The Painting Corner

My T-55 project went off as I had hoped!  With the extra time off, I was able to paint all 12 T-55s by Friday, even with all the other events this week in celebration of Christmas and time spent with my family away from the War Room.

I painted these in batches of three as I have found it is easier to find an hour to paint than it is four or five! 

I started by priming them with Army Painter's Skeleton Bone color spray. This shade is close to the color I wanted for the base so I thought it would be a good starting layer. After the primer dried, I airbrushed the tanks with a base coat of Vallejo 847 Dark Sand.  The two tanks in the picture are what they looked like with just the primer and base coat.  

After the airbrush, I used Vallejo Dark Brown wash to do the pin washing on the hatches, panels, wheels, fuel tanks and other recessed areas.  The tank in the foreground of the photo above shows what they looked like after the pin washing.

The next step was a simple dry brush of 50/50 Vallejo 976 Buff and 918 Ivory.  I would then pick out the road wheels, tracks and headlights with Vallejo 995 German Grey and the DShK MG with Citadel's Leadbelcher.  For the gun mount, I used Vallejo 875 Beige Brown with a coat of the Dark Brown wash and then a highlight of 75/50 Vallejo 976 Buff and 875 Beige Brown.  Finally, the top engine compartment grills, the DShK MG and the tip of the gun would be given a coat of Citadel's Nuln Oil.  After completing several of the tanks I went back and gave a final drybrush of Vallejo 884 Stone Grey to the tracks as this helped pick out some of the detail and gave then a slightly worn look. All in all, these were pretty fast to paint--even the decals went on pretty easy!

Here are some of the finished tanks, taking up defensive positions along the border:

"Move one company into the town, that should keep the good citizens happy."

  

A whole company ready for the IDF!

The Battalion Commander, surveying his position.

These will hopefully be up in an After Action Report before long!

See you on the table!

-Travis

Operation Edelweiss

With most of last week off due to the Christmas holiday, my family and I were able to both celebrate the birth of Christ together and get in some intense miniature combat Christmas Day! After reading the Christmas story from Luke 2 and opening presents, Nate and I prepared for our first battle--a small skirmish loosely based on the German summer/fall offensive in 1942 code-named Operation Edelweiss.  Our army lists were taken from the Mid-War Eastern Front Intelligence Briefing and were limited to 1,000 pts.

Nate would be commanding a Russian Red Army Tankovy Battlion:

Rating: Fearless Conscript

Tankovy Batalon HQ-80 pts.
1 T-34 obr 1942 with Cupola

Medium Tankovy Company-370 pts.
 5 T-34 obr 1941 or 1942

Medium Tankovy Company-395 pts.
 5 T-34 obr 1942 with Cupola

Tank Rider Company-145 pts.
1 Cmd Rifle/MG team
7 Rifle/MG team
1 Maksim HMG team
Komissar team

Total: 990 pts.

On the German side, I would be leading a Heer Mittlere Panzerkompanie:

Rating: Confident Veteran 

Mittlere Panzerkompanie HQ-255 pts.
1 Panzer III G or H or J (early)
1 Panzer IV G (late) or H

Mittlere Panzer Platoon-300 pts.
1 Panzer III G or H or J (early)
1 Panzer III N
1 Panzer IV E or F1

Mittlere Panzer Platoon-270 pts.
3 Panzer III G or H or J (early)

Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon-170 pts.
1 Cmd Panzerknacker SMG team
4 MG team
2 Sd Kfz 251/1C
1 Sd Kfz 251/10 (3.7cm)

Total: 995 pts.

We set up the field of battle on Christmas Eve and went ahead and made our preliminary deployments.  The mission we rolled for was the Defensive Battle No Retreat with Nate's Russians defending and my Germans attacking:

No Retreat (Defensive Battle) There comes a time in every conflict when a force must dig in and prepare to repel a massive assault from the enemy. Often the deciding battles of their campaigns, these desperate defences can turn the tides and determine the momentum of entire wars. Mission Special Rules No Retreat uses the Ambush (page 266), Reserves (page 268), and Prepared Positions (page 264) special rules. Your Orders The Attacker The enemy has fallen back to defend a single choke point of your advance. Their lines disorganized, their reserves in tatters, you must crush their resistance and open a path to victory! You must assault and capture one of your objectives. The Defender The situation is desperate and your path is grim, but if you can mount a heroic defence against their coming advance you could turn the tide of this war. Reinforcements are coming, and your superiors have promised you support: until they arrive, you are on your own. There can be no retreat. You must hold the objectives and push the enemy back. Left: The No Retreat mission deployment map.

