tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35075352627306104042024-03-05T10:47:35.277-08:00Cry havoc and let slip the toys of warDougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-85444714486090846532014-10-26T08:56:00.003-07:002014-10-29T03:44:39.301-07:00Machiavelli summer 1457<p dir="ltr">This turn saw a massive swing in fortunes. I had realised that my aggressive assault on Florence was going to make me a threat to my neighbours but I had not realised how advanced their alliance was.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Naples, Venice and the imperialist (Austria) launched a combined offensive against me. Naples attacked from the south while Venice bribed my army in Bologna pushing it into Pistoia, following up with a move onto Bologna and a landing in Ancona. The imperialist transported on Venetian boats landed in Romagna attacking the Papal troops there. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My forces continued their assault into Florence taking Pisa and attacking Florence again. I had hoped for another turns grace but it was not to be. These moves brought an unexpected turn as Milan began a line of communication again. Although things look pretty dire I am looking forward to the challenge of digging the Pope out of this mess.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIErZ0UNCnMuhHGiFXWxdLvVb0sZCWNBiU7w2IF-Ul55qR1a5ayi_aKe0MjE2b8oq5Ete18RJ2vzcnwRKHvpmtREW7Vg6vKuq8-c2sgadZJPyjXG0a6jgYOnl66MHuWW6ZBams-NFDTEo/s1600/110.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIErZ0UNCnMuhHGiFXWxdLvVb0sZCWNBiU7w2IF-Ul55qR1a5ayi_aKe0MjE2b8oq5Ete18RJ2vzcnwRKHvpmtREW7Vg6vKuq8-c2sgadZJPyjXG0a6jgYOnl66MHuWW6ZBams-NFDTEo/s640/110.jpeg"> </a> </div>Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-53635564721690387362014-10-26T08:56:00.001-07:002014-10-29T03:45:40.965-07:00Battle of Florence<p dir="ltr">Three Papal armies were converging on Florence. The position for looked hopeless and the Florentine commander was almost beaten before the battle. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The terrain consisted of a few woods and flat ground, not best suited to the Papal forces but the preponderance of numbers should see them win. Florence formed up with a massive pike centre in front of the walls to the city. The Papal forces had a pike block centre with auxiliaries on the flanks. They expected reinforcements on either flank, each consisting of three elements from the 12 element army. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The Florentine commander changed tack normal very passive he opted for a slightly more aggressive approach pushing his line forward and sending psilo into the woods on his right flank. The Papal commander (me) attempted to buy time by pushing forward aggressively but not closing to contact in an effort to bluff Florence into holding. The Florentine commander did indeed take the bluff and hold and the left flank Papal army had arrived. As the Papacy attempted to stall and wait for the right hand army to arrive Florence began light skirmishing against the left flank reinforcements. This skirmishing began to escalate as each side began feeding troops in. The Papal commander should have known better instead of a concentrated attack it now became devolved into a piecemeal assault and Florence really grasped the nettle and came out of his box. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Instead of a crushing attack with overwhelming numbers the Papal troops now found themselves getting in the way of each other as the Florentines went on the offensive. It was close run but Florence prevailed to save the capital for another day. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The strategic situation changed little, while the capital held the remaining territories were open for conquest. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS33XHj5_KNoXlRXdSWYo4OX7mmEo-0xTzQ1CkU_2HoFdvXYrH1rKy3x_xu7sk-y3cvXCyk05B4vWaCRSINKuX90tHoFo9ckA6qFmPwmSRRyexLHAJTs14k7REVeeghIrCQVX_FQcDbI/s1600/IMAG0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS33XHj5_KNoXlRXdSWYo4OX7mmEo-0xTzQ1CkU_2HoFdvXYrH1rKy3x_xu7sk-y3cvXCyk05B4vWaCRSINKuX90tHoFo9ckA6qFmPwmSRRyexLHAJTs14k7REVeeghIrCQVX_FQcDbI/s640/IMAG0186.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BFi07m4VN0JwUysEbtyUxveGB-EKxVoCfvJl9B1Rv9c-SXrDq66Q8ewl6KVY7QYhJkGwrtec0KuLFF8tiDrDGPzU3yq8BXM582cVRTRDxB2xMqBNOHb4D5v3NidsC44mJesEpyUntlw/s1600/IMAG0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BFi07m4VN0JwUysEbtyUxveGB-EKxVoCfvJl9B1Rv9c-SXrDq66Q8ewl6KVY7QYhJkGwrtec0KuLFF8tiDrDGPzU3yq8BXM582cVRTRDxB2xMqBNOHb4D5v3NidsC44mJesEpyUntlw/s640/IMAG0193.jpg"> </a> </div>Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-54360478906080868012014-10-26T08:53:00.001-07:002014-10-29T03:21:11.727-07:00Machiavelli Spring 1457<p dir="ltr">The Florentine force that had moved into Bolongna did not move out as agreed. In response the papal force garrisoning Bologna sallied out to meet them in the field. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The Florentines were drawn up defending a river line. The papal army is not well suited to open field engagements but excels in bad terrain. My plan was to push on either side to split the Florentine defence before assaulting one wing or the other depending on opportunity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Florence occupied a defensive position on the riverbank, placing their artillery covering the ford. I split my force into 3, a solid pike block in the centre, auxiliaries and crossbow on my left, auxiliaries on my rightand holding my knights in reserve. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As the papal forces began their advanced, Florence pushed troops up to cover his right but left his other flank unguarded. The papal crossbow began harrassing fire from in the river while <font color ="#000000">the</font> auxiliaries pushed forward against the unguarded flank. The knights facing the crossbows were feeling the pain with one stand lost to fire. The auxiliaries crossed the river unopposed,  this produced a reaction from the Florentine centre as a pike unit, blades and some crossbowmen repositioned to protect the threatned flank. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The weakened centre presented the papal forces with the opportunity and they grasped it with both hands. The pike block attacked over the river against the weakened Florentine centre. One destroyed artillery unit later and it was nearly all over. Florentine hopes were pinned on a pike and blade combination but with auxiliaries pouring over the river on the flank and the pike block to their front it was a vain hope.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The battle resulted in the destruction of the Florentine army as it had no path of retreat. The Papal armies now looked poised to complete the destruction of Florence. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNS_JRNajmT_9FlHVkTgCUzQZPXY8GdVQgeM9oWGXQD57bbz0xZtMUYbxhGzXgQgV3XElmPb6181GqGeqnNOch9XsM6pU9F_4lPWqzGqe3PUz3899AM9YKmRnXqkXf4oL-p02BltMP4Y/s1600/IMAG0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNS_JRNajmT_9FlHVkTgCUzQZPXY8GdVQgeM9oWGXQD57bbz0xZtMUYbxhGzXgQgV3XElmPb6181GqGeqnNOch9XsM6pU9F_4lPWqzGqe3PUz3899AM9YKmRnXqkXf4oL-p02BltMP4Y/s640/IMAG0156.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIAxLIJ1vC6bspsXDI5siiq4FL56i0BPQL503Pss0dsRH3nXVIqX_nS-1S6nJMff5tleOsn_ZRvu0vCVQJx89mFh2nb6Rfz7ZFlY1HNfHZkvGVmKNycCkDQmZzHUbcXBezT6f0hgEu98/s1600/IMAG0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIAxLIJ1vC6bspsXDI5siiq4FL56i0BPQL503Pss0dsRH3nXVIqX_nS-1S6nJMff5tleOsn_ZRvu0vCVQJx89mFh2nb6Rfz7ZFlY1HNfHZkvGVmKNycCkDQmZzHUbcXBezT6f0hgEu98/s640/IMAG0158.jpg"> </a> </div>Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-14635261977475244302014-10-26T01:57:00.001-07:002014-10-26T01:57:07.155-07:00Machiavelli Campaign<p dir="ltr">I have been taking part in my first campaign for years. It is a renaissance Italian campaign using the board game Machiavelli. The game is similar to diplomacy but with a financial element thrown in. We are taking any engagements on the map and fighting them out using dba.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The campaign started slowly with the independents being swallowed up and a mad flurry of emails figuring out alliances. As the dust settles I felt I had a solid arrangement with Florence and Venice. It was app that my interests clashed with Milan which would lead to problems.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Papal conncerns also extended to the south. Naples poses a real threat to central Italy with there only concern being the Turks. I felt I needed to support the Turks to distract Naples.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I launch an illfated naval attack on Bari. I had anticipated an uncontested landing but that was not to be. Naples had moved an army across to cover this and I didn't come out of the ensuing battle well. Because Venice had moved into the sea space behind me I could not retreat and my fleet was destroyed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The game moved on, a bit more manoeuvring took place and Milan was far more concerned with my position than before. Milan also came out against me by bribing a unit I had raced up to Genoa to secure its revenue. It was a good play by Milan I have to say though I was fizzing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This really crystalised my focus, Naples needed to be contained but Milan needed to be delt with. I spoke to Florence and Venice to cobble together some kind of arrangement. We reach a reasonable arrangement and Florence pushed troops through to launch an attack. At this moment the ruler of Florence died (went back to uni) and a new ruler was installed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">My first chat with this new ruler didn't fill me with reassurance and further chats really began to concern me. I was faced with a stark choice hope that Florence would be reasonable or crush them. Being the Pope I felt reasonable was for the weak and decided to crush them.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><font color ="#000000">T</font>his really was a one off opportunity.</p>
Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-91855377323546110582014-03-27T14:49:00.005-07:002014-03-30T14:07:11.418-07:00Battle of Talana Hill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubs8mhm3HXv5O3guSGG3PKgKJMZyM1fWDfYOkL-cBvl2Ab_wmqWu7LuaWCV_A_5iDQGGgTi0uZmIgtpa98c6oRtZrBNHGsu5m-xL2L7y6DPjgZzHwRVHSA7ZXq8VIlCE2FvsrsVMxLK8/s640/DSC_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubs8mhm3HXv5O3guSGG3PKgKJMZyM1fWDfYOkL-cBvl2Ab_wmqWu7LuaWCV_A_5iDQGGgTi0uZmIgtpa98c6oRtZrBNHGsu5m-xL2L7y6DPjgZzHwRVHSA7ZXq8VIlCE2FvsrsVMxLK8/s640/DSC_0337.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a>Sir George Stuart White, commanding the British division at Ladysmith, had unwisely allowed Major-General Penn Symons to throw a brigade forward to the coal-mining town of Dundee (also reported as Glencoe), which was surrounded by hills. This became the site of the first engagement of the war, the Battle of Talana Hill. Boer guns began shelling the British camp from the summit of Talana Hill at dawn on 20 October. Penn Symons immediately counter-attacked. His infantry drove the Boers from the hill, but at the cost of 446 British casualties including Penn Symons. This was the script for our game.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBomjgYfZ-N2noMd0pztuS3G_DRZZstTTSAHZoNvdPXTO2leXehgrYCzax2DUExQ0FJDGucFJGJfI0hFmHhf-7bgIycIA1UcXw8CkcbjQ_t3R3uOSKsTCGbPHNcZ4mTbslU-5qeXCFlyA/s640/DSC_0344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBomjgYfZ-N2noMd0pztuS3G_DRZZstTTSAHZoNvdPXTO2leXehgrYCzax2DUExQ0FJDGucFJGJfI0hFmHhf-7bgIycIA1UcXw8CkcbjQ_t3R3uOSKsTCGbPHNcZ4mTbslU-5qeXCFlyA/s640/DSC_0344.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><br />
