Malplaquet

This year marks the three hundreth anniversary of this battle, Marlborough's last victory.
But the battle presents something of a problem for the wargamer and this is where I'm looking for some input if you don't mind.
The allies have to attack three types of position.
Firstly, covering the gaps between the Bois de sars & Bois de Laniere there are the fieldworks. I'm taking these to be earth banks supported by gabions an embrasured to allow the large artillery train the French had to fire.
Secondly, there are the woods themselves. Are they densly forested with heavy undergrowth to allow boars to prosper and thus make good hunting? Or are they more open like beech forsets where the fallen leaves are toxic enough to prevent shrubs and ground plants taking over?
Finally we have the parts of the woods protected by more earthworks. Are these still embankments or are they simpler types of defense where fencing is placed between the trees with some reinforcement?

I have ideas about how to play the game but there are still things I haven't quite figured out yet. In our rules line troops moving through woods would suffer a level of disorganisation making them prone to enemy fire. But how did the generals of the day manage it?

more things will crop up as we get closer to the big day, because I'm planning a refight for the battle to mark the tricentenary, but this will do for now.

April 23rd

Is of course St. George's day and is a cause to celebrate all things English.
it is interesting to see that this year there appears to have been a bit of a turnaround with many events being organsied across the country to celbrate today. This contrasts markedly with previous years where the day has almost been seen as a taboo subject for fear of upsetting someone who is not English but chooses to live in England.
England may not be perfect, it does house some racists - both pro & anti white, it may have a declining world status, but it is my home and I'm proud of it.

And did those feet in ancient timeWalk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire.

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

Huh?

Interesting that the preview for the 2009 schedule shows that the Bears have the "easiest" schedule of all 32 teams with their opponents only having won 41% of games in 2008, although we do play 7 teams who were in the 2008 playoffs.
Of course that is temepered by Minnesota playing teams with a 42% win ratio, Green Bay a 43% win ration and lowly Detroit (0-16 last year) playing a 47% winning ratio (but only 5 playoff teams).
How does all that work then? Pittsburgh (schedule ranked 29 out of 32 with a 43% ratio) should have the hardest schedule but it actually goes to Miami with a 59% win ratio.
I know that some divisions were poor - NFC North prime amongst them, and some were tough - AFC East for example.
Any given Sunday right?

Three Years

This blog is nearing it's third birthday. I never thought it would get this far, have so many followers or indeed receive so many hits. So it's a big thank you for all that.

In the past three years I've painted some 2,000 figures and expanded several projects. Of all those the only ones I can that are finally complete are the two 15mm armies I've done - one for sale and one for a friend, and the Border Reivers who haven't seen the light of day for a year now. The WSS project was finished until last weekend when I increased the foot by a further four battalions.

I've also started two new periods. The Great war is nearing completion with just a few machine guns required. The Great Northern War is into the second quarter with the Swedish foot all done bar a few flags.

But it is the community that blogging has created that is the greatest achievement I feel. Friends, and that's how I see you, scattered over the globe all reading and adding to the wargaming discussion. Many thanks.

Triples

Lighter in pocket but heavier in lead is a summary of Triples for me.
Considerably heavier in lead it should be.
Big bag of great Northern War figures from Musketeer. I enjoyed having a long chat with bill on sunday and continue to be impressed by the quality of the figures and the service that he, and his good lady Hazel, provide. And if he's right then we should be in for a treat this year with horse and guns coming shortly along with the Russian command.
Big bag of figures from front Rank. this is definately it now for the War of the Spanish succession. No more increases in the French order of battle. Final word.
Bundle of earthworks from Ironclad. This company seem to have come from nowhere but the quality and detail of the resin castings is excellent. The single gabions are good but the field fortifications are even better. So good in fact that I bought four sets rather than just the one I had intended.
Germans from Great War Miniatures are almost finished just needing the heavy machine guns now to finish the regiment off. Unfortunately Dave Thomas had sold out on Sunday so they'll have to wait until Partizan I think.
I picked up a copy of "Raid on st. Michael" by messrs Grant & Olley. Slighlty disappointed by the lack of colour photogrpahs and the asking price of £15 seems steep for the number of pages.

Other than that it was odds and ends, a few brushes, some basetex and a rather rash purchase of figures from Newline.

I declined to buy a copy of Trafalgar rationalising that painting ships was not going to happen any time soon. Add in the cost of buying the ships and it makes an expensive project in both financial temperal terms.

A Mortgaged Future?

There is no doubt that adding Jay Cutler is a big step up for the Bears. Excellent signal caller, mobile and with a terrific arm he is the quaterback we've wanted for along time.
But was the price worth it?
No stand out receivers and still some problems at tackle despite adding Orlando Pace (on the same day within hours) to the squad, will make it hard for Cutler to do what he does best.
For this we traded away Kyle Orton (interesting that Lovie Smith has kept quiet in the off season so far over Orton despite being so vocal in his support during the regular season), first & third round pick for this year and the first round pick for 2010.
The Bears must improve this year because our future went to Denver.
I might sound negative but actually I'm looking forward to having a big name quaterback. Just hope we get him somebody who can catch a deep ball.

Triples

It's another big weekend for wargame shows here in the Uk with Sheffield Triples on Saturday & Sunday.
As ever I have a long list of needs but not as long as the wants. Subtle difference in the two I think as all wargamers will attest!
So needs:
Musketeer Miniatures - Russian pikes & muskets. Already ordered these although slightly disappointed to hear that the command packs won't be ready it will be good to meet Bill again and get the full details.
Front Rank - more Spanish Succession. this falls somehwere in between need & want I feel, but looking at my full order of battle I thought there was a need for four more French battalions to balance the army a little.
Great War Miniatures - two companies of infantry and a few Maxims to complete the great War western front project. Definately and with finality that will be the lot! Of course if Scarab Miniatures are there with their new Austrians ..............no no must not get distracted by shiny new things.

Wants are a much more eclatic mix with field fortifications, gabions, bases, paints and brushes (as an aside - I purchased some brushes the other weekend and for some reason I can't get my 00 brush to hold a point but the other sizes bought at the same time are fine) amongst the list.
Field fortifications are the main want. I'm looking for some ramparts and gabions to use for the artillery in the WSS project. I do have a lot of gabions from different makers already but none that I'm overly happy with. I would like some precast pieces to add into the mix.
Paints and washes feature on the list for the first time in a long time. As most regular readers will know I tend to use GW for most paints but I'm keen to look at washes from other makers this time given the small pot size that GW sell. I also need some Basetex since my last tub has dried up this week.

So pocket full of cash and a wargame show should make me poorer but happy.