Broadside Wargames Show - Meet the Rejects

Posties Rejects are running a demo game at the Broadside Wargames Show in Gillingham this Saturday, 8th June 2024. We have been running games at this event for many years and this time it's Ray's turn to put in a game. We have had a couple of practice games recently and a very nice-looking game for visitors to see. I don't want to give away too much at this point, but Ray has put together a lovely-looking game which tells the story of what is often called the only successful slave revolt in history. Here's a sneak peak, but check out this post on Ray's Blog for more details. 

If you're in the Medway area next Saturday, or within driving distance, please pop along to this great little show and come and say hello. 

Top 3 Rulebooks of all time (and why they made the cut)

Today's video is another inspired by my recent 'Call to Arms' for ideas and questions. The question submitted by pbeccas asked, "What are your top three favourite rule books of all time". I decided to expand this to also ask, why my top three were picked but also decided to ask a couple of my mates from Posties Rejects to give their suggestions as well. The result is an eclectic mix of rulebooks covering a wide range of periods. 

For more detail about Richard & Ray's choices check out their blog posts reviewing some of the rules mentioned in the video:

Richard's review of They Died for Glory

Richard's review of Koenig Krieg

Ray's review of Donnybrook

Ray's review of Beneath the Lily Banners

Donnybrook via Zoom

Yesterday something incredible happened...Ray put on a game! Actually, he put in a really good game and what is more amazing, he used the Donnybrook rules!! Still your beating heart, I know, we're all in shock as well. Seriously though, he ran a really good game last night with four Rejects dialling in via Zoom to join the action. The game lasted a little over an hour, was exciting and produced a cliffhanger type ending where victory could have gone to either side. Gripping stuff and we've arm-twisted him into running another game sometime soon. No doubt Ray will post something a little more detailed on his blog in due course but I wanted to share a couple of pictures I took during the game. 

Our Umpire for the game, veritable Master of Ceremonies, and all-round good chap, Ray.

A quickly grabbed shot of the game on my Laptop Screen. The picture quality wasn't too bad and Ray was able to move his camera around a little if we needed a better view. 

I won't give away the ending - I'll let Ray give you the details on his blog, but it was a cracking game and very enjoyable. Zoom worked really well, the sound and picture quality was fine and the usual banter ensued throughout the game. The only thing missing was Posties egg mayonnaise sandwiches, at half time! 

Ray's Donnybrook Game

Poor old Ray. Forced to run a game of Donnybrook by the Snowlord! Possibly the funniest act of mischief from the whole Painting Challenge. So a handful of the Rejects gathered for a mid-week evening game in the shed-o-war. I'll keep this batrep brief, mainly because Ray will be posting something more detailed on his blog and on the Challenge Blog, and also because I am knackered and still have a ton to do in the next few weeks!

The Order of Battle

The Order of Battle with casualties at the end of the game. 

The Action

Setup - I have a lot of infantry on the table and one unit of Cavalry. My plan is to clear the road with musketry then charge my Cavalry down it to reach the objective point, 6" from the far table edge. 

Postie had most of his troops hidden, all apart from one unit guarding the road. 

This unit proved to be very resilient!

My Infantry fire down the road, with little effect. 

What a fine figure of a Wargamer! 

Stuarts Infantry fire back and cut a swath through my guys! 

I return fire again, but can't seem to hit the broadside of a barn! 

Meanwhile, my mixed infantry units advance on both flanks. These guys come under fire from Stuarts Dragoons that appear out of hiding in the woods. 

My Cavalry waits patiently. I'm not attempting a crossing of the river until the road is a lot clearer. I'm also trying to work out where Stuart's troops are located as most appear to be hidden. 

Another one of my mixed infantry units on the left flank approach the ford, only to be shot to ribbons by Royal troops in the woods and buildings. 

I've been whittling away at the troops in the village and decide to commence my charge. But it may be too late. 

Damn. The game has reached its allotted end (12 turns) and my charge with the horse has come too late. 

