Yom Kippour War

Sunday, December 30, 2018

On this Day 30 December 1954 Teutonic order ended


On this day, The Last Grandmaster of Teutonic Order from Habsburg Dynasty, Archduke Eugen Ferdinand Pius Bernhard Felix Maria von Habsburg Lothringen, dying on December 30, 1954, in the Teutonic Order house at Meran, surrounded by the brothers of the Order.

Eugen showed a pious nature early in life and in 1887, at the age of 23, he made his vows as a professed knight of the ancient Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic Order. The vows entailed poverty, chastity and obedience. At the same time as investiture, Eugen was selected coadjutor of his uncle Archduke Wilhelm Franz Karl von Habsburg Lothringen, who was then Hoch- und Deutschmeister of the Order.

Upon Wilhelm’s death in 1894, Eugen was installed as Hoch- und Deutschmeister and proved one of the most capable men to lead the centuries-old Order of Catholic chivalry and charity. He founded new hospitals, increased the efficiency of the Marianer (lay sisters’) nursing services and improved their training and streamlined and expanded the Order’s archives in Vienna.

By 1911, the Teutonic Order numbered 20 professed knights bound to celibacy while enjoying a benefice of the order, and 30 knights of honor not bound to celibacy who were required to furnish monetary offerings. The revenues of the Order were devoted to religious works, and it had administration of 50 parishes, 17 schools, and nine hospitals and supported two congregations of priests and four of sisters. It performed ambulance service in time of war and paid the cost of the ambulance, for which Marianers were ambulance bearers.

Following the war, Eugen devoted more time to the work of the Teutonic Order, charitable relief work for the war-stricken population of Austria and other works of mercy. He lived for a while in Lucerene and later in a modest hotel in Basel.

When the new government of Austria attempted to seize the considerable assets of the Teutonic Order as property of the Habsburg family in 1923, Eugen nobly voluntarily resigned his position as the Hoch- und Deutschmeister and, thereby, the Order retained its possessions. Eugen was the last hereditary grand master of the Order and it became a solely religious order of priests, brothers and sisters. The chivalric aspect of the Order was revived in 2000 under a separate Hochmeister.

In 1934, Eugen moved into the Order’s home at Gumpoldskirchen near Vienna. He no longer believed in the possibility of the Habsburgs being returned to power, yet participated at monarchist and veterans’ functions and placed himself again at the service of the Habsburg family.

Following the Anschluss of Austria to Nazi Germany in 1938 the Teutonic Order was dissolved and its possessions confiscated. Eugen held the admiration of both the Axis and Allied powers. Likely with the intervention of Hermann Göring and other senior Nazi military figures, he survived the Second World War in a rented house at Hietzing. In 1945, Eugen returned to the Tyrol and received through the French occupying forces a small rented villa at Igls.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Flintcon con events

this convention takes place on 9FEB19 at Saint Paul's Lutheran church and School,  402 S. Ballenger Highway, Flint MI. and runs from 08:30 until 23:30




Still getting in more games but here is Pre-Christmas teaser of planned events planned for flintcon 2019.
First Session 9AM-1PM
Battle of Hastings in 28mm Triumph! – Brian Peruski
Napoleonic Battle Black Powder – Jon Carroll
Aliens Vs. Predator Vs. Marines – Adam Koziel
Freeblades – Geoffrey Wing
Close Action Napoleonic Naval Action – Garry Kaluzny
Russo Turkish War battle of Plevna 15mm – Scott Hansen
What a Tanker – Mat Kottonow
Second Session 2PM-6PM
Battle of Hastings in 28mm Triumph! – Brian Peruski
Napoleonic Battle 28mm Black Powder – Jon Carroll
Championship Formula Racing – Jack Beckman
Dawn Attack at Sharpsburg 1/72 (ACW 101 Tod’s New Rules!) – Tod Kershner
Isandlwana Zulu War using The Man Who Would Be King rules - Michael David Wedding
Mekong Delta Cambodia – Michael Harris
Flint and Feather – Michael Ovsenik
Third Session 7PM-11PM
Blue Max – Rod Cain
Gutshot – Gary Kaluzny
Board Games planned:
Steve Jackson Games – Bill Korsak
Mare Nostum - Donald Mark Haynes
Newly developed Interstellar Space Game – David North

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Photo tour of Wargames Headquarters

All photo are credited to Dave Kennedy.  Looks like the Christmas Elves are busy casting goodies for Christmas. 















Monday, December 17, 2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Boer War Black week

I always had interest in the Boer Wars.  These Wars ended up being the modern warfare.  Gone where the days men standing in line like the Napoleonic war and American Civil War. 

