Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Mad Guru on 22 July 2017, 06:34:05 AM
Title: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 22 July 2017, 06:34:05 AM
Rumors of a pending major Punitive Expedition to the Logar Valley, to chastise the inhabitants thereof for the still unexplained disappearance of the 3-man Heliograph signal team stationed in the old citadel atop Tower Hill, and the attempted ambush of the recently dispatched Gurkha patrol proved true -- pitting me against my 20 year-old son (the previous, smaller, engagement was me vs. my 17 year-old daughter).
A combined arms brigade of Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery was dispatched to cross the bridge over the Kabul River and traverse the table to Khairabad Village, their mission: locate the missing Signalmen, take custody of their living or dead remains if possible, and exact appropriate punishment.
This game, like the previous more modest one, was a lot of fun.
Advantage seesawed back-and-forth at first, and for a while the results could have gone either way, before coming to a rather decisive conclusion.
British units showed both bravery and cowardice, and the Afghans did the same.
If interested, please stop by to visit my blog, via this handy LINK:
All I'll say beyond the above is that over the years I may have trained my progeny too well in the art of playing with toy soldiers... so you may be able to guess how this one turned out in the end... a bit like the last.
Still, in my shameless effort to entice you to visit despite any "spoilers," here are just a SMALL PERCENTAGE of the many pics of the battle which -- together with a far more dramatically detailed After Action Report -- sit awaiting your perusal...
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Andrei1975 on 22 July 2017, 08:24:33 AM
My friend, I repeat: everything looks very chic. Your terrain is a miracle! Great game! :-*
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 22 July 2017, 09:31:10 AM
Excellent report and table 8)
cheers
James
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: VSF Gamer on 22 July 2017, 01:25:24 PM
One helluva table, I am in awe! Now going to your blog for more!
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Harry Faversham on 22 July 2017, 02:22:39 PM
Well done the lad, he certainly played up, and played the game! The Signalman... conversions or who's make?
:-*
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Marine0846 on 22 July 2017, 04:11:27 PM
Another excellent game. Love the figures and terrain. I never get tired of looking at your fine setup.
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: chicklewis on 22 July 2017, 04:32:37 PM
Truly wonderful, MadGuru !
Your tower hill terrain remains spectacular.
The use of the Afghan merchants as clan elders brought a chuckle.
And the denouement with the Sergeants Three and Bhisti is a beautiful segue to the following adventure.
Thanks for all the gorgeous photos !!
Chick
(If you care, 'Rout', as in 'Run off in fear' has no final 'e'.)
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: SABOT on 22 July 2017, 05:15:44 PM
It's already been said but WOW!! Just terrific!!
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: DintheDin on 22 July 2017, 08:38:09 PM
Beautiful table setup and figures! I love the hill fort! :-* It must have been an enjoyable game! Thank you for sharing!
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 22 July 2017, 10:44:43 PM
Thanks very much for all the positive comments!
@Chick: a special thank you to you, Chick, for not hesitating to point out those typos! Already went back and addressed them all -- at least I hope I got them all!
You correctly spotted that 2 of the "Village Elders" were indeed Eureka Arab or Indian civilian merchants, but I believe the third is actually "Swami Origami" from Artizan's "Thrilling Tales" range -- IMHO a great figure, available here: http://www.artizandesigns.com/list.php?&man=12&page=5 (http://www.artizandesigns.com/list.php?&man=12&page=5)
Chick, it's been way too long since you and I met in person! I thought of that because it's also been way too long since the last time I played a wargame with my son -- and both times you and I met, he was there as well, at the first Colonial Barracks convention in 2011, and then when you graciously invited us to your gaming club's party that Christmas. Hope we all manage to cross paths again before too much more time goes by.
@Harry Faversham: the bedraggled Heliograph team survivors are from the Wargames Foundry British "Great War Casualties Vignette" pack, available here: https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/ww1-great-war-british/products/gwb002-great-war-casualties-vignette (https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/ww1-great-war-british/products/gwb002-great-war-casualties-vignette) -- and required only a single head-swap conversion replacing one figure's service dress peaked cap with an Empress Zulu War Accessories pack "ZWA7 10 Brit heads" in Foreign Service Helmet. That same Foundry pack also includes a stretcher-bearer team carrying another wounded figure, also easily convertible via more head-swaps into late 19th Century British colonial medical staff.
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Smokeyrone on 22 July 2017, 10:57:37 PM
Wonderful! Are the rocks bark or carved foam?
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: LordSpode1879 on 22 July 2017, 11:56:28 PM
Your collection never ceases to stagger me! Wonderful figures slogging it out on stunning terrain! Awesome stuff and thank ou for sharing!
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 23 July 2017, 12:01:08 AM
Thanks for your kind words, LordSpode!
Hi Smokey, thank you very much!
They are all bark chips.
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: twrchtrwyth on 23 July 2017, 01:35:57 AM
Lovely stuff there.
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Smokeyrone on 23 July 2017, 01:51:15 AM
Let EVERYONE understand this! SEE how awesome bark looks? (Yeah, I've never used it before either, but I have access to TONS of the stuff here in scrub pine Florida!)
I'm gonna start hoarding bark!
Just fantastic work here! That is top notch!
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Keith on 23 July 2017, 07:59:31 AM
Magnificent! :-*
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Captain Blood on 23 July 2017, 08:43:59 AM
Positively Featherstone-esque :-* Lovely. :)
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Plynkes on 24 July 2017, 10:51:39 AM
Crikey, that was epic. Seems like it's Sword and the Flame month around here. Love those shots of the Highlanders in action on the heights. Look just like a Melton Prior drawing for the Illustrated London News.
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 25 July 2017, 01:14:20 AM
Yikes -- Melton Prior AND Donald Featherstone?!?!
You guys are far too kind, but I must admit your comments bring a smile to my humble face.
To Plynkes and Captain Blood, and twrchtrwyth and Keith and Smokey and everyone else, thanks very much!
I'm hoping that before this Summer ends, I'll get in at least one more game on that same terrain layout. If I do, I will certainly post it here.
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: chicklewis on 25 July 2017, 06:53:41 AM
Madguru, thanks for thinking of me. You are right, we should get together face to face, preferably with a wargaming table in between.
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Harry Faversham on 25 July 2017, 07:12:12 AM
Thanks Madguru, I shall be adding the figures to my 'umble Colonial Collection!
:-*
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Captain Darling on 25 July 2017, 01:42:21 PM
Very nice looking figures and terrain, thanks for taking the time post these! Cracking stuff!
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: JBaumal on 02 August 2017, 03:20:41 PM
Ethan, beautiful table and figs, inspirational!!! Great AAR as well. It definitely sounds like you and Skyler had an awesome time my friend.
I'm very proud of Skyler for not torching the village. I'm not sure what Sgt Guinness may have done that day…..
PS: Whomever painted your Sgt 3 set did an awesome job!
Title: Re: Brits Return to the Valley in Force - a less-modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 05 August 2017, 08:46:42 AM
Hey, Jeff, many thanks for your kind words, my friend!
I was proud of Skylar too... but to be honest, for better or worse, I don't know if I'd have done the same thing either!
The "Tres Sargentos" were painted by Igor Olshansky, aka: Igwarg -- and I most definitely agree he did an awesome job!