Gentlemen, book your place for the last German offensive of WW2. It's The Ardennes! We will be playing on interlocked gridded tables, commanding PBI companies and coping with foul weather. I am hoping for a minimum of 6 players per side and more if possible. Email to me please michaelh1815@gmail.com.
"Nuts!"
More news from the front!
The Ardennes PBI Game Day will be at the Dorchester monthly club venue on 27th January 2018 from 9am to 5pm. The cost will be £10 per player inc.refreshments. I have sent out an email flyer with more details but if I have missed anyone let me have your email address.
"Nuts!"
Count me in Mike, subject to work of course
Who is being the Germans in disguise??? Is there a petrol dump?? Don't forget the weather too.
Count me in so long. I'll confirm tomnorrow when I know my weekend schedule. I have an army for both sides!!
I am good to go please save me a space around the table.
Thank you to all of you have replied and booked your place at the table. We are 10 so far. I will confirm costs and timings soon. I the meantime I will be asking each of you for details of the PBI armies you can bring. "Nuts".
I have a PBI army for late war U.S. infantry and late war German.
Aaarrgghhh. I will have to move into the maybe column as my wife has informed me we may have a friends 50th birthday party that weekend. I'm going to keep fingers crossed.
This sort of weekend is right up my street and will always try to attend where possible.
I'm currently 66% likely to be able to attend...my friends wife might be taking him away on their own....fingers crossed as I really like the idea of this!
Also....have you read the latest Anthony Beevor book on the Ardennes campaign. It's marvellous.
Yes, the Anthony Beevor book is a multi-level account of the campaign. From Ike keeping Monty and Patton apart to the plight of the Belgium civilians. Plenty of maps and and an order of battle.
I am in the process of building a Panzer Brigade 150 force, as I 've had this planned for some time. I 've of course got my British for 11th Armoured to make an appearance if needed ?
I also have a load of German style buildings as I went a bit overboard a couple of years back buying second hand railway buildings. OOOPPS.... I can Supply quite a varied amount of Templates too, but not with Snow ! If anyone can suggest a way to do Temporary snow for the day ??? But the snow wasn't present on all of the days !
And I can Supply a quite a selection of Panthers and some King Tigers and Stugs if people are short of the said vehicles in their armies.
Miles
Fornthe Towton demo I did a few years ago I used a white cloth and just sprinkled table salt on the templates with a little onto each base. Worked really well and came off really easily afterwards.
Only use table salt very carefully, it is very corrosive for the figures, and if it gets damp a real problem.
Woodland scenics do a snow scatter, I have not use this but someone on this forum may have.
For a one off table salt was fine less and it's a cheap and quick option. The scatter can stick to whatever basing material you use and take more effort to remove.
Thanks for the snow ideas. Duncan has made a scenic item (rocky hill with a road ) and has used a snow effect wargames paint but sparingly and it looks suitably wintery but not a white-out. We will be experimenting further and looking at White lining fabric and white foam sheets etc as the basic playing surface. I have bought some washable white paint and used some very diluted white emulsion on a spare painted & varnished figure. This gives a good enough winter white camo effect and does eventually come off. Ordinary white water colour paint has been suggested but further testing on non-prescious figures is required.
In the meantime we have passed the 15 player mark for the event and with the promises of figures and vehicles for use we are well on the way to having a memorable game day. I will be putting on a PBI games at the Dorchester club on 15th November and 17th January as a refresher and for any new comers to the rules.
My chances of attending are rising. I spoke to my friends wife and explained the situation and is likely to move his party to accommodate. Now around 83.5% likely to attend.
I admire the highly scientific % rating system you are using to assess your attendance! Saving on anything but a 1 ? Great stuff.
We all know the odds of rolling a 1 on a six sided dice is around 30%. Don't listen to any mathematicians who might frequent this forum.
Surely a 1 in 6 chance is 6%. Obvious.
There was a chap on TMP whom argued that in all yes/no situations, the probability must be 50% because there were two choices. Therefore 4,5,6 would be appropriate for all situations. Simples?
I think it depends on the colour,Martin's Pink dice are formidable his blue dice not so much
Maybe the next evolution is the flip of a coin mechanism?
Or rock, scissors, paper?
Maybe the 'PIGment' in the pink dice is weighted towards the 6. Get it? PIGment?
...I'll get my coat.
Mike
Hoorah! The birthday weekend has been moved back a week. I am now 97.6% likely to attend. Statistically this means I am attending. I shall prepare my men.
Isnt that a 97.6% chance of getting the men ready?
