The Nyudrev Chronicles

The Nyudrev building society

2011-09-21T21:06:00.000+02:00

And now for that terrible secret concerning the first batch of balsa buildings...(see previous post)

I'm loath to confess...yes...it really hurts to say that...
they were made by my lovely wife. And to make matters even worse, she's better at it than me. Please enjoy the work of Sabrina Nyudrev - Von Wunderheim.

-Buildings in several states of finish. As you can see, the top lifts of to reveal ruins. The miniatures in the pictures give you an idea of scale.-

-ooh, and hedges and fences and trees...-

In the "how to" section on the left you can find a link to the Leadgardens blog, where all is explained to make these splendid "classic wargaming buildings". As if there is any other way to make wargame buildings, in any scale...

I feel a bit silly now, having tricked the love of my life -after all her hard work- into a goblin green sitting room.

Happy gaming

Pjotr

Pictures

2011-09-20T21:46:00.001+02:00

I know it's been a while...but there is so much to tell, I won't even bother trying.

Instead enjoy these pictures of the Grenadiers de Franlysse. They featured here and they are a unit ready for battle know. I haven't got around to painting the wargames table yet, I'll explain later why this is...
But I wanted to see if everything would come together and look right to me.

-Note linen flags, NCO with soldered spontoons, and balsa house in the background.

-ooh, and the hedges and fences...and trees...

And have a look at the biggest Old School or Classic (what's in a name? ah yes, copyright and stuff) wargaming table ever painted...

-How about some 9 by 15 feet of goblin greenish surface...?

-Just a pity it's vertical...but then, who else can say they tricked their spouse in having a goblin green feature wall in the sitting room.-

It did cost me 1745 pots of paint...GW shares went up last month. But, this job is the reason why the games table hasn't been painted...I ran out of green...

So now that all the have to's have been seen to, it's play time.

Oh, and there's a terrible secret shrouding the balsa buildings...but that's for later.
And there's books I picked up, and miniatures arrived from the USA...and...and...

Happy gaming

Pjotr

Update

2011-03-16T22:10:00.000+01:00

First of all you've noticed that it has been really quiet on the Chronicles, which is exactly what I intended. The Chronicles are not the main hobby effort and with less available hobby time last couple of months they where on the bottom of the priority list. So what has been keeping me busy, you wonder?

Most of my available hobby time was spent sorting through thousands of 1/72 plastic soldiers of all makes and ages. The aim was to organise two Napoleonic armies for my local "De Witte Ridder" games club. Basing was to be generic, but primarily for use with the Black Powder (BP) rule set at 2/3 scale. Several stands of miniatures are easily reconfigured to play any rule set possible. In the end it should help the club discover historical gaming for minimum cost and effort and maximum effect. Ludo, a club member also interested in historical gaming, was a big help in sorting the little soldiers.

The "unpainted" miniatures were then glued to bases -six to a base- with three bases giving standard units, four for large, two for small (and as a bonus: the number of bases also being a reminder for the units Stamina value as described in BP) . For cavalry I counted three four horse bases as a standard regiment. I based the scaling down on roughly 1/30 miniature to men ratio.
In the end I managed to put together some 45 infantry battalions, 12cavalry regiments and 14 guns, casualty markers, Brigadiers and CinC. I guess that means I salvaged some 1500 Napoleonic soldiers for some good sized Napoleonic games.

Those of you served with good memory, will recall that one of the projects announced at the very beginning of the Chronicles was Old School (or Classic) ancients war gaming à la Tony Bath. This project has taken a flying start in Phil Olley's Classic Wargaming Journal (CWJ). You will not see much of that project on the Chronicles, maybe some surplus pictures or some such. It is my intention to keep this a long term and exclusive "hard copy" project, as long as CWJ exists anyway. I did discover this "The Rules of Tony Bath" forum, which I intend to join.

I've also been thinking (that's new, Pjotr, be serious now...) and I've come to the conclusion that I wanted to serve to many masters, as they say (don't they?). I wanted my 7YW imagination armies based for classic wargaming, with optional use for gaming with figure tray based game engines (BP, Rank and File, ...). I would be able to split Classic units in two and game with twice the number of units...I'd been working on basing combinations...to find it doesn't work for me. So I've decided to start Napoleonic armies with the delightful "Classic" Warrior Miniatures range of models. I've acquired a reasonable number of French infantry at a recent bring and buy and things will go on from there. No rush, no hurry. The good news is that in the end the imagi-history battles fought by imagi-nation units will solely be resolved using The Wargame or Charge as rules engines and basing matters are simplified. Good thinking, Pjotr...

"So what about all that imagi-thingy stuff?", I hear you cry. Calm down, hold your horses...The DDU is very much alive and might even appear in the Napoleonic wars. In the mean time, units have been listed, paint schemes sorted and several hundreds of miniatures have been ordered. This week restoration of the old SSM's will resume. Also terrain has been defined, trees ordered, paint brought in, buildings planned...and as al my projects will be classic and of comparable scale, that terrain will be usable for all my wargaming needs.

Am I still following my time line? Well considering I want all projects at cruising speed (i.e. fully playable) by the time I retire...I still have nine years to go. So yes, everything is going as planned. I promise that when something I deem interesting pops up, more posts will follow, ...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

A New Year

2011-01-10T14:13:00.000+01:00

Belatedly, but nonetheless a Happy New Year to all readers of the Chronicles. I wish all of you and all those dear to you a wonderful 2011, with lots of love, good health and piles of lead.
(Funny this, somebody I know thought that "piles of lead" were a bodily affliction...he was thinking of..., well you can guess, can't you? Something like this is bound to happen when English is ones third or fourth language.)
I've been flying below the radars the past couple of weeks. Of course there are good reasons for this. Let's just say that due to a few unfortunate events (or rather mishaps), I had little available hobby time. And what I could do in that time was hampered physically (with me hanging together with hooks and threads so to speak) and this has nothing to do with the piles of lead mentioned above, thank you.
Anyway, I decided that I best first fulfilled my hobby commitments I had made to others. In the end, some of you will certainly (or hopefully) enjoy the fruits of that work by mid January.
In the mean time...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Update

2010-12-05T18:29:00.000+01:00

You might get the idea not a lot is happening in Chateau Nyudrev. You might be right...

As I've explained before, I'd rather spend time getting my different projects organised than posting on the Chronicles.
First of all, slowly but steadily, figures are getting painted and restored. You've allready seen pictures of the Hasselse Garde nearing completion. But between painting and blogging, I was loosing sight of something very important: pushing toy soldiers around the tabletop. To remedy this little problem, I'll do two things. The first will not be new to regular readers. I'll step up and make some serious work of sorting out that big box of 1/72 plastics and organising some ad hoc improvised napoleonic units. I guess if I put my back into it I can have everything sorted out, based and marked in a couple of weeks time.

For myself, I had the idea that I could temporary base the SSM troops I now have and use them to game with as they are. Working to restore one unit at a time, replacing an unit which I'll start work on with a finished one would mean that rotating units this way I'd always have enough troops for a game and at the same time get motivated as unit after unit gets the treatment. I've chosen plain beerfelt card to base, using a small blob of putty to fix the figures. Minimum effort, maximum effect.

Of course there's other hobby related stuff going on, but you'll have to read a certain Journal to know what that is about. In the mean time note that last weekend, I had to change the numbers in the "about me" section again.Speaking of Mr Olley and his endavours. Did you know that his Warcabinet has done the "Phoenix thing" and is know again alive and kicking? Of course you do. This is old news isn't it. Anyway, I'm making a point of becoming a follower and placing a link. But first, I'm making dinner.

So you see, the Chronicles are alive, but I don't find every little thing I'm doing worth a special mention. On the blogging side of things, it will really get interesting as units get ready for the battlefield and there is something worth showing and a story to be told. In the mean time you can expect an update...now and then...-ish

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Teaser

2010-11-15T11:58:00.001+01:00

Edited: I replaced the original pictures in this post with better (sharper) ones, but there still is room for improvement. I've also added two pictures.

As I was trying to figure out basing my almost finished Minden castings, I thought I'd take a couple of pictures...just to show of my flag I painted freehand on linen. One side of the flag shows the standard of the Hasselse Garde imagination unit, the other side shows one version of the DDU flag.

The Hasselse garde standard is based on the real life flag of the town of Hasselt and the designs I sketched earlier in my scrapbook. It shows the white and green banded background of the modern day Hasselt flag and the central part of the Hasselt coat of arms combined.

The DDU flag is based on the modern province of Limburg flag. I gave it a twist by having the blue band symbolising the river Maas -"the Meuse" which plays a major part in the DDU economy-, green for the fertile valley of the Maas and yellow for the sandy "Kempa" region consisting of moors and heathland. The central roman lettering are the mirrored initials of Leopold Van Loon, the first regent of the DDU. The second variation of this flag will carry the initials DDU.

I sketched some basing possibilities trying to figure out what would work well for me. The unit still needs two coats of varnish, espontoons fitted and the flagpole finished

Anybody having a 600 Euro state of the art camera laying about and wanting to get rid of it...just send it over. Mind you, I won't pay for the postage.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Classic Wargamer's Journal Volume I, Issue 1

2010-10-19T14:15:00.001+02:00

Strangely enough, I haven't seen much feedback on the first issue of the CWJ. Myself, I'm still taking it all in. So I guess a lot of you are doing just the same as me: enjoying the moment of discovery. But in support of Phil Olley and the CWJ, I decided to do this small post in the Chronicles anyway.

I enjoyed reading Phil's editorial as he wrote another fine example of his "philolleysophy" (sorry Phil, couldn't help myself, I just love that word) under the "Soapbox Time" heading.
I think it's a strong first issue, clearly marking the way ahead for the journal and I'm convinced it will inspire a lot of wargamers -classic, old school, new school, whatever- to refresh their view on the hobby and go on with a new found "élan". I know it did so with me, as I spent yesterday evening painting Minden castings.

Through the CWJ, I even rediscovered Greg Horne's Duchy of Alzheim, which I had -for some inexcusable reason- lost track of. I've put a link in the "Inspiration" section on the left. Note that the Old School ACW blog already listed there, also is Greg's brainchild.

The CWJ is 100% pure wargaming fun, undiluted by merchandising. On second thought, I won't review the contents. Instead I invite you all to at least try an issue. There are two of them now: a pilot issue and the first "real" issue. Even if you don't like it, never mind, you've probably will have spent a couple of pounds or Euros on worst things than the CWJ.

There is one drawback though: I don't think I'll have the patience to wait until January for the next issue to drop in the letterbox. And I don't think issue one will last that long, unless I ration myself to reading two pages a week...now that's a silly and bad idea.

Tonight I'm playing an ancient wargame, using the Command and Colours game system. I'm looking forward to that.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Links, rivers, roads and trees

2010-10-11T14:16:00.002+02:00

Introducing a few more links and some more ideas and finds.

First of all I spent my hobby allowance for the next umpteen years ordering miniatures from the RSM95 (the old Rusty Sabre Miniatures) range. Following C.S. Grants thoughts for a balanced force for horse and musket armies as laid out in his "The Wargame Companion", I'm aiming to build two armies each initially comprising 8 units of line infantry, 1 unit of light infantry, 3 units of medium/heavy cavalry, 1 unit of light cavalry and one battery of artillery.

