Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Back of Beyond => Topic started by: Ignatieff on 02 December 2013, 12:44:31 PM
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Good morning chaps
This weekend saw The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers gather for their traditional pre-Christmas dust up. I designed this game (very) loosely around the battle of Dushak, which was the central action in General Wilfred Malleson's 1918 campaign in TransCaspia (modern day Turkmenistan). British intervention in the region had been sparked off by fears that the Germans and Turks were close to capturing Baku (this was the summer of 1918, when things were not going at all well for the allies) and hence the road to India would be open (the rail junction at Krasnavodsk on the eastern shores of The Caspian had a railway line that ran all the way to the Afghan border, only a few days away). There was also the small matter of the large supplies of gun cotton at Merv and the surrounding area, which the allies didn't want falling into the German (or for that matter the Bolshevik) hands. Malleson's invasion provoked a furious response from the Tashkent Soviets, who retained all the traditional Russian fears of British intentions in the region. The Tashkent Junta was also under enormous pressure at home, with plot and counter plot threatening to remove them from power, and so a useful external distraction was thought to be a 'good thing' to prop up support on the home front.
The actual campaign was fought along the main railway line from Krasnavodsk to Tashkent, and so, somewhere along this hot dusty track in the summer of 1918 two empires collided on Russian soil for the first time since the Crimean War......
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/image_zps11942f9b.jpg)
View looking east at Dushak railway juntion. The Bolos are deployed on the right hand of the picture, and are attacking southwards. British and their dubious allies on the left. As you can see, the Bolshevik bacillus has been at work, leaving cheap gaudy symbols of their twisted ideology all around the board
Next up army lists!
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The TransCaspian episode – Allied Army List
Allied commanders are considerably more competent that in real life. This is the League after all! British have been made v.powerful, to reflect the fact the Bolos were terrified of them (there were rumours of a mythical Highland regiment in the actual army at the time), and the fact that they did it against the odds (wait to see the Bolo list). The list reflects what figures we have, and not Malleson's force, which was basically Indian army infantry and cavalry...
Cinc Shep Malleson (+2, lucky)
2IC. Neil B (+2, lucky) CinC Turcomens
White Russians – Rory and Jamie, both +2 lucky
Social Revolutionary Railway workers - Dave (+2 lucky)
British
1. Infantry Brigade
1 x ADC (+2). Can act as spotter.
1 x 10 Punjabi infantry. C2 M2. Ferocious. 1 LMG, bombs
1x 10 Hampshires C2 M2, stubborn, marksmen, 2 LMGs, bombs
1 x 10 Argylls C2 M2, stubborn, marksmen, 2 LMGs, bombs
1 x Punjabi sniper. C2 M2, stubborn
1 x Argylls HMG C2 M2 stubborn
1x British mortar C2 M2 stubborn
2 x British QF 18pdrs, C2 M2, stubborn, motor pulled.
2. Cavalry Brigade
1 x 10 Bengal Lancers C2 M2, 1 LMG, bombs
1 x 10 South Notts Hussars C2 M2, 1 LMG, bombs
2 x Duke of Westminster's AC's Rolls Royces. C2 M2, 1 LMG
3. Independent Units
1 x pusher aircraft C2 M2. 1 LMG
1 x Bristol Bullet. C2 M2 1 LMG and four light bombs
1 x AA gun. C2 M2
2 x rounds of off-table HE. Can be pre-planned or opportunity fired (on a -1 to hit)
4. Turcomens
1 x ADC (+1)
9 x regular cavalry C3 M3, bombs
2 x 9 irregular cavalry C3 M4, obsolete rifles
1 x sniper C3 M3
1 x obsolete artillery piece C4 M4
1 x HMG C4 M4
5. White Russians
1 x ADC (+1)
1x 10 White Russian officers. C3 M3, ferocious. 1 LMG, bombs
1 x 10 White Russian conscripts. C3 M4, bombs
1 x 9 White Russian cavalry. C3 M3, 1 LMG, bombs
2 x (modern) 77mm guns. C3 M3
1 x HMG C3 M3
6. Social Revolutionary Railway workers
1x Commisar (+1)
1 x white armoured train. C3 M3. Field gun, 4 HMG's, 2 x 20 irregular railway worker infantry units C3 M4, bombs. Off table to begin with. Need to throw to get on.
