Oldie but a goodie

A fabulous afternoon/evening yesterday at Julian's combining plenty of discussion and chatter about a range of topics, a delicious meal and a playtest game using the Wargames Research Group 1925–1950 rules.

Germany late '44-early '45: a Russian advance in force.

Julian had wanted to do a test-game using the rules; a set that he had used in his teens and early 20s and suspected would be a 'viable' set for the sort of level of Second World War games that he'd like to do. Back in August, we had a go using Blitzkrieg Commander, but soon decided that they were not for us. For me the main negatives were biggies: the way the rules handle command and control with command rolls and completely random blunders as well as the combat system of hits and saves. Julian was not enamoured by these mechanics either, but the key blocker for him was the scale/organisation of the game into 'units'. He wants a tank to be a tank, with different effects if fired on from front, side or rear. He previously had this using the Wargames Research Group 1925–1950 rules. These had 'failed' previously due to the inability to replicate attacks by less-good armour against superior types—more on this later.

The Wargames Research Group 1925–1950 rules; an oldie, fondly remembered by Julian, never played by myself—would they still be 'in play' after this game?

Julian's scenario of the game was the same as we had used for the game using Blitzkrieg Commander, a fictitious encounter set in late '44-early '45. A large, advancing Soviet force of infantry and several T-34 85s against (basically unlimited numbers of each, but coming on a few at a time) against a smaller, but reasonably well-equipped German defensive force of a Panther, a Panzer IV, a 28 mm sPzB 41, a panzerfaust & crew and around a half-company of infantry. I had a vivid image of the scenario as it was reminiscent to me of the wonderful series of games played recently by Jon on his Grymauch's Solo Wargaming Blog (final part here, work backwards to see the others). Interestingly, Jon had used Blitzkrieg Commander.

The Russians advanced, initially down the road, then diverting two tanks to their left.

Seeing that enticing bit of side armour, I 'unveiled' my ace, the Panther, hull down in the wooded area (as well as some of the accompanying panzergrenadiers. Unfortunately it failed to hit.

More Russians enter the battle area, as the former lead tanks head around the buildings...

... straight into the spider's web!

Scratch one T-34. In my excitement at this single 'victory', I made my first and biggest mistake, but more on that later.

More good news, if you are the German defenders, as the new lead T-34, no. 47 as it happens, is knocked out by the Panther.

"But still, they come" (apologies to Jeff Wayne).

'Sneaking' around the hill, a shot at the Pz.Kpfw IV fails to strike home.

Despite numerous targets and selecting those that were stationary, the Panther could not repeat the dose. Mind you, the Russians too missed several times—we were both rolling 1s and 2s, using the same die and were beginning to think that it was 'broken'!

Time to bring some of the infantry into action. They missed and were knocked out by the right-most T-34.

As was the Pz.Kpfw IV! The crew paid dearly for my mistake. I should have retired/retreated after the initial success, rather than getting excited about taking out more of the Russian armour.

Not gonna make the same mistake twice though. 'Saddle up!'. Time to move to another position while we could.

End of the game. A Soviet strategic victory, clearing the defenders with losses near even: two T-34s against a Pz.Kpfw IV and some infantry. I think we all know which side could handle even that kind of trade-off for longer!

A really enjoyable game. Enough interest and challenge for both players and a plausible result. We could have rolled on to another table (as Jon did over ten tables in his excellent series), but it was enough for us to be content with the rules in playability and realism.

The added detail of individual tanks, specific classes for armament, two levels of armour and small groups of infantry had not added a great deal of complexity, but had boosted enjoyment and scale of approximation. We used the nominal, base scale of 1:1000 (1 mm representing 1 m), so there was a large degree of 'suspension of disbelief' regarding the size, especially the depth of the vehicles. This did not cause any problems at all. Julian had the fine notion of considering the depth to represent an area which the target occupies in a particular 'bound', a concept that appealed to me. Adapting thinking from naval wargaming, now that I think of it.

What was different between this game and the experience in his late teens-20s?

We suspect it was 'youthful exuberance': a lack of historical perspective and excitement at building numerous of the 'sexy' German tanks and then having them all on the table. An attack by T-34s against equal numbers of well positioned and equipped Panthers, Tigers, King Tigers and Jagdpanthers didn't work. The latter simply stood back and cleaned up the T-34s. In our game I coulda destroyed four T-34s (shoulda, oughta according to me!) for the loss of the one Panzer IV. It was looking a bit concerning for the Russians at 2-0 and should have remained as such or better if I had got the Pz.Kpfw IV out of harm's way when I had the chance. Mind you, there was that hit on the Panther that failed to penetrate, but that is another story...!

