I bought Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy No.118 for January/February 2022.
My magazine buying is haphazard – appropriate for the erratic in me.
This edition certainly caught my eye, enough to part with £5.50 – around the cost of a small 1/72 tank kit.
Sicily for some strange reason has become the epicentre of my wargaming interests.
Originally it was just Romans versus Carthaginians.
Then Renaissance interest emerged albeit in the context of mainland Italy and Spanish/Aragon influence.
Both of these interests have failed to come to fruition.
Then the Normans arrived and I headed south with them – Roger of Sicily beckoned. Except that dragged me back to Normandy/England and the Scandanavians.
A trip to Palermo helped maintain Sicilian interest though.
Byzantine wall painting fused with Arabic wood carved ceilings encased in heroic Norman structures – a legacy of Roger of SicilyBaroque Sicily was a significant player in the mediterraneanEver the great market place – a crossroads on the seaNorman grandeur to be found in the suburbs of PalermoA bronze helmet from the pre christian Greek era of influenceThe baroque gate facing the old port beyond. it manage to survive the WW2 allied bombing of dogged german defence of this old city. Even today some built up areas areas are still simply cleared ground – old plots awaiting a new life 80 years later
However the Normans in the South project stalled at the end of 2020 as Garibaldi hove into view.
Garibaldi has taken me to the Island again in my 2021 project – the Wars of Italian Unification.
Neapolitan Cacciatori elite light infantry from 1859 – Garibaldi did not have it all his own way.Regular Piedmontese by “lucky Toys are in some cases touching 28mm and come multi pose “ish”. They stayed out of Sicily but headed south when Garibaldi was getting to much hero worship.A collection of units from the Army of the South 1860 – lucky toys again large 25mm 1/72 figures ripe for skirmish actionsMy essential troops for 1848 – Austrians wearing the transitional uniforms that make them look less Napoleonic yet fighting much the same way – except of course in 1848 the troops still wore shakos, breeches and tailed coatees with turnbacks. this new style only really arrived in 1850 and by 1859 was already dated!
Garibaldi and the Unification Wars project is currently stalled as well.
Now my Fauxterre projects around the interwar 1930’s era hover over the western mediterranean as inspiration for an imaginations campaign.
So the magazine promised me much. And yes it was a good buy.
My Key Connections were
Miniature Reviews – Butlers Printed Models H39 and Lorraine 38L VBCP for Fauxterre 1930+
Lundehogda 1940 – a Norwegian campaign scenario that looks adaptable to use for Fauxterre 1930+
Stepping Stone to Europe article – all about Sicily and its strategic geographic position – touching on Greeks, Normans, even Austrians (1859 in Neapolitan Lands?), Garibaldi and Operation Husky (1943)
The very last “Desperta Ferro” – although 1300 era (so a bit late for my Normans in the South project) were dragging my thoughts back to medieval Italy and Sicily and some glorious castles I had seen watching the pro cycling – Giro d’Italia.
Spedizione Dei Mille Garibaldi 1860 – One of the actions that propelled me into reading more about Garibaldi……
Irregular Neapolitans ready to fight the Garibaldini reviewed by Guy Bowers in WSaS108, however I have them looking vaguely like French 1848 Line Infantry fighting? you guessed it Garibaldi – this time in Rome…….
the section “An Offer you can’t refuse” – figure choices – amongst the 28 mm and 15mm usual suspects, Irregular Miniatures Garibaldi figures in 20mm get a mention…….
The irregular 20mm Garibaldini reviewed by Guy Bowers in WSaS108 – in COLOURGaribaldi – The man himself from unloved “lucky toys” where 1/72 stretches to 28mm on occasion !!!!
Carving out an Island Kingdom – back to Roger of Sicily and his multicultural Kingdom – a quick one pager about this amazing character.
This thing of ours – Chris Breese – writing about our hobby and who might join us. I actually met Chris at Fiasco in 2021 by his fantastic display. Great communicator and unlike me able to deliver his vision of Stoke Field 1487 – a late late show in the Wars of the Roses complete with Irish and German interests.
I failed to take a pic but did get one of the equally grand rennaissance demo next door…….
My discards were minimal out of 21 articles. Excellent work by the editor Guy Bowers.
Of the other articles I learnt some new ideas from those on figure conversion and scratch built walling.
Street fighting the Punic Wars or Gangs of Rome go south, looks good visually while Assault on Johnny 1 was a nice scenario for the parachutists amongst us.
