Podcast EP8: "A new hope"

It is a period of total war; Allied armies, landing in hidden locations in Normandy on D Day attempt to win their first Western European battles against the evil Nazi empire... A short time later, Soviet forces strike through Romania and into Hungary, and advance onto Fortress Budapest...

If this was scrolling up the screen and had a princess escaping stormtroopers and Vader this couldn't get any more exciting!!

Join both Dan and Rex as we look back on the D Day 75th and Fortress Budapest Events respectively. We also do a hobby round up and our usual segments.

We hope you enjoy this and remind you to check out both our blog and Youtube channel.

Thanks for listening check out the show notes here.

Subscribe by searching for valhallagames (one word) in your podcast app or click on the link below for the web player.

I have uploaded my Soviet winter paint recipe here. I'm not the best painter in the world but if this helps someone then great.

The face of war? Or is it? This popular photo depicts a young solider overcome with fear in the trenches but is it for real or not? Its black & white so it must be real...

I understand that this is a scene from a movie called "The Bridge" (a 1959 film made in West Germany), its been used a few times to demonstrate the horror of war but only once have I seen reference to it being from a movie and not a real historical photo.

Regardless, it's chilling image.

Rex's Fortress Budapest Day photos, yes I may have overdone it a bit with the photos perhaps quantity makes up for the quality, tricky in a dark room. A couple I "borrowed" from the bolt action Aust/NZ web page also where mine weren't great quality. 

Set 1 is my game 1, set 2 is my game 2 and the final set is general terrain and other peoples games.

[Click on the thumbnail images below to display the higher resolution images in a slideshow kind of format]

Set 1:  (my game 1)

[Click on the thumbnail images below to display the higher resolution images in a slideshow kind of format] 

Set 2: (My game 2)

[Click on the thumbnail images below to display the higher resolution images in a slideshow kind of format] 

Set 3: (General photos and terrain)

[Click on the thumbnail images below to display the higher resolution images in a slideshow kind of format] 

 Rex's winter Soviets; Hobby update #3 Deep snow plus bonus indirect fire... still not there yet but close. Click on the image for the full sized version.

WWII Kreigsfischkutter 28mm/1:56 by Titan Terrain NZ (for Bolt Action?)

Join Dan as he reviews and shows off one of his current projects, and we compare it for scale vs. some Kriegsmarine minis. Find Titan Terrain NZ here; https://www.titanterrain.nz/category/... Highly Recommended product and company to deal with! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask below.

The "next" D-Day campaign book is listed for pre-order on at least one online book store, release date 23 Jun 2020. 

Its apparently titled as "Campaign: D-Day: US Sector". With the first book already out and covering the first 24 hours only, we knew that there would be *an* additional book coming. However based on the title it looks like there will be multiple campaign books coming breaking things down it to LOT'S of detail and hopefully meaning that you wont miss out on the history of your favorite nation. That's my guess based on an early pre-release listing which can be notoriously unreliable. Adding to a huge list of supplements already available, I will have enough gaming for a lifetime of WWII and I'm loving it.
 

Fortress Budapest Campaign day, was had, still need to process the photos but here are my soviets in full flight running across the cemetery.

Full sized image click here
 

Urban test model finished, first time I have ever done a test model only 1 or 2 steps ahead of the rest of the army. OK, no time for talking I have to paint!
 

During World War II, an orphaned brown bear went from being a cuddly pet to an officially enlisted soldier in the Polish army, and reportedly saw fierce combat in Italy. Decades after the war and his death, "Wojtek" continues to be honored.

Friday photo: Red Ball Highway.

Just so you know, I often post these images without any description or with just some teaser text. The idea is if you don't know what its all about go and check it out do a web search read a book, a lot of times, fact really is stranger than fiction.
 

Are we there yet?... i'm finding this both exhausting and rewarding. This test model is my all time best miniature so far (still work in progress).

The scary thing that I realized when I recommended what paints to buy for a mate who is new to the hobby is that this it's AU$100 worth of paint for this one guy! EXCLUDING the face and base!
 

 Here is a quick video showing my current project, winter Soviets. I point out a couple of things related to how I model up my guys. 3 weeks now till I go on my Fortress Budapest campaign day. For details on that check out the podcast EP7

Friday photo: D-Day 75 years ago, enough said.

Rex's May "reasonable hobby goal" challenge... done. See the images below and click on the image for the full sized version.

Special edition www.offensiveminiatures.com Fallschirmjäger with drop canister. A Christmas gift to me from Dan, thanks Dan.

This is my best work so far I think and I'm very happy with how they turned out. My eyes must be a bit blurry from the challenge, I have just spotted some chips on the rim of the base. Don't worry I will fix that before I meet you on the table top!

​Stop press, I think there are a couple of corrections I need to make. File offline for the moment.​

I don't know if anyone else finds the Bolt Action Artillery complicated, its not bad when its just aimed at a squad of guys but once its aimed at a vehicle and if that vehicle has troops inside it starts to get complicated pretty quickly.

I have made up a one page flowchart. I think it's right (might be wishful thinking!) but if anyone has corrections please let me know and I will amend it for everyone's use. Consider this one Version 1!

Hope it's helpful and doesn't just confuse you more :-)

The PDF download is at the link here

Friday photo 1940's colour "printing".

As part of the 2019 d-day campaign that warlord is running they have released a 3 page mini supplement of rules for individual soldiers.

"For the purpose of this skirmish version, each man from a squad acts as a 'unit' and moves individually. These units do not have to stay in formation. When you prepare to play, your force gets one order die for each model it comprises of."

It also includes a new "force morale" mechanic similar to Chain Of Command.

"When your force has lost half or more of the models/ dice it started the game with, it has reached its breaking point. Whenever your force suffers a casualty from then on (including the casualty that caused your force to reach the breaking point), you must take a Break test."

Sounds like a bit of fun and I'm sure its been played this way plenty of times before in garages around the world. I will be interested to see if it plays out as a shorter game or not. Could be a gateway drug into the new "Raiders" game that's on the way.

Direct link: https://d-day.boltaction.com/pdf-scenarios/firefight-rules.pdf

Warlord has now opened the D-Day Campaign page:

"Welcome to our 3-month long online campaign to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Get involved by playing games of Bolt Action, Blood Red Skies, Cruel Seas or Bolt Action: Tank War."

New Scenarios are available now for the first phase Bolt action and Blood Red Sky's. New Intelligence reports indicate that the Tank Wars "game" will also be a part of the campaign as well.

If your looking to take part in this, go and have a look, signup and get together with some mates for a game. 

"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your miniature men will do us proud."

https://d-day.boltaction.com/

Friday photo: Nice parking!

Aerial photo showing the three Horsa gliders at the Eastern end of Pegasus bridge. The circular object to the top-right of the bridge is the gun pit.