Just to update all of you who are interested in the scenery. I have so far done.
2 Open fields.
2 Closed fields.
1 Fuel dump.
1 Gully.
1 Bomb crater with shattered trees.
2 hills with trees 6" X 12".
1 Hill with trees 12" X 12"
1 Hill with trees 12" X 18"
1 Hill 12" X 12".
The hills that are 12" X 12" and 12" X 18" fit together to form one huge 10 square hill covered in trees.
I counted them, so far I have used 107 trees!
Just started the farmstead base Mike incase you are thinking I have forgotten it. Have made a cottage, just done some fences and about to build a barn then just have to paint and base them in a suitable snowy scene.
I have been using white Tufts from Warpainter Scenics and white sand from Serious Play in the main for snow effect on top of dry brushed Ceramite White. Also have some kind of flaky plastic flock stuff (like incredibly finely shredded carrier bags.) Which makes good fresh snow, as opposed to the sand which makes good settled snow.
Well done Duncan, better hope there isn't a thaw
Excellent work! Any chance of pictures?? Does any one alese need to provide scenery?
I am bringing a Normsl PBI (4x4) snow cloth and snowy scenery in case it's required
I shall look to do the same!
I am on schedule so far with the scenery. Just finished building the first farm last night. Just have gone with for it to dry before snowing on it as snow on wet pappiermache (sorry can't spell it and neither can my PC!.) looks like just mud!
Well done Duncan.
Idea ?
As we have umpires !
The " Commados" would come on to a table at an Umpires choice ? They can over stack an American Square and Force their American Counterparts to leave Squares and go to other parts of the board etc ? Even occupy an "Objective" Square hopefully until a German unit can get to the Square. But the Americans can challenge the Commandos and either destroy them, or force them to leave in a hurry.
I was thinking using the AK47 firing system the Americans roll 2 Dice and the Germans roll one dice. If the Americans 6 plus the unit is destroyed or captured etc, 5 are forced off the table to come back later. Anything else carry on with their duties.
Miles, this is just the ideas I am looking for to add this dimension to the game. I am finishing the additional rules now and will ping you over my thoughts later this week.
Plans for the Ardennes 1944 game are progressing well. The top news is that Martin and Rob have agreed to be the two allocated Umpires for the day. Their experience and knowledge of PBI will be invaluable. They will be kept busy during the game as each army will have it's own allocated umpire to ensure the game keeps moving. I will be the third umpire.
Miles and I are working on the battle order for each force and surprise, surprise, Skorzeny units will be used. I will be issuing a summary of the additional rules and play structure this weekend to all those who have booked a place. Detailed notes will be issued in December.
Paul and I are running a PBI taster game at the Dorchester club on 15th November for some PBI virgin soldiers! At the January club we will re-run the game with the multi-player game features.
Your response to my request for troops has been overwhelming and the result is that we have a virtual traffic jam of vehicles and enough foot companies for the number of players booked so far. Many thanks. I will let each of you know the specifics of what to bring.
Duncan has excelled himself with the winter scenery production. I have some pics to post but they do not do them justice. They will be on display at the Dorchester club next week. Thank you to Miles, Stewart and Martin who have offered additional items of scenery which I will be asking for nearer the time along with some additional tables.
Finally, thank you to those of you who have paid your £10. The venue booking is over £100 and I will be committed to this on 27th November so please let me have your dosh by then. I understand that some of you are not able to confirm the date yet due to work/family etc so I will hold your place and await your payment in January.
I started to look at this project in the summer as an idea and with your collective support and enthusiasm it is coming together strongly. Still a fair bit to do but I am confident we will have a great day on the 27th.
"Nuts!"
I have received payment
That snow scenery looks stunning Duncan. Well worked.
May i suggest that players pay their £10 before xmas. It is not fair to delay the organisation of the day by failing to commit. If you cannot attend having paid the £10, then you will know it contributes toward the games event. Step up or fall out. (ONLY MY OPINION)
Agree with Martin. I'll pay up at the Weekender Mike.
Also, I feel like I need to put my hat and gloves on looking at that scenery :D
Thank you Sean. Duncan and I have been trying out numerous "snow" effects. Weather conditions will play a part in the game but I know you Northern chaps are a hardy breed.
Martin remembering his rules, is this the same Martin?
Really looking forward to this, let me know how to get you the cash. Should have grabbed it off me on Sunday.
Surely the rules are just "guidance"?
We say that all the time in my line of work.
"No sinner is ever saved after the first twenty minutes of a sermon."
