Some English Civil War painting

Due to a recent cold, there hasn't been much to post about this past week, but I managed to paint up a couple of English Civil War (ECW) infantry bases. They are a mix of MiniFigs and Hinchliffe miniatures with one random model of unknown origin, all recent second-hand purchases.

ECW infantry recently painted

Mainly a mix of MiniFig and Hinchliffe miniatures.

Despite feeling a bit under the weather, or maybe because if it, I've been tinkering with the ECW rules I generally use. Here are a few of changes I've been considering and testing:

• Having units represented by a single base rather than two bases as I currently do. 
• With increased numbers of units in the game and to minimise the tracking of hits, combat rules where amended so units are eliminated after their third hit in most cases, but infantry units can endure up to four hits if supported by two other infantry units within 3 inches. The aim is to encourage infantry formations with second lines to provide support. This rule also means losing one unit in a group may compromise the resilience of the other units.
• Adopting a rule from the book "Wargaming: An Introduction" by Neil Thomas, where if a unit exits the opponent's base edge, two enemy units are eliminated, presumably to safeguard the baggage and lines of retreat.
• Reducing shooting ranges to 6 inches.

Here are a few photographs of the tabletop setup to carry on with some more play testing. The scenario is loosely based on the Battle of Ripple Field.

Parliaments deployment.

A view of teh tabletop setup for a scenario loosely based upon the Battle of Ripple Field.

Defensive Positions for Stompy Robot Armies

After recently painting several English Civil War units, I felt the need for a change, something more imaginative and quick to do. We are preparing for our move to New Zealand later this year, which feels like an endless task, and as part of this mammoth tidy up I was dismantling an old outdoor table for disposal, when I chanced upon some plastic nut and bolt covers. 

The Blue Stompy Robot army a mix of Battletech and Warhammer Imperialis models. The recently created defensive positions are in the front. 

For whatever reason, the idea of defensive positions for the robot armies popped into my mind. I suspect wargamers are just naturally scanning for items they can repurpose for their games. After a quick wash and a rummage through my surplus Warhammer 40K bits box, I was able to create six defensive structures, three for each army. They are painted red and blue to tie in with the respective army colour scheme.

The nut and bolt cover and starting point for the defensive structures.

Defences for Red Army with a Battletech model for comparison.

Blue Army defences with two other models for comparison.

The next steps in my Stompy Robot project involve making a 2 by 2 foot gaming mat on which I will draw a hex grid, along with creating some futuristic and desolate terrain, buildings, and hills. You can find a brief overview of this project as I initially planned it here.

Cheap out of ammunition markers for my ECW games

It seems my English Civil War forces are set to stay on the tabletop for another weekend, ready to test some ammunition supply tweaks to my D3 ECW rules. Previously, I have relied on individually based figures placed behind units to indicate units were out of ammunition. However, with the number of units in the armies expanding, I'm reluctant to paint up more individual figures as markers. Consequently, I have had to look at alternatives along similar lines to the cardboard casualty markers I use in my games.

I currently use paper and card marker for my casualties.

I decided to utilize powder barrels as markers, which seem quite appropriate for what they were indicating. After searching and finding a suitable image online, I took a screenshot and replicated it for printing. Once printed to the correct size I stuck the barrel images to some cardboard. I cut out and shaped the images using a pen to give them a rounded look, then added a touch of grey to the edges using a colouring pen for a nice clean looking finish. 

Shaping the barrels also has the advantage of making them easier to pick up.

The printed images are stuck to cardboard.

Once dry the barrels are cut out.

The cut out barrels are shaped to be curved.

I run a grey pen around the outside of the barrel to hid the lighter edges and any places where I did not cut very accurately.

I did consider making some powder barrels from wooden dowel but thought they would have a tendency to roll off the base. The paper and card approach is also much quicker to make and is consistent with my existing casualty markers.

An infantry unit marked as being out of ammunition.

I found a suitable unused container in the tool shed to hold all my English Civil War casualty and out of ammunition markers.

