Sharpe Takes on the Little Wars Convention

 

Table set up for my Sharpe's Bridge game on Saturday 
The British light division was trying to escape across the Coa River before
being overwhelmed by superior French numbers.

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Here are some pictures of the three games that I hosted at Little Wars this years. 40mm Napoleonic skirmish games based on the Richard Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell. My game was tucked away in some hard to find room next to the vendors area so it is understandable if you were at the convention and couldn’t find my game.

Major Hogan, one of Wellington's Exploring Officers, leads a scouting party
trying to find where Der Alte Fritz's games were being held at this year's Little Wars convention.

My game table featured custom built terrain using 2-inch pink insulation board which allowed me to sculpt and form realistic terrain . The figures were mostly Sash and Saber castings plus a few Perry 40mm figures and some of the Sharpe series personality figures from Steve Barber Models to represent Sharpe, Sgt Harper, Theresa, Pierre Ducos, and Jane Gibbons.

Sharpe (left) and Harper (center) - Steve Barber Models personality figures

The buildings were mostly 3D printed models from Battle Honours and I did all the painting and terrain making starting August 2025 through November 2025 so as to have the game ready for the Fall In Convention in Lancaster, PA. I added more bits and bobs and refinements through March 2026 before bringing the game to Little Wars this year.

Battle Honours buildings - 3D printed in 40mm scale
Cobblestone mat is from Lemax

We had a good group of players for all of the games and they made the games fun by really embracing the role playing element of a skirmish style of game. Some serious acting chops were put on display in my games. A big thanks to all of the participants for making it a good time.

The gentleman on the left played in two of my games, first playing the role of Richard Sharpe,
and then playing in the second game as Obadiah Hakeswell. He role played his characters to 
the hilt and demonstrated great acting chops and Oscar worthy performances.

Theresa (left) draws a bead on Hakeswell's hat (what would Mother think?) as she
attempts to rescue Lady Jane Fish and Lord Hamilton Fish. Somehow Hakeswell
talked his way out of this jam, only to fall into the hands of French General Calvet
who finally put Obadiah out of his misery for good (or did he?).

Theresa Sharpe (yes that Sharpe) also known as The Needle, leads her merry band of 
guerrillas around the wilds of the Little Wars hotel searching for Der Alte Fritz's game room.

40mm Sash and Saber British Riflemen figures

Perry Miniatures 40mm Peninsula War British light company figures representing
the South Essex Light Company.

Vistula Lancers comb the countryside trying to pick up the scent of Der Alte Fritz's game trail.

The South Essex Regiment on the march towards the Coa River bridge.
Flags by David Morfitt of "Not By Appointment" fame.

Colonel Henry Simmerson of the South Essex Regiment.
He led his men from the jaws of victory to a horrible defeat.
At least he didn't lose the Colours in this battle.

Besties Sharpe and Harper reach out to each other as they expire on 
the battlefield after hand to hand combat with the French. Corporal Harris (Jason Salkey)
looks on in despair, knowing that Sharpe's death means the end of his acting gig in the 
Sharpe television series.

Both Sharpe and Harper had a plus eight die modifier in melee, yet both men were cut down by swarms of French soldiers and incredibly bad dice rolling. Prior to the melee the game master was heard to say something along the lines of "Sharpe and Harper both get a +8 to their D20 die roll. They can't lose."

Colonel Henry Simmerson mucked up the retreat across the Coa River Bridge by suddenly stopping the South Essex road column and ordering his men to dress ranks and put their leather neck stocks back on. This blocked the road and prevented all of the other British units from reaching the safety of the bridge. However, Karma briefly reared its head and cause a Spanish mule driver to accidentally (?) strike a whip to the rear flank of Simmerson's horse, causing said horse to go careening back down the road towards the advancing French infantry.

The South Essex rally and reform on the safe side of the Coa River as Captain Leroy takes temporary
command of the regiment at the behest of Major Hogan who has relieved Simmerson of command.

Major Hogan organizes a defense of the bridge as the Vistula Lancers come charging in.

Birdseye view of the French cavalry breakthrough that cut off the South Essex Light Company from escape.

The South Essex center companies rally on the far side of the bridge.

The remnants of Sharpe's Rifles reform on the safe side of the bridge and begin a 
galling fire on the French cavalry that is charging across the bridge.

The end? Will Sharpe and Harper march again?

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