My friend and I use "Rompan El Fuego" the SCW supplement for Rapid Fire. It's a jolly good game. Minor point, the cover of the Osprey book depicts the milicianos fighting on the barricades in Madrid. They would be FAI/CNT anarchists, not communists, but they along with the Trotskyist POUM would get sold out and eliminated by the Stalinists in 1938. Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" makes a reference to this.
Our experience with the Spanish Civil War was, of course, the aerial component playing air combat games during this time period is fun with the different types of planes involved from the Italian biplanes to the early versions of the 109…
Oh this is interesting and I love to study the Spanish Civil War! I've been curious about finding a good ruleset for SCW and thought about using Xenos Rampant to create SCW skirmishes. I've been trying to lobby Wargames Atlantic to make Spanish Civil War minis in plastic. I'm not too big on metals so I'm still trying to find plastic kit bashing options in the meantime. Arriba Espana!
Also, just a historical footnote, look into the Portuguese pilot José Adriano Pequito Rebelo. He's a good example of the weirdness of that war. It attracted so many oddballs and zealots to it. Very few of whom could be easily summed up with the base ideologies of fascism or communism. I think most of the fighters on both sides really wanted something different but were hoping for the best.
"Italy punches well below their weight." True and why it is my hobby-within-a-hobby to make italy win every theater, from the Spanish Civil War to WW2 to the American War of Independence. Any time I see a fire rising, I ask myself, "How can Italy come out on top in this?" Even in the old Close Combat games.
Spanish Civil War?, not an expert but look forward to watching this pan out on the gaming table. Also a big thanks to you for your championing of 2mm scale. Don't know if your orders come wrapped in newspaper, but those grip top bags and hand written codes are a joy! Just received one myself, although mine is loaded with elephants... oh, and a hydra.
Newspaper from a strange and wonderful place that is just and that's like my home to feel familiar, yet just different enough to fuel the rage and wonderful.
This is one of those wars that I started and dropped out throughout the years. I know that I had figures for it in 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, and 28mm, and have since sold them off except maybe an odd figure or two that some how got mixed in with some other sets. I like the period and like that it is still a mostly infantryman's war and not hordes of tanks for wargaming, but something about the actual war leaves me cold for really into it. I had played in several games way back in the days (cough... early'90s') and enjoyed most of them, even when playing Durruti's Column. I do look forward to your adventure into it.
To paraphrase Austin Powers..."SCW? Yes, please!". Fascinating conflict for all the reasons you've mentioned. I wasn't terribly impressed with A World Aflame, have read but haven't tried the chaos of Que, loved Cordery's rules. (You may wish to check out his wargaming guide to this conflict, LA ULTIMA CRUZADA. Great sourcebook). Can't wait to see this project of yours!
Great video, I particularly enjoyed the potted history. Kemp’s book is great especially if you get the 3 volumes which takes him from Spain to the Balkans, Poland and the Far East in WW2. I’ll be interested to see what you make of ‘Que?’ I’m not sure if I’m missing a page in my copy or if they’re super brief. Either way I can’t quite make them work, but that may be because I’m a bit slow.
I've often thought The Perfect Captains Red Actions rules would be decent for Spanish Civil War. But, the nature of those rules do mean a ton of redevelopment work would be needed. This is the sort of thing The Perfect Captain use to do but they've slowed down in recent years.
I’ve used Red Actions for SCW without too much difficulty. I didn’t go to the trouble of producing cards for the units but it’s not hard to work out stats.
I collected a large number of Copplestone Back Of Beyond for some China Warlords action. Same reasons as yours for Spain. Looking forward to seeing your videos on this.
The Republican tank is probably a T-26 and the Nationalist is probably a Panzer-1. Love the SCW. So many possibilities for bizarre armoured cars. And the various factions as you mentioned. Good stuff.
Yes, most of your armoured cars are "Los Tiznaos" converted civilian trucks with boiler plate added. I believe On Military Matters out of New Jersey still has a lot of references for the period. The vast majority of tanks for the Republicans are T-26b and some T-26a. The Nationalists used PZ I, the Spanish modified PZ I with Breda, and if you are playing the CTV, CV-33 and CV-33 flamethrower tank. Cavalry was extensively used in the SCW
Thanks for posting this. I suspect you may get some pushback on your historical summary - the Spanish Civil War still arouses polarised views and strong emotions over 80 years later. I am not a fan of 2mm figures but you may convert me in the course of this project. Looking forward to new episodes.
I would like to see how Xenos Rampant plays in this period. One could take inspiration from the Weird War example detachments, remove the fantasy elements and add in some special rules like Limited Ammunition (page 159). In particular, the Strange Foundation Expedition on p132 seems like a good starting point - it even includes horesemen! As for multibasing - I tried the Rampant rules with 6mm figures, two bases per infantry unit (remove one = under half strength), and it plays beautifully! I personally like it more than moving individual models. I suppose this would grossly overgeneralize of the dynamics of the period, but I would be interested to see how it plays compared to a more "accurate" ruleset.