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In our game we decided to attack the highest peak on our right, the one without the trees in front of it. The plan was to storm it and then push down the ridge while our guns shelled the middle hill hopefully pinning any Boers there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkH9AJi4ve4YbUcfeTeHRDdbmOwFYvFSq9dHnSDsx3iJo5oOKE0AJB0lvFxBaclXZvEepQ7XHkqGh1XBDGpHvrqrDyxZw8WTWvJm_01FweORKLjXGRu1PM-gsKZcCXDH67sqJ1vyt4_U/s640/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkH9AJi4ve4YbUcfeTeHRDdbmOwFYvFSq9dHnSDsx3iJo5oOKE0AJB0lvFxBaclXZvEepQ7XHkqGh1XBDGpHvrqrDyxZw8WTWvJm_01FweORKLjXGRu1PM-gsKZcCXDH67sqJ1vyt4_U/s640/DSC_0350.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><br />
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Well the assult shoved up the hill taking fire all the way. The two flank battalions pushed on quickly racing to get through the beaten zone as quickly as possible. The centre battalion was failing to keep up the hammer blow envisioned now look a lot more bitty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2hUhiB_AJ8xY9fWChF4EpMR0LbeXzfmjmLFCwD98DF9X9T_FbkvcfTLc2CwlRNiZ5V5Eh5fYg5SZ3qBGygVbfobxEqOGGqvOe-DJ5WXqF9FmFAZBnhkRPhpb5SSLfsrgjavLTpVkpis/s640/DSC_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2hUhiB_AJ8xY9fWChF4EpMR0LbeXzfmjmLFCwD98DF9X9T_FbkvcfTLc2CwlRNiZ5V5Eh5fYg5SZ3qBGygVbfobxEqOGGqvOe-DJ5WXqF9FmFAZBnhkRPhpb5SSLfsrgjavLTpVkpis/s640/DSC_0348.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><br />
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The two horns if you like now swung round on each flank of the boer position and launched the assault into the position. At this point we called it a day as we had run out of time.<br />
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<p>320 infantry<br>
24 cavalry<br>
4 guns</p>
<p>I am also doing some of the Prussian reserve cavalry, the Lithuanian Dragoons and the 2nd West Prussian Dragoons, with a battery of horse artillery attached.</p>
<p>48 cavalry<br>
4 guns<br>
</p>
Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-40556245700586749072013-08-09T16:23:00.001-07:002013-08-09T16:23:10.713-07:00Battle of Actium<p>This was a game played out at the phoenix club in Glasgow. The club run a massed game the first Tuesday of every month and this was this ones! The battle of Actium saw Octavian's fleet under Agrippa beat Mark Antony and Cleopatra's fleet in a decisive engagement ending the challenge to Octavian's domination.</p>
Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-943928749242167932013-07-25T05:38:00.001-07:002013-07-25T05:38:05.776-07:00Waterloo two<p>Well the battle had been running the day before. I arrived to be handed command of the remainder of a division of d'Erlon's attack on the ridge. Things had seemingly not gone well and the two brigades were down to half strength and spent. It seemed prudent to tactically withdraw out of gun range so they fled. The one thing I liked about the advanced position was that one cannon had been pushed up into effective range and was working over a few units. </p>
<p>Whole my troops milled about on the floor of the valley collecting their wits, I cast around to see what artillery I could 'acquire.' </p>
<p>I had also been given command of some cuirassier and some hussars. I used these to tie up my opponents cavalry who were threatening my flank. </p>
<p>The French position as a whole was not good. A string of massed attacks along the line were disjointed and had not put any great pressure on the allies. Napoleon's grand battery was anything but grand, scattered to the winds, it ineffectually lobbed shot about. In the real battle the Napoleon out numbered the allies in guns by 4-3 but it more like the other way round in this. </p>
<p>Me and the other commander of the remnants of d'Erlon's corps began massing all available guns next to the one that had been left up front. My infantry by this time had shaken themselves out and were a semblance of a fighting force again. </p>
<p>This massed concentration of guns had not gone unnoticed and a few worried discussion could be heard behind the allied line. Time was unfortunately against us the Prussians were beginning to arrive and packing up was soon. </p>
<p>As the battery started to do it's devastating work, battering the allied line gaps started to appear. The allies desperately launched the union cavalry brigade to clear away the battery. I had however been carefully husbanding a brigade of cuirassier that I had pinched from the cavalry reserve for just this occasion. In a three foot charge they cut off the union brigade from their target. I did get lucky with the dice it has to be said. </p>
<p>Sadly that is where the game ended, the melee unresolved and the battery not quite finished. The only bright note for the French was the fall of hougoumont, the game was a solid win for Wellington he didn't really need nightfall or the Prussians in the end. </p>
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The main French commander was Jim Loutitt while the Allies were commanded by Angus Konstam, although his Wellington impression left a lot to be desired. <br />
<br />
<br />
I was plonked on the smaller table with Derek Hodge, Dax Robertson and
Chris Henry. Myself and Derek commanded the French. Dax commanded the
British while Chris had Spanish/Portuguese. The brief for the French was to prevent the allies securing any of the bridges.These two pictures go side by side and show the main action as far as I was concerned . The picture on the right is Gamara Mayor and one of the all important bridges. On the right shows the road leading to the second bridge with Dax's highlanders advancing menacingly forwards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH1ZfMvmrWXdxovPJcuVgYR3zb7-9b4LiuODcmB_3qYocyfPnnf77vR5VQJd24sogZ_8J-uDky08XCKSW-qMdot4cM6Q3urk3OKYe-6rUo45iB5AsyJGJx9zJkNfDIPXbRu9tz83iJO4/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH1ZfMvmrWXdxovPJcuVgYR3zb7-9b4LiuODcmB_3qYocyfPnnf77vR5VQJd24sogZ_8J-uDky08XCKSW-qMdot4cM6Q3urk3OKYe-6rUo45iB5AsyJGJx9zJkNfDIPXbRu9tz83iJO4/s320/IMG_2191.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG6KsQN16LmlSHTXMuViCymSPvHUWPi5eSuF_sc4D5M8tq91opEHCZLJn0uD-m35xJ4kNpT7w4O2Lnr5VZb0OWSWVlBEpOUwEiQM7OZG_NeeABt4VuB4ZBBwgzFaadhRIBjAClz-J_N0/s1600/IMG_2190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG6KsQN16LmlSHTXMuViCymSPvHUWPi5eSuF_sc4D5M8tq91opEHCZLJn0uD-m35xJ4kNpT7w4O2Lnr5VZb0OWSWVlBEpOUwEiQM7OZG_NeeABt4VuB4ZBBwgzFaadhRIBjAClz-J_N0/s320/IMG_2190.JPG" width="292" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9TQ2doeiSEdM7pg-LthAWJ0DBgUExlcBKgZRDTJKWJSWPW6b5Mep9Rc5Urpn1SilGBHiPBimtFy53Uj60ZPjWS4OcuAOfxAlPpXxQL1c2VR_P_EQKRE9EkbNc3pu4PDGfnHch3oLxnk/s1600/IMG_2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBhjihGenGvmCJoR7aIDmvYiIsZCDw7Nx8uhHIyg7eXjYQ12HJgINcUqrdpKlx7FL4rgnC6ELnJWmrB1E85q1Mi64PJn1Xt83qXm_3RRhiK5qt8J2vssqOB-hqvfH1U3Tpkk47DxbYiI/s1600/IMG_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBhjihGenGvmCJoR7aIDmvYiIsZCDw7Nx8uhHIyg7eXjYQ12HJgINcUqrdpKlx7FL4rgnC6ELnJWmrB1E85q1Mi64PJn1Xt83qXm_3RRhiK5qt8J2vssqOB-hqvfH1U3Tpkk47DxbYiI/s320/IMG_2194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The French deployed in the villages, 1 infantry brigade in each. 1 Dragoon brigade was placed behind the gap between the villages while light cavalry and light troops held the right flank.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSRmH8ms9HKpJ2jkKhBNU7NcHDl9E9gL-ULSfwKHSwT4BdYRuqJJDtj5-onJefJcF70VFV4381lJUZ5bIaJkG02nXcTg3aUn79RAEEXxkaAmPm7R-ca9yUHfQUDah6vBFOqdb1MFjNfc/s1600/IMG_2195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSRmH8ms9HKpJ2jkKhBNU7NcHDl9E9gL-ULSfwKHSwT4BdYRuqJJDtj5-onJefJcF70VFV4381lJUZ5bIaJkG02nXcTg3aUn79RAEEXxkaAmPm7R-ca9yUHfQUDah6vBFOqdb1MFjNfc/s320/IMG_2195.JPG" width="320" /></a>The British began with a general advance across the board and soon began to take a few casualties from artillery. The 95th rifles surged forward and soon began to lap round the village on the left threatening some French guns on the edge of Gamara Mayor. In an attamt to delay this I sent my Dragoon Brigade up to chase them away. This turned into a bit of a fiasco as the 95th legged it and the supporting infantry formed square backed by two batteries of artillery. My prize Dragoons took a pounding and had to pull back without achieving much.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBPtJAbK9p8bkOocJs1_SU5QCpbQRRu2_uuKDwkiurQQnQzKmgE1Z71O49zn5jeGkkTQKg4rvBFCDFF8NV2ozTImxNiphyphenhyphenPBfUQgDyoMx6K4XcF0E2mHuA5x93e-O4WD3ohw4R8V5Lsc/s1600/IMG_2198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBPtJAbK9p8bkOocJs1_SU5QCpbQRRu2_uuKDwkiurQQnQzKmgE1Z71O49zn5jeGkkTQKg4rvBFCDFF8NV2ozTImxNiphyphenhyphenPBfUQgDyoMx6K4XcF0E2mHuA5x93e-O4WD3ohw4R8V5Lsc/s200/IMG_2198.JPG" width="196" /></a>With the threat of the cavalry removed the Highland brigade enveloped the village and prepared to assault. I pulled on of my reserve battalions from behind the village out and placed them to the highlanders flank. I sent the other on into the village in anticipation of the assault. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5hyphenhyphenfStIst-8LL0nh22OtFXC_vV0d9VtrCgqRNdUscLLS2pY4SpmCFJ0jMSBYrnIQSKtG8riStPnfWPxYJqMWJP0Q66CS8yHp2vR8L6hmVn5EKOMj04NJFqQNDDJs3LhcrEty-bLgKOk/s1600/IMG_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5hyphenhyphenfStIst-8LL0nh22OtFXC_vV0d9VtrCgqRNdUscLLS2pY4SpmCFJ0jMSBYrnIQSKtG8riStPnfWPxYJqMWJP0Q66CS8yHp2vR8L6hmVn5EKOMj04NJFqQNDDJs3LhcrEty-bLgKOk/s200/IMG_2199.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmOyRXdMeiEpdsT73AuV-HdGAgsBn2gULncOd8ktWwamdj3EkAYbSo6jrhc0V5ZcLgwKDCSvqLADah37cLv9Avd_Ny-62a5R4B6eKL7PJQzNfsBe5U8E1rwuAAVzkyiLGYcvVMy5qszI/s1600/IMG_2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmOyRXdMeiEpdsT73AuV-HdGAgsBn2gULncOd8ktWwamdj3EkAYbSo6jrhc0V5ZcLgwKDCSvqLADah37cLv9Avd_Ny-62a5R4B6eKL7PJQzNfsBe5U8E1rwuAAVzkyiLGYcvVMy5qszI/s200/IMG_2201.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I didn't have to wait long, to the skirl of the pipes the highlanders came tearing in. Things however do not always go as planned, villages in Blackpowder are incredibly difficult to take unless you prepare properly, the highland assault came to bloody end. The reformed French Dragoons came crashing in again and sent the British reeling backwards breaking a couple of battalions. At the end of it the British were in a real mess and were desperately trying to reform their line and scrabbling about for reinforcements. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU0O7BDzFbla5tDj3BW1T8z-zg5M0yu6E4heZQrbzZYsMTRHhi0zxxwDQfv8fMdX63WXJKUnluGD7Mimw3NcAHm1uY3iPfF89W1meayHrNfrkNLxVDXKomp2Cqcfw_34Cr67PuA23fVo/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU0O7BDzFbla5tDj3BW1T8z-zg5M0yu6E4heZQrbzZYsMTRHhi0zxxwDQfv8fMdX63WXJKUnluGD7Mimw3NcAHm1uY3iPfF89W1meayHrNfrkNLxVDXKomp2Cqcfw_34Cr67PuA23fVo/s320/IMG_2203.JPG" width="300" /></a> The British now settled down to a more methodical approach after a bit of a chat about the tactics of taking a village. Leaving the bloody debacle of the other village the British and Spanish now concentrated their attentions on Gamara Mayor. Positioning their artillery to play a prominent role in the assault, the Allied Infantry steadily enveloped the village making sure not to expose themselves to Dragoons lurking round the corner. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQkL-sI2wxja7ywYuPj98h_g-EYkYCNrBXKbDnImAvjR0ZYyvscoEnLzrDq7m5GX9rzQMaap3YlOH1rQOYyuT_gjLalZOwFoH0ozpVNpw2m9B2lid3PQWr5mgi9sPqibLlv5cqRReZBc/s1600/IMG_2206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQkL-sI2wxja7ywYuPj98h_g-EYkYCNrBXKbDnImAvjR0ZYyvscoEnLzrDq7m5GX9rzQMaap3YlOH1rQOYyuT_gjLalZOwFoH0ozpVNpw2m9B2lid3PQWr5mgi9sPqibLlv5cqRReZBc/s200/IMG_2206.JPG" width="185" /></a>In a string of turns they were steadily rustling the French out of the village. Weight of numbers was now beginning to tell as the French reserves were running dry and there was no infantry left to launch a counter attack to retake that part of the village. Our main commander Marshal Loutitt had committed the French reserve on turn two on the main table, so the cupboard was empty there. Fortunately for the French night was coming and the Allies had not managed to cross the river and cut of the main French army. We had it seemed scraped a tactical victory. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45XOKWei7kgGkEfIKeTTrdOHlBgii-UtLkhqZZ-B5O3TcSArnvZ-emMTks17mY4z5gd80j9fGy2qS_MR7wovzCfs18jVdlGC53jCxL_bEIgjgIfoKDCWABg-JVwmHp4FVZXpfLYln_N0/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45XOKWei7kgGkEfIKeTTrdOHlBgii-UtLkhqZZ-B5O3TcSArnvZ-emMTks17mY4z5gd80j9fGy2qS_MR7wovzCfs18jVdlGC53jCxL_bEIgjgIfoKDCWABg-JVwmHp4FVZXpfLYln_N0/s320/IMG_2204.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
