Lieutenant Francis of the Crimson Alliance fought and held bunker Zero Two against an unprecedented attack of the stricken.
On the 14th day of the attack, their ammo and food had long been exhausted, he led his troops out into a ferocious melee.
Francis was the sole survivor of that terrible onslaught.
He attributes his survival to his understanding that he was already dead, and as such was able to operate without any fear.
Despite that, Francis has never been the same since.
Featured game for JOS16 - Saga in 6mm
30th May 2016
As part of the build up to this year's extravaganza, we'll be showcasing some of the games that you can expect to see. We'll kick this off with a preview of Per Broden's 'Saga in 6mm' game.
Per is now famous for this show-stopping productions of Great Northern War battles, but this year he has opted for a complete change albeit with a Scandinavian focus. I an do now better than to hand to over to the man himself.
'I have been putting up 6mm wargames tables at the Joy of Six for the last four years with the Wyre Forest Wargames club (WFWC). They have been depicting various battles from the Great Northern War (GNW). This year (to save me from tears) I have decided to do something else. The main reason was actually due to the fact that my good friend (and authority on all things warfare in general and the Great Northern War in particular)
Nick Dorrell could not make this show and it felt strange not having his guiding hand to oversee the practical matters of running the game. But I hope we will be back with some GNW action next year and do the interesting battle of Lesnaya 1708 (but things have changed before). I will be back with some GNW postings once the Joy of Six 2016 and the 6mm Saga adventure have come and gone as there is still plenty to do before July.
Since Baccus released their early middle age range with Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans I have wanted to do a dark age project. I noted a mention on the Meeples and Miniatures page about doing Saga in 6mm – it made me think for a second or two. As many others I am better at buying figures than painting them and really wanted some kind of challenge and a clear deadline – so I decided to do Saga in 6mm. Here is my blur I submitted to the Joy of Six show just before Christmas last year.
“This participation game allows the player to try out Studio Tomahawks Saga rules in 6mm, using one of the 12 factions from the basic rules and the first two supplements (Anglo-Danes, Norman, Viking, Welsh, Anglo-Saxons, Irish, Strathclyde Welsh, Norse Gael, Bretons, Jomsvikings, Scots or Capetian Franks). The warbands are pre-selected and are all at 4 points. Each individual model from the normal rules are replaced with a 25mm square base with 3 to 10 models, depending on type of unit. The game is more or less played as normal apart for some changes to distances (movement and range combat). Prior knowledge useful but not required. We run each game to conclusion or an hour (whatever occurs first). We will play 3 or 4 games per table during the day – further details will follow. The terrain boards, although not historical, will be in line with what we normally do for the Great Northern War stuff. There will be a few hills, forests and a small Viking or Saxon settlement somewhere in the background.”
The Anglo-Danish Faction 4pt Starter Army
Since then I have completed all but one faction, done two 3 by 4 feet mats and have some terrain to complete. In future parts I will go through the factions and what models I used, how I painted them, how I made the terrain mats we will use on the day and some of the terrain pieces. All in all the project have resulted in 324 bases (the equivalent of over 100 Polemos bases) and a total of 2155 miniatures – they are small but many.
Being a long time listener of the Meeples and Miniatures Podcast and having had a chat or two with Neil Shuck over the years I decided to approach him and David Luff at Salute – knowing they liked the game. I asked them if they wanted to help out on the day and they said yes – I am not sure who was the happiest at the end of the day – my son who got to try out the new Halo Ground Command game or I.
When Mike Hobbs (as documented in the Meeples and Miniatures Podcast No. 170) decided to join and help it really made my day. I just have to finish a few things and we should be good to go.'
Per has now started a blog detailing how he has built all of the various factions in his game and you can follow his progress if you click here
Some bits and some bobs...
23rd May 2016
We've added a couple of codes each to our War of Spanish Succession and World War 2 ranges.
The WSS range now includes pikemen
and French Dragoons
and dismounted Dragoons
These releases just about complete the resculpt of the WSS figures, although we are still awaiting the arrival of the final code which will be dismounted French Dragoons. More details of the range if you click here
Moving through the centuries, there are a couple more additions to our nascent WW2 ranges in the form of US Bazooka teams
and German MMGs
You can get a better look at these and rest of the ranges if you click here
So what are we working on right now? Glad you asked that one!
Firstly, good progress is being made on a few codes which when combined with our existing SYW and AWI codes will enable you to fight that good old favourite, the French and Indian Wars. I hope to get some preview pics up very soon.
Meanwhile we've already got the next series of WW2 releases lined up, when at long last, the US army will get delivery of its machine guns, the Paras will be dropping in and German infantry in smocks will be pushed into the front line. In addition to this, artillery pieces and crews can be seen approaching at a fast pace. Once again, previews of these will be posted soon.
On the rules front, the layout on the next Polemos set is coming on nicely. This volume, written by Glen Pearce, will cover wars in the Americas, encompassing the FIW, AWI and war of 1812. Once again, Mitchell Nolte has done a great job for us on the cover artwork.
In addition to all of this, all the FIW codes have scratched a long-standing itch of mine, and once the Polemos set is done and dusted, I will be completing the revamp of my very old but still very playable Ranger! and Minuteman! rules which are perfect of God's Own Wargaming Scale.
Life is never idle here at Baccus HQ.
Everything is moving, planets, stars and galaxies and me too!
To celebrate this and of course some motivation for me, there is a coupon so you can save money in your cart.
Offer ends June the 1st.
6mm Castle Wall by Leven Miniatures
Just released – 6mm Castle Wall Components, allowing you to build your own castle/city wall enclosure to the size you need.
Each component is of large formal stone effect cladding with crenelated walls and wall walks - upper doorways on each of the tower and main gate variants match the wall-walks and the pieces are suitable for ancients, dark ages or fantasy settings.