HMGS / Pacific Southwest

Archive for the ‘Where to Game’ Category

Under the direction and excellent organization of Adam H., another Aero hobbies (Santa Monica CA) game day has come and gone. With several events planned, even the rainy day didn’t prevent active gamers from their appointed dice rolling.  Reported by WR from Wargamerabbit.

Game presentations: WR’s 25mm /28mm Napoleonic game representing a 1805 Elchingen like action, a 28mm WAB Siege and Conquest game (storming the old french castle), and a 15mm FOW desert battle. Three different game write ups given below.

WR’s Napoleonic game was a scenario loosely based upon the battle of Elchingen 1805. Dan brought his early Imperial French so WR rostered up a 1805 Austrian force for tabletop action.

French Lannes V corps: Two French divisions of line and legere regiments (9-10 battalions). One battery of 8lb artillery for each division. Attached light cavalry brigade of three regiments (2x hussar, 1x chasseur a cheval) and 4lb horse battery. Small reserve artillery command of 2x 12lb positional batteries.

Austrian Column under FML Riesch: 8 line regiments (8×3 btns.), small hussar half regiment, my 1790′s carabinier regt for favor, 2x 6lb positional artillery, 1x cavalry batteries.

Table overview with Austrian forces deployed on the hillside (Abbey of Elchingen) and along the right side of photo.

Austrian deployment at start

Austrian plan….hold the hillside with the abbey position, then push the French right flank with strong Austrian force.Even an Austrian can follow those orders.

Austrian massed forces on Austrian left flank await the french appearance

French arrive. Their deployment was one command per turn….so the order of appearance was…French infantry division, French light cavalry brigade, French infantry division, reserve artillery (2x 12lb) if required. First French division arrives below. Two legere and two-line regiments with their 8lb battery.

First French division arrives...

Seeing the approaching French, the Austrian plan is placed in motion.

Austrian left flank advances....with light forces leading. Austrians on hill retain their positions

French expand their deployment and their light cavalry arrive to support their infantry.

French expand their deployment with light cavalry brigade arriving...

Austrians, in parade formations, advance to engage the French legere. Looking good with their SYW tactics. A few supporting battalions in square, seeing the advancing French cavalry.

With stately dressed lines, the Austrians first clashes with the approaching French infantry...

The second French division arrives and advances towards the abbey of Elchingen on the hill. Austrian freikorp skirmishers engage their counterparts as French columns push them back.

French 8lb artillery engage the advancing Austrian close order line.

Austrian lines take losses from French artillery...

French light cavalry call a charge. Some Austrian line battalion retire in confusion or disorder (shaken) before the charge. The second line Austrian squares and their grenadier support stand firm. (game note: Pre-formed squares don’t check morale from declared charges)

After some French cavalry regiments charge, the Austrian line weaken...squares are formed in second line...

Austrian senior command arrives to rally the Austrian lines….

Austrian FML Riesch rides up to steady his troops...squares are formed

Overview of the Austrian left flank action....

Austrian counter-play….Austrian heavy cavalry (using my Austrian 1790′s carabinier regiment for this battle…they never see the tabletop)...position for calling a charge. French are surprised and fall into disorder (shaken). (note the reversed miniature in battalion formation)

Meanwhile, the Austrian right ride up their cavalry to charge the started French infantry...

Charge effects….French infantry routed away, soon the horse battery will be overrun by the battered Austrian carabinier regiment.

French infantry running away after some hard close action, the venerable French horse battery was next to the disordered Austrian cavalry...

French become active on Austrian left flank. Massed columns, artillery firing and cavalry positioned to charge home on the Austrian infantry.

Left flank again, French columns crash into the shaken Austrian lines, French cavalry sound their trumpeters for charge...

Thundering hoofs, the French light cavalry hussars ride over the Austrian infantry line. Sabers carve a bloody path (ride though).

Austrian lovers...don't look...French cavalry ride over the Austrian infantry...pass the heinz...

French right flank view of the preceding...

Re-organizing themselves, the French resume their advance. Austrians on hillside watch the French advance.

French laft flank sorting themselves out after the sudden Austrian cavalry charge...

French sorted out, back in marching formations, they press forward...

French general Dan has the true measure of the Austrians….

French general Dan has"the measure" of the Austrians....Austrians on hill still look down on the advancing French infantry...

