Schnitzel Smorgasbord

                Wednesday 11th April

"Who decided to play another game in this wretched snow?"

                                           
                                                       "Hey Tim"
                                                        "Yes David"
                                                        "How do you fancy a game from the 1864 war between Denmark and the Austro-Prussian alliance?"
                                                         "Sounds interesting,what rules are we using ?"
                                                         "Basically Necromunda rules!"

Rules from a long time ago.

Honest this was the play sheet.

                                           And so we gathered at Colin's country estate in downtown Garvald to play a game based around the battle of Overselk on the 3rd,February 1864.This evening's encounter involved the bullied Danes fighting the soon to be bullied Austro-Hungarians(this time by the Prussians).

The town (or city) of Schleswig

Meine galanten Jungen

Vorwahrts!

                                 Colin was taking the part of the picked on Danes as he wanted to get his newly bought and painted figs onto the playing field.Dave O'Brien in his infinite wisdom made me commander-in chief so that he would have somebody else to blame for his shortcomings and that he did.

The plucky Danes definitely in need of some Carlsberg.

Danes to the last.

                                                  The game apart from some plucky Danish hand to hand went just as the real battle did with the Danes being chased from the field but at least I had a chance to play with the very colourful Austrian figures.

My Jagers

Lining up the artillery.

Charge number 1-success!

Charge number 2 -not so successful.

                                                           The rules we used were Warhammer Blood and Iron rules from a long time ago in a galaxy far away,which were Games Workshop standard rules adapted for the 19th century.At least they were easy to comprehend and didn't really need any explaining as the mechanics were the same-Move,Shoot and hand to hand.

"Your facing the wrong way!"

                                                            In this game the overall commander writes down his orders so unless the aries are fired on they must keep to the original orders.To make it worse Dave had added a random weather rule as since at the real battle snow covered the ground.

More f'ng snow!

                                                         My valiant forces entered the field with the intention of taking the town and moving half of my forces round the town in order to capture our second objective mainly a hill.

At last my supporting cast arrives.

"Do you like my white jacket?"

                                   On arrival on to the board my infantry advanced towards the town only to be met with gunfire from Danes hiding in the buildings.My plucky Austrians just fixed bayonets and charged into the buildings eventually dislodging the defenders.The second part of my infantry didn't have it so lucky as after assaulting another building were forced to turn tail and head for the table edge.This also resulted in their supporting artillery following them.

About to be rebuffed.

Legging it Austrian style

                                             Once again Dave's forces were struggling to find room to maneuver as their orders were to bypass the town and head for the hills.When they eventually moved around the outskirts of the town they were blinded by snow and were prevented from seeing Colin's Danish guard approaching on their flank which was weird as his artillery were getting picked off and his infantry were turning a blind eye to their suffering.It was amazing as Colin was having some good random rolls of the dice meaning the snow was helping his lads but hindering ours.

Revenge!

And now Colin's defenders are off.

                                                    Our supreme commander Field Marshall Gablenz decided to pay us a visit to inspire his troops but found himself joining Dave's infantry in a retreat to the safety of the town.

The Field Marshall arrives.

Just in time to be shot at.

Colin's pretty ineffectual cavalry.

                                     Colin after charging Dave's artillery and decimating them found himself on a ever decreasing spiral as his forces one by one were finding themselves heading for the rear at a rapid rate of knots with having insult added to injury by the loss of one of his commanders.Ach well he was dressed in a ACW Union uniform anyway.

No its not a flamer just measuring the effect of canister.

Dave's forces eventually open their eyes.

"Should have gone to Specsavers."

                                               Just as I brought my cavalry on in their best finery ready to charge Colin in the back it was decided to call a halt to proceedings and prevent the Danes any further embarrassment.

A little bit of hard graft.

The glory boys arrive.

Saved by the end of the final whistle.

                                      A great game played in the best sporting manner apart from my subordinate who kept on whinging about snow and lack of movement by my infantry and even blaming bad dice rolls.I am sure he'll do better when Bismark comes a calling.
                                            The Danish figures were provided by Colin Jack and alll the Austrians were provided by Dave O'Brien.Scenery was all provided by Colin along with a delicious chilli once again from Nigella's cookbook.