A Taste of Typhoons and Trouble: A Rapid Fire Reloaded WWII Game

Over the weekend, a few of the Rejects dusted off the 15mm figures and came together for a rare WWII game—this time using Rapid Fire Reloaded. I picked up the rules earlier this year and had been itching to give them a proper run out. So, when Dan offered to host a game, I jumped at the chance. What followed was a cracking game—full of drama, unexpected twists, some triumphs, and (as always) a healthy serving of carnage. In short, it was everything a good wargame should be.

Our scenario came straight from one of the Rapid Fire Reloaded scenario books, focusing on the period between 6th and 9th June 1944—just days after the D-Day landings. British and Canadian forces were pushing inland from the beaches, facing stiff resistance as they tried to break out. Our game was set on the 9th and featured the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, supported by British armour, advancing inland from Juno Beach.

Historically, the Sherbrooke Fusiliers and the Nova Scotia Highlanders had pushed a bit too far ahead of their artillery support and stumbled—rather unpleasantly—into elements of the newly arrived 12th SS Panzer Division. The SS, showing unnerving fire discipline, let the Canadians roll past their concealed positions before opening fire and causing utter mayhem. The result? The Canadians were cut off and forced to withdraw. It would take over a month before this ground was retaken.

Thankfully, things unfolded a little differently on our table...

How Not to Launch an Armoured Assault

Our game kicked off with the Allied vanguard under Stuart (aka Postie), consisting of a Recce Squadron of Stuart tanks, a Carrier Platoon with infantry, an Anti-tank battery of M10s, and a support company fielding a 6pdr and a 3" mortar. Stuart wasted no time and promptly pressed down the road towards Authie, with the objective tantalisingly close beyond.

Meanwhile, I commanded the main force, made up of three squadrons of Shermans (each handily equipped with a Firefly for that extra "knock-out punch") and a HQ platoon in carriers, complete with a 2" mortar, a PIAT team, and a bonus 75mm Sherman. Thinking myself rather clever, I swung the main force to the left to outflank what I suspected was a weak German position in the centre. I had visions of a sweeping advance, tanks charging heroically through cornfields, and a quick victory. What I actually got was a faceful of hidden SS Panzer Regiment, lying in wait like a bunch of patient crocodiles in a swamp.

The trap was sprung with cinematic brutality. In an instant, I lost my commanding officer, a Sherman, and—tragically—a Firefly. The road was now blocked with burning wrecks, and I was staring down the barrels of concealed German guns from heavy woodland. So much for my grand tactical outflanking manoeuvre. If this were a Hollywood movie, the dramatic music would have cut out and been replaced by a sad trombone.

Back near Authie, Stuart was having a hard time of his own. Trying to get infantry into hard cover while dodging fire from two AT guns and a squadron of Panzer IVs isn’t what you'd call a relaxing afternoon. One of our M10s was quickly brewed up, and for a brief moment, I was genuinely worried the game might be over before we’d even cracked open the biscuits. But then... the dice gods changed their minds.

A turn of appallingly ineffective fire from Steve (commanding the Germans) gave us the breathing space we needed. Stuart made the most of the opportunity with some excellent dice rolls—knocking out a couple of Panzer IVs and, in a moment of pure vindication, taking out a German 105mm howitzer. The tide, it seemed, was turning.

In keeping with the real Normandy campaign, we Allies had the upper hand in the air. And thanks to scenario rules, we were granted access to that iconic symbol of Allied support: the mighty Typhoon. Well, it looked mighty... until we used it. Despite calling in airstrikes on three separate occasions, we failed to hit a single thing. Not so much "Death from Above" as "Mild Inconvenience from a Distance." Eventually, the Typhoon was brought down by German AA fire, at which point I considered trading in my pilot's wings for a bus ticket home. Still, at least we tried. Repeatedly. And failed. Repeatedly.

