German Pak 40 from BTD

With nothing but 18mm figures parading across the painting desk for three months, time to interject something different.  Something different I found.

Out from The Lead Pile is a Black Tree Design 28mm German Pak 40 with three crew.  I picked this piece up on a BTD sale awhile back along with a couple other pieces of ordnance.  Finally, I decided to put the gun together to give the Germans some punch in the next Chain of Command (CoC) game.  I gave this gun a weathered and beat up look.  Hopefully, not too beat up.       

While the last CoC game is but a faint memory, work on this project is an even more distant memory.  Looking at the Painting Log, the last figures to see action at the painting desk were a German sniper and spotter team almost two years ago.  My, how time flies!

Following the Zorndorf game (I need to tap out a BatRep for that), activity at the painting desk returns to fielding more 18mm troops.  In the queue are more units for the 1799 project.  Included in the batch working through the production line are another pair of Austrian guns, Austrian infantry, French legere, and dismounted Russian Cossacks.  Just enough to keep me busy.

Austrian Guns for 1799 Project

While Saturday was spent battling on the fields of Zorndorf, Sunday evening's painting session produced two 18mm guns and crew for the 1799 project.  Not a lot of progress but progress nonetheless.  Figures are from AB Miniatures' FRW range of Austrians. 

As always, terrific sculpts from AB and a pleasure to paint.  Two more guns for the Austrian cause are making their way through the painting queue.  This next pair of Austrian guns will be crewed by Grenz artillerymen.  Austrian artillerymen in casquet are splendid!

One shortfall that needs to be addressed for the 18mm SYW project is that I have yet to field any Prussian or Austrian howitzers.  Zorndorf needed two howitzer batteries and I was forced to field 6lb guns instead.  I am nearing the tipping point for a Eureka order and when I do, Prussian and Austrian howitzers and crew will be in the mix.  

Also, with Jake's massive Russian army fielding limbers for all of his guns, the pressure is mounting to field limbers for my artillery park.  Oh, how I hate painting limbers...  

Zorndorf: The Scenario

Zorndorf.  The raison principale for Jake to tackle the mustering of a Russian Army for the Seven Years War in 2018.  It is done!  Now, it is on to the battle for a refight on the 260th anniversary of the actual engagement. 

With troops deployed for battle, attention turns toward the scenario and rules of engagement.  The battlefield and troops are positioned.  What will be the objectives and constraints governing the battle?

First, the battlefield and deployments,

Battlefield overview

Zorndorf with initial deployments

then the Order of Battle.

Scenario Details:

Rules: Honours of War

Start: 0900 End: 1900

Prussia Considered the attacker

Army Break Point: Prussia:24 Russia:24

Terrain:

   Grunds not passable where vegetation exists. Rough otherwise.

   All woods are dense.

   Zorndorf is burning.

   Units take one hit if forced to pass through Zorndorf.

   Units defending from attacks across a grund are uphill and no charge  bonus. 

Special Situations:

• Moritz is second in command and General of Infantry.  He may act as CiC for any infantry formation in the same manner in which Frederick acts.
• Prussian Musketeers and Fusiliers move as Austrian for flank/rear/form change.  These are not the same troops as began the war.
• Prussian Brummers may pivot but may not prolong nor limber.
• After third Russian unit broken and every unit broken thereafter, Fermor rolls Command Test.  (-1) for each broken unit.  If he fails (Poor or worse), he must leave the field and Saltykov takes over.  Saltykov command taken over by DEPENDABLE replacement.  Each turn Fermor rolls to see if he returns to battle.
• Russian Observation Corps are rated as Standard due to their steadiness in this battle but fire as Inferior.
• Russian Cossacks to south of Quartschen did not participate in the battle but if the Prussians attempt something untoward in that quarter, they may join the battle.

Army Break Points:

• -1 point for each unit Done For.  Points are doubled if Russian unit is Done For and retreats/routs into woods behind Russian Second Line or if Prussian unit is Done For and retreats/routs beyond Zorndorf.
• -1 point for Russian loss of Zicher
• -2 points for Russian loss of baggage train 
• -3 points for Russian loss of Quartschen
• -1 point for Prussian loss of Wilkersdorf
• -3 points for Prussian loss of Zorndorf 

This scenario summary should provide just enough information from which commanders may formulate a plan of battle.

Zorndorf: Finishing the Prussian OB

The final laggards to the Prussian Zorndorf OB fall into the ranks just in time for the upcoming game.

The first unit off the painting desk is the 4th Hussar Regiment mustering two squadrons of a half dozen figures each.  Although the stated paper strength of two squadrons is a dozen figures, in the Zorndorf game, these dozen figures of the 4th will represent about five squadrons of cavalry.  The white and medium blue uniform of the 4th will make a colorful contrast against the masses of dark blue coated Prussian infantry and the white coated cuirassiers.

