1944 Normandy Breakout at Legendary Wargames

Full disclosure, it took me so long to get around to posting this I forgot most of what happened so narrative is brief. However the game itself is such a feast for the eyes I wanted to share the pictures still, your welcome!

I was recently invited to play at Legendary Wargames in Bronte country for the weekend, Rugby got in the way of the Saturday so I went for the second day and took over the advance of about a brigade of American troops.

Slightly confused fighting initially, mainly as I figured out which troops were mine and what I was up against., fabulous terrain and figures as usual.

The Allied objective was to win over the river, gaining points for each bridge and village captured.

I have one battalion of infantry sat in trucks ready to roll when the road is cleared.

My first job is to clear the remnants of a German infantry battalion from the village at table edge. I am pretty merciless with them firing half a dozen tanks, MG's and multiple, infantry companies into each house to finish the job quickly.

These two heavy German tank destroyers take me pretty much all day to get rid of given the disparity in armour and guns with the Shermans. As always lovely models.

These large AT guns also cause some havoc but are a little easier to get rid of with some concentrated fire.

Andy decides he has a cool way to decide on direction of wind for the smoke using a D4, having rolled it he promptly forgets how it works so we chuck a pen in the air instead.

The below picture of John Smith with the majority of both tables gives you an idea of the scale of gaming at Legendary Wargames. My area of operation is the table to the left of John with the village just behind him and the woods just next to him my immediate objectives and my high water mark when I went home.

Two more heavy German tank hunters block the road to the bridge at the near end of the table, Richard and I work together to swamp these with tanks and infantry. Still it takes some doing.

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Even when its raining Bronte country is beautiful. The view from Richards garden where we have a Pie and Beans lunch weather permitting.

Back after lunch and we throw all available units at the two Tank Hunters and supporting infantry company to try break through to the bridge. Its messy but eventually gets the job done.

Released from the village at table edge the rest of my armour and infantry start to push on toward the next village with a bridge.

The German Tank Hunters are happy to wait and pick my Shermans off supported by the heavy AT guns.

The Germans in the village are eventually swamped.

Richard having cleared the village at table edge I launched one battalion of my Brigade down the road and around the edge of the Germans.

Its a bit of a mess in the village with burning vehicles and casualties left right and centre, but we are making progress.

I quickly come under fire from across the river and unload my troops and heavy weapons.

We take casualties but soon I can call in artillery and my mortars are set up and the German defenders are destroyed.

Finally the last of the last of the German gunners are destroyed.

We get aircraft but without a spotter the only thing it see sis an empty truck.

I am finally closing in the German tank destroyers with three companies with Bazookas and three Shermans but even at this range I still needs 6's!

The allies were now making good progress but at a heavy cost. All still to play for but it was time to go home.

A final evening of gaming on the Thursday saw an Allied victory, which I missed unfortunately, still a fabulous day of gaming.

Reviewing the Great Northern War armies Part 1 the Allies

 We havent played with the Great Northern War for some time and recently Dave sold many of his Russian collection to chum Chris. Chris had lots of questions around what I had so it prompted me to get them out and I though why not take some photos at the same time!

First to review are the Allies, Poland/Saxony and Russia.

My plan was to be able to game the earlier period of the war in the Baltic and Poland, the main antagonist being Saxony supported by some poor Russian troops and sometimes by the Polish forces.

A period where the Swedes barely lost a fight so you need to be careful that things are still playable.

The Saxons. These are the troops that are simplest for me to expand at some point, I have lost of generic Warfare figures perfect for Saxons 

Two light/Medium guns and a couple of generals to start with. Ebor miniatures with an Ebor and a Dixon gun and one Foundry commander in the background.

Two units (Double squadrons) of Beusts horse, the Saxon horse typically had the currais and used pistols for preference.

Saxon dragoons, these are the regiment mounted.....

And their dismounted version, again these are Ebor and really very nice.

An Eor large/Medium gun and crew, like the colour schemes especially the black and yellow gun.

Four more Commanders, two Ebor and two Warfare.

The Saxon guard two battalions a mix of Warlord plastics set off with Metal command from Foundry and Ebor. Flags are Warfare.

The Polish Guard, as above mainly Warlord plastics.

Two battalions of regiment Pistorius, slightly more metals in these again though Warlord plastic alongside Foundry and Ebor command figures and Warfare flags.

Lastly the first battalion of Kurprinz, lots of spare figures to finish this unit off. These are all Warfare except a couple of Foundry drummers and standard bearer.

And the same unit with Jacobite flags and pike for Ireland and the Boyne campaign. I have quite a few Warfare figures where I can potentially do both Saxon and Jacobites with a command base swap/

And all together again, nice wee force but a few more to complete.

The Russians were always designed as a small supporting force. The Saxons didnt rate them and neither did the Swedes, the Saxons even made them turn their coats inside out to try disguise them as Saxons, it didnt work.

Cavalry first two regiments of horse, Ingermanlandski dragoons and horse grenadiers. The Russians didnt have true horse. These are all by Ebor.

I will have two battalions of foot eventually, for now just one finished, Siburski. Figures again Ebor.

The main force for Russia is Cossacks, in this case 4 battalions of foot Cossacks, later in the war these can be used alongside the Swedes. Bit of a mix these, Foundry, The Assault Group Old Glory mainly.

And four units of mounted Cossacks, a mix like the foot of Foundry and The Assault Group.

Nice little irregular force when all together.

Not to forget the leader Taras Bubas and the medium gun. TAG and Foundry.

Last are the Poles and definately my favourites. These troops retain much of the Renaissance feel with lots of armour mixed in.

First unit are the Valachs. Light cavalry who fought for the Swedes I have chosen to make them pretty uniform although we have no evidence either way for uniforms. Warlord and Foundry for the most part.

The rest of the light cavalry, these are a mix with plenty of The Assault group complimented by Redoubt and Foundry figures.

The Pancerni are my favourite, 5 units which is probably about right for a mix, maybe another couple of units would be ideal, they were typically 2 thirds of a force at this time. With their chainmail, bows and shield they look like something from the early medieval period. Redoubt feature strongly here, very nice figures, supported by The Assault group and a few Foundry figures.

I like these a lot so heres a few close ups.

Poles would not be complete without Winged Hussars, two units here, they were dying out by this time, the right are Warlord and the left Redoubt.

I have started dragoons but only completed the dismounted unit, the nearest the Polish army will come to any infantry, these are Warfare miniatures

Lastly the Polish Hetmen to lead our force forward. Old Glory, The Assault Group and Foundry.

And here they are together, not particularly useful, but proper lovely.

Swedes to follow when I get chance, thanks for stopping by.