DOMINION WARGAME (Played DEC 24)

Followers of this blog will be aware that posts on the Dominion War (the fictitious American invasion of Canada in 1890) had gone quiet. The main reason was the United States and the British Empire had reached a campaign stalemate, neither wishing to risk a major action. The United States was in control of that part of Ontario adjacent to Detroit, but the Empire had successfully held on to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec. In British Columbia, the city of Vancouver was being besieged, but very unlikely to fall. While Ottawa had been evacuated by the Americans, its occupation having proved of little strategic value. The Royal Navy was still dominating the East and West sea lanes from North America, and had even secured southern Alaska and the coast of Maine, but it was stretched to the extreme. The entry of France and Spain, for their own motives, had not developed into an official alliance with the Empire, but it had seen the Spanish Crown reclaim Florida. However, France was now unhappy with its progress, and was willing to vacate the conflict if suitably remunerated, by anyone!

The US President was now willing to negotiate a peace treaty with the Empire which would recognise the pre-war borders, although he demanded a non-militarised zone should operate on the Canadian side, and no compensation would be recognised for war damages done during the invasion of Canada, 

These terms might seem unfavourable for the Empire, but the Imperial staff were all too aware that the American navy was increasing, the blockading Royal Navy was needing a serious refit, and the enormous natural resources and population of the United States could not be matched in Canada. And there were other risks to be considered. For example, the Indian Empire army looked good on paper but only one third was considered reliable enough for service elsewhere, another third were only suitable for protecting the borders of India, and the remaining third were exotic titled regiments of armed policemen.  

With all this to consider, the Imperial Staff concluded that the Empire should try and break through the American fortified lines in southern Ontario, and liberate the town of London. This would provide a good backdrop for peace negotiations. 

SCENARIO

In Lower Ontario two opposing lines of fortifications had been developing. Both stretched for miles, and were well adorned with batteries of guns. While to the rear of these defensive works, brigades of infantry and cavalry were encamped, ready to provide support.

Those new fangled flying machines had made an appearance.

THE ARTILLERY DUEL 

At 10am the Empire lines opened up on their American counterparts. MOVE ONE Yes, yes, yes... an Empire siege gun scored a D6, a hit on an American siege gun, and again, D6, the gun exploded, and again, D6, the five crew were taken out. What a start!!!!!! I normally play simultaneous fire for large games, so this gun was allowed to return fire. (Small or skirmish games work best with dice to see who may fire first.)

MOVE TWO One Empire casualty. MOVE THREE Empire aircraft dropped a bomb on an American field gun, knocking it out! MOVE FOUR Nothing. MOVE FIVE Empire aircraft took out a heavy gun. MOVE SIX Some casualties on Empire gun crews. MOVES SEVEN and EIGHT Some casualties on American gun crews. The Empire guns are totally dominating! MOVE NINE to TWELVE. Hardly a casualty, although a local church roof was damaged. But the artillery duel was over, and it was clear who had won.

United States losses, twelve gunners, one siege gun, one heavy gun, one medium gun. (Two units were lost.) Empire losses, five gunners, all guns still operational.  

THE ASSAULT 

With the cessation in artillery fire unemployed American artillerymen reinforced those guns still operational. While alarm bells rallied troops in the rear to take up frontline positions. All were aware this was no random artillery bombardment. And sure enough, red lines began to appear from the opposing fortifications, and bagpipes were clearly heard.

MOVE THIRTEEN and FOURTEEN saw some casualties on both sides from artillery fire and air support. With so many close order troops it was rather likely! 

MOVE FIFTEEN Yes, it looks suspicious, but it happened. The two 'roving' cannon (toy tanks) had been targeting each other. Then the Empire vehicle threw three D6, job done! But then the US aircraft retaliated with a direct hit on the Empire supper-siege howitzer, gone! MOVE SIXTEEN An American field howitzer was destroyed. MOVE SEVENTEEN and EIGHTEEN Small arms fire began to come into range. The Empire Roving Cannon suffered its third casualty, and stopped roving. 