2 x 16 irregular railway workers C4 M4, bombs.
1 x 10 white regulars. C3 M4, 1 LMG, no bombs.
1 x obsolete field gun C4 M4
1 x HMG C4 M4
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The TransCaspian Episode - Bolsheviks
V. big army, but not very high quality. Reflects the early revolutionary period when political fervour made up for a lot else. Looked great on the table though!
CinC - Blackers +2 lucky
Bolsheviks- Paul Eaglestone and Ted (both +2 lucky)
Railway workers - Peter (+2 lucky)
German/Austrian ex-POW’s – Cooperman (+2 lucky)
Bolsheviks
4 rounds of off table HE. Max 2 rounds per move. C4 M4. Must be pre-planned
1. 1st Special Action Brigade
1 x Commissar +1
2 x 10 Latvian Rifles. C3 M3, 1 LMG, bombs
1x 10 Red sailors C3 M3, 1 LMG, bombs.
1 x 10 Cheka C4 M2, 1 LMG, bombs
2 x Tchankas C3 M3, 1 LMG (mtd) HMG (dismounted)
1x 9 mounted officer cadets C3 M3, 1 LMG, bombs
1 x 9 Red Avenger Cavalry C3 M4, 1 LMG, bombs
2 x Red Naval armoured cars C3 M3, 1 LMG
1 x field gun C4 M4
1 x Junkers ground attack aircraft (armoured) C3 M3, 2 light bombs, 2 LMGs
2. Tashkent Soviet Shock Action Brigade
1 x commissar +1
4x 10 C3 M4, no bombs
2x 10 Red Guards. Irregular C4 M4, no bombs.
1 x 9 Red Guard Cavalry. Irregular C4 M4, no bombs.
1 x armoured car C4 M4 2 LMGs
1 x field gun C4 M4
1 x HMG C4 M4
3. Tashkent Red Martyrs Brigade
1 x commissar +1
4 x 10 Red Guards. Irregular C4 M4, no bombs
2 x 10 Regular infantry units C3 M4, bombs.
1 x 10 Regular Red Cavalry, C3 M4, 1 LMG, bombs
1 x Red Guard Armour: Mk IV tank. C4 M4, 2 field guns, 1 LMG (front mounted)
1 x field gun C4 M4
1 HMG C4 M4
4. German/Austrian ex-POW's
1 x officer, (Paul)
2 x 10 German POW's C3 M3, bombs.
3 x 10 Austrian POW's C3 M4, bombs.
1 x sniper C3 M3
1 x flame thrower C3 M2
1 x field gun C3 M3
1 x HMG C3 M3
5. Bolshevik Railway workers
1 x officer (Peter)
2 x armoured trains. C4 M3. Field gun, four HMGs, and capacity to carry twenty troops (dice to see if they are on board) one armoured car (included) and a separate HMG and crew (included)
2 x 16 irregular C3 M3, bombs
1 x HMG C3 M3
1 x field gun C4 M3
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The TransCaspian episode - special rules.
1. Deployment
The board is divided into six deployment zones, nos. 2-6 on table, no.1 off.
The British player may deploy his two British Brigades plus the White Russian Brigade where he wants. The other two formations (Turcomens and Railway workers) must be diced for. A D6 is thrown to establish where these are deployed. A one means it is off table, and needs to throw over its class to come on. It gives one move notice to the other side that it is coming on.
Bolshevik higher unit command and control in the summer of 1918 was almost non-existent in the TransCaspian theatre. Only one Brigade, The Special Action Brigade, can choose its deployment zone. All others must be diced for.
