Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Back of Beyond => Topic started by: former user on March 21, 2010, 10:14:13 PM
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Finally.....
I am able to say:
THS - presents:
RIGA 1919 - RCW scenario
last friday we fought our first RCW battle - it will be continued in 2 weeks
after which I will post a detailed battle report and a T&T rule appreciation.
However, I could not resist the temptation to post the first pictures as a teaser
Scenery THS Team, Germans by @Fugazi, buildings by @Steam Flunky, rolling stock by former user
more credits will follow
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and a few more
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That railway looks really great!!
but Magic the Gathering cards... ;)
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Wow, that looks like a Schneider 122 in the rail wagon - where did you get that model? :-*
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thx
the magic cards are only surplus glued on the back of the order cards
(now how big are You zooming the picture? shall I send You the original size? ;))
after we are done with the scenario, I will post the rolling stock in detail - there are other railcars not on the table
don't know about the Schneider, You must ask @ Fugazi - his figures
I only did the railway and hosted the scenario (well, and the car and some other bits too, but no dollies :))
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Nice stuff, looking forward the battle report 8)
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Yikes!
What a setup!
Also looking forward to the battle report.
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Great teaser, I am looking forward to more shots and your report of the battle.
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Really Really NICE!!!!
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Superb! What make are the trains?
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that looks great! waiting with baited breath :-* :-*
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This looks Epic. Very curious on more pictures and the report.
Björn
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Great stuff former user! Is all of it of your own making?
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Thank You very much for appreciation
I will post some more teasers, however we did not take that many pics and the battle is still going on, so I'll have to keep teasing You ;) (battle continues on April 2nd)
I will post detailed shots of the rolling stock in the railway board, but this will take some time (19 freight cars so far, passenger coaches yet to come)
Rolling stock by me, mainly Faller Hittrain, 0 gauge - again more details later in the railway board (I will elaborate on the construction if someone is interested)
The battle report will come here, the rolling stock report in the railway board, and I will elaborate a bit what I did to the T&T ruleset ;) (which was actually not much) to allow for railway gaming - this in the T&T board
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Lovelty train and scenery former user
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Wow, that looks like a Schneider 122 in the rail wagon - where did you get that model? :-*
The model is from Irregular Miniatures. It is actually a 1/72 model.
There it was titles as "Krupp gun" ...
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The model is from Irregular Miniatures. It is actually a 1/72 model.
There it was titles as "Krupp gun" ...
Thanks, Fugazi. I thought it looked just a little on the small side for a 122 in 28mm. Looks an awful lot like the Russian Putilov/Schneider 122 though! Those recuperators are shaped exactly the same. Here's a link to the gun I'm talking about: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1099159 (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1099159) I sure don't recall any Krupp looking like that.
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Are we talking about the gun in the train waggpn? I took it for an FK 96
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/WWI_Field_Gun_316.JPG/800px-WWI_Field_Gun_316.JPG)
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Since the gun seems just right to me, I never spent any brain grit on the type I must admit :)
anyway, here some more "teasing" boxcars
and HMS Cassandra's steam barge, that has just landed the British contingent
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OK, here we go then with the scenario and forces
Riga 1919
Historical Background
After on November 11, 1918 the Armistice ended the Great War, German troops in the Baltic were ordered by the Entente to remain in the region to fight Bolshevik expansion. General Rüdiger von der Golz, former advisor to the Finnish independence army, sought to maintain German influence and formed the Baltic Landeswehr and Iron Brigade, with the ultimate goal of establishing the German ruled United Baltic Dutchy. When in the autumn of 1919 most Bolshevik forces had been driven out of Latvia by Latvian, Estonian and German forces, v.d. Golz refused to withdraw from Latvia and merged with the West Russian Volunteer Army of General Bermondt-Avalov under the pretext of joining Kolchak’s army and marching on Petrograd. Their true intentions soon became obvious and clashes with Estonian and Latvian independence forces finally culminated in an attempt to conquer Riga. After the German diplomatic mission secretely left Riga on October 5th, the Landeswehr attacked Riga on the 8th, taking Pardaugava district. On November 3rd, a united counterattack by the Estonian and Latvian army supported by the Royal Navy expedition counterattacked, finally diving the Germans out on the 11th.
The following scenario is not about this battle.
Scenario
In preparation for the main offensive on Riga, Major General v.d. Golz decides to personally lead a surprise attack on the south-western fringes of Riga. The aim of the fast strike force is to seize the main electrical plant and it’s supplying freight station and to divert from the main thrust at the heart of Riga. Joining his units of the Iron Brigade and the Landeswehr are the Yildirim veterans and soldiers of fortune of Graf Jansen zu Zahl (with so many strange stories of foreign troops in the RCW, I decided to invent my own story for these) and the elite White Russian Regiment Barnitzkiy. In order to increase their speed, the Germans commandeer all available motor vehicles and a freight train. The Estonian naval shore command assigned with guarding the freight station are taken by surprise and request support, to which Rear Admiral Sir Walter Henry Cowan orders the steam barge of the previously mined HMS Cassandra that is currently patrolling the Daugava river. To add to the confusing situation, all fractions are aware that a Bolshevik attempt to turn the tide is imminent.
