Trooping the Colour.

 

I noticed it was the 'Trooping of the Colours' on TV today so I thought it appropriate to post this . In an effort to boost morale in 'Army Red' the CinC has decided that regiments will now field their Colours  .

 

 

Here they pass on parade in front of the CinC and a group of officers and distinguished visitors .

 

 

The Borsetshire Regiment troop their Colour , The Great Patio War was the last time that 'Army Red' had Regimental Colours in action - although many authorities dispute this* ! (I hope to add flags to the other units and also 'Army Black' when I get around to it )

(* Dobson - 'The evidence against the use of Unit Flags in Late War' -Oxford 1899)

 

 

Patio Wars - Reconnaisannce .

 

Encouraged by the Spring like weather General in Command of 'Red Army' R.Crawley ('Creepy' to his men !) rides out with a small escort of Hussars to reconnoitre the ground for the big push which he has been planning over winter.

 

 

They pause to view the land in the cover of Spring foliage .

 

 

But suddenly they spot the enemy ! - Uhlans ! and the enemy spots them !

 

 

As the lancers form line - the General decides discretion is the better part of valour and retires. I have not done any work on my 54mm Funny Little Wars figures for quite a while but like General Crawley perhaps the better weather will inspire me into casting up more reinforcements ready for the Spring campaign.

 

 

Meanwhile in Nova Scotia a similar patrol sets out but in slightly different weather ! - Photo care of Ross Macfarlane - http://gameofmonth.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

A Lucky Find.

 

Today the postman staggered up the path carrying a parcel for me . I regularly scan EBay for likely figures and molds and was lucky enough to get the above at a reasonable price. They are Hussar castings in 54mm from the Prince August 'toy soldier' range . I already have the mold but lack of suitable metal has prevented me from casting more up - they take a LOT  of metal !. So suitably repainted these will allow me to add two cavalrymen to my 'Red' Army Hussar unit, so finishing it and do a Hussar unit for 'Black' Army (Deaths Head Hussars ?) there being 6 figures to each unit. My 'Funny Little Wars' armies have not seen any action of late - lack off 54mm scenery for indoor games and a VERY  wet summer have been responsible , so these figures will hopefully  inspire me to renewed efforts.

'Black' Army Uhlans

Here we see the first cavalry unit of Army 'Black' , they are the 1st Regt. of Uhlans and are produced from the Prince August 54mm 'Model Soldier' range of molds - think it's labelled as 'British Lancer' .

On patrol in one of the rougher areas of the Patio - inspecting the formers site of the 'Gross Redoubt' .

The Officer figure however is a modern 'Britains' figure purchased very reasonably from EBay and given a new paint job to match his men's uniform .

The 1st Uhlans are inspected by Prinz Hertz Van Hyre. These cavalry figures have taken ages to finish off due to the large amount of metal in each casting and the horses (which come in 2 halves- front and rear) can be a bit of a problem to cast perfectly , luckily my wargaming colleague 'A' dropped of a box of metal offcuts for me to melt down so I  got the last one done yesterday and took the chance of today's good weather to do a photo shoot .

The 'Grosse Redoubt' Destroyed !.

The 'Black' Army receive an alarming report !.

The site of the former 'Grosse Redoubt' . The other day I was up the garden going to clean the hen house when to my alarm I saw that the 'Black' Army redoubt has been obliterated . On interrogating my wife she said "I saw Marmaduke rolling on that bit of garden you weeded" (sic !) . That and the rain has removed any traces of it !.

Under questioning Marmaduke cannot remember anything about it !.

Ah the joys of garden gaming !.

'A Model Of A Modern Major General'

Got the hollow cast Britains General painted and rather splendid he looks too, a beautiful model with a lot more detail than the normal Britains figure of this type. The change of weather  (for the worse) has suspended operations in the garden at the moment , but I hope to get more casting done as my wargaming colleague 'A' dropped off a box of metal offcuts he has been saving for me.

The 'Great Redoubt'

Taking advantage of the unseasonably fine weather 'Black' Army Engineers have constructed a small redoubt covering the right flank of their position. It is being inspected by the newly arrived Prinz Hertz Van Hyre. ( a newly painted Sarum Soldiers figure).

He views the somewhat limited fields of fire .

