the action at Las Guasimas in Cuba 1898. Yes, we see Teddy Roosevelt in action with his Rough Riders.
Having fought Mollwitz twice, it was time to clear the table and consider a new topic for a game or two. Mollwitz replays may not be finished just yet but time to move it along.
Not having seen the Spanish-American War collection out for a game in more years than I can honestly recall (I suppose I could look it up!), I figured an outing was long overdue. That, and the action could fit onto a 6'x'6 table space which seems to be about the one-stop, coverage limit for two stationary webcams with one placed behind each army's baseline. Any wider than six feet and the cameras occasionally require a pan left or right to take in the entire battlefield or the two cameras need to be positioned at table corners.
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| My interpretation of Las Guasimas battlefield |
I have yet to select the rules of engagement but likely with proceed with some of my own doing. That way, I have a better chance of remembering the rules in the heat of a multiplayer, remote battle. Rules will be worked on this week before presenting the game at the weekly Tuesday game. Osprey's The Men Who Would Be Kings ruleset is under consideration too, but I may want a bit more flavor and less buckets of dice. More scenario details to follow before the Tuesday game.
Hopefully, the group will enjoy a change of pace from the regular fare. The Spanish-American War may not be a period readily gamed by English gamers. We will see.
While not much painting has been happening on the Home Front, I did manage to push out a unit of 15mm Samurai bowmen. Figures are Museum Miniatures.
Several units are making their way through the painting queue but not much to show yet. Soon, I think.
Samurai bowmen!! Great ones!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them, Michal!
DeleteThe Spanish -American war is a fascinating one (for this UK gamer at least).
ReplyDeleteI have 15mm ex-Freikorps 15 figures sitting undercoated since before the Centenary, along with 1/3000 ships all awaiting paint.
Neil, why has this project stalled for more than 20 years?
DeleteJonathan, good question! I suspect a combination of things, mostly real life (moving jobs and house). I seem to remember working almost entirely in 15mm aside from some 28mm skirmish and 20mm / 1:87 moderns. I was building alternate DBA ancient armies and SCW CD units (along with Soldier King armies occasionally). The SAW was destined as another interim project using Principles of War just a few years before the Centenary. I know a first child and job changes happened around then, followed by an unsettled period working in a different city for about a year before the rest of the family moved. I then changed career (after briefly working at Foundry). I have several box files with figures I was working on around then; a Parthian DBA army, Spanish and American SAW and some others. Since then I may have prevaricated over how to tackle the Rayadillo uniforms.
DeleteNeil
Principles of War. Hmm. I was looking through those rules the other day looking for ideas on qualifying attributes for SAW troops.
DeleteFor Rayadillo, I did not bother with painting stripes after seeing uniforms in a few museums. Some faded almost to white with many looking light blue from a distance. From what I have seen, Rayadillo can best be described as the look of denim blue jeans turned inside out.
Oddly like you I was looking at Fields of Honor and was disappointed the SAW was not covered.
DeleteI'm sure there were stats for the SAW in one of the PoW magazines.
An alternative is Volley & Bayonet with 2x scenario books with adaptations and background.
As to rayadillo, I understand why just painting blue-grey is a sensible idea, being a bit mad I just fancied giving it a go!
Neil
Not a period I know much about (in reality very, very little) other than Teddy and his Rough Riders did something or other. I look forward to the AAR though, as it's always good to see new periods, theatres of conflict etc. Maybe Black Powder II with some tweaks might work?
ReplyDeleteAs always, another lovely unit from you Jon:).
Steve, I know nothing of BP1 or BP2 so must rely on something else. Glad you like the bowmen?
DeleteLoved the bowmen!
DeleteMy “?” slipped in by mistake.
DeleteLike the others, I dont know much about this conflict - the war was started by a manufactured incident involving an attack on a US ship,,,,is that right? In reality, it was Americas very own colonial expansion - same as the involvement in the Phillipines etc - or is that too cynical?!
ReplyDeleteAmerican colonial expansion and conflict whipped up by politicians and the press. Seems about right to me and not unfamiliar in today’s society.
DeleteI have played in a game of San Juan Hill over a decade ago: https://wargaming4grownups.blogspot.com/2011/07/cow-2011-saturday-morning-photo-report.html and I have been to Cuba and visited the Museums in Havana. "Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain!"
ReplyDeleteCuba is a place I would enjoy visiting one day. Perhaps I can claim it as “research” and get a waiver?
DeleteI am off to visit your San Juan Hill battle.
Looking forward to see how the games and your rules progress. Especially as this is not a period I am familiar with.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Hopefully it will not be a bust.
DeleteLook forward to reading the game report in due course, knew of the conflict and did get really interested after viewing the exhibit in the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, so much so I started to look at the 1898 range that Empress sell🙂 wargamers eh.
ReplyDeleteWhat became of YOUR SAW project?
DeleteNothing I am afraid, I think it may have been the thought of painting all those stripey uniforms👍
DeleteThere ways around painting stripes uniforms. I certainly don’t paint them.
DeletePS. Super samurai too.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLovely looking samurai,interesting conflict, I seem to remember you playing it relatively recently but that could my mind playing tricks with me!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! What you may remember is that I set up a game but never actually got the troops out onto the table!
DeleteInteresting to read you guidance about putting a remote game in relation to optimal table size and camera position Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the game and how it works, whichever rules you use.
It is certainly not a period I know or have played.
I hope my little Rule of Thumb is useful. It tends to work for me since I need not switch camera positions during the game.
DeleteI ought to get the SAW collection out on the table more often. I say that about a lot of my collections!
Should be a great game Jonathan. Nice figures too!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope the game is at least enjoyable.
DeleteLook forward to seeing the game. A period I know little about
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the encounter too. Let’s see how players handle a delaying action. I am tempted to have all active players take on American commands and run the Spanish as Non-Players. We will see. Still much to do.
DeleteNice archers. Cuba was to be my next big holiday then I went and bought a Post Office, in Warton no one can hear you scream................
ReplyDeleteCuba was beautiful and the people lovely. Music was great and they know how to mix drinks.
DeleteThanks! Cuba is on my places to visit list but the US government does not make it easy.
DeleteWe were there when the first US cruise ship docked prior to the last President pulling the plug.
DeleteVery interesting. I have never played SAW before so I am a bit fascinated.
ReplyDeleteI suppose that the mark of a modern gamer is now camera angles and microphone coverage?
Good! I hope you interest remains after seeing a game.
DeleteRight! Camera angles, microphone coverage, and stage management!
A nice looking table Jonathan…
ReplyDeleteAnd an interesting period… or should I say a splendid little war…
I look forward to seeing the game play out…
All the best. Aly
Nice Samurais….
A Splendid Little War, indeed. Not so splendid for the Spanish, though.
DeleteI remember the game setup as well, so it will be great to see it finally played out. I don't think I have seen an AAR on this war before, so it will definitely be something new for me. More great samurai. Museum Miniatures really are a joy to paint.
ReplyDeleteLawrence, the set up is different from before where the Americans had been tasked to secure a Spanish held church but the period is the same.
DeleteMuseum Miniatures are a joy to paint, for dure.
Good looking set up and at least one unit completed more than me !
ReplyDeleteThank you! There will be no painting for me this week.
DeleteI know little of the Spanish-American War other than Roosevelt's involvement so this will be a fun one to follow.
ReplyDeleteLove your samurai's and these are more lovely examples - good stuff Jon.
If handled correctly in game terms, we may all learn a little about this conflict.
DeleteGlad you like the Samurai too!
Delete