As discussed here and here, in 2015 we decided to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Waterloo by refighting it in grand style. Although I already had a lot of British, French and Prussians (mostly AB Figures), there were still ‘a few’ (actually rather a lot of!) units that needed painting for the game, as well as the famous walled farms that were characteristic of the battle.
So here’s a gallery of the British units that I painted for Waterloo (all AB Figures 15mm, with flags by Fighting 15s):
Above: The 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards. This unit represents Maitland’s 1st Infantry Brigade of Cooke’s 1st Division. In full, the brigade consisted of the 2/1st Foot Guards and 3/1st Foot Guards. Note that in the Foot Guards, the Regimental Colour was based on the Union Flag and was carried on the left. The King’s Colour was the crimson flag and was carried on the right, as shown here. Infantry Regiments of the Line had the Union Flag as the King’s Colour, so would carry the Union Flag on the right [I’ve edited this, as what I wrote earlier made no sense at all!].
Above and right: The 3/1st Foot Guards in close-up. The Foot Guards’ uniform was very similar to that of the Regiments of the Line. I.e. single-breasted red coats, with coloured facings at collar and cuffs and strips of lace edging the collar and buttonholes on the breast and cuffs. The eight Centre Companies were identified by their white-over-red plumes and shoulder ‘tufts’, while the Grenadier (right flank) Company had white plumes and shoulder ‘wings’ and the Light (left flank) Company had green plumes and shoulder wings. Headgear was the false-fronted, Portuguese-style shako that was introduced in 1812 (often mis-named as the ‘Waterloo’ or ‘Belgic’ shako). Shako-cords were white, except for the Light Company, who had green cords.
All three Foot Guards regiments had dark blue facings and gold lace for officers and sergeants. The grouping of buttons and buttonhole lace identified which regiment: equal spacing indicated the 1st, pairs indicated the 2nd and in threes for the 3rd. The 1st Foot Guards actually had bastion-shaped lace loops, but my eyesight and hands these days can’t cope with doing those in 15mm and more… 🙁
Note that the chief difference between Foot Guards uniforms and those of the Line Infantry were that there was lace edging to the cuffs, plus a strip of lace down the front-seam of the coat. The flank companies also had blue backing to the shoulder ‘wings’, whereas those of the Line had red backing.
Above: The 2nd Battalion of the 2nd (Coldstream) Regiment of Foot Guards. This unit represents Byng’s 2nd Infantry Brigade of Cooke’s 1st Division. In full, the brigade consisted of the 2/2nd and 2/3rd Foot Guards. The uniform of the 2nd Foot Guards was almost identical to that of the 1st Foot Guards above, but note that the buttonhole lace on the breast is now arranged in pairs.
Note that many sources depict the 2nd Foot Guards as being dressed in white overall trousers at Waterloo. However, research has shown this to be incorrect. They were issued white overalls in Paris, during the occupation following Waterloo. This uniform was painted by Dighton and was then accepted in subsequent works as being the uniform they wore at Waterloo. However, they were still wearing the standard grey overall trousers at the battle.
Above: The 1st Battalion of the 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers). This unit represents Mitchell’s 4th Infantry Brigade of Colville’s 4th Division. This brigade was the only part of 4th Division to be present at Waterloo and in full consisted of the 3/14th (Buckinghamshire) Foot, 1/23rd Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers) and 51st (2nd Yorks West Riding) Light Infantry.
The uniform of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was very similar to that of the 1st Foot Guards above, having dark blue facings and evenly-spaced, bastion-shaped lace loops, with gold officers’ lace. However, note that there is no lace edging to the cuffs, the backing to the shoulder wings is red and the position of the Union Flag (which is the King’s Colour) is now on the right [edited]. Note also that all companies in the regiment wore shoulder wings; this was a feature of Fusilier and Light Infantry regiments.
Above: The 1st Battalion of the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot. This unit represents Lambert’s 10th Infantry Brigade of Cole’s 6th Division, which in full consisted of the 1/4th (King’s) Foot, 1/27th (Inniskilling) Foot and 1/40th (2nd Somersetshire) Foot.
Above: The 27th Foot in close-up. The 27th had pale buff facings, evenly-spaced lace (square-ended bars, rather than the bastion-shaped loops of the 23rd) and gold officers’ lace. Some questions remain over the colour of the regiment’s leatherwork; for most regiments this was simply pipe-clay white, but regiments with buff-coloured facings would traditionally have matching buff belts, as well as buff turnbacks on the coat (and buff breeches in full dress). However, the vast majority of artistic depictions of the regiment show white belts and the modern-day re-enactment group have been able to produce evidence for belts being ‘pipe-clayed’. Consequently, I have followed suit and opted for white belts (which is a shame, as I really like the look of buff belts…).
Above: The 27th Foot in action at Waterloo.
