tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20398785273176522032024-03-19T09:35:03.003+00:00Bloody Big BATTLES BlogMainly devoted to the "Bloody Big BATTLES!" wargames rules (BBB): scenarios being developed or playtested; games played; figures and terrain; and also to any of my other (non-BBB) wargaming activities.
BBB is published by SkirmishCampaigns, and is available from dealers such as:
Brigade Games;
On Military Matters;
Caliver Books;
North Star Figures;
Tumbling Dice. For loads of good stuff related to BBB, check out the BBB group on groups.io:
https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattlesChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-91357751194851407742024-03-11T13:28:00.003+00:002024-03-12T10:21:01.717+00:00BBB = busy, busy, busy!<p>It's been a wonderfully busy few weeks in BBB world. Lots to tell you about, so this post will try to summarize it all briefly. In short: the Bash Day convention in May; forthcoming BBB scenario books; and recent games set in diverse conflicts ranging from Egypt in 1801 via Spain in 1813, the American Civil War, WWI in Africa, to WWII in East Africa - all using BBB!</p><p><u>Bash Day is approaching!</u></p><p>The next Bloody Big Battles convention, Bash Day V, will be held on Sunday 19 May at Battlefield Hobbies, Daventry. See full details in the previous BBBBlog post <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2024/03/bbb-bash-day-v-daventry-sunday-19-may.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><u>New BBB scenario books</u></p><p>The next BBB scenario book will be "Napoleon's Bloody Big Battles!" (NBBB). See <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/message/9703?p=%2C%2C%2C20%2C0%2C0%2C0%3A%3Acreated%2C0%2Cnbbb%2C20%2C2%2C0%2C104084707" target="_blank">here</a> for the table of contents. NBBB is with the publisher now. Can't tell you a publication date but hopefully soon.</p><p>In an advanced stage of playtesting is "Bloody Big Battles in Africa!" (BBBA). A nice companion to Mark Smith's excellent "<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/07/newly-published-bloody-big-battles-in.html" target="_blank">Bloody Big Battles in India!</a>" (BBBI), this will be a collaboration between Mark and Anton van Dellen. About half of it will be Anton's fine scenarios for the 2nd Boer War; the French campaign in Egypt (1798-1801) will also feature; the rest will be assorted major colonial battles in Africa such as Omdurman, Khartoum, Adowa, etc.</p><p>Further down the track: probably a Napoleonic volume of Peninsular War scenarios; then a magnum opus of American Civil War battles.</p><p><br /></p><p>The rest of this post is five very brief summaries of recent games.</p><p><u><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alexandria_(1801)#:~:text=The%20Battle%20of%20Alexandria%2C%20or%20Battle%20of%20Canope%2C,the%20British%20expeditionary%20corps%20under%20Sir%20Ralph%20Abercromby." target="_blank">Alexandria </a>(Egypt 1801)</u></p><p>One of Mark's scenarios for the Africa collection. (See "Colin the Wargamer" blog for nice full reports of the two preceding battles, <a href="https://colinthewargamer.blogspot.com/2024/03/last-game-in-2023-aboukir-8-march-1801.html" target="_blank">Aboukir </a>and <a href="https://colinthewargamer.blogspot.com/2024/03/last-game-in-2023-mandara-13-march-1801.html" target="_blank">Mandara</a>.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fBTtunZ4-LCeqa5lNrIQTvLPZlK4snZ-GdmIl2Nvr6M8kzmcGHqftU9VyzX3PRRSZkU7G1MDB4qvhUP4Cp-8B5mkAGx7N-uAauTxmnvjPGVDo9-XQMO9o9-DLHrHOqZazQyVB-SFwp1BlJ72nEE6rdXdwP_20Mr2s4WeReq8t0SqmhOeha3j1dTi/s4019/IMG_2659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="4019" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fBTtunZ4-LCeqa5lNrIQTvLPZlK4snZ-GdmIl2Nvr6M8kzmcGHqftU9VyzX3PRRSZkU7G1MDB4qvhUP4Cp-8B5mkAGx7N-uAauTxmnvjPGVDo9-XQMO9o9-DLHrHOqZazQyVB-SFwp1BlJ72nEE6rdXdwP_20Mr2s4WeReq8t0SqmhOeha3j1dTi/w493-h325/IMG_2659.jpg" width="493" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>French assault columns march on from bottom of pic. British march columns are arriving from top of pic to form a line between the Roman ruins (centre left) along the central ridge to the redoubts on the Alexandria canal. British warships will sail the sea top left while their gunboats ply the bay top right.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This produced an absolute ding-dong scrap. The French converged on the centre/right of the British line at the righthand end of the ridge and made a big dent in it. The British second line arrived, hurled our impudent columns back, then pressed its advantage. The British right marched across to attack our left flank as well. Despite heavy losses, the French veterans rallied to the assault once more, their cavalry to the fore. French left and British right fought themselves to mutual exhaustion. In the centre, a last desperate charge forced the British defenders off the vital high ground and they could not muster the strength to contest it. All jolly exciting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2IbFiMp_AmXcVK3NnyCsEK2G9_Xho0O_z06FrKycI04o2lW0kXdwkfsW6QEcO1HfbOoKxXfRYSwfchy61d5yX7u_FZaNpSi0C7pEN0YttxkeBI49aOSUcIkX7LiICmSIrmIAgZpt9KnW11Nx2UAD1RaBx7kKUSyQVQ6coB1Lt5oHk7ETCLtuIaZH/s2610/IMG_2658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="2610" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2IbFiMp_AmXcVK3NnyCsEK2G9_Xho0O_z06FrKycI04o2lW0kXdwkfsW6QEcO1HfbOoKxXfRYSwfchy61d5yX7u_FZaNpSi0C7pEN0YttxkeBI49aOSUcIkX7LiICmSIrmIAgZpt9KnW11Nx2UAD1RaBx7kKUSyQVQ6coB1Lt5oHk7ETCLtuIaZH/w500-h416/IMG_2658.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The best reason for doing the French campaign in Egypt: camels! The French dromedary corps, which spent the game skirmishing in the dry lakebed on the right to threaten the supplies in the British camp.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><u><a href="https://www.britishbattles.com/peninsular-war/battle-of-vitoria/" target="_blank">Vitoria </a>(1813)</u></p><p>This clash, the biggest battle of the Peninsular War, is a tricky battle to design a scenario for. I wrote one for Sam Mustafa's <i>Grande Armée </i>rules about 20 years ago and it wasn't a great success. The problem was I made it too easy for the French to concentrate against the separate Allied columns and defeat them in detail. Mark's BBB scenario doesn't make that mistake and produced a tense and close game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegA2R-TId2F1DxhTlwECoq0-jS9tIYI9I5PZNL2SmCX8l4rVImcFSsySawv3n6hcZQt4jiReEK5JjC5z74tvfL_KU4OgP2lmrAjd8wIwb0-ek_2_DFb_d4byy5sf0FFQnlOzNnLqgmrN-uVi3qzT5gC1LsQRrm2KMWhjz8MTD1jCN00d00Y31ashY/s4032/Vitoria%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegA2R-TId2F1DxhTlwECoq0-jS9tIYI9I5PZNL2SmCX8l4rVImcFSsySawv3n6hcZQt4jiReEK5JjC5z74tvfL_KU4OgP2lmrAjd8wIwb0-ek_2_DFb_d4byy5sf0FFQnlOzNnLqgmrN-uVi3qzT5gC1LsQRrm2KMWhjz8MTD1jCN00d00Y31ashY/w519-h390/Vitoria%201.jpg" width="519" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I had command of Hill's column, seen here arriving from the southwest. Gazan's men await around Subijana, astride the road that is the French axis of retreat.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvxCS9EEzA258nU1zICYLPOHnxWVsyK0tG685j8JXU3rjqk-Sh7I64gvJv5aIp_YKcq_P-zwlZOje55sBZ8hGoAefAgYfx_bTC9JJMLJb-4SppVMXPdAAOTc7YOcYLaZKatcwqzEWEWsobhrQrLYWzJ494xnkiG-zszyDzpwlTR142Q-zIduyyk8t/s4032/Vitoria%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvxCS9EEzA258nU1zICYLPOHnxWVsyK0tG685j8JXU3rjqk-Sh7I64gvJv5aIp_YKcq_P-zwlZOje55sBZ8hGoAefAgYfx_bTC9JJMLJb-4SppVMXPdAAOTc7YOcYLaZKatcwqzEWEWsobhrQrLYWzJ494xnkiG-zszyDzpwlTR142Q-zIduyyk8t/w529-h397/Vitoria%202.jpg" width="529" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>More British arrive on the left of Hill's vanguard. The other major British columns arrive beyond the top left corner of pic. It took us a long time for those to force their way across the river and menace the French line of retreat. Hill's force did largely destroy the French rearguard in front of it, but we weren't quite able to defeat the French quickly enough to claim a victory in game terms. Splendid good fun regardless of the result.</i></div><br /><p><u><a href="https://www.battlefields.org/visit/battlefields/champion-hill-battlefield" target="_blank">Champion Hill</a> (1863)</u></p><p>The largest battle of Grant's Vicksburg campaign in the American Civil War. His victory here resulted in Pemberton's Confederate Army of Mississippi being <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Vicksburg" target="_blank">bottled up in Vicksburg</a>, where it surrendered a couple of months later.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmFYHIKlzQdm4wUb72m7xX5K2x377tCBylYzCjPldqlPBQRX3okBM4E5zPjj1oQMrICw7Wy-gNpsEAhHLXPfZJc9f9Uq5Bd41qcMMGztDe_YPIxinIxP52D9vb_MgqK1XrdEgM6SRP4ppc8mmrNtSY6pLLmhDNf_qKzEuQhN01_ZZZyi1Hi-DTtOe/s3792/Champion%20Hill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="3792" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmFYHIKlzQdm4wUb72m7xX5K2x377tCBylYzCjPldqlPBQRX3okBM4E5zPjj1oQMrICw7Wy-gNpsEAhHLXPfZJc9f9Uq5Bd41qcMMGztDe_YPIxinIxP52D9vb_MgqK1XrdEgM6SRP4ppc8mmrNtSY6pLLmhDNf_qKzEuQhN01_ZZZyi1Hi-DTtOe/w534-h402/Champion%20Hill.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Another of Crispin's growing collection of custom battlemats, making it super-easy to roll out a game at the club on a Monday night. The game started with Rebs trying to hold Champion Hill (top left) to cover the main road that runs to bottom edge of pic. White counters indicate objective locations (the hill, the bridge, the road exit). More Rebs screen the other road exit lower right; more Union come on from top edge to drive the Confederates back. In our game, the Union took the hill and the bridge but could not get any troops off at either road exit. However, the Confederates suffered so many casualties in preventing the Union pursuit that it was a Union victory.</i></div><br /><p><u><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Otavi" target="_blank">Otavi (1915)</a></u></p><p>Anton treated us to something very different - a Bloody Small Battle, still using BBB (with minor mods), set in German Southwest Africa (modern-day Namibia) in WWI. Perhaps 3,000 German <i>Schutztruppen</i> were attempting to fend off or, failing that, evade considerably more South African troops (mainly mounted infantry).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8BTrDHlmOU_bH_bJwroabPTZmmq-g73AYTrBCLwBTZSsZPrvmhjwi2e0aAQP-3lEr2fRg1izxd5pdhY4lXKWSune8bDzfrj-IoUc4yO5Vk-UJPq22N13WbTHAm1X-kI0jrf-1BPun19TBjWZtAH6_6Nd_8d45cAXO7mf7BV3caa8UyrJlNJZJRXq/s3690/IMG_2673.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3690" data-original-width="2952" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8BTrDHlmOU_bH_bJwroabPTZmmq-g73AYTrBCLwBTZSsZPrvmhjwi2e0aAQP-3lEr2fRg1izxd5pdhY4lXKWSune8bDzfrj-IoUc4yO5Vk-UJPq22N13WbTHAm1X-kI0jrf-1BPun19TBjWZtAH6_6Nd_8d45cAXO7mf7BV3caa8UyrJlNJZJRXq/w349-h436/IMG_2673.jpg" width="349" /></a></p><p><i>An austere, arid battlefield, looking north. Ignore the troops on the left - these have just got out of the box and are not yet deployed. Half the South African forces arrive from the bottom edge. The rest arrive in two flanking columns from the top corners halfway through the game. The Germans start with a third of their force in a screening position at Otavi (centre left), the rest around Tsumeh (top centre).</i></p><p>This was an unusual game in that the defender had three distinctly different ways to try to win the game. One was by holding Otavi. (This was important because the South Africans had marched a long way from any other source of water. If they failed to capture it by end of Turn 4, a significant part of their force would have to turn back.) Another was by holding Tsumeh. (They could entrench there and hope to hold on against South Africans at the end of long supply lines.) A third was by escaping off the top edge (an option they could not resort to until the last two turns of the game when they realised they risked being trapped).</p><p>We effectively played this two and a half times. First game was a really close draw. SA tried an enveloping move, infantry taking Otavi while cavalry raced up the right to attack Tsumeh. The Germans fed a unit forward to reinforce Otavi, which proved enough to prevent it falling until T5. The thus reduced SA just about managed to wipe out the Germans at the end but could not quite take the last objective in time to win.</p><p>Second game, the Germans got crushed. SA concentrated on Otavi from the start and rolled lethal dice. Germans in Tsumeh then opted to bolt off the north edge but were stymied by dire movement dice. Easy SA win.</p><p>Third game, we just experimented with how it would go if the Germans simply committed to escape from the start (albeit still not allowed to leave before T7). The arrival of the flanking columns still made it really difficult and they didn't quite get enough troops off to claim a German win.</p><p>Really interesting scenario geometry which posed tricky problems for both sides and could be replayed again and again and turn out in multiple different ways. Anton really has a gift for scenario design.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>Gallabat-Metemma (1940)</u></p><p>Crispin's turn to get creative and write an unusual scenario for us. This time it was set in East Africa in WWII. Historically, a tiny Italian incursion from Eritrea into the Sudan provoked a counterattack by a mostly Indian brigade under the man who would later become famous as commander of the 'Forgotten Fourteenth' Army in Burma: Bill Slim.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2RO2wcCn7qj4UqFNsg8N54fv-niUoCoeR4nA7hJnccHq2oTABsm-KltnsiyO11hlJnMlZ0FMiarxdpHSilC4tZVOhVV3TjvE4e-OK_ZSBpDgRwKtmkcps5Cm499HOaa1aRa_lvzeiA7KRkU6xFgfQGO3pITy_fdTjM24cmk_tPb6hvCQovp_f5Be/s4032/IMG_2665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2732" data-original-width="4032" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2RO2wcCn7qj4UqFNsg8N54fv-niUoCoeR4nA7hJnccHq2oTABsm-KltnsiyO11hlJnMlZ0FMiarxdpHSilC4tZVOhVV3TjvE4e-OK_ZSBpDgRwKtmkcps5Cm499HOaa1aRa_lvzeiA7KRkU6xFgfQGO3pITy_fdTjM24cmk_tPb6hvCQovp_f5Be/w490-h332/IMG_2665.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View from behind my command: the 10th Baluchi battalion (the three companies lower left of pic). Top left is the town of Metemma, with Gallabat village and fort next to it across the river that is the border between Eritrea and Sudan. Difficult country to manoeuvre across, with big patches of boulder-strewn elephant grass in between the steep hills. Disturbed patches of pinkish soil centre of pic betray the presence of an Italian minefield. Three Italian battalions have yet to be deployed in the fort and BUAs. 3rd Bn Royal Garwhal Rifles is astride the road, followed by our mighty armoured fist (a dozen A9s and Mk VIs), covered by 28 FRRA's 18-pdrs. A third battalion (</i><i>1st Essex) will arrive from the lower right, as will the 4.5" howitzers of 7/66 RA.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crispin had been inspired by a magazine article to create these armies and terrain specially. He obviously had to come up with a couple of rule mods to accommodate tanks, minefields and bombers (both sides launched air strikes). These worked fine and most of the tanks were taken out by mines and boulders in a very historical manner. Our attack with three battalions against an equal-sized force that was dug-in had as tough a job as you'd expect. Our artillery advantage and superior quality helped to even things. We managed to get into Gallabat village. Given more time, we might have defeated the Italians, but when the turn limit ran out we had not taken enough objectives to avoid defeat in game terms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was an entertaining game that did a good job of recreating the action and had a distinctive flavour. Rule mods and victory conditions will no doubt be tweaked but were pretty close for a first playtest. This and the four very different games above demonstrate how a single ruleset can serve to recreate a huge range of wars and give us a different flavour of fun every week - no wonder BBB has established itself as our regular fare for the last 15 years!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-40465243945750057412024-03-07T21:14:00.005+00:002024-03-10T21:34:16.790+00:00BBB Bash Day V, Daventry, Sunday 19 May 2024<p>The Bloody Big Battles Bash Day has established itself as a highly entertaining wargames convention for veterans and new recruits alike. Come to Bash Day V at Battlefield Hobbies in Daventry on Sunday 19 May and find out for yourself!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrKK2z8f-dDnV0NfG46ZaeE_FJ8GVpMKOKELGZvCHX4f5AKusRWklqK8qmU3hgqLr5zHOPBteCjeF9EyJ7jWFAwsXaY-WJ6VbCtCaPtKy9R5oA_FHHzPKgxpm-igRHUI_EMcThkIoExQUM2G_ZtgLAbS6ZEMRnmj2HdwMmnv5xH0cNza23zSqCmm1/s4032/Bash%20Day%20pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrKK2z8f-dDnV0NfG46ZaeE_FJ8GVpMKOKELGZvCHX4f5AKusRWklqK8qmU3hgqLr5zHOPBteCjeF9EyJ7jWFAwsXaY-WJ6VbCtCaPtKy9R5oA_FHHzPKgxpm-igRHUI_EMcThkIoExQUM2G_ZtgLAbS6ZEMRnmj2HdwMmnv5xH0cNza23zSqCmm1/w498-h374/Bash%20Day%20pic.jpg" width="498" /></a></p><p>There is no need to know the rules, just dive in and enjoy the historical battles on offer. While BBB games have clear objectives and victory conditions, this is not a tournament but an opportunity to discover history, banter with like-minded souls, and revel in the (mis)fortunes of war. BBB is easy to pick up and the games will be multi-player, so you will have experienced gamemasters and fellow players to assist you. The rules won't get in the way of your tactics!</p><p>There will be time for you to play at least two in the day, maybe even three, and discover how a single ruleset opens up so many different gaming possibilities. Games available will probably include, among others:</p><p><u>Napoleonic: Hanau</u>. (From the forthcoming book of scenarios for the Emperor Napoleon's battles.) BBB lets you fight even the hugest, such as Borodino or Bautzen, in just 3 or 4 hours. Feel the thrill as you shift whole corps from sector to sector and enjoy the ebb and flow as titanic armies slug it out!