INWarD 2026

It's hard to believe but this year is the tenth International Naval Wargaming Day on Thursday 6th August. I've been playing a naval wargame of some description almost every year since the beginning of INWarD, apart from the last couple of years when I couldn't fit one in, so it would be rude not to celebrate the ten year anniversary with a Napoleonic Naval fleet action. This was what I planned to do last year, so I will dig out my scenario and brush up on the rules, either Grand Fleet Actions in the Age of Sail or Far Distant Ships, although the latter seems most appropriate for the occasion! 

The Battle of Quiberon Bay 1759

We went down to see some of the French relatives in Quiberon yesterday, which was a very enjoyable thing to do, especially as my wife's uncle took us out on his boat around the bay after lunch. Despite getting a bit soggy, this was great fun and, as you'd expect, started me thinking about wargaming the battle. Rather than 1/2400th scale, which would require a lot of time and cost, I was wondering about switching to 1/4800th scale for the mid-1700's, including the Seven Years War and War of Independence. The Tumbling Dice 1/4800th scale range is very nice and also requires no assembly, so much quicker and cheaper for large fleet actions. I'll have to work out what I need but this is another potential project to expand my Age of Sail wargaming this year. 

Napoleonic Naval Royal Fleet Box Fillers

 

A few more heavy weights for the Royal Navy yesterday, designed to fill up the gaps in my fleet storage box. These are, from left to right, HMS Neptune (98), HMS Tonnant (80), HMS Bellerophon, HMS Elephant and HMS Defence (74). I have a cut off of c1800 for my fleet, so all of these were in service on or around that point. To fill the remaining slots in the box I'm going to add some fourth rates and perhaps a couple more third rates, if I can squeeze them in, after which my focus will switch to playing some actual games. 

Napoleonic Naval Fleets Change of Tack

After some tinkering about I have decided to adapt my plans and use some of the 1/2400th Tumbling Dice models that I allocated to the Spanish to expand my Royal Navy fleet. These include an additional 98 gun second rate, some 74 gun third rates and some 64 gun fourth rates, so primarily ships of the line rather than frigates. These will fill up half of my storage box, leaving a tray free for a reduced number of Spanish ships, which I will tackle a bit later than originally planned. I've also ordered some extra models to replace the ones I've reallocated and to add another pair of second rates to the Royal Navy fleet, including HMS Victory. 

Eject! Eject!

The next book on the holiday reading list is this one, written by ex-RAF Tonka pilot, John Nichol, who has penned some surprisingly good historical books in the past, given that he is not an academic or professional historian. I really enjoyed Tail End Charlies, The Red Line and Lancaster, all three of which focused on Bomber Command operations, so I'm looking forward to something slightly different with this one. 

Broadsides and Glory Play Test

I've been given the opportunity to play test a new set of naval fast play rules for frigate actions devised by David Manley of Long Face Games, aptly titled Broadsides and Glory. I have a free weekend, so will set up a simple scenario between two frigates from my 1/2400th scale selection of models, probably including the 44 gun fifth rate razee frigate, HMS Anson, using the template for HMS Indefatigable, as the rules draft includes the latter record sheet. I'll write up a post action report and hopefully be able to provide some useful feedback for the author as well. 

Mosquito

I've almost finished this and it is far more than I expected it to be, not just a book about the aircraft, air crew or operations, but a detailed account of the Danish resistance movement as well. If you've read some of Rowland White's other books you will be familiar with his narrative style, interweaving the text with first hand accounts, historical and contextual details, but also shifting to and fro between the chronological timeline and different elements of the background story. All very interesting, if quite long winded and lacking in focus at some points along the way. A really worthwhile read if you don't mind a bit of a ramble. 

North West Frontier Family History

 

I've just stumbled upon this excellent website which includes an account of No.39 Squadron RAF and its operations on the North West Frontier in the late 1930's. This is all very interesting as my grandfather flew as a Flight Sergeant with No.39 Squadron at the time and is referenced in the article, both as an experienced pilot and in a photograph of 'B' Flight, in which the author's father also flew as a fellow NCO. How incredible that they actually flew to together, not just in the same squadron but the same flight and even the same aircraft on one occasion! Needless to say I've contacted the author for more information!

 https://fatherflying.com/north-west-frontier-of-india/

Napoleonic French Fleet Frigates

A slow day but here are the additional fifth rate frigates for La Royale, all of which are the Tumbling Dice ASN10 model from the 1/2400th scale range. The two newly built models are both Coquille class 40 gun frigates, Sirene and Themis, while the one I had in the spares box will either be their sister ship Franchise or the 36 gun L'Insurgent. Ooh La La! 

Winchester Shieldwall

The local club is involved in this event, which looks like a very exciting opportunity to explore some early medieval wargaming in a historical context, especially as Ryan Lavelle is involved. I'm not taking a role in the club contribution, which frees me up to join in with the other games assuming I can get hold of a ticket. I'm particularly interested in Mark's Chivalry and Honour game, which sounds very good and might even give me a boot to get my 2mm Hundred Years War project back up and running. It's all literally on my doorstep too, so no excuse not to get involved, even if my wargaming interests have never really focused on the period, despite having studied it for my first degree (in the very same place!)

http://www.ryanlavelle.net/winchestershieldwall.html