HMGS-Pacific SouthWest or PSW recently held their regional convention at California State University Fullerton in conjunction with the Orange Con International Plastic Modellers Society (IPMS) convention (Sept 30th-Oct 1st). WR ran two scenario games at the convention, the large Flames of War “Operation Overcast May 1945 Americans vs. Soviet” game using his 20mm collections, and a much smaller Battle of Saalfeld 1806 French vs. Prussians event in 25/28mm. WR is in the process of sorting photos and remembering the event of the day for his two events. Full reports to come shortly. In the meantime, here are some photos of the tabletop games with their event GM’s verbiage from the PEL.
Operation Overcast May 1945 U.S. vs Soviet Union. GM – Michael and Daniel Verity. Rules – Flames of War Ver3.0 MRB using WR’s 20mm miniatures instead of the normal 15mm. Description – Russo-American “technology grasping” scenario. Basic plan or scenario has three “four area zones” of German technological research, each with the latest modeled German late war drawing board stuff, their technical staff running about, and some diehard Nazis teams to mess up the works. Americans and Soviets enter the table from several points of entry, seek out the “technical stuff, or better, the technical staff teams, and quickly exit the board with their loot or captives, then return for more. The Nazis teams of course with aim for their German “traitors” and there will be conflict as to which side grasp what or “desires” what the other side is trying to escape with, and “push the gun barrel” and “loud shooting” which could lead to a shooting misunderstanding. They of course will call in their supports if threatened…
If interested, the Operation Overcast May 1945 preparation for this event scenario is written up on Wargamerabbit.
One end of the tabletop showing the Mittelwerk mountain factory, Camp Dora at left, and the V-1 and V-2 launching sites with model of rockets. The central aerodrome in distant.
The other end of the table showing the Kummersdorf II Panzer proving grounds and distant aerodrome above. Electrical transmission towers a nice touch and different terrain.
The central aerodrome with all the latest in Luftwaffe technology on display for the active American and Soviet researching teams transiting the tarmac.
A SS team opens fire on trucks carrying German scientist and technician “traitors” while American Pershing platoon looks on.
Later in scenario the Americans come under heavy Soviet artillery bombardment while securing the Kummersdorf II buildings.
Battle of Minden. GM – Tim Greene. Rules – Osprey Honours of War. Description – After The Duke of Ferdinand’s defeat at Bergen the French launched an offensive and rapidly overran Hessen. It was not until Minden had fallen and the French were poised to invade Hanover that Ferdinand was able to gather a sufficient force to oppose them. Contades, who was under pressure from Versailles to do something, advanced from his positions around Minden to attack the Allied Left.Unfortunately for his plans the Allied army was marching to the attack at the same time.
Battle of Minden displays Tim’s finely painted miniatures. The camera doesn’t do them the justice for the beautiful paintwork.
Another view as the French cavalry prepares to advance and engage the British infantry.
King of the Dead. GM – Don Hawthorne. Rules – Of Gods & Mortals. Description – A War of the Gods has erupted on Earth, and in the Underworld, the hordes of Anubis face the legions of Hades for mastery throne of the Land of the Dead. Mighty artifacts litter the battlefield; will they bestow power or destruction? Come and command legendary heroes and monsters of myth in this first of a series of campaigns to be played out at HMGS-PSW events. All materials provided, or feel free to bring your own armies for Osprey Games’”Of Gods and Mortals”!
Don’s wild game of Gods and Mortals. Lots of fun and laughter coming from this event.
The Battle of Aspern Essling. GM – Dana Hohn and Mark Gunson. Rules – Black Powder. Description – Re-fight Napoleon’ attempt to force a crossing of the Danube. It was the Emperor’s first personal defeat in ten years; can you match the Austrians’ feat, or do better as the French and their allies? Over 2000 painted miniatures will be provided to present a sprawling, spectacular battle!
One of the “BIG” game on display. The Aspern-Essling 1809 battle pictures shows the heavy action and tabletop of 28mm miniatures. French at left, Austrians at right.
Massed French cavalry, cuirassiers it seems on the trot forward. Big dense formations of cavalry and some infantry at left.
