“Taffies sir, thousands of ‘em!”

Impressive eh?

And so the much anticipated day of the next Herefordshire Big VBCW Game dawned. Months of planning, scenario writing, painting, badgering for responses, scenery building (and then some!), hall booking, badgering for responses, rule modifying, handing out of ‘extras’, badgering for responses, curry ordering, and general herding of cats came to fruition.

The cutting near Titley.

Once again we had enough players (15) to warrant three large tables, two representing the strategic railway junctions of Titley and Eardisley and one representing Longtown.

Eardisley Station (behind brick wall) and environs.

An uneasy coalition of Anglican League, Welsh Nationalist and Socialist platoons were tasked with taking these positions from the defending Royalists, Fascists and local gentry.

Longtown, with castle ruins in the centre.

We had pretty much dressed the Eardisley and Longtown tables the night before, but the Titley table was left blank until Roo and his freshly constructed scenery arrived. I say ‘scenery’, what I really mean is ‘behemoth’…

Defending the cutting.

For Roo had knocked up a massive construct – a hill through which ran a railway cutting, crowned by a bridge. Complete with trees, fields, hedges and animals, this really was a work of art! I will say this now at the risk of repeating myself later on – bravo Roo!

Royalist rear.

Together with Roo’s King’s Colonials, I had the honour of defending this hill with a platoon of Hereford Territorials and some local militia. Advancing against us were two platoons of Welsh Nationalists (including the cross-dressing ‘Daughters of Rebecca’) and a platoon of Socialists.

Digging in along the ridge.

And so we dug in - the Colonials holding positions from our right flank (bordered by a stream) up to and along the bridge, while my locals bordered the bridge and occupied the ridge of the hill down to the left flank.

The Colonials get into position.

My main position was taken up by a section of Territorials, an HMG team, anti-tank rifle, sniper and artillery observer. The hedge line running down to the flank was held by a section of local militia. Behind these groups I placed a second section of Territorials to act as a stiffener, while to the rear behind the hill I placed my artillery and a section of local Royalist cavalry, ready to charge at an opportune moment.

Artillery ready for action.

On came the enemy – the Welsh platoons advancing on our left and centre, the Socialist platoon on the right on the other side of the stream.

Ranging shot.

We zeroed in our artillery, knocking lumps out of the advancing Welsh in the centre and slowing down the Socialists on the right flank. While their countrymen sheltered behind hedges, a section of Welsh ascended the hill, advancing bravely but withering under the fire from my Territorials. Soon only their morale officer remained, who my sniper persistently failed to pick off! This individual quickly scarpered – sniper bullets flying wide. I must admit I was not sorry when my sniper was eventually hit!

Welsh advance up the centre - mind the sheep!

This was but a prelude however, as the other Welsh platoon came forward on my left, complete with armoured cars and those fearless ‘Daughters’. My anti-tank rifle failed to deal with the cars, and was soon put out of action as the Taffs fired on my left-centre positions.

Attack on my left flank.

The local militia soon began to waver, so I pulled them back and replaced them with the second Territorial section. With the Welsh centre going to ground I was able to shuffle my observer team to the left and with new co-ordinates my artillery soon began making holes in this fresh advance.

Reserves replace the shaken militia.

With one armoured car knocked out the Welsh responded by targeting the spotters, quickly wiping them out alongside the HMG team who were also causing much damage. My artillery was blinded, and reduced to covering over open sights the gap where the railway cutting bisected the hill. This was of little advantage as the enemy simply kept out of the narrow field of fire.

Welsh in the centre keep their heads down.

The firefight was fierce as the Welsh flank attack climbed the slope. With their nerves settled the militia re-joined the firefight on the extreme left and the Welsh ranks began to thin out. However with the spotters gone I had no effective answer to the remaining armoured cars as they trundled forward in low gear, firing over the heads of the cross-dressing infantry.

Militia reform as the cavalry wait to pounce.

My Territorials still held their nerve but the medic, standard bearer and HQ team could only do so much to keep them together as numbers dwindled. With the attack on the left losing it’s punch the Welsh in the centre came on once again, their infantry and armoured car firing at the remainder of my men.