Above: Lord Somerset’s 1st (Household) Cavalry Brigade consisted of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues) and the 1st & 2nd Regiments of Lifeguards. Ordinarily, I will pick a single regiment to be representative of the brigade, but in this instance I wanted to show both the Royal Horse Guards in blue and the Lifeguards in red.
Above: The 2nd (Royal North British) Regiment of Dragoons (‘The Scots Greys’). This unit represents Lord Ponsonby’s 2nd (‘Union’) Cavalry Brigade, which consisted of the 1st (Royal) Dragoons, 2nd (Royal North British) Dragoons and 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, representing England, Scotland and Ireland respectively, hence ‘Union Brigade’.
Above: The Scots Greys were mounted exclusively on grey horses and uniquely for the British Army, wore bearskin caps, which makes them a very striking unit and a firm wargamers’ favourite (probably due in no small part to the incredible depiction of their doomed charge in Sergei Bondarchuk’s epic film ‘Waterloo’). However, there are lots of different types of grey horses and my horse-loving wife Sue helped me research the differences when painting this beautiful unit. I hope I’ve done them justice in trying to depict a range of greys.
Above: I make no apologies for showing three pictures of this unit! It’s worth mentioning at this point that the 1st and 6th Dragoons wore helmets and would have been more representative of the brigade and would have been a FAR more useful addition to my wargames army than this regiment (which only fought one battle – Waterloo – during Napoleon’s reign)… But they HAVE to be done…
Above: the 15th (King’s) Regiment of Light Dragoons (Hussars). This regiment formed part of Sir Colquhon Grant’s 5th Cavalry Brigade, along with the 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars and the 2nd Hussars of the King’s German Legion. Like most British Hussar regiments, this regiment had gone through an array of uniform changes over the preceding decade, but by Waterloo was wearing the uniform shown.
Above: The 10th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Light Dragoons (Hussars). In 1815 this regiment, along with the 18th Hussars and the 1st Hussars of the King’s German Legion, formed part of Sir Hussey Vivian’s 6th Cavalry Brigade. However, I must confess that this unit is WRONG for Waterloo, as it is painted in the uniform it wore in the very early stages of the Peninsular War, circa 1808.
The style of uniform shown here, with very tall busbies, was the standard dress for British Hussars for most of the Peninsular War, though by 1815 all British Hussar regiments were wearing either a shorter style of busby or shakos (as shown above). I had a single unpainted regiment of these chaps languishing in my collection and they needed painting…
The 10th Hussars only wore the striking yellow-faced uniform shown here very briefly, only for the first few months of the Peninsular War. They then went through a number of uniform changes and by 1815 were wearing a very similar style to that worn by the 15th Hussars above, with red shakos trimmed in white lace. However, their dolman jackets were plain blue with no contrasting facing colour. Lace and braid was yellow.
Above: The 2nd Light Infantry Battalion of the King’s German Legion (KGL). This battalion, commanded by one Major Bäring, formed part of Colonel Christian von Ompteda’s 2nd KGL Infantry Brigade. The brigade also included the similarly-dressed 1st Light Infantry Battalion and the red-coated 5th and 8th Line Infantry Battalions. At Waterloo, Major Bäring’s battalion was tasked with holding the key walled farm of La Haye-Sainte, in the very centre of the battlefield and well forward of the rest of the brigade.
Dressed in British 95th Rifles style of dark green with black facings, the regiment had some subtle differences, in that they lacked the white piping worn on the facings of the 95th. They also wore exclusively grey coverall trousers when the 95th wore green (admittedly with grey trousers also appearing on campaign). Unlike the 95th Rifles, approximately two-thirds of the battalion was armed with smoothbore muskets, with rifles being issued to the remaining third.
Above: The 1st Regiment of Hussars of the King’s German Legion. Along with the 10th (Princess of Wales’) Hussars and the 18th Hussars, the 1st KGL Hussars formed part of Sir Hussey Vivian’s 6th British Cavalry Brigade, initially being deployed on the extreme left flank of Wellington’s army.
The 1st KGL Hussars wore essentially the same uniform throughout the Napoleonic Wars, being dark blue with red facings and yellow lace, topped with a brown fur busby with yellow cords and a red bag. The style was essentially British, though they had one unique quirk – their busbies had a black leather peak to keep the sun and rain out of their eyes.
Above: Gunners of the Royal Horse Artillery and/or the Horse Artillery of the King’s German Legion (the uniform was identical) load 9-pounder field guns. This uniform remained essentially unchanged throughout the Napoleonic Wars, being a dark blue Hussar-style dolman jacket faced red with yellow lace, grey overall trousers with a red stripe and a Tarleton helmet with black crest, white plume and blue turban.
Above: Gunners of the Royal Horse Artillery and/or King’s German Legion firing 6-pounder field guns.
Above: Gunners of the Royal Horse Artillery and/or King’s German Legion firing 6-pounder field guns (rear view).