Remember the inhereted SSM plastics and my E-Bay buy? These will be roughly devided in two to form the first part of both armies. Work has already started restoring the Grenadiers the France. My initial buy of Minden miniatures will be in due course expanded to more Old School/Classic proportions, giving me another three regiments of infantry. RSM95 miniatures will give me another 7 units, leaving the rest to be filled out with Minden. This will give me two armies approximately consisting of 40% SSM, 40% Minden and 20% RSM95. Reconfiguring these armies for rules such as Black Powder, Minden Rose or Rank and File -remember the careful planned basing?- would give me the double number of units.
Of course this will be documented in full -maybe even reconfiguring this blog- as the adventures of the DDU and its armies start happening.

Now, Tony, over at the Prometheus in Aspic blog has shown me the way ahead for my later Napoleonic projects. Although I'm not using hex based rules, nor his army organisation, his miniature painting and basing style are what I'm going for. You can follow -for some time now- his latest posts in the "inspiration" section on the left. I'm a big fan of his writings and sage advice that he gives as "Foy's Laws", which he comments and explains in no uncertain language, which I like very much...sometimes agreeing to disagree...great stuff.
The advantage of all this will be that all classic/old school terrain I build for my imagineering will serve at least two periods. Maybe the DDU will fight under Napoleon, or as part of some coalition against him...who knows?

Which brings me to terrain and I'm not talking about my garden. In the "how to" section I included a link to a recent post at the Too Much Lead blog, because that seems to me the ideal way to make rivers and roads for a classic looking battlefield. The TML blog is already listed in the "inspiration" section of these here Chronicles.
So, that's green paint, rivers and roads sorted out...now, what about trees? Easy that one, Stokes in his Grand Duchy of Stollen blog suggested using plastic trees from a company making cake decorations of all things. I ordered item 2140 from the novelty items section of the Sugarcraft company.

They also do plastic evergreen/spruce trees and they even have a 1 1/4"-non marching- marching band (item S71)...lovely stuff indeed. You can also find bridges, fences and there's even an "army" section. Well if it's good enough for decorating cakes, it's good enough for my wargames table (after eating the cake of course).

And last, but not least, a couple of members of my local games club "De witte ridder" had thrown together all their old 1/72 plastic soldiers in one big box. The plan is to base a number of units and introduce those interested to Napoleonic gaming using the Black Powder rule set. Nothing fancy, just plain unpainted armies as used by my brother in wargame arms Ludo and myself a couple of posts ago, good fun, hopefully lots units on big tables and we'll see how it goes from there.

Well, that about sums up what I wanted to get of my chest. TTFN...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Green, green or green?

2010-09-30T13:14:00.000+02:00

Guess...it's all about paint, green paint.

I was searching for a "classic" basing colour. As I don't have a store selling Dulux "Moss Green" in the neighbourhood, I compared following paints I had in the cupboard: Old GW Goblin Green (hexagon pots), New GW Goblin Green and a mat acryl mix from the paint store. I want both figure bases and base plates to be the same colour, which should also be the table colour.

-Top picture with colours automatically enhanced, lower picture as scanned.-

In reality (as above pictures distort the colours somewhat) the Levis mix really is a good slightly olive green, just a touch lighter of tone than both GW greens and a shade just in between those two. I think I'll go for the Levis paint mix as I can have lots of it made cheaply, and I still have much of it left after making a wargames table for the boys' Warhammer armies (years ago). Also the Levis paint is finely grained/pigmented enough to paint the miniatures bases. Just add a tiny drop of washing up liquid to the water you dilute the paint with, just to break the surface tension.

Also, for the moment I'm not posting that much (yeah, thanks Pjotr, we didn't notice that, duh...). And the hobby time I have left I'd rather spend painting and modelling, so that in due time I can start presenting proper finished units and start developing the DDU story and commence other projects and...and...(I'm getting that 36 hour watch for X- Mas.

Anyway , next post will be the presentation of some new links I've started incorporating in the Chronicles. As always: remarks, comments and suggestions are welcome.

Happy gaming,
Pjotr

Old School ACW

2010-09-07T20:55:00.000+02:00

Just a quicky to share this Old School ACW blog with you. I've included it on the left in the inspiration section, so I'll know when new posts have been made. Of course, if you visit my blog regularly, you'll know too. In the mean time, I've been very busy on the gaming front, but in a very unexpected way. Some of you will find out what I've been up to in a couple of weeks...Also I've been -so very slowly- working on the restoration of Jan's SSM models. A tedious, but very satisfying part of the 7YW imagination project.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

1809 - Une affaire de postes

2010-08-16T02:31:00.002+02:00

Last Saturday I was invited by Stephan for an Old School game using a collection of 15mm Napoleonics in his safe keeping at his home. Stephen (really, with an "e" this time, just to confuse me) joined us later and Stephan moderated and umpired a scenario based on the Battlegames 20 table top teaser "An affair of outposts".

Stephan had cleverly adapted the scenario. We had to form three march columns each and with those troop dispositions we had to enter the "unknown" table/terrain and try and secure a line of outposts at the opposite table edge.
We each had four half battalions of infantry, two companies of light infantry and two squadrons of cavalry. I played Austrians and Stephen got the French. We used a slightly adapted version of Grants "The Wargame" rules. I took a couple of (mediocre quality) pictures of the game which I like to share with you.

On my flanking columns I put my light infantry and cavalry to secure my flanks, supported by a half battalion of infantry. These last were initially to reinforce the centre column of infantry.

-The right column encountered Stephens left flank comprising his two cavalry units. As intended my troops secured my right flank succesfully.-

Originally I wanted to push forward centrally to the opposite table edge with cavalry and light troops guarding the flanks, meanwhile trying to evade the enemy and not get pinned. Once on the opposite table edge I wanted to deploy/spread out left and right and establish a line of outposts. Stephen thwarted these plans by deploying his cavalry on his left and forming an attacking force of infantry on his right flank

-Stephen's columns speeding forward covered to the front by his light infantry.-

-In the foreground my flanking units doing their job. In the background you see (in white) my Austrians forming a firing line to receive the French infantry attack. I moved my left cavalry unit in reserve behind a hill as a support for my infantry.-

-My left flank, forming firing lines, cavalry in reserve,

as the French form attack columns and advance relentlesly.-

-Endgame: the French columns received an unhealthy dose of musketry and the Austrian cavalry charged over the hill in to the flanks of the attacking French seen here retreating.-

At this stage it seemed that what evolved in to a full fledged battle was over, leaving the way open for the Austrians. Having other commitments we stopped the game here, supposing an Austrian victory.

So went my first real "Old School" game with a real opponent. Probably the first game ever where I hadn't had the difficulty of second guessing myself (as Stephan aptly put it). I do thank Stephan and Stephen very much for their hospitality and for welcoming me open armed into their small wargaming fraternity.

All in all, a wonderful afternoon, which convinced me I was on the right track with my "Dietsche Unie" project. And I haven't even mentioned the fondling of each others miniatures, discussing rules and other gaming projects and so much more.

Happy gaming

Pjotr

Soldering on

2010-08-06T07:04:00.048+02:00

No, that is not a typing error in the tittle. Let me explain...

As mentioned in the previous post, I wanted to convert some SSM minitures as NCO's. As two model soldiers of the Grenadiers de France, the unit currently being reconditioned, had damaged muskets, I decided to remove these (ooooh) and replace them with scratch build espontoons (aaaah).

Now this would prove to be the tricky bit. Armed with some 1mm diameter wire, cut to length I set about carving some sort of espontoon "head" to put on the wire staff. Whilst I was busy, I also tried to sculpt a head for the staff of the unit's colours. I was quite proud of the result. But then I just had to compare with the Minden Miniatures "flagpole / espontoon" castings. I must admit that the roaring laughter from those -even though they should know better- looking over my shoulder didn't help...

But then I remembered something which would prove very important in this venture: I had a nephew. Actually, I never forget that, he's after all the only family I have left. But the point is: he's a very accomplished military modeller, winning prizes in modelling competitions, writing articles for modelling magazines and all that sort of thing. And I've seen him do some eyebrow raising stuff with some brass wire and a soldering iron. So I phoned him explaining my problem. A date was set and he would teach me how to solder.

-Left my first attempt (steel wire and carved plastic sprue),

in the middle the Minden cast and on the right the soldered espontoon. I was bit impatient taking this picture,

but a bit more filing should make a perfect spontoon for my SSM's.-

Yesterday I found a store that had all I needed to start soldering myself. For about 15 Euros I had everything I needed. I think the picture speaks for itself, doesn't it. This also means I will be replacing the Minden staffs with brass wire, but keeping the cast heads. I guess you can also do swords and spears and lots of other weapons and implements for toy soldiers.

Maybe it would be a good idea, when I produce the next batch of "Kurzgewehre" to try my hand at a small tutorial, if there is any interest out there. Maybe I'm the last person on earth that didn't know how to solder?

Happy gaming
Pjotr

WIP report, finally...

2010-07-24T09:49:00.002+02:00

well, first up, a WIP report, rather obvious from the title, on the SSM Grenadiers de France and my thoughts on Phil Olley's newest project: the Classic Wargaming Journal.

Having had the "luck" last Monday of hurting my back -doing some 1 scale terrain modeling, I was able to devote some time to the hobby this week. I started with the tedious job of removing flaked paint from the Grenadiers figures. Remember I had already taken care of the flocked bases.
I was rather disappointed to find that quite a lot of flaked enamel paint came of, especially around the lower legs of the models. What I did expect was stripping the paint from the flexi-muskets.

- Removing flaked paint.-

Moving on, I undercoated all affected areas and those bits needing repainting with white gesso. This way the miniatures will be ready to receive new paint.

-Undercoating with white gesso.-

In the mean time I'm experimenting with colouring varnish to simulate the original yellowish varnish (through ageing and some UV bombardment, no doubt) to tone down the new colours. All models will then receive an extra two layers of varnish, just because...I have a lot of varnish in the cupboard. Maybe I should add that by varnish I mean Johnson's Pledge Future Shine acrylic floor polish (also known under other names, just Google to find out what name the product has where you live). I also discovered I'll need to convert some soldiers to standard bearer and NCO's.

That said and done, how about the Classic Wargaming Journal (CWJ)? Well, I love the idea. I will certainly try and have at least one article published. But I do hope the CWJ will find enough contents to keep alive. I think a lot of readers and contributors will be the same people writing, reading and commenting each other's wargaming blogs. I fear there might be a redundancy of contents in the CWJ. So I guess the message is: don't write everything in your blogs and save some special topic for a nice page filling article in support of the CWJ.

Enough damage done for one day...till next time...

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

Books: future and present(s)

2010-06-17T22:31:00.001+02:00

Last Sunday was fathers day over here.

And I did get some presents...I got Harry Pearson's delightful "Achtung Schweinehund" -no surprise there- and John Ellis' "Cavalry-The History of Mounted Warfare" which was a surprise. My oldest son picked up this title from Pen & Sword Military Classics in a bookshop in Gent, where he was following a course. Needless to say a went quite emotional after receiving such lovely gifts (not mentioning the cigars, beer, candy, festive breakfast and cards from the kids).

Anyway -this is what I really wanted to share with you- I was browsing the second Ken Trotman Ltd catalogue for 2010 and found following:
Grant and Olley's Wargaming in History 2: The War of Austrian Succession (Dettingen, Fontenoy and Lauffeld) is being edited and should be ready for Christmas...This means it could be ready in time for my birthday...

These are good times for our hobby...
By the way, would the person having made the ten thousand hit please identify himself...proof delivered by screen-shot will be needed to receive a special -surprise- gift.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Work started

2010-06-02T21:56:00.002+02:00

I've started work on the Grenadiers de France. Why not finish the Hasselse Garde first I hear you say? Well I was jealous of Dave (aka Littlejohn) over at the Lead Gardens blog. When I saw his SSM's, the way ahead seemed clear.

