The second engagement at Okcorralska

While the tank fight  was going on (previous post), two German infantrymen were looting a house. Each holding an anti-tank grenade bundle, they decide to hunt down the t-34.  They move; Hans however stumbles on the flooring exiting the house [ two Move Dice and I rolling two ones!] Franz fall over him [yup, another one inch move!] but gets up and runs 6 inches further [Wild turned into a Move] and acquires the Russian tank.

Hans (right), Franz (left) 

Sensing the Germans could be near by, the Russian reverse and rotate the turret and see the German (Franz) approaching and load up the main gun.

Hans gets up and runs to a position on the other side of a low fence while Franz runs directly toward the tank fast enough that he was now within range to throw his grenade charge under the muzzle of the 85mm.

The Russian driver cleverly reveres the tank while pivoting, allowing the front face toward the element but more importantly, allowing the  hull mg to acquire the German.   The MG rounds hit  Franz wounding him [loss of two Comm, Die]

Hans, meanwhile, cautiously creep slowly to the fence [only one Move Die this time and, due on form, I again roll a 1(inch) for the move]

Franz behind the Russian t-34

While wounded, but apparently not in his legs, Franz moved to the immediate rear of the t-34.  But he forgot one critical issue - the Russian tank could reverse and crush him under their tracks. Oh, dear.

Hans, finally made his way to the fence and acquired the tank.

Hans slowly moving into position ( despite his pose!)

The Russians backed up further and aimed the big gun toward the German and aimed.

Hans looked at his options [the Command Dice] and decided on the “Heil der Fuehrer” option and would run toward the beast.  Luckily his legs cooperated ( I rolled for the distance after deciding on his course of action ).  He threw the grenade toward the Russian but it bounced off the top of the engine compartment and exploded harmlessly behind the tank.

Hans about to throw is grenade...poorly it must be said....

The Russian hull machine gun chatted again but the German avoided the stream of lead.  The main gun then fired.  The shell blew by Hans but the blast alone shook him up [ Remarkably, the 8 Russian strike dice only allowed 3 hits, 1 of which was negated. ]

But not frozen in place, Hans ran away, ostensibly to get another grenade.

Hans shown in his final moments.....

The German could still be seen by the Russian crew, so they loaded another round and fired. The shot took off poor Han’s head.  

(he rolled a very poor double 1s for savings rolls - so we can justify this outcome, what! )

Epilogue: 

In the cellar of one of the houses of OKcorralska, a father says to his little boy, you can take your hands from your ears.  Our village will again be quiet…for now….

Duel at Okcorralska - WW2 tank battle in Russia

 

“What a Tanker” by the Two Fat Lardies rules might be frustrating, if you are of the mind, should you be playing with others as you NEVER get the dice you want and so, it is usually move or not move and still get blown-up.  Well, my experience anyway.  However, it is a delightful platform for interesting solo play narrative.  You can cheer for both sides, trying to have each tank do the right moves.  As you own both tanks, you shouldn’t really care who wins….

Those familiar with these rules, I added the ‘technical’ parts of the action.  Those who just want to read the narrative can ignore the [  ] with each move.

Russian t34/85 Armour 8, Strike 8

Geman StuG III G Armour 7, Strike 7

Onto the game:

.....sometime after October 1943 in the Russian village of Okcorralska.....

“Hans, go out and have a look around the village and…..Where did he come from?!!”. the commander of the brand new StuG III G exclaimed.  He was looking at a T34/85 which had just come around a house across the dirt road right in front of him and was swivelling the large turret his way. [moved and acquired]. 

_________________

But the StuG’s crew were already in action.  The gunner said, “acquired!” and was making the finite aiming of the 75mm gun.  The gun was already loaded [per the rules for all at start of the game]. “Fire!”, the commander roared [Wild Die changed to Shoot]. But the gunner seemed more frazzled that he thought. the round missed the Russian tank completely. [failed to hit by the roll].  “Reload”, the commander barked.

___________

The German StuG in the foreground, the Russian t34/85 in the background

The Russian crew were determined [good command dice sequence!] They fired.  The concussion forced the German TD back a few feet but the round did not penetrate. [even hits vs saves = movement back by target]

____________

The German gunner had already re-aimed, pulled the trigger and the loader put in another round.  “We hit him... but not that hard,  I think” said the German commander [ 2 Command Dice lost to the Russian].  Try our luck or get out now?  the German commander was thinking as he had three Drive dice left.  But he was in a tank-destroyer without turret and so a cat-and-mouse game was not good for him. “We’ll stay”

_____________

The Russian moved back a bit and it’s turret made a subtle move but didn’t fire [ at only four Command Dice he did have a Drive Die which was used to break the aim of the StuG while the Russian re-aimed at the German].