That was fun, even if I did lose. My own fault for holding back with the Cavalry for so long. I was worried they would just get shot out of the saddle but by the time I was confident I had cleared the village of as many Royal troops as I could it was too late. It also didn't help that my so-called crack shot (the Poacher) couldn't hit the side of a barn the whole game!

Broadside 2016 Photo Report

Posties Rejects gathered in Sittingbourne on Sunday for the Broadside wargames show. Attending this event and putting on a Demo game has become something of a tradition for us and this was our fifth year at this event. The show seemed a lot busier this year and the hall was tightly packed with traders and demo games. We certainly felt very busy this year with a continuous stream of interested visitors asking questions and stopping for a chat.

The game Teviot's Last Stand was based on the Battle of Tangier (1664) in which the Governor of English Tangier (Andrew Rutherford, 1st Earl of Teviot) and most of his 500 man detachment from the Garrison were killed. They had ventured out to forage for supplies and building materials when they had encountered a force of 3000 Moroccan warriors. After a brief fight the British pursued the Moors straight into the jaws of a prepared trap. Teviot rallied his troops on Jews Hill but now surrounded by as many as 11000 enemy the British stood little chance.

About 8:30am and starting the set up the game

The British troops in position and about to spring the trap they have walked straight into. 

Plenty of Rejects (and a couple of mini-rejects) manning the game. From left to right, Ray, Postie, John, Richard, Ian and Dave. 

Ray used the Donnybrook rules for this game and despite the fact that most of us had never played we managed quite well. Here the Moors begin to advance towards the British.

One of my Musket regiments positioned themselves on the ridge and did a lot of damage to the Moors as the game progressed. They saw off repeated charges and dealt out a lot of damage with their muskets. 

The Moorish trap begins to close on the British who have occupies the edges of Jews Hill

The hill is now completely surrounded and the British are starting to loose men, a few at a time but every loss counts. 

The British perimeter starts to be breached.

The game is building to its bloody climax

The end was never in doubt but the British have held on a lot longer than expected and game the Moors a tough fight.

When we set up at the beginning of the day we honestly didn't expect the game to last more than a few hours and anticipated 'swapping ends' and playing the game again in the afternoon. As it was the British players (me and John) held on all day and gave the Moors a tough fight. Overall it was an enjoyable game, very visual and certainly a talking point for many of the visitors that passed by our table.

Elsewhere in the hall the show seemed very busy. I only had a few short breaks to get around and look at the other games, so I only took a handful of pictures. Here's a selection of what I took.

Overview from the balcony. There wasn't a lot of space left with every inch of floorspace being used. 

For my money one of the best games at this years show.  A WWII 20mm game set in the Philippines. 

Simon Millers To the Strongest adapted for a Fantasy setting...and the Big Red Bat also made an appearance. 

A bit of 28mm Sci-Fi from the Friday Night Fight Club.

A massive X-Wing game looking amazing. 

Skirmish Wargames with some stop-motion mythology 

I didn't get many more pictures because there was so little time. In fact I didn't even have much time for shopping we were so busy. This show continues to develop and felt very well attended and supported this year. We already look forward to next year and it looks like I have been nominated to put together a demo game for the Rejects in 2017. Postie may think better of that idea when he comes to his scenes, but just in case he doesn't I think it may be time for those 6mm LRDG desert raiders to see the light of day at last! 

Rejects at Broadside Tomorrow

Its that time of year again and tomorrow Posties Rejects will be putting on a demo game at Broadside in Sittingbourne, Kent. This year I haven't been able to take part in any play testing of our game for tomorrow so I won't even try to pretend I know what we are doing. All I know is it is set in 1664 Tangiers and uses the Donnybrook rules. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing the miniatures that Ray has painted for this game. I'm not sure exactly what units Ray is using but he has recently posted pictures of some figures for Tangiers here so I guess some of these will be on show. I'm also looking forward to having a proper first look at the rules we will be using. He has been raving about Donnybrook for ages, so its time to find out what all the fuss is about! 

Please swing by and say hello if you see us. We don't bite and we love a chin-wag!

The Rejects at Broadside last year.