Short, Sharp, Shocking.

Short - a little over an hour. Sharp - it was. Shocking - my break tests dice rolls.

Dave came for our bi-weekly game here in OHQ for the planned War of the Triple Alliance game using Black Powder.

The Paraguayan force was holding a fortified position situated in a gap between impenetrable jungle with boggy ground to its front which would hinder any assault.

They had two gun batteries with the support of a small group of horseless cavalry.

The allied forces saw this has a soft target that would be overcome and they could turn the Paraguayan army flank.

Little did they know that the Paraguayan general had wind of this and had despatched a small division to counter the threat. 

The going is slow for the advancing allies allowing the Paraguayan division to get into a favourable position.

The Paraguayan front line is in position.

Throwing caution to the wind (eventually🎲) the Allies push forward on the Paraguayan left.

Paraguayan cavalry move forward to take advantage of any gap created by the infantry.

The Paraguayan infantry launch a charge on the approaching Argentine infantry. I had given the Paraguayan infantry the Terrifying Charge rule, which meant they had to take a break test.

Which they duly failed and retreated behind the Brazilian cavalry. The Paraguayan infantry were held up by the boggy ground saving the cavalry from being hit in the flank.

The adjacent Argentine infantry charge the Paraguayan infantry, they are disordered and shaken by closing fire, yes you guessed it they failed the break test and routed.

At the same time the sole Uraguayan battalion had also charged.

Yes, of course they came second and failed the break test🙄

On the Brazilian left a battalion is shaken and disordered with excess casualties. Anyone with knowledge of Black Powder rules will know what that score means.

In this game rather than a brigade automatically becoming broken when the threshold in the rules is reached I introduced them taking a break test to see if they held firm. Err no!

With just one battalion and gun battery together with the two cavalry squadrons remaining it's all up for the Alliance. I should note that in this game the Alliance cavalry could only charge infantry in the flank or rear unless they are disordered or shaken.

The Paraguayans celebrate there first success here in OHQ. For the record, break tests taken seven break tests passed two! New dice!😂

Until next time happy gaming and KBO.

Back To Khaki & Grey(ish)

Well I suppose the camouflage colours brighten them up a tad.

Command figures for the British paratrooper platoon, the last four are under the brush. Heavy weapons teams ordered. Empress Miniatures.

Two more for the bad guys, again from Empress Miniatures recent Hickstarter (sic)

Back to colour tomorrow for some on table South American shenanigans.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO.

Here Come The Cavalry!

I thought it about time I gave the War of the Triple Alliance some love, which has also been sadly lacking from Alan Perry I might add. Queue a cavalry unit for each side ready for the coming weeks game here at OHQ.

First up some Brazilian cavalry for the allies.

Next the Paraguayan cavalry.

Figures from Perry Miniatures on 80x50x3mm MDF bases from Warbases of course.

If you haven't already done so pop over to Tales from GHQ for a report on the rather splendid 1940 Seelowe game earlier this week.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO.

Back To Blitzkrieg

Dave came over Tuesday for our bi-weekly game here at OHQ, I chose a 1940 game to get some of the recently painted toys on the table. 

The scenario is from my rules of choice, Battlegroup. The Germans have sent a small force to attack the retreating BEF flank, unknown to them the Allies have wind of this and have scraped together "Bick Force" to counter this.

A view from the German side.

New toys, two Vickers Bs and a C probe forward using the wood as cover.

Meanwhile a platoon of 38Ts advance in their direction.

The BEF deploy a 2pdr anti-tank gun to engage the 38Ts, while infantry deploy into the town buildings.

The Germans deploy their 75mm infantry gun to engage the 2pdr.

German infantry advance on their left flank but are pinned down by fire from the town.

Things are looking a tad grim for the BEF two 38Ts advance on the BEF left flank. Being 

no match for them two of the Vickers beat a hasty retreat, all but one who fails to receive the order and pays the price.

The other 38T stays to support the infantry advance and ultimately is knocked out by the 2pdr. Here with the game hotting up I neglected to take further photos.