Briefings
British Expeditionary Forces
Rear Admiral Sir Walter Henry Cowan has ordered the combined landing detachments of HMS Cardiff and HMS Cassandra to support the Estonian independence forces and to prevent Riga being conquered by either Bolsheviks or Baltic Landeswehr. The counterrevolutionary Barnitzkiy elite regiment is regarded as a possible ally as long as it does not intervene in Baltic independence. At the start of the battle, the naval contingent has just landed west of the electric plant.
Troops (led by @Admiral Benbow)
1 Rolls-Royce armoured car, veteran crew
HMS Cassandra (in blue order)
2 x trained naval infanty (13); leader
1 Hotchkiss 37mm revolver cannon, trained crew
HMS Cardiff (in white order)
1 trained naval infantry (15); leader
2 x light field gun, veteran crew
Estonian Independence Forces
With many sacrifices You have repulsed the red Latvian attempt to transfer communism to Your country. Now You have chased them back to their capital and want to finish the job, although You are heavily exhausted and Your logistics are overstretched.
Anyway, You must support Yout Latvian brothers and hold Riga. At the start of the battle, the Estonians hold the train station.
Troops (led by @Steam Flunky)
Hero (disciplinarian)
1 raw sea cadets (10), leader
2 x improvised armoured cars on Fowler steam tractors, HMG; trained crews
ESR Lennuk (in blue order)
1 trained naval infantry (9), leader
ESR Vambola (in white order)
1 trained naval infantry (15), leader
(figures painted by @Dragoman and Axel)
Bolshevik Intervention
Leo Davidovich, our comrades in Latvia have suffered a terrible drawback against the Estonians. Comrade Commissar, take all available elite units and divert the enemies of the Revolution in Riga in order to buy time for the main forces to reorganize. Make sure You connect with the Latvian Rifle insurgents that already have infiltrated Riga. The Bolshevik armoured train and the Latvian rifles enter the board at predetermined positions and a randomly determined time after the second turn. (the umpire leads this force in order to make sure that thearmoured train does not unbalance the game)
Troops (led by @former user)
Hero (Leo Trotzky), (hero of the people, disciplinarian, terrible repute)
1 veteran red guards (9), bayonets, flag
1 elite Kronstadt sailors (14), bayonets, 2 leaders; hero (crack shot)
1 elite Latvian Rifles ( 8 ), HMG, flag, leader, hero (sturdy)
1 elite Latvian Rifles (10), leader, hero (preacher)
1 armoured automotrice: 2 field guns, 8 LMG; elite crew, hero
1 connected armoured infantry assault car; transport 30
(figures painted by @Fugazi)
Iron Brigade
The British might believe You come to fight the Bolsheviks, but You, Major General Rüdiger v.d. Golz, will seize Riga and extend Your sphere of influence over as much as Your Iron Brigade can get a hold. The Iron Brigade enters the table at the start of the game, from North and/or South and/or railbound on the main line at the choice of the player.
Troops (led by @Fugazi)
Hero (MGen. V.d. Golz) (steady)
1 veteran infanty (7); signaller; leader
1 elite stormtroopers (10); handgrenades, 2 SMG, leader, hero (stealthy, brawler, terrible repute)
2 x veteran infantry (10); LMG, leader
1 veteran infantry (10); HMG, leader
1 field gun; veteran crew
(figures painted by @Fugazi)
Baltic Landwehr
Major Fletcher has order You to back up the German forces as a reserve. The force enters the table at the German entry points after the first turn at the request of the german players. The Baltic border patrol can be motorized with the available trucks and staff cars.
Troops (one player short at the start of the game, troops were distributed to the other german players as reserve)
Baltic Border patrol
1 trained infantry (10); bayonets, leader
1 trained infantry (11); signaller
staff cars, trucks
Landeswehr
1 trained infantry (9); HMG; bayonets, leader
2 x raw infantry (10); bayonets
(figures painted by @Fugazi, staff cars by @former user)
Yilderim Mercenaries
After so many battles lost, You hope to gain at least some compensation for Yourself and the men that trust You with their lives and whom You almost regard as Your personal retinue. V.d. Golz is Your ally and You can trust him. At the start of the battle, the force has already infiltrated the urban are to the south of the railway station. The demolitioner can set his charge per rules or use it to arm a railway torpedo.
