Friday, September 30, 2022

Ark of the Covenant and Hebrew Chariots

 












Here's the Ark of the Covenant and two Hebrew chariots that I've just finished painting. All the figures are by Castaway Arts except for the crew and chariot with barded horses which are by Newline Designs. The David and Goliath figures are also by Castaway but I painted them years ago. I'll use the Ark as a sacred camp for my Hebrew/Israelite army. I have some elite Gibborim 'mighty men' and some Philistine/Pelset spearmen based and undercoated as well. The initial aim is for small forces for both sides.











Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Epic Command & Colors Ancients - Battle of Granicus 334 BC

 


Macedonians on the left, Persians on the right


Opposite end


Alexander and Companions, Macedonian right flank


Arsites commander on the Persian left flank


Nicanor with Hypaspists, Macedonian centre


Parmenion & Thessalian cavalry, Macedonian right flank


Rheomithres commander Persian right flank


Mithridates commander Persian centre


On Wednesday afternoon Garry came over to my place and we played an Epic Command and Colors Ancients game out in the shed. The scenario was the Battle of Granicus. Garry commanded the Macedonians, who had an eight card hand and moved first. I commanded the Persians, who had a six card hand and moved second. The Macedonians got off to a flying start, attacking on their left flank and on the right with the Prodromoi, Paeonians and Agrianians. 

Casualties quickly mounted for the Persian cavalry and they played a double time card to get the Greek mercenary hoplites up to contest the river crossing. The Macedonians responded with a line command card to bring the pike into action. The Greek mercenaries fought back but it was too little, too late and the Macedonians won easily 8-3 victory points.



Macedonians attack on their left flank


Prodromoi, Paeonians & Agrianians attack on the right


Persians counterattack


Alexander & Companions force their way across the river


Side view of the action


Persians play a double time card with
Greek mercenaries in the centre


Macedonians play a line command card and
the pike advance into action


Greek mercenaries contest the river crossing
but it is too little, too late!


Macedonians win easily 8-3 victory points


Saturday, September 17, 2022

Hittites versus Mitanni ADLG Game

 

Hittites and Mitanni deployed


Hurri-Mitanni force with captured Egyptian camp!


Hittite force


Forces advance


Shooting commences


Mitanni direct some withering bow fire


Hittites are on the back foot


I really enjoy these small ADLG Bronze Age games, they're so quick and easy to set up and play. This morning I played another one, a solo game with the Hittites taking on the Mitanni. The Mitanni got off to good start with some withering bow fire and the casualties quickly mounted for the Hittites. Most of the Hittite chariots routed from combat and it seemed to be just a matter of time before they became demoralised. The Hittites managed to rally and invoking their Storm God Taru, counter attacked routing the Mitanni chariots on the right flank then most of the Mitanni infantry in the centre. It was quite a come back, the Hittites had two more units than the Mitanni, breaking on 13 rather than 11, which saved the day!


Hittite chariots and infantry charge


Casualties mount for the Hittites


Will Teshub or Taru, the Hurrian or Hattian Storm God intervene?


Hittite chariots rout on the left


Hittite infantry rally and counter attack


Mitanni infantry rout and force is demoralised


Monday, September 12, 2022

Mitanni versus New Kingdom Egyptians ADLG Game

 


Mitanni (foreground) and Egyptians (background) deployed


Sides advance and exchange bow fire


More shooting


Pelset are impetuous and charge


Libyans are impetuous and charge



On Monday Craig came over to my place and we played a small 100 point ADLG 15mm game with the Mitanni taking on the New Kingdom Egyptians. I'd only just finished painting and varnishing the Syrian/Canaanite/Mitanni infantry, so I was keen to give them a run. The mixed units of swordsmen and bowmen seemed to be very effective but we forgot that they fight as mediocre in combat. I was pretty lucky with my shooting, rolling quite a few sixes, so the Egyptian infantry didn't last long and some were already disordered before they charged into combat. 



Mitanni chariots charge


Egyptian infantry are worn down by bow fire and combat


Egyptian chariots charge


Egyptians are demoralised


Here are a few shots of the Syrian, Canaanite and Mitanni infantry that I just finished painting. They're all Gladiator Miniatures figures sold by Fighting 15s. I just finished varnishing them this morning but didn't have time to finish off the archer bases with tufts and flock. Eventually I'd like to refight the Battle of Megiddo with these 15mm armies.


Syrian and Canaanite archers



Syrian, Canaanite and Mitanni infantry


Mixed units


Mitanni Maryannu with supporting infantry


About a month ago a pair of yellow-tailed black cockatoos visited and were feeding in our neighbour's trees and they were surrounded by at least a dozen king parrots. Very strange, maybe it was a territorial thing?




Tlaxcallan Command and Archers

  Here are some Tlaxcallan command stands and archers. The command figures with vine and crane banners are by the Assault Group and the arch...