2. Armoured trains.
Each side dices each move to see if the train comes on. In actual fact we are only going to allow one train on (one of the Bolshevik ones) at the start. Noother trains will be allowed on before Move 6. however throw 3 D6 each move to keep the players thinking they are coming on. From move 6 onwards, there is a possibility the one white and other Bolo train get on on a throw of 18 on 3D^, then 17, then 16, etc. This reflects the fact that they rarely did venture onto battlefields and the fact that if all three trains did come on, they would fill the entire board!
3. Railway workers- defections
Both sides railway workers were in reality very close politically. The white ones defected on account of the excesses of the Tashkent Soviet, but later on rejoined the Reds. To reflect this instability, if the railway workers of either side come into small arms fire range of each other, then either (or both) commanders can attempt to lure one unit of the other side to defect.
A throw of a 9, 10, 11, 12 on 2D6 immediately makes the nearest unit defect at a rate of 3D6 to the enemy lines (throw right away, and it doesnt mattering they have already moved or fired). They must move directly to the nearest opposing railway worker unit, and cannot stop to fire, etc. Each side can only throw once in the game (the assumption being that vigilance, in the form of a 7.62mm Nagant rifle, would preclude multiple attempts).
If however the throw fails, the player attempting to lure his former comrades must throw to see if the manoeuvre backfires and one of his units joins the enemy. A roll of 2,3 on 2D6 causes this to happen. A particularly bad sets of rolls could see a player lose two units to the enemy. Be careful what you wish for therefore!
Next up, battle reports and lots of pics!!!
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Wow, that looks amazing, as ever :o
i like your gameboards and especially your detailed Background stories are fantastic!! :-*
regards
Mike
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Was about to say that i'm planning on nicking this idea for a game v Bolshy until i saw the number of troops involved ... lol
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The League has been busy! And now posting bat reps on 2 "fronts". Let's see if you can sustain it ;)
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Was about to say that i'm planning on nicking this idea for a game v Bolshy until i saw the number of troops involved ... lol
I'm writing up the cut down version for our first scenario supplement. Should be out for Salute...
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The League has been busy! And now posting bat reps on 2 "fronts". Let's see if you can sustain it ;)
Well observed. Time will tell. This one is easier as its a one off. I think the campaign will be a weekend excercise
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I think the campaign will be a weekend excercise
I'm guessing someone somewhere once said that right before invading Russia :)
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I'm writing up the cut down version for our first scenario supplement. Should be out for Salute...
Now these i'd buy .. :)
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Imagine our surprise, when 'Black Ken' Kurilov dropped by, complete with Social Revolutionary Railway workers outfit, red and blue flags and a very annoying and very loud tin whistle. The Bolsheviks became doubly determined to have him up against a wall, as did most of his now side due to the scale of hangovers we were all carrying.....
All photos by that wonderful man, V.I.Blackwood O.B.E
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/11177584043_b3959074be.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177584043/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177584043/[/url)
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Initial deployments and battle plans
The Bolshevik command were students of the Great Napoleon. Late period. Waterloo to be precise, and decided upon a massive central thrust from their two best Brigades, The 1st Special Action and Zimmerman's German/Austrian POW's. This pic shows the 'plan' (red arrows) and the central deployment of the allies. As both sides soon realised, the railway junction was the key to the game.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/11177427996_99ed60b9ff.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177427996/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177427996/)
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The Bolshevik left, under Red Ted (seen here top left) was to seize the secondary objective in the game: the railway bridge. Ted had been reading the rules (the mark of a card in my opinion), so was well greased and ready for action. He commanded the Tashkent Red martyrs Brigade, which though numerous and with the games only tank, was mostly comprised of irregular red guards. The allies (blue arrows) planned to occupy the trench defences once the Red's had spent their off table artillery.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/11177427656_d2d47023bc.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177427656/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177427656/)
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The Bolo left wing (red arrows) comprising the Tashkent Shock Brigade ("the shock was they turned up" from an allied wag) plus the Tashkent Bolshevik railway workers (far left flank), were to sweep down on the allied right wing (Black Ken, his whistle and the Social Revolutionary Railway workers), who through random deployment started the game outside the trench lines. The intriguing prospect of a stand off between the two railway factions loomed large!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/11177427216_32d6419a34.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177427216/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177427216/)
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A fine view of the Allied centre. Their battle plan relied more on Anglo Saxon entrepreneurial spirit, i.e. everyman for himself. The British infantry Brigade held the left flank and left centre, supported by their powerful artillery and HMGs on the hill behind. The White Russians were tasked with holding the vital coal bunker (+2 cover, and a bitch to take in previous games) and rail junction. They also held a small section of the right flank trench, though this was earmarked for the White railway workers once they had come back from their stroll. The allied left wing, in the guise of the Turcomen Brigade is off to the left of this picture.