Try Peter Kemp’s “Mine Were of Trouble”, as mentioned in this vid. As a military memoir it’s much more insightful than Orwell, who was little more than an amateur fighter.
John just revisiting this video. Are the ¿Que? Rules part of the miniatures order for Irregular? Im not seeing them on the ir website. I hope your eye is doing well.
I like to spread my 6mm boys on 2-3 square bases of 25mm (mm I say? Heresy, I know! Greetings from Europe btw). That gives some flexibility for suggesting formations and indicating unit strength...
Love your videos. In the interests of historical discussion it's interesting that you don't use the word Fascists. You mention Communists and Commies several times. Fascism was the acknowledged political system Franco followed. The amazing thing is he still led his Fascist dictatorship until 1975 when he died. There's also no mention of the fact the war started as a coup attempt. A democratically elected Liberal government was otherthroen by Franco and his army. 'Nationalists' is also an incorrect term. 'FRANCOISTS' is more accurate. Nationalists comes from thr incorrect translation of Nationalistas, which actually translates as Nationals. One final thing. This is an unremittiningly grim period of history. The civilian death toll was horrific. The Republican side, principally the Anarchists (who were left of Communism! 😀) killed around 20,000. The Francoist forces killed around 200,000. Guernica was the first deliberate bombing of civilian targets. Good luck and I'll be following with interest 👍
A caveat to the above, Franco probably started out as a Monarchist, but his political Ideology admired and then transformed into fascism as the war and his subsequent political career progressed.
Our hosts have very tender sensibilities, and that might be one of thier no-no words. I need to double-check before I go dropping f-bombs on the channel.
20,000 seems like it is below the low-end estimates I can find for the Republicans(more like 50,000), while 200,000 is close to the highest estimate for the Nationalists.
@@salagam From what I understand, as the war progressed Franco did everything he could to distance himself and his country from being a mere plaything for the Big Two Fascist leaders of the day. A pragmatic man who took what he needed without going full quisling. Another one of those weird ironies that get lost in the telling of the popular histories.
We'll get there. I also didn't talk about the huge adventure involved with the Spanish Navy. Lots of ironic plot twists in that aspect of the conflict, too
Yep. Half the interest of the SCW is the wonderful variety of colourful uniforms - almost lost at 2mm scale and barely discernible at 6mm. I wouldn’t go smaller than 10mm.
That is an absolute horrible scale...I use 28mm f I'm Empress miniatures and they are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the info but you totally lost me at the mini....
Ironically many Falangist get killed and their influenced diminished within Nacional and later Francoist by merging them into FET/JONS (also Falangist is infact anti-monarchist and was Republican with only small section of Falangist that support Monarchy even then its was Heterodox monarchy not conventional monarchy)
If I have to be truthful, in general, I dislike commies/Marxists/socialists a bit more than fascists. But I hate both equally for what they have done and are doing to the world. Now that that's out of the way, I realize I don't have any games on the Spanish Civil War or for that matter anything on the Mexican Civil War/conflicts or even the Mexican American war. However, my one trip into 2mm was not real enjoyable. So for now mostly 28's; fantasy (Orcland for ever!!!) n medieval; no guns (for now) until my futuristic figures get played again, or if I ever get my 28 Nappy Infantry built (got no cav or arty).
You better get the right uniform colors for the Lincoln Brigade. They can get testy when they don’t get special treatment. LOL
Can't believe you passed over the 30 years war in the intro. Great vid. Always fun to see what you are up to.
I support this project idea for two reasons: The "sides" are both a confusing hot mess of civil war craziness...and they invented the "fifth column".
So true! Even today’s simplistic labels don’t apply to most of them back then.
Did not expect 2023 to be the year of Mr. Wargaming becoming an Hispanophile. Looking forward to more of this. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Have you read Orwell's Homage to Catalonia? Interesting, short and readable.
My friend and I use "Rompan El Fuego" the SCW supplement for Rapid Fire. It's a jolly good game. Minor point, the cover of the Osprey book depicts the milicianos fighting on the barricades in Madrid. They would be FAI/CNT anarchists, not communists, but they along with the Trotskyist POUM would get sold out and eliminated by the Stalinists in 1938. Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" makes a reference to this.
Sold out and eliminated by commies, you say? Whoever could have predicted it??