That’s all for now! More to follow soon…
[Edited to add] I’ve just seen the trailer on ITV for the forthcoming Waterloo episode of ‘Vanity Fair’ and it looks EPIC! Hundreds of Cuirassiers charging in reasonably well-ordered lines against solid squares of Redcoats… I’ll no doubt be disappointed, but the trailer looks spectacular… I must also admit to enjoying the series thus far and especially the bold choice of 70s/80s rock music accompaniment… 🙂
Having never seen a 3D-printed model before, I’m absolutely fascinated by the ‘supporting structure’ that underpins each model and even completely encases parts of it.
This supporting structure all needs to be cleaned away and BPM kindly provide at least one cleaned-up model with each order as a guide to what needs to be removed.
Some of the supporting structure snaps away very easily between finger and thumb.
The rest of it comes away easily enough with the aid of a small pair of snips or pliers. I found that the join between the supporting structure and the model itself is always the weakest point and I haven’t yet managed to damage a model during clean-up.
Here are my first twelve models cleaned and based, ready for painting. The whole process took about an hour, so roughly five minutes per model. This takes somewhat longer than the clean-up time for a metal or resin model, but there is no construction required aside from attaching the turrets or pintle-mounted MGs and it takes considerably less time than building a plastic kit!
The process to generate a lot of waste, however! This is the rubbish left over from the first twelve models.
I’ve now completed eighteen SKOTs; mostly SKOT-2A, but with a few SKOT-2AP, a pair of SKOT-2, a SKOT-R2, a SKOT-R2M, a SKOT-2AM and a pair of SKOT-R2AM. I found that some models were slightly worse than others in terms of ‘stepping’, but none were in any way bad and mentioned earlier, the slight imperfections are invisible when viewed at normal tabletop distances. Here are some close-ups of the various types:
Above: The basic SKOT-2 APC, here fitted with a DShK 12.7mm HMG. The original SKOT-1 lacked the octagonal ‘plinth’ on the top deck and had additional internal seating. When the plinth was added it became the SKOT-1A and when armed it became the SKOT-2. The Czechs simply called all of these the OT-64 and did not distinguish between the sub-types. The Czechs also fitted some of their OT-64s with a small 7.62mm LMG turret.
Above: The SKOT-2A was the majority type in the Polish People’s Army of the 1980s. It was fitted with the standard Soviet BPU-1 turret, as fitted to the BRDM-2 scout car and BTR-60PB APC. The BPU-1 turret mounted a KPVT 14.5mm HMG, but had a severely limited range of elevation or depression. The Czechs referred to this vehicle as the OT-64A, while NATO incorrectly referred to it as the ‘OT-64C’.
Above: The SKOT-2AP was a further development of the SKOT-2A, which replaced the BPU-1 turret with the locally-produced WAT turret. This new turret retained the KPVT 14.5mm gun, but had much better elevation, enabling it to provide local air defence and making it much more useful in urban and mountain warfare situations. Never as numerous as the SKOT-2A, the SKOT-2APs seem to have been mixed in with SKOT-2As, with perhaps one SKOT-2AP per platoon. The Czechs also used a few of these, but only in small numbers and they didn’t give it a special designation, simply grouping it under the heading OT-64A. NATO incorrectly referred to the SKOT-2AP as the ‘OT-64C(2)’.
Above: The SKOT-2AM was a fairly rare conversion of the SKOT-2A, with a 9M14 Malyutka (AT-3 ‘Sagger’) anti-tank guided missile fitted to each side of the turret, behind an armoured blast-shield. These vehicles were probably issued to regimental anti-tank companies in lieu of the 9P122 Malyutka anti-tank vehicle (BRDM-2 with AT-3 ‘Sagger’). The Czechs also had a few of these vehicles, but again don’t appear to have given it a distinct designation other than OT-64A. NATO incorrectly referred to this type as ‘OT-64C(1A)’.
Above: The SKOT-R2M was the battalion/regimental command post version of the SKOT-2. The Czechs referred to this as the VSOT-64/R2. Butler’s Printed Models provide it with a DShK HMG, but all the photos I’ve seen show it as unarmed, so I’ve left it off.
Above: The SKOT-R2AM was an artillery observation and command vehicle, which was externally much the same as the SKOT-R2, with the addition of a folding frame-antenna. Higher-level command and signals vehicles such as the SKOT-R3 also looked much the same as this.
Above: The SKOT-R2M was a turreted version of the SKOT-R2 that seems to have been used primarily as a company commander’s vehicle. In Czech service this was known as the VSOT-64/R2M.
