Adventures with Gun, Sabre and Horse

WW1 German Service Medal: The Hanseatic Cross

2012-01-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

My son-in-law Barry McBroom presented me with what is one of the best gifts I've ever received. A World War 1 German Service Medal. Research shows it to be the Hanseatic Cross and was awarded to troops from Hamburg in 1915. Only 50,000 were ever issued. I feel honored to have it and it will be cherished for decades.

HITT WW1 French Forward Observer

2012-01-05T08:04:00.001-08:00

HITT WW1 French Machine Gun & Mortar Team

2012-01-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

HITT WW1 French Rifles

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Finished these up the other night. I like how they turned out. All I need now is 1 more element of Rifles, 1 of Trench Raiders and 1 element of Artillery.

Final Results for 2011

2011-12-29T19:54:00.000-08:00

The Pledge
Painted/Purchased
6mm: 59/12
15mm: 121/372
25mm: 27/111
54mm: 2/0

1/72: 0/0
Terrain & Acc: 9/17

Total: 218

Goal: 500

Games Played
Ambush Alley WW2: 2

Clockwork Century: 1
COMBAT WW2: 3

FUBAR: 3

HOTT: 3

Reaper WARLORD: 2

Song Blades&Heroes: 8

Witch's Brew RPG: 1

Dungeoncrawl: 1

Total: 24

Target: 30

My Other Gaming Blogs

2011-11-09T18:06:00.001-08:00

I thought that maybe I would start posting links to posts on my other gaming blogs here on my main blog site. I considered for a long while just having one blog but I like using the blogspot format for recording campaigns. However I do want to post these here to show my further gaming adventures. So the latest posts are:

The following two posts were modern battles fought in the imagination of Karakistan, between Rebels there and Prussian Army troops.

http://15mm-prussia.blogspot.com/2011/11/battle-of-ciberian-forest.html

http://15mm-prussia.blogspot.com/2011/11/battle-for-village-of-turandihar.html

Also on the same blog here is an update for the Prussian Navy: http://15mm-prussia.blogspot.com/2011/10/prussian-navy-adds-first-4-vessels.html

Next up the campaign background for my Science Ficiton wargaming blog.

http://comet-empire.blogspot.com/2011/11/campaign-background.html

Using Hot Wheels cars as 15mm Sci-Fi vehicles.

http://comet-empire.blogspot.com/2011/11/hot-wheels-missile-car-to-grand-soviet.html

Uniform Template - Huack Royal Army

2011-10-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

RAO 1880.10.5.001 Dress Regulations - Army Field Uniforms

For all units of the Royal Army, except those of the Moden Guard.

//signed//

Major General Erik von Falkynhuack.

Commandant

Royal Army

Principality of Huack

Huack Army Machine Gunners

2011-10-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

Here are the first 2 elements (MG) of the Principality of Huack Royal Army. Also pictured is an element of Moden Guards (on loan from my WW1 German Army.) The MG crews are in their Huack Red uniforms with khaki trench coats.

British Colonial Army

2011-10-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Note the piper!

Artillery, MG and Cavalry on the painting bench.

The Zulu Impi

2011-10-05T09:19:00.001-07:00

The Zulu Impi! 2 Generals, 9 Warbands, 2 Skirmishers and 2 dead markers. In the center front we have Chiefs Unga and Bunga. In the rear flanks are the skirmishers with captured British rifles, with one wearing a red service coat. Only 1 of the chiefs will lead the army at a time. Most likely Unga.

French Army General Element

2011-10-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Not quite a French Army but I did manage to paint quite a few figures, mostly Colonials, but I was motivated for the command element of my soon to be WW1 French Army. The kneeling soldier is a junior officer holding a map.

Principality of Huack: First Army General

2011-09-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

When Prince Karl signed the Army Act into law creating the Principality's armed forces, he created, Colonel Erik von Falkynhuack, his former commanding officer in the Austrian Army as the first General Officer of the Huack Army, bestowing upon him the rank of Major General. General von Falkynhuack was born in Huack in the village of St. Jamestonia in 1824. Pictured below is a photograph taken just after his promotion ceremony at Fortenbras Palace in Alshirejvo. General von Falkynhuack will assume the role of Army Commandant and will be responsible for the organization, operations and training of the new army. Second only to Prince Karl in the Army's hierarchy.

