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June 18th 1429 Battle of Patay (Not Waterloo) Wargame Scenario

Today, I am choosing to create a scenario for the Battle of Patay, a crucial battle during the 100 Years’ War that shaped modern France and Europe. I know a far more famous and influential battle took place on June 18th. Here’s the deal: 10,000 people like me have written a slew of wargames regarding Waterloo. Most of them are far better than I could ever come up with. My biggest idea would be allowing the Prussians on the field and having the French try to hold off their assault while the rest of the French army attempted to defeat Wellington.

The Battle of Patay is a classic example of a small superior force taking on a larger, ill-trained, ill-equipped army. The English attempted a similar strategy as had worked in Crecy and Agincourt, relying on their longbows to decimate the heavily armed French Knights and infantry. The French identified the potential ambush and slaughtered the archers before approaching the main line.

Order of Battle
French
La Hire
180 Knights
1300 Men at Arms

English
John Fastolf
2000 Archers
3000 Infantry

Scenario
Baron’s War or other Medieval-style skirmish game
2 Players
50 or 60 models
Heavily wooded terrain
8×4 Table

Objective

After discovering the ambushers, French need to escape the board to French lines to report the position of the English longbows.
English, prevent the scouts from escaping.

Set-Up
10 French outriders should be set up on the furthest edge of the table. The English should randomly assign groups of five archers to different points on the board. I’d create a grid on the table, each section being 1′ by 1′. The English should have ten groups of 5 archers each assigned to a random grid part.

Game
When the French outriders enter a grid that contains English archers, they appear on the table and begin play.

Special Rules
Ambush, when the outriders enter a grid section containing the archers, they appear and get a surprise attack on the outriders.

Line of sight. Getting an open longshot in a dense forest is hard, the archers will need to work to contain the outriders.

June 16 1487 Battle of Stoke Field Wargame Scenario

On June 16, 1487, the House of Tudor and the House of York took to the field for the final major battle in the War of the Roses. The rebel Earl of Lincoln took the high ground with his 8,000 troops, essentially mercenaries. The more experienced Royalists, with 12,000 troops led by Henry VII, were ready to end the protracted, bloody conflict.

Many wargamers have recreated the battle of Stoke Field. A quick Google search offers two or three dozen just on the first page. We will provide an alternate battle situation where the Rebels are supported by Scottish rebels from the north. It is not inconceivable, as Scotland long wanted independence, and perhaps for their assistance in helping the Earl of Lincoln lift the crown, Scotland would be granted its sovereignty.

Order of Battle
Rebels House of York, Earl of Lincoln

I think we should keep the number of troops and the deployment the same. Instead of bringing 4,000 poorly armed Irish Kerns, let’s add 4,000 Scottish Pikes plus a commander.

1 Stand Knights As General 32
1 Sub General 32
1 Ally General 22
5 Retinue Billmen 35
20 Retinue Archers 140
20 Scottish Pikes 80
13 Northern Border Foot 39
4 French Crossbows 20

Royal House of Tudor, Henry VII
1 Knight as Royal General 35
2 Knights as Sub Generals 64
3 Stands Royal Body Guards 45
6 Stands as Men at Arms 60
10 Retinue Billmen 70
10 Retinue Archers 70
4 Javelines 32
6 Stands German Pikes 24

Wargame
Ruleset DBM, DBMM, or any other large-scale medieval ruleset
2 Players
Forces Needed are Listed Above
For terrain, a large grassy hill with enough room for the Yorkists to deploy on top.

Objecitves
Each army must destroy the other.

To set up, the Yorkists should take up a formation and position themselves at the top of a large hill, while the Tudors are at the bottom. The Tudors attack.

No Special Rules, unless you want to give the Tudors a Bombard or two.

June 15th 486 Battle of Soissons Wargame Scenario

On June 15th, 486, the Western Roman Empire was in its final stage of collapse. Syagrius of Rome was the son of Aegidius, who was preserving what was left of the Soisson region. The Franks utterly destroyed the tired Romans, who never again controlled any part of modern-day France.

This will be a straight-up engagement. Both sides had around 6,000 troops, and there are too few details to create a unique situation. This battle was wildly essential and led to the creation of the Frankish Empire, which still exists today.

