Another good man gone

One of Mrs Kinchs grandfathers men in the act of flying the flag at half mast

Mrs Kinch's maternal grandfather died last week at the age of 93. It was not unexpected, but it was still a shock to all concerned. I shall miss our conversations about books and toy soldiers, his company and his puckish sense of humour. I'll also miss the abuse he hurled at the television whenever certain politicians or singers were pictured. He taught my wife almost all of the obscene songs that she knows and all about the Crimea. He will be missed.





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CCN Scenarios played

Kinch recounting tales of his battles

I've been playing Command & Colours Napoleonics for a year now and I still haven't managed to play all the scenarios. There are of course, the Waterloo scenarios which I don't have all the troops for yet, but everything else is simply a matter of putting the troops down on the table and playing. I've also wandered off the beaten path a little bit and played some games using Grant scenarios or scenarios I've dreamed up myself. But I've set myself the task of playing all the scenarios in the basic set this year, admittedly this is something that I had hoped to do last year, but didn't achieve.

Admittedly I have played some of these scenarios and simply forgotten to take pictures, but that simply won't do. The collectors impulse in me wants to have the complete set. It's an odd desire, but one I intend to satisfy. I shall just have to apply myself - I think I'll go set up Vimeiro now, just in case time permits of a game next time we have visitors.

Scenarios played include a link the battle report

Rolica - The First French position

Rolica - The Second French position

Vimeiro

Corunna

Talavera

River Coa

Bussaco (reyners assault)
Bussaco (neys assaults)

I'm not happy with this report, I shall replace it with a proper one later.

Combat at Redinha
Salamanca (French Left)

Salamanca (French Right)

Garcia Hernandez
Combat at Aire
Quatre Bras
Waterloo

A weekend at Chateau McCarthy

Private Security running for the chopper -eh- light plane

It's been a very busy week and quite a trying one for a variety of reasons, but one of the consolations was a Saturday spent gaming over at Chez McCarthy. The game as always was Force and Force and we played two scenarios written by Donogh, set in South America - though due to some figure constaints that had something of an Afghan flavour. I would imagine pictures will be appearing on Land War in Asia relatively shortly. Many thanks to Donogh for the games, the excellant curry and the loan of Colditz, a series which he was horrified I hadn't come across.

One of the particular pleasures of the weekend was the opportunity to meet up with my chum Steve again, who is always good fun and who I introduced to Command & Colours Napoleonics. I suspect we may be trying VASSAL relatively soon as he lives in Roscommon*.

*Note for Non-Irish reader, Roscommon is a howling trackless wilderness inhabited only by wolves and wild accountants.

Figures from Painted Napoleonic Armies

A Chasseur of the Guard in the process of being based

The chap above, as I'm sure you well know, is a Chasseur of the Guard, speciffically a regretably rare Revell figure. I picked him up from Simon Bennison of Painted Napoleonic Armies. Simon runs a business selling prepainted Napoleonic armies via the web. I've bought stuff from him before. The painting isn't competition standard, but its perfectly acceptable for playing pieces, which is what I'm looking for and the service is very friendly. Simon also takes commissions, so my chaps were done to my particular unit organisation. I don't think I'll be buying any complete armies just yet, but that said the lads do the job and it might be worth having a look at his catalogue if you fancy getting some troops on the table quickly.

There's something about Michael

St. Michael Archangel by August Vogel

Though I haven't played Dungeons & Dragons in years, there are some very smart fellows out there writing about the game. One of these is Father Dave, who writes "The Blood of Prokopius" blog. I have struggled to find appropriate words to sum this blog up, but I think his own description "Musings on Religion & RPGs" is the sufficient. In it you'll find thoughts on Orthodox doctrine mixed with Wandering Monster tables, Lovecraft, reports about his long running D&D game and how a clever DM can use the history of the writing of the early Gospels in his own campaign. And gentlemen, I challenge you to find that particular mix anywhere else.

A recurring feature and my favourite by a country mile is "Saintly Saturday"*, a short feature written about a particular saint followed by thoughts on the nature of his sainthood and how it might be referenced in Dungeons & Dragons. As a policeman, I've something of a fondness for the Archangel Michael and Father Dave very kindly broke a rule to write a piece on him.

You can find it here.

On an unrelated note, the image above was taken from wikipedia and is a statue of the Archangel in a church in Hamburg. It's one of the few I've seen that I've liked, mainly because this chap looks like he's been on the beat for Eternity. The typical representation always make him seem too young to me, though I suppose there is a joke in there somewhere about knowing you're old when policemen start to look young.