Cover was all +1 apart from the coal bunker and trenches (both +2). We tried a new way of dealing with sandbags and stone walls: +2 vs small arms fire, +1 vs artillery, which worked well.
Note the fat man with the pink parasol awaiting the 11.19 to Krasnavodsk
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/11177460444_670b1dceac.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177460444/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177460444/)
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closer views of the deployment
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/11177383145_0c934d5bd8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177383145/)
Allied artillery with their QF 18pdrs, dominated the centre of the board
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/11177431236_3ba69d68c5.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177383145/)
The Tashkent Shock Action Brigade ready to go
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/11177580503_8510542aca.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177431236/)
Armoured cars, Latvians, Tchankas, (crap) Cheka and Red officer cadet cavalry get ready to re-enact Ney's charge at Waterloo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177580503/)
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/11177578023_2eeef42b4a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177578023/)
View down the tracks. Elite white officer infantry deployed behind the bunker, thinking that the reds would call down off table on the feature. In actual fact the Reds had anticipated this and targeted it behind the bunker. Sadly they botched their throw. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177578023/)
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(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/11177428326_5c8bfe7591.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177428326/)
Argylls and Punjabis supported by City of Glasgow Yeomanry artillery. The British spotter sits astride his Norton (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11177428326/)
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Move 1 Red HE falls short, whiles the White troops man the barricades, bridges and bunkers. The first of many suicidal attacks up the centre is moving at pace in the background (note to players: always use fire support in attacks such as these...oh, sorry its Ney at Waterloo...forget that...)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/11178281236_830bf50a89.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178281236/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178281236/)
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Red Ted didnt hang around on the Bolo right flank, and was keen to take the high ground before the inexperienced Turcoman commander got his act together
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/11178301084_cf13b71c07.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178301084/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178301084/)
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A stirring sight! The massed unwashed ranks of the Tashkent proletariat stream forward
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/11178426793_eff1858f60.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178426793/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178426793/)
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Watch and learn, people! This is how a proper BoB game should be run.
Alternative reality.
Dynamic rules heavy on heroics and storytelling.
Large board.
Breathtaking terrain.
Battalions of gorgeously painted lead.
Plenty of cannon fodder.
Run by crazy people in costume.
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The red officer cadet cavalry take a direct hit from the British 18pdrs. Good dice throwing saw four taken off and the unit bodged both morale throws, causing them to fall back. (q much cheering in the allied ranks...) Sidney Greenstreet is getting anxious his train is late....
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/11178229855_6c33d6f00d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178229855/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178229855/)
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Meanwhile General Malleson hesitated to occupy the trenches, even though the off table Red artillery had fallen silent. The general had spent most of the night in the company of a bottle of brandy and a box of cigars, and therefore wasn't perhaps at his most dynamic best this morning...