Also off the painting desk is one more command stand for the Prussians.  During the drafting of the Prussian OB, I discovered a need for one more command stand to provide the cavalry reserve under Marchall an on-field commander.

While these two figures were in work, the Prussian OB underwent a slight consolidation in independent commands.  This consolidation freed up one existing command stand that could be used for Marchall.  Nevertheless, I finished this pair off and it will represent Marchall as originally planned. 

Having all Prussian figures accounted for the battle, attention now turns to OB finalization and scenario design.  Making unit labels, rechecking the QRS,  and qualifying special rules are all in work.  With four players confirmed for the game, each player will have plenty of troops under his command.  Figures from Eureka Miniatures.

Chaeronea, To the Strongest! Style

Scott's beautiful 15mm hand-painted shields

Scott hosted an inaugural To the Strongest! (TtS!) game using his finally painted 15mm ancients' armies.  On the slate for this day's battle was the 338 BCE battle of Chaeronea between the Macedonians and Greeks.  While I bought a copy of TtS! when first published, no opportunity arose to give them a try.  Until now.  Perhaps not having a ready-made grid mat at hand caused my procrastination?  Perhaps.

The long Greek battle line

When Scott scheduled the game and announced an ancients battle, I figured we would be using his fine 28mm collection.  I was surprised to see 15mm armies arrayed upon the gridded gaming mat when we walked downstairs and entered his game room.  Pleasant surprise, for sure.

Greeks pinning a yellow-shield phalanx

Being absolute newcomers to TtS!, Kevin and I would face off while Scott adjudicated and kept the game moving along.  With Kevin taking up station on the side of the table behind the Macedonians, the Greeks were left for me to command. 

The lone Greek cavalry

Greek Center under Lysicles

The battle began with the Greeks advancing all across the battle line maintaining a close cohesion.  The Macedonians had trouble coordinating their movements due to a number of inopportune aces being drawn from the deck.  In TtS!, an ace stops most activations dead in their tracks.

Greeks advance

While the Macedonians wait

Alexander's left wing cavalry came on boldly into the Greek Hoplites on the Greek right but a sudden repulse made the Macedonian cavalry much more timid.  Fortunately for the Macedonians, both Alexander and Phillip act as Greek Gods in this game each having three rerolls per turn.  Even with Greek success in disordering the Macedonian cavalry, Alexander calmly withdrew, reordered his cavalry wing and waited for the Greeks to come on again.

Greek right

Alexander's cavalry disordered and driven back

Come on again, the Greeks did too.  By now Kevin realized the power and invincibility of his cavalry arm and used a combination of first strikes, multiple activations, and rerolls to thwart any Greek thoughts of making a breakthrough on the Macedonian left.  After destroying a unit of Hoplites, Alexander turned the right flank of the Greek army and began to roll up the Greek line. 

Piles of cards signifies action on the right

With the Greek right crumbling, Greek attention shifted to their center and left.  After much bashing of spears and shields, the entire line was in chaos with pockets of opposing units in deadly clashes.  All semblance to ordered lines had vanished.  Finally, the Greeks accepted the likely outcome of battle and withdrew from the field.  A victory for the Macedonians!

Clash on the Greek left

What are my first impressions of TtS!?  Well, it is a fast-paced game with much tension, drama, and a fair bit of luck.  It was both fun and frustrating.  More fun than frustrating, by a wide margin.  The game mechanisms are quite simple and after a few turns we rarely looked at the QRS.  Movement and combat resolution were rapid with the grid and deck of cards.  Everything seemed intuitive and straightforward.  An elegant system that moves along very quickly.  Since not every unit may act in a turn, force management is important.  I could see tactics developing after having experienced a few games.  I already have a number of thoughts in mind for the next battle.  We completed two Chaeronea battles in under three hours.  That is a huge accomplishment.

TtS! is a fun and challenging game that I want to try again soon.  The game motivates me to put 28mm ancients into the painting queue and build myself a gridded mat.  I think I could defeat the Macedonians next time...    

Hiking the Palouse

Lake Pend Oreille

With friends and family in town recently, we needed an activity to interest our more adventurous visitors.  To enjoy the fine summer weather and beautiful scenery, Nancy suggested a short hike to Lake Pend Oreille.  While, not technically on the Palouse, Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho is only about a 60 mile drive to the northeast of Spokane.  Rather than the rolling hills of the Palouse, a visitor is treated to the timbered forests and stunning lakes of North Idaho. 

Marching single file along the wooded trail

From the trailhead, a path leads down the steep, windy, and rugged trail to Lake Pend Oreille.  The switchbacked trail drops to the lake shore about 1,300 vertical feet below.  The trail, itself, is about one and three quarter miles in length. 

