This blog will record most of my miniature wargaming life as well as some other issues related to military history.
The wargames that will be showed are mostly 28mm skirmish games. As they allow lower figure counts as well as more depth in their personalities.
For now the games of choice will be:
- Chain of Command. WW2 platoon skirmish game.
- Sharp Practice. 18-19th century large skirmish game.
- Test of Honour. Japanese Sengoku period pike and shot small skirmish game.
- Mortal Gods. Ancient World small skirmish game.
What are skirmishes?
During most of military history war the main actions were big preplanned battles mostly in fields and sieges, were two sides grouped their armies in lines that crashed against each other seeking to wear their enemies down. To support those lines there were ranged units, artillery and cavalry.
Morale was key, that's why most warriors fought in big compacted groups that reinforced their courage as they saw themselves supported right and left.
In fact, in some instances, melee fight was not even need to rout the enemy, the sight of big armed groups in addition to some preliminary harassing was enough to scare certain units.
But, what happened before those two armies meet? How did each army find the other? What happened in those areas were big armies did not reach?
While the bulk of the army was advancing slowly or camped, small groups of warriors were set forward as patrols which served as an early warning to detect enemy forces. Those small patrols also guarded flanks and the non-front areas. Those warriors usually carried light gear and many rode on horse to travel/patrol higher distances.
When those small patrols incidentally found enemy small patrols, bandits, or small adversary armed groups small fights ensured. Those improvised clashes were called skirmishes. Certainly not as relevant as the main battles, skirmishers were way more common.
Most skirmishes involved just small groups of a dozen or few dozen men for each side.
The wargames that will be showed are mostly 28mm skirmish games. As they allow lower figure counts as well as more depth in their personalities.
For now the games of choice will be:
- Chain of Command. WW2 platoon skirmish game.
- Sharp Practice. 18-19th century large skirmish game.
- Test of Honour. Japanese Sengoku period pike and shot small skirmish game.
- Mortal Gods. Ancient World small skirmish game.
What are skirmishes?
During most of military history war the main actions were big preplanned battles mostly in fields and sieges, were two sides grouped their armies in lines that crashed against each other seeking to wear their enemies down. To support those lines there were ranged units, artillery and cavalry.
Morale was key, that's why most warriors fought in big compacted groups that reinforced their courage as they saw themselves supported right and left.
In fact, in some instances, melee fight was not even need to rout the enemy, the sight of big armed groups in addition to some preliminary harassing was enough to scare certain units.
But, what happened before those two armies meet? How did each army find the other? What happened in those areas were big armies did not reach?
While the bulk of the army was advancing slowly or camped, small groups of warriors were set forward as patrols which served as an early warning to detect enemy forces. Those small patrols also guarded flanks and the non-front areas. Those warriors usually carried light gear and many rode on horse to travel/patrol higher distances.
When those small patrols incidentally found enemy small patrols, bandits, or small adversary armed groups small fights ensured. Those improvised clashes were called skirmishes. Certainly not as relevant as the main battles, skirmishers were way more common.
Most skirmishes involved just small groups of a dozen or few dozen men for each side.
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