17 February 2023

A Soviet Steam Roller in Action c.1985

Witness the incredible impact of a well organised Soviet steam roller obliterate a defending American force in this WWIII Team Yankee game. The Yanks did manage to take out most of the T64s, but by that stage the Soviet infantry had managed to infiltrate deeply into the US back line, securing objectives and KO'ing AA and artillery assets. 

Everyone of them, a hero of the USSR!












07 February 2023

Irish Wars - Battle of Curlew Pass, 1599

The English, under Sir Conyers Clifford, managed to flip history on its head by defeating the Irish, under Red Hugh O'Donnell, in this game, based on the Battle of Curlew Pass. 

In the opening stages, the kern in English employ managed to root out a number of Irish ambushes and see them off, before being routed themselves. The English had to deal with the dastardly Irish trick of creating blockages in the road by felling trees and logs to hinder their advances. Eventually the English managed to overcome these difficulties and push on through to confront the 'bare Irish' holding the higher ground.

Despite a group of Irish calivermen performing well, and a few downhill charges by mercenary Galloglaigh, the rebels were put to flight. Of special note was the English horse who spent the whole game trying to find a route through the broken countryside, only to arrive at the front just as the fighting broke off.


Irish Wars Wargame












Nine Years War - Gallowglaigh


Elizabethan Irish Wars Wargame




Monday Games - Germans vs USA WWII

 A Flames of War game:








24 January 2023

Battle of Kulikovo, 1380 - Russia vs the Golden Horde

In this fun game, loosely based on the epic Battle of Kulikovo, we witnessed the Russian Principalities, under Prince Dimitry, 'throw off the Mongol Yoke'.

The Russian right flank defeated the Tartar cavalry before turning on the Golden Horde's centre, killing their C-in-C in the process. The Russian centre remained disciplined and managed to break a key unit of mercenary spearmen, sealing the Mongols' fate.

We used Lion Rampant rules, which aren't really intended for set piece battles, but worked surprisingly well in this case. The game mechanisms can be quite 'swingy' from turn to turn, which adds to the uncertainty and 'fun' of the game.

The low-light of the game, was the disgraceful display by the mercenary Genoese Crossbowmen, who failed, turn after turn, to shoot at the advancing Russians. When they did eventually roll to shoot, they didn't even cause one single casualty! Perhaps they hadn't been paid by their employers, or perhaps they'd bribed by the Russians - we'll never know. Either way, they were left to their fate, as the defeated Mongols retired from the battlefield.








Battle of Kulikovo Wargame


Battle of Kulikovo Wargame