Troops (played by Axel)
Hero (artillerist)
1 field gun, veteran crew
1 veteran infantry (12); leader
1 trained engineers (12); hero (demolitioner)
1 Lanchester armoured car, veteran crew
(figures painted by Axel and @Dragoman)
Regiment Barnitzkiy
After loosing almost everything to the revolution, Your goal is to surf the waves between untrustworthy allies and hated enemies. You hate the Germans, but You are too weak to stand alone against the Reds. The British might support You, but they won’t tolerate if You try to crush the Estonians, which You could and would in an instant. You will shoot any Bolshevik on sight. Try to outwit Your enemies and act at the right time! At the start of the battle, the regiment is deployed at the southern shore.
Troops (played by @Dragoman)
Hero (courage under fire)
1 veteran infantry ( 8 );HMG; bayonets, signaller
1 veteran infantry (10); bayonets, leader
1 raw infantry (10); leader
2 x Lancia IZ armoured cars, trained crews
(figures painted by @Fugazi and @Dragoman)
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Are we talking about the gun in the train waggpn? I took it for an FK 96
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/WWI_Field_Gun_316.JPG/800px-WWI_Field_Gun_316.JPG)
Yes, the one in the train wagon. The gun shield does look like that of a Krupp. But the recuperators on this model (the recoil mechanism beneath the barrel) are distinctly that of the Putilov/Schneider (French Schneider designed, produced by Putilov in Russia). Here is the Wiki page for this gun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/122_mm_howitzer_M1910/30 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/122_mm_howitzer_M1910/30) The Putilov/Schneider 152 (m1910) had the same, or very similar, recuperator design.
I don't want to pass myself off as an artillery expert - I'm not. But I have been reading a lot on the Russian forces from the First World War and the Civil War, and trying to collect armies in 28mm for an upcoming campaign. So I got excited when I saw that Schneider recuperator design.
Honestly, I now think the Irregular model is a mishmash of several real designs. Or perhaps it is a one off design from the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, copying features from both it's larger neighbors' weapons. ;)
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which would be no surprise, since there is always experimenting with swapping guns and carriages, shields etc.
I would not know about WWI, but there are lot of examples for WWII
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Excellent stuff!
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thx
so, to keep up the tension a bit I shall start the battle report now
here some peaceful views of the setting
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and here we go with turn one
Estonian and BEF have set up first, after which the German Pasch veterans were able to react
You have already seen the Iron Brigade entering in an improvised combat train from the south.
The White Russian "coloured" Regiment Barnitzkiy entered from south-east (with the opening view of the church), but only advanced.
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Turn two
BEF have advanced and opened fire on the German train, who rolled further and returned fire.
A small motorized force of Baltic border patrol have also entered from north and engaged the Estonians, who in turn are also advancing south towards the Pascha veterans.
Still delaying action from the white Russians.
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and my last one for now, cause I'm out of pictures
to be continued.....
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That is an amazing table, the industrial buildings look great.
Are they model railroad buildings, or resin?
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I really wished Rob would comment himself...
As far as I can tell, they are pretty much kitbashed from model railway buildings, but I can't tell for sure
at least the backdrop versions are very much scratchbuilt
but otherwise - no resin involved
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Just found this (thanks former user). Bloody brilliant,very evocative. former user you are the god of trains :)
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thank You very much, I am simply trying hard to catch up on @Michi ;)
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while I am still collecting pictures, please follow the link to out THS-team HP
http://www.ths-wargames.de/index2.htm
under galleries/20th C/Riga 1919
here You can see most of the gamers involved, with me in the red shirt wiseassing (umpiring..) ;)
(http://www.ths-wargames.de/material/riga/bild16)
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That is an amazing board!
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Thats really cool.
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Excellent board. I am very much impressed. Lots of work and dedication. Thanks for sharing !
Björn
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Nicee!!! Some good stuff.
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Hi
I've just been working for some pics in order to continue the battle report, so I thought I'd wake You up a bit :D
what do You think?
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Bloody good shots!
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thx a lot
I am a bit busy right now with the rest of the pics and my daily life, but I promise there will be a completely revised complete game report with lots of pictures.
we managed to game 4 rounds of T&T in a total of 6 hours (stretched over 2 dates) and reached a satisfying conclusion where the germans managed to take the electrical plant, while the estonians and british also reached their objective to hold the train station inspite of being numerically outgunned, so it was actually a draw. Maybe there will be some follow-up in the future, with the Iron Brigade being besieged in the plant.
My biggest surprise was that the armoured train did not perform as invincible as I originally feared, allthough being armed with 2 field guns, 8 lMG and a big squad of revolutionary sailors. It got one turret and 3 MG knocked out in the first turn on the table.
The engineer did not even manage to pull the break for 2 turns, so there would have probably been a spectacular derailing!
Meanwhile there is my photobucket with the pictures of 23 train components in close shot
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Gosh I missed this thread
fantastic scenery and great looking train
hope the game was excellent too.
dodge
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Seems I've missed this thread as well. Great stuff and wicked train. :)
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Bollax!! I want an armoured train now ...
Lovely work fella