Things in the main game were not going well for the French, despite the protestations of the main commander who seemed to view the looming crushing defeat as some kind of tactical draw. The entire French right flank was fleeing backwards while the Allies were pressing elsewhere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUqE0Amchi1tlJSbYDS0FS6Z8cxn9Xqye9EYAzvxOtLh8khXkaUxyjnrJKqOxc9mEoWOI-23FBEiWImIuzCV8I-F553C1UQUi7CpVFaQ6onVKXbBASC5bU3gVL5PLm-kdE-8P4kWbl3Y/s1600/IMG_2207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUqE0Amchi1tlJSbYDS0FS6Z8cxn9Xqye9EYAzvxOtLh8khXkaUxyjnrJKqOxc9mEoWOI-23FBEiWImIuzCV8I-F553C1UQUi7CpVFaQ6onVKXbBASC5bU3gVL5PLm-kdE-8P4kWbl3Y/s320/IMG_2207.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-58735580131284887472012-09-12T08:01:00.003-07:002012-09-12T15:27:23.073-07:00Thoughts on Standards and Spontoons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro26uR6I0VYZGoBvytElKPh5uqfV35WndZ1SCPc1cTXM8ndkROcLLTJuVOwlPMZyvnB3K7QH4EX_ugHEShVXcY396GZMdG0uvY_nH91SfpYpX1PPuAaow1DrSP6JV39HJ3ZN-Dl5o8oc/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro26uR6I0VYZGoBvytElKPh5uqfV35WndZ1SCPc1cTXM8ndkROcLLTJuVOwlPMZyvnB3K7QH4EX_ugHEShVXcY396GZMdG0uvY_nH91SfpYpX1PPuAaow1DrSP6JV39HJ3ZN-Dl5o8oc/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" width="261" /></a>Over the years I have had many an embarrassed moment, taking figures out of the box to find that officers and ensigns have lost their equipment. A bit of super glue later and it is all fixed, however happens again and again till I am faced with a hand that has more super glue residue than anything else along with the removed paint work. I also didn't like the fact that I had to store my command stands in separate boxes or on their sides as the flags were too tall.<br />
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So I hit on a cunning plan, why not sabot the flags! This involves
fitting a piece of brass tube into the ensigns hand and then sliding
the flag pole in and out. I could then have nice big flags for the table and fit my troops into the same box for the trip home.</div>
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So what you need is some small brass tubing, you can get this from most model shops. Take one of your flag poles with you to get a rough size, I say rough because the flag poles I had from Bicorne Miniatures didn't fit any straight off. With foundry figures such as this fine chap the hand hold was always much bigger than the flag pole it turned out to be perfect for the tubing though.<br />
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Now the tricky bit snip said tube to the right length and then grip in a set of pliers. get a pin drill the same size as your flag pole and drill you your tubing, I found that it only took a fraction off but it was enough.<br />
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Once done you can glue onto position. I found that when you cut the tube it would pinch together and left you wondering how you are going to get your drill in. Careful pinching with the pliers will open it up just enough to get the drill head in then the drill will do the rest.<br />
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I was very please with my handy work but it took someone else to point out an additional benefit. Your SYW Klackstien musketeers can become AWI Hessians with a simple addition of an different flag. You can also do your own flags for Imagi-nation and if your beastly opponent captures your flag you can sadly hand it over!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlzlM1Y9XKvajWERMtxTfzZr3LRcQ4Mb4ANd_xpwld1Lru7bAyGlhOY4y92jYB_aeObDdNrt9kMNtfgHbLfr-Z0HwFzgGMmP-Yl_I0yDdd7xI2U21dMu-gz1Ic7uNBfMVz921HrQik2Y/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlzlM1Y9XKvajWERMtxTfzZr3LRcQ4Mb4ANd_xpwld1Lru7bAyGlhOY4y92jYB_aeObDdNrt9kMNtfgHbLfr-Z0HwFzgGMmP-Yl_I0yDdd7xI2U21dMu-gz1Ic7uNBfMVz921HrQik2Y/s320/IMG_1223.JPG" width="201" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh-LCgV0YewEE6xrLFP4j0Ppn8g562Qfa7TrR2cyCWolaiLfEA13M8axcSiTCqKcXz8vInOX3pWYo_e1tGd6fZ8G87phwwmo98nzRay1RE2k_Bliy1xw12bOSiReGGKMp4SBrRxJCsmg/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh-LCgV0YewEE6xrLFP4j0Ppn8g562Qfa7TrR2cyCWolaiLfEA13M8axcSiTCqKcXz8vInOX3pWYo_e1tGd6fZ8G87phwwmo98nzRay1RE2k_Bliy1xw12bOSiReGGKMp4SBrRxJCsmg/s320/IMG_1225.JPG" width="222" /></a>I tried this technique with my spontoons but it was distinctly less successful. In a mad ebay buy, I got myself some extremely small magnets they do some tiny sizes. I figureed if I put one on the spontoon and one in the figures hand then voilà , one mobile connection and no breakages. And that ladies and gentlemen is how it turned out<br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-1164084364359975022012-09-12T07:00:00.000-07:002012-09-12T07:00:00.819-07:00Battle of Hoaky CreekThis was a American War of Independence game where the scenario was card driven, using Blackpowder rules. Card driven I hear you say! Well one of our new members a German lad by the name of Martin had come up with a universal idea to generate scenarios using a card system to give a quick but influenced game. It proved very interesting the cards become a game in themselves as we experimented with a few ideas.<br />
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We played out three card games,<br />
The first had a dug in American brigade on clear terrain with a small stream with a surprise attack. Both sides had various levels of ammunition depletion and each had some extra troops.<br />
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The second was an incredibly woody, hilly table with terrible weather.<br />
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The third was an open table with fog and ammunition depletion for the Americans along with a spy in the ranks and the British had extra troops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwednh6hvDsW7dMue4o3SCBkTRCofYOsKKyjg15ZXt38Nv6cxTwEX4hEIBWioAl8_czKzK15enoL3eWdIXNX7FAh4uxDE7hxaOEpPBc5NbKcQHrwL9UuND0jCoHVEFDCWTX_wEDMcwqw/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwednh6hvDsW7dMue4o3SCBkTRCofYOsKKyjg15ZXt38Nv6cxTwEX4hEIBWioAl8_czKzK15enoL3eWdIXNX7FAh4uxDE7hxaOEpPBc5NbKcQHrwL9UuND0jCoHVEFDCWTX_wEDMcwqw/s320/IMG_1193.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti4cJnHaOjy6-JuSK0SY3xb-_jcZut8FekdIt90addBKuJ2-hnVPff4ftQmHxpDkx7z69SFQ5sUTGNheShRmkXDAVB_ZTeDLBq8SRb1CVDHCTw0YQXAN3rORxVIVmEH95xs8tS4ndwQw/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti4cJnHaOjy6-JuSK0SY3xb-_jcZut8FekdIt90addBKuJ2-hnVPff4ftQmHxpDkx7z69SFQ5sUTGNheShRmkXDAVB_ZTeDLBq8SRb1CVDHCTw0YQXAN3rORxVIVmEH95xs8tS4ndwQw/s320/IMG_1195.JPG" width="140" /></a>I foolishly plumbed for the first one as it sounded quite interesting. As we rolled up the table the stream ended up in front of the American lines while they had their dug in brigade on the other side of the stream on the left flank. My reading of the scenario was that the British general had sniffed an opportunity to attack and destroy this isolated American brigade, the Americans had however got wind of the British intentions and had raced another brigade up to counter attack the British.<br />
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Well the game did not start too well for the British, I need to get across the table and seal off the bridge to prevent the American reinforcements from deploying too quickly giving me time to roll up the isolated brigade. This to me seemed quite obvious but not too the lads on the ground who decided to wait around for a turn to see what happened. As it happened things were not so good in the American camp as the troops racing to the rescue decided to have a go slow and barely crossed the bridge on the first turn. <br />
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Considering the situation demanded speed and panache both commanders were found wanting, well their dice at least. The next turn saw the British cautiously advancing it was looking more like a trap every minute the lead highlanders came under fire from the dug in brigade losing their crack status immediately along with a casualty, I think I rolled my eyes at this point!<br />
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Well it didn't get much better for the British the next few turns saw the attacked reduced to a shambles as the Americans couldn't miss and the British couldn't save. I hadn't even started attacking and my brigade was in a shambles as I tried to sort it out and regain a shred of wargaming honour the relief force got a couple of rapid moves and managed to shake themselves out into line. My artillery was having a hit or miss day but all in all was the stand out unit managing to put some rebels to flight. But it was all too little too late, the British were hopelessly compromised and when the Indians are getting involved you know it is time to run.<br />
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This was a fun game and the card certainly made for an interesting scenario. Better dice would have helped but don't all losing wargamers say that!<br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-73688313253714539712012-08-12T16:24:00.001-07:002012-08-12T16:24:45.596-07:00Encounter at Mierdalona, 17th May 1811<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was a fictional engagement dreamt up form the cerebral depths of John Glass's mind. The premise was that after the battle Albuera on the 16th May the French troops under Marshall Soult were retiring to the south. The British has mounted an uncharacteristic aggressive pursuit of the French forces. Our game has an Allied command consisting of Spanish, Portuguese and British troops catching the French rearguard in an extremely disadvantageous position. The French are defending a two long hills running across the table, at their disposal was 2 brigades infantry with a light cavalry brigade. The allies had 5 brigades of infantry and 3 brigades of cavalry. The ace in the allied deck was a flanking force consisting of the Portuguese with 1 brigade of infantry and 1 of cavalry. The objective of the french was to exit the table at the village of Mierdalona with 75% of their force intact. The allies had to destroy 50% of the French force.<br />
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As the first turn kicked off the French desperately trying to reorganise to face the Portuguese to their right rear this was the flank commanded by Brian Phillips it was looking like a sticky wicket. I had the other infantry brigade and the light cavalry. While the infantry held the cavalry blundered but fortunately went to their right, it could have been a lot worse.<br />
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The allies rolled on with what seemed an endless supply of troops, what had looked like a holding action was altering to a headlong flight and this was turn one. I have to say myself and Brian were starting to get a wee bit concerned.<br />
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More frantic French manoeuvring and cursing of the dice filled their turn as lady luck was definitely missing. The allies poured forward some good rolls sped things along the Spanish in particular shutting down the range. John was getting some assistance from a young boarder by the name of Ewan, he seemed to have come supplied with well trained dice. His Spanish Irish were beginning to threaten the French left flank. <br />