As is usual in my games, you just can't help directing gun fire at your opponents artillery.... but this had allowed the Empire troops to advance across the open ground fairly unscratched.

MOVE NINETEEN Empire troops silenced a gun crew and crossed the enemy lines. Some soldiers even entered a few houses in London.

MOVE TWENTY Empire troops secured most of London. And they were certain to capture the American left flank, including the last operational artillery piece, a super siege howitzer. I felt this solo game had achieved a result. The Americans were granted full honours to depart the field, which included the right to remove their super siege howitzer and an unmanned field howitzer. Had I been playing an opponent, this game could have carried on for another three or four moves. Perhaps the Americans, with some luck, might have broken the Empire main assault on their right, but their left flank was fully turned. In my opinion, concluding on move twenty indicated an Empire victory.

CASUALTIES

The official game casualties were as follows. Americans totalled thirty-five (four American campaign units being deleted). Empire losses were nineteen (for one Empire unit). This excludes the losses from the earlier artillery duel. It was really quite uncanny just how many D6's the Empire side ended up getting! Give or take a figure, both armies started off with the same numbers, and weight of ordnance. And the Americans also had the advantage of defending 'declared' positions.  

RESULT

The Americans withdrew, but are not fully driven out of Canada. They are now establishing posts at Chatham and also at Sarnia. The Swiss Government is organising a conference to include representatives of the Empire and the United States. 

MGB

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                                         REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Hello Quinn, nice to hear from you. In the last six months the main addition to my traditional toy gaming has been the participation of aircraft, and the simplistic paper bombs...... great fun! A Happy New Year to you and your family. And all our kinsfolk in Australia. 

Hello Donnie. No way am I going to miss an opportunity to include biplanes in a wargame, lol. The break from dice throws to dropping paper bombs is hilarious..... and truly primitive, in a good sense. Have a great New Year!

Hello Tony. It was fun, but it lacked the fortified house element, which is a feature which always sparks my interest. But still nice to take out the old glory toy soldiers.... traditional lead. Best Wishes for the New Year!

Hello MJT. Looking at the Dominion campaign maps, I was genuinely fearful of attempting a major expedition as a defeat could leave adjacent territory open to a counter expedition. For example, had the Empire lost this wargame, with heavy casualties, it WOULD have left Toronto open to a counter-attack. So my answer was to leave both sides inactive. The only reason why the US hasn't swamped Canada with armies is the fear of Royal Navy coastal raids! But a major naval action near the Chesapeake is becoming more and more likely....... just requiring good weather conditions. This naval action will determine the outcome. Or, a peace treaty is agreed (by dice), very risky. Happy New Year!

Hello Brad. I think it is fair to admit, I want more planes, tanks, and ships in my 54mm gaming. They are such a compliment to shiny lead toy soldiers. I now feel paper bombs are on a par with matchstick firing cannon.... magic. (I picked up some more plasticard from a model shop in the town of Frome yesterday. More on this in my next post.) I do hope next year furnishes you with some happier home memories. Very Best Wishes.

Thank you Roger. I've had a fair break from my DOMINION campaign, so it was nice to see the British and American collections back on the table. I should also mention, my American army c1890 is in transition, from being a mixture of plastic and lead regiments, many are now home-cast pewter. A happy New Year to you and yours. 

That's very kind, Mark. I genuinely wanted to see the bold coloured figures back on the table. And putting off a Dominion wargame was not an option, regardless of the campaign risks. As it happens, the dice made it very clear who was the victor. Thinking about it, had the Empire lost, the Americans would have had a clear path to take Toronto. Most of the Empire unit-points were taken from the Toronto garrison. However, this game saw the Empire lose only one point, while the Americans suffered six points. This will actually balance out the numbers operating in southern Ontario...... but the Americans do seem to always raise new recruits! (Units, including artillery, that lose 60% are removed from the campaign, some 50% units can be amalgamated.)

A MERRY YULETIDE! (Toy Armoured Cars, Tanks, and Cannon)

As a true Englishman (actually half) I shall be raising a glass of Port to our Saviour on Christmas Day, and raising another glass to family and friends. And subject to the light bulbs still working, I shall be illuminated by a warm glow radiating from 1970s Pifco Christmas tree lights. Kindly cross your fingers.

