The kind of big battles we like Waterloo in 54mm from Durham Wargames Group

http://megablitzandmore.blogspot.com/2019/06/waterloo-2019-part-1.html

June 18, 2019 Waterloo Game

We played a Waterloo game in 54mm yesterday. We used the Neil Thomas Napoleonic rules. As in the real battle, the two sides were pretty evenly matched with the French enjoying a slight advantage in artillery and cavalry. The French advanced all along their front and one unit of French Line Lancers made straight for the British on the crest of the ridge. The Lancers almost made a breakthrough, which would have required two Anglo-Allied units to leave the field, chasing after them, but they were stopped by British volley fire. On the French left, many units were drawn into an assault on Hougoumont, as happened historically. Also, as historically, the British sent their heavy cavalry down the slope to break up the French infantry attacks. The Scots Greys were destroyed when they were unable to retreat while the Royal Dragoons and Household Cavalry were more successful and bet back the French columns to their front. On the French right, Dutch infantry in Papelotte held the Allied left and beat back French attacks. On their left, the French were able to do better then their historic counterparts and took Hougoumont while the battle continued back and forth in the woods. In the center, French heavy cavalry counter charged the British heavy cavalry and that combat continued for several turns without a decisive conclusion. The Household Cavalry especially distinguished themselves holding off the French Dragoons and Cuirassiers. By turn twelve it was evident that the French attack had been blunted everywhere except for Hougoumont and we called the game in favor of the Anglo-Allies. Since we did not represent the arrival of the Prussians, the French were able to retire in good order.

Any Game Plans for D-Day 75?

I am going to play a skirmish game between US Paratroopers and German Wehrmacht. I'll post photos. Two photos from previous WW2 games:

Boxer Rebellion Game in 54mm

Last Saturday I ran a Boxer Rebellion game at my club. I used The Men Who Would Be Kings (TMWWBK) rules. The scenario was based on Last Train from Yang Tsun by Bill Hogan, published in issue #119 of the Midwest Wargamer's Association Newsletter (MWAN). The scenario had a mixed European force rescuing civilians and guarding them while their train took them off board. Each country in the rescue force had their own agenda, which was kept secret from the other groups. Similarly, the Chinese regulars and Kansu Braves had their own agenda: to stop the train and take hostages, while the Boxers just wanted to kill Europeans and burn down the train station. The Chinese army had one ancient cannon which could slow down the train. The Kansu Braves managed to push a lumber cart across the railroad tracks just before the train got off the board which forced the locomotive to stop. Just as the Kensu's and regulars where about to attack the train, a relief force of Bengal lancers and Sikhs arrived to save the civilians. The scenario was originally designed using The Sword and the Flame, but it played quite nicely with TMWWBK.

Waterloo 1815 in 54mm by Mark

Hi Dirk.
I thought I would send a couple more photos of figures.
I've not mentioned the scenery before, apart from the buildings I have made all of the scenery. The roads, trees and all the other bits and pieces. Making the scenery as actually a really enjoyable process. The roads were meant to be a modular set, but I used off cuts that I had lying around and just made it up as I went along, so it's not really modular after all. The trees are a hotch pot of bits from different manufacturers that have bonded well together to form pretty good trees and of a good height as well. The tall ones are mostly about 9/10 inches tall (20/25 cms). I was a bit obsessive and have ended up with about 80 of them. The price of the foliage I use has gone up considerably so I probably won't make anymore.
That's it for now.
Thanks
Mark

54mm battles : Napoleonics, ACW, WWII by Mark

I have received these pics from Mark (Musselle?) from the UK who is also a big 54mm fan.
His figures are fantastic in finishing and the scenery is superb.

His message:

Hi. I enjoy your blog and share the same passion for 54mm figures on a grand scale. I thought I would share some photos of my 54mm figures with you. Napoleonics are my main area of collecting and WW2 and ACW come in second.
About 90% of the figures are metal and of them all I have painted about 50/60% of them myself.
I hope you like them.
Thank you.


Mark