Wednesday 17 May 2017

AWI batrep - The Battle of Freeman's Farm 1777




Last Sunday the Rejects got together for an AWI battle. Postie told us all it was a reenactment of a famous battle, but didn't tell us what the name of the battle was until after the game had finished.
In fact we re-played the Battle of Freeman's Farm, Sept 19th 1777.


The initial set up.


The sides were, Surj, Lee and myself the Americans, while Richard and Ian played the Brits.
To win the game the American's had to destroy the British 1st brigade, in the above photo, centre open ground.


We were told we didn't have much time so had to attack quickly.
Which was a major problem as a lot of our attacking force were in the woods, which meant
 half move until clear.


Lee was on our left, his job was to hold the Brits for as long as possible.
BUT he only had light troops!!


The Brit 1st Brigade sitting in the open.


Me and Surj moved full move forward to close the gap.


Lee moved forward as well, to hopefully get a few pot-shots off at the British line.


In a rather surprising move the British 1st Brigade fell back towards the stream???


Surj began the struggle to get his troops out of the woods.


Richard's Jagers moved to the fence line and lost 2 figures for their trouble.


The Brits started to reorganize their front line. Me and Surj didn't like the look of 
what we were about to attack.


There's a lot of open ground over there??


Oops, my Militia fail a morale check and decide they want to stay in the cornfield!!!


On the left Lee's light troops are charged and decide to withdraw, but that gives Richard the 
chance to hop over the fence unopposed.


Our leader Surj decides we cannot attack the Brits in the centre, it would be suicide.
And he was probably right!


So he decided to push his troops over to the left to put pressure on Richard's advance.


Because the Brits fell back it gave them a better chance to bring up their 2 medium guns.
Which were placed in the frontline, if we advanced we would be cut to pieces.


Ian artillery turn and face the centre.


My artillery fired 4 times and missed each bleedin time!!!


Morgan's Riflemen v Combined Grenadiers
I don't fancy Lee's chances?


As Richard moved forward, Lee moved back.


Surj moved over to the left in a pointless move.


My Militia still won't move.
There was no way we could win now.


Ian moved forward on their left.


So I moved forward again


What's going on over here then??


Yay, my Militia hopped over the fence!


Whoop de doop!
We get reenforcments..........on the left, where we don't need them! Grr!
Back that's what you get when you play reenactment battles i suppose?


By now I'm losing the will to live........


With the Brits advancing I throw in the towel.
Surj wanted to carry on as we still had a chance to win?
Yeh 0,006% of a chance!


I think I can hear the kettle boiling?
I skulked off and made everyone a cuppa.
Lee told me the Brits got reinforcements turn up on my right flank.
Glad I didn't see them I might have thrown more than the towel in!!


And so to the victors.
Richard got the Best Reject award for his valiant advance.


While Ian got a Custard Cream to dunk in his tea!

AAARRRGGGHHH!
Frustration is the word!

Wednesday 10 May 2017

Salute 2017 - Bloggers Meet up


Numbers were down at the annual Bloggers meet up at Salute this year, but it was still great to
meet up with some old comrades for a quick chat.
Above we have from left to right
Legatus Hedlius, Alastair, Reject Dave, Postie, Mark, Young Padwan, BigLee, Simon Miller, Tamsin, Simon, Carl, Jez, Andy, Moi, Provost Marshal, Sir Michael Awdry, Al.






Monday 1 May 2017

Salute Loot 2017


Finally got around to posting my Salute Loot!!
I didn't do half bad, my first purchase were 3 packs of torches from Midlam miniatures. One day they will be added to some figures, ready to set a village alight!!
I had a chat with Martin at Warbases, who showed me his new Roman range, some of the new buildings are quite something, check them out if you've any 28mm Romans. I bought 3 packs of animals to go with the ones I bought a few years ago, and 3 of the new Roman wagons, these will be added to my Donnybrook collection.
I collected a pack of Redoubt Woodland Indians from Col Bill and Belt Fed girl that I'd pre-ordered.
After having a chat with Barry & Toggy on the Warfare Minis stand I bought some mounted French Dragoons, now I already own some Dragoons from different manufacturers, but liked the models so thought why the heck not!
On impulse I also splashed the cash at Sally 4th's stand, buying "The Ancient Souk" market place, once again with Donnybrook in mind, Tangiers here I come again, or it would do just as well in England or Flanders. I also bought 2 packs of tents from Sally 4th....you guessed it, Donnybrook again.
Now my actual plan for te show was to buy some more woodland Indians and have a search for some early Settlers/Militia types for Bacon's Rebellion, So I picked up a pack of figures from Reiver Castings, they may be a tad late but I think they'll do. which brings me on to my last 2 purchases.
Painted figures!!
I can't remember the last time I bought painted figures??


Grubby Tanks were flogging Injuns for £3.50 a pop, so I helped myself to the above, 3 Musket Indians and 3 Commanders. 


Hmm? 12 Handweapon chaps!


 and 12 more bowmen!!


And.......I ummed and erdd about these chaps, once again they're Redoubt figures, which I was 
looking at not 5 minutes before I bought these painted chaps. There were more but these 12 ECW musketeers and 1 leader will be the start of my American/Settler types!
Hoorah!