</p><p><u>Sikh Wars: Mudki</u>. Still Napoleonic weaponry but with a very different flavour. The asymmetric nature of these battles - small but high-quality British and EIC forces against less well-trained but more numerous opponents with lots of cavalry - produces truly fascinating tactical challenges!</p><p>(possibly) <u>2nd Italian War of Independence: Montebello (1859)</u>. Small 'training game', tremendous fun, pitting ponderous raw passive Austrians against outnumbered but aggressive French in a clever tactical puzzle.</p><p>(possibly) <u>Austro-Prussian War: Langensalza (1866)</u>. Another fun tactical puzzle / training game, this time with Prussians fighting a delaying action against the Hanoverian army.</p><p><u>American Civil War: Brandy Station</u>, the largest cavalry battle of the ACW. Tons of movement and action all over the pitch!</p><p><u>Franco-Prussian War</u>: we will have not just one but two FPW games. From the Imperial phase of the war, <u>Mars-la-Tour</u>, as Bazaine's army tries to escape west from Metz while the Germans rush up to cut him off. Play outnumbered, beleaguered Germans or passive, indecisive French! Then the republican phase will be represented by <u>Champigny / Villiers</u>, the largest French sortie from besieged Paris - featuring forts, gunboats and railway guns!</p><p><u>Zulu War: Isandlwana</u>! A battle that needs little introduction. This game shows off Bruce's gorgeous 28mm figures and went down a storm as a participation game at Colours last year!</p><p><u>Spion Kop (2nd Boer War)</u>. Another famous battle brought to life on the tabletop. Can the outnumbered Boers hold off the imperial juggernaut?</p><p><br /></p><p>Details of venue, timings, etc:</p><p><u>When</u>: Sunday 19 May. 09:00-17:00 (games start ~09:30+). Whenever you turn up and however short or long a stay you can manage, we will do our best to fit you in.</p><p><u>Where</u>: Battlefield Hobbies, South March, Daventry, Northants NN11 4PH.</p><p><u>How</u>: turn up on the day, or (better) sign up in advance via the <a href="https://battlefieldhobbies.co.uk/our-events/" target="_blank">Battlefield Hobbies website</a> (tab through the Events list to May) and pay £7. Spaces are limited and half have gone already (per 7 March). Book early to improve your chances of playing your preferred games.</p><p><u>Who</u>: to express interest or ask questions, contact us at <span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">bbb.bashday @ gmail.com</span> .</p><p>Read about previous Bash Days to get the flavour <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/search/label/Bash%20Day" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p class="yiv9211380938MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; outline: none;"><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-1747690083553780582024-02-12T17:29:00.000+00:002024-02-12T17:29:56.649+00:00The Race for Thrace: Kirkkilise (1912)<p>Battle #2 in our Balkan Wars campaign is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kirk_Kilisse" target="_blank">Kirkkilise</a>. In #1, <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2024/01/balkan-wars-campaign-begins-at.html" target="_blank">Sarantaporo</a>, we saw the Greeks attack the Ottomans on the southern front in an attempt to reach Thessaloniki ahead of the Bulgarian army coming from the north. Now we visit the eastern front, where the Bulgarians were attacking into eastern Thracia (that corner of Europe that is still part of modern Turkey).</p><p>No fewer than nine of us convened in my war room - fortunately the rest of the guys couldn't make it! Luckily, the scenario lends itself reasonably well to four a side, since it starts with nearly all the forces on both sides deployed on-table on a broad front. A very broad front, in fact: the battlefield is 60km across (one 12" grid square = 10x10km), with ~150,000-200,000 men a side engaged.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH96mlKRb1pUcgHwndiA9Yrchpdf-OGflvhH0taXMG_YDEgHGxAk9-eytqS5bq6BUiFEmQNOqqJ2dY4Z31_GvKoGVCcfmxaJ2QFVRX9bfVfY2Fna3tLp0kTN85iiJnFP4NpKudTubyCp4pjx1iGw5uguwfAhfKy12IOxEnWB7IswumuTjZhsDEd3j/s903/Plan%20A.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="903" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH96mlKRb1pUcgHwndiA9Yrchpdf-OGflvhH0taXMG_YDEgHGxAk9-eytqS5bq6BUiFEmQNOqqJ2dY4Z31_GvKoGVCcfmxaJ2QFVRX9bfVfY2Fna3tLp0kTN85iiJnFP4NpKudTubyCp4pjx1iGw5uguwfAhfKy12IOxEnWB7IswumuTjZhsDEd3j/w575-h367/Plan%20A.png" width="575" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Plan A</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This shows the entire battlefield. The Ottoman army is in the southern half of the table (top half of pic). Its left flank rests on the extensive and well-armed Entrenchments around Adrianople, the right on the somewhat weaker fortifications around Kirkkilise. The Bulgarians have a significant quality advantage (about half the Ottomans being raw, fragile <i>Redif</i> reserve units), but they have to attack against well dug-in defenders. I have called this pic 'Plan A' because we managed two goes at the game. Red and white counters are objective markers. In the first attempt, Dave T, Bob, Mike and John tried to focus on taking Kirkkilise, with a secondary attack to secure the two villages on their right, hoping then to wheel right from Kirkkilise and roll up the Ottoman centre.<div><br /></div><div>In executing this plan, they discovered just how hideous 1912 firepower was against 19th-century formations and tactics. From the comfort of their fortifications, solid lines of Ottoman riflemen and guns were able to concentrate their fire and blow away the Bulgarians as they came forward in a rather piecemeal fashion. The Bulgarian guards arrived as reinforcements from the bottom right corner and fought their way forward far enough to attempt a bayonet charge against the defenders of Adrianople, but this stalled under withering fire. Credit to the plucky Bulgarian players, they persevered for another turn, but it was clear that they were bound to lose.</div><div><br /></div><div>We therefore reset the table and the teams swapped sides. With the advantage of having seen Plan A fail, Anton, Crispin, Phil and Bruce changed headgear and took up the challenge of commanding the Bulgarians.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvmRPN2I1O6r_TVTUy2XGAHLqHNGfZkqTV3x-DowgrR0Y5tPCY5PVcc0SXAkct35MK7um_2TOOINg-ScxDL62TkZCWpJvWLjqcc2Q9yTgSJJa64vgaUxni11V11D4kH2n-BQIgO8gzlp_jehPyMJNKkEPZ2v8Ayw7ylZDm6b16y2Du1lik79Rke-p/s903/Plan%20B.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="903" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvmRPN2I1O6r_TVTUy2XGAHLqHNGfZkqTV3x-DowgrR0Y5tPCY5PVcc0SXAkct35MK7um_2TOOINg-ScxDL62TkZCWpJvWLjqcc2Q9yTgSJJa64vgaUxni11V11D4kH2n-BQIgO8gzlp_jehPyMJNKkEPZ2v8Ayw7ylZDm6b16y2Du1lik79Rke-p/w562-h360/Plan%20B.png" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Plan B</i></div><p>This time, the Bulgarians tried to avoid the fortress artillery, aiming instead for the soft centre: not so many Ottoman guns, little cover for the defenders, and plenty of rubbish <i>redifs</i> to bully. Far from being overawed, the Ottomans responded by pushing forward I & IV Corps to confront the Bulgarian advance. As the battle progressed, III Corps and Shukru Pasha's force also sallied from their entrenchments to capture the objective villages on each flank (representing threats to the Bulgarian line of communications). This was much less one-sided than the first game, as the Bulgarians made the Ottomans pay a much heavier price in terms of casualties. Nevertheless, it still ended in Bulgarian defeat as the Bulgars ran out of steam and troops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVSB3beZ48PQM3jKnZq3b2_CLYwyQtYcRejYDVD8dC2H6cCsRhddvBB_p3WNXgouqIUTZ8FzSIQIhc86ju0utnYe3KlyiG0rozuf2OIzOlUjreqn34WxCbw91cE5JyJ-zw_hbHXFU8PJ0Tm3DMfMVjWYlMfr5eB0G0qB8hDTtABe01e2CTb6QOOHo/s4032/IMG_2606%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2355" data-original-width="4032" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVSB3beZ48PQM3jKnZq3b2_CLYwyQtYcRejYDVD8dC2H6cCsRhddvBB_p3WNXgouqIUTZ8FzSIQIhc86ju0utnYe3KlyiG0rozuf2OIzOlUjreqn34WxCbw91cE5JyJ-zw_hbHXFU8PJ0Tm3DMfMVjWYlMfr5eB0G0qB8hDTtABe01e2CTb6QOOHo/w562-h328/IMG_2606%20(1).jpg" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bulgarian high water mark as the guards assault the entrenchments outside Adrianople. (Bulgarian figures are proxied by my Russo-Turkish War Russians - actually Prussian Napoleonic Landwehr. The Ottomans are Anton's WWI Turkish army, hence the particularly arid bases. He got these painted in 2020, then didn't have a chance to use them for years because of COVID - this was not only the first time they saw action, they'd never even come out of the box they arrived in before.)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>Modern weapons change the rules!</u> Most of our BBB games are nineteenth-century battles with muskets or single-shot rifles. The arrival of magazine rifles and plentiful machine-guns makes fire more deadly and manoeuvre consequently more difficult and dangerous. Whole units were swept away much more quickly than we are used to. You can see why by 1915 everyone was soon deeply dug in and bringing up ever more artillery. Illuminating.</p><p><u>Overstretched elastic?</u> This scenario stretches BBB's elastic scale to its limits. That's OK, but I should really have limited ranges to maybe 12" for artillery and 9" for infantry: the guns being able to reach 20km were too much like airpower and it was too easy for defenders to concentrate firepower and kill manoeuvre.</p><p><u>Virtue of replaying scenarios</u> I wrote a whole 'Reflections' essay on the <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/06/replaying-scenarios-pros-and-cons.html" target="_blank">pros and cons of replaying scenarios</a>. As I said there, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">if the scenario itself is unbalanced, playing it from both ends evens that out in a way</span>". That was certainly true on this occasion. If we'd just played it once, I think we'd have left feeling a bit flat. Swapping sides meant both teams got to dish it out as well as take it and marvel at how bloody it all was but without feeling unfairly battered.</p><p><u>Importance of the reorg phase</u> The luxury of a Sunday game meant we could then all adjourn to our favourite local curry house for a post-battle social. Good friends, good gaming, good times!</p><p><br /></p></div></div>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-13612211080581937882024-01-29T07:30:00.000+00:002024-01-29T07:30:50.771+00:00FPW - Loire battlefields<p>The republican phase of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Prussian_War" target="_blank">Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871</a> is full of interest for us wargamers. The republican armies are a fascinating mix of troops: elite corps such as the Foreign Legion, Papal Zouaves, exotic spahis, sailors turned into infantry, a lot of '<i>régiments de marche</i>' formed from depot units, irregular <i>francs-tireurs</i>, and of course the bulk provided by hastily trained and poorly equipped <i>gardes mobiles</i>. Pitting these against by now very experienced and increasingly tactically skilful German formations makes for excellent asymmetrical match-ups on the wargames table. In particular, I like the Loire campaign and am a great admirer of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Chanzy" target="_blank">General Antoine Chanzy</a>, who commanded the French 16th Corps and then the 2nd Army of the Loire and held his force together in considerable adversity. Three of the main battles of the campaign - Loigny, Beaugency and Le Mans - feature as scenarios in the "<a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles" target="_blank">Bloody Big BATTLES!</a>" rulebook and I have fought all of them, plus the opening action at Coulmiers, several times. Loigny is an especial favourite as it is very mobile and both sides have plenty to do.</p><p>However, apart from Le Mans, I had never actually visited the battlefields. Now that has been rectified. Herewith a brief (and in some respects incomplete) report of my battlefield tour and a few photos.</p><p>First some general observations. Coulmiers, Loigny and Beaugency were fought on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauce,_France" target="_blank">Beauce</a>, a great agricultural plain. It is <u>very</u> flat and <u>very</u> open: dotted with villages, but few and small woods, and no hedges to break up the extensive vistas. This is handy for wargamers, as it makes the terrain simple to set up ... but it means not many dramatic key points for me to take photos of, just one field looking much like another. There was snow on the ground when we arrived but it had gone by the time we started our tour. This was a pity as I hoped to see the battlefields as they were described by one eyewitness, a chequerboard of white snowy fields and dark patches of villages and copses. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>1. Coulmiers</b></p><p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arm%C3%A9e_de_la_Loire" target="_blank">Army of the Loire</a> was formed in October 1870. Its main mission was to push north and attempt to relieve the siege of Paris. At the <a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlacht_bei_Coulmiers" target="_blank">battle of Coulmiers</a>, it pounced on the Bavarian I Korps screening Orléans. The Bavarians were driven back and the French then retook Orléans. (The Coulmiers scenario is a good small 'training game' and is in the BBB group files <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/1870%20Franco-Prussian%20War/Free%20scenarios%20-%20FPW/Coulmiers.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. For a report of it being playtested, see <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2015/08/coulmiers-revisited-franco-prussian-war.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For an exquisite 2mm game of it, see <a href="https://muenster-wargaming-english.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-battle-of-coulmiers-9th-november.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</p><p>I didn't take any pics of where particular actions occurred, nor any general ones of the battlefield, as it just isn't that distinctive. There are two large monuments next to the main road on the northern edge of Coulmiers village.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8gCmWQTPCtsKKs2sZjuAoDw5Ar8V4kUEIwB56JdBZuuDn9aemLX1gIPjF4PHFasD0YDxyst5XpSd8-tXKC8ubv3cRAyC8GspYe7XiHAikUKIkIojbmI579xdHF7k2t0bRFfyBeylCjxKZ9H0RiR9tDaTnlgfDTQo9fpAgM4EvtO_8AHXxUFUIVPu/s4032/IMG_2564.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8gCmWQTPCtsKKs2sZjuAoDw5Ar8V4kUEIwB56JdBZuuDn9aemLX1gIPjF4PHFasD0YDxyst5XpSd8-tXKC8ubv3cRAyC8GspYe7XiHAikUKIkIojbmI579xdHF7k2t0bRFfyBeylCjxKZ9H0RiR9tDaTnlgfDTQo9fpAgM4EvtO_8AHXxUFUIVPu/w379-h505/IMG_2564.JPG" width="379" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The French monument</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4tYyNRejTCfxPd9J6cTF8ltLE1I19t2GOlyT0p_gr5ulgE8B1g0E-aMKOvAtODfe7A0Z96Kbq2QrKm6wVEkXRA5Ft9CrnIF6Pl3ixi8CS7FzxmqOvd5-PbSX0m4R5KHrQZ3ydZw-XCXHHzHs38aCB2wCZgmwh-Uh26335eovKYvV_B2YGv7gUwCw/s3695/IMG_2563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="3695" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4tYyNRejTCfxPd9J6cTF8ltLE1I19t2GOlyT0p_gr5ulgE8B1g0E-aMKOvAtODfe7A0Z96Kbq2QrKm6wVEkXRA5Ft9CrnIF6Pl3ixi8CS7FzxmqOvd5-PbSX0m4R5KHrQZ3ydZw-XCXHHzHs38aCB2wCZgmwh-Uh26335eovKYvV_B2YGv7gUwCw/w417-h188/IMG_2563.JPG" width="417" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Inscription on the French monument: 'Here, on 9 November 1870, the Army of the Loire under General d'Aurelle de Paladines seized the Coulmiers park [the grounds of a small manor house], the Bavarian forces' last centre of resistance.'</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEVLIJWuwj4yU8ZmZKKyEOKWf9M3S0ATSc77owkF-kXpeaKiH96cQBO0sQm4fTeqY0e1uydx8I5Vsa-JgLRenRM2UZO3xufbM1GTd7PNUjd76YpEsEULSZ9hujizjEkhIF7pPdjG2fiYqxm0y2yxWZQ5y2LyfNSWaoViPsHR7wdILtnYJK7XymGUQ/s3273/IMG_2565.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3273" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEVLIJWuwj4yU8ZmZKKyEOKWf9M3S0ATSc77owkF-kXpeaKiH96cQBO0sQm4fTeqY0e1uydx8I5Vsa-JgLRenRM2UZO3xufbM1GTd7PNUjd76YpEsEULSZ9hujizjEkhIF7pPdjG2fiYqxm0y2yxWZQ5y2LyfNSWaoViPsHR7wdILtnYJK7XymGUQ/w422-h390/IMG_2565.JPG" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The more modest Bavarian monument in the cemetery.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Loigny / Poupry</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This was definitely the main event of the tour: the most interesting battlefield with the most to see. (For a full account of the history, see <a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlacht_bei_Loigny_und_Poupry" target="_blank">here</a>. For our most recent tabletop outing of the scenario, see <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/12/stolbergs-death-ride-pivotal-moments-in.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) There is a museum in Loigny dedicated to it, the <i><a href="https://www.museedelaguerre1870.fr/fr/accueil/" target="_blank">Musée de la guerre 1870</a></i>. Unfortunately it is closed in winter.</div><div><br /></div><div>In rough outline: the French left advanced, drove back the Bavarians and captured Loigny. The German 17th Division held Lumeau in the centre; 22nd Division came up on the German left at Poupry and held off the French right wing coming through Artenay. The Bavarians retook Loigny and a famous climactic charge by the Papal Zouaves at Loigny was unable to save the day for the French.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuijgPLJpIEFGb-2CPOgHwYxIoBh8hys067RHemAPq9NFfwlBnVsE1KxNi3CBQjr8etQiUDqFfBSl0twG5d9znkAoPr6y4LfYCYspa0WrmWCpmrxnnZnqW3B89OL7mNbmf7v7v2wteZHtg8WDk8xEUJFBYWOSic3FtDMT_Uxm2OdqwmuR7h9xD1v4/s4032/IMG_2569.