My year 2016 in miniature

It's once again time look at past year 2016 in terms on my beloved painting, modeling and gaming hobby. And maybe look forward into year 2017, what is to be come from there.

Last year has been quite buys and productive year. I've been painting a lot and have started few new eras of war gaming. Also have participated the usual local conventions with some nice demo/participation games. And one of the highlights of last year was once again trip to Hamburg Tactica.

The only thing I noticed is I've been lazy with my blog. There's not that many articles or battle reports published as previous years, and the reason is that I haven't had that many games last year. I have painted more and tinkered with all those nice models. Maybe I'm becoming more choosy in terms of games I want to spend my time.

Painting

As I said before, there has been fair amount of painting in year 2016. I have continued to build my ever growing collection of WWII miniatures for Bolt Action. During last year I started and completed British and German desert armies with good choice of support weapons. It was nice to paint loads of sand brown vehicles and those iconic adversaries in desert war, DAK and Desert rats.

And when we talk about iconic units I added also small but very powerful team of LRDG jeeps and lorries in my collection. More on these nice  models here.

Unfortunately I haven't had chance to field them but once, but where their firepower scary. Report of that desert incident can be found here. 

Desert wasn't the only new WWII project during last year since I also started Imperial Japanese army for pacific and kit bashed some US infantry for Pacific to fight along the Marines in island hopping. With these US reinforcements I also acquired some Higgins boats to ferry troops on shore. I'm planning to re-run the Tarawa mini campaign once again this year and now with proper equipment and enough troops. I kinda like Pacific theater.

Year 2016 also saw start of not one but two new war gaming periods and massive army building with that. First one was when I agreed to join in AWI starter army deal with my club mate and volunteered buy and paint Continental rebels. This was very intensive painting project when I painted some 130 + Continental miniatures on period of one month. I didn't painted anything else as you might guess. Sounds tedious, but was really quite interesting experiment of how much one can produce on certain period of time.

And if that wasn't enough I went in a another massive painting venture after summer. Some club mates started talking about ECW and TYW project and I was in. So from August I've been painting ECW parliament army for coming ECW campaign which is to start on early 2017 with Edgehill fight. Somehow ECW miniatures have been most joyful to paint. They are full of character and actually quite colorful too. Even the amount of painted ECW figures has been quite substantial I haven't reached the same numbers with that project than in AWI, maybe the year is taking it's toll.

Addition to these main painting projects, i tinkered little this and that, building mainly terrain
piecesand objectives. And yes had two very productive and good table projects with my club mate Kalle. First one was desert table which is featured in many of my Bolt Action AAR's in my blog. The second one was build of modular river table with interchangeable center piece. After having had some mishaps with water effect we realized one of the greatest tables so far.

The whole idea of concentrating on terrain and tables was brought home from last years Hamburger Tactica, where we decided our focus for the year to be a good quality terrain.

Wargames

If I've been quite busy on painting and building, gaming has been little bit slower. Not that many
games a month, maybe only one or two maximum, but that seems OK. Some years ago I decided to go for quality that quantity in gaming. Bolt Action has been on to my list in gaming as in previous years, its' just so good game and interesting theme. In Bolt Action I have had roughly a game in a month which is quite enough. With new V2 rulebook it saw some more gaming activities during autumn. In Bolt we have had traditional gaming days and demonstrations in our Club and in some conventions.

Black Powder was once again activated when we started the AWI gaming after summer holidays. We
started loose campaign and started playing games from Warlords Rebellion campaign book. we started with the first fight and went on until the size of the games exceeded our supply of miniatures. Now the campaign is on hold until more troops will be painted. The Rebellion book is very good campaign book and the scenarios give nice and relaxed games. I really have enjoyed playing them. We also had a participation game of AWI in local gaming convention Ropecon, where our new armies were on display and the game was introduced for interested. We had fun and people had fun, it was all fun.