So what have I done so far? If you look back at the pictures of the Grenadiers de France, you'll notice that the minis where glued to cardboard bases and some bases were flocked.

Removing the cardboard bases took a couple of minutes, but I had to find a way to remove the glued on static grass. I took an old paintbrush and pored some Dreft Super Power degreasing agent in a cup. I guessed if it is strong enough to remove crusts from frying pans and ovens it would be a good enough for my purposes. I carefully "painted " the bases with the product and waited some 20 minutes. I then carefully scraped of the softened flock, glue and paint with a not to sharp potato knife as not to damage the soft plastic. I then neutralised the product by washing the last bits of in clean water using an old soft kiddy toothbrush.
I expected some damage to feet and lower legs, but all in all that was negligible. This will be touched up before painting the bases.

Next step will be removing the paint from the muskets and repainting of bases and muskets. The muskets have to be redone as the paint has flaked off of most of them. I'll also be converting new standard bearers and NCO's. But that's for later (although I have basing schemes already written up and sketched in my scrapbook).

I found that time or the varnish used has turned the white on the models slightly yellowish. I can do two things. First of all touch up the damaged gaiters using a slightly coloured white. Or, just paint white and add a tiny drop of a yellow/brown ink to the gloss varnish to finish of. That way the minis won't loose any of their aged character, rather than just repainting parts of the models. I'm starting to feel like somebody restoring an old expensive painting...

Good beginnings I think, ...As ever, it would be nice if you fine gentlemen (and lady) shared your thoughts...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Dilemma

2010-05-13T16:28:00.000+02:00

Indeed.
I was wondering what to do first. Finish the Hasselse Garde Minden unit or start reorganising and touching up a Spencer Smith unit?
I've got something to ponder whilst relaxing on the Eurostar from Brussels to London. Hmmmm, maybe I should pack Grant and Olley's Wargaming in History Vol.1 as an inspiring read for the journey?

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

Fourth and last part of the SSM

2010-05-05T22:02:00.004+02:00

Sadly -or rather proudly- I announce the last series of pictures of the Spencer Smith Miniatures I inherited.

-This fine looking Austrian regiment of dragoons I presume

to be ERZHERZOG JOSEPH-

-Now something of a mystery. If it weren't for the colour of the breeches,

these cavaliers could represent any number of Austrian cuirassiers.

Because of the white breeches I think I'll stick with the ALTHANN dragoons.-

-A number of Staff officers and Regimental commanders.-

-Austrian artillery.-

-French artillery.-

-FREI BATTALION LOUDON protecting the flanks of the Austrian column.-

- Dutch (Netherlandish) IR.9 LOS RIOS, but not quite sure about the standard.

Maybe IR.28 WIED? Anyway, a fine looking Austrian unit.-

-These boys baffled me. IR.43 PLATZ had orange lapels.

Let's just call them the YELLOW regiment.-

And that is that. I hope I made Jan -the former C-in-C of this formidable army- proud to see his troops passing the review and I hope he enjoyed your comments and encouragement as much as I did.

So, what now? Well some thought will go into refurbishing and amalgamating the units, trying to keep as much of the original paintwork intact. I'll also try and create new Imagi-units. The reason is that in my future armies I don't want all Spencer Smith Minis on one side of the table, i.e. I would like a reasonable mix of different makes of miniatures in units representing both Prussia, Britain and their allies -such as the DDU- ("huzzah") on one hand and dito representing the coalition forces ("boo, hiss").

The units will be at approximately 1/20 figure scale for "The Wargame" and other Classic or Old School rulesets. Extra command figures will make it possible to split these in 1/40 battalions for more modern rulesets as Rank & File, Die Kriegskunst, Black Powder, Minden Rose...

Oh, and please take a closer look at The Lead Gardens, if you haven't already. Another very inspiring blog, helping me to define my future plans. There Grolsteiners and Bleiherzen feature in very high standard battle reports with top class photographs. A link has been included in the "inspiration" section on the left.

Well, I hope I warmed some peoples hearts with the latest series of posts. As usual I do welcome and appreciate your comments, remarks and suggestions.

Happy gaming

Pjotr

PS: I'm visiting London 14th-17th May, any suggestions -wargames wise- which I can stumble upon quite by coincidence (SWMBO must never suspect anything)?

Being the third series of pictures of Spencer Smith Miniatures

2010-04-26T21:24:00.001+02:00

Without any comments (on my part), let's get on with it...But for one thing: thank you for the very kind and thought provoking comments. Don't forget: these wonderful armies were collected by Jan and complements should really be addressed to him. Pay him a visit here on his Napoleonic revolutionary wars blog called ça ira.

-Ranking 86th in the French army is ROYAL BAVIERE.

As with the next unit the colours do not fit. I think

Jan used some artistic license at the time.-

-French 106th LOWENDAHL ?-

-Ranking 39th is BOURBON, identified unmistakeably by the colours.-

-ROYAL COMTOIS (59th) might fit the bill here.-

-No4 ROYAL? No6 ROYAL ETRANGER? No18 ANJOU?

I'm afraid the standard is to generic to help identify this unit.

It is French cavalry, isn't it?-

- Les troupes légères pour la petite guerre:

les CHASSEURS DE FISCHER.-

In the meantime I've decided that the Grenadiers de France will be the first unit to get a make-over. The miniatures will be de-based, given a clean with a soft toothbrush and soapy water, flaked paint on muskets will be removed and touched up, bases repainted, faces repainted and finally re-based according to a very cunning plan...more of which later...much, much later...

And there's more, yes, really, ....
Comments, remarks, suggestions, ...you know the drill.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Check this out

2010-04-25T07:38:00.000+02:00

What a find:

Mouillard 7YW French uniform and colours plates

Okay, you probably knew about these but forgot to tell?
I added the link.

Pjotr

Spencer Smith units part two

2010-04-22T21:24:00.004+02:00

Being the second -but not the last- series of pictures of the Spencer Smith models now under my command (some minor editing has occurred since the day of posting)

-I had some trouble identifying these chaps.
My guess is they represent the French BERCHENY Hussars.
In the comments, Musketier rightly suggests they are ROYAL NASSAU.
They are by far the most beautiful models Jan made and already my favourites,
me being light cav and all....-

-GRENADIERS DE FRANCE (ranking 40th) exercising "Charge" formation.-

-And changing over to "The Wargame" line.

These men do know their business.-

-ROHAN MONTBAZON (ranking 32nd) marching by.-

-And back to Austria as I think what are the Hungarian Regiment IR.53 SIMBSCHEN or
maybe IR.37 Joseph ESTERHAZY.-

A lot of your comments were a plead to keep the models as they are (If it ain't broke...hey Matt). I'm still thinking of amalgamating similarly uniformed units by changing facing colours, but keeping the rest of the paintwork intact...good enough for you?

More to come, keep watching this space...

Happy Gaming

Pjotr

First pics of Spencer Smith units

2010-04-17T21:43:00.002+02:00

Well, the post title says it all...

First of all I would like to clarify that Jan, the former CinC of the miniature armies about to be presented to you didn't help me identifying the units. The reason is simple: I really enjoyed the challenge going through the process of studying my meagre reference works and finding which units represented what regiments. So, Jan, when reading this and finding fault with my conclusions...be gentle when commenting.

Remember, these pictures -and others coming soon- is in honour of Jan's work and of his amazingly unselfish act of giving overall command of his 7YW armies to me. Jan, I salute you.

-Regiment LA MARCK, also known as KÖNINGSMARK

This German line infantry regiment in French service ranked 66^thduring the Seven Years' War.-

-IR.16 KONINGSEGG

This is the only Austrian regiment I could find having violet facings.-

-Regiment ALSACE.

Another German unit in French service, ranking 36th.

As with LA MARCK, the ordonnance flag colours confirm the identity of this unit.-

Please keep watching this space as more units pass inspection...As ever, your comments, remarks and suggestions are more than welcome.

Happy gaming

Pjotr

The way ahead

2010-04-09T07:37:00.005+02:00

To use "Ross Mac"'s words: explaining away the magic,but first...

First of all: a big thank you to all visitors and especially to all those who took the trouble to leave a comment. It is very heart warming to see that sometimes something simple can brighten ones day. Please, anyone visiting or subscribing as a follower: leave a little note introducing yourselves, or just say hello. It's always nice and enriching to read someone's opinion or advice.

Second on the agenda: take a look at the "Dressing the Lines" blog run by the well known gamer Roly Hermans of The Kapiti Fusiliers fame (see the link under favourite places). Old meets new in perfect synergy. By the way, Hermans is a Flemish name...just so you know what part of the world those genes came from. There is hope for me yet. The blog will appear under the "inspiration" section.

As for the Magic Easter Box. Yes, the box magically appeared on my dining table and the soldiers took over my house. We are camping in our garden shed and are making plans to invade our own house. The dog is doing a reconnaissance patrol as I write this.
Well, to be honest, the soldiers didn't really march forth out of the box, unless you really convinced yourselves they did. In that case you better stop reading here.

It all started some years ago when I first met Jan and Peter from the Alde Garde (on the picture that's Peter on the left and of course Jan on the right from where I'm looking. Actually Peter is on Jan's right). Now and then I corresponded with Jan through e-mail. Little over two years ago Jan mentioned his Box of Spencer Smith minis. Since that day I have been asking, begging, grovelling, demanding, threatening and asking again if I could have his box full of SSM's. Finally, he succumbed after holding him hostage for about 30 seconds when I met up with him in Rheindahlen.

So, last Saturday we met up again in Gent for the Red Barons & Bylandt & Thunderbolts Convention XXII. There Jan parted with his box of Spencer Smiths, praise him. I'm extremely honoured to having been given such a precious gift and I will carefully consider what I will be doing with these mini's, allways asking Jan's opinion before doing anything to the minis. By the way check out his new French Revolution wargaming blog called ça ira. I've added a link under "inspiration".

As for the miniatures... They are based and organised for the WRG Horse and Musket rules and can be used as is for Black Powder, Tricorn and Musket or Pro Gloria rules and maybe some others I don't know. The main issue is that given unit sizes are of around 12 models. They are not really suited for Charge or The Wargame. Well maybe Charge if you brigade the battalions and treat them as companies. Come to think of it, that way I can even use them for The Wargame rules, using main uniform colours as a guide.

As for the way ahead. Well first of all, I will photograph and identify each seperate unit and post them on the Chronicles as an homage to Jan's work and the beautifully Old School painted miniatures themselves. By then I should have decided if I want to go for 36 or 48 mini batallions. Next the figures will be stripped and repainted, keeping Jan's painting style and even keeping the names of a couple of his original units, adding to them any plastic or new metal minis I can find or buy. So eventually all models will be amalgamated into larger units.

So, as soon as my 7YW uniform books are back home I'll start presenting the units.

Tonight is club night...I'll be gloating all evening, maybe even getting free coffees in exchange for a peep in the box...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

I'm a happy (Easter) bunny

2010-04-04T17:24:00.006+02:00

Without to much comments...just judge for yourselves...

-What is this box doing on the dining table?

Hey, the lid is moving and what are those strange noises?-

-What's happening? Are those toy soldiers?

Help!!! Somebody, help!!!-

-They are taking over the dining room...Save us!-

-It looks like these hussars are part of the vanguard.-

-Even more cavalry supporting the right flank.