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2428" data-original-width="4032" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuijgPLJpIEFGb-2CPOgHwYxIoBh8hys067RHemAPq9NFfwlBnVsE1KxNi3CBQjr8etQiUDqFfBSl0twG5d9znkAoPr6y4LfYCYspa0WrmWCpmrxnnZnqW3B89OL7mNbmf7v7v2wteZHtg8WDk8xEUJFBYWOSic3FtDMT_Uxm2OdqwmuR7h9xD1v4/w503-h304/IMG_2569.JPG" width="503" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This panel on a plinth just south of Loigny sketches out the battle.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9cRAicwxDlRelhKHE2Dj_ihxEqH4cAETxyzfJhsPXlkABMtzCPf6bcTb3uj6nQLhfGBYjMqbuXwvEJ32acWvRPS9PiUNMClnRGKzg-hqLcazbcPrvhF5jrEA8NBwttun8eNbRb63_VGOSZ6wNR1z6sozQ-9xXlwn0cptwR0OaJSWgm3qf-YUifc2/s4032/IMG_2566.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2783" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9cRAicwxDlRelhKHE2Dj_ihxEqH4cAETxyzfJhsPXlkABMtzCPf6bcTb3uj6nQLhfGBYjMqbuXwvEJ32acWvRPS9PiUNMClnRGKzg-hqLcazbcPrvhF5jrEA8NBwttun8eNbRb63_VGOSZ6wNR1z6sozQ-9xXlwn0cptwR0OaJSWgm3qf-YUifc2/w295-h427/IMG_2566.JPG" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A helpful panel on the side of the museum steers visitors to placards at various sites around the western half of the battlefield. These have QR codes on them that should provide more information. Unfortunately the links didn't work for me.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBMagsKL6qTqHDF_GQtueWt4fY0ZRG8sD2IT7Omc1773l2MDuHv_mtJ09gicBpHzsOeAPXR40gDSwUsH7wQyLmw3YMAfufCaxKxFwe4qrfw8Zuncd-qimbav16TwjWvmYI_SMI2GWds3_fpuUwRS1-gvtZIgbMyhG-sWCEDK8KFculYo-uetbDRAh/s3952/IMG_2568.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3952" data-original-width="2855" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBMagsKL6qTqHDF_GQtueWt4fY0ZRG8sD2IT7Omc1773l2MDuHv_mtJ09gicBpHzsOeAPXR40gDSwUsH7wQyLmw3YMAfufCaxKxFwe4qrfw8Zuncd-qimbav16TwjWvmYI_SMI2GWds3_fpuUwRS1-gvtZIgbMyhG-sWCEDK8KFculYo-uetbDRAh/w319-h442/IMG_2568.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The 'Croix de Sonis', just south of Loigny, is dedicated to Louis-Gaston de Sonis, commander of the French 17th Corps at Loigny. He personally led the final charge and was wounded, subsequently losing his left arm but continuing to serve.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYLCtv7isJ5WHRptWoFRZUfC-z_u-7gtVjt3lxrH8MjgflyxXjgf5lqxuoFFrL2FFWB7DbcZ9qdDQZRwy92IJ5IUG2JkEhVZnvHRF2xhWBmVZkBh6imwgsXfkZJcLYIn-t-fiYfmVjOULMgrsIuwhR87uYt-ghDBVVkzEJl5JdvHpqTIQdL0QqzCE/s3910/IMG_2567.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="3910" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYLCtv7isJ5WHRptWoFRZUfC-z_u-7gtVjt3lxrH8MjgflyxXjgf5lqxuoFFrL2FFWB7DbcZ9qdDQZRwy92IJ5IUG2JkEhVZnvHRF2xhWBmVZkBh6imwgsXfkZJcLYIn-t-fiYfmVjOULMgrsIuwhR87uYt-ghDBVVkzEJl5JdvHpqTIQdL0QqzCE/w509-h379/IMG_2567.JPG" width="509" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The panel about de Sonis.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63sCgTCi7z1GsLbwrHbE0SGjJ0I3NQLgBhoUVr-rIHOzBlXNvPZrgYz9db9vdRG8sFUcKMpBda8buuIJdOcd2xBkmi4j8CJCJUXVlVZn5qIrHYVL-r7Cfk00EbD2JeiOMJTUDMzsM_Y9hNEoCVOiaooE-2YeexVr-9Arz_OrDAPa3QUs1pwa_5gAF/s4032/IMG_2571.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="4032" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63sCgTCi7z1GsLbwrHbE0SGjJ0I3NQLgBhoUVr-rIHOzBlXNvPZrgYz9db9vdRG8sFUcKMpBda8buuIJdOcd2xBkmi4j8CJCJUXVlVZn5qIrHYVL-r7Cfk00EbD2JeiOMJTUDMzsM_Y9hNEoCVOiaooE-2YeexVr-9Arz_OrDAPa3QUs1pwa_5gAF/w515-h219/IMG_2571.JPG" width="515" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View of Loigny from the 'Bois des zouaves' (the Zouaves' Wood) showing the ground the Papal Zouaves charged across. As previously stated: very flat (Loigny is on an almost imperceptible rise), very open.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlBe7rFA1BpAEb-YnK3VSBzwCDNaBIvKTv4wWNGkUhg05FrRQDEsWwImuiptmLXaJ9woQJtPsq4lVTfgJ0t0ECubxgBPuVdMPMhvHgDwy0CQ1kxh0VPHPsNpVcqLr8YxTt_erN2RughNb1dOq7-obqbJ5BCDmmqE-j1BIs9t_CDLRDGJQ3L53OWDn/s3566/IMG_2570.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2665" data-original-width="3566" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlBe7rFA1BpAEb-YnK3VSBzwCDNaBIvKTv4wWNGkUhg05FrRQDEsWwImuiptmLXaJ9woQJtPsq4lVTfgJ0t0ECubxgBPuVdMPMhvHgDwy0CQ1kxh0VPHPsNpVcqLr8YxTt_erN2RughNb1dOq7-obqbJ5BCDmmqE-j1BIs9t_CDLRDGJQ3L53OWDn/w484-h361/IMG_2570.JPG" width="484" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Panel about the Bois des zouaves.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQOBiojP3Y2Egh5s7pri0G-se4tiOc9pfIqDjSXk-W_Djg85f62Kx9BoFpc4-pXxNUUNY5V9Lf2sbOQEJCmFryUE43TRO-Bn-rloh9CrhUjshyphenhyphenHFG0t95BRJNi5ek6XwEoKOx3cqYtbX3pKV0IiAdxG8KVKkdLDbnf3qYdeKYLcqQgR6skI0I17qU/s4032/IMG_2573.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQOBiojP3Y2Egh5s7pri0G-se4tiOc9pfIqDjSXk-W_Djg85f62Kx9BoFpc4-pXxNUUNY5V9Lf2sbOQEJCmFryUE43TRO-Bn-rloh9CrhUjshyphenhyphenHFG0t95BRJNi5ek6XwEoKOx3cqYtbX3pKV0IiAdxG8KVKkdLDbnf3qYdeKYLcqQgR6skI0I17qU/w337-h449/IMG_2573.JPG" width="337" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>In the Bois des zouaves is this monument to one of their number, the Comte de Verthamon.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiDP0kCoW8hGSqmh-XntFBnT3AtIf7jdztQ0fSnH9-ng6w_1hO4zEWgSXfDNi-EQ8BtSEE8e6ugzEJjXASLkPVsNaOl-v6Ize3iDFeVXT52JnyPskD32kb5Ja4GHOPUBq5c9zU9yloOuVbFy-26h4Z0ecstUvQ2pcyLyGW3-wIHro-8wLCuZF8dJK/s3655/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3655" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiDP0kCoW8hGSqmh-XntFBnT3AtIf7jdztQ0fSnH9-ng6w_1hO4zEWgSXfDNi-EQ8BtSEE8e6ugzEJjXASLkPVsNaOl-v6Ize3iDFeVXT52JnyPskD32kb5Ja4GHOPUBq5c9zU9yloOuVbFy-26h4Z0ecstUvQ2pcyLyGW3-wIHro-8wLCuZF8dJK/s320/IMG_2572.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Plaque on the monument.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwBIm3_IR_GcossDA55wmGCNJDiX5YS3NWLwNFVGZVAU_YsduK10Pt-_TPXxo5b60LfIesSVKWG68jTN5aS60oY-S7BbRCkO1ipYUyLbppvri88BJSDp9FvT4gfzOybTmYqFaBPCvAn52WNhJOYb8GG9KAtPHn_d5Dwm3LrBHLxyTXMlwLASRMkrh/s3130/IMG_2574.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3130" data-original-width="3024" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwBIm3_IR_GcossDA55wmGCNJDiX5YS3NWLwNFVGZVAU_YsduK10Pt-_TPXxo5b60LfIesSVKWG68jTN5aS60oY-S7BbRCkO1ipYUyLbppvri88BJSDp9FvT4gfzOybTmYqFaBPCvAn52WNhJOYb8GG9KAtPHn_d5Dwm3LrBHLxyTXMlwLASRMkrh/w356-h369/IMG_2574.JPG" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The only German monument, just north of Loigny. That field was too muddy to get any closer.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_4RiBrB5b36-15o2mlDEt27r-M6T4eq4OH9pIgndH81ruDN0yDvnhQwTYAcm92rJyxQq4isCrDQTZvVvUvzhLnYSfQUDrqLaSAXtEeA4cpsja70Byw0Phz2XA6-yvZTKFUxwKw5875Ejqezwv_l4DdJbUKmRCqWfvLpFEuj02SaUXjA1QlSwnTAr/s3606/IMG_2575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3606" data-original-width="2837" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_4RiBrB5b36-15o2mlDEt27r-M6T4eq4OH9pIgndH81ruDN0yDvnhQwTYAcm92rJyxQq4isCrDQTZvVvUvzhLnYSfQUDrqLaSAXtEeA4cpsja70Byw0Phz2XA6-yvZTKFUxwKw5875Ejqezwv_l4DdJbUKmRCqWfvLpFEuj02SaUXjA1QlSwnTAr/w296-h375/IMG_2575.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Explanation of the history of the German monument. There were two others that no longer exist.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIvxSwBV2LXHde2-wz-a7H9sIU2KWlZUT84fJwc4CF3B8sUOw4U2O0KRihqI87RJ6MXD2f1DXLzpEL_I4QJnokN6DH5c8eW566Si4-31mFehyphenhyphen5UFVkLUuVhIV-v51e5OBvqG0UhyphenhyphenDQgKcbqakA9eifDyhtEfo4GPQXPSYoOnx_8e56j1e6A5B-jbM/s4032/IMG_2576.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIvxSwBV2LXHde2-wz-a7H9sIU2KWlZUT84fJwc4CF3B8sUOw4U2O0KRihqI87RJ6MXD2f1DXLzpEL_I4QJnokN6DH5c8eW566Si4-31mFehyphenhyphen5UFVkLUuVhIV-v51e5OBvqG0UhyphenhyphenDQgKcbqakA9eifDyhtEfo4GPQXPSYoOnx_8e56j1e6A5B-jbM/s320/IMG_2576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The chateau at Lumeau: a manor house surrounded by walls and very sturdy buildings. This was the German stronghold in the centre.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No photos of Poupry, sorry: a pretty little village with a lot of woods behind it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>3. Beaugency</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This was a sprawling battle on a 10-mile front. At its northern end, the Germans fought through the Foret de Marchenoir - a seriously large forest. At the southern end, they fought through the large town of Beaugency. Neither makes for good battlefield photos, while the centre was more flat Beauce country. Hence no pics of Beaugency at all, sorry.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If this seems a bit incomplete and half-baked, apologies. It was sort of impromptu so I wasn't as fully prepared as I might have been and wasn't able to do as detailed a tour as I otherwise might. Also I didn't get to Beaune-la-Rolande (another fun battle to refight) or the area of the 2nd Battle of Orleans (a scenario yet to be written, I think). Still, it was enough to get a feel for the nature of the terrain and a better understanding of the events of that freezing winter of 1870-1871.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p></div>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-47156864827321503092024-01-17T22:25:00.001+00:002024-01-17T22:25:47.441+00:00January Gamefest: Sino-Jap, La Haye Sainte, Ligny, Norway 1940<p>January brought our traditional four-day gamefest: excellent company, splendid wargames, fine victuals, wide-ranging learned conversation - altogether the epitomy of the <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-quest-for-high-quality-gaming.html" target="_blank">HQGE</a>. To summarise four days of gaming goodness in brief, we played:</p><p>1. Tai'erzhuang (Sino-Japanese War, 1938) in 20mm using homebrewed rules.</p><p>2. La Haye Sainte (1815) in 28mm using modified BBB.</p><p>3. Ligny (1815) in 15mm using BBB.</p><p>4. Roa (Norway, 1940) in 15mm using homebrewed rules.</p><p>Here are about 15 annotated pics to give you a tiny glimpse of how much fun we had.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1Pqi5rtwXkXr43AcJaf2Tr4PcyWsVPJagavvaHFPubl-XsFv6vO7gnJ31B3daPIAv24rBk8MgFcwRtxnR60YKYc4AvW5ekYuIDLlF_pt92dMhw91xEIRBCGobFKDAz_s5RlOGZc3TlqeG2uh8qGaN841k3MP4kCeeN_WXHuYl0eTKH1tAGiUOI-5/s3937/IMG_2522.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="3937" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1Pqi5rtwXkXr43AcJaf2Tr4PcyWsVPJagavvaHFPubl-XsFv6vO7gnJ31B3daPIAv24rBk8MgFcwRtxnR60YKYc4AvW5ekYuIDLlF_pt92dMhw91xEIRBCGobFKDAz_s5RlOGZc3TlqeG2uh8qGaN841k3MP4kCeeN_WXHuYl0eTKH1tAGiUOI-5/w479-h323/IMG_2522.JPG" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tai'erzhuang, as visited <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/01/a-wargaming-buffet.html" target="_blank">last January</a> as well. CB's armies are too beautiful not to use at every opportunity and the scenario merits replaying. In the foreground is an incense burner that added to the atmosphere, literally and metaphorically. The AFV right foreground is the fearsome Japanese SS-Ki flamethrower tank.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLc-NREyylfwIB0iCp4rwx_5gI5al6_8QDizFfMYAm5w-LZp3jsdeKmD7uhJ7mh4iUFWIC_jprDIYcWovJLE5DEMs4-L-A70D-mO1S9D65yZgZOVyoYGWq5mSPu49pjZkuBxAj0LmNhkGAAcUjIoEPMoAl2NXMMUkF9mV8PwQj33JSsqyssp1fomw/s4032/IMG_2523.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="4032" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLc-NREyylfwIB0iCp4rwx_5gI5al6_8QDizFfMYAm5w-LZp3jsdeKmD7uhJ7mh4iUFWIC_jprDIYcWovJLE5DEMs4-L-A70D-mO1S9D65yZgZOVyoYGWq5mSPu49pjZkuBxAj0LmNhkGAAcUjIoEPMoAl2NXMMUkF9mV8PwQj33JSsqyssp1fomw/w464-h287/IMG_2523.JPG" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We played TEZ twice. First time up I was the Chinese mobile force, including Sdkfz222, CV3/33s, PzI and Vickers E, seen here arriving ontable and immediately rueing not spreading out more (the skull shows where Japanese mortars have already caused casualties). The khaki Chinese troops are Mexican federales figures, I believe, complete with goggles on their caps.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAB7Wg8oYxI5wXCcdmA92uH6woUBvkFaClcsk0fjFd_R40z6ZPUcXXoGZA8lbRzcMyQmuX02CT9ELJl0ONtyDwVBTPcSPhZkTcLL2WylBYdTLnOP7t7WyEFKfchxHsFLcNo3PynXGf8IlFo8Gp3yf8L98PT3Qnvx9HcCAg87OqhU47Sy8G3feuwLN/s4032/IMG_2526.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="4032" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAB7Wg8oYxI5wXCcdmA92uH6woUBvkFaClcsk0fjFd_R40z6ZPUcXXoGZA8lbRzcMyQmuX02CT9ELJl0ONtyDwVBTPcSPhZkTcLL2WylBYdTLnOP7t7WyEFKfchxHsFLcNo3PynXGf8IlFo8Gp3yf8L98PT3Qnvx9HcCAg87OqhU47Sy8G3feuwLN/w458-h235/IMG_2526.JPG" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Scott joined me with a mighty Chinese motorcycle battalion.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(I think the figures are actually sold as Polish.)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf9ua39MvQ8Wgvbm_2Vc6cLcH_avf1zeNMZhxap_AYLyyzjYkMZQEBhvSby17e5DlLR7gfo2uW0H_HuwSR3Vtuij5YAl94xdXcHQcMGa2lQ2UYWkq5Wj8wyLojMXzv0I5E7psY2I2rn13priDmHk2QyLln4HYgpfxGhJpRiqSnIKDMXUge7lktP5z/s4032/IMG_2527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="4032" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf9ua39MvQ8Wgvbm_2Vc6cLcH_avf1zeNMZhxap_AYLyyzjYkMZQEBhvSby17e5DlLR7gfo2uW0H_HuwSR3Vtuij5YAl94xdXcHQcMGa2lQ2UYWkq5Wj8wyLojMXzv0I5E7psY2I2rn13priDmHk2QyLln4HYgpfxGhJpRiqSnIKDMXUge7lktP5z/w451-h285/IMG_2527.JPG" width="451" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Game 2: La Haye Sainte! Young Charlie's scenario. Basically BBB rules, but a unit is just a couple of battalions, musket range increased to 6" and made a little more deadly. Worked really well. Mark F and I commanded the British line. Looks like Sharpe is in the sandpit.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYKVgNyFTpLxkTY92K10C8F8ULSFAzJbY3XswWaRhpftTK8xXAZBy5BhXPTPco8-TzZmztQYjrz7AY8Cc3FQCEK2DDyJRIvdGlH6cflUFYHimH-PFLuOpzP9q7D-4DolLKyK02d-Jc4FawaeU9NPmzDBHzc1q4cql3RJA0MEWtoMIG4Nj-LbSoVI1/s3688/IMG_2528.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3688" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYKVgNyFTpLxkTY92K10C8F8ULSFAzJbY3XswWaRhpftTK8xXAZBy5BhXPTPco8-TzZmztQYjrz7AY8Cc3FQCEK2DDyJRIvdGlH6cflUFYHimH-PFLuOpzP9q7D-4DolLKyK02d-Jc4FawaeU9NPmzDBHzc1q4cql3RJA0MEWtoMIG4Nj-LbSoVI1/w451-h369/IMG_2528.JPG" width="451" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>LHS viewed from the French side. For the scenario, it was divided into two triangular halves that could each hold one unit. CB's columns are about to go in. </i><i>Special rules for pioneers with axes, obviously.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAV37l8hDqkaIFLp2NXS2Icw6aDhijzBLH4-yBEO7YOe_2Flj6PteWIjHnjnLj6L2mKERxF0YF07ZP5u0wIGqbUnzLsYSmz6LM1CZh0rKM0XLPm9oFurhSf5l7cnK1EwqnFoBlaqZoaUkJRQQ-9Py73vtCxv7_ZAUMswYftzp2AtYqRCcJaxB6zG36/s4032/IMG_2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2372" data-original-width="4032" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAV37l8hDqkaIFLp2NXS2Icw6aDhijzBLH4-yBEO7YOe_2Flj6PteWIjHnjnLj6L2mKERxF0YF07ZP5u0wIGqbUnzLsYSmz6LM1CZh0rKM0XLPm9oFurhSf5l7cnK1EwqnFoBlaqZoaUkJRQQ-9Py73vtCxv7_ZAUMswYftzp2AtYqRCcJaxB6zG36/w469-h276/IMG_2529.JPG" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View of most of the table. I think it was 12'x4'. Five French infantry brigades and associated cavalry versus the Prince of Orange, Picton and Alten, plus heavy cavalry offtable. Looks like a proper traditional wall-to-wall Napoleonic wargame line-out, doesn't it! But there were still </i><i>decisions to be made and </i><i>maneuvers to be executed.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg-SyCrxYwvg9QONpRIOwlMmwd-eEcSJXFC0hKRfXKU75lTZEEiOSqay3Yb6DHLt0oWRLPrTojC8Mb9Oz8c7SDqlwtqsx-Dx_gP6fwcKqM9R6tb3AA4vOTrGQpbSlnHbDBbLoqajpAXvwNj2JsATKfP051AIFXElY0uPaJ4VGl07unVejgxwnEDkZ/s4032/IMG_2530.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="4032" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg-SyCrxYwvg9QONpRIOwlMmwd-eEcSJXFC0hKRfXKU75lTZEEiOSqay3Yb6DHLt0oWRLPrTojC8Mb9Oz8c7SDqlwtqsx-Dx_gP6fwcKqM9R6tb3AA4vOTrGQpbSlnHbDBbLoqajpAXvwNj2JsATKfP051AIFXElY0uPaJ4VGl07unVejgxwnEDkZ/w468-h347/IMG_2530.JPG" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Black Watch and Gordon Highlanders. Between them and the French in the distance you can see a blurry thin blue line of Dutch troops. There were three of these Dutch/Belgian units out front. These started the game Disrupted. For their first activations on Turn 1, Mark and I rolled three successive pairs of snake-eyes, meaning all three units lost a stand and retired behind the hedge, the Raw ones becoming Spent immediately. I make that a 46,656-to-1 chance. Our luck improved after that.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrwNUFpza268OazwtMBlG2OzDCAjd6Qd_n3LiDtrMWaGxThjWl0wLPjHqiDlvW_J95xOYFPadNPHwsioh5zc5qDW7Snzf49eTbcWVbtXOHg7QghXBooMaMtuxo7oVAADhbZ9MxlmnnHlZd_iWyDRcr00el8cnE8kaZbDqCZhFLoWuOSk7MJc10Mo6/s4032/IMG_2531.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2669" data-original-width="4032" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrwNUFpza268OazwtMBlG2OzDCAjd6Qd_n3LiDtrMWaGxThjWl0wLPjHqiDlvW_J95xOYFPadNPHwsioh5zc5qDW7Snzf49eTbcWVbtXOHg7QghXBooMaMtuxo7oVAADhbZ9MxlmnnHlZd_iWyDRcr00el8cnE8kaZbDqCZhFLoWuOSk7MJc10Mo6/w472-h313/IMG_2531.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The French assault goes in on the hedgeline. Our left centre was soon breached and we took heavy casualties all along the line. My Hanoverian militia evaporated. Only the high quality of the British infantry kept us in the game. We were reeling and creaking until Mark unleashed the Household Cavalry. The French attack had opened a gap between the French units now in La Haye Sainte and those in the centre, where a couple of their units had taken a pounding already. The British heavies smashed into these, broke a square and wiped out another regiment, winning the game for the Allies - just as they did when we fought the whole of <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/07/waterloo-i-have-never-felt-so.html" target="_blank">Waterloo in 6mm last year</a>.