Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Great War => Topic started by: Ignatieff on February 06, 2012, 09:57:04 AM
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The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers put on a cracking little (historical) game yesterday at Vapartanak in beautiful snowy York: Baku of Beyond, the defence of Wolf's Gap, September 1918.
The game was around the final stage Turkish assault on Baku against a combined British, White Russian and Central Caspian Dictatorship command....
Army Lists:
Army of Islam Order of Battle
Ottoman Commander: Nuri Pasha+2, lucky
5th Caucasian Division Commander; Brigadier Mursel Pasha 0
Azerbaijani Muslim Corps Commander: General Ali-Agha Shikhlinski 0
Elements of the Ottoman 5th Caucasian Division
6 x 10, 9th Caucasian Regiment, rifles Class 3 Morale 2, rifles, bombs
3 x 10, 10th Caucasus Regiment Class 3 Morale 3, rifles, bombs
1 x 10 Stormtroopers, Class 2 Morale 2, ferocious, assault weapons, bombs & LMG.
1 x 10 Dervish Infantry, Class 2 Morale 2, ferocious Rifles bombs & LMG.
1 x 10 Bavarian Reservist Regt Class 3 Morale 3, Rifles bombs, 1 LMG
1 x Stormtrooper Anti Tank Rifle C3 M2, ferocious
1 x Storm trooper Light mortar team C3 M2 stubborn
1 x 10 Lancers, 2nd Cavalry Regt Class 4 morale 4,
1 x HMG section Bavarian Reservist Regt C3 M3
3 x HMG’s Brigade MG Detachment C3 M3
2 x 76 mm Krupp Field Guns, Caucasus Artillery Regt C3 M3
1 x Anti Aircraft Gun C4 M3
1 x captured armoured car C4 M3
6 rounds off table pre planned artillery barrage C3
Azerbaijani Muslim Corps,
3 x 10th Azari Regt Class 4, Morale 3 Rifles stubborn bombs
3 x 1st Dagestan Regt Class 4, Morale 4 (single-shot martini-Peabody rifles)
2 HMG’s C4 M3
2 x 76mm Krupp (worn) Field Guns C4 M4
On operational attachment
1 x 10, 6th Syrian Regt Class 4, Morale 2 Rifles stubborn Bombs
1 x 10 42nd Egyptian (volunteers) Regt Class 4, Morale 2 Rifles stubborn Bombs
1 x 10 Mounted Ottoman Jandarma C3 M3, rifles, bombs
Allied Order of Battle
British Commander: Major Ley +2, lucky
White Russian Commander; Colonel Bicherakov +1
Central Caspian Dictatorship Commander; Colonel Stepanov 0
Dunsterforce
4 x 10 B company, 7th North Staffordshire (service) Battalion, C2 M2, rifles, marksmen, stubborn, bombs, 4 LMG’s
1 x 10 South Nottinghamshire Hussar Yeomanry Cavalry C3 M2, 1 LMG, bombs
1 x HMG, 39th Brigade MG Detachment, C3 M2, stubborn
1 x QF 18pdr, 8th Battery Royal Field Artillery, C2 M2
1 Rolls Royce armoured car C2 M2
1 x Bristol Bullet, 2 LMG’s C2 M2
Bicherakhov’s White Russian
10 mounted Cossacks C2 M2, bombs,1 LMG
10 shock Infantry C3 M2, ferocious, 1 LMG, bombs
1 75mm Russian Field Gun C3 M3
1 x improvised armoured car C4 M3, 1 FG, 1 LMG
Central Caspian Dictatorship
3 x 10, lion Company, 3rd Baku Battalion, rifles, bombs, 1 LMG each. C4 M4
1 HMG C4 M4
1 Gunboat C3 M4
2 rounds supporting off table artillery (optional) C2 M2
Pics and battle report to follow!!!
