Dispatches
of The
Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis
Volume 6 Issue #05 (May 2024)
The Spring is well underway and so are some great gaming opportunities.
Our
May Monthly Game Day
on
**Sunday 05/19/24 10am**
at
Miniature Market Retail Superstore
1077 Cave Springs Blvd.
St. Peters, MO 63376
Featuring
A Special Treat!
“Road from DisUnion”
A sneak preview/play-test of
the soon to be released strategic level game of
the American Civil War
by the Historical Game Company.
Presented by Steve Kling from TGHC Publishing
Along with some great miniature gaming including
Nyama! Nyama! – *Meat, Meat*
Eastern Congo, 1892, Cannibals, Arab Slavers,
and Colonials collide along a tepid, teeming stream
deep in the Heart of Africa.
Colonial Actions rules for 28mm skirmishing, to be enjoyed by 4 players.2-4 players
Dave Schaffner GM
The First Day
HONORING THE 85th ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1939 INVASION OF POLAND – Germany has attacked Poland on the morning of September 1, 1939. German Wehrmacht troops blitzkrieg across the Polish countryside, supported by Luftwaffe fighters and bombers. The Polish Air Force has struggled to provide any formidable defense against the invading air armies. It is mid-morning on September 1st near the city of Lodz, Poland. A Luftwaffe air raid is inbound to the city to strike strategic military and civilian targets. A squadron of Polish P.11s has been patrolling in this area and encounters the air raid. Will the Polish Eagles be able to thwart this raid?
MINIATURE SCALE: 1/300 WW II Aircraft
(2-6 players)
John Nozka GM
Smugglers Run
During the American Revolutionary War a constant battle was fought between the Royal Navy and the Patriots as the supplies of war moved along the Eastern Seaboard. Can the Patriots get the vital supplies through to there comrades and keep the cause alive or will the British Patrols stop them in their tracks starving the Continental Army of it’s much needed food and weapons.
Limeys & Slimeys Rules
MINIATURE SCALE: 25mm (2-6 players)
Kevin Fitzpatrick GM
Table Five To Be Announced.
Weekly Gaming E-Blast
Our “Semi Regular Retirees Email” is transitioning to a Weekly Gaming E-Blast with information for ALL the games for the upcoming week. If you would like to have it arrive in your inbox just email info@bmhga.com
If you are holding a game that you would like to be included in the Weekly Gaming E-Blast just email info@bmhga.com with the details and it will be added to the list.
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*Barracks Battles @ DieCon 2024*
Gateway Convention Center
Collinsville, IL
May 31-June 2
Are You Ready for Barracks Battles @ DieCon 2024?
Well here is the list of games coming for your enjoyment
Friday May 31
The First Day WWII Air Combat
Three Musketeers 25mm
Over Drive – Sci Fi Mechs
Attack on Taffy 3 WWII Naval
Last Plane Out – Congo 1960s
Bunker Hill 25mm AWI
Bridge At Remagen WWII Armor
The McGuffin Incident Cold War Naval
Uncle Sam’s Eagles WWI Air Combat
Bunker Hill 25mm AWI
The Great Panther Hunt!
Saturday June 1
Birth of a Tank Ace WWII
Smuggler’s Run 25mm AWI Naval
Battle Masters Ork Skool Gaming – Fantasy
Battle of the Atlantic – Steampunk Naval
Operation Citadelle July 5th – 6th, 1943
Princes of the Ninja’s 25mm Ninja Skirmish
Is this Good Ground 2nd American Civil War
Smuggler’s Run 25mm AWI Naval
Seeing the Elephant American Civil War
Pike & Shotte Renaissance Warfare
Kaiju City – Sci Fi Monsters
Hunt or Be Hunted – Sci Fi Skirmish
Bunker Hill – 25mm AWI
Tussle At Hanging Rock AWI Skirmish Game
Sunday June2
The Rebels Triumph 15mm AWI
Defense Point nr 54 WWII Skirmish
Over Drive – Sci Fi Mechs
Godzilla Island – Wings of Glory WWI
Orange denotes a Big Muddy Intro/Family Game title
Blue denotes Convention Sponsor Warlord Game title
Be sure to check our daily Facebook posts in May
for more details on each game & scenario.