Also, the rank of Lieutenant General has been replaced with that of Colonel-General. Thought I would publish this before we leave for Lake Degray!

Going Dark....

2011-09-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

Going on vacation this weekend. The misses and I are travelling to Lake Degray near Bismarck AR for a week. We plan on doing nothing, but relaxing at the campsite and enjoying the State Park. We will bring our kayaks, books and of course I'm bringing miniatures to paint. I hope to have a finished WW1 French army to show you upon my return.

Principality of Huack - Army Officer Rank Insignia

2011-09-17T18:49:00.000-07:00

From his palace in Aleshirejvo and addressing the Royal General Staff, Prince Karl approved the following insignia for the Royal Army Officer Corps.

The Moden Guards

2011-09-16T03:15:00.000-07:00

Prince Karl's household guards are known as the "Moden Guards" since the unit was formed in the Prince's ducal estate of Moden. The Guards are the elite of the Royal Army and their training and recruitment standards are rigorous. Below is a photograph of four Guards during a marksmanship training exercise:

HITT - WW1 German Army

2011-09-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

Since I reverted back to the DBx family of games I've been able to produce more armies for more periods. This is an army I've always wanted, I am so proud to have it. Of course this means, smaller armies, smaller tables, cheaper hobby and more time to play. I have more to add to this army and will post pictures of the muster once completed. Note the artillery barrage and gas cloud markers.

#	ARMY LIST	AP
1	Artillery	3
1	Forward Observer	1
1	Machine Guns	3
1	Field Marshall	2
4	Rifles	8
2	Cavalry	4
1	Sturmtruppe	3

11		24

The Nobility of the Huack-Turkoslavia Wars, circa 1880.

2011-08-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

His Royal Highness Prince Karl Michael Alexander Lothringen, Prince of Huack, Duke of Moden. Born in December 1853 at Castle Moden in Austria, the only child of the Duke and Duchess of Moden. Prince Karl was raised an avid hunter and was educated in Vienna at the Imperial Military Academy. During the Russo-Turkish War the Prince was the Austrian military observer with the Russian army.

His Excellency the Khedive, Mahemed Ali Pasha. The son of a doctor, born in July 1849 in Constantinople. Mahemed joined the Ottoman Navy at an early age. In 1867 he was promoted to junior commander and given command of a patrol boat. By the time of the Russo-Turkish War he was captain of a destroyer on the Black Sea where his daring exploits and military accomplishments earned him the nickname "The Kraken." It was as a reward for his naval service during the war that he was created Khedive of Turkoslavia.

The Congress of Berlin

2011-08-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Congress of Berlin which ended the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 to 1878 established the Principality of Huack and the Khedivate of Turkoslavia on the southern shores of Lake Hreshta. The Principality of Huack was created an autonomous vassal state of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Khedivate of Turkoslavia an autonomous vassal of the Ottoman Empire.

In Huack, Archduke Karl Michael Alexander Lothringen of Austria was titled Prince and took Castle Huack as his royal court in the city of Alshirejvo. Whereas in Turkoslavia, Mahemed Ali Pasha an Ottoman naval commander, and nephew of the Sultan was crowned Khedive. Immediately both states saw the other as a rival and threat. Before the end of 1879 skirmishes and naval engagements were breaking out between the two small states. Both states are wary of not only each other but their balkan neighbors as well.

The lands of the two kingdoms are prosperous and fertile. Wine, cheese, wool, iron and lumber are the main exports from both. Lake Hreshta as it is known in Huack or Lake Ohrespa in Turkoslavia is fed from the tributaries and creeks of the Danube.

DBx/HOTT Field Marshall's Baton

2011-07-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at making a DBx gauge. I am proud of it despite my jacked up black lines.

Final Results, The Pledge 2010

2011-01-23T18:47:00.000-08:00

Updated: 10.22.10
Painted-Read / Purchased
6mm: 0/166
15mm: 10/235
25mm: 1/82
54mm: 0/0
Scenics/Terrain: 0/2

I hope to accomplish more in regards to my wargaming hobby this year.