The features section included
Killing Yamamoto – interesting but not my thing
Defend the King – again interesting and contemporary with Norman/Saxons/Viking wars so very enjoyable
My converted 1/72 Normans in the South – shields on left straight lift from osprey of a certain family.Been there done that – 28mm Vikings by Garrison circa 1977 – they were shown the door by the hobby at the time……………
Guardian of the Shrine – Napoleonic Zombies – must be very compelling but again not my thing – well the zombies bit anyway
Six steps to Naploeonics was an ok read but seemed to side step the material problems with the demise of the 15mm metal market segment, no mention of 6mm and the rise of 28mm – it seemed to keep taking you towards bigger battles with large 25mm and out of most peoples budgets. Its sister article about Warlord Epic Battles – bulk plastic 15mm units did not get a link but seems complimentary?
Back end Napoleonics 1848 Austrians are still visibly of that era, handling the same smoothbores.The 1st War of Unification ended in 1849 with an Austrian Triumph, ten years later the styles are bleeding over to ACW era – kepis all the way. In this case some English Legion Volunteers who served Garibaldi’s Southern Army.
So this particular edition was actually packed with interesting material. I don’t read just what I prefer – often periods or rules I don’t do give me ideas, that can be transferred. At the end of the day its all wargames in some way or other.
happy reading
In my 2021 year end post this model theatre appeared and originates from Palermo and celebrates the history of puppet theatre – wargames stories in another mode?
Peter Pig (PP) have a history of promoting rules which are a little bit different in an engaging way. For the gamer there is an enrichment with pregame activity and this also helps the soloist. For those who like total control and the key variable simply to be them – the general’s actions, then these rules may seem too restricting.
Poor Bloody Infantry (PBI) is PP’s WW2 game. And I say game advisedly. Although PP makes clear that the rules have been well researched to enable necessary compromise for game play, the purpose is an enjoyable game between well matched forces.
The key differences I guess are the prebattle steps, then the use of large control grids (no tape measures please) and what once used to be novel – unit activation.
The success of PP over the decades has seen many other rules writers copy the pregame idea and certainly utilise the activation sequences. PP has a long history of rules development and making a real effort to “design in” their research while retaining game play.
I wanted to get my latest painted figures on the board again, so opted for a PBI game as it had been a few years since I played it. In fact I had to rebuy the ruleset as I had got rid of my original copy in a massive clear out of all wargame things post 1735! Silly me.
Narrative Background
The Vossackians had surprised the Azorians who had over extended their advance and were forced to retreat. The resulting chaos with only a single main route caused the Azorians many problems. The Vossackians failed though, to fully capitalise on the situation. As a result of being well forward, Senior Lieutenant Saray was ordered to advance on a road junction which appeared to be of value to the Azorians in their retreat.
As it happened Captain Turner had orders to secure the same road junction to protect other nearby routes of Azorian retreat.
Both commanders were advised that supporting troops would soon be provided.
As dark clouds gathered overhead the two forces unwittingly collided.
The Forces
Vossackia – Senior Lieutenant Saray had 3 platoons of rifleman, SMG’s and LMG’s. Junior Lieutenant Zhelezo and Junior Sergeant Stali led a platoon each. The platoons were slightly mixed up owing to allocation of replacements and issues with logistics.
Azoria – Captain Turner had Garand armed rifle platoons supported with BAR LMG’s. The Azorians had suffered in some previous actions so were not up to strength. Lieutenants Bacon and Bean led a platoon each.
A Map is to be found at the end of this post.
Lieutenant Bean and his platoon crept along the main road seeking what shelter they could. At least they had reached the road junction without incident.
Note the tough hedgerows! they make a grid harder to leave in PBI. Cover affects movement in an abstract but logical way.
Activation is about mobilising possibly reluctant movement by soldeirs under direct fire. As you will see lack of movement and even pinning the opposition is key to allowing your own freedom of movement.