As the game wore on, our situation improved. Despite my earlier blunder, having my tank force bogged down by the 12th SS may have worked to our advantage in a weird, wargamer’s version of accidental genius. By engaging them early—though unintentionally—we blunted their ambush. Had they waited until we were fully committed down the centre, they'd have been shooting into our sides and rear armour. Instead, we faced them head-on and slowly but surely began knocking them out one by one.

By this point, we'd seriously depleted the German armour. The battlefield was littered with burning wrecks, and the Allies were (somewhat battered but still breathing) in control of key positions. Cruicially, there was nothing between us and our ultimate objective at Franqueville. With the game tipping firmly in our favour, Steve sensibly decided that the Germans would have withdrawn and conceded the ground.

Final Thoughts

Considering how the game started—with burning Shermans, a dead CO, and a failed airstrike—I don’t think Stuart or I saw victory on the cards. But that's the joy of wargaming: just when things look bleak, the dice throw you a lifeline, your opponent has a wobbly turn, and your Firefly remembers how to aim.

All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable game with good friends, great models, and more drama than a Sunday night war film. Rapid Fire Reloaded worked brilliantly, and I’m already itching to get it back on the table again... Minus the uncooperative Typhoon! Indeed, I'm considering how I can use these rules with my 6mm North Africa collection, which hasn't seen the light of day in many years. 

Until then, keep your dice high and your morale higher!

Struggling with rules: Watch This

Struggling to learn new wargame rules? You’re not alone—and in this video, I share my honest journey through the rulebook fog and how I finally found ways to make the rules stick. Whether you’re trying to grasp the basics of a new historical wargame or hoping to become confident enough to teach rules to your gaming group, this video is packed with practical tips and personal experiences to help.

 

Budget Terrain for our Retreat from Moscow Project

Recently, Ray and I spent a full day tackling a big part of our ongoing Retreat from Moscow tabletop wargaming project: creating a massive winter wargaming mat and winterising a collection of custom-built river terrain. The result was a dramatic snowy battlefield for a fraction of the cost of a commercial gaming mat, plus a set of icy rivers ready for Napoleonic misery. 

Rather than spending £100+ on a commercially available snow mat, we went down the DIY route using a large white fleece throw as our base. Fleece is a brilliant option for terrain builders—it’s lightweight, flexible, absorbs paint well, and drapes naturally over hills, books, or other sub-surface terrain features.

We laid the fleece out on a flat surface and began building up layers of paint. The goal was to replicate the subtle variations you get in real snow—areas of slush, icy shadows, windblown drifts, and patches of churned-up mud or earth. We used diluted grey, brown, and white emulsion, lightly sponged and brushed to avoid flattening the texture. The key to success here was patience. We worked in layers, letting each dry before adding the next. This not only gave the mat a convincing natural look but also helped prevent it from becoming stiff.

Once the mat was complete, we turned our attention to a set of river sections we’d commissioned some time ago from Last Valley, who do superb custom terrain. These rivers needed a serious cold-weather makeover to match our new snowy setting. We added sand and grit to add texture to the earth areas, and when dry, we painted them with Earth Brown. Then a quick drybrush of white emulsion added a frosty 'frozen earth' look. The last step was adding our snow mix and frost grass tufts. 

The fleece cost £20, and we probably spent about £50 on paint and tools, so this was significantly cheaper than buying a commercial battle mat. More importantly, it has been painted to our specific requirements and is 7ft by 7ft, ample for our needs. 

If you want to see the results for yourself, check out the YouTube Short! We packed the highlights of the process into a quick clip.

Is this HURTING Historical Wargaming?

Is this HURTING Historical Wargaming? In this video, we dive into a hot topic in the tabletop wargaming community: Do spectacular demo games at conventions and shows actually put off new players? Or are they a vital way to inspire and grow the hobby? This episode explores both sides of the debate with humour, honesty, and a deep love for the hobby.

Whether you're into historical wargaming, fantasy wargames, or sci-fi tabletop battles, if you've ever admired a jaw-dropping demo game at Salute, Partizan, or your local show, this discussion is for you. Are we unintentionally intimidating newcomers with massive armies, custom terrain, and “model railway” levels of spectacle? Or are we showing off the very best of what tabletop wargaming can be?

