Last Of The Romans

These are the very last figures which will complete? my third century Romans army. A & A figures on bases from the ever reliable Warbases with LBMS shield transfers, the single command figures being a cut and shut from two different designs. The arrows are from the Perry plastic WotR box.

Next week's game at OHQ will be a late WWII game using Battlegroup rules.

Until next time....................

KBO

Surely Some Mistake?

The place Spain early 1937, objective seize and hold the bridge. Nationalist forces approaching the bridge are four squads of Foreign Legion including two 50mm mortars and a HMG with support of a squad of Regulares.

Also heading to occupy the bridge is the following Republican force consisting of five squads of EPR with HMG and 50mm mortar support.

The opposing forces converge on the bridge.

A squad of SFL wait for their comrades to nullify the threat from the the flanks.

The Republicans have the same plan it appears?

The Nationalists consolidate on their left flank engaging the Republicans on the other side of the river.

The Republicans advance to counter, but there is some confusion (a FUBAR roll) and one squad advances to the rear.

On the Nationalist right a squad and heavy weapons teams in support prepare to give the Republicans on that flank a hot reception.

The Republicans come under heavy and accurate fire, a hot reception indeed 

The Republican platoon commander moves up to encourage the faltering troops on the other flank who are missing the support of the retreating squads less than enthusiastic return to the fray.

A random event draw saw the Republican Assaultos miss an order to advance and support their left where the Republican heavy weapons teams were all but eliminated so that the Nationalist could concentrate their fire on them alone.

Up to turn three it looked as though the encounter would peter out into a draw, however as happens a lot after the break for lunch the balance switched dramatically to the Nationalists the draw of the order dice favouring them. The Republicans suffered from some devastating fire blunting their ability to reply. Turn four and the Nationalists took advantage of this storming over the bridge causing further mayhem.

Turn six and the Republican platoon commander ordered a withdrawal.

A rare victory for the Nationalists, surely some mistake?

As an aside several years ago I made a periscope that seldom gets used, too old school? With the use of measuring sticks in our recent games I thought this ought to get used too especially as Bolt Action uses true line of sight. We are both getting on to keep crouching down if needed and risk not being able to rise again😂 so out it came.

The periscope cunningly disguised as a house front.

Until next time..............

KBO

The Last Legion

The final unit of legionaries for my third century Romans project. Just a couple of command bases to do now, not necessarily needed but one can never have enough command stands?

All A and A Miniatures on a base from Warbases as ever.

Here is a shot of the command to show Adam's fine sculpting before they got crowded out by the rank and file.

In the background is Centurion Longinus, an Aventine figure from the Early Empire range with sleeves and trousers added with Milliput.

All being well we are off to sunny Spain next week for a SCW game here in OHQ.

Onward!

Growing Bikkelheim

I have had this retail building on the paint desk since the middle of last year, inspired by Wotanwerk's work on Instagram I have knuckled down and got it finished.

Building is by Faller a model railway piece sourced second hand on EBay, the bakery sign was downloaded from the Rapid Fire website.

I didn't attempt to straighten the wonky downpipe I like the quirky look.

TTFN & KBO

Pressed For Time

The first game in OHQ took place yesterday, a World War 2 game using Battlegroup rules inspired by the Minsk Highway scenario in the Rapid Fire Eastern Front scenario book but using a scenario from the Battlegroup Wacht Am Rhein scenario book.

The Germans are holding back a Soviet thrust during Operation Bagration the Soviet's must break through quickly, from turn five if the Germans are still holding they must draw a Battle Rating counter every turn and from turn ten two counters.

From the start Soviet orders are just not getting through (those pesky dice gods) it is a similar situation on the German side (but they have time on their side if not the dice gods)

First blood goes to the Germans with a cheeky long range shot from a Stug III taking out an advancing SU76.

The Soviet's support the advance with off table 120mm mortar fire.

The Soviet's have a flank force of a ISU152 battery due to arrive in turn four so seem content to sit back engage the Germans with mortar and  long range tank fire.

The Germans are happy to exchange fire from their Stug battery with the support of a solitary Panther to take on the the Soviet IS2.

Perhaps not, it breaks down and is immobilized before it can get in position it's line of site is blocked making it redundant!

German mortar fire takes down the Zis3.

The German PAK43 comes under intense fire, the crew abandon it and flee!

The BA64 is doing splendid work calling in the 120mm mortar fire.

The German platoon HQ is no more, so no more off table mortar support.

The ISU battery arrives on turn seven! The Germans brace themselves for the final assault.

The German panzerschrek team are pinned down by mortar fire, drat!

The remaining Stug is taken out in turn nine, the resulting Battle Rating counter draws take them over there BR of 29 and they must withdraw. If they could have lasted until the next turn, the Soviet's would have had to take two counters. With them only three from exceeding their BR they could easily have exceeded theirs. An enjoyable close run thing and Dave's first 2025 win..

TTFN & KBO

Beginning And End?

First unit to be completed this year is the fifth French battalion for the Peninsular project, the first base for the unit I showed in the previous post and continues the rough and ready approach.  Which is very fitting as I can only describe the sculpting on some of the figures the same way.

A close up to disabuse that the painting isn't rough and ready.

The first unit started on the paint desk this year was inspired by George's new years 3rd century Romans project. I knew that besides figures for a legionary unit and command base I had spare ones that I could pass on to George so while I had the box out I got the figures out and got them cleaned up and primed.

The delayed first game of 2025 will be over at GHQ tomorrow a small SYW bash.

TTFN & KBO