MEDIEVAL WARGAME set in Spain (and more)

                                                            MEDIEVAL WARGAME

When you choose to wargame in 54mm some leeway in building scales is a necessity. If you decide to use toy soldiers, and hark back to the look and style of early wargaming, this leeway becomes a feature. As a child, I loved looking at books on medieval history, particularly if they included plates from original manuscripts. The latter were not just colourful and exciting, they were distinctive in having little or no recognition for scale or distance.

SCENARIO

I was in the mood for a medieval wargame, nothing too large, but something strategic to try and capture.  This game is set in Spain c.1400. A Moorish controlled town becomes the target for a band of Castilian adventurers. Dice will determine the numbers involved.

Both the Moors and the Castilians were allowed to throw two dice (multiply by five). Half of the defending Moors would be civic militia, while all of the Castilians would be retinue. Each side was to be also granted three warrior/knight commanders. This system furnished 48 Moors, and 38 Castilians. Seems good enough!

The Moorish Vizier (local governor) chose 3 artillerists with a light cannon, 6 blades, 9 archers, 4 javelin men. The town furnished another 16 civic blades, and 7 archers. The Castilians brought a medium catapult with 3 crew, 16 sword and shield, 8 crossbowmen, and 8 archers. (A D6 confirmed someone had the foresight to bring some ladders and pavises..... now that could have been embarrassing.)

THE GAME (JAN.31)

MOVE ONE. The Castilian commander was polite enough to invite the town to surrender. The Vizier politely declined, but I still threw a dice to determine the resolve of the civic levy to actually fight. A D5 indicated they were willing. MOVE TWO. The Castilians advanced with pavises from two directions, while the catapult let loose, but fell short of the wall (D2). MOVE THREE. The Castilians advanced. The catapult let loose again but fell to the right of a corner tower. The Arab cannon replied, the shot landed to the right of the catapult. MOVE FOUR. The Castilians advanced. Archers and crossbowmen let loose. The Castilians suffered four, inflicting only one in return. Not a good start. The pavises did help, but not against an enemy throwing D6's at medium range. 

MOVE FIVE. The Castilians advanced. Moorish javelins and arrows brought down three, but the Castilians also took down three, two of which were civic archers. The latter had to test their moral, D1, they abandoned the wall, and the panic spread to half of the civic spearmen guarding the gate! MOVE SIX. The Castilians advanced. A Castilian artillerist had his head taken off by the Moorish cannon.

MOVE SEVEN. The Castilians advanced. A slight liberty here.... my ladders are large, and they reached the wall..... and why not? Brilliant... the Black Lion knight led the ladder assault and made short work of his javelin armed opponent. His Castilian archers also took down two nearby Mamluk guards. But on the left wall, disaster, the White Lion knight was the first on the ladder, survived an arrow hit, only to be slain by a Moorish warrior. If that wasn't bad enough, his followers were forced to test their morale, they held, but refused to advance (climb up the ladder). 

MOVE EIGHT. With sword and shield, the Black Lion knight slew a Mamluk spearman, which obliged a half strength morale check on the remainder, they broke, and so followed the javelin men, and the artillerists. The remaining civic spearmen by the gate witnessed three of their superior allies routing, not surprisingly, they now followed suit. MOVE NINE. A lone Moorish warrior now faced the Black Lion knight and his retinue. Draw! While on the left wall, crossbow and archer exchanged shots. The Castilian crossbowmen fell under half strength, and scarpered. The Vizier tried to rally his men in the city, but to no avail. MOVE TEN. The Black Lion knight invited the brave Moorish warrior to surrender, D6, he declined. In the following melee the Moor threw a D5, against a D6 with a plus one for outnumbering..... the right wall was theirs! MOVE ELEVEN. The Moors were now down to just two warriors and five archers still obeying orders. Outnumbered, by three to one, they decided to seek and were granted favourable terms to depart.  GAME OVER. 

Here is the hero of the day, by right of conquest he is now the lord of the town. His heraldry, a sinister lion, might imply he is illegitimate? Perhaps his surname starts with 'Fitz'?

A very enjoyable game, lasting about two hours. I think it is time I painted those toy ladders.