____________

The German gunner was pleased as he could quickly re-aim and carefully toggled the fine aim pointer [ three Aim Dice allowing re-aiming and a plus two on the hit dice!]  “Schiess!” exclaimed the German commander;  but perhaps “scheiss” would have been more appropriate, as the round bounced off the Kharkov iron. “At least we can reload”, the dejected German added.

____________

The Russian driver revved the T34’s diesel. [ I rolled three Drive - 1s of course - and a Wild Dice for the Russian Command’s reduced four Command Dice ].   The Russian thought, ‘Sure, we have a turret, the Fascist does not.  Let’s get around on his flank”

___________

The StuG in response could only engage reverse and pivot. But it was important as it kept the Russian in sight and its heaviest armour in the front facing the Russian 

___________

The T34 managed a shot which hit hard on the StuG.   [it now also lost two Command Dice] 

___________

The StuG reversed to more open ground as not to give the Russian another end-around;  also breaking his aim.

___________

The Russian was still.  The crew trying to come up with a plan. [ no useful dice this turn!]  

___________

The German got another round off but this merely glanced off without effect. But another round was loaded [the #5 Load Die showed up!]

____________

The Russian was frustrated but at least the loader would get another round into his 85mm.

_____________

The German fired and reloaded again. “What is with this slave-made ammo!”  Again, the German shell hit but did not make but a scar on the Russian armour.  [fewer hits than saves!]

_____________

The Russian crew came to life.  The gunner aimed and fired and loader quickly did his job. They did not wait to see the result but fired again. [ Fire Dice, Reload Dice and Fire Dice again]  With a differential of three dice on the second shot, the German StuG was obliterated.

The Russians did not celebrate. They were too emotionally drained. It was 8 turns of intense action. Perhaps half-hour of play? Historically, what, three minutes?

_______________

Epilogue:  Just had to try out David’s fine 3D print of a mid-war StuG III G that came in action in October 1943 with its distinctive rounded ‘Saukopf” gun mantle.  The flat side armour (I added these in plastic) was to deal with the Russian Anti-Tank Rifles which, with the effort the Germans made in this regard, must have been a real threat. 

a Natives raid on Nateville

The Abenaki raid on Nateville.  

Gleaned from email correspondence between Nate and Mr. Brewster, and CC’s to me, apparently the natives got restless as it were and attacked Nateville while the bigger battle of Towe's Field was being fought (see my previous post).

  I have dutifully come up with the following:

----------------

While the large battle of Towe’s Field was occurring, some of the Abenaki warriors took it upon themselves to do a raid on Nateville.   

The local volunteers of Nateville had gathered to guard the town, while some were unwilling soldiers, many were pleased with the task.  The screams of war cries broke the afternoon air as a small band of warriors emerged from nearby and attacked the volunteers. The Volunteers were pushed back by the onslaught but either side did much damage. The natives followed up the charge but the Americans held their composure despite their timidness to fight.  It was the tired and hungry natives who decided their gambit had failed and they melted back into the fields.  

skirmishers or lights troops are offered additional cover despite being "in the open"

This was a very small affair using "Rebels and Patriots" rules, and with both sides fighting at half effect, so little loss (few dice throw and my traditionally poor rolling anyway, made for very few hits!)

This was an interesting game having only 1/2 effective units which makes each dice rolled that much more critical and actions proceed quickly.    

Battle of Towe's Field (fictional War of 1812)

The Battle of Towe’s Field Final Battle of the Nateville Campaign. 

We have a first hand account by an American Engineer with the US 31st Infantry Regiment.

the photo shows William and the author finishing chopping down a log for work on the "bridge of boat(s). The US 30th Infantry Reg't is starting to cross, drums a drumming. As the American military used the old fashioned "reversed colors" for musicians, these Americans indeed wore redcoats. A supply was even provided by a captured British shipment! 

