Silver Bayonet - Dead Man's Farm.

How annoying.... Claude has gone AWOL.... 

Somewhere in one of the numerous boxes is a French faction for Silver Bayonet now I will have to send a day hunting down these lead warriors. Like many a wargamer high time I reorganised the boxes to ensure 'stuff' does not go missing again. Fortunately the body doubles will be a suitable stand in.... 

Dead Man's farm.. Hidden amongst the 5 markers is an artefact, standing in the way is a bunch of Revenants... The mission - Get in, find it and escape off table..... simple.

The problem, both the English, French and Spanish all wanted it.... The Spanish tried the direct approach taking an axe to the courtyard door.

The British readied themselves for action, despite all the dead around them they came looking for a fight.... 

The French took up a defensive posture watching the Spanish knock on the door. 

Without warning the British attackers fired on the French, forcing them to fire back in self defence. 

Meanwhile the Spanish had under estimated the cadavers charging in they took down several of the undead but they lost half their number, but on the turn of the first card found the artefact and only had to make it off the table.

To late the French and British realised they had a more important goal and chased after the men of Spain.. but the Spanish nipped through the main gate, side stepped a couple more dead soldiers and were away...

My apologies to the British commander for the bias within the report.... But you did fire first... :-)

A fun encounter with three waring parties, the rain storm mid-game made shooting less effective forcing everyone to use steel...

Next up the Troll Bridge......

Claude Canard Monster Hunter. - Silver Bayonet.

Hot on the heels of the last outing.... Silver Bayonet switches back to the Napoleonic era.

A deserted farm between the lines, French and English patrols are set out to patrol the area and investigate the rumours of children disappearing and a 'bogey-man' attacking livestock in the area.

The opposing patrols enter from either side of the table, seeking to find the source of evil...

True to form... the natural enemies set about each other firing off their muskets as they both approach the farm. Both sides investigate the outlying markers but no sign of the creature.

The Officer of the 95th makes it to the courtyard first and is soon engaged in a close range firefight with a Grenadier who was seeking cover behind the farm house. 

Ensign Claude Canard finally makes an appearance scaling the courtyard wall with his good friend and mentor Ensign Cotelettes de Mouton and able seamen Fabian, they fire their pistols into the Officer and his escort. The man in green is out of the fight.....  

However the gun battle has awoken the creature who rushes towards Claude, the creature takes several rounds and is finally put down with the slash of a sabre from Ensign Cotelettes de Mouton. 

With the creature slain and the English without a leader both sides head back to their own lines taking their wounded with them.

Fortunately some good rolls on both sides, see's both patrols up to full strength for the next outing.

With only one creature on the table it was difficult to judge now the Monster Fate Dice could influence the wider battle, but the one on one firefight felt good, with the French falling back when they became out gunned or was it because the plucky Brits had an Occultist that kept cursing the French fire.

Until next time.....

The Silver Bayonet - The return of Claude Canard

Having travelled from Egypt to Haiti - Claude Canard of the French Sloop "Le Vendeen" makes a welcome return to fight against the evil rising from the land.

The great thing about these rules is they compliment many of my various odd collections, I have pretty much enough to pull together several factions for the Silver Bayonet and the fantastic beasts lined up against them.

With the Silver Bayonet Claude has 100 points to spend within his faction with no more than 7 characters.

Whilst I may need a few extra pieces for the more unique characters but at this stage I opted for his trusty side kick Ensign Cotelettes de Mouton (2nd Lieut), Novice Marie Bonte (Doctor) together with 2 Grenadiers, 2 Soldiers and a Sailor backed up with a Blunderbuss.

Let's see how they get on with the first solo encounter from the rule book - 'Wolf Pack'.

Egypt 1801 French vs British - Sharp Practice

The French had been defeated at Abukir and the British were firmly ashore.

General Friant's aide had been wounded when the British had rushed the guns and he was being escorted back to Nile and a waiting gunboat when the column was intercepted by a British flanking force looking to cut off the retreating French.

The French column marches towards the small cluster of buildings they had a few moves advantage over the British and fanned out not sure where their foe would appear all they had to do was get the camel train off the opposite table edge.

Rolling for their entry point, the British appear on the far side of the table and push forward, Turkish and British Infantry advance on the enemy column. The French screen their main column with Ottoman mercenaries and Arab skirmishers.

The French main company advances before fanning out into line and unleashing a crushing volley on the British and allies who's morale starts to falter.

Whilst the British fall back on the left flank the remainder of the British force moves to the far end of the table and blocks the path of the advancing French. It would be a tough ask to get the wounded aide past a full company of British regulars.

English and allied skirmishers rushed forwards inserting themselves into the walled compound firing on the Ottoman mercenary defenders.

The Mamluks in the pay of the French pick up pace and turn a canter to a gallop while French skirmishers snipe away at the British line.

But the massed volley of the newly landed British troops forces them to turn on their heels.

The camel train heads into the wadi looking to bypass the British company but time had run out for the French who camel train, advancing further would put the aide at risk, they turned and headed back to the safety of the French line at the other end of the village.

