Work on the terrain (part 1)

We have started to design the tables for this venture. The initial thing to do when starting a project is to look at maps and images that you can get hold of. In this case its a little harder as there is not to many of them available for this battle.  However Mike found one and sent it through to me.

From this we then need to identify the area of the main battle and take this as the base to work from.

With the area selected, we need work out our table size.

We use a graphic package and overlay a grid to see how this relates on the ground using our desired table size which for the demo game will be 8ft x 6ft.

We then adapt the map to make it more war game friendly, in this case we cleaned the image of units and adjusted the forest area a little. This will allow a little more movement room around the table perimeter ( for flanking). Further adjustments will be made as we start construction of the table, the river on the table edge will end up being 6 to 8 inches wide. The main issue in construction will be the usability of the table after the event and when we raffle or sell them off.

We have settled on making 8 (3ft x 2ft) sections, This will give us 4 tables after the event each (4ft x 3ft) by bolting two sections together. This will make them easily transportable and easy for the winners to take them home. We still have some decisions to make regarding the overall finish of the woodlands possibly the most costly part of this build considering the number of trees we will need.

I will use the blog to document the build throughout the course of this project so stay tuned for more work in progress updates.

Terrain Build and Miniatures Fully Sponsored

We have a sponsor for the terrain build.

As some of you may be aware I am a senior partner in a terrain company and as such have negotiated to cover the terrain build, paying any relevant costs as necessary. I have done this so we can raise as much as possible for the two charities and not have to cover large expenses. Don't let this stop you from donating to our fund though (see the donate button on the right) as it means much more will go directly to the charities. Please take a moment to click the link above and visit the site to see examples of the quality of work that can be expected.

I am also pleased to announce that all the miniatures for this project are being given freely by Andrew at AW Miniatures for this project. A most generous gift indeed . So please take a moment to visit his site and check out his French Indian wars Ranges for yourselves.

                                                                                                                                                          

Andrew will also be sculpting more miniatures to complement his existing ranges and specifically for us to complete the project as well.

Finally I would like to Thank each and everyone of you who have kindly donated to this project already, we are all really pleased at the level of generosity and offers of help we have received since we started this venture.

A Pleasure to be here.

Hi everyone.
Just thought I would also introduce myself.
Kev here from http://kevswargamescabin.blogspot.co.uk/

Another ugly bugger that no matter of plastic surgery could put right.

 I was asked by James and Andy to get involved and like Andy it took me seconds to say yes.
What a great idea for a couple of great causes.
Being a great fan of the "Muskets & Tomahawks" rule set, I thought what a great way to showcase the rules and the periods it covers.
I was never really interested in the "French Indian War", the later "American War of Independence" was  always my preferred period from the colonies at this time.
The "Seven Years War" has always been a favorite period of mine and a period I game often, it has surprised myself that I really ignored the "FIW" for so long.
I have to thank the "M&T" rule set for enlightening me onto this period in our history (& also great that a lot of my AWI stuff can be used in the games).
I have played a lot of "M&T" now and really love it.
Anybody looking for a great set of skirmish rules, cannot go wrong with these.
It has been some years since I was last involved with a demo game a "Triples", and I am looking forward to this and hopefully raising loads of cash  for the two charities we have chosen.
I will be involved with the painting and the gaming, and whatever James wants me to get involved in.
I may also post some random stuff on here about getting your hands in your pockets, haha. or getting involved in the project.
The response so far has been fantastic and really does show the world that Wargamers and bloggers are a great bunch of people.
It's great to see the support we have already from the industry, Warbases, AW Miniatures, Terra Firma Studio's and now,  Flags of War.
A super response and massive thankyou for your help with this.
I myself consider it a honour to be here and involved with this.

Eyre Massy Commander British Forces at La belle Famille

 

Looking into the British Commander in this battle has been a real eye opener, when he commanded at La Belle Famille Eyre was well in to his 60 year military service. In a time when most people never left their own county he travelled the world with the army. When he finished his service he returned to his home county of Limerick, where he became the first Lord Clarina.

"Nor yet blessed city is that worth no more,

Which first in fighting fields thy sons did claim,
Lo! Coote's strong arm controls the Indian shore,
And Niagara roam thy Massy's name. "

(An Address to Limerick)

 

The above was written in the 1760s by the Limerick poet Daniiel Hayes and refers to our Eyre Massy.

This and the information found below have been taken from The Old Limerick Journal written by Matthew Potter.

http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/Media,4111,en.pdf

 

Eyre Massy purchased a commission in the army in 1739, and thus began a military career that lasted for over sixty years. he joined the 27th Foot, known as the Enniskillings, and became a Lieutenant in the Grenadiers. Massy had no sooner received his commission than he found himself on active service in war time. The year 1739 saw the outbreak of war between Britain and Spain. This conflict was known as the War of Jenkins Ear. It soon merged into a major war involving most of the European powers. It was but one of a series of wars which had begun in 1689, and were to continue until 1815. This second "Hundred Years War" was essentially a struggle for world domination between Britain and France, but various conflicts between the powers of continental Europe were also bound up in it. The stakes were very high - at issue was the future of North America, India and other parts of the world where the two great powers and their allies were opposed. The titanic struggle ended in 1815 and resulted in vast areas of the globe coming under the sway of the Anglo-Saxon powers.

