North Bay Skirmish Game (Dominion Wargame)

The settlement of North Bay had been largely unaffected by the Dominion War but when contact with Toronto ceased the town mayor took the precaution of embodying the local militia. A D6 furnished eighteen armed civilians. A few days later (D5) the community was warned that an American force (D5) of fifteen was approaching. 

The North Bay Militia decided to block the main route to their town. An additional dice allowed the Canadians to appoint six of their own to flank the American column. While the Americans mounted three of their number as an advanced guard.

The American Column

Canadians flank the column

Carefully positioned on a curve in the highway, the Canadians had constructed a strong redoubt, and the twelve militia were instructed to fire as soon as the enemy came into sight. MOVE ONE. A volley rang out from the redoubt and brought down one of the three American scouts.

This fire was the signal for the Canadians on the flank to open up, and they too took down one in the American column. MOVE TWO. The Scouts retired to the main column. The Canadian flank exchanged fire with the American column, both suffering a casualty. The Canadian flank militiamen were obliged to test their morale as it was their first time under fire, but it held firm (D6). MOVE THREE. The American commander ordered a charge. The Canadian flank had to test their morale again, it held, and their fire took down two Americans. The American charge was undermined by the woods but they did enter into a melee. During which, the Americans inflicted a casualty for no loss. The Canadian flank was again obliged to test their morale as loser of the melee, and they scattered. Fortunately, their distance from the Canadian redoubt obliged no similar testing of morale. MOVE FOUR. The American commander ordered his battalion to reform rather than pursue, but an immediate inspection showed that a third of his command were casualties. MOVE FIVE I decided to allow dice to determine the American commanders orders. A throwing of a D5 indicated his desire to take the redoubt. He advanced down the highway. MOVE SIX and SEVEN. They advanced with fife and drum, but taking time to load their rifles. MOVE NINE. The commander was not an idiot, he ordered his men on reaching the curve in the road to deploy as skirmishers. Both sides exchanged fire, with no casualties. MOVE TEN. An exchange of fire, a lucky shot took down a Canadian. Their morale held. MOVE ELEVEN. Skirmishers cannot charge, so they moved into melee. Regular skirmishers against militia in a redoubt sort of evened out both sides. The surviving mounted scout fled. MOVE TWELVE. Another round of melee, no casualties but the militia morale finally broke, and they scattered.

RESULT. When the Canadian militia mustered in North Bay they numbered fourteen plus their commander (the town mayor). The militia felt they had done all that honour required, and voted to stand down (D3). Unknown to them, the Americans had lost over one third of their number, and were down to nine plus their commander. On evaluating their strength (D1), they decided not to advance on the town. A CANADIAN/EMPIRE VICTORY by default.

MGB 

SECOND INVASION OF ONTARIO and Oshawa Wargame (Dominion War)

The stalemate in the Dominion War has ended. A change of command for the United States Northern Army, based in Ontario, coincided with the arrival of large scale reinforcements from Washington and the Chesapeake.

Rapid manoeuvres have taken place. A four pronged advance on Toronto has been initiated. In addition, there is now a naval force on Lake Ontario. Another brigade is approaching Sudbury. Smaller contingents are moving north with the intention of reaching the James Bay. The Missinaibi post has already been taken.

The Empire response has been limited. The Empire troops in and around Toronto have been organised into two divisions and a Lake Battery, but they are heavily outnumbered. Sudbury appears to be safe for now but they have lost all communication with Toronto. 

The Mayor of Toronto called for the embodiment of all adult males. The response has been very good. A dice throw of six furnished six firing sections (18 figures). I decided to give a bonus throw and it furnished five more firing sections. The gentlemen volunteers are now formed into two battalions and attached to the Lake Battery. For fun, decided to see if Toronto could fit out and crew a gunboat, a D6 followed by another D6 cannot be disregarded...... they now have a gunboat! The American fleet has two gunboats on the lake, each carrying a small battalion of eight marines.

The Mayor of North Bay called a public meeting and asked for volunteers. A D6 furnished eighteen local volunteers. (Yes, I did throw a lot of D6, truly!). Just as well, a battalion of American infantry are approaching that town.

WARGAME Oshawa is Assaulted

The American forces launched their first move on the town of Oshawa, a fortified outpost protecting Toronto.  The American fleet comprised two gunboats with two medium guns, and sixteen marines. Their mainland assault comprised four battalions of infantry and a battery of artillery. To the north, two more light battalions were to hit the garrison as a flank attack. The Empire garrison mustered three battalions, an artillery battery, and nine local volunteers. It did not look good for the garrison!

