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Henry Hyde

@battlegames.bsky.social

2K followers 850 following 4.4K posts

Writer, designer, podcaster, Patreon creative, artist. Author of The Wargaming Compendium, Wargaming Campaigns, Tabletop Battle Tactics and Martinstaat 1744. Cancer survivor. Mental health warrior. #wargaming https://payhip.com/gladiuspublications

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · Dec 22

Just had a long-awaited piece of news that other writers will understand is very significant: the publishers of The Wargaming Compendium just confirmed that they will release the full rights back to me – which means that, after more than 11 years, I can update & re-publish it.

The front cover of The Wargaming Compendium.

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Reposted by Henry Hyde

David H (Northwing Miniatures) @wargameswriter.bsky.social · 17h

As an fyi to anyone else who sees this, this bundle is absolutely worth getting your hands on. I got it a couple of years ago and it made a huge difference to my photography.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 16h

Thank you!

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 18h

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Photography for Wargamers

Photography for Waargamers by Henry HydeA compilation of articles on digital photography which, as editor, I originally wrote for Miniature Wargames with Battlegames.The first article, “Digital Photog...

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 1d

My arthritis can't cope with the trip to Newark for The Other Partizan on Sunday, so I made a little tribute video to encourage others to go – and to please post lots of pics online afterwards!

youtu.be/F1bOpfC31S4

The Other Partizan Tribute

YouTube video by Henry Hyde

youtu.be

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 6d

😂 Yes, of course – but having to imitate him for a week afterwards led to lots of arguments!

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 6d

Ah, but traditions are meant to be broken. I find I do so much better without opposition.

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 6d

Out now for paying patrons: my "Off the Cuff" podcast in which I talk about the experience of playing Le Bataille des Deux Fermes over ten days, starting with an opponent and then completing it solo. www.patreon.com/posts/off-cu...

Midway through the battle. 30mm miniatures on terrain both home made and commercial in The Loftwaffe.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 7d

Thank you! Glad you liked it. 😊

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 7d

My epic imagi-nations battle (le Bataille de Deux Fermes) has finally concluded after 10 full, action-packed turns. Grenouisse eventually managed to wrestle the central hill from Borgenmark’s control, forcing the bluecoats to retreat to the pontoons as the sun sets over the battlefield. Vive le roi!

The view from the south-east, showing the Grenouissians finally release from their confinement in this quarter of the battlefield.

From the south-west, the now well-organised Grenouissian advance is clear, with the elite red-coated Schwitzer regiments in the lead now surrounding the central heights that have been swept clear of Borg artillery and infantry. The Borg Electoral Guard have formed a ‘crotcheted’ line as a last defence, buying time for other units to escape.

The northern half of the battle, seen from the west bank of the River Carillon, with a confused cavalry melee on the left that has swung this way and that, with the Electoral Guard cuirassiers forming a last line of defence. In the centre, three Borg battalions in line are protecting the escape corridor for their compatriots, whilst being flayed by skirmisher fire and horse artillery. Night cannot come soon enough for the Borg.

A view from the east of the key hill in the centre of the battle, held for so long by the Borg, but now the focus of converging elite red-coated Schwitzer mercenaries. And as a last humiliation for the Borg, the Quieville Dragoons ride off with a captured gun – the third such trophy to be taken today!

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 9d

They’re in the process of preventing that!

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 10d

The epic game continues: turn 7 ends with the Grenouissian pressure finally beginning to tell, with a Borg gun captured, a musketeer regiment breaking after being caught in a crossfire, and another finally beaten in a bitter hand-to-hand fight with elite Schwitzer mercenaries. Still all to play for!

Grenouissian infantry charge and finally silence the battery that has been tormenting them – but are beaten back by the infantry alongside!

The gallant Wittköpingsland Musketeers, having withstood the attacks of two enemy dragoon regiments, are finally overwhelmed and broken by elite Schwitzer infantry.

The view from the south at the end of turn 7, with the Grenouissians finally being rewarded for their efforts.

The view from the west, with the Borg suffering a traffic jam near the bridge and their position in the centre now looking very precarious indeed. Miniatures mostly 30mm plastic Spencer Smiths, with 30mm metal Holger Erikssons playing the Schwitzers. Terrain a mixture of home made and commercial.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 10d

That’s what I had for lunch.

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 10d

Things you can do when wargaming solo No. 385: pause the game to make a little unit of bargees.

30mm plastic Spencer Smith grenadiers converted to make a team of bargees with barge poles.

The bargees in position in their pontoon barges.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 11d

End of Grenouissian turn 6, a stonking turn with too much action to cram in here – become a patron to get the full story! But here are a couple of overview pics, plus one of a Borg battalion surviving a double charge by Grenouissian dragoons – and surviving! Who said resistance was futile?

Overview from the south at the end of turn 6.

