Calamity at the Circle K Ranch

Winter had become spring, spring had turned to summer. Victorio's warparty had hidden low for several months, but with their supplies consumed, and the younger warriors baying for blood, Victorio had realised it was time to take the fight back to the 'white eyes'.

The scalp hunters from whom they had escaped from last time had been pursuing the Apache throughout the last days of winter and the following spring but without success. Now Victorio had learned that they were residing at the Circle K Ranch.

The time for action was now. Here was an opportunity to strike fear into his enemies and gain plunder to feed his men. Victorio led his men in a rush across the corn, growing to the south of the ranch.

Before them a civilian wagon lumbered towards the ranch - an easy prize?

But the occupiers of the ranch were alerted, and the scalp hunters called to arms, hurried to defensive positions.

These six grim men, gripped their weapons with nervous excitement. Soon Apache would be falling to their guns, and money would be filling their coffers in grateful gratitude from the citizens of Lex County, Texas. For two of them, Moses McNeil and Cherokee Bill, dispensed with discretion and moved forward to meet the on coming Apache.

The wagon and attendants hurriedly moved towards the safety of the stucco walls of the ranch. Then from behind the Apache, came the sound of horse hooves and Dewitt Puckett himself, leader of this murderous gang, accompanied by John Garrett; rode towards the warparty.

The Chiricahua ignored this new threat and turned there guns upon the two fools to their front who now occupied the nearest paddock. Moses', buffalo gun snarled, at the warriors in the corn. But the lethal projectile merely shredded the heads off a few tall yellow stalks.

The Winchesters of Kuruk and Ulzana spat death at their foe.

The two hunters fell. The Apache rushed forward.

Other members of the scalphunters unnerved by the events, abandoned their position whilst Puckett, rode around and away from the Apache seeking the security of the stonewalls.

Victorio's men reached the hog pen and began to trade fire with Joe McMurty and Frenchie Delaware.  The squeals of the swine drowned out by the retort of the rifles. 

The two hunters stood on the roof of the main compound. Arrogant and foolhardy, the cheap Mexican wine filling their bellies, clouding their judgement.

Their action may have saved the wagon, and it's terrified companions. But it would not save these two cutthroats. Their shots were wild and erratic. Not so, the aim of Kuruk and Uday.

The remaining members of Puckett's band sought refuge behind the walls, and cowered in fear. There was nought they could do. 

Victorio's men seized the hogs and horses of the Circle K.

Whooping and a hollering the Chiricahua braves were free to plunder as they will. Tonight they would dine on succulent pork belly.

Epilogue  

Dewitt Puckett stung with the shame of defeat. He would have his revenge. Armed with the bible in one hand and a six gun in the other he would drive the heathen from Texas.


So ended the third game in our ongoing Wild West campaign. The Scalphunters were played by 'The Secret Wargamer' on this occasion with 'The Secret Wargamers Friend'  umpiring. For a different interpretation of the game go here the secret wargamer.

An Apache a Day-Day Four

And finally.

So that's four Apache's in four days. Not a great out put compared to some, but kept me interested for the few days.  I did use a lot of the Foundry Paint Palettes on these models and they certainly helped. I also found that working to a deadline meant I had to stick to a colour scheme I chose for each figure rather than 'experimenting' as I like to do, once I've started painting.

Anyway here is the four of them together.

Now back to the 15mm Afrikakorp after that short interlude.
  

An Apache a Day-Day Three

An Apache a Day-Day Two

An Apache a Day-Day One

Right with a few days off work (four to be precise). I've set myself a little challenge of painting an Apache for the Legends of Old West games on each of the days off. So above is the first one.

A good way, me thinks to, get some more painted and an achievable target I believe.  Plus a little break from 15mm.

Model is a Foundry Apache, as will be all of the others.

Whats it all about Markie?

Over the last few days I've found myself contemplating life, the Universe and Wargaming. Steady on Man!

Now I started 2012 with the plan of sticking mainly to 28mm WW2, with a few minor distractions, but NO new projects. FAIL! So I got to thinking and decided it was time I revised my approach to the hobby.

How to make it work without getting, distracted, bored, sidetracked, hoodwinked into a new project etc., etc.? So how does it work for me.

1. I don't like painting large numbers of the same figure. (Napoleonic's are a no no). I get bored.

2. I don't like painting large numbers of figures at the same time. I prefer to paint  a single figure so I can lavish attention to it if 28mm, or upto about 4 or 5 figures at a time if 15mm. Otherwise I get bored.

3. I don't like continually painting the same period for a long time. Or I get bored.

Are you getting the drift?