Fortes Fortuna Juvat 
The Heimatschützen’s sacrifice has allowed time for NATO’s LANDJUT Command to crystallise a main line of resistance along the Kiel Canal. The German 6th Panzergrenadier Division is on the right, with its flank resting on the Elbe and covering the main approaches to Hamburg. The Danish Jutland Division is on the left, holding a wide swathe of land across Schleswig-Holstein, with its left flank resting on the Baltic and the British 1st Infantry Brigade is in reserve. The line is spread very thin, though gaps are being covered by the ubiquitous local Heimatschütz platoons and the line should soon be strengthened by the arrival of the US 9th Motorized Infantry Division, which is presently unloading at Hamburg.
However, not everyone is safely behind the Kiel Canal… Danish and German reconnaissance forces are east of the canal, performing reconnaissance and covering the withdrawal of the surviving German Territorial units and refugees from the east. Among these is the 1st Battalion of the Danish Jutland Dragoon Regiment, whose ‘A’ Squadron is presently in camouflaged positions near the town of Wulfsfelde, approximately half-way between the IGB and the Kiel Canal. Major Simmondsson, commanding ‘A’ Squadron, has the following forces at his disposal:
There are also some German units locally that are initially not under the command of Major Simmondsson. They start the scenario in the locations detailed and only come under Danish control once they have been contacted by the enemy (they will hold fire until spotted or until an enemy unit comes within ambush range):
Rapidly approaching from the east are the leading elements of the East German 28th Motorisierte-Schützen Regiment Wilhelm Florin , which is the spearhead unit for the 8th Motorisierte-Schützen Division Kurt Bürger. At the tip of the spear is the 28th Regiment’s Reconnaissance Group, led by Major Marx:
Above: Elements of Major Marx’s Recce Group avoid the town of Wulfsfelde and head north along the riverbank, before turning west onto a farm track. The bridges along this track have already been assessed by covert pre-war reconnaissance as being capable of taking tanks.
Above: Behind them, the sound of explosions and gunfire announces the presence of West German Heimatschützen in Wulfsfelde. A BRDM-2 scout car goes up in flames as a Panzerfaust finds its mark.
Above: In Wulfsfelde, elements of the Recce Company dismount to deal with the uppity locals, but soon get the worst of it! A dismounted assault fails and they withdraw from the village, covered by their BTR-60. Let the artillery deal with them…
Above: On a wooded knoll approximately 1km north of the town, marked as Der O
Above: A platoon from the elite East German 40th Air Assault Battalion Willi Sanger (regarded by all as the very best of Warpac special forces) has infiltrated NATO lines using uniforms and M113Gs captured from the Schleswig-Holstein Territorial Command and has taken up position at the farm in order to keep the bridge (which had already been assessed as good for tanks by members of a ‘student exchange’ some years previously) open for the East German advance. However, the arrival of the West German helicopters and Danish M41s required them to play their hand early; they’ve now been rumbled by the Danes and their mechanised recce relief force is now burning in the lane…
Above: An M41 moves forward to engage the surviving special forces, but is disordered by Panzerfaust fire from the farm. Meanwhile, the East German artillery have finally woken up and concentrated 122mm fire is plastering the O
Above: The prototype M41 DK-1 detachment ends the argument with the East German special forces, destroying their looted M113G APC with a shot to the rear.
Above: With East German units deploying into battle formation in the distance, the West German helicopters fire again, destroying a T-55.
Above: Undeterred by mounting casualties, the East Germans shake out into battle formation.
Above: At last, the East German air defence units start to find their form and the helicopters suffer a crisis of confidence, scuttling behind the lee of the O
Above: Determined to winkle out the Danish OP on the O
Above: Led by the tank company, the East Germans cross the river and advance on the Danish position.
Above: The East German infantry decide to break with doctrine and conduct the attack dismounted… Anything is better than going to war in a BTR-60…
Above: The RDAF Drakens return for a strike on the East German armour, but this time are driven off by a wall of AAA and SAMs.
Above: The light Dragoon patrols on O
Above: After a sterling effort in blunting the enemy advance, the West German helicopters are out of ammunition and must return to base.
Above: Having given the East Germans a bloody nose for the loss of a section of M41s, the Dragoons disengage.
The game was played with 
We were back in Gettysburg again last week! Following on from our 
The scenario covers the first moves on 1st July 1863, the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg: General Heth’s Confederate Division is marching toward the Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg and has encountered the Union Cavalry Division of General Buford. Heth’s two leading brigades (Davis’ and Archer’s) have deployed to attack the skirmishing cavalrymen and the rest of Heth’s division, along with several batteries of artillery, are hurrying to the scene. On the Union side, the leading elements of General Reynolds’ I Corps has arrived to relieve Buford’s cavalry.
Above: “With a Rebel Yell…” Archer’s small but veteran Confederate infantry brigade charges across the Willoughby Run, hoping to sweep Gamble’s unsupported dismounted cavalry brigade before them… And get shot down in droves… Archer’s assault grinds to a halt on the banks of the Willoughby Run.
Above: Support for Gamble is coming in the form of Meredith’s crack Iron Brigade, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be needed…
Above: At the northern end of the battlefield, Davis’ large Confederate brigade crosses the Willoughby Run and advances along the unfinished railway line.