By god...there's even artillery near Charge Hill.-

-Better get the wife and kids under cover...-

-Jäger and Hussars covering covering the main body...

that commander does know his trade.-

-Cry havoc and let loose the minimilitivorous dogs of war.-

-There's the last of them, thank God...we might stand a chance yet.-

...doesn't this bring a tear to your eye...
Future posts will make all clear...just enjoy the pictures for now...

Happy gaming, indeed
Pjotr

The Battle of Groeninghe Vezel

2010-03-20T08:15:00.001+01:00

Well maybe not a high class and real battle report as many of you gentlemen and lady produce and maybe not a thorough review of the Black Powder rules, but just to prove we did have fun...

So, as planned the old Airfix soldiers (with a handful of newer Revell mixed in) were organised in a couple of brigades to have a go at Black Powder.

The battle was a very simple set up with two French Brigade attacking British lines. The left brigade commander couldn't get his orders sorted out, lost a battalion of infantry in the process due to Artillery fire and then suddenly all went very fast as the brigade suddenly leapt forward into contact. The British Hussars (on the far end, near the farmhouse in the right picture) attacked the flanks of the French columns and all was over as the French lost two battalions at once. Here we learned much about support in H-to-H combat and mixed combat. One also has to think about defining orders (charging) and using full moves as brigades quickly become disorganised and arrive at the enemy lines in completely the wrong formation. One should try and not move to contact to quickly, but first organise units in a proper formation and then rush in making sure all support is there where you want it.

On the right flank (no pictures I'm afraid) the guard battalion speedily set of and got slowed down in some rough going just in front of the British lines. This gave the British the chance to use their initiative move and in real 52nd at "Waterloo" style enfilidaded the Guard Brigade to finish them of. Here we learned more about manoeuvring units and shooting.

-A minor rules dispute was settled in a very gentleman like fashion.

Not wanting to damage my copy of Black Powder and lacking fresh air, I gave in...

Before leaving for home, I did slash his car tyres...-

Anyway, we now know what to look for in the rules, and what sections need some more studying (especially on my part). We, my former friend Ludo and I, both thought the rules worked well and probably will get better as our games pick up speed and we slowly add more special rules and unit abilities.

Winner of the game were the Black Powder rules (oh, and Ludo came second).

As promised, it was a fun evening. I don't see this project replacing my "Old School" project in any way. Maybe ancient gaming will be the victim, at first...

Happy gaming

Pjotr

The Followship of the Blog and THE most important game of 2010.

2010-03-17T22:33:00.004+01:00

Today a small apology to several people who are not in my blog-following-list-thing-on the left and a few words on the somewhat improvised and therefore nostalgic playtesting of the much talked about "Black Powder" rules.

First of all sorry to all those people who's blogs I would like to follow, but which I don't follow. For some reason some blogs don't accept my "membership". I'm sure it's one of those "settings" issues. Ah well, the world isn't perfect, is it? I'll try and tinker with my blog settings and see if I can join your "Followship of the Blog".

One of the good things of being a member of a games club is having opponents...one of the bad things is having opponents. I was quite comfortable having laid out my four projects. But now I discover, or rather, fear, of being side tracked as fellow club members also have their preferred rulestes and figure scales. For the love of gaming I would quite easily join other gamers already existing projects, but even in Belgium, money does not grow on trees. So...will I allow myself to get sidetracked and maybe let go of one of my original projects. Should I be stubborn and be the only solitaire player in the club, whose only contribution will be commenting other players and sneering at their table top accomplishments?

Anyway...Black Powder. Having decided to give Black Powder a try...no, wait a minute...have I told you you I was Googling Black Powder and found my way to a thread on TMP dicussing a review on Black Powder...I almost pissed myself laughing reading how so called "gentlemen" where reviewing each others posts and comments rather than the ruleset and trying to be just that bit more rude than the other, seeing how two "camps" developed and how some men just couldn't make up their mind and agreed and disagreed with anybody and everybody. The point of the whole exercise seemed to be to get at least one person to apologise for having expressed an opinion.
Oh dear, how sad, never mind...
My message to these table top zeros: "Stop whining, start wanking...", as a British battlegroup commander once said to one of his officers just before an attack (about a minute later I heard his voice in the radio..."Gentlemen, let's rock and roll"... as the world around me exploded with incredible sounds and lights)...but I digress.
So back to Black Powder. What do you do when you want to playtest a rule set...and you don't have any armies...and you don't want to wait another ten years to play the game? Yes, indeed...you go and find that big box full of Airfix soldiers, you also find some beer mats (thank you bar keepers of the Officers Mess) and a tube of wood glue. Next Friday my Airfix Nappies will have their first game in ages...these unpainted plastic heroes of many a battle will rise and fight again. This will be the ultimate nostalgic, old school, yes even sentimental event of this year: the rebirth of my wargaming hobby, a trip to the past,...and it's cheaper than a session of regression therapy. I'm really, really excited about this, yes I am...
Maybe I will be able to salvage my Airfix La Haie Sainte farmhouse? In the end I'll be able to field two brigades of infantry of two or three battalions each, two guns and a couple of squadrons of light cavalry for each side. Maybe, I'll even post a few pictures, just to prove that fun can be had whatever the circumstances. Anyway, this is what it's all about: HAVING FUN!!!!!!.

And so it begins...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

PS: in the Black Powder rules, page 175, a reference is made to 30mm "Rusty Sabre Miniatures" Hussars. Googling didn't give any results. Does anybody have any idea what manufacturer Priestley and Johnson are talking about?
PPS: Oh, and I have my name in print in Battlegames magazine, hurrah. Sadly in Italics as a runner up for the last competition and not in Bold as winner of that competition. Life's just not fair...I hope those weren't my five seconds of fame...that would be sad!

Wargamer Porn

2010-03-04T21:08:00.000+01:00

No, you're not going to see any naked persons pushing around toy soldiers...well not here anyway. That makes me wonder: do you think somewhere on this planet one can find a nudist wargames club?:
-Okay, you can fire that third gun now.
-Hey mate, I've only got two nine pounder batteries on the table!
-No, I meant that tiny three pounder battalion gun at your table edge...

First off all I'm very happy to anounce two new books have been added to my library (this is the wargamer porn bit): Warlord Games' "Black Powder" rules and Ken Trotmans new series -I hope- Wargaming in History, Volume 1, "The Seven Years War" by Grant and Olley.
I think that whoever brought Olley and Grant together should get a medal and his own weight in wargaming figures...The "Seven Years War" book sets a new standard in wargaming books. It contains history, from there on it explains the rationale behind determining the model forces and terrain set up and in the end you get a battle report with the best pictures you can imagine...and this four times over...and then...some extra rules for "The Wargame" (using Frei Corps, Legions and the like...). I think this book is a must have... just because it is out there.
I would like to make one suggestion to the authors. I guess several hundreds of pictures exist from which the ones featuring in the book were chosen. Why not include a code inside the book cover, giving the buyer/reader login acces to a website where all the pictures in the book can be viewed and zoomed. I mean the pictures are just wonderful, but the size results in lots of detail going lost, especially in the panoramic battlefield views. I wouldn't mind seeing some of these pictures on my 17" screen.

Black Powder: what can I say? I can't say anything about the rules. I've read them diagonally, some bits more intent than others. They do look promising, they invite you to play, they make you wish you had a couple of armies ready to deploy, they make you ponder all the clever things you can say to your opponent across the table...Oh, and there's pictures too.
Again a high quality publication, written by some of the better known names in the wargaming retail business. I think these are clear written rules containing a number of time saving mechanisms, but in the end probably giving the same results as more elaborate rulesets. Of course the proof of the pudding is in the eating (or something like that, no?). Warlord games have started online support. I've already downloaded some army registration sheets, quick reference sheets and the inevitable FAQ's. Again, in the book, there are a number of well worked out scenarios -each including a battle report- and eye-candy. These are good times for being a wargamer, bad times for the wallet though.

And next...ACTION 2010...The Rheindahlen wargames convention.

I finally made it to a wargames convention. I had everything ready the evening before, good for an early start. I did forget my lunch box, which was on the table next to my digital camera...bother...
I had a great day. I had fun going round the tables, chatting with gamers from Germany, Britain, America, the Netherlands and good old Belgium. I really enjoyed meeting up with a long time E-mail correspondent and the other half of his wargames club the "Alde Garde" . These two guys gave a fantastic new set up every year, go take a look on their webpage...My club demonstrated a WW2 Blitzkrieg Commander game based on the local "battle for Hechtel" in September 1944 between part of the Guards division and German Fallshirmjäger units in a bid to secure the springboard for operation Market Garden. The game table was just wonderful and reconstructed the village of Hechtel anno 1944. If you held your eyes at table level, it was as if you where there. Great stuff and in my mind the best table at the convention, well done guys. You will have to imagine the pictures...great aren't they?
I also had great fun browsing the retailers...boy...those prices...I think I will revert to solely internet buying straight from the manufacturers. I did manage to pick up some 15mm WW2 lead at 25% bargain prices, only to dicover that his prices were 20% more expensive than other traders, giving me a net saving of 5%. I had unbelievable fun fondling the floppy latex rubber terrain from -was it?- JR miniatures. (That bit of kinky wargames porn was not intended). And I spent to much time drooling over Perry, Foundry, Victrix and other figures at the superb stall of "Dave Thomas - 28mm figures from a multitupde of manufacturers". I also found three Osprey Prussian 7YW army books for 6.5 euro (about £6 each).
My greatest buys where, however: two Jamaica Ginger cakes, two Golden Syrup cakes, one large box of assorted Jacob's crackers and biscuits, 10 Flake chocolate bars, two large packs of Tetleys tea, two packs of Bramley apple pies, a pot of custard powder, four packs of fresh scones and crumpets, a large bottle of HP sauce, Branston brown pickles, jelly babies...as I raided the local NAAFI store in search of some great British comfort food...
Sadly, it was announced that this was probably the second last convention held by the club...

Well that's it for today. Stay tuned and be patient...things are still evolving and slowly taking shape...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

I say, I say, I say...

2010-02-15T09:29:00.003+01:00

Pjotr: I say, I say, I say, ...
All: What do you say?
Pjotr: My Spencer Smiths have no nose?!
All: How do they smell?
Pjotr: Terrible!!!!!

On the blog front all is quiet, but plans are being made, old stuff sold off in various b&b's, a visit to Action 2010 in Rheindahlen has been planned, rules are being hoarded, I re-inlisted as a member of the local De Witte Ridder gamesclub. I might have found a conspiring brother-in-arms with this fellow running the Unpainted Lead Syndrome blog. Ludo and his friend Stef share some ideas with me and I think something playable can come from this...we'll see.
And a big thank you to all you gentlemen (and lady) commenting on my last couple of posts, especially the T-i-C one, that was very educational...

No nose,... smells terrible,...very funny Pete, way to go, lol and stuff...been sniffing acrylic paint again?..at last?

Happy gaming
Pjotr

T-i-C

2010-01-26T14:36:00.002+01:00

The Spencer Smith plastics have been de-flashed and washed -twice- in warm soapy water. They already look presentable. I'll post no pics this time. So let's throw a stick in the hen house...

