Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Great War => Topic started by: wrgmr1 on 17 January 2017, 06:26:25 AM
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As this is the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge, I have decided to do a game recreating part of this famous Canadian battle.
It will be the 87th battalion's, The Canadian Grenadier Guards attack on hill 145. This was one of the toughest sections to attack.
My plan is using 1.5 inch foam, cut out trenches and glue to hard board. There will be 9 – 2'x 2' sections to build a 6'x8' table. I've looked at various other gamers trenches and what I found on the net to create an accurate table of the battlefield.
Comments, tips and modelling techniques are welcome.
The map I used to create the trenches/table.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/HILL%20145%20ccg%2087TH%20bN.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/HILL%20145%20ccg%2087TH%20bN.jpg.html)
I drew this map to trace onto the foam boards.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2180.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2180.jpg.html)
Using a sharpie I traced the trenches onto the foam for cutting. I put in a 2.5" trench with a 1.5" fire step to accommodate the figure bases of 45mm square.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2179.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2179.jpg.html)
The complete terrain boards, foam cut and glues to 1/4 thick hardboard.
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this looks to be great! can't wait to see it unfold
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An excellent and worthy project, looking forward to seeing it develop. What size miniatures are you going to use?
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James, I already have 25mm OLd Glory miniatures painted. I just have to paint a 4th division patch over the 1st division one.
Original trenches with Old Glory figures.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/WW1/IMG_1049.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/WW1/IMG_1049.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/WW1/IMG_1050.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/WW1/IMG_1050.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/WW1/IMG_1054.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/WW1/IMG_1054.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/WW1/IMG_1056.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/WW1/IMG_1056.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/WW1/IMG_0261_6_1.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/WW1/IMG_0261_6_1.jpg.html)
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Is the MkIV from OG as well?
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Yes, it's an Old Glory vehicle. It can with no instructions and is mostly metal.
I had to fabricate and exhaust pipe on the roof out of copper tube. Nice kit.
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All metal? Might just have to get one. I have some from Trenchworx but they are not metal.
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Hmmm.....just took a look at the OG site. Here is what the description states: "25mm scale - (Male or Female) This is a resin and metal kit that requires assembly. There are parts in the kit to make either a Male or Female tank".
Is yours an older one? Maybe the switched materials.
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Yes, it's resin and metal, but very heavy.
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I just posted a question to ancientsociety on his Trenchworx MkIV review so I might as well pose the same one to you.
I don't suppose you know how they compare, size wise to Old Glory do you? I've seen a comparison between the Brigade Games' version and the Old Glory one and there is a major size difference with OG being a lot bigger.
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Looking forward to seeing how your trenches turn out. The crashed plane looks great as well, rescuing the downed airman from no-man's land makes for a great scenario.
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Awesome sounding project so far!
Is the plan to have this ready to play at Trumpeter Salute at the end of March? I remember playing your Canadians vs Germans w/ chlorine gas clouds WW1 game a few Trumpeters ago.
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Yes, working towards running this game at Trumpter Salute. Hopefully I'll see you there?
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End of march? Could maybe fly over for that!
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Very nice project indeed.
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Yes, working towards running this game at Trumpter Salute. Hopefully I'll see you there?
Planning on being there with a pulp/Cthulhu game involving rampaging fishmen!
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Looking forward to seeing this project progress! Im planning on hosting a 15mm Divisional scale game representing the 4th divisions attack on Hill 145.
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Wonderful!
Any chance of bringing this down for Enfilade? ;)
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That was my plan, however I have found out just a couple of weeks ago that a wedding I had agreed to officiate on will be that Saturday morning.
If I come down I will have to leave right after the ceremony and get there for the evening session. :o
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Ah, Enfilade's loss is that couple's gain!
As I can not make it to BC, please do take many pics of the battle at Trumpeter Salute :D
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Here is a look at Hill 145 taking shape. Some slope carving needs to be done and a few little tweaks.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/HIll%20145%20taking%20shape.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/HIll%20145%20taking%20shape.jpg.html)
View of a Canadian front line trench with fire steps and shell holes. The fire steps are necessary for the rules we will use. A WW1 variant of Chris Leach's "Battles for Empire 2".