I share three key reasons why these games might discourage new players, and five strong reasons why I think they inspire and motivate both veterans and beginners alike. Plus, I  offer two essential tips for clubs and groups running demo games to make them more welcoming and effective.

Join the conversation in the comments and let us know what YOU think about spectacle in wargaming!

The Battle of Rivoli 1797 - Posties Rejects demo game at Broadside 2025

Yesterday I posted my photo review of the Broadside Wargames Show, which took place in Gillingham, Kent over the weekend. Posties Rejects were there in force to put on our annual demo game at the show. This year, we presented the Battle of Rivoli, 1797. I say 'we' but in actual fact it was entirely the work of Richard, a fellow member of Postie’s Rejects. He painted all the figures, built the terrain, designed the scenario and acted as umpire for an epic clash that wasn’t just a visual treat but a historically rich and tactically engaging experience for the players and onlookers alike. Check out my short video of the game for a close-up look at the miniatures and all of Richard's hard work. 

The battle he recreated, the Battle of Rivoli, was fought on January 14–15, 1797, during Napoleon Bonaparte’s first Italian campaign in the War of the First Coalition. Near the village of Rivoli Veronese in northern Italy, Napoleon’s Army of Italy faced a significant Austrian force under the command of Feldzeugmeister Jozsef Alvinczi. The Austrians were attempting to break the siege of Mantua, which had been under French pressure for months. Their plan involved a multi-pronged attack through the mountainous terrain north of Verona, with the hope of catching Napoleon’s forces by surprise and forcing them to retreat. However, what followed was one of Napoleon’s most famous early victories.

The French, numbering approximately 22,000 troops, occupied high ground near the Rivoli Plateau. Despite being outnumbered, Napoleon's mastery of terrain, timing, and tactical concentration enabled his smaller force to hold firm and repel around 28,000–30,000 Austrian troops. The Austrians attacked in multiple columns, hoping to converge on the French position, but coordination issues and the rugged terrain made this difficult. Napoleon reacted quickly, reinforcing critical points of the line and using his artillery to great effect. By the second day of the battle, French reinforcements under Generals Joubert and Masséna arrived, overwhelming the fragmented Austrian columns and forcing a general retreat. Austrian casualties numbered over 14,000, while the French lost around 5,000. The victory at Rivoli secured Napoleon’s control of northern Italy and led to the surrender of Mantua shortly afterwards, effectively ending Austria’s hopes of reclaiming the region.

For the demo game, Richard chose to represent the armies and battlefield in 6mm using laser-cut MDF miniatures from Commission Figurines. These figures, painted entirely by Richard himself, allowed for sweeping, realistic unit formations and gave the game an epic scale that larger figures often struggle to capture. The entire battlefield, terrain, and all the models on the table were part of Richard’s personal collection. He not only painted every figure and built the terrain from scratch, but also designed the scenario to reflect the key historical dynamics of the real battle. He also acted as umpire during several test games in the lead-up to Broadside, refining the balance and ensuring historical accuracy, and also ran the game on the day with help from other members of the Rejects.

The rules used for this demo were Volley & Bayonet, a well-established system ideal for large-scale battles like Rivoli. We have played these rules many times and have found them ideal for recreating large Napoleonic battles. The 6mm scale figures were especially effective for conveying the scope of the battle. With large brigades represented by compact but detailed bases, visitors to the show were able to appreciate the overall flow of the battle in a way that just wouldn't have been possible in larger scales. The terrain included rolling ridgelines, the Adige River valley, and the key plateau where the French made their stand. Everything was constructed and painted to a high standard, with Richard’s craftsmanship receiving frequent praise from passers-by. And many attendees commented on how effective 6mm MDF miniatures can be for portraying big battles when painted and based well, as these were. 