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Some tough decisions were being made in the French camp regarding which battalions were being sacrificed. The Portuguese had managed to cut across a third of the French rear but instead of pushing the advantage they began to attack the rear of the French flank assuring its destruction but leaving enough of a gap to slip the rest of the command out.<br />
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Some scrambling and a wee bit of good fortune for the French managed to resurrect some form of French defence. This should only have been a restbite but some poor Spanish command dice, (young Ewan had left) allowed the French a breather.<br />
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While all this had been going on the allied cavalry had swept forward, a few sacrificial squares were detached with the hope of distracting some of them. <br />
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The cavalry crashed into the rear of Brian's battalions, they had failed to turn through some really bad dice. The first one evaporated in a whirl of horse flesh, the rest of the regiment looked doomed. We had however run out of time as usual Blackpowder let us play a fast and enjoyable game which even newbies can pick up within a few turns. The game had been a real command problem for the French and we should have started running sooner.</div>
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TDougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-11101046945496388682012-08-10T05:17:00.001-07:002012-08-10T05:17:51.581-07:00Rangers on the run<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_po1p7JWxxAN4nmMUK5uF5MNjcSKrGR5Ndb0kk7dfi24qiYtn_4Rgc_ub01qtTqcBLBd4V3Rk2ia-Wj3bZdvcmXpNW_OMUBurLne6Od96Qz-aqUqXeLWqwYISRKRcWoV-xczEhCPbv3I/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_po1p7JWxxAN4nmMUK5uF5MNjcSKrGR5Ndb0kk7dfi24qiYtn_4Rgc_ub01qtTqcBLBd4V3Rk2ia-Wj3bZdvcmXpNW_OMUBurLne6Od96Qz-aqUqXeLWqwYISRKRcWoV-xczEhCPbv3I/s320/IMG_1113.JPG" width="264" /></a>Derek Hodge had mentioned the week before about doing a small game of Muskets and Tomahawks so this being the week after, here is the report. Derek had arranged a small scenario involving a returning party of British rangers, light infantry and Indians heading home after burning out a few defenceless homesteaders. The French had an ambush party consisting of companie de Marine, militia and some Indians, deployed in front of a critical ford that the British had to cross. The sub-plots involved my French Indians leader who hated the rangers officer and wanted to scalp him. The British had to search a building to recover an item.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAWAGAN7A0TosS9XIF7bvNKG1kmYsmt-owi1G6-dL8bYhh7RnIN1x2OXaBLgN1rdSEio8BNGt0pJMTHMDV5AvXBX35KeTbFWrUasgMtHd6igqzNR3EvaRyWyKQZehM3gJx58Dxl4Jz2I/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAWAGAN7A0TosS9XIF7bvNKG1kmYsmt-owi1G6-dL8bYhh7RnIN1x2OXaBLgN1rdSEio8BNGt0pJMTHMDV5AvXBX35KeTbFWrUasgMtHd6igqzNR3EvaRyWyKQZehM3gJx58Dxl4Jz2I/s320/IMG_1115.JPG" width="309" /></a>The French deployed their regular infantry unit in a field to the left of the road. These were the only unit on the table all the rest were represented by counters. The French deployed 4 counters to the left of the road around. The British deployed 4 counters to each each side of the road. The French had 3 more counters but these started off-table.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qm9c3p0eK9cZJThtoSFBG-CA0zp2rGBQq1onStK3RswbVeTA1cH-1mvxGqX66mNEdLzvrJ7xW62D_-TlcM4R68kUge47XyeGKVPt2OwDn1LYekk3R497z973gDD5RcNpa8xEF7du0Lc/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qm9c3p0eK9cZJThtoSFBG-CA0zp2rGBQq1onStK3RswbVeTA1cH-1mvxGqX66mNEdLzvrJ7xW62D_-TlcM4R68kUge47XyeGKVPt2OwDn1LYekk3R497z973gDD5RcNpa8xEF7du0Lc/s320/IMG_1116.JPG" width="320" /></a>The British started pushing forward looking to flush out the French ambush. With a string of good cards they made good ground and started circling round the French left flank. At this point 3 French counters appeared behind the British left flank. It was all starting to look rather interesting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXR70M1pad7ODV4bltcBzZlJ94xIzHVqUmDbQoO6Z9Bv3eHC_qZ_Dmx01q20TPY4Qu-3i9unZMYbqxyK_-O1DrruXy4bjNIt6Yodv_wGlPabsAVfktwkFBJmXYIJDeqhHcS6yuplz58lw/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXR70M1pad7ODV4bltcBzZlJ94xIzHVqUmDbQoO6Z9Bv3eHC_qZ_Dmx01q20TPY4Qu-3i9unZMYbqxyK_-O1DrruXy4bjNIt6Yodv_wGlPabsAVfktwkFBJmXYIJDeqhHcS6yuplz58lw/s320/IMG_1117.JPG" width="292" /></a>The French flanking force now revealed one of its counters as a group of Indians these then advanced and spotted 3 of the 4 counters on the British left. If you are spotted by your opponent the designated leader is placed on the counter and the other figures are placed at your opponents discretion within 6". I started laughing at this point as I gleefully placed poor old Donald's figures all over the place. Formation ruined and fingers crossed for the next card I sat down. Well I stayed seated for a while as a couple of good cards allowed Donald to sort out the mess and get a round of fire in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKYVTPxkv2HVZUWjxVuvtLeP5fDzX1XvGowQ0KeIQQ6oYLCDgyn87H__cjWCcQIhaxbID0RXm8kdVrRQBN2rGazxLmwPvWBAI4ZiJDaos6aqfWiuEw7gYv3JJVV1wW15o-7QfhOHVK98/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKYVTPxkv2HVZUWjxVuvtLeP5fDzX1XvGowQ0KeIQQ6oYLCDgyn87H__cjWCcQIhaxbID0RXm8kdVrRQBN2rGazxLmwPvWBAI4ZiJDaos6aqfWiuEw7gYv3JJVV1wW15o-7QfhOHVK98/s320/IMG_1122.JPG" width="320" /></a>Donald did not hang around trading shots but headed off to engage and flank the Companie de Marine in the field. My Indians followed up but good cards for Donald and poor ones for me meant he stayed ahead giving the poor Companie de Marine a right shoeing. The British seemed more interested in the buildings the in fighting and my Indians were stuck in the woods. <br />
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<br />The game at this point drew to a close nither side had achived there primary purpose but the British had managed to recover what ever it was they were looking for.<br />
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A good game the rules have a great feel to them one of the first blackpowder skirmish rulesets I have enjoyed.<br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-32764930215654144522012-07-22T14:04:00.001-07:002012-07-29T13:05:02.256-07:00Clash at Almendralejo, 1811This was the first time in a while that I have had a game with Angus Konstam. It was a bring all your toys to the table type of game and unusually I had the most toys. The game had a ridge running down the middle of the table which the Anglo-Portuguese were holding in some strength. No really objectives other than have a go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxlY4ocGq1UY6xohuHOl2pOc3wISidL5YY-rGwo2Lqt6C2c4Y5_-iPytdX2POFOckfIKdy4DoD0dZAluVh0W3QPagTXh8O0H8vfChIyrFRKHtMIlZDh7R-Nj6IofUTlaoKLW6dPPtVek/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxlY4ocGq1UY6xohuHOl2pOc3wISidL5YY-rGwo2Lqt6C2c4Y5_-iPytdX2POFOckfIKdy4DoD0dZAluVh0W3QPagTXh8O0H8vfChIyrFRKHtMIlZDh7R-Nj6IofUTlaoKLW6dPPtVek/s320/IMG_1097.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8grep4jP6VZNLXX_E6gFa8uNyXXG6OHuFveMqty2mCm3hv0PRzarM0MUUo6UW2lp9pjYBftx2joZNmipUlfk3OU9-D_AkO8_BsYAJtGlN2LE1fFspk0ldddbUDZIqpIJs1WhHKaD2us/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8grep4jP6VZNLXX_E6gFa8uNyXXG6OHuFveMqty2mCm3hv0PRzarM0MUUo6UW2lp9pjYBftx2joZNmipUlfk3OU9-D_AkO8_BsYAJtGlN2LE1fFspk0ldddbUDZIqpIJs1WhHKaD2us/s320/IMG_1098.JPG" width="320" /></a>The British had 3 brigades of infantry and a cavalry brigade plus 3 batteries of guns. The french had 2 large brigades of infantry and 2 cavalry brigades plus 1 large battery and a small battery of horse artillery. Myself and Bart played the French while Angus the British.<br />
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The French plan was to launch a fierce assault on the allied left in order to try and get the British commander to commit troops from his reserve to shore it up. This would be followed by the second French infantry brigade assaulting the remaining defenders of the hill supported by the light cavalry on the right and the Dragoon brigade in the middle which if the flank assault had gone well would be able to come in on the flank of the troops defending the hill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLdLQfNbf64qw4WIgo_q6eO2__csPGmbU1dQ328ZzgVtqoz2G-3H7LUthsZAqh0NqLsxH9-xaEBSDZq6J_GNSkyAAQihxJhAxFg2pQOKplZG3JvyCd-E-iSE4mXXcoQH-63dG7zlBnFc/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLdLQfNbf64qw4WIgo_q6eO2__csPGmbU1dQ328ZzgVtqoz2G-3H7LUthsZAqh0NqLsxH9-xaEBSDZq6J_GNSkyAAQihxJhAxFg2pQOKplZG3JvyCd-E-iSE4mXXcoQH-63dG7zlBnFc/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" width="320" /></a>The game started well for the French as the assault troops swept up through the light woods to the front pushing the skirmish screen in front of it. Bart playing his role on the refused left flank engaged in an artillery duel and held his ground. The French assault force debouched from the wood and formed a 3 battalion firing line with 3 battalions in reserve. In the exchange of fire while hits were registered hardly any casualties were caused with some good saving dice being thrown. The next turn saw the French swinging their reserve battalions down and round the flank covered by the advancing firing line things were not looking to hot for the Portuguese.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAQcUOCSbk8zkzFc0OlIwQ-ExzkEdH6k-aa_x5RdIU3rQAdclK_rT9HzvP9DOm67NHZy7ZG_-0rdACjXhYsC9eSU9ZZqKJLS36y3JyK1qroMZFb0lsHZu1JTRyVjVKqNQervBtyC2RP8/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAQcUOCSbk8zkzFc0OlIwQ-ExzkEdH6k-aa_x5RdIU3rQAdclK_rT9HzvP9DOm67NHZy7ZG_-0rdACjXhYsC9eSU9ZZqKJLS36y3JyK1qroMZFb0lsHZu1JTRyVjVKqNQervBtyC2RP8/s320/IMG_1101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKbnbHQITUzVyvDmPtwwo7N-0Oo_3lE-zA9O59gZQqsURUOFFcVvf26-tJaVxxpkUUa1XisRXqqtULflE6XVbB-dUDBzIlNAJLtdQYpa3DMkR8zl_H5YlwbuaYEE_-vk3kwGHJ1lPWM4/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKbnbHQITUzVyvDmPtwwo7N-0Oo_3lE-zA9O59gZQqsURUOFFcVvf26-tJaVxxpkUUa1XisRXqqtULflE6XVbB-dUDBzIlNAJLtdQYpa3DMkR8zl_H5YlwbuaYEE_-vk3kwGHJ1lPWM4/s320/IMG_1103.JPG" width="320" /></a>To counter the French assault the Portuguese wheeled the gun battery around to face the threat it promptly shredded a poor French battalion with canister unable to take it the battalion fled the field. This however presented a glorious target of opportunity to the Dragoon brigade commander. It was all going to come down to 2 movement dice and the dice said yes. Having just finished painting the 3rd regiment the author was just slightly excited. The Dragoons smashed into the flank of the battery the result was inevitable and after sabreing all the gunners the dragoons retreated recoiled back to some comparative safety.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yDhz_eoFkRncckzrOtAIFpBe2MGhncBTIhhDnuYD3wD4UEuV6JpjYIIYqX7GJP-AWa-tuhiT0PrfhQ9_QfYsSPNWg_K0i236OiHTIbHBwvjn0amjTm0uCC1CwsZ2Hr1OWJeIR2eaAzI/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yDhz_eoFkRncckzrOtAIFpBe2MGhncBTIhhDnuYD3wD4UEuV6JpjYIIYqX7GJP-AWa-tuhiT0PrfhQ9_QfYsSPNWg_K0i236OiHTIbHBwvjn0amjTm0uCC1CwsZ2Hr1OWJeIR2eaAzI/s320/IMG_1104.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8cQvQkf__eryXEfs_6GxryYNPqRtqgP0ugmBlSxd-dbhnTK275ZnpXp4BmnOWMuZdOnaj3VCCM1g2yzxqaLF8XZFW6o7LcxSYwONvWE1CuAtnURgGIplcLE26_sG0ayirNLYtV19U-w/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8cQvQkf__eryXEfs_6GxryYNPqRtqgP0ugmBlSxd-dbhnTK275ZnpXp4BmnOWMuZdOnaj3VCCM1g2yzxqaLF8XZFW6o7LcxSYwONvWE1CuAtnURgGIplcLE26_sG0ayirNLYtV19U-w/s320/IMG_1108.JPG" width="320" /></a>The infantry of the French right had managed to turn the Portuguese flank and were pressing their advantage home. 1 Portuguese battalion was destroyed and 2 more were not in good shape some lucky dice were keeping them on the table. The British commander now decided to commit his reserves to the try and shore up his exposed flank. Sadly that was as far as we got we did not get through the turns at the usual rate and poor old Bart had not moved a figure in anger. 1 or 2 more turns would have seen the main assault going in aganst the allied centre, while the french had a great position it was far from over and the allied centre still had quite a bit of combat power.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP9fPfECJREGNcTcKkCP73Cjk_SbK0uoHQy5L9nDpSojIxDoob96YqeZ2n5pJKKDnGw0uPhO4WWD64__EbEAcVDJPtQTx5RNAcIAZIJzIClH12OJuvJmccvN79SvXDNVDu_g0UGoNGNc/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP9fPfECJREGNcTcKkCP73Cjk_SbK0uoHQy5L9nDpSojIxDoob96YqeZ2n5pJKKDnGw0uPhO4WWD64__EbEAcVDJPtQTx5RNAcIAZIJzIClH12OJuvJmccvN79SvXDNVDu_g0UGoNGNc/s320/IMG_1110.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was an enjoyable game and it is nice to get all the toys out especially the dragoons.Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-64136319368031142292012-07-22T11:18:00.002-07:002012-07-22T11:19:41.094-07:00KolinskiKolin but with a Russian twist. Kolin was fought in the summer of 1757 as part of Frederick the Great's attempts to subdue Austria, Since Angus had neglected to collect any Austrians we had to substitute some Russians in.<br />