Preliminary deployment; Nate's second Tankovy Company and his Tank Riders are held in reserve.

GERMAN TURN ONE

As the attacker gets the first turn, I quickly moved my panzers forward, with the platoon on my right flank joined by my Company CO heading towards the ford and my 2iC and the second panzer platoon moving towards the river on my left followed by my panzergrenadiers.

Panzers moving into position!

My first platoon opened fire at the two T-34s in the field but to no effect while my second platoon's Panzer IV E fired a smoke shell at the tanks next to the log building--hoping to cover them as they tried to ford the river.  Sadly, I failed to stormtrooper with any of my platoons except the platoon on the right.

SOVIET TURN ONE

Nate's bold tank surge!

To my German CO's relief, Nate failed his first reserves roll; I would still outnumber the beleaguered Russian defenders on my next turn.  However, my elation did not last long.  Rather than sit back and let the Germans come to him, Nate launched an all out attack--moving his tanks from cover (and out beyond the smoke marker) and focused his fire on my panzer platoon that was on the far bank of the river.  Though now hitting on 5+ since he moved, he still managed to pop the Panzer III J from the platoon--the first casualty of the game!

Panzer burning!

GERMAN TURN TWO

With the loss of one of my panzers and the ever increasing threat of Soviet reinforcements, I needed to act quickly to secure one of the objectives and ensure victory.  However, the objective closest to my lines was now under the guns of six T-34s (which were much better than the majority of my tanks) and, worst of all, across a river.  With Nate having moved one of the T-34's onto the bridge, he effectively closed that route off to my advance--even if I could knock it out, it would still prevent any vehicle from effectively crossing.  

I therefore decided to go a route that I thought would give me the best options later in the game; even if Nate did not get reserves in turn two he was rule bound to get at least one company in turn three.  I decided, therefore, to push my Panzergrenadiers across the river under the supporting fire from my panzer platoons.  The platoon on my right (lead by my CO) would then cross at the ford and either swing to the left and hit Nate's tanks from behind or drive on to the second objective to stall any reserves that might arrive and buy my panzers and panzergrenadiers time to mop up the first tank company and secure the objective.  No sooner had I begun my move, however, that my plan began to come apart. I kept the panzer platoon on my left unmoved so they could shoot at their full ROF, but they managed to score only ONE hit out of FIVE (needing only 3+)!  Of course, that one shot just bounced happily off the T-34's tough front armor!  

Is this the beginning of the end?

My platoon on the right, however, managed to knock out one T-34 and bail out another (they were shooting at the "weaker" side armor--5 rather than 6).  My grens pushed ahead and, during their stormtrooper move (finally passed!), they waded across the river with only one half-track failing the skill test needed to cross.  I passed the stormtrooper move with my panzer platoon and moved to get them across the river as well but only my 2iC passed the skill test; the other two tanks just floundered helplessly on the bank.  The CO and his platoon passed their stormtrooper roll as well (amazing isn't it), and moved across the ford (leaving one tank behind to help those stuck at the river) and I was into enemy territory at last!

SOVIET TURN 2

Well, my worst fears were realized--Nate rolled and his first reserve company came on the table; and of course he chose the tanks!  My panzers were almost to the objective (not shown in the picture above as I forgot to take a picture once they made their stormtrooper move), but now they faced a wall of Soviet armor!  Nate was in a hurry to get to the shooting, and justifiably so with one platoon of my panzers sitting ducks (almost literally!) and the other strung out and facing a torrent of 76mm rounds at close range.  Nate picked up his dice and his first tankovy company fired 8 shots and knocked out my 2iC and the floundering Panzer IV E. The resulting platoon morale roll saw my Panzer III N flee for his life!  

And the wheels begin to fly off!

What was left of my left!

The battalion commander engaged next and rolled two fours in shooting at my panzergrenadiers; knocking out both half tracks.  The command team and one MG team failed to escape the burning wreckage and again I was forced to take a morale test--which I failed.  With the loss of one panzer platoon and the panzergrenadiers, my left flank completely collapsed.  

Nate, however, was not done.  His newly arrived tankovy company opened up with three tanks and even though he needed 5+ to hit again, managed to destroy my lead Panzer III J.  Things did not look good, and although many doubts were going through my head I was sure about one thing--I was going to have to take a company morale check at the start of my next turn.

The thick green line!