Romans 6,000 soldiers commanded by Syagrius.

Franks 6,000 commanded by Clovis I Ragnachar.

Wargame
For use with DBMM, Hail Caesar, or any other large-format Dark Ages ruleset.
2 Players
6×4 Table

Army Lists for DBMM 400

Romans DBMM 2-83

C in C x1 Reg Kn 28
Sub General x1 Reg Kn 28
Equitates x4 RegCv 32
Legionarii x 8 Reg Bd 56
Auxilia Palatina x10 RegAx 50
Garrisson x6 RegAx 24
Foederati x21 Reg Ax 105
Foederati x7 RegKn 77

Franks DBMM 2-72

C in C x1 Irr Cv 17
Sub General x2 Irr Cv 34
Noble Cavalry x 10 Irr Cv 70
Foot Warriors x81 Irr Wbb 243
Skirmishers x8 Irr Ps 24
Archers x6 Irr Ps 12

No special rules, follow your standard historical wargame rules for this one.

June 14th 1800 Battle of Marengo Wargame Scenario

On June 14th, 1800. The Austrian forces of General der Kavallerie Michael von Melas attempted a surprise attack on Napoleon’s troops across the Bromida River. The Austrians, being numerically superior at the start of the battle, forced back the French. However, a well-timed assault from an incoming French division turned the tide of battle to the French.

Order of Battle (Wikipedia has a very nice, detailed list if you are interested)

French 29,942 soldiers 33 guns
General Napoleon Bonaparte
Corps Lannes
12 Battalions
6 Horse Artillery Cannons
5th Dragoon Regiment

Corps Victor
9 Battalions
4 Horse Artillery Cannons
3rd Cavalry Regiment

Corps Desaix
8 Battalions
4 Foot Artillery Cannons
1 Hussar Regiment

Cavalry Reserve
28 Total Squadrons

Reserve
2 Battalions Genadiers
2 Squadrons of Horse Guards
8 Cannons

Austrians
General der Kavallerie Michael von Melas
30,379 Soldiers, 92 Cannons


Advanced Guard
4 Light Infantry Battalions
4 Cavalry Squadrons
6 Cannons

Right Wing
5 Battalions
6 Squadrons
6 Cannons

Center
24 Squadrons
20 Battalions
8 Cannons

Left Wing
12 Battalions
6 Squadrons
12 Cannons

Wargame Scenario
For use with General D’Armee, Black Power, or any other large-scale Napoleonic Wargame
2-8 Players, players can take control of the entire army on either side, or each Corps/Wing could have a commander as well
French Players will need 31 Battalions, 36 Cavalry Squadrons, and 5 Artillery Batteries
Austrian Players will need 41 Battalion,s 40 Cavalry Squadrons, and 6 Artillery Batteries
Terrain should have a river near one field edge with a bridge crossing the river. There should be several forested areas and a large hill opposite the edge where the bridge stands
Table Size 8×4 or even 10×4

Objective

The Austrians want to use their numerical advantage to break the French before the French forces can flank them. The French want to hold until Desaix arrives, then break the Austrians using a hard flank attack.

Set Up

During the battle, the Austrians struggled to mobilize all their forces against the French. The Austrians should start with their advanced guard and right wing on the French side of the river, holding a bridgehead while the Center and Left wings continue to cross.

The French should start with the Victor Corps engaged with the advanced guard of the Austrians. Lannes and the Reserve Corps to the rear, and Desaix corps off the table to arrive at turn 10

Last Bridge Over the River Don

The opening battle in the Stalingrad Campaign is the Last Bridge Over the River Don. The main objective is for the Soviets to hold the bridge while their force retreats and then blow the bridge. Game is on a 6×4 table with a river running north to south. In the middle of the river is a small bridge. Eastern side of the bridge has a small village. Western side has a few hills and balkas.

Soviets can attempt to blow the bridge. The objectives give 2 pts for each soviet unit to cross the bridge, and the Germans get 1 pt for each destroyed unit and 5 if the bridge is intact.