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqPlL_al91KyfEJKnFZcAMjcdGlC2LhIpUB6PT5-LW2JSoPlUvHynrsxk9y00ePIdBytEQHVRLuXtzW1N3225Va7hwc9cyFUORQb6JJPaa9omp3eD4rQXPcush5dOL9AIH5t_gqYjmVstkF3TLfIoDwq5lbPrQMVK2rPDEBOC1CbzcNC6q7TEa5ys/s4032/IMG_2533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="4032" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqPlL_al91KyfEJKnFZcAMjcdGlC2LhIpUB6PT5-LW2JSoPlUvHynrsxk9y00ePIdBytEQHVRLuXtzW1N3225Va7hwc9cyFUORQb6JJPaa9omp3eD4rQXPcush5dOL9AIH5t_gqYjmVstkF3TLfIoDwq5lbPrQMVK2rPDEBOC1CbzcNC6q7TEa5ys/w529-h284/IMG_2533.JPG" width="529" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And so to Game 3: Ligny! This was basically <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/1789-1815%20Napoleonic%20Wars/BBNB%20Ligny%20v1.pdf" target="_blank">Dave T's scenario</a> from the BBB group files, but adapted by Rob to add some what-ifs (which did not transpire). Rob had put in a lot of work in the weeks before, making sure the troops, terrain and scenario were all ready to go, and it paid off. Here we see Bluecher next to the windmill with the Prussian centre around Ligny. (Proper Ligny church model, top left.)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RYzg2xZsMAdxifeARbnqnkPEQpoYEBWjY1-xm15Ib5u-nQ7o1D5gjkGkJUh8_7_Gwni58r5ySBMTt-1kFOraEAYwFR51310Jdf2iE0Me5wiK0056NXYp5OFMkwulaH5EPhc5JeHSABUgPEKxj71c8c_OtKjWqXvGs9VsKZdRxQmNlq4bI_p80ALT/s3835/IMG_2534.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2469" data-original-width="3835" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RYzg2xZsMAdxifeARbnqnkPEQpoYEBWjY1-xm15Ib5u-nQ7o1D5gjkGkJUh8_7_Gwni58r5ySBMTt-1kFOraEAYwFR51310Jdf2iE0Me5wiK0056NXYp5OFMkwulaH5EPhc5JeHSABUgPEKxj71c8c_OtKjWqXvGs9VsKZdRxQmNlq4bI_p80ALT/w480-h309/IMG_2534.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The whole Ligny battlefield. More Prussians will arrive from lower left and lower right. French march on from the top board edge. Ligny centre of pic, left of my Grosse Batterie that was soon dismantled by the Imperial Guard Artillery. Crippling scenario rules for Prussian low ammo didn't help.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi-bLn0_y5WH207QvsDWbXn-3_HeLgCk4bGHdZXD6dy4iDrtswIsPAM5TQBeKMmblCm7XS-67P15DJALghsQiBXda03a84Wj6_OeM4ulcvpR9oXcplbI3rvEjwVEDbOmhmtA-ENn2Qrr5Jkq_2iSJGcYAzfoZCymHQ-NgCjVrCVDo06M6iWccSeHc/s4032/IMG_2535.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi-bLn0_y5WH207QvsDWbXn-3_HeLgCk4bGHdZXD6dy4iDrtswIsPAM5TQBeKMmblCm7XS-67P15DJALghsQiBXda03a84Wj6_OeM4ulcvpR9oXcplbI3rvEjwVEDbOmhmtA-ENn2Qrr5Jkq_2iSJGcYAzfoZCymHQ-NgCjVrCVDo06M6iWccSeHc/w494-h371/IMG_2535.JPG" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Les français arrivent. We held Ligny for a long time against 3:1 odds and repeated assaults but were eventually ejected </i><i>by the Imperial Guard</i><i>. Meanwhile, overlooking the fact that most of the important objectives were in our left rear, I had encouraged CB to commit the Prussian right wing against the French left flank in the irrelevant top right quarter of the battlefield. This left Tim's Prussian left wing of mostly raw Landwehr to be crushed by imperious French cuirassiers. It was a tough fight but we ended up soundly beaten. CB blamed Tim's inexperience. I blame my tactical error of washing down breakfast with Calvados, not to mention elevenses and lunch too. We discussed the merits of tweaking the victory conditions etc, but really they worked fine to give appropriate structure to what was a magnificent game with a properly Napoleonic look and feel.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXKXV9SuuPbkPTDgQFm1G_vZoWneoARqu9lW5EzQzOKNmlMW3L7Jo_fhQKhPQGoogDmykS5fG4ZqNWwk_CYVGn-ozfmwpYGQc8sMXY6ffZj5Au-7m7CkQD_WmWISYUjcfbbHNIMHu3-oPj1us_nd62KIpopJDkt8fFo4b0zpfFF-DFU6t5fMC9fms/s4032/IMG_2538.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXKXV9SuuPbkPTDgQFm1G_vZoWneoARqu9lW5EzQzOKNmlMW3L7Jo_fhQKhPQGoogDmykS5fG4ZqNWwk_CYVGn-ozfmwpYGQc8sMXY6ffZj5Au-7m7CkQD_WmWISYUjcfbbHNIMHu3-oPj1us_nd62KIpopJDkt8fFo4b0zpfFF-DFU6t5fMC9fms/w310-h413/IMG_2538.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Anyone remember <a href="https://skirmishcampaigns.com/arc-of-fire/" target="_blank">this WWII skirmish ruleset </a>that Scott and I published over 20 years ago? For our last game (a short morning session before I left), Scott set up Roa. This was the first skirmish scenario he published, set in Norway in 1940. We used his homebrewed rules that he is calling "Arc of Fire 2" but that don't really have much of AoF left - more BBB DNA in there, plus ideas from various other places.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_TLnBr-lAjmuehFsMHgvHVCK912lbRzNuD-7McRxXl-GY_nkenDSEYRPQEiKcHna91r-p7LONG_gakfyZJbsPYp7WX0NrqhdMew5l9rPzhVP3vW9oy4zK9b4eHMRj7S-u0W7Ak9UdrGmSoTFfYSTl-SrKntqPjvhMcmpvwKMPL2aKf25yw_yG1JO/s3877/IMG_2539.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="3877" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_TLnBr-lAjmuehFsMHgvHVCK912lbRzNuD-7McRxXl-GY_nkenDSEYRPQEiKcHna91r-p7LONG_gakfyZJbsPYp7WX0NrqhdMew5l9rPzhVP3vW9oy4zK9b4eHMRj7S-u0W7Ak9UdrGmSoTFfYSTl-SrKntqPjvhMcmpvwKMPL2aKf25yw_yG1JO/w456-h338/IMG_2539.JPG" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The snowy Roa battlefield. Germans arrive from the left. Norwegians start hidden. They aim to hold the house and/or the hill in the top right corner; the Germans will try to exit troops off the right edge.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVZP3Nalg2hahq-zl0iWIxputdCKVN1EgTg5-E4eAKGY32F0N2Qa6YTSbzKkxzB0q0zDsxa3wJLlO_yvfb2z8DTpGPqW83HZnLf3ahWuC6AvRi9M_Ufud3TUtpOooleBswkthyphenhyphenTzNxVWwtaLwgG5Bh8XvfXbU3d7otZOj3kSJoo_oOv6qLqA9pail/s4032/IMG_2540.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4032" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVZP3Nalg2hahq-zl0iWIxputdCKVN1EgTg5-E4eAKGY32F0N2Qa6YTSbzKkxzB0q0zDsxa3wJLlO_yvfb2z8DTpGPqW83HZnLf3ahWuC6AvRi9M_Ufud3TUtpOooleBswkthyphenhyphenTzNxVWwtaLwgG5Bh8XvfXbU3d7otZOj3kSJoo_oOv6qLqA9pail/w474-h270/IMG_2540.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The German advance encounters nothing but reindeer initially. Behold the mighty Panzer I! Better than anything the Norwegians have, anyway.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH_34w58GalKDlne160EfSlHvC1lRTKXpUa6J-f0C2CrN6bTIosSbLJULCD3LemnkQ9WAwAkyqR2VXEJZHyQWEfUkv8OAVH07dg_Apx6GSNhJTkefqo7CKO3Q34a1kRZlTtWB4hmTYDZ_wcy64IiU9A4YC6bVXGviTnEJutPsKMbMKb60iwHbCD9Y/s3566/IMG_2541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2437" data-original-width="3566" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH_34w58GalKDlne160EfSlHvC1lRTKXpUa6J-f0C2CrN6bTIosSbLJULCD3LemnkQ9WAwAkyqR2VXEJZHyQWEfUkv8OAVH07dg_Apx6GSNhJTkefqo7CKO3Q34a1kRZlTtWB4hmTYDZ_wcy64IiU9A4YC6bVXGviTnEJutPsKMbMKb60iwHbCD9Y/w470-h322/IMG_2541.JPG" width="470" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The first ambush is sprung. Snowsuits have their pros and cons:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>harder to spot than feldgrau, but they don't half show the blood.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0wAk9Y65KuEek6c2dBg0-8jGPaKxlpQQmVtgSRyicIOfYGJpEtxWYG_jxzQoEj-dlAn1OO8pjILYBJfy8wZ21aZZV2XmF-UY05VNgeiae92if9BsdYF_hVgKVI-MWzX3gMKWIAkULpqxohSPTDMqzaBisvRLL-S0OuHjmWdvwzXjTr2-A8zz1DSF/s4032/IMG_2542.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0wAk9Y65KuEek6c2dBg0-8jGPaKxlpQQmVtgSRyicIOfYGJpEtxWYG_jxzQoEj-dlAn1OO8pjILYBJfy8wZ21aZZV2XmF-UY05VNgeiae92if9BsdYF_hVgKVI-MWzX3gMKWIAkULpqxohSPTDMqzaBisvRLL-S0OuHjmWdvwzXjTr2-A8zz1DSF/w474-h355/IMG_2542.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Situation when we had to call it a day: mass combat developing around the bridge and the house objective. Sheep top left are unperturbed and unwilling to leave the little green circles they have nibbled through the snow.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVG1v2x_xkjmvV3IGa6EVO9J0pMi4oY2uEx4h7IEMYO5RJWUfEbVG_OM7wqDXNtqLkjZQvzYGKHcrTfgoc1xwvxLTKgwzJz_WsDnk6oCWv-MkLMiztBayx3ftZDAN8clsYdx6RGZfMr6gSRigOLOaa_btPiZ5xGgeuj-xtyE6npLjdRvLCTj5MIPj/s3044/IMG_2543.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="3044" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVG1v2x_xkjmvV3IGa6EVO9J0pMi4oY2uEx4h7IEMYO5RJWUfEbVG_OM7wqDXNtqLkjZQvzYGKHcrTfgoc1xwvxLTKgwzJz_WsDnk6oCWv-MkLMiztBayx3ftZDAN8clsYdx6RGZfMr6gSRigOLOaa_btPiZ5xGgeuj-xtyE6npLjdRvLCTj5MIPj/w483-h293/IMG_2543.JPG" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The real weather outside matched the Roa game inside.</i></div><br /><p>So endeth another fantastic January gamefest. Now for a bit of online gaming, followed by a stint of the regular Monday club games, and of course the next <a href="https://battlefieldhobbies.co.uk/our-events/" target="_blank">Bash Day coming up in May</a>. If you can make it to Daventry on Sunday 19 May, you can be assured of an HQGE of your own!</p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-11146983874041854902024-01-01T11:33:00.002+00:002024-01-01T11:33:41.225+00:00Balkan Wars campaign begins at Sarantaporo<p>The "<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2019/01/balkan-wars-book-published.html" target="_blank">Bloody Big Balkan Battles!</a>" scenario book for the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913 was published back in 2019. A lot of these battles were fought over very mountainous terrain that takes time to set up, so is not ideal for a club night and better done at home. My war room at home has been out of commission for a while but is back in action now. To inaugurate the refurbished war room, I decided to host the first game in the BBBB book: Sarantaporo (which I <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2017/06/playtests-sarantaporo-1912-balkan-wars.html" target="_blank">playtested in 2017</a>). I took advantage of the Christmas holiday to run it twice for different groups of friends.</p><p>The scenario sees a thin Turkish cordon defence in the mountains facing a much larger Greek attacking force. The strategic situation is that the Greeks are racing to reach Thessaloniki (some distance offtable) from the southwest before the Bulgarians can get there from the north. Victory therefore depends on how long the Turks can delay the Greeks before being inevitably overwhelmed.</p><p>Fourteen annotated photos tell the tale, followed by some reflections at the end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBeTSQyy73xxYtx7yW0eBbPCUEnFcF62GDrSknXAYNd8wkW8tfSu7TftjE4-FzT5OCRbsUaSFwk24kJdV_hs-KeB1852-IHxXUoa4xsnW2PJmbeEy6i74A2aXR2r1_C_kIpanev7fdmZyJuV-JI4Sx0NOI4SbHbkGOxkkRVp-tWx8BOca_o-o4Pcn/s4032/IMG_2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="4032" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBeTSQyy73xxYtx7yW0eBbPCUEnFcF62GDrSknXAYNd8wkW8tfSu7TftjE4-FzT5OCRbsUaSFwk24kJdV_hs-KeB1852-IHxXUoa4xsnW2PJmbeEy6i74A2aXR2r1_C_kIpanev7fdmZyJuV-JI4Sx0NOI4SbHbkGOxkkRVp-tWx8BOca_o-o4Pcn/w552-h367/IMG_2504.JPG" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Plan view looking north from the Greek side of the table. The wavy green line marking off the SE quarter is a steep slope between the flat and open river valley (Level 0, good going) and the rest of the table that is all difficult terrain and Level 1 or higher. The 'polystyrene jigsaw' hills are Levels 2 and 3. Those crested with pale lichen are impassable peaks. (For an essay on various ways to represent complex hilly terrain, see <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2015/07/ways-to-represent-complex-hilly-terrain.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) At lower left edge is the fort at Lazarat, guarding a pass. The town of Sarantaporo is the church next to the road, upper centre. Red counters mark the five objectives (you can't see the one at Mikrovalto, halfway up the westernmost road, because the Turkish cavalry are sitting on it). Greeks have to take three of these to draw and four to win. Most of the Greek army starts massed in the SE corner but a couple of divisions, cavalry and evzones are along the western half of the southern edge.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ2vXXxcH_UQJv1ISSncqmdG2s8gM90NNraMUHRNnuSxAYqe9mA6y4ctituiSCiVsUOHctgWKjaljdC75vsECo5Mop0xtHvoyWgBckzOO-BUuYs8URY912Ou8ABfBRvYFuMZsgHlQMAYw-xkwXWJEZbRhJFgH5EZQCuEgYhE-jB67Lys6BWpUVfhV/s4032/IMG_2497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="4032" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ2vXXxcH_UQJv1ISSncqmdG2s8gM90NNraMUHRNnuSxAYqe9mA6y4ctituiSCiVsUOHctgWKjaljdC75vsECo5Mop0xtHvoyWgBckzOO-BUuYs8URY912Ou8ABfBRvYFuMZsgHlQMAYw-xkwXWJEZbRhJFgH5EZQCuEgYhE-jB67Lys6BWpUVfhV/w501-h362/IMG_2497.JPG" width="501" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View from the Greek SE corner towards Sarantaporo and the Skopia-Vigli hilltop objective. You can see roughly four of the Greeks' six divisions here (three 3-base regiments to a division; some little 2-base Evzone units). Blue counters are temporary to indicate Greek deployment areas. Ben and Luke modified this deployment before the game started and established a grand battery of 80+ guns along the stream and to the left of it.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFS4XL-Ey0IJtcxxgN5yG5PwO4fw9gntot8KKdLNMWbscWWaY71ACt2qX2W1-LXlFMBF6wbcPj3m03_63GtlrdOytay1nwh1j8Ku0bD0U6gplNLsTiEGTZWWpH3_fiFOAmkXMH5Iba4fl-K7BGBA3fm83eK7Nncug29IoAR1isme8fDw7lPxmfHYP/s3538/IMG_2499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3538" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFS4XL-Ey0IJtcxxgN5yG5PwO4fw9gntot8KKdLNMWbscWWaY71ACt2qX2W1-LXlFMBF6wbcPj3m03_63GtlrdOytay1nwh1j8Ku0bD0U6gplNLsTiEGTZWWpH3_fiFOAmkXMH5Iba4fl-K7BGBA3fm83eK7Nncug29IoAR1isme8fDw7lPxmfHYP/w494-h290/IMG_2499.JPG" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The defenders of Sarantaporo. (6mm figures by <a href="https://irregularminiatures.co.uk/indexes/6mmindex.htm" target="_blank">Irregular Miniatures</a>, painted and donated by Dave W.) Most of the Turkish force is raw, fragile Redifs (hastily conscripted reserves), as indicated by the absence of flags. All my Turks are in anachronistic 1877 uniforms rather than 1912 khaki. Never mind, red fezzes look pretty.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDxy_4-yq-8ppp5UYBHna1kdYQtiJc7Ni0hFgj8IgI0gCH9QSyucM_3X4bn-D513XLlKYJoGpooHmU5dedr1rWBbrq0MQKrBCtib71y2gljA94d0d7ilDhVURO4PskCbMiY9f73f5fxyQxGZkCNA2-gSNnjRXb3l4awxVJaHdS0QgeL8nrUqqtkHA/s3787/IMG_2505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="3787" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDxy_4-yq-8ppp5UYBHna1kdYQtiJc7Ni0hFgj8IgI0gCH9QSyucM_3X4bn-D513XLlKYJoGpooHmU5dedr1rWBbrq0MQKrBCtib71y2gljA94d0d7ilDhVURO4PskCbMiY9f73f5fxyQxGZkCNA2-gSNnjRXb3l4awxVJaHdS0QgeL8nrUqqtkHA/w503-h190/IMG_2505.JPG" width="503" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Greeks retaliate with some red hats of their own: two bases of elite Evzone mountain troops (right of pic) prepare to advance alongside a couple of regiments of line infantry. (Evzone figures are actually French chasseurs alpins; line inf are British WWI.)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpmjq4YG0aRXYE4ix6CY_we9X7CKhBGHLHb3ZxQ5yRzLcEuf0kbApOjgkstc6moFzTfpVVKvsf-cvkT5jmtPMFmWmQaGXhqQeQ1YHotCizjSpV7wH24_GJmpYL0MLWy12nUnwF2n2AGbMVHlmqa7Swo6Z3ezFbdFgmkZ2pfhjoAN8k-vA-qAv87_I/s4032/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1853" data-original-width="4032" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpmjq4YG0aRXYE4ix6CY_we9X7CKhBGHLHb3ZxQ5yRzLcEuf0kbApOjgkstc6moFzTfpVVKvsf-cvkT5jmtPMFmWmQaGXhqQeQ1YHotCizjSpV7wH24_GJmpYL0MLWy12nUnwF2n2AGbMVHlmqa7Swo6Z3ezFbdFgmkZ2pfhjoAN8k-vA-qAv87_I/w518-h238/IMG_2507.JPG" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Turkish strongpoint on Skopia-Vigli. These two regiments are veteran Nizam regulars (hence get flags). The one in the foreground has been given VIII Corps's entire company of nine machine-guns, giving it the Devastating Volleys attribute. The hilltop regiment has the advantage of a Skirmisher base. Entrenchments and sandbag emplacement are from Irregular Miniatures. The hilltop itself is carved from ammunition packing for added authenticity.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-734_eQnvma6s7d12znWGaOy08DMvPAS-Pq6Vz5StzNF2aF0a_l7v6MAn7Aruvetv5HNQZ0Tqfi8gcr_jsYrNmWyi0gpHK_g4-2FWSxUZe1QiN8vQyCv4J_z3T0Rmi2nTca8M8hQUzH9Gw0yTkANTlKylfuXUF2Ej_Hbj03WMcM8p_o5YsX7Lt-o/s3403/IMG_2506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2695" data-original-width="3403" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-734_eQnvma6s7d12znWGaOy08DMvPAS-Pq6Vz5StzNF2aF0a_l7v6MAn7Aruvetv5HNQZ0Tqfi8gcr_jsYrNmWyi0gpHK_g4-2FWSxUZe1QiN8vQyCv4J_z3T0Rmi2nTca8M8hQUzH9Gw0yTkANTlKylfuXUF2Ej_Hbj03WMcM8p_o5YsX7Lt-o/w498-h393/IMG_2506.JPG" width="498" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Luke, Ben and John M opted for a three-pronged attack. On the left, John pressed up the Lazarat pass and over the high ground either side of it. Luke and Ben avoided the Turkish 'killsack' in front of Sarantaporo and Skopia Vigli, Luke marching wide around the right. This pic shows Ben's central force working its way towards Sarantaporo from the south and pushing through the mountains west of it. Meanwhile, the Greek grand battery takes fearsome toll of the Turkish redifs who are soon spent and disrupted (black and white smoke markers).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVOAKe2KxgFwuvrUh_kqVGH9dtOxF6ZlG781JG7flYCnLqMpm63e5ublGXQItSQNx5k0J1B2W7MQ7YJsXeO9DQAbNEIyMAmrcmjKs9kzodtvkaBuXmJeIKfm6han3ZmPXCaz751SIyxR8BMDJhuJpcIdDdciLiNzoi3-Zgji1dpJzNzKgdEyzWt9R/s3598/IMG_2508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3598" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVOAKe2KxgFwuvrUh_kqVGH9dtOxF6ZlG781JG7flYCnLqMpm63e5ublGXQItSQNx5k0J1B2W7MQ7YJsXeO9DQAbNEIyMAmrcmjKs9kzodtvkaBuXmJeIKfm6han3ZmPXCaz751SIyxR8BMDJhuJpcIdDdciLiNzoi3-Zgji1dpJzNzKgdEyzWt9R/w512-h431/IMG_2508.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Endgame on the right. The Greeks have taken Mikrovalto, Livadero and Sarantaporo, securing a draw. Can they take either Polirabo or Skopia-Vigli for the win? Luke's right hook approaches Skopia-Vigli - but the mountainous terrain has delayed him too much and he runs out of time. Dave T's defenders stand firm in the Turkish centre!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtGttqEI8OBCTu4_HHo22oZJ5wu0ohl_YoZA4uqjrHAC4xH90ZgzkbPh49O-yhWpw2V75ASN8i47gEcyAO11Z5542FpMFe3sO8bozKs5vdNnxTHL5ZAWrH3YMuP_ru40hxizmo4lkpSPhJGDsKsm841-HLEypQe-99lhf8uA1i61ashkFyW1JPlNj/s4032/IMG_2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="4032" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtGttqEI8OBCTu4_HHo22oZJ5wu0ohl_YoZA4uqjrHAC4xH90ZgzkbPh49O-yhWpw2V75ASN8i47gEcyAO11Z5542FpMFe3sO8bozKs5vdNnxTHL5ZAWrH3YMuP_ru40hxizmo4lkpSPhJGDsKsm841-HLEypQe-99lhf8uA1i61ashkFyW1JPlNj/w492-h266/IMG_2509.