My experience at COLD WARS 2000 was set up to be different than that of any previous convention I've ever attended. When I started out a few years ago I was a player at various events. Then I ran a game with my own RECON AND RUSHES OF WWII rules specifically written for 54mm and 25-15mm as well). But this time out I had "a rendezvous with destiny."
Well, actually a rendezvous with Canada. As a member of the free 54-40mm miniatures online discussion group (littlewars@onelist.com) I had arranged to cohost the War of 1812 Battle of Chippewa with Game Master Ross Mcfarland of Halifax (author of WITH MACDUFF TO THE FRONTIER, simple yet subtle rules for SYW in America, ARW and 1812 available free at ww3.ns.sympatico.ca/kcrane/cw2000.html.
Besides Ross, the moderator of the online discussion group would be Murray McCombs of Toronto, as Crown Forces Commander. Murray, it later turned out, had an ancestor at Chippewa, and had become interested in the period through this personal connection. Although I had not met either gentleman, they had been a friendly presence on the computer for some months. Driviing me down, sharing my room, and gaming also was veteran gamer Bruce Fiolek (out of Halifax and friend of Ross, now living in New York not too far from me). Running a French and Indian game in 40mm with the same rules was Rob Dean, another internet buddy and well known gamer from the HAWKS group (Baltimore area).
Also running his own event as usual and dropping by to observe our a second sequel game on Sunday was Major Pete Panzeri, US Army Infantry (organizer of regular JODIECONs at Fort Monmouth NJ and his new wife Jodie Panzeri, just recovering from a dangerous car accident. Having been hit myself by a nonlicensed teen alone in the car, we embraced each other at the con as Accident Twins; both happy to have made it to March 2000 at all (I got off with just bruises on my left arm). And of course, the usual cast of thousands of gamers, including Igor Olshansky ("The Mad Russian") and others from Metropolitan Wargamers of Brooklyn, New York (Da garden spot a da woild).
After an uneventful trip down on a sunny Friday (March 10) we stopped off at a local store to buy me more 54mm birdhouses, a local product there in Amish country, which made perfect 54mm buildings. Previously I had purchased a two story barn type structure which included a flag which could be US or CSA national, and a general store with porch. This time I scored a one story Irish Pub, a Hunting Club, a Fire House, and a Penn State ticket office in blue and white. After stripping off the cute tourist junk on them, the Irish Pub still had a beer can over the door and a green 'Erin Go Braugh' banner to go with its bright green roof! I immediately began to scheme how to get them into the games! We had all brought figures, dice, etc. but I had not brought terrain, I had only brought a white HQ tent (by Dulcop) with a new light blue banner that read "Blame Canada" while politely giving the finger Brooklyn style (I later promised to give Murray the banner if he won it by defeating us). Oddly enough, I also purchased from this peaceful Amish type shop complex (which is just a minute down the road from the hotel and contains a farm stand, porcelain products in a barnlike building, and the main "everything and anything" store) a made in China WWII US weapons carrier (pickup truck) sculpted in a hard unknown material, also perfect for 54mm action! This was brought to my attention by Bruce. Ya never know what you'll find if ya keep yer eyes open!
After arrival we hit the dealer room for the first of several times, successive trips breaking down my resistance further and further. Here's a summary of what I came away with: two new books sold through George Nafziger (he of the numerous WWII order of battle spiral bound volumes)-- Battle Experiences July 44--April 45 based on a series of US Army pamphlets outlining practical procedures, and Airborne Operations: A German Appraisal--(also primary source material). One terrain piece of numerous wooden barrels piled up as a barricade, 48 CSA butternut Imex troops, three 1/200 scale Japanese "Sally" bombers, finally a book on the Mongol invasions and a JODIECON Kanev T-shirt (flea market), After selling several copies of my WWII rules at our own games, I also swopped one to Pete for JodiePress publications including rules by Buck Surdu such as Beer and Pretzel WWII skirmish, Blood and Swash/Thunder and Plunder rules for tavern brawls and small battles with pirates "Excellent! Tons o' Fun! One Thumb up'--'Lefty' McGillicuttie") and Beer and Pretzels Ironclads (ACW). I also got a free long sleeve t-shirt from the Con for running a game on Sunday. A little known fact is that if you hang around on Sunday HMGS administrators give away excess items, since they are a non-profit organization!