GERMAN & SOVIET TURN 3

Before I rolled for my company morale test, Nate politely offered me terms for surrender.  I, not so politely, refused stating my panzers would fight to the death.  I then cast my die and, fearing I would have to eat the words I just spoke, rolled a 4 and the game would continue--my panzers not yet ready to relinquish the field!  I moved my remaining panzers to the objective and opened fire!  My Company CO managed to knock out a T-34 but that was all I could do.  Nate began his turn with his infantry automatically arriving from reserve (too late to effect the outcome of the battle but not too late to enjoy the post victory BBQ!).  He moved his Battalion CO and his first company towards what remained of my army and with their combined firepower destroyed my CO and the Panzer III J that was within range--leaving me with one Panzer III J on the table who miraculously passed his platoon morale check.  

Game Over!

GERMAN TURN 4

With no Company CO or 2iC to take the company morale check, I automatically failed and my last Panzer III J left the field to the Russians.  I managed to kill only 2 tanks while I lost 5 to enemy fire and 2 more to poor morale.  Nate ended the battle with a 6-1 Soviet victory, and my plans for the oil rich Caucuses will have to wait!

Nate Triumphant--and dressed up in one of his Christmas presents!  (Also, that is an IBC Root Beer Bottle, our favorite gaming beverage and one of my Christmas presents!)

The battlefield

Where it all came apart

While Christmas certainly is the time when we remember the birth of Christ and how through faith in His death and resurrection we alone can have peace with God; it also provides a great opportunity to enjoy our families and friends and to wage war across miniature battlefields! Nate did a great job leading his forces and it is always fun watching your kids get excited about blowing up your tanks!

All in all, it was a good opportunity to dust off the Mid-War armies and let them have a go at each other.  Some of these are among the first Battlefront models I  purchased when I picked up my first copy of the Flames of War rulebook back in 2007.  Furthermore, this was the first game to be played on our new desert board which I assembled as part of our foray into Fate of a Nation.

As always, thanks for reading and if you are interested in gaming 15mm World War 2 battles please check out the Flames of War website here.

Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

-Travis

Our Christmas T-55 Tank Factory!

Yesterday, as an early birthday present to myself, my compliment of 12 UAR/Egyptian T-55s arrived from the War Store.  Needless to say, Nate and I were both excited to start putting these together; hoping to have them ready to go by by next weekend so we can have a small 6-Day War skirmish!  With the Christmas and New Year's holidays providing some free family time, these will hopefully be able to be finished rather quickly and not sit around for a few months like my S'hots and M50 Shermans did!

After our normal evening routine, we settled down at the dining room table and laid out our "Tank Factory":

Here are the 12 T-55s, fresh out of their boxes!

We quickly started to work; Nate helping me unbox and lay out the parts.  Our first task was to remove the fender covers, fuel tanks and hatches from the sprues, which we did in about 15 minutes.

We are now ready to assemble!

The first task we choose was to install the magnets in the hulls and turrets.  Once that was complete, we started gluing on the tracks--which was dramatically helped by the instant bonding glue we were using.  After we got those done, it was time for Nate to head to bed--an hour into our project.

With my helper gone, I was able to pull up the laptop and put on some Babylon 5 while I finished.  My wife kindly brought some strong coffee and some popcorn, and with that fuel I stayed the course completing the assembly of all 12 T-55s by 2300 hrs (that is 11:00 pm in civilian parlance).  That is a total build time of 3.5 hours--or 17 minutes per tank.  Not super fast, but it can be hard to concentrate when watching Ambassadors Mollari and G'Kar square off! (Not to mention the episode of Home Improvement Nate and I were watching before he went to bed!)

And here is the money shot, all 12 ready for painting:

These will give me the basis of my UAR Kateybat Debabbat (tank battalion) with a Battalion HQ and two companies (one with 5 T-55s and the other with 6).  While certainly the most expensive to field dollar wise of the Arab armies from Fate of a Nation, the UAR allows you to build, paint and play with Soviet tanks of the '60s era.  The Jordanians used the same Centurions and M48 Pattons as the Israelis did so by fielding an Egyptian force you get to experience some of that East vs. West Cold War technical and tactical tension only on a much smaller and less lethal scale!

If you are interested in gaming the Six Day War, check the Flames of War landing page here.



See you on the table!