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/11178299534_d3934a29d8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178299534/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178299534/)
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The first Red units approach the rail junction. Sidney Greenstreet has decided walking is perhaps a better option after all. British off table HE lands bang in the middle of a red cavalry unit
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/11178277776_47a71cf808.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178277776/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178277776/)
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The arrival of the first of the Red armoured trains from Tashkent encouraged the Bolo commander to take even more tactical risks "forward to the coal bunker!" went up the cry. Tactics were forgotten (or were perhaps never known in the first place...). The Bolo train opted to enter the table at full speed (36") which as its a -1 to fire for every 6" you're travelling made for little danger to the whites. And when he realised he could only slow down 6" move he became only a (fast moving) spectator to the battle unfolding on either side. The white had booby trapped the tracks, on the curves for maximum comedy value, but they failed both dice throws to set the bombs off (50/50 chance)
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/11178227625_e5ba6a4d23.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178227625/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11178227625/)
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The runaway train in all its glory!
I bought this from a fellow LAFer on ebay for the princely sum of £40(!), and it lay on my work desk, unfinished and not fully painted for a year. Then Count Smirnoff came to the rescue and finished the build and paint job in whirlwind of 48 hours. All I did was add the Brigade decals, add a couple of flag poles and paint up the red flags. Marvellous!
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/11196221563_6d90f391f2.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196221563/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196221563/)
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Red Ted in the ascendency. The Turcomens were slow to react. Pre planned Red artillery falls impotently on the watch tower
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/11196220713_ea6f156a5b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196220713/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196220713/)
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A fine panoramic view of the battlefield. Zimmerman pushes forward in the Bolo centre, whilst up above the British aircraft try and stop the advance. With most of the off-table reds now deployed, the size of the challenge facing the allied players was now all too clear
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/11196078975_c32c8c7c63.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196078975/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196078975/)
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Uncle Yuri in his Junkers ground attack aircraft joins the fray! The 1st Special Action Brigade is being cut to ribbons by the rail junction, but help is on its way in the guise of Zimmermans German and Austrian ex-POWs. A close look shows that they have not been idle in captivity, and have turned their hand to producing some traditional Bavarian costumes!!!
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/11196078155_2fb2ef6277.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196078155/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196078155/)
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Turcomen cavalry on the allied right supported by the might of RFC!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/11196077455_6cc45666d9.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196077455/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196077455/)
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Sorry, but I just love this armoured train.....and you can see the Bolo railway workers attempting an Ulm like flanking manoeuvre, waaaaaay out on the left
Right, thats it for the moment. The game at this stage had got to the end of move 2. More photos when the good Dr.Blackwood finds the time in-between being a spy (in-joke) for Queen and country.....
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/11196105036_72bcd17482.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196105036/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11196105036/)
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Note the fat man with the pink parasol awaiting the 11.19 to Krasnavodsk
I know that man. I have seen him in many, many games.
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I know that man. I have seen him in many, many games.
lol lol lol
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lol lol lol
Lurking.. I ever feel he is up to no good.
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Simply spellbinding o_o o_o :-* :-* :-*
Was that his train?
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Simply spellbinding o_o o_o :-* :-* :-*
Was that his train?
Yes, but with standing room only he was going to struggle! (The carriages were crammed with more Bolos)
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Yes, but with standing room only he was going to struggle! (The carriages were crammed with more Bolos)
lol lol lol
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Love the idea of the armored train rocketing across the board unable to stop or effectively engage! I can only imagine the face of the poor fellow running it when he realized his dilemma.
Lon
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Love the idea of the armored train rocketing across the board unable to stop or effectively engage! I can only imagine the face of the poor fellow running it when he realized his dilemma.
Lon
It was the Dalai, in the unfamiliar guise as a Bolo. I guess the technology confused him....
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It was the Dalai, in the unfamiliar guise as a Bolo. I guess the technology confused him....
I take it the train was not powered by yak dung then? :D
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What a great game so far... :D
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Well, that was definitely worth the wait!!! Spectacular game! Thank you, Steve!
Dimi
(Who makes the Brits with the kilts, by the way?)