The game was a gripping and dynamic experience for those that took part. I spent most of the game circling the table and speaking to visitors ('working' the crowd😆) while several members of the group focused on the ebb and flow of the game.  In the version we played at Broadside, the Austrians once again struggled to coordinate their attacks effectively, though they managed a strong push on one flank before French reinforcements and the uncanny dice rolling skills of Chris dashed their hopes. 

Broadside Wargames Show 2025: Show Photo Review

Join me for a photo review of the 2025 Broadside Wargames Show, hosted by the Milton Hundreds Wargames Club in Gillingham, Kent. This popular annual tabletop wargaming event continues to grow in size and reputation, drawing gamers, traders, and clubs from across the UK. Although this is a partial photo review—as I was busy running a game with Postie’s Rejects—you’ll still get a glimpse of the stunning demo games, passionate wargamers, and bustling trader stalls that made the show so memorable.

Whether you're into historical miniatures, sci-fi skirmish games, or just love the energy of UK wargames conventions, Broadside is fast becoming a must-visit event in the tabletop gaming calendar. From detailed terrain layouts to beautifully painted armies, there’s plenty of inspiration here for miniature painters and wargame enthusiasts alike.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tabletop wargaming content, show reviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at events from a gamer’s perspective. 

#Broadside2025 #TabletopWargaming #WargamesShow #MiniatureWargaming #UKWargamingEvents

A Glorious Fortress of Lumens: The ULTIMATE lighting setup

Struggling to see the fine details while painting your historical wargaming miniatures? You are not alone! In this video, I dive deep into the best miniature painting desk lighting setup for hobbyists and historical miniature painters, especially those of us with maturing eyesight. 

Learn why lumens matter more than watts, how light temperature affects colour accuracy, and discover the best LED lamps, desk lights, and overhead softboxes for reducing shadows and improving your painting results. Whether you're painting 28mm Napoleonic miniatures, WW2 infantry, or Ancient Roman wargaming figures, the right lighting setup can make all the difference. 

Hit subscribe for more tips on historical tabletop wargaming, miniature painting tutorials, and hobby advice that grows with you!

Also, check out the Dragons Teeth Gaming Channel and the conversation I had with Rob Chat 20: The Future of Wargaming

#MiniaturePainting #WargamingHobby #DeskLightingTips #HistoricalMiniatures #ModelPaintingSetup

MEDIC!! Bent lances, broken bayonets and lost limbs

Broken miniatures ruining your game night? In this video, we explore the many ways tabletop miniatures—especially painted WWII wargaming models—can be damaged, and how to quickly repair them on the battlefield! Whether you’re a historical wargamer, miniature painter, or demo game organiser, you’ll learn essential emergency fix techniques using super glue, Blu-Tack, and tweezers to keep your army fighting.

From snapped rifles and missing heads to fragile resin poses and transport disasters, this light-hearted but practical guide is packed with miniature repair tips, hobby hacks, and wargaming wisdom. Ideal for fans of Bolt Action, Flames of War, or any 28mm scale wargame, this video also covers how to protect your miniatures during transport and gameplay—perfect for conventions, tournaments, or casual games at your local club.

The one rule every painter needs

After 40+ years of painting miniatures, I’ve discovered the ultimate game-changer: the Three-Foot Rule. In this video, I share why painting for tabletop gaming isn’t about perfection—it’s about making your miniatures look amazing from a distance. Whether you're painting Warhammer figures, historical wargaming miniatures, or fantasy armies, this method helps you paint faster, smarter, and still get stunning results.

Learn how to use contrast, simple colour schemes, and basing techniques to make your models pop—without spending hours on tiny details. Perfect for miniature painters, wargamers, and hobbyists who want to finish armies, not just showcase pieces. If you’re searching for miniature painting tips, how to paint faster, or tabletop wargaming painting hacks, you’re in the right place.

🎨 Like, comment, and subscribe for more hobby content!

#miniaturepainting #wargaming #paintingminiatures #tabletopgaming #warhammerpainting #historicalwargaming #paintingtips #threefootrule