Wild Geese Weekend

 I’ve lost track which year this event started 2016? But it has continued to take place in Kennilworth where 20-25 like minded gamers who all have an interest in 18th century Warfare come together for the weekend and play toy soldiers. It’s been a few years since I’ve attended ( life, Covid and cancer) but this year I was determined to attend and with the encouragement of my good lady I set off on Friday for a leisurely drive to the hotel. What should have been a 3 1/2 hour journey ended up being 7 1/2 hours, accidents, road works and volume of traffic all conspired.

However upon arrival it was good to see familiar faces and a few new ones. An excellent evening meal was followed by a quiz and I was partnered by Niall Barr and we turned in a pretty good result. I can’t keep up with the more seasoned drinkers these days so I called retreat at a reasonable time to be ready for Saturday.

After a healthy breakfast we assembled in the games room where we were presented with six excellent looking games.

Wills superb Bridge too far with his excellent Spencer Smith collection.

Keith’s FIW with loads of canoes, rafts, Indians, Magua and more wild animals than you could shake a stick at.

Paul’s SYW action using Berliner Zinfigurren

Steve’s GNW Swedes v Russians

Steve M’s Kolin game using 40mm Prince August figures

Finally Iain Burt and a spectacular 1870’s Shiny Toy Soldier game.

Always difficult to decide what to play but I kicked off with Paul’s SYW game, both armies had two brigades of infantry and cavalry with a battery in support. Paul always creates rules that are simple to learn, play well and give a great game this was no exception. Despite having Prussian grenadiers who have a distinct advantage in firing Aly Morrison my opponent in this sector got the better of me and succeeded in destroying the two grenadier battalions. But in the nick of time my co General Niall Barr destroyed the French to his front and turned his infantry brigade to outflank Aly and force his surrender

Great game.

My next game was Keith’s FIW I was joined by Dave Andrew as the British, unfortunately for Dave his column struggled advancing through the woods from the off, fighting hard against Magua and his Indians. My militia on rafts outpaced the Indians in their canoes and my Rangers had a great time sinking a boat full of French Regulars and then finding an unusual ally in the form of a bear who the French had disturbed and who put the fear of God into them.

Sunday saw me joined by Peeler on the Austrian side as we fought Kolin. I took the Austrian right flank, opposing us was Robbie Roddis and Gary Phillips. Steve M had done a great job tweaking the Command and Colours epic rules and Tricorn tactical rules. Victory was to the side who could destroy 15 enemy units (including Generals).

The early stages saw my right flank under intense pressure and at one point we were behind 8:4 but gradually we clawed our way back into the game, with Peeler first attacking the Prussian right and then their centre thus saving the Austrian right flank from certain destruction.With less than half an hour to go the score stood at 13:12 in favour of the Prussians. 

What was left of my right flank had managed to kill Ziethan earlier and they now managed to attack and destroy aPrussian dragoon unit.The score was now 13:13.

In the centre Robbie as Frederick had been mauling our infantry with some excellent dice rolls  Peeler threw everything he had in one last attack. He destroyed a Prussian musketeer battalion 14:13 to the Austrians then through the smoke Peeler saw Frederick had become isolated, the Grenzers took a shot two sabres ( effectively a 12) were required and yes Frederick fell from his horse. Much cheering could be heard from the Austrian Generals, victory on the last throw of the dice.

Here’s an assortment of pictures of the games.

 Will's bridge too far with his splendid Spencer Smith figures

A huge thanks to Steve fir organising and to all the chaps who put on a game, a superb weekend and I’m already in for next year 🤪