Dropped in on Jim

Dinner with Susan, then dropped in on Jim for a quick visit

Chris's Wedding

We have gamed for 30+ years!  Also pictured is Mark (Chris's brother) who I played with when we were in High School (I still have his Chinese army), and Steve, who I have also played with for 30 years.

Bolt Action in Style

Bolt action at Jim's place.  It is nice having a table in the living room!!!!

Jim and I were Allied.  Chris was German.  It was a close run thing, but the allied infantry overran the Germans on the last turn to get the victory.

The church bells ring in Moscow

When in Alaska I decided I was not getting to Jim's place enough.  So headed down for some 'Hail Whomever' action.

A fictitious scenario.  Napoleonics -- French vs Russian.  French (Jim, Mark, Chris) had 3 small divisions of infantry and a division of guard cavalry.  Russians (me, Mike, Steve), had 3 large infantry divisions and some crap cavalry.

In the end, the crap Russian cavalry died to the French Guard cavalry, but they went down fighting.  One Russian division died fighting a French division in an orchard, but mauled the French.  My division sat in the middle and did nothing.  And Steve's division managed to create an angle and maul a French division for no loss.

End result -- The French destroyed 2 Russian divisions for the loss of 1.  But the Russians held the field.  So both sides claim victory.

Naval at Jims

I arrived late, so I didnt play.  But I did spectate on a naval battle at Jim's

ACW at Jim's

Jim set up an interesting historical scenario.  A confederate army had been trapped in a town by a larger union force.  The army decided to break out -- and launched an attack to the north.  Most of the union army wasnt allowed to move until conditions had been met.

In the end, the union won.  The confederates almost broke out, but ran out of steam, and then the union forces got permission to move ...

Hail the Poles

Got down to Jims.  Watched -- didn't play.  Hail Caesar -- Poles vs ottoman Turks.  The Poles won -- those winged hussars look so good and fight so well!!!!

Bull Run

Dave Hay put on a first Bull Run scenario.

The confederates march onto the table

Dave deciding the confederate strategy

Steve contemplates the battlefield

Ground eye view!

Leading the artillery forward

A big fight over the hill.  But the union has the advantage.

The union generals, with very civil war beards!

The end is near for the confederates.

Simon de Montfort

Turned up at Jims, and they had nothing arranged.  So as an impromptu event I put on a battle from the Crusade against the Cathars.

Simon de Montfort is besieged.  A relief convoy is approaching.  As it approaches, a large force leaves the siege to attack the relief column.  Seeing this, some of de Montforts knights are sent to support the relief column.

Initial setup -- a small elite force guarding the wagons, with a large ordinary force blocking the way

Starting the advance

Getting close

The crusader knights charge in

Can the Crusaders break through

One unit of Crusader knights is pushed back

Surprise -- Simon de Montfort has left his castle and arrived in the rear of the blocking force!

Things are looking bad for the heretics!

Crusaders everywhere

No mercy for the heretics.  But as they die they are tiring out the Crusaders.

The knights have run out of steam

All over -- the Crusaders have won

The battle probably wasn't that fair for the Heretics.  It was thrown together at the last minute.