The Prinz can be a bit pompous at times ! . I have told my wife I have been weeding the garden this morning - I  tactfully left out the Field Engineering . Army 'Black' must now bring up a Field Gun to man the redoubt. (click on photos to enlarge) . STOP PRESS.......... A copy of the original sketch of the area of operations drawn by Capt. D'Anger has been located at the National Records Office in London and I hope to be able to reproduce it here - permission is needed from H.M. Government as it is still on the secret papers list.............STOP PRESS.

Patio Wars - Mr Kipling Views The Battlefield.

Under an escort of the Bortchesters the CinC 'Red' Army takes the world famous journalist (and cook) Mr Kipling to view the scene of the recent clash with 'Black' Army. ( I was hoping to play a further game outdoors this weekend but the weather has turned Artic and is very cold - in preparation for the Easter Bank Holiday I  suspect).

They creep closer wary of 'Black' Army snipers.

The CinC confers  with the dashing Captain D'Anger of the 11th Hussars newly arrive to the Patio.

Army 'Black' seem to be building some sort of redoubt . Capt. D'Anger makes a quick sketch map of the area and they retire undetected. (Mr Kipling and Capt. D'Anger are castings from Sarum Soldiers

 http://www.sarumsoldiers.net/ who do a jolly good mail order service.) (click on photos to enlarge)

A Bargin !.

Today being a beautiful day I and my better half walked to the Antiques and Collector Fair held in our local Leisure Centre , whilst my wife was scouting through Toby Jugs etc, I was scouring for toy soldiers ( last time I  got some hollow cast Britain rather cheaply) . I saw a boxed set of 54mm Britains Life Guards and was alarmed at the price of £175 !!!!! , reeling from this shock I came across several toy match stick firing guns in various states of repair and tentatively asked how much ?, £3 each he said - trying not to look to eager I  sorted through them and found the above gun .

The other models were damaged or types I  already had, but this one although somewhat scratched was in perfect working order  and at £3 a bargain .

My initial thought was that it would do for my 40mm figures ,but when I  got it home it is more at home with the 54mm .

Here we see it being manned by my Prince August Gunners under the eyes of the 'Red' Army CinC. Altogether a very successful day as I am sure I've seen models like this going for far more on EBay .

Patio Wars Part Two.

Captain Britain decides discretion is the better part of valour !

The Army 'Black' unit moves forward .

The Lanakshire Volunteers change into skirmish order as a dispatch rider is sent back to H.Q.

The Volunteers open fire .

They take casualties (their officer is hit) as they try to evacuate the wounded.

Army 'Black' are hit as well.

With casualties mounting Captain Britain orders a retreat.

More casualites are caused by heavy and accurate enemy fire.

Army 'Red' retreats .

Army 'Black' has won a great victory !.

Captain Britain reports back to the CinC as the wounded are brought back . This reverse must be avenged !. But not for a while the weather has turned damp and cold again.  (click on photos to enlarge)

Patio Wars !.

My wife and I  put in our patio last year ( the weekend/holiday of the Royal wedding )  replacing some rather sad grass that in the occasionally fit of bravado I used to  refer to as 'The Lawn' . I have had the idea of running a 'Funny Little Wars' campaign for some time and this weekend the first clash took place. My wife being at work and myself meant to be pulling up weeds which seem to be the staple crop of our garden.

A patrol of Army 'Red' sets out to map and scout the land around the 'Round' pond . It comprises of 4 Westmorland & Cumberland Hussars and the Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers , the force is commanded by Captain Britain . The medical staff watch as they march off.

The cavalry soon out distance the infantry . Using the proper outdoor movement distances was quite a eye opener.

The Hussars and Capt. Britain reach the 'Round' pond . (hidden behind them- rather overgrown - I should have been tidying it up - It's meant to be a haven for wild life so that's my excuse)

 The infantry are rather left behind . The cat Marmaduke is totally indifferent to the manoeuvring troops .(cleaning and repainting the bench is another job to do this Spring - Oh dear this is getting depressing - I  need early retirement !)

Hidden in the undergrowth (weeds) is a unit of Army 'Black'    ( click on the photos to enlarge them)

The 'Red' cavalry approach totally unawares (Oh dear the path needs re pointing as well).

A volley of shots ring out and the first casualty is caused ! Too be continued .......

The Body Snatchers (2).

I managed to get the 'Red' Army stretcher bearers painted last night and because it is a nice sunny day decided to photograph them outside . (I should have been gardening)

Here they are seen practising casualty evacuation under the stern eye of the C in C  'Red' Army.

As events turned out it was just as well they were exercising First Aid - await with baited breath the next episode- PATIO WARS !!

(click on photos to enlarge)