A GIFT FROM A FRIEND

A few days ago I spoke with George Mills, a member of a re-enactment group I formed many years ago. He mentioned, he was planning to clear quite a large box of toy soldiers, and could I use them? Outlining the contents, I mentioned some items would be very useful, while others could be of service to friends. Today, the box arrived, and it was quite an assortment.

First up. A Britains ACW Napoleon Gun with four crew. I'm thinking, these could be painted up as French 1870s.

Next, some original plastic British and American infantry. I will enjoy repairing these, and they will be useful additions to my post-WW2 armies.

The third batch comprised some home-cast(?) figures. They are solid lead, and appear to represent RAF airmen. There was also four naval figures, that will be converted to form a French gunboat crew. And two hollow-cast WW2 Tommies. 

There was a mixed parcel of plastic odds, and I will use them!

The fifth is a box of Victrix French Grenadiers. I don't see myself entering into the Napoleonic period in 54mm, will be moving these on.

Finally, there are about 70 English Civil War figures, and another 50 AWI figures. I think the first are A CALL TO ARMS, the latter are ARMIES IN PLASTIC. They are in good condition, but I prefer to game these periods in 28mm, so these will also be moved on.

Now, I really must thank George for his generosity. There are at least three or four collections that will be enhanced by their arrival. And even those home-cast figures can be altered, with my own home-cast peaked cap-heads, to furnish some important staff officers. MGB

ps. Apologies for the photos, British daylight from October till March is often a luminous mid-grey.... thank God part of this spell is broken by our Yuletide lights.

LATEST ADDITIONS

My local collectables shop furnished two Deetail mounted Saracens for a total of £4. Rather pleased with this as it included one designed figure which had escaped my collection.  Look forward to upgrading them with some painted detail.

A charity shop had this wire bicycle for £1. While totally out of scale, the two wheels will be very useful. I may construct a military cart, or perhaps a limber.

Back to Ebay, got sixteen Airfix Soviet infantry for the cost of 99p plus £3.50 postage. This will allow me to complete my three battalions, each will comprise twelve infantry, and one LMG figure.

This is an odd acquisition. George kindly assisted me in obtaining three pencil sharpeners. Made of metal, the gatling gun has long been utilised by 54mm wargamers. The mortar and cannon will be drafted into my Ruritanian army, so expect some distinctive livery. The gatling will probably end up with my Spanish c.1870 army. All three totalled £10, including delivery.

MGB

SOVIET WW2 ARTILLERYMEN (Revell-Italaeri)

Had to find a solution to my Soviet WW2 collection having no artillerymen. Picked up this box for £13.50 delivered. Have seen them going for even more. My plan is to raise two teams of three figures, and a command base of two figures. In conjunction with my armoured train, and the naval gunboat, this should provide all I really need for an interesting war-game. The figures are listed as 1/35 but pleased to find they are only slightly less than my Airfix infantry, although definitely slimmer. Will fix them on higher bases, giving the illusion of a larger scale.

Well, just completed them today, and have given them the 54mm Toy-look, with a coat of gloss varnish. The two mortars are scratch built, using bits of metal, and plastic and a good superglue. They are firm and secure. Will later construct some ammo boxes. There is an Airfix figure in the first photo, to show the scale difference.

MGB

French Landing in Virginia (Dominion Wargame)

With the French fleet off Virginia, ferrying seventeen military units, an attack somewhere in the Chesapeake Bay was very likely. Although the most probable objective was Washington, the French Command decided otherwise. Their aim was to neutralise Norfolk, and to establish their own naval base. Towards this end, a landing would be made at Virginia Beach.

The US army was unable to oppose this landing with a sufficient force, so they decided to form a protective line on the likely French approach, comprising twelve military units. The French actually landed fifteen, keeping two onboard their fleet, which now sought to engage the American fleet in the Chesapeake.

THE BATTLE

The Americans chose their position with care, and even had time to construct some fortifications. MOVE ONE the French advanced. MOVE TWO three American guns opened fire. MOVE three the French guns returned fire, and had some real success when they knocked out an American gun. At this point, the American commander realised that three potential guns were too far to the rear-left, and were unable to assist because of the range! MOVE FOUR saw the American 'roving' cannon and cavalry on their far left advance forward. Here are some photos.

MOVE FIVE saw some accurate fire from the US howitzer battery, two D6, with two crew on the French Roving Cannon taken out. And it ceased to advance further. But that battery now came under fire from several guns during MOVE SIX and SEVEN, their losses obliged a morale check, and they broke, as did the neighbouring infantry regiment.  MOVE EIGHT was strange. The US roving cannon entered into melee with French Marines.The result was not in doubt, but the French commander was able to score a good hit from one of his guns. Down to half strength, the last crew member surrendered!

In MOVE NINE the Americans were withdrawing from the field, but a cavalry regiment sought to delay the French, by declaring a charge. A counter charge by a Cuirassier regiment produced a melee which concluded in something quite odd. The Cuirassiers wiped out the American cavalry, but were forced to test their morale having fallen below half strength. They routed (D3). The nearby second regiment of Cuirassiers witnessed this, and they too scattered (D1), followed by a nearby infantry regiment (D1). At this point, I simply called it a draw.

MGB

LOSSES American: 13 casualties, 15 routing, 1 captured. Also, Roving Cannon captured, one gun destroyed. French: 14 casualties, 19 routing. RESULT: both the American and French right had collapsed.