So what can I do about it? How can I keep the momentum and interest going so projects are completed and I can actually play games?

Well lets look at what is 'floating my boat' at the moment. What projects am I doing or started which I WANT to continue with.

WW2 Western Desert   

A newie but a goodie.

I like painting 15mm WW2 figures and models. Back in the day when I played alot of WRG Ancients the chosen scale was 15mm. I hated painting them little buggers! Yet for some reason I enjoy painting the WW2 infantry in this scale.  More importantly, and  a new direction, for me is the constrained time period of the theatre of operations, February to June 1941. Again a throw back to the WRG days I would pick armies which could fight a wide range of opponents, say for example Celts, good for 400BC to about 100AD. I have continually applied this reasoning throughout alot of my Wargaming since. So for WW2, a German Panzer force using Panthers for example could be used from 1943 to the end of the war. For the first time I'm concentrating on a much smaller period of time, and enjoying building a unit/time specific army to use in a specific theatre.

Of course I also want to build up the Afrikakorp units to use them both in Battalion size games using Rapid Fire and IABSM for company level actions.

WW2 Normandy

Based around the 101st Airborne vs 6th Fallschirmjager Regiment. This little project started not so much because of the Band of Brothers TV mini-series but because of this article on Matakishi 's Teahouse inspired by the TV mini-series- building carentan. I recall following these weekly updates, and since I was looking for a new project at the time, I suddenly found myself purchasing WW2 figures in 28mm, the article was that inspiring. So where am I now with it? Well lets see, I have a platoons worth of US Airborne, a weak platoon of Fallschirmjager and various pieces of terrain (some scratch built to my credit).  I certainly have enough to play my intended rule set.

So why haven't I? Because I've been dilly-dallying around!

So applying my new theory above, just stick to the plan man! In other words rather than getting sidetracked with considering building tanks, planes and automobiles, adding in British, Canadians etc., just stick with the initial time period from 6th June to say 13th June 1944. This would include D-Day (duh obvious!), the fighting in Carentan up to the Battle of Bloody Gulch (Episode 2-Carentan; When Easy Company is attacked by 6th Fallschirmjager Regt. and 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division). Here's one link of many which will make it all clearer-Utah Beach to Cherbourg.

So keep it focused. Why am I considering building Monte Cassino when all my other terrain is based around the Normandy country side?


Legends of The Old West

First time I played this game, came away thinking that was a load of old crap! Then the Secret Wargamers Friend (Gawd bless 'im), put on an excellent scenario driven game, with great terrain, great figures and a great cup of tea thown in (I think there may have even been biscuits).

Now I love it (don't want to marry it though!). The Warhammer system works a treat as far as I am concerned. The rules have enough 'tongue in cheek' balanced out against playability to make a great fun game.

So what did I do once I saw the light? Well I went and bought some Apache from Foundry (they were on offer I must add). So I have painted up enough for a Warparty/posse and then stopped. So I need to get back into painting the Wild West again. I want my own Wild West Town, yes I do. So the Old West is in.

Why Apache I hear you ask? Well no one else at the club seemed to have any Native Americans at the time, so I decided to fill the void. Plus I have always had an interest in Native American history/culture. By choosing Apache I get to add in this bad boy!

Its Geronimo by the way.

French and Indian War

This is one project that I really need to kick start. I've probably had an interest in the French & Indian War (or The Seven Years War in America), for longer than I have actually realised. When I actually think about it I've watched films, documentaries, read articles and books on the subject, but never gamed the period. Though I do recall at the old Birmingham Wargames Show (the one that was at the Birmingham Uni.. Can't actually recall the shows exact title), looking at some of the Ral Partha figures for this period and very nearly making a purchase.

Unashamedly I must admit it was probably Michael Mann's 1992 film version which really caught my attention and made the decision for me to game this conflict. (That means its taken about 18 years, before I purchased any relevant figures).

But it is Wes Studi's portrayal of Magua which makes the whole film in IMO.

It is only very recently that I finally did make a few purchases from the excellent Conquest Miniatures range. What happened? I stopped painting them. Now with the recent release of this rule set;

I've decided I really must pull my finger out and start painting. These rules are by the same guy who brought us SAGA. Which despite my fondness for Dark Age wargaming those rules seem to have  passed me by. But having read a few reviews for the FIW set, I've treated myself to a copy and hopefully they will be here soon.
I mean whats not to like about the FIW, British and French regulars, with irregulars and Native Americans on both sides. I only intend to play skirmish games at the moment, and these rules apparently can be played on a 4'x4' board.Bonus!