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(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap01.jpg)
The view from the allied lines. Most troops are either hidden out of sight (I left the trench lines empty to begin with as I guessed - correctly - that they would lump their off table artillery into them), or hidden out of view (like the improvised white Russian armoured car on the left)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap02.jpg)
The view from the Turkish deployment. They put a large force up the left flank, whilst holding off their main thrust (the elite 5th Caucasian division) to attack on the coast road. The allies fired their two off table artillery rounds early, hoping to catch the Turkish concentration. It worked. The Turkish field gun on the right was destroyed, and a number of infantry casualties were taken
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap03.jpg)
The only allied troops on the table at the onset were some White Russian Cossacks, the South Notts Yeomanry Hussars, the ramshackle armoured car, and a partially hidden HMG (just visible in the trees)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap04.jpg)
The Allies also had a fairly ropey gunboat, with two poorly maintained field guns (they needed to throw a 5 or 6 just to fire, never mind hit)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap05.jpg)
A good view of the field showing the forward allied unit (a Rolls Royce Armoured car)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap06.jpg)
Turkish lancers put on a show of strength, trying to goad the Cossacks to a 'joust'!
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap07.jpg)
The view from St.Basils church. (The British infantry weren't actually in the trenches at this point. We just put them in for the aesthetic)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap08.jpg)
Turkish heavy weapon position. The British Commander, Major Ley, had spotted it and made it priority number one
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap09.jpg)
On the far right flank, elite Dervish infantry in their distinctive red and white turbaned fez's advance through the corn field, supported by a captured White Russian armoured car.
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap10.jpg)
Dervish infantry approach the oil town
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Damned fine looking game. makes me even more sorry that I missed Vappa this year.
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(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap11.jpg)
British motorcycle recon in the foreground...
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap12.jpg)
a fine view of my new toy, St. Basils!
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap13.jpg)
close up of the 'B' Coy, North Staffs
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap14.jpg)
Colonel Bicherakov, the splendidly dressed but less than martial White Russian Commander, takes up a safe position besides his maker...
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap17.jpg)
At this point, I deployed my first hidden unit, a veteran battery of the Notts RFA, who had orders to stop the left flank Turkish thrust before turning their attentions to the plethora of heavy weapons that Johnny Turk had deployed.
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap19.jpg)
A closer view of the doughty gunners. From the collection of 'The Beast of Bukhara', expertly painted by Mark Hargreaves of 'Over Open Sights'
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap20.jpg)
Turkish lancer and elite White Russian cavalry at full pelt
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap21.jpg)
...and in they go. The first round saw the White Russians lose the melee, however their far superior morale held, whilst the Turks didnt and had to fall back.
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap22.jpg)
The South Notts Yeomanry Hussars wheel about and prepare to mop up the remains of the Turkish left flank assault that has been brought to a standstill by the combined efforts of the RFA and the White Russian improvised Armoured car
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap24.jpg)
The Reverend Green ponders the Great Schism of 1054 whilst all hell breaks out down below....
More later....
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Wow! Pure eye candy! :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Wow!
Tons of lovely troops and terrain! :-*
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(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap25.jpg)
the sole remaining Turkish lancer can be seen limping off in the background. The gallant and victorious White Cossacks were gunned down by the boiling mass of Turks in support
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap26.jpg)
Turkish infantry boldly advance on the White Armoured car..
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap27.jpg)
The main Turkish thrust in full flow. Hordes of them rolling up the coast road, whilst hidden in the town White infantry and Central Caspian Dictatorship levies await the onslaught
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap28.jpg)
A rare Turkish success. Hand grenades put paid to the doomed White armoured car
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap29.jpg)
A fine view of the North staffs now fully deployed in the trenches. Six rounds of Turkish HE failed to find a single target due to the cunning and experience of the British deployment.
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap31.jpg)
The British commander Major Ley in the background energetically directs operations
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap30.jpg)
"Our gunners continued to do great execution against the enemy advance, bringing it to a complete standstill by mid afternoon" (official history)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap32.jpg)
White Russian gunners did well on the other flank from a secure rear position.
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap33.jpg)
At this point the British unleashed their air power (a Bristol Bullet - I cant find a model of the Martinside Elephant, which was the planes actually used in Baku), waiting till the Turks had advanced far up the table to ensure maximum machine gunning time over the enemy
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap34.jpg)
The long advancing shadows of dusk. And the Staffs had yet to fire a shot.
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(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap35.jpg)
The British unleash their hidden HMG at the base of the hill, doing even more execution on the Turkish left hook
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap36.jpg)
In a scene reminiscent of the advance of the Old Guard at Waterloo, the Azerbaijani Muslim Corps Commander, General Ali-Agha Shikhlinski, all guns blazing at the head of a final assault, tries and takes the small hillock from the now dismounted South Notts Yeomanry. Despite killing trooper Grove, the assault failed under the cool aim of the Nottinghamshire's finest
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap37.jpg)
The main Turkish thrust barrels through the town. However Dervish, stormtrooper and Syrian infantry encountered fierce resistance from the dug in Russian defenders.