-Travis

After a long hiatus...I have returned

It has been a few months since my last post, mostly due to the long reenactment season and real life issues that always take precedence over my enjoyment of miniature gaming.  It is a sad fact but this is just a hobby after all!  Hopefully as I start to get into full swing over the winter months, I will be able to bring some interesting articles, painting and gaming tidbits.  In the last two weeks I have managed to build 23 tanks (and paint 11 of them)--completing my 1000 pt. Mid-War Russian Tankovy Battalion, but more on that later.  The biggest project I have started was my UAR and IDF companies from the new Fate of a Nation book.  More to come so stay tuned!

Friday Night Fury

Here is a quick photo of the Friday night match my 5-year old and I played.  He threw a 600 pt US 3rd Armored Tank Company from the Overlord intelligence briefing against a 600 pt Heavy Tank Hunter Company from Bridge by Bridge.

The table was still set up from last week, so we were able to set up and finish in about 40 minutes which is very good when playing with kids!  Nate knocked out both my Jagdpanthers but not before I took out his 2 Company Command Shermans and one of his 76mm Shermans.  The other two 76s were finished by a panzerfaust and an assault by my grenadiers.  I conceded the game, however, as I was facing what was left of his Armored Rifle platoon plus his crazy MG heavy half tracks with only the fragments of my Grenadier platoon (2 MG/Rifle teams and a command SMG/Panzerfauset team).  It wasn't impossible and would have been fun to fight it out but Nate played very well (and was getting tired) so we shook hands and called it a night! 

The Painting Corner

King Tiger!

Got my King Tiger in the mail yesterday and painted it up last night.  Hopefully have this on the table on Friday at Niagara Hobby!

All Quiet on the Eastern Front

No Retreat!

Last Saturday (3-1-14), my friend Peter and I got together for a game of Flames of War.  It was the third game Pete and I have played together so I kinda had an idea of what to expect, basically lots of Soviet infantry teams!  For those of you unfamiliar with FoW, the Soviet army lists are the closest things you can get to a 15mm, WW2 Ork hoard!  Peter commands very well, and I always have a hard time dealing with the masses of khaki clad commies rampaging across the tabletop.

The table all set up--a nice, quiet village somewhere in eastern Europe--complete with spectators checking out the view.

 

The Armies

Both Peter and I would be using infantry companies--his a 'Confident Trained' Strelkovy Battalion from the book Red Bear and mine a 'Fearless Veteran' SS-Kampfgruppe Spindler Company from the book Bridge by Bridge.


The Red Army:
Battalion HQ
     -Sapper Platoon
Strelkovy company
     -2 Platoons
     -HMG Team
Strelkovy company
     -1 Platoon
Scout Platoon
SU-152 Company
     -3 Assault Guns

 
The 2nd SS Panzergrenadiers 
Company HQ
Panzergrenadier Platoon
     -2 Squads
Panzergrenadier Platoon
     -2 Squads
SS Support Platoon
     -2 MG42 HMG
     -Mortar Section (2 8cm Mortar Teams)
SS Assault Gun Platoon
    -3 StuG G
Heavy Anti-Aircraft Platoon
     -2 Flak 36
     -Transports
Sporadic Air Support
    -FW-190 

 

The Mission

With the forces unpacked, Peter and I rolled for our mission and received the defensive mission 'No Retreat.'   As both Peter and I had infantry companies we rolled to see who would attack--a roll which I thankfully won (as I was not looking forward to his infiltration special rule).   With that, we deployed our forces.

Deployment

As we had a limited amount of time, I did not stop to take photos along the way.  However, the re-enactment you are about to see does accurately portray the minature carnage that took place.  Viewer discretion is advised.

Before deployment, we got to place our objectives.  The objective Peter placed is noted by the blue arrow in the woods above while the objective I placed is marked by the blue arrow near the field in the background.  My intention was to get him to spread his forces out--denying him the ability to concentrate his two blocks of infantry while allowing me to threaten one objective with just enough to tie him down while another element secured the other objective.  In this mission, the attacker only has to secure one objective.

Per the mission rules, Peter chose the end he wanted to defend from and deployed his forces first.  Peter threw his 2 platoon infantry company in a curve through the village that utilized the concealment of both the field and the buildings.  He placed is scouts in a second tier defense on the far side of the road to either move to the second objective or help defend the first.  In this mission, Peter was compelled to hold half of his forces in reserve so his second infantry company (with the attached sapper platoon) and the SU-152s were held off the table.