And them at late last year we had our first ECW fight just to field new troops and take first tasters of the new period. We gathered figures from four gamers and had fairly nice looking fight where Parliament troops met the kings men on the field. The table was bit cramped but the provided quite intense game. And it was true eye candy with all those large blogs of units and flags flying. This we will go back in year 2017 big time with ECW campaign and then TYW battles.

For this I will definitely paint way more figures too since I really enjoy the look and feel of these men with feathers in their hats.

And yes, and one of my oldest gaming involvement continued also last year. Traditional WH 40K games during summer had some 40K games in the Club and then just before Christmas great day with my special War Head friends. Our Civil war inhouse tournament is new classic. Intense day of friendly but unforgiving gaming for bragging rights.

My hobby year saw also traditional weekend in Hamburger Tactica with friends. Tradition that will repeated also this year of 2017. Our Club also participated in PoroCon gaming convention in Helsinki. I promising new gaming con that combines nice all sorts of table top games. This also will be on my schedule for next spring.

Plans, plans... 

My painting plans are quite clear. More Bolt Action armies aiming to have them all! And then the previously mentioned ECW/TYW painting project. And then some more AWI Continentals. And off course something I haven't even noticed yet, but will most likely to venture in...

I have some plans and ideas of some Bolt Action events for next year. Maybe the first will be re-run of Tarawa campaign from two years back. Three game mini campaign of three fighting days in Tarawa. Now with reviewed scenario  rules.

Then on June Normandy D-Day mega game. Game set up I spotted in one of the British gaming blogs which I would like to repeat in some way. It will be D-Day landing on four joined tables spanning from airborne landing until first wave fights itself through the defenses. Involving some six players having the same game. This will test Bolt Actions limits, but would be great fun.

And maybe the year 2017 sees Napoleonic 1813 campaign start in the Club. Which I'll be participating.

and maybe something more...

Black Powder - Hubbardton 1777

Our slow paced AWI campaign continued once again. This time the fight was small advance guard confrontation up in Vermont. Advance guard of Continentals was sent forward to gather stragglers and protect their retreat from British hands. The engagement was fought by the river. Rebel force was facing truly superior British infantry, light infantry and grenadiers, elite in many ways.

The battlefield was dense forest and only the Monument Hill was barren. Forest gave proper cover but was hindering the movement throughout the fight. Not at all typical Black Powder fight but quite typical during AWI.

Continental troops were deployed mostly on top of the Monument hill and few companies from various regiments were sent to watch over the river and check the crossing of British. British troops marched in led by light infantry. Later they were followed by stout grenadiers. British light infantry advanced quickly by the river  and opened fire on Continental companied from other side of the river. Continentals returned fire and fire fight lasted for a while. More British troops came in the forest by the river. At the same time Continental infantry closed by to fire on British troops preparing to assault across the river.

The fight stalled for some time and troops from both sides of the river concentrated on intensive shootout. The the British general decided to attack. Left flank of British troops assaulted across but strong right wing didn't got commands clear and stayed put. British left flank started close fighting with Continental regiments but wasn't able to mount strong assaults. So brave Continentals repelled many assaults of British grenadiers. At the same time one Continental general was frantically gathering stragglers and ushered them away back to their regiments.

The last phase on the fight was when finally British right wing managed to cross the river. At the same time the Continental general somehow got distracted from the objectives, which was to bring his men safe and kept on futile fight against  overwhelming British troops. The poor stragglers were saved, but the Continental advance force was lost in result. Yes, Crown troops won.

British advance guard march to river.

Strong red line prepares.

Continentals start fire fight which was to last for some time.

More British flags can be seen by the worried Continentals.

Prepare for the assault boys!

British launch the assault but right wing misses the command and stays back.

British grenadiers assault.

Continentals defend the hill quite successfully.

Until they break.

The fight is over and remnants of Continental troops retreat.

Really interesting scenario and good hard fight. British were absolutely elite all the way. But Continentals took advantage from the terrain and were able top put up solid fight. Fun game, truly.