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/Cdn%20trench%20Shellholes.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/Cdn%20trench%20Shellholes.jpg.html)
Seems I don't have problem with warping. Once the shell holes are done on all the boards, a cover of white glue, sand, dirt and latex paint will be applied to them all.
Comments are welcome.
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Sweet....
How did you carve out the shell holes? By hand with a knife od some sort?
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The shell holes were done with a power drill and a large 1/2 bit.
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The shell holes were done with a power drill and a large 1/2 bit.
Never thought of using that method, may have to give it a try. Thanks.
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Canadian front line trench.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/Can%20trench.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/Can%20trench.jpg.html)
German front line trench.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/German%20Front%20line.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/German%20Front%20line.jpg.html)
German 2nd and 3rd line trenches.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/German%202nd%20and%203rd%20line.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/German%202nd%20and%203rd%20line.jpg.html)
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That's epic!!
I like that you have made more trenches than you can fit in your kitchen.
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Looking great.
Is the Battles For Empire 2 WW1 variant home grown?
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Thanks Gents!
Fred- I've been working in our spare room, using our apartment size freezer as a table, or a 6'x4' section of the floor.
The kitchen as you can see is quite small, those are 2'x2' sections.
Smirnoff- Chris Leach is a good friend and part of our gaming group. He's been working on the rules with my help. I actually wrote the gas rules. It has been evolving.
The fire steps in the trenches are part of the rules.
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Cheers
Will Chris be publishing them?
We play a lot of BFE2, a WW1 version would be good
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Chris has the intention of publishing them. I will ask him tonight, we are gaming Shako 2. I will let you know.
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Canadian trenches in the foreground. 1st German trench then, 2nd and 3rd with interconnection communication trenches 4th, 5th German trenches in the back. Hill 145 on the right rear.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2228.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2228.jpg.html)
View from the German side, Hill 145 just out of the picture on the left.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2229.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2229.jpg.html)
I went over to my friend Chris Leach's place, to use his table and space for this phase. Together we painted white glue on all the edges, then Chris painted the edges brown.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2231.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2231.jpg.html)
This morning Chris put white glue on the top and I spread sand.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2232.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2232.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2233.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2233.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2234.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2234.jpg.html)
The next step is to create piles of dirt around the shell holes and scattered around using coarse sand and glue.
Then paint the whole top with dark brown.
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Looking good, hope to see this develop more.
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This looks fantastic!
I'm also currently working on a project for the 100th anniversary of the battle. Just trying to finish up painting miniatures, then I'll be on to the terrain.
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Thanks Tim!
I have your blog on my favorites list. Thanks for all your tips for terrain!
Cheers,
Thomas
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Phase 2 is completed, phase 3 is started.
The sand was applied and an initial coat of dark brown latex paint applied.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2252_1.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2252_1.jpg.html)
Then a heavy dry brush applied to the dark brown, with a lighter brown, as you can see. Also painted corrugated to simulate the iron used to support the walls.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2262.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2262.jpg.html)
Also matchsticks cut to size and glued to the trench floor as well as a wood veneer glued to the side. Support posts will be added as well for both types of wall.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2265.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2265.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2266.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2266.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2267.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2267.jpg.html)
Comments and thoughts are welcome.
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Fantastic project and great looking terrain layout! :-*
I suppose someone has already pointed out that the gun sponson on that MkIV is upside down?
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Looks really good!
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Thanks Carlos, I didn't know that. Bought that model many years ago, it came with no instructions. :o
Thanks for you kind comments Gents!
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Man, this is looking spectacular!
I suspect you're staging this game on the Sunday at Trumpeter, the long session, which means I've already scheduled myself to run my pulp Cthulhu game in the same time slot. I shall have to admire it in the tiny breaks from my game I'll get!
Too many games, not enough time!
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Wirelizard - I'm putting this game on Saturday afternoon. If you want to play this game maybe contact Terry Sawchenko directly.