 “Dear Father, Were the battles of the revolution such as this? I thought my regiment a splendid unit but it did not perform well today. Nor did any. But I did my part. William and me we were tasked to cut down some trees along the river bank to allow the captured boats to ferry the Combined Light company in the very early morning. The lack of boats and lack of oars made for slow crossing. The officer of the 30th was impatient to cross.(my regiment crossed by the bridge while I was here…I do not understand the logic of the army….) William suggested we could build a bridge on the boats. (1) The officer, a new graduate of West Point, an engineer student, thought this a grand plan and soon had his regiment tearing down the nearby fences. I only a few hours we had a nice looking crossing. When Bill and I returned from refreshing ourselves, the regiment had passed and we had no orders. Thinking we did out part and exhausted, we went to the local mill and its second story afforded us a grand perch to view the battle."

The author's position is in the Mill, the large building on the left near the river.

"Father, we were looking towards the enemy lands. To our left is the bridge with an artillery battery deployed on our side of the river, and the Kentucky horse crossing first followed by the 31st Infantry. closer to us was our boat bridge with a hill on the other side of the river on which the Lights deployed. To our right, the 10th Infantry made crossing by a narrow ford, They had artillery support. We could see the enemy had made field works and used abattis (sharpened tree branches facing out) This was in front of Brewsterburg, the same town we attacked before."

 view from the Canadian side in front of Brewsterburg:

note the RIP grave marker.  This is my indicator that the unit is now at 50% or under strength, which for Rebels and Patriots, is a very bad and indeed grave situation for the unit's morale.

"The battle started in the plowed field of Cardon Towe’s farmland. Our Lights were surprised by having early opposition from some grey-clad fellows with fur caps. They stood on the far side of the field and seemed to get the better of the Lights who then broke and ran. This was earlier in the battle as they came past us before our boat-bridge was completed. Many were very wet and without arms. The 30th’s officers made some attempt at halting them and their men jeered them but as they were fully employ with us, did little. It was rumored that the officer soiled his pantaloons during the firefight" (3) "In our view, off to the left, the Kentucky boys seemed to freeze the Redcoats in place allowing the mounted riflemen to shoot up the artillery in the fort. The artillery over there kept up a steady pounding of the fort also. Why the redcoats kept in place we could not fathom but we admired their courage." William made the observation that every one of our regiments seemed to be glued in place trying to cross the water. It was, William said, “were be like they ‘fraid of drowning” This lasted several minutes. (2). While the infantry came under scrutiny after the battle, the artillery was commended as the ‘B’ Battery firing into the field works did good work as was ‘A’ Battery mentioned already. The red capped locals manning the works and the sheds nearby took a pounding to be sure but only retreated very late in the day but gave enough time for some more redcoats to come up in support to face the 10th who finally attacked. William later spoke with a man of the 10th who said the officer insisted on keeping close order but unwilling to engage in frontal assault had them slowly move around the abattis and into the volley fire of the British regulars. This broke them."

"Back on the left, a rocket battery was set up. We done never seen these before and Will and I were in stitches, laughing most hardedly at the smoke trails going this way and that, usually over the grey-coated unit who were most distressed at the fiery things going close over their heads. Not one came near our boys. We could clearly see a mounted officer ride over and gesture for them to stop. Father, it was particularly funny!"

the hex marker shows the direction of the rocket...not good for their side, eh?

 "While the rockets didn’t come near the Kentucky horses, the artillery from the fort did and soon they galloped back to the bridge. While they tried to calm the jittery horses, my 31st which had moved past in grand style to form a close order assault column, was hit by well-aimed close range canister fire which suddenly turned our parade ground into a carnal house. I lost many friends and think myself fortunate to be here than there, truth be told. The rest of the regiment turned to flee but there was no where to run. The horses blocked the bridge, the river was deep. More losses" (4).

"While this tragedy was occurring, the 30th moved up but was met and defeated by the grey-clad unit- we later were informed this unit was the French-Canadian “Voltiguers” and a unit of redcoats who also poured a well-aimed volley into them. Of the redcoats, we learned this was the same unit that captured our ammo supply some while back. "

" At this point the battle seemed to just petter out. The British would not, could not(?) advance; our boys in confused huddled masses. Our leadership it was said, had lost faith that any of the units could be reformed. Were your battles of the revolution like this too? "

 "Your loving son, "

 ————————- 

Editors notes:

 The General would be sacked the next day. But his After-Action Report would explain that the limited crossing of the river would not allow easy retirement of the easily spooked American troops, making traps and causing traffic jams for units entering or exiting the fray. Due to this terrain, high command deemed it impossible to conduct any more offensive actions in the area. With the Canadians not wanting to invade over the border formed by the river, the Nateville area soon will become a backwater of the war, with units slowly dispersed elsewhere. Peace thus has come back to the residents of Brewsterburg and Nateville. 