Artillery spotters do their job before paying the price.

On right, the King’s Colonials were having a cooler time of it. The Socialists seemed content to stay on their side of the stream after a taste of Imperial firepower, while the Welsh in the centre, after trading a few shots, concentrated on my positions.

Socialists crawl along the other flank.

Luckily this left Roo with plenty of reserves to plug the holes in my line while I did what I could with the remainder of my infantry and readied my cavalry for a glorious last-ditch charge on my far left. However time was running out and the day drawing to a close. It was obvious that to fight on would be folly, and so I pulled back my troops. The cavalry would cover the cutting alongside the artillery while the tattered infantry, beefed up with the South African section, would descend the hill and take up new defensive positions in the farm behind us.

Fresh attack in the centre.

The Welsh came over the crest of the hill and traversed the bridge as we fell back, exposing themselves to direct fire from our artillery and the largely undamaged Colonials. If the game had continued they would soon have paid the price for their advance.

Tactical withdrawal to new positions.

At Eardisley the Anglican League successfully took the railway station from the Royalist/BUF defenders, despite (or perhaps because of) poor weather, Fascist air support and an armoured counterattack.

The Welsh take the crest.

At Longtown Sir Gilbert and his temporary Socialist allies trudged through the mud from a heavy downpour and amid the traffic chaos could make little headway against the local gentry holed up in the ruins of Longtown Castle.

The rebels taking Eardisley Station.

I was disappointed that my attempts to factor in the effects of fuel and ammunition shortages didn’t work – my rule amendments were simply too complicated to stand up to the test of gameplay and were abandoned after a few turns, but it was always going to be an experiment so you live and learn. Next time I think such factors will instead affect the scenario and platoon generation, rather than being forced through unnecessary rule mods.

The gentry hold Longtown.

However this failure was but a minor niggle, as this was yet another brilliant day’s gaming with some thoroughly decent chaps! Fair-minded gameplay, great miniatures and models and some stunning scenery were the order of the day, and I think everyone went home from what was a very enjoyable bash.

Thanks all!

Neeeeeowm!

Click here for a slideshow of all my photos (plus some I 'borrowed').
A report from the King's Colonials can be accessed here.
Here is a report from the Anglican League attacking Eardisley.

The game report thread on the VBCW forum is here.

Giles' series of posts about the game can be found on his blog.
Rich's account from the BUF's perspective is on the Herdstone forum.
Sir Gilbert's account of proceedings.

Man the barricades!

So the anti-government coalition has been partially successful – taking Eardisley station but not quite managing Titley Junction. Thus a portion of the railway line from Hay is under their control, but they still do not have the uninterrupted supply line they so desperately need.

Socialists stalled.

The forces of government have denied the rebels their lifeline, but at great cost. Their foes are now established along the Welsh border as well as to the south. Will Whitehall finally sit up and take notice of this backwater as the rebellion spreads?

Reform!

The neutral gentry and their fiefdoms have had a shock. Although prevailing this time around those bordering the Black Mountains are surrounded by rebel factions. The Landowners’ Protection Association is proving to be a paper tiger and each estate must soon decide whose side they are on…

Tally-ho!

Boys (and Girls) in the Hood

More Twiggy Mommet scarecrow protesters in the form of Blind Beggar's hooded cultists...

These were given a quick paintjob in readiness for last Saturday's Big Game (more of which in my next post). However, as most of our regular Big Gamers know better than to mess with any item of terrain with a scarecrow on it, these guys did not get a chance to grace the tables.

Blind Beggar is a small project run by 'Mason' of LAF fame, and these cultists are part of his first experiments with putty. They look nice and creepy (especially the little girl going 'shhhhh...')

A couple of the figures don't have hoods, so I splodged some Greenstuff on their faces and hid the join with a hat, but otherwise these are painted as is.

Supplies and Shortages

It’s been a bit quiet around here recently, hasn't it? Well on top of the usual real life things that get in the way of playing with toys, I've also been busy getting ready for the next Herefordshire Big Game; to be held at Burley Gate Village Hall on Saturday 27^th September.

