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The Vendée 1793-1794 : Wargaming in the Grand Manner (Part 2)
Fusilier Paul Crouch continues his report on an exciting game he played with his wargaming friends in Auckland recently.
This really was a magnificent game with so many twists and tales, and a script worthy of a blockbuster movie. Rick Norris, the game master / umpire, was always at the helm, giving bits of information here and there, adding to the confusion no end!
He also played various townsfolk characters, and when questioned on the whereabouts of certain people, gave all the wrong answers ... and their fate was sealed at the hands of the guillotine.
The rules were a homemade set which really worked well in all situations.
The figures? These were all from Rick Norris’s beautiful collection of Foundry and Dixon. Hopefully the photos do them justice - seeing them in the flesh is a real joy, and Rick has put some great thought into how the units look to bring them to life.
And the buildings? Our master builder, John Berry, supplied all the buildings for the game, apart from the windmill and the church at Les Sables (occupied by the British marines), which were Mark Strachan scratch- builds. As you can see from the photos the buildings look magnificent.
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The bocage country of the Vendée slumbers peacefully in the sun, unaware of the battle soon to unfold.
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My character (left), Jean-Baptiste Carrier along with his trusty friend, cross the bridge into the village of La Roche-sur-Yon. Let the executions begin.
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My Republican fanatics head into the town in search of fame and fortune.
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My band of fanatics search of their next victim.
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The townsfolk are questioned … | |
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... the priest is questioned on the shady dealings and goings on. Unfortunately he gives the wrong answers.
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Finally, the town rebels are rounded up.
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Troops under General Westermann marching through the village of Nieu-le-Dolent.
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Madame Guillotine is kept busy. | |
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Republican infantry are marching through the countryside. |
Westermann's infernal column arrives at La Roche-sur-Yon.
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| Rival Republican officers bicker again.. |
Westermann's cavalry deploying out of the town (picture taken just before they met an untimely death at the hands of hidden rebels).
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A view of the table looking back to the village of Nieul-le-Dolent. Westermann's troops have deployed on the hillside east of the village with the guns alongside that cursed windmill.
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Republican troops occupy the farm at Nieul-le Dolent.
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British marines, along with naval gun crews, begin their deployment in the village of Les Sables d'Clonne.
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John Berry's church marvellous church.
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One of John Berry's many buildings which graced the table. | |
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| Mark Strachan's scratchbulit windmill. The postion of the sails was used as a signalling system by the Vendeans. |
