A bit of a pot pourri post, as recently I've had plenty of time to ponder a few things hobby related, especially during a long drive to Norfolk last week. Nothing ground breaking I'm sure, but I thought I'd jot them down anyway!
Battles
Despite having quite a few core forces for most of the periods I like to game, I still seem to struggle to get a game onto the table or even to maintain some momentum for my mini-campaigns. I think 'oh, I'll just paint up that unit or some terrain for the next game', but then nothing happens and it all stalls, with weeks or months going by with no progress. Despite having a dedicated games room, it had become a bit of a mess, which didn't help matters!
So a bit of a tidy up has helped and a desire to try and get more games in, given that I have plenty of choice as already mentioned. Not having cluttered surfaces makes a bit difference and it is much easier to get to stuff, in advance of a planned game. My lead pile is still too big and I still need to really have a good sort out and probable cull, which will help matters I'm sure.
At least this mini tidy up has resulted in a game all ready and set to go, which is great, so an AAR should appear soon.
Books
With my recent birthday just gone, I once again bought a few books as a treat, and my family know to leave me to order what I want! A win for them and a win for me;)
 |
| I saw this by chance when searching for something to buy and, given my interest in mid-19thC Europe, this more than fitted the bill. I'd read his book on 'Glubb Pasha and the Arab Legion' many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm just getting into this and his prose is easy to read and full of little snippets too that are perfect for us wargamers. Given that Warlord Games have just released a supplement for the Crimea, I can see this conflict getting more coverage in due course. |
 |
| Having enjoyed the 1st and 3rd books, I manged to find this for a very good price on ebay. Of course I don't really NEED this book, given I have plenty of others on the Eastern Front, but it is one of those nice things to have and always has some nice ideas contained therein. The rules in the others have been far to detailed for me and are a product of their time, and I imagine the same will be true here. But a nice addition to the library nonetheless. |
 |
| I'd not heard of this book before until it popped up on the Pendraken forum and was mentioned in passing in a post. The Little Wars TV chaps had done a nice video with Bruce Weigle a few years ago on this invasion and I had seen the game at Colours too. Given I have a love for the invasion of Crete (still yet to game!) as well as that of Kos and Leros in 1943, this seemed to be one worth adding to the library. Luckily the Naval & Military press had it on sale, so I snapped up a copy. I've only flicked through it but it looks perfect for us wargamers and maybe one day I'll get to game a part of it. Afterall I can use my Italians, Fallschirmjager and some T-34's, so what's not to like?! |
Butterflies
Well the Malta 1942 book certainly got the old butterfly to flapping its wings, that's for sure! Alongside this my mind wandered to my 'Glorious Glosters' in Normandy campaign that has stalled for nearly a year now, as well as a long planned AVBCW mini-campaign that was first thought about years ago. I'm not short of ideas that's for sure, but my problem is I struggle to keep focussed on a project, as something always seems to catch my eye and draw me off in another direction! First World problems and all that, but I do need to try and maintain focus a bit more.
What Next?
Well in terms of focus, post the tidy up of the games room, I've set up the next action of my 'Canadians in Normandy' campaign, which has waited too long to get to the table. Even though the planned terrain and troop additions have failed to materialise, I can still use what I have and some Fallschirmjager can make a guest appearance until such times as the 'correct' troops are ready.
Thanks for getting this far and as always, any comments greatly appreciated.
TTFN.
Royle’s Crimea book is a good one. From my recollection, he is not too kind on command. Since you recently showcased Featherstone’s Tank Battles in Miniature, I would be very interested in a comparison between Featherstone and Quarrie.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read on the Crimea Jon, no side comes out really well on the command front, so it will be interesting to see his take on things.
DeleteSo far the Featherstone book has more useful info for the gamer in how to play games set in the Western Desert. Quarrie's book on the NWE has less info and more details for the rules and vehicles stats etc. So far the Featherstone book is the better buy. As they are a series, some of the rules are repeated or you are pointed to the prvious volumes to avoid too much repetition, and of course to encourage you to buy the books!
Malta now there is a thought Steve... You can't beat FJ.... off to Italy next year and already thinking about Mount Cassino :-) - Could be a challenge in 28.....
ReplyDeleteMonte Cassino in any scale would be a challenge Stu! The smaller actions attract me more, as to my mind there is more opportunity to develop a mini-campaign from them, hence why Malta immediately attracted me.
DeleteI thought the east front Tank Battles in Miniature was the best of the bunch. The wargamer’s wandering mind is probably a wonderful thing that we should probably embrace more than we do - as long as something also gets to the table, I think that is all that matters.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this volume, once I've finished with the Crimea. A wandering mind keeps things fresh, but in my case has meant lack of focus to get games on the table. Hopefully I can strike a happy medium between the two...
DeleteThe Crimean book looks a good buy, very interesting. I think a wandering mind and butterfly tendencies are things that a lot of wargamers have, I certainly do big style! Focussing is my problem but you seem to have got a bit of that back, a good tidy up always helps I think and Norm has probably hit it on the head with his observation.
ReplyDeleteSo far the Crimea book is a great read. Variety is certainly the spice of life for us gamers, but making sure we don't over spice things is the tricky part!
DeleteMalta Operation is very interesting. I have a few books and German paras waiting for a painting :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks to have lots of options Michal and I hope you get your paras painted soon:).
DeleteLet me know if Royle's book sheds any light on whether the French infantry had rifled muskets in the Crimea.
ReplyDeleteWill do Keith. Esposito's book had quite a bit of detail IIRC, but can't remember if it mentions firearms in any detail.
DeleteBelated birthday wishes Steve!
ReplyDeleteInteresting range of books. Recently listened to We Have Ways series on Malta. Absolutely gripping campaign. And a couple of weeks ago I watched a video on YouTube of Prof Andrew Lambert talking about the naval aspects of the Crimean War - his thesis is that it was primarily (for Britain) a conflict about naval matters and was an absolute success from that point of view.
Can see why both are of interest to you.
Chris/Nundanket
Thanks Chris:)! I'll try and listen to the Malta episode as that sounds interesting. So far in the Crimea book the naval aspect is all that concerns the British for a multitude of reasons. All sides seem to get themselves painted into a corner where they can't leave without a loss of prestige etc:(.
DeleteReally interesting Steve…..and nothing like a long drive to allow some thinking time. As for the books the Malta one definitely interests me I can feel my butterfly landing on that straight away !
ReplyDeleteThe long drive and time away gives me plenty of just pure 'pondering time' which is nice. The Malta book was about £5.00 and with postage came in at under £10.00.
Delete