28mm Boer War collection for sale

I was recently directed to this eBay sale of a very nice 28mm Boer War collection:

eBay link

OK, truth be told, the seller is actually Captain Dan of RedOverBlue. He's an officer in the Canadian military and about to be re-posted to the wilds of New Brunswick, which as we all know is not the hot-bead of civilized life expectant of a gentleman officer in Her Majesty's service. You'd be helping him out by lessening the load he has to drag with him (and that much less his batman will need to unpack... what's that? no batman? Hummmph!). OK, truth be told... you'd be helping out his long-suffering wife more than anything.

Easter weekend goodness...

I sidled down to the Niagara Peninsula this past Easter weekend for some gaming goodness at the home of the most-illustrious purveyor of gaming goodies and all-round great guy, Martin of J&Miniatures. Martin had asked for another Chain of Command contest and I was happy to bring along my 1940 Germans and BEF. We set up an Attack & Defend scenario from the rulebook and had at it!

 The battlefield surveyed with enthusiasm and gusto!

 British aid station, defended gallantly at the side of the road against any wandering demons or zombies. Is that really a cross in his hand?

 German zug deploys on the attack.

The British deploy a monster! Interestingly, there was discussion amongst the British commanders  (OK, just Martin) before the battle whether to call on the services of a Matilda I or Matilda II. Not surprisingly, the former did not win the argument.

German infantry realize, after manoeuvring close to the Matilda, that they have no integral AT weapons. Didn't they get the 1940 memo? 

 These must be solid crops.. the terrain-maker needs to re-assess.

The first ever game appearance of the Sig33, cobbled together from bits and bobs many months ago by Captain Dan from RedOverBlue. This monster throws 13 HE dice! Martin had the audacity to deploy a Boyes AT rifle team to its flank. Needless to say, 13 dice were enough to quickly dispatch that puny annoyance.

 British 2" mortars throw down a smoke screen in front of the German armour.

The Matilda fires its bow machine gun vainly at some scurrying Germans (does that make them scurrilous?).

It was a hard-fought contest and the small British platoon held off the four-zug German platoon admirably but sheer numbers (and 13 HE dice from the Sig33) really made the difference.

My thanks to Martin for a great day!

Q1 2016 points total

I discovered the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge too late to join (maybe next year). But I decided to assess my painting/collecting output over the last couple of years and into Q1 of 2016, according to the point schedule from AHPC.

28mm foot figure = 5 pts

28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 pts

28mm vehicle = 20 pts (for my purposes, I've changed this to 20 pts from 15pts... vehicles deserve more, in my opnion)

I'm happy to report that my Q1 painting output has already exceed all of last year's. 

The red line represents the total points value of all additions to my collections, from my own hand and others via commissions. The blue line represents my own personal output.

(these metrics do not include the many vehicles added to the 28mm WWII collection)

Because a good portion of my job involves working with excel spreadsheets, I thought I'd take my professional knowledge and apply it to my hobby. Thus, I've put together a sheet that auto-tracks my painting output by genre and army/force. It's quite satisfying, when I've finished a new unit, to go to sheet and see the numbers increase. But that's just me... I'm a bit of a metrics nerd :) 

So far, the sheet covers only the three largest collections.

And a screenshot from one of the individual worksheets that tracks planned v. painted figures (amongst various other stats).

1940 Meuse - The campaign fought

Michael and I got together last weekend to play out the 1940 Meuse - CoC Pint-Sized Campaign... yes the whole campaign! We managed to get three games in on Saturday and one on Sunday in the Trenton Gaming Emporium (it's amazing the amount of gaming two guys can get through when left on their own).

Rather than go through three AARs, it's enough to know that the French, commanded by me, went down in flames before the German onslaught, ably coordinated by Michael. Some memorable moments occurred, chronicled in the photo review below. It is also enough to know that I am now 0-15 against Michael when he is commanding 1940 Germans. I'm sure it has mostly to do with fatherly benevolence and scenarios unbalanced in favour of the dastardly Huns. Yes, I'm quite sure that's it!

One other note springs to mind: the apparent disregard for personal safety exhibited at the French platoon command level throughout the campaign. The original platoon commander was seriously wounded and captured, his replacement killed outright, and the second replacement routed from the table. C'est incroyable!

