Hail Caesar: Peloponnesian War.

We finally managed to play the game we had planned. It's a postponed game from last week with Hail Caesar rules, using Michael's collection for the Peloponnesian Wars in 28mm. Athens and her allies faced Sparta and its supporters.

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider, Bartek Zynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

SPARTA

(Bartek, Tim)

Spartan King (9)

2 x Spartan Heavy Hoplites

3 x Peltast

General (8)

2 x Heavy Hoplites

1 x Light Hoplites

General (8)

1 x Hippakontistai

1 x Peltast

ATHENS

(David, Jimie, Michael)

Athenian General (8)

2 x Heavy Hoplites

1 x Light Hoplites

General (8)

2 x Heavy Hoplites

3 x Peltas

1 x Slingers

General (8)

1 x Hippakontistai

3 x Peltast

2. The game.

Both armies lined up in formation, facing each other. On the Athenian side, Michael commanded the right flank. Jimie, the overall leader of the Athenian army, was in the centre, commanding the main forces. On the left flank, David led the light troops.  

On the Spartan side, the Spartan king (Tim) commanded the left flank, accompanied by the Spartan forces, while their allies held the centre. The right flank was made up of light troops. I was in command of both the centre and the right flank.

The Spartans advanced more effectively than the Athenians, who experienced some chaos in their ranks. Meanwhile, the light forces on both flanks engaged in combat. On our left flank, we suffered a significant defeat, while our right flank held out a bit longer before also being overcome. However, it was usually the main forces that secured victory, rather than the light forces.

Finally, the Hoplites commenced their engagement. The Spartans charged at the Athenians, successfully defeating one of the Athenian's units and killing their general. However, the Spartan king was wounded and could not take part in the future fighting. In response, the Athenians launched their charge, destroying one of the Spartan's units. Following this exchange, both sides withdrew to regroup and organize their ranks, preparing for another round of combat.

David attempted to disrupt our reorganization by harassing my forces with his light troops. We had faced a similar situation before, and this time, I refused to let it happen again. My troops turned against David's forces, and despite his efforts to escape, I pursued them and defeated them. I was prepared to deliver the final blow, ready to lead the decisive charge.

Hand-to-hand combat ensued as my forces, led by light hoplites, engaged the elite Athenian troops. Unfortunately, my troops were repelled, but the losses I inflicted on the Athenians prevented them from launching a counterattack. At that point, the battle came to an end. The Spartans caused more significant losses to the Athenians, resulting in a victory for us. However, the Athenians were able to retreat because the Spartans were not prepared to pursue them at that moment.

Spartan loses.

Athenian loses.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

To be updated soon...

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720323412046

Blood Red Skies: Battle of Britain 1940.

Somehow we still couldn't hit the target with the planned game, which was different than we had planned. This time Blood Red Skies and Battle of Britain. Spitfires against Messerschmitts. We managed to complete two games during the evening.

SCENARIO: Tim Chant
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant

1st Game.

1.1. Forces.

LUFTWAFFE

(Alasdair, Bartek, David, Gordon, Michael)

5 x Messerschmitt Bf 109 E (2 x 4, 3 x 3)

RAF

(Andy, Bart, Jimie, Mike, Tim)

5 x Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I (2 x 4, 3 x 3)

1.2. The Game.

In our first game, the Luftwaffe began with their aircraft spread out, while the RAF concentrated their forces in one group. This strategy gave the British an advantage from the start, allowing them to engage in combat with numerical superiority. By the time Alasdair and David joined the game, the contest was already decided. During the fight, two planes were shot down: one Messerschmitt and one Spitfire. However, it was the Luftwaffe that experienced a break in morale and ultimately withdrew from the battle. The final score was 1-0 in favour of the RAF.

2nd Game.

2.1. Forces.

LUFTWAFFE

(Andy, Jimie, Mike, Tim)

4 x Messerschmitt Bf 109 E (2 x 4, 2 x 3)

RAF

(Alasdair, Bartek, David, Michael)

4 x Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I (2 x 4, 2 x 3)

2.2. The Game.

In the second game, we switched roles; we became the RAF while our former opponents took on the roles of Luftwaffe pilots. This time, both sides began the game in formation and quickly got down to business. During the match, one plane, a Spitfire, was shot down, but ultimately, it was the British who managed to force the Germans to withdraw. The final score was 2-0 in favour of the RAF!

3. Links.

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720323351526

Corridor of life. 1871.

The first game in 2025 was the Franco-Prussian War,  winter 1870 to 1871. Initially, we considered a different system, but after a quick consultation, we decided on the Black Powder rules.

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

FRANCE

(Bartek, Campbell, Gordon)

CinC (8)

1st Infantry Brigade

6 x Infantry Battalion

1 x Field Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade

8 x Infantry Battalion

1 x Field Gun

3rd Infantry Brigade

4 x Infantry Battalion

4th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Brigade

1 x Field Gun

1 x Mitrailleuse

5th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Brigade

1 x Field Gun

1 x Mitrailleuse

6th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Brigade

1 x Field Gun

7th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Brigade

1 x Field Gun

8th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Brigade

1 x Field Gun

1 x Mitrailleuse

Heavy Gun Batteries

3 x Heavy Guns

PRUSSIA

(Alasdair, Andy, Tim)

CinC (9)

1st Infantry Brigade

4 x Infantry Battalion

1 x Cavalry Regiment

2nd Infantry Brigade

4 x Infantry Battalion

1 x Cavalry Regiment

3rd Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Battalion

4th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Battalion

5th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Battalion

6th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Battalion

7th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Battalion

8th Infantry Brigade

3 x Infantry Battalion

1st Cavalry Brigade

3 x Cavalry Regiment

2nd Cavalry Brigade

3 x Cavalry Regiment

3rd Cavalry Brigade

3 x Cavalry Regiment

1st Artillery Brigade

2 x Heavy Gun

4 x Field Gun

2nd Artillery Brigade

2 x Heavy Gun

2 x Field Gun

3rd Artillery Brigade

2 x Heavy Gun

2 x Field Gun

Horse Artillery Brigade

3 x Horse Gun

2. The Game.

In our game, the French troops were surrounded by Germans in a small fortified town. As they retreated, strong Prussian forces attacked them from all four sides. To secure a victory, the French needed to hold control of one of the roads leading out of the town, which would provide them with a possible escape route.

The Prussians initiated their attack but chose not to launch a single frontal assault. Instead, they aimed to block all four evacuation routes. Unfortunately, the French were quicker, managing to secure one of the roads with four infantry brigades, where they decided to hold their ground until the end. The Prussian cavalry was the first to engage, but despite several successful charges, they were unable to breach the French defensive lines.

The Prussians advanced with strong artillery support, but the French continued to hold their ground. Despite suffering heavy losses, the French maintained control of the only escape route. Eventually, the Prussians launched a general assault, attacking the city from three sides, but they were again repelled. The French managed to secure the road and emerged victorious this time, although it came at a significant cost.

French losses on the left and Prussian losses on the right.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

To be updated soon...

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720323126971