Operation Goodwood

I have recently received an email from Jim Wallman of Megagame Makers plugging his forthcoming game:

Early booking is encouraged - see the website for more information.  I expect to be present as part of the umpire team - but don't let that put you off!

JR's attic revisited

One year (to the day) after the funeral of my old friend John G Robertson (see post about this last year), I have today been to visit his widow, Morina. I should explain that I am in Dundee for a few days sorting out some things for my oldies, including the removal of and eventual disposal of my fathers car as he has decided to stop driving. (if anyone is in the market for a well preserved 2000 Honda Accord do let me know...)
During my visit, Morina mentioned while most of JR's wargames figures had been dealt with (due to sterling efforts by John Munro and Paul Jenkins) that there were "a few magazines and things" which I might like to look through and take away. The few magazines turned out to be a whole cupboard stuffed with mags such as Military Modelling, Airfix Magazine, Arquebusier, Armies & Weapons and Wargamers Newsletter. I filled a small box with a selection and promised to return for more next time I am in town.... Still reeling from this shock, she drew my attention to a drawer containing some unpainted 25mm figures and asked if I would take them too. This turned out to be followed by several more such drawers. Just as well the car was empty!
I look forward to rummaging through the various boxes and unless the lead poisoning takes me I will entertain you with stories of the contents as and when I get round to it. Funny old world.

14 July Challenge - all is revealed!

I confess to being slightly disappointed - but not very surprised - that the were no entries for my 14 July Challenge (see my post on that date).

On the off-chance that anyone is being driven to distraction trying to count Russian tanks, I can now reveal the the numbers are as follows:
1 IS-3 Airfix with resin turret
4 IS-2. Britannia, Italeri, scratch build
1 KV-85. Scratch build
1 KV-2. Fujimi
10 KV-1. Esci, Fujimi, Frontline, Skytrex
1 M4 Sherman. Frontline
26 T-34. Matchbox, Airfix, Esci, Armourfast, Fujimi
1 M3 Stuart. Matchbox
2 T-60. Skytrex
5 T-70. Skytrex, Red Star, scratch build
1 T-38. Unknown resin kit
8 T-26. Skytrex, Frontline
14 BT-2/5/7. Red Star, Skytrex, scratch build

A total of (according to my arithmetic) 75 tanks!

Not featured in the photo were the whitewashed tanks and more green painted armour - including more T-34, T-60, T-70, T-26, KV, SMK, T-35, T-28, Valentine, Sherman, T-50. Help me.

Talavera, 1809

This was another Command & Colours game.  It was a long time since we had last played CCN, so when, the previous week, we were casting around for something to do last Wednesday night, it was useful to know that a bare hour of sorting out toys and terrain would give me a ready to play game.

Talavera is the largest CCN game we have tackled so far, and the first to require more than a single box file of toys.  Indeed, it did put some pressure on my supplies of French line infantry - hence the unit of Westphalians stumbling around in the Spanish sunshine.  I had adequate stocks of Brits, but John brought his along and substituted some of his toys for mine and decided to command them.  Martin thus ended up in charge of the French, who not unusually, had to attack across a stream and up a hill.

As has been our experience of other CCN games, this one was pretty close.  After an initial cavalry fight on the French right, their main assault went in on the left & centre.  For a while it seemed as if the garlic munchers might prevail, but the Brits managed to pull together a spirited counterattack which nipped off their extremities (ooh, nasty!)

An overview of the initial setup - seen from behind the French lines.

The French left surges forward excitedly.  This an all further photos taken from my vantage point on the French left/British right.  All orientation will be from the French point of view.

A slightly fuzzy (maximum zoom) view of the cavalry scrap on the extreme right.  This swung back and forth but had no real effect on the outcome of the battle.

John's British Guards.  Apparently this was their first outing in 30 years!  Sadly they were soon forced by a sneaky card to withdraw to the baseline to stock up on ammo.

The French attack develops on the left.  The Guards can be seen centre left of this pic.

The French storm the centre.  Note the positions of the Brits towards the top of this frame and compare it with the next photo.

Ah - so that's why they came on in the same old way.  It works!

A desperate British counterattack goes in on the French light infantry.

Endgame.  The Guards (for it is they) have just eliminated a depleted French unit to clinch a British victory!