Might-have-beens aside, it was success and an initial tick of approval for an oldie but a goodie!

Rules

Wargames Research Group 1925–1950, 1973 with amendments of a 2nd Edition Prototype (1975).

Scales

Tanks and vehicles 1:1 (although the latter were a bit under-represented due to limited availability at this stage).

Infantry 'elements' of four figures (men) representing part of a section.

Figures

Russian

T-34s: Airfix ready-made HO-OO T-34 Tank
Infantry: Airfix Russian Infantry (1964)

German

Panther: Airfix 1/76 Panther kit
Panzer IV: Airfix 1/76 Panzer IV kit
Tractor: 1/72 Airfix kit
Half-track: Matchbox 1/76 PK-83 Sd.Kfz 251/1 Hanomag
Infantry: Airfix German Infantry (1961)

An old metal puzzle

I am hoping to get some help with identifying some figures.

I have been enjoying myself over the weekend creating the last of the databases for my figures: of the few, remaining 15 mm figures that I have, all for the French and Indian War (I already have one for the 1/72 collection (main one) and smaller 1/32 and, recently done, 2 mm figures).

Creating this database has been/is great fun and really interesting as I had to work out what was what. Then, I found that I had kept the original orders and/or invoices for most of them (circa early 90s), which made the task much simpler. All, except for the few shown in the photos below.

I think that they are Minifigs, but I cannot recall what they are or even where I got them from—really strange as the circumstances for the others came back as I thought about it and looked up the information that I had (then I got the exact details, which made it easier!). They are 'nominally' figures for the French and Indian War, but I cannot find a match amongst any of the current version of the Marlburian & Great Northern Wars, Jacobites 1688–1746, Seven Years War, Montcalm & Wolfe or American Revolution series.

Any suggestions welcome!

Above and below, Highland grenadier company.

Above and below, Highland centre company.

Above and below, Highland grenadier command (interestingly the standard bearer has the novel headress of the figures that follow these below).

Above and below, I am assuming a Highland grenadier company, but are they even Highlanders? Likely early 18th century and perhaps Jacobite?

Above and below, Highland centre company command

Above and below, British centre company command.

Just a few more entries and I'll have this, last of my databases completed. Unlike the others, this one will/should be a pure repository rather than an 'acitve file'!

I like counting!!

A Sesame Street favourite; second only to Grover for me [Image: www.sesamestreet.org]

This skit from the wonderful 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' immediately came to mind.

 

Further wonderful voyages of serendipitous discovery

The beauty of my painting approach, having lots on the go at once, is that I can switch from one subject to another and/or take advantage of figures that are 'nearly there'. So it was recently that, painting Polish-Italian legion uhlans for 1796-97 lead me to think that I should get on and finish some Polish Winged Hussars at the same time. These latter have been sitting, for several years, needing 'only' a black wash, highlights and varnishing to be completed. 

"Righto, in they go."

Husaria! Scene from the film "Pan Michael"

'Cept it ain't that straightforward.

I had borrowed the first volume of Norman Davies' History of Poland (reviewed on my Napoleonic blog), chiefly to get a bit more of an understanding of the Kościusko Uprising. It gave me far more besides. Reading this book, along with the fact that Julian and I had planned to catch up to do a game of something at my place, made me think,

"How about I use those nearly completed Great Northern War figures and we do that game of Klissow that I have been thinking about?"

Yeah, 'cause then I can use it as an impetus to get on and finish the Saxons (and perhaps the Swedes as well), either before or after the game.

Great.

Oh, I need more Poles. No worries, I had some prepared, some even undercoated, so just 'throw 'em in the mix'. 

So, the focus switched from completing a few figures to making figures that I had undercoated and others not yet started presentable enough on the table. I nearly got part of the way there.

'Fortunately' we did not complete the game and so decided to catch up for a second session. This meant that I was able to add more colour to the troops in the time between the two.

I am now back to step one, but with added figures for the Great Northern War to be completed along with my early French and Austrians for 1796–97. Just a lot more of them now. All good.