Reinforcements Arrive

2010-03-02T19:27:00.001-08:00

New troops reported for duty at Fort Aleshire high upon the Mafeking Kinto plains. They were welcomed by Colour Sergeant Boern.

Ending Disposition of Troops - AGSH Test Battle

2010-03-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Another test battle fought on the vast plains of the Mafeking Kinto. British force led by Colonel Stanley totaled 12 units, 2 cavalry lancers and 10 elements of infantry. Of course our young hero Lt. Geoffrey Arthur Charles Butler was present leading his platoon of men in battle. The Zulu force was comprised of 26 units in 2 regiments each led by their own chief. The main zulu regiment comprised 18 units of warriors. The other totaled 8 units of rifle warriors.

Turn 1. The Zulus won the initiative and advanced both regiments. The rifle warriors moved their full movement rate, fired and destroyed a unit of British Lancers. The British infantry were deployed atop a hill with the 2 lancers along the road that was occupied by the Zulu Rifles. After the loss of the first unit Colonel Stanley ordered the remaining lancers to join his infantry on his left flank. British rifle fire accounted for 4 dead among the Zulu units.

Total Losses End of Turn 1: Zulus 4 British 1.

Turn 2. Both Zulu regiments continue their advance, with the rifles being a bit more cautious only moving once and firing with 2 units into the British line which resulted in no casualties. The warrior regiment ended their advance well within charging distance of the British line atop the hill. British fire resulted in 6 more casualties among the Zulu Warriors regiment. Colonel Stanley then ordered the lancers to charge which resulted in another Zulu loss.

Total Losses End of Turn 2: Zulu 11 British 1.

Turn 3. Zulu Rifles hold position with no shooting target in LOS. The Zulu Warrior Chief split his remaning units up, with 3 attacking the Lancers and the rest charging the British line resulting in tough fighitng with no losses to either side. The Lancers killed another Zulu unit. British attacks back on their turn resulted in the death of the Lancers.

Total Losses End of Turn 3: Zulu 12 British 2.

Turn 4. The Zulu Warrior Chief quickly put the rest of his warriors in the fight against the left flank of the British line hoping that his warriors would hold on for a British command test failure with the result of another British loss, but the Zulus lost their final warrior unit in close combat further down the line at the center with Colonel Stanleys unit.

Total Losses End of Turn 4: Zulu 13 Britih 3.

Had the Zulus held, the British force would have had to take a command test, which they most likely would have passed with Colonel Stanley's remaining command points. The battle played out in under an hour.

Malady at Mafeking Kinto

2010-02-14T13:20:00.001-08:00

Lt. Geoffrey Arthur Charles Butler was ordered to lead a small patrol into the Mafeking Kinto plains just north of Fort Aleshire. Colonel Stanley was concerned that the zulus were possibly scouting the Mafeking Kinto for invasion. Lt. Butler's orders were to march out, find any enemy scouts and destroy them; then report the patrols findings back to Fort Aleshire. "Take a section of 7 men with you Geoff, the fuzzies routinely send out 3 men scout patrols. You will be more than ample to take care of any threat, from man or beast." "Sir!" our hero replies as he snaps to attention and smartly salutes.

Cpl. Beorn, was the first to spot the enemy just over the rise. "Sir, zulu, there, coming this way." Cpl. Beorn spoke while pointing to the first three zulu coming over the rise. "I see them, Cpl., form the men into 2 lines, back of 4, front of 3." "Sir!" the Cpl. snappped while quickly turning to order the men. "Just as the Colonel had feared, the zulus were interested in the Mafeking Kinto." "Wait, what is this...." The men all drew a hushed breath as not 3 zulus raced towards them, but 4, then 5, then within seconds, 16 were racing to their line with spears shining and shouting their war chant, "BOOM FASI" "BOOM FASI".

Lt. Butler drew his sword and pistol, and with sword raised, gave the command. "Front Rank, FIRE!" "Rear Rank, FIRE!" "Independent, FIRE." Our lads took out 10 before the zulus reached them and joined them in fierce hot combat. But in the end, the zulus ferocity and lifelong hand to hand combat skills won out.

