VIKING RAIDERS

Here are my Viking raiders - returning to their ships laden with loot.

WW1 1918 AUSTRALIANS 2

 

Here is the first batch of 28mm WW1 Australian infantry (Diggers) that I have finished. In the last few months of 1918 this small group would have represented a full company of infantry in some Battalions, so great had their losses been in the fighting over the previous months. Note however the preponderance of Lewis Guns, a characteristic of Australian units at that time of the war.

BATTLE OF NIJMEGEN GAME

Here is a photo from a game we played on Sunday. The game was the battle for Nijmegen in 1944. The picture shows some British infantry working their way down a street in the town.

Here is the table that we played on.

Persians

Here's a base of Persians I painted recently.  They are made by Immortal miniatures (now owned by Warlord).  They have been sitting at the bottom of a box for a while now- I have about 20 in all.  I have finally dragged them out to paint.  I've no grand plans for a Persian horde.  It's just fun to paint something different!

FIRST WORLD WAR AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY

I am embarking on a project that I have wanted to do for quite some time, painting up a force of First World War Australian infantry. I recently purchased some minis from Renegade Miniatures and these do the job nicely. Here is the first one I have completed - a Sergeant. I will eventually have about 40 of so of these, which depending on the period could be anything from a platoon to a company and a half - some companies in August 1918 were down to less than 20 men. I will eventually do the Germans as well.

SUNDAY'S GAMES

Here are some photos from a few of the games played by our group on Sunday last. The first is a grand Hail Caesar ancients battle - Romans v. Seleucids. Masses of gorgeous 28mm figures. The Romans won the battle when the Seleucid left flank collapsed.

This was a great looking naval game set in South America during the later C19th. All the terrain is hand made and a treat to look at.

 

 

VIKING RAID ON A MONASTERY

We played a game the other night where Vikings raided a monastery. The figures were all 28mm and the rules we used were our own which work really well and we have had a lot of fun using for several years. The object of the raid was to capture Monks. During the Viking era there was a thriving trade between Vikings and the Venetians for young literate males. The Venetians would geld the unfortunate young men and sell them on to the Byzantines and Abassid Empire who would employ them as eunuchs. Never ones to pass up a business opportunity the Vikings raided monasteries with the intention of capturing young monks, who of course were literate, and selling them. It does give you an added appreciation for why the Church never had anything nice to say about the Vikings. There were 10 Monks in our Monastery and 20 defenders. There were 30 Vikings who were split into two warbands coming from opposite ends of the table. The image above is of the monastery and its guardian sheep.

 One of the Viking warbands with the leader of the raid out the front.

 A group of Vikings move in on the defenders.

The defenders are determined to defend the monks. 

Some women can be seen behind the line.

 The second band of Vikings crosses the bridge as they rush towards the monastery.

 The Viking chieftain breaks the defenders line as his warriors rush up.

Their line broken the defenders withdraw to block a narrow passage. There they hold their ground repelling several Viking attacks and killing many Vikings.

 

A big fight starts outside the church. The Monks have all fled inside the church where they are no doubt praying for the heathen to be overcome. 

 The defenders outside the church fight back holding their ground against repeated Viking attacks.

The brave group of defenders continue to hold the narrow gap, but as their losses mount they cannot continue to do so.

 Finally the defenders of the church are down to their last few men.

The Vikings burst into the church!

The monks fight back and actually kill two Vikings 

but the relentless heathen keep assaulting them.

The last few monks fight heroically winning several rounds despite them not being the equals of the Vikings in hand to hand combat. Eventually though they are either all killed or captured. The game ended with the Vikings capturing 5 of the original 10 monks. The others had been killed in the fighting. The Vikings lost a tad more than half their men including their chieftain who fell fighting against four defenders (at least he will enjoy Valhalla). It was a very expensive raid for the Vikings - you can only hope that they get a good price for the monks!

Thomas Fairfax

Here's Sir Thomas Fairfax.  One of the more popular roundhead generals.  It's a Warlord games figure.  The horse is really animated and enjoyable to paint.  The drum is from as Warlord infantry command sprue.

The Boy General - "Puppy"

I've been after a general for my Romans for some time now.  A hunt through my unpainted figure box revealed just the thing!  The Boy General.  Called Catulus by the troops- meaning "Puppy".  Elevated to leadership through privilege and not experience- the pup has yet to prove his detractors in the field of battle.
I'm not sure what make the figure is or where it even came from, but he would certainly need help reaching the saddle!

More Norman Invasions

Inspired by TigerZouaves excellent Viking figures, I have persevered in painting my mountain of Norman figures sitting around.  It's been a labour of love.  But Im pleased with the result.  I'll keep adding to them as I go along- but I think its time to paint a few different things for a bit.  It's good to have more space in the unpainted figure cupboard too.  They are based very close-  4 infantry to a 60mm x 20mm base. I think it gives a good effect.  Maybe the cavalry rode in looser formations- I don't know. The photos don't really do them justice though.  They weigh a ton!  One day these guys might even see battle!

Norman Shieldwall. Believe it or not- there are over 200 figures here!

A few archers

Norman Cavalry- 70+ figures

CIVIL WAR IRONCLAD

This model ironclad was on display at a model show this weekend. It is about 700mm long, floats and has its own motor. A friend took a photo of it and I could not resist bringing it to life with a touch of the Photoshop.

VIKING WARRIORS

 Some more of my Viking-Saxon Warriors