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In this episode, Rex probes Dan for intelligence on his forthcoming Bolt Action event on September 27 & 28 in Christchurch, New Zealand; Operation Spring Awakening.

Dan expands on the event pack and scenarios that will be played and spills the beans on some of the details of the huge prize support he has received from his amazing event sponsors thus far!

Want to hear how the format works, what the scenarios are that will be played or how to register to walk away with a prize that's worth more than your entry fee?!?! Then join Dan and I for this primer on the event and then join us in September! 

Click on the image for the web player or find in your favourite podcast app.

The event pack can be found here:
https://digitalwelcomemat.com/valhallagames_net/files/SpringAwakening2025BoltActionEventPack.pdf

Newsflash:

Operation Spring Awakening Bolt Action wargame event being held on Sept 27th & 28th 2025 (near Christchurch, New Zealand) is now extended to 46 players maximum due to popular demand.

Here is some internet content that I found interesting. Bo Mortensen shows us how to magnetise our Panzerfausts so after you have had your one shot you can remove them. Make your forces more WYSIWYG without having to have a confusing array of spare minis in your next event and also give yourself more options you could have the Panzerfaust on a SMG guy, or a rifle for example.

See the video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKdlG1O6Fvo

Here is the latest batch of Waffen SS, I have pushed myself to do as good as I can do*. Its taken forever but I'm happy with the results. 2 batches down, only about 6 more to go!

Click on the preview below to see the full size image.

I sent this to Warlord games and got an official response, its a shame that they dint add it to the FAQ but I will bug them to do that. Didn't want to offend anyone so I have redacted certain bits below. Warlord ticket ID #208427

I'm not trying to start a war, its just a game after all. Just wanting to get to the bottom of how the rule is meant to work.

Hi Warlord, something came up in a game last night re, cavalry:

Rules say:
"A cavalry unit can dismount as part of any Advance move. Once dismounted, riders move and fight as infantry. Troops cannot remount once dismounted."

But it doesn't define what the dismounted is i.e. how far can they move as part of that dismount.

I assumed it was (could be) 6" from the horses that the infantry can move and then shoot because I got my butt kicked by cav multiple times in tournaments by multiple people moving the horse 9" then dismounting 6" and then shooting. [Redacted]. However when I tried to use last night the guys objected arguing that it doesn't specify in the rules and also its not like a vehicle/transport because there aren't two order dice one for the horses and one for men.

I looked for Cav stuff in the FAQ
Compared the wording to version 2 which I think is identical
looked at the V2 FAQ
searched every instance of the words cavalry and dismount in both PDF rulebooks

…and couldn't really find it defined specifically. It just says dismount.

The only other place it uses dismount (apart from bikes, motorbikes and cav which I assume are all the same) is vehicles so I assumed dismount means the same as its talked about and defined in detail in vehicles (which allows either a run or advance by the way). But again, my opponent proposes that its different because its not 2 order dice just one.

Can you give me a ruling please I'm stuck on this army building wise [Redacted]

[Redacted banter about wargaming in general]

To which warlord responded as below:

I went back for another go (perhaps because i am an IT guy and wee need ALL our ducks in a row) see below:

 No problem, REALLY appreciate the help.

OK good to know.

One clarification, might as well get to the final exact ruling, we know that they can't dismount as part of a run (18" for a horse) it can only be an advance.

I did assume that by saying "… as part of any advance move" the rules meant to allow either (at the players discretion):

1. the horse to advances 9" (perhaps including firing because it's an advance move?) then the guys to "get off" where they are (they just get off and replace the horses in the exact same position)

or

2. the guys to "get off" where they start the turn (…they just get off and replace the horses in the exact same position) the guys can then do their advance 6" and then fire

However you have indicated below that to do a dismount, the horse is unable to move (just the man) so just option 2 above and the word 'any' is a bit of a red hearing? I'm I understanding that correctly?

...Warlords final response:

Join Dan as he tells the story of the 'Watch on the Waimak' Bolt Action third edition event held in Christchurch New Zealand in March 2025 ( 'he' also says 'Doh!' as I realise I stated the panzerbuchse rule incorrectly- although I played it properly in the games- apologies! -Dan)

Sounds like it was a fun event full of of interesting Bolt Action twists and turns, great tables and many, many half-tracks, ...and yes Rex is jealous that he didn’t get to go.

Don't miss the, discussion about cavalry rules, will the real cavalry rules please step forward!

