Sons of Simon de Montfort Wargaming Club Facebook

The Sons of Simon de Montfort Wargaming Club near Loughborough (UK) finally have an official Facebook page. As some of those who follow this blog regularly are already aware, this is our local Club. We recently moved into the rather plush surroundings of Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, Leicestershire where we hold our regular week day games every Monday and Wednesday from 7pm. We're always open to inter-club tournaments, or to provide a game or two for passing visitors to the area. Between all the members we have quite an extensive coverage of periods and rulesets. You can even drop by with one of your own favourite games and gather some interest.

The Facebook link is here: https://www.facebook.com/SonsOfSimonDeMontfort

If you already have an FB profile, then please show us some support and 'Like' the page.

Thanks!!

(Above photo taken from 'The Battle of Belgrade' 1456)

Indian War Party 28mm

Part of my AW Miniatures 28mm Indian War Party I bought from their stand at Triples this year. Great figures and a fantastic price at only £20 for a bag of twenty. The running figure on the far left is the only one that comes as separates (both arms, so you pose them as you see fit). I didn't have internet access for the few weeks I'd been painting these, and only later did someone mention the highly detailed descriptions of FIW Indian dress and warpaint on the Galloping Major site. Nevertheless I had some pics from old copies of Wargames Illustrated to fall back on at least. I used Vallejo Cavalry Brown for the flesh and Brown Sand for the buckskin breeches. We've a club game coming up in about a month's time where these guys will get their first taste of combat against the English Regulars.

Napoleonic Imperial Guard Artillery Bearskin (Reproduction)

I received this through the post last week after winning it on the Vectis Auctions website. I was browsing through their usual listings of toys and military models and was surprised to find a few bits and pieces being sold by re-enactors. I managed to secure this for only £25 plus postage. It's a bit shabby and was apparently made during the 1980's, but with a brush and clean it should look nice on top of my bookcase in the new house. Holding this in your hands gives us some idea of how uncomfortable it must have been to wear one from day to day, but also it's pretty sturdy and highlights how protective they were against sword cuts etc.

U.S 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Memorial Nottingham

Myself and my partner visited Wollaton Hall in Nottingham last weekend. As well as enjoying a bright sunny day at the deer park, I also took the opportunity to photograph the 508th P.I.R memorial which is situated in the grounds. As many will probably know the 508th were stationed there in 1944 prior to their being sent to Normandy, and Holland. There are quite a few photos on the web of their camp on the Hall grounds. Including the above one of an infantryman about to undergo his combat training.

Viking Hirdmen 28mm

I bought a few packs of Crusader Miniatures 28mm Viking Hirdmen from the Colonel Bill's stand at Triples a few weeks back. I finished painting a few after the stresses and strains of moving house. Naturally a new painting area and hobby room was one of the essentials to arrange. I've taken time on all the Saga and Muskets + Tomahawks figures I picked up from the above show (you can see the rest lurking in the background, in various stages of completion). I must say, painting individual figures makes a nice change from batches of Napoleonics. I'll post up more pics when our internet is finally back up and running and I don't have to rely on the local library services!

Battle of Hanau 1813

After three to four weeks of solid painting, myself and Simon were able to finally host the Sunday game at the club. Basing it (loosely) on The Battle of Hanau in 1813, it saw the French forces retreating after Leipzig and attempting to get back to home soil. The Austro-Bavarian army had other plans and stretched itself across their line of retreat in a hope of annihilating them.
One thing I noticed when it was time to set up the game was the volume of figures we were using on such a small area. Despite having a fair size venue, two Divisions of French plus reserves was going to be a squeeze and leave little room for manuever. This prompted the usual observation from folks that such sized battles are probably better fought at 15mm or even 6mm. Nevertheless (like the French) we pushed onwards.
The Italian Brigade rushed forwards towards the right flank of the Austrians and for a time successfully distracted their Cavalry on that side. This gave the French Center and right wing time to spread its units out and deploy some much needed artillery support. The right wing was where the first serious clashes happened with the bold Bavarians sending out their columns to blunt the French advance. Thankfully Lawrence (a new member) wasn't struck by the curse of low-die rolling that older club members are afflicted with, and he made some stunning blows. However, despite this his units were feeling the strain and when more Austrian cavalry came over the horizon (trouncing a unit hanging in the wind) it definitely wasn't looking good. Paul nevertheless asked Lawrence to provide a gap in the lines so his Polish cavalry could speed through. Essentially balancing the odds. The center units at this point had taken some long range battering from the Austrian guns and jaegers, but as the French got near their blood was obviously up and they charged with gusto. Another new guy Keith managed to land the Austrians some hefty punches that sent their columns reeling back - at one point rolling seven 5+6's on eight dice! We left it there with the likelihood of a decent (if hard fought) French victory.

Napoleonic French Dragoons - 28mm Perry Miniatures

28mm Dragoon Regiment I bought from The Orc's Nest on my recent visit to London. This just about completes the Cavalry wing for Sunday's game. The uniforms were painted Vallejo Luftwaffe Green then Vallejo Clear Orange for the facings. I was intending to paint the facings Pink, but noticed I'd run out in both Vallejo and GW. Much of my Russian Napoleonic army is red and green, so just wanted to add a variation on colours a bit. I've still got the dismounted figures to complete so I should get stuck into those sometime this week too.