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap39.jpg)
a final view of St Basils, whose bell tolled in celebration at the end of the day.
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/February%202012/BattleofWolfsGap40.jpg)
The cast. From left to right: Peter Martin, aka 'The Dalai Lama', whose expert defence of the town with the White Russians did so much to blunt the Turkish attack; Adrian Shepherd, aka 'The Beast of Bukhara', game designer (superb work fella!) and provider of so much expertly painted lead; Steve Langan, aka 'Ignatieff', commander of the British; Dr.Iain Blackwood OBE, aka 'V.I.Blackwood', kind (and tolerant) host and expert photographer. And our newest addition, Douglas Blackwood, aka the Azerbaijani Muslim Corps Commander: General Ali-Agha Shikhlinski, who proved a plucky and determined opponent.
A very good game to play, expertly designed by The Beast. In the end we ran out of time to do the final assault on the British trenches. The Turks would have had to reorganise to stand to any chance of overcoming them. In the end though, a fine game, played in the best spirit of The league of Extraordinary Kriegspielers, and with more to come in early March, we cannot wait!!!!
Thanks for reading. Big lesson for me is upload the pics quickly whilst the story is still fresh. I'm struggling on the Colonial page to still recall much of wehat happened in 'The Mote in God's Eye' campaign. Tons of pics to still upload, but can I remember what went on..........
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Another eye-candy story!
You forget the Caspian sea submarine you have!
Oh sorry, I forgot this is historical game, nu submarines presented there....)
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Another eye-candy story!
You forget the Caspian sea submarine you have!
Oh sorry, I forgot this is historical game, nu submarines presented there....)
I seem to recall the British did infact rail some subs up there later on...or am I beginning to believe my own imaginings o_o o_o o_o
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I seem to recall the British did infact rail some subs up there later on...or am I beginning to believe my own imaginings o_o o_o o_o
No, you are thinking maybe of your next game!!!!
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Splendidly wonderful stuff as always Steve :-* :-* :-*
cheers
James
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What a lovely spread and cracking report! Your definition of "a little historical" game is quite different from that of most of us, I am sure.
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Stunning, inspirational stuff :-* :-* :-*
Photos are top notch.
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Great looking game :-* :-* Exactly what I expect from the Kriegspielers. Nice to see the next generation entering into the joyful madness as well!
LB
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Loved ever bit of it….dawn till dusk
Thanks also to Michael for the loan of his Egyptian Cavalry who played the part of the Ottoman Gendarmerie (Jandarma ), “come to arrest the” the British in this version. Unfortunately it was they, the Jandarma and not the British that were busted by dusk
lol
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Gorgeous! Breathtaking! Love the "new toy"-where did you get the church?
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Pure genius!
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Gorgeous! Breathtaking! Love the "new toy"-where did you get the church?
Scratch built by that master of same, David Marshall of TM terrain....
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Great game. Where did you find the historical account? Was it from the British Regimental histories or did you have an Ottoman or Russian source as well?
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Cracking game, looked fantastic on the day :-* :-*
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Great game. Where did you find the historical account? Was it from the British Regimental histories or did you have an Ottoman or Russian source as well?
We used mainly Dunsterville's own account, albeit knowing that it is riddled with personal bias. Good enough for a game
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:o I'm not a gamer.... to see so much of what one has painted (both Turks and Tommies) in one place and in such a fantastic setting makes one go all dewey eyed. Excellent stuff. Thanks for the photos. Pleased that the South Notts Hussars gave Johnny what for on their first outing! :-* :-*
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:o I'm not a gamer.... to see so much of what one has painted (both Turks and Tommies) in one place and in such a fantastic setting makes one go all dewey eyed. Excellent stuff. Thanks for the photos. Pleased that the South Notts Hussars gave Johnny what for on their first outing! :-* :-*
Not a gamer???? A life half-fulfilled be Gads!
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Wow... just wow!
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We used mainly Dunsterville's own account, albeit knowing that it is riddled with personal bias. Good enough for a game
Thanks. I will try to look that up.