Cheers,
Thomas
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Glad to hear the 1/4" hardboard is not warping. I was building a frame for mdf and that whole process kind of made me pause. If I could just glue the foam straight onto the hardboard with no problem that would be better.
What did you cut the foam with to make your 2'x2' squares?
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I was concerned about warping myself but the 1/4 boards are solid, heavy as well.
I used an Olfa knife with extra sharp blades to carve everything except the shell holes.
The pink foam comes in 1 1/2 thickness 2' wide and 8' long with an interlocking notch.
I just made sure the notches went one way on all the boards.
One problem is the corners are fragile, so black hockey tape along the sides gives it rigidity. I have not done this yet as it was just suggested by a friend. I may still add some.
Thanks for your kind comment.
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Phase 2 continuing.
Progress with 4 boards completed through phase 2 only 8 more to go. However I tackled the more difficult boards first, 2 of them having 3 trenches 1 more with 1-1/2. The next three will have 2 trenches each with the last four only 1 trench each.
One time consuming detail was cutting matchsticks and gluing individually to the trench floor. This was replaced by a suggestion from one of our group to use bamboo mats cut to size. Works Great!
Phase three will be painting the trenches with dark brown and dry brushing lighter colors on the ground everywhere. Adding bits of green and grass towards the rear trenches.
Bamboo mat.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2277.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2277.jpg.html)
Heavy Mortar position on Vimy Ridge.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2276.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2276.jpg.html)
2 Boards finished phase 2.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2280.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2280.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2281.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2281.jpg.html)
Tools of the Trade.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2282.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2282.jpg.html)
Shell holes.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2284.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2284.jpg.html)
Sections of trench.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2287.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_2287.jpg.html)
Comments are welcome.
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Lots of work there!!
I like where you have broken the parapet up a bit. It breaks up the lines, which is good. Its good to have some areas of wood and others with corrugated iron. A few mixed up bits would be good too, either bits that have been repaired, or just different periods of building.
I'm impressed with the sheer volume of work you are undertaking for this though!
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Fantastic project! Really impressive work. If you want to add some variety to the trenches then wickerwork was a common method of revetting trenches, used by both sides. Renedra and others make wickerwork fences which with suitably cutting and sizing would probably work.
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Thanks for the comments gents. I agree with mixing up the look, which will happen more towards the front lines, these are second and third lines so most likely in better shape.
I like the wicker look however this needs to be finished by the end of the month. Really no time to get wicker in the mail, I could try though?
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Hi Gents,
All 12 boards are near completion. Final browns painting is done, just need to add some green grass in the rear lines, sandbags and details.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0013.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0013.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0014.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0014.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0016.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0016.jpg.html)
German 1st, 2nd and 3rd lines.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0019.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0019.jpg.html)
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If you're set on using wicker. I can suggest a quick homemade solution.
180 gsm or heavier cartridge paper. Medium or rough water colour paper( in fact you could use cereal packet card.) and cocktail or match sticks.
You simply mark out a rectangle to the length required and the height with horizontal lines between 2-5mm apart.(these lines stop 5mm short of both vertical ends of the rectangle. You just cut along each line without cutting completely across the rectangle.So in effect you end up with a series of 2-5mm thick horizontal strips joined together by a 5mm wide vertical strip at each end.
Then its simply a case of weaving the cocktail /match sticks in and out of the horizontal strips.So you end up with a length of wicker fence that you can flex into any curve or angle you require.Once its glued into place you just cut off the 5mm wide tabs that were holding it together.(this works for gabions just as well.)
It's alot faster than it sounds,and odds on you can source card and cocktail/sticks without leaving the house.
It really is worth taking 20minutes to try it out.
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Looking good
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If you're set on using wicker. I can suggest a quick homemade solution....
Come to think of it I've seen some woven table mats in our local $2 shops that do the job, in fact I even had one. Was a greenish and the filaments quite fine. Just cut into lengths. Now whether that sort of thing is available in Canada, I don't know.
