Archive for May, 2015

Battle of Tolentino 1815-2015

200 years ago, at the start of May, the Battle of Tolentino took place. Neapolitans versus Austrian, at the end of Napoleonic age, one month and half before the last act of Waterloo.
So for the celebration we went to this city to participate with our Ganesha Games stand in the model and wargame area. We were three days inside the castle (Castello della Rancia) where the battle was. A sort of mini-convention together with some friends of us, organised by the great local Marchigiano wargame club, ASM – Civitanova Marche.
Meanwhile around the castle a lot of reenactors camped and recreate some phases of the two days battle, as you can see on videos taken by Diego.

We were among cavalry charges, rifle volleys, cannons smoke and rumble. My only regret is that all was so realistic that I wanted to see some blood! This was the largest reenactment event that I ever see. At Waterloo this year there will be all this but ten times more. Awesome.

For what concern us, our area contributed at the event with wargame proposals on Napoleonic themes. As this luxury scenario by Bizio and company, a Song of Drums and Shakos skirmish combat. He is a great demonstrator and he made all this for entertain young people with wargame. In the photos you can see Diego too. He is not so young in aspect but young as mind…

And now some personal news. My photos are a little bad because I took them with my old phone camera. Here the glass and touch of my new smartphone. The accident was during Poggio Rusco event due to scarce knowing of my uniform possibilities… Now, after a 150 euro fixing up, it is as new. However during these days I had a series of unfortunate events: toothache, stomach-ache, bed bugs infestation at home, problems for the refurbishment of the new home, and more! I hope in better moments.

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Grey Aliens by Ganesha Games (almost)

A new kickstarter by Ganesha Games! Ops, I’m wrong, it is by Crossover Miniatures, an old mate of Ganesha Games. He produces 28mm superheroes miniatures and now he is realising another subject: aliens. They are small Greys and other are of insectoid kind. Moreover there are some human military squads that fight aliens.

Why are we speaking about Ganesha Games? Because together with the miniatures there are rules to play with them, that uses “Song of” engine applied to modern combat. So it is easy to learn if you know other games. Added to the engine you find specific features for the scenario and hidden alien movement with “ghost counters”. Campaign rules are supplied for longer games. To play you can use even other miniatures, because the game is not based only for this miniature line but you can use what you want. As in every Gamesha Games game.

The project has reached the money amount to start. Now it is time to pledge for more. It ends Sat, May 30. To know more go to:
U.F.O. Squad: Alien Invasion Minis and Skirmish Rules

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Po River WWII Museum

Near Poggio Rusco, town where was the annual gathering of Italian paratroopers, there is the Po River WWII Museum at Felonica. After our duty we visited it. In this zone there was one of the last events of war, the withdraw of German forces with the passage of Po river, towards Alps. So a lot of materials were found and now they are exposed here thanks to volunteers work. Some things were hidden in mud, others were utilised by local people for civilian uses: military jackets as working suits, antiaircraft gun barrels as poles, Panther wheel as part of an agriculture machine.

German stuff. Note the photos that a fighter held in his pocket inside personal documents: one with the girl that wanted to marry, one with the girl that sold her services.

English stuff. Sten machinegun after mud.

United States stuff. The gangsters machinegun.

Italian stuff at the service of King George VI. A mix of Italian & English stuff for a member of “F” Recce Squadron.

Parachute, MAB and helmet for Operation Herring.

There are more interesting things inside the museum, as rare German uniforms or parts of a destroyed bomber. This is only a rapid review of what is available. It is not near usual tourist routes but it worth a visit.
To know more go to https://www.museofelonica.it

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Poggio Rusco 70 years after

Numbers that build anniversaries. 2015 less 70 years is 1945, the last year of WWII. So 70 years ago, in those same days, 19-23 April, the Operation Herring was accomplished by Italian paratroopers of the Kingdom of Italy. Paratroopers formations after the 8th of September split in two parts, one for Allies and one for Axis. Moreover in the South of Italy they regrouped in “F” (Folgore) Recce Squadron under English Army and Gruppo Combattimento Folgore under Italian Army. This operation was an airborne combat drop behind German lines. If you want to know more start with Wikipedia article here.