*It's something of a hazard of being unrepentantly High Church.

Spanish Infantry by SHQ

The Regiment Del Rey

I was only able to take two pictures before the battery in my camera made its excuses, but I think you'll agree the fellows above look very well indeed. These are SHQ casting, formerly Kennington, and painted by Mrs Kinch's cousin, Casey Minor. I think he's done a cracking job and I'm afraid you lot will have to endure at least one more post on the subject as these chaps deserve a great deal more than two photographs.

He has painted them as the regiment Del Rey. They were the senior unit in the Spanish army and still are, though they necessarily somewhat changed. Sebastian Foy writing of the Spanish army said "...the oldest of them all bore the name of Immerorial Del Rey, and the date of its creation is beyond memory". They have some claim to being the oldest formed unit still in existence in the world, at least according to Wikipedia*.

"The King's Own Immemorial 1st Infantry Regiment of the Spanish Army is considered to be the oldest armed unit in the world. There is certain proof of this and according to what the chronicles mention, King Ferdinand III, "The Saint," in 1248, during the conquest of Seville, with some of his men-at-arms, assaulted and took a tower. Seemingly, with such boldness and bravery they gained the admiration of the King. The campaign finished and with the consequent disbandment of troops, King Ferdinand decided to permanently keep with him said force, giving origin to the permanence of the Armies, that is to say, the origin of itself."

Officer, Drummer and Ensign

(click to embiggen)

The flag is a new one for me, as I rarely field units with them and when I do, they are invariably painted rather than printed. The flag is a Rofur flag which I got from Simon over at Painted Napoleonic Armies, and rather sharp it looks too. I based this fellows up a few days ago, but haven't gotten around to varnishing them yet, though they did good service in their first battle, Barrossa.

And sadly, the story of that battle will have to wait for another time.

*Though there is some truth in the words of Doctor Johnson who said, "Madam, he who quotes Wikipedia is a guttersnipe and certainly no better than a Scotsman, as confirming the quotation is difficult as every silly person will have repeated it and the labour of doing so is wearisome."

Saint Patricks Day

Gentlemen,

I would like to wish you all a very happy Saint Patrick's Day. I've spent quite an interesting time preventing various members of the Kamikaze Pedestrian Club of Old Dublin Town fulfilling their ultimate destiny. I'd like to leave you with this traditional Irish air and hope that you all enjoy the holiday.

Regards,

Kinch

Advance Guard Action - How it played

The British team of Mr. Creanor and Savage, face Mr. E and the villainous General Du Gormand. The scenario is as outlined in my previous blog post. Unlike most Command & Colours game this scenario requires the player to deploy his troops himself, which is a skill in and of itself.

As always, click to embiggen.

(Click to embiggen.)

The British cavalry push forward on the right to threaten the bridge which is the French objective.

The British deploy their troops, most of the line infantry in the centre, the cavalry on the right and the elite light infantry holding the town on the left.

While the British consolidate their position, the French deploy a mix of infantry and heavy cavalry in the centre, leaving the bridge to be held by a battalion of light infantry and a squadron of dragoons.

(Click to embiggen.)

Mr E very kindly provided smokeables for the evening. Though somewhat stronger then what I'm used to, they were an excellent addition to the evening. You can also see the hills, which have been remodelled by well known landscape gardener Capability Savage. I think they've improved mightily.

(Click to embiggen.)

General Du Gourmand satisfied that the bridge and the all important cheese board have been secured moves up the Legion Irlandaise to the woods, where they were to cause no end of trouble for the British cavalry.

(Click to embiggen.)

The French artillery deploys in the centre, while the wily Frog masses troops on the hill overlooking the town held by the British.

(Click to embiggen.)

Savage in pensive mood as he eyes the French columns overlooking the objective.

(Click to embiggen.)

French light cavalry start to harry the British infantry in the centre, forcing them into square.

(Inniskillings by HAT, French Chasseurs by Italeri)

Whereupon they are immediately pounded by the waiting French artillery...

(Hills by Capability Savage)

The 13ieme cuirassiers charge the British guns. "I want those guns," announces General Du Gourmand.

(British infantry by HAT, Royal Artillery by Revell, French Cuirassiers by Strelets.)

Meanwhile the British cavalry have attempted to evict the Legion Irlandaise in the woods, but to know avail. The Royal Irish Dragoon Guards have taken savage casualties from their fellow countrymen in French service and eye the advancing French dragoons with anxiety.

(Click to embiggen.)

