Tag Archives: wargaming

September 2026 – Black Powder – Abensberg 1809

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I though it would be a nice change to run a series of 1809 Danube battles. The 1809 Austro-Franco War is my favorite of the Napoleonic periods so I thought we could game the battles in the ‘1809 Danube Campaign from the Situation Room’ book by Ged Elliott. The first one is Abensberg.

We played at the Club on a 16 x 6 foot table and I reduced the Orbats by roughly 50%. The ratings of the French/Allied commanders was generally superior to the Austrians, especially the likes of Napoleon/Lannes. We did not have enough Bavarian/Wurttemberg troops so we subbed in Wesphalians and Dutch. Both sides were warned any Dissent would be punished…this was later referred to as ‘Terryism’ .. cute.

The Austrian players were Goldie, Keith, Al and SteveT. The French were Paul, Robert, Rob and StephenC. I briefly appeared as an Austrian commander at end of game.

The happy crew below.

The Austrians are on the left, the Bavarians/Wurtembergers on the right. The French have first move and Lannes will arrive on the road on the bottom right.

Well…..Lannes was meant to arrive…..Morand sent a foot battery on first with orders to move up to edge of woods and unlimber…..rolled an 11 and failed….Lannes used his re roll..and this was as far as the guns made it…Rob was both those individuals!

3 of the energetic Austrian Commanders……

Robert advances on Offesnestarten…..quite the mouthful that one. Goldie was defending this sector for Austrians. Building are 20mm ones I had Al print for me….28mm take up 2 much footprint on table for large 28mm games.

On Allied right flank Paul’s Bavarians faces Alan.

Robs French finally obey orders and move onto table.

Hiller(Steven) marches on from road on Austrian right flank towards Bavarians(had to use several unpainted buildings…my bad).

Goldie had positioned horse battery behind Off……..

Goldie apart from being Hohenzollern(3rd ArmeeKorps) was also Archduke Charles and he bought Louis and the Reserve(Keith) on at the center road of table.

Hiller floods across the table……Paul’s line are forced into square and the beautiful Front Rank Wurttemberg cavalry advance into the fray(my favourite period figures).

Robert takes Offen……

Paul throws the Wurt cav into battle……I was fully supportive…sadly didn’t go well.

Robert thew his Bavarian light cav across the table on a follow me in an attempt to bust up the massed Austrian guns…..in a truly embarrassing fight which resulted in massed laughter…they lost the hand to hand combat…and were destroyed……

Sigh…..

I had written down some troop responses to how I perceived each side would act……Dissent from the Austrians had presented the French with 2 Dragoon regts….the Austrian reserve arriving in the centre and not right resulted in a small addition to the Austrian forces. I would command these. Lannes arrived with 11 bttns, 6 regts cav(8 with the Dragoons) and 2 batteries. The Austrian reserve in the center should make their right to weak to hold Lannes.

There had been a cavalry fight in the open spaces….the Austrian Kuirassiers won and swept into the infantry….who held and the cavalry retired.

Nappy had arrived on Turn 3 with his personal guard of 2 regts of Cuirassiers. He moved along edge of table to assist Bavarians.

Robert ever the optimist sent another cavalry regt against the batteries.

Morand attacks the thin white line…..sadly they did not break it.

Nappys escort charged the landwehr who formed square…..that unit retired and the second one then charged the column……who lost combat but passed morale test and cavalry retired.

Below is … messy. Keith has sent 2 Grenadier bttns around the village to attack Roberts line….an earlier attack by 2 other Grenadier regts had resulted in their destruction…these 2 suffered the same fate. Keith is not getting my Grenadiers again! The skirmishers in the middle defeated the artillery as well. Paul had sent the Dutch/Bavarians into a line which was destroyed…a good round got the Allied troops.

Empty spaces after the last round of combats.

End of game and Bavarians are holding the center…they had done very well.

Hiller is turning the Allied flank at the end of the day……..

