Bunker Hill: Gentlemen Pensioners Sunday Game

 Traditionally, Steve hosts a game for the Gentlemen Pensioners on the Sunday following the Phalanx Show.  This year it featured Bunker (or Breed's) Hill.  He used his own version of the Patriots and Loyalists rules which used d20's instead of percentage dice.

Alasdair, Dave, John and Will commanded the 'rebel' forces, with Andy and Chris commanding the Crown forces.  None of the participants were familiar with the rules, so Steve and I acted as advisor/umpires.  Andy decided that the main effort would be made against the left hand (from the rebel side), corner of the earthworks and the fleches which covered the area back towards the fence on the rebel left.  Pigot and Clinton (once he arrived) were to demonstrate against the earthworks and hold the units defending there in position.  The rebels had Stark's brigade (3 units of foot and a light gun) behind the fence where they could fire at long range against Howe's attack and also two units of riflemen on the outskirts of Charlestown who could also fire onto the flank of any force attacking the earthworks.  The earthworks themselves, together with the fleches, were defended by six units of foot plus a light gun.

The Crown forces consisted of Howe with four battalions, Pigot with one battalion, a unit of light infantry skirmishers and two light guns and Clinton with two line battalions.  Off table artillery could fire  on the rebel left and also the right.  Steve introduced two rules specifically for this scenario; firstly the rebels had limited ammunition (each unit had only 10 rounds) and also any crown units under fire needed to take a test before carrying out any actions, if they failed, they had to fire a volley and reform before attempting to move.  This was to simulate the crown units in the actual battle tending to fire rather than keep advancing once under fire.

The crown forces as the attackers had the initiative and began their advance.  Once they came in range of the defenders' fire the pace slowed as units stopped to fire a volley rather than keep moving 

The demonstration against the earthworks begins

The main attack develops

As Howe's attack developed Stark saw that the main effort was against Brewer (defending the fleches) and Prescott (defending the earthworks)  and therefore he decided to send a unit forward across the fence and threaten the attack from close range.  It was a brave move, but when Howe detached one unit to face the rebels the ensuing exchange of volleys definitely favoured the crown and the rebels routed back over the fence and in spite of Stark's best efforts they kept on running.  Even worse, they carried him away with them.

In front of the earthworks, Prescott's men were trying to drive back Pigot's skirmishers, but the skirmishers hung on.  It was Pigot's line battalion which was forced to retreat, succumbing to the fire from Robinson's riflemen who having had to leave Charlestown as it was set on fire by the British artillery firing heated shot.

Forward the light companies

The supports come under fire from the riflemen

Next to suffer was Clinton, whose two units arrived late and soon came under fire from the rebel riflemen.  One unit routed as the concentrated fire from two units of riflemen caused heavy casualties.  Clinton was unable to prevent it fleeing back towards the transports and when he joined his second unit to try and rally them, he too was felled by a shot from the riflemen.  This proved too much for his men and they also routed.

One of Clinton's battalions driven off
by the concentrated fire of the riflemen

With his two units from Charlestown getting low on ammunition, Robinson brought forward his third unit and this targeted Pigot's artillery.

Howe's grenadiers, having suffered heavy casualties, had at last reached a position where they could charge the earthwork.  Surging over the defences they forced one unit to rout and a second one to retreat, giving themselves space to form up to resume the attack.

The grenadiers enter the works

The Grenadiers prepare to advance again

The defenders of the fence had by now been driven back and Brewer's men behind the fleches had also fallen back.  Running low on ammunition Prescott gave the order to fall back.  The crown forces, nursing heavy casualties decided against a pursuit. 


A most enjoyable game, providing problems for both sides.  Many thanks to Steve for organising the game and also the Gentlemen Pensioners for their part in making it a success.

Phalanx Show, St Helens, 2025

 Another excellent show hosted by the Spartans club, who really know how to organise a wargames show.  Plenty of volunteers to help traders and game organisers with their stock, equipment and figures, the tables not too close together and a good variety of traders and games on offer.