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Just wonderful! Mad, yes, but wonderful! :-*
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Cracking looking game :-* :-* :-*
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Well, that was definitely worth the wait!!! Spectacular game! Thank you, Steve!
Dimi
(Who makes the Brits with the kilts, by the way?)
Thanks Dimi
Great War Scots with Woodbine Wolsey helmet conversions. Modified and painted by the excellent Mark Hargreaves at 'Over Open Sights'
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Yes, the Red Dalai was in charge of the train. I sent it in at full speed to get to the heart of the action and then unleash hell.
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Yes, the Red Dalai was in charge of the train. I sent it in at full speed to get to the heart of the action and then unleash hell.
....on a minus 7 ;)
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and so to move 3, which in the words of the good doctor....
"In tonight's episode Vasily Grossman, budding author, father of 3 and hero of the Soviet Revolution dies from Fallen British Plane Syndrome. Reds exact revenge in the most devastating cavalry charge of League history. In the centre more Reds die in Slaughterhouse Coal Bunker 5 while the Runaway Train comes down the track and she blew".
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/11311456276_73613f3405_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311456276/)
The Red hordes advance onto the White right flank.... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311456276/)
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(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/11311410525_4dffa8414c_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311410525/)
"White hawk down! white hawk down!...."
Red Ted's seizure of the secondary objective (the rail bridge) is only minimally inconvenienced by an allied plane crashing into his ranks and taking out four figures... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311410525/)
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(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/11311410235_8662a0e3db_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311410235/)
The most decisive cavalry engagement in the League's history...Red Ted forms some decent Bolo cavalry into close order (only works if there aren't any nasty HMG's around), adds a decent (+2) leader and rides like hell towards the irregular Turcomen cavalry to his front. Add some good dice throwing and the Turcomens disintegrate. Proper cavalry tactics for the period.... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311410235/)
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/11311409665_2da4140fbb_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311409665/)
BLAM! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311409665/)
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(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/11311453596_fdc4711864_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311453596/)
And the one Turcoman left ran off..... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311453596/)
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Meanwhile in the centre, the thinning ranks of the whites prepare to face yet another frontal attack...
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/11311537223_036978cfd0_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311537223/)
and the runaway train hurtles ever closer.......
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/11311452256_429f7266be_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311537223/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311452256/)
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Elite Red sailors re-enforce the faltering Cheka...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/11311451986_e10801dc65_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311451986/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/leagueextraordinarykriegspielers/11311451986/)
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and so, Move 4. And once again, in the words of the good Doctor...
"With a dull crump of frustration another British plane fell from the skies.
A Red cavalryman cursed as his horse reared at the sight of the foundations of the Turcoman Memorial while his comrades rode on to greater glory.
In the station some tapped their toes in relief, others in frustration. Tea was brewed, weapons cleaned...stealing themselves for the next move...."
Meanwhile.....
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/11320268324_edb5d6741f_b.jpg)
The white right flank is manned, albeit with poor quality railway worker troops, whilst the train gradually slows down. The last allied plane lies burning by the charnel house that is the coal bunker and trail junction. Zimmerman's Bavarians (mitt flame thrower and nice blue flag) creep up on the railway house....With the train due to stop next move, his left flank turned and still hordes of Bolos advancing on the hinge of the allied flank, thinks looked grim for General Malleson
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White reservists man the trenches, with good quality artillery and HMG support mean that the right flank is perhaps stronger than first thought...
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/11320248206_9abe509859_b.jpg)
As the Bolo train slows down, a volley of White officer bombs bounce harmlessly off the armoured behemoth...Zimmerman's veteran ex-POW German troops use the cover of the train to assume a fire position, flamethrower to the fore...
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/11320267954_2c31352389_b.jpg)
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Meanwhile, Red Ted consolidates the Bolo gains on their right flank.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/11320247076_03c4a9e8d6_b.jpg)
Do you think that Punjabi HMG team realise there is an armoured train hurtling towards them?....