We like to do something different for each big game, and this time around we are looking at factoring in shortages. The logic behind this is that with civil war raging, supplies of fuel and ammunition would be disrupted, leading to shortages and rationing. To this end we’re trying out some house rules that oblige players to roll for fuel and ammo, with an option to resupply via dumps and runners when they run out.

This in turn led me to look at knocking up some models to reflect this situation – e.g. supply vehicles, runners and supply dumps.

Luckily, on top of a nice Dragon Artillery Tractor from Reiver Castings, I also had a mule and wagon that had I cadged off Very British Civil Forum member ‘Staffie’, and a spare Sikh HMG team that I acquired second hand from the Lead Adventure Forum.

The Dragon tractor was quickly assembled and painted, and the mule and wagon cobbled together in what I hope is somewhere near a correct fashion (with the addition of some thin ply and cocktail sticks to finish it off).

The supply dump was mainly scratchbuilt – cardboard for the crates and small pointy rubber bungs for the shells (massively over scale but still quite cool looking I think). I then added some bits from the HMG set and a 1/32 Tamiya jerry can. The whole thing fits onto the back of the wagon quite nicely.

Both the wagon driver and the runner are Sikh HMG crew with headswaps and a bit of filing here and there. The third member has already been utilised as a Royalist bomber (second from the left in the photo below), and will stand in as the second runner on the day.

Just over a week to go until the big game, and with some awesome pieces of terrain under construction and some challenging yet (hopefully) playable supply issues, it’s shaping up to be a good ‘un!

Big Man, Big Gun

Introducing gun for hire, William 'Double Bill' Williams. Touting a .30 Browning machine gun, Billy Williams fights for the highest bidder.

This cracking figure is a limited edition pulp mini from White Knight's Miniature Imperium, inspired by the comic book character 'Dum Dum' Duggan. White Knight has announced that he is retiring his small pulp range, so it was time to treat myself!

Ham Green Hysteria

After what seems like an age I actually got a game in last weekend!

Having read about several VBCW games being played with the Bolt Action ruleset recently, I decided to download a copy onto my Kindle and give them a whirl.

My pal Giles duly agreed to come over to JP Mansions with his Malvern Hills Conservators, which he was keen to bring onto the field again after a period of inactivity (and finish off his shotgun toting militia). He very kindly came up with a scenario:-

The fighting in the eastern parts of Herefordshire has concerned the Malvern Hills Conservators, whose land holdings extend into the county, and so far have not been proactively defended from the BUF, Anglicans and other assorted ne’er do wells. Therefore, Sir Jonathan Porridge has decided to send in his Wardens to clear the areas of their land and neighbouring areas of Mathon & Cradley Partishes. Ed (Ted) Ward-Glear has been chosen to lead this mission and firmly establish MHC (and Royal) control on these parishes and forestall any interlopers. Luckily, Ted has just taken ownership of a new Lanchester Armoured Car refitted by the Morgan Motor Company and views this as the ideal opportunity to use its capabilities to see off any of the unwelcome factions. He has also arranged for a local force of landowners, gamekeepers and other hillsmen to support his Wardens. They come with a large amount of shotguns, ammunition, and enthusiasm…if not skill…

Little did the Conservators know that they would be facing their supposed Royalist allies but in actual fact mortal enemies the local Blackshirts!

The Malvern Hills Conservators

Having being advised by the good chaps on the Bolt Action Facebook page that, with my small table, a 300 point force each would be a good starting point, we both duly knocked up a force. Giles' Conservators took to battle with the aforementioned gamekeepers and Lanchester, plus officer and standard bearer, while I brought on a unit of Blackshirts, their light tank, officer and standard.

The protagonists approach Ham Green

The goal was to seize and defend a strategic Y-shaped road junction on the Harcourt Road towards Ham Green.

Gamekeepers take cover

The gamekeepers, seeing my tank, took cover in the scrubland, while my Blackshorts moved up to the junction. The MHC's Lanchester opened fire on my tank with it's HMG, hoping that the tank's very thin armour (courtesy of the VBCW rule modifications written by 'Pappa Midnight') would be pierced. However the tank remained in one piece and replied with it's sole weapon, a light anti-tank gun.