The British players eye a centre depleted by repeated bombardment. Their artillery has been silenced by the French cuirassiers and their right is looking increasingly shakey. The French are not unbloodied, but they definitely have the upper hand.

(Click to embiggen.)

The Royal Irish Dragoon Guards try to buy some time after rallying some of their lost men. The unkind would point out that they merely appear to have been manoeuvring to stay out of the way of the Legion Irlandais.

(Royal Irish Dragoon Guards by Newline)

The Legion Irlandais, bypassed by the Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, survey the devastation in front of them (French cuirassier casualty representing a fall British heavy). Definitely the men of the match.

(French Light infantry by Zvesda, Casualties by Newline)

Mr E and General Du Gourmand survey the battlefield, confident that their hammerblow on the British left will buy them victory. General Du Gourmand is even planning his next campaign in India, as you can see.

(Bridge by Italeri, Trees by Woodland Scenics, Cheese by Daisy the Cow)

The French assault laps around the town pushing one battalion of the Kings Royal Halberdiers out, but the second battalion hold on and weather the storm of bayonets.

(British light infantry and Young Guard by HAT, British officer by SHQ)

(Click to embiggen.)

The fighting is fierce, but on they come and on they come, in the same old style.

"Sacre bleu!" expostulates Mr E as the dice desert the French cause and he removes another unit of brave Gascons.

(Click to embiggen.)

Mr Creanor and Savage view their options carefully, trying to make best use of their available card. General Du Gourmand plays with his hand. Has it all gone wrong for the gallant Frenchmen?

(Click to embiggen.)

The casualty figures tell their own tale, as regiment after regiment is sucked into the meatgrinder around the town and eventually the French army is broken.

(Stone house by Italeri, Young Guard and French Light infantry by HAT)

The evening was a very pleasent one and I greatly enjoyed it. I was glad to get the first scenario of the campaign played so quickly, so I hope to power through the next three and polish them off fairly soon.

Good company and good gaming are two of life's great pleasures.

Scenario 1: Advance Guard Action

The Field of Mars

With Leprecon out of the way, I thought it would be best to get started on my Tabletop Teaser campaign. We played this scenario last night and there will be a full report to follow, but I thought that in the meantime I'd put my adaptation of the scenario for Command & Colours: Napoleonics up. The scenario does limit the amount of information the players start with and unusually for a Command&Colours: Napoleonics scenario requires an Umpire.

Just to be clear, this is not an original work. It is an adaptation of a scenario written by Charles Grant and which is available here.

Friendly Warning

This scenario makes use of a pre-battle planning phase and if you don't intend umpiring this scenario reading any further will impair your enjoyment of the game.

Umpires Briefing

This scenario is an unusual one in that it employs symmetrical forces and a relatively balanced map. Each player commands the vanguard of his army and has been given an objective, which he is to hold and prevent the enemy from contesting. He is made aware of a second objective which he may attempt to take, but which he is told is in enemy hands. He is also told that reinforcements (determined randomly) are on their way.

We had a debrief after playing this last night and one of the players described it as "a test of character", arguing that players will reveal what sort of play they favour by the plan they adopt. I'm not so sure about that, but I know that we had a great deal of fun with it.

Begin the game by separating the players and giving them a copy of the map, their list of forces, their opening hand of six cards and piece of paper marked 1-11 (or 1-13) to record their marching order. Each player must pick the optional units of their force, complete the marching order and then write what their first card play is going to be on top and then hand it over to the umpire.

Scenario notes

1. The battle is to seven flags.

2. Each player draws six cards.

3. The player who plays the card that moves the smaller number of troops on the first turn, moves first.

4. Uncontested control of the town is worth one flag.

5. Uncontested control of the bridge is worth one flag.

6. The river is unfordable.

7. When each player plays their sixth card, they may draw one card from the reinforcements deck.

Reinforcements

Take eight cards (I used cue cards) and write the following on the back. Each player gets to draw one card, which is then discarded from the deck, when they play their sixth command card.

1. two infantry units now

2. two cavalry units (light, heavy) now

3. light cavalry now

4. heavy cavalry now

5. one infantry unit in three turns

6. one cavalry unit in three turns

7. draw again in six turns

8. no reinforcements

French Briefing

Mon General,

We are advancing towards the British forces. As the leader of the vanguard of the army, it is your task to take and hold the bridge over the river. The British hold the town of Estanque Nergo to the north and while it would be greatly to your credit to take the town, your main task is to hold the bridge over the Una Vida river. Once that has been achieved, you must drive off or destroy the British forces that are in a position to contest your possession.

