At the Claymore 2017 wargames show in Edinburgh, Durham Wargames Group put on a display game of Nordlingen 1634, using 28mm figures from the collection of Steve Spence, Shaun Lowery, Conrad Cairns and Dave Jarvis.
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The scenario was the assault on the Aldbuch hill, atop which were the entrenched Tiercios Viejos, with the assault carried out by the Scots Brigade and Vitzhum's Brigade, supported by Swedish national cavalry and lots of guns.
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The game was played on an 18-foot by 6-foot table, using rules we made up in the car on the way to the show. As usual, on-the-spot rules worked infinitely better than trying to use a published set for a big demo game. Simplicity and mobility are the key to retaining both players' and spectators' attention.
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Figures were 1st Corps (bulk of Swedes), one or two Warlord, a few Perry, loads of Foundry and Old Glory and Redoubt. Most painting by Steve Spence (Swedes), Conrad Cairns (Spaniards) and Nigel Brough (Imperialists), with honourable mention to Dave Jarvis. Table mats by TinyWargames.co.uk, all other scenery by Last Valley.
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The game played out in a satisfactorily historical manner: the Protestant infantry made numerous assaults, taking enormous losses and finally took the main Spanish redoubt and broke the line at one other point, only to be routed by fresh reserves and the Imperialist cavalry, who had just finished off their Swedish opponents, rolling up the flank.
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The game was a last-minute pick-up to meet our obligation to put on a game at the show. We think we might add a few more units, lots of character and try to get it on at Salute next April.
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Regards,
Steve