As member of Italian Paratroopers Historical Group, I participated to the annual gathering of Italian paratroopers, this time located in Poggio Rusco, one of the places touched by Operation Herring. Around was still evident the earthquake damage of May 2012. 3 years ago, another anniversary. In the countryside some houses demolished by earthquake or by time. Unwittingly following an alternative route with Google Maps on the smartphone, we passed through green fields in the flat Po valley, along narrow river banks, among water birds, in a place divided in three administrative regions. Very evocative.

My duty was as military picket to Paratrooper Association labarum, dressed as a member of Nembo Parachute Regiment, section of Folgore Combat Group. Parade along town ways, then gathering at the local stadium. Discharged and local people, for welcome addresses, speeches and remembrances. Soldiers of Folgore in service were striking. At the end a paratrooper drop, obviously.

Our reenactment group in the stadium, together with a paratrooper veteran, but of opposed side to what represent our historical uniforms. After the war, the two parts of paratroopers reconciled. So it is not a problem. As says the unofficial newsletter of Folgore in this post: https://www.congedatifolgore.com/it/poggio-rusco-una-foto-vale-piu-di-un-articolo/. Ah, photos are from this website.

The day before there was an homage to war memorial. Same uniform but with the jumpsuit. Another temperature level and extreme wind. There was a twinning with a French city too. And convivial meals and time together with friends. On the next post a visit to a museum near this place.

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A Fistful Of Kung Fu for Origins

Each year the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design (AAGAD), presents the Origins Awards at the Origins Game Fair in June. The purpose of the Origins Awards is to reward excellence in game design. The Top 5 products in each category, as determined by the Academy Jury, are announced after the GAMA Trade Show in March. The Top 5 nominees are voted on by all members of the Academy. The Academy vote determines the winner of the Origins Award. The Top 5 products are also voted on by attendees of the Origins Game Fair for a chance to win the Fan Favorite award in each category. The winners are announced at the Origins Awards ceremony during Origins in June.

Do you know what and who is nominated in the category of:
Best Miniature Figure Rules?

□ Battletech: Alpha Strike Companion, edited by Catalyst Game Labs, designed by Ray Arrastia & Herbert A. Beas II

A Fistful of Kung Fu, edited by Osprey Publishing, designed by Andrea Sfiligoi

□ Golem Arcana, edited by Harebrained Schemes, designed by Jordan Weisman, Mike Mulvihill & Brian Poel

□ Marvel HeroClix: Guardians of the Galaxy Starter Set, edited by WizKids Games, designed by WizKids Games

□ Warhammer 40000, edited by Games Workshop, designed by Games Workshop Design Studio

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Hardcore Days at Vort’n Vis

Before blogs there were other ways to speak about himself and passions. No instant messages, photos and videos, but typing, photocopies, glue and stamps. My first fanzine was published in 1989, I think. This one was in 1995. Obviously no wargaming issues but hardcore music, straight edge music exactly. All in English, but with the help of a friend of mine. At that time I knew English worse than now!

Some days ago a Belgian contacted me about a music festival in 1994. It was during the half of August. With two friends of mine I travelled in Germany, Denmark, Netherlands and Belgium. Backpacks, hostels and one Interrail ticket, a free pass for trains in Europe. The 15th of August we were at Legoland in Denmark. A crucial stop over was at Vort’n Vis (Rotten Fish), a squat in Ieper, place famous for WWI battles. Three days of hardcore music and meeting with other people like us all around Europe. A life ago, but still some memories are vivid in my mind.

This chap is drawing up a complete historical review of all concerts in that place. He found my address and I scanned my materials about that period. Now these are published in his blog:
https://90svortnvis.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/94-08-192021-hardcore-festival-italian-impressions/
You can even see a photo of mine with an injured foot due not to stagediving or pogo but football in that narrow alley. After I continued my European travel despite bandages. I was younger, slimmer and with more hair.

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