 ————————— 

Footnotes:

(1) Nate’s ‘orders’ for the American attackers were to gain boats and cross mid-river. I took the opportunity to create a ‘pontoon’ with a boat as the support. 

(2)No Activation was made for these units all on the crossings for three turns straight! 

(3)The “Rebels and Patriots” rules has a delightful “Brown Trousers” effect for a unit’s command. 

(4)The rules have any unit unable to retreat in full, take losses equal to the measurement not moved and as the river and the Kentucky unit blocked the road back, the unit was essentially destroyed.

Romans vs Ancient Britons

Ok it is historical collection but perhaps not quite fleshed out. After receiving the last pieces I needed to create my Ancient Britons, I impulsively went to work scraping, gluing and adding ‘green stuff’ bits to the plastics. I needed to add enough of these ‘cultural’ details to the skeletons to make them Celtic. Shields are an important part. Headdress is another essential aspect; but I was lacking helmets and while I tried to model a few, I changed tack and added characteristic long moustaches and long hair to give some of the skulls ‘the look’.

To stretch the numbers out as I did with the Romans, I made use of terrain pieces on each stand, be it a stone, wicker fence or an emerging body from the ground. Each unit, while theoretically some 12 figures, usual sport only 7 to 9 in number but I think still gives enough impression of masses of warriors. Of course this means large multiple bases but extra skulls provide a convenient and complimentary count markers

Excited by the effort, I played a late night game using Dragon Rampant. While these rules are solidly based upon the wonderful Lion Rampant medieval orientated rules by Dan Mercey from Osprey Publishing, this fantasy version is a great tool box for modifying units to suit specific characteristics one feels certain units require - fantastical or historical. In this case, the mad, impulsive headlong rush we envision the Celtic (and Ancient Germanics included) charge toward the enemy to be, can be simply created by making the warriors “Bellicose” having the ‘Wild Charge’ impulse and adding the ‘Hatred’ characteristic (of the invading Romans) which then bumps to an automatic charge activation. The player need not roll for a possible fail to charge but know that within move distance the charge WILL proceed. These warriors are at their best in the attack.

The Roman Legionaries for their part have the added fantastical aspect of “No Feelings” which as skeletons and hardened professional disciplined soldiers, the ability to shrug off any small losses (except for the poorest of die rolls!) without becoming ‘battered’ and losing combat ability. The penalty for this is the rolling up not down of any extra hits thus creating a few more losses. While potentially crippling, the Roman high hits=losses for their high armour and defensive “Wall of Spears” (the DR equivalent of the Medieval LR ‘Shiltron’) makes this viable and, well, so classic Legionary!

In this initial game, the Ancient Britons lined up and charged the Roman line but failed to make much of an impression. The Roman ballista rolled above average a bit and skewered one of the Warrior units in two turns. The Chariots made much use of their counter-attack capability but had a tough time piercing the attacking Legio units.

Just as the historical Britons led by Boudicca found, The Romans in battle line are very tough. It is pleasing to have the expected results from such a simple set of rules. This is not to say, it will be always a one-sided affair. Just as examples can be found in the historical record, given other circumstances, the Britons could defeat the Romans, but that in a straight up fight, both forces act as we imagine them to have had, gives us a good guideline for their abilities.

The Nateville Campaign - #3 the initial situation

Nate provided the following (very secret....) American Plan: Two columns and one shore party. Shore Party The boats that were gathered have transported the Combined Lights across the river during the night.  They are formed on the central hill on the Canadian side across the river ( kiddycorner ) from the house near the ford. There is also a Line unit on the American side waiting to cross on Turn #1.  (thinking...roll a 2d6 and that is how many stands cross on boats each turn.  The unit can not move on the Canadian side (other than making table space) until the whole unit has crossed as per above.   Objective...to provide support to either of the columns (Bridge and Ford) if those columns are stalled.  If both columns have crossed successfully, they 1) ensure lines of communication to Nateville are not threatened, 2) then move on Brewsterburg then Fort Hammton. Bridge Column An artillery piece is located near the bridge to provide fire support.  The Kentuckians are to rush the bridge followed by the half of the remaining infantry.  Objective..Fort Hammton Ford Column An artillery piece set up to provide fire support.  Rest of the American force is to cross here.  Objective...Brewsterburg....then on to Fort Hammton. Additionally, if the Canadians have an artillery piece, it comes onto the table with the Voltigeurs. The Abenaki remain home and avoid confrontation. ———————— for the ‘boats’ I went ahead and constructed a ‘boat bridge’ for the American assault. It was made from the surrounding fences and would assist in the quicker flow of troops. I really needed to make one anyway. The additional artillery piece along with the Voltigeurs is in fact a rocket troop (its firing should create no end of amusement!)