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The field was laid out in a rough representation of the battlefield no expense spare here. The set-up was slightly unorthodox with heavy cavalry being substituted in for Hussars.<br />
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The Prussian plan was pretty much follow what Frederick did assault the end of Kechnor ridge past Kechnor and through the oak wood. It didn't work for Frederick but only just.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdnbI7vFgXDH0F6xaJpy-uRzoYw6AAfqX9a-T9q-qDDPCfNWso5p2K5UciFjkMOInJ6j6W_eIdgIEtZGvNzxB6HuJFwqYNTqxZKAMlVwVXGm7qBEama7RLI5y2AKmevO7cm1y_8kHko4/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdnbI7vFgXDH0F6xaJpy-uRzoYw6AAfqX9a-T9q-qDDPCfNWso5p2K5UciFjkMOInJ6j6W_eIdgIEtZGvNzxB6HuJFwqYNTqxZKAMlVwVXGm7qBEama7RLI5y2AKmevO7cm1y_8kHko4/s320/IMG_0541.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Game started with the Prussian infantry refusing one brigade and assaulting with two up the ridge. The focal point of this attack was a large Russian battery located at the end of the ridge beside the oak wood. <br />
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The Russian started to blaze away at the advancing infantry the russian cannon balls started to take effect and the casualties began to mount along with the disorders. As the lead 2 battalions began to stall things were not looking too rosy. The Grenadier brigade advancing on their flank through Kechnor village and the oak wood were making better progress.<br />
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Popping out of the oak wood the grenadiers launched a charge against the gun battery. They managed to sweep through that and a supporting battalion things were starting to look a bit better.<br />
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As the Russians desperately tried to shore up their centre the Prussains were trying to press home their advantage. Unfortunately as with most big games time was against us reaching a conclusion. The Russian position was grave but reserves were at hand. The Prussians had the advantage but had no reserves at hand to seal their success. <br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-23935487960654909572012-07-18T09:33:00.000-07:002012-07-18T09:33:27.514-07:00Back from the DeadWell it has been a while, things at the homestead have been interesting to the extent that now I have left. While unimportant dear reader to you it has put a bit of a crimper on my blogging. Hopefully now I will be able to resume my inane ramblings to keep you all amused.<br />
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I thought I would post a few old games that I have played over the years but never posted.Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-83250089202297675412012-04-09T12:17:00.001-07:002012-07-22T11:25:02.980-07:00Engagement at Masdorf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was a fictitious engagement played at the Dumbarton Wargames Club between Mother Russia's finest and the forces of Prussia's King Frederick. The two forces consisted of an infantry brigade, a cavalry brigade and a couple of guns. There was no particular objective as the emphasis was on learning the rules, which were Blackpowder.<br />
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The two sides lined up with the Prussians adopting a classic deployment, infantry centre with the cavalry and light troops on the flanks. The Russians placed all their cavalry on one flank while massing their infantry just off centre artillery in between.<br />
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The game started with a mad capped cavalry charge by the Prussian Cuirassier regiment. The Russian horse responded with a counter charge in the ensuing melee they beat their Prussian counter parts and persued after them. The Prussians managed to rally some what and force a draw the resulting bounce backs left the prussians off table and the russian horse collecting their wits.<br />
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The Russian infantry commander not too interested in what the donkey wallopers were up to began pressing forward. Being an inexperienced player our Prussian commander launched his hussars in an up the gut charge. Racing forward in their fancy blue uniforms it all looked so irresistible, well it wasn't one well delivered volley and the shattered hussars fled to safety. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihk0-CMxgQ4hIsUEFuwzzxmyq9rlDRXtvl2sNiaSsJnv6NScvNjQjqtEANvmGr9Bm04RTQ-ZKE8XNilDRK00MxSqhcKMDV0EaLWpxNigmqHmf9UV_ni9QOKHsmV0wfnFolZniadSfBzaw/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihk0-CMxgQ4hIsUEFuwzzxmyq9rlDRXtvl2sNiaSsJnv6NScvNjQjqtEANvmGr9Bm04RTQ-ZKE8XNilDRK00MxSqhcKMDV0EaLWpxNigmqHmf9UV_ni9QOKHsmV0wfnFolZniadSfBzaw/s320/IMG_0996.JPG" width="320" /></a> A rather worried looking Prussian commander started looking around for troops to slow the Russian juggernaut down. He pulled an infantry battalion out of line to try and back up the floundering Hussars. The Juggernaut was not to be stopped, the battalion lasted two rounds of fire before breaking. The Russians rolled on sliding one Battalion off the flank to protect the move. A charge by the Russian horse and it would all be over.<br />
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The cavalry commander was obviously waiting for a better opportunity or something as he was not inclined to move. Things looked even bleaker for the battalion then one of the supporting Battalions rushed up to cover its flank from said cavalry broke and fled under artillery fire.<br />
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The Russians closed in bringing overwhelming fire power to bear it all looked up for the Prussians. This battalion was made of sterner stuff than her sisters and refused to break dishing out a bit in return.<br />
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The Russian flank battalion was now taking a pasting from artillery and the hussars were hovering to charge in. With his cavalry commander seemingly stuck in mud the Russian commander was beginning to wonder if it was all going wrong.<br />
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The infantry command final lost patience with the cavalry and charge in with his two lead battalions. The dice were rolled and that doughty Prussian battalion held much to the consternation of our Russian commander. After a second round of fighting finally the Prussians were pushed back.<br />
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This time lapse had been disastrous for the Russians. The battalion facing the gun had broken and fled while those hussars had rallied up and swept round the back and caught another battalion and wiped them out.<br />
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While the Prussian commander generously coincided the field to the Russians our Russian commander was now not so sure.<br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-69081273591251783962012-03-26T07:02:00.001-07:002012-03-26T07:02:28.745-07:00Córdoba or Bust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTar6dg0DlEwNc6-6PbW54QUXraE-EsQ1vU-XPT40Gp0Tw7WwmQt0d270qfWXAs5QnLP07w8Q-yJo_deUoC6Cak20Is6tiO4zG8vmd-UH63RQ5Z6bzmjErk6HbtddOleiRwU_LbC-Ocjg/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTar6dg0DlEwNc6-6PbW54QUXraE-EsQ1vU-XPT40Gp0Tw7WwmQt0d270qfWXAs5QnLP07w8Q-yJo_deUoC6Cak20Is6tiO4zG8vmd-UH63RQ5Z6bzmjErk6HbtddOleiRwU_LbC-Ocjg/s320/IMG_0947.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is nothing to do with Córdoba but it sounds suitably Spanish. This was a fictitious engagement set in the peninsular involving French and Spanish with a small British contingent. The Spanish force supplied by John Glass, consisted of 2 small brigades of Infantry and a light cavalry brigade. Bill Gilchrist supplied and commanded an attached British Infantry Brigade. The French consisted of one large Infantry Brigade and a Cavalry Brigade, I commanded the cavalry while Bart had the infantry.</div>
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The battle started with French initiative, the troops started rolling forward heading towards the village and the ridge on the left. Things were not so steady on the allied side, the Spanish cavalry command with the bit between their teeth launched across the table at the French cavalry. Their commander had failed to use the magic word charge and instead had said engage so they pulled up short in front of the French cavalry. The French cavalry pulled back to enable a flank charge from the Hussars. The ensuing combat was a win for the French, the pickadors fleeing the sceen however the chasseurs took 3 casualties enough to make them shaken and they pulled back behind the stream.<br />
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The 64e Linge reached the village sending 2 battalions in while leaving 1 in reserve behind the village. The supporting artillery moved round the side of the village. The Spaniards must have had a lot of Paella for breakfast because they were very keen on getting stuck in. Without any preparation the Spaniards Irish battalion went straight in. With predictable results they disintegrated reducing the birgide by a third at a stroke. A rather less than happy Spanish commander looked to his right for the British relive some pressure. <br />
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The 27e Legere had taken the taken the ridge line and was preparing to receive the British assault. After much cajoling from the Spanish commander, talking about honour and the like, the British peeped out of of the wood looking rather sheepish. A lot of manovering took place resulting in the British forming line at long range a few rounds of fire resulted in not very much.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL6ojSwZyHEoXEsuU51Pw4u0ciSs_TXRynXJoTLb857ALLP8WmEXkVL5GIiFtcUg_fZ87nDPyCTGnJdipYLlh3vJupEBhpq8nMbXCEvPeQefRoM-1UvOA8CXGFGngMGl0jJ41WAWATe0/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL6ojSwZyHEoXEsuU51Pw4u0ciSs_TXRynXJoTLb857ALLP8WmEXkVL5GIiFtcUg_fZ87nDPyCTGnJdipYLlh3vJupEBhpq8nMbXCEvPeQefRoM-1UvOA8CXGFGngMGl0jJ41WAWATe0/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Spanish now set about reducing the defenders of the village using artillery. In several rounds of fire the French battalion on the right in the picture broke and routed from the field. The Spaniards did not have a unit that was able to exploit this so it looked set for the French reserve to reoccupy the village. Well how looks can be deceptive in a comedy of dice the next few turns both sides failed command rolls to occupy the village<br />