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/11320245036_13dfdc67cd_b.jpg)
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Zimmerman, with his faithful daschund, 'Von Seydlitz' prepares his veteran German and Austrian infantry to open up the minute the train passes...
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/11366386656_fb193ab6bb_b.jpg)
Feuer!
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/11366345465_3290961ae7_b.jpg)
Unfortunately, the German flamethrower was one of the first to be hit and BOOOOOOM! went the railway station......
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/11366417394_0c111a13fc_b.jpg)
British heavy weapons (minus the flattened Punjabis) open up on the red train, with little effect this move (move 5)
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/11366384706_e05065f94e_b.jpg)
Meanwhile, Red Ted digs in, thus relieving pressure on the thinly held allied left flank. He claimed as he had taken his objective he wanted to prepare for the potential arrival of the white armoured train from Krasnavodsk, when in fact one final push would have in all likelihood collapsed the allied left...
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(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/11366342855_f1e93cbe5f_b.jpg)
Allied 18pdr rounds slam into the armoured train as all hell breaks loose around the railway junction. Bolo railway workers called upon their Social Revolutionary Comrades to defect, and with cries of 'Death to the Counter Revolution and a Living Wage for all Railway workers with three weeks holiday and a turkey at Christmas!" they poured over to the Reds. Much cheering on the red side of the table!
Turn 7 sees the allied reserve cavalry, the 27th Punjabis and the South Notts Hussars, enter just at the critical moment. Perhaps General Malleson was not as hung over as he looked and acted....
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/11366482093_e7ba17eaf4_b.jpg)
Turn 8 sees them launch a series of desperate charges into the mayhem around the railway junction, and despite huge casualties, they repel the Bolo attacks...As night falls the battle for the railway junction takes on a macabre vision as the burning buildings frame the increasingly desperate struggle....
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(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/11366413684_f3ebd091a7_b.jpg)
Turn 8 also sees the entry of the white train (at speed), which the reds hit with all they've got, but still suffer a catastrophic hit on their lead railway wagon....
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/11366373466_ef1933f9b4_b.jpg)
White reservists rally and push back into the fray.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/11366474053_89733e3e6d_b.jpg)
Zimmerman steadies the Bolo line.....
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The game ended on move 8. The Bolos were too shattered to continue their attacks, and had started digging in. The allies had suffered heavily, but still held the vital central rail junction. Red Ted held the other railway bridge, so all-in-all a draw was a fair result. Draws are rarely satisfying, but this one was. Everyone had had a bloody good fight, and the casualty toll was enormous, particularly on the Bolo side. The white commander in the centre did a body count afterwards, and it was truly astonishing.....
"Kill count for the coal bunker
Allies:
35 infantry KIA
1 armoured car abandoned
7 cavalry KIA
1 HMG knocked out
Reds:
156 infantry KIA
3 armoured cars knocked out
12 cavalry KIA
1 HMG knocked out
Why? why? "
A cracking game, followed by the traditional League Apres Party....
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(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/11366340675_681fb5bfdb_b.jpg)
The Red Dalai poses before more Bolo propaganda. What was it Stalin said about if you tell a big enough lie enough times?
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/11366379896_d7092f05ef_b.jpg)
The Red Dalai in full dress moustache and the Turcoman commander in his 'undress' hat and sans moustache....
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(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/11366411224_b87d8b9601_b.jpg)
Happy Kriegspielers
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/11366478443_c57d7d6374_b.jpg)
Lord Grey in full Turcoman head gear (I brought this one back from Khiva in the summer)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/11366336925_89025827af_b.jpg)
A close look at Zimmerman's face shows the terrible scars of the flamethrower explosion. His top lip and eyebrows appear to have melted...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/11366375386_534fb96b87_b.jpg)
'Black Ken' Kurnilov shares a weak peasant joke with a rich fella. Ignatieff arrives in the background, replete in his traditional central asian outfit...
