I completely forgot I created this blog! That is why I haven’t posted in 7 1/2 years! Thank you to alpsdrinker for subscribing and reminding me this existed.
So, what’s new in Gavin’s gaming world. In addition to our regular rotation of annual conventions, (Recon – Orlando FL, and HurriCon – Orlando FL), I have added Skirmish in Jacksonville, FL and NashCon in Nashville, TN.
GT Publishing (available via Wargamevault.com) in addition to “Commit the Garde!” (Napoleonic wars) and “Sound the Charge!” (American Civil War), now publishes “Above the Clouds” (air combat from WW2 through Vietnam), “Damn the Torpedoes!” (ACW naval ironclad combat), and “Flank the Tiger” (tank combat with a not too serious bent).
I will update the blog with some of my recent games here shortly.
Canvas Eagles, Summer 1918 (April 2016)
After Action Report, Canvas Eagles
Monthly Game, April 20th, 2016
(Full report and photos can be found at https://gavinsgamingblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/after-action-report-canvas-eagles20apr16.pdf)
The following is an after action report from the Skies over France (played at TBS Comics in Fort Walton Beach, FL using the rules Canvas Eagles available on-line at http://www.maxeagles.com/, with several local rule additions.
Scenario Background
We engage in World War I aerial combat each month on the 3rd Wednesday. The scenario is randomly determined and players are assigned to each side based upon their past success in the campaign. Players are assigned to each side in order of success, and players are each awarded a number of “Pilot Cards” based upon the amount of success since the last time they were killed in combat. Each pilot card lists a skill or liability, and players may discard any cards they wish as long as they start with at least one card. Basically, if you were killed in the previous battle you get only one card and generally have to live with it. If you are an Ace (i.e. have scored 5 kills since the last time you were killed) you get 5 cards. Additional cards are awarded for players who have their own model aircraft, and players can also draw additional cards if they bribe the game master with either food or drink (Butterfinger, Heath, diet coke, or diet Mt. Dew are popular).
This month’s scenario involved German Pfalz D.IIIa aircraft meeting French SPAD XIIIs over the trenches. There were 4 hexes of clouds, and several “non-player” aircraft in the area: 2 Caproni Ca.33 bombers on their way to a target (bombs loaded), 1 Salmson S.2 performing reconnaissance, and 2 Hanover CL.IIIs flying low level to attack Trenches (these non-player aircraft maneuver rolling 2D6 according to some pre-programmed tables depending on their proximity to “threats.”
Objectives
(The main objective of all our games, everyone should have fun!) Each player is rewarded for each kill they score and partial credit is given for each “Victory” (awarded for causing an enemy to spin below their level or for setting them on fire).
(Full report and photos can be found at https://gavinsgamingblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/after-action-report-canvas-eagles20apr16.pdf)
AAR, Ocana (November 1809)
Final Playtest, December 26th, 2015
(Full Report and Photos located here After Action Report, December 26th, 2015)
The following is an after action report of the Battle of Ocaña, played at TBS Comics in Fort Walton Beach, FL using the rules Commit the Garde! available on WargameVault.com. (Note: all photographs were taken from the Southeastern side of the battlefield.)
Scenario Background
Following moderate successes against the French in 1809, the various Spanish armies (Army of La Mancha under General Juan Carlos de Areizaga, the Army of Estremadura under the Duke of Albuquerque, the Army of Galicia under La Romana, and the Army of the Asturias under Ballastero) decided to march on Madrid from their various locations to effect its liberation. (The British commander, Arthur Wellesley, thought the plan too reckless and decided to withdraw his forces into Portugal.)
General de Areizaga rapidly approached from the south, stopping just 35 miles short of Madrid on November 9th to rest his army and allow the other armies to complete their approach marches. Resuming his advance on November 12th, Areizaga discovered French forces blocking his path. If he could occupy the French army south of Madrid the path would be clear for another army to liberate Madrid and trap the French interlopers.
Current Situation
Yesterday (November 18th) opposing cavalry clashed with the French besting the Spanish, driving them back to the town of Ocaña. Areizaga’s army now stands to defend the town while the French under Marshal Soult are desperate to quickly disperse at least one Spanish army.
Objectives
The Spanish army wins if it survives the day intact. The French must break the morale of the Spanish force before the end of the battle. Twilight is at 1700 hours, nightfall at 1800 and the fighting will end at 1900. [In Commit the Garde! an army morale check is made at the beginning of each army’s turn with a number of dice being rolled for each broken/destroyed brigade, each fallen general, and each key terrain hex lost (villages, hills, key road junctions, and in this scenario entrenchments). If the army rolls three “6s” their morale breaks.]
Deployment
The Spanish army deployed with its infantry brigades behind fieldworks along the gully (treated as a stream for rule purposes) just north of the town. Most of the cavalry from both armies was deployed in the open terrain to the west, and olive groves (light woods) dominated the area east of the town.
The Battle
The battle commenced at 0800 with the French cavalry quickly crossing the gully to prevent the Spanish cavalry from actively opposing their crossing.
(Full Report and Photos located here After Action Report, December 26th, 2015)
Welcome to my Gaming Blog!
Well, as this is my first attempt at blogging let me start by telling you a little bit about myself (as if it really matters to you).
I am a life-long wargamer. I was given my first wargame (Avalon Hill’s “Waterloo”) as a Christmas Present at the age of 5 (1971), after being introduced to the hobby by my older and much smarter brother. It would be at least 10 years before I ever defeated him in a wargame (Yaquinto’s “Ultimatum”).
In junior high school I began collecting my fires miniatures for wargaming, GHQ micro armor and playing TAC Force (GDW Games). As freshman at the US Air Force Academy I was introduced to Napoleonic miniatures, which has been my favorite wargaming genre ever since. My collection of 15mm Napoleonic figures now exceeds 8,500 figures and my very lovely and very tolerant wife of 25 years even selected our recent home because it has a 14′ x 20′ room which I have dedicated to Wargaming (and my elliptical trainer, as of late).
I hope you enjoy my blog, I doubt that I will get much of a following. The main reason I have created this is to be able to post After Action Reports (AARs) from my games, which may or may not be of interest to the wargaming community.
Thank you.
GavinsGamingBlog 