Rome vs Carthage

 

A few says ago, Bob Black visited with the aim of employing my 54mm Punic War figures in a Command and Colors Ancients battle.  The figures were laid out on the table and quite impressive they look, Rome on the right, Carthage on the left:

A view from the opposite direction:

The Carthaginian army consisted of a significant number of Spanish infantry and cavalry, African heavy infantry, Numidian light infantry and cavalry, as well as several units of Gallic warbands and cavalry. They also had an elephant (which neither of had worked out how to use).

Carthage began the action with Numidian light cavalry and skirmishers moving quickly forward to engage the Roman first line:

The left flank:

The right flank:

Bob's plan to ride down my skirmish line was largely ineffective as Roman heavy cavalry crushes the Numidian light horse and then ploughs into some Spanish light infantry.

Over on the opposite flank more Carthaginian cavalry join the fray.  Here the Numidians do better, supported by some medium mercenary cavalry, which moments later are destroyed on Roman spears.

The same fate befalls the Numidians on the right flank as Roman cavalry pushe them back.

Some of the Roman skirmishers do fall, but the Spanish light are destroyed.

In another wave, Numidian light infantry shower Roman auxiliary archers with javelins, but with little effect.  However the lightly clad Numidians suffer from Roman arrows. 

The Numidian cavalry on the right rush forward again and are met by Roman cavalry.  This tussle would go on for much of the battle, with the Numidians slowly pushed back.

Having resisted the Carthaginian skirmisher's attack it was the turn of the Romans to harry their enemy.  The Romans were more successful causing a lot of damage to their opposite numbers.

The battle swung back and forth in the centre as waves of skirmishers fight it out, however, Roman medium infantry move up in large numbers and sweep the lighter enemy away

Roman infantry pushing into the centre:

Bob, decides that it is time to unleash his Gallic warbands:

...... and having carefully studied the rules, launches his elephant, with great success.  Roman medium infantry are scattered as the beast ploughs forward:

On the other flank Bob's Spanish heavy cavalry charge into the Roman horse causing mayhem.

The Roman heavy cavalry is destroyed:

But these attacks are not enough to stem the tide of retreating Carthaginians.  Most of Bob's cavalry and the bulk of his light troops flee the field cause a rout (brought on by lunch being ready).  Bob concedes victory with a score of 9 - 4 to the Romans.

This was a great game.  The rules are excellent, although we did get a few things wrong, which might have changed the outcome a bit.  

Till next time.

HaT Carthaginian Afican Heavy Infantry

 The latest and the last  last contribution to my 54mm ancient armies for the time being, are these rather splendid African infantry from HaT.  

It took me a long time to find these figures as they are long out of production.  Eventually, I located some in Italy, which were a reasonable price, although the postage price was somewhat eye watering.

This latest batch completes my Carthaginian army, which will take to the field when Bob Black visits tomorrow:

Some more Ancients

 Last night, I finished off a group of Italeri Celts.  They were really nice to paint, with sharp definition and very clean lines.  

I also managed to find a small group of the elusive HaT African Infantry for my Carthaginian army.  This was really a test paint as I have now found a complete box of these figures which are already on the painting table.  I may repaint these as I think the armour should be bronze rather than leather and the shields look a bit bland:

Finally, four Romans came with the Carthaginians and they have received a splash of paint:

Numidian Cavalry

 I have now finished the Carthaginian forces with the last unit coming off the production line.  These are 1/32 HaT light cavalry figures, again painted using speed paints:

I now have a whole pile of primed and based Roman figures that I have begun to work through. The first batch should be completed in a day or two.

African Infantry

 The other half of the HaT African Light Infantry set is complete and ready for the table.  Not brilliant results this time, but will do if viewed from a couple of feet away!

More Punic War 54mm Figures

 Speed paints are allowing me to produce a unit every 24 hours or so.  I have a bit of a production line with a unit being based and primed, while another is being painted. Off the conveyor belt today is a unit of Italian allied infantry:

And some African light infantry.  Their grey tunics are supposed to be off white, but the Speed Paint comes out as a murky grey colour.  I am not too happy with the way the paint has gone on to the shields, looking a bit blotchy.  I think the reason for the latter is a different primer.  I ran out of my trusty Halfords white and the alternative was a bit glossy which may explain the result.

Off to Halfords tomorrow to replenish socks!

54mm Punic Wars Spanish

 Another Speed Paint project.  These are 54mm Spanish infantry from HaT Industrie.

Based and primed on Saturday, painted yesterday this group of 16 HaT figures joins the ranks of my Carthaginian War figures.  I used Speed Paint washes over matt white primer.  The figures were touched up with acrylic metallic colours:

Punic Wars - Wofun Style

I have always wanted to have a go at some ancient battles, particularly the Punic Wars.  The problem is that, with all of my other interests, I have never been able to put together a painted army.  I had seen Wofun figures on other blogs, so I thought I would take a look.

I have opted for the 18mm version of the Punic Wars starter set.  It consists of the two armies, Roman and Carthaginian.  Setting up, took a couple of hours as each group of figures needs to be eased out of the Perspex sheet and then attached by clipping in to an MDF base, which is pre-coloured. So seting up is quick and easy, although I managed to break a few figures with my fat fingers.

This is what they look like; the Romans:

And the Carthaginians:

Overall the set does provide two reasonable armies, however, at 18mm I find it quite hard to work out what the figures are and I have written a description on the underside of the bases. This may prove a problem in a game.  I do not like the white outline created by the Perspex and I may paint all the edges in black.

The jury is out.