Pavia Refight

Today I went up north to my mate Robbie's for a game of Pike and Shotte. We'd arranged the game at the York show and today was the day. Tom came over as he's moved up that way, along with John and Colin. Robbie had arranged to fight Pavia, a straight refight using the set up from the book. Rob would provide the French, I'd bring along the Imperialists.

On arrival we diced for sides, John and Colin would be on my side, Tom would partner Rob.

 

This is the site the slumbering French awoke to on the morning of Pavia, Imperialists emerging from the dawn.

 

A view up the table, the French and Swiss are trying to pass their command rolls, and failing miserably, much to the Imperialist amusement!

Johns' Italian and Spanish can be seen advancing on the right, my Landsknechtes advance (slowly) in the centre.

 

Colins' cavalry and light infantry command set off around the woods on the left flank-

 

 

Only to be met by the cream of the French Nobility screened by Stradiots.

This was going to be a see saw engagement all day.



 

 

 

Rob being embarrassed after ANOTHER lucky dice roll.

The Landsknechtes get stuck in to Toms Swiss in the centre.

 



 Push of pike.

 

 The Swiss arquebusiers first hold up Frundsbergs pike block then push them back, eventually breaking the command, they didn't even need the Swiss pikes!!!

 Frundsbergs command falling back after losing two pike blocks and having three Shaken units are finished as an effective fighting force.

 

 

During the game Robs C-in-C had been killed along with his Gendarmes, Colin had taken the wood and secured the left flank, John had broken the Black Bande and taken the French Command post, this gave us enough victory points to win even though Tom had held up and pushed back my Landsknechtes in the centre.
I'm still not sure about Pike and Shotte but it gives the opportunity to have a big game with minimum fuss. I'll give them another couple of goes to see if I can get my head round them, otherwise they'll be Ebay bound.
Rob, John and Colin have very good blogs, which can be found here-
http://slimreidy1.blogspot.co.uk/
 http://independentwargamesgroup.blogspot.co.uk/
http://carryingsonupthedale.blogspot.co.uk/

I know Rob and Colin do a lot better write ups than me so treat yourselves and have a gander.



AWI British Army to date

Well no posts for a loooong time, ordinary life keeps plodding on, I've become a Great Uncle yet again and work is busy, very profitable so I can't complain, but I've been busy painting so the hobby front has been ticking over nicely. I've put together a small expeditionary force and that's how it's going to stay for a while as I've been bitten by another wargaming bug- more of that later.

The first Regiment finished is the 21st Foot, these are Old Glory figures, not everyone's first choice as some of the poses in the bags are, well- just odd!! However I like the look of them and that's good enough for me. These are intended to be used with the Black Powder supplement Revolution, written by my mate Steve Jones.

 

 

 Next up is a howitzer, can be used as a cannon if required. Perry miniatures.

 

 More Perry goodness, a combined Grenadier Battalion, I've put a mounted commander in the ranks for no better reason than I like the look, no historical precedence whatever.

 The native Americans will eventually be added to as I really enjoyed painting these, I think the next batch might get a further wash of 'redness' to emphasise their origins.

I based the Indians on Warbases sabot bases, I can use these for Muskets and Tomahawks too.

 

 These are Perrys in Roundabouts, a shortened plain coat and the trident hat has been flattened out to protect the eyes and neck from the sun. I liked painting these, they were easy with the lack of lace, and look different on the table.

 Again a mounted officer leads the lads into combat.

 

 The main men, a General with his dog and gofer.

 

 A couple of command stands, all these mounted Generals are Old Glory riders on various horses. My favourite horses are by Essex, I've a big box full of 'em, on which I mount as many Generals as will fit them.

 No army- or expeditionary force, would be complete without a mounted arm. I've chose to base these on Tarletons' Dragoons. They've got a good/bad reputation depending on which side you're on. Perrys again and a pleasure to paint.

 This is the full force for now, it will increase in size but not this year I don't think.

After painting uniforms for the last few months, crossbelts, collars and cuffs, lace et al, I've been bitten by the Napoleonic bug again. Napoleonics was my first love for many years, I remember my first Hinchliffe figures with fondness- British Line, unfortunately sold years ago but never forgotten. I've decided to complete a British Peninsular army that I started a couple of years ago, more on this to follow soon-ish.