And that was that. Photos for other end were to blurry to use.

On the day I believe Austrians had the better of it…..a number of Austrian units were destroyed at the end but I give them a minor victory.

Scenario wise….I didn’t allow for the lack of depth on table enough and should have restricted the Austrians Corps not to advance in support of the Advance Guard forces so easily. This would have given the Bavarians the opportunity to be more advanced. Lannes non arrival was certainly unfortunate and I certainly allowed the Austrian to many batteries!

We live and learn.

Next battle is Eckmuhl next month.

Until then…Terry out.

September 2026 – Hail Caesar Macedonian Successors v Rome

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Been a while… a few reports to push through.

As part of the planned Pyrrhic Wars Campaign in 2027 the group have been building armies.

We had a practice game with on one side the armies of Alexander, Pyrrhus and Antigonid One Eye v Republican Rome, Imperial Rome and Gallic Roman Allies.

I had requested players to bring Hail Caesar 250 point forces. Goldie had 290 points…need to watch that laddie!

Below is Rob’s Alexanderian Macedonian Army. A mix of Victrix and Warlord figures.

Below is my(Terry) army. Victrix figures mainly, most painted for me by Goldie with the command figures being Gripping Beast.

Below is Keith’s Successor Army, a mix of Victrix and Warlord figures.

Below is the Gallic portion of Al’s Carthaginian Army, again Victrix figures.

Below are some of my Imperial Romans. A mix of Foundry and Warlord figures.

And lastly below are some of Goldies Victrix Republican Roman Army.

Rob and Goldie were quickly into it. Rob charged Hoplite Phalanx into it. Heavy infantry against heavy infantry…each with supports.

One of my 2 commands advanced….thankfully the Phalanx part! Supported by Samnite light infantry and Epiorite Cavalry.

The Macedonians advanced….the Gaul’s didn’t seem interested.

Keith had some of the Warlord Elephants in his Army.

Back to Robs attack…..he was saving on 4’s. Rolling 4 ones is not good. He lost the combat…rolled his break test and popped.

Goldie pressed his advantage.

My Pike block charged Legionnaires.

I positioned my Elephants to charge Legionnaires….not a good idea but would be amusing. I have 4 attacks…they have 7…..Elephants have rules which basically say ‘Hunt Cavalry’.

The sloooowwww march to combat continues…….

I charged the other Imperial Command……maybe dice gods will favour me.

I am relying on the whisky glass here. The Samnites have 5 attacks and save on a 5(or 6 in first round due to incoming Pilums). Legionnaires have 7 attacks…save on 4. I have 6 attacks from supports… they have 2. I lost but held. Elephants also lost but held.

On left below… Roman cavalry face Alexander and his Companions……Combat continues on the right.

At last. Pikes v Warbands…….Cav v Cav.

Close up.

Alexander/Companions combat smash Roman cavalry and sweep into Legionnaires who had retired from combat against Phalanx shaken. Alexander had 2 or 3 attacks as well…..one would expect a Macedonian victory.

Warband v Pikes is getting rather messy as the battle lines breakup.

Oooopsy. Alexander and his Companions are destroyed. They inflicted 8 wounds on the Romans…of which 7 were saved……in return they lost the combat and were destroyed!

My Nellies are holding on…….the Samnites are holding on….both..barely!

In for a penny…..

Final act of game….I wasn’t going to ….but the taunts of the Romans left me no choice but to man up and send Pyrrhus with his cavalry charging a unit of shaken legionnaires…which after watching Alexander get destroyed I wasn’t to keen on….the Dice Gods were smiling and he look out the legionnaires……

So all in all an interesting and fun game. We are getting more familiar with the rules….thankfully the rule book that comes with Epic sets has more detailed rules on this period so you get that flavour more. Looking forward to next game.

The Whisky glass in my troop pictures contained Ardbeg 8 For Discussion. I prefer Sherry whisky more than Peaty ones but decided I needed an Ardbeg in my collection so I picked up this one(which has a Sherry aspect to it).

