Galleys & Galleons.

Before my holiday, Campbell revealed his long-hidden project: an early galleons and galleys set called Galleons & Galleys. After my return, I asked him to allow me to familiarize myself with the rules. Last Thursday, we managed to play two games. The rules turned out to be very easy to learn and use. Best of all, they are also very adaptable, allowing you to change a rule to better suit historical realities, for example, if it doesn't suit you. In a word, only advantages.

SCENARIO: Campbell Hardie
UMPIRING: Campbell Hardie

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Campbell Hardie

1. Catholic League vs British League.

1.1. Forces.

CATHOLIC LEAGUE

(Alasdair, Bartek)

SAN MARTIN (Spain)

SAN INES (Spain)

SAO FILIPE (Portugal)

ZUNIGA (Venice)

BRITISH LEAGUE

(Campbell, David, Michael)

ARK ROYAL (England)

REVENGE (England)

HODGE (Scotland)

GREAT HARRY (Scotland)

1.2. The game.

In our first game, two leagues clashed: the Catholic and the British. Alasdair commanded Spanish ships, and I commanded Portuguese and Venetian ships. On the other side, Campbell commanded Scottish ships, and David and Michael commanded English ships. Right from the start, my ships got too far ahead and, despite my best efforts, they were unable to return to the battlefield before it was decided. They only fired a few inaccurate salvos and then headed off into the unknown. Alasdair, who was lagging behind, found himself in the middle of the fight. Scottish ships attacked him. The Spanish ships, better armed and better equipped, were no match for the Scots. There was an artillery fight, then a ramming, and finally a boarding. The Spanish were superior in all three elements. Eventually, one of the Scottish ships withdrew mangled and the other was captured by the Spanish. Then the English joined the fight. They fired on the Spanish ship, which started to burn. The attempt to extinguish the fire ended in failure and the Spaniard was blown up, while the captured Scottish ship caught fire and also sank. In this situation, the remaining Spanish ship withdrew from the fight. It was a draw.

2. Galleons against the galleys.

2.1. Forces.

GALLEONS

(Alasdair, Bartek)

ARK ROYAL (England)

REVANGE (Endland)

GALLEYS

(Campbell, David, Michael)

CAPITANA (Spain)

SAN LORENZO (Spain)

ZUNIGA (Venetia)

2.2. The game.

In our second game, the galleons clashed with the galleys. Once again, Campbell moved his ship forward strongly and once again, his ship was heavily fired upon by Alasdair's ship, causing it to sink. Just when we were expecting an easy victory, a series of unfortunate events occurred. First, my ship unsuccessfully fired upon Michael's ship, which then rammed my ship, causing significant damage. In a short hand-to-hand fight, Michael's crew captured my ship. Alasdair, who was performing a long return manoeuvre, couldn't support me in the fight. When he returned, he managed to fire upon the captured ship and sink it, but then he withdrew from the fight again. It ended in another draw.

3. Links

SESWC (Campbell):

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/944036311087034

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720321219859

Napoleonic Rebels and Patriots in 54mm.

Hello everyone, after a long break, the holidays are over, and it's time to get back to regular gaming. First, we played two games using the Rebels and Patriots rules, but this time on a 54mm scale. Initially, Mike intended to use only his miniatures, but it turned out that my Poles would fit in. We managed to play two games during the club night.

SCENARIO: Scenarios G and L from the main book
UMPIRING: Mike Evans

SCENERY: Mike Evans, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Mike Evans, Bartek Żynda

1. Defend Schneider's battery

1.1. Forces.

FRENCH & POLES

(Bartek, Gordon, Peter, Tim)

1 x HEAVY CAVALRY

1 x GRENADIERS

2 x VOLTIGUERS

1 x LINE INFANTRY

REINFORCEMENTS:

1 x LINE INFANTRY

BRITISH & PRUSSIANS

(Alasdair, Michael, Mike)

2 x GUN

1 x JAEGERS

1 x LINE INFANTRY

1 x LINE INFANTRY

1.2. The game.

The first game we played, was based on scenario L from the book. Michael and Alasdair were Prussians defending the gun battery, while Mike led the British support. On the other side, Gordon, Peter, and Tim led the French infantry, while I had the Polish Voltigeurs and French Cavalry. Our goal was to destroy the Prussian battery. Unfortunately, we started too concentrated in the middle of the field, so the Prussian guns had us on a silver platter. Michael's shots were also surprisingly accurate, and their fire decimated the French. The support gained from the double 6 did not help. The game ended in a victory for the defenders.