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ben's regiments storm forward through Sarantaporo, but they can't reach Skopia-Vigli in time either. And on the left ...</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNeFtN1tbMzNwdrVK8EwI04Na8EucljwqSotWUpnOHiJKty178x3zP7CR046mOYiPTj8kwvxfSIhLzPivjTi3iB4-C0fQhvxS6IpXL7npus5ubUn757uaWhlnMj3uKKdfHH-EiNqZF-ceizNhcQ3yNVe66YVKe3rS6mNpieBBgaaRCE3mKHH5VDsS/s2064/IMG_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="2064" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNeFtN1tbMzNwdrVK8EwI04Na8EucljwqSotWUpnOHiJKty178x3zP7CR046mOYiPTj8kwvxfSIhLzPivjTi3iB4-C0fQhvxS6IpXL7npus5ubUn757uaWhlnMj3uKKdfHH-EiNqZF-ceizNhcQ3yNVe66YVKe3rS6mNpieBBgaaRCE3mKHH5VDsS/w482-h273/IMG_2510.JPG" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mark S's Turkish reserves arrived in time to garrison the vital road junction at Polirabo. John's infantry can't quite get there. Only Soutsos's cavalry brigade can reach it. Sabres drawn, they charge into the teeth of Turkish Mauser fire - which fails to stop them! They rout the first redif regiment, exploit onward and drive out the second regiment as well. Victory to Greece! The Bulgarians shall not have Thessaloniki!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2S-_vxfBmDxbqQrZydlQWMqie16XXni2j0tsXdEpAWIEUNiBIgadqsXsMEt5OStv2PRPa-QMKv0mEjHOy3xBoIBP-4tGWcWPVlEKw1wRNOZIKYDDj7-8oJ57a7oFBTl2dXLIWukJQeuJpdjHNQHEboLsgT3Pu87QyCmyIM2u0zRjL9G8yXxJhhaT/s4032/IMG_2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="4032" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2S-_vxfBmDxbqQrZydlQWMqie16XXni2j0tsXdEpAWIEUNiBIgadqsXsMEt5OStv2PRPa-QMKv0mEjHOy3xBoIBP-4tGWcWPVlEKw1wRNOZIKYDDj7-8oJ57a7oFBTl2dXLIWukJQeuJpdjHNQHEboLsgT3Pu87QyCmyIM2u0zRjL9G8yXxJhhaT/w478-h313/IMG_2513.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Game 2 saw me and Bob command the Greeks against Crispin's Turks. This shot shows most of my force on the Greek left and centre (cavalry and some more inf out of shot to the left), ready to advance on Livadero (red objective marker).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lujy2hiIJcjJ4jeKw6vlvsyNijCcH5OdP-nxpKZFrIyfScCevoFqNi5u76_x208Hpi04lNE5s8MHSQSRtn80r3Yp7QNLmQzdyl8pywOx9VlJz7FnwAT9uAqqpmE69c0kt1nuacslul0xHmqZ69HxXJEykXGP5-KExHuXbO9OGsoTOJLOivszpxMg/s4032/IMG_2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2572" data-original-width="4032" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lujy2hiIJcjJ4jeKw6vlvsyNijCcH5OdP-nxpKZFrIyfScCevoFqNi5u76_x208Hpi04lNE5s8MHSQSRtn80r3Yp7QNLmQzdyl8pywOx9VlJz7FnwAT9uAqqpmE69c0kt1nuacslul0xHmqZ69HxXJEykXGP5-KExHuXbO9OGsoTOJLOivszpxMg/w483-h308/IMG_2515.JPG" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I didn't tell Bob how the previous game went, but he too opted for a grand battery in the centre and a right hook to avoid the 'killsack' of combined Turkish artillery, skirmisher and MG fire.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHKs37iZe65RzPTSB2o5uBIe5eGu87yBqCpz-RBf0g3RxRS3OWfF7Bwp9IBMPrSwHCikvDn9HTfnNMlKOWvdQgC2wZHIY4ce3mkmIpvZJpoeTUg_wAdzflwkABr2j-kxy3x0kN16HEUZVBD_NtguC9fTsF1BDtsXJZOhJfhwpZEMeLlN52Gg2gOJy/s4032/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHKs37iZe65RzPTSB2o5uBIe5eGu87yBqCpz-RBf0g3RxRS3OWfF7Bwp9IBMPrSwHCikvDn9HTfnNMlKOWvdQgC2wZHIY4ce3mkmIpvZJpoeTUg_wAdzflwkABr2j-kxy3x0kN16HEUZVBD_NtguC9fTsF1BDtsXJZOhJfhwpZEMeLlN52Gg2gOJy/w468-h351/IMG_2516.JPG" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>However, he soon realised that the difficult terrain would make it hard for a wide right hook to arrive in time, so he changed his plan and converged into the killsack after all. The grand battery had done much execution by now, as had the Greek infantry's rifle fire (seen here wreathed in brown smoke showing they are Low on Ammo after a high firing roll), so the weakened defensive fire was not able to stop the Greek advance.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUaJ8doNJr99tGuhf0i3zCMMQoWikaZmB-Tz6Cik7PDeXpgaPll6qONLZARnl-R2b3dJpKB7hK-Q9j3w_WAt86rM2AZT5SC5DNZF9xqgPCouO5pk1LmWg8jsHQrNhc5MWQ3dntT55c4UIq7xi7xB9dOWopuuGRCiMP7SySw7AJMzdUsiQ4ur8jxDs/s4032/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUaJ8doNJr99tGuhf0i3zCMMQoWikaZmB-Tz6Cik7PDeXpgaPll6qONLZARnl-R2b3dJpKB7hK-Q9j3w_WAt86rM2AZT5SC5DNZF9xqgPCouO5pk1LmWg8jsHQrNhc5MWQ3dntT55c4UIq7xi7xB9dOWopuuGRCiMP7SySw7AJMzdUsiQ4ur8jxDs/w477-h358/IMG_2519.JPG" width="477" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Still, the combination of defensive fire and difficult terrain meant that only two Greek regiments were able to assault Skopia-Vigli on the last turn. Turkish fire repelled this desperate assault. As in the previous game, it all came down to what happened at Polirabo ...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStUTHfIaUwPbKMnm5k8RK94tjixVbjhiGx0JX7gHHiTEN23EmjI2Am4zqgAUeebqfyevrzR-ffpbHVcXv2MMQL_TCXwXJEqq6V0X88EJtGO-jNxv7KoKA6LTtktFYqS6gNNj6l9O9Ap0XdcenujLECbFdqujo4nBlyG-bZQ6uBIsgM0m2NSkyiOvd/s4032/IMG_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2319" data-original-width="4032" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStUTHfIaUwPbKMnm5k8RK94tjixVbjhiGx0JX7gHHiTEN23EmjI2Am4zqgAUeebqfyevrzR-ffpbHVcXv2MMQL_TCXwXJEqq6V0X88EJtGO-jNxv7KoKA6LTtktFYqS6gNNj6l9O9Ap0XdcenujLECbFdqujo4nBlyG-bZQ6uBIsgM0m2NSkyiOvd/w471-h271/IMG_2518.JPG" width="471" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>... again the Greek cavalry charged, this time in support of an infantry assault with the bayonet. However, I had not been able to suppress the defenders beforehand, so their fire was effective - our charge was repelled and the Turks hung on to Polirabo. Match drawn!</i></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>Too tough for the Turks?</u> While a draw is very achievable, we found it hard to see how the Turks could win. Perhaps if the Greeks neglect to set up a grand battery initially and try to rumble their guns forward? But bar some such major error, it would be nigh impossible for the Turks to hold three objectives. Maybe they should be rewarded if, say, 4 of their 9 inf and cav units survive on-table at game end (as Crispin managed against me and Bob, a game that felt like a defeat to us even though technically it was a draw).</p><p><u>Variable objectives?</u> Crispin suggested variable objectives are a good thing, not necessarily just here but in general. In particular, my scenarios for Gettysburg and Königgrätz both have variable objectives that are not determined until after deployment (and in the Gettysburg case, after the first day of battle). This is good for replay value and also for producing some fog of war, obliging players to plan for uncertainty. Maybe I'll try to do more of that in future.</p><p><u>The battlefield shapes the battle.</u> Everyone remarked on the huge influence of the difficult mountainous terrain, not just in slowing movement, but also in breaking lines of sight and creating shadows below steep slopes. Thus it both hindered and helped maneuver. Crispin said that one of his biggest pleasures from our BBB games is the terrain: the complexities and idiosyncrasies of realistic battlefields generate rich tactical decisions and make each game a different and unique tactical challenge.</p><p><u>Free deployment vs strict historical.</u> Following on from the point about terrain generating decisions, we talked about deployment decisions. Sometimes scenario writers allow very free deployment - any troops anywhere within a broad deployment area. Others are very prescriptive and stipulate that every unit must start exactly where it did on the day of the battle. Perhaps the ideal is somewhere in between: some historical restrictions about which corps can be in which sector, but a fair amount of latitude about how the forces in each sector can deploy. That gives players some interesting choices at the start of the game and also increases the replay value by allowing more variety of plans.</p><p><u>Game-themed refreshments!</u> As it was Greeks vs Turks, what else could I do but offer my guests a large tray of tasty baklava (as if any of us needed that sugar rush on top of the stimulation of an exciting BBB battle!).</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Bloody Big Balkan Battles! </i>is available in both print and PDF from <a href="https://www.brigadegames.com/Bloody_Big_Battles" target="_blank">Brigade Games.</a></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-3963215315587337342023-12-20T17:11:00.002+00:002023-12-21T08:36:03.873+00:00Spectacular Indian Mutiny Xmas special!<p>Mark surpassed himself with his latest spectacular Christmas special. These are big multi-player BBB games with a twist: unlike standard scenarios where time limits are clear and everyone knows what their side's common objectives are, in these Christmas games each player has different secret objectives depending on his own individual motivations - greed, glory, self-preservation, rivalry, ambition, etc.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ4ZU17HlpvftMawwaxDNEusIf_wVCY9z6w6BXF8uSPQhYLZKUurl4e2bLjnrp91fowNrFbIkrUQQ-78eIXFwL5Unp-rDs_fVrYtcDsSm9TG4-pevh8pQF2bumOP3ABHahyphenhyphenxMuKD5UaGoy-Rl_riUlRvn22kDq1ZjaA3smW2Ibm99sKg1i5e5NSy9/s4032/IMG_2477.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="4032" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ4ZU17HlpvftMawwaxDNEusIf_wVCY9z6w6BXF8uSPQhYLZKUurl4e2bLjnrp91fowNrFbIkrUQQ-78eIXFwL5Unp-rDs_fVrYtcDsSm9TG4-pevh8pQF2bumOP3ABHahyphenhyphenxMuKD5UaGoy-Rl_riUlRvn22kDq1ZjaA3smW2Ibm99sKg1i5e5NSy9/w508-h246/IMG_2477.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><p>The setting was the climactic assault of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Delhi" target="_blank">siege of Delhi</a> in 1857 during the Indian Mutiny. (Retaking the whole city actually took a week but this was compressed into 8 game turns.) Mark handcrafted some 15 feet of bastioned walls to represent Delhi's fortifications. Dave W and Phil joined me on the imperial side, outnumbered by five Indian defenders: Crispin, Luke, Ben, Dave T and Nick O.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXtbpH6r6FISdldCfyApZBgs6x_ZzqYLRazKYdK6TP8X6ZvkrD1Jran24jTKW5BtK5MKdnPCxfu6X9g5bChVSkEdYzpgVqT5tPIh5MPG2sAOYYQgp6cd9qQSTfv0ERUPLL5ROaWd9k85Vx0xLYcuUcSR_o8csnQ20gxP3Fd8nT0vxiU4SFttbJXK8/s3842/IMG_2479.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2323" data-original-width="3842" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXtbpH6r6FISdldCfyApZBgs6x_ZzqYLRazKYdK6TP8X6ZvkrD1Jran24jTKW5BtK5MKdnPCxfu6X9g5bChVSkEdYzpgVqT5tPIh5MPG2sAOYYQgp6cd9qQSTfv0ERUPLL5ROaWd9k85Vx0xLYcuUcSR_o8csnQ20gxP3Fd8nT0vxiU4SFttbJXK8/w521-h314/IMG_2479.JPG" width="521" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It fell to me to take the role of Brigadier Nicholson, evidently a fellow of considerable pluck and determination, judging by my objectives. These included storming both the two breaches by the Water Bastion and the Kashmir Bastion (pic above).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGvkvAt37pAxO81_r6elx_7Hiq7cPV6sk_xvW9lHDbPl35sy6h9_aKjFz4h1cGK9NvJBCC5tpmgfYSOoLuJpBZbl95CdgXSrQicSybonJWC0hwWV6wZj1y8foSexVnFJk3AcFJUq-XZ-FHHiyL5loJOOQgapp_pKNTmMrbHwibN58jrAhuI20Wk9z/s3452/IMG_2480.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="3452" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGvkvAt37pAxO81_r6elx_7Hiq7cPV6sk_xvW9lHDbPl35sy6h9_aKjFz4h1cGK9NvJBCC5tpmgfYSOoLuJpBZbl95CdgXSrQicSybonJWC0hwWV6wZj1y8foSexVnFJk3AcFJUq-XZ-FHHiyL5loJOOQgapp_pKNTmMrbHwibN58jrAhuI20Wk9z/w554-h71/IMG_2480.JPG" width="554" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mutineer's-eye view of my force, which for game purposes included both Nicholson's 1st Column and Jones's 2nd Column: four 3-base regiments of European troops plus two larger regiments of loyal sepoys. (Figures from Mark's collection, made by <a href="https://irregularminiatures.co.uk/indexes/6mmindex.htm" target="_blank">Irregular Miniatures</a>.)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c9wDN3e6QOSl9YlsePZ3720Vg9wH5UEJg_hdGhJtgfgc3QvCgmzWV6z7hKZ4_0fA4u9uDwh9be9AnrmwQTsxakUhw4tBUW8eK_Hl-MSRWXBhqP6FftzmB0raUFdKFGNtC2o6sDhibT5Ly3-ILb1TxUXpbabyc5Y2WRQatmd6sLN1U-RdZHPZvJMX/s4032/IMG_2481.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2620" data-original-width="4032" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c9wDN3e6QOSl9YlsePZ3720Vg9wH5UEJg_hdGhJtgfgc3QvCgmzWV6z7hKZ4_0fA4u9uDwh9be9AnrmwQTsxakUhw4tBUW8eK_Hl-MSRWXBhqP6FftzmB0raUFdKFGNtC2o6sDhibT5Ly3-ILb1TxUXpbabyc5Y2WRQatmd6sLN1U-RdZHPZvJMX/w511-h332/IMG_2481.JPG" width="511" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I advanced boldly upon the leftmost breach. I won't be able to tell you much about what was going on along the other 13 feet of fortifications.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbJIcewv33DJeSWlLlKL937Qxeam7ivKGSfvlI9_oKkIjQmfTP4VJ2MQVFynKjk1RPy0t2PG1577qIJJ-mOWBKLUS2wLvoQ-6adAlfaZIM1cpkSl1x54nk7a2MXZ67q_ygXgV8_X7XkExVBaB-OqC-bDoiBKJrlF8XTqB6VUVtjAmpTk2Dfjkto7Q/s4032/IMG_2482.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbJIcewv33DJeSWlLlKL937Qxeam7ivKGSfvlI9_oKkIjQmfTP4VJ2MQVFynKjk1RPy0t2PG1577qIJJ-mOWBKLUS2wLvoQ-6adAlfaZIM1cpkSl1x54nk7a2MXZ67q_ygXgV8_X7XkExVBaB-OqC-bDoiBKJrlF8XTqB6VUVtjAmpTk2Dfjkto7Q/w489-h367/IMG_2482.JPG" width="489" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Indian artillery on the bastions induced a little more caution towards the righthand breach while we poured fire on the defenders to soften them up for a turn first. Note the small barrels behind my troops. These represent petards for blasting our way into bastions and the like.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWw7k9_89joQFvYw1Diy_CR3PkoG3nx9belrn8MXw7GdPP-ABttUxz03KY0p-6pwcJnmUCOreQUjleGkz83gn-ALd4EDMnIfzuonODbONXIdqOH3lJS_bzsloTXU87AIRWQ3DC0XcSpLVO5dzp0uBA93uoSvzIviWHcSx8Frfc9K4jfiheEoOnrR5/s4032/IMG_2483.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="4032" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWw7k9_89joQFvYw1Diy_CR3PkoG3nx9belrn8MXw7GdPP-ABttUxz03KY0p-6pwcJnmUCOreQUjleGkz83gn-ALd4EDMnIfzuonODbONXIdqOH3lJS_bzsloTXU87AIRWQ3DC0XcSpLVO5dzp0uBA93uoSvzIviWHcSx8Frfc9K4jfiheEoOnrR5/w486-h306/IMG_2483.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Festive combat resolution mechanism! Turns 2 and 3 were spent effecting entry via both breaches, only for Crispin's savage counterattacking hordes to eject the 1st Column from the Water Bastion breach and wipe out a regiment of the 2nd Column, the 2nd Bengal Fusiliers. That loss provoked a cracker pull that I lost, resulting in Nicholson being wounded and rendered hors de combat, seriously handicapping my force for the rest of the game.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E346Nsf9XSEFI_GtZ3Pmd2FXlfN7Sh-QiySzoGicawTUkjNcoqUnGTvx_S5-jHjUguOx3lqkuuAI_8gCFmSy14TwtDDI2HjgfpTvGkLy-p42JD5kBuxiHLjBCRSTwB3i4Plo5fd0wCb1-HHEHnYZzxDByiTVWBKOvx0Wv3uLxkPYdieeaieT8KoD/s2848/IMG_2484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="2848" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E346Nsf9XSEFI_GtZ3Pmd2FXlfN7Sh-QiySzoGicawTUkjNcoqUnGTvx_S5-jHjUguOx3lqkuuAI_8gCFmSy14TwtDDI2HjgfpTvGkLy-p42JD5kBuxiHLjBCRSTwB3i4Plo5fd0wCb1-HHEHnYZzxDByiTVWBKOvx0Wv3uLxkPYdieeaieT8KoD/w503-h368/IMG_2484.JPG" width="503" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>To my right was Colonel Campbell's 3rd Column (Dave W). Here he demonstrates one of our patent self-hoisting petards against the Kabul gate.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdFN2fAqeueo4UgKT-BFmc1UwNSlBF21lYrPCoGr6CPvjHoKD1e6uvS05qQ2wnRK0_HPpwUvRfYUVMs36HlghzHcpUumxA_XIbncacGJdwfx3pkORX2gGT8BLto_HMCm10G2Os1k9sC0PixeB_CxV8N5uZQvTS0BnfALwDp-KU23CqV9ZY6zT5Xjz/s4032/IMG_2486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="4032" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdFN2fAqeueo4UgKT-BFmc1UwNSlBF21lYrPCoGr6CPvjHoKD1e6uvS05qQ2wnRK0_HPpwUvRfYUVMs36HlghzHcpUumxA_XIbncacGJdwfx3pkORX2gGT8BLto_HMCm10G2Os1k9sC0PixeB_CxV8N5uZQvTS0BnfALwDp-KU23CqV9ZY6zT5Xjz/w473-h331/IMG_2486.JPG" width="473" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 4: 2nd Column's 4th Sikhs storm in to avenge the 2nd Bengal Fusiliers</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and rout their whiteclad foes, already reeling from the Fusiliers' gallant resistance.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(Yellow markers indicate Disrupted; blue is Spent.)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLO6o8mbO6l0SKR5IUcjT_vxJMh7g_4NuzpG2nJBA-_Fgj8zKibKULdIyK8_Ld3y1ZpC3l7xZOt8XyqnnxZg1mTMWVntoaoH7XGiJc0kq4M0Wtz3VLzdZqiZDFGw75jDnQ-Bd_wGdLdy2hm1F5WbYi_eXsumKQ3Bz7BfhFy4PbZNcYUS_L2C8jYZ_/s4032/IMG_2487.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="4032" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLO6o8mbO6l0SKR5IUcjT_vxJMh7g_4NuzpG2nJBA-_Fgj8zKibKULdIyK8_Ld3y1ZpC3l7xZOt8XyqnnxZg1mTMWVntoaoH7XGiJc0kq4M0Wtz3VLzdZqiZDFGw75jDnQ-Bd_wGdLdy2hm1F5WbYi_eXsumKQ3Bz7BfhFy4PbZNcYUS_L2C8jYZ_/w492-h284/IMG_2487.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 5: we are now solidly established inside the walls and driving the enemy before us. The Sikhs are the unit upper right. 1st Column has taken the St James suburb (the grey patch) and the 8th Foot supports its right flank. Heavy casualties are starting to tell on the mutineers.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-tM_oSb2svksSBOucpn5j2HFyP3xbGoy1cqaHO0RAAqD3MwEs1rOMnonLylwFk_KA_3gS9NM2yRQrrszHVaBfvB8mTIbRK9F65ytK8wnf29PYRMu18tcF1ttRyZcK5uuN6r7jP10FCTtKXbXTmrwaBDUXHTrN8DZHHkisvQfMi0O-dpGfVnqb2Sy/s4032/IMG_2488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="4032" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-tM_oSb2svksSBOucpn5j2HFyP3xbGoy1cqaHO0RAAqD3MwEs1rOMnonLylwFk_KA_3gS9NM2yRQrrszHVaBfvB8mTIbRK9F65ytK8wnf29PYRMu18tcF1ttRyZcK5uuN6r7jP10FCTtKXbXTmrwaBDUXHTrN8DZHHkisvQfMi0O-dpGfVnqb2Sy/w475-h183/IMG_2488.JPG" width="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Our casualties have not been light, though. Here the wounded Nicholson parades assorted wounded and stragglers from my force and Dave's on the table edge.