Above: On Davis’ right, a brief artillery duel results in a magnificent result for the Union gunners as one Confederate battery on the Herr Ridge is knocked out, a second one is damaged and the third battery is temporarily silenced! Calef’s Union Horse Battery, which is closely supporting Devin’s cavalry brigade, now switches its attention to Brockenbrough’s infantry brigade near the bridge, but Calef’s guns are already running low on ammunition following the artillery duel, so have a difficult choice to make: Stay to support the cavalry with diminished results, or pull back to replenish their limbers, leaving the cavalry unsupported…?
Above: Cutler’s Union Brigade moves forward on the north side of the railway to MacPherson’s Ridge, to support Devin’s left flank and perhaps stop Davis’ Confederate Brigade on the banks of the Willoughby Run. However, Davis’ first volley disorders Cutler’s Red-Legs and the Rebel Yell is heard once again as Davis’ men charge up the ridge!
Above: Cutler’s Brigade manage to hurt Davis’s men as they charge up the ridge, but fails to stop them. A return volley inflicts more casualties on Cutler, but still they hold on! The combat is drawn out and bloody – men fall in large numbers on both sides until finally, Cutler is forced to give ground. However, a further exchange of fire sees Davis’s men falter and Cutler throws them back off the ridge!
Above: At McPherson’s Farm, Devin’s cavalry can’t possibly hope to hold out against the massing Confederate infantry. Calef’s Battery still hasn’t had a chance to replenish its limbers, so is only able to provide limited support.
Above: Thankfully, Hall’s Battery, still stationed well to the rear on Seminary Ridge, is providing outstanding long-range fire support and manages to keep the Confederate artillery largely silenced.
Above: Gamble’s Cavalry Brigade continues to hammer Archer’s Confederates. The waters of the Willoughby Run run red…
Above: Meredith’s Iron Brigade still hasn’t managed to get into action. It looks as though Gamble is easily coping with Archer’s attack, though Pettigrew’s massive Confederate brigade is massing in the wooded valley and looks set to attack the Union cavalrymen. It’s time for Buford to pull his cavalry back and allow Meredith to attack the Confederate flank.
Above: Archer’s Brigade is soon broken utterly, though Confederate artillery are now starting to make their presence felt again and the Union cavalry are starting to take casualties. Buford gives the order for them to fall back to the next ridge-line. In the distance, the Iron Brigade engages Pettigrew.
Above: On the northern flank, Cutler’s and Davis’s brigades are now utterly exhausted, having fought each other to a standstill. Cutler launches another charge in a desperate attempt to throw Davis back off McPherson’s Ridge, but to no avail. Heth and Wadsworth both become personally involved in the bitter hand-to-hand fighting, but to no effect. With Buford’s cavalry falling back on the left, Wadsworth finally orders Cutler to concede ground and fall back to conform with Buford’s right flank.
Above: On the southern flank, Pettigrew’s Confederates suffer heavy casualties from the combined effects of Meredith’s Iron Brigade, Gamble’s cavalry and Hall’s Battery and suddenly suffer a crisis of confidence! To Meredith’s astonishment and disappointment, the Rebs retreat back to the cover of the woods along the Willoughby Run!
Above: Brockenbrough’s small veteran confederate brigade pushes hard up the road, but comes under renewed fire from Calef’s Battery and Gamble’s cavalry and his attack grinds to a halt. To his right, Pettigrew’s boys are withdrawing and on his left, Davis and Cutler have fought each other to a standstill. With casualties now approaching catastrophic levels, Heth halts the attack and waits for Pender’s Division to come up…
Above: Having suffered near-perpetual silencing at the hands of the Union artillery, the Reb artillery is starting to build up again on Herr Ridge, but it’s too little, too late…
First apologies: As you know, it’s been a very slow couple of weeks on the blog. This is primarily due to the arrival of a new Hairy Land Shark Under Training here at Fawr Towers, accompanied by constant demands for attention and lack of sleep…
Note that the low-tech nature of African wars generally means that you can simply use the ‘straight’ Battlefront: WWII rules without modern modification. All you need are the models and the Unit Data Cards, which can be downloaded from the 
To précis the scenario: In November 1986, the South African special forces of 5 Recce-Commando, led by Commandant James Hill, were operating deep inside Angola, with the objective of destroying a SWAPO-PLAN guerrilla training camp about 30km north-east of the earlier battlefield of Cassinga and about 20km south-east of the Cuban garrison at Jamba.
Above: Aside from a few sentries, Major James Chitepo and his SWAPO-PLAN freedom-fighters sleep peacefully, unaware of the danger lurking in the treeline.
