First Quarter 2021 Update: How's the Plan going?

Before I go on with a review of my plan I just want to say again that I was honored to have some of my painted figures and creations used in the Second Edition of In Her Majesty's Name.

British Agamemnon Class Medium Mechanized Walker for IHMN2.

Here is the plan I developed for 2021; let's see how it's going. Actually the 1st Quarter has been quite productive (hmmm, global pandemic, two Quarantines, etc.):

1. The French and Indian War. His Most Catholic Majesty, King Louis XV has requested politely (something about it being a pain in my neck if I don't get going) that I finish the initial French force for the French and Indian War. I'm planing on using one of the suggested force listings from Rebels and Patriots:

a. Two units of Light Infantry at 6 points each (Compagnies Franches de la Marine). One is complete.

 

b.  One unit of Skirmishers that are Sharpshooters at 6 points. Prepped and primed.

c. One Large unit of Aggressive Natives at 6 points. Complete!

2. The Great Game goes Hot! The Russian Empire vs. The British Empire in a fictional (and I mean fictional) war in Central Asia that impacts the British Raj. I'm planning on using both The Men Who Would be Kings and In Her Majesty's Name for all of the fun. It will take place between 1895 and 1920 so I can pick what figures I think look cool for the fight; in other words, be prepared for uniforms and troop types that don't go together historically (I said it would be fictional!). And what's not to like? It will have Wolseley Helmets (just like fezzes, Wolseley Helmets are cool), Russian spies, Political Officers, dashing semi-historical uniforms, Maxim Machine Guns, Pathans, Sikhs, Cossacks, Boris and Natasha, mustaches on stiff upper lips, etc. The conflict will start with a disputed succession of a princedom and a threat to the Khyber pass. The opening shots have been fired! 

 

Initial Russian Field Force: Complete!

The High Command. Still need to work out some rules for them.

Frontier Guard, 21st Company

The Izmaylovsky Lifeguards

Naval Company from the Battleship Sissoi Veliky

Maxim machine gun and crew.

 The British Raj:

The 19th Punjabis

The 14th Sikhs

3. The adventures of the TFS (The Free Ship) Audacity. Rules will probably mostly be IHMN Edition 2( I also need to finish painting the Audacity. Still collecting dust on the shelf but I'll get to it!).

 

TFS Audacity

Picture of Lady Helen Quartermain and some of her crew that was used in the Second Edition of In Her Majesty's Name.

 4. Paint some old GW Phoenix Guard for Honorable Son #5 (The Skirmisher). They will be used as some sort of elite infantry in Dragon Rampant. Not yet.

 

5. Try to finish the generic Scottish Infantry (two units) for my English Civil War project. If I really get on a roll, I'll add two units of Scottish horse and one Scottish Artillery Piece. The Scots are still waiting.

This pike block has been finished for over 3 years. Time to get the unit finished and some more.

 

6. Keep my hobby self-funded primarily through the use of eBay Auctions. So far so good; even had a large commission this quarter to paint.

Ulysses Paxton, Llana of Gathol and a big green meanie as part of the Barsoomian commission.

7. And I'm sure the shiny new toy syndrome will hit somewhere as I expand some collections or get totally distracted.

Well, that's the plan. I hope you have a great year of painting, collecting and gaming!

The Anglo-Russian War: Skirmish at the Border, The Conclusion

"Sahib. There are Russian forces in Chaimbellistan."

Continuing with our game of The Men Who Would be Kings: Bandits/Smugglers/Criminals are attempting to smuggle weapons, gold and other materials through the nebulous border area separating Asian Russian with the Princely State of Chaimbellistan. Captain Agorov of the 21st Frontier Guard Company has been ordered to stop them but his map is quite unclear where Russian territory ends and Chaimbellistan begins.

One bandit group has been destroyed but the criminals have not be caught yet and the British are concerned that Russian troops have violated the territory of Chaimbellistan . . .

Captain Agorov has placed his men in close order at another choke point to block the bandits.

Bandit group #3 activates 2 turns in a row! They recross the bridge and fire on Sergeant Zaytsev's men which have just wiped out Bandit group #1.

Even though they have obsolete rifles, at close range they Bandit group #3 fells two of the Russian Frontier Guard. The Keen Shot Leadership trait came in handy.

Uh oh.

Even though the Russian Volley Fire only eliminates one figure, it is Bandit Leader #2 that is the casualty leaving Bandit group #2 leaderless.

Sergeant Zaytsev's men return fire and cut down half of Bandit group #3.

Yep, Bandit group #3 is pinned.

Discretion being the better part of valor, Bandit Leader #1 continues to skedaddle out of harms way and Russian bullets.