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDsStqwGpe0Q4y9Hn6Z0JbmVmN1WRZTF1IILUJh9PvnVJYDT6024i-g7teinXzC3xnlrl_0u9RGyIbxkuYX_02k6-Eev4JtAbP2KRD0aNyu9Q8dy7yX8Eb2EML9N7u-oQEGzLSVKseRxoJwj5JGbNHtXH2iwPaG3zC2JV-_1RppMJq2P0jLqTUHmw/s4032/IMG_2489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="4032" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDsStqwGpe0Q4y9Hn6Z0JbmVmN1WRZTF1IILUJh9PvnVJYDT6024i-g7teinXzC3xnlrl_0u9RGyIbxkuYX_02k6-Eev4JtAbP2KRD0aNyu9Q8dy7yX8Eb2EML9N7u-oQEGzLSVKseRxoJwj5JGbNHtXH2iwPaG3zC2JV-_1RppMJq2P0jLqTUHmw/w480-h326/IMG_2489.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Start of Turn 8. The building top left is the Magazine, which is also one of my Objectives. In front of it is a shaky line of blue-countered Spent mutineer rabble. My leading unit, the 75th Foot (the line centre left) will shake off its Disruption and charge! Unfortunately, without Nicholson to motivate them, its tired comrades will watch it go in alone.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0fCbXhgjwYMnT-ILa-I9uuoIFvTHGB-ZR0hLtxqJBhM5qU5chQDrxPlpgQlUnhtmsXEzv2P4Og7UaWkq_M_q_VgcPXtcRX3aKLWWktTX2l6-7Q3F52JSWk2fmJXYuEavOhsZazzaoqyBKH-giz0z3hmQSVG63MI-SMbC0hnwGmGJrC5E9z3Fc4JJ/s4032/IMG_2490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="4032" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0fCbXhgjwYMnT-ILa-I9uuoIFvTHGB-ZR0hLtxqJBhM5qU5chQDrxPlpgQlUnhtmsXEzv2P4Og7UaWkq_M_q_VgcPXtcRX3aKLWWktTX2l6-7Q3F52JSWk2fmJXYuEavOhsZazzaoqyBKH-giz0z3hmQSVG63MI-SMbC0hnwGmGJrC5E9z3Fc4JJ/w450-h266/IMG_2490.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The 1st Bengal Fusiliers won't even stay to watch ... having rolled snake-eyes earlier, they actually retired outside the breach again. I rationalised this as them being detached to escort supplies and artillery moving up and wounded moving back.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pfzVOIl24YbI-YO4L61Q1WCCgl4U1knL4HfC14V0e71KEFdklKZrSsns0cnlQmyfQwbhQq_sgqws6pkIe1yVcRiLhPG_RaRZaNUKZqTAQOkHBY7WEthkrPSi38X7yRk27Vg1A4DNVfwJDj770nlzJU8_Qxtcl2pJ0dWjhYhym4LYc6x0iv8067uo/s4032/IMG_2491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="4032" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pfzVOIl24YbI-YO4L61Q1WCCgl4U1knL4HfC14V0e71KEFdklKZrSsns0cnlQmyfQwbhQq_sgqws6pkIe1yVcRiLhPG_RaRZaNUKZqTAQOkHBY7WEthkrPSi38X7yRk27Vg1A4DNVfwJDj770nlzJU8_Qxtcl2pJ0dWjhYhym4LYc6x0iv8067uo/w454-h289/IMG_2491.JPG" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My highwater mark! The 75th routed their spent opponents so comprehensively that they then impetuously charged the rather larger and more solid mob in the Magazine. Unsurprisingly, they bounced off with heavy loss, but their gallantry cannot be faulted.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1UwBog6Kmto7GqAQHETYWuLOTj9Oehhmw0pT3F7J-sSiZ2RXPT15HWBgjiiYKrGek0WAC8DjqUGc4JLkQy68x9KpHMbjOnZ09anpadbrkJNC1u3pL43CyT6StS2rVIJJZpW0xUZNk_cMyRf6wk5owuDDZTH_vaPCok-pKxUTZh6SdsgD8jJnbovC/s3363/IMG_2493.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3363" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1UwBog6Kmto7GqAQHETYWuLOTj9Oehhmw0pT3F7J-sSiZ2RXPT15HWBgjiiYKrGek0WAC8DjqUGc4JLkQy68x9KpHMbjOnZ09anpadbrkJNC1u3pL43CyT6StS2rVIJJZpW0xUZNk_cMyRf6wk5owuDDZTH_vaPCok-pKxUTZh6SdsgD8jJnbovC/w474-h277/IMG_2493.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One of our British team objectives was to find and capture the king of Delhi (Bahadur Shah, I think). Here we see him making his escape past the Red Fort. More splendid Irregular Miniatures.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>So how did it turn out? As I said, I didn't have much idea what was happening beyond my scrap with Crispin. He and a couple of other Indian players did better than us on the personal objectives. However, what we didn't know was that there were two factions on the Indian side. Luke and Ben's faction achieved every one of their objectives and therefore achieved a team win. Hurrah for them! (The treacherous dogs, damn their eyes.)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>If you enjoyed this and fancy trying some large-scale India games yourself, do take a look at Mark's scenario book, "<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/07/newly-published-bloody-big-battles-in.html" target="_blank">Bloody Big Battles in INDIA!</a>"</i></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Reflections</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Just a seasonal one: the value and importance of good friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>On which note, I wish all readers of this blog a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you all get to spend some quality time with the people most important to you. See you in 2024!</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-64979730587150580982023-12-07T06:53:00.002+00:002023-12-07T06:53:21.556+00:00Ferocious fighting at Chickamauga (1863 ACW)<p><a href="https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/chickamauga" target="_blank">Chickamauga </a>was one of the biggest ACW battles, with about 60,000+ men on each side. I've fought it a couple of times before, back in 2016, but I see I only wrote brief reports (see <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2016/02/more-nice-reviews-of-bbb-and.html" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2016/04/bash-day-2016-bloody-good-show.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Still, even seven years later I remember these were great games, so I suggested it for our club night this week and Crispin duly obliged. We had a good turnout so there were three of us on each side, plus Crispin as ref. Chickamauga is a good scenario for such a multi-player game because it is easy to just divide up sectors of the line and share the troops out on both sides.</p><p>The history is that in September 1863 (two months after Gettysburg), Braxton Bragg's Confederate Army of Tennessee, reinforced with a corps from the Army of Northern Virginia, crashes into Rosecrans's Union Army of the Cumberland south of the strategically important town of Chattanooga. The Confederates are trying to right hook and outflank the Union army to cut it off from Chattanooga, but it doesn't really work. Instead, it degenerates into a big line-out among the woods, a battle lasting two days with reinforcements for both sides turning up from various directions.</p><p>Our game pretty much replicated that. I can't be sure - despite only having three or four units to command on the Union extreme right, I found the action there so intense and absorbing that I don't have much idea what was going on elsewhere. I also only took a couple of photos at the start and then forgot to take any more. Let me offer those pics to orient the reader somewhat, then a brief summary of the game so far as I can provide it, followed by some reflections.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Vrhm4zDy8colDzoWeXSeCDBHB_d7VuIDcLi714XwNTXijULXl6qHaPVhLttV45-pZmIEmQG2PCRoIBW3BiO5M3c4foF3VNFMWoG6FBnf6XOi3P3TnXhOROeCVtok4Nerg4_cSlZwu-ukaBLFlU4oDbfl5ii6fKdPyjo4RZ7y_wFXu6m6Q7QUPOWF/s4032/IMG_2399.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Vrhm4zDy8colDzoWeXSeCDBHB_d7VuIDcLi714XwNTXijULXl6qHaPVhLttV45-pZmIEmQG2PCRoIBW3BiO5M3c4foF3VNFMWoG6FBnf6XOi3P3TnXhOROeCVtok4Nerg4_cSlZwu-ukaBLFlU4oDbfl5ii6fKdPyjo4RZ7y_wFXu6m6Q7QUPOWF/w489-h367/IMG_2399.JPG" width="489" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I commanded the Union extreme right, including Van Cleve's 3rd Division of Crittenden's XXI Cps. Here we see Van Cleve arriving from the right (southern) table edge to close the gap in the line around the Brock and Viniard farmsteads (white objective markers). Reynolds (4th Div of XIV Cps) and Palmer (2nd Div, XXI Cps) are visible top left of picture. Top right is Hood's ANV I Cps, part of the Confederate storm about to break over the Union line.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKrsCaaj5_zuj49Sm__QKzqwnt2D9nOUVZ9QNIBkpAtiN2xqhPfP3KaG0q7wJtkEJjurNpI_PMAYP5pqm1_bh_ZQuoKjCqnl0vahTH1_M5HB3G4qQOuDB1hYLAInKBZKRMkMp5fvxeUuXjsYO0nRldLYBagSF8P5hbHUIfjIAA_8D0NQGYMMvrNrG/s4032/IMG_2400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2279" data-original-width="4032" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKrsCaaj5_zuj49Sm__QKzqwnt2D9nOUVZ9QNIBkpAtiN2xqhPfP3KaG0q7wJtkEJjurNpI_PMAYP5pqm1_bh_ZQuoKjCqnl0vahTH1_M5HB3G4qQOuDB1hYLAInKBZKRMkMp5fvxeUuXjsYO0nRldLYBagSF8P5hbHUIfjIAA_8D0NQGYMMvrNrG/w490-h277/IMG_2400.JPG" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View from behind the Poe farmstead (white objective counter) in the Union center. Baird and Brannan (1st & 3rd Div's of Thomas's XIV Cps flank it and hold Kelly's field to the left and Brotherton's farm to the right. Bedford Forrest's cavalry visible on the Confederate extreme right (top left) and Walker's corps top center.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The battlefield all looks like this, mostly wooded with some patches of open ground, criss-crossed by trails. There are two lines of objectives representing the Union defensive lines. The Confederates must hold two of the first line objectives at game end for a draw, plus one second line objective for a win.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>How did the battle go? Roughly: the Confederate center was sacrificed in furious charges. Although these did not breach the line, they took so much US effort to repel that Forrest's cavalry were able to seize a couple of objectives on the US left. The US left wing eventually managed to drive the Confederates out of some but not all, but was unable to spare any support for the US right. Meanwhile, a Confederate left hook, eventually supported by a Confederate grand battery in front of the Viniard property, was able to break through in a couple of places and seize two objectives to earn a draw.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whole game was intense, everyone really engaged, bloody fighting, objectives taken and retaken, ebb and flow and heart-in-mouth moments. It could easily have gone either way. Honourable draw was a fair result.</div><br /><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>Ebb and flow, no 'pivotal moment'</u>: Last week's Franco-Prussian game prompted me to write a whole 'Reflections' essay on '<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/12/stolbergs-death-ride-pivotal-moments-in.html" target="_blank">Pivotal moments in wargames</a>'. The heavily wooded terrain on the much denser battlefield at Chickamauga made it much harder for a defender to cover gaps, either with fire or by moving reserves across quickly; on the other hand, it also made it much harder for an attacker to exploit success and roll up flanks or dash through to green fields beyond. There were plenty of tough fights, gallant charges and big swings of fortune, but they only had local consequences. The dense terrain created 'firewalls' between these local actions and made it difficult for them to produce rapidly cascading effects.</p><p><u>Cover yourselves in glory, lads!</u> When the troops are first put on the table, they all look a lot alike. During the course of the game, though, one little bunch of bits of painted metal can really distinguish itself from the rest. That was the case for several here, even just on our Union right wing. On the US side, we pinned high hopes on Negley's 2nd Div of XIV Cps, with their famous Colt revolving rifles. Unfortunately, Negley let us down badly: the first rebel yell sent his boys reeling back to the field in the SW corner of the battlefield, where they spent most of the game rallying; eventually they pulled themselves together to try to retake the Glenn house (lost partly due to their absence from the line), but bounced feebly off.</p><p>On the Confederate left, by contrast, a couple of the units facing us distinguished themselves, much to Luke's satisfaction as their commander. The greenhorns of Preston's division belied their Raw rating, fighting hard throughout and keeping many Union troops busy. Cheatham's division suffered terrible casualties early on, as a result of which they then spent most of the next four turns in involuntary retreats almost back to their baseline - only to rally near the Alexander house, form a march column, and race up the road in time to seize the Viniard objective on the penultimate turn.</p><p>Thus, in their different ways, all these three units stood out. It's always nice when our little metal men take on a character of their own like that.</p><p><u>Commanding cavalry is a distinct art</u>. Cavalry can be a potent weapon but as the nineteenth century goes on it becomes harder to use them right. I've noted before that it's not my forte. This time, I handled them better and caused the Confederates some problems on their left. But meanwhile on their right, Dave W (whose entire command in this game was all the Confederate cavalry) discovered that he's "no JEB Stuart".</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The Chickamauga scenario is available from the BBB group files <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/1861%20American%20Civil%20War/Chickamauga.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-48685672828818248322023-12-01T07:53:00.006+00:002023-12-03T08:36:41.753+00:00Stolberg's Death Ride: pivotal moments in wargames<p>This reflection is prompted by last week's Franco-Prussian War game of the battle of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Loigny%E2%80%93Poupry" target="_blank">Loigny/Poupry</a> (1870). Rather than picking out various aspects of the game to reflect on, this time I've picked out just one to discuss in a little more (slightly rambling and disjointed) depth: the 'pivotal moment'. I'll give a brief summary of the game, then get to my point.</p><p>Loigny/Poupry was one of the first major battles of the Republican phase of the war, after the fall of Napoleon III. The French Army of the Loire was therefore a mixture of regular troops (depot battalions or units such as the Foreign Legion, freshly arrived from Africa) and masses of newly-mustered, relatively poorly-trained and -armed <i>gardes mobiles</i>. It faced a German army that was by now battle-hardened and had honed its skirmish tactics. The Loire campaign was directed at breaking the German siege of Paris. This battle saw the Army of the Loire hitting a Bavarian covering force that was then rescued by other German contingents. Consequently it makes for a nice open game where both sides are bringing forces onto the table and have to manoeuvre in their respective efforts to break or hold the line.</p><p>Nine captioned photos below the map tell the tale of the game, followed by reflections at the end if you want to jump straight to those.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H0EFAFDJqaCmyK0brT5LdNuWuCrE-dM3FWMFqbG9RbO5UzaW6wjLLLmuu0y9_HtAKVBoD68wJqG9GARjl5kzo_7w85NUBl4L7NCffIiHIf0WnDIFpKHfTVROOqSKmFa_BIqjsLqIHDq9uTb32CMk2QH12pt1AsxUelIPeLZUDDD9hmLj7OQ1Onsr/s1651/FPW7%20Loigny%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1651" data-original-width="1275" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H0EFAFDJqaCmyK0brT5LdNuWuCrE-dM3FWMFqbG9RbO5UzaW6wjLLLmuu0y9_HtAKVBoD68wJqG9GARjl5kzo_7w85NUBl4L7NCffIiHIf0WnDIFpKHfTVROOqSKmFa_BIqjsLqIHDq9uTb32CMk2QH12pt1AsxUelIPeLZUDDD9hmLj7OQ1Onsr/w510-h661/FPW7%20Loigny%20map.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The scenario map. (Loigny is one of the nine Franco-Prussian battles in the linked campaign in the <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles" target="_blank">BBB </a>rulebook.) It's a pretty open battlefield, dotted with villages, three of which (Poupry, Lumeau and Loigny) are the objective locations. One big wood behind Poupry. Bavarians start on table in the lower half. French 16 Cps (Chanzy) arrives first from lower right. German reinforcements will arrive from top left at start of Day 2 (Turn 4), followed by French 15 Cps from top right T5, then 17 Cps in the centre T8/9.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z8gfk2gaWhY_BW43lkol8gHvl6y-fczQnkHKR5aCQb64hjdGPyts-DqKgGqzF_cZ6FbDL8Yl4aHyevT4_arMHeTeGPtno6W4gdW4hwZDYSS1TZDqSquz1PLckg0M0MiTFKOmbtMTytjpuzrT-1KlNj-VVQLxtKTR2UYxrlSl4WMyIZYaVeCMwycJ/s4032/Loigny%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="4032" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z8gfk2gaWhY_BW43lkol8gHvl6y-fczQnkHKR5aCQb64hjdGPyts-DqKgGqzF_cZ6FbDL8Yl4aHyevT4_arMHeTeGPtno6W4gdW4hwZDYSS1TZDqSquz1PLckg0M0MiTFKOmbtMTytjpuzrT-1KlNj-VVQLxtKTR2UYxrlSl4WMyIZYaVeCMwycJ/w479-h317/Loigny%201.JPG" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The map as translated into a lovely snowy battlemat by Crispin. The wintry orange woods set it off beautifully. View looking north, French approaching from bottom edge. White counters mark the three victory locations. One Bavarian brigade in Guillonville (bottom left) to act as a tripwire; a second holds Loigny on the ridge; a third plus cavalry are behind that; the fourth follows on T2.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4_39AJ7SqqmKdWDNA6Tuh3fIRjJh1ugbD5b69o5ZLQQ65KKwOiGKVxMlsLv9eycizpV-POI-m36wfJTaucfHJeBfyTvJmsJaD-zG_XZnmVGLrjHXhDP1dtMUWAmREP6Kkgi202xaInMg4nThY6HR-FjA75TeQAK7Bb-ipLLxwBTOzgn-tgaY3HR5/s4032/Loigny%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="4032" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4_39AJ7SqqmKdWDNA6Tuh3fIRjJh1ugbD5b69o5ZLQQ65KKwOiGKVxMlsLv9eycizpV-POI-m36wfJTaucfHJeBfyTvJmsJaD-zG_XZnmVGLrjHXhDP1dtMUWAmREP6Kkgi202xaInMg4nThY6HR-FjA75TeQAK7Bb-ipLLxwBTOzgn-tgaY3HR5/w476-h283/Loigny%202.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Close-up of the Bavarians holding Loigny. 6mm figures by <a href="https://www.baccus6mm.com/Home/" target="_blank">Baccus</a>.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The windmills are a nice historical touch.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLBr7hIaZOuVu221PbigDP4tPpfMGrjpagUYLhyMXDDjEXmW_Mkkd1D69dENWs4DGzau6M2Z1asRovH_r_dmP8L__jB7eF-Eqf3ikOIA1H4yMJ9xIrKkDkdLIeUOMGdh6YFsAS-SHGrgm5BSilasXNtmKdWz-fyD9zPIWke_bH3Wrtq6oiItcN13f/s4032/IMG_2388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLBr7hIaZOuVu221PbigDP4tPpfMGrjpagUYLhyMXDDjEXmW_Mkkd1D69dENWs4DGzau6M2Z1asRovH_r_dmP8L__jB7eF-Eqf3ikOIA1H4yMJ9xIrKkDkdLIeUOMGdh6YFsAS-SHGrgm5BSilasXNtmKdWz-fyD9zPIWke_bH3Wrtq6oiItcN13f/w480-h360/IMG_2388.