Scenario 1 - The Patrol

 German baseline at the top of the photo, French at the bottom.

The core French force.

The core German force (unfortunately out of focus).

German armoured cars make an end run for a French Jump Off point (just visible at the bottom left of the photo).

French AT gun and rifle grenadiers deploy to cover the German advance... unfortunately too late to stop the speedy German armoured cars (visible at the top left). This was mostly due to a German pre-game barrage that apparently completely disoriented the French commander.

Meanwhile, German infantry de-busses in cover at the centre of the battlefield and French infantry deploy to counter. As it turned out, these movements meant little to the final outcome.

A French R35 deploys to counter the German armoured cars. The foremost armoured car single-handedly dropped the French morale by four points by racing forward and capturing the French JoP and taking out the R35 with its quick-firing 20mm auto-cannon. Quite spectacular!

Scenario 2 - Probing Chaumont

German infantry and pesky armoured cars race forward to threaten the central French JoP in the woods. At this point, the French platoon commander was getting quite tired of the armoured cars.

A French S35 (painted many moons ago by Captain Dan from RedOverBlue) deploys to counter the armoured cars threatening the French JoP (again.... sigh!).

Some payback! The S35 brews up a German Sd222 armoured car.

Limited French success in the campaign deserves a second photo.

No photos from scenarios 3 & 4. Probably a good thing since there was nothing positive to report from a French perspective (who cares about the German perspective? ... certainly not me!).

1940 Meuse - CoC Pint-Sized Campaign

As the German Army advanced through southern Belgium on 12 May, Panzergruppe von Kleist, consisting of XLI Panzer Corps and XIX Panzer Corps (under General Guderian) approached the Meuse River near Sedan. After securing Sedan on 12 May, Guderian’s plan for 13 May was straightforward. The 2nd Panzer Division in the north was to form the right flank of the assaulting force when it reached the Meuse near Donchery. The 1st Panzer Division, reinforced by the Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland, a battalion of assault engineers, and divisional artillery of the 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions, was to make the main attack by crossing the Meuse just north of Sedan and seizing the Heights of la Marfee overlooking the city. The 10th Panzer Division was to cross the Meuse south of Sedan and protect the southern flank of the corps. After a determined defence by the French 55e Division, 10th Panzer was able to begin consolidating its bridgehead and begin moving south toward the Bulson ridge. Meanwhile the French had similar ideas and were heading for the same high ground...

BREAKOUT FROM THE MEUSE

This Chain of Command campaign will focus on the fighting that happened after 10. Panzer Division crossed the Meuse near Sedan in May 1940. The campaign will last for a maximum of eight Campaign Turns. The entire campaign encompasses only two days of fighting thus no reinforcements will be available.

FRENCH FORCES

As part of 55e Division, the French player will command 2e Peleton, 1er Compagnie, 2e Battalion, 213e Régiment d’Infanterie. This will be a Regular Platoon with a Rating of +1. It will have 5 Command Dice. Support may be available from: 

• 7e Bataillon de Chars

• 3e DLM

• 3e DLC

 GERMAN FORCES

The German player will command a platoon of Kampfgruppe Geiger, a recon force, part of 10. Panzer  Division. This will be a Regular platoon with a Rating of +10. It will have 5 Command Dice and count as Aggressive troops. Support may be available from divisional assets:

• 7 Panzer Rgt

• 69. Schützen Rgt

• 90 Artillerie Rgt

• 49 Pionier-Abteilung

• 90. Aufklärungs-Bataillon

NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Forces will use the National Characteristics found in the Chain of Command main rulebook.

GERMAN CHARACTERISTICS

Mashinengewehr

Handgranaten!

FRENCH CHARACTERISTICS

Tromblon VB

La Bataille Conduit

GERMAN WILDCARDS

        

Aerial Bombardment: A concentrated Stuka attack may be used to prepare for any one Scenario. This card can be used in any Scenario. This works like a pre-game barrage but all enemy deployments from Jump Off Points are made as if from reserve (i.e. die roll must be made).