All the markers fit nicely into a container with partitions. The different coloured casualty markers represent a different number of hits.

Ammunition supplies.

I can track my available ammunition supplies on one of my supply cards.

Scenario #31 - An English Civil War Game Report

A brief recap. I am playing a scenario devised by Steven on his blog Sound Officers Call! It is called Scenario #31 - ECHELONED ATTACK. Although inspired by the Battle of Aspern-Essling (1809), my game is set during the English Civil War.

Bacground

A Royalist force, under the leadership of Lord Cedric Harrington has moved across the river Eldernorth into territory controlled by Parliament. To counter this unexpected move Parliamentarian forces under the command of Colonel Charles Ashcroft, have hurriedly organised their dispersed forces to attack the Royalist bridgehead from various directions.

At some point in the battle.

I have to admit I made a slight error regarding the reinforcement points compared to the original scenario. Somewhere between taking notes and setting up the tabletop, I inadvertently omitted a reinforcement point for Parliament. Hoping that my oversight didn't significantly impact the scenario, I continued with the game.

Tabletop setup.

Order of Battle…

A note regarding the order of battles. I allocated 9 points per army, where detachments of dragoons and commanded shot, as well as guns, are half a point each, while full units like infantry and cavalry are counted as one point each. 

Royalists force on the tabletop:

• 2 x Commanded Shot
• 1 x Infantry
• 1 x Cavalry
• 2 x Guns
• 2 x Ammunition Supply Carts

Royalist forces in reserve:

• 2 x Infantry
• 3 x Cavalry
• 1 x Ammunition Supply Cart

Parliamentarian force off-table:

• 4 x Dragoons
• 4 x Cavalry
• 3 x Infantry
• 3 x Ammunition Supply Carts

Note - Ammunition carts are used to resupply artillery and infantry units when they run out of ammunition. One cart can result one unit only.

Opening moves of the battle…

In anticipation of nearby Parliamentarian forces arriving, Lord Cedric Harrington deployed his available troops and guns in a defensive line stretching between the village of Oakfield and the hamlet of Little Yallop. Commanded shot units were stationed in Oakfield and Little Yallop, with a reserve cavalry unit positioned behind Oakfield.

The Royalist defensive line and reserve cavalry wait for the Parliamentarian forces to arrive.

Assault on Oakfield…

The Parliamentarian forces, consisting of dragoon detachments and cavalry, initially arrived to the west of Oakfield village. In response, the Royalist reserve cavalry swiftly charged Parliament's cavalry, while the dragoons began their assault on the village. Meanwhile, the Royalist artillery were proving highly effective, delivering accurate and relentless fire on the Parliamentarian infantry who were advancing from the north to reinforce the attack on Oakfield.

The initial assault on Oakfield village.

The Royalist cavalry, after a delay, arrived just in the nick of time to witness the fall of Oakfield to the enemy assault. Without hesitation, they spurred their horses onward, charging into Parliament's cavalry to the west and others moved to reinforce the defensive line, which was starting to retreat in the face of  overwhelming numbers.

Royalist cavalry reinforcements arrive just in time.

The Royalist defensive line is stabilised as reinforcements move into position.

Attack on Little Yallop…

As the Royalist forces worked to reorganise their defensive positions and reclaim Oakfield amid some fierce fighting, the battle intensified in and around the hamlet of Little Yallop. Parliamentarian troops began to arrive from the northeast along the road, sparking fierce clashes. Parliamentarian dragoons spearheaded the initial assault on Little Yallop supported by their infantry. In response, Royalist cavalry made a decisive charge, routing not only the infantry, but pursuing some of the dragoon detachments to  provide some relief for the commanded shot defending Little Yallop.

Royalists stabilise their defensive line and attempt to retake Oakfield.

Royalist cavalry successfully see off some Parliamentarian cavalry, then charge off after them.

The attack on Little Yallop heats up as Royalist cavalry make a charge to relieve the situation.