You can see Lt. Butler up front with his sabre and pistol ready to strike down the enemy upon the plain! Lt. Butler was found barely hanging onto life after the ambush by the dastardley Zulu warriors. Our hero is recovering at the army hospital in Cape Town.

I played this skirmish with house rules that I was tinkering with. By the way, I played this game with the Zulu soundrack music in the background. Chin Chin!

Final Results for the Pledge of 2009.

2010-02-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

Last Updated: 12.24.09
Painted / Purchased
15mm: 45 / 305
25mm: 3 / 19
54mm: 1 / 0
Scenics/Terrain: 10 / 17

Command Decision....

2009-07-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

I have made a command decision and that decision is a huge one for me. I have decided that from henceforth I shall play mass battles in 15mm and skirmish in 15 & 25mm. So my existing 25mm armies shall be plundered to make skirmish warbands with surplus troops being sold on eBay or at Recruits Con in September.

My Wargame Room

2009-06-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Here are pics of my bat cave, my temple to mars, my wargame room. It is still way out of sorts but I couldn't wait any longer to post it's pictures. Please comment. Thanks!

RECRUITS Con

2009-03-29T18:49:00.001-07:00

Just returned from RECRUITS! It was a lot of fun, met a lot of nice people, played some games and bought more loot than I should have. Hope to go back this fall or next spring.

The End of Camulod

2008-01-13T23:14:00.000-08:00

For the past 7 years I've been reading the Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte. My heart flew through the ages back to Camulod. I could feel the cold air that tugged at Ambrose and Merlyn that winter in the cave. I could smell the blood and gore on the battlefields.

Tonight I finished The Eagle and despite myself, I sobbed for several minutes. Clothar and I both had lumps in our throats while we listened to Arthur tell us of his plans for Clothar and the Queen to return to Gaul. And upon reading my dear friend Clothar's words, "and now they are all dead." some tears came.

Several times throughout the series I had to fight through the loss of people that I admired, Lucanus, Dedalus. It did not bother me a whole lot when Publius or Caius past on for I expected as much. I knew the eventual outcome of the whole story, but tonight I feel as though I've lost some of the best people I've ever known. As though part of myself died in Camulod.

Thank you Jack Whyte for taking me to Camulod. Let me quote Clothar one last time. "I miss them all."

Praire Grove Battlefield State Park

2007-06-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

We visited the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park this past weekend. Here are some pictures from the huge glass covered wargame table with painted miniatures fighitng the battle.

Confederate OOB

19th Century Saxe-Huack Cavalry Trooper

2007-04-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

A bit late in posting but I cast and then painted an ACW 54mm US Cavalry Trooper as Christmas 2006 present for myself. The trooper was cast from Prince August of Ireland molds. I decided, being Christmas and all, to go with a color scheme of my own choosing, and label this soldier a member of the Duchy of Saxe-Huack's armed forces, but in a 19th century sense.

The Duchy of Saxe-Huack

2007-01-14T20:49:00.000-08:00

The Duchy of Saxe-Huack is the new name of for my first fictitious 18th-19th century Germanic principality for wargaming in the age of Frederick. The ducal court shall reside in the town of Huack. I haven't decided on a the map just yet, but I'm thinking of a river to the west, great forests to the north, Bavaria to the east and mountains to the south. Green, red and white will comprise most uniforms and the state flag. http://saxe-huack.blogspot.com/

Early 19th Century Saxe-Huack Dragoon.

2006-12-28T23:29:00.000-08:00

Here is an all most finished Dragoon. His uniform is the standard red & white colors of the Duchy of Saxe-Huack. I still have to finish the face and leather items, then do the "dip" with the whole figure. I cast the dragoon and horse using 25mm Napoleonic molds from Prince August of Ireland.

My 15mm World War II United States Army

2006-12-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

Assembled in formation is my 15mm WW2 US Army. I have the army based so that I can easily play both COMBAT: WWII & Warhammer WWII wargames rules. These are a mix of Battle Honors, and Essex miniatures.