I've been musing on that famous "tongue in cheeck" humour almost everybody is talking or writing about. I mean, do you have to use it to be classed as Classic or Old School and aren't you allowed to use it to be "modern". Some already consider a French unit named Regiment du Camembert or a general called Boursin as T-i-C. Some people -I feel- are just trying to hard ,but -to my taste- it does only really work when it comes sporadically and naturally. Unless of course you're making a movie or writing a book, gently poking fun at some aspects of a certain genre, while still relying on its conventions. And if writing gaming rules or books: what genre is the subject of the T-i-C humour? Real war, the gamers themselves or other game rules?
So, yes, I do think T-i-C is a bit overrated. Maybe one should, when writing something not to be taken seriously, just use a subtle sarcasm or use a more ironic, slyly humorous writing style, instead of all that T-i-C stuff.
Or is it me living "abroad" -being Belgian, no less- that I just don't get it? I guess that's what happens to a population that lives in Europes most fought over and occupied piece of land: they loose their sense of humour.
Now where is that chocolate?

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

Recruiting cavalry and "classic" Vs. "Modern"

2010-01-22T20:33:00.001+01:00

This time introducing the birth, or rather, conception of a new unit. And some thoughts on unit organisation.

Leopold sat in his office wondering why it was taking Kolonel Nyudrev that long to equip what was to be his prime unit. But he guessed that in a young State as the DDU it would not be simple to set up or change, from one day to another, all the administration and regulations and laws so that even the smallest thing as paying for uniform buttons could be performed. But he knew (from his "inside" men) Kevinovich Nyudrev was earning his pay.
More importantly, he had just heard of a band of horsemen roaming the east banks of the river Meuse. He suspected they were former Flemish-Austrian cavalry that had deserted. His idea was -as he didn't have the means to try and catch them- to find a way to approach them and offer them a job as the first cavalry unit of the DDU army. That way he would have solved the problem of the rogue horsemen holding up merchants and travelers and at the same time he would have the means to catch other highwaymen. Maybe they could even serve as his mounted bodyguard, or as messengers or even as spies at the borders.

-A band of horsemen ready to rob unsuspecting travelers, kill their women and rape their dogs.-

As you can see, a small Ebay purchase was delivered by post this morning. So I'm now the proud owner of some original plastic Spencer Smith miniatures: 13 dragoon troopers and two charging officers . Two smallish squadrons?

I've been contemplating how to fit in"classic" (as defined by Phil Olley) and other (modern?) wargaming. The clue is that I reversed my reasoning. Instead of combining several smaller "modern" units into a "classic" unit and calling that a brigade, I'll be deviding the "classic" units in smaller "modern" ones. Clever, not?
The classic 48 model regiments can be broken up in two or three smaller "modern" units, depending on the rules being used. All that's needed are a couple of extra standard bearers as there will be enough drummers, officers and NCO's. Now that will of course give three identical units, uniform wise that is. That doesn't really trouble me. Maybe I can fidle around with pompom colours or something. My smaller special "modern gaming" units (i.e. The Hasselse Garde) can then become "Charge" or "The Wargame" independent companies or detachments.
I"ve also started -again- to study painting techniques. I have yet to decide a name and uniform for the new DDU cavalry unit, but the painting style will be totally different from the (in)famous Hasselse Garde. Slowly but surely things progress...
Does anybody have any idea how to straiten the swords on the plastic Spencer Smiths, hot water maybe?

By the way, anybody wanting to get rid of Spencer Smiths, Willie by Suren or Tradition by Stadden can always contact me. But I don't intend paying as much as I did for the plastics, knowing I can buy new models in metal. Also, I probably wouldn't consider paying to high a price for painted miniatures as I would probably end up stripping the paint anyway. That's why I didn't bid on those Spencer Smith Cavalry and infantry on Ebay. I should know who the seller is. From the background on the pictures on Ebay I'm sure I've seen pictures in some publication or on the net of his gaming table before. I also know that in the end the units weren't sold. It's a pity...I wish I could contact that person.
As always: any comments, ideas, suggestions, remarks, free miniatures or cash are welcome...

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

The Ferraris map

2010-01-11T00:19:00.000+01:00

Maybe I should explain that when you arrive at the map of Belgium with the numbered squares: you click the square you want, for example 170 Seraign. Above the map you the see "Seraign in blue. Click this and you'll arrive in the actual map. With the controls you can move around, zoom, etc...(I think with a right click you can even print). Anyway, if you look at the example, try and find the Rocourt 1746 battlefield as it could be found some 20 years after the battle (just north of Liege).
You can also enter a place name above the map, but best write the modern day version in Dutch or French.

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

Taking a plunge

2010-01-07T21:25:00.004+01:00

So I went swimming...in the North Sea. Big deal...

Today my regiment, the glorious 1ste Regiment Jagers te Paard/Gidsen, organised its annual New Year's Dip. -3° C, an ice cold wind and water temperature around freezing point. To make matters worse it was low tide, meaning a 500m run to the sea and back. They didn't say I had to do that when I joined the army.
Let's just say it was rather chilly on the way in and bloody cold on the way out.

And introducing a few links.

I would also like to put a couple of links in the spotlights.
First of all -in the favourite places section- you'll find two of my prefered uniform guides. One is the site "Grosser Generalstab" which displays -I think- the complete collection of known Knötel plates. I named by it's title: Richard Knötel's Uniformenkunde. The other is the "1789-1815 Revolution et Empire" site, showing the work of Bernard Coppens on Napoleonic uniforms, concentrating on the 100 days campaign and Waterloo. Click "Bernard Coppens Napoleonic uniform plates" in the favourites section. On the left side of this site, click on Uniforms for the general uniform plates and click Waterloo on the left and then uniforms in the main page for the specific Waterloo uniform plates. These plates are intended as old style "paper soldiers". They are also available as prints.

Next , under the same section, is a link to the "Kabinetskaart van de Oostenrijkse Nederlanden", also known as the Ferraris map (after the author: Count de Ferraris). The link will bring you the the introduction page of the NGI website. Here you can order fascimile, an atlas, plots or a digital copy of said map. In the right upper corner, click "bekijk hier de Ferrariskaart" to bring you online to the map, which you can scroll and enlarge. I find this map important for several reasons. First of all, it shows the lay of the land in the 18th century. Ideal for drawing maps for campains set in Flandres and much better as a source than modern day maps. It also gives an idea how the 18th century and Napoleonic battlefields looked like as most of the woods and roads or tracks are pictured still in their original state. On some battlefields you can still see where Ferraris drew redoubts, now vanished, but then still recent remants. So if you would like to take a look at the fields of Oudenaarde, Rocourt, Neerwinden (Landen), Waterloo, Wijnendale...this is the place to be. The maps are incredibly detailed, so if you look at the vauban or older defence works and then go to google earth you can really trace the fortifications, especially in places North, North/West of Brugge, near the coast. It's a thrill to then find these places in the field. I own four fascimile sheets of this map and they are treasured items.
If I read correctly, only four copies of the original map were ever made. Napoleon is supposed to have been in possesion of one of these copies during the 100 days campaign. Needless to say the DDU also has a copy of this map.
If you want to order the complete Ferraris atlas, it weighs in at 12 kg, could be some expensive postage...

Hoping this is usefull and not only "old news". If anybody needs translation, I'll be happy to oblige. The NGI site can also be visited in French. Now I think of it, they also sell a map of Belgium with all possible military historical sites: war cemetaries, statues, remnants, fields of battle, museums, ...from early history up to the Second World War. Could be useful to anybody wanting to tour Belgium.

Happy gaming

Pjotr

Pictures

2010-01-03T19:43:00.001+01:00

Almost there...

Don't click on the pictures to enlarge...just enjoy the view from a distance.

You just had to do it...

Anyway, work on faces, painting metal bits and general touching up...and then two coats of Pledge Future Shine followed by basing.

Happy Gaming

Pjotr

At last...

2010-01-03T01:24:00.000+01:00

...I've got some painting done.

Thanks to the motivating comments I've had two post ago...I've given my projects a good look and proceeded. Last night and this evening I managed two painting sessions which leaves the Hasselse Garde with only the metal bits to do. I will probably not paint the buttons on the leggings...I tested on a figure and it was just awfull.
I also sketched a map for my Imagi-ancients campaign, giving broad lines to the project by defining which countries represented what style of army (à la Hyboria by Tony Bath ). When this project takes of I'll probably start a second blog, just to keep things tidy. At this point all is scribed carefully in my scrapbook.

I would also like to mention the many links to the blogs of like minded souls. One in particular is very dear to me...the Return of the Poacher blog. The projects shown there (remember my first postings?) are akin to mine. The only difference is that Christines projects are moving along at a steady pace.
We really are spoilt with high quality blogs. Special mention to Phil Olley who has replaced his War Cabinet with three ( yes...3) new blogs ( one of which in co-authorship). And not only that, his partnership with Charles Grant resulted in several publications which are a must have for me. And I'm confident more is under way.

Battlegames magazine is now in regime and Henry Hyde now delivers a first class gaming magazine. I even entered the Minden competition in the last issue. I hope someone abroad wins this one, that someone being me of course.

So I think a good start for 2010.

The Chronicles now have received some 3700 hits and has 14 followers. Thank you all for the support. Please, even if you just come for a look, or want to "lurk", do leave a comment to introduce yourselves so I can relate to the people following the Chronicles.

So, without promising anything, I hope I can produce some pictures in the very near future.

I wish you all and all who(m?) are dear to you a prosperous New Year, with good health, love and laughter and a fullfilling year of hobbying.

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

Editing

2009-12-29T22:57:00.000+01:00

I've added some more stuff on the left and rearranged the sections. Work is still in progress.
The "How to..." section is just that. Links to other peoples blogs or sites, where they explain much better than I ever could how to do things. Of course there are thousands of these "How to..."'s available. I'll just pick those that are of interest to me.
Next is the CQMS. In this section I'll build a reference of sites selling miniatures, terrain, ...anything more or less wargaming related. Again, I'm not trying to build a defintive list of online stores...but just jotting down those I regularly frequent.
All this is done without any order of preference, nor do I get payed to advertise (but if any manufacturer or retailer should be empathic enough, I will never refuse a gift...but drop a line first so I can tell you exactly what it is you could randomly send me...).

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Taking stock

2009-12-27T08:42:00.000+01:00

So, after four months of (in-)activity, where have I arrived?
On the painting front I have completed one Olley point. At a figure scale of 1/50000 this constitutes my imagi-army. Nice going Pjotr!
The Napoleonic project has taking a flying start as I have looked at the Perry Miniatures site.
My ancients project is in full swing as I spent time on the Plastic Soldier Review site trying to decide which boxes to buy.
My WW2 project is going steady, meaning I still haven't given it any attention.
So productivity is a bit low.
I did buy a couple of books...which gave me a lot of ideas, resulting in me being totally dumbfounded as how to proceed.
And I did stalk and spam several well known wargame bloggers and forums, which gave me the feeling I was doing something.
I guess the time has arrived to decide if I want to go ahead, just take it as it comes or drop everything and admit I don't have the patience nor the drive to invest into a hobby.

Answers on a postcard.

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

About Me

2009-11-28T11:35:00.001+01:00

Editing

I just edited the "About Me" section. I had to change the 45 into 46 today.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Blogging problems

2009-11-23T23:02:00.000+01:00

About my blogging: help needed...

Well maybe not the first but certainly the most obvious problem I encountered was the mraculous change of font type a couple of posts ago. I wasn't expecting that to happen. Anyway, I tried editing the post using default settings. But as you can see...still the wrong font.

Another problem, even more strange is my, do you call it avatar? You know, the little picture that shows when you post a comment on someones blog or when you subscribe as a follower. At first all was good: whenever I communicated it showed a nice little face. But then, later on, for some other strange reason, it started showing the middle part of the picture. Now I know some people would be interested in that, but I don't think you can find those in the wargaming community, can you...Sometimes, I get the whole picture next to a comment...much less offensive, but not as it should be. Bother...