Tasting Notes found on line are:

The colour is pale gold, lighter than expected for a sherry cask matured whisky, and the nose is packed with peaty aromas. These are initially earthy and ashy, but then become more flinty and mineralic. Underneath are some sweeter aromas of dried fruit (especially sultana), toffee and butterscotch, plus heather honey and a twist of orange peel with hints of fennel seed and seaweed.

On the palate this whisky is punchy to begin with. Smoky and peppery notes hit first and these have an ashy charcoal-like edge to them, followed by damp earth and coal tar soap. Then comes a hint of green chilli and white pepper to accentuate everything. That flinty mineral feel from the nose is also present. 

Then comes much needed sweeter characteristics – think of juicy sultanas and raisins, plus butterscotch and toffee especially. Then the heather honey note evolves and sits underneath. With time other notes begin to develop and add depth. Hints of gingerbread and oat cookies marry with a pinch of cinnamon and a hint of seaweed. Very notes of candied orange and hints of liquorice and menthol also come through.

The finish is long with peaty and biscuit-like notes lasting longest. The sweetness slowly fades – first the sugary honey and toffee, then the juicy dried fruits. This leaves a gripping maltiness and expressive peat smoke. This has a earthy and ashy edge again with a hint of fennel seed and seaweed from the nose coming back right at the end.

Wow…. I didn’t really get any of that…but it is an easy whisky to sip while playing a pleasant game…..more so than the Ardbeg classics like the Corryvreckan and Uigeadail.

Until next time.. Terry out.

April 2026 – Ancients Hail Caesar game

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Another Hail Caesar game was played while the practice game was fresh in our minds.

Republican and Imperial Rome took on Carthage and Macedon.

Armies were roughly 400 points for each player.

View from Roman side.

Macedonian skirmishers blundered and charged!

My Imperials…was moving the Auxilia for woods….they didn’t really want to move sadly. Rest of Macedonians are catching up.

In center and right was battle of the skirmishers.

Now that looks great below…..Republicans in their small units in the checkerboard. Heavy infantry and warbands moving to engage…the games have the right look and feel.

Skirmishers looking to pepper the Elephants.

The Carthaginian Army is an attractive one…very well painted!

Let battle commence!.

I really like the look of the game……other gaming systems don’t ‘do it’ for me….but below is how I always imagined a battle should look.

Smash……Roman Maniple system faces a testing time.

Macedonian Pike Phalanx clash with the Legionnaires. The combats between them are quite even but the Legionnaires had more and better supports….attrition got to the Pikes.

On the other flank it was also a battle of attrition…the maniples being small are quit fragile if you can’t swap them out of combat before they ‘pop’.

I managed to get an auxilia unit into flank of Pike block and it ‘popped’. The shaken Legion unit then withdrew behind its support.

Pikes destroyed….as are supporting skirmishers…..elite cavalry unit in rear was getting shot by the bolt thrower and forced back disordered.

Its getting messy …… units are withdrawing…popping …sustaining casualties.

Auxilia charged the cavalry in flank…who then turned to face….and legionnaire unit then hit them in flank. FLANKS.

The grinding down the Macedonians continues.

I had thought the Republicans were toast as last time I checked they looked in dire position…somehow…… from the jaws of defeat…….

End of Game….Macedonians pulling back…..Carthaginians are joining them.

Nice picture of Republicans…lovely paint job.

So that was that… an attractive looking game…..more lessons learned…..more rules understood…..more units now will get painted…….I think we all enjoying this change of period. We are working out the shooting from skirmishers is VERY IMPORTANT…..you need supports…flank and rear…..makes army list selection even more critical…all great fun.

Until next time.. Terry out.

February 2026 ACW Campaign Game #1 – Moorefield

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After several turns of maneuvering we have our first battle of the Campaign!

