Chinese Ironclads

This is a project I have been working on For Arofan Chinese warships of the ironclad era for battles of the Sino-Japanese war.  Frank did the Japanese ships which look even better. 

2 Chen Tung and 1 Kwan Chio 

Jiyuan

Tsukushi, Kuang Ping, Ping Yuan

2 Chin Yuan 

2 Jingyuan 

Ding Yuan

I also Got my Prize from the Analog Hobbies Choice of the Challenge  I was stunned to get a 3rd place and got some accessories for my painting table from Norther Light Terrain 

 

Fort Devens Game Day Across the Bocage

For the first time in years I dusted off my old 15mm World War II miniatures so the 1st Division (which did training at Fort Devens) could cross the Bocage. 

I commanded the  German op force  with along line consisting of two cross-roads and a pair of hills I needed to hold to contain the beach head. 

The allied commanders have a difficult problem but lots of troops and plenty of artillery. 

The advanced on a broad front but weighted their attack on my right with the armor and troops from the 2nd Rangers advancing there. 

The rangers and armor took one one of my battalions griding it down mercilessly.  Armor in the woods is chancy but out numbering your enemy 3 to 1 is a good thing no mater how you do it. 

My troops in the center and left inflected heavy causalities but couldn't do it fast enough to free up troops to counter attack on the right. I had to use my mobile reserves to shore up the center 

This let Mike's force turn my right and and his tank moved through the woods over running the 88s back there and seecuring a 

My only hope of eking out a minor victory was to hold the village but the Americans know that too 

The US bring all their fire power to bear and smash two more German battalions and the US Rangers storm into the village breaking the German position.  The 1st Division took a beating but proved the stronger in the end  (I had two good German Battalions still in fighting shape but with the flank turned and their artillery out of ammunition the must withdraw) 

Fort Devens Museum Game Day 2026

                                             Free Event!

Free Event

ort Devens Museum Game Day 2026

94 Jackson Rd #305, Devens, MA 01434

October 3rd

                                      

Join us October 3rd for a day of Historical, Science Fiction and Fantasy Tabletop War Games. Players of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Games Start at 10:00 am and run until 2:30 PM. Players can come and go as they wish.

1: Victorian Science Fiction Game: Venture into a world where brass and steam meet tooth and claw, as the colonial powers of Earth and Pluto fight for control of the outpost at the end of the solar system!

2: Across the Bocage: D-Day is over but the fight to defeat German is only just beginning. Take command of US forces as they try to break out of the beachheads.

3: Battle of the River Platte. The Graf Spee attempt to evade or defeat a squadron of three British Cruisers each individually week than the “Pocket Battleship”

4: Battle of Brownstown 1812 Frontier Militia Clash with the Warriors of Tecumseh’s Confederacy For more information visit: www.fortdevenmuseam.org

Ranger of the North!

 This is a program coming to my Church the ne of this month.  If you live near by please consider coming. 

The Second Assault: Frankenthal, 1621

The second assault on the Frankenthal demi-lune begins  our lines are a little closer and more heavy guns have been brought up to support the attack. The first turn has mostly inconclusive firing though I do disorder a heavy gun on the wall

Turn two troops advance and cannon roar. 

Turn three my Veteran German Tercio is in trouble. 

Forward for Spain! Cordoba leads his Swordsmen forward...

 but cannot break in. 

More men pile in.... but the results are the same. 

Things are looking Grim at the end of turn 3

The desperate struggle continues. 

The Spanish musketeers are destroyed by sortie from the fortress that takes them in the rear. 

English Demi Lancers are stopped by German pikes but our Germans are unwilling to come to order. 

I try to pull my men out... but another fight ensues and we win to everyone's surprise, but the fight continues. 

At the end of turn 4 my attack is completely stalled... 

My German Tercio is destroyed my army moral is wavering. 

For Spain... but my dice which have been bad all night... prove terrible again... Cordoba goes down, and Tercio is demoralized. then enemy devastated  my men and my army breaks.  The Second Assault has failed and the siege continues.

We are using Arofan's rules While the Devil Rules with the computer assisted Siege mini campaign.

Naval Theater

I'm happy to share the brand new website for Naval Theater the rule set I use to fight battles during the Second World War.
https://www.navaltheatergame.com/ check it out and watch for the rules to drop (hopefully this year)

While the Devil Rules: The Western Approach: Frankenthal, 1621

My initial positions withing my siege lines. My Spanish and German Catholics have tough nut to crack

My opponents position with in the fortress a formidable array 

The initial exchange of fire kills men on both sides.

So we advance.... on the demi-lune 

We have the Demi-Lune in a savage crossfire.... prepare the assault! Viva Espania! 

Unfortunately my opponent goes first and and my Sword and buckler men reuse to got 

The Spanish musketeers will charge... 

 but are unable to scale the wall

Artillery clears the Demi-Lune

Turn 3 imitative will be key  and I am lucky enough to get it... 

The Franconian Tercio takes the Demi-Lune... and is immediately charge Count Tilly and Borres engage a top the Demi-Lune. 

Then Cordoba lead the Spanish infantry forward... and they Scotts jump into the fight... 

The Demi-lancers over run the Sword and Buckler men. 

Entering Turn 4 the battle is balanced on a knife edged  Tilly isn't able to do enough... 

Cordoba charges with Spanish light cavalry to counter the demi-Lancers.  I manage to kill them and hold the Demi-lune

Forward for Spain! 

The Spanish Tercio Joins the fight!

We demoralize the Dutch battalion...  as the fight continues. 

The cavalry chare into the demi-lune and cause the loss of a base to my Franconian Tercio and they break. 

The battle end with both armies are exhausted and broken a win (just barely) for the defenders.