There is still room in some time slots for more so it’s not too late to submit a game.
****************************************
Have you checked out our website?
Recent After Action Reports
Semi Regular Retirees Game 04/04/24 1754 & Godzilla Island
Two games on the tables at Miniature Market Cave Springs as Pat Lewis hosted his beautifully crafted jumbo 1754 game of the French & Indian Wars. Steve T & Chris K (Team France) took on Mark W & Tom S. (Team British Colonials) in a game seeing fortunes swing back & forth. I understand the Tom had some hot cards in the mix and pulled a fast one at the end laying down his three cards with one of them switching the allegiance of the Natives much to the chagrin of the French players. The score ended up with Brit/Americans at 6 and Team France at 4.
One table two Godzilla fended off incursions to his peaceful island by Kurt L & Bill D both hoping to tranquilize the creature taking it back to their respective schools for study. In the end Godzilla had received a hefty dose of tranquilizers but used his atomic breath to great effect on the planes and pilots. A big Thanks to both Bill & Kurt for their suggestions in tweaking this scenario of Wings of Glory/Tripods & Triplanes to use as a demonstrator for the Family Game Section of Barracks Battles @ DieCon 2024. All the ideas were welcome.
Semi Regular Retirees Game 04/11/24 Wings of Glory WWII
It was a day of some twisting and turning above the English countryside as the Brits (Pat L & Greg D) in their Spitfires faced off against the Luftwaffe (Steve T & Tom S) in Mark William’s modified Wings of Glory. The sides moved pretty much straight at each other in the first pass but soon the maneuvering of the sides really came into view. Guns blazed at both short and long ranges with all sorts of damage being inflicted on the fragile craft.
The Spits benefited from their tight turning radius, the 109s from their centerline cannon. Pat soon found himself leaking fuel and at one point on fire after Steve scored a solid hit. Tom flying across the board to assist Steve paid dearly for the effort losing one of his planes. At the game wrapped up with fuel gauges heading toward E and ammunition bins depleted almost all of the aircraft were much worse for wear.
Semi Regular Retirees Game 04/18/24 Dawn of Iron
Well, Greg D offered up his Ram ‘O Rama scenario today and the Confederate Navy took full advantage of the opportunities presented with their ram bow equipped “cotton-clad” riverboats. The Union ironclads (Tom S & Steve T) sailed downstream benefitting from the current and keep in the known channel engaging at long range against the lightly armed rebels (Kurt L, Kevin F & Bill D) with their medium guns taking a toll on the lead riverboat of Kevin’s flotilla. Kurt skillfully played command cards from the anchored flagship CSS Arkansas giving some benefits to the ships that remained close to him.
Tom & Steve steaming full ahead in a line abreast formation came straight on looking impossible for the Rebels to stop, but a break in the formation was all that was needed by Kurt (now commanding Bill’s cotton-clads) to get in the first ram and things rapidly went down hill and down stream for the Union thereafter. This was good for the Confederates who likely couldn’t absorb too many victories like this one as the fleet was just barely above water themselves. Thanks to Pat who stopped by at the end of the battle rolling some helpful dice for the Rebels.
All in all a great afternoon of gaming for the group and we really appreciate Greg running this set of rules with his superbly painted 3D ships.
April Game Day One 4/21/24 Miniature Market Cave Springs.
The First of our April Game Days lived up to expectations with three games full of action on the tables at Miniature Market Cave Springs.
We first stopped at the Admiral Benbow Inn for some refreshments in Tom Vielott’s well crafted skirmish scenario of Pirates, Rum and intrigue.
Scott K out maneuvered the other players with some subterfuge announcing that one of his figs was the much sought after “Flint”, allowing him to be lead away by the authorities. Only at the end of the game did we find out that Flint escaped out a side door. Tom S & Kevin F made a deal for some spices which worked out with most of their teams heading out doors or windows. Jon B came up short on his goals but we are sure that he will be at his best in a coming game.