Once departing the trailhead, a hiker must go up before going down to the lake.  Once the bluff is crested, a partial view of the lake is visible.  A stunning view it is too!

First glimpse of Lake Pend Oreille

Continuing on down the trail on the descent, the views of the lake from high on the bluff are even more spectacular.  While the views of the lake are often screened by trees along the path down, many breathtaking views of the blue water and mountains present themselves for a quick snapshot.   

After many a switch back and an hour later, we arrive at the serene waters of the lake.  Beautiful 180 degree views showing the calm lake waters and surrounding mountains are present with every turn.

The hike down was hot so after reaching the lake we found a suitable stretch of graveled beach to rest.  After a light lunch, cold drinks, several photo ops, and a quick wade into the cool lake waters, we gathered our belongings and headed back up the steep trail to return to our vehicle.   

The day's hikers

While indoor activities of our hobby frequently beckon, when the weather is pleasant and friends and family are willing, enjoy these opportunities to connect to both family and nature.   

Montcalm & Wolfe: Capitulation!

Battle of Oswegatchie from Gridded Wargames

With the severe mauling of the French at the battle of Oswegatchie and the death of Rigaud from wounds suffered during the battle, the remnants of Rigaud's force retreat into the woods.  Unfortunately, the militia having sustained heavy casualties have had enough and disband.  For details on this hot engagement, please visit Peter's Gridded Wargames, FIW Campaign Game 20. 

Still reeling from the heavy losses at Oswegatchie, the French choose to roll on the Command Table to set their forces into motion.  The result?  No French activations!  A band of Algonquin join the French cause and move to join the retreating Regulars from Oswegatchie but no French forces respond.  The loss of Rigaud and Oswegatchie must have been a hard blow for the French.  A hasty retreat back to Montreal seems the only option for the defeated survivors of Rigaud's force.  

Heavy French losses at Oswegatchie

June 1759

The loss of any French activations provides the British with a chance to take a double move.  The British could play it safely and opt for a guaranteed single activation or choose to roll on the Command Table.  The British choose the latter and roll three activations for June.

British maneuvers in June

With those three activations, Monckton, Abercrombie, and two Regular regiments depart Fort Carillon and march on Fort Isle aux Noix; one Regular regiment marches to Fort Presque Isle to join Braddock; and Loudoun and his victorious force embark in bateaux and travel upriver to Montreal.  Loudoun finds Montreal without a significant military garrison and Montreal surrenders without much resistance.  The French are in trouble!

With Braddock threatening Fort Niagara in the west, Amherst blocking any attempts to gain access to the Mohawk Valley at Fort Stanwix, Fort Isle aux Noix under threat, and both Quebec and Montreal under British control, the French government sees the writing on the wall and seeks terms of surrender.  Of course, the British accept.  The war is over.

Well!  This campaign game has yielded much more enjoyment and many more interesting battles than I imagined when first conceived back in February.  In February, I never expected the campaign to command six months activity.  In that time, Peter has fought 20 battles on his gridded gaming table while the operational situations were conjured up by me using Rob Markham's DTP game, Montcalm & Wolfe.  While I became very familiar with Markham's operational design, Peter honed his own gridded, tactical rules.  I enjoyed seeing Peter's rules evolve over the course of the campaign.  Seeing his troops battle it out on the table was always a joy.   

What began as a response to Peter's desire for campaign context for his gridded battles, this Montcalm & Wolfe campaign blossomed to develop an interesting and captivating narrative punctuated by Peter's tabletop battles.  While the campaign would draw up the forces and location for each battle, Peter crafted the terrain and tactical situation to reflect the context of the campaign.  Sometimes the battle outcome was expected; sometimes it was not.

Montcalm & Wolfe presents difficult challenges for the campaigner.  Due the nature of the terrain and harsh attrition rules, movement is channeled through only a few corridors protected by forts within one month's march.  Those few corridors such as the Mohawk and Hudson Valley drainages saw much action during the campaign.  How many times were battles fought over Forts William-Henry, Stanwix, or Oswego?  Many!  Those landscapes became quite familiar territory to the follower of this campaign as the reader was treated to Peter's tabletop renditions of the terrain. 

The French have a difficult time in Montcalm & Wolfe.  A war of attrition cannot be won with the uneven reinforcement schedule.  To do well, the French must strike early and often before British troops begin pouring into America.  When the balance of power changes, the French must adapt quickly.  Having played through one complete campaign game, I have a very good feel for the play and design of Markham's game.  Perhaps a review and thoughts on the game, itself, will follow at a later time?  

Until then, tremendous thanks go out to Peter for diligently tackling every battle thrown up against him.  His battle resolution gave an extra dimension to the game and added tension as I awaited publication of each battle's outcome.  Twenty games played out on the table for a campaign is a feat not easily duplicated.  Peter, I hope you enjoyed this experiment as much as I.  Chapeau to you!