View the accompanying images here:
https://www.valhallagames.net/index.php/watch-on-the-waimak-event

See the detail about cavalry rules here:
https://www.valhallagames.net/index.php/bolt-action-cavalry-rules

Episode 32 wont be far behind. 

Listen in this episode in your podcast app or click here or on the image below to listen in the web player.

Home made hot wire foam cutter 1.35m wide powered by 2 cordless drill batteries. Made by my brother in law, very inspiring makes me want to start making terrain tiles immediately! Hopefully he will lend it to me.

YouTube Video recap of Dan's Blood Upon the Risers event held in Christchurch December 2024, enjoy.

I painted something (yes amazing but true), challenging and still refining the process but happy with the result so far. 

Hard to know how far to go, but once you start paining the black rotting spots on your hand painted fallen autumn leaves (in 2 colours) I feel like its time to move on... ????. Need to start batch painting now the test models are done.

 Running repairs, all 8 wheels broke off my Jeeps at the last event ????. That's the disadvantage of having perfection in scaling. Those little parts don't work when wargamers go brumm brumm 

 Bolt Action third edition eBook and PDF now available.

If anyone's considering the Bolt Action third edition eBook version here is a screenshot of what it looks like on the PC. It's fully searchable nicely laid out and generally just a fantastic presentation of what will hopefully be a great rule set. If you have ever experienced a GW fixed layout eBook this is NOT that!!

It's also available as PDF 'eBook' version so make sure you get the one you want.

Ebook (Mobi and Epub)
https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/bolt-action-third-edition-9781472863805/

PDF (sort-of-an-ebook, but fixed pages. Does not re-flow on a smaller device but looks exactly like the printed rules… I assume)
https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/bolt-action-third-edition-9781472863829/

If you're like me and you don't enjoy reading books with small text or if you just like to read on the run or have your eBook reader speak the text aloud while you're driving or mowing the lawn then this is a great choice. I got mine direct from the osprey web store for US$35, and after a couple of hour delay of error messages (something about watermarking) I have now successfully downloaded and transferred to my phone.

Finished my last V2 game 48 hours ago and now tooled up for Version 3 with 2 hard cover rulebooks, one softcover and an eBook (yeah don't ask…!), bring it Bolt action V3!

Its hyperlinked as well...

Soviet Gaz jeeps, 3d Printed and painted by me (work in process) love the appropriate passengers, also being able to print them out at the exact 1/56 size is soothes me as well.

Just purchased a restock of various Vallejo paints, imagine how cranky I was when 70.922 is now 'a completely different colour'...

However the difference is the new actual bottle by the looks of things. See below the 2 colours (sorry one not mixed fully). They look pretty similar to me. Thanks the paint gods. Go back to your seats nothing to see. :-) 

First successful attempt at contrast paint. In fantasy for Warhammer: the old world Thanks Ian for the modified slapchop method

We just had a long weekend and I wanted to do something completely frivolous. Here it is, my forest base version 2. Just needs some anti shine clear coat and its done.

Video to follow (...eventually)

With everything I have half finished makes sense to... start a whole new theater of operations.

Armed with my book Painting War 3: WWII Japan & USA Armies i'm looking forward to just painting rather then spending weeks on the research phase.

It's Official! Bolt Action: Third Edition Lands September 2024:

https://warlord-community.warlordgames.com/bolt-action-third-edition-september-2024/

As a build up to me rewatching A Bridge Too Far movie (which really is a true story) with mates in a few weeks time I thought I would post a few interesting facts about the movie (no spoilers). Comment below (and chose "Subscribe to this blog post") and I will update the chat with interesting titbits over the next few weeks.

​A Bridge Too Far is a classic war film that was released in 1977. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the movie depicts the Allied attempt to capture several strategically important bridges in the Netherlands during World War II. Based on Cornelius Ryan's best-selling book of the same name, A Bridge Too Far features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Anthony Hopkins.

This gripping film not only provides a thrilling account of a major military operation, but also offers a deeper exploration of the human cost and sacrifices made during wartime. With its powerful storytelling, intense battle sequences, and rich characterization, A Bridge Too Far has become a beloved war movie that continues to captivate audiences to this day. (content borrowed from https://facts.net, I'm sure they won't mind... :-/ )

"The Eagle has landed" one of my all time favourite war movies (and books) is 100% true after all... After so much wanting this to be a 'based on fact' story for so long I'm pleased to announce that on the strength of this book cover I consider this irrefutable proof that it is in fact a true story and Jack Higgins had inside information all along.

... at least I'm 40% sure.