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View from Loigny as Chanzy's troops screen off and bypass Guillonville.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTY4TQE0KO-ld4Ljd8y4fK7D5rzMzNmJamSc1jNAokVzY5qmcVWiYH6XI352QXDXwm3abXk_8FmgDT9a4iC0h76rfOXG0LCQOcPY6HOik0saCYwEIsmV7BhKlIkeea9JmrbADQWfQqnbcH0niRm8qaWHax4QD1m08M1aCmCaLuvf2laL5xa4wLfYG/s4032/IMG_2390.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2313" data-original-width="4032" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTY4TQE0KO-ld4Ljd8y4fK7D5rzMzNmJamSc1jNAokVzY5qmcVWiYH6XI352QXDXwm3abXk_8FmgDT9a4iC0h76rfOXG0LCQOcPY6HOik0saCYwEIsmV7BhKlIkeea9JmrbADQWfQqnbcH0niRm8qaWHax4QD1m08M1aCmCaLuvf2laL5xa4wLfYG/w479-h275/IMG_2390.JPG" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>French Turn 4 (first move on the second day). Chanzy's corps has developed its line nicely towards the central objective, Lumeau (lefthand edge of pic) which is held only by Bavarian cavalry. </i><i>Poor Bavarian movement rolls meant the infantry were just a little too slow so they will get caught in the open instead of being able to defend the village. </i><i>French artillery is rumbling up to form a gun line to dominate the centre of the battlefield. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUC0zG4h7xrj5xG9njV_PzIWRm7Rmvzdm-iZ0xZUfndVVXYEMpMAxFqPRaO5AwVsA8VNdhsmLJivQtr7p0C4Keur72_VHjG_6G86EE-TwWlHF6cWYcT0J_-5aik_BGCMm63Vpbrwm8hnGR91_iqRAfsEX9qQp0eHviJjJI6nt08rLscDAZVs7F7OY/s4032/IMG_2392.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="4032" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUC0zG4h7xrj5xG9njV_PzIWRm7Rmvzdm-iZ0xZUfndVVXYEMpMAxFqPRaO5AwVsA8VNdhsmLJivQtr7p0C4Keur72_VHjG_6G86EE-TwWlHF6cWYcT0J_-5aik_BGCMm63Vpbrwm8hnGR91_iqRAfsEX9qQp0eHviJjJI6nt08rLscDAZVs7F7OY/w467-h270/IMG_2392.JPG" width="467" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I was commanding the German left. (John had the Bavarians; Dave and Crispin were French.) My lads were also stymied by lame movement dice, so the French would steal a march on us and get into Poupry first as well. Note the little cluster of cavalry just this side of the big Poupry wood upper left. This is Count Stolberg's 2nd Cavalry Division. The French infantry nearest to it, top centre, is about to leap into Lumeau (the white counter to their right), leaving their guns unescorted.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4zeKlqxzDsPTU0G2JZD1hHveuzZvv-g-bPfnvrarR62ciDHJ0aVYbSJb0VHcA5k7rJy7lJFOwdzpszS7JSunbLfQTyODZoIyJ52O60rF6s9pf8d8QUtVd6p1DeU0gq7GFn_xiPbPyHhEroFBbjfkNpnALYB1QzAgwHHV16kt3C1Ahx3fxEhyKFEw/s4032/IMG_2393.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2750" data-original-width="4032" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4zeKlqxzDsPTU0G2JZD1hHveuzZvv-g-bPfnvrarR62ciDHJ0aVYbSJb0VHcA5k7rJy7lJFOwdzpszS7JSunbLfQTyODZoIyJ52O60rF6s9pf8d8QUtVd6p1DeU0gq7GFn_xiPbPyHhEroFBbjfkNpnALYB1QzAgwHHV16kt3C1Ahx3fxEhyKFEw/w475-h324/IMG_2393.JPG" width="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This was a pivotal moment in the battle - as in, if the dice had gone differently, it would have significantly changed the course of the game. Seeing the ominous French gun line still in the process of forming up, with half its batteries still limbered and the others already low on ammo from pounding the Bavarians, I gambled and launched Stolberg's cavalry at the few guns already deployed. There was about 40% chance that they would charge home; if they did, they would probably chase off or wipe out much of the French artillery. As this picture shows, though, French fire repelled them with the loss of one of their three bases. French cavalry then finished them off.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRE2UR9ekj1mTXKC1332B7qf-t-A-ASNI0xYfjLVWWOgSLKGtQPVb7S93hYzEIO3mxOnd02VjwJIJmMK7NTDxaEr_y-CmB6XHDMWWYuEja7IGZgpRjUsg1NRa_kUJyEBPIuU-09UpNR0sTgyC2xGWhNYNwWxHaq1LQCoTSZYAWOcBtLQ2KZskkMbc/s4032/IMG_2394.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="4032" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRE2UR9ekj1mTXKC1332B7qf-t-A-ASNI0xYfjLVWWOgSLKGtQPVb7S93hYzEIO3mxOnd02VjwJIJmMK7NTDxaEr_y-CmB6XHDMWWYuEja7IGZgpRjUsg1NRa_kUJyEBPIuU-09UpNR0sTgyC2xGWhNYNwWxHaq1LQCoTSZYAWOcBtLQ2KZskkMbc/w483-h323/IMG_2394.JPG" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Meanwhile, my infantry used the cover of the wood to press into deadly needlegun range of Poupry, The garde mobile had got in there ahead of us but a few casualties soon rendered them spent (blue counter). </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPdCKmiJ8a49psALvBmk4O_gstydlFvfZ1b9hfQae7MZqjHf9FR3ylpTyzVfVWt7GgfQwTMBaW31EpzHfNDrK6OFejSH75VOBHEeMD1kDmegTVpUra71qjm4vVLiYacjnUNwo6qruSY6PLtLfdRsNOQzD_OYfOaLBOhkm8OUaoX_owHtW7MSEgt-9/s4032/IMG_2396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="4032" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPdCKmiJ8a49psALvBmk4O_gstydlFvfZ1b9hfQae7MZqjHf9FR3ylpTyzVfVWt7GgfQwTMBaW31EpzHfNDrK6OFejSH75VOBHEeMD1kDmegTVpUra71qjm4vVLiYacjnUNwo6qruSY6PLtLfdRsNOQzD_OYfOaLBOhkm8OUaoX_owHtW7MSEgt-9/w481-h271/IMG_2396.JPG" width="481" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>However, reaching the front edge of the wood, we were in a 'fire sack'. The orange counter shows that these troops in Artenay on the French extreme right are chassepot-armed regiments de marche. Behind them, the Foreign Legion contributes its firepower. </i><i>French artillery are out of pic to the right, including some mitrailleuses that would take a toll. On the penultimate turn, I finally managed to eject and wipe out the garde mobile, then repel a French countercharge on the last turn. However, French fire had cost me nearly half of my infantry. Still, at least we held that objective at the end.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUESUAE_ExviTSBA_gAeLxPA7v8gIz20TtkYdaKeLYJa1WRj-3uPDWX0Ey2mi-7VFtASn3qX4bKy6Vd0bVOjy4R7OhhnGNqnZljfS-zDiTAvQ9O0Flq0Y7IQfBRUjA05Mj5INhF6DO1qJRKz3q_CYl2aCg_ISG6nU9hz8VcT4mXN_QDlYHz9n4sGf/s4032/IMG_2397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="4032" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUESUAE_ExviTSBA_gAeLxPA7v8gIz20TtkYdaKeLYJa1WRj-3uPDWX0Ey2mi-7VFtASn3qX4bKy6Vd0bVOjy4R7OhhnGNqnZljfS-zDiTAvQ9O0Flq0Y7IQfBRUjA05Mj5INhF6DO1qJRKz3q_CYl2aCg_ISG6nU9hz8VcT4mXN_QDlYHz9n4sGf/w481-h253/IMG_2397.JPG" width="481" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The centre was bitterly contested. My fourth brigade made three decent attempts to storm Lumeau. Had Stolberg's Death Ride succeeded, the defending fire would have been less and we might well have got in. As it was, De Sonis's 17 Corps raced up, led here by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_Zouaves" target="_blank">Papal Zouaves</a> (OK, the figures are just ordinary zouaves standing in) and took over the defence of Lumeau just in time to save it for the French. Meanwhile, Chanzy's fire had depleted the Bavarians enough for him to storm Loigny. Final score: Germans held only 1 of the 3 objectives, so it was a glorious victory for the French!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br />Reflections:<div><br /></div><div><u>Pivotal moments</u>: Sometimes, games are virtually decided at the start, when the two sides' deployments dictate how it will go (perhaps through one side's irretrievable error). Others are only decided at the end: a case of general ebb and flow, push and shove, where neither side is really on top until the last couple of turns, and maybe it comes down to the last few dice on the last few assaults. And then there is a third kind where some pivotal moment mid-battle seems in retrospect to be the one the whole thing hinged on. I think this Loigny game was one of these. As I described above, Stolberg's charge had a fair chance of succeeding; if it had, we Germans could reasonably have expected to draw and would have had a chance of a win.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back over a few earlier reports, I see some others that we could put in that same category. A <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/11/twice-in-one-night-spicheren-revisited.html" target="_blank">German victory at Spicheren</a> owed much to a grand battery and a particularly deadly salvo of artillery fire mid-game (albeit the scenario was probably skewed towards a German win anyway). <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/08/we-oohed-n-aahed-at-oudenarde.html" target="_blank">Oudenarde </a>was a case where my audacious sally onto an enemy flank deserved better results than it got, so let's call that a pivotal moment. At <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/07/waterloo-i-have-never-felt-so.html" target="_blank">Waterloo</a>, the Allied heavy cavalry's charge turned the game. </div><div><br /></div><div>By contrast: my <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/10/kassassin-tel-el-kebir-1882-as-single.html" target="_blank">defeat at Tel-el-Kebir</a> was due to my early indecision rather than any critical moment later, so let's say that one was decided at the start. Likewise <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-bad-day-at-malplaquet-wss-1709.html" target="_blank">Malplaquet </a>was determined more by our deployment than by our dice; ditto <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/08/beaten-up-at-beaumont-fpw-1870.html" target="_blank">Beaumont</a>; similarly <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/04/can-frontally-assaulting-redoubts-make.html" target="_blank">Dybbøl</a>, where we were always playing catch-up after being distracted on the first couple of turns.</div><div><br /></div><div>As an example of the second type, where the battle is more evenly poised, ebb and flow and in doubt throughout, let me offer <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/02/peninsular-punch-up-tudela-1808.html" target="_blank">Tudela</a> or <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/01/borodino-majestic.html" target="_blank">Borodino</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>These are three different kinds of story, each enjoyable in their own way. Those that are nip and tuck all the way and go down to the wire are probably best in terms of overall tension and excitement. However, there is a special pleasure to be had from the games where you can look back and say "<u>that</u> was the moment everything hinged on - if only it had gone differently!" That pivotal moment, the critical scene in the movie that changes the situation dramatically, after which everything else is just tying up the loose ends ...</div><div><br /></div><div>There is also pleasure at the time in the high-stakes gamble. Launching Stolberg in this Loigny game, or sallying from Eyne in the Oudenarde battle, I knew at the time that it was risky and would cost me if it went wrong (as it did in both cases). Still, I think Clausewitz would approve, as he prefers a gambler to the general who is paralysed by doubt. And at least I was only sacrificing little lead soldiers. Anyway, it's more exciting than sitting tight and hoping for the best! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Update 3 Dec 2023: the original reflection was a little brief as I was pressed for time. Here's some more of what I wanted to say about this, as expounded in a nice discussion on the <a href="https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=143606.0" target="_blank">Lead Adventure Forum</a>:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">I think the pivotal moment really has to be a high-stakes
decision. (Me citing an artillery bombardment rolling a 12 was a bit of a
cheat.)<br />
<br />
'Decided at deployment': well, it's not really so black and white, you're
rarely necessarily doomed. It's more a case of poor early decisions skewing the
odds against you for the rest of the game.<br />
<br />
To offer an analogy, imagine a battle as being like a long-term illness, where
the disease is the enemy.<br />
'Decided at Deployment' might be the fact that you became a chain-smoker at the
age of 12, making it harder to fight the disease for the rest of your life and
likely it will kill you.<br />
'Ebb and Flow' would be just trying to manage it with diet, exercise and
medication, to more or less effect - maybe ending in a draw (live to a decent
age, albeit quality of life a bit diminished).<br />
'Pivotal Moment' - that's the decision to go under the knife for that
kill-or-cure operation.<br />
<br />
Safety professionals use a 'bowtie diagram'<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow-tie_diagram" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow-tie_diagram</span></a><br />
in which multiple possible Mechanisms can lead to a single critical Event that
can then have multiple Outcomes. Our situation is similar except that the Event
(the Pivotal Moment) generally won't result from one Mechanism but from the
cumulative effects of several contributing circumstances (activation failures,
an exposed flank, a battery's fire slackening from low ammo ...). It then has
multiple ramifications, more so than a lower-risk decision elsewhere that does
not change the situation so dramatically.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><br /></div><div><i>A full list of my 'Reflections on Wargaming' essays can be found <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2021/10/reflections-on-wargaming.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-5007416108007097402023-11-10T13:12:00.001+00:002023-11-10T13:12:11.176+00:00Twice in one night! Spicheren revisited<p>This report is written in some haste, partly because I'm busy, partly because this is a report of a game several weeks ago that I've only just got round to writing up. Please forgive the resulting brevity. Maybe that's a virtue.</p><p>Spicheren was one of the small curtain-raiser actions in the first days of the Franco-Prussian War. It shows off the contrasting vices and virtues of the two sides: French passivity and Chassepot rifles pitted against energetic but unsubtle German command and Krupp guns. I last visited this scenario when I first wrote it in 2015 as reported <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2015/05/spicheren-x2-most-excellent-franco.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Crispin rolled it out last month on one of his famous battlemats.</p><p>It's a small game - 7 units a side, 8 turns - with an option to play an even smaller version on 4'x4' with even fewer units that lasts only 6 turns. We were able to play the game twice in three hours at on a Monday night at OWS. Six annotated photos below tell the story of the first game. Some reflections after.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoX9nYp2g14SsoAFzTmIjVYCmiAZvFlnYBa2W7Yt5yUwwJgwlc7HIsCXAcezTNH5KHCtfeQDIRDTnc9QFHyG00-rtHtgff8hqyVSY-90o_50UKo7VyaTqzImk3sLi0oTf17AgEW5C6ss8ZxT2co_qndnJbbFB2H-HlaFugU6UaMb8z0Kj3CmI5fvu/s3663/IMG_2357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3663" data-original-width="2980" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoX9nYp2g14SsoAFzTmIjVYCmiAZvFlnYBa2W7Yt5yUwwJgwlc7HIsCXAcezTNH5KHCtfeQDIRDTnc9QFHyG00-rtHtgff8hqyVSY-90o_50UKo7VyaTqzImk3sLi0oTf17AgEW5C6ss8ZxT2co_qndnJbbFB2H-HlaFugU6UaMb8z0Kj3CmI5fvu/w407-h501/IMG_2357.JPG" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Frog's-eye view of the battlefield, i.e., looking northeast from Forbach (bottom centre) through the Sophie glassworks and Stiring Wendel (the two BUAs on the railway, left centre) towards where the Germans are debouching through Saarbrücken. Spicheren village is the red roof furthest towards the upper right.</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QsXXyOldMeRXg00e8oF3WizgoYSzhLsYcaRzieoFveONgXMSHCjosPC0dDanE7n6ddyTpnvNUuroQ6zkdnbOFSl8JrcfJt69AbGU1VBp0cN6r_kb2g7KlAbjqjFSSGSnDSUwjz0f97pqhnULiTQxgzUVIzp5i_yIzpXCrRZaN63Ka2BHjBihoqvW/s4032/IMG_2356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QsXXyOldMeRXg00e8oF3WizgoYSzhLsYcaRzieoFveONgXMSHCjosPC0dDanE7n6ddyTpnvNUuroQ6zkdnbOFSl8JrcfJt69AbGU1VBp0cN6r_kb2g7KlAbjqjFSSGSnDSUwjz0f97pqhnULiTQxgzUVIzp5i_yIzpXCrRZaN63Ka2BHjBihoqvW/w456-h342/IMG_2356.JPG" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>German 5th and 14th Divisions on the march through </i><i>Saarbrücken. Note the brown-chalked hills south of the town. This is where the German artillery will be set up as a massed battery.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQQaoe2Af4Jq__Dvmvm63CtzGdCKkbL8_7koZ6FQYf_6h12QbDGU-7pUW90VTeYpHYzqnBjEQ_9S2DYNc3Zbwl3CwpOOle-L9ZctyXv5ZpRfn1ubjO7R0IYB_gMK7s6FiyFqc9eO00m95o9Ih400-r_i5nItvqUwZEOfFjDNUwcmkIKD5tE0d9b7X/s4032/IMG_2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2178" data-original-width="4032" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQQaoe2Af4Jq__Dvmvm63CtzGdCKkbL8_7koZ6FQYf_6h12QbDGU-7pUW90VTeYpHYzqnBjEQ_9S2DYNc3Zbwl3CwpOOle-L9ZctyXv5ZpRfn1ubjO7R0IYB_gMK7s6FiyFqc9eO00m95o9Ih400-r_i5nItvqUwZEOfFjDNUwcmkIKD5tE0d9b7X/w440-h238/IMG_2358.JPG" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>French defenders await on the Rotherberg. Red marker behind them belongs to a half-strength mitrailleuse unit. White counter denotes an Objective.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAf6YU16380ccyHiPIx7Sd78yIbx5e82rpeSQb66sPSbAvVtwldup3RpKRLKllehuhbFr-9Bx_1sNB003WE-HgfKAGrUvNM6Rj07YTo66mxK8pJpwOHi0_bB2nHzzattve2hlxt7-fPXL3aFRMxgTgMaWvRxTab2cruGFON_RHC8Zb5XSHTMvBYxL/s3792/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2227" data-original-width="3792" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAf6YU16380ccyHiPIx7Sd78yIbx5e82rpeSQb66sPSbAvVtwldup3RpKRLKllehuhbFr-9Bx_1sNB003WE-HgfKAGrUvNM6Rj07YTo66mxK8pJpwOHi0_bB2nHzzattve2hlxt7-fPXL3aFRMxgTgMaWvRxTab2cruGFON_RHC8Zb5XSHTMvBYxL/w444-h261/IMG_2359.JPG" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We Germans were too scared of French firepower to march straight up the Rotherberg. We opted for a pincer movement. Half our force hooked left through the Pfaffen woods to even things up between Chassepot and needlegun. This photo shows the right hook running into French resistance north of Stiring Wendel. A firefight breaks out across the pond.