Dave Watson
@balkandave.bsky.social
Think tank director, historian, wargamer, Fulham FC fan. Editor www.balkanhistory.org. Mostly history and wargaming here.
We are refighting the Battle of Quatre Bras 1815 at the Veterans Hub in Glasgow over both days this weekend. Multi -Player 12x6 table. All quiet at the crossroads and Gemioncourt for Bylandt’s Dutch/Belgium brigade. It won’t be for long!
November 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
We are refighting the Battle of Quatre Bras 1815 at the Veterans Hub in Glasgow over both days this weekend. Multi -Player 12x6 table. All quiet at the crossroads and Gemioncourt for Bylandt’s Dutch/Belgium brigade. It won’t be for long!
At nightfall, neither the Russians or the Persians have made much progress. My mother told me not to play cards. She wasn’t wrong! Lust for Glory in 15mm.
November 20, 2025 at 10:03 PM
At nightfall, neither the Russians or the Persians have made much progress. My mother told me not to play cards. She wasn’t wrong! Lust for Glory in 15mm.
Lust for Glory playtesting game this evening. Listening to the Napoleonic Quarterly this morning on the 1804 Russo-Persian War. So, we are fighting in the Caucasus this evening.
November 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Lust for Glory playtesting game this evening. Listening to the Napoleonic Quarterly this morning on the 1804 Russo-Persian War. So, we are fighting in the Caucasus this evening.
Latest off the painting bench is another fill in project from the lead (resin in this case) pile. Some government dragoons for Jacobite skirmish games in 28mm. 3D prints from British Miniatures.
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Latest off the painting bench is another fill in project from the lead (resin in this case) pile. Some government dragoons for Jacobite skirmish games in 28mm. 3D prints from British Miniatures.
The Austrians won the cavalry battle but my French infantry brigades smashed through the centre before they could reorganise. Victory to Marmont. Black Powder at the club today.
November 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The Austrians won the cavalry battle but my French infantry brigades smashed through the centre before they could reorganise. Victory to Marmont. Black Powder at the club today.
Appropriately, given my online talk on the Napoleonic Wars in the Adriatic this evening, I am leading Marmont against the Austrians. The first division has made a bold attack on the Austrian flank.
November 16, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Appropriately, given my online talk on the Napoleonic Wars in the Adriatic this evening, I am leading Marmont against the Austrians. The first division has made a bold attack on the Austrian flank.
OTD in 1885, Serbia declared war on Bulgaria. They suffered a decisive defeat and were only saved by Austria-Hungary's demand that Bulgaria halt its counter-invasion. The decisive Battle of Slivnitsa is just inside the modern Bulgarian border.
November 14, 2025 at 12:02 PM
OTD in 1885, Serbia declared war on Bulgaria. They suffered a decisive defeat and were only saved by Austria-Hungary's demand that Bulgaria halt its counter-invasion. The decisive Battle of Slivnitsa is just inside the modern Bulgarian border.
My Ottoman raiding party sniped away without making much impression on the Russian infantry. The Faithforged activation system is pretty brutal, which may be the intention, but it’s a bit frustrating. Back to the drawing board.
November 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
My Ottoman raiding party sniped away without making much impression on the Russian infantry. The Faithforged activation system is pretty brutal, which may be the intention, but it’s a bit frustrating. Back to the drawing board.
The midweek game is another Faithforged test game. Version3 appears to be a lot clearer. It’s 1768, and an Ottoman raiding party has sneaked across the Dniester River to attack a Russian supply convoy. Another scenario to expand those in my new book.
November 12, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The midweek game is another Faithforged test game. Version3 appears to be a lot clearer. It’s 1768, and an Ottoman raiding party has sneaked across the Dniester River to attack a Russian supply convoy. Another scenario to expand those in my new book.
Lest we forget those who died far away from our shores. At least the Commonwealth War Graves Commission does not. Macedonian Front in WW1.
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Lest we forget those who died far away from our shores. At least the Commonwealth War Graves Commission does not. Macedonian Front in WW1.
OTD in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died. He was the Turkish field marshal and revolutionary statesman who was the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye, serving as its first president. You will find more than a few statues of him if you visit Türkiye!
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
OTD in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died. He was the Turkish field marshal and revolutionary statesman who was the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye, serving as its first president. You will find more than a few statues of him if you visit Türkiye!
Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy 138 has just dropped into my mailbox. There is an interesting article on the Cretan War😉. Soon, in all good newsagents, so get your copy!
November 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy 138 has just dropped into my mailbox. There is an interesting article on the Cretan War😉. Soon, in all good newsagents, so get your copy!
A nice Lord of the Rings table and other sci-fi offerings at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
November 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A nice Lord of the Rings table and other sci-fi offerings at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
General D’Armee at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
November 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
General D’Armee at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
The Bulgarians and their Russian volunteers held onto the church but only just. Greek and Serbian flank attacks reached the walls by the end of the game.
November 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The Bulgarians and their Russian volunteers held onto the church but only just. Greek and Serbian flank attacks reached the walls by the end of the game.
2nd Balkan War at the Irvine club today. Bolt Action. Serbs and Greeks attacking the Bulgarian positions.
November 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM
2nd Balkan War at the Irvine club today. Bolt Action. Serbs and Greeks attacking the Bulgarian positions.
There are a few errors in the stats that we corrected by hand, but you will get the idea.
November 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
There are a few errors in the stats that we corrected by hand, but you will get the idea.
Memorial to the 244 engine room staff who lost their lives when the Titanic sank. Remaining at their posts so others could survive. Staggering number.
November 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Memorial to the 244 engine room staff who lost their lives when the Titanic sank. Remaining at their posts so others could survive. Staggering number.
Following Fulham away takes me to Liverpool for the footie today and my favourite art gallery, The Walker. A realistic painting of Napoleon crossing the Alps, the death of Nelson and ‘When did you last see your father. Among many other famous paintings.
November 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Following Fulham away takes me to Liverpool for the footie today and my favourite art gallery, The Walker. A realistic painting of Napoleon crossing the Alps, the death of Nelson and ‘When did you last see your father. Among many other famous paintings.
Score draw to the Albanians at close of play. I’m afraid I showed little of Skanderbeg’s tactical skill. In my defence there wasn’t much room to manoeuvre. But my troops stuck it out and held the Ottomans off. Midgard rules.
November 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Score draw to the Albanians at close of play. I’m afraid I showed little of Skanderbeg’s tactical skill. In my defence there wasn’t much room to manoeuvre. But my troops stuck it out and held the Ottomans off. Midgard rules.
We are playing Midgard tonight on 15mm. The Ottomans are making a sortie into Albania to sort out Skanderbeg.
November 5, 2025 at 7:44 PM
We are playing Midgard tonight on 15mm. The Ottomans are making a sortie into Albania to sort out Skanderbeg.
The Italians are invading Greece at the club today. Bolt Action in 28mm.
November 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The Italians are invading Greece at the club today. Bolt Action in 28mm.
Halfling jousting game at Targe today.
November 1, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Halfling jousting game at Targe today.
Storming the Heights of Dargai 1897. British and Indian troops seeking to displace the Afghans. Targe show today.
November 1, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Storming the Heights of Dargai 1897. British and Indian troops seeking to displace the Afghans. Targe show today.
The Russian attack is faltering before the Janissaries. Kinburn 1787 using Lust for Glory rules at the Targe show today.
November 1, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The Russian attack is faltering before the Janissaries. Kinburn 1787 using Lust for Glory rules at the Targe show today.