75mm LITTLE BIG HORN

This Wednesday at home I staged another Playmobil Wild West game.  After a few successful test games at the Falkirk club with Dave Paterson I changed to using the Legends of the Old West Rules.

The gallant band on Custer Hill - the great man end of 2nd row right

Having added more figures to my collection I decided to try the Little Big Horn scenario from the Death on the Plains supplement.  I umpired the game, Colin Jack played Crazy Horse, Donald Adamson Lame White Man, Tim Watson George Armstrong Custer and Ray Neal Captain Benteen.

Crazy Horse's warband - first wave - another 6 mounted braves to arrive

Lame White Man's mounted force - foot warriors moving in background

The scenario starts with Col Custer’s command dismounted on Custer Hill facing attack from Crazy Horse’s huge warband.  Lame White Man’s warband is deployed to either engage Custer or move to intercept the approaching relief column under Benteen.  In our game Donald sent his mounted warriors to engage Benteen who arrived on turn 2 whilst his foot warriors moved to support the attack on Custer. 

Capt Benteen's column - scout on foot

Benteen’s cavalry moved slowly, held up by the brave but ineffective mounted attacks of the Indians.  Eventually his column killed Lame White Man and 5 of his warriors – the way to Custer was open – but it was too late.  Crazy Horse’s mounted warriors swept up Custer hill ignoring the carbine fire and engaged in hand to hand fights with the dismounted cavalry.  Crazy Horse himself charged thru their line and cut down the guidon bearer.  The guidon was raised aloft in triumph by one of Lame white Man’s foot braves.  After this loss the cavalry were swept away quickly until only Custer fought on against a sea of foes.  He fell heroically under the lances of 4 warriors including Crazy Horse.

First attack on the hill - it was beaten off.

Great fun and history was repeated.  The rules work well even with nearly 60 figures engaged.  The US cavalry need lots of good dice throws and luck to win this.  This is my 300th post on blogspot.

Tim has posted a Custer viewpoint report on his blog at 

https://moth107.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/they-died-with-their-plastic-boots-on.html?spref=fb

All my photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHsksh42k7

Benteen attempts to break thru.....Injuns sell their lives dearly

Further mass mounted  attacks on the hill - Crazy Horse preparing his run on the Guidon

Almost the end - Custer fights on alone - Crazy Horse calls for final charge