The following shows the American forces ready to assault Brewsterburg

The British forces and the half-completed fieldworks protected by abattis (sharpened tree branches)

the following are the American forces lead by the Kentuckians moving along the road to the bridge.

The boat bridge recently made.

Empire is Good! (Celtic buildings)

Built another - not so complete - Celtic house for the Ancient Briton/Roman skeleton collections. Digging in my terrain supplies bin I discovered a half-destroyed tape roll and thought, yeah, why not. These will be scenario objectives or simply scatter terrain.

Before the coming of Roman Civilization (left), after the coming of Roman Civilization (right)

The "Nateville Campaign" #2 - the battle

The initial scenario set up can be found at the previous post.

 

The food stuffs and pork on the hoof and escorted to the fort as the Fencibles march to reinforce the defences of Brewsterburg.

The Abernaki before going back their village, had warned the Canadians of the impending attack.  Not that the Americans made that activity unknown as they formed a long narrow column snaking to the ford.  

Hardly was the column moving quickly as the ford limited the lead element, the Combined Lights crossed the creek to come under immediate fire from Brewsterburg by the SEM and the half troop of Sedentary militia. To this they bolted and ran back into the now blocked ford as the US 30th Regiment tried to cross.  In the “Rebel and Patriots” rules, those retreating units unable to retreat further must reduce their numbers by the number of inches not traveled!  This and the failure to rally had the American Combined Lights evaporate. 

Due to the slow movement of the American column, the Kentucky unit, destined to be at the rear of the column, impulsively decided to move through the town towards the bridge. Along the way they picked up a small unit of locals who had recently formed up (another of my “dramatically improbable” die rolls) but this force was later met with accurate cannon fire from the fort losing half their number and quickly losing heart about the venture.

435

At the ford, the next unit in the column, the US 30th, moved slowly over the ford and into close order formation.  They were blasted by the Canadian 3rd SEM and militia causing 4 casualties at one time but the sergeants held them firm. (my usual wide swings in dice rolls, this time with two sixes, allowed them to stay for more punishment.) The advantage of large formations is demonstrated as another blast from the Canadian troops in the town has them now with 8 casualties but not yet at the dreaded half way point insuring them a permanent disorder marker. 

The US 30th holding firm despite huge casualties.

But unable to retreat as the following artillery is now slowly trying to cross, yet might not stand any further fire,  the Americans in close order charged at the Sedentary militia, some of whom were literally protecting their homes. An exclaim of “Remember Your Homes!  Remember Your Homes!” (and a really high dice roll of course!)  had the militia hold thus forcing the Americans back.  While their rolls were good, the SEM unit had an ignominious retreat with a poor action.  However, the Fencibles travelling from the fort arrived to stabilize the defences.

The skittish 3rd SEM [on the left], the surprisingly edept Sedentary militia positioned in the sty, [top centre], and the arriving Fencibles, [right]

The American CO seeing the Canadian retreat from the village but not the arrival of reinforcements believes the time has come for a final push and rushes back to the artillery struggling across the stream to move and set up to fire.  “They are retreating! They are retreating!” but to no avail as more musket fire from the small militia unit proved again devastating and with 50% casualties the American artillerists run away.  The second American gun while set up on the far side of the creek could not manage any effective fire and they too, retreated.

Soon the struggling American artillery in the creek ford will be receiving deadly musket fire

 The American attack faltered at this point with no units willing to move (yup. no successful activations by ANY unit!)

The American commander reports that the Combined Lights have been eliminated as a combat unit, the US 30th also at 75% casualties. One battery was destroyed having lost all their equipment and half their numbers. The Kentucky Mounted Rifles had sustained almost 50% loss while the Canadian losses were very light and Brewsterburg saved from the ravages of the American raid.