Above: Captain Herbert Guma’s 1st Company sleeps in its tent-lines near the Motor Pool (ok sorry, I don’t have any tent models…), while Captain Duke Mafoka’s 2nd Company beds down between the trenches and the officers’ accommodation buildings. Captain Raymond Mondlane’s 3rd Company is camped on the far side of the stores and headquarters buildings. All three companies have heavy machine guns positioned in bunkers at the road-entrances and 60mm mortars in weapon-pits to the rear.
Above: Major Luyts leads the rest of his Casspirs in a frontal assault across the ford.
Above: As quietly as they can, 5/1 Commando’s support weapons move into position along the treeline, ready to provide supporting fire for the assault. The Fire Support Group has two Unimog trucks mounting ZPU-2 twin 14.5mm HMGs, another two Unimogs mounting B-10 107mm Recoilless Rifles (proxied here by Land Rovers) and a GAZ-66 mounting twin .50 Cal HMGs.
Above: At H-Hour, the 81mm mortars, recoilless rifles and heavy machine guns open up on the camp and the Casspirs roar at full-pelt across the river!
Above: As Luyts’ assault group charges the camp, the 81mm mortars manage to silence the DShK bunker guarding the south gate. The truck-mounted heavy weapons meanwhile cause utter carnage among Duke Mafoka’s 2nd Company tent lines.
Above: Luyts’ leading Casspir crosses the river and then uses its second action to disembark two sections of Recce Commandos. The following Casspirs move to either flank and close on the trench-lines.
Above: Hill’s assault group closes on the east gate. The sentries desperately fire their weapons at the armoured beasts, but to no effect. There is now utter pandemonium in the camp, as guerrillas attempt to extricate themselves from their tents!
Above: At the east gate, Commandant Hill personally leads the assault on the dug-in sentries. Aided by suppressing fire from their Casspir, two Recce sections dismount and assault the DShK bunker on the north side of the gate, while a further two Recce sections dismount and occupy the trenches on Hill’s left.
Above: The east gate a few moments later; Commandant Hill’s supporting section was suppressed by smallarms fire from the SWAPO sentries, but Hill’s HQ section successfully stormed the trench at bayonet-point! On the other side of the road however, the Recces weren’t quite as successful, being beaten off by the suppressed DShK HMG section. As his men die around him, Duke Mafoka’s position in the officer’s accommodation block looks increasingly precarious!
Above: It has now only been twenty minutes (two turns) since the first shot was fired and the situation already looks desperate for Major Chitepo’s beleaguered command. Chitepo orders his HQ section to load up into one of the GAZ-66 trucks and to make for the Cuban garrison at Jamba. Duke Mafoka’s 2nd Company has virtually been wiped out and the few survivors, including Mafoka, are fleeing for the north gate. Herbert Guma’s 1st Company is still relatively intact, though is falling back toward the Motor Pool. Their HMGs, which were originally positioned on the west side of the camp, are moving to engage the South Africans. Guma himself however, finds himself trapped in the officers’ accommodation. He succeeds in breaching the fence to the Motor Pool and immediately jumps into a GAZ-66. Raymond Mondlane’s 3rd Company is still intact though, and while some of the company move to commandeer vehicles, the rest of the company attempts to establish blocking positions on the north side of the camp.
Above: Seeing movement in the truck-park, Major Luyts calls the 81mm mortars down on the parked rows of GAZ-66 trucks and watches with grim satisfaction as some of them go up in flames. James Chitepo and Herbert Guma now find themselves fleeing for their lives as their transport goes up in smoke! On the south side of the camp, more of Guma’s 1st Company fall victim to South African fire. Guma’s DShKs and 60mm mortar attempt to keep South African heads down, but to little effect.
Above: At the east gate, the heroic Commandant Hill, with help from his Casspirs, successfully knocks out the machine gun bunker and pushes on into the officers’ accommodation buildings. Duke Mafoka attempts to flee across the road, but tragically becomes road-kill as a Casspir charges down the street in pursuit of the fleeing guerrillas! Hill’s HQ Casspir meanwhile, drives into the forest on the north side of the camp, in an attempt to cut off the fugitives’ escape.
Above: With the eastern side of the camp now cleared, Commandant Hill calls his Fire support Group forward across the river in order to more closely engage the remaining DSHk HMG teams and bunkers.
Above: The Casspir in the street luckily manages to spot and destroy a B-10 recoilless rifle team before they could engage the Casspir. A guerilla section does manage to fire an RPG at the Casspir and suppresses it, but those guerrillas too are soon eliminated.
The Battle of Salamanca 22nd July 1812
At last on the morning of the 22nd day of July, Wellington noticed that Marmont’s army was rather more strung out than usual and decided to take advantage of the situation. Concealing the bulk of his army in dead-ground behind the village of Arapiles, he ordered Packenham’s 3rd Division to ambush and then drive in the head of the French column. The rest of the army would then follow up by launching a general attack on the French centre…
Things have been slow on the painting, wargaming and blogging front just lately due to a wedding, an eye infection and tropical heat (anything better than ‘damp’ is considered tropical in these parts), but last week I managed to play my first 10mm ACW game down at the club!