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The French on the ridge to the left finally were taking some casualties so Bart pulled them back to sheltered ground. As our reluctant warrior now looked to exploit the opportunity disaster struck, the British battalion on the right disintegrated leaving the remaining two in an exposed position.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l02mtKd3hvjljLEUXRJVkiqbMCyHJSuVRmWq886ekD8l1_LLoOb5S9dI2wSR8n7dBqzYdKTsL9pu_NJN2q2fn79XQfm67wKdsciE-CsRNaCY92_CktJ9qEDLqXBafDfZmLlS8aNLDfw/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l02mtKd3hvjljLEUXRJVkiqbMCyHJSuVRmWq886ekD8l1_LLoOb5S9dI2wSR8n7dBqzYdKTsL9pu_NJN2q2fn79XQfm67wKdsciE-CsRNaCY92_CktJ9qEDLqXBafDfZmLlS8aNLDfw/s320/IMG_0960.JPG" width="320" /></a>On the Spanish side things were not much better for the allies, having received reinforcements they had looked to push into the town but the dice drama was not over as they stalled in front of the French artillery. Finally the french resere made it into the village and the battle was as good as over.<br />
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It was a close run thing, it really came down to the race into the buildings. Once the French won that it would have needed a concerted effort to get them out.<br />
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You may have wondered what happened to the cavalry combat well not much after the first few rounds both sides were blown and really had no impact on the rest of the game.<br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-38000495252604203782012-02-26T16:48:00.000-08:002012-02-27T00:28:15.796-08:00Flanking Metz<br />
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Flanking Metz
Patton never one to let fuel shortages get in the way had bounced the Mosselle to the south of Metz in a bid to encircle the city. The 5th US infantry division was tasked with enlarging its bridgehead at Arnaville (a previous game) to allow the 7th armoured division to push on through and this was the excuse for our game. <br />
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This is the village of Lorry to the southwest of Arnaville. A small kampfgruppe of the 17th SS are holding the town in reduced company strength with a couple of StuG IV in support. The American task force consist of an infantry company and 3 shermans. The objective is to secure the village. The Germans have a counter attacking element, 1 mechanised infantry platoon, released after the Americans have captured one building. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYO-5ludE3PKsktu-KWF5_VNqylzbd0dhnaSsNIn8EaGSBslMqcG3Zha-IjwqC9MX7OaVhZdoy0_GQP1x1kSPJNHpgZ8U1QUgeL5PZAC9yXrxyBp9kLtnzVNXHAlI6ow4QG-AQW58RPg/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYO-5ludE3PKsktu-KWF5_VNqylzbd0dhnaSsNIn8EaGSBslMqcG3Zha-IjwqC9MX7OaVhZdoy0_GQP1x1kSPJNHpgZ8U1QUgeL5PZAC9yXrxyBp9kLtnzVNXHAlI6ow4QG-AQW58RPg/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Americans chose to break up their command into 3 groups of 1 infantry platoon and 1 tank. The plan was to screen the village with 1 group while flanking it with another keeping the last in reserve. The Germans were allowed 2 stands in front of the village and the StuGs were to be placed in the last quater of the table with the infantry in the middle. They were allowed 1 ambush unit.<br />
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The first few turns were uneventful as the Americans moved on, spotting was done but the nazis were lying low. As the yanks were lining up to rush the wood on the hill, to the south of the town, the first sparks of resistance were ignited. A concealed StuG forced one of the advancing Shermans to retire and Germans had been spotted at the fringes of the town.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_AVAV9FpmF9QbAgrNNm9GUH3eQBGETYz3Q2lfFIKnnqe-2vYpch2KVCi4cO38TUfEq3RZyKe5IYU3u9oDINoV38vY69HtYosI7lD48OgfIvqSoMSUoNegUy7OkVWc8N8Dlpd2yycjo0/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_AVAV9FpmF9QbAgrNNm9GUH3eQBGETYz3Q2lfFIKnnqe-2vYpch2KVCi4cO38TUfEq3RZyKe5IYU3u9oDINoV38vY69HtYosI7lD48OgfIvqSoMSUoNegUy7OkVWc8N8Dlpd2yycjo0/s320/IMG_0891.JPG" width="320" /></a>The rush up to the wood was causing a small amount of concern.
A squad was sent forward to see what was up there with no reaction the rest toddled up only for the Germans to unveiled a platoon which raked their flak. The battered troops went to ground as we scrambled to see what we could do them.
Thankfully the germans were content to be passive and we had soon established a base of fire on the hill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRhJ7nhic7uH3YGKwJxkCRGlpPQaG4NiYRVRpQ9h-NsG4t2G97T30iEZjHi8wU3Y033XgFmqA6f6cHFn722YI6kHu1YN-RZwkH0kPP_PFOQIQAbRqSVq1wS04dACGBd1SQNOjT-KB7PY/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRhJ7nhic7uH3YGKwJxkCRGlpPQaG4NiYRVRpQ9h-NsG4t2G97T30iEZjHi8wU3Y033XgFmqA6f6cHFn722YI6kHu1YN-RZwkH0kPP_PFOQIQAbRqSVq1wS04dACGBd1SQNOjT-KB7PY/s320/IMG_0892.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was decided to move the reserve platoon up and through the position into the town.
Meanwhile yanks facing the town were having fun hosing any kraut they could see. Soon the edge of the town was clear as the defenders had withdrawn from the fringes. The yanks soon occupied a few of the buildings this however triggered the German reinforcements which came on down the road. The one Sherman had manoeuvred to cover the road but this revealed another StuG looking straight down the road good American gunnery soon started winning that fight. <br />
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The Americans were now poised to storm the rest of the village the game was drawing to a close and it was clear team nazi didn't have much hope of holding on. The StuG would have been able to cover the withdrawal without too much risk to themselves.
On a side note the Americans didn't lose a stand while the Germans were down 6 stands of infantry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlsR8_5jYqNj7BxV2H8-uZIuv4Y_Tlpyn31WHcd3FLdnWCvh8GPOjVSSczjT7o4WJpDTObF9fQ613J8Uy4JmA38oXco3OYnyBKLoMXP4DsetDPV5nOrlfoIcyk3S-GDvX2FmURmD4790/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-16957977563526677652012-01-20T12:26:00.000-08:002012-01-21T17:24:42.744-08:00Crossing the MosellePattons 3rd Army had been having a blast chasing Germans across France now, due to the well documented fuel shortage, it was lurching to a standstill on the banks of the Moselle. Patton was very keen to establish a few bridgeheads, for when the supply situation eased he would not be faced with a river assault. <br />
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Having tried their luck Dornot to the north, a new attempt was made at Arnaville on
the 10th of September. Arnaville had a ford and a highly defensible
ridge line but incredibly bad access. Storming across, the Americans soon captured the ridge and
began to dig in for the inevitable counter attack while the ford was being
prepared to accept armour.<br />
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Our game represents the initial German counter attacks on the 11th of September. The River Moselle is just off to the right of the photo. The Americans are holding the ridge with 2 reinforced companies. A reduced infantry company of 17th SS Panzergrenadiers with an attached mechanized recon platoon occupy the village of Corny at the bottom of the photo. The 3rd Panzergrenadiers are in the woods just off table on the left of the photo with a reduced company and a couple of StuG III. The smoke just in front of the village runs all the way back to the river, the Americans had set up smoke projectors to cover the crossing from direct observation.<br />
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Team Nazi had decided to coordinate their attacks against the end of the ridge and utilised their artillery in a peliminary bombardment. The rounds however fell on empty woods and the inital scouting produced no results. The Germans began to advance quite cautiousally, it soon became clear that team Yank had left this undefended and then it became a race to the top for the Heer and the SS.<br />
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17th SS recon unit moved out of the village to the smoke screen to do some spotting. This attracted the attention of the American FOO who bracketed the command with a stonk, 2 vehicles went up in smoke and the rest of the command fled back the village. <br />
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The Americans it would seem had neglected to garrison the half of the ridge and the rather surprised Germans captured it without a casualty.<br />
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The next few moves saw the Germans pushing slowly along the ridge while the Americans began rushing troops over. <br />
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Eventually the push along ran into some resistance the ensuing firefight produced fairly even results. The 3rd Panzer Grenadiers began to concentrate their troops to continue the push along the ridge. <br />
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The 17th SS meanwhile had been advancing on a broad front. Not much had been seen but they had attracted more artillery fire.<br />
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3rd Panzergrenadiers had pushed up their StuGs to assist in the firefight this however revealed a 57mm a/t gun which sent one of the StuGs scuttling back.<br />
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The ford was now deemed usable and the americans began rushing tanks over to assist in the defence.<br />
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At this point time had caught up with us. The position was not
looking good for the Americans. With half the ridge captured the Germans
would be able to establish observation and bring observed fire down on
the crossing point. It would have been interesting to have played a few
more turns the Americans would have had to made some attempt to retake
the hill.<br />
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A good game using our favourate ww2 rules battlegroup panzergrenadier. <br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-77542588572456513372012-01-17T16:46:00.000-08:002012-01-20T12:27:52.633-08:00Dompierre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is an engagement that took place in September 1944 at Dompaire south of Nancy. The Germans had launched an counter attack with on of their new Panzer Brigades the 112th in an attempt to halt the 2nd French Armoured Division. The panzer Brigade advanced to the village of Dompaire and halted. <br />
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The French proceeded to encircle the village and subjected it to a relentless air and artillery bombardment. In desperate straights the remaining Germans are attempting to break out and link up with the relief force. <br />
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The main command crept out of the village into the low ground at the edge of the village. In a string of ambushes their panthers were whittled down by French M10s and Shermans.<br />
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Cleaver use of the woods and the hill enabled the french to shuffle forces to keep the pressure on the geermans.<br />
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No Sign of the relief force.<br />
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In the end all of the panthers were knocked out the infantry were fleeing through the fields. The Relief force engaged in its own wee war against a French group in the small farm to the east. It was a resounding allied victory and quite close to what actually happened.</div>