So what does all this mean. well I'm giving myself licence to chop and chop periods and paint what I feel like, depending on my mood. More structure, more results. Thats the theory. So lets see how I get one for the rest of the year.
I'm liking this idea of micro-periods. For the Late War 15mm I'm already considering The Battle Of The Bulge. Never modelled ice or snow and with lots of products now available to do so, could be fun painting up Germans and Americans, just for the attack through the Ardennes. Lots of trees though!

Where does it leave the Zulu War, Lord of the Rings (yes I have LotR's figures), late war 15mm WW2, Dark Age/Medieval et al. On the shelf at the moment. Though with the imminent release of the TOOFATlardies Arthurian rules more here toofatlardies-blog & here roundwood world, and Daniel Mersey about to release his new rules for Osprey (though I think they may be an updated version of his Glutter of Ravens set) for the same period Dux Bellorum, I may find myself being drawn back into the Dark Ages. The Uruk-hai are itching to get back into the fight also.

'Grrrr' Find the Halflings'Grrr'.
       

Ambush at Pa' Randalls Trading Post

The wagons creaked and groaned under the weight of the cargo, but the destination was in sight, the journey almost over.

Pa' Randalls Trading Post, a run down, collection of frontier buildings, abandoned long ago by homesteaders, know occupied by Pa' Randall, ex-scout, ex-thief, ex-drunk.

Safety and shelter were at hand. Rumours abound of Apache Renegades, who had attacked Big Jakes Ranch, scalping men and defiling women . Soon the travellers could enjoy hot coffee, a plate of beans and secure walls around them for tonight. But what was that just beyond the trees to the right? Ole' Bill shifted his rifle nervously in his hands. He glanced back to his partner. Had Nat seen it? What was that moving in the trees? Apaches.....

Victorio and his warparty rushed towards the wagons. The warriors released a volley of lead towards the white eyes . Dahana would be avenged. Victorio felt the butt of his rifle strike his shoulder, and saw the bullet strike his enemy.

Nat fell, his life blood darkening the ground. Ole' Bill panicked rushed for the scrub. His wife 'Two Barrel' Annie shouldered her twelve gauge and ran behind the wagons to seek cover.

The folks accompanying the wagons did like wise. Discretion was the better part of valour.

Victorio let out a howl of pleasure. Victory was assured. The Apache rushed to close with the enemy.

At the Trading Post Pa' Randall, ran out of the hovels he called home, alerted by the sounds of gunfire and the screams of terror. In the near distance he espied the Renegades. Hunkered down behind his wagon, he raised his rifle and took careful aim.

But Victorio was a wily old fox. He personally lead one half of the band towards the wagons, whilst Uday lead the others to cover to exchange fire with Randall.

Victorio was a man on fire. His repeater spat death towards his foe. Ole' Bill, a veteran of the war in the Black Hills, twisted and fell as the bullet ripped into his chest. 'Two Barrel' Annie urged the wagon masters to greater effort, they could still reach safety.

Uday and the other braves traded shot with Pa' Randall. Time and again the Apache cursed in frustration as their bullets tore chunks of wood from the wagon behind which the ex-scout cowered. Then.....

Uday's aim was true. The Trader collapsed behind the wagon. His throat torn through.  A cry of victory cut the air, but not from Uday...

Victorio had reached the wagons. Yuma seized the bridle of the last team, and began to turn the wagon to the South. The other Apaches poured murderous fire onto the hapless white eyes. Many of whom abandoned the wagons and fled to some dilapidated buildings. Now they had to turn to 'Two Barrel' Annie for protection.

The feisty dame stood her ground and from the scrub turned her shotgun towards the Apache. Both barrels roared. But in her haste the buckshot found only empty air. Time was running out.

Even stone was not going to save the recently widowed Annie now. Victorio's bullet found its mark. Even before she had struck the ground, Vasco's arrow hit the fleeing Pedro in the back, he was never to see Mexico again.

Yuma began to lead the captured prize way. Ulzana having looted the body of Nat would not have time to liberate Ole' Bill of any of his possessions, for in the distance could be heard the rumble of hooves.

Capt' Jack had arrived but too late, too late. Victorio's warband was going to slip away again.

But would they reap the whirlwind in their next encounter?

So ended the second part of our ongoing Wild West campaign. I must inpart a big thank you to the Secret Wargamers Friend for putting on a great game. Terrain and most of the figures (except the Apache of course) are his.

In fact here is the great man himself, contemplating the game and what to do next. Cheat maybe?