The Union are holding the town of Moorefield with the Confederates attacking it.

The Union force in Moorefield is commanded by BG Louis Blenker and has the following forces:

  • BG Schencks(Alan) Brigade: 4 regts + Rigbys battery Indiana light artillery
  • Col Cluserets Brigade(Goldie)- 2 Regts + Battery G West Virgina light artillery
  • Col Dickels(Goldie) Cavalry attachment – 2 Regts cavalry, all Tiny units

On Turn 2 BG Milroy’s(Keith) brigade of 4 Regts + 12th battery, Ohio light artillery will march in on the road from Wardens.

The Union briefing and set up instructions is below.

The Confederate’s are attacking from Upper Tract where part of Jacksons Division with the Brigades of Fulkerson and Conner with SteveC in charge.

  • 3rd Fulkersons Brigade – 4 regts + Carpenters battery
  • 4th Conners Brigade – 3 Regts + Carringtons Virginia battery

Ashby’s 7th Cavalry Brigade with 3 small Regts and Chews Virginia battery of Horse Artillery commanded by Rob.

On turn 2 PaulW would arrive on the battlefield from Woodstock with not only the 1st Brigade of the Stonewall Division but the man himself!

The Confederate briefing and set up is below. Ashby’s troopers had been scouting the area and the Confederates were aware of the Union positions and the troops marching from Wardens.

The table is set up below from South to North.

Schenck’s Brigade below.

Cluseret’s Brigade is in Moorefield with a battery in a redoubt beside it, with skirmishing cavalry linking to the 2nd battery in a redoubt elevated commanding the center of the table.

Confederates march onto the battlefield. Ashby’s cavalry are on the left flank, then Conner and Fulkerson on the right.

Milroy’s brigade marches onto battlefield.

Jackson marches on…..much to the Union players surprise!! It’s like the French Imperial Guard appearing on your flank……

They flood forward……..

Schencks troops retire to consolidate position.

2 Tiny Union cavalry units stayed in front of the Confederate lines and were extremely difficult to move.

Lunch time and although we had all bought food along, Alans wife Joni prepared a feast for us!

The large Union batteries were effective…..the Union players didn’t agree but they were consistently disordering units and inflicting casualties….and being redoubts was difficult to inflict casualties on. The redoubts are 3 sided…we just didn’t bring them along(as we didn’t know about them).

Troops in buildings with artillery in cover makes for a difficult target to get to.

Over on the flank the dismounted cavalry were fighting it out. Thankfully….this distracted Milroy as planned so he was unable to support Schenck.

Jacksons troops in combat with Schencks. This combat went on for a number of turns.

The join point of Fulkerson and Winders brigades where the Union cavalry has finally been driven off.

Schenck is holding on and a regt from Milroy has arrived to assist.

The dismounted cavalry fight is over and the surviving troops of Ashby have been driven off, but without Ashby who was captured in a combat.

Schenk’s brigade has fled the field.

The brave 25th Ohio regt of Milroy’s brigade that rushed to their assistance is about to suffer the cost…..

The flank of redoubts were now open….

and both batteries were destroyed.

The death of the 25th Ohio…..

The remaining Union forces withdrew from the field of battle.

So a decisive Confederate Victory. I must say if was harder for the Confederates than I expected with Winders flank attack stalling against dismounted Union cavalry…the guns in the redoubts kept the Confederates at bay and Schenck held on longer than I though he would. The sacrifice of Ashby and his cavalry tying up Milroy worked perfectly however.

Great game for first one of the campaign and big call out for Russell of organizing and running a superb campaign.

Now, Summer has been a non event for us with the weather being generally awful. However, this month I had a 2 week break and Anita and I went and stayed up north in Whangamata which as expected was sunny, warm and the water was great! Anita had also accepted a new position so I celebrated with a Whisky purchase while I was there.

Below is the Tomatin 18.

