Dave Watson
@balkandave.bsky.social
Think tank director, historian, wargamer, Fulham FC fan. Editor www.balkanhistory.org. Mostly history and wargaming here.
Game over. Suvorov’s grenadiers go down fighting and he escapes with a wound. Potemkin is not happy as the Ottomans return to Ochakiv with their booty and he composes a dispatch to Catherine. Remembering that the town today is on the front line of the current Russian invasion. History eh!
December 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Game over. Suvorov’s grenadiers go down fighting and he escapes with a wound. Potemkin is not happy as the Ottomans return to Ochakiv with their booty and he composes a dispatch to Catherine. Remembering that the town today is on the front line of the current Russian invasion. History eh!
The Ottoman second line almost destroyed the Russian relief cavalry column in one move. However, a plucky Carabiner unit counterattacked and destroyed two units of Sipahi. The Janissaries have broken into the Russian defences but Suvorov and his grenadiers are holding on. Siege of Ochakiv 1788.
December 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The Ottoman second line almost destroyed the Russian relief cavalry column in one move. However, a plucky Carabiner unit counterattacked and destroyed two units of Sipahi. The Janissaries have broken into the Russian defences but Suvorov and his grenadiers are holding on. Siege of Ochakiv 1788.
The epic siege of Ochakiv was concluding this month in 1788. The Ottomans launched many sorties against the Russians during which both Suvorov and Kutusov were wounded. We are refighting one of those this afternoon in 8mm using Lust for Glory rules. A scenario from my new book.
December 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The epic siege of Ochakiv was concluding this month in 1788. The Ottomans launched many sorties against the Russians during which both Suvorov and Kutusov were wounded. We are refighting one of those this afternoon in 8mm using Lust for Glory rules. A scenario from my new book.
Victory to Gimli and the dwarves. It was looking dodgy at the start when they kept failing activations, but when it mattered they won the vital combats. The new Dragon Rampant has all the familiar mechanics, with lots of special rules to nuance unit characteristics. That’s a yes for me!
December 4, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Victory to Gimli and the dwarves. It was looking dodgy at the start when they kept failing activations, but when it mattered they won the vital combats. The new Dragon Rampant has all the familiar mechanics, with lots of special rules to nuance unit characteristics. That’s a yes for me!
We are trying the new 2nd edition of Dragon Rampant this evening. Dwarves v Orcs. The core rules are largely unchanged but there are some interesting special abilities. Waaagh!
December 4, 2025 at 7:52 PM
We are trying the new 2nd edition of Dragon Rampant this evening. Dwarves v Orcs. The core rules are largely unchanged but there are some interesting special abilities. Waaagh!
My 2025 Duolingo stats are in! Still struggling to communicate with a Turkish six year old😂.
December 3, 2025 at 1:08 PM
My 2025 Duolingo stats are in! Still struggling to communicate with a Turkish six year old😂.
Napoleon’s Battle of Austerlitz: enthusiasts in regimental costumes participate in a re-enactment of Napoleon’s Battle of Austerlitz, marking its 220th anniversary, in Czech Republic. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
December 1, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Napoleon’s Battle of Austerlitz: enthusiasts in regimental costumes participate in a re-enactment of Napoleon’s Battle of Austerlitz, marking its 220th anniversary, in Czech Republic. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
German invasion of Greece at the club today is not going well. British artillery has devastated my left flank and the Panzer III is immobilised. Blitzkrieg this isn’t.
November 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
German invasion of Greece at the club today is not going well. British artillery has devastated my left flank and the Panzer III is immobilised. Blitzkrieg this isn’t.
Scots have reached Teeside! The Battle of Newburn 1640, using Pike and Shotte rules.
November 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Scots have reached Teeside! The Battle of Newburn 1640, using Pike and Shotte rules.
The Battle of Domstadtl 1758. Austrians v Prussians in the SYW. Played with a massive collection of flats. Real old school!
November 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The Battle of Domstadtl 1758. Austrians v Prussians in the SYW. Played with a massive collection of flats. Real old school!
Big Week 1944 over Berlin using Fire in the Sky rules.
November 29, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Big Week 1944 over Berlin using Fire in the Sky rules.
Battle of Raphia 217BC. Seleucids v Egyptians using a grid based game called War Band.