And last of all...I subscribed myself as follower to several of the splendid blogs on wargaming. I'm sorry if your blog doesn't show on the left of the picture, but I really don't know why. The initial batch of blogs I follow show up...the ones I added later on don't. Again I sit here staring at the screen, head cocked ever so slightly, a little dribble of saliva oozing from the left corner of my mouth, trying to think of a solution, but finding my mind going blank in a Homer Simpson kind of a way.

The saliva bit I added for fun, should you wonder...wouldn't want to short circuit the keyboard...

Next weekend, when the camera is back, I'll post another pic of the Hasselse Garde, which are coming along nicely. No really, I promise.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

Philolleysophy

2009-11-20T09:58:00.006+01:00

A bit of a rant...

First of all, I won't be making promises again. By now I should have had a picture of the finished Hasselse Garde unit, but I don't, as you all can see. Real life bla bla bla...

I don't like my Hasselse Garde. I'll finish them and use them, but I don't like my painting style. It's to complicated. I posted a comment on the Blasthof Blog and got an eye opening answer from Phil Olley. He expanded on this in a next posting with some pictures. I think this is the way ahead for me. It's all a question of finding the balance between painting style, time you want to spend painting and the overall effect. In the end -and this is of course an individual choice/philosophy- I don't think that intricate painting will allow for a better game. So the plan is to finish the guard unit and start a next unit painted basic and neat, much how I finished the boys Warhammer armies and terrain (I didn't even know back then it was called Old School style). One thing I might do, seeing the pictures on the DPC RSM 95 webpage, is add some lining.

Also, I think I will be mixing figures from several manufacturers. Originally I planned on sticking with one make. But now I'll be mixing several same style minis, but per unit. I feel units of Minden minis will mix perfectly with RSM 95, Willies, maybe even a nostalgic Spencer Smith or Huzzah unit. And who knows, if Hät Industry goes ahead with their 28mm project, even some plastics.

I recommend, really whole heartedly, to visit the Blasthof blog mentioned above and in earlier postings. Not only is it inspiring, the authors actually take the trouble to share their knowledge, ideas and even ask comments and advice. To me the Blasthof Blog is like Grant's "The Wargame Companion" but taken one step further by being interactive. I don't really mind having to miss Phil Olleys Broadsides and Cabinet now. I mean were getting more of him now: his new philolleysophy certainly hit the mark with me.

Now if only someone could persuade someone else to do the same for "The Wargame"...

End of rant. Comments welcome...but, I beg you, no more comments on the dog...pleeeease...

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

PS: I' m applying for copyright on the new word "philolleysophy"...

Painting progress

2009-11-13T22:25:00.001+01:00

Looking at my last posting I noticed that for some strange reason the font was changed. Strange indeed...
Anyway, I spent another hour painting this evening. Buff on the haversacks and the belt. Shadowing on the orange and flesh. I'll post another WIP picture tomorrow. I find the shadowing suddenly brought the minis to life. Excellent stuff. Next I'll start on all the fiddly bits and then general touching up.
I'll try and twist my cousins arm in an uncomfortable position to have him take some pics of the finished unit. He has a real camera that doesn't take blurry, yellowish photographs unless you tell it to do so.
So, dearest Cozzen, if you are reading this...
I'll finish the miniatures with two layers of gloss Pledge Future Shine to protect them during handling. Maybe at a later stage a matt coating on top of that.
SWMBO laughed at me...she thought it funny that the posting with a picture of my minimilitivorous dog received more comments than the one with a picture of my WIP. Sad really...
Oh look, the old font type is back, it's a miracle.

Happy gaming
Pjotr

WIP, The Blasthof Blog, Ancients and Armistice

2009-11-11T21:25:00.007+01:00

Today a WIP report on the Hasselse Garde, followed by my thoughts on “The Blasthof Blog”. Next my ancients project slowly takes shape. And ending with a thought on armistice day.

Painting progress

I really wasn’t planning to show any pictures of my Hasselse Garde unit until the painting was done. But plans being what they are…here’s a picture of my still unfinished Imagination Guard unit. Up till now I’ve spent about 5 hours at the painting table, not counting the test figure. I streamlined the painting process to suit the Minden casting.

I’m having some doubts as to this is really the effect I want. Why shouldn’t I stick to one tone block painted models and make life easier for myself? I have to dig up my scrapbook and remind myself of the goals and style of my mid 18^th century Imagination project I decided on months ago. But still…if…then…Maybe I should start a real Old School plastic army now Hät is coming out with 28mm figures.

In the background you see my palette. It’s actually an old egg container I salvaged from a refrigerator at the local recycling parc. I normally use three water containers: one for cleaning brushes with ordinary coloured paint, one for metallics and a third with clean water and just one small drop of washing up liquid. The reason for the first two is obvious: don’t want to get metallic particles mixed up with ordinary paint. The third container is used for wetting brushes and thinning paint. The washing up liquid breaks the surface tension of the acrylic paint and makes it flow better.

The Blasthof Blog

An Imagi-historic name and also the name of a new blog named “The blasthof blog” . Misters Asquith, Gill, Preece and Olley plan to enlighten us with all sorts of writings concerning “Charge”. From what I’ve already been reading, I guess the blog could easily have been called “The Charge Companion”.

I do think that Stokes Schwarz, of Grand Duchy of Stollen fame, should -de facto- be made a member of that -not so- secret coven. I haven’t seen anybody so enthusiastically involved in “Charge” as himself. He has the terrain, the armies and the knowledge. Stokes, when reading this, know that you have my support and my vote.

Ancient gaming

One of my projects was ancient wargaming.

I’ve started to scribble down my first thoughts on the matter. I already have several rule sets at my disposal and I’ve started prospecting miniatures. I’m now convinced to just collect miniatures I like and then building a Hyboria style campaign around these. Yes, letting the miniatures be the inspiration for my generic style Imagi-ancient armies. It works for me. Instead of doing all the work and designing a world, I just buy a box of, let’s say, Hät’s El Cid Almoravid infantry. I can imagine them living in the south part of a country named Cidonia. That country has a southern province called Almora, which is stuck in civil war with the northern province of Castilia…you see it coming, don’t you…

Armistice day

I would just like to end this posting with something I think is very important.

Today I attended a war remembrance ceremony in my village. Next Sunday I will attend a ceremony at a German war cemetery just north of where I live. Anyway sitting there in church my mind wandered of. As a soldier I find that less and less people feel any attachment to remembering the fallen of the two world wars. Which is maybe natural, as time trudges on and memories fade with the coming of new generations. But then I thought of the victims of the post Second World War modern wars. And not only those who sadly lost their lives, but also those silent victims: the men and women suffering from combat stress related disorders, losing families and homes, sometimes ending up living in the streets. I think now is the moment to support efforts like the Combat Stress Charity or whatever similar organisation you have where you live. Or maybe just donate to a local trauma centre as a lot of firemen, policemen and ambulance workers have similar problems as they sometimes get to see and live through horrible scenes.

I just noticed The Chronicles have been visited over 2000 times. This is unbelievable to me, but at the same time very motivating to keep going. Please don’t be shy and leave a comment. I’d like you to share your thoughts, give advice or just say hello.

Next posting will hopefully see my first unit finished and the first 16 Olley points ticked off.

Happy Gaming

Pjotr

First DDU victim

2009-11-01T20:09:00.002+01:00

During the fitting of the new Hasselse Garde uniforms, a soldier was kidnapped -or rather catnapped- and subsequently eaten by a dog.
The animals were hunted down and were about to be executed, but Kolonel Kevinovitch stepped in saved their lives by imprisoning them as he recognised the vile beasts as belonging to his mother.
Soldaat Vanpimperzele will be sadly missed amongst his friends and colleagues.

GUILTY !!!!

Happy gaming
Pjotr

New gaiters for the Hasselse Garde

2009-11-01T16:53:00.001+01:00

The Citizen-Regent of the DDU, Leopold van Loon, inspected the uniform of the Hasselse Garde today...

The poor soldier had been waiting in a small room inside of the residence of Leopold van Loon. Finally the door opened and he was ushered into the regents office by his commanding officer, Kevinovich Nyudrev.
-Sir, I present you the uniform of the Hasselse Garde.
The regent got up from behind his desk and inspected the soldier, standing uncomfortably to attention in his brand new uniform.
-I like it, kolonel Nyudrev, but...
Kevinovich raised his eyebrows. Leopold walked to a cabinet and started browsing some books. He beckoned Kolonel Nyudrev to his desk as he opened a book. He pointed to a picture of a soldier.
-This is the problem, the regent said.
-This book was presented to me. It shows all known uniforms of soldiers today. It was made by a man named Knötel. As you can see, Kevin (as Kevinovich was afectionately known by his peers), buff gaiters are worn by light infantry. I don't want my first guard regiment to be mistaken for light infantry.
Kevinovich looked at the picture and turned his gaze to the now sweating soldier.
-Sir, with the funds I was given to raise the unit, in the end we didn't have enough gold to pay but for plain buff gaiters.
The citizen-regent looked intently at Nuydrev, a smile coming to his face.
-Well, my dear kolonel, seems my gift to the Hasselse Garde will be new gaiters...white ones I think...yes, white should do it. Make it happen, kolonel Nyudrev. You can arrange the payment with my finance minister.

I big thank you to abdul666 and Fitz-Badger for their advice. It's always good to be able to count on the experience of others and it's very gentleman like of them for sharing their knowledge. I've also darkened the shadowing a bit. Well, my first Olley point has been earned.

Happy Gaming

Pjotr

First test miniature painted

2009-10-30T17:10:00.003+01:00

Presenting my first ever painted Imagi-historic figure.

Here he stands in all his glory. As you can see, the uniform is almost as designed in my scrapbook. Keeping with the story, the first unit - the Hasselse Garde- of the DDU received their uniforms from the Prussians as military aid. To save money it was decided to just dye the clothes in other colours and use the rest of the equipment and fittings as received, except for some local made trappings. This seemed to work very well.

It took me about an hour to paint this figure. Now I have to figure out how I can rationalize the painting proces to get the same effect, but quicker and using batch painting. I was thinking of using layered painting instead of washes. Maybe the contrast (i.e. the washes) might be a bit darker too.

The pictures could be better, but being impatient I didn't bother to organise a well lit studio setup and just took a couple of pictures using my house, kitchen and garden camera. The little fellow is a Minden Miniatures casting.

Also, just a quick reminder to everyone:

on Saturday, 7th November, CRISIS 2009, the largest wargame happening in Belgium, is being held in Antwerp. I'll be there...if I can find a couple of old ladies to rob of their money...have to go for a late night walk...

I guess next posting will be the whole unit...patience is a virtue, or so I was told. Please feel free to comment. If you think the painting is not that good...please don't comment. ( and if I don't get any comments I'll never, ever paint a single figure again)

Happy Gaming

Pjotr

War Cabinet, War Books and War Museum

2009-10-18T21:37:00.000+02:00

Just a bit of a rant...