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Thanks for the ideas gents. I'm pretty much done with all the trench details, just adding green paint for grass, sandbags and dirty water in deeper shell holes.
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No worries,
After all it was a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
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Further developments over the weekend.
Sandbags and some green to break up the mud.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0022.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0022.jpg.html)
My feeling is the sandbags should be a darker grey, I did a light wash of grey but they do get darker over time.
Thoughts?
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The extras really liven it up. I'd mix the colours up a bit for the sandbags, do a few in different shades in the light gray ones, and do other batches in different colours entirely.
Your sandbags look very much like British ones, all neat and sergeant-major approved. The Germans (and later the British) realised that having a more irregular appearance, in both placement and colour, made it much easier for your chaps to observe without being spotted by enemy snipers. The Germans made use of all sorts of material to make sandbags to break up the colours, and went for irregular laying of them too.
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Thanks Fred, great advice!
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I can't speak with any authority on the colour of Great War era sandbags but I do know that the ones I used to fill as a lad ranged from a khaki not dissimilar to the frame of this website to various shades of light olive green. Being burlap and somewhat porous, they quickly took on the colour of the dirt contained therein, be that reddish or er earth coloured.
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A very impressive board.
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Continuing with this project, almost finished.
A few details to be done.
Paint a few more sandbags.You will see some whitish ones in the pics below.
Cover all the sandbags with a good coat of white glue.
Dry brush a light brown on the barbed wire bases.
Add a few more casualties.
Pics are of German 2nd, 3rd lines and Vimy Ridge.
Comments are welcome.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0032.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0032.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0033.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0033.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0035_1.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0035_1.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0037.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0037.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0038.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0038.jpg.html)
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Outstanding; I wish I could see it at game time
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El Grego, I'll be putting it on at Enfilade Saturday afternoon?
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I am really enjoying watching this come together. I sure hope that when...and IF...my WWI project gets off the ground it will get even close to yours!!
AWESOME JOB!!!
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Really looking good now the finishing touches are going on!! Great work.
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Thanks Gents!
Also thank you to those who made good suggestions.
I wish I had space to take pics of the whole table. However I will take some at the convention next weekend.
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Looking forward to seeing the convention photos!!
LB
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El Grego, I'll be putting it on at Enfilade Saturday afternoon?
Ahhh, I thought Enfilade was outside of your plans... There is a chance I can make it ;)
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Another idea is to have spots where a shell directly hit a trench but which have been hastily repaired.
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More super work. Looking forward to seeing the game pics.
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This is the first day I managed to see all the boards put together, April 1st at Trumpeter Salute in Burnaby B.C..
Each board is 2'x2'.
Chris Leach, Author of Battles for Empire wrote a supplement for WW1 which were the rules we used for this battle. Chris kindly helped me with the game, as I was not all that familiar with them.
All figures are Old Glory.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0065.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0065.jpg.html)
The boards looking from the German right flank. Hill 145 on the left with the MG bunker.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0066.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0066.jpg.html)
German front line was occupied by one company of the 261st Bavarian Reserve Regiment, this is one platoon.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0067.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0067.jpg.html)
B company in the centre, 87th Battalion Canadian Grenadier Guards in their front line, 74th street.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0068.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0068.jpg.html)
A company on the left flank.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0069.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0069.jpg.html)
The entire board, Canadians A, B and C company in the front line from left to right respectively.
German company in their front line one platoon per board. The cat in the background is a tea cosy for one of our players pot of tea!
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0071.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0071.jpg.html)
View of the German trench names, Front line, Batter, Basso, Beggar, Beer and Bed bug out of the picture on the left.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0072.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0072.jpg.html)
Canadians over the top!