General Heth’s division of A.P. Hill’s Confererate III Corps is advancing on the Pennsylvanian town of Gettysburg, but has encountered General Buford’s Union 1st Cavalry Division who are deployed across the road and are spoiling for a fight. Heth’s leading two brigades have deployed for battle and the rest of his division is hurrying to the sound of the guns. On the Union side, Wadsworth’s 1st Division of Reynolds’ I Corps is also deploying to support the hard-pressed cavalrymen.
In terms of rules, I had originally thought that I would first try Fire & Fury 1st Edition and then move on to the slightly more complicated 2nd Edition. However, on reading 2nd Edition, the subtle changes really appealed to me, particularly with regard to unit quality and weaponry. It was also noticeable that unit firepower has been significantly increased over 1st Edition. From my limited experience of the 1st Edition, it seemed that engagements were decided by close assault rather than fire-fights, so this seemed an improvement, but would it add too much complexity and slow down what is meant to be a game for big battles…? We would see…
Above: Being a card-carrying idiot, I forgot to take photos until well into Turn 2, so missed the opening action… Prior to this photo, Calef’s Union Horse Battery, deployed on the Chambersburg Pike alongside Devin’s dismounted cavalry brigade on MacPherson’s Ridge (here on the left), had opened the engagement in fine style by rolling a 10 and damaging one of the Confederate batteries unlimbering on the Herr Ridge (on the right). However, this meant that Calef was already low on ammo and the Confederate gunners exacted swift retribution, silencing Calef’s battery and forcing it to fall back from the ridge.
Above: Help for Buford’s cavalrymen is at hand! General Reynolds arrives at the head of I Corps, accompanied by General Wadsworth, commanding I Corps’ 1st Infantry Division. they take post on Seminary ridge, near the Lutheran Seminary itself, to observe the developing battle. Note that I can’t yet find any suitable models of the Lutheran Seminary, (nor indeed any other Gettysburg landmark buildings such as the Pennsylvania College or the Cemetery Gatehouse) so the stone house is standing in for the Seminary.
Above: With artillery support now deployed on the Herr Ridge, Pettigrew’s and Archer’s brigades wait at the bank of the Willoughby Run as they wait to see what effect the gunners will have on the Bluebellies.
Above: Wadsworth’s division is split to bolster Buford’s flanks. Here, Cutler’s brigade (represented by the ‘Red-Legged Devils of the 84th New York (14th Brooklyn Militia) ) deploy across the Chambersburg Pike, with Hall’s battery deploying in support on Seminary Ridge.
Above: Meredith’s crack ‘Iron Brigade’ deploy on the left flank of Gamble’s cavalry. However, they are immediately taken to task by the Confederate artillery.
Above: The Iron Brigade suddenly find themselves in deep water, as they’re equipped with Mixed Muskets and are therefore outgunned by Pettigrew’s more numerous Rebs, who are armed with Rifled Muskets.
Above: As Davis’ Mississippians advance, Devin’s beleaguered cavalrymen finally fall back into the dead ground behind MacPherson’s Ridge. To their rear, Cutler’s infantry are forming up along with Calef’s horse battery and Hall’s battery. However, the Confederate artillerymen are earning their pay this day, as they manage to seriously damage Calef’s battery.
Above: As Devin’s cavalry fall back to the left, Davis and Brockenbrough turn their attention to Cutler’s Red-Legged Devils.
Above: Despite being themselves disordered by defensive fire during their charge, Davis’ brigade succeeds in throwing Cutler’s Red-Legs back to Seminary Ridge.
Above: Suffering constant disorder from the Confederate artillery and Pettigrew’s infantry, Gamble’s cavalry brigade and Meredith’s Iron Brigade fall back to the fence-line marking the crest of the middle ridge. Devin’s cavalry meanwhile swing back to protect their right flank from Archer’s brigade, which has moved up to join Davis’ assault up the Chambersburg Pike.
Above: Heth repeats his previous manoeuvre, engaging Cutler frontally with Davis’ brigade, while moving Brockenbrough’s veterans along the railroad cutting to flank the Red-Legs. However, Devin’s cavalry have now fallen back to the woods in front of the Seminary and are themselves in position to flank the Rebs as they advance on Seminary Ridge. Archer’s brigade is hammered by the cavalry and by Hall’s battery and beats a hasty retreat back to MacPherson’s farm.
Above: At long last, Meredith’s Iron Brigade, which has been suffering from near constant disorder thanks to Reb artillery, manages to avoid disorder long enough to manoeuvre against the enemy. Wheeling down the ridge in concert with Gamble’s cavalry, the Iron Brigade charges Pettigrew’s brigade. Hall’s gunners again find their mark and silence the battery of Napoleons at MacPherson’s Farm, while Gamble’s cavalry provide excellent support, disordering Archer’s brigade.
