Wargames May 2020

32 Miniature Wargames May 2020

to guarantee your ARCHERY An asymmetrical WWII Sce

nario for 1-48TACTIC

issues and also

Call us today on:

01778 391180 quoting MWG/Battle20

34 Miniature Wargames May 2020

Hotel. Several bloody frontal

THE MISSION Gun group 2

OPPOSING FORCES Force total: 25 Characters, 210 VP

36 Miniature Wargames May 2020

38 Miniature Wargames May 2020

he Rapid Fire! Team of Richard Marsh and Colin

T Rumford, have, over the years produced some

ABOVE SETTING & RULES

40 Miniature Wargames May 2020

ABOVE THE FOG ◗ dense cover = +1

ADD TO D10 CONDITION SNOW

42 Miniature Wargames May 2020

All Germans are on foot and all German Anti-tank guns