czwartek, 21 marca 2024

Not a Waterloo. Valour and Fortitude.

It was a big Sunday game with 9 players. Peter brought his massive 100-day Napoleonic collection and the game was played with Volour and Fortitude rules.



SCENARIO: Peter Mearns, Mike Evans
UMPIRING
Peter Mearns, Mike Evans
SCENERYPeter Mearns, SESWC
FIGURES & MODELSPeter Mearns


1. Forces.



FRANCE
(Alexander, Bartek, Campbell, Michael, Peter)

1st Infantry Brigade

1 x Infantry Detachment
4 x Line Infantry
1 x Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade

4 x Line Infantry

3rd Infantry Brigade

4 x Line Infantry

Light Cavalry Brigade

4 x Light Cavalry

RESERVES:

4th Infantry Brigade

4 x Line Infantry
1 x Gun

5th Infantry Brigade

4 x Line Infantry

Old Guard Brigade

6 x Old Guard Infantry
1 x Gun

Heavy Cavalry Brigade

2 x Cuirassiers
1 x Carabiniers
1 x Dragoons







ALLIED
(Gordon, Fred, Mike, Peter)

1st Infantry Brigade (British)

4 x Line Infantry
1 x Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade (British)

4 x Line Infantry
1 x Gun

3rd Infantry Brigade (British)

4 x Line Infantry

4th Infantry Brigade (British)

4 x Line Infantry

Light Cavalry Brigade (British)

4 x Light Cavalry

RESERVES:

Brunswick Infantry Brigade

4 x Line Infantry

Hanoverian Infantry Brigade

4 x Line Infantry

Heavy Cavalry Brigade (British)

3 x Heavy Cavalry






2. The game.

During the battle, the United Kingdom and their Allies fought against the French army led by Napoleon. Michael, Campbell, Alexander, and Peter started the battle on the French side, while I remained in reserves, waiting for an opportunity to join the fight. However, the British forces quickly seized control of all objectives, including two farms located in the middle of the battlefield. Michael initiated a flanking manoeuvre, which created a gap in the French lines, allowing my troops to join the battle.





Firstly, my Infantry Brigade was assigned to take positions in front of the farm that was occupied by Gordon's troops. However, we came under heavy fire from the British guns, and I had to withdraw to rally my troops. Later, I received the Heavy Cavalry Brigade, which seemed to be a game changer. The Cuirassiers caused panic among the British lines, and some of them had to form squares to prevent the flanking attack from my heavy cavalrymen. However, what initially seemed like a wise decision turned out to be a wrong one...





The French attack on our centre was led by Campbell and Alexander. They encountered the strongest resistance from the British troops, resulting in the largest number of casualties. Consequently, the Old Guard had to be deployed for assistance, which proved to be very effective as they were able to capture the first farm. The British troops were forced to retreat, especially after their left flank completely collapsed. The French Light cavalry brigade managed to outflank the British troops and also defeated the British cavalry, forcing them to withdraw from the battle.










During the battle, my cavalry charged a shaken Hanoverian square and managed to break it. After that, I withdrew and regrouped my troops, preparing for the charge of the British Household cavalry. To my delight, we managed to destroy them, just like the Scottish Highlanders. However, I had to withdraw once again to rally my troops. The British gaps were still covered by new troops, but luckily for me, Michael's manoeuvre to outflank the enemy was finished. This caused Gordon to send some of his troops to protect his flank, which presented an opportunity for me. The Cuirassiers charged once again, this time on a fresh Brunswicker square, and broke it. The attack was followed by a charge of my infantry, who broke another Brunswicker infantry battalion. This proved to be enough for the British and their Allies, as they were forced to give up the field. In the end, the French won the battle.














3. Links.

MICHAEL:

To be updated soon...

CAMPBELL (SESWC):

To be updated soon...

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720315580610

sobota, 16 marca 2024

Lexington & Concord. 19.04.1775.

Some time ago, Michael suggested a small campaign to reenact some battles from the American War of Independence. To prepare for this, he painted new militia units. Last Thursday, we played the very first battle of that war using Black Powder rules.



SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING
Michael Schneider
SCENERYMichael Schneider, SESWC
FIGURES & MODELSMichael Schneider


1. Forces.



UNITED KINGDOM
(Bartek, Tim)
© Michael Schneider




COLONISTS
(Alasdair, Campbell, David)

© Michael Schneider






2. The game.

Michael has prepared some surprises for us in the scenario. In addition to the objective points of 1 point for destroying/saving a building in Concord and 1 point for any destroyed unit, he has also given us something else, but we will discuss it later. Tim and I have prepared a plan together. I have decided to do things differently than in the original war. The Light troops will fight in Lexington, and the Grenadiers will bypass the woods and head straight into Concord with the main objective of burning everything there.




In the battle of Lexington, it is believed that Campbell's Militia fired the first shot. As a result, our side gained a victory point. However, it is still unclear who actually started the war. To prevent such disputes, Michael decided to deduct one victory point from the side that started the war. Our Grenadiers have successfully reached Concord and are currently preparing for an attack. However, the town is heavily guarded by the Militia, making the mission challenging.








The battle for Concord began with one of the Grenadier's units charging Alasdair's Militia and defeating them quickly. The other Grenadier unit started burning the buildings in Concord. However, the number of incoming Militia men increased, so I used a little trick and kept one Grenadier unit behind the Colonist lines, destroying the objectives. I successfully burned down two buildings. Alasdair received support from David and Campbell's militias, who then surrounded my units. Knowing that I wouldn't leave Concord alive, I decided to stand and fight. First, they trapped one of my units and defeated it. Surprisingly, the other unit survived a few turns of melee, but it was eventually defeated too. My mission was accomplished, and I gained three points for our cause but lost two. Overall, the job was done much better than in the original battle.










In the meantime, Tim fought against the remaining militia of Campbell's in Lexington. He stood bravely and even managed to destroy one of the Colonist units, earning another point for our side. However, our successes proved to be a disadvantage for us when, on turn 8th, our main forces were supposed to arrive. At that moment, Michael sprang another surprise on us. The British commander had a rate of 9, but for orders, it was 9 minus the difference in points. This could be either added or deducted depending on whether the British got more points or not. Unfortunately for us, we were winning and the main forces did not arrive until my brigade was completely destroyed. When they finally arrived, we decided to retreat to Baltimore since our job was done. The British won 5:3 in points.





3. Links.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/03/1775-19th-april-lexington-concord-awi.html

CAMPBELL (SESWC):

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/808979797926020

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720315484543