F&IW Wargames Illustrated Articles

Well it's been a long time coming, but my F&IW articles are finally out in WI in issues 304 (February) and 305 (March, just about to hit the shelves) Flicking through the second article I have to say I am dead pleased, yet again Dan, the editor, has done a great job with the layout and the photos look terrific. 

Huron swarm to attack the loggers

Towards the end of article two there is a bit that says the stats for the games aren't printed in the article they are on this blog. You forget you write these things months ago, so I had better put the stats up, and pronto...

Scenario 2 Phillips Homestead 

Phillips’ Homestead	S	F	St	D	A	W	C	Fa	Ft
Patrick Phillips	5+	3	3	3	1	1	3	1	1
Judith Phillips	6+	2	3	3	1	1	2
Seamus, Rebecca & Nathaniel	6+	2	3	3	1	1	2
Macdonald	4+	4	3	4	2	1	4	1	1
3 Rangers	4+	4	3	4	1	1	4

Phillips’ Homestead Raiders	S	F	St	D	A	W	C	Fa	Ft
8 Huron Braves	5+	4	3	4	1	1	3
4 Courier de Bois	4+	4	3	4	1	1	4

The raiders launch their  attack across the river

Scenario 3 Grey Hair's Daughter

Grey Hair’s Daughter	S	F	St	D	A	W	C	Fa	Ft
Lt Perkins	5+	4	3	3	1	1	4	1	1
2 Grenadiers	5+	4	4	3	1	1	4
4 Infantry	5+	3	3	3	1	1	3
Colour party	5+	3	3	3	1	1	4		1
2 Rangers	4+	4	3	4	1	1	4
Driver	6+	2	3	3	1	1	2
Bullock	--	3	4	5	1	2	--

Grey Hair’s Daughter Raiders	S	F	St	D	A	W	C	Fa	Ft
Warchief	4+	4	3	4	2	1	3	1	1
Huron Braves	5+	4	3	4	1	1	3
Courier de Bois	4+	4	3	4	1	1	4

The wagon approaches the ford

Scenario 4 Storming the Falls

Storming the Falls British	S	F	St	D	A	W	C	Fa	Ft
Major Bristowe	4+	4	3	4	2	2	4	2	2
Sergeant	5+	4	4	3	1	1	4
5 Infantry	5+	3	3	3	1	1	3
Gun Crew	5+	3	3	3	1	1	3
4 Light Infantry	4+	4	3	3	1	1	3

Storming the Falls French	S	F	St	D	A	W	C	Fa	Ft
Lt Dupont	5+	4	3	3	1	1	4	1	1
French Infantry	5+	3	3	3	1	1	3
Huron Scouts	4+	4	3	4	1	1	3
Courier de Bois	4+	4	3	4	1	1	4

The French cross the falls below the sight of the British

Steampunk Birthday Gathering or my family and friends are proper bad ass!

Huzzah a new year! I have several wargaming battle reports nearly finished, but the start of the new year saw something a tad different. 14th January was my good lady wife's birthday, a significant one and my family and friends had a great excuse for a gathering.

Heidi and me, about to go into the underworld of Old London

Just down the road from us is the Megacentre, which ha s had a lasertag arena for the past 20 years or so. Recently it had  a refit, the centre decided that Sci-fi decor dates very quickly, so how do you avoid your scenery look dated, make it look dated to start with Megazone's decor is now all leaky sewer pipes, paving slabs and packing cases. Inside and out it has a great Victoriana feel.  So taking the birthday and the refit together what do you get?

Answer 35 Steampunks zapping eachother. We journeyed to Megazone, in hansome cabs, dirigibles and on horseless carriages to risk a dangerous assignment in the sewers of Olde London Towne. Which mostly involved zapping eachother with beams of high intensity light. Tea and medicinal G&Ts were to be served elsewhere.

Some of those present - Steampunks all!



Frankly my friends never cease to amaze me, I come up with a barking made idea and they play along (in spades) Several folk arrived in brand new kit, in some cases it was so brand new it was being finished whilst on the way (Well done Liz and Lorna:0) We drew plenty of looks and admiring comments from other people at the Megacentre who clearly didn't get the memo about the required dress code.