My first planned event Friday was a miniatures board game, the new BATTLE CRY forthcoming soon from the Hasbro/Avalon Hill Company. I played 6 games in 4 hours against two different opponents. The large hex variable terrain board (9xl2 squares) includes fifteen scenarios. We played First Bull Run, Winchester, and Chicamauga. Game designer Richard Borg (no, not Berg) from Florida was on hand to use both prototype and miniatures as the game was not quite out yet. Each sides has about ten infantry, three cavalry, and three artillery units (plus generals) on multiple stands. The heart of the game is the hand of cards which allow a variable number of moves on the right flank, left flank, or center, or other special actions. Making the most of your cards and learning how the different units work was fun, and an excellent way to teach kids or nongamers to play wargames in about 40 minutes per scenario.
Victory conditions are to be the first to kill a certain number of units, after which you switch sides in a "mini-tournament." The player who has racked up the largest differential of points in two games is the winner. The game is fun and flows nicely. I recommend it.
The Next Day
It was time for "Those Be Toy Soldierrs, Bigawd!" the 54rrun Battle of Chippewa from the War of 1812. Historically the US regulars, dressed in gray, managed in a back and forth action to defeat the British, causing the crown general to exclaim in begrudged respect "Those Be Regulars, Bigawd!" We mustered in four players per side. The British/Canadians had more experienced players, so I hung back from moving figures to advise my subordinates.
The internet had allowed us to plan jointly for the event without costly telephone bills back and forth. Murray had given us a historical narrative and orders of battle. Ross had agreed to GM, set up the event with HMGS, and and use his rules. I had agreed to furnish figures, write up our Con flyer to further publicize our group and the event. I had also contributed to the Canadian morale by such sublte devices as noting that the "Blame Canada" song from the South Park movie was now up for an academy award! All three of us had brought between us all Shako units, frontiersman type riflemen, Indians, cavalry, artillery, and generals, and in the BEL Ross had emphasized our informal toy soldier approach, inviting others to bring figures "If your troops don't happen to have the right kind of shako for 1814 or happen to be Mexicans, bring 'em along." In fact two players brought their own forces as well, and if you happened to notice some Iron Brigade or new Conte metals an the table, I would not have been surprised!
There was an especially good omen as we set up: an 1812 reenactor who dropped by to visit announced that the actual Chippewa battlefield had just been legislatively protected by the Canadian government! While I actually like Canada and its inhabitants and enjoy visiting its cities and historical sites such as the Louisbourg restoration site up in Nova Scotia, I felt I had to be a bit cheeky, with two real Canadians on the opposing side, and a Canadian GM! "I have a friend who reenacts a New Jersey Loyalist unit in the American Revolution-- you know what you call Loyalists after the Revolution, don't you?
CANADIANS!" Well, its hard to fire those fellows up to the proper fanatical level, you know. To the music of the official field drill of the Brigade of the American Revolution, we placed our figures in 25 man regiments on the table in the middle of the Distlefink Ballroom, the largest room of the Con. Hey, you don't publicize 54mm games by hiding them in side rooms all the time!
As the British columns changed into line and the Americans arrived belatedly on the table, many other spectators came by, noting in amazement that in 54mm one can actually:
- Field a historical battle on a reasonably sized table!
Have good looking troops in plastic or metal, and terrain to match!
Maneuver units in a real nail biter of a fight!
On the US left flank in woods, the militia and Indians clashed, with our superiority in having one Regular regiment enabling us to hold our line forward of the rest of our army and eventually push the Crown forces back. In the center, the earlier British arrival on the field allowed them to dominate the center of the clearing. British skirmishers ominously tried to outflank our center from those woods on our right. Clearly if our regular regiment still in the woods on the flank could disperse them and then outflank their regulars in the center we'd win; otherwise it would be bad for usl
Finally, on our right flank, we lost a gun in an artillery duel (destroying one of theirs in turn in the center). We maneuvered on the small woods on that flank to sweep out some pesky British riflemen with one regiment, which left them stronger in the open. The red clad forces of the evil empire surged forward. A second field gun of ours was overrun, but I had posted a third between the two buildings; this became the unit that held them off for a while on this flank. It was charged, but beat off repeated attacks. At the final point the crew brought over from the destroyed gun, hidden behind a house unknown to Commander McCombs, tipped the scales in a desperate melee, and the British fell back yet again from the gun position! Whew! This was not hidden movement, Murray just had not happened looked behind the building.