With the Austrian left command shattered, the Austrian plan in pieces….time to think about plan B for Austrians….battlefield retirement.

With Austrian left command totally scattered (40%+ loss), the French look unstoppable...

Final overview as the Austrian weakened left disengages and the Austrian position on the hill act as rearguard.

Austrians pull the plug...time to retire for another day.

Good game Dan. Austrians had their moment in time…but your steady pressure with the veteran French infantry won the day along with well timed French light cavalry charges.

Next time…..Always the next time with Austrians.

WR 

Battle of Elchingen 1805: Link for a little background material.

WarHammer Ancient Battles Game (WAB) with Siege and Conquest

From the words of Adam H., the game master and event organizer….the french castle action report:

Mark, Greg, and I were assaulting a French castle with an Army of Normans at arms in the 12th century.  French lords fighting French lords for stinky cheese, hairy women, and red wine.  The defenders were Larry and Marc.  The attacking force outnumbered the defenders and were able to collapse the main wall and pummel through the gate.  The defender’s crossbows proved lethal, as was well as their motivation to halt the Norman onslaught.  The defenders managed to carry the day, while sustained heavy casualties.

A local monk, positioned in the castle chapel, and fast paint brush work, captured the action for history. Photo and commentary below. Additional photos at: Monk Link photos taken by Monk Larry.

Initial set up....Besiegers ready to advance

Defenders on the crumbling walls

While assault is readied, defenders give he besiegers the old VO5 boiling water treatment

After some sustained door knocking, the hinges give way, and the rush is on...

Meanwhile, with some hand of god's assistance, the besiegers swarm the walls, pushing back the defending crossbowmen....

Overview of the melee besides the castle gate. Seems traffic is heavy going both ways on the same lane....crash!

More brawling under the gate...knights push their way in...

With their militia garrison scattering, two brave but foolish heroes try to stem the tide...knights are thinking speed bumps...

The crafy garrison knights seal the gateway, sealing in the besiegers knights, who are chasing down the fleeing garrison militia.

With gateway blocked and secured, all other besiegers defeated, the rallied crossbowmen go hunting knights quest...fish in a barrel.

Castle siege game (background) and WR's Napoleonic game (foreground) at Aero.

WR’s words of wisdom….castles have one way in….and only one way out. Control the toll booth. WR enjoyed watching the miniature medieval action beside his game. Thanks Adam, Mark, Greg, Larry and Marc for the free show.

Flames of War Desert Game

Now some public announcement words from Christian S. and the 15mm FOW game group.

“Since opposition was a no-show, Panzerregiment 8 held a training exercise using the new mission the Tommies seem to like: “Dust Up”.

      

I’m writing this writing this while flying across the country as I left Tuesday morning after the convention on a job that has me in 6 different states in 10 days filming shots for an upcoming Barbara Streisand movie, so please excuse the disjointed tone of the report and chalk it up to “jet lag” and that for me already the convention seems weeks ago.

Both the Labor Day cons have come and gone. The great HMGS/PSW expedition to “Smackdown” in orange county California has gone, saw, conquered, and returned safely.

“How was it?” well that depends on who you ask. I saw the con through my eyes as both a “Game Master” and the President of HMGS/PSW, so my report will reflect that.

First the drive! Going there was quite a chore on a Friday at 5pm just before the last four day holiday of summer but it was expected and the 70 mile drive from my house to Anaheim was accomplished in just over two hours, not too bad all things considered.

I arrived at the Marriott and had been told that I could load in directly to the ballroom from a loading dock just steps away from my table. Yep, no problem! Despite the fact that I had brought four complete terrain intensive games I found a cart, ramps, and quick smooth access. Henry Trembly and Adam Rosenblaum had assured me that we had 10 big tables (more if needed) in the “pole” position were everyone entering or exiting the convention would be sure to see us and our games, again great tables no problem. (basically as large as the area we currently use at the Boy Scout hall)

Adam and Henry man the registration desk.