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Droolworthy as ever, sir. St Basil's is a triumph, and i love that armoured car with the corrugated iron cladding. Fabulous. It would be a delight to put you chaps and Grimm together for a game. What a layout and battle that would be :o :-*
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Inspiring stuff! Which rules did you use?
Nevermind! It must have been "Setting the East Ablaze", for which I have sent a PM - thanks!
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Pure, distilled envy.
I has it.
Marvellous setup, great photos, great battle report. And that church...
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Holy mother! I think I am now properly depressed! Wooooooooooow... I don't know where to start and where to finish with my praise!
I tell you though... That church is a stunner! Me wants it!
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Beast,
I was shocked that in the group photo you were not wearing a new gong. Steve has informed me that you award yourself one after every action. So what gives?!?
LB
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No medal for the Beast (more affectionately known to his millions of devotees as Adrian Pasha) I’m afraid, as this was an historical recreation and not a 1920? Episode and as such does not count towards Adrian Pasha unrivalled success and medal collection. A collection I would have you note that he has received from grateful (and ever expanding) people of Bukhara.
The Adventures of Dunsterforce by Lionel Charles Dunsterville is available free via the net by means of a well known search engine as is a wealth of other information and photos. My personal photo favourite is of course the Turkish artillery dominating the heights above Baku with complete impunity…if only that had been the case last Sunday.
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Re: Martinsyde Elephant - only 1/72 options I know are both vacforms. One by Rose Panes and by Classic planes. Both OOP and I would imagine you'd need to empty your wallet to buy one these days! Vacform biplanes are not for the faint hearted.
Oddly it is one of my favourite planes and I have the Profile and a Cross & Cockade virtually devoted to its career. Guess I just like elephants.
As to the game....? Stunning does not come close. Just as well I did not see it 'live' as people might have asked "Why is there a lake in this corner?". They would then follow the drool back to my open mouth.
Kind words, but yes a bugger on the elephant. I'd need a 1/56 or at a stretch a 1/48 scale one in any event.
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Absolutely Stunning looking game and BR,but that's what we've come to expect from the League!
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Its 8 degrees below, snow and ice outside and generally miserable. You just chased all that away. Inspirational and beautiful stuff as always. Thank you for sharing this wonderful collection and battle report. Made my day.
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what a game. nice scenery. thanks for the photographs
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I'm not sure how I missed this.
What a joy. :-*
Great miniatures, terrain paint jobs and write up. Most importantly it looks like evryone had a great time.
Fantastic. :-*
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Looks excellent! The miniatures and terrain are superb, looks like you had a blast with this game.
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Beautiful game, just the sort of thing to inspire the rest of us to try and match.
Well, I did say try....
I'll echo some others here and say that the game looks like it was a lot of fun; thanks for sharing the game report!
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If possible, has anyone saved all this deleted pics?.
Thanks in advance!
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If possible, has anyone saved all this deleted pics?.
Thanks in advance!
What da??? This person did not 'move or delete' his pics. I will have a look at the weekend and see what gives with the bucket service....sorry about that.
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What da??? This person did not 'move or delete' his pics. I will have a look at the weekend and see what gives with the bucket service....sorry about that.
Thanks a lot Ignatieff. As I've said at the introductions threat i'm doing some drawings about Dunsterforce's battles and all graphic references will be very welcome. I've readed the comments about your pics and i'm very intererested in all of them.
If possible, could you share your references?. I'm finding lot of troubles trying to get some color pictures of Jangali warriors, and i'm a bit confused about the components of islam army. I'm not sure if they were the Azerbayan army or something similar.
Thanks in advance!! 8)
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Re-posted pics. In broadly chronological order....hope it makes sense
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap01.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap05.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap04.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap03.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap02.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap08.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap07.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap06.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap12.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap11.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap09.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap16.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap14.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap17.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap13.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap22.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap21.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap20.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap26.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap25.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap24.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap33.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap35.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap32.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap39.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap37.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap36.jpg)
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/defoix/Baku%20%20Feb%202012/BattleofWolfsGap40.jpg)
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Still amazing! :o :-*
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thanks
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Wow, beautifull pics!. Thanks a lot!!
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Great photos.
Wargaming at it's best.
:-* :-* :-*
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Wow, this is wargaming nirvana (or porn, whichever suits you) ;)
Fantastic table and minis,
Damien