"Nateville" Campaign #2 - initial situation

  Nate, my "campaign narrator" provided that Brewsterburg will be the focus of the next campaign action. The Native Abernaki were pleased with my visit and only if a roll a 1 will I lose some of their support (and yes, of course I roll the 1 and rolling again lost much of their support. Later that of activation rolls would convince me - and them - they were not willing to help…) Not asking the boss for more support and rolling a 1 means I will lose a unit to his greater command. ( and yes, once again I roll a bleeping 1!!) So I lost the services of the Voltigeurs. The final condition that rolling 2d6 and either boxcars or snake-eyes would have consequences for my troops morale ( and, well, this time I did not roll wrongly….)

The Americans are to capture Brewsterburg and were given two cannon, have “native” support of one unit of Kentucky Mounted Riflemen, but, due to the earlier Canadian raid destroying their ammunitions, the American units fire poorly and will need to make charges when possible.

The Canadians are “alert and ready”

To that end, the bee-hives were moved into the woods and out of harms way, the pigs and other food stuffs were shuffled off to the fort by half the Sedentary militia, and the Fencibles  already moving at break of dawn while the fort garrison were at the walls and ready.

Canadian Fencibles exiting "Fort Hammton" A unit of SEM mans the north perimeter.

The local militia escort the food supplies from Brewsterville to the safety of the fort. 

In Brewsterville, the SEM (left) and part of the local Sedentary Militia prepare to defend the village.

The long column of the Americans lead from Nateville to the objective of Brewsterville and its food supplies.

The Kentucky Mounted Rifles are impatiently waiting their turn to file into the column. The wagons are ready and empty to receive the bounty of the excursion.

Stay tuned to the second part of this exciting battle!

the Tower still stands

The first game of the year was a small medieval ‘Lion Rampant’ game with WillB and his young son going against each other defending or attacking the siege cannon firing against my newly painted Tower.  (see my previous post link for its construction)  Hey, I just painted it so OF COURSE it has to be part of the scenario!

I addition to the painting, I added a separate rocky base of insulation foam sheet 

Quickly inventing some quick rules for the guns damage firing at the tower, I thought I had cleverly hidden a small unit of foot knights under the roof but WillB, noticing the slight tilt in the roof ( he is a civil engineer and I never claim to be a precise builder!) adjusted the model only to discover my ruse.  Luckily I made my several activations to have the knights climb down the ladder, over the rocks, and into action but only to have them fail their courage after only one combat and run off into the distance!  

The enemy had already retreated away and then I careless rolled this for their courage!

One of the medieval siege cannon firing on my new tower.  This is a scratch-built affair made from a plastic tube, balsa wood, and brackets of strips of paper.  The barrel, wheel-barrow and chest form the rest of the 6-man crew!

Archers form the main component of my Battle of Crecy era collection

The Dunkurque knights chop into one of the English archer units. A rather unequal affair.

However, Arthur’s steady arrow barrages wore down the Dunkurque Militia of his father and the final cannon’s crew were slaughtered by Arthur’s men-at-arms before the tower could be felled by the cannon shot. 

a Waterloo Square

I don’t usually start the new year with the traditional pledges to one-self regarding the hobby. These promises often (never?) come true and, like so often seen in military history, generals, as we wargamers, are often fighting/collecting the last war/our last impulse, only to be met with unexpected new weapons/toys to fight/paint.   Well, I have enough weapons/figures to keep me going without even thinking of what other wars/projects I might do!

So just trying to ‘clean-up’ those already in the to-do tray, including the many Napoleonic era Highlanders that friends have so kindly given me.  Decided to paint up two large formations of them, the 93rd and 42nd and mount them on 20mm rounds going them an individualistic look for a large square formation. Finally finished the second lot (the 42nd) on the first day of this year. This 97 miniature strength formation will form an interesting eye-candy ‘terrain’ piece for any large Napoleonic Waterloo all-cavalry affair our group might come up with after this Covid thing subsides.

Victrix plastic Highlanders.  To facilitate the easier painting of the kilts (ha!) I attached the arms with the interfering musket after doing the torso and the and painted them last.  

Slingers

 One more calcium-deficient unit...slingers.  While the weapon distinguishes them as slingers, the lack of clothing or headwear can have them available for any ancients, or indeed a fantasy army, but they will constitute a skirmish unit for my Ancient British force.

I added a styrene belt and attached bags adapted from plastic WW2 model pouches.  Wire produces the corded slings.

For decorating the table,  a Celtic house, as seen in the background, built from a packing tape roll,  cone-shaped cereal card, some foam-core, and teddy-bear fur for the thatch.  

Now to go out a dig out the walkway of snow.