Goths And Dodgers

Firstly the last of the Goths, a cavalry unit to complete the collection. Footsore Miniatures figures, Warbases 120x80x3mm base.

Next some anti-tank capability and platoon command for Italy/Tunisia. AB Figures on bases from Warbases of course.

Until next time have a care and KBO.

Tempus Fugit

This week here in OHQ saw Midgard rules return to the table I was amazed to see that this was the first time since last June! 

Facing each other across the table would be the Ostrogoth forces of Totila (Dave) and the Romans commanded by Belisarius (me)

As one would expect we missed or got wrong a few things after such a long break from using the rules but this not detract from an enjoyable game.

Goth archers and Frank allies mass against the Roman left flank.

Under heavy fire from the Goth archers the Roman archers break and flee.

While the opposing infantry engage each other with missiles the main action takes place on the other flank and centre.

Having evaded the initial Goth charge the Roman light cavalry must stand and fight to protect the flank. After putting up a brave fight against the heavier Goth cavalry they finally break.

Meanwhile on the light cavalry's flank the Roman heavy cavalry are having a hard time against growing Goth numbers.

Meanwhile Belisarius bravely leads his Boukellaroi against Totila's elite heavy cavalry supported by a unit of Kavallaroi.

To the left of Belisarius the Kavallaroi are broken unable to withstand the mass of Gothic cavalry arrayed against them and are broken.

Belisarius is left to battle it out but the numbers (and the dice) are against him.

In the fighting Belisarius is slain! With this and the loss of his Boukellaroi is goblet is empty. A win for Totila and Goths, Italy will remain under Goth control a while longer.

Off for a break down in Kent so tabletop action will return to OHQ later in the month. I am now keeping my fingers crossed that I shall return to the favour of the dice gods next week for some ACW action over at GHQ 

Until next time take care and KBO.

Months End

First up some light cavalry for the 6th century Romans, apart from the officer and draconarius who have LBMS shield transfers the others are painted as an homage to my MiniFigs late Romans. Having painted concentric circles on twenty four Legionary shields, no LBMS in the late seventies, I opted for something simpler. Red with a yellow centre for the Equities Scutarii Seniores.

Figures from Aventine Miniatures.

Next up a second warband of Frank allies for the Ostrogoths, again Gripping Beast figures.

Lastly more D Day Dodgers, much overlooked heroes of the Italian campaign. A bren and 2" mortar teams, AB figures.

That's all folks, until next KBO.

Let's Be Frank

Painting progress is a mighty slow this month however one unit is finally completed. A unit of Frank allies for the Ostrogoths using Gripping Beast figures with LBMS shield transfers on a MDF base from Warbases. No game last Tuesday due to family commitments back over to GHQ this coming Tuesday for some D Day action with Dave and Will all being well.

Until next time take care and KBO 

Onwards!

More figures reached completion over the weekend and based up on the return from a short break in the Cotswolds for my wife's birthday.

These being Sixth century Roman bucellarii, the figures are from Aventine Miniatures with LBMS shield transfers. The labarum is a cut down banner transfer again from LBMS all on a 120 x 80mm base from Warbases.

All things being well they should see action on Tuesday against those pesky Ostrogoths.

Until next time happy gaming and KBO.

May Painting

 The month has been a tad fallow on the painting front, spring always brings other distractions it appears from following other folks blogs. Here are some completed items below.

A small unit of skirmishers for the sixth century Romans. Figures from the most splendid range from Aventine Miniatures, the shop should be going live with the new owners next month. They are retaining the services of sculptor Adam which is excellent news.

I have recently purchased the new Nationalist infantry figures from Empress and promised myself that I would paint something from the pile of potential before painting them. Queue these Republican officers and medic.

What is this you may ask, well I recently ordered up a couple of packs from the Empress Arnhem Heroes range. Simply for the pleasure of painting and owning you understand, I will not be getting a full platoon. No Sireee not me😇

😈 are you sure about that?

Until next time………..KBO 

 

Lombards!

 Allied heavy cavalry for my early Byzantine army, figures from Aventine Miniatures, LBMS shield transfers on a base from Warbases.

There will be some action in 1940 France here in OHQ next week, meanwhile check out this weeks game over on Dave’s blog, https://talesfromghq.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-fury-of-northmen.html

Until next time……..KBO

Hail Ravnlivs!

An army generals command base for my early Byzantine army. Aventine Miniatures with a Gripping Beast casualty figure, LBMS shield transfers mounted on an 80mm circular base from Warbases.

 As previously mentioned the next few games will be over at GHQ, starting tomorrow with some Indian Mutiny shenanigans in the Bhyklabad.

TTFN & KBO

Colour Continues

Not much of my own stuff leaving the bench at the moment although I have managed to finish the Byzantine cavalry unit I started last month.

Aventine Miniatures figures, banner and shields,  except the standard bearers which I painted, are LBMS, base as ever from Warbases.

Excuse some of the blurry photos my phone seems unable to focus up close properly at the moment.

All being well we will be revisiting South America here at OHQ on Tuesday with a War of the Triple Alliance game using BP2.

TTFN & KBO

New Army Syndrome

Yes it struck my Early Byzantine force the other day although the new unit I had painted dId itself proud. However it was not enough to stem the Ostrogoths attack.

We used Neil Thomas Ancient and Medieval rules as planned but as we had not played for a while we used them straight out of tin without our house rules to keep things simple.

A photo montage to show the course of the engagement follows.

The Byzantines arrayed for battle.

After a cautious start the Ostrogoths cavalry engage their opposite numbers.

The combat continues for several turns neither side giving way.

Over on the flank the opposing light cavalry conduct there almost private contest, the Moors galloping up and back again throwing their javelins while the Huns reply with their bows.

Meanwhile both sides infantry are content to stand by while their archers to exchange missiles

The far right Byzantine cavalry are eventually bested and the victorious Ostrogoths slam into the flank of the other unit.

Although assailed on both the flank and their front the Byzantines bravely fight on but numbers begin to tell and they too are put to flight. The Huns seeing the destruction of the Byzantine cavalry also quit the field leaving the Byzantine infantry at the mercy of the maruading Ostrogoths cavalry.

They too fight on tenaciously but they know it will be to no avail as they are heavily outnumbered now. They put down their swords and surrender to the mercy of the enemy.

It was good to get the army out on the table for the first time, I now need to get on with some more cavalry.

TTFN & KBO

The General

I have painted this Aventine Miniatures figure up for the upcoming game next week, although generals aren't represented on the table in the Neil Thomas rules we like to have them. We have house rules for them which you can find in the side bar.

We will see how he fares next week, until then.

TTFN & KBO

Byzantines Are Back!

On the painting desk, another infantry unit this time. To make it easier to paint I put a rank at a time down on the base.

The first as been painted and glued to the base followed by my standard basing material, Javis desert stone mix, this is then painted with Decoart Country Maple and washed with a diluted mix of Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna oil paint. Once dry I dry brush it with Vallejo Model Colour Iraqi Sand before adding Gamers Grass Tufts.

The second rank is then painted and added to the base making sure I can fit the third tank behind them, then the basing material added and finished as above.

I then paint the third tank.

These are then added and the rest of the base is textured and painted as before to complete the unit.

It will be a while before I have enough painted for a Hail Caeser game, however I do now have the required eight units for a game using the Neil Thomas rules. I have therefore scheduled a game here at OHQ on 20th of this month.

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

TTFN & KBO