The Blackshirts advance.

Direct hit! Some decent dice rolling to hit and damage caused the Lanchester to brew up, leaving the MHC's gamekeepers at the mercy of the better armed Blackshirts. (Fearing a rather one-sided game I sent my tank on a long outflanking manoeuvre to the other side of the table - or at least I tried to as it broke down - another VBCW mod - and sat where it was!)

Fancy a brew?

To their credit the gamekeepers pressed on, hoping that the scrub would keep them hidden enough to get into shotgun range of the Blackshirts, but it was not to be. Whittled down by superior firepower and with their support destroyed, the Conservators left the road junction to the victorious Blackshirts.

BUF firepower wins the day

The next game was a more interesting affair, with each side adding an extra 150 points, but removing all vehicles. The task was to capture the nearby Ham Green ridge (represented by a line of books under my green towel gaming mat, with a gap in the middle).

Ham Green Ridge (Blackshirts bottom edge, MHC top edge)

Giles split his gamekeepers into two groups of 5, ditched the Lanchester and added a better armed militia unit, Vickers machine gun, mortar, spotter and a medic. Bereft of my tank I added another unit of Blackshirts and a unit of green civilian militia, plus Vickers MG and medic.

Blackshirts head for the central gap

Both sides advanced to the ridge, my Blackshirts mindful of exposing themselves to mortar fire. My MG team ascended the ridge first on my right, but before they could set up their sights to spray the area with bullets, up popped some of the gamekeepers. Eager for revenge, they charged the hapless gunners.

The machinegunners' last moments...

Now I had read somewhere that close combat in Bolt Action is brutal - this I can confirm!

Unable to respond because they had already taken a move and were too close to the gamekeepers, all the gunners could do was brace themselves as the Conservators gave it to them with both barrels - no morale checks required. A half-unit of untrained farmers with shotguns might not sound much militarily, but in Bolt Action they are deadly up close. The MG team was wiped out.

More gamekeepers ascend the ridge

Also to my right, my own unit of untrained militia crept up the ridge, exchanging fire with more gamekeepers. After taking hits (and thus a 'pinned' marker), they failed an order test in the next turn and went to ground, as did their opposite numbers on the other side of the ridge.

Green militias half-heartedly duke it out

In the centre, a unit of Blackshirts moved into the gap in the ridge, only to attract mortar fire, directed by a nearby spotter. They quickly shot up the spotter, but, with the mortar in line of sight and an Conservator MG unit moving up, were in an exposed position.

Blackshirts in the centre exposed

To my left the other Blackshirt unit, also concious of the enemy's mortar and MG, remained on the reverse side of the slope, lying in wait while the Conservators' militia climbed up to fire on them. Shots were exchanged, pinned markers given and casualties taken on both sides.

Fighting on my left flank

The Blackshirts in the centre, exposed, bereft of MG support and with hostile shotguns being trained on them from above on their flank, decided that some action was required. Giving like for like, they charged the MG nest ahead of them as it was being set up in some bushes, and wiped it out before overwhelming the Conservators' HQ and moving on to the mortar team - now hastily packing up to leave.

The Blackshirts charge (again!)

However this move left the centre wide open, allowing the gamekeepers to swoop down from the ridge onto my own HQ! After crushing them underfoot they reloaded their shotties and charged the flank of the Blackshirts sheltering on the slope. This and the attention from the Conservator militia finished them off.

As do the gamekeepers (again!)

By now my green militia had recovered their wits and had shot up the other gamekeepers, leaving half of the ridge in my hands, the other half in Giles'. Time to call it a day with honours even for this game and the grudge between the MHC and the BUF becoming increasingly sour.

My left flank in big trouble

We found Bolt Action a very interesting set of rules, but yet again I wonder if they are suitable for my small table. Both sides were upon each other before either could really make use of it's firepower, and a series of desperate, short-range, surprise charges were the order of the day.

MHC mortar hurriedly packs up

I liked the initiative system, and the pinning system, which means that units perform increasingly badly as they take damage, and would be happy to try the rules out again on a bigger table.