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0073.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0073.jpg.html)
A Co. in line at right, B Co. at left moving through wire.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0074.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0074.jpg.html)
B and C Co. Move forward.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0075.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0075.jpg.html)
A Co. Platoon take 3 hits moving in, and melee's the Germans.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0077.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0077.jpg.html)
German MG at strong point 7 fores at long range.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0078.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0078.jpg.html)
A and C Co. Melee the Germans while B Co. negotiates the wire.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0079.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0079.jpg.html)
Fire from supporting MG's and rifles in B Co. sector eliminate the platoon in their front.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0080.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0080.jpg.html)
As you can see the middle German platoon is gone. Behind the rules display is a WW1 air game.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0082.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0082.jpg.html)
C Co. moves to melee the Germans.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0083.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0083.jpg.html)
Another German company moves on the board.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0084.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0084.jpg.html)
A and C Co. have been decimated only B Co. in the centre has broken through. the front line.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0085.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0085.jpg.html)
German reinforcements meet B Co. pushing forward at the end of a communication trench.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0086.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0086.jpg.html)
The last platoon of A Co. melees the Germans.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0087.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0087.jpg.html)
B Co. Pushes down a communication trench.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0088.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0088.jpg.html)
German at Batter trench.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0089.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0089.jpg.html)
Overview of B Co. pushing down the communication trench, A and C Co. tied down while Germans in Batter wait.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0090.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0090.jpg.html)
Germans at Batter.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0091.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0091.jpg.html)
D Co. which had been released behind A Co. moves down a communication trench to be met by the Bavarians.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0092.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0092.jpg.html)
B Co of the 74th Battalion has been released and moves towards Batter after C Co. 87th was decimated.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0098.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0098.jpg.html)
Melee with D Co. and the Bavarians.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0099.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0099.jpg.html)
The Germans reinforce Basso.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0100.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0100.jpg.html)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0100.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0100.jpg.html)
The Canadians have cleared most of Batter except on the left flank.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc173/tjm3/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0101.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/tjm3/media/Vimy%20Ridge/IMG_0101.jpg.html)
Once the left flank had been secured we called the game we ran out of time. The Canadians had done pretty much what had happened historically. In our game 8 out of 12 platoons of the battalion were eliminated, the Germans lost 4 platoons.
Historically the battalion commander had decided not to use the rolling barrage as in all the other sectors with subsequent fatal consequences for his battalion.
11 out of 12 officers were killed or wounded. The battalion suffered 50% casualties killed and wounded. Hill 145 was captured the next day by flanking moves.
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Bloody magnificent! That is something to be really proud of, fantastic looking board and a great AAR.
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Damn fine board and minis! :o :-* Sounds like an exciting and bloody game. Did it meet your expectations?
LB
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Really impressive seeing it all come together.
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Thanks Gents.
It was a very busy 2.5 months. Now I get to continue with my Calpe Napoleonic Prussians.
marianas_gamer, yes it was exactly how I pictured it would look in my mind. The game was pretty much how I figured it would go as well. I did come up with a few details as I went along, but the overall look was how I envisioned it.
Cheers,
Thomas
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Quite an achievement! I know that I would
I've to play on that board :o
LB
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Super board - darn fine game. Thanks for posting the excellent pictures.
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Watch me get shot down in flames here...
The boards are bloody magnificent but the game just doesn't seem to live up to them...in the pictures at least...I wasn't there in person of course...
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Captain Darling, great name by the way.
The game went the way I expected it to, which was a very historical outcome. To me, that is the sign of a good game. I would have loved to have more figures, but time was against me had to get the boards done. Also the BFE WW1 supplement each 8 figures is a platoon thus 12 platoons is the 87th battalion.
We may change it up a little when we go to Enfilade at the end of May?
Cheers,
Thomas
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Terrific! I like the way the bases match the boards so closely, and the maze of trenches is a sight to behold. Labelling the trenches is an excellent idea too.
Have you considered adding a few explosions to add to the visual effect?
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James - yes explosions would have been good, however the 87th Battalion commander decided not to use the rolling barrage in his attack. All the other battalions used it with success. Thus no Canadian artillery. The Canadian field artillery didn't reach past the German front line! The German field artillery didn't reach the Canadian Front line, they were too far back only heavy batteries did. So we only used mortars for both sides. It was basically an infantry fight. I tried to keep it as historical as possible.