Peter Pig use groups (figures assumed based together). Rifle figures are in 3’s and LMG’s are in pairs of figures. SMG’s are in 3’s while leader groups can be 2 or 3 strong.Lt Bean brought up the rear. He had good activation to get to the road junction.Hang on I can see movement beyond that building in the distance…………..SLt Saray calmly responded to the excited shout of Junior Sergeant Stali – enemy spotted…..to the south of the main road and east of the South Lane, Lt Bacon had occupied a position which looked defendable. Not a moment too soon as Junior Lieutenant Zhelezo pushed his men forwardA section of Vossackian rifles rushed a nearby group of buildingsSLt Saray had quickly directed fire on the exposed leading section of Lt Beans platoonfurther damage was inflicted on Beans platoon on the Main Road. JLt Zhelezo gathered his men and exhorted them to be brave and unafraid as they assaulted the Azorian strongpoint. Lt Bacon was confident.Lt Bean’s platoon meanwhile was taking a hammering up on the main roadhowever a rash attack on the road junction by SLt Saray ended in disaster for the VossackiansJLt Zhelezo and his men continued to soften up the Azorians in the strongpoint, always building their momentum for an assaultAlthough driven from nearby buildings the Vossackians had now built up some strength. Captain Turner had also responded by sending more of his men to support Lt Bacon.At the road junction Lt Bean with the remains of his platoon fought off ever increasing numbers of VossackiansAnother assault goes in at the road junction with further damage being done to Lt Beans exhausted platoonLt Beans platoon or what remained of it were isolated and surrounded – overrun……The Vossackians took the road junction and were presented with the whole flank of the Azorian position as the fight for the strongpoint had sucked in most of Captain Turners reserves. At the strongpoint the Azorians were suffering.shattered Lt Bean stayed in cover at the road junction. The Vossackians pressed further west. Now Captain Turner had begun to extract some men from the strongpoint but it looked too late.Captain Turner came under attack just west of the road junction in another strongpointThe fight at the East strongpoint was still being hotly contested, but finally Lt Bacon’s strongpoint position was overrun And then the Azorians got lucky – a minus 6!The heavens opened and it turned pitch black in an instant, the Azorian Captain Turner retreated while his two trusty Lt’s Bacon and Bean still actually held their positions – grilled and baked!
Game Over!
This battle narrative came from the actual game. It was most enjoyable seeing the encounter fluctuate before ending. PBI tells you that “ebb and flow” is part of the game design.
Some more PBI rules came into play during the game.
First was the arrivals of troops. In the pregame journey on the equivalent of a snakes and ladders board the Vossackians with the advantage failed to get a clear superiority in numbers and prevent the Azorians gathering sufficient forces for the action.
The Vossackians posture under the rules was agressive while the Azorians was only responsive.
I think the rules are good at covering troops on the board at game start and those being fed in. Another variable to add flavour.
Three objectives had to be taken by the Vossackians for game victory.
The East Strongpoint
the Road Junction
The West Strongpoint
The Map
A countdown tracker starting at 23, and reducing, using 1d6 per turn meant game length was unknown.
The battle started well for Vossackia as the Azorians advanced allowing early contact and then finding the dice rolling for them. The Azorians quickly lost any parity on forces.
But later the rules around activiation started to work against the Vossackians at the critical moment. Things also slowed at the wrong moment.
To cap it all the countdown dice rolled for the Azorians with too many 6’s including the last one when the tracker was at 5. So the game ended early.
Cue – mega thunderstorm.
The positives are you get a fairly quick game – no measuring movement or ranges helps.
The abstraction that allows close proximity of opposing forces requires a bit of getting used to. I used the 6″ grid for 15mm with 20/25mm or 1/72 size figures. Maybe an 8″ (for 28mm figure) grid would give a better look.
What looks like contact isn’t. Contact is a process called assault and requires a lot of momentum to achieve.
The abstraction includes the proximity of the figures who spend some time in adjacent grid squares waiting to build momentum for an assault or simply erode the enemy through fire. The latter requires a decent advantage in numbers but the former is risky without overwhelming force.
The Vossackians lacked any heavy weapons or support which kind of reflected the “encounter” nature of this Scenario. And probably meant the Azorian victory was the right outcome.
Verdict is I will play PBI again.
I use a 2006 edition of PBI – easily picked up at show bring and buys (when they return) and on ebay. Of course Peter Pig will sell you the latest edition with improvements from over a decade more of game play. And PP also offers a fantastic 15mm range of figures and vehicles which, if I was not hooked up to 1/72, would suit my needs.
Roll on the Vossackian advance in Fauxterre 1930+……
John at “just add varnish” blog was having a clear out and thought I might like some between the wars armour. That is ww1 to ww2 so 1920/30’s era.
Thank you John. These were most welcome and have allowed me to dabble in some tank or tankette gaming while I paint up my infantry.
So here they are. A wopping 15 items! Generous John or what.
three columns plus a kit
The John@justaddvarnish inventory
First Column
French AMR33 or AMR35 reconnaissance tank by Early War Miniatures
French Renault NC27 by Shapeways
2 x Soviet FT17 – based on Hat kit
Italian L6/40 by Frontline Wargaming
Second Column
Mexican Revolution armoured truck by Shellhole Scenics
Vickers Light Dragon gun tractor maybe by Early War Miniatures
Laffly W15T gun tractor Paint & Glue Miniatures
1930’s sedan by Frontline Wargaming
Third Column
Morris C8 gun tractor ex Matchbox
6 wheeled Crossley armoured car by FRontline Wargaming
4 wheeled Marmon Herrington armoured car may be by Wespe Models
Japanese type 95 Kurogane Scout Car unknown manufacture
Austin Putilov armoured car (in kit form)
Here are some of them in close up. They show the excellent artwork by John@justaddvarnish
Two fantastic armoured cars – Marmon Herrington to front and Crossley to rearA pair of Soviet style FT17’s These types of armour typify the 1920-30 period between the two world wars. Just what I need for Fauxterre 1930.