Black Powder - Shatterton's Hill 1776

Third game of out gradually advancing series of AWI games. This time the fight was "Chatterton's Hill" from the "Rebellion" campaign book. This was another fight where British troops were attacking the flank of Continental army. To oppose that Continental army was hastily ordered to form a defense on Chatterton's Hill. Fairly large hill by the Bronx river. Good high ground looking over the river with reasonable lines of fire. For the attacker situation was somewhat difficult, since reaching Continentals meant crossing the river. And crossing was to be done either over a bridge or a ford. Crossing elsewhere would need some swimming actions. Stout British forces were accompanied by solid Hessian professional, aggressive and capable army for the attack. Continentals were somewhat mixed bag. One part was decent continental line and another part militia or levy, which wasn't that reliable under fire.

This was the starting situation where the commander of the crown forces general von Heister started his attack. British-Hessian army approached the river in three columns. They had also delpoyed fairly large battery of cannons on small hill to provide long range fire support.The Continentals had two brigades both commanded on the hill. The militia was at front and Continental line as a reserve.

Since continental army have had some time, they had managed to set up nice firing lines just on the crest of the hill, where they waited muskets loaded and powder horns at hand for the inevitable.

British troops advanced rapidly cross light wood and vegetation and soon all crown troops reached the riverbank and opened musket fire. This was joined the battery on the Wolf Pit hill. The musket fire caused some casualties but the cannonade wasn't that effective. Maybe due the long range they had to fire.

Continental reply for the fire was surprisingly quite effective and caused considerable casualties and disorder. The Americans sure knew how to shoot.

There was a moment in the fight when both armies stood their ground and tried to break on another with muskets and cannons. But this was playing for the Americans since they were decent shots and they were able to bring large number of muskets to bear from their high ground.

At this point general von Heister adopted aggressive tactic and ordered Hessians to attack across the ford and one british column across the bridge. Very sensible tactics with good and solid infantry.

Hessians rushed over the ford taking fire and front units managed to reach continental militia. But crossing the ford was so slow that front unit was attacking alone and was beaten back by three battalions of levy.

When the crown army started crossing the river continental militia was pouring lead on Hessian crossing the ford and continental flank did the same on British crossing the bridge.

 British and Hessian attacked over the river in many places and got some local victories. But continental reserves plucked the caps and even more muskets fired on the crown troop fording across the river.

One by one crown battalions were depleted and were forced to retire field. Watching more and more troops withdrawing general von Heister sounded retreat and left the field in good order. Continental flank was secured and the hill was still in at American hands. After a good fight, this was American day.

Nice game once again. Both sides put up a good fight and there was a lot that happened on the table during the game. The game was played in good humor and gentlemanly, as thsi game should be played. Enjoyable time.

Black Powder - Bunker Hill 1775

AWI game once again and quite soon after the first one. This time we picked scenario Bunker Hill from the Rebellion campaign book. Bunker Hill was famous battle of American war of independence, since it showed Continental rebels that British army wasn't all invisible. Historically British won but it was very Pyrhic one, since British lost roughly half of their strength in this fight. Well, this time it went totally differently.

The scenario saw well trained British troops attacking boldly to American defenses on to of the hill. The defenses were manned by rebel militia, much under graded compared the attacker.

British approach was remarkably quick and it surprised the rebels totally. At the same time rebel reinforcements didn't came at the start of the fight. So after only few quick shots from the defender British elite was ready to make bayonet attack. Only solace was that British artillery was left behind and it never too part in this fight. But it wasn't really needed, infantry took care of the fighting and well they did.

After remarkably quick march British troops strong assault on the hill and one by one defending militia was broken and left the fight. And when at the same time only one company of reinforcements appeared, defenders were broken and forced to surrender the defenses and withdraw from them.

The fight was over and British won. It was resounding victory for the Crown with minimal losses. Not really historical outcome.

American militia is looking the enemy forming battle lines and start the solid approach by the sound of the drums. 

British battle line moving ahead.

British officer urging his troops forward.

British right flank closing worryingly.