May I thank the following. To Paul Watson for his generosity in initiating my collection of 54mm traditional lead toy soldiers. To George Mills for his contribution of some very useful Britains and Timpo plastic figures. To Tim at Megablitz for enhancing my collection of Soviet WW2 toy soldiers, and to Mark at ManOfTin for a large donation of Airfix WW2 figures. And finally, thank you Brad, MJT, and Donnie for your very strong blog support. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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                                                                CHARITY SHOP VISIT

 Just visited a local charity shop (Dec.17) and I'm rather chuffed with my purchases. 

This is an Italian-made die-cast cannon, marked GT375. It has a spring in the barrel and it is possible to pull back the cascabel or rear button, but no ability to fire anything. I have since discovered that the GT range was produced in 1970. Underneath is a gap for placing into the barrel a gunpowder cap ....... it's a 1970s cap gun! No need to repaint as the black metal looks rather nice. The cost was £2.50. (Placed next to the gun are some c1900 Spanish officer cadets, converted Britains plastic Guardsmen) 

And here is another gun. This one is totally brass. There is no makers mark or nationality, but several features are common to desk ornaments which have wooden platforms. These were popular in the UK and also the USA. It also explains the peg holes in three locations.  I think this one dates to the mid 20th century? Would welcome more information. The cost was also £2.50.

Having already mentioned to MJT that I really don't need any more buildings....... guess what? Here are two more tin plate buildings. At £1 each it was daft not to buy them! As my plan is to repaint, I didn't spend too much time actually inspecting them. It turns out both have working battery lights inside, which can be switched on from the underneath....... tin lanterns! The buildings are four sided, but with reduced sides, great for backdrop buildings. The lighting is blue, and the scale is 54mm. 

 Chris felt they should have had warm white lights.... that's true.

And a charity shop find a few days before. I'm not sure this really is a Christmas tree decoration, but it seems to work. A European-made 24K gold plated coach and horse (actually 28mm scale) with Swarovski crystals. Cost was £3. They seem to float around for £15 new, and absolutely ridiculous prices in North America!

(I have mentioned my view on this before. Wargaming with miniatures is different to wargaming with toy soldiers. Yes, they practically overlap, but the visual objective is distinct. My 28mm are historical miniatures, while my 54mm are mainly toy soldiers. The former seeks to capture history in miniature, the latter seeks to capture the magic of early wargaming. One of the more obvious distinctions is the use of gloss varnish, or not, another is in the complexity of the rules and occasionally the level of game competitiveness. I think this distinction developed through Games Workshop, compared to those of us brought up on traditional toy shops and Featherstone books?) 

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                                               BRASS/BRONZE DESKTOP CANNON

As a follow-on to the above, I have found quite a few photos of desktop cannon that were fixed to wooden, and occasionally marble, plinths or bases. Some are described as Victorian, most were made during 1900 to 1940. I am now considering a dark wood base for my recent acquisition, but with space for a crew, to utilise in traditional-style wargames. 

Below, Victorian, with the same rings along the barrel.

And another, very similar, still with a chain.

This fine 1920s example is for sale, £1250

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SOME MORE TOYS TO CONTEMPLATE OVER! (Click to enlarge.)

I like to keep photo files (from all angles) of early toys which catch my eye. Often too rare and expensive to buy, it might be possible to reproduce them in plasticard or wood. Hope others find them of similar interest. I cannot believe I'm the only one to see how great these toys would look next to traditional lead toy soldiers.

JAPANESE MADE Armoured Car, 1930s tinplate.

US MADE Tootsie Armoured Car, 1930s die-cast.

ITALIAN MADE Padova PD Armoured Car, 1930s? Tinplate.

FRENCH MADE Quiralu German field kitchen c.1950s

ENGLISH MADE Burnett Ltd, armoured car, 1920s? Tin plate.

GERMAN MADE prewar Gun and Limber, Tin plate.

