A few weeks back we had a 28mm Dark Ages game at the Mess. Rodger forgot his trusty camera and had to use my wife's little compact model to take these images. I had promised to upload them to our blog way before now but some technical issues (driver error) prevented this until now.

The scenario concerned a Viking raid on an Anglo-Saxon village, with the Vikings having to find a cache of gold and pillage as much livestock as they could. The Vikings also had to contend with a force of Anglo-Saxons from another village that was coming to the rescue. We used a simplified version of the Lord of the Rings rules that gave us a flowing and enjoyable game. I can't remember who won but the Vikings managed to find the gold and snuffle some beef on the hoof. Due to a shortage available Viking figures we used some of our Renegade Anglo-Saxons as Vikings.

Saxons defending the village

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Saxons defending the piggery

The gold was hidden in the white building

An Ireland supporter and  Viking leader (me) contemplating an attack on the village 

Hand-to-hand fighting on the edge of the village

Chris 'the Berserker' Packer about to attack the village

Dave's Vikings attacking the centre of the village while Chris's force charge the stronger defences in support 

The skirmish between the Vikings and rescue party from another village

Chris's Vikings breach the walls and secure the gold

   

Boar War game.

Last weeks game was a Volley and Bayonet game based on the Battle of Colenso. A bunch of Boars entrenched behind a river intent on holding up any British advance for as long as possible and the British in several columns trying to cross the river and push the Boars before them.

 Setting up the troops.     The gaps in the river represent where the fords in the river are.

 The Boars. All skirmish stands. Looks good but these stands don't hang around long.

 Some of the British line. Damn big gun in the background.

 The Boars behind their defences waiting for the British to cross the river.

 The British advancing toward the Boars

 The British took some heavy casualties as they crossed! But are still capable of doing some damage.

 The firing power of the British began to tell. The centre Boar command was reduced , by casualties, to a point where it's morale was so low they basically ran away!

 A great gap in the Boar centre encouraged the British to pour more troops across the river.  It wasn't all one way traffic though. The British had suffered a fair number of casualties too and had a command that refused to advance any further.

 

Next the Boar left flank command broke and headed for the hills.  Things were desperate for both sides at this point. Neither of the two commanders that were still involved with the game were aware  that the next casualty would sound the end of the game! After several shots fired and each one saved from both sides the Boars lost another stand and that was that. A British win but oh so close!

 

 

A close up of Adrian's wonderful looking building.

 Thanks to Adrian for doing all the hard work ( running the game , supplying the troops etc).

Conquest 2013

This year the Southern Strategists put on two demo games.

A Bolt Action WW2 game with a Japanese force attacking American Marines that were helped out by some Chindits!

Based on "Ginsling", a game that David found in an old  Wargames Illustrated. This saw the Japanese on the attack through what is essentially a bunch of islands connected by some bridges.  The Japanese have managed to capture some US landing craft to assist them  in landing on these island areas.

Figures from David, Richard and Gavin's collections Most of the terrain from David with me and Richard adding in a couple of things.

The first wave of landings.

The Japanese take their first objective, the Airfix control tower.

The second wave landing near the port.

Things were looking good until the Sherman turned up!

David's home made order dice.

Last stand of the Japanese on this part of the island.

At this point we called the game. The Japanese had captured two of the five objectives. Close but not close enough!



The other game was a 7YW game using some of Chris's awesome collection. Victory to the Prussians I think, but I could be wrong!

Austrians awaiting the attack.

Seamus contemplates his next move.

Near the end of the game.

There were a couple of other demo games on too

A modern skirmish game that looked fantastic with some beautiful looking figures that attracted a lot of interest from the many people passing by.

I really liked the look of these palm trees.

 and an ECW game put on by Tim the host of the competition.

Here are a few more photos of Richard's troops from the Bolt Action game.

  and some more of David's and Gavin's Jap's

An excellent day, catching up with gamers from out of town and spending the day playing games.