Militia preparing to fire a volley.

American officers keep the lines steady.

American militia firing.

First assault hit home.

Situation is getting desperate for the defenders.

British broke defender lines and rush in the defenses.

American militia breaks from the fight and the day is British.

This was very quick game. British attacker took the defenses quickly and there wasn't actually much that defenders could do. They were outnumbered and outgunned and no reserves arrived during the critical stage. So American militia did what they could and the they left to fight another day.

Still nice game and loads of bad luck for the defender. Until the next one...

Black Powder - Freeman's Farm

Few days ago we started new gaming era in our Club when the first American War of Independence battle took place. The preparations for this gaming started early this year, when friend of mine ordered Death or Liberty -boxed set from Warlord games and asked who would joint the deal. Well I did and became owner of new Continental rebel army, which I had to paint. I left this to be for a while and then during April I labored hard and painted all 130 plus miniatures in one month. The some additional ones just to bolster ranks. Now we started gaming and tested the armies with a scenario Freeman's farm from Black Powder rulebook. After preparing a table and gathering the appropriate troops for the fight both armies were ready to meet on remote farm.

The fight was part of the Saratoga campaign where British troops were led by general Burgoyne, who was marching towards rebel positions in three different columns separately. Americans were well entrenched and ready, but General Arnold decided to march to meet the approaching British and attack the British while they were marching divided. British had three different brigades and the Hessian one took long route and wasn't able to join the fight at start.

The fight started by British brigade entering the table in marching column in the centre. Column had sent light infantry picket forward to scout. Just after first brigade another British brigade was following on right flank. It had also sent some Canadians and Indians as advance guard.

 British pickets move past the apparently empty farm and the brigade follows still in columns.

 Morgans light infantry and riflemen had been watching the approach in hidden position. Then they open the long range rifle fire to British advance troopers. And surprise redcoats some what. When the first shots have been fired British commanders order their battalions change to line formation and advance rapidly ready to engage the enemy.

 Fierce firefight erupts between British light infantry and American riflemen and behind that British battle lines prepare for the fight. At the same time more Americans started marching in. A brigade of American militia moved swiftly in and formed also a line and started firing approaching British.

 Other American brigade was late to arrive, so British troops had good time to form long line and advance even further in the centre. Light troops continued their exchange of shots.

Then rest of the Americans managed to enter the battlefield this time from British left. Strong rebel brigade advanced rapidly and formed lines preparing to engage.

 Americans on British right fire British lines causing some casualties.

 And British line answer is alike. Now there is intense linear musketry going on right side of the farm. Classical stuff.

Poor Indians have been advanced a bit too deep and get in crossfire and are almost annihilated as a result.

British troops in the centre are locked in fight with American light troops, but they are so well in cover of the woods that hitting them is difficult.

While British are occupied in the centre and leave their left flank vulnerable to American flanking move.

Which they do and move three battalions around British left flank preparing for attack. The lonely British battery is holding the flank.

Other four American battalions keep fighting British around the farm locking British left and preventing them to react the flanking move.

On the right flank British commander orders his brigade to assault American line and hard fighting starts around the fence.

Eventually British break American line which retires from the fence. And redcoats consolidate by the fence. British left flank is not doing so well and it is still getting fire from American light troops and battalions from left. After some assaults and even more firefight British brigade gets broken and is forced to disengage from the fight.

When the fight had been raging already quite some time, last British brigade, or actually Hessian, joins the fight. The fight is now turning for Americans when strong British brigade is withdrawing from the fight. Now the late arrival of the Hessians proves to be fortunate since their arrival is protecting wavering British centre and withdrawing brigade.

In a situation where one British Brigade was leaving the field and another badly mauled in the fight British high command orders the army to retire from the field. Americans watched British leaving the field reluctant to follow since there was quite heavy casualties on their side too and they had won after all.

First game of AWI period with brad new miniatures and nice one too. I really liked the game and all those colorful uniforms and flags made the table a true spectacle.