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                                         BRITISH RACING GREEN and my Dinky Racing Car

The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is based in Philadelphia, USA. In 2022 they staged an event celebrating British Racing Green, and from their website I quote.....

"British Racing Green is one of the most iconic colors in the world. It’s synonymous with British culture, heritage, and style. British Racing Green is considered the national color, representing Britain’s past successes at racing. It signifies power, aggression, and strength, but also stands for endurance and resilience. This exhibition takes a closer look at this special hue and examines its place as a symbol for British culture, heritage, and style."

Featured exhibition cars included a 1934 MG PA, 1938 Jaguar SS100, 1950 HRG 1500, 1950 MG-TD, 1961 Triumph TR4, 1965 Morgan + 4, 1966 Austin Healey 3000 Mark III, 1966 Lotus Elan Coupe S3, 1966 Sunbeam Tiger, 1967 Jaguar E-Type. 1968 Triumph TR 250, 1993 Bentley 

Here is their link... https://simeonemuseum.org/photos/2022-a-study-of-british-racing-green-best-of-britain-exhibition/ This photo was taken by Andrew Taylor, many more on their website.

MY RESTORED DINKY COOPER BRISTOL 1950s. Completed JAN.31

I used miliput to restore the chipped hubcaps. And straightened the axles.

I used grass green, dark blue, and black acrylics to create the British racing green, and then sprayed three coats of varnish.

Original condition.

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                                                            LIMBER HORSES (JAN.26)

Have finally sorted out the draught horse issue. Have also mixed and matched the new horses with others in the collection. For example, here are three of the sorted pairs. A vast improvement, and they don't take up too much space on my small gaming table.

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EXPLODING BATTLESHIPS

Well it does appear, the idea of having toy ships that sort of explode has been around for some time. I spotted this on Sally Antiques (website) some time ago, and it definitely caught my attention. These are thought to date to c.1900.

I'll place a bet there are no vermin onboard these ships. I shall never look at a mousetrap again without contemplating an alternative purpose, lol. 

MGB

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REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Thank you, Donnie. The game really did play very well, and a joy, not least because it was fairly quick to set up, with only about eighty figures on the table. I'm still slightly at a loss as to how and when do the ships explode. I'm assuming, just like a mousetrap, a slight touch and they are set off. So I imagine you could try to hit them with matchstick firing cannon, or just rolling marbles at them? Must admit, it is a fun idea.

Thanks Roger. It's true, no way would they allow such a contraption to be made as a children's toy today, but I do agree with Donnie, I bet the kids had some fun playing with them, a century ago. That the product was given a patent number makes me wonder just how many were manufactured, and the photo shows there was at least two sizes of ship....... amazing.

Most kind, Brad. When a solo wargame furnishes a full and exciting story, which required no other editing than the artillerist lost his head on becoming a casualty, the hobby has proved its worth. Indeed, if it wasn't for some housework the following day, I was inclined to have another Medieval bash. Like yourself, the viewing of a good history book would lead to my more numerous Airfix 20mm refighting some of the battles, great fun.

Thank you, MJT. I thought the game played very well. And it was an interesting break from my two main periods. It is also nice to see the racing car in a presentable state. It's always a chore to paint strip but when the crap is all removed, the casting is cleaned up, and primed, you begin to see the full potential. (You just caught me working on something powerful for my Danish collection.)

United States NAVY SEABEES (Brummagem part 3, and New Additions)

                                            MY SEABEES ARE READY FOR SERVICE

Seabees were American battalions of artisans, and also dockworkers, recruited during WW2. Originally civilian contractors, they were later attached to the US Navy so as to grant them full prisoner of war status if captured. 

Many of these battalions were recruited for service in the Pacific. Some of these would participate in island landings, with the intension that they would hurriedly construct aircraft runways. Worth noting, they not only received small arms training, but on occasions participated in frontline action.

On a recent visit to my local collectables shop, I spotted a damaged Dinky 1960s fork lift truck. Thought it would make a useful addition to my Seabees battalion. With a paint strip/repaint, replacement tyres, and a converted plastic farm worker, it is now ready for service. This project cost only £2!

A 1942 photo. OK, slightly different, my model is a 1948 design, but fine for my wargames.....