This year the balance seemed more towards historical games with a variety of scales on offer from 54 mmm down to 2mm covering periods from antiquity to mid 20th C.  My apologies to those whose games aren't featured below, this is just a flavour of the treats on view.

Next to the Lance & Longbow game were the Liverpool club with a Napoleonic game depicting D'Erlon's attack at Waterloo.  I am not sure which rule set was being used.

The Liverpool club also had a Pavia game

The All Independent 54mm Wargames Club put on a Bannockburn Game

Tiger Miniatures showcased their figures in a Tudor period battle set in Ireland

The Beacon Club had a WWII "Saving Private Ryan" game

Cheshire and Staffordshire Wargamers ran a Dead Man's Hand participation game

The Lance & Longbow game was Arsuf, using the usual amended version of Lion Rampant.  Si from the Beacon club organised the game and painted all the figures.  The game attracted plenty of interest and some brave souls even joined in.

We played the game twice and the Crusaders won both, but both  games were enjoyed by all the participants.  Thanks to Si for organising the game, Chris, Will, Andy, John, Alasdair, Steve and Peter for helping with the game and playing in the right spirit.  Thanks also to Dave and Neil. 

Preparation for the Gentlemen Pensioners Sunday game

Normally this pre-Phalanx post would contain some photos of the trial run of the game Steve and I are hosting for the Lance & Longbow Society at the show.  However, this year, the game is being put on by Si from the Beacon Wargames Club.  It will be based on the battle of Arsuf from the 3rd Crusade and will be the usual Lion Rampant participation game.  So, instead here are some photos of the game Steve is preparing to run for the Gentlemen Pensioners on the day after Phalanx.

He is aiming to start his 200th anniversary of the AWI/ American Revolutionary War (delete as appropriate) series of games with Bunker, or Breeds Hill.  It will be for 7 players, 4 for the 'home' side and 3 for the Crown contingent.  It will use 25/28mm figures and the Patriots  and Loyalists rules.

View from behind the Crown right flank

The defences on the hill

Riflemen in Charlestown

The Crown forces made slow, but steady progress until they came into effective musketry range, then casualties began to tell.

Not a sight you see often, the British grenadiers routing!

Eventually, the Crown forces forced their way into the redoubt, but only after the defenders had run out of ammunition.

Success! at a cost

Steve has tried to balance the game between quality and quantity in terms of troops and give the revolutionary forces a chance (even without bayonets); but careful husbanding of ammunition is essential.  The Crown forces can't hang back to minimise casualties, they must attack, so plenty to think about for both sides.

If you are attending the Phalanx Show this Saturday please drop by the Lance & Longbow stand and say hello, perhaps join in the game and roll a few dice.  You can't miss us we will be next to Dave Lanchester's book stall.

Partizan May 2025

 Well, it's been 3 months since my last post, that hadn't been the plan, but events have conspired to make it so.  Over the years the Partizan shows have gained a justified reputation for showcasing excellence from all aspects of wargaming.  As such it has becoming a very popular show and this year was no exception.  Steve and I arrived about 11am and the hall was very full and remained so well into the afternoon.

Here are photos of a selection of the games, there were 42 demo games and 28 participation games, plus the Lardy zone; so my apologies for those who are not represented.

The League of Extraordinary  Kriegspielers had a 'what if..' game based on Wake Island in the 1920's

  

On a smaller scale, the Ruckusteers had some eye-catching scenery as a backdrop to their Ruckus game

Mr Bill Gaskin had a fictional battle somewhere in 18th century Europe

Ken Riley (aka Yarkshire Gamer) brought his Germantown game to the show

Westbury Gamers brought The Battle of Sagrajas, 1086 set in 11th Century Spain to the show.  

Burton & District Wargames Club put on a Zulu War scenario the Battle of Intombe

  The Bodkins had a War of the Roses game

The Ardhammer Group had a game set in the Franco-Dutch War of 1674

A good day out, with plenty of games to see, inspiration in bucketloads and a chance to meet gaming friends and acquaintances from all over the country.  Even the exchequer didn't suffer too much, a few bases, a book and 11 figures for my War of the Roses collection.