French & Indian War

The game last week with the Southern Strategists at the Redwood Redoubt gave me reason to celebrate. It was the first 28mm French & Indian War game that we have put on and also proved a personal milestone for me as it was the first time my British and French SYW troops got to experience combat. Some of my units had been painted and based for a number of years and after managing to survive a 7.1 magnitude earthquake where my figure cabinets smashed to the floor, they still remained languishing in my new cabinets until now.

Another reason to celebrate was the unveiling of a frontier stockade and blockhouse that had been scratch built by Rodger Wood, one of our resident terrain experts. He's made a great job of putting it together and I felt a bit guilty after he had told me he had spent two weeks building it after I had jokingly suggested that he make one. The fort is now residing at the Mess due to limited terrain space at the Redoubt....bugger! I'm sure it will see plenty of action in the years to come.

Rodger's frontier fort and French colonial artillery battery

The fort manned by a battalion of Compagnie Franches

A battalion of the La Reine regiment marching to the rescue

The 42nd Foot advancing through the woods

A warband of Mohawks about the deal to Canadian militia

A battalion of Compagnie Franches supported by French colonial artillery and a battalion of the Royal Rousillon regiment.

The Royal Rousillon and artillery exchange a series of volleys with the Highlanders

A view of the action from the blockhouse of the fort

The British force moving towards the fort

A view of the action just before the Royal Rousillon battalion was destroyed in their first engaement

The 1st Foot and 48th Foot refuse to advance after twice being ordered forward. Hardly an auspicious start to their military career!

A birds-eye view of the layout

As my thesis and book writing is taking precedent over painting figures at the moment I thought I would publish some shots of my troops in their first action on the superb terrain layout that was put together by Rodger, Gavin and Geoff. All the photos were taken by Rodger, our resident photographic war correspondent. A report of the game can be found on the Southern Strategists' blog:

http://southern-strategists.blogspot.com