Does it look snowy enough? There are quite a few brown patches showing through now I see it all out on the table. Maybe I will take some snow along with me next Wednesday?
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/artificial-snow-100g/629154-1000?glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_5_QBRC9ARIsADVww15tOh_6P-3l1jglzksWm1rqYLB2urAVOlUeILdh2Y5X3OllQOwuPzgaAlzDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds (http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/artificial-snow-100g/629154-1000?glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_5_QBRC9ARIsADVww15tOh_6P-3l1jglzksWm1rqYLB2urAVOlUeILdh2Y5X3OllQOwuPzgaAlzDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Apparently this is excellent fake snow from Hobbycraft. I shall investigate further.
Hobby craft have snowflakes as well!
It is less than 2 months before we are off to the Ardennes and participants have a chance to acquire their own winter scenery. Stewart has negotiated a huge discount for us on winter game mats from Tiny Wargames. The 4x4ft gridded play mats usually sell for around £40 plus postage. For Ardennes players who use the mats for the game day each mat will cost £25 and will include 3 hand made winter scenery pieces. As you will see from the photos here and those posted earlier, Duncan is putting his excellent modelling skills to good use in producing all the special scenery items we need for the game. We need a total of 8 mats for the game so please let me know as soon as possible if you wish to buy one. It will be on a first come first served basis and I will need the money before the end of December please.
Yes please Mike. PM with details of how you want payment.
yes please Mike. email the details for payment.
Painting my american airborne with snow bases.
Checking out the other things tomorrow and will email what I have.
If there is a mat going then I'm game.
gangleader you are no 7 ! We are there.
Paid
Top news on the Winter Mats. We have the 7 mats we require ( plus Stewarts making 8 for the Ardennes game. Stewart has negotiated a nil postage deal, so Lee, Les, Miles, Sean, Paul, Robert and me, the cost is down to £22 each. Lee and Paul have a refund of £3 due to you. Miles, Sean, Les and Robert, I await your payment. Stewart is sending off the order this week.
For others who are attending the Ardennes game and are yet to pay their £10 please let me have your payment by direct bank transfer or contact me be phone or email to discuss.
I will be in touch about troops soon.
The last ten fields are now complete and I had an extra bit of base board so made a frozen ox bow lake, not sure if it will be used of course but it is there if Mike wants a water feature.
Mike I believe that I am fully paid up?
Les, you are and £3 owed to you.
Just 3 weeks to go before we join battle in Belgium. From Dorset to Staffordshire you can smell new paintwork going on Stugs, extra side armour being fitted to Panzers and King Tigers being loaded onto transporters. We have an amazing 14 players plus umpires; a great response everybody. More details will be with all attendees this weekend so keep a look out for my emails.
Finishing my stuff for the game and enjoying watching Kelly Heroes yet again.
Show's how to deal with the big german tanks.
All a bit silly but good fun.
I had a preview of Miles' big German tanks last night and they look magnificent. Mind you, Miles is also providing some meaty Allied armour for Les's force; "Fury II" ! The Winter Mats have arrived and the snow is falling.
Finished Puting snow on my German coy for this little fight
Two Average US Infantry Platoons with officers fresh from Stateside gave an SS Panzer Grenadier Company a bloody nose on Wednesday at Dorchester. The game ended with a couple of blazing Panthers blocking the road. May be time to move up the Bergpanther!
Sean if you are still able to attend next Saturday and need accommodation I can put you up.
Chris
Thanks for the offer Chris...I'm scheduled for Martin's at the moment. Are you at club on Friday?
Don't forget all those coming to the Ardennes day that I need to know if you are partaking of luncheon at the public house. I have provisionally booked a table for 16 at the Trumpet Major and this will need to be revised with correct numbers early next week. Thanks to those who have already responded..
Mike
Not sure if I am included in the sixteen if not could I be added.
Thanks
Chris
Please include me for lunch, I wasn't gonna but figure I have to eat!!
Yes please I will be there for Lunch too.
Miles
Hello Mike
Luncheon for me please.
martin
Me as well please Mike. An army marches on its stomach. Sounds painful i know but I'm no expert and take them at their word.
It's been a cold night in the forest. I'm pretty sure I can hear big cats moving. Better go and tell the general.....
Many thanks to all that arranged and played today. I very enjoyable day, tiring but good. Many thanks to Michea l and Duncan for making it happen.
Yep I agree with Miles thanks to all who helped to organise the game.
Now it will take a while to sort out all my stuff into the correct boxes.