Great video! I recently purchased a few Osprey games and now I would like to get this one! Enjoy your week and Take Care! 👍👍
Our experience with the Spanish Civil War was, of course, the aerial component playing air combat games during this time period is fun with the different types of planes involved from the Italian biplanes to the early versions of the 109…
Oh this is interesting and I love to study the Spanish Civil War! I've been curious about finding a good ruleset for SCW and thought about using Xenos Rampant to create SCW skirmishes. I've been trying to lobby Wargames Atlantic to make Spanish Civil War minis in plastic. I'm not too big on metals so I'm still trying to find plastic kit bashing options in the meantime. Arriba Espana!
Also, just a historical footnote, look into the Portuguese pilot José Adriano Pequito Rebelo. He's a good example of the weirdness of that war. It attracted so many oddballs and zealots to it. Very few of whom could be easily summed up with the base ideologies of fascism or communism. I think most of the fighters on both sides really wanted something different but were hoping for the best.
"Italy punches well below their weight."
True and why it is my hobby-within-a-hobby to make italy win every theater, from the Spanish Civil War to WW2 to the American War of Independence.
Any time I see a fire rising, I ask myself, "How can Italy come out on top in this?"
Even in the old Close Combat games.
I see you too are a man of Saint Jude, Patron Saint of Lost Causes tastes.
A noble and worthy crusade!
A better title has never been made. Also, hooray for Ian. Man’s a champion
Spanish Civil War?, not an expert but look forward to watching this pan out on the gaming table. Also a big thanks to you for your championing of 2mm
scale. Don't know if your orders come wrapped in newspaper, but those grip top bags and hand written codes are a joy!
Just received one myself, although mine is loaded with elephants... oh, and a hydra.
Newspaper from a strange and wonderful place that is just and that's like my home to feel familiar, yet just different enough to fuel the rage and wonderful.
@@TheJoyofWargaming I got the Daily Mail, so not sure about that!
Watching the progress of this project with interest.
Gonna be a while. 😕
I am on injured reserve for any serious painting/crafting until surgical repairs are done.
This is one of those wars that I started and dropped out throughout the years. I know that I had figures for it in 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, and 28mm, and have since sold them off except maybe an odd figure or two that some how got mixed in with some other sets. I like the period and like that it is still a mostly infantryman's war and not hordes of tanks for wargaming, but something about the actual war leaves me cold for really into it. I had played in several games way back in the days (cough... early'90s') and enjoyed most of them, even when playing Durruti's Column. I do look forward to your adventure into it.
To paraphrase Austin Powers..."SCW? Yes, please!". Fascinating conflict for all the reasons you've mentioned. I wasn't terribly impressed with A World Aflame, have read but haven't tried the chaos of Que, loved Cordery's rules. (You may wish to check out his wargaming guide to this conflict, LA ULTIMA CRUZADA. Great sourcebook).
Can't wait to see this project of yours!
Great video, I particularly enjoyed the potted history. Kemp’s book is great especially if you get the 3 volumes which takes him from Spain to the Balkans, Poland and the Far East in WW2. I’ll be interested to see what you make of ‘Que?’ I’m not sure if I’m missing a page in my copy or if they’re super brief. Either way I can’t quite make them work, but that may be because I’m a bit slow.
I've often thought The Perfect Captains Red Actions rules would be decent for Spanish Civil War. But, the nature of those rules do mean a ton of redevelopment work would be needed. This is the sort of thing The Perfect Captain use to do but they've slowed down in recent years.
I’ve used Red Actions for SCW without too much difficulty. I didn’t go to the trouble of producing cards for the units but it’s not hard to work out stats.
I collected a large number of Copplestone Back Of Beyond for some China Warlords action. Same reasons as yours for Spain.
Looking forward to seeing your videos on this.
The Republican tank is probably a T-26 and the Nationalist is probably a Panzer-1. Love the SCW. So many possibilities for bizarre armoured cars. And the various factions as you mentioned. Good stuff.
What I thought about the tanks. Size (height) versus the troops at this scale is more distorted by infantry/cavalry having bases.
Yes, most of your armoured cars are "Los Tiznaos" converted civilian trucks with boiler plate added. I believe On Military Matters out of New Jersey still has a lot of references for the period. The vast majority of tanks for the Republicans are T-26b and some T-26a. The Nationalists used PZ I, the Spanish modified PZ I with Breda, and if you are playing the CTV, CV-33 and CV-33 flamethrower tank. Cavalry was extensively used in the SCW
The Moors got as far as the middle of France. Battle of Tours. Also coughs in WW2...
Thanks for posting this.
I suspect you may get some pushback on your historical summary - the Spanish Civil War still arouses polarised views and strong emotions over 80 years later.
I am not a fan of 2mm figures but you may convert me in the course of this project. Looking forward to new episodes.
Completel agree. I am American with roots to Spain. Almost entire family executed before during and after the Civil War.
