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Please Note: This blog contains poorly painted toy soldiers that may offend those of an aesthetically sensitive disposition.

Friday 22 December 2023

Of Shakos and Machine Guns

 A long time ago I planned to do some Early WW1 games and duly bought some 20mm figures from Irregular Miniatures. The project stalled, as so many do, and the figures languished part painted in a drawer. Recently I rediscovered them and have finished enough for a PW game.

At that time I was basing figures individually and adding static grass etc. These days I go for plain multi bases as it means I might actually get round to finishing a few units in a reasonable time frame (ie ever). This is by way of explaining the strange appearance of mixed basing styles.

The Setting - Le dernier jour de la Belle Epoque

It is August 1914. The German Army has invaded neutral Belgium, aiming to rush through into North France and capture Paris. The Belgians aim to hold the German Army allowing the French and British time to come to their aid.

The game features a small sector in East Belgium. The German objective is to get at least 3 units across the board, to simulate their advance, by Turn 15. The Belgian objective is to stop the Germans.

The German force is 7 units strong. 4 Line Infantry, 1 Jaeger (Elite) 1 Uhlan, 1 Machine Gun


The Belgian force has 6 units. 2 Line Infantry, 2 Chasseurs a Cheval, 1 Carabinier (Elite), 1 Machine Gun (dog-pulled). Half of the Force did not arrive until Turn 3.


The Belgians got the initiative and quickly set up defensive positions behind walls.


The Germans advanced along a farm track (actually Warbases' River sections)



The German plan was to rush forward and get the required number of units over the enemy's base line as soon as possible. Unfortunately things soon bogged down...


..until the German Army reached Exhaustion Point at Turn 9

Exhaustion Point!
At Turn 10 the German force withdrew rather than continue to take casualties. The Belgian's had succeeded in stalling the enemy, in this sector at least. 


 

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14 comments:

  1. Philotep22 December 2023 at 13:51

    Hi Maudlin, great post! Not my period, but I must say that it is the first time I see minis representing harnessed dogs pulling a machine gun - did you convert them ?

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  2. Maudlin Jack Tar22 December 2023 at 14:14

    Thanks Philotep. The dog-pulled machine gun is by Irregular Miniatures, as are all the figures in this post. It's a nice little set.

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  3. Elliesdad22 December 2023 at 18:00

    I must admit the Belgians are a nice, fairly obscure little force. I was aware they used dogs to pull their machine guns, but don’t really like the thought of any harm happening to the dogs (I’d just have to rationalise that “the dogs must’ve run away to safety). We have 2 dogs 🐶🐾and we care for them more than we do for 99.9999999+% of the human population.
    Enjoy your festive break 🎄
    Cheers,
    Geoff

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    Replies
    1. Maudlin Jack Tar23 December 2023 at 06:51

      Thanks Geoff. I know what you mean.
      Seasonal Greetings to yo too.

      Delete
    2. Maudlin Jack Tar23 December 2023 at 06:52

      You not yo!!

      Delete
    3. Elliesdad23 December 2023 at 11:29

      No worries dude - I thought perhaps you was “gettin’ down wid da yoof” and “keepin’ it real”. Whatever all that means…
      In particular I just hate - with a vengeance - when people who should know better use “was” when clearly they they needed to use “were”. Every day I’m becoming more of a grumpy old man. Oh well…
      Cheers,
      Geoff

      Delete
    4. Maudlin Jack Tar24 December 2023 at 06:49

      Having been a grumpy old man for a while now I must agree!

      Delete
  4. Mark Man Of TIN22 December 2023 at 20:36

    Good to see “plucky little Belgium” in play, dogs and all ...

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  5. Mark Cordone23 December 2023 at 06:31

    Great post, always good to be able to dust off some old figures and get some use out of them.

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  6. Martin S.23 December 2023 at 08:15

    Good to see you (re-) new (-ed) project up and running, MJT. They’ve come up looking really good 🙂👍🏼. Was Exhaustion at 33% in this game?
    Happy Christmas 🎄🎄

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    Replies
    1. Maudlin Jack Tar23 December 2023 at 08:28

      Happy Christmas Martin. Yes 33% EP
      With hindsight the Belgian force could have been a bit smaller to give the attackers more of a chance.
      I don't have any artillery for these armies which again could have tipped the balance

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    2. Martin S.23 December 2023 at 17:54

      Ooh yes - a barrage to soften up them there Belgians might have helped the assault troops, I guess.

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