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-71958145998584946712011-10-09T06:25:00.000-07:002011-10-09T06:26:23.025-07:00Engagement at Villa Daxa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRFRk4rHtFEwptBWIr7vj8S1T_ava2hD80og6O5UIyRDUBdROQxj2sZQ7AyHJWNkXEGnde8-qAR-2Q2w5tOEityRb3HjaZ7pL7OA44H4VuznortK-vNgDnTrS5DB_sct4Ps8huhMvckY/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRFRk4rHtFEwptBWIr7vj8S1T_ava2hD80og6O5UIyRDUBdROQxj2sZQ7AyHJWNkXEGnde8-qAR-2Q2w5tOEityRb3HjaZ7pL7OA44H4VuznortK-vNgDnTrS5DB_sct4Ps8huhMvckY/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" width="320" /></a>This was a fictitious engagement set during the Peninsular war in the summer of 1813. We used blackpowder rules with a couple of amendments. The premise was that the two sides had been sparing in the local but things had settled down and the troops had been spread out a among the local villages. The French had learned that a Brigade of British troops were quartered in the small hamlet of villa Daxa in a slightly exposed position. A French division under the command of General Villatte was ordered to take the village.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSLj0Et92-OSs9tw1zPigx8SDEfa7hSliIlpBnXo4VMoF4JOv3nIhnlRg4G18tsMoHHI31YgXe881aTS-oug6w6J52G4_GGaENhDv-Dw7zaeHaQVmQlqqMVSwmpV7j4ZKFTjYEcTGpaA/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSLj0Et92-OSs9tw1zPigx8SDEfa7hSliIlpBnXo4VMoF4JOv3nIhnlRg4G18tsMoHHI31YgXe881aTS-oug6w6J52G4_GGaENhDv-Dw7zaeHaQVmQlqqMVSwmpV7j4ZKFTjYEcTGpaA/s320/IMG_0569.JPG" width="320" /></a>Myself and Bart commanded the French while Dax gave his British and outing. The British started with a Brigade in the village and promise of support. The French arrived down the two roads approaching the town I had Pacthod's brigade-27th legere and the 64th linge. Beaumont's light cavalry Brigade - 2nd Hussars and the 5th Chasseurs. Barts had Puthoc's Brigade - 94th and 95th linge, arriving on the road behind the river. Delebele's Brigade - 5th and 16th Dragoons, was in reserve.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jqbdBwoMss_O8YslgOlTaHivPKRg2nEhRUEcm9VoAm4-7ElPFuTspS7gnMCDE_7ifbCLbymcdcaa7JgP9jG6ZxIKyvNbVQsFuYDgUJyC-Du2l-hVG2RhZK3blJmBq1WgeJOuZAjja94/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jqbdBwoMss_O8YslgOlTaHivPKRg2nEhRUEcm9VoAm4-7ElPFuTspS7gnMCDE_7ifbCLbymcdcaa7JgP9jG6ZxIKyvNbVQsFuYDgUJyC-Du2l-hVG2RhZK3blJmBq1WgeJOuZAjja94/s320/IMG_0570.JPG" width="320" /></a>The plan was simple, I would launch a few pinning attacks on the village while Bart flanked the village for the main assault. The first turn saw the some rapid advances but a lot of nothing as troops refused to move. Bart's first problem was a small farm defended by a Militia battalion. Some poor command dice reduce the attack to a crawl as he tried to get into position. The lead Battalions mangaed to get themselves disordered by some lively musketry from the farm.<br />
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Meanwhile I had raced up two guns to firing positions by the village. Myself and Dax have had previous with village fights, I had given him a bit of a bloody nose at a Vittoria re-fight last year. Now the positions were reversed and he was looking to do the same to me.<br />
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Assaulting a village under Blackpowder is a real challenge, you need to combine artillery with massed infantry assaults and keep a reserve. Having played Blackpowder a few times it would seem to me to be a game of reserves. The influence of fresh troops can be decisive as it is very easy for troops to become quite worn with out doing very much.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aBrayfX9uDw4vTWXtYgEYfuTU5GlBMgFpt8DASG1kaOFazMpfotUhUXA0yM71Cigw-fdrd7VobvNfe80TFEntmdQ1yabW3qPjkgbs9BrI2_YjdO6f_3LdE-9rSduzfN5k749O7p5jaU/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aBrayfX9uDw4vTWXtYgEYfuTU5GlBMgFpt8DASG1kaOFazMpfotUhUXA0yM71Cigw-fdrd7VobvNfe80TFEntmdQ1yabW3qPjkgbs9BrI2_YjdO6f_3LdE-9rSduzfN5k749O7p5jaU/s320/IMG_0574.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Back to the action, the French light cavalry brigade pushed forward to engage some light Dragoons lurking behind a wood. In the ensuing melee the 2nd Hussars were driven back and nearly off the board by the light dragoons. This side of the table then settled down with a string of failed command rolls for both sides.<br />
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My guns battering of the village was taking its toll even though Dax had cycled his battalions they had both taken a pasting. I prepared for an assault.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbYizzH1GpS2g1tm0UqpXlZaPWOR_6ZJ0kH0S0Eh1zemRyVnl1fUEtoKfKu8edEOgMH3zLBuETrV65NQ2cCAagv5pdCotFqObonCpJFnuZSqpDVNwdub6gshGZTZ02SqSBsgrom51mdQ/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbYizzH1GpS2g1tm0UqpXlZaPWOR_6ZJ0kH0S0Eh1zemRyVnl1fUEtoKfKu8edEOgMH3zLBuETrV65NQ2cCAagv5pdCotFqObonCpJFnuZSqpDVNwdub6gshGZTZ02SqSBsgrom51mdQ/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" width="320" /></a>Things were not going so well for Bart on the other flank, his lead infantry kept getting pinned down by the militia battalion. In response he swept two battalions round in a wide move round the rear. As he prepared to swing in on the rear of the farm, a thin red crescent of Hairy Highlanders formed around them. The British reserves had arrived and on some amazing command dice. In the ensuing two rounds of fire both battalions were wiped out. This threat to the flank change our priorities some what and a new plan of a delaying action by Bart while I launched a full blooded directed assault on the front of the village. I love it when plans fall apart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3fnk7YJAXV7h3w0Fna9vipj5B9P7wwMaRibixk2AMLmOkS16JLqapiFF5KNx0bsv5-GLpcnhD_HtVgYNDiBQkhmoGc_fuI0nXUl7Mpb1BrfOQ2CdM4ZpcJ3XzNsU547FR2xhCMybF1U/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3fnk7YJAXV7h3w0Fna9vipj5B9P7wwMaRibixk2AMLmOkS16JLqapiFF5KNx0bsv5-GLpcnhD_HtVgYNDiBQkhmoGc_fuI0nXUl7Mpb1BrfOQ2CdM4ZpcJ3XzNsU547FR2xhCMybF1U/s320/IMG_0575.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Things went from bad to worse, a quick assault on the village was what was required but could I get those command rolls, no is the short answer. 2 turns of milling about in front of the village was about all my command was capable of. The Gunners were performing heroics on the flank as they kept up the fire while under an intense fusillade from the village and a supporting battalion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZDfBSpopT1gCOdqQaqDunHllh5abfdBhLNJhyLhaBisxiOh50oYoTpMhdf7fcHy9FC-tWYAbd4h7gm1YjoyP7uE00zwg1tN4J1LOpbfHvOt7zuSXKA2bULNYEEYwisiujYjFJTlEj14/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZDfBSpopT1gCOdqQaqDunHllh5abfdBhLNJhyLhaBisxiOh50oYoTpMhdf7fcHy9FC-tWYAbd4h7gm1YjoyP7uE00zwg1tN4J1LOpbfHvOt7zuSXKA2bULNYEEYwisiujYjFJTlEj14/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" width="320" /></a>Bart had managed to stabilise his flank, in quick succession he captured the farm and then dished out some pain to the Hairy Highlanders. The capture of the farm gave new impetus to the French attacks or lack of and finally the dice said we could advance. In a couple of rounds of fighting the 27th Legere drove the British out of the front of the village. The game was poised on a knifes edge and unfortunately we had to call it a day.<br />
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The game was declared a draw. The British would probably need more infantry to retake what they had lost but with a bit of re-jigging of the line they should be able to put in place enough reserves to hold the remainder of the village, assuming the French did not get lucky with a quick assault. For the French only a rapid assault would have a chance in the short term otherwise they too would need more infantry and guns to launch a deliberate assault. So ADCs were despatched to the rear and the weary commanders retired to the local taverna to discuss the days events.<br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-26401267189986374842011-10-03T09:55:00.000-07:002011-10-03T09:58:54.194-07:00Sept Vents, Operation Bluecoat 1944<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijufoc9Hg92QJy85EWYceKoucDksaIeEDsTKo10D6oG5czuQ9zqQbt36e6AtbjTlRKYlcrPUC-jsiGuZN0rmGzt892LYbInAPmtHWBJnxDV8QeeXsrlCPScLyrSyApOKMPGq7DafkSxNU/s1600/27-3-10+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijufoc9Hg92QJy85EWYceKoucDksaIeEDsTKo10D6oG5czuQ9zqQbt36e6AtbjTlRKYlcrPUC-jsiGuZN0rmGzt892LYbInAPmtHWBJnxDV8QeeXsrlCPScLyrSyApOKMPGq7DafkSxNU/s320/27-3-10+008.JPG" width="241" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNKBQjFW8CSHteYDx97na6jbSRsniLzAdOZ-kg9k0JmecT_r8Fe8WJnLyxNZgP_YbIc8ViBsG8y_yI42Us394OiyrlbZAjVu35n_JrQaQ_grkOp7NurMOCqkJhInNuoZ2yZfmr7e6y9k/s1600/27-3-10+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNKBQjFW8CSHteYDx97na6jbSRsniLzAdOZ-kg9k0JmecT_r8Fe8WJnLyxNZgP_YbIc8ViBsG8y_yI42Us394OiyrlbZAjVu35n_JrQaQ_grkOp7NurMOCqkJhInNuoZ2yZfmr7e6y9k/s320/27-3-10+009.JPG" width="214" /></a> Operation Bluecoat was another British
attempt to break the deadlock along the Normandy front. The Americas
had launch operation Cobra to the south east and the British were
pushing up to put more pressure on the German line. Our game is based
on the assault on the village of Sept Vents at the start of Bluecoat.<br />
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Von Dax and myself were doing our best
with the 'orrible hun, while the doughty British were commanded by
Major 'Jimbo' Loutitt and Corporal 'Old Soak' Hodge. The Germans
deployed hidden with a large lump of nazi fiendishness, carefully placing
their mines and machine guns.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo-Z28SLscbKr4niVU2yQOtittcrH-LPyNw3tV3KKDcEXNuyiM1CLEF1bYWVSjx_Xj5-42F2jXkDIa17F_iCCMxpYlMgm1K4BaWSX-nR5FJ7ExqeW6-enfU9JB-IX6041R6abE-qJmkA/s1600/27-3-10+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo-Z28SLscbKr4niVU2yQOtittcrH-LPyNw3tV3KKDcEXNuyiM1CLEF1bYWVSjx_Xj5-42F2jXkDIa17F_iCCMxpYlMgm1K4BaWSX-nR5FJ7ExqeW6-enfU9JB-IX6041R6abE-qJmkA/s320/27-3-10+012.JPG" width="250" /></a>So to the tale, after a long round of
tea drinking, discussing the weather and the finer points of middle
and leg, our British commanders got the troops rolling. Major
Loutitt, obsessed with maintaining the proper formation of an
echeloned attack, could be heard over the radio waves telling anyone who would listen.
Corporal Hodge did not looked too interested busy as he was checking the beer in his knapsack.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUylITh5ilesK-OurF7WJqqoEniQYr_BF8oFH7kyrjkZdAMoeXNNNXKJHUHfaqnZ44xUAx9h-MjsrMutKnkqG6-m5pZgVxvS8KtE0dOjgaIEeWO9OXoD0cYPchtx_E9k71H5b4N4HDBI/s1600/27-3-10+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUylITh5ilesK-OurF7WJqqoEniQYr_BF8oFH7kyrjkZdAMoeXNNNXKJHUHfaqnZ44xUAx9h-MjsrMutKnkqG6-m5pZgVxvS8KtE0dOjgaIEeWO9OXoD0cYPchtx_E9k71H5b4N4HDBI/s320/27-3-10+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmaq_8ltNwflKQMR4TCfa8kLGIxcHSu631Y3BNsqoxBKD_vgHolaqOsRaXMqJrpZuZEQAUn4vRU_n5LFSPwCwDESnHjd8rrUPYwCJeOTbVIiOAL_rSx9i31bwG6vfQwxFliSxNSRjJQY/s1600/27-3-10+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmaq_8ltNwflKQMR4TCfa8kLGIxcHSu631Y3BNsqoxBKD_vgHolaqOsRaXMqJrpZuZEQAUn4vRU_n5LFSPwCwDESnHjd8rrUPYwCJeOTbVIiOAL_rSx9i31bwG6vfQwxFliSxNSRjJQY/s320/27-3-10+027.JPG" width="320" /></a>The lead scouts, on the left of the
British advance spotted some fresh faced Nazis in the next field.
After arranging his troops into some kind of thin brown line, a mass
of fire pored forth pinning half of the Nazis. The remainder opened up and then legged it back to the next field, deserting
their pinned comrades. Major Loutitt leapt over the hedge followed by
the rest of the company, 'Take that sausage eater!' drifted back over
the hedge rows. The 8 or so Hitler youth were massacred in the bottom
of their scrapes as the major leapt about shouting obscenities, empting his Webley.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Back to his old theme, the Major halted
his company in the ex-Nazi positions to get his echelon back into
shape. He had however fallen into a feindish Nazi trap, the
blighters had pre registered their artillery on their hastely vacated
positions. Resting his boot on the blond locks of the master race,
Major Loutitt looked rather shocked with the whine of the approaching shells.