Seeing Peter's defensive ring, I thought it prudent to challenge the objective in the woods.  To do so, I deployed my StuGs and a panzergrenadier platoon (2nd Platoon) at the limit of my deployment zone with the intention of rushing into the woods and securing it before his reinforcements can arrive.  My other platoon was positioned below the hill with my Company CO.  I attached an HMG from the support platoon to give it added firepower.  My thought again was to use this platoon to move into the buildings across from the Soviets and pin them down with MG and mortar fire while the other wing moved rapidly into the woods.  The 88s were deployed limbered so I could move them in support of the StuGs in case the SUs came on the table and the mortars were set on the hill to give them a great view of the field.

German Turn 1--"Zweite Kompanie...los!"

As the attacker, I took the first turn and began to execute my plan.  Before I could get going, however, Peter used the recce movement of his scouts to move them towards the objective in the woods--I believe their was a mole in my company HQ for it appeared that the Russians knew my plan!

With my StuGs and 2nd platoon racing at the double towards the woods, my mortars unleashed a bombardment against the entrenched Soviets holding the objective in the village.  In spite of the 2 mortar battery, I still managed (with a firepower test and all) to destroy a Soviet team and pin them down.  My air cover also came through and gunned a scout team down as well.  My units were advancing, two commie teams were destroyed and the rest pinned down--I love it when a plan comes together!

Russian Turn 1: Pinned but not out!

 

To my elation, Peter's first reinforcement roll (one d6, 5+) failed.  He was stuck with what he had on the table.  His infantry company failed to unpin, but his scouts, however, did and moved into the safety of the woods.

His infantry took some potshots at my advancing panzergrenadiers but the bullets splattered harmlessly into the dirt.

German Turn 2: The good gets better! 

 

Even though Peter's scouts were now in the woods and contesting the objective, they were down a team and still vulnerable to my units approaching the woods.  The StuGs moved normally and withing firing range of the scouts who were left on the edge of the woods.  Opening up with 9 MG shots, I managed to inflict 8 hits and took out the platoon command team.  Things were looking really good!

I deployed my 88s into a place with a good firing lane in case those pesky Su-152s popped on the table and my mortars once again hit and killed an enemy team.  Even so, my aircraft added to the carnage and managed to knock off another Soviet team.  Again, that unit remains pinned down and vulnerable.

 Russian Turn 2: "Greetings, comrade!" 

 

With turn two, Peter got to roll two dice for his reserves--and as I held my breath I watched the first die come up a one and the second a....6.  CRAP!  Peter gets his reinforcements.   My original plan was now kaput!  For where do you think he sent his little red men???  Right into the woods to comrade Commissar's house they went!

Peter was elated.  I was not.  But as he was moving his many stands onto the table something caught my eye.  It was one of those moments where an opportunity, be it risky, presented itself.  Peter's other infantry platoon was still pinned (having failed to rally...again), could I make this work?  That question weighed on my mind as Peter's pinned down company fired off a few more useless shots at my 1st platoon.  Then the moment came...

German Turn 3: "Today is a good day to die..."

 

With a new sense of purpose, I broke from my plan.  Luckily, I managed on my one air support die to call in support which I positioned to hit the newly arrived company in the woods.  Then, I swung my StuGs away from their original target and planted them right behind the other Soviet company.  Peter didn't move...but at once realized what I was about to do.  

Instead of dropping a bombardment on the shell shocked ruskies, my mortars popped smoke in front of them as my 1st Platoon moved into the open.  My StuGs opened up with MG fire but failed to do any damage and my air support failed to range in on the Russians in the woods.  That is when I made my move.  My StuGs charged into the rear of the Russian company:

As an armored team, they were able to hit the teams in the buildings--one being the HMG.  I killed two teams but the Russians passed their motivation and their tank terror and struck back.  They failed to hit, rolling three ones on their counter charge so, with no motivation check needed on my part, I hammered again and knocked off a few more teams.  This time, the Russians broke.  With joy, I consolidated my position and took the objective.  Then things went bad.  Hoping to finish off the Russians, I charged in my panzergrenadiers.  I lost one team to defensive fire but still managed to close and kill 5 in close combat.  The Russians, however, thanks to their Battalion Co managed to move his beleaguered company back at my panzergrenadiers.  He had five teams left--I had 6.  On five rolls he killed four of my teams!  FOUR!!!!  I failed my motivation, failed the re roll and my panzergrenadiers ran.  But, in spite of all this, my StuGs held the objective and the remnants of Peter's company were more than 4" away from it and pinned down.

Russian Turn 3: "Not one step back!"

