Littler figures bigger scale.

We broke out the 15mm WWII figures for a try at Five Core Company Command. We've been looking a larger level of WWII game and I wanted to get all those mini's I bought when I thought I was going to play Flames of War on the table. 

Once again Matt set out a great looking table. We each selected a company of infantry with some armour support and started rolling dice. As I learned from the 6x6 challenge last year it takes me about two to three games to get a decent grip on the rules., A few things were missed and some just skipped over but I felt we got the basics right and the game moved along well. The game uses a D6 for everything. Two color dice are needed one for shock and one for kills, sometimes they are rolled at the same time, we used white and red. A few things that I felt were unclear from the reading of the rules immediatly became apparent upon rolling the dice. We could have used a few markers for some action but worked our way through it. Occuping the buildings in the village was the objective and in the end it came down to a draw.

The Americans advance towards the town as the Germans move up.

US troops take cover behind the wall and open fire on the Germans.

The Puma moves down the road engaging the US squad.

An American platoon moves in to occupy the church.

Definatly a rule set that needs further exploration. Check out Nordic Weasel's  Blog for more info.

Matt has a good AAR on his blog Saltflats1929

Went on down to Dixie.

We just got back from visiting our daughter down in North Carolina. Ten and a half hours of driving broken up by a stop at the Petersburg battlefield. We didn't want to stop long so it was a quick stop with a movie at the visitors center and three of the eight stops. 

Stop #1

 Confederate #5 battery

The Dictator

Gun and caisson.

Stop #3

Battery #9

Stop #8

Start of the Union tunnel

Approach to the tunnel.

The Crater

My wife's reference for all this.

A good spot to stop for BBQ before or after the Battlefield

Jumping forward ninety years we went to see the USS North Carolina. Although my father was a destroyer man during WWII I enjoy seeing any of the ships from that era. It always amazes me at the technology available and the logistics involved with a Navy ship.

 

You could climb into two of the 16" turrets and one of the 5" turrets. The AA guns were set up so they could be moved up and down and side to side. 

The  last spot of interest was Moore's Creek Battlefield.  The visitors center was closed so there was no overview of the battle but there was a nice interpretive trail. 

Widow Moore's bridge.

The view from the Patriots side.

The Patriot earthworks.

A 3# field piece.

Whig view of the Loyalists advance..

From behind the earthworks.

After this it was off to pick strawberries at Lewis Farms .

A great trip all around.

The Portable Wargame at Salem Church

I should have written this when some of the questions were fresher in my mind but I didn't. Part of the reason for that w=is that the floors are being re sanded and we spent much of the weekend moving things, more things than we should have. Part of all this is why playing The Portable Wargame was the choice for this weeks game.

It was just Howard and I as Matt was working and Nate is enjoying his newborn. We decided to give PW another try this time using my 15mm ACW figures. I pulled out the Salem Church scenario done by Johnny Reb as it's seemed to be the right size for this game. I used one stand per unit of infantry and three gunners for the artillery. I didn't have commanders but should have used at least two per side.

The Union advances.

Confederate's delay the Union advance.

Reinforcement arrive for the South as the Northerners advance on the left.

Yankees flanking the right.

Reb artillery dueling with the invaders.

The Union closes in on the Confederate left.

The Rebs have been flanked on the right.

An enjoyable game all in all. The squares are 2.5 inches and the board is eight by thirteen squares. I think I should have used two stands per unit to get a better look. Most of my figures based for Johnny Reb2 are on inch squares, four per base mostly. The fences were place in the center of the square to show which square would get the benefit but I think putting them on the edge would be better appearance wise and still show which square benefits. Maybe some new fences will be needed.

We had a few questions about flank attacks, line of site, figuring weapons ranges. Many had to do with the use of a grid and adjusting our own perceptions. Another reading of the rules and a few more games should get us there. 

75 degrees and low humidity

What else to do put sealcoat the figures I've painted this month.

2nd Connecticut Foundry

Sodermanland Infantry Warfare Miniatures

Sodermanland Infantry Warfare Miniatures

Warring States Chinese John Jenkins

Pirates Artizen

Today was not as nice at 35 degrees and 80% humidity so we went on a hike to Claudius Smith's Den . Inspiration for a scenario no doubt.

Why there's good beer in France.

We got together for a game of A Gentleman's War this time doing a fictional Franco-Prussian battle. Matt as the French defended the town while Howard and I as Prussians assaulted across the river.

The French along the edge of the village

The square defended with Artillery.

Prussian sharpshooters cover the crossing.

The Prussian Guard trying not to get their white pants dirty advance through the river.

On the Prussian left the Infantry engage the Chassuers D'Afrique.

The French face the Prussian steamroller.

Finally the Guards reach the other bank and engage the Zouaves.

The decisive Cavalry melee mid stream.

Inspired by Alan at The Duchy of Tradgardland I took a few Black and White photos.

Left flank melee.

French cavalry run down the Prussian skirmishers.

Check out the new Facebook page for A Gentleman's War

OK so Kronenbourg started brewing beer before this battle but still it's good.