A fun game on a big table, the benefit of a large club house over home gaming. Nice to get the Wadi on the table for it's first run out along with some of the 'lockdown' French and Ottomans. 

Right back to the brushes...

French Fusiliers 88e Demi Brigade in Egypt - Perry Miniatures.

A new month and this month the theme is Egypt (again.)

If all goes to plan then I should clear a number of the older figures languishing in the spares box and a couple of unfinished units before the kick of the Bronze Age Infamy Infamy project.

First up French Fusiliers of the 88e Demi Brigade in Kleber Ordnance.

With regular supply channels restricted by the English Navy the French were forced to adapt their uniforms to the new environment.

The original skirmish units were hijacked and recruited for the Haiti Project, so these chaps have been drafted in to support the line regiment.

Figures from Perry's Egyptian range.

Cotswold Wargaming Day - 1st September

Next Sunday see's the Pearl of the Antilles taking a road trip down to Northleach, for the Cotswold gaming day. August is always a challenge on the gaming front with high days and holidays so this serves as a great kickstarter to the autumn and hopefully more hobby time than what I have been able to achieve over the summer.

I missed the event last year but Keith has done a great job pulling together a number of interesting games and with 30+ gamers booked in already it's sure to be a fun packed day.

The games cover a range of periods and rules sets so plenty for everyone.

• 19th century action in Mexico
• WW2 Battlegroup Panzergrenadier
• SYW
• Air Wargame, ‘Bombing Berlin'
• Crimean War, Bloody Big Battles
• ‘Liberdy’, a Wild West game
• 'Sawmill Village'
  

Players get the opportunity to experience the different games on offer with players encouraged to invite people into play, which is a great way of being tempted into a new period or experience a new rule set.

A 'wargames exchange' to sell, swap or give away to other gamers is available. It's the perfect opportunity to pass on things to other gamers that you know will appreciate the models or reading matter, items to good for your regular jumble sale.... Do people still have jumble sales???

I shall be hosting a Sharp Practice game featuring our old friend Claude Canard of the French Sloop "Le Vendeen" as he attempts a rescue women and children from the slave rebellion in Haiti.

Claude's had a make over and find himself shipped from Egypt to Haiti so lets see if he has more lucky in another of France's outposts.

4 commands are available on the day so plenty of room for people to dip in and out.

The event is being held at:

COTSWOLD WARGAMING DAY

The Westwoods Centre

Bassett Road

Northleach

Gloucestershire GL54 3QJ

Sunday 1st September 2019, 10.00 - 17.00

Looking forward to seeing everyone and a day of gaming.

The rescue of Madame Biquette - Yet another desert outing....

With the mini-beast from the East blowing outside last Sunday, a chance to move to warmer climate for a few hours.

The Emir had taken a number of ladies captive and was holed up in the compound at the end of town, Claude Canard was attached to the rescue party ordered to rescue our ladies whilst the main party moved to meet up surpressing and locals along the way.

Town was deserted, the market stalls empty. The locals must have known that something was in the offing.

The evil Emir stood ready in case the French invaders tried something sneaky or fool hardy. With eight men watching the walls he knew they would be not be able to hold out for long, but he would take some of them with him.

The French split there forces with skirmishers and a section of regulars ordered to rescue the women, whilst the main column advanced up the table to support the assault groups.

Sensing the best move would be to get in quick before the locals massed, the French section appears from their ambush position and assaults the walls looking to defeat the Ottomans before they could call for reinforcements.

The French are beaten back losing several of their number for the loss of only one defender. The light company pour fire into the arab defenders hoping to force them from the walls.

Meanwhile the local arab militia are mustered and begin their adavance on the attackers looking to break the seige of the compound.

The militia fire off their first volley to no effect. Other locals appear from the out houses, swords in hand, they would have to remove the French in hand to hand.

Meanwhile at the north end of town the main body meets some angry locals. A solid opening volley provides them with plenty of shock to halt there advance.

The Emir's main force rushes forwards through the side alleys into the main sqaure. Only for their leader to be shot down just as he was about to launch the main attack. Had Claude just rescued victory from the jaws of defeat?

Breaking formation the French main force turns about and see's off the Ottoman cavalry as the action draws to a close.

The ladies might not have been rescued but the French were happy not to have been over run.
Perhaps next time....

Sharp Parctice 2 - The French in the Desert.

A little later than planned, the AAR from a month ago, nothing like a little sunshine when it's forecasted to pour down over the weekend again...

Many of the Egyptian encounters have been rather cluttered in terms of terrrain so I wanted to put on a game that gave the feel of the immensity of the desert, I also wanted to try out the new cloths, they are a better shade than my first canvas but the material on these is prone to creasing.

The French force on mass, including, the Coptic Legion and members of the Ships Crew "Le Vendeen". The camels provide support in the shape of ammunition and a water cart.

The objective.

Far across the open desert lies the watering hole with all but a few goats in sight. 

After two days march the French are in much need of supplies and if they do not reach the objective by turn 15 will start to lose men to the heat.

With skirmishers sent to the flanks the main body presses on as the sun beats down.

Now there was a surprise.

With so little terrain on the table the Ottoman Skirmishers appear in the run down adobe building, their rifles picking off rank and file before the French muskets can get in range.