The contest was hotly fought by both sides, it got to the stage where both sides were possibly one Battle Rating counter away from calling off the action. With the remaining Vickers tank making an heroic advance and taking out a German LMG team the Germans were forced into taking a chit. A three taking them one over their Battle Rating saw them call off the attack. A win for the BEF!

Until next time happy gaming and KBO 

A Pleasant Surprise

I recently received a surprise package in the post, it was a box full of Spanish Civil War figures. Kindly sent to me by Aly, a gentleman and scholar of the first order.

These will be added to the collection to bulk up the various "factions" (yes a word I loathe but applicable to this conflict) Amongst them were two ( "special edition"?) character figures which I just had to paint up immediately.

A resin figure of a Nationalist officer type. I believe this may have been a FAA figure?

An armed priest which I believe was a Crisis show freebie?

A magnicent gift which I am humbled to have received, thank you Aly.

Look out for report on Dave's blog on my second defeat of 2026 (I just knew the run of luck wouldn't last) in the next few days.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO

The Return

This week saw the return of the Spanish Civil War and Chain of Command to the gaming table.

As is usual Dave took command of the Republican EPR and I the Rebels.

The Republicans would be tasked with taking possession of the railway station and adjacent factory.

The EPR troops advance and take possession of the high ground taking cover in the ruined look out post, supported by a Bilbao armoured car.

The station is currently defended by a squad of the local Guardia Civil, who will soon be taking fire from the look out hill.

More EPR advance on the Rebels right.

The Rebels are slow to respond but eventually show their hand at the station windows firing on the enemy on lookout hill. Having little effect unlike the return fire which sees their NCO killed!

The Guardia are also under heavy fire loosing their NCO who is stunned they also become pinned down.

The EPR bring the heavy boys supported by a T26.

The Rebels respond with a captured T26 it fires on the EPRs T26 and misses. The dice gods are not on side today.

The turn end sees the Guardia NCO recover but coming under fire again the squad breaks! Despite being in hard cover I seem to always manage a six when determining the effect of enemy fire?

EPR infantry begin to envelope the Rebels left.

The squad in the are also broken and the squad sent to take over are also under extreme pressure (damn those sizes when you don't want them)

Back at HQ the high command discuss the worsening situation.

The EPR command discuss their next move.

The Rebels have so far failed to inflict a single casualty on the EPR while having lost three squads. Morale is down to three now, withdrawal is really the only option. A resounding victory for the Republicans!

I still have some doubts of using CoC for this level of game and period, I think the Command Dice give too much control (although that was belied in this game as far as the Rebels went😂)

Perhaps the amount of dice should be lowered and the option to buy a Red Dice for certain formations could be introduced?

Nigel former head honcho of Anglian Miniatures is work on revising the CoC Espana lists, when I get a copy I will try them out and see how it goes.

Despite my reservations CoC delivered a fine and at times amusing game. Damn those ones and sixes Dave😉

Until next time happy gaming and KBO.

Back To Blitzkrieg

Yes folks it's more 20mm World War II, firstly a German mortar and spotter team.

The mortar and crew are by AB Figures and the spotter team are from Simons Soldiers.

Next is a BEF mortar and crew.

Figures and mortar by AB Figures.

Next up something to really put the wind up the enemy.

Yes folks Vickers MkVI light tanks, two Bs and a C. Resin and metal from early war miniatures.

Off over to GHW tomorrow for some WWII action in Burma. Look out for Dave's report in the coming few days.

Until next time KBO

Death In Dunomnia

Saxon incursions move ever westward and once again Artor must raise his forces to halt them.

Rules used for the encounter will be the tried and trusted Hail Caesar set.

Both sides got off to a staggered start, orders either misinterpreted or ignored. But it wasn't long before the Saxons seized the initiative and charged. The Britons soon followed suit, the dice gods favouring the Britons in most cases. Meanwhile on the flanks both sides skirmishers were keeping their counterparts occupied.

The dice gods did not favour the Saxons this day their centre and right flank soon crumbled losing two of their leaders along the way. A convincing victory for Artor and the Britons.

Sadly I neglected to take many photos along the way to enhance the narrative but hopefully they look pretty anyway.

Toodle pip and KBO