We then played two exclusive games in the arena. And it was a right hoot. The new kit Megazone has is excellent, the lasers are really clear. And we discovered that wearing Victorian clothing makes everyone slow down and play at a more sedate pace.

Above are my family in full on zapping mode. Heidi Sniping, Ned blasting and Beanie, frankly, Going Postal!

There is no point trying to write a report as to who won etc (actually I seem to remember Heidi winning the first game) Needless to say we had a brilliant time. Lasers and curses filled the arena. The second game was photographed by Bendy and Broad Tom and I filmed it. I will post some more photos if I can.

All I have to say in the aftermath, is thanks to MEgazone for having us, and a HUGE thanks to all those that came and played. You guys ROCK!

VBCW on the IOW or Better Red than Red

Huzzah, I finally managed to get some wargaming in. Several friends descended on my house last weekend, to play some Very British Civil War (VBCW). We managed to get two games in (yes two) One of which is written up here, I will add a second report for game two on another occasion.
The first game was played between Grant and myself, against Jon and Edward.

Grant and I, played the role of the IOWSPR (The Isle Of White Socialist People's Republic) Jon & Edward were the PSRIOW (The People's Socialist Republic of the Isle Of Wight) Fortunately the People's Popular Front didn't turn up:0)

We were to attack the PSR in their stronghold of the Lion Brewery in Newport to try and force them out of it. Our force consisted of three rifle sections made up from, mostly, milkmen and bus drivers. Plus command units, and then some special stuff. A steamboat chugged up the Medina to lay down fire on our enemy with its 40mm PomPom. A sniper was holed up in the attic of a three storey house and we also had a rocket launcher and a box of fireworks.

We were faced with a similar enemy 3 sections of rifles, command and a pompom mounted in a truck. 
This was a pretty straight forward game played across my urban terrain. 

The only pic I took of the whole table. The brewery is on the far left.

We used rules written by one of the guys from Edward's gaming group in deepest Norfolk. They work pretty well. They certainly allow for a fast paced game, but I am not sure if that is due to the games rules or the amiable way four experienced gamers set about playing. The rules use cards to identify which unit is active (something I like) and dice rolls to generate how much a unit can move each turn (something I am not so keen on).

Movement initially was fairly cautious, units had no line of sight. Except the odd LMG team deployed on a roof or in our case a sniper holed up in an attic. We did also have the odd advantage, namely a riverboat with the bow mounted Pom Pom. This was the first weapon to cause major damage as it chugged up the Medina it turned its gun and shot into a unit of PSR rifles who were making their way down the alley behind the Police Station. The shot landed in the middle of the squad killing several men, the rest fled.

PSR LMG team on the roof of a dockside Warehouse

This was the only shot the Pom Pom got off however as in the following turn it was destroyed by  another Pom Pom mounted on the back of a Brewery Truck. LMG teams exchanged fire across the rooftops. The sniper caused several casualties.

The central units made slow progress towards each other. Most progress was made on the attacker's right flank. It was all very confusing as they approached Arkwright's General Store. The section leader ordered his men through the store so they could burst on to the Brewery left flank. Unfortunately for him, a section of PSR riflemen had already occupied the shop and the two units opened up on each other over the shop counter. I would like to say that our unit gave as good as they got and then fell back in good order. But that would be a lie: they got shot to pieces and the sorry remains ran for it!

PSR riflemen in the shop SPR rifles on the street. It's going to get messy!

After this clash the battle continued for a while. Notable casualties after this, inlcuded the SPR sniper eventually being picked off by a rifleman. The sniper had inflicted several wounds on enemy troops even those skulking in doorways and windows.

The most spectacular death goes to the crew of the PSR Pom Pom who both bought it when their driver decided to park his truck under an arch, as it 'Looked Good'.

Nicely parked!

At this point we drew the game to a close. There were still some units on both sides. The SPR had a rifle section occupying the Post Office, but they didn't look like making it any further towards the brewery, so they withdrew, leaving the PSR stil in control of the beer.

After the game the usual debriefing/tosh talk took place while we cleared down the table and set up another scenario. Two games in a day, yeah I know. More on the second game next time.