ENGLISH-MADE Charbens die-cast bus. 1930s.

FRENCH MADE Vebe tin plate armoured car, 1930s.

GERMAN MADE Ernst Plank cannon, lead, 1920s.

ENGLISH MADE Crescent, lead, apparently 1930s.

GERMAN MADE Erzgebirge, wooden, 1930s.

ITALIAN MADE Friction tin plate tank, 1920s?

FRENCH MADE Autajon et Roustand, 1920s.

US MADE Manoil tractor, 1940s. Lead. You just have to smile!

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REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS

Thanks Donnie, I really was lucky on the cannon and houses, they weren't in the charity shop the day before. I can't help thinking, those collecting traditional toy soldiers are missing out not having the vehicles to go with them. The colours, the magical designs. Best wishes, Sir.

Hello MJT. A friend of mine chose the Japanese armoured car, which is very similar to one I have reproduced with plasticard. I know some will be surprised, I am thinking about reproducing the Burnett armoured car, simple but so archaic. I also like the Ernst Plank cannon, with four wheels. Could use it with my Schleswig and Ruritanian collections. Best wishes!

That is very kind of you, Brad. Thank you. And I can see how many of the original vehicles would fit with 30mm and 40mm figures perfectly, or pretty close. That played a role in my decision to 'try' and reproduce some in plasticard, for my 54mm, and not forgetting the cost of some of them (my Scots blood to the fore). For better times ahead, Brad!

Hello Roger. In my childhood I remember admiring wargames by Grant, Featherstone, and Asquith, where the buildings were reduced in scale to work with the Spencer Smith Miniatures (30mm). But it still looked good! Wargaming is a hobby, collecting historical toys to wargame with, must be considered one level higher, lol. There is also a small following of collectors of antique and ornamental metal artillery pieces..... now I have started my collection, and they look great on my home shelves, and on the wargames table too. That Italian gun I picked up for £2.50 is normally valued at about £10 or more. May I wish you and yours, and our distant Viking cousins in Norway, a Merry Yule!

Graham, thank you for your very kind comment. I set up my blog with the intention of recording how the 54mm collection developed, and any games played. That others have been kind enough to comment, that it has encouraged their own hobbies, has also boosted my resolve to complete more projects. Blogging works! The problem with Facebook is that interesting posts seem to quickly evaporate from sight. I far prefer the 'tag' and search bar on blogs. And I use them all the time on mine, and visiting other peoples blogs. Very best wishes for Christmas and I hope your plans prove worthwhile.

Hello Tim. We all know gamers have preferences for one period over another, but it is obvious to me that there is a clear distinction in the manner collections are being raised, and it is not linked to artistic skills. I can appreciate and enjoy viewing both, but I also recognise this distinction, the objectives are very different. I'm sure there are other sub-categories too, but this is one that even non-wargamers can see, even if they don't appreciate the reasoning. (Yes, I'm prone to systematise, it has always been my main method of better understanding a subject.) I will continue to occasionally show traditional toys that would look good on the wargames table with traditional toy soldiers. Philosophical thoughts aside, may I wish you and your family the best! 

Grand Budapest Hotel Wargame (and Wiltshire Visit)

This is my first outing for a collection inspired by the wonderful movie THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014). Set in about 1932, in a fictional country called Zubrowka, the story revolves around a group of characters that run a high class, very traditional hotel. During the movie we witness the rise of a local fascist party, the outbreak of war, and ultimately the occupation of Zubrowka by communist forces. It is surprisingly emotional, and funny!

Here is the Grand Budapest Hotel, set on a mountain that overlooks a provincial city.

The Zubrowka player has at his disposal a battalion of infantry, a medium gun with crew, a small battalion of Double Z guards, a company of armed civilians, and a Double Z armoured car. He is free to distribute his troops, garrison buildings, and build street barricades.

My plasticard rendition, 

The Soviet player must throw a dice to determine how many infantry battalions he has at his disposal. He may also call up heavy howitzers by throwing a dice, a score of 6 will start a bombardment of the city. The throwing of another dice will give the number of paper-bombs that can be dropped in that move. The Soviet player also has an armoured train equipped with a medium gun (it must advance with the infantry, and has a gun crew of three).

