Help with the Irish War of Independence

[the fallen scholar]

Hi Group;

My gaming bud and I are planning on gaming the Irish War of Independence.  I have a few questions: 
Has anyone else tried this time period?
What figures are out there?
What rules set?

I have been seeing a lot on VBCW.  I have no experience with this rules set; could it work?

Regards

Fallen Scholar

[Paul @ Empress Miniatures]

The conflict is actually very interesting and I have played a couple of games which were great entertainment.

The best range of figures is from Musketeer now sold by Gripping Beast. They have a range specifically created for the war. You could use some of our SCW range at a pinch. They are by the same sculpter so fit together.

Osprey have an excellent book on the conflict. Well worth getting as a good overview.

Rules I would suggest are Triumph & Tragedy and / or A World Aflame. Both available from Empress.

Sorry if this appears like an advert it was not meant to 

[swiftnick]

In 20mm there is a range by RHmodels.
We use the Legends of the Old West Rules.

[traveller]

......and if you haven't seen any movies on this theme you must take look at:

- Michael Collins, one of my absolute favourite movies

- The wind that shakes the barley, also a great story

Good luck with your project!

[Brummie]

Musketeer Miniatures is a defo. The figures are fantastic, and given the war never really featured any large encounters, the amount available definitely suit for the skirmish element.

[the fallen scholar]

@ Traveller...
We have watched them both...they are outstanding films!!

Fallen Scholar

[carlos marighela]

In 28mm there are also the old Cannon Fodder range. I think Wartime Miniatures or someone else in Queensland now makes them. A bit hit and miss but some very useful figures.

The Wind that Shakes my Bollocks. Ken Loach's worst film by a long margin, essentially a lazy rehash of Land and Freedom. Its depiction of the politics of the IRA is laughable. In the film they are all working towards a socialist workers paradise with equality for all. That worked out well in actuality didn't it? Pity I'm very fond of Ken Loach's films but this one is pure shite.

[coggon]

Figures in 28mm-Musketeers are gorgeous.

I think Liberation makes a more complete line in 20mm

Rules-Leo Cronin's "Black and Tan Wars" if you can get them.  Not really skirmish rules, and not for big battles, but unlike anything else I have ever played.

I use TFL's through the Mud and Blood for skirmish.  The Triumphand Standards supplement for those rules has some background and 3 scenarios, the last of which is reflects one of the larger actions of the conflict.

Not a fan of "Michael Collins", but I did like "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" (sorry Carlos)

Books-on my shelf I have:

Michael Hopkinson-The Irish War of Independence.

Guerilla Days-Tom Barry

British Voices of the Irish War of Independence (HIGHLY recommended)

Curious Journey-Oral History of Ireland's Unfinished Revolution (not bad if you can get through  the intro)

Raids and Rallies-Ernie O'Malley-the first several chapters are full of scenario ideas

Gallowglass presents a very good list of resources here:


http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=5924.30

[Dashetal]

I visited Ireland several years ago and found three Kerry related books. They deal with the civil war rather than the war of independence.

The Battle for Limerick City- Padraig Og O Ruairc
The Civil War in Kerry - Tom Doyle
Kerry Landing - Niall C. Harrington

The books give a good feel for what took place and are excellent fodder for scenarios.

[commissarmoody]

All good suggestions, and if your looking for  some Free State forces. For the civil war I used Woodbine design British troops with "Gor blimey" caps.
I also have a group in service caps and German Stahlhelms (from woodbine designs Turks range), For the my own force of a AVBCW.

[Blackwolf]

Troubles by JG Farrell is an excellent novel,and amusing too,in an dark way.

[flags_of_war]

I've been looking at doing a couple of games for IWI as well. I have loads of the Musketeer IRA and Black and tans which i would recommend. I need more B&T though as i painted all mine as Scots covenanters.

I watched the wind that shakes the barley last night. Just a usual the Brits are the bad guys movie.

[workerBee]

<snip>

I watched the wind that shakes the barley last night. Just a usual the Brits are the bad guys movie.

A Mel Gibson movie?       

Sorry, couldn't resist.   

Gracias,

Glenn