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.