For terrain, I intend to use my Kallistra grass hexes as a base with assorted hills. I have a river from Tabletop World. It should sit nicely down between hexes. The river is 6″ wide, however, and if that doesn’t work, I have a neoprene river set and a few bridges that should work nicely. I need about 10 small buildings for the town where Dwarven Forge City Builder should also fit in nicely. I have 3 or 4 buildings for variety that are a high quality cardboard including a church that will make good variety.

Here is the Soviet T34 on the bridge. This will work well.

The army lists are below. Both lists are 1167. I don’t have a good reason for picking this number.

Germans1167Gates of Stalingrad
Leutnant50Regular
Here infantry905 Rifles 1 LMG 1 LoaderRegular
Panzgrenadier975 Rifles 1 LMG 1 LoaderRegular
medic30Veteran
artillery forward observer1001 ARRegular
Heer infantry1107 Rifles 1 LMG 1 LoaderRegular
heer pioneer771 Rifle 4 SMGSVeteran
mmg50Regular
medium mortar60add spotterRegular
flammenwerfer50Regular
sniper team50Regular
Anti-tank rifle team (removed)Regular
50mm pak 3875Regular
Sdkfz231100Regular
Panzer iii Ausf E,F1402nd MMGRegular
Sdkfz 7 halftrack44Regular
Sdkfz 7 halftrack44Regular
I based the German list on what an advancing army might look like. Mechanized infantry with early war armor support. Decent equipment. I could have made the squad sizes a little larger which would have brought me up to 1500 pts, as well as a few trucks, but this should make for a decent fight. I think the game plays well at 1250 to 1500.

Soviets Don Volga

Rifle Squad012 RiflesInexpierenced
2nd Lieutenant50SMGRegular
Veteran squad853 Rifle 1 LMG 1 LoaderVeteran
Rifle squad568 RiflesInexpierenced
commissar15SMGInexpierenced
assault engineer squad805 SMGsVeteran
rifle squad817 Rifles 1 FlagInexpierenced
rifle squad497 RiflesInexpierenced
veteran squad1034 Rifles 1 LMG 1 PanzerfustVeteran
Mmg35Inexpierenced
Dshk heavy machine gun team49Inexpierenced
Sniper team50Regular
Dog mines26Inexpierenced
Tank hunters20Inexpierenced
Medium mortar35Inexpierenced
Light mortar24Inexpierenced
45mm antitank46Inexpierenced
Ba20 Armoured Car52Inexpierenced
T-34156Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
The soviet list is based on an army in full retreat. Supplies and such were not a huge issue at this point of the war. I was happy to give them full equipment. The soviet army was very experienced at this point as well which I reflected in the list.

Initial Impressions

Reading over the rules, it seems like the Soviets have a real challenge. You have to get as many units over the bridge as possible and still blow the bridge. The initial turn the fuse is lit you have a 1/3 chance of blowing the bridge. The next turn its 50/50 and 2/3 the following turn. You don’t want to blow it early because it costs you points, but you can’t wait till the last turn either. Although the game does continue until the bridge blows or the charges are defused. The way the reinforcements work for the Germans I want the bridge blowing turn 6.

Also I wouldn’t consider this a good introductory scenario for those new to Bolt Action. It is a pretty complicated fight with many rules and deployments.

Hobby Items

First and foremost getting the two forces fully painted. I have about 3 weeks from now util the floors are completed and I have a game room back. That easily should be enough time for 50 odd infantry and a couple vehicles. Right……. right. My Germans are largely complete already. Maybe 10 models. The Soviets need around 40.

I need to paint the river. It shouldn’t take too long. It is nicely textured. I have 10 pieces that are 9″ long and 5″ wide, 8 curves, a large stone bridge that is just wide enough for a t-34. There is also a mill somewhere which would be cool to do eventually. I think there are 4 river battles and it is a terrain feature in 3 more. I may also try the resin thing where I fill the river with resin to create a water effect.

Other hobby items. I will most likely 3d print a building or two. They will need painted. I also need to paint a few hedges that I have 3d printed.

Next time should be some painted models progress, after the weekend.

Hobby Steak Update 11/14/2022

Just giving an update on my hobby streak. I am most likely going to just do posts Monday and Thursday from here on out. It seems silly to post everyday.

