Slipping away....

Every once and a while you see something that brings home the fact that we are loosing the World War II generation.  I saw this article via Facebook Crowds line up to meet doolittles raiders for last time. I am glad to know that even after 71 years people still feel grateful for the efforts of those who steeped-up in what may well be histories darkest hour.

Many of the World War II veterans associations are breaking up do to the aging and dying of their membership.  While they are still here take time meet them and listen to their stories whenever you have the opportunity.

Soviet Naval Troopers

 These are an old project that has been on my work bench for a while Soviet Naval Infantry 2 Officer stands and 10 stands of regular infantry

 You will note some variation in painting styles because about half the unit was complete for some time and I only recently finished the other half.

 Two AT rifle stands and an officer are also included not enough for a unit in FOW but good as an add on in scenarios and such.

 Details of the back of the navy uniform.

The whole set will be posted on eBay if your interested in them.

War Gamer Disneyland (Bobs place)

 So I have heard about Bob's home and game space for a few years now.  I have finally seen it and its safe to say Bob has more figures and games than most game stores... probably more than some distributors! Naturally I was drawn to the 18th Century part of the collection like this set in the display case.  

 Rich showing off "his" ship I think the owner ship may be disputed.

 A fun piece of scenery complete with Anubis-scubidoo guardian.  the Game rooms as display of every thing from Axis and allies to War-hammer (I tried to come up with a game that started with Z but no luck) Historical, Science Fiction, Fantasy you name it Bob has it.

 Bretonians professionally painted in Saint Petersburg the pictures does not do them justice.

OK so this is Bob's stock of unpainted miniatures!  larger then my whole collection I torn between envy and the urge to put him in some sort of war-gamer rehab!  Though seriously Bob's a very well adjusted guy who has his life together (at least as well as anyone I know)

Boxer Rebelion game at Bob's

 Bob generously invited us (Rob, Ted, Tim 1 and Tim 2 Myself and Richard) into his home/miniature gaming museum(more picture of that latter) to play a game on his wonderful Boxer Rebellion Beijing Legation table.  Above are the French and Japanese ligation which represented my command.  The rule set is "contemptible little armies."

 The British Legation and sweet water well.  The British had the largest, best garrisoned legation and the well we had to hold at all cost.

 The American legation with a large force of US Marines commanded by Tim 2 

 The USMC was also responsible for holding a secion of wall. 

 French sailors prepare to protect the embasy

 English women and civilians are also armed to the teeth.

 Zouves begin a long march to the barricade on the the canal to protect the French, German's and Japanese form cutting us off.

 As Boxers come boiling out of the city, attacking us from all directions

Rich and Bob

Rob, Tim and Ted

 Seiks fight off Boxer assaults.

 Ted sends men racing down the wall while Chinese army troops pick of the Germans one at a time.

 And there they come still out of rang. Steady Lads. 

 The German legation comanded by Rob was roughly handled by fire from the wall.  Ted's regular army Chinese seem to be sharp shooters.

 Boxers are cut down storming the US barricade.

 Tiger men advance on the Japanese legation

 

 The French massed against the tiger men...

 Suddenly find themselves faced with attack from the rear!

 Tigermen storm both compounds ...

While the US and Boxer fight over the barricade. Bot attacks are replled

 But Boxers have broken into the French Compound while another attack comes in on the front!

 Zuaves to the rescue the barricade having become irrelevant French regulars burst in behind the attackers.

The French Sailor are too few and attacked on both sides the last of them form square and are surrounded and cut down. The Zuaves break the other Chines units but the French legation is in dire straight. The British legation and the Americans are doing well.  France is in bad shape and Germany is in worse shape. France can hardly call this a victory but the Foreign quarter is holding.

Huzzah! 2013 Preview.

A week from tomorrow I will be heading up to Portland for Huzzah Con I am running a game on Saturday morning and I will be part of several great game. I was just wondering if any of my readers will be attending as I always love meeting you guys when I can.