Thanks John these will definitely be appearing again in my “between the wars” games I have entitled Fauxterre 1930 and Fauxterre 1930+.
My current preoccupation with a sideline project about the inter war years (between ww1 and ww2) has led to the acquisition of “armour”. To be specific, armoured vehicles and not some renaissance suit!
As it happened I was a bit slow on this aspect of 20th century warfare having focused on the infantry who appeared in my scenario Observer.
The idea was also that infantry heavy weapons would follow. And then finally the armour. The heavy weapons are still in the painting queue. The armour is on the factory production line………or maybe in the repair shop.
And of course the next problem is how do you fight armoured vehicles using infantry with no heavy weapons or anti tank kit either?
Use “What a Tanker” of course!
What a Tanker (WAT) by Too Fat Lardies is a game that only uses tanks and in my case some armoured cars – or rather thats all you need and actually you only need a 4-6 to play a game.
I have suddenly thought you could probably play 1 tank a side if the scenario was sufficiently rigged to stop one tank simply moving off table to end the game prematurely.
Maybe you could play a really powerful tank which is unable to move versus a much less powerful/armoured tank which has to try and manoeuvre to get in its killer shot before it is picked off.
In my next post I will explain the armour on show which is a story in itself. Suffice to say it is not what WAT is aimed at. WAT lovers I suspect lean towards the back end of the war with greater variety and dare I say it the more impressive bigger tanks.
I have got into WW2 only because of my interest in inter war era mechanisation and some various blogs that promote the Spanish and Russian Civil Wars plus 1941 Vichy middle east etc. In other words, variously considered marginal theatres in the journey from the WW1 tank invention to the great tank battles of WW2.
First up I am using armoured cars which don’t even feature in the ruleset.
I simply took a look at the values and had a punt. So this game was in a way a test of the rules to cope with weak kit. Would the game even work. Actually the secret is in the Japan tank table where some really weak options can be chosen. And I think TFL(Too Fat Lardies) really test their rules hard.
The Reds had three Renaults
2 Renault FT17’s – they got armour of 2 and strike of 3
leading this pack was a Renault NC29 apparently exported to Japan by a France that straight after world war 1 had the largest tank army in the world and led tank development. Armour 4 and a whopping strike value of 5 was given.
The Blues had
One Crossley 6 wheeled Armoured Car armour 2 and strike 3
One Marmon Herrington 4 wheeled Armoured Car armour 2 and strike 4
The Blue force was led by an M3 Stuart or maybe its a Honey Armour 4 strike 4
As WAT abstracts heavily WYSIWYG does not have to apply and I was the only one looking so that was fine. Apologies to the purists.
I put the two big tanks in the centre opposite each other.
No scenery was provided so it was a straight knock out.
looking more like insects you get the drift some homemade counters I made for the WAT dashboards
I belatedly got the camera into action so what follows is a truncated record of the action.
unfamiliar with the rules meant an untidy table! The FT 17 at the top of the board raced past the Marmon Herrington while the M3 did the same on the NC27. The two opponents at the bottom of the picture just got the wrong dice – you can’t see them tinkering with their faulty engines……….abstraction opens up so many possibilities!
I have only played WAT a few times properly and spaced out over time – end result was I could not remember the rules. I played the “long ball” set up – with three vehicles per side – set up opposite each other. Points were not the priority so absolute balance did not matter..
A “rushed to the front” (no time to paint it let alone apply camoflage) Stuart M3 catches a Renault NC27 side on and fails to make a kill! Poor dice left the NC27 a sitting duck
The Renault NC27 succumbed but so did the Marmon which seeking to support the M3 left the FT17 behind only for the dice to roll very kindly for the FT17. The FT 17 simply took the Marmon in the rear.
Meanwhile the other FT17 eventually destroyed the Crossley and returned to the remaining action just in time.
The Stuart M3 busy failing again to take out another Renault tank – an FT17. The Stuart M3 is caught in the rear by a second FT17 – ok I had the wrong gun pointing at the time! plus sometimes the dice roll for you.
Luck was running out for the M3 Stuart and so it did. It failed to quickly destroy the FT17 by the Marmon and so the two FT17’s were able to slowly kill it with some good dice throwing.
a final strike and its all over for the the Stuart M3.