Reviews say:

An 18 year old finished in Oloroso sherry butts…..Nose….rich and sherried…citrus and died fruit….palate……sweet…..fruit cake….chocolate….Finish…llloonngggg and warming spice and I will add…Oily …..in a pleasant way……an inspired purchase.

Sigh…will pop upstairs and enjoy one now….. happy days… Terry out!

So what will 2026 bring?

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Welcome to 2026…..

The group met for a ‘Council of War’ to decide on how we would structure any Campaigns for the next couple of years and review troop stocks so ladz could decide if they needed/wanted to add troops for upcoming events.

As a result upcoming campaigns are:

  • ACW Fire in the Shenandoah May 1862
  • Napoleonic 1813
  • Pyrrhic
  • Dark Ages

The ACW campaign is already underway with Russ running it and we are on Turn 2.Map is below. The Union players are Robert/Keith/Goldie/Alan and the Confederates Paul/Steven/Stephen/Rob and me(Terry).

The Napoleonic 1813 campaign will be our 3rd one and Paul will be running this in the second half of the year.

The Pyrrhic and Dark Ages campaigns are for 2027.

And to show the Gods of War are happy with these choices Warlord Games have just released a new book in their ‘Hail Caesar’ series entitled’ The Pyrrhic Wars’!

Within the group we have armies of:

  • Republican Rome
  • Carthage
  • Alexandrian Macedonian
  • Successor Macedonian
  • Pyrrhic

Additionally there are Early Imperial Roman Armies(that’s me….have way to many of them) and some Spanish. But then…campaigns have a way of spawning armies so who knows what will be added by next year!

The Dark Ages is tentatively 900AD to 1200AD and looks to be Normans/Byzantines/Arabs etc.

Tucked in among these campaigns will be the regular games and several ‘BFG’s are planned. The ‘BFG’ is a ‘Big ******* Game’ and these are those in the past such as out Waterloo 2015 game at the Wellesley Club, the Leipzig game and the Borodino games. A BFG that was held before these was a Gettysburg game on Christchurch which I did not attend… so mid year our plan is to play a 2 day BFG Gettysburg when our local club the Warlords has a 2 day gaming weekend at the club venue, The Johnsonville Club.

The 2nd BFG which will be in 2027 is a Normandy 1944 breakout rumble using 12mm scale.

So lots happening………

There will be updates through the year …..

Very excited.

Now rather than a whisky, as it is summer(well occasionally…when it hasn’t rained) I have been drinking Ginger beers from the Hawkes Bay Brewing Company .

The Ginger Fusion is a 5% alc/vol infused with mandarin. Its a beauty.

Then there is my favorite thirst quencher after a session in the garden. The Spiced Ginger Beer has been infused with Cinnamon and Chili and is truly amazing!!

That’s all for now….. Terry out.

December 2025 – Black Powder – Lossnig 1813

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The last game we played in 2025 was a refight of Lossnig 1813 from the ‘Lets Fight Leipzig’ Book which was a birthday game for Alan!

Map is below.

The scenario is the French are holding a line form Dosen to Dolitz. The Allies have 9 turns to take these 2 villages and Lossnig. The French have reinforcements arriving at different times, including 4th Cavalry Corp, 3rd Young Guard Division, 2nd Old Guard Division and the Berg lancers!

The French players were Russ, Rob and Keith with Austrians being Alan, Goldie, Steve and me(Terry).

The French players are set up defending Dosen to Dolitz.

The Austrians march on between A and B. French players below.

Dolitz defenders.

Alan advances towards Dossen.

Austrians advance on Dolitz. Goldie to the left of Village and Steve to the right.

Alans 1st and 2nd Austrian Divisions advance on Dosen. The 27th light cavalry Division is behind the village.

Austrians sweep into attack on Dolitz.

Alan launches attack on Dosen.

The French took an aggressive posture and attacked the advancing Austrians. Some gaps are appearing in both sides as a result.

Flanks……Goldies flank was exposed…and he was punished….his artillery was also placed in the open when it marched on…..took punishment while still limbered.