Archduke Charles men await the French advance. Massed battalions of line and even some Landwehr battalions in grey/brown.
1944 – Operation Market Garden. GM – RJ Galati & St Crispin irregulars. Rules – Fire & Maneuver Scale – 28mm. Description : The largest airborne assault in history attempted to seize bridges into Germany and end the war by Christmas. Use your knowledge of history to change the outcome?
Can they get even bigger. The massive Market Garden and theme game for convention. The gliders have landed, one with a big spill.
30th Corps will not be arriving. The German ambush was too successful and the advance totally knocked back.
Table length photo of Market Garden. With the cold stop of 30th Corps its all “Market” now!
War at Sea WW2 Naval Miniatures. GM – Chris Lundgren. Rules – War at Sea. Description – Wage War Upon the Waves! With authentically detailed miniatures assemble fleets of the finest vessels to ever do battle on, under, or above the sea in World War II. Fast-paced and action-packed, this exciting, miniatures game lets players recreate historical battles or go head-to-head in competitive warfare raging across massive 30″x40″ battle map. Authentically detailed carriers, battleships, destroyers, cruisers, submarines, aircraft and other vessels from WWII. Unique ships—such as the BB Bismarck, IJN Yamato, and the USS Enterprise—feature their distinctive markings and camouflage. Abilities and statistics of units are based on their historical performances in battle. Sorry folks…. no photo.
FLAMES OF WAR tournament. GM – Tim Knapp. Rules – FOW Ver4.0 Late War with 1665 points. ROUNDS: 3 – 2.5 hour rounds (SWISS FORMAT) with 16 slots.
One of several FOW games in action. Deep in the cold of Russia the battle rages on. Later on this same tabletop had a Team Yankee battle.
Sunday Games and events:
Battle of Saalfeld. GM – Michael Verity. Rules – Club Homebrew. Description – The Battle of Saalfeld 1806. Marshal Lannes and his French advance guard vs. Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia commanding the Prussian advance guard before Jena. Straightforward 28mm napoleonic scenario using our well seasoned group (HBrew) rules. Smaller scale battle for the early Imperial years to give tactical flavor for the Franco-Prussian 1806 conflict.
The preparation report of Saalfeld 1806 was written up on Wargamerabbit.
The old town of Saalfeld on the Saale river. Prussian and Saxon battalion deployed at right or before the town as the upper left first French columns poke out of the hilly woods.
The first arriving French with their 17th Legere regiment and the head of the light cavalry road bound column.
French view of the Prussian and Saxon battalion below in the fields near Saalfeld. Different view of napoleonic gaming from the massed block of miniatures formations in the Saturday Aspern-Essling game and WR’s Saalfeld.
Saalfeld close up with the Prussian advance guard deployed in front. the French off photo at left.
Lion Rampant. GM – Ron Winkler. Rules -Osprey’s Lion Rampant. Description – Come learn Osprey’s medieval skirmish rules, Lion Rampant. Rules taught beginners welcome.
Another rip-roaring game of Lion Rampant in play. Note the “cup of chance” on table.
Team Yankee. GM Troy Hill. Rules – FOW Team Yankee variant. The year is 1983 and the Cold War has gone HOT! NATO forces scramble to overcome the advancing armies of the Warsaw Pact.
After fighting the Soviets back in WWII on these tables, they are back again in 1980’s fighting the Americans over the same tabletop battlefields. Team Yankee event.
Another TY game. Not to sure about all the cards and tabletop clutter guys but I can mention it is kept “behind” the white base edge line.
Sunny Germany with brown fields…. Must be a water shortage or a very hot and long summer. Heavy action in play.
While one part of Germany is boiling under the sun, a more northern area has cold, ice and snow to contend with. Either way, the Americans and Soviets are brawling away. West Germans maybe?
Seen this battlefield covered in burning Soviet and German WWII armor. Now forty years later another batch of burning steel hulls.