There was a Tussle at Hanging Rock between Loyalists and Patriots in this Muskets & Tomahawks game of the American War of Independence. Lance Western & Dave Schaffner teamed up to present preview of their effort for the upcoming Barracks Battles @ DieCon 2024.
And All For One!
Rounded out the our Game Day as Scott K with the Musketeers took on Tom S leading Rochefort & the Cardinals Guard in the sleepy hamlet of St. Francois.
Again this was a preview for the upcoming convention so details are sparse, but suffice it to say that it was a tough day for the Musketeers who just slipped by with a win. The Cardinal’s men were all down but there is sure to be a rematch soon with crossed swords and musketry.
Thanks to the GMs, Players and those who stopped by to visit for a bit and of course to the fine staff at Miniature Market Cave Springs.
Wednesday Night Gaming 04/24/24 Battle of The Leyte Gulf – General Quarters 3
Steve Lowry provides us with an After Action Report from Wednesday Night Gaming at Fantasy Books & Games in O’Fallon, IL
We had a fierce Pacific naval surface combat Wednesday night in O’Fallon. To accelerate the fighting, I started the ships within 50 cm of each other, well within everybody’s gun range. I also limited the ability to make smoke to only the destroyer escorts. We also agreed to cut the number of destroyers in half for both sides.
The result was that two American escort carriers (Gambier Bay and Fanshaw Bay) were sunk and the Japanese battleship Nagato were sunk. The escort carriers Kitkun Bay and White Plains were severely damaged and the Japanese battleship Haruna lost all of its main turrets. The Americans also lost a destroyer and destroyer escort while the Japanese lost at least a destroyer (the records are sketchy). The Japanese decided to retire at this point, not wanting to face six American battleships with only four of their own, even if one of those was the Yamato.
All-in-all, a hard fought battle that I would have to call a draw.
Semi Regular Retirees Game 04/25/24 One Page Rules
It was a fun and interesting day as Kurt Linke gave us a tour of the One Page Rules system.
This “40K esq” system proved to be very easy to play once we got in a turn or two. Team Space Marines (Steve T & Tom S) grabbed the initiative and landed a few good hits on Team Orks ( Pat L, Kevin F & Steve L) left flank and then their right flank before the Ork’s got organized and moved forward.
The Space Marines had the advantage of good long range systems and good “to-hit” numbers, but gosh there were just a whole lot of those rascally Orks and when they closed the situation turned rather quickly.
Steve L smashed his truck into a Space Marine unit causing some damage and then unloaded the troopers into the fray much to the dismay of Tom S. Pat L after taking some hits from Steve S on his units made a rapid advance towards the objective on his side while Kevin F moved up the center slowly with his Outcast unit.
The arrival of OrK Air Support turned the tide for our heroes and at the end of turn four it was a narrow victory to a badly beat up Team Ork.
All in all a most enjoyable afternoon at Miniature Market Cave Springs. A big Thanks to Kurt for introducing us to these rules and we look forward to having them on the table again soon with a fantasy based scenario if Steve L has his way. Good to see Powell H & Mark W stop by for a visit to check out the rules on their way to various appointments.
Half Way to Archon Gaming Event 4/27/24 @ Game Nite
It’s Half Way To Archon and what better way to celebrate than by enjoying a warm up gaming event?
Patrick Connaughton , Tom Vielott & Kevin Fitzpatrick came to represent Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance with some Science Fiction related games at this event in support of Archon Gaming.
All in all a good morning and afternoon at GameNite meeting new folks and some familiar faces. A big Thanks to Tom & Patrick for their assistance in showing off the great games that Big Muddy can get on the tables for the players to enjoy.
April Game Day Two 4/28/24 @ Impact Game Center (IGC), Fairview Heights, Illinois Inaugural Event
If you didn’t make it to our Inaugural Event at Impact Game Center in Fairview Heights, Illinois on Sunday 4/28/24 you simply missed out on a great time with previews of games for our upcoming Barracks Battles @ DieCon 2024. You also missed out on enjoying the spacious and luxurious setting that establishes a new standard for in-store gaming facilities. A simple narrative does not do justice to the event so I will simply direct you to the photos that are available on the website. www.bmhga.com
Official Notices
The Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis
Posts The Following Official Notice
Membership Donation Drive 2024
Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance (BMHGA)
The officers of the Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance are asking for your help in supporting the continued financial health of Big Muddy, and the continuation of our convention schedule through 2024.
