So we finally got to play our very first VSF game in 28mm. This is now game 4 in our ongoing campaign using both Aeronef scale forces and 28mm figures.
I picked up a copy of GASLIGHT and Battles by GASLIGHT for this game. We didn’t really have to long to prepare for the game so we decided on a rather small skirmish, slightly themed (yes very slightly) on The Eagle Has Landed.
It was also a good excuse to paint up some new figures and hang good old Union Jack bunting around my little town.
Prussian forces consisting of Clockwork Cranky pants, A Metal Bicycle, Derailer Tank and a handful of Elite Prussian Guards would attempt to snatch Queen Victoria in a lightning raid whilst at the same time a Prussian Spy who had not only sabotaged the H.M.M.S Gladiator but had also stolen its blueprints would try to escape undetected.
We decided that the Prussian Clanks could only make sustain rolls if there was a friendly figure in base contact with them, someone needs to wind them up. So the Prussians also had a 4 man Bavarian repair team.
The damage caused to the Gladiator would mean that it had a really low Start and sustain number and could only fire its main gun once it was up and running; its two gatling guns however were fully operational.
The Prussian spy was chosen in secret and hidden within the unit of townsfolk. At any point in the game I could reveal his true identity and immediately take command of him. He was armed with a pistol and a bomb should things get desperate for him.
On the British side were 20 Highlanders split into 2 units of 10. A unit of Marines a large mob of 20 Townsfolk (including our spy.) and the two British tanks freshly back from the hunting trip with the queen.
Anyway enough of my ramblings and on with the pictures.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria addresses the townsfolk.
Prussians advance on the town using both bridges in a pincer manoeuvre. Uhrwerk-verschrobe Hosen at the fore; their solid metal skins all but impervious to small arms fire.
No sooner has the Prussian assault started it starts to falter. Clanks begin to unwind blocking the way.
Bavarian Wind Up teams rush forward to restart the static assault troops.
Highlanders and townsfolk rally forth to defend the Queen whilst the H.M.M.S Orca, a British scout class walker, attempts a flanking manoeuvre on the smaller of the two Prussian forces.
A critical hit from the Prussian Derailer tank causes pipes aboard the Orca to rupture. Boiling steam sprays the crew but only a single marine falls…the pilot.
The remaining crew scrabble frantically to restore power to their now very large sitting duck.
Townsfolk weather the storm of Clank machine guns and throw themselves against the intruders. Despite several well aimed rolling pin and broom handle blows the clanks remain undamaged. In return several townsfolk are torn limb from limb by the vile machines.
The Highlanders, seeing the horror before them, air on the side of caution and take refuge in the loft above the archway, ready to fire down onto the heads of those below.
H.M.M.S Gladiator stirs to life and begins to trade blows with the Prussian Derailer. Roundshot skims past chimney pots in this deadly exchange of heavy metal.
The Stahlfahrrad, Prussian Scout bike, barges through the Highlanders holding the secondary entrance. A closely following Clank is not so lucky and is battered to death single handily by Captain Mc Doogle
The Stahlfahrrad lines up a flanking shot on the H.M.M.S Gladiator, unfortunately Wachtmeister Eberhard hadn’t counted on the most fearsome thing in the Britsh Empire…
…Queen Victoria, who was anything but amused, with her trusty double barrelled hunting shotgun.
Highlanders, realizing that their rifle fire is having little effect on the clanks, unleash volley after volley into the much squishier Prussians.
Without the constant supply of people to keep the Clanks fully wound up its not long before they start to grind to a halt.
With the Prussian assault in ruins the few survivors make a fighting withdrawal, erm ok it was more of a rout.
In a last act of defiance the Derailer fires a departing shot directly at the Queen… A direct Hit!
A deadly silence covers the battlefield whilst both sides wait for the smoke to clear…
…People gasp, the only person left standing is Lady Marmalade. But wait, the body of the Queen is nowhere to be seen.
In a bizarre act of pure chance the Queen was blasted into sky by the explosion. Only the several layers of petticoats saves her, acting as a parachute bringing Her Majesty, trailing a thin whisper of smoke, down safely onto a nearby roof top.
Father O’Mally Sighed as he looked around at the devastation. Familiar faces, members of his Parish lay in the blood splattered mud. Their limp bodies broken and lifeless.
Although tired from the days exertions it would be some time before he could rest.
Personal effects needed to be gathered from the fallen and passed on to surviving relatives. Graves would need to be dug, oh so many graves.
The Motionless Clanks would need to be disassembled less anyone proved foolish enough to wind up the giant keys embedded in their backs and unwittingly unleash their foul anger once more.
With a crisp salute Private Perkins came to attention before Captain Blashford.
“Sir, father O’mally found these on the body of Mister Clements, Sir.”
The private held out the unmistakeable Power Amplification Needle and the blueprints for the Gladiator.
Blashford Scratched his head, “No wonder we had such trouble starting her Perkins.” He started to turn away, hesitated and turned back to the private. “Perkins, throw that traitor Clements in the pit with the Prussians and make sure the grave remains unmarked. “
“yes Sir” Perkins Saluted and turn swiftly to march away.
“One last thing before you go Private, Hurry up and get Her Majesty down from there or none of us will ever hear the last of it.”
ConclusionIt was a great Battle even though it was on a very small scale.
Once again bottlenecks can prove a problem, even more so when things break down in the way. The Prussians definitely needed some more ‘living troops’ unfortunately I used all the figures I had.
Thejammedgatling produced some awesome scratch built tanks and his rust technique is truly inspiring. I will now have to try to match them in their outstanding quality.
I must pass on my thanks to TJG a worthy opponent. Michael (A newcomer to our club who bravely took on command as CinC of the Prussians, leaving me the chance to get my head around the rules whist only having to worry about half of the Prussian force)
Also Thanks to Nic and his team at Eureka Miniatures for getting an order of figures rushed to me in record time. I can thoroughly recommend them to everyone.