Read Books! quite the beginning of a lot of things…

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In fact it is the only way to travel in time (backwards of course)… fans of sci-fi will say that even to a distant future (quite out of the mark predictions though)

Quite a simple counsel is it not? Be that because a period of History interest you, or a campaign. or a battle, or an skirmish… whatever. You always start by reading about it (even after seeing or watching a Hollywood film)… books are the thing.

Mind you it is not my problem if you prefer Poetry! (Even in Poetry there are epic subjects… but I digress)

Have found in my life (71 actually) that books are the best friends and companions ans a library a little treasure (the public library is a good option I am not talking about “cumulating possessions” here… but if you can afford it it is really practical! just because they are at hand…

The recent passing of a friend (yes at my age this happens frequently) or some months earlier the demise of Frederick Wagner III which I corresponded with and respected as an author (learned). Has dawned on me of the need of a Post like this.

Even before starting to buy a single Toy Soldier… or a wargames mini (if you please) document yourself.

Here find the pics of the three shelves of my modest Little Big Horn collection of books… they are not all there (some are of a format that does not fit into the shelves) other are magazines stored in other places (but at hand).

Hope you enjoy!

Top shelve
Middle one
Lower one

New Buckenham Historical Wargamers Montmirail – 11/2/1814 (IV)

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And last but not least I included in this 4 part series the pics of the members of the Club in action, it shows the actual size of the wargames table, AND the fact it is a real wargame (even more merit!).

I am a solo wargamer living on the back of beyond… but I still can appreciate this kind of assembly!

Enjoy!

The NBHW chaps!
French Dragoons
French Infantry
Russian Cavalry

New Buckenham Historical Wargamers Montmirail – 11/2/1814 (I)

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Here they go again.

The kind of Club and members I would probably have tried to join in my 30´s or 40´s… at the height of my Napoleonic fever…

I would not have painted my minis to such a standard… but been a Club I could have payed for a good painter I guess…

Enjoy!

French Infantry
French Cavalry
Generals
General view
Fantastic painting job!

New Buckenham Historical Wargamers goes Ancient… (II)

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Ancients were a passion early on my days of wargaming, a classical education… plenty of books to read…

Plenty of lore and legend…

And above all the distance from it!

Later I could not stand close steel combat and found it too harsh!

Enjoy the pics!

Greek Hoplites
Persians
Greek Mercenaries on the Persian Army I guess…
Persian seen from the rear

Perry Miniatures Peninsula Wargame. 28MM (French side)

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The Peninsular War was not one of Napoleon’s brightest ideas… veterans misused… young recruits wasted… and they only conquered the soil under their feet.

A Big Army starves… and Small Army is defeated. This was coined specially for the Iberian peninsula.

Perry Miniatures are the best in 28MM in my humble opinion… or among the very best… there are so many good quality makers nowadays…

Enjoy!

Lateral view
Dragoons in reserve
Great pic.
The idea of wearing greatcoats in the Peninsula seems a bit farfetched… but collections are collections… and you use them all.

Perry Miniatures Peninsula Wargame. 28MM (British side)

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The British (and Portuguese Allies) Peninsular Campaign was a mastery use of what was later called “The Indirect Approach”.

Wargamers much concentrated on the gaming side of the hobby should read a lot about the smallness of the British Army… and how well handed it was by the Duke of Wellington.

If his Indian Campaigns were masterfully handed, in the Peninsula up to the battle of Toulouse (in French soil and sadly fought for nothing because Napoleon had abdicated days before…) he did nothing wrong (well, Burgos was a check) retired when he had to, advanced when it was the moment… the Spanish did not like at all to be invaded twice by foreign Armies… but cooperated with Wellington more or less successfully… their time of past glory long gone in time…

Enjoy the pics!

British in line
Rearview
It is an “L” deployment
Titled “the second battle of Ciudad Rodrigo”