Above: As the Iron Brigade charges home they suffer yet another disorder from a combination of Pettigrew’s infantry and the Reb artillery stationed on Herr’s Ridge. Nevertheless, they manage to put effective fire back into Pettigrew’s brigade and disorder them before contact. The melee is close-fought and while the Rebs lose, they only fall back a short way into the woods – far from the decisive victory that the Union commander had hoped for.
Above: That was where we had to leave it, as we’d run out of club-night time, but all in all, it was a most successful play-test of an excellent set of rules and a cracking little game.
Models and Figures:
In 1805 the invasion of Britain was cancelled and the Marins were re-trained as infantry. However, they soon found themselves back on the water; building bridges and manning boats on various rivers and lagoons during the campaigns against the Austrians, Prussians and Russians during the period 1805 to 1807.
In game terms, these are actually fairly redundant for me, as I play 
A little while ago, the Minions and I decided to get the tanks out for another clash in West German, circa 1984. This would be a first run out for my newly-painted British armour…
Above: The infantry of 1 Irish Guards approach Hafeneinfahrt and dismount from their APCs.
Above: The force commander, Major O’Rasmussen from the Royal Irish Hussars, parks his Chieftain next to the factory, covering the westernmost bridge.
Above: A Soviet BRDM-2 scout car noses round a corner and immediately comes under fire from a West German Home Guard Jagdpanzer, though by some miracle, survives.
Above: “They should have called Fred Dibnah for this bloody job…” Pilot Officer Prune, the attached RAF Forward Air Controller climbs the factory chimney for a better view of the countryside…
Above: …and not a moment too soon! Pilot Officer Prune spots a troop of T-64s and calls in a strike from a 54 Squadron Jaguar. The Jaguar manages to suppress one T-64 and disorder the other, which soon falls victim to a lurking Chieftain.
Above: A lurking Shilka fires at the Jaguar, but to no effect.
Above: Two can play at that game, Comrade… The Soviet FAC calls up a Mi-24 ‘Hind D’ gunship, which immediately moves to engage the Chieftain troop. The Hind is suppressed by Royal Artillery Blowpipe SAM teams, but still succeeds in slamming an ATGM into one of the Chieftans. British infantry frantically dig in nearby… However, the victorious Soviet crew don’t survive to celebrate their victory, as the Royal Artillery Blowpipes swiftly end the Hind’s rampage.
Above: The Chieftain burns…
Above: The surviving Chieftain duels with the surviving T-64.
Above: The T-64 also now comes under fire from MILAN ATGM teams, though Soviet artillery soon deals with one of the MILANs.
Above: Meanwhile, back at the town, Motor Rifles dismount and move through the town supported by BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles and another T-64.
Above: The Motor Rifles are wary of lurking German Home Guardsmen and they know that a Jagdpanzer is prowling the streets.
On the northern edge of town, a Soviet BRM-1 recce vehicle locates some German Home Guard, but comes under panzerfaust fire.
Above: In the town centre, a T-64 moves to secure the central bridge, but bumps straight into an ambush:
Above: At point-blank range, the Jagdpanzer can’t possibly miss and astonishingly, hits something vital, destroying the T-64!
Above: At the church, things also go badly for the Soviets, as the BRM succumbs to panzerfaust fire. The Motor Rifles manage to knock out one of the German Home Guard sections, but are soon repulsed and running from the town, preceded by the BRDM scout cars.
Above: Elsewhere on the battlefield, the duelling T-64 and Chieftain are both soon burning and prowling BMPs emerge from the town, only to be engaged by British infantry armed with Carl-Gustav 84mm recoilless rifles.
Above: Two BMPs are soon burning in the town.
Above: The British infantry advance to finish the job. The RAF Jaguar returns and finishes off the Soviet artillery OP vehicle with a volley of rockets. The Soviet FOO survives, but is soon running for the hills as fast as his jack-booted little Socialist legs can carry him.
Above: The rest of the British infantry stop digging in and join the advance.
Above: Soviet vehicles burn as the Irish Guards move into Hafeneinfahrt.
Above: An overview of the battlefield.
Above: Major O’Rasmussen of the Royal Irish Hussars (on the left) accepts the surrender of Podpolkovnik Ashcroftski of the 40th Motor Rifles Regiment (on the right).
The models are all 15mm models from my own collection: The British and West German infantry, along with the T-64s, Shilka, Jagdpanzer and Fuchs are by QRF. The BMP and BRDM variants are by Skytrex. The M113s and Leopard 2s are plastic kits by Flames of War. The Soviet infantry are by Hurasan. The Mi-24 Hind D is a plastic kit by Revell (actually painted as an Angolan Mi-25 – I’ve since got some Soviet Hind Ds and Es). The Jaguar is a 1/100th die-cast model by Italeri.