Friday 30 March 2012

Battling the beastly Boers - FLW game report - Part 2

Back to the wide open spaces of Middle England now.  Having (at last!) played Funny Little Wars as it's author intended - outside - I can strongly recommend the practice.  Setting up the terrain was followed by a chat about toys and a pleasant lunch.  We then set about the game itself, pausing during the afternoon for tea and cake.  All jolly civilised!
Forbodian cavalry move up.  These are Italeri Mamelukes and look quite effective in the open air.
These chaps are the Brigadier, his orderly and standard bearer - the latter (centre) is evidently rather camera shy.
It soon emerged that the Forbodian column which reached the town contained the King himself.  He immediately took position in the castle's highest tower.
King Boris III explains his cunning plan to a pair of rather bored looking guards.  If he is the 'King of the castle', then somewhere there must be.....
....some 'dirty rascals!'.  Careful study of the front rank will reveal that Boer 'frightfulness' included the conscription of women!
The enemy command group and heavy artillery.  Happily, this gun's opening shot landed in one of the Boer infantry units.
A long-range artillery duel in progress on the left.
Forbodian infantry and guns deploy near the central wood.  A bit too close together as it turned out...
Forbodian Jagers and Guards, along with a field gun soon secured the town - due to (or despite) the personal supervision of the King.
The Forbodian cavalry spot an opportunity to get stuck into their opposite numbers.
The cavalry charge went quite well - eliminating the enemy cavalry, but the appearance of that machine gun put paid to the advance!
The positions shortly before we drew a veil over the proceedings.  By this time the Boer gunnery had improved considerably and the Forbodians paid dearly for having placed two artillery limbers so close together.  A shell hit one and........well, you can imagine the rest.
A rather atmospheric shot of the survivors.

We concluded that while the Boers had the run of much of the field, their infantry units were too weak to allow an assault on the town (by now, somewhat inevitably christened 'Ladysmith'...), and an honourable draw was declared.

12 comments:

AlFront said...

Absolutely first rate! Somehow, it all looks more thrilling than non-FLW warfare. Any back or knee problems after the battle?

Tim Gow said...

AlFront
It was rather exciting - and no injuries (to players or toys) were suffered! Kind of you to ask.

tradgardmastare said...

Well played Tim against those boorish fellows...

Don M said...

Hat's off from this side of the pound for a truly great and most gentlemanly and utterly civilized game.

Mad Padre said...

So charming! It's a joy to see something so lighthearted, and it looks smashing to boot!

Tim Gow said...

Tradgardmastare
Boorish Boers they may have been, but with a thoroughly gentlemanly general.

Tim Gow said...

Don M
Your comment reveals a firm grasp of the spirit of the game!

Tim Gow said...

Mad Padre
A light hearted approach and good looks? That just sums me up.....

Don M said...

As we say here in Texas even in a broken clock is right twice a day
so I wont let it go to me head...)

Brian Carrick said...

A little light exercise in the fresh air, what a tonic for the troops after a long confinement to winter quarters!

Tim, it was nice to finally meet you at the London Show yesterday and I trust you filled your shopping list.

Best wishes, Brian

Tim Gow said...

Brian Carrick
Good to meet you too Brian, and thanks again for making the time to chat.

Conrad Kinch said...

Better luck next time old chap.