We are in the Middle (10th-17th Decemeber 1899) of what was called "A Black Week" for the British Army during the 2nd Boer War.
These three battles – Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso – shook late-Victorian Britain. The British Army suffered almost 3,000 casulaties.
Esteemed Historian Dr Spencer Jones of Wolverhampton University tells the story of Black Week - the battles, the generals and the mistakes.






Mounted Agincourt Knights by Perry Miniatures

Pre-orders are now being taken!
Mounted Agincourt Knights 1415-29
Designed by Alan Perry
The figures in this set represent European Knights from 1415-1429. Armour and clothing variants allow European cavalry (French, English, German, Italian etc.) to be built. Up to half the figures can be assembled to represent light horse; mounted sergeants or archers. There are many arm, torso and leg variants to allow a huge amount of individuality and poses to be achieved. Many of the arms have the weapons attached but others are without hands (which are attached to various weapons) to allow more flexibility for those who like to personalize their figures. There are some bodies with fixed left arms but most are with separate ones.
The bodies are split so you can introduce a bit of movement from the waist as the helmets of the period didn’t allow the head much side to side movement. Three heads on each frame have the visors sculpted on them in the locked-down position. The idea was to fit as many variations of the riders as possible on one frame. You will also be able to use arms from the present Agincourt box sets with these.
The lighter armoured figures can also represent earlier (1390’s) or poorer knights in padded aketons or juppe de wambesons.
The horses are Michaels’ WotRs horses. There was no need to remake these or make additional ones as the basic tack remained identical through most of the 15th century. Alan has made a couple of additional horse heads with earlier chanfrons (as these were a little different) and shorter crinet on the neck. Up to half the horses can be armoured.
There are armorial banners for French English and German knights inclued.
If you buy 3 boxed sets direct from us you will receive a free metal mounted commander.
You can pre-order now from our website, the boxed set will be released on the 7th Jan 2019. Please note the payment will be automatically taken when you put the order in.
Code AO 70
Price £20











Wednesday, December 12, 2018

LnL Heroes of Normandy

Lock and Load is a very nice game system to play many different eras of warfare.  I have a couple of the games.   The video will give one a very nice overview of the series.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

DIY groups for machining and computers

I just found out about a group called the village.   It is is an interesting concept where people get together to make things.  Another side of the learning process is running the real equipment.  This include milling machine, lathes, computer for programming part, 3d printer and laser cutter.   Currently the closest one to me is in Ferndale.   It is called i3 Detroit.   Looking like after the first of the year I'm going to looking into this DIY shop

i3 Detroit

Here what they say about the program.
Ever dream of a place where you could build and craft your heart’s desires?
A place to find other Do-It-Yourself-ers and get tips and advice?
A place where you could learn to use and have access to tools that would never fit into your garage or your budget?
That place exists, today. Welcome to i3Detroit.
Here at i3Detroit, we want to create and build, probably much like yourself. We’re not a profit-driven tool rental center, we’ve got a burning passion to create, tinker, hack and make, one that drives us to create the best possible community and space. Our members take pride in what we’ve built, and for good reason. We’ve got such a diverse range of things to create with here, and we’ve done it all as a highly-engaged volunteer community with a passion for things such as crafting, woodworking, metalworking, electronics, welding, programming, and digital fabrication!
Located near the heart of Ferndale, we’re close to many local events and an amazing community. If you’re curious about, or never heard of a Makerspace, then swing on by on a Friday evening (6:00 to 9:00 PM) to take a tour and get to know the membership!
Excited? Gotten this far? Come see us! You’ll find this is just the place you’ve been looking for!
See you soon!

They even had a miniature painting workshop;

Miniature Painting Class/Meetup 11/17/2017


Alec and Swit are offering a miniature painting workshop 7 – 10 pm November 17, 2017. Come learn how to paint cool gaming miniatures for games like D&D, Warhammer, or just make you favorite board game a little fancier.  The paint is non-toxic acrylic. It will stain clothes.
10 People Maximum.
 $5 material fee.
Paints, brushes, and pallets will be available. A few miniatures will be available for $3-5 or bring your own. You are welcome to bring your own kit but we’ll still ask for the material fee to cover permanent painting supplies for the i3Detroit classroom.

Monday, December 10, 2018

Warlords Cruel seas game

Before you throw down your money to buy this new game from warlords.  Here is their video showing the game play.


Saturday, December 8, 2018

Pegasus Hobbies 1/72 Russian Buildings

My past post showed pictures of a WW2 era Russian village.   Here is your chance to build the village using Pegasus Hobbies Russian village buildings.  This series building had been around for many years.   Not many of us have seen these built.  Why because they are still in the box or hidden away in one's gaming pile of stuff.   Gary Beardaworth a member of the Battle Group face book page is the proud owner of these models shown below.  The buildings are Christmas present from his friend Simon.  The best part they come painted...  Plus the unassemblied builds are $9.00 to 11.00 USD