Miraculously, Bandit Group #3 rallies but that is all they can do as they look down the barrells of Russian rifles.

Being leaderless, there is little hope that Bandit Group #2 will activate so they take the free action of Fire instead. No effect on Captain Agorov's section.

"Volley Fire!" Two more casualties.

Bandit group #2 is pinned. Somehow I think the end is near.

Speaking of which, Bandit group #3 is wiped out by rifle fire.

After the free action of Fire, Sergeant Zaytsev (Destined for Greatness) activates his section and Moves to secure the weapons and gold.

"Charge!" Russian cold steel essentially eliminates Bandit group #2 causing two more casualties.

Though they win the melee, the Russians did lose one man.

The last bandit runs for his life.

"I shall return!"

"Throw down your weapons in the name of the Queen! You have killed citizens of the Princely State of Chaimbellistan!" Shots are fired, multitudes of  1's, 2's and 3's are thrown. No one is taking out but at least someone got nicked on each side.

Well that was a fun and fast paced game. The Russians did a superb job choosing two choke points and then holding them. The bandits could not decide which way to go and I think if they would have stuck with their original plan, they would have overwhelmed or at least pushed Sergeant Zaytsev's section out of the way. Now what happens?

Melton Pryor sketching the Russians and dead "heroes" of Chaimbellistan.

"We've been invaded! What will the British Raj do to help?"

"BWAH HAH HAH! The fools. Lo Pan, you are commended for supplying the false maps to the Russians. Who could have anticipated that I would destroy two so-called empires!"

 

The Anglo-Russian War: Skirmish at the Border, Part 2

"What's all of that shooting? How can I enjoy my Darjeeling by the river with all of that shooting?"

Continuing with our game of The Men Who Would be Kings: Bandits/Smugglers/Criminals are attempting to smuggle weapons, gold and other materials through the nebulous border area separating Asian Russian with the Princely State of Chaimbellistan. Captain Agorov of the 21st Frontier Guard Company has been ordered to stop them but his map is quite unclear where Russian territory ends and Chaimbellistan begins . . .

Having spotted the Russians both Bandit Groups #1 and #2 move into advantageous terrain to hold off the 21st Frontier Guards while the Bandit Group #3 can move the "goods".

Bandit Group #2.

Oh. We were supposed to move? Then why did we fail our activation roll?

Sergeant Zaytsev advances his section to the next set of cover in the rugged terrain.

Captain Agorov advances in the open through Chaimbellistan.

Bandit Group #1 stays in place and fires from their position of cover while the other Bandit groups become confused and hold in place (yep, failed to activate). No hits are recorded.

Sergeant Zaytsev's section fires and gets the extra hits to kill one of the bandits in the Hard Cover.

 And they are now pinned.

Captain Agorov continues to move through Chaimbellistan territory.

Under the steely eyed gaze and well oiled muscles of Bandit Leader #1, the bandits quickly rally.

With the prospect of only fighting one Russian unit, the bandit units converge.

Yikes! Where is the Captain?

Both sides continue to fire at close range to no effect; but Sergeant Zaytsev is blocking the route.

Concerned with the increased firing, Captain Agorov moves his section at the double and is spotted by the bandits.

The decision is made that Bandit group #2 will deal with the good captain . . . 

 . . . while Bandit group #1 launches a bold and audacious movement to dislodge Sergeant Zaytsev from his blocking position.

"Fire at will," yells Sergeant Zaytsev and another bandit falls in the soft cover.

With Sergeant Zaytsev continuing to hold his blocking position, Bandit Leader #3 decides to follow Bandit group #2.

Meanwhile, Captain Agorov's men spot the movements of the bandits.

Even though he is outnumbered, the fierce Bandit Leader #1 attacks the Russians in their blocking position.

Bayonets, scimitars, and knives clash . . .

. . . and the melee is a draw forcing Bandit group #1 to retreat.

Both Bandit groups #1 and #3 (again) fail to activate while group #2 moves quickly to block the other Russian force from reinforcing.

In a surprise move, Sergeant Zaytsev fires and then Attacks (he is destined for greatness!).

Except for their leader, Bandit group #1 is wiped out to a man. Now there is nothing between Sergeant Zaytsev and Bandit group #3 with the smuggled goods.

"Form Close Order!"

A patrol from the 19th Punjabis heads out to investigate the firing in the valley.

In the conclusion:

1. We learn how to spell Volley Fire.

2. Begin to understand that it is the donkey's fault as to why Bandit group #3 won't activate.

3. Will diplomacy help? Well, that would be a short campaign to game.

4. Who did make those maps?