Combats lasted several turns.

Dolitz is still holding out.

Austrian Grenadier reserve march on and move towards French flank.

Alan is still trying to take out Dosen with assistance of Steve’s 2nd command arriving(was random arrival)!

Alan launched an attack on the Krakus who evaded….leaving Alan exposed to the Polish Cuirassiers.

Dosen rumble continues.

Cavalry playing.

French center cleared out. The Austrian reserve Cuirassiers should be on the table…but they refused to arrive…for the entire game!

Dolitz has been taken so the Austrian left and center move on Lossnig.

Dosen is finally taken. The French 4th Cavalry had arrived and were doing a great job of forcing the Austrians into square and stopping the advance. Without the Austrian Kuirassiers we lacked ability to quickly counter them.

End of game….boyz started packing up b4 had chance to take some close up pictures! But the Yound Guard were on table….Old Guard had not been needed……and it was Turn 9!

So French Victory and well done to them!

So that was 2025!

Terry out.

November 2025 – WW3 Team Yankee Game # 1

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For something total different, I asked Goldie for a game of Team Yankee. I have gradually been painting a West German force and Goldie has Russkies.

We played the 1st Scenario from the West German book which has the Germans defending a Russian attack.

Only tried 1 or 2 games before so an absolute novice as don’t play FOW either.

So I was defending a wood line in the middle of the table. The Russkies need to capture 1 of the 2 objectives and hold it at end of Turn 2 or 3. They can fail that and take 1 of 2 alternates toward edge of table instead on turn 4 onwards. The Russkies were 80 points of evil and I was 62 points of the righteous!

The Russkies get first move. I can have 1 command ‘Ambush’ which means hidden set up and are placed in my turn. I chose the 3 Leopard 2’s.

Russkies move up and unleash. My grunts were in foxholes and survived, however as a beginner I left my Marder’s in the woods rather than behind., and they got whacked. I had kept my 3 Leopard 2’s as my ambush unit which can be seen now in the woods below. A Gepard is providing AA cover behind the wood. The Russkie marker is an objective.

My first turn was basically fire everything I could! There were 12 T-72’s, 9 BMP-2s and 2 BMP-s to target!! The Mi-24s were out of Gepard range.

Woohoo…..some great shooting was made!!

The wee BMP-s quickly were blown away.

Next turn the Hind’s move up to assault the woods but the Gepard’s quickly destroyed them.

The Motor Rifle Company moved up the flank heading for one of the objectives. I managed to inflict some more damage.

WOOOHHHOOOO….. some more great shooting!

So one side of table now has no Russkies left.

End of game……the Russkies made it to the objective……so I had to destroy them in my turn to not lose the game. So the troops in the woods were shot at by the Jaguar 2s and the Gepards. The troops standing in the open were machine gunned by the Leopards…..and the Russkies failed and were destroyed!

Objective marker, its turn 3 and the Russkies are broken!

That was great fun. basically had no idea what I was doing…so game slower than should have been…but getting a feel for it.

The next game is part of 3 linked so this time I get 99 points as does Goldie. I get to add 4 Leopards, 2 Luchs but lose the Jaguar 2s and some Panzer Grenadiers. Goldie adds 5 T-72’sand 4 Shilka’s!

Should be fun.

Until next time, Terry out.

November 2025 – Black Powder Franco Prussian Game No # 2

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After the First FPW game of the month, Goldie and I chatted about weapons and the rules and made a change to reduce the impact of the artillery. We reduced them from 2 shots too 1shoot, the Prussians to 60 inch range and the French to 48 inch range. For the Mitrailleuse we took off the -2 on morale saves as at times they are WAY to effective!

So Alan and Goldie were the bad guys(Prusso/Bavarians) while Keith, Robert and I were French. Below my troops on left and Roberts on right. We were the left flank and center of French line.

Prussian left flank with Goldie advancing on village v Keith.