On our left center our cavalry came up and made a greater impact than we expected when it pushed back the enemy Lowlander unit (my Airfix British in Shakos and tartan trews-- long plaid pants). I'd never expected my own unit in its first time in combat to almost undo me. Egad!
I ran my personal figure to support infantry in the center which held against the British cavalry. My subordinate in the center had handled his forces well, but now under extreme pressure my units in the center (Timpo Prussian figures in gray jackets and sky blue pants) and the grays (Airfix Brits in gray trimmed in orange and green) took casualties and fell back. We pulled our cavalry which had been so effective on the left of the clearing back out of their artillery range, and sent them over to the right, which was now in crisis due to the British general advance of their main force in the center. Once again the cavalry charged and stopped the British infantry! Hurrah'.
Being unable to advance further, the British were stunned to see our Regulars finally springing from the woods to take them from our right to their center.
Beating off the British skirmishers, our unit (the actual heroes of the historical battle) advanced to push back the Crown center, and the danger was over.
After a few moments to analyse and chat back and forth, we decided we'd played enough. Chippewa was ruled an American tactical victory and the British had to pull back, actually similar to the real outcome, although quite different in tactical detail. That Saturday evening the Canadians and I dined with Pete Panzeri on Prime Rib, and discussed future 54mm projects. We envisioned the possibility of a 40 foot table depicting D-Day! Look out, future ... Those Fightin' 54s are coming!
That evening I played again with Ross's rules a French and Indian War scenario where as some Indians I was able to capture two of the four British supply wagons trying to resupply a fort. We used gorgeous 40 mm figures from German molds cast by various members of the HAWKS club. This organization runs enough games that they often take over the Paradise Room, one of the larger of the smaller playing rooms.
It's funny to see how everyone immediately modifiers another persons rules. When we asked Ross (playing on our side) about rules interpretations, he smiled innocently (imagine a short cherubic Canadian leprechaun with red hair and a blue Scottish beret with red pom pom) and insisted we ask Rob Dean, who was playing them somewhat differently than Ross did himself. Pretty sly, Ross, but generous in deferring to to our game master, Rob, who did a fine job himself.
At some point, on which I am fuzzy, after Murray had kindly brought me several glasses of wine, I declared that now under the influence we Native Americans were indeed taking no prisoners! In the end, our side won a tactical victory. Since our French allies had been more or less wiped out, I invited the British to come back anytime to visit the new "Indian States of America'" Hoka hey! There's nothing as satisfying as beating "high-tech" European troops with indigenous forces.
Sunday Night
I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. I had to design the follow up battle, brush up on my own rules for the 1812 period that I hadn't played in some time, and think about which figures to use. Finally, I came up with a mythical scenario "Raid On McCombs Landing, eh?" (Translated from the Canadian: Let's hit the US advance supply base garrisoned only by naval work parties and give 'em a nasty surprise!") So it was decreed that no forces which had participated in the first battle could partake (except for the exceptional US Cavalry, sent off to guard the base) as both armies were exhausted and three days later still sleeping on their arms after the close fought engagement. I also demonstrated the use of Jamie Delson's movement boards, 12 foot lengths of plywood with dowel rods running over them to temporarily "mount" ten men at a time, which allowed the easy movement of many figures at once, especially with the marching columns we'd be using.
As the British column appeared from the Northwest and the US column from the Northeast, I briefed the US town commander on some details the British could not know about:
1. The US sailors (Peter Cole's British Napoleonic Navy by Replicants) only had melee weapons!
2. A company of the US Drunken Rifles were in the Irish Pub, but had to roll to come out, as they were sleeping off a binge from last night!
3. One of the two small US launches (Barzo whaleboats) mounted a swivel 'scrap gun' capable firing metal fragments. It was placed on the US left flank in the river beyond the Irish Pub.
Between the approaching Crown forces were ten figures of US Cavalry ('Think Buford at Gettysburg,' I advised).
The US relief column was led by another company of Sober Rifles and the HEV in gray jackets and red pants. (Timpo British figures, originally s-t up as English Volunteers to the CSA in the ACW as "Haythornthwaite's English Volunteers" in honor of the author of my favorite ACW uniform book). Now acting as US Regulars, they would hold the town when they arrived. The British victory conditions were to get a company of 5 figures to the supply base, a new foam terrain piece I'd just purchased of barrels stacked into a redoubt. The US had to prevent it until time ran out and we had to go home.