The size of the table means that the French are strung out, leaving gaps in their formation, lets hope the Ottoman force does not have cavalry.

The Cavalry appear !!! 

A charge down the left flank sees them push back the ships crew and start to flank the French force, the skirmishers do what they can to slow the charge but the French main body can't get a shot off as the dunes shield the rushing cavalry.

Mean while at the adobe casualties and shock are begining to mount as the French main body loses patience and unleashes it's first volley into the defenders and the skirmishers nip away at the arab defenders.

In need of support and teh French slowly gaining the upper hand. The Arab militia are called into play, with only First Volley and being poor shots, they do little to harm the French centre, but valuable time is wasted re-ordering the line and calming the troops, time which mean't the French were not advancing on the blue waters of the oasis.

As the game draws to a close the French had held the line, the Mamluk cavalry was heavy with shock and would need to retire, but the oasis was still some way off. 

A draw....Another dry day in the field for the French.

A great game, Sharp Practice 2 certainly gives a far superior game over the first version, cavalry has that bit more impact, the force composition serves to balance the forces and gives a greater challenge for the table top general espically in this case where the make up of the Ottoman command was not known.

Playing on a larger table provides some interesting command challenges, where and when to deploy is critical, the exposed terrain makes the temptation to fire as soon as you get in range, but this slows any advance to a crawl and most of the leaders time is spent clearing up shock.

With Mark pushing through his Egypt project. See his excellent work Here.

I am very tempted to move the French cavalry and extra french company up the paint queue.

Dawns & Departures in the Desert.

Following on from the latest outing for Claude, I thought it was high time I put him into a formal campaign setting, having purchased the campaign suppliment for Sharp Practice 2 over Christmas, I figured this would give me the push to get some more game and painting time in and allow players to consider more than just the game in progress.

The plan is for the various club players to take on the role of Claude in the club games whilst I run the Ottoman's. Team Claude can decide on their initial force make up and their efforts will be documented here. While the Ottoman mission will be held in camera.

Having diced for the misson - Ensign Claude Cannard gets landed with the task of Intimidation.

There are times when the gloves need to come off, and this is one of them. The peasants in the
region have not shown sufficient loyalty to your cause and are suspected of actively assisting the
enemy. Your mission is to burn every sixth house in any inhabited Area to the ground to show who is
master in these parts.

VICTORY CONDITIONS
The Claude can claim a victory if he completes his mission in all inhabited Areas. He can claim partial victory based on the number of Areas he deals with. The umpire can claim partial victory based on the number of Areas saved from the enemy’s vengeance.

Dawns and Departures contains three Geographical Tables for Northern and Southern Europe together with North America, I needed to adapt these to give the true feel of the Middle East so I created the following table to enable the terrain to be generated.

Middle East
Dice	Road Area	Adjacent Areas
2	Dunes	Desert
3	Dunes	Dunes
4	Village - Watering Hole	Desert
5	Desert	Desert
6	Desert	Sparsely Cultivated
7	Oasis	Ancient Ruins
8	Sparsely Cultivated	Dunes
9	Village - Watering Hole	Oasis
10	Desert	Desert
11	Dunes	Dunes
12	Dunes	Village - Watering Hole

When it comes to any encounter the table is divided into six equal zones and the terrain below is rolled for. The defending player places the terrain in any one table Area of his choice, placing this wherever he likes within that square Area. The defender takes his choice, this continues until all key terrain is placed.

Dawn and Departure has a niffy feature in that now the defender may move one single terrain piece. When done, the attacker may do the same, but may not move the last piece that the defender moved.

Watch your opponents face when that Strategic Hill is moved out of reach of your forces.

Again I adapted the terrain layout to suit the Middle East and my own collection.

Middle East
Terrain	1	2	3	4	5	6
Desert	Open Ground	One Small Hill	One Small Hill	Open Ground	Open Ground	Palm Grove
Dunes	Two Large Hills	One Large Hill	Stoney Ground	Two Small Hills	Well	One Small Hill
Oasis	Small Hill and Palm Grove	Palm Grove	Oasis	Open Ground	Hovel	Small Palm Grove
Sparsely Cultivated	Two Enclosures	One Small Hill	Farm	Hovel	Enclosure	Palm Grove
Village - Watering Hole	Two Small Buildings	Two Large Buildings	Two Enclosures	Palm Grove	Palm Grove	Mosque
Ancient Ruins	Open Ground	One Small Hill	Egyptian Ruins	Open Ground	Egyptian Ruins	Palm Grove

With the mechanics sorted. On to the terrain for Claudes mission.
Claude starts at the bottom centre square and will need to cover plenty of ground if he is to cover his mission seeking out every building in the local area.

Dunes	Oasis	Desert
Dunes	Village Watering Hole	Sparsely Cultivated
Ancient Ruins	Oasis	Desert
Sparsely Cultivated	Desert	Dunes
Desert	Dunes	Desert
Desert	Village Watering Hole	Sparsely Cultivated
Ancient Ruins	Sparsely Cultivated	Oasis
Sparsely Cultivated	Desert	Dunes