Nijmegen Airlanding Market-Garden. GM – Stephen Phenow. Rules – Gepanzerte Faust 15mm WWII. Description – With the road to the Nijmegen and its Waal bridge still in German hands, “Garden” Allied troops of XXX-Corps together with troops from the 82nd US Airborne Division of “Market” start their offensive to gain control of the bridge. The 81st 504 PIR advanced to the city outskirts and was driven back on the 19th. The approach to the bridge was defended by German troops in a strong defensive perimeter with tanks with 88mm guns, 20mm guns and paratroops. On 20 September 1944 in the morning British gliders were dropped East of the Nijmegen Road to clear the woods of paratroop defenders while American airborne troops attacked the bridge’s defenders. Tanks of the Guards Armored Division of “Garden” plan to advance up the road once the woods were clear to support the paratroopers crossing of the Waal river by engaging the defending German troops and help seizing the bridge. The Germans must prevent this.
Look closely, the miniatures are on the tabletop (15mm) lurking in the woods. Having played in Steve and Dan’s games before they are detailed and action packed.
Germans on one side, the Americans on the other. Who steps his toes in the river between them?
Italian Wars. GM – Adam Hammer & Andrew Gledhill. Rules – Pike & Shotte Scale – 28mm. Description – The Imperial town of Il Secondo is under siege by the French, but it still receives supplies through the small harbor at Bella Spiaggia. A strong French force led by the finest cavalry in Europe and massed Swiss pikemen have been sent to cut off supplies and seize the harbor, which is protected by an Imperial force of Irish mercenaries. As the French appear, an Imperial counter-attack emerges from the town. Landsknecht pikes, German Men at Arms and Reiters, and Albanian Stradiots follow the Imperial banner. Will the French turn to face them or head for the harbor they have to capture? Dust in the distance suggests both sides have large numbers of reinforcements, infantry and cavalry, on the way. Will they arrive in time to carry the day?
Always a grand spectacle for Andrew and Adam’s Italian wars. The color and massed formations a pleasure to see. They bought out the local flag vendor for today’s battle.
Even a ship!. Wonder it that is some form of objective for the game?
1863 – Gettysburg. GM – Rob Boyens. Rules – Homebrew 6mm. Description – Robert E Lee moves north in on last effort to destroy the Army of the Potomac. Played both days…on Saturday and Sunday.
Rob’s Gettysburg seen before but always a gamer favorite. With two terrain boards and the 6mm miniatures, the entire battlefield on 6×8 table. 1st day battle in progress.
Fought on both convention days, the Gettysburg battle continues on Sunday morning. Union has taken up position on Cemetery ridge at right. Confederates in woody area at left.
Frostgrave. GM – Jim Murphy. Rules – Frostgrave. Tables Needed – 5×6. Description – The frozen, riches-strewn ruins of Felstadt await! Bring your Warband to fight for gold, glory and grimoires, potent weapons and potent potables… and gold! Informal contest to be held for most original/interesting/unique or just plain cool-concept Warband!
It’s looks cold so this must be Jim’s Frostgrave game in play.
Other games but alas no photos:
Hoplite Battles. GM – Dave Glick. Rules – Spear, Sarissa, and Sword. Description – There will be ten hoplite units on each side, representing 10,000 men per side. The goal is to drive your opponent from the field in a great clash of arms.
Crimson Skies. GM – Chris Lundgren. Rules – Crimson Skies Whiz Kids Version. Description : Crimson Skies is an action-packed pre painted miniatures game of aerial dogfights . In the world of Crimson Skies, the United States was shattered in 1930 under the crushing weight of the Great Depression. By 1937, nearly 20 separate countries feud where once stood a great nation.
Wings of Glory. GM – Chris Lundgren. Rules – Wings of Glory. Description – We will be running official Wings of Glory Aerodrome supported scenario. King Kong vs Bi-Planes on one table (It is an official playtest which we are running month twice a month at the Guild House in Bellflower on the 4th Sunday of every month. And at Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove on the 3rd Sunday. The second Table is WW1 Wings of Glory gaming. The third table will be for the new “Battle of Britain” Wings of Glory product game and demo.
Other blog reports on the HMGS-PSW 2017 convention with photos:
Strosstruppen’s Wargaming in Southern California blog reports for each day: Saturday HMGS-PSW Convention, Sunday HMGS-PSW Convention
Cheers from the convention floor.
WR
Wargamerabbit 