Saxon and Polish forces packed away after the recent game of Klissow and ready, along with additional troops, for some more painting.

More, predominantly Saxons.

Swedes and more Poles.

Polish cavalry and some of the early French 'Napoleonic' infantry behind (these are all part of this extended production line).

Along the way there was some wonderful, related but serendipitous discovery.

Painting tends to make me look at books videos and such related to the period (over and above looking for details of uniform and the like). Also vice versa; reading books inspires me to paint figures of a particular period. I don't think that I am alone in this.

I had saved a couple of extracts of a show in Polish "Ogniem i Mieczem" (With Fire and Sword) in my sub-folder called 'Polish Winged Hussars' within my Audio and Video collection. I went looking for more of it.

Serendipitous discovery 1: the entire file of "Ogniem i Mieczem" (With Fire and Sword).

Having watched that I became aware that it was part of a trilogy, based on some famous, fictional books of the same name.

Serendipitous discovery 2:  the films Potop (The Deluge) and Pan Michael (Colonel Michael).

This trilogy of films were produced by a famous Polish director named Jerzy Hoffman. They were produced and released in reverse chronological order, so Pan Michael, then Potop, then Ogniem i Mieczem.

They are magnificent films.

The versions that I found online are in Polish, without subtitles, so I do not understand a word (perhaps one or two words, but precious little). It does not matter at all. The filming is sumptuous and powerful. There are magnificent scenes of the Ukrainian and Polish steppes, wetlands, large areas of ripe crops in summer, deep snow in winter. Rain, mud and marshes. The divide between peasant and noble is captured brilliantly. The in-fighting amongst the nobles, joining together when threatened. The tragedy and loss of it all. The battle scenes are magnificent (even if all the cavalry, including the Winged Hussars charge in really loose formation). Furthermore, the films are a great source of ideas of colours for troops that had non-uniform dress. Oh yeah, there are some lovely female leads too!

Winged Hussars attack a line of Cossack infantry (from the film Ogniem i Mieczem).

Cossack pike ready to receive Winged Hussars—their musketeers having withdrawn through their ranks (from the film Ogniem i Mieczem).

Powerful opening scene from the film Potop.

The Swedish army enters the Commonwealth (from the film Potop).

A bit about each film, using the information from Wikipedia.

"Ogniem i Mieczem" (With Fire and Sword) was produced in 1999 and is based on the third book. Apparently, "at the time of its filming it was the most expensive Polish film ever made". This film/book is a love/adventure story set in the Ukranian area of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the Khmelnytsky Uprising.

"Potop" (The Deluge) was released in 1974. It is based on the second book. The film "...was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 47th Academy Awards, but lost to Amarcord". This film is set during the time of the Swedish invasion of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1655–1660.

Pan Wołodyjowski/Pan Michael (Colonel Michael), based on the third book, was the first of the three produced, in 1969. This is set during the Ottoman Empire's invasion of Poland in 1668–1672.

Each of the films has had a spin-off or adaptation. A serialised adaptation of "Pan Michael" was made in 1969. According to information in the Internet Movie Database, the first part of a television version of "Ogniem i Mieczem" was aired in 2001. "The television version is almost 30 minutes longer than the version previously shown in the cinemas and contains four episodes. It includes some scenes that were deleted from the theatrical edition, e.g. scenes with Krystyna Feldman and Agnieszka Krukówna playing Ukrainian women or Magdalena Warzecha playing Gryzelda Wisniowiecka". For Potop, in 2014 "...a new cut named Potop Redivivus was released [...], which is two hours shorter than the original".

The films had me wondering. What about the books? Are they available in translation? The answer is 'yes' and what's more they are available as a free epub version from Project Gutenberg. The author, Henryk Sienkiewicz, was inducted into several prestigious academies and won the Nobel Prize for "his outstanding merits as an epic writer". He is perhaps most famous as the author of Quo Vadis? Something else that I was previously ignorant of.

So to my last bit of serendipitous discovery.

I was looking for some information related to the origins and development of the Twilight of the Sun King rules that I was using for the game with Julian. This lead me to a listing of the Best free miniature wargaming rules. In there I found:

Serendipitous discovery 3:  By Fire and Sword rules.

This beautifully produced, 160 page pdf file, with accompanying 257 page army list book are available to download for free. A rule book that stretches to 160 pages probably sounds like a huge negative, but it is not. The actual rules condense to about four pages. The book is long as it includes explanatory text about the rules, examples, the specific rules and loads of inspiring, beautiful and useful photos and diagrams.