Smackdown is held in one very large ballroom with everyone from the main crowd of Sci Fi “tournament” (Warmachine, Warhammer, etc) gamers, to board gamers, RPG gamers, Historical games, and the dealers inside. Despite this mix you did not feel crowded and noise for the most part was not a problem. When I say for the most part there was a “Casino night” held Saturday night in the same ballroom to benefit “make a Wish” foundation and when the DJ cranked up at 6pm the noise level became a problem for many of the gamers (us) close to them. I have been assured that next year this little problem won’t be such an issue. Once again Henry and Adam made every effort to address any problems, request, or suggestions we had.

For me and most “miniature” gamers I know “lighting” is a number one issue since ours is a visual hobby, we all work really hard on our miniatures, terrain, and want good lighting to let others see and appreciate our efforts. The lighting in the ballroom could not have been better! All across the room a nice bright, mellow light showed off the hard work put into all the games and let some of us older guys even read the charts without squinting! There were plenty of tables and chairs, HMGS/PSW and the Historical Games section had ten 6’x8’ tables and access to several more if the need arose.

The hotel itself is very nice and right next to Disneyland with lots of shopping, food, and things to do besides “gaming” based on this for the first time in 20 years my wife decided to accompany me to a convention! She had a great time walking around the area, reading in the great lounging spots dotted around the hotel and relaxing in the well appointed room. Our room had a big screen TV, internet, refrigerator, microwave, and was clean, quite, with very comfortable beds. The Hotel staff was very polite and attentive.

Kevin Rousanville and Ralph Patino lead the Chinese to victory in the popular "Boxer Rebellion"

So I have given you my official report now I suppose I owe you all my personal feelings about this convention. Here goes….

For HMGS/PSW this was a must show convention a chance to get down into the southern area covered by the chapter and put on some great games….at this we were very successful. The “Dogs of War”, the “Bengal Club”, the “We don’t need no Stinkin badges” group, Tim Knapp with the “Flames of War” group as well as other members of HMGS/PSW like Jeff McArthur and Chris Lundgren all put on great games and some of these groups put on several over the course of the weekend.

When I say it was “a must show” con I mean that for years HMGS/PSW has been under pressure from members in the south that feel HMGS/PSW is a northern based organization and does not care to support the gamers further south. HMGS/PSW officers have spent a lot of time trying to dispel this perception and show that it is not intentional but just a case of having our cons in a location that fits the budget as well as the demographics of the current membership. This pairing with “Smackdown” allowed us to put on a great show in the southern area (Orange County) at little cost to ourselves.

While the turnout for the convention was good especially for the “tournament” Sci fi players it was by no means great. There was a distinct lack of participants for the Historical games HMGS/PSW members brought. Once again it appeared few of the complainers showed up. There was also a distinct lack of “rank and file” HMGS/PSW members who normally play in these games. I know that people have other commitments but many of us put some of the same commitments aside to help put on a good show and felt let down.

The cause of this “lack of participants” can be attributed to several things in my opinion. First there was the fact that this convention is new, not known for its historical gaming, and the lack of historical games last year my have caused people to not chance it this year. There is also the fact that we now have two conventions within the same geographic area and no one can deny that this hurts us. I know of people that because they had friends going to different conventions could not decide which one they would attend and ended up not attending either convention.

I will also say that for this convention as well as others HMGS/PSW attends, including our own conventions we need to get games listed much earlier so we can get a good strong preliminary events list for people to see. I cannot stress this enough! This is what gets folks excited and talking about upcoming conventions. Friends call friends and get them on board to attend cons as a group. It is what makes people decide whether or not to even attend a convention. We have been trying to get out the word on our conventions but that does not do any good if people then checkout the Preliminary events List (PEL) only to find little of interest there.

"Dogs of War" step up to the plate and deliver a home run with their "Last Tango in Tanga 1914" game

As usual the “backbone” of HMGS/PSW, the “Dogs of War” (group based up around the San Fernando valley but also having members in as far away as the OC and Ventura) came in like gangbusters with a totally new event “Tanga 1914” and based on Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck’s defense of the port town of Tanga in German East Afrika. The “Dogs” once again took home a “Centurion” award for their efforts. There game was marvelous on all levels, concept, execution, speed of play, involvement of all players, and most of all the splendid terrain!

A heroic charge by the Japanese light cavalry dispatch a Chinese gun crew!