Alan had right of Prussian line.

Goldie took position of the village before Keith…….not good for Keith.

As this allowed Goldie to extend rapidly to his flank.

Goldies force pours around village.

On the other flank its was more…sedate, as I failed to move 3 turns in a row…and Alan wasn’t much better!

Where as Keith was knee deep in it……newly painted Garde Mobile making an appearance.

Goldie attacking the pivot point on Keith’s flank.

While Goldie sent a large force around the left of the village…he also sent a strong force around the right side……

Hmmmm…. some good French shooting and a few gaps appear.

Keith is being overwhelmed on his right flank.

The French left and center…..I have managed to move and am dishing out damage. Beside me in the center Robert outnumbers the Prusso/Bavarians facing him but is not making any headway.

Keith has thrown reserves in to try and hold the line.

And for a first……French Cuirassiers made a charge against disordered infantry…WON THE COMBAT…..but the Prussians passed morale and the Cuirassiers retired…a pivotal point…..had the Prussians popped…a lot of Prussian units were within 6 inches and would have been facing morale tests.

Back in the center…shooting war continued.

The retired disordered French Cuirassiers are facing the advancing Prussians…the French line has collapsed…..

Prussian Uhlans charge the disordered French Cuirassiers(which means they cannot counter charge).

Prussian Dragoons charge into the French Chasseurs.

The French Cavalry is destroyed and the Uhlans sweep into the flank of a line bttn. Goldie’s flanking force is pouring in behind them.

Over on my side….I am slowly pushing Alan back.

And that was that….comprehensive Prussian Victory! Goldies rapid move into Keith’s center(Village) and flank coupled with poor movement dice for Keith meant he was in trouble quickly. Robert held his own in the center and my failure to not move for 3 turns meant I could not put pressure on Alan enough to allow Robert to shift troops to assist Keith.

Was best FPW game yet……the added cavalry and Garde Mobile units are allowing more options as we fine tune the rules.

So onto a Whisky review.

Now I recently had dinner with some of my former staff from my Chevron days who were in Wellington to visit an ill former colleague of ours, so we met for dinner. Imagine my surprise when I was gifted a Dalmore 18 as a late birthday present!

Looking up reviews they say:

Nose: Fruity and spicy with notes of vanilla, orange zest and potpourri, marmalade and sweet milk chocolate. A touch of leather and sultana.

Palate: A delicious fireside dram with notes of chocolate raisins, juicy citrus, stewed fruits, old sherry and pepper.

Finish: A long, fruity finish ending on almond, buttery toffee apples and cocoa.

Which is telling us this whisky is meant to taste like a Chocolate Orange! And it did….quite different to my normal drinking styles…..but VERY PLEASANT!

Until next time, Terry out.

Black Powder Napoleonic Game – November 2025 Guldengossa 15 October 1813

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I had planned on being out of Wellington for the weekend however when the motorway back into city had returning traffic diverted for the weekend we decided to cancel it.

So I joined the ladz for a game at the club.

It was to be Wachau however seeing I was now coming along Goldie felt Guldengossa scenario from our favourite scenario book, ‘Let’s fight Leipzig’ would be more fun. Apparently it was felt this scenario would suit me…give me 4 Divisions of French cavalry and watch the fun or in Goldies words ‘This has to be the most Terry scenario ever’…. as the French player should endeavor to be as aggressive as possible with their cavalry!

So Alan and Goldie were the Russo/Prussian players and Robert and I were French.

Set up below, Robert is the French infantry on the left with Alan opposite him with Russian/Prussian Forces. On the French right is me(Terry) with the French cavalry, some on table and some failing to arrive. Opposite me is Goldie with Russian/Prussian infantry/artillery with his Russian Cavalry off table

Turn 1 and I had to follow the rules and launch attacks, which did to force the Allied infantry into square and pin them.

The French started with 3 batteries off table between the 2 French commands. The Prussian column below is disordered.

