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

Baldinus Victore

After the early engagement with the Goth horde of King Bicca ended in stalemate, Baldinus retired his force under cover of darkness and took up a position nearer to where the Roman reinforcements (newly painted figures) would arrive.

Bicca would have liked to follow up upon discovery but a messenger arrived to say that a fresh warband and cavalry (newly painted units) would arrive soon, so he gave his troops more time to rest and await them before pressing on.

The Goths move out and soon found the Romans deployed and ready for battle, Bicca divided his force into three divisions and ordered a general advance. His warbands in his centre are less keen to re-engage (failed command roll)

Roman light cavalry move forward to engage their Goth counterparts.

Meanwhile over on the other flank the Goth light cavalry advance boldly to skirmish with the Roman legionaries and auxillia.

The Romans stand steady and defiant.

The Goth cavalry charged the Roman lanciarii and they are pushed back disordered.

Over on the other flank the Roman heavy cavalry fail to come up to support the light cavalry who are then broken by the overwhelming numbers of enemy.

The tardy advance of the Romans encourages the Goths to charge the Roman cavalry.

On their right the Goth cavalry charge the Roman auxiliaries.

After putting up a strong resistance the lanciarii are routed.

To balance things up the auxillaries break the Goth cavalry who have assailed them.

Back to the Roman left and another Goth cavalry unit is broken but one of the ala is now shaken.  Bicca leads his bodyguard in a daring charge into the Roman infantry.

Over on the Roman left flank another Goth cavalry unit is routed.

In the centre the Romans are getting the better of the Goth warbands though both sides are becoming fatigued by the intense combat.

But wait! The auxillaries have been routed could this spell victory for the Gothic hordes? Alas no after one and half hours (6 turns) elsewhere on the field of Mars two of Bicca's divisions are broken and leave the field, Bicca has 

no choice but to break off the engagement and salvage what he can for a future attempt.

A great game of intense action and narrative delivered using Hail Caesar rules.

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

Toodle pip and KBO

Painting

Not a lot but every little helps. First up the last of my Third Century Romans cavalry contingent. Figures are from A and A Miniatures.

Next up, Dave kindly passed on a frame of Warlord WWII British infantry that came with a recent issue of Wargames Illustrated. I have used two figures to make a forward observer team.

On the bench at the moment are a 2" mortar team made from the same frame and the second base for a three base unit of six figures each Peninsular French regiment representing the 26me line regiment which coincidentally is the same regiment that Dave is doing for the French Crimean contingent.

The Romans will be taking to the table on Tuesday floods permitting. Until next time............

Toodle pip & KBO

Going, Going, Goth

The Goth light cavalry is done, just the heavies to do now. Before that though I am working on the last Roman cavalry unit.

Aventine Miniatures with a lone Footsore Miniatures horn blower. Bases Warbases of course and LBMS shield transfers.

We should be back playing a game here at OHQ next Tuesday. A Bolt Action game is planned where I will trial some of the new mechanisms from the forthcoming third edition.

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

Toodle pip and KBO 

Last Of The Goths?

Well the last warband anyway, I have a light cavalry unit underway and then another heavy cavalry unit which will "complete" the project. Though wait...... I have two Frank units for when the Goths morph into Ostrogoths to fight the Byzantines🙂

The figures are mainly Footsore Miniatures with a few Foundry Casting Room and a solitary Westwind Miniatures figure. Base from Warbases as usual and shield transfers where applicable from LBMS.

Before we go, Dave kindly passed on one of Matthew's Vikings, meet Olaf Nonumbersson.

I think you will agree it is a superb sculpt, really love the flow of the cloak and subtle look of movement in the figure.

Off to GHQ again tomorrow I will be taking along my First Carlist War collection for a run out on a bigger table. Dave's grandson Will be aiding and rolling dice for me again so hopefully I will end the run of two consecutive defeats🙂

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

Toodle pip and KBO

Ballista!

Inspired by Dave Imrie's (read shamelessly nicked) Ballista vignette featured on the Bodkins 'Fire in the East' game at the recent Partizan show. I have created a command base for the army so that the Imperator Baldinus need not keep putting himself in harms way, it's dangerous enough at court.

The figures are A&A Miniatures with the raven on Ballista's helmet added off the Aventine Ballista figure, the base as ever is from Warbases.

TTFN & KBO

Stalemate?

After Dave's break in Cornwall we reconvened here in OHQ to play a follow on game with my Goth and Roman collection. The retreating Romans have joined up with the main field army and have deployed to meet the advancing Goths.

Goth scouts stealthily despatch a less than vigilant Roman lookout and report back on the Roman dispositions.

The Roman generals discuss their defence plans with the Imperator.

Meanwhile 'essential' supplies are brought up.

While the Goth army begins it's approach.

The Roman right, on the hill are deployed the Equite Singularis, auxiliary archers and cataphracts, just out of picture are the Praetorian Guard in camp they will take no part in the action unless the camp is attacked. Left of them are the Legionary units.

To the left of the Legions are the Auxiliaries and heavy and light cavalry.

Goth warbands supported by archers advance to threaten the Roman auxiliary units, while to the left the Goth heavy cavalry threaten the Legionaries. 

On the Goth far right archers and cavalry advance towards the Roman cavalry.

The main Goth attack appears to be launched against the Roman right. A unit of cavalry charge the Equites who put up a stiff resistance meanwhile their compatriots charge the Auxillary archers expecting easy pickings. Both the Equites and Auxiliaries disabused them of this idea, the Auxiliary archers were eventually forced to retreat.

This however allowed the cataphracts to charge their erstwhile opponents and rout in turn the Equites were routed but not before the cataphracts and archers were able to fall back and protect the Roman flank from being turned.

The flank is secured, over in the centre and left both sides exchanged arrows and javelins neither side seeing an opening to break the deadlock. By turn ten of our allotted twelve turns we decided that neither side were in a position to carry day in time so an honourable draw was the decided outcome.

Another fine and challenging game using Hail Caesar rules, we are slowly getting our head around the rules now.

TTFN & KBO

Recent Additions

First up the last of my AB Figures summer Soviet additions.

Next inspired by the recent game and the fine game put on by the Bodkins at the recent Partizan show, a Roman Auxiliary unit, a Goth light cavalry unit and a couple of Goth vignettes.

All the above are A & A Miniatures with LBMS shield transfers.

The above are from Wargames Foundry and the Goth cavalry below are Footsore Miniatures. All the bases from Warbases.

Again from Warbases a Roman wine cart, oxen and attendants are currently under the brush.

All being well the Romans and Goths will have another outing here at OHQ next Tuesday.

Until next time...... TTFN & KBO