MOVE ONE, US navy opens fire, miss their target but hit the shore gun, inflicting a casualty! US field guns open up on the church. Two D6 inflict a casualty, and set the building alight. Empire troops are forced to vacate next move. MOVE TWO. Empire gun hits the US field gun, takes down a gunner. MOVE THREE. The US Navy show their worth with a direct hit on the shore gun, and it blows up! MOVE FOUR. The Empire commander calls for an emergency withdrawal to Montreal. He remains with one working gun and a battalion of Highlanders, holding out in a fortified house. MOVE FIVE. The US infantry charge the gun crew. They stand firm, and fire their gun, before being bayoneted by the overwhelming numbers, but take down another two in the melee! MOVE SIX. Another US battalion now charges the house, and the garrison throws a D1, promptly surrendering. Just as well, another battalion had entered the house from the flank and would have finished them off.

The garrison survivors made their way to Toronto, all Empire outposts are being ordered back to the city.

This was a quick and simple game, and worked very smoothly. Here are the results. Americans suffered eight casualties, the Empire had seven casualties, with thirteen more captured. The Empire lost two military units but will be allowed to gain one, comprising loyalist refugees.

                                                                 The Dawn Attack

The garrison

Two American light battalions

Flotilla shown on the board but actually 30" away

American numbers cannot be stopped

US Marines and Detroit NG approach the largely vacated harbour

The Finale Charge

The Church aflame

MGB

WW2 US infantry and British Searchlight Regt.

Another painting-spell with my American collection has furnished seven more figures. With these now sorted I've been able to fully man and complete a number of gaming units. The figures are Timpo 1960s.

My Lone Star double-barrelled HMG now has two crew. I don't like too many loose figures so fixed these to the trailer, the gun can still be turned almost a full circle.

My M30 Half Track has finally gained a crew. One to serve the LMG, the other is armed with a bazooka. I wanted it to have some firing capacity.

Three figures allowed me to complete a ten-man infantry unit, a HMG team, and a command base.

Original figures acquired.

As a follow-on to the above, decided to redistribute one of my Lone Star bren gun carriers. It is now attached to another Lone Star item so as to represent the 60th Searchlight Regiment. This British unit was raised in the county of Middlesex, and operated during 1940 to 1942. I made a point of adding their battalion field sign, in gold and crimson, wherever I could.

WW2 LIVING HISTORY GROUP

Another Lone Star bren gun carrier has been transferred to my 'modern' British 1950s army. This one is also able to operate a mortar. The driver is still loose as I may decide to construct another.

Lastly, constructed a driver for my W. Britains jeep recently acquired. I am keen not to paint strip this model but unfortunately, my attempts to cover occasional paint damage has not really worked. I may have to consider distressing some edges of the jeep with earth colours to merge my green with the original paintwork. But I am pleased with the repair job on the broken front car bumper.

MGB

DINKY BULLDOZER (WW2)

On Thursday I popped into a local collectables shop. Spotted this Dinky Blaw Knox bulldozer in a rather sad state for £3. Missing its caterpillar tracks, much of its paintwork, and twisted on its axles, it was still a useful model to add to my WW2 American army, and the shovel-blade gear still worked.

I was able to construct extensions to some caterpillar tracks in my spares box, saving money on its restoration. Some plier work straightened up the model.

Original state

Took several hours to paint strip, and several more to fully clean the model.

Here it is primed and given two coats of drab green, with black paint to some of the detail. Was tempted to add a US star but keeping it plain will allow other armies to utilise it. A coat of varnish provides protection.

I then added the caterpillar tracks, and rejoined them using a combination of glues.

I must admit Dinky made a quality model with their Blaw Knox Bulldozer, it's a very fine die-cast. I really enjoyed working on this project!

MGB 

GERMAN GUNBOATS set sail (1860-1914)

Completed yesterday, here is my second German gunboat. This one is inspired by an old tinplate toy. The combination of steam and sail is recorded in the 1880s for German ships on colonial service, or long voyages, so the original tin toy is probably also of a similar date.

Looking up German ships, have named these models after two actual gunboats. Olga (with sail), and Blitz. The former actually served in the 2nd Schleswig War of the 1860s.

My first gunboat, Blitz,  has also received its brass railings, using steel eyed pins. Well I don't want my crew falling overboard.

The Flotilla sets sail.

The original inspiration for Olga.

Not to be outdone by the Germans, my French gunboats have recruited a second-lieutenant, a converted plastic guardsman in a slouch hat.

My Royal Marines have also gained a new recruit, making two firing sections (companies) for this unit.

MGB