Evening The Score

Digging a unit of Roman light cavalry out of the pile of potential I happened to check on the blog the last time I added a unit and the last time they saw the table. I was amazed to see that it was September 2024!

Wow that was long ago this had to be remedied so yesterday here at OHQ they saw some tabletop action. Last time the Romans were soundly beaten by their Ostrogothic opponents, let us see if the Romans could even the score. The rules would be Hail Caesar, the scenario came from Neil Thomas's Ancient and Medieval rules book, a representation of the Battle of Issus.

The one side of the table is impassable terrain and the river runs across the centre of the table, classed has a stream it will be an obstacle in Hail Caesar rules needing a complete move to cross to the other side.

The Goths seize the initiative but poor command rolls lose them the early advantage.

Equally poor command rolls by their opponents ease it back again. 

The Goth heavy cavalry charge their Roman counterparts, after some heavy fighting the Goths are pushed back across the river.

Both sides archers exchange arrows for most of the battle.

The Goth heavy cavalry are routed!

Over on the flank the Huns in Roman employ are assailed by both cavalry and infantry, they remarkably hold their own!

On the other flank the Goth light cavalry boldly engaged the Roman cataphracts, hoping that the supporting units would even up the cataphracts advantage. Unfortunately for the Goths one of the units failed to reach and the Goth cavalry in contact together with their supports were eventually broken.

In the centre the the Goths allied infantry were similarly broken. The Huns on the flank were eventually supported by a Roman cavalry unit which turned the tide against the Goths. Both flank divisions were now broken signaling a victory for Rome.

For the first game we used Neil Thomas's rules, I plan to play this game out again sometime next month and will give it a try with Midgard rules.

Until next time may your dice roll high and KBO.

A Final Flourish

I started June off well after a meagre May output and I have finished the month with another flourish prior to going off on another break up to Flamborough in North Yorkshire this time.

Continuing with the First Carlist War I have painted up another battalion for the Isabelinos, the Espana regiment.

Figures from Perry Miniatures.

Whilst in Black Powder period mode I have also painted two skirmishing units for the War of the Triple Alliance.

Paraguayans from Perry Miniatures.

Brazilians again from Perry Miniatures.

To keep the World War II Italian theatre project going along I have started the second British section.

AB Figures.

No games in the next two weeks as Dave and Sue will be going on their trip up north has we return.

Until next time keep cool and KBO

The Return Repulsed?

Bicca AKA The Viper has renewed his quest to conquer Rome, Old Baldinus has raised the Legions and taken overall field command to thwart the attempt. Both sides have met at the Strontium Fields and deployed to give battle, without more ado let's see how the battle panned out.

While both infantry divisions held off in the centre action was soon joined on the flanks where both sides had cavalry stationed. First blood went to the Goths whose light cavalry routed their Moorish counterparts.

The Roman cataphracts launched a charge on the Goth heavy cavalry however the charge fell short with no support. They were then charged by their target who were supported at the rear and flank, things did not look good.

We will go across to the other flank where the Roman heavy cavalry charge the Goth light cavalry who evade successfully.

We now return to discover the fate of the beleaguered cataphracts. The dice gods look favourably on them and the Goth cavalry are repulsed!.

Back to the other flank where the Romans are having more success in driving away the Goth light cavalry.

Back again to the Roman right the Goths renew their assault on the beleaguered cataphracts who finally break. However both the Goth and Roman divisions are broken after the furious and prolonged fighting.

In the centre after remaining static and trading insults and arrows both sides start to move against each other.

On the Roman left the Goth division is broken!

The centre divisions finally make contact.

However with both flanks now exposed Bicca can only order a fighting withdrawal his latest foray into the Empire is left in tatters.

Another thrilling game conducted with Hail Caesar rules using fine figures from A&A Miniatures, Aventine, Footsore, Foundry, Gripping Beast and West Wind on bases from Warbases of course.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO.

The Return

It has been well over 30 months since the forces of Baldinus defeated the invading Goths led by Bicca. However the frumentarii report that once again Bicca has raised his forces and allied various tribes to his banners to again march on Rome. The northern borders of the Empire are again under threat, Baldinus must gather his Legions once more and do battle.

Baldinus Magnus Imperator Gothos Victor

Bicca Vipera
The field of Mars awaits, Vale

Top Gear

After a fairly fallow May on the painting front since returning from a week down in Cornwall I have gone up a gear. I am currently working on an Isabelino battalion of twenty figures for the First Carlist War, I have twelve completed so far.

First up I finished off four figures to complete the British infantry section for WW2 Italy action.

All AB Figures.

To break up the monotomy of painting the twenty Isabelino infantry figure I worked in these figures for an Isabelino command base. Perry Miniatures.

Also these British Auxiliary Legion staff officers, again Perry Miniatures

Some time ago probably a couple years, both Dave and I had forgot about them Dave passed these rather nifty metal palm trees onto me for the Triple Alliance scenery. I rediscovered them when searching for something else so I set to and got them painted and based up.

Our first game after our respective breaks in the South West was a French Revolutionary Wars game over at GHQ which currently features on Dave's Blog

Next week all being well over here in Darkest Rawnsley we will feature another Goth v 3rdC Romans game. On checking they last saw the table in 2024 when we thought it was only last year. Tempus Fugit so Carpe Diem and KBO.

Espana 1836

This week saw a return to the First Carlist War when we trialed the Black Powder revised turn sequence when firing comes first, see HERE

It certainly changes the game dynamic, I think we both tentatively gave it a thumbs up. We shall revisit it on Dave's bigger table and forces when we return from our respective breaks in June.

The game itself developed into an impasse by the designated usual twelve turns neither side having a clear advantage. 

Whether this is the effect of the sequence change or the fact neither side did a lot for the first three turns remains to be seen.

Here are the usual photos with comments where applicable.

Valencian volunteers take up position among the vines on the Carlist right.

Carlist artillery and a battalion of fresh volunteers anchor the right flank behind their revetment.

While their left is protected by an orange grove occupied by skirmishers.

A blunder sends one of the Carlist battalions charging forward routing the Isabelinos in the process.

They are subsequently charged by the Isabelino heavy cavalry but with their dander up they repulse the attack.

After a couple of dud rockets the next one explodes in the tube!

Having driven off the Carlist skirmishers the two right flank Isabelino battalions form square and keep the cavalry on the Carlist left at bay.

Thats all until next month in the meantime take care and KBO.

Partizan 2026

Dave duly arrived a little before nine to start our journey over to Newark for this year's first Partizan. Accompanying us this year was Dave's grandson Will the newest recruit to the GHQ Irregulars.

We arrived around eleven, there was still a queue for entry a good sign of a healthy attendance has it moved at a good pace so it was not lack of entry points.

On entry sensory overload kicked in due to the mass of people and volume of games and traders.

Below is a selection of photos of just some of the excellent games, I must apologise to the folk who put on the amazing participation games I just did not get down again later to take any photos.

The Iron Brigade.

Derby Wargames

The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers 

The Bodkins

Friends of a Military Gentleman 

The League of Augsburg 

A little sparse on the purchase front this time.

A 20mm 6pdr anti-tank gun from Empress Miniatures. A Loyd carrier for the above from Colin Rumford aka Rapid Fire. Some vines and a nice tree and hedge piece from Last Valley. Grass Tufts and a top up of Javis desert sand and rock that I use on my bases. Speaking of bases, a top up from Warbases.

All in all a grand if tiring day out, well done to Laurence, Richard and the team for another excellent show not forgetting the numerous  traders and folk who bring their wondrous games to entertain us. Roll on October!