To that end, you will be sent reinforcements from the main body.

Scenario Notes

1. The battle is to seven flags.

2. Each player draws six cards.

3. Uncontested control of the town is worth one flag.

4. Uncontested control of the bridge is worth one flag.

6. The river is unfordable.

7. When you play your sixth card, your reinforcements will arrive.

Your forces

2 leaders

1 light cavalry

1 heavy cavalry

3 line infantry

1 light infantry

1 foot artillery

Choose 4 units from the following list.

1 light cavalry or heavy cavalry

3 line infantry

1 light infantry

Once you've picked your forces, draw up a column of march, ranking each unit from 1 to 11 (or 13 if you have not attached your leaders to a unit). Your units will move onto the board as they are activated. They may enter any hex on your baseline (which counts as one hex of movement, cavalry may move further obviously), but they may only be brought on in the order that you've written down.

Once you've done that, please note what your first card play is going to be and hand the marching order to the umpire.

British Briefing

General,

We are advancing towards the French forces. As the leader of the vanguard of the army, it is your task to take and hold the town in order to secure our lines of communications. The French hold the bridge over the Una Vida river to the south and while it would be greatly to your credit to take the bridge, your main task is to hold the town of Estanque Negro. Once that has been achieved, you must drive off or destroy the French forces that are in a position to contest your possession.

To that end, you will be sent reinforcements from the main body.

Scenario Notes

1. The battle is to seven flags.

2. Each player draws six cards.

3. Uncontested control of the town is worth one flag.

4. Uncontested control of the bridge is worth one flag.

6. The river is unfordable.

7. When you play your sixth card, your reinforcements will arrive.

Your forces

2 leaders

1 light cavalry

1 heavy cavalry

3 line infantry

1 light infantry

1 foot artillery

Choose 4 units from the following list.

1 light cavalry or heavy cavalry

3 line infantry

1 light or rifle infantry

Once you've picked your forces, draw up a column of march, ranking each unit from 1 to 11 (or 13 if you have not attached your leaders to a unit). Your units will move onto the board as they are activated. They may enter any hex on your baseline (which counts as one hex of movement, cavalry may move further obviously), but they may only be brought on in the order that you've written down.

Once you've done that, please note what your first card play is going to be and hand the marching order to the umpire.

Cold War US Infantry by Platoon 20

A column of US Mechanised Infantry making their way down a secondary road, somewhere in Germany circa 1984

As I'm a sucker for a bargain, I picked these up a while ago when they were offered for sale on the Guild*. They are a collection of 20mm Platoon20 Cold War era Americans, about a platoons worth with some added assets. The M113s are plastics, I think Italeri, but I couldn't swear to it. The Platoon20 figures are solid enough, though they're no Elheim, who are my gold standard for moderns. I'll be using these for my Cold War Gone Hot scenarios, to be honest, I'd have been happier to pick up some Ruskies, but the price was right and I can use them as an occasional break from my Britishers and when we decide to give Oisin's Memoir84 variant a go in 20mm.

As the lead tracks near an obstacle, riflemen dismount and search the nearby buildings for an ambush, and most likely, anything not nailed down

The platoon spreads out before clearing the obstacle

Meanwhile, a stinger operator keeps his eyes skinned for Ruskies

The American wonder at the tiny size of European cars

A Dragon ATGM team set up, "just in case".

A lonesome fellow hoofs it over to a derelict building before taking a knee with his Gustav

Two fireteams (2 riflemen, 1 SAW, 1 Grenadier) under a team leader make up a squad

"Swartz! Hyde! What the hell are you doing outside the track!"

The two riflemen who should be manning the M113 scurry back to their posts.

"We never get to be in the group photos," they grumble.

A sniper team scouts ahead looking for more Ruskies.

They appear to have spotted something

The Platoon Sergeant loitering outside a public convenience.

There's a probably a perfectly reasonable explanation...

I'm not really happy with the sniper base as I don't think it's very practical, the footprint is just too big and it limits the places I can place the figures on the board.

*Pre Lent, I hasten to add Padre!

Spanish Light Infantry

Edit: It would appear posting from my phone is not as easy as I thought.

#

Hat Valencian Light Infantry

There's a wargaming stereotype that all Napoleonic collections include several regiments of Old Guard Grenadiers, the Black Watch and a six battalions of the 95th Rifles. I suppose the Second World War equivalent is the chap whose German army fields nothing but Tigers and Konigstigers. I'm not sure 60 Spaniards wearing kilts is quite in the same league, but we shall see.

