As a roundup for the end of year, I present some pics (from the hundreds that I have taken) from a few road-trips during the latter part of the period. Now these are related to sites (existing and speculative) related to the Williamite Wars in Ireland 1689-91 (War of the Three Kings - Uncle Jimmy 'n' Billy 'n' that French guy Louie); so in some cases you might see a field, with some commentary, but it's all good.
There may be some truth to the rumour that there might be a battlefield touring company emerging off the back of these reconnaissance trips...
Original accounts of the Siege of Derry in the Cathedral
We got to see the business end of the tools, up close
Walking the walls
You may see a random street, but this is the point where defenders at Derry took a shot at King James from the walls, after he advanced in apparent ignorance of Richard Hamilton's previously made deal of no Jacobite advances upon the city ...at least until the defenders had had had a think about surrendering. After this, 'no surrender' became a thing, and still is. (You can also see the old gaol in the distance).
Near Culmore Fort and not far from the position of the Jacobite boom across the river
Moving to Athlone, and the castle in very good state of repair. We had a great reception here.
Now this is a field at Aughrim - granted - but very hard to get to this position without a gracious farmer's permission. What you are actually looking at is Ginkel's view from Urraghy Hill across to the Jacobite lines on the ridge in front. He would have to cross that bog, under cannon fire, and then assault the Jacobite positions,,,
One of the maps at the Aughrim site
Now to the Battle of the Boyne - the crossing point used by Dutch Guards at the start of the battle. The River has changed subtly and there has been some drainage in the area in the succeeding years, but still not an easy proposition...
Crossing point further downstream - Hugenots and Northern Irish would have crossed around here
A helpful map
Again - it looks like a field - but this is the centre of the Jacobite cavalry assaults, and not actually a focus for the local museum (but it should be). Jacobite cavalry attacked from here, down that hill toward Williamite positions for most of the day, repulsed again and again, using this area as a rallying point. The Duke of Berwick (later at Almanza during the WSS) and Richard Hamilton (later a mentor for the old Pretender) both in action and leading cavalry here.
Crossing the Nanny River - French battalions sat on this hill and prevented Williamite cavalry running down the retreating Jacobites - and yes, that's all they did. Damned if Louis was going to allow French troops to get shot up - the very thought of it :O
Now this one requires a lot more investigation. This is the Bloody Pass near the Battle ofNewtownbutler. The water level was ten feet higher in 1689. A lot more to come on this one. A large mass grave is just off to the left.
Inishfendra Island looking north to Crom Castle. Galmoy sat here in March 1689 - then Mountcashel in July, and there is some evidence to suggest that a garrison was left here during the battle and the myth of the Bloody Pass is thereby related. More of that investigation to come.
Inishfendra was also used as barracks for elements of the US 8th Infantry Division during the Second World War- stationed at Crom Castleand vicinity from December 43 to June 44, when they were deployed for D-Day (this photo taken in front of the 'new'Crom Castle- probably in 1944). There is some evidence of trenchworks on Inishfendra, probably used for training, and in good condition. (The condition and design would suggest these works are not related to earlier C17th engagements).
A few more trips are planned, and it looks like, with business trips now ended, Le Duc can now focus on that proper history stuff...
Another Christmas bash with the guys, and a dusting off of the modern Sabre Squadron rules.
These were published a few years ago, have some echoes of WRG 80s sensibilities - combined with modern D10 systems, and still give a good game.
The scenario, prepped by Stephen, was roughly based on a Command Decision scenario for the Battle of Chinese Farm (which we've covered before), then bath-tubbed to the 1;1 armour scale of Sabre Squadron.
Some excellent terrain from Steve - as the sun goes down across the sands...
Another great game, and with superb 12mm models and kit from the guys' collections.
Israeli units on the start-line - a company of infantry and a company of armour
Lovely M48s
Egyptian units defend the ridgeline to the left of pic, the river represents the irrigation ditches at Chinese Farm; Israeli units will attack across the open ground, albeit with some cover for infantry due to folds in the ground.
...some lovely terrain on show for the BUA
T55s - in hull down position - not something we see a lot of...
Egptian units in the wadi/irrigation ditch
Though not particularly dangerous looking, these 4x Egyptian Sagger ATGW units would create absolute carnage. Lessons learned re. blinding them with smoke and/or suppressing them with MGs...
I mentioned the Sagger carnage, right?
T55s, at the ridgeline, will not last long - facing accurate Israeli long range fire
Infantry in the ditch - remember - these are 12mm scale
Israeli units take a lot of damage from the T55s however, before countering strongly
On the Egyptian left, Israeli units are being stymied by Sagger fire, while making some inroads on the right
The Israeli left - where a concerted attack goes in, but Recoiless Rifle fire, and surviving T55s firing at long range - with the addition of re-routed artillery missions, make a massive hole.
A lott of brewed up T55s
Though by the same token, Centurions are not faring well either, and now dismounted Israeli infantry comes under fierce artillery barrage, pining them for several desperate turns...
...will the same thing happen on the Israeli left?
30mm AA gun takes out infantry in the open...
Some Egyptian reserves, having a cigarette...it was 1973, it's allowed...
The attack on the Israeli right halted...
...and on the left, supressed harshly with artillery and RR fire
By game end, the Israeli attack had run out of steam, with some units stuck, and others withdrawing - though the Egyptians had also lost 75% of their tank force. Saggers had made a massive difference.
A very good scenario, and Sabre-Squadron gives a good game. It doesn't have the glitz perhaps of '7 days' but certainly covers all the bases that a modern set needs.
(I have been looking for an excuse to get 'Rock the Casbah' on a blog post for so long now...)