The “Bengal Club” (also a San Fernando / Santa Clarita valley group) brought in two games previously shown at other conventions but new to the Orange county area. The ever popular “Boxer rebellion” hosted by Bill Witthans (me) with Doug Kendrick also picking up a Centurion award for terrain, playability, and popularity. Yours truly built the terrain for the Boxer Rebellion and it always gets “wow’s” when seen by newcomers. Our position in the room was such that participants after leaving the registration desk and entering the ballroom were presented with all three games! This had many of them circling and taking pictures of all the HMGS/PSW games, great for us! John and Matt Denny of the Bengal club ran the “Stalag 9” WWII skirmish game where 6 players, Germans and Allies fight it out in a German prison camp to posses “German secret wonder weapons” it’s a bit of a “tongue and cheek” game and always fun!

Unfortunately the Japanese Cavalry hung around a bit to long and got mobbed by angry “Boxer’s”! Well that's “Bushido” for you!

As I mentioned earlier there were other Historical games there by other HMGS/PSW members but I had only a visual on the so I’ll leave that reporting to them, but Tim Knapp picked up a “Centurion” award for his running of the 50’ long “Flames of War” tournament and his commitment to historical gaming!

Some of the characters you find in the "Stalag 9" game. "Hans" and "Der Professor"

Attendance at the con is a bit up for grabs, I have heard the figure of 700+ from convention sources but if that is total for the con or total counting attendance each day I don’t know. I do not think there where more than 3-4 hundred people in the hall at any given time. Now this may seem low when compared to other cons but these are ALL miniature players and that is solid. If we could get that number at one of our cons what a force we would be!

The Dealers room was disappointing, basically Brookhurst Hobbies and Pair a Dice Games with 2 or three Sci Fi game manufactures thrown in. Nothing new there. I will say thought that the people at Brookhurst were very friendly and gave HMGS/PSW discounts on what ever we purchased!

We had no “Official” meeting at the con despite the fact that all the officers were there and ready. We talked about issues and topics in small groups during the day but by the time Saturday afternoon came around we were all to tired to bother and the consensus was to just cancel it until “all” the HMGS/PSW members were once again in the same spot for a con. We hope to do this at a small con probably at the Boy scouts in late January.

Unofficial "captain" of the Dogs team, Tim Daun's face reflects the effort put into these games!

So the bottom line is that most of us enjoyed the change of pace and a bit different experience, we were treated very well by the convention, and for those who for whatever reason want to stay close to their area it is a choice. The fact though still remains that the two conventions on the same weekend IS A PROBLEM and needs to be addressed. The solution would be for the two groups to meet and work out a solution to this. Will that happen? Who knows, it could, it should, there is no reason not to come up with a solution that works and creates a stronger less divisive gaming scene in the pacific southwest!

The pieces of the largest best West Coast gaming convention lie at our feet! Are we too wrapped up in our petty differences to pick them up and put them together to achieve our goals! If Strategicon, Smackdown, and HMGS/PSW all got together and worked it out we would have that, and the power to attract double the attendance we have as separate groups, and yes I’m suggesting a combining of the two conventions….it’s OK to dream…isn’t it?

Yours in Gaming,

Bill Witthans

President HMGS/PSW

vonkluge@ca.rr.com

Friday night at Gamex there was a large scale General Quarters WWII cruiser battle host by the Hong Kong Cavaliers. Harold Hildebrand hosted Coral Sea using Victory at Sea rules. In both battles the USN discovered that the Japanese Long Lance torpedoes were pretty deadly. There were demo’s of Uncharted Seas and Full Thrust. Mostly everyone was settling in and checking in and playing some pick up games. The HMGS/PSW members were attending their third convention in four months! Tomorrow is the big day. The So Cal Crusaders are bringing out a huge Warhammer 40K Apocalypse battle on a 16 foot table. Dave Maupin of the HMGS/PSW is laying down a great looking 100 Years War battle and the is a National Qualifier Flames of War Tournament.
On Saturday the gaming began early and participation grew throughout the day. Eric came by at 2:30pm and mentioned that we were already at last years  attendance of 1,000. There was a great WWII Squad Skirmish game hosted by Rob Boyens, and a Flames of War tournament. Harold set down a great Warhammer Ancient Battles tournament with an Age of Arthur theme. Preliminary reports indicate that attendance exceeded last years numbers by over 10%. It appears that our long winter may be coming to an end. Thanks to all of the volunteers who did such an outstanding job hosting an extraordinary event.