Footnotes. The Zubrowka player is entitled to seek assistance from the Third Reich. Each move he may throw a dice to determine their response. If he scores a 6, the Luftwaffe will appear. Throw another dice to determine how many paper bombs can be dropped for that move. I suspect paper-bombs will play a key role in this game. However, the Soviet player also has some allies in Zubrowka, a group of communist revolutionaries. Each move he may throw a dice, and a score of 6 will see these fellows appear on the streets, another dice will determine just where in the city the six figures appear.

GAME BEGINS

Chris was off work and decided to organise and position the Zubrowka defenders. He eventually decided to fortify two key buildings, their best hope for stemming the Soviet horde.

The Soviet commander had been instructed to take the city with three rifle battalions (16, 12, 12). And another of elite NKVD guards (12). 

MOVE ONE The Soviet horde made their appearance. The civilians fled in horror. The Soviet heavy artillery (off-table) opened up on the town, destroying a vacant sentry box! MOVE TWO The Soviets advanced. The Zubrowka artillery was unable to find targets in its sights, and the Soviet heavy artillery failed to hit anything.  

MOVE THREE The Soviets advanced. WOW, some Luftwaffe aircraft screamed overhead, and were able to drop SIX bombs! But nothing major, Chris took down a rifleman, and hit an empty barn. 

MOVE FOUR The Soviets advanced. The Luftwaffe repeated the previous move, six bombs, one casualty! Otherwise, mainly misses with small arms. MOVE FIVE The Soviets advanced. Soviet off-table howitzers fired five shells, brilliant, one Soviet casualty!!!! Again, lots of small arms fire, but hardly a casualty, 2s and 3s are rubbish shots. MOVE SIX The Soviets advanced. Another six Luftwaffe bombs, and finally they hit the mark, the armoured train engine was knocked out, and a rifleman was hit. Small arms fire also began to bring others down. The town volunteers were forced to vacate their post when it caught alight, but their morale held.

MOVE SEVEN Some advancing by the Soviets. Their off-table howitzers fired one shell...... but it took out the Zubrowka artillery piece! If that was not enough, the armoured train threw two D6 and blow up the Zubrowka armoured car!

MOVE EIGHT A Soviet battalion passed by the destroyed armoured car and entered the city. Most of the civilians had by now fled to the forests.

The two battalions engaging the railway signal cabin began to silence the position with overwhelming small arms fire. MOVE NINE A Soviet battalion entered the centre of the city but came under fire from some volunteers in the church.

The fighting around the signal box was very bloody. Somehow the Double Z held on. The Luftwaffe hit the armoured train, but its gun continued to fire and silenced the HMG in the fortified house. Several important positions still needed to have a resolution, but the result was now very near. MOVE TEN The last two Double Z infantry in the signal station surrendered, and were promptly executed by order of the commissar.

With the red flag flying above the signal cabin, those holding out in the fortified house, and also in the church..... decided to disappear. GAME OVER

CASUALTIES

Zubrowka Infantry 4, Double Z infantry 10, armed volunteers 1. Armoured car crew 3. The artillery crew had routed.

Soviet riflemen 14, NKVD infantry 7, NKVD gun crew 1. NKVD train driver 1. Two of the four battalions were no longer operational. No sign of the revolutionary partisans. 

I think it was MOVE SEVEN that determined the outcome, the loss of the armoured car and field gun was too much!

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE COLLECTION

Have converted and painted the recently acquired tin music box, I actually used it in the above wargame. Not bad for £1 in a charity shop.

There is a slight story to the pink stencil paint, it belonged to my late mother. Perfect for this model.

Working on the steps, lol. (28mm figures)

A visit to the Collectables Shop furnished another ornament for the gaming table. This is a Dinky wheelbarrow. You see a fair number of them in auctions, but having picked up mine for £5, I have saved myself the postage.

Another visit to the shop, and another Lord of the Rings figure. This one will now serve as a Ghibelline lord in Italy. I paid £4. 

