FOGH on the road – Partizan – 19th May 2024

Posted byFriends Of General HaigPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , ,

We at the FOGH have always loved the Partizan show each year, especially because it is a show case for the best Historical Miniature tabletop games. We were therefore really pleased to get a place at the show for Friends Pete and Jerry’s Aughrim 1691 game. Four of us travelled up to Newark on the day before the show to set up. After a frantic period of terrain and figure set-up we headed to nearby Nottingham for a ‘relaxing’ night out in the heady atmosphere that is Nottingham city-centre night-life.

We were all still bright and bushy tailed the next morning, and managed to get back to the Newark Show Ground just after 0900. The hall had filled out with games and traders, and the queue was building nicely outside in the traditional Partizan sunshine. We just had a few minutes for a quick dash around the tables to check out games we wanted to see before the doors opened to the public at 1000.

It seems the show was well attended (biggest numbers ever?) and we were super-busy talking to people all day. Aughrim 1691 is an infrequently played battle in a lesser known 17th century conflict and so we were all well briefed on the history and the battle. There was also a lot of interest in the 10mm figures, and the ‘whole-unit’ basing approach that Jerry has used for the armies. We spent so much time talking to people that we had little time to play the game.

It was a lovely warm day and we were very glad there was an ice-cream vendor on site. By the time the crowds started to die down it was well after 1500 and so we managed to have a further quick dash around the hall to see the other games, and make some purchases, before the show finished at 1600 and it was time to pack away.

Many thanks to the show organisers for putting on such a consistently fabulous event, and to everyone who showed interest and chatted to us on the day.

Below are some pictures of the Aughrim 1691 game which is part of the Williamite-Jacobite conflict. Aughrim is the final field battle of the war, and probably Ireland’s bloodiest battle.

The hall at the Newark Show-ground as we arrived to set up on the Saturday.
Our corner table looking very smart with its black under-cloth.
Base cloth on and Pete is starting to work out where the terrain needs to go.
Jerry and Pete checking the terrain is right before the figures go on.
Ready to go!
A view down the table with the Williamite left wing ready to launch its up hill attack.
Last minute checks on the set-up against the contemporary maps.
Jacobite artillery, infantry and horse overlooking Bloody Hollow.
Jacobite centre awaits the Williamite assault.
Williamite right wing with horse ready to advance down the causeway.
Jacobite reserve horse on their left wing.
St. Ruth, the Jacobite commander, on his hill-top lookout point.
Jacobite left wing artillery.
Williamite elite Danish, Dutch and French Infantry prepare for their assault.

Here are a few pics of some of our favourite games from the show.

Phil Olley’s beautiful Eastern Europe game – just stunning!
More of Phil’s game – check out his blog at ‘Phil’s War Cabinet’.
Simon Miller’s ginormous and wonderful Norchester ECW game.
The redoubtable Yarkshire Gamer’s Mentana game – absolutely splendid.

Leave a comment