The 1:e Wittköpingsland Musketeers beat off attacks by two regiments of Grenouissian dragoons – the double 6 represents the result of an impromptu “_surely_ they can’t cope with this?” reaction test, the answer to which was clearly an emphatic “bring it on!” The blue dragoons, reduced to half strength, must now retire, leaving the grey dragoons who attacked in the flank able to wrap around. But the steady Borg are able to turn their rear rank about to offer resistance. This should alert you to the fact that the infantry of the 18th century was often far more highly disciplined and capable than those Napoleonic riff-raff!

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 12d

Thank you and you’re welcome!

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 12d

The imagi-nations battle continues. Grenouissian turn 5 is packed with action as their artillery opens fire, musketry rolls along lines of infantry & cheers ring out as both infantry and cavalry units plunge into close combat. The brave Borg hold firm in places, but elsewhere cave in under pressure.

The view from the southwestern corner, with the Grenouissians nearest the camera trying to break out of their cramped arrival area, confronted by disciplined Borg defensive lines. Mostly 30mm plastic Spencer Smith miniatures of 1960s/70s vintage, terrain a combination of home made and commercial.

The view from the south, with the Grenouissians nearest the camera trying to break out of their cramped arrival area, confronted by disciplined Borg defensive lines. Gradual progress is being made in the farmyard, whilst cavalry and light infantry arrive in large numbers from the east. Mostly 30mm plastic Spencer Smith miniatures of 1960s/70s vintage, terrain a combination of home made and commercial.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 13d

…very tough NUT for the Grenouissians to crack… Doh!

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 13d

The imagi-nations game is continuing solo. Here’s the end of the next Borgenmark turn, with reinforcements arriving but pressure building all
along the L-shaped defensive line. It’s going to be a very tough but for the Grenouissians to crack, especially as the cramped ground makes deployment tricky.

The battle beside the River Carillion continues, with the blue-coated Borg having established solid defensive lines and with reinforcements arriving in the distance. Mostly 30mm plastic Spencer Smith miniatures of 1960s/70s vintage on primarily home-made terrain with some commercial bits.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 16d

The imagi-nations campaign game as we left it last night, with Grenouissian infantry steadily grinding forward from the south, while their cavalry & light infantry sweep in from the east. The Borg, meanwhile, encouraged by a new C-in-C, have formed solid defensive lines as they retire. See Alt tags

Borg reinforcements arrive at the pontoon bridge, and a reserved unit in camp has finally got its act together! You can also see a wagon carrying explosives trundling towards the crossing… On the eastern side of the river, Borg defenders are being harried by Grenouissian cavalry and light infantry as they pull back.

Grenouissian infantry advancing from the south grind steadily forwards, but the Borg have formed solid and well-placed lines of defence around the hills and farm. It’s a real mincing machine!

Another view of the situation in the south-east corner, with elite Schwitzer mercenaries (red coats) arriving in the cramped space while Grenouissian musketeers attempt to wrestle control of the farmhouse from the Borg light infantry defenders.

A view from the east, with Grenouissian cavalry and light infantry pushing the Borg back towards the bridge. All 30mm figures, mostly plastic Spencer Smiths of 1960s/70s vintage. The Schwitzers are Holger Erikssons, a few skirmishers are Minifigs. Terrain a combination of scratch-built and commercial, woods mounted on old CDs, mats vintage GW battlemats, river and pontoons home made.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 17d

Imagi-nations game set for tomorrow: the campaign between Borgenmark & Grenouisse continues. Here are the Borg, retreating from their defeat the previous day, heading back to the pontoon bridge they built just a few days previously. The pursuing Grenouissians can enter at bottom (S) or right (E).

8’ x 6’ table seen from south, with River Carillon on the left. Old GW battle mats with variety of scenery, much of it home made. Mostly 30mm plastic Spencer Smith miniatures, vintage 1960s and 70s.

8’ x 6’ table seen from west, with River Carillon near camera. Old GW battle mats with variety of scenery, much of it home made (the river is painted on mounting board). Mostly 30mm plastic Spencer Smith miniatures, vintage 1960s and 70s.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 20d

Damn right.

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 20d

Second hand bargain. 1974 first edition! Over 50 years old but still fantastic reference.

Military Dress of the Peninsular War by Martin Windrow and Gerry Embleton, 1974.

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 21d

If you want something light-hearted, then surely Terry Pratchett? I’d start with “Guards, Guards!” or “The Colour of Magic”.

Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 22d

It covers the period roughly 1685-1763, a period in which uniforms had lots of lace!

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Henry Hyde @battlegames.bsky.social · 22d

Out now, exclusively for paying patrons, the third instalment of The Rise of Borgenmark, an episode in the long-running Wars of the Faltenian Succession. Come on over, join in for the price of a cappuccino, have a listen and read the hand-written campaign journals!
www.patreon.com/posts/rise-o...

The Rise of Borgenmark Episode 3 | Henry Hyde

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