Salute 2016 - Show report

Saturday 16th April 2016

Another year , another Salute. Went on the lunch time train Friday with intentions of a wander around the docklands area, but the rain kept us in.

We were lucky this year to get the hotel next to the Excel, so somewhere to leave bags and not have to get up so early, as in other years traveling in from other parts of London.

In the queue for a reasonable 9:10 and still near the front. As with our first visit to Excel 4 years ago we got a KR Multicase Golden ticket - Adam was the lucky bag winner this year and so another excellent back pack.

We had our shopping list and had narrowed it down to a few games we wanted to try. When show opened, first stop was KR for the bag and a redistribution of weight load. 

Right next door was a couple of XCOM games and we went for the longer mission. This was one we had played on the Xbox and thought we might know what we were doing!!!! 

Excellent terrain and figures, 5 players taking 6 figures, so we all had 1 each and Mark and I shared the lone MEC. We had to the mission to get to the Trawler and activate a homing beacon to allow bombers to come in and finish the job, after which we had to extract back to the start point. Crysalids came at us all the way and the MEC was first to die.

Whilst the others provided cover fire, I managed to gain the bridge and activate the beacon. Getting back was another thing. Finding myself with several Crysalids between my figure and the rest of the team, we decided to extract the remaining team, whilst I took as many out as possible.

So, my guy died heroically whist remainder successfully escaped, mission complete.

So, hour in and time for a wander. Mark really wanted to play the Minion Racing game and we walked over several times and each time a game was under way and very busy, a popular game.

Over the next 4 hours, we walked around, spent money and admired the games.

All were very good, some big and some small, all good quality. Trading stands were not overly crowded either, and had no problems getting what we wanted.

My favourite game was 54mm Napoleonic Peninsular battle, using Victrix figures. I had a battle of wills to stop myself buying a pack, however, when the new Osprey Napoleonic rules come out (as I like Black Ops), who knows!!!!

Another excellent game was a 40mm Peninsular Napoleonic game, which included Sharpe and Harper and also Hakeswill.

For Black Powder, and for amazing terrain, there was a 25mm SYW war, with a fantastic city scene at one end of the battlefield.

 No more games were played, this seems to be different every year, as last year we played lots of games, but we all still enjoyed the show. We are looking forward to next year, and hotel is already booked (assuming same weekend) and same hotel as in such a good location.

Some more pics of other games and great terrain.

There was a big Horus Heresy game on which was a optical feast.

There was a big 25mm Vietnam game, with plenty of detail and things to see.

And finally a very nice ECW siege game.

Nice quiet trip home and 3 happy Wargamers arrived back home Saturday night to inspect their wares. 

Monday 4th April 2016
Battle for Santiago 

After our crushing victory at Viga, Tom and Myself pursued the French North towards La Corunna.

However the town of Santiago lay inbetween, still with its intact "British" defenses and now manned by French troops with traitorous, Napoleon loving Spanish living within!!!

The allies went on the offensive, with Wellington and his gallant troops taking the left flank and our glorious army the right.

Adam was assisiting me and took the far right with intentions of swinging round the towns side, whilst Bob was helping Tom by doing the same on the left.

First turn and unfortunately Adam failed his orders as did most of the allies! Giving the French cavalry brigade time to advance and occupy the hill immediately to his front, second turn however saw 3 brave battalions advance to close range and unleash a devastating volley into those cavalry.

2 Units would retire never to partake again for the rest of the battle. However the middle Dragoon unit held, and forced them into square, giving the 3 horse batteries time to move up and fire. This caused 1 unit to become shaken, but, held its ground. This gave time for the Portuguese Artillery time to recover from its maneuver blunder and silence 2 of the 3 guns.

I was informed later that the far left advance never got off either with command after command being refused.

The centre Portuguese plan was simple - destroy the defenses and troops within by howitzer and cannon fire and then advance over their bodies, however it didn't work. the amount of cannon defending the front of the town also made it impossible.

The brave Transco Cacadores disappeared under a dust cloud of shot and shell which they endured for most of the battle. Their brigade commander feared the worst once the order was given to advance, however, out of the dust and smoke the unit was found, reforming after the battle shaken BUT NOT BROKEN.

So with the Portuguese centre reduced to an artillery duel, it left the British centre to do all the work, which they did in fine style. Advancing just to the left of the town, eliminating the defenders in the redoubts and then swinging around to take the flank.

All would have worked if not for the second French cavalry brigade advancing along the front of the town to charge the brave British line. The Mamelukes of the Guard caught a unit in line and charged home, only to be beaten off at point of bayonet.

The battle ended with the Portuguese right and centre starting to advance, the British centre holding off the French cavalry outside the town with the far right french troops cut off, and the British left still not moving.

At the end of the day the French despite heavy losses still held the town, but not the outlying defenses, again the Portuguese under the great command of Beresford fought well and no losses.

The battle was declared a draw and unless the French retreat, I'm sure we will fight again!