I would like to see how Xenos Rampant plays in this period. One could take inspiration from the Weird War example detachments, remove the fantasy elements and add in some special rules like Limited Ammunition (page 159). In particular, the Strange Foundation Expedition on p132 seems like a good starting point - it even includes horesemen!
As for multibasing - I tried the Rampant rules with 6mm figures, two bases per infantry unit (remove one = under half strength), and it plays beautifully! I personally like it more than moving individual models.
I suppose this would grossly overgeneralize of the dynamics of the period, but I would be interested to see how it plays compared to a more "accurate" ruleset.
That's a really good idea
@@TheJoyofWargaming Happy to help!
Read Orwell, best war memoir ever written.
Just started it.
So we'll see.
Try Peter Kemp’s “Mine Were of Trouble”, as mentioned in this vid. As a military memoir it’s much more insightful than Orwell, who was little more than an amateur fighter.
Using 2mm miniatures for the wargame should be interesting. I've never used tweezers with a movement template.
Based takes!! I look forward to this campaign!!
Again another great video and another Osprey book I may have to buy just to have it...
John just revisiting this video. Are the ¿Que? Rules part of the miniatures order for Irregular? Im not seeing them on the ir website.
I hope your eye is doing well.
The rules are really hard to find. You have to click on the miscellaneous tab at the bottom of the page.
irregularminiatures.co.uk/Misc/Rules.htm
Wow, 2mm...just wow.
very informative
Iberiboo?
Iberiboo? Lol
Depending on the rules, consider not using the 1" bases. Keep those formations fluid!
I like to spread my 6mm boys on 2-3 square bases of 25mm (mm I say? Heresy, I know! Greetings from Europe btw). That gives some flexibility for suggesting formations and indicating unit strength...
Would this make you a 'Juanaboo'?
Love your videos. In the interests of historical discussion it's interesting that you don't use the word Fascists. You mention Communists and Commies several times. Fascism was the acknowledged political system Franco followed. The amazing thing is he still led his Fascist dictatorship until 1975 when he died. There's also no mention of the fact the war started as a coup attempt. A democratically elected Liberal government was otherthroen by Franco and his army. 'Nationalists' is also an incorrect term. 'FRANCOISTS' is more accurate. Nationalists comes from thr incorrect translation of Nationalistas, which actually translates as Nationals. One final thing. This is an unremittiningly grim period of history. The civilian death toll was horrific. The Republican side, principally the Anarchists (who were left of Communism! 😀) killed around 20,000. The Francoist forces killed around 200,000. Guernica was the first deliberate bombing of civilian targets.
Good luck and I'll be following with interest 👍
A caveat to the above, Franco probably started out as a Monarchist, but his political Ideology admired and then transformed into fascism as the war and his subsequent political career progressed.
Our hosts have very tender sensibilities, and that might be one of thier no-no words. I need to double-check before I go dropping f-bombs on the channel.
Also, the rules from peter pig, Bayonets and Ideology are great. They are grid based but written specifically for tha SCW.
20,000 seems like it is below the low-end estimates I can find for the Republicans(more like 50,000), while 200,000 is close to the highest estimate for the Nationalists.
@@salagam From what I understand, as the war progressed Franco did everything he could to distance himself and his country from being a mere plaything for the Big Two Fascist leaders of the day. A pragmatic man who took what he needed without going full quisling. Another one of those weird ironies that get lost in the telling of the popular histories.
I am surprised you didn't spend more time discussing the religious persecution by the Republican side. /nitpick
We'll get there.
I also didn't talk about the huge adventure involved with the Spanish Navy. Lots of ironic plot twists in that aspect of the conflict, too
A shame you went with 2mm, really lose the neat colors of the different forces.
Yep. Half the interest of the SCW is the wonderful variety of colourful uniforms - almost lost at 2mm scale and barely discernible at 6mm. I wouldn’t go smaller than 10mm.
That is an absolute horrible scale...I use 28mm f I'm Empress miniatures and they are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the info but you totally lost me at the mini....
Ironically many Falangist get killed and their influenced diminished within Nacional and later Francoist by merging them into FET/JONS (also Falangist is infact anti-monarchist and was Republican with only small section of Falangist that support Monarchy even then its was Heterodox monarchy not conventional monarchy)
“Jihad”, not crusade. 😃
t26 russian lt tank
If I have to be truthful, in general, I dislike commies/Marxists/socialists a bit more than fascists. But I hate both equally for what they have done and are doing to the world.
Now that that's out of the way, I realize I don't have any games on the Spanish Civil War or for that matter anything on the Mexican Civil War/conflicts or even the Mexican American war.
However, my one trip into 2mm was not real enjoyable. So for now mostly 28's; fantasy (Orcland for ever!!!) n medieval; no guns (for now) until my futuristic figures get played again, or if I ever get my 28 Nappy Infantry built (got no cav or arty).