Phil’s War Cabinet on hold

News from Phil Olley as he announced on his Breitenfeld blog, that he’s giving his War Cabinet site a rest. Although the high quality reading and eye candy on his new TYW blog will be just as inspiring, I’m sure, I will miss the high class “The Wargame” battlefields and other writings and musing. A thank you to Mr. Olley for being one of the prime motivators to start the this blog.
I do hope Phil will take the trouble rounding off the "Pils Holstein Campaign", maybe just a “temporary” last Broadside as closure. I'm particularly interested in the "The Wargame" rules amendments he made so as to play with multiple based figures. Or were they in fact new rules altogether? I remember him mentioning writing 7YW rules a couple of years ago, but I suppose they never got published nor were they made public. Or maybe they were? I think they were called “A Grim Panoply” at least as a working title. Mr. Olley, if ever you read this, please feel free to comment.
It seems one of the reasons for closing down the Cabinet is that people are using material from the site. Now I don’t know exactly how this works, but I would also feel bad if people started using my stuff, without proper reference to the Chronicles. Seems fair. But then, I think there’s still a long way to go before people would want to use any of my produce…On the other hand, I imagine it is understandable that if you start writing or co-writing wargame books, you wouldn’t want to give away to much, nor material, nor time...Phil also has only 24 hour days. Anyway I’m looking forward to Breitenfeld, and hoping to see more Pils Holstein in the future and I sincerely hoop Phil Olley will write a last broadside tying up loose ends and sort of rounding off that adventure.

New books to add to the Library

Thanks to a posting by Steve-the-Wargamer I found exactly what I was looking for.
First of all I ordered Donald Featherstone’s “Wargames” from John Curry Events, mainly because of the ancient rules (by Tony Bath, I think), but also for the reading and inspiration. Answering to the mentioned post, Steve very kindly answered back with a link to an EBay sale of the Gush-Finch “A Guide to Wargaming”. I put in a bid and on the 17th October, I got a message saying I won the book. Now this book is very, very interesting. I’ve written about my first and favourite Nappy rule set “Napoleonic Wargame Rules by the Tunbridge Wells Wargames Society” (still NWRbtTWWS in short). I maybe mentioned converting these to later 19th century gaming. Behold: Mr. Gush has heard me, taken a time jump to the 1980’s and published the late 19th century version of NWRbtTWWS for me to be able to pick them up from EBay at a very nice price today. Not only that, but he’s co-written some very useful guidelines on writing rules in that very same book, which is one part of the "ancients" project. How much more twilight zone can you get? (strange little music in background…)
A big thank you to all involved in this little adventure.

Belgian War Museum

Yes, I’m off for a guided tour of the Belgian War Museum in Brussels on the 30th October as part of a social event for my regiment's past and present officers.
Anyway, I’ll be picking up the third book of a series on the Belgian Cavalry whilst there. And maybe some postcard reproductions of watercolours on Belgian Army historical uniforms. Mad Carew probably wishes he was joining me, knowing of his 1914 skirmish project set in early WW 1 Belgium…well…if he needs anything...he can drop me a line…mind you, I wont go about stealing uniforms from the 1914 period for him, or any period for that matter. I even haven’t told him a live just 15 minutes driving (on a Sunday, wind from behind) from the 1914 battle field of the Silver Helmets. Actually, my unit, the “1ste Regiment Jagers te Paard” (i.e.: Chasseurs à Cheval) took part in that battle with a then experimental detachment with Hotchkiss machine guns.
Exciting stuff.
Which brings me to the fact that I actually live just a short drive away from some more and less famous battlefields and military historical sites. Landen-Neerwinden 45 minutes to the South, the start off Hells Highway just 5 km East of were I live. The cinema were Montgomery gave the operational order for Market Garden just a 5 minutes walk from my house. The Ardennes…1 hour drive…Waterloo…2 hours drive…Ypres, Oudenaarde,...and so on, and so forth…and there’s the beer and chocolate too…Ah, it’s good to be a Belgian…

I just had a tought (enjoy the moment, this doesn't happen that often): Gush's mid 19th century rules...Helion...Waterloo to Mons...oh yes...I can feel it...keep me motivated Matt.

That's it for today, please feel free to comment.

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

Three tree woods and mold lines

2009-10-04T22:38:00.000+02:00

Back to earth. I've started work on the first batch of minis in between playing Catan with the wife and kids, playing Magic, installing rainpipes and keeping generally busy.

As promised a look at my trees. They are quite shabby after years of abuse and admittedly need some redoing. The concept is as described in the latest Battlegames magazine, but using lichen. What I did is mounted them on a board which started as a single rough bean or kidney shape. Cutting this board in several irregular pieces and rounding the sharp corners gives three seperate woods, or fitted together -because the woods fit together snugly as a jigsaw puzzle- a small and larger wood or one large wood. Seperating two adjoining pieces by a couple of inches leaves a nice "track" or road through the woods. I guess a larger sheet of triplex or MDF could be used, making a jigsaw puzzle like design with five or more seperate pieces, a couple of feet square. Anyway, the thing I like is the "seemless" joining of the pieces when used as larger terrain feature. Anyway, this method of planting trees is still going to be used in the future.

The wood in action.

Next up: I've just prepared the Hasselse Garde. Although these Minden sculpts were as good as flash and moldline free, I still wanted to go through the cleanup process. For scraping moldlines, I like to use a heavier blade in my X-Acto. A cardboard nail file (emery board?) was used to clean the underside of the bases. A drill was used to prepare the hands to recieve the spontoons and flagpole. And a rat tail file used to, ...well file...the places that were filed were then sanded with several grades of fine sandpaper. I sometimes wrap some sandpaper around a cocktail stick or file so as to reach the more difficult places (between the legs, ...of the sculpts of course). For cleaning sculpts like these , I don't use flat files as I find they damage the models to easily.

The Hasselse Garde undergoing severe medical examinations.

This time I'll close with a question. In the Prussian 7YW armies: what were the lenghts of the spontoons, flagpoles and the flag dimensions? Okay, that's three quetions rolled into one: a bit like the meaning of life, the universe and everything.

Happy gaming

Pjotr

Pjotr Nyudrev, a hero...hunting wild beasts in the Ardennes

2009-10-01T19:56:00.000+02:00

I'm back from from exercise and had a great time. The weather was just perfect. The countryside was great and the food was fine. Almost sounds like I was on holiday. Yes, we even had a "real" working toilet.
During a lull in the action, near the end of the exercise, I found myself in Spa, close to the village of La Gleize. There, at the site of Joachim Peipers last stand and subsequent retreat you can find a fine little museum dedicated to the fighting in the La Gleize and Stoumont area in december 1944.
I took the opportunity and convinced my driver (well, ordered him) to go on a little recce with me. Unfortunately the museum was guarded by a King Tiger tank. Heroic action was called for and a die throw of double six knocked the beast out.

Pjotr Nyudrev, posing in front of the Tiger II, aka King Tiger, he had
just knocked out in single handed combat in the village of La Gleize.

Next postings will probably show the first WIP pics of the Hasselse Garde Grenadiers and my own old version of trees as described in the latest Battlegames. I think my woods are cooler. Maybe I might even consider asking money for using my design, ...where is that patent certificate?

Happy Gaming

Pjotr

Wargames Library Part I, Sidetracking and Making everybody very, very jealous

2009-09-13T21:10:00.001+02:00

As promised, today I’m taking a look at my wargames library. This first part I’ll be taking stock of the rules I’ve collected. Next, technology permitting I’ll show the photograph that I talked about in my second post.
And last of all, a small announcement that will take wargaming to the next level…

So here’s my collection of historical wargame rules. In order of gaming period, commented as I see fit and not counting rules freely downloaded from the net.

De Sumer A Constantinople (D. Coulon & F. Devaux): bought these after meeting the authors during a demonstration. In the end like DBM, but with more detailed combat formations.
De Bellis Antiquitatis (Barker, Barker & Bodley Scott, WRG): rules for a quick uncomplicated hour of fun. SWMBO beat me almost every game. I let her win because she took pity on me when I asked for a rematch.
War Games Rules 3000BC to 1485 AD 6th (Ph. Barker, WRG): recently bought as follow up for 2nd edition. At first glance not sure if I like them as much. Difficult to read. Is it at this point DBM started growing?
Field of Glory (R. Bodley Scott, S. Hall & T. Shaw, Osprey): I still don’t like chess board like formations and battlefields. High quality publication.
Minden Rose (B. Lee, Emperor Games): one of the sets of choice for starting my 7YW project.
The War Game (C. Grant, Ken Trotman publishing): the final goal of my 7YW project. For some reason, I like these rules so much more than Grant’s Napoleonics.
Batailles de L’Ancien Régime (W.B. Protz, Jr., Self Published): holy-cow, I didn’t like the alphabetical approach. Not sure about the card activation. Will try these again when my 7YW armies grow larger.
Charge! (P. Young &J.P. Lawford, Morgan-Grampian): nostalgia. Saw these in use as a youngster. If ever I use them I will probably change the scale of the game. Companies becoming battalions, batallions becoming regiments or brigades because I feel you get a game that looks like a skirmish game but doesn’t feel like one.
Napoleonic Wargame rules (Tunbridge Wells Wargames Society, Bayonet publication): see my second post. My favourite Old School rules written by G. Gush. Will be resurrected once I get my Nappies sorted out.
Napoleonic Wargaming (C. Grant, Model and Allied Publications): not sure about this set. Can’t put my finger on it. Not as good as the Gush rules and The War Game, but I really don’t know why.
De Bonaparte à Napoléon (J.-C. Raguet, Vae Victis): french napoleonic rules based on a DBM like game engine (DBN).
To The Sound Of The Guns III (R.P. Butler, Tabletop Games): well…they’re To The Sound Of The Guns III (and Napoleonic).
Fast Play Rules for Napoleonic and Crimean Wargames (T.J. Halsall, Newbury rules): lite version of the above.
In the Grand Manner (P. Gilder, Wargames Holiday Centre): not simple, but great battlefields. Switched to General de Brigade as for me, not being English, the latter were more structured and therefore easier to assimilate, but with the same look and feel.
General de Brigade (D. Brown, Partizan Press): second rules of choice for my napoleonics. In the grand manner like gaming, but easier to assimilate.
Fast Play ACW Rules (David Bickley, Active Service Press): I honestly don’t remember how these played.
American Civil War Wargaming (Terence Wise, Airfix): great memories of blue against grey. In the bookcase, but not forgotten…
War Games Rules 1925-1950 (WRG): Fun rules, many 1/300 scale battles. Memories of terrain drawn in felt tip pen on packing paper, cardboard layered hills, lichen woods…the Eastern front on the living room table. Happy days.
Rapid Fire 2 (C. Rumford & R. March): I enjoyed these with the boys, playing with cardboard and pencil coloured armies. I’d still use them, but with 1 to 1 scale platoon or company sized actions.
Blitzkrieg Commander (P.A. Jones): based on the Warmaster game engine. Liked the rules, but to easy to play the rules and not the period (depending on your opponent and his knowledge of WW2 warfare).
Challenger 2000 (B.R.- Taylor & B. Connor, Tabletop Games): see sub-sub rule 25.36.54, if marked **, then +1/-4. Modern rules for the die-hard fan.
Wargames Rules 1950-2000 (Phil Barker, WRG): had a few good small games with small numbers of vehicles to keep it manageable. More accessible than Challenger, because of playing the 1925-1950 set.

And also:

PSL Guide to Wargaming (edited by B. Quarrie, Patrick Stephens Ltd): guided me into wargaming other periods then WW2 and napoleonics. Generic rules based on the WRG ancients game engine.
Little Wars (H.G. Wells, Da Capo Press): a classic, if ever I find a suitable artillery piece these armies will be resurrected in 1/32 plastic (or Lego, or Playmobil?).

Next up: a centrefold photograph of a Gilder set up of La Haie Sainte taken from “How to make model soldiers” by Ph. O. Stearns. You’ll understand what the attraction was.