So the M3 Stuart was first deprived of its weak armoured car supports and then finished off by the FT17’s. Thats Fauxterre 1930+ for you – what a tanker style.
Lieutenant Kuznets replayed his orders – ascend the valley side to the small wooded hill south west of the 3rd companies position, securing it and then reporting on any activity observed to the west.
Hill 91 was more than wooded – there was “fight” in it. Lieutenant Kuznets cursed – ripe for ambush.
It seems there was concern about the presence of the enemy. So far the loose talk was that the Azorians were to the south east, so who or what else could be to the west? Rugians?
Meanwhile Lieutenant Grabern looked at his watch, then the sky and finally signalled Sergeant White forward. Grabern thought about his objective – escort the observer to hill 91, wait and protect him/them until they pull out.
The climb to hill 90 was far too wooded for Lieutenant Grabern’s taste. Ambush country….
Straightforward orders though. The whispers were that the enemy were in the valley beyond and that the hill was probably occupied already. It felt like trouble.
Grabern did not like the open ground east beyond Hill 90 – the most direct route to Hill 91.Grabern having crested hill 90 directs his platoon south east to the building enclosure – here was some cover he could useSergeant White secured the buildings and then followed by Sergeant Donovan pushed onDonovan’s Section held the enclosureAll was quiet and Grabern did not like it – the mist was not lifting which was good and bad – bad not least because the observer would have little to see – surely this mission would be a waste of time!The observer team moved through the enclosure. Sergeant Bird looked at the sky or rather the mist – this was going to be a pointless task. But orders are orders and he needed to look into that valley.White was now on top of Hill 91 and the valley drop would begin soonSergeant Bird had crested Hill 91 and without any trouble. Maybe this would be a quiet day all round after all? Sergeant Donovan circled round to the left of Whites section moving on the clearing near the very hill top. White then moved through a copse to the open clearing and some swampy ground……….Too late White saw some furtive movement ahead, followed by a harsh sound of a machine gun opening up. Damn, the Vossackians really were here already………An LMG team of Kuznets platoon commenced firing on the advancing AzoriansHaving broken cover by the clearing both Donovan’s and White’s sections were an easy target. They returned fire as best they could but the target was difficult. At least there was only one of them……..To their right the Azorians now received new fire from another Vossackian fire team. Donovan’s Section finished off the Vossackian LMG to their front.To compound matters another LMG opened up to the north – this time on Sergeant Bird himself. Runners were everywhere as Bird told Grabern, Donovan and White he was pulling out. White and Donovan were already locked in an unequal firefightGrabern had just arrived on the hill 91 and quickly agreed with Bird that withdrawl was in order – the mission was now pointless as the fire fight heated upHis own section immediately took casualties from LMG fireWhite was losing men fast as wellWhite and Donovan’s sections withdrew, firing as they wentThe Vossackians now moved into the clearing to get better fire positions but they also took casualtiesThe Vossackian southern fire team took casualties as well………..Reluctantly Grabern pulled back to cover the observer team and get relief from the Vossackian LMG to the north. In the copse by the clearing White and Donovan were only slowly withdrawing. Grabern wanted them out faster.It was then apparent that the remnants of White and Donovan’s sections were being overwhelmed.The observer team had now retired to the enclosure closely followed by some of Grabern’s section sent to hold the enclosure itself. Grabern stayed on the edge of the woodland to give what cover he could to what was left of White and Donovan’s sectionsThen as Grabern made it to the enclosure White and Donovan’s survivors broke clear of the woodland and retreated across the open ground for the safety of the enclosure.Now though, the Vossackian firing died away – fortunately the Vossackians either lacked confidence in numbers, were wary of getting caught in the open themselves or had orders simply to hold the hill.
Lieutenant Grabern continued his retreat back to Hill 90 protecting his charge – the Observer. His platoon had suffered many casualties yet performed well under fire.
Later Lieutenant Kuznets crept amongst his men praising them and checking their condition. He was still wary of what the Azorian intentions were. He had already sent back a runner to report his success at clearing Hill 91. Also he had seen firsthand that these Azorians were well armed and disciplined under fire. Unlike in some of their previous encounters.
Fauxterre 1930+ Rugia is wracked by civil war and Azoria and Vossakia cannot resist getting involved. Their forces initially support the Rugian factions before eventually colliding and then embarking on an unofficial war of their own!
Neither Vossakia or Azoria want to annexe Rugia yet they want to influence the area which is rich in resources. Both sides treat the conflict as a sideshow with consequences for logistics, resources and planning.
The Wargaming Erratic 