BATTLE FOR HANOVER AAR - Part One

Well this weekend saw us gather at the wonderful home of the Deeside Defenders in Broughton to take part in the 4th Annual CWC Megagame. This years game was set in 1985 around the city of Hanover. I will post more detailed information over the next week or so but for now here are some photos of the weekends action!

The Usual Suspects - L to R Andy Hamilton, Gordon Malcolm, Richard Phillips, Mike Ahern, Mark J, Simon White, Steve Graham, Mark Fry, Richard Crawley, Steve Black, Ian Shaw, Nick Gerlach, Alan Millicheap, Andy Taylor, Andy Canham and Dennis Wong.

NATO - L to R Richard Crawley (NATO CinC and CO of De Groots Fire Brigade), Richard Phillips (Dutch), Steve Graham (BAOR), Mark Fry (Dutch), Alan Millicheap (Belgian), Andy Taylor (West German), Andy Canham (BAOR), Andy Hamilton (US) and Nick Gerlach (BAOR).

WARSAW PACT - Dennis Wong (Soviet), Gordon Malcolm (Soviet Airborne), Mike Ahern (Soviet), Simon White (Polish), Steve Black (Soviet), Mark J (East German), Ian Shaw (Warsaw Pact CinC and Soviet) and Ben (East German, not pictured).

The table set up which covered over 300 square feet. Mat-o-War cloths very kindly supplied by Steve G and Andy H from the Grimsby club. The rest of the terrain was done by myself, Steve G, Andy H, Andy C and Ian S. I must say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the terrain as this year the table looked superb. Of particular note were the superb hills and ridges that were built by Andy H especially for this game.

Some teaser shots of the game, will post more asap but for now enjoy.

Dutch 105 Recce Battalion defending the ESK Canal

The industrial area at Saltzgitter

Two Luftwaffe F4 Phantoms fly a close air support mission along the ESK canal

British Chieftains on the way to the front

Soviet Airborne occupy Saltzgitter

Mark Fry's Dutch Marines cross the ESK canal

I will be posting more photos and game info as soon as I can. I have to say thanks to Ian and the Deeside Defenders for the great venue and food. Steve Graham and Andy Hamilton for their continued support in producing the terrain for these events and ably assisted this year by Andy Canham and his new Timecast buildings and hedges. 

Thanks to everyone who took part in what was a great weekends gaming. The standard of painting and basing was superb, especially Mark Fry's Dutch forces with some wonderful snorkeling Leopard 2 tanks, Marines in rubber rafts, scratchbuilt Winkelwagen radar systems to mention but a few.

Next Year - 'AEGEAN STRIKE' The Southern Front - 23rd-25th September 2016.   

TERRAIN - Fields

Managed to finish off another 6 fields for next weekends game. 10 more (2 large/8 small) still WIP. The plan is to have some fields around BUA with areas between open country.

BROUGHTON - Markers

Just finished a load of markers for next weekends game in Broughton.

Casualty Markers - plan is to use these to mark destroyed vehicles so players can get a quick overview of how things are going in certain areas. Just 10 pictured here, I have done a load more. Hopefully will have enough. These are a special commission done by Leon at Minibits. 

Strategic Asset Tokens - Red for WP Blue for NATO

Reinforcement Ladder Markers - Loads more of these done ready

DUTCH - Secret Weapon

While other players talk of Thermobarics and W33 Shells the Dutch been working on their secret weapon that will spread fear through the ranks of the Warsaw Pact troops. Hidden away in a secret base (a cafe/bistro in the wonderfully named village Muggenbeet (Mosquito Bite) Dutch military experts have put together a unit of highly trained individuals that the Warsaw Pact will have no defence against (although earplugs might help). Locals report hearing strange noises at all times of the day and night but security was strict and no-one has any idea what was going on.

Dutch Secret Base in Muggenbeet

After weeks of speculation about what has been going on all was revealed as the Dutch Military revealed their 'Secret Weapon'.

Ladies and Gentlemen I present the


Johan Willem Friso Band!!!

Those cymbals can take out a T55 at 1000 yards!

Be afraid be very afraid!!!!!!

RIVER LEINE - Work in Progress

One of the major terrain features for the Broughton game is the River Leine running south from Alfeld. This has meant making 18ft of river to represent it on table. Fellow Cold War Commander Steve Graham is sorting out the ESK Kanal that is another major terrain piece and I am sorting out the River Leine. The river sections are cut from vinyl floor tiles and sprayed brown then I have sprayed them with a satin varnish. The banks are added using sand and PVA glue and I have painted the banks this morning and thought I would lay the pieces out for a test run to check the length and layout before flocking the banks and adding other details.

Going to need a bigger patio! Alfeld will be on the edge of the lawn :-)

MORE TELEGRAPH POLES - Perfect Six Terrain

With only two weeks to go to Broughton its full speed ahead on getting all the bits of terrain finished and ready to take to the table. Finished 24 more of the Perfect Six telegraph poles to add to the 8 already done and I have 16 more nearly finished. 48 probably not enough for the whole table but they are a great addition to the 6mm scenics range and look great on the table.

TELEGRAPH POLES - Perfect Six Terrain

Its been a while since I have posted anything on here! Mainly due to a serious blood infection which has completely knocked me for six, not great with Broughton coming up at the end of the month. Much better now so I have a busy three weeks getting ready for the Big Game!

For those of you who haven't come across them before there is a great new 6mm terrain supplier on the block 'Perfect Six Scenics' http://www.perfectsixscenics.co.uk/ who produce some interesting and useful additions to the 6mm range. I picked up some bits from him at 'Joy of Six' and since have been discussing future projects, one of which was his range of telegraph poles that he hoped to get done. I mentioned the Broughton game and Richard (yes another one!) very kindly said he would try and get them available before the game. True to his word they are now available and six packs arrived (8 per pack) through my letter box. First impressions were really good, casting needs minimum clean up and  I like the fact they are available in 4 different types.

I decided to base mine on 5p pieces to add a bit more weight to the base on table. So I set about doing 8 off to start with. Here you can see them alongside a railway and level crossing.