Change of Job, ZOO KEEPER TO CHAUFFEUR 

Picked up this 1970s plastic Britains Zoo Keeper in the collectables shop for 50p. Missing most of its paintwork, decided to respect the original coat colour of green, but employ the figure as a chauffeur. 

Oh dear, wonder if he can get it to start?

Original condition

MORE WW2 DUTCH

I just wasn't happy with the mule and two attendants recently purchased. The paintwork was just shoddy, and the heads were badly moulded. I decided to paint strip and replace the heads with some home-cast. And having done that, drafted the two soldiers into my Dutch army.

For purposes of education.....

Original state

A NICE DAY OUT!

Went out on August 21 for a brisk walk into town. Picked up a bag of dates, a tub of ice cream......... and then popped into the collectables shop. Left the premises with six Airfix Australians (£3), to serve with my recently completed Australian Army jeep. And picked up another W. Britains jeep for £5. The trader is a kind fellow and offered some discount as a regular customer. I declined, he had just furnished me some suitable tyres from his spares box.

I will need to paint strip the jeep.....

DR WHO ARRIVES

Spotted a bag of Dr Who figures in a charity shop, one of which was 54mm in scale. Offered £1.50 for the figure, which they accepted. I watched Tom Baker play the Doctor in the late 1970s. I think Genesis of the Daleks is the best storyline in the Dr Who franchise, which has now gone down the plughole of contemporary BBC television. 

Update..... the figure is part of a 2004 anniversary set produced by Corgi Toys

THE BRIDGE AT BRUMMAGEM (Part Three)

MOVE SEVENTEEN commenced with an American airstrike, which resulted in the church being hit again, and this time it caught alight. The German Marines were forced to vacate the next move. More useful, the US artillery fired on the machine gun position, and blew it to smithereens (D6, followed by a D6, three casualties). MOVE EIGHTEEN saw the HMG in the windmill open up on the AA Gun position. Down to half strength, the surviving gunners fled. The Germans in the fortified house were also suffering casualties, but held on. MOVE NINETEEN saw the Americans reach the river, and they began crossing over. German fire had been largely silenced, only small arms from the SS battalion, and a mortar team were still fully operational and Chris's dice scores were unusually poor! MOVE TWENTY, the Americans continued to move across the river (it takes three moves and no firing) with little opposition! Unfortunately, American HQ now sent word that the loss of the bridge had made any crossing unnecessary! GAME OVER. One more move would have seen an American victory!!!!!!! (We had agreed to a twenty move game.)

FINAL PHOTOS

The gun position is deserted.

An American tank is crossing the river, one move more!

American artillery open fire

The LMG position is silenced.

The fortified house is about to fall.

American infantry begin to cross over, they just needed another two moves!

German command receives word, the Americans are pulling back?

State of the Table

CASUALTIES

SS Battn. 1, Empire Workers 5, Engineers 1, AA Gunners 2, Marines 2, PAK crew 2, Aircrew 1, 

LMG post 2, LMG post 3, Civilians 1.

US Engineers 7, M3 crew 3, Jeep crew 3, Tank crew 1, Infantry 8.

GERMAN VICTORY

MGB

REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS

Thanks Brad. Both Chris and I very much enjoyed the game. My move-and-fire tactics turned out to be a mistake, should have used full moves, to reach the river. But then my casualties would have been heavier, for sure! Yes, it is always fun to have a browse in the collectables shop, his main trade is in collectable cards, lego, sci-fi products. Vintage die-cast is his private hobby, but happy to carry some toy soldiers too.

Same here, MJT. For many years I preferred Pertwee, still love Day of the Daleks, the Daemons, and also the Sea Devils. But a friend encouraged me to view again Baker's 'Genesis', and I had to admit it is an excellent story, with some powerful acting. 

Thank you, Donnie. When researching modern armies, you can't help discovering a load of auxiliary units are involved in any strategic action. And they often end up involved in the frontline fighting too. These units can add so much to any scenario. In the wargame above, the German Empire Workers played a key role in the game. Cheers.

Hello Roger. I made some enquiries into the cost of posting a model jeep to Norway. It is rather expensive. Actually, it is absolutely ridiculous, £15, or more, and there may be customs duty. That would be by Royal Mail. 

