Your not a Troll!

Well the local gaming store closed this week. Not a huge loss as those who were running it didn't know how to run a retail store and really didn't know how to run a game store. They did have a closing down sale ending this Friday.

I picked up some Warmachine stuff at 50% off their retail. That sounds good except for that they were 30% above RRP to start with.

I quickly painted the Warcaster tonight to test out my red skills. Photos still using the cheap camera.

Highlander Troll

So I needed to fill out 4pts for a 25pt Highlander tournament coming up in May. Its limited to no characters. 1 Warcaster/Warlock, 1 Jack/Beast, 1 Unit and 1 solo. Any remaining points must be spent of jacks/beasts but you cannot take more than 1 of any jack/beast.

Not having a large choice of good cominations I was left with 4pts. Trolls only have 1 beast worth 4pts and that is the Swamp Troll.

Grim however needs a certain type of high class troll in his posse. So not just any troll from the bogs and swamps will do.

He chose this dapper gentleman:

Bam and the Tank is gone

Its been a while since I painted some of my 28mm WW2 figures. After counting up my "to do" pile I have:

2 boxes of plastic Bolt Action British infantry (for Italy)
1 platoon worth of metal Bolt Action British infantry (European style helmets)
1 platoon worth of metal Bolt Action German infantry
1 6pdr ATG
2 Universal carriers (Still on order from the UK)

Oh dear.

So I decided to paint the 6pdr as it was a relatively easy job. However the model didn't come with instructions and I only found out after I had glued some of the bits in the wrong place.
The 3 crew it came with were wearing the European style helmet so I cut the helmet down on one figure and removed the head from the other. I replaced brain cases with parts from the plastic kits. I also needed a crew of 4 for the ruleset we are using for 28mm (Rules of Engagement) so I made up another figure from the plastics.

I also added a few bits and pieces to the base, Tommy gun, SMLE rifle, shovel and rocks. I also tried to cut down some of the shells so the looked like APDS ammo. I gave up after 1 as the tools I had weren't up for it.

So here they are:

Equinox, final figures to fight

Last month my DSLR got stolen along with my Laptop and Xbox. Today I bought a cheap point and shoot to try to get by with. Its hit and miss. Without my tri-pod most of the shots were to blurry. I might just have to live with it however till I can get a decent replacement.

Finished painting all my trolls on Sunday for Equinox this weekend. My first Warmachine tournament and it looks like it will great. I have tested both my lists and I am happy with knowing how my forces works together. However there are over 100 different Warcasters/Warlocks in the game and I have only played a smaller number of them.

Still 7 games of two days will be a good learning experience.

Here are the Trolls:

Tunisian Tussle Game period 1

The battle for Tunisian is on. Both sides have made some interesting decisions on where to focus their efforts.

The Germans have decided that enough is enough Malta has been a thorn in there side for too long. Tasked to take Malta are the Elite of the Italian armed forces the Paratroopers of Folgore and Nembo will take part in this operation supported by the Regio Aeronautica.

The other Axis forces have moved around to reinforce Tunisia from Allied invasion. Leaving the Brandenburgers to attack supply lines throughout Libya.

The Allies have to embark on a conservative invasion of Tunisia hitting Sfax first with British and US Airborne troops to secure the landings for the armour of 8^th Army to land and reinforce. They are met by Italian infantry formations

1^st army and US troops have decided to land at Bougie and have met little resistance from the local French Garrison forces but have to contend with fresh German troops using the northern coastal roads to reinforce the Western approach to Tunis.

The Italian Armoured and Recce troops around Medenine have noticed the 8^th Army have reduced their presence on the front lines and have taken this opportunity to exploit the perceived weakness.

Listed below are the missions for this two week period. Ideal matchups are just the recommended forces feel free to play with forces that you have available. Please email me the results from your games. You can play and submit multiple games over the period, I will average the results to work out the conclusion.

Main Battle 1:

Medenine Line:

Mission: FFA

Points: 1100pts +bonus platoons

Ideal forces: Italian Carri vs British Africa Infantry

Bonus platoons: Axis = Carri Platoon of 4 M14 tanks, Allied = British Rifle platoon (Full strength +Sticky bombs)

Main Battle 2:

Sfax

Mission: Surrounded (tanks must be in separate deployment areas to infantry)

Points: 1100pts +bonus platoons

Ideal forces: British Airborne/US Airborne vs Italian  Infantry

Bonus platoons: Axis =1x  Italian 90mm Heavy AA gun (rof 3), Allied = Platoon of Valentine III tanks

Main Battle 3:

Bougie

Mission: Pincer

Points: 1100pts +bonus platoon

Ideal forces: US/Tunisian British vs March company Germans

Bonus platoons: Due to the Large amount of Naval support both sides may call in gunfire. Treat this as a CT 105mm 4 gun battery without a staff team called in by the command command team (no +1 to range in).

Secondary Battle 1:

Malta

Mission: Death from above (use V2 mission briefing)

Points: 1100pts

Ideal forces: FJ vs CT British

Secondary Battle 2:

Supply lines

Mission: The Raid (Burning empires)

Points: 800pts

Ideal forces: Brandenburgers vs Sudan Rifle company

Tunisian Tussle

We have decided to begin the year with a narrative campaign for Flames of War. This is a new thing which I hope works well.

Basic premise is to have two sides, Axis and Allied. Using emails they make Strategic decisions regarding issues surrounding supply, allocation of limited troops like Heavy tanks, when to conduct raids, troop training and what their attacks will focus on turn.

Once they have decided on their strategy I then create 3-4 scenarios for the players to play over the next two weeks. They must play 1 game in this period but can play more if they want. I then collect the results on how the players did and then use those results to base an update on how the overall campaign is doing. Then they decide on what their strategy is for the next turn. And we repeat the process till a get a conclusion to the campaign.

We have decided on Tunisia as our theme. It has a few interesting limitations on the forces involved. It saw the Torch landings by the Americans, Use of Churchill Infantry tanks and the inclusion of the British 1^st army. It also saw the first use of Allied airborne troops although they were used more for elite infantry than airborne invasions of D-day and Market Garden.

The Germans also are in an interesting situation. They have been on the retreat out of Egypt but have stronger defensive lines. Shipping of fresh equipment and men played an important part of the campaign and the allies first saw how dangerous a Tiger tank could be.

General overall strategic situation 1942:

The Germans and Italians have been in retreat since their defeat at El Alamein. They have fallen back along their lines of supply and have resisted all attempts by the British and Commonwealth forces. They have been ordered to stay and fight as high command have not given up on North Africa.

The British and Commonwealth forces have been fighting in North Africa since 1940 and have had a huge surge in confidence since their victory at El Alamein. However victory has eluded them as the Axis refuse to commit to a battle. The Veterans of the 8^th army are tiring but with fresh troops from 1^st Army and the American forces eager to fight but their strategic use is unknown.

Map:

Freedom rounds! Part 2

Finished painting the Priests for Day of Days. Just need to paint up the staff team, OP teams and the command teams. Oh and paint the unit markings on the Priests. Other than that i am finished for Day or Days, well except for the carriers I need to convert up and paint.

Well almost done.