Here are the best trained, fed and equipped soldiers of any wargames table. From snipers, bazooka teams, heavy machine gunners and many riflemen. My soldiers are a unique band of brothers that are dedicated to restoring the blessings of liberty to a besieged Europe.

Our jeeps give us a huge advantage in fast attack and reconnaissance. Two are mounted with heavy machine guns and one with an anti-tank rifle. They are both fast and deadly.

Finally our armored company is equipped with three Shermans and one Tank Hunter. Not the best tanks of the battlefield but certainly invaluable to my command.

Poem "SETI ON THE FLANK" [1990] Tom McMillen

2006-12-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

SETI ON THE FLANK
by Tom McMillen

The outlook wasn't hopeful for the Pharoah's troops that day -
The draw had been Seleucids, so there wasn't much to say.
They had elephants, and cataphracts, cheap levy and the like -
And he had copper javelins, while they had steel-tipped pike.
And he was stuck with chariots; while the enemy could ride.
Their horses all had armor and their chariots were scythed.

And Ramses eyed his generals, and hope did not run high -
He had the sort of Bozos that could make a great god cry.
For Amnon was a coward, and Khaneb was a fool,
The former liked to cut and run, the latter liked to drool.
But Ramses knew that should he win he'd have one man to thank -
For Seti, mighty Seti, was hurtling 'round the flank.

For Seti never missed the mark, when arrows he let fly,
And always saw the battle with a falcon's steady eye.
And Seti never wavered - his units knew no fear...
Yes, he'd put up even money now - with Seti in their rear!

With confident precision the enemy deployed,
Then sure to win, and firm of tread, set out across the void.
And Ramses scanned the eastern sky for telltale wisps of dust,
In hopeful expectation of the one man he could trust.

There was an ease in Seti's manner as he raised the dice on high,
A cold smile crossed his features as he let the ivory fly.
He barely raised an eyebrow as the score was plain to see -
Then calmly shrugged and turned away - the roll had come up "three"!

The army of Seleucus rolled, their plan revealed no flaws -
For nothing dared to stop them, nor even give them pause.
The levy and the pachyderms soon blew away the screen,
Dread pikemen closed on trembling spears, with nothing in between.

A snarl curled Seti's features as he strutted to his place -
His eyes flashed bright as lightning as the dice flew into space.
The breathless crowd in silence stood and waited for the score -
He dropped his head and stalked away, for fate had dealt a "four".
"Smash the dice! " the maddened gallery cried, "Just smash the dice to bits!"
And they would have smashed them too, had not Seti calmed their fits.

Then from ten thousand pikemen there arose a fearsome roar,
As they charged in on the spearmen with each unit twelve at four.
But Amnon passed his waver test - no, not once, but twice!
And gibbering, slobbering Khaneb blew the spots right off the dice!
And when the turn had ended, and when the dust had stilled -
There was Amnon cross the river, while Khaneb held the hill!

And now the whispers silence and stillness fills the land,
As Seti grabs the fateful cube, and lofts it in his hand -
And now the eyes are riveted, to watch his fist unfold -
And now the table trembles with the force of Seti's roll!!!

******************************************

...Oh somewhere in the Eastern world the lotus blossom blooms;
And somewhere people laugh and sing, and gaily paint their tombs.
And somewhere children giggle, as they skitter to and fro...
But there is no joy in Egypt - mighty Seti didn't show.

My wargames collection: World War II

2006-12-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Historical World War II Wargames:
Combat: World War II is a set of simple, easy to learn and fast play wargames rules for the World War II period. It offers TOEs and lists for the Soviet Union, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, France and Italy. It requires a minimal investment to play. For less than a $100 you can have a nice and formidable army.

I have assembled 2 armies for use with this rulebook and others of the period. I have one U.S. Army (Darby's Rangers) which I am proud to say is completely based, painted and ready to bring freedom to the wargame table. The other is a German Army (7th Panzer Division) which is still in the assembly and conscription stages. However much of the 7th Panzer is based and ready to play though unpainted. I shall post pictures once I find all my camera cables which seem to have been lost or misplaced in the move to Siloam.