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(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/11366475853_7a1c07b166_b.jpg)
And so The League celebrated, with the usual exaggerated tales of daring do, of honour challenged (there were three duels) and cigars smoked (20 Cohiba Robustos....a record!). We sat from 8.00 till 2.30am at the table, the longest that most of us had sat still anywhere ever. Such is the unique camaraderie of this great club
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/11366406444_719f20f83c_b.jpg)
Player of the game was Red Ted, for his comprehensive demolition of the White left flank (it really does pay to read the rules), followed in second place by young Rory Langan, who came of age in his heroic defence of the coal bunker as the White Russian commander.
A real classic League weekend.
Thank you for reading this far. Next up for The League, 'Wake Island, Battlefield 192?' at the York war-games show in early February. If anyone can make it let us know.
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Inspiring as always chaps 8) :-*
cheers
James
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This all looks so much fun! lol
From the copious amounts of alcohol and funny hats, to the beautiful minis and table - this has to be wargaming at it's best!
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I'd love to have a silly hat too. (And a collection of painted minis half as big as yours, and half the space for a gaming table, and a game master... ) ;)
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Excellent conclusion, look forward to seeing the York game.
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My god, that shot of the chaos around the railway station. :o :o :o ... :-*
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Lovely stuff all round. The stuff of legends :-* :-* :-*
Always one of the most entertaining threads on the LAF.
Can't wait on the next one already
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Great stuff! Which rule set did you use, by the way?
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Great stuff! Which rule set did you use, by the way?
Why our own! 'Setting the East Ablaze', available from Partizan Press. :D
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Extraordinary! I can't quite decide which spread I think look the best, the one with the minis or the one with the decanters.
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Extraordinary! I can't quite decide which spread I think look the best, the one with the minis or the one with the decanters.
I think we'll all drink to that!
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:D
Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes it happens far more than you can deal with...
I just stuck 'Malleson Mission' into the search box, because I've discovered an interest I didn't know I had in the shenanigans in Central Asia around the end of WWI and the Russian Civil War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War... so I thought 'I wonder if anyone on LAF is gaming that period?' and the answer is - YES! MASSIVELY! And BEAUTIFULLY! And SOMEWHAT MADLY to boot!
So thanks for posting a hilarious-and-awesome-at-the-same-time report - I know I'm a little late to the party but boy, I've enjoyed catching up.
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So thanks for posting a hilarious-and-awesome-at-the-same-time report - I know I'm a little late to the party but boy, I've enjoyed catching up.
I am rather surprised you have missed the shenanigans of the LoEKs. Theirs is one of the greatest rides of this theme park. :)
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I don't often venture into the 'realer' end of LAF. Orcs, spacemen and Victorian Chaps with Steam-powered Mustachioes and Galvanic Trusses are more my thing. The interest in Malleson came about because I was looking for somewhere to set a vague 1920s Persian-y Pulp-y game and I thought Mashad looked interesting, being close to the borders of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
Then I started reading about the place in the interwar years and it became very interesting, hence my research into Malleson- just what I was after, and then some!
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This all looks so much fun! lol
From the copious amounts of alcohol and funny hats, to the beautiful minis and table - this has to be wargaming at it's best!
I second that comment whole-heartedly! It is wargaming at it's best.
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OK, it's February. Where's the Wake Island battle already? We need more!
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takes place tomorrow...... :)
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There are rumors afloat that Wake Island managed to hold out. From whom or what is still unclear ;)
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I am glad to report that I, Major Cornelius 'Treetrunk' Callaghan, USMC, did indeed see off the Jap menace...more on the interwar page later today
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Have seen this marvellous game. I just hope I can do the same scenario justice in 15mm at some point...
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Wargaming at its best!!
Fantastic miniatures collections, great table, awesome game, good friends, funny outfits, dinner, drinks.
Can't be better! That's the spirit of our hobby.
Thanks for sharing
Dr. Moebius