Which brings me to the matter at hand, I have sufficient HAT plastics to make three full units of Spanish light infantry so long as they are all Valencian Volunteers. As it happens I know very little about the regiment, but I'm relatively sure they were not so prevalent as to make up 100% of the Spanish Light infantry force. When other fellows have this dilemma I usually comment something terribly helpful like "Please yourself," but as usual doing is harder than saying. It seems silly to ignore the fact that I have all these figures - but at the same time, those new Falcatas are very tempting.

Not a decision I'll be making before Easter as I'm off sugar in coffee and tea, buying figures and buying books for Lent. Mrs Kinch thinks I'm mad and doesn't think I can stick to it. It hasn't been easy, but we're getting there.

Light Infantry - the supernumeraries

There is apparently only one officer figure available for the Valencians, a Minifig who is rather on the chubby side. At Foys suggestion I decided that my volunteers are led by a regular officer who wears his old uniform. The camp follower is an Uwe of History in 1/72 original. I normally wouldn't include camp followers in the supernumery rank, but light infantry are a five strength unit in Command & Colour Napoleonics and with the distinctive uniform, coming up with another figure would have been difficult.

The two chaps to the right are a marching figure who will be doing duty as an NCO and advancing figure that I've hacked about a bit and added a Dutch drum to.

The War Room - pre-cleanup

After the chaos that was Leprecon, I manage to knuckle down and clear up the War Room, a bit. The place wouldn't pass inspection, but the floor is clear and most of the rubbish is gone. Games can be played there - which is the main thing. I also started coming across a few things that I thought I'd lost or had just forgotten about.

Suspect is ginger, repeat ginger

As it happens we're entertaining a house guest at present. He's grown on my somewhat as his behaviour has improved since our last meeting. However, he is a suspect for a number of petty thefts that have occurred in the home over the last few days.

Enquiries are ongoing - a full statement will be issued in due course.

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Saxons for sale

Doing a clearout in the box room, I came across these Napoleonic Saxons which will most likely never see the light of day. In an unprecedented move, I've decided to sell them.


These figures are £8.20 per box and contain 96 figures. I'll be letting them go for £15 for the lot plus postage. I accept paypal or we can arrange a deal failing that. Contact me via comments.

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Competition Time!

The names go into the hat

It took slightly longer to get around to this then I meant to as I had a few jobs to do today and I was bushed from work. However, with the assistance of Cousin Basil, who has just been appointed ambassador to Bolivia, we soldiered on. All the names were written on a slip of paper and Cousin Basil did the honours.

And one emerges!

Sadly, there is a no sign that my laptop is going to revive so I've had to make do with my phone which is not ideal. I'm not sure if the name on the piece of paper is discernable in the photograph, but it reads "Stokes."

Stokes, just drop me a line, and we shall do the needful.

Thank to everyone who took part. It was enlightening. I should have suspected that I was all style and no substance and I hope that for those as like that sort of thing, this is where they shall continue to get it.

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Alarums & Excursions

Battlegames - Issue 27 - now with 100% extra Kinch or your money back

And so with shining face and crawling like a snail I've been dragging myself back to the world of work after Leprecon. Sadly, my blogging and commenting is likely to be a little light for the next few weeks as my laptop spontaneously became a paper weight this afternoon. I can still blog using my phone, but commenting is likely to be a sometime thing as predictive text makes typing captchas becomes a wearisome business.

Henry was kind enough to take a scenario from me for the latest issue of Battlegames, which I hope you will all enjoy. It based on an instance that occurred during Henry VIIIs French wars that Donogh was kind enough to dig up for me. I think my manuscript may have been a little long though. I fear Henry may have cut the jokes.



Lots of books, but no answers

The scenario writing yen is upon me and I ran up a Command & Colours Napoleonics version of CS Grants "Advance Guard Action" for my Tabletop Teaser campaign. A report once it's played, gentlemen - scouts honour.

On a related note - I was listening to a recording of Tacitus's annals while stripping paint from our front gate when I had an idea for a new scenario. There's quite an involved description of a mutiny that occurs amongst some legions in Germany. I had thought transpose this to 19th France so that I could use my Napoleonic troops.

Surely a people so fond of protest as the French must have a history of mutiny, I thought to myself. But after consulting the references above, I couldn't find anything bar references to the Nore, Spithead, Vellore and so forth.

Can any kind soul shed any light on this one? Was the French army particularly well behaved or am I just looking in the wrong places?