French advance on Allied lines.

View down Alans line.

Allies charge the French!

Example below of the French cavalry forcing the Allied infantry into squares.

One of my Cavalry divisions arriving late and positioning for charges.

Alan was getting the better of the combats in the center.

Robert got into the swing of things and is charging away!

Bit a clearance of Allies in center.

Roberts reserve infantry arrived and were used to block center.

An attempt was made below to rush a French column through a gap in the Allied lines and capture the objective of the village….they fell 1 move short!

The Russian Cavalry makes a belated arrival…a mix of Guard and Cuirassiers!

I charged Dragoons into a shaken square, was disordered going in so looking to lose that combat…thankfully I had sent Cuirassiers into the flank of its neighboring battery…who popped and allowed a sweeping advance into the another flank of the square. After resulting combat the square had popped.

Face off between my flanking heavies and the newly arrived Russians.

Alan threw his Hussars to blunt the French advance in the center….combat was a draw and both retired.

I charged the Russian Guard cavalry as per scenario rules!

Meanwhile…..sadly the photo didn’t work…but below is the result of Alans Prussian brigade breaking and backing away…..and my Cuirassiers below(yes they are French Guard…but t we didn’t have enough of them available to us!) have taken out the 2 Russian Hussar units and their pointy sticks.

Having accomplished the breakthrough…they are looking at the Flank of Russian Cuirassiers.

Meanwhile…..the flank cavalry fight was essentially a draw…Russian Guard Dragoons rallied back off table…and my battered heavies are rallying as well.

End of game……Alan’s Russians are hanging on……the Prussians are a broken brigade and retiring…..French have a strong force in the center.

Facing the village are the 3 batteries and infantry so 1 or 2 turns until it will be taken.

On the French right a couple of Prussian squares remain, who are pinned by cavalry…as artillery breaks them down so the cavalry can finish them off. The heavies of both sides are playing further over.

So we agreed it was a French victory as the Village would be taken in a turn or 2. Was great fun and having 4 cavalry forces to play with was such FUN! The late arrival of the Russian cavalry was a bonus and the Russian Grenadiers never made it onto the table(as I was in their arrival spot!).

Until next time, Terry out.

November 2025 – Black Powder Franco-Prussian Game

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We played a FPW game as it had been a while.

Alan and Goldie were the Prusso/Bavarians and Keith/Stephen the French. I was on drinks duty.

Goldie had 2 Prussian brigades and a 4 gun battery. His left flank brigade below.

Goldies centre left brigade, guns to the right of picture.

Alans Bavarian horde……he had the cavalry as well.

Keith also had 2 brigades plus Frech artillery reserve…and some cavalry. He is on French right.

Stevens French of 2 brigades plus a gun and machine gun.

French legere in the ruins centre of table.

Bavarian horde…all prints of Alans.

Goldies centre brigade moves up through the woods.

Another view of Alans horde.

There were 2 villages…on French left flank of table and one in centre right…which is one below. Keith is in possession, however Goldie has attacked and got into the village.

Alan has attacked the village on his side as well.

A unit supporting the flank of Goldie assault on the village fell foul of infantry fire…3 batteries and a mitrailleuse…..as you would expect they ‘evaporated’.

Alans assault in village failed and he bounced back.

Over on other flank, after a slow start Goldie had a rapid charge up……..

As you can see from gap below…it did not go very well.

So, in village below… Goldie got in….so 8 attacks v French 6…he lost…..

Alan charges into village to his front again…..

The French legere in woods were still holding on at end of game….had 2 units to its rare for when they eventually popped!

Last picture…was a lot going on at this stage…and I just forgot to take pictures…BAD ME!

So, at games end, Goldies flank brigade was almost if not broken…Stephen’s right hand brigade was 1 casualty away from breaking…so a fun game…normally slug fest for this period. As to which side won…..they can debate that amongst themselves!

Until next time… Terry out.