Something Unusual's HMGS gameday June 17th was not as well attended as their first endeavor, still enough gamers and diverse games were in attendance to make the trip to Eagle Rock interesting. HMGS Prez Steve Verdoliva put on a modified Armati 30 years war battle, with Mike's Model's 15mm Imperials and Swedes. Robert Guyton was Swedish, Tim Howe was the Imperial. Guyton punished the Hapsburg Center with musketry and artillery fire. Howe countered by turning both his flanks. Guyton fought for his life and his flanks, and continue to pound the center. Even though he lost most of his artillery to Imperial cavalry, Guyton cracked the center and won. Howe was forced to retreat his horse.
Rick Brown had a WRG Renaissance game going on table 2. Fifteenth century Turks in 15mm were set upon by army of fanatic Teutons. (XXV Crusade, no doubt.) Turkish horse drove in the Teuton left, while the Teutonic horse did the same to the right. The battle was closely contested, at one point all both sides could do was butcher each other, with little visible result. Finally, a desperate charge by the Janissaries broke the German center and claimed the victory.
Table 3 had Tim Huffaker's 15mm Napoleon's Battles "Spain 1811" This had 6 players. Two French Corps assailed a long Geo-Hex ridge occupied by (who else) the British. Highlight of this struggle was the Highland brigade repulsing two strong charges. The English cavalry was ineffective as flank guards, and the French turned the British left. In the second attack on the ridge, late in the day, the French took it, forcing the British Army to withdraw.
So ended the first part of Gamedav. On Table 1. Rob Carpenter kicked off Part II of Gamedav with a G.H.Q. armor slug fest "The Plains of East Germany." Soy-/pact equipment vied with NATO's best. I'm not sure who won. there were a lot wrecked vehicles on the board.
Table 2 had Robert Gu,yon and Paul Sav with House Rules Napoleonics. staging Jerome's Westphalian Revolt against the Empire. The French army was involved elsewhere (probably Russia) so all Davout could scape up were some French conscripts and the American army President Madison sent over in gratitude for French aid in the War of 1812. 1 had to leave at this point. but I understand Guyton forced the Westphalians to see the error of their ways, and return to the fold. Last I heard they were donning ear muffs. where they were going was going to be cold'
Thanks to Bob King. Scott, and Chris Vivo, for allowing their facility to be used for the event. Don't miss their Nappy's Birthday celebration, Aug. 19th. I1-11 PM. Bring your Napoleonic lead to play . I presume Bob means 15mm lead but you 25mm players might show up and drive Bob. Chris and Scott crazy'
About our second gameday in Long Beach, I was supposed to receive a action report from Tim OCley on War House's Gameday, July 15th but I never received it. I had a prior commitment and was unable to attend.
Drum Barracks Group put on Gettysburg 2nd day for Fort MacArthur Days. Saturday and Sunday. The event was attended by many young reenactors, some were so exited they would rather play than drill with their units. Which proves my point: Soldiers want to be generals rather than grunts in the line. Highlight was a young'm in a U.S. Cavalry uniform who was in charge of running Gen. G. Warren. Warren's job was to find errant 5th Corps' divisions off board and lead them onto the field. He did this with the first division, but he dropped and decapiatated Gen. Warren's figure. I ruled Warren was dead, there for no other 5th corps' divisions could join the battle. Sunday saw Gen. Hancock - 2nd Corp's commander, be arrested by the provost marshal during the battle, for failure to attend a reenactment! Outstanding achievement of that day goes to Mike Cline. His 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters held off an attack of Semmes and Worffords' brigades from behind a stone wall, 3200 men against 550. Of course being armed with Sharp breechloading rifles, behind a stone wall had a lot do with the repulse, still it was something you rarely see.
The U.S. Pike and Shot Federation put on their Nationals at Burbank's Holiday Inn July 2930th. These Nationals rotate from coast to coast each year. Organizer Loren Detels estimated 12 players and eight spectators were on hand. Tourney was open to all gamers for an entrance fee of 15.00. Rules used were WRG Renaissance Rules 2nd Ed. Armies were fought on 2x2 square. They consisted of ) 1690 French, Chapter President Clif Castle's Hundred Years War French including the Maid of `Orleans, Manny Gianaillo's Indian army with its brightly painted elephants, Steve Fox's 100 Years War English with their efficient longbows to name a few. Locals, John Curran with his hoards of Cossacks, and Rick Brown with Ottomans represented Los Angeles. The eventual winner after the two day tourney was Mark Ketner's 30 Year's War Imperials. Rob Schmitt's dismounted Cossacks came in second. Clif told me there was 3 Chapters of the Pike and Shot Federation in California, Santa Rosa, North Bay, and San Jose.
Interestingly there is no chapter here in L.A., Orange county, or San Diego county. Membership is $15.00 annually includes a. subscription to The Reiter, the official magazine of the Federation. To join, contact Clif Castle at 1146 Harvard Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405.
Well that sums up Battle Report for this issue. I'll see what I can dig up for next issue.
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