2. Zynda Creek Bridge

2.1. Forces.

FRENCH & POLES

(Bartek, Gordon, Peter,)

2 x LINE INFANTRY

3 x VOLTIGUERS

BRITISH

(Alasdair, Michael, Mike)

1 x GUN

1 x 95th RIFLES

1 x SKIRMISHERS

1 x SHOCK INFANTRY

2.2. The game.

In the next game, we played scenario G from the book. I defended the bridge as the Poles, while Gordon and Peter rushed to help as the French. Meanwhile, Alasdair, Michael, and Mike commanded the British. The 95th Riflemen appeared on the table, but they have had no luck against my Poles in previous games. This time, the British moved forward, but the Poles held their positions behind the fortifications. The French were much more effective this time, with a unit of British light infantry being shot by French Voltigeurs right at the beginning of the game. This loss had a strong impact on the British's further actions. When they reached the Polish positions, they opened concentrated fire, but the Polish retaliated with equally effective fire. As a result, the 95th Riflemen were defeated once again. The Poles held their positions and held out until help arrived, which led to their victory this time.

3. Links

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/938787901611875

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720321029622

Blood Red Skies: Against the Blitz!

Michael and Tim painted new planes for Blood Red Skies, so it was time to put them on the table. We have added my Polish Hurricanes and some other planes and created a large game.

SCENARIO: Tim Chant
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant, Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

LUFTWAFFE

(Alasdair, Michael)

Bombers:

1st Squadron

3 x Heinkel HE-111 (3 x 3)

2nd Squadron

3 x Hinkel HE-111 (3 x 3)

3rd Squadron

3 x Junkers JU-88 (1 x 4, 1 x 3, 1 x 2)

Bomber Escort:

1st Squadron

3 x Focke-Wulf FE-190 (1 x 5 , 1 x 4, 1 x 2)

2nd Squadron

3 x Focke-Wulf FE-190 (1 x 4, 2 x 3, 1 x 2)

RAF

(Bartek, Tim)

1st Squadron (British)

4 x Spitfire (1 x 5, 1 x 4, 1 x 3, 1 x 2)

2nd Squadron (British)

3 x Mosquito (1 x 4, 1 x 3, 1 x 2)

3rd Squadron (Polish)

3 x Hurricane (1 x 4, 1 x 3, 1 x 2)

4th Squadron (Polish)

2 x Hurricane (2 x 3)

 

2. The game.

In our game, German bombers were tasked with bombing a small factory located on the banks of the English Channel, while the RAF's objective was to prevent this. Our plan was for our Spitfires and Mosquitoes to engage the bombers' escorts, allowing the Polish Hurricanes to deal with the bombers themselves. As a result, our faster aircraft moved forward and quickly initiated a skirmish with the fighters. Tim's Spitfires promptly engaged Alasdair's Focke-Wulfs. Both sides managed to land a few hits, but it was the British who successfully shot down the first plane, a Focke-Wulf. Subsequently, my Hurricanes joined the battle, causing the squadron of German fighters to retreat. This left Alasdair's bombers without adequate protection.

During the battle, the Mosquitoes attacked Michael's Focke-Wulfs. Since Michael had his ace with him, he had the advantage, which was evident in the outcome of the battle. The Mosquitoes were outmaneuvered and one of them was shot down. However, this engagement drew the fighter protection away from the bombers, allowing my Hurricanes to take advantage of the situation. They were able to shoot down one of the Heinkels. Unfortunately, the game had to end at this point. The RAF had better results and ultimately won the game.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/09/1941-end-of-september-clear-sky-robust.html

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/922775139879818

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720320410903