November 29, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Battle of Raphia 217BC. Seleucids v Egyptians using a grid based game called War Band.
3 Para in Helmand 2006. Force on Force rules.
November 29, 2025 at 12:15 PM
3 Para in Helmand 2006. Force on Force rules.
Battle of Chairi 1701. Prince Eugene’s victory over the Franco-Spanish army. In 10mm.
November 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Battle of Chairi 1701. Prince Eugene’s victory over the Franco-Spanish army. In 10mm.
Sicily 1943. 28mm Bolt Action. Battleground show today.
November 29, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Sicily 1943. 28mm Bolt Action. Battleground show today.
Waterloo in 10mm using WoFun plastics and Blucher rules. Very effective. Battleground show today.
November 29, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Waterloo in 10mm using WoFun plastics and Blucher rules. Very effective. Battleground show today.
Assault on Little Round Top using 40mm figures and lots of teddy bear fur! Battleground show today.
November 29, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Assault on Little Round Top using 40mm figures and lots of teddy bear fur! Battleground show today.
Charge of the Rough Riders. You don’t often see Tiger Miniatures at shows. I do not need any more Balkan Wars figures….
November 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Charge of the Rough Riders. You don’t often see Tiger Miniatures at shows. I do not need any more Balkan Wars figures….
Barbarossa in 10mm using Rapid Fire rules at the Battleground show today.
November 29, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Barbarossa in 10mm using Rapid Fire rules at the Battleground show today.
Stopped off at Raby Castle in Teeside on my way to do a book talk this evening. Built by the Neville’s in the 14thC with later additions. Not impressed with the Xmas tree masking the armoury. Bah Humbug!
November 28, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Stopped off at Raby Castle in Teeside on my way to do a book talk this evening. Built by the Neville’s in the 14thC with later additions. Not impressed with the Xmas tree masking the armoury. Bah Humbug!
Reinforcements for my Blood Red Skies Luftwaffe fleet. Me 410 flown by German ace (38 victories) Edward Tratt from 1943. Another dent in the painting pile, before I am tempted to replenish it at Battleground, Middlesbrough on Saturday 😂.
November 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reinforcements for my Blood Red Skies Luftwaffe fleet. Me 410 flown by German ace (38 victories) Edward Tratt from 1943. Another dent in the painting pile, before I am tempted to replenish it at Battleground, Middlesbrough on Saturday 😂.
OTD in 1476, Vlad the Impaler was crowned for the third time as the Voivode of Wallachia. This was his shortest rule, as he died fighting the Ottomans within a month. He is supposedly buried in the Snagov Monastery. A peaceful setting, in contrast to his life and times.
November 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
OTD in 1476, Vlad the Impaler was crowned for the third time as the Voivode of Wallachia. This was his shortest rule, as he died fighting the Ottomans within a month. He is supposedly buried in the Snagov Monastery. A peaceful setting, in contrast to his life and times.
By close of play the French dominate the crossroads but the Allies have plenty in reserve. French cavalry are in the Allied flank. Similar to the historic Quatre Bras. Black Powder and thanks to Veterans Hub for good game.
November 23, 2025 at 3:21 PM
By close of play the French dominate the crossroads but the Allies have plenty in reserve. French cavalry are in the Allied flank. Similar to the historic Quatre Bras. Black Powder and thanks to Veterans Hub for good game.
My grand flank attack with Jerome’s division started well, pinning Alten. However, the dice gods bit back and the attack has ground to a halt. Jerome has probably brought his massive baggage again😂. Quatre Bras.
November 23, 2025 at 11:53 AM
My grand flank attack with Jerome’s division started well, pinning Alten. However, the dice gods bit back and the attack has ground to a halt. Jerome has probably brought his massive baggage again😂. Quatre Bras.
Day2 of the Battle of Quatre Bras 1815 at the Veterans Hub in Glasgow. The French are close to the crossroads but too slow getting there. Allied reinforcements have arrived in large numbers. Black Powder in 28mm.
November 23, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Day2 of the Battle of Quatre Bras 1815 at the Veterans Hub in Glasgow. The French are close to the crossroads but too slow getting there. Allied reinforcements have arrived in large numbers. Black Powder in 28mm.