My goal to start the streak is to finish a singular project. Something I am lacking on. I am hopeful that finishing a project will inspire me to finish others. Currently, I have 10 or so unfinished, half-finished armies and projects that I always have time to start but never finish. I want to finish something. As I grow and hobbying becomes a habit, I will work on enhancing my craft and giving real tutorials on painting the models.

Friday, I had a good time in the afternoon and was able to completely finish a unit of 8 dwarf rangers. They are fully painted using contrast paints. I wanted a little grimy haggard look to the rangers. Saturday, I finished 10 dwarven infantry; these turned out really well. I also constructed at least 14 Marvel Crisis Protocol models, I think it is closer to 20.

Sunday, we chose to decorate our house for Christmas, 16 trips of stuff from the garage later, and 10 back in. We are still not complete. I didn’t have much hobby energy after that, so I just built a few more Marvel Crisis Protocol models. Hobby tip, use Zap Kicker to harden your superglue instantly. It is an absolutely huge bonus to speed up your process.

I was having some issues sleeping, so I went and airbrushed a handful of Star Wars Armada ships. None of these are part of the main game. I purchased them through Shapeways, MelMinatures. He has several hundred fantastic sculpts. I will warn you however that the models are a challenge to paint. They require a solid scrubbing to remove the residue. I also would recommend while painting, you avoid using a wash or shade. The model soaks it right up, and it looks awful. Instead, basecoat and drybrush up rather than down. I will get pics to you at some point. They will be featured in a game as well. I painted 2 Nebulon B-2 (the kind with double bottom fins), a customs corvette, and General Grievous’s pride and joy, the Malevolence.

Yesterday I lost an Election

11/09/2022

Yesterday I lost an election. I campaigned to be the mayor of my hometown. Literally, everyone told me how great I was, I would do a good job, and they voted for me. I did all the things, door-to-door, radio ads, Facebook ads, and direct mailers, it wasn’t enough.

For a while, I have wanted a hobby page and hobby business. I enjoy tabletop games. I enjoy playing, thinking, and creating. I enjoy painting and studying lore. I do not enjoy gluing models together.

So today, after much deliberation, I am going to start a hobby streak. A real hobby streak. I am relying on this blog to keep me accountable. Pictures of what I accomplished the whole kit and caboodle. I want my armies finished and on the table. I want to solo fight beautiful battles.

What Counts as Hobbying

  • Painting Models
  • Building Models
  • Painting/Building Terrain
  • Playing A Game (hobby’d minis only)
  • Creating Rules
  • Creating Scenarios
  • Creating Campaigns
  • Building Army Lists
  • DND Creating
  • Soccer Officiating

Most of those are obvious. I feel like anytime I am building models or terrain or painting them, it counts as hobbying. When I am playing a game with miniatures that I hobby’d it counts. Aka if I play a General D’Armee or Warhammer. What does not count ASOIAF, X-Wing, Armada, where now hobby work takes place.

If I am creating rules, I am working on a ruleset for General D’Armee to add dragons, per the Temeraire book series. If I am creating unique situations or scenarios for games to add objectives or intrigue. How often in war is the objective to stand on this spot for 5 turns. I love doing this for Warhammer, especially because it adds a lot to the game. Ditto creating a campaign, my little brother and I have a Grecco-Persian war campaign close to ending, and it is time for a new one, probably 100 Years War or crusades. Building army lists is also huge; I like thematic lists. That meets the competitive side but is also thematic. A unit of icefall yetis is not going to visit the tomb kings; I am fine with different armies I just want the lists to be thematic.

One thing I really enjoy is DND. I haven’t had a campaign for a few months, the start of the election cycle, but getting back into a campaign would be exciting. I added these more bookwork things, not for ease of use but on days when my wife and I are traveling, I can still hobby. This goal may change in the future, but I look at our upcoming adventures together, and it seems silly to set myself a goal that I know I will fail at instead of setting myself up to succeed.

The same goes for refereeing soccer. I consider that a hobby of mine I enjoy. I also know I will struggle to find time to hobby and painting when I am at a tournament for 12 hours stuck in a hotel with a roommate. So I am going to consider refereeing a hobby at least for now.