Initial skirmishing in the north saw the Sober Rifles lined up behind a wood fence, putting a hurt on the musket armed company of British Indians and forcing them back into the Northern Woods. The US naval men made up bluff battle lines and pushed a wagon blocking the street between the pub and the next building over, as the Drunken Rifles proved unable to emerge for three turns' ~Or as the Tavern Music from Colonial Williamsburg was playing on tape: "My wife she does disturb me and darken my scul. Give me the punch ladel; I'll fathom the bowl").
The US Dragoons dismounted and formed line with carbines, as the main columns of both sides now approached and shook out into battle lines. Appearing for the British was a kilted Highland regiment with a band and the famous Mcfarlane figures of Brigadier McDuff Himself (of McDuff On The Frontier rules). The British howitzer hurled shell against the Americans as the American field gun repulsed the Highlanders. Then the British Infantry (my "Royal Canadians," a combination of Barzo Battle of New Orleans British and CTS Alamo Mexicans in red) was repulsed on the US left flank just in front of the Irish Pub. Whereupon the Drunken Rifles finally emerged and formed line.
The US Regular unit came up just in time to relieve the makeship town commander's forces. At this point it was, unfortunately, time to go. The British were repulsed again on the left. Certainly the battle could rage longer, and go either way; but it was alas time to pack it in. Since the British never made it into town, let along another two feet or so into the supply base, it was ruled a US tactical victory. Hurrah! The "Blame Canada" flag remains proudly in my possession, although as GM I was unable to play, and redoutable Canadian Murry McCombs did the honors as US Commander for this second 54mm extraveganza.
A number of prizes were awarded and most of our players received one. Ross contributed a beautiful painted metal mounted General (red coated). online list member Doug McClure mailed us the same type in blue coat (his cast metal figures and equipment are available at Macs Military Models PO Box 1-7 Medina, OH. 44258-0017). Gift certificates were donated by Fred Sassin (Sassin Enterprises 7156 Olde Scotland Rd. Shippensburg, PA 17257 (717) 532-7964). Fred is one of the few 54mm dealers who always makes the Lancaster Cons (Cold Wars, Historicon) and has a wide selection of merchandise (the Supply Depot terrain piece was purchased from him).
My funniest moment of the convention was when Murray offered to buy the entire group of about fifty nicely period painted figures which Rob Deane was showing a few of us by the bar. The deal was made, but Rob said "Fine, but I need to the box back!" This caught Murray off base for a moment. His face betrayed that frustrated feeling we've all had at one moment or other in our amateur dealings, when he tried to imagine how to carry 50 individual figures back to his room!
Should he ask the front desk for some sort of tray? Invent teleportation? Round up ten friends to each tenderly carry the delicate figures back to his room? Uh-oh ... His expression was priceless!
A moment later Rob offered to let him take to box back to the room and return it later, which he did. There is always that moment at a convention when we realize we should have brought along a piece of paper, change for a twenty, a postdated check, a carrying case, etc., etc., etc. Cops! That's why my uniform at these events is my Banana Republic multi-pocket vest, usually loaded with pens, Pepto-Bismol, scotch tape, Swill Army knife, and so forth ...
On returning home, now on fire with enthusiam for the period, I organized a new "Napoleonic/1812 Command Figures and Artillery Crew" box. Never having done Napoleonic in 54mm, I prepare for perhaps d visit to The Peninsula War. Will I be able to fit all that Napoleonic cavalry I now have, but have not yet used, into a game? As Bruce Fiolek said when playing my Brandy Station game recently: "There are too many men on the table here, Charley!" Hmmm...
Note: 54mm figures which can be used for the 1812 era include various Shako wearing lines (available in blue, red, tan, green, gray, and other colors), tough US frontier types in coonskins/buckskins, Alamo (both sides), Eastern Woodland Indians, and pirates (as naval units). Period artillery which can be used includes field artillery mounts, naval/garrison carriages, mortars, swivel guns, organ gun, and even rockets.
Questions on 54mm collecting and gaming can be sent to Charles Elsden, 14 Cheever Place Brooklyn, NY 11231 or celsdon@aol.com. Thanks to all the Big Scale supporters who I haven't been able to reply back to yet due to time constraints. To join our free 54mm discussion group register at onelist.com and select the littlewars group. Look for, support, and run 54mm events at your local Cons and clubs! Good gaming to you all' And remember, smaller scale enthusiasts, you can glean as much from our discussions on uniforms, history, etc.
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© Copyright 2000 Hal Thinglum
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