MGB

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A DAY OUT IN WILTSHIRE

Continuing my previous post, here is a photo taken at Silbury Hill. This was constructed by Beaker Folk about four and a half thousand years ago!

DNA TESTING, hope this helps

Having mentioned in my previous post that the Beaker folk are our ancient ancestors, a local friend asked some follow-on questions. Must confess, I'm no authority on this subject, just an interested student. 

It would appear the average Englishman is 35% Insular British haplogroups, which are linked to the Beaker Folk/late Neolithic, or regional Celts. For the record, the largest haplogroup, at nearly 40%, is linked to the Frisians, Angles, Jutes, and Danish vikings (let's just call it English?). But this only started to arrive about one thousand six hundred years ago (that's why some Celts still call us invaders). Another 20% is NW European, a very numerous and wide haplogroup found mainly in Northern France, Belgium, and western Germany. It is likely the Belgic Celts that settled England, some Saxons, some Frisians, some Norman retinues carried this to the British Isles. About 7% is considered to be Norwegian/Swedish viking. And another 5% are haplogroups linked to Hunter Gatherers/Early Neolithic Farmers/Iberians and Basques. Interestingly, no strong evidence has been found for a Roman contribution to the British peoples. Please note, each and every individual, and even English counties, vary from the national average. And all Celtic home nations have the same mixture, but with different percent averages.

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REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Hello Tim. Having viewed the film about a dozen times, I have concluded that the bad guys are those seeking 'change'. Officially, the aristocrat Dimitre and his sidekick Jopling are the arch villains. Dimitre later gains a key position in the Double Z movement. Yes, the guys in black are thugs. However, the good guys include Henckels, the captain of the border guards and police, he also has some control over the militia, the guys in grey. The good guys eventually prove Dimitre is a murderer, and he dissapears. During the war, some civilians take up arms against the Double Z. However, it appears the Soviets, or Tito-like communists, take over the country, and the good guys and the magical hotel all become a memory.

Hello Hugh. When I first read your comment I was immediately reminded of the Christmas episode of PORRIDGE (with Ronnie Barker). Asked by the prison officer 'where did the prisoners hide the earth from their escape tunnel?" Fletcher replies "they dug another tunnel and put it in there", lol. I guess much of the chalk hill was dug out from the surrounding moat, plus some large stones brought to the location. Yes, the game was very entertaining.

Hello Donnie. You just can't moan when it is possible to pick up a substantial building for the gaming table.... for £1. And it plays a Christmas tune too!!!

Hello MJT. To be honest, I have enough buildings, but couldn't resist buying it. And it now has some additional magic, the pink paint was a kind of gift from my late mother! Yes, the wheelbarrow is a great addition to the farmhouse scene!

Hello Roger. Actually no, the armoured car is entirely made of plasticard, only the wheels are from a large scale, broken contemporary toy. I was VERY keen to have a good representation of the vehicle shown in the movie, rather than something generic. This may help show how it is constructed. I don't need the wheels to turn, they are fixed.

Thank you very much, Brad. But I am extremely sorry to read of your recent loss. It took the passing of four seasons for me to place my grieving, and my mother's life, into their proper context. There is a story to my first Christmas after her departure. I got her tree down from the loft. Apparently, she had missed removing one small decoration, the only one that dated back to my childhood. It is now my tradition that it stays on the Christmas tree. May God give you strength.

Hello Tim, There was a spell when I actually home-cast some thirty Ogrons in 30mm, but later sold them on. So, no plans to wargame Dr Who. But I do have a Tom Baker figure in 54mm, and it makes a rather nice Bohemian type character in my model town. I could say something witty concerning an alien coming out of Silbury Hill, but probably best I don't. By the way, today I tried out the Featherstone paper parachutes which you mentioned in your excellent article on this subject (ManofTinBlog). I dropped sixteen with a diameter of two inches, this represented twelve figures, and four more marked as mortar, mortar ammo, bazooka+ammo, and a HMG. It worked brilliantly. Expect a wargame in the coming months.