We wish to offer you the following Donation Levels for your financial support.
STANDARD – $30.00
$30.00 donation provides the following:
- Paid registration for Barracks Battles 2024.
- Receipt of all Big Muddy communications including “Dispatches” our monthly E-Newsletter, participation in our Facebook Group and other channels as they evolve.
- Full voting membership for officers and any other items forwarded by the Board of Directors.
- Entitled to serve as a board member or officer.
- Entitled to free monthly text style classified ad (up to three paragraphs) in Big Muddy E- Newsletter.
STUDENTS – $20.00: The membership level is for young people who are in school. To acquire this membership, the donor will need to show a current student ID.
$20.00 donation provides the following:
- Paid registration for Barracks Battles 2024.
- Receipt of all Big Muddy communications including our monthly E-Newsletter, participation in our Facebook Group and other channels as they evolve.
- Full voting membership for officers and any other items forwarded by the Board of Directors.
- Entitled to serve as a board member or officer.
- Entitled to free monthly text style classified ad (up to three paragraphs) in Big Muddy E- Newsletter.
COMMUNICATING MEMBER – $10.00
A $10.00 donation provides the following:
- Pre-registration rate charged at the door for Barrack Battles 2024.
- Receipt of all Big Muddy Communicating including our monthly E-Newsletter, participation in our Facebook Group and other channels as they evolve.
- Full Voting Membership for officers and any other items forwarded by the Board of Directors.
- Entitled to serve as a board member or officer.
- Entitled to Free monthly text style classified ad (up to three paragraphs) in Big Muddy E- Newsletter.
If you wish to support Big Muddy by participating in any of the plans listed above, please complete the donor contact section below and send your check or money order made payable to Big Muddy to our Treasurer:
William Doelling
1410 Mohican Trail
St. Charles, MO 63304.
Thank you for your support,
David Paul Harrison
President BMHGA
312-636-3836
Donor Contact Information
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________________________________
E-mail: __________________________________________________________
Donation Level: _____________________________________Date_________________
A Tip of the Hat
The Board of Directors would like to acknowledge the following members who have already submitted their membership donations for 2024.
The Board of Directors would like to acknowledge the following members who have already submitted their membership donations for 2024.
Warren Burris, Robert Clark, Ray Gluck,
Will Hodgens, James Kantor, Jon Bancroft,
Harry Borchart, William Doelling, Kevin Fitzpatrick,
Mark Johnson, Edward Menefee, John Nozka,
David Schaffner, Keith Stuckmeyer, John Voelker,
Glen Wilson, Kevin Weber, Pat Connaughton, Jerry Merrill,
Bob Roby, Les Hostetler, Kenneth Widmer, Tim Low,
Mark Luechkenhoff, Martin Gallo, Edward Gray, Tim Lalk,
Ray Runge, Britt Eubanks, Eddie Mosey, James Broshot,
Pat Lewis, Greg Dieckhaus, Steven Lowry
Our Group’s New Email Box
Info@bmhga.com
Election 2024
No not the one that will be blaring through your TV this year, although we certainly encourage everyone to be an informed voter and make it to the polls November 5th and every election.
Rather we are talking about the
Big Muddy Elections
coming in November at Command Con Lite.
The Offices of
President
(4 year term)
Secretary
(4 year term)
&
Board Member at Large
(2 year term)
are to be on the ballot.
Anyone interested in putting their names forward for these board positions should email
William Doelling at treasurer@bmhga.com who will be serving as our election official for 2024.
Classified Ads
For Classified Ads, be sure to check the Quartermaster page on our website at bmhga.com
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Help Share Our Great Hobby
with Others!
We are looking for a couple of energetic gamers who will volunteer to help us out an upcoming game days as hosts. The duties entail talking with visitors to our area, explaining what is going on at each the tables, directing them to our signs with upcoming game day information/QR codes and generally being welcoming to newcomers. The host usually doesn’t participate in any games but rather moves around the room, taking some photos of the event and working to keep things running smoothly. The upsides are helping to share the energy & excitement of the hobby, getting to talk with new gamers and old pals along with knowing you are making a significant contribution to the growth of our gaming community.