Von Dax could be observed rubbing his hands with glee as the whole
British company was bracketed, the Majors use of obscenities reach
new levels.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPSU3C5t-0yerURsuEYnxvCzEuukDm5komQMerZ9NHxz0uCB-VHpkZX1nIj-ESYQqDmxO11v8fzf-ibYhji8WMlc8pD2sj6cpkYJfcUJThi5o69JqzfyfLg__lUWIEduSey9xAoBhc-w/s1600/27-3-10+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPSU3C5t-0yerURsuEYnxvCzEuukDm5komQMerZ9NHxz0uCB-VHpkZX1nIj-ESYQqDmxO11v8fzf-ibYhji8WMlc8pD2sj6cpkYJfcUJThi5o69JqzfyfLg__lUWIEduSey9xAoBhc-w/s320/27-3-10+029.JPG" width="260" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
As the Major's company was grovelling
in the dirt trying to escape the fiendish Nazi trap, Corporal Hodges
lot pushed forward. The more professional approach was paying off as a bit of spotting followed by fire and movement gained ground. True to form, more fiendishness was in store and a hidden MG put a staccatoed end to proceddings. The Corporal watched in horror as the devilish
Hun pinned his mates in an open field. Fortunately a British tank boy was on hand and <span id="goog_873654845"></span><span id="goog_873654846"></span>soon put paid to the
MG's fun and the advance pushed up to the hedge by the sunken road.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7GmdFG8TQjbcvOtNIiZKqpDthWZeGHPY9qfgo8aQgdvRoTG3j7PrEVH816K7CJVQprh0pMbwg6kfYpEiYzC1Pt-mUu_LK3yk1IFTNhJ3wvEMbdAVx-xigqnL3DUhgM_q-kgdomBgu24/s1600/27-3-10+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7GmdFG8TQjbcvOtNIiZKqpDthWZeGHPY9qfgo8aQgdvRoTG3j7PrEVH816K7CJVQprh0pMbwg6kfYpEiYzC1Pt-mUu_LK3yk1IFTNhJ3wvEMbdAVx-xigqnL3DUhgM_q-kgdomBgu24/s400/27-3-10+034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovOPM7DTPYOi0rUGFgmW3NDschA2jUv3LcJ-XexiYGdQx-RXopGoA9A9XEANMWqiHGiFtwIkmVTpYCxqB0QGQnimCqdXrdNbRPRCk41SkZPfWmCb8ViBbD0exy3Fa3MDtCxo3QqKHrbo/s1600/27-3-10+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovOPM7DTPYOi0rUGFgmW3NDschA2jUv3LcJ-XexiYGdQx-RXopGoA9A9XEANMWqiHGiFtwIkmVTpYCxqB0QGQnimCqdXrdNbRPRCk41SkZPfWmCb8ViBbD0exy3Fa3MDtCxo3QqKHrbo/s320/27-3-10+033.JPG" width="320" /></a>After a brief pause behind the hedge
Corporal Hodge and his men vaulted over the hedge and straight into a minefield. It
would seem however that the German mines were faulty, probably manufactured
in some French factory, and the British troops raced through with no
casualties. A burst of Spandau fire and the sound of breaking glass
brought disaster to Corporal Hodge, his precious beer was gone.
Fighting mad, he stormed the Nazis position, which turned out to
contain a full platoon, in a bloody encounter the corporal bayoneted
every Nazi he could get his hands on. The remainder broke and ran
leaving the British holding the position. VC all round was the cry, at
which point the battle drew to a close.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA80GQYsZcMuLz9kEbaydxtjgo3V44nxVqLZGORSZcTRZ2mdCmE8tGGVrNkdLWNnZYPREKTfbElT1k3VI9pOF5ItNLWSNPLyJiZcC5-GuXRsK1oMyuESWbxxFh5jTf41fon7SXAQQkrs/s1600/27-3-10+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA80GQYsZcMuLz9kEbaydxtjgo3V44nxVqLZGORSZcTRZ2mdCmE8tGGVrNkdLWNnZYPREKTfbElT1k3VI9pOF5ItNLWSNPLyJiZcC5-GuXRsK1oMyuESWbxxFh5jTf41fon7SXAQQkrs/s320/27-3-10+035.JPG" width="252" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While the Germans were not beaten the
momentum was most definitely with the British. It was a good fun game
with Corporal Hodges charge at the end being the highlight.
</div>
Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507535262730610404.post-19316330469560047752011-10-03T05:25:00.000-07:002011-10-03T05:28:17.562-07:00Bridge at Villa Fatta<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GqDgBCuagTt0h6sDcEsf_gA2TM0L_fSAC_xIwTHk3adhZtF4164V0a_pSS2Zl8OV2tu5CCKQKzBIjtPCg9IXtotktknGdjedV8igUEqv91fBuliO0wylBad3d-BDKAjOasuiMXSuhPc/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GqDgBCuagTt0h6sDcEsf_gA2TM0L_fSAC_xIwTHk3adhZtF4164V0a_pSS2Zl8OV2tu5CCKQKzBIjtPCg9IXtotktknGdjedV8igUEqv91fBuliO0wylBad3d-BDKAjOasuiMXSuhPc/s320/IMG_0555.JPG" width="320" /></a>The premiss for this scenario was that a small force of British had secured a bridgehead over a secondary river crossing. The French were racing to contain the bridgehead and then to eliminate it while british reinforcements rushed to secure and expand the crossing. The French were commanded by myself and Bart, while Angus had the British. We were using General de Brigade 3 which was a bit of a change.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BvmwZzc13pF5r8YCtBXKYDQNVSOosXPAwycWSV45AsQAaF6qu627MLyXHsOLRUNJyAtzfPTkOc1FtJEqWGYGrKfBSmUGRL-YwKutMQWX3-mjKscwurl6mmU9mjmQNmxXOI93rrVlQ4g/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BvmwZzc13pF5r8YCtBXKYDQNVSOosXPAwycWSV45AsQAaF6qu627MLyXHsOLRUNJyAtzfPTkOc1FtJEqWGYGrKfBSmUGRL-YwKutMQWX3-mjKscwurl6mmU9mjmQNmxXOI93rrVlQ4g/s320/IMG_0554.JPG" width="320" /></a>The British force consisted of 5x32 man battalions of infantry 1 regiment of cavalry and a battery of guns. The French had 6x24 man battalions of Infantry 1 regiment of cavalry and a battery of guns. The British placed 2 battalions of Infantry over the river with some skirmishers with the rest arriving as reinforcements. The French arrived with 3 battalions and the guns directly ahead of the bridgehead and 3 battalions and the cavalry on the flank.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W8zBOAL-V7N-Vh7GINR448HA80kjgeV8QjK3k6NN5INwlxoxDKaUWBA2hVm55Y7DEaC3Gy78BulJNOQDfplqvJRW-CNV2VIJwtxARBafVP9maTzbZXDb3knB5t129-RAp-gHUeSwpp4/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W8zBOAL-V7N-Vh7GINR448HA80kjgeV8QjK3k6NN5INwlxoxDKaUWBA2hVm55Y7DEaC3Gy78BulJNOQDfplqvJRW-CNV2VIJwtxARBafVP9maTzbZXDb3knB5t129-RAp-gHUeSwpp4/s320/IMG_0557.JPG" width="320" /></a>The game got under way with the French making a general advance towards the British positions. Due to an inordinate amount of whining from the British side about it being an unfair that the French got all their troops on the table, the British were allowed to receive their reinforcements immediately. This was followed by the artillery being fortuitously at the front of the column. Only bad dice on Angus's part stop this game turning into a farce.<br />
<br />
<br />
The fortuitous artillery wheeled off the road and went straight up the hill behind the town there was a bit of whining that they would not reach the position in time and this was all a monstrous plot until it was pointed out they could move twice as fast at that distance from the enemy. The British cavalry trotting behind the artillery had poured over the bridge and were now moving round onto the flank.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN_58IijsFkOH_CxDMlJVUBAvk4Hdg_ZPjF1Gemm0MGk8zkX-NquaD5bg_cYjz2SNVm1b3k7jR4C_YDv1yukwc4ndxO2qNliPkLbtrB3LpA1fDCTP2aKVUQvtafY2t3y7wMKdl0Lk-l0/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN_58IijsFkOH_CxDMlJVUBAvk4Hdg_ZPjF1Gemm0MGk8zkX-NquaD5bg_cYjz2SNVm1b3k7jR4C_YDv1yukwc4ndxO2qNliPkLbtrB3LpA1fDCTP2aKVUQvtafY2t3y7wMKdl0Lk-l0/s400/IMG_0559.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTZEU5t10AmKUpjmSyIsNkE-gYvTI_JiOiGgmn7rfnYiP7emENr5JjbbVx7I-0P4yFFDKTmadR26V6KvU_QJtwqL1SscyAT065YV_shSfbEtA26aIjjbgMI4MK9fvgwsa3x3Cof8wjdo/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTZEU5t10AmKUpjmSyIsNkE-gYvTI_JiOiGgmn7rfnYiP7emENr5JjbbVx7I-0P4yFFDKTmadR26V6KvU_QJtwqL1SscyAT065YV_shSfbEtA26aIjjbgMI4MK9fvgwsa3x3Cof8wjdo/s320/IMG_0560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The French began their assault on the bridgehead from the front after shaking out into line. The flanking attack was now flanked in turn by the British artillery on the hill, some bad rolls from the guns saved the French from too much pain but the attack was already beginning to fragment. <br />
<br />
With British reinforcements pouring over the bridge<br />
the French were going to have to do something very quickly. As they began to develop the attack on the orchard at the side of the bridge to try and flank the British line. The initial fighting in the orchard was quick as my skirmishers chased off the opposite numbers. The back of the orchard however was filling up with British infantry.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ0sdjt0z48pNIYwTdGz26mBT1HDz7rWoV95jcB70msjYrhBSrrnckZzMfT2I3zQpTYhsGeNSdX1gglfDw_g1eWixlKe6icPNc2NLptOCQi5bmzo8fkxBdyPsFGYYsOwwS2Fa-e69Dl0/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ0sdjt0z48pNIYwTdGz26mBT1HDz7rWoV95jcB70msjYrhBSrrnckZzMfT2I3zQpTYhsGeNSdX1gglfDw_g1eWixlKe6icPNc2NLptOCQi5bmzo8fkxBdyPsFGYYsOwwS2Fa-e69Dl0/s320/IMG_0562.JPG" width="320" /></a>The British cavalry debouched form the orchard and as they formed up the french flank battalion formed square. They executed a sharp charge but were driven off. The French Cavalry swept round the square and charge home but were soundly thrashed and driven backwards.<br />
<br />
At this point a veil was drawn over proceedings as time had run out.<br />
<br />
I did not like some of the changes made to General de Brigade 3, while keeping the bean counting element with calculating each 10% casualties, the firing has been toned down. This makes units incredibly difficult to break down, with the rules being generally quite slow we are never going to get to a resolution on a club night. Artillery has also has become rather ineffective batteries seem to hand out one casualty a turn on average. The melee still has some strange casualty resolution with it calculated by number of figures, infantry squares will always take casualties from cavalry. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrGF6GMuiFv2HjfrHO4DXvNBx36ATVXCqfQ4utiwM7goQunjxJdGfJtiYbRqdf4tsAYevjYxJd1LuoUtyI6PnqtcEvQmyBnZHGTsoKC1qtPVPOYeQSx3i4ogVnTkTB9Y3z1zClZeZDuI/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrGF6GMuiFv2HjfrHO4DXvNBx36ATVXCqfQ4utiwM7goQunjxJdGfJtiYbRqdf4tsAYevjYxJd1LuoUtyI6PnqtcEvQmyBnZHGTsoKC1qtPVPOYeQSx3i4ogVnTkTB9Y3z1zClZeZDuI/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" width="320" /></a> On a separate note - I like to play games that are not straight up points fights and this
requires some form of scenario and some umpiring decisions. My personal feeling is that a scenario should flow
like a story, with judgements being made to speed up or slow down the
arrival of reinforcements. While some players will put up with their lot and try to make a fist of
the situation, others will whine and moan that it is all so unfair.<br />
<br />
Whine over. <br />
<br />
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<br />Dougiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09250229454791256006noreply@blogger.com0