Gentlemen, again thank you for the kind comments I received. When I follow other peoples blogs I tend to read the postings, but not the comments. So I take the liberty of repeating myself when I write I have to remember that the Chronicles are just a tool for the hobby. As it has, thanks to the readers, taken a flying start, it is difficult not to get sidetracked and spend to much time "blogging" instead of gaming.

And now for something to blow your fine gentlemens minds. I’m of playing C.S. Grants “Breakout” teaser from issue 18 of Battlegames magazine. “What? Nothing special in that”, I hear you exclaim. Well, sit back down and read on. I’m off playing it for real. Yes…10 days of fun in a Full Troop Exercise (FTX) in the Belgian Ardennes. I’m playing Opfor for some Special Forces and guess what: I’m responsible for organising a POW camp that has to be observed and in the end “liberated” by the SFG’s. I think I will call the Camp “Klapso” and I’ll be Major Pjotr Nuydrev, VFS camp commander…

I'll be back (in a forthnight)

Happy Gaming
Pjotr

My scrapbook and the Hasselse Garde Grenadiers Flag

2009-09-08T21:42:00.001+02:00

My first attempt at posting pictures and a bit of tinkering with the Paint program.

First of all an attempt at flag design with the Paint program. Not bad, but not there yet.
Secondly I present the reader with a page of my scrapbook. Here all my thoughts on wargaming are recorded. To me it's invaluable. The fun thing is that I can look back and see ideas evolve, or sometimes realise that earlier thoughts were better. Best thing...unless I misplace the book...I won't lose my doodles and scribbles as "somebody" cleans up the desk.
On with the show...

Here you see a first design of the Hasselse Grenadier Guards Flag. White and green banded background of the modern day Hasselt flag and central part of Hasselt coat of arms combined.

As promised a page from my scrapbook. Thank you Dave over at Not By Appointment for the uniform template. Some of you more learned or dexterous (computer-savvy) gentlemen would probably suggest to colour the template by some program...Hey...It's my blog... and the felt tip pens were a present from the same somebody whom cleans desks.

And yes...the scrapbook is in English...Why?...Otherwise I have to translate when I transpose my writings to the Chronicles (as I now lovingly call the blog). Doesn't that make sense?

Next I'll make an inventory of my wargaming literature (that will be laugh), watch this space

Happy gaming
Pjotr

A huge thank you and introducing my first unit and character

2009-09-03T19:31:00.002+02:00

First of all: a huge thank you to all you fine gentlemen whom posted a comment or sent me a private mail. It is very motivating when one embarks on a project like this to receive all these splendid encouragements. Thank you.
And now for something completely different…

Kevinovich Nyudrev found himself half naked, penniless and horseless in a ditch outside the city gates of Hasselt. He was a spent man, but his fortune was about to turn. In more modern times, he would be recognized as a man suffering from combat stress, having fought in many of Europes battles. Once a bright cavalry officer, he fled from the slaughter and found relief in drink. That’s how he ended up in Hasselt: the capital of Jenever, a schnapps like drink made from berries. He told his tales in the drinking halls, trying to impress the ladies and getting free drinks from the gentlemen.
Getting himself together a small company of horsemen pulled up. He recognised the newly elected Citizen-Regent of the DDU, Leopold van Loon, at their head. Kevinovich also was recognized and was promptly invited to come to the offices of the Citizen-Regent at midday.
Leopold van Loon, having signed a treaty with the British, the Netherlands and Prussia, was very busy trying to organize a standing army. He had heard of the exploits of Nyudrev, indeed met him at a social event and listened to his tales. He had grown to like and pity the man.
In the DDU the economical power was held in the cities and their merchants, not the nobility. An army could only be raised supported by the cities and the union, once the taxes started coming in. The very rich town of Hasselt had agreed to fund the first unit of the DDU: the Hasselt Garde Infanterie . Recruits were still easy to find and relatively experienced as many were deserters from Flemish-Austrian units, looking for a job. That midday, somewhat cleaned up, Kevinovich was standing before Leopold. If he was understanding correctly, van Loon was offering him a job as Kolonel-commandant of the Hasselt Guards. Not really having any plans or other options, Nyudrev agreed.

In reality Hasselt, provincial capital of Belgian Limburg, really is known for the liqueur called Jenever. This city’s flag and coat of arms will form the basis of the Hasselt Guard flag. The red and yellow banded design, which I mentioned before, is historical the coat of arms of the medieval Graafschap van Loon, which used to be situated in the eastern part of modern Limburg. Many Limburg cities and towns have some reference in their flag designs to this historical fact. This was also the inspiration for the name of the first citizen-regent (but I think most of you figured that one out for yourselves).
Please feel free to comment. I'm still tinkering with layout and stuff. Any tips and tricks from the more experienced bloggers would be welcome. Pictures are promised...soon...-ish

Happy gaming

Pjotr

De Dietsche Unie

2009-08-31T19:40:00.002+02:00

Today I’m serving up history with a twist. This post roughly explains the origins of the Imagi-Nation part of my armies. Later posts will expand on the army, it’s colours, flags, maybe even a rough map of the area, etc…

After the War of the Austrian succession the southern provinces of the Dutch Republic changed hands and became part of the Austrian Habsburg empire. The reforms imposed by Austria, the treason of Austria wanting to dispose of the southern Lowland provinces in exchange for Bavaria, went down badly with middleclass and new upper class merchants which held the real power.
After a badly organised revolt in the Brabant province, which diverted the attention of the Austrian administrators, the people of the main Limburg cities on the Meuse saw their chance and in their turn started a revolt. But they had no intention of joining the northern Dutch Republic. Their movement, originating from a number of cities along the Maas (Meuse) river soon expanded to include the whole of the Limburg region and the eastern part of Brabant. England and the Dutch Republic -thinking a buffer was a useful thing- secretly, but effectively supported the uprising. Due to the economical power of the cities along the Maas, the regions depending on those quickly joined the uprising. A year after the War of Succession the Dietsche Unie was a fact.
The Dutch republic, Prussia and especially Britain now officially recognised the importance of a possible buffer state -able to support armies in winter quarters so near the channel coast and having a main river for transport- by signing a treaty with the new Union, mainly supporting the fledgling army of the De Dietsche Unie (DDU) with equipment and instruction. This gave rise to the first European standing military training camp called Leopoldsburg (named after Leopold van Loon, the first “elected” Citizen-Regent of the DDU) amidst the scarcely populated heath of the Kempa region.
The old colours of the Graafschap van Loon (horizontal bands of yellow and red) were taken as a field sign for the army.

I also see that already 19 visits have been made to my blog...I must admit that in all the excitement of starting a blog, at least 15 counter hits are by myself, showing unsuspecting friends and family what I'm up to. Makes me wonder...maybe Stokes over at the Duchy of Stollen really hasn't reached 70000 hits yet...

Happy gaming
Pjotr

A trip down memory lane or How did I get involved in Wargaming

2009-08-28T21:48:00.001+02:00

As a youngster in the early seventies I spent much time in Dover. My father was a captain on the ferries based in Ostend and I played stowaway quite a lot. One of my favourite pastimes in Dover was the walk up the cliff to Dover Castle. There a part of Sibornes diorama was displayed. I spent hours looking at it.

Then came the discovery of a modelshop on the mainstreet. Only one word of explanation here: Airfix. I also remember some painted second hand Napoleonic wargame units for sale. I never had enough money to buy them, but I like to think they once passed through the hands of Charles Grant. Anyway, with lego brick buildings battlefields were created and battles fought using blowpipes and marbles.

Next came a book on modelling soldiers. In that book there was a double page colour picture of a wargame by Peter Gilder. And that, was that …The same modelshop also gave me my first (beloved) ruleset: Napoleonic Wargame Rules by the Tunbridge Wells Wargames society (from now on NWRbtTWWS in short). The unpainted airfix armies got a chipboard and coloured chalk battlefield. Units were mounted on cardboard bases and a shot was fired that was heard around our household. To have larger battles my cousin, my only opponent, and I even recruited our ACW figures and played blue and gray against yellow battles. But did we have fun...

As we got older interest shifted to 1/300th WW2 gaming using the WRG 1925-1950 rules. Those were tank battles of legendary proportions. We also played some PanzerBlitz and other boardgames.

In 1985 I bought the first edition of Warhammer, for a long time this became my main interest and other wargaming sort of got sidetracked. Next real life kicked in…I still bought the books and magazines but never played a wargame again. Then in 2002, after a long stay away from home (I’m a soldier), my sons declared that they wanted to start warhammer armies. Old loves were rekindled and now, with the kids (sort of) grown up, it’s time for several generations of the military NUYDREV dynasty to tell their stories from the battlefields long past.
…and so it begins.

Happy gaming

Pjotr

FIRST POST

2009-08-28T21:37:00.005+02:00

Well, to my first reader and all those following...Welcome.

Let me start with a small, well small-ish explanation on my plans.

Only now, and never again, I apologise if ever I insult or injure someone by a bad choice of words. English is not my first language. I do try my best, but sometimes something really idiotic (which of course I don't see) comes up, or some huge spelling or grammar mystake sort of makes a comedy appearance. So forgive me for that, if you can't, well...don't read on and goodbye, thanks for visiting.

So here I go, for real now...

I plan to use this blog as a tool to help order my thoughts on my wargaming adventure. Of course readers will have to put up with the occasional rant…

The first project which has taken a start as I write (figures are being shipped from the UK) is my 7YW Imagi-Nation. Phase one is assembling armies for rules compatible with DIE KRIEGSKUNST style basing. My inspiration for this came from Keith's Wargaming blog and Angus Konstam. Of course credit goes to many more fine gentlemens Blogs like Alte Fritz, Duchy of Stollen and many more: I thank you all. Where was I...Ah yes,

Phase 2 should be to build on this to recreate Grantian (is this a word?, now it is...) sized 7YW units. Sounds easy when you read it like this, doesn’t it? Anyway, these armies will be 25/28mm.

My second project will be Napoleonic gaming. I have two rulesets I want to use for this; First of all my beloved Napoleonic wargame rules by the Tunbridge Wells Wargames Society (actually written by George Gush). With these rules, several boxes of Airfix, coloured chalk and a chipboard battlefield, my cousin and I fought many battles. The rules are so Old School, and -for me- better than Grants Napoleonics.

These Napoleonic units will be based such as to be compatible to play General de Brigade. I wanted to play In the Grand Manner, but as the GdeB rules are so much more structured they are more accessible for someone who’s first language is Dutch. Here I will chose 25/28mm models, probably in a generic 100-days setting.

My third project will consist of ancients. Saving some Euro’s here I will probably go for 1/72 plastic armies. Rules will be either WRG 2nd or 6th, or a homebrew of these, combined with George Gush’s ancient rules and the rules from Quarries Guide to Wargaming. I don’t really like DBM, Field of Glory type games. (Yesterday I learned that the "Warrior" rules are descendants of WRG ancients...have to find more on that.)

Project number 4 is the Second World War. Also in 1/72 plastic these will primarily be a diversion for painting Horse and Musket uniforms. Rules of choice are Rapid Fire and Battlegroup Panzergrenadier. Bonus is the scale modelling aspect, also one of my passions that was put on hold for a long time.

I think this is enough for today. Time to get some painting space sorted out, check on brushes and paint, create some simple terrain…in short: time to get started.

Happy gaming.

Pjotr

PS: I haven’t sorted out this blog configuration yet. I promise things will get better.