Friday I AM playing in an Axis and Allies Naval game as parts of the French Navy try to defect to the Allies after their government surrenders.

Saturday Morning I have my French Invasion Game to run.

Latter in the day I will play in Mike Paine's Pulp era game and a fictional game the Battle of Portland 1863 Taken form a book I reviewed last fall.

Sunday my Napoleonic army takes the Field at Leipzig, in the sequal to the battle of Dennewitz from last year.

The New Maurice Project

 I have for had these guys in reserve for a while I got them(and some other Essex figures) from AJ for a few Flames of War Blisters at an Adler Hobby dead lead day.  I had painted these up and based them for Volley and Bayonet.

 Now the will form the First units in a Russian themed army for Maurice. Specifically it will be "Cossack" army but even an army built around cavalry needs a solid core of infantry

 So what was 4 units of Volley and Bayonet infantry will become Maurice infantry.

 One thing I don't like about Essex figures is the sculpted flags. These I painted by hand and they don't look too bad all things considered.

French Armor

 Some new Hotchkiss H35 Tanks I worked on while painting Jerry's Guns.

 These are all short barrel types giving me the option to field 3 platoons of 3 recon tanks.

They will make a nice option of my Early War French recon force.

French invasion of England

Sunday I did not head down to the Whiz as I normally do.  I needed to make sure I had things ready for Huzzah! Also my 18th Century gaming collection had gotten a bit disordered in the move back in January so I took advantage of Ariana being at work to sort and organize. It wasn't pretty but its done. The armies for Huzzah! are also ready.

 That is 15 Brigades of troops for both Armies

 British Army with a total of 17 Battalions (Units) of infantry, 4 Regiments (Units) of Cavalry and 5 guns.

The French have 6 Regiments (Units) of Cavalry and 22 Battalions of Infantry (Units) and 4 Guns.  Six of the British Battalions are Militia units so the French have a reasonable advantage though the British will have the advantage of some fortifications.

Prizes for Huzzah!

My friend Jose of Fun Elements made these for me as participation prizes for Huzzah!

 Wooden Challenge Coins I figured these would be a fun item to give to participants in my game.  Jose wasn't sure what version of the french flag I would like so he made me couple of option.

 Heads Version 1 Since my blog is included players will be able to find pictures of the game after ward. This is my favorite version.

 Heads Version 2 This is the second version and while not as good as the first it still looks good.  There is also a 3rd version but the French flag didn't come out as well

Tails.  For those who don't know challenge coins are produced by military units for members or special guests or others they wish to honor. There is a little custom associated with these Coins that your Fencing Frog Challenge coin may or may not be accepted for (from Wikipedia):
"The tradition of a challenge is the most common way to ensure that members are carrying their unit's coin. The rules of a challenge are not always formalized for a unit, and may vary between organizations. The challenge only applies to those members that have been given a coin formally by their unit. This may lead to some controversy when challenges are initiated between members of different organizations and is not recommended. The tradition of the coin challenge is meant to be a source of morale in a unit, and forcing the challenge can cause a reverse effect.
The challenge, which can be made at any time, begins with the challenger drawing his/her coin, and slapping or placing the coin on the table or bar. In noisy environments, continuously rapping the challenge coin on a surface may initiate the challenge. (Accidentally dropping a challenge coin is considered to be a deliberate challenge to all present.) Everyone being challenged must immediately produce the coin for their organization and anyone failing to do so must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and everyone else who has their challenge coin. However, should everyone challenged be able to produce their coin, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for the group.
While most holders of challenge coins usually carry them in their pockets or in some other readily accessible place on their persons, most versions of the rules permit a challenged person "a step and a reach" (particularly useful if one is challenged in the shower, a tradition in the Navy).
Variants of the rules include the following. If someone is able to steal a challenge coin, everyone in the group must buy a drink for that person. During a challenge, everyone in the group must buy a drink for the holder of the highest-ranking^{[clarification needed]} coin. Some units provide strict time limits to respond to a challenge."