Last summer Zululand games impressions

 Every holiday I plan games with my game-pals. In case no one isavailable I set up tables that I can conclude on my own. Below you’ll find photographs from several such events either with or without fysical opponents. 

Figures are mostly A Call To Arms. Some other brands are represented as well, though in small numbers (Replicants, Britains, Del Prado, Jean Hoefler). Table is small, just half a tabletennis field. Different scenarios are pictured in a mixed succession order; -Stranded (with a broken wheel)-, -Get of my land- and -Portugese intermingle-, spring to my mind, now months later. Backdrop is painted by me and features the skyline around Rorke’s Drift mission post. Zulu shields are the most demanding paint subjects, based on experience. Red markers for pinned.

 

‘About Patton’ try-out game: The 101st early birds

 Introduction

Re-activating old wargame enthousiasm for the Market Garden operations (Netherlands, September 1944) Peter, Stan and myself started working on collecting, painting and dusting the materials needed. None of us had serious experience in gaming WW2 in our favourite 54mm scale. Having knowledge of Dirk’s plans in this direction, I asked him for the state-of-the-art, latest version of ‘About Patton’, a ruleset, using the well known About dice, Dirk’s clever, WW2 warfare thinking and proven game mechanics. 

A now quiet scene, soon to be a possible place of wreaking havoc.

The Plan

We option for a spread out campaign-like set up of the combined operations of both Market and Garden specific games. This will take us months if not longer because these second world war games intermit with the other game interests of the individual participants and chances to meet up with the three involved persons is once or twice every few months.

To maintain a game storyline we choose to keep pace with a scenariobook published by the Bolt Action/Warlord/Osprey games, titled simply ‘Campaign Market Garden (see photo all the way below). We do not use the Bolt Action rules, however some nice tweaks from this scenariobook, fit themselves as a close cut suit in the About Patton doctrine, especially in an airlanding setting.

Various steps in the operation (airlandings, safeguard dropzones, armour advance over a narrow and long route, win and occupy bridges and urban ground, resupplies) are the intended themes of the individial games.

This game objective is the introduction of the ruleset to all three players. To play it, we needed to keep up the logistics around finding, collecting and preparing (painting) the materialised game essentials like figures, gameboard and scenery. 

Landing- / dropzone devided into
sectors for paratrooper dispersion

The wargame table by the hand of

participating player Peter.

A semi modular solution

for multiperiod escapades

The album

Our business, here, in a sense, was not to run a photographically appealing game. Theory of the ruleset, and it’s practical implementation made us do this. Luckily WE like pictures too, so digital recordings were made in several stages of the (in total two) game(s).  

 

 

Aftermath

What started as a loose remark on preferable warfare campaigns, teenage enthousiasm and similar contribitions in this blog, is now a serious new subject for miniature (war)gaming. The ‘About Patton’ ruleset answered our expectations. Some ideas from other rulesystems might be incorporated, going along this campaignpath. I here mention the ‘stick’ and ‘combat’ jump rules as an example but more are potentially useful. 

Most figures used sofar are Airfix. Buildings Peter used are Miniart, some converted others like the original. His paintjobs on them is very good and do a lot for realism and atmosphere. 

Feedback in the comments is appreciated!

Battle of Eperondor - Epic LOTR battle played on 11/11/22

                                    

  The city of Eperondor came under siege by a combined force of Evil, The latter consiting of 3 forces lead by Mark, Alberik and Thomas. Forces in the city were lead by Steven, the relief force of elves was in command by Peter, and Dirk commanded the one of dwarfs and Rohan Humans.

   

The goblin army of Alberik tried to gain foothold into the city, and at one moment forced their way into the gatehouse, but were driven back by Stevens elite warriors.

The dwarf /Rohan force was confronted by an uruk -hai veteran pike force and were for the major part of the game unable to force a crossing of the brook.

The easterlings of Thomas' army charged the elves, but sustained heavy losses by the exelent arching of the elves. 

Mark, from the other side of the brook, sended part of his orc force to relief the presure on Thomas his army, and also the major part of Alberiks Goblin army also came this way. The elves came under presure.

Also Thomas tried to force an enty into the city with his battle orc unit, but didn't succeed.

Wizards tired to use spels to influence the battle.

Rohan infantry finaly were able to cross the brook, making room for the cavalry to enter the fight.

Alberik command his wargs to counter this threath, but in the end were destoyed.

The elves were holding out, while Thomas force running further into trouble with Stevens troops pouring out of the city gate

The uruk-hai had forced back the dwarfs and crossed the brook beating the dwarfs further back.

But the other armies of evil had had to much casualties to continue to fight.

The Evil amry started a heasty retreat.

Thanks to all players involved for the great fair play spirit arround the table and many thanks to Bart for the hospitality for this great 4 hours game.

We used the rule "About Kings and heroes", the clubs fantasy version of "About Caesar".

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