Just over a week ago I wrote a blog entry entitled THE PORTABLE WARGAME: OTHER PEOPLE'S BATTLES. At the end of the blog entry I mentioned that I had received an email from Nic (one of my regular blog readers) to the effect that he had been trying to interest his son in wargaming, and that my rules seemed to done the trick. I subsequently sent Ben – Nic's son – a signed copy of my DEVELOPING THE PORTABLE WARGAME BOOK, and today I received both a reply from Ben and a photo report of a battle he and his father recently fought.
In his email Ben wrote that 'We played with Developing The Portable Wargame book which you sent me. The rules were really good and exciting. I liked the pinning rule and the aircraft.' He also sent me some photographs of the battle. Nic explained that they had used the C S Grant scenario entitled 'Holding Force', but had set the battle in Abyssinia during the Second World War. Indian forces, supported by British and South African armour, were given the task of forcing their way along a road that was defended by Bersiligari, whilst a Gloster Gladiator and a Fiat CR.42 Falco fought overhead.
The photographs featured in this blog entry are © niclobb.
In his email Ben wrote that 'We played with Developing The Portable Wargame book which you sent me. The rules were really good and exciting. I liked the pinning rule and the aircraft.' He also sent me some photographs of the battle. Nic explained that they had used the C S Grant scenario entitled 'Holding Force', but had set the battle in Abyssinia during the Second World War. Indian forces, supported by British and South African armour, were given the task of forcing their way along a road that was defended by Bersiligari, whilst a Gloster Gladiator and a Fiat CR.42 Falco fought overhead.
The scenario.
The terrain and the opposing forces.
The Allies.
The Italians.
The Italians in defence.
The air war!
Here come the Indians!
The Allies advance.
The Allied armour leads the advance.
The outcome of the battle is presently unknown, but it was very pleasing to see a youngster getting the taste for wargaming, and hopefully he will develop into a fully fledged member of the hobby in due course.The Light Tanks screen the advance from a potential Italian attack.
The photographs featured in this blog entry are © niclobb.
Great stuff ! More power to his elbow.
ReplyDeleteConrad Kinch,
DeleteI hope that seeing his game on the Internet will encourage him to fight even more wargames!
All the best,
Bob
And well done, Bob, for creating a wargame that youngsters can play and enjoy without selling their souls to the 'Evil Empire' or bankrupting their parents to purchase expensive figures, rulebooks, codices &c.!
ReplyDeletePW could prove to be the perfect entry-level wargame.
Best wishes,
Arthur
Arthur Harman (Arthur),
DeleteReading Ben’s email and seeing the photographs makes all the work involved in writing the books worthwhile.
All the best,
Bob
Great looking models and AAR! Well done to you, Nic and Ben!
ReplyDeletePeter Douglas,
DeleteI totally agree! Well done Nic and Ben!
All the besr,
Bob
Very cool and about time I picked up your second portable wargaming book ;)
ReplyDeleteMay have to get you to sign them in exchange of a beer ;)
Geordie an Exile FoG,
DeleteI sign copies for nothing as I’m just grateful that someone buys my books!
All the best,
Bob
Really like those models and the game set-up. Great to see well-remembered scenarios set up for different periods, too.
ReplyDeleteArchduke Piccolo,
DeleteThe models used were of a very good standard (better than mine by far!) and the scenario was well chosen.
All the best,
Bob
Lovely set of pictures - looks like a great game.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteI absolutely agree!
All the best,
Bob
Good stuff! PW doing its job, father and son having fun together, and a great looking game. (love the look of early British & Italian AFV )
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteIt certainly looked as if Nic and Ben had a great time fighting this battle ... and it was nice to see lighter armour in action on the tabletop.
All the best,
Bob