The League of Augsburg

Chinese take- out? VOC v Pirates 1666

by augsburgeroberst
South China Seas action

In my continuing Covid-induced privateer laboratory I decided to blood some ships I had painted a few months back just because I had them. A few packs of Chinese pirate junks which I had intended to use specifically to run out against European vessels exploiting the riches of the South China Sea.


VOC Trading station somewhere in modern day Indonesia


By now you know the form -...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Painting, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming

Campaign report: Run for home, Mull October 8th 1689

by augsburgeroberst
The third report from round two of the campaign.. Jan Baert kidnaps a very important person dear to King William and burns some Scottish assets in the process. Taking on no less than twelve enemy ships he runs for home!

Baert's ships approach the island chain.
Turns 1-4

The fresh westerly winds created heavy seas and made sailing extremely challenging for Baert’s four ships as they nosed northward.


Th...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Ireland, Nine Years War, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming

Continuing the privateer scenario play tests: Portuguese man o'war

by augsburgeroberst
Rainha Santa Isabel - 52 guns Portuguese man o'war

Lots in this post for those interested in more involved ship to ship combats and small actions involving boarding and character play.....


The three iterations of the three on one ship scenario produced thought provoking results. The single privateer vessel won all encounters although the final run against the Martinique based French was a very close...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming

10 Reasons why this is my favourite wargaming period

by augsburgeroberst
Neerwinden/Landen 1693


I have been gaming the period 1666-1720 for thirty years this year. Despite forays into other periods of which I am fond, I always return to my favourite. Recently, I have agreed to write a title for Helion about wargaming the period 1666-1697 specifically and that has made me reflect on why I maintain an enduring fascination for this 60 year span of history.

So, here are my...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Beneath the Lily Banners, Ireland, Nine Years War, Ottomans, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, Terrain, The War of Three Kings, Wargaming

Saved the best to last.. Caribbean test 3

by augsburgeroberst


It's a funny old game (to paraphrase Greavsie). Having experienced two wins from two for the single 'blinged up' privateer Sea WolfI thought I'd give the European power trio's third leg a chance to prevail over the pirates. It turned out to be the best game of all with so many little twists that I played on for 15 turns to get the final result. It took about 90 minutes altogether but of course I...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Nine Years War, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, Terrain, The High Seas, Wargaming

Second run of the privateer play test

by augsburgeroberst



I considered the first run of this game not a fluke but perhaps a little fortunate for the privateer ship.
So, giving it another go with pretty much everything the same except, the opponents this time were the Dutch West India Company Geoctroyeerde Westindische Compagnie  or GWC.  The ship profiles were exactly the same with Jupiter replacing Elizabeth, Schiedam substituting for Swan and Egmondfor...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Painting, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, Terrain, The High Seas, Wargaming

Launching a privateer - Small ship action using my naval rules

by augsburgeroberst

The game setting... tropical paradise or, mosquito infested hell hole? Europeans in the Caribbean.

I  took an inevitable diversion into the world of piracy by painting a 4th rate up and flagging it as a late 17th century privateer of indeterminate nationality.

The frgiate Elizabeth set sail to meet the privateer threat

Having further developed the points system for my rule set I thought it would be...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Nine Years War, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, Terrain, The Glorious Revolution, The High Seas, Wargaming

Campaign report: One thousand Irish 19th March 1689

by augsburgeroberst


The game is underway... Akkerman hugs the coast and O'Brien has to reposition to block the channel at Duncriege.

Dave O'Brien's nautical Jacobites are once again, all at sea!................


Late in the action - Indomitable pounds Komeetster from an advantageous angle.

King James, newly arrived in Ireland is mustering his forces to take possession of the entire island and reinforce his loyal troops...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Nine Years War, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The Glorious Revolution, The High Seas, Wargaming

Campaign report: Action at Duinkirk April 3rd, 1672

by augsburgeroberst
Battle set up 1/2400 scale. 4 x 4 feet table

Peter's Admiral Tocht is at sea once more in his second campaign adventure........

War has been declared between the United Provinces and France. Spies have warned of a well-equipped squadron putting to sea from Duinkirk and Tocht’s reformed command has been charged with preventing it gaining open waters and persuading it back to port.




Early manouevres as...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming

Naval campaign part 2 preview

by augsburgeroberst
A nice day out at Ardnamurchan.... maybe not for some of these ships

With a little help from my friends.....

Dave and Colin came over last week to keep the campaign going. We played three cracking games with me going to pick up the fourth and fifth when I get a chance.

Make ready your guns! Tocht challenges Rochefoucauld at Duinkirk 1672

Scenario number 1 entitled 'King Louis's ships'takes place off...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Basing, Ireland, Modeling, Nine Years War, Painting, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, Terrain, The High Seas, Wargaming

Painting a 1/2400 scale ship model for the Anglo Dutch War period (1650-1700)

by augsburgeroberst


Quite a few people have been asking for a how to guide for painting, rigging and basing the 1/2400 scale Dutch Wars ships. So, here we are..




I have chosen a 4th rate model which costs £2.40.




The contents of a pack are laid out above. The 2mm thick, 20 x 40mm pill base does not come with the model I buy these from Warbasesin packs of 20. The price I don't recall but, it is less than £2 for that...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Basing, Modeling, Nine Years War, Painting, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Wargaming

It's Saturday, I'll build a castle

by augsburgeroberst


I have several new scenarios coming up for the 17th century naval campaign. I needed something that resembled a Scottish castle. I thought - just a tower. Then, what about a tower on a rocky outcrop? Then that morphed into... maybe I could expand it to look like the stronghold of a clan chief with outbuildings etc.. yeah...




Now, how was I going to do that. Well, two cups of coffee, various rummages...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Basing, Ireland, Nine Years War, Painting, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, Terrain, The War of Spanish Succession, Wargaming