Thanks Quinn. Have just laid out the figures and terrain for the next game, back to 1848 with the Germans versus Danish armies, a lot more colourful!

THE BRIDGE AT BRUMMAGEM (Part Two) and New Acquisitions

MOVE THIRTEEN started off with Chris (Germans) being allowed to throw a dice to determine what reinforcements would arrive in response to his earlier request for support. The higher the dice score, the better. For my part, the reconnaissance force of Americans continued to approach the river, and a HMG took up post in the windmill. But my main force was still about two moves behind them. I have mentioned before, Chris is lucky with dice, he threw a six, he chose a battalion of elite SS infantry, twelve figures.

Small arms fire now took place, but the Germans also used their PAK38, artillery, and mortar. The results were effective. Three US infantry went down, and two more crew on the M3 half-track were injured, which obliged a morale check. Not only did the M3 crew decide to pull back but this encouraged the nearby infantry and mortar team to do likewise (next move). The Germans suffered only one casualty. My three US bazookas did nothing more than damage some sandbags!

German Reinforcements arrive.

Americans are forced back under heavy fire.

MOVE FOURTEEN saw the Americans pull back to reform...... fortunately, the Americans were expecting some air support this move {perhaps they will have more luck, my dice throws have been rubbish). An aircraft bomb takes out a PAK crewman. The HMG in the windmill hits the AA gun crew. But return fire also takes out some Americans. MOVE FIFTEEN was rather quiet, hardly a casualty.

MOVE SIXTEEN allowed the Luftwaffe to make a second appearance. Dice indicated two bombers, but the drop went wild, one of the bombs actually landed on the German HMG position sandbags, no casualties but the defence value was removed! Chris was not happy. The American second division continued to advance. The American AA HMGs (2) opened up on a German bomber, four dice throws. A D6 was a hit, followed by a D4, this indicated the aircraft was damaged and obliged to depart. Now this move saw the American infantry have some success. Both bridge positions were knocked out, and the Germans had other casualties too.

Casualties so far, 8 German soldiers, plus a farmer. One aircraft damaged. One German deserter. 16 Americans have been hit, and 6 more are refusing to advance. A jeep has also been destroyed. 

German situation on Move Sixteen

                                           NEW ADDITION, AUSTRALIAN JEEP PROJECT

Popped into my local collectables shop recently. Found a broken Dinky jeep for £2. Spent another £2 on four Airfix figures, and £2.50 on another broken vehicle just to utilise the steering wheel. Constructed some baggage from milliput and a piece of wood. It was never going to be a perfect miniature, but it is a fun piece for the gaming table. Will serve with my Far-Eastern British Empire Forces.

Original shop condition had layers of green paints.

Paint stripped and repaired tow hook.

Inspirational photos, for educational purposes

SOME ACW FIGURES!

I picked these up in the collectables shop for £3. No actual plans to use them, or convert them, but still happy to have them. I will be replacing any missing weaponry.

ANOTHER AIRCRAFT FOR THE COLLECTION

Could not resist this auction find. It's another one of those repro tin aircraft, but made for 'Fantastic & Co', and in some very distinctive colours. I now have four aircraft in the collection. The cost was £8.69 including delivery.

MGB

REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS

Hello Donnie. Chris and I are very much enjoying the game, even if we choose to play just a move or two before returning to other things. Only four more moves before we call time, not looking good for my American force, they must secure some territory across the river.

Cheers Roger. The local collectables shop has been a wonderful source for projects, and the owner often helps me with the price. He has mentioned on several occasions, pleased to see some of the damaged toys turned into 'attractive' models. 

Hi Tony. The original auction just showed the unopened box! Now I knew what it contained, and I wanted it, lol.

Hello MJT. I think they decided to go inside their house after a tank round hit the outside of the building, so still ok, lol. I also moved several others as Chris forgot to evacuate them. You see, I'm a kind soul. Forgot to mention, I have successfully destroyed about twenty sandbags.

Thanks Brad, the game has been fun, just four more moves to conclude. Having completed the jeep, tempted to raise a company or two of Australian infantry to serve with it. I am well chuffed with the plane, a bold, retro looking toy for the gaming table.