Outgoing personality. Sales and/or Retail backgrounds a plus
contactinfo@bmhga.com
if you would be willing to help us out.
Big Muddy Game Days 2024
If you are thinking of running a game please let us know as soon as you can do so in order to get the date(s) you prefer. email: Director@bmhga.com
May 19, 2024 Miniature Market Cave Springs 10am
Table One Road to DisUnion – The Historical Game Company
Table Two Colonial – Nayma! Nayma!
Table Three The First Day Poland 1939 – Luftwaffe 46
Table Four To Be Announced
Table Five Smuggler’s Run – Limeys & Slimeys
June Date & Location TBA
Table One Unassigned
Table Two Unassigned
Table Three Unassigned
Table Four Unassigned
Table Five Overflow Unassigned
July 6, 2024 Tentative Date Location TBA
Table One The Battle of The Chippewa
Table Two Unassigned
Table Three Unassigned
Table Four Unassigned
Table Five Overflow Unassigned
August 3, 2024 Tentative Date Location TBA
Table One Assigned TBA
Table Two Siege At The TA Ranch
Table Three Unassigned
Table Four Unassigned
Table Five Overflow Unassigned
September 7, 2024 Tentative Date Location TBA
The Battle of Westerplatte 85th Anniversary – Bolt Action
Table Two Unassigned
Table Three Unassigned
Table Four Unassigned
Table Five Overflow Unassigned
October 4-6, 2024 Archon
October 5, 2024
Table One Unassigned
Table Two Unassigned
Table Three Unassigned
Table Four Unassigned
Table Five Overflow Unassigned
November 2, 2024 Tentative Date Location TBA
Command Con Lite
December 7, 2024 Tentative Date Location TBA
Table One Unassigned
Table Two Unassigned
Table Three Unassigned
Table Four Unassigned
Table Five Overflow Unassigned
Reindeer Wars 2024 Location TBA
Dates to be Determined
Contact director@bmhga.com to submit a game.
Local Gaming Events Calendar:
This information is also available on our website just use the Calendar of Events button on the right hand side.
Remember to be inviting to passers-by at public events. Let’s share our hobby with those who might find it of interest.
May
05/01: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
05/01: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
05/02: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm
05/19: Big Muddy Game Day: Miniature Market Cave Springs 10am
05/08: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
05/08: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
05/09: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm.
05/12: Mother’s Day
05/15: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
05/15: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
05/16: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm
05/22: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
05/22: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
05/23: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm
05/29: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
05/29: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
05/30: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm
05/31: Barracks Battles @ DieCon Gateway Convention Center
06/01: Barracks Battles @ DieCon Gateway Convention Center
06/02: Barracks Battles @ DieCon Gateway Convention Center
And Beyond…..
06/05: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
06/05: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
06/06: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm
06/12: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
06/12: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
06/13: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm.
06/16: Father’s Day
06/19: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
06/19: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
06/20: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm
06/26: Wednesday Night Gaming: Fantasy Books & Games 6pm
06/26: Gaslands: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 5:30pm
06/27: Semi Regular Retirees: Miniature Market St. Peter’s 12pm
For all of the above events listed remember that you do not need to bring along anything to play as all items necessary will be on the table and ready to go.
Suggestions/Ideas/Articles?
If you have any suggestions for
Dispatches of The Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis
our Facebook Page, Website or know of someone who would like to be included in our email listings please feel free to let us know. The contact information is at the end of this newsletter.
To have your event listed please email
Info@bmhga.com
no later than the 20th of the month preceding the event.
While we strive to be as accurate as is possible all events listed are subject to last minute changes, substitutions and/or cancellations.
Website & Facebook Page
Are the places to check for the latest updates & news in our area.
Have you checked out our website?
Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis (BMHGA) strives to support and build the historical gaming hobby in the St. Louis Metro Area “By demonstration, presentations at conventions, schools. libraries, and other events, where the theme includes military or gaming.
For further information email: info@bmhga.com