Height of the battle…

At the height of the battle, both commanders were frantically throwing any available reinforcements into the engagement to secure control over Oakfield and Little Yallop, pivotal points in the battle. Despite numerous assaults, Parliament were able to maintain control around Oakfield, with dwindling units on both sides as the fierce fighting had taken is toll. Meanwhile, to the east, additional Parliamentarian cavalry arrived, successfully routing the troublesome Royalist cavalry who's gallant charge had undoubtedly saved the defenders of Little Yallop.

The battle for Oakfield at is height.

Parliamentarian forces are able to retain control of Oakfield.

The timely arrival of Parliamentarian cavalry are thrown into battle.

The Royalist cavalry are routed while the defenders of Little Yallop watch on.

The final assault…

In a final attempt to recapture the village of Oakfield, Lord Cedric Harrington, the Royalist commander, rallied his remaining infantry for one last assault. The attack nearly succeeded in dislodging Parliament's infantry, but ultimately failed as enemy cavalry intervened, routing this final Royalist assault and their commander.

Note - the final assault was one of those anything but a one situations, and then a one is rolled.

The Royalist infantry are rallied and make a final assault.

Parliamentarian defenders just hold on long enough for their cavalry to arrive.

The Royalist infantry and commander are routed.

Who won?

At the end of the game, each army maintains control of one of their objectives, Oakfield village and Little Yallop hamlet, but the Royalist commander suffered a rout and left the field of battle. Hence, I am declaring a marginal victory for the Parliamentarian forces.

Steven’s scenario provided a most enjoyable weekend game. Link to post and scenario - here.

A final note - my newly painted Royalist cavalry performed well, unlike the usual trend where new units often struggle on the tabletop.

An ECW game trying out a new scenario

While I have spent a fair amount of time at the tabletop lately, I have not neglected the painting side of the hobby. In the past few days, I've completed the first of several units aimed at expanding the armies in my English Civil War collection. I am planning to bolster both my Royalist and Parliamentarian armies by two additional infantry and cavalry units for each side, allowing for a total of six infantry and six cavalry units per army when required. This expansion has been enabled by the purchase of some reasonably priced second-hand figures, all of which I have already cleaned up and prepared for painting. Most of the figures belong to the Miniature Figures range, but there are a few Hinchliffe models scattered throughout. Although my current collection mainly consists of Hinchliffe figures, I am always happy to adding different ranges into the mix, especially if they are older model ranges which I generally find are easier to paint and look good with a gloss finish.

Miniature Figure cavalry with a couple of Hinchliffe figures, a converted dragoon holding a flag and trumpeter.

I have also made some additional casualty markers in yellow to add to the red and blue markers I had previously made (see here). Each colour represents different number of hits. I prefer the look of this cardboard casualties as an alternative to employing counters. The additional colour was suggested in comments (thank you) and helps to reduce the number needed to track hits which is up to 8 on my units. 

Casualty markers

A unit with 5 hits - yellow casualty (4) and blue casualty (1).

After painting a new unit I am always keen to get them onto the tabletop so it is time to set up a game for this weekend. I decided to use the Scenario #31 - ECHELONED ATTACK posted on the blog Sound Officers Call! The scenario has been created in the One-Hour Wargaming style and uses the battle of Battle of Aspern-Essling (1809) for inspiration.

The setting for my English Civil War game based upon the above scenario.

The vanguard of a Royalist force, under the leadership of Lord Cedric Harrington, a revered figure among Royalist ranks, has moved across the river Eldernorth into territory controlled by Parliament. To counter this unexpected move are Parliamentarian forces under the command of Colonel Charles Ashcroft, renowned for his steadfast dedication to the cause, earning him the admiration and respect of his comrades. Rather than opposing the Royalist crossing, Colonel Ashcroft has allowed them to establish a limited presence on the far bank. Meanwhile, he has hurriedly organised his dispersed forces to attack the Royalist bridgehead from various directions, aiming to isolate them from potential reinforcements and rout them.

Parliamentary units will arrive from points A, B, and C. Royalist reserves will arrive from point D.

Aware of nearby enemy forces Royalist units take up defensive positions between two villages.

So the scene is set for this weekend’s game.