A page from the rules showing the superb and clear presentation. Paragraphs in plain text are background to the specific rule, those in italics are explanation of the rules, grey italics are examples, while the scroll is the nub of the rule(s) being described on that page.

An example of one of the lovely photos in the rule book.

A page from the book of army lists. Like the rules packed with information, detail and gorgeous pictures/photos.

The rules have been played in Poland for many years and it is only with some interest from elsewhere and an English translation that they have become more widely available. They are detailed, small-scale (1:20) and contain a lot excellent background information and explanation. The books are worth it alone for the superb production values and lovely pictures. The rules look really interesting though and are definitely in the mix for me. Once I get to having a go, It will be interesting to see how they play. I expect well and easily.

 

All in all a great couple of weeks when, yet again, serendipity was my friend.

 

Klissow in the Twilight, part 2

Julian came over today and we completed the second part of the game of the Battle of Klissow, 19th July 1702 (8th July Julian calendar, 9th July Swedish calendar).

We picked up the game in the third turn, the Swedish Livregimentet till Hast / Livdragon Regimentet charged the victorious Winged Hussars (top right) while the infantry continued to press in the centre. Saxon artillery concentrating on the Swedish infantry.

The Saxon infantry pushed back the attacking Swedes.

Meanwhile, the Polish dragoons (heavily disguised as reitars) and Saxon Garde du Corps regiment made a sandwich of the victorious Livregimentet till Hast / Livdragon Regimentet, breaking the latter.

View down the line, from the Polish/Saxon right.

Saxon artillery continued to pound away, inflicting a few 'casualties'.

Above and below: the Saxon infantry fired at the Swedish they had forced back.

At this stage, the Swedes were in serious trouble and it looked a matter of time until they were enveloped from left and right.

A rare Swedish success on their right: Rehnskiöld's Ostgota Cavalry Regt broke the first of the Saxons attempting their outflanking manoeuvre.

Then a breakthrough in the centre with the Saxon Kurprinz and Guard regiments broken.

Lubomirski's Polish cavalry continued their successful charges.

Polish dragoons send the Småland cavalry regt on their way.

Then it happened. Having broken the Saxon line, the Swedish infantry made short work of the second line troops (in both meanings of the term).

Saxon centre broken: game over.

Two views of the end of the battle, from the Saxon side (above) and Swedish side (below).

Losses: a unit of Saxon cavalry and five of infantry to one of Swedish cavalry.

It had been a really close affair.

Julian's audacious attacks, making use of his numbers, very nearly paid off. The quality of the Swedish infantry came through in the end and turned pretty quickly.

Another successful test of "Twilight of the Sun King" as far as I am concerned. I appreciate Julian having a go and especially playing it out since he was not overly in favour of these stylised rules.

I'm keen to put the finishing touches to these figures and add in some more so that I/we can try again with GåPå.

Rules

Twilight of the Sun King, 2nd Edition

Scales

Base width represents ~300 m, base width 50 mm, game area 1 m x 1 m

Infantry: units approx. 1 600, 2 000, 2 400 men for small, average, large.
Cavalry: units approx. 800, 1 000, 1 200 for small, average, large.
Artillery: approx. 12, 20, 24 guns for small, average, large batteries.

Of course, these numbers are interpreted really loosely as with most 'unit' based rules nowadays.

Figures (all 1/72)

Saxon

Infantry Mars Saxon infantry.
Cavalry Strelets Russian Dragoons of Peter I
Artillery Zvezda Swedish Artillery of Charles XII and Mars Polish field artillery (standing in as the Saxon 3 pdr guns).

Polish-Lithuanian

Hussars Zvezda Polish Winged Hussars.
Pancerni Orion Polish Winged Hussars.
Dragoons (heavily disguised as reitars) Strelets Reitars of Charles XII.
Wallachian light cavalry Mars Polish 'Lisovchiki' (1st half of the XVII century).
Lithuanian Tartars Mars Lithuanian Tartars (1st half of the XVII century).

Swedish

Infantry mix of Mars Swedish infantry, Strelets Swedish Infantry of Charles XII & From Narva to Poltava.
Cavalry Strelets Lieb-Drabants of Charles XII and Zvezda Swedish Dragoons of Charles XII.