Assault Engineers: An Elite Assault Engineer section with halftrack may be added to the base force for any one Scenario. This card can be used in any Scenario.

FRENCH WILDCARDS

Armoured Counter-Attack: Two additional tanks (of any sort) are added to the basic force in any one Scenario after Scenario 2 is successfully won by the Germans. This card allows the player to seize the initiative for the next turn.

MEUSE CAMPAIGN MAP

VICTORY CONDITIONS

The Germans can enjoy a Victory if they are able to get to and win Scenario 4 anytime within the eight turn limit. If the Germans are not able to win Scenario 4 but are able to keep the French from retaking Bulson, the result is a draw. If the French are able to hold Bulson within the eight turn limit, they achieve a Victory. If the French are not able to hold Bulson but prevent the Germans from taking Maisoncelle (Scenario 4) within the eight turn limit, the result is a draw.

SCENARIO 1 – The Patrol

Game One will use The Patrol scenario as German forces move from their start lines in the Meuse bridgehead near Pont Maugis. Terrain will be in the country side with fields, light woods or orchards, and small farmsteads. Special Rules (first time at Scenario 1 only): 1) The German player may not choose a pre-game barrage as a support choice; 2) The French player must choose at least one concrete bunker (but no more than three) as a support choice, if possible.

SCENARIO 2 – The Probe

The German Force will be probing Chaumont. Terrain will be woods/orchards and fields of the outskirts of Chaumont (some buildings). Town roads will be paved or cobblestone. The stream is small and a minor hindrance to movement. 

SCENARIO 3 – Attack & Defend

Having taken Chaumont, the Germans push forward toward Bulson and find heavier resistance as they Scenario French forces on the high ground around Bulson. Terrain will be woods/orchards and fields at the outskirts of Bulson. Town roads will be paved or cobblestone. The main road is a significant feature but the stream is small and a minor hindrance to movement. Special Rules (first time at Scenario 3 only): 1) If the French player chooses the FOO and 81mm mortar battery, the FOO may be deployed off-table with line of sight to the entire table; 2) The German player must choose at least one anti-tank gun from the support lists, if possible.

 SCENARIO 4 – A Delaying Action

The Germans have pushed the French forces from the heights near Bulson and are now pursuing the retreating French toward Maisoncelle. This Scenario represents the determined French efforts to slow down the German offensive. Terrain will be woods/orchards and fields at the outskirts of Maisoncelle. Roads will be paved or cobblestone.

  

and now, something entirely different...

English Civil War, (generic) foot regiment.

Bicorne Miniatures (painted by John LeBlanc) with GMB flags.

Hussards de le Grand Duc

Some new cavalry for Le Grand-Duché de Gourmandie: Hussards de le Grand Duc

Grand Duc Pierre-Louis has issued a warrant for the organization of a new regular cavalry regiment, to be paid for and furnished by the state. LeGrand Duc has asked that young men of noble birth (or in certain circumstances sons of wealthy landowners) present themselves with horse and furniture, upon which time they would be issued with uniforms and weapons. The regiment sports the traditional Gourmandie red coats with, in this case, blue facings. Although associated with the Grand Duc in name, the regiment should not be confused with a traditional guard unit. In fact, the rank and file have little or no military experience, beyond the normal education for young men of substance. Thus, a number of seasoned men from Gourmandie's senior cavalry regiment, les Grenadiers à Cheval Boursin, have been transferred in to bolster the ranks.

Riding at the head of the new regiment in the forthcoming spring campaign  will be Florian  Battier, Comte de Rien, nephew to Grand Duc Pierre-Loius. Le Comte is a young man who has sat at the elbow of his uncle since boyhood and thus has much experience of attending upon the army in splendour and magnificence. He is able to wear the garb of the hussars with much dash!

 Hussards de le Grand Duc, 2e Escadron.

(Crusader Miniatures)

Regular heavy and light cavalry regiments are each composed of one to three field squadrons and one depot squadron, maintained and recruited in the regiment's home district. The first squadron carries the Ordonnance standard and is commanded by a Chef d'Escadron and the regiment by the regimental Colonel. In the case of this regiment, only two squadrons have been raised (above, 2e d'Escadron).