Massy saw action in two of the most important of these struggles, the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48) and the Seven Years War (1756-63). These were in the nature of world wars, with fighting in North America, the West Indies and India, as well as in Europe. In 1739, the British Government intended to attack and conquer large parts of the Spanish- American Empire. To this end, a fleet commanded by Admiral Edward Vernon set out for the Caribbean. In November 1739, Vernon and his forces captured the important city of Portobello in Panama. The 27th Foot, including Massy, played an important role in this battle, which was regarded as a great victory for the British forces. Massy and the other survivors returned to Britain in December 1740. In 1745-6, he served with his regiment in Scotland. Prince Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, had raised the Jacobites in rebellion, and the British Government sent a strong army to Scotland to crush the threat. This force was commanded by William, Duke of Cumberland, a son of George 11. Cumberland's army decisively defeated the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and the rebellion collapsed. Massy was wounded in the battle. His bravery attracted the attention of the Duke, who became his patron. In 1747, Cumberland promoted Massy to the rank of Captain- Lieutenant and it was due to the Duke's influence that he became Captain in 1751 and Major in 1755.

 

In 1756, the Seven Years War broke out. The most important theatre of war in the early stages of this conflict was North America, and Massy was sent there in 1757 as a Major in the 46th Foot. In 1758, he became Lieutenant-Colonel of this regiment. The following year was the decisive one in the North American campaign. The British invaded New France (Canada), the main French colony in North America, in force. An army commanded by General Wolfe captured Quebec, the largest city in Canada. A second force, commanded by Major- General Jeffrey Amherst, was sent to capture Fort Niagara, near the famous Niagara Falls. This move was intended to cut off Canada from the France's other great American colony, Louisiana. Massy was in command of the 46th Regiment, which formed part of Amherst's army.

His role in the decisive battle of La Belle Famille, fought near Fort Niagara on 24th July 1759, is a matter of some conjecture. His own account of this crucial episode in his career is set forth in the far from modest "Memorial of his Services", which is a very subjective account of his military career. He claims that he commanded the British forces and their allies in this battle and masterminded the victory against the French. The British army consisted of a force of 500 men from the 46th Regiment plus some Indians. The French army was much larger, consisting of 1,800 French and French-Canadians, and 500 Indians. The battle was hard fought, but the British emerged victorious, capturing all of the French officers except one, who managed to make good his escape. Fort Niagara surrendered soon after, and the whole of the Upper Ohio fell into British hands.

Massy claimed that this was the first engagement since the outbreak of the war in which the Indians were defeated. However, the standard accounts of the battle do not credit Massy with the victory. The actual commander of the army and architect of its success was another Irishman, Sir William Johnson. Shortly after the fall of Fort Niagara, Massy requested a transfer back to his old regiment, the 27th Foot. During the campaign of 1760, he commanded the grenadiers. His superior , General Amherst, led the British forces out of Oswego, New York, and sailed down the St Lawrence River to capture Montreal.

Blocking the way was the French stronghold of Fort Levis (now Chimney Island, New York). There the Battle of the Thousand Islands was fought, resulting in another British victory. Massy took part in this last battle fought by the French in defence of New France.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyre_Massey

Painters required

I know some of you have already contacted James about helping out and he has passed on the emails to me.

I am going to be coordinating the painting requirements for the project.

Therefore if you would like to help us paint up the troops please email me directly.
Lokis - Great - Hall (remove the spaces between the dashes) at hotmail dot co dot uk.

We can accommodate those that wish to paint a single figure to a full unit 12 figures. If you are worried your painting standard is not up to the job, we can guide you through with helps and tips. We can provide painting guides for the units. Skype link up can be arranged and 1 to 1 painting sessions if needed. If you only want to block the base colours this is acceptable and we can finish them off.

All basing will be carried out by me to maintain a uniformity and to match the terrain we will be making. So you don't have to worry about that.

Once I have the volunteers for this side of the project I will dispatch the figures and email you all with a time scale for their return. Our only request as this is a charity project is that you pay for the return postage costs of the figures, The postage costs for sending the figures is being covered by one of our sponsors.

Thank you for taking the time to follow this project.

History Overview (F&IW)

French Indian War from Shannon Beyer

And So it Grows

Good morning Bloggers,
                                         It has been just a little over a week since this blog went live and an idea became a plan. First I want to say a big thank you to all who have taken time to link their own blogs to this one and those who have given shout outs on their own blogs. I think if I ever doubted this was an idea you would get behind this week has blown that away. I have had people take the time to donate (see top right) and others who have had big things going on in real life but still taken time out to comment /share and interact with me and this blog.
  It is not just bloggers that have been emailing me yesterday I heard from Iain from Flags Of War  I hope he does not mind me sharing this email.
""Hey guys,

Just seen the details of this and think it's a great idea. I know it's a
skirmish but if you need any flags for your Units just let me know and
they are yours. I do all the flags for the FIW.

Iain""

I can say right now that we will be making sure all our Regular troops will be carring unit standards. I plan to do a few posts over the year giving a little history about the units involved in this battle and hopefully (if I can find it) information about the Commanders involved.

We are already getting a long list of Bloggers/gamers lining up to offer painting skills but we still want as many to get involved as possible. If you might be holding back because you do not feel you can paint whole units please be assured we have several individuals who will need painting. If you worry that your painting is not good enough do not hold back I am more that happy to help anyone with advice and tips and I can even offer 1-on-1 painting sessions if you do not live to far away or can get to a local wargames show. TBH I would even be happy to use the internet (Skype etc) to offer help and advice. If you still feel underskilled another option is to paint the block colors on the figures and send them back where we will finish them off for you. I guess I am trying to say do not hold back if you want to help we will find some thing for you to do.

Once again Thank you one and all for taking up this idea and runing with it.
Peace James

Its easy to do so why don't you?