 

 With a German victory imminent, Peter rolls for his reserves and his last reserve company, the dreaded SU-152s come on board.

Unfortunately (he, he, he), the one company in a position to challenge the objective FAILS its motivation to unpin (FAILS AGAIN)!!!  There is only one word for that die roll...EPIC.  With his company stationary and the SUs unable to target the StuGs due to their movement (Bunker Buster vs Tank Teams rule), they fired one last 'hurrah' at my last panzergrenadier team.  The shells, much like the rest of the Red Army this day, failed to go off.

German Turn 4: "Deutsch-Sieg!!!!"

 

 That says it all....

 With my StuGs in command of the objective, the game ends with a German victory.  My forces have broken through the Soviet lines and secured our objective.  According to the victory points calculator, as I (as the victor) did not loose a platoon this constitutes a 6-1 major victory.   I still think, however, that VPs should be based on both sides' losses as Peter didn't loose a single platoon/company either and was more of a tactical victory rather than the blowout the VPs allude to.  However, that was the game!

Aftermath

 

As with every game I play, there is always something to learn.  For me, after going back at looking at the rules, Peter should have gotten to re roll that last pin check as his CO was apart of the company.  I still am sorry Pete!  Though we did re-roll later and he got a 2 so they still would have been pinned!!

Would it have changed the outcome...possibly but not likely.   The SUs were too far away and too slow (one team even bogged down in the field coming in from reserves as we play all fields as rough terrain) to contest the objective and the other infantry company was dug in the woods and not moving.  I could have hit the SUs with air support or with smoke to force them to move and thus be unable again to target my StuGs.  The infantry company would have gone away the next turn as I would have assaulted them with my StuGs and without their numbers (only 5 or 6 teams were left) they would have had an extremely hard time beating the StuGs.  Either way I still think I had Peter in enough of a hole it would be hard for him to dig out of; and with our time at an end anyway it was as  fun and tactically thrilling game I have played!  Peter, as always, was a great and skilled opponent!

Ranger Report

Niagara Hobby Demo Day

Just over a week and a half ago I had the opportunity to run a Flames of War demo at Niagara Hobby during their miniature wargame demo day.  There were six or so systems represented from new comers like Dropzone Commander and Firestorm Armada to old favorites such as Warmachine and Warhammer.  I ran about a dozen games and had a great time showcasing Flames of War to those who attended!  Here is a pic from a really destructive encounter between a British Armored Squadron and a German Panzerkompanie:

Hopefully, this is a start of an avid Flames of War community here in WNY! 

The Painting Corner

Grenadiers!

Here is a shot of a team of Grenadiers that I finished last night.  They are from the "Open Fire" box set from Flames of War and to be honest I think I have come to prefer working with the plastic figures over the metal ones usually produced by Battlefront.  The sculpts are much cleaner and have a lot more detail (especially on weapons like the MP-40).    

While not the typical SS guys I am used to mustering, I am hoping to use them in a few lists from the Bridge by Bridge intelligence briefing; either as a Security Platoon or as Heer support for a Heavy Tank Hunter Company.  More to follow!

Every Journey Begins with a Single Step

Welcome!

 Philosophy of a Christian Wargamer

I have been dabbling in wargames for the past 20 years or so and have been a Christ-follower for the last 16.  As a believer, the interests and concerns of my Savior certainly take precedence but do not by any means eradicate my own personality and interests.  Rather, they become vehicles through which I can be both salt and light to the world of which I am apart. That being said, miniature wargames are a major passion of mine and through this blog I hope to share both my experiences in the hobby and those of my life in general.

As with every interest, oftentimes I find that my hobbies can come into conflict with my commitment to Christ and wargaming is certainly no exception.  Because of this I have come to be "choosy" as to which game systems I delve into.  Warhammer 40K, for example, was the first game I was exposed to and the vehicle through which I entered the hobby.  However, I can honestly say that the "grim-dark" does not appeal to me now in the way it did to me as a teenager (not to mention other issues I have with GW and the game itself but I digress...). Even so, I still own and paint GW stuff from time to time and do enjoy aspects of the fantasy genre (being both a CS Lewis and Tolkien fan) as well as being an avid Trekkie and Star Wars nerd.  What that does mean, however, is that my interest in wargaming has come to revolve heavily around historicals--most notably Battlefront's 'Flames of War.'  So, with that 'brief' introduction I bid you welcome to my spot of the internet where hopefully I can share some of life, Christ and a whole lot of wargaming!