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFZf8IssibnmvgFxCollmkaew_cHfp0MzL73lPz8rgOnYZZYE1R4kEE1hNzXHStNAZboonyEREM1gPBqw6rUG7tmVn-tNrMniKTC4TTkan0zL5g-zKv8Jn65WEU60dU1GS71jMGMn9x1heXpTJlvGE1p7pRcoJ3CZ1ja457FQ5_MfuwdAHCVpC0An/s4032/IMG_2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2943" data-original-width="4032" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFZf8IssibnmvgFxCollmkaew_cHfp0MzL73lPz8rgOnYZZYE1R4kEE1hNzXHStNAZboonyEREM1gPBqw6rUG7tmVn-tNrMniKTC4TTkan0zL5g-zKv8Jn65WEU60dU1GS71jMGMn9x1heXpTJlvGE1p7pRcoJ3CZ1ja457FQ5_MfuwdAHCVpC0An/w449-h328/IMG_2360.JPG" width="449" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Now the left hook develops into an enveloping attack on the Rotherberg. By now the massed battery has done great execution, obliterating a French brigade. We like these odds better. Snake-eyed dice top left betray the French cavalry's reluctance to tangle with Prussian hussars who are on a wide sweep around the French right. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD00FaNDmJCihIYi4YtalHiyp6PjqQEJUXVWB0n3QIG810jD9SrVmtX_nB4qI58mygCTnNGA2_XiVtWJqg3CRzDqfzgSsyiBdpAOsQZ3oT70gfxp5ZNIC8LExIbRu2RU35NJF4lZcHCLJGRQtEE_cP3VUvKQzRmNihujeDkS7k4rpLmPi9RH7ycu7P/s4032/IMG_2361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2061" data-original-width="4032" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD00FaNDmJCihIYi4YtalHiyp6PjqQEJUXVWB0n3QIG810jD9SrVmtX_nB4qI58mygCTnNGA2_XiVtWJqg3CRzDqfzgSsyiBdpAOsQZ3oT70gfxp5ZNIC8LExIbRu2RU35NJF4lZcHCLJGRQtEE_cP3VUvKQzRmNihujeDkS7k4rpLmPi9RH7ycu7P/w445-h228/IMG_2361.JPG" width="445" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Germans seize Forbach unopposed. Victory! The scenario provides for the German 26th Brigade to arrive mid-game from the west and attack Stiring Wendel (as it did historically) or to arrive even later from the southwest to threaten the French supply depot at Forbach (a concern that hamstrung the French command on the day). In our game, the French gambled, left Forbach undefended, and paid the price. </i></div><br /><div>Reflections:</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Short and sweet</u>. With four players, this game romped along so swiftly that we were able to change hats and play it again. In years gone by, I've played too many games that were left unsatisfactorily unfinished (see my Reflections essay on "<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-that-point-we-called-it-who-cares-if.html" target="_blank">Who cares if we don't finish the game</a>?"). Hence BBB where we virtually always get a result in an evening. On this occasion we managed two.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Replay value</u>. As one of the joys of historical scenarios is to replay them and explore different plans, it was a bonus to be able to fight this twice in quick succession. I think in game two the French deployed further right to cover better against the German left hook from the first game; the Germans responded by pushing more strongly in the centre. Different plans, different games, similar end result (emphatic French defeat).</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Victory conditions</u>. The French were so soundly beaten that we wondered if the scenario was skewed. Another club had recently reported playing this so I consulted them. In their go, the Germans actually got trounced! But apparently this was down to new players testing the rules (and their German army) to destruction. I do think BBB is less forgiving of novice errors by attackers than by defenders. Anyway, the collective playtests indicated I just needed to up the German victory targets by one extra Objective. Updated version of the scenario is now available from the BBB groups.io files <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/1870%20Franco-Prussian%20War/Free%20scenarios%20-%20FPW/Spicheren%20v2.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-37125932549273952982023-10-12T13:38:00.000+01:002023-10-12T13:38:23.297+01:00Kassassin & Tel-el-Kebir (1882) as a single scenario<p>After <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-value-of-playing-what-ifs.html" target="_blank">last week's excursion </a>among the sun-kissed vineyards of northern Hungary, this week we were transported to the sun-baked sands of northern Egypt. As part of the "Bloody Big AFRICAN Battles!" project, we playtested Mark's scenario for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tell_El_Kebir#" target="_blank">Tel-el-Kebir</a> (1882), the major action during the British conquest of Egypt.</p><p>Tel-el-Kebir on its own is not very exciting as a situation to wargame: a frontal assault on a simple line of entrenchments that was over in an hour after a rather one-sided fight. (See my post <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/04/can-frontally-assaulting-redoubts-make.html" target="_blank">here </a>on whether frontally assaulting redoubts can make a good game.) Mark's creative solution was to combine it with the preceding action at Kassassin. This entailed some compression of both time and space: Kassassin should really be another four feet away from the entrenchments, rather than on the table edge; and the 'Night Interval' between the two actions is actually the fortnight between 28 August and 13 September 1882. This compression did not create any distortion or other problem and produced a scenario in which both sides get to do some maneuvering and have some genuine decisions to make.</p><p>Herewith a brief photo-AAR followed by some reflections:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj-IqskPBjM4hLn6mT0_2ib_XKinHNlQdSBEZh0nra2mTuZLRd64B6I7r2eQSJoBBZxr4kQhLXTsfxfKeggKhEdeRCHTPM55H04qLWkmlxhw5DnqoCzu6W_4AnX7M1p6DN6782ltFKEqlbH1z1kFRDkttEO-SEy4fd3g1hyUBehkZQ9ZVbiBO5Fbh/s4032/IMG_2351.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2813" data-original-width="4032" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj-IqskPBjM4hLn6mT0_2ib_XKinHNlQdSBEZh0nra2mTuZLRd64B6I7r2eQSJoBBZxr4kQhLXTsfxfKeggKhEdeRCHTPM55H04qLWkmlxhw5DnqoCzu6W_4AnX7M1p6DN6782ltFKEqlbH1z1kFRDkttEO-SEy4fd3g1hyUBehkZQ9ZVbiBO5Fbh/w493-h344/IMG_2351.JPG" width="493" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It really was a very pretty table. Proper sand-coloured cloth, sandy hills, sand-embanked railway, exquisite palm trees, and a tidy British tent encampment in the foreground. The loco is pushing a flatcar-mounted 40-pdr gun. The British 2nd and 4th Brigades are all that stands between the 15,000 Egyptians debouching from their entrenchments (top of pic) and the British camp and the village of Kassassin (lower left). If either of these two objectives is taken, however briefly, the Egyptians earn a victory point - in effect, establishing a 'highwater mark'.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrWPGsHdmyA1vBSzZxXfY8wHlRWRpD0Q8me3PoICnRvo30Ve9PkDUZKtYSrP6fRInASv0OWoUlmglKCRkGUbQhJWfED2nqokXnh7u6_0oiCmOWt0P6GuuTAVQKj1o1ErOK7-Rx6xyLZ5rg1RvenwUPMfOuwwZ1xuSA7_qFikMvzF-gTx_gOviKrfS/s4032/IMG_2352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrWPGsHdmyA1vBSzZxXfY8wHlRWRpD0Q8me3PoICnRvo30Ve9PkDUZKtYSrP6fRInASv0OWoUlmglKCRkGUbQhJWfED2nqokXnh7u6_0oiCmOWt0P6GuuTAVQKj1o1ErOK7-Rx6xyLZ5rg1RvenwUPMfOuwwZ1xuSA7_qFikMvzF-gTx_gOviKrfS/w486-h365/IMG_2352.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The open sandy plain on the British right. A small Egyptian force threatens from top right, opposed by British guns bottom left. Just visible at top of pic, to the left of the QR sheet, is pale felt representing the soft sand ('Difficult Terrain') protecting the Egyptian lines' left flank.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZg0LarWt3TGhdrwBK3iDfn5AF9JksAuLGIRgbwKL_7gMo2K1Guj0mPtK9Ht9myZy-ttAMkaEmEBJ0bzVYnV6uTYG4cqGqYN8qBur5aBClMr2RaS-gFRw56WxKsY8L3wuVwUtxgLH4XLhk2BEucq6cwBMcsg5PFDqq66oxhyphenhyphen43bFgChB58qCBBw5_/s4032/IMG_2353.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZg0LarWt3TGhdrwBK3iDfn5AF9JksAuLGIRgbwKL_7gMo2K1Guj0mPtK9Ht9myZy-ttAMkaEmEBJ0bzVYnV6uTYG4cqGqYN8qBur5aBClMr2RaS-gFRw56WxKsY8L3wuVwUtxgLH4XLhk2BEucq6cwBMcsg5PFDqq66oxhyphenhyphen43bFgChB58qCBBw5_/w468-h351/IMG_2353.JPG" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Egyptian assault inflicted casualties (you can see both British 3-base infantry units are now reduced to 2-base) and came close to breaking through and taking the camp. However, the thin red line held firm long enough for the Household Cavalry to come to the rescue (upper right), to be followed on Turn 3 by the Guards Brigade. Egyptian losses were heavier (blue cube indicates a Spent unit; another brigade was wiped out entirely). The scenario gives the Egyptian player the option of pressing his attack for 4 turns rather than 3, which has two advantages: it not only gives another bite at the cherry to take the camp or Kassassin, it also means the British player will have one turn less when it comes to assaulting the entrenchments. However, Mark opted not to take the extra turn, preferring to have his troops spend it defending entrenchments rather than being ridden down by Horse Guards in the open.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fgTg4-8j0ukI9qGDZvMUdeWFPhD7nlOyj5KT1Rmy-dBa3C_YdtmJpc3Y2xoQByu6aR8U6RDYZyNo2NjNS0eqw9rCvca2rTdfyMXF_6HuQfRvISXVkHbiHQJuQcY6v7qGP78tX0lKI1Xt1Q-hILsXQ21g3pSlTMx4b8Mw41GHD7qkPIx1rhdnft6P/s3601/IMG_2354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2277" data-original-width="3601" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fgTg4-8j0ukI9qGDZvMUdeWFPhD7nlOyj5KT1Rmy-dBa3C_YdtmJpc3Y2xoQByu6aR8U6RDYZyNo2NjNS0eqw9rCvca2rTdfyMXF_6HuQfRvISXVkHbiHQJuQcY6v7qGP78tX0lKI1Xt1Q-hILsXQ21g3pSlTMx4b8Mw41GHD7qkPIx1rhdnft6P/w472-h298/IMG_2354.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Cavalry action on the British right. I sent the Indian cavalry brigade (top left of pic) through the gap between the two advancing Egyptian contingents and then wheeled it right to take on its Egyptian counterparts (right foreground). This put it in a crossfire from Egyptian guns, not to mention an infantry brigade. Fortunately, my enfilading artillery helped to wipe out the infantry. Still, I was lucky not to lose the Indian horse entirely. Don't give me cavalry to command, I clearly don't know how to use them.</i></div><p>I only took photos of the first third of the game, so apologies that you will have to make do with my 1,000 words to paint a picture of the rest of it. Having repulsed the Egyptians from Kassassin, I needed to take 5 of the 9 remaining objectives to win. Two of these were villages among the palm groves and farms south of the canal (top left in first pic), the other seven being redoubts dotted among the entrenchments (all marked by white counters in first pic). In the Night Interval, my troops set up in the historical deployment for the assault on Tel-el-Kebir: Indian brigade on my left south of the canal; Highland Bde and 4th Bde north of it; a grand battery in the centre; 2nd Bde and Guards Bde on the right; Cavalry Division on the right flank.</p><p>Honestly, I found the prospect of assaulting the Egyptian fortifications daunting. Most of the Egyptian troops had modern breechloading rifles, with long effective range and deadly short range; they also had a lot of Krupp breechloading cannon, which are no fun to assault frontally. I was especially concerned about the risk to my cavalry (the BBB rules make them a more vulnerable target than infantry) so I fannied about trying to hide them initially, rather than using them to outflank or assault.</p><p>Still, I got stuck in eventually. On the left, the Indians took one objective village but ran out of time to reach the second. Next along, the Highlanders and 4th Bde took a long time to storm one objective redoubt, so although they then had another at their mercy, they only had one turn left to take it and failed the movement roll to do so. On my right, the Guards and the Household Cavalry broke in and took one redoubt; the HC were so successful they had a compulsory exploit that actually put them in a position where they had a chance at taking another redoubt in the second line of entrenchments, but didn't quite manage it; redoubts to right and left of the Guards' incursion were at risk on the last turn, but all my three units in range failed to get the necessary movement rolls.</p><p>Thus, I took 3 objectives, and had chances at 5 others on the last turn. As none of these came off, I was left with a defeat, but it was by no means a crushing one-sided one, as victory had been very much a possibility until those last few dice. It was a thoroughly entertaining game and should go down well when Mark takes it to the club.</p><p><br /></p><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>Too much artillery</u>. The typical BBB figure ratios are either 1,000 men / 24 guns per base or 1,500 men / 36 guns per base. For this scenario, Mark had used 500 men / 6 guns per base. That meant artillery was 100% overrepresented - no wonder I was daunted! It evened out to some extent, of course, because the British have plenty of artillery too, but it advantaged the Egyptians more because their guns were in fortifications and we had to approach in short range of them. Fixing the gun ratio shouldn't change the game balance radically but should make it a shade easier for the British to storm the redoubts they need to take.</p><p><u>Characterful units</u>: it's always fun to be able to point out the Highlanders or the Guards. On the British side, Indian troops and the railway gun added further colour. On the Egyptian side, at one end of the scale were the Sudanese veterans - hardcore! - and at the other, a rabble of fellahin conscripts and Bedouin bashi-bazouks.</p><p><u>Scenario design</u>: the concept of combining Kassassin and Tel-el-Kebir in a single game absolutely worked and made it far more interesting than the simple assault would have been. Punctuating games with a Night Interval always seems to have that effect, providing a significant pivot point that entails significant decisions before and during it and gives different aspects to the game.</p><p><u>Cavalry</u>: nope, still don't really know how to use 'em. Any advice? Maybe we should dispense with the wretched nags and replace them with some kind of armoured landship powered by the new-fangled engines those German fellows <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine#History" target="_blank">invented in the 1870s</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-84899363656615771612023-10-10T22:16:00.001+01:002023-10-11T08:25:04.694+01:00The Value of Playing "What-Ifs"<p>I don't usually do "what-ifs". By that I mean, my staple fare is straight recreations of historical battles, in which forces have to start deployed broadly where they did historically and both sides are trying to achieve the objectives they were aiming for historically. The purpose of these (apart from providing a few hours' entertainment, obviously) is to let players explore various plans as different possible routes to victory - cracking tactical puzzles, if you like.</p><p>Occasionally, though, in the historical scenarios I write I might provide for some not too remote alternative possibility, such as the Russians at the Alma choosing to present a flank threat rather than a direct blocking position.</p><p>This week we explored a quite radical alternative. The scenario in question is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_V%C3%A1c_(1849)" target="_blank">Second Battle of Vác</a> (1849) from the Hungarian War of Independence, as found in the "<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/09/bloody-big-hungary-48-battles-scenario.html" target="_blank">Bloody Big Hungary '48 Battles!</a>" scenario book. The standard historical scenario is an unusual and interesting one to start with, as it is an initial advance guard action followed by a fighting withdrawal. I did the straight refight back in January 2022 (in-depth report with lots of gorgeous photos <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/01/hungary-1848-12-vac-fighting-withdrawal.html" target="_blank">here</a>). The scenario provides an option that assumes the Hungarian C-in-C, Görgei, chooses the bold course of attempting to break through the Russian army that has intercepted him, rather than withdrawing to find another way around it as he did historically.</p><p>The following photos show how that went, with some reflections at the end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGgmu6gVj_YuQudR9YKJ2CIQPTh6SFo6aphtBDmAhQD7XyukDkYXRhOE_mn1hmkvI9JjzHXgsnGeRVZ2HrsOv01EpGz00Qf_S3n1-G_zy9uhPt5scyBzxuiEThNA2KsLuKjyMq-E6yRrFeIdhzsslCQ7kubvYbSrT6wDSDQZEO8nkQ04yT6qxtRWo/s4032/IMG_2336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2645" data-original-width="4032" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGgmu6gVj_YuQudR9YKJ2CIQPTh6SFo6aphtBDmAhQD7XyukDkYXRhOE_mn1hmkvI9JjzHXgsnGeRVZ2HrsOv01EpGz00Qf_S3n1-G_zy9uhPt5scyBzxuiEThNA2KsLuKjyMq-E6yRrFeIdhzsslCQ7kubvYbSrT6wDSDQZEO8nkQ04yT6qxtRWo/w539-h354/IMG_2336.JPG" width="539" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>'Der Donau ist blau.' The Hungarians start with an advance guard and two corps on table with a third due later. Here Leiningen's III Cps conducts its forced march along the Danube ...</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fV10Y6r-n1ELdsKhwwd9Th0ponNieq1Kh1vybjGDCnQkrSdTom8Y_mUF4NDeFjgKR2xzG7ZWgZnmUifIVPA18fEODkmnXklc8bdlIhzBN6oj5tMBkpnyjXoUHT2nN8Pq1VqlgSIOJvB8j4hfBdMNlIeMAj6H1LKlh7Jvo5DAmTlBVeaLdUzr7eXs/s4032/IMG_2337.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="4032" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fV10Y6r-n1ELdsKhwwd9Th0ponNieq1Kh1vybjGDCnQkrSdTom8Y_mUF4NDeFjgKR2xzG7ZWgZnmUifIVPA18fEODkmnXklc8bdlIhzBN6oj5tMBkpnyjXoUHT2nN8Pq1VqlgSIOJvB8j4hfBdMNlIeMAj6H1LKlh7Jvo5DAmTlBVeaLdUzr7eXs/w542-h203/IMG_2337.JPG" width="542" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>... preceded by Nagysándor's I Cps, seen here marching through the town of Vác. Behind it is the railway embankment for Hungary's very own HS2. (At this time, the Hungarian rail network consisted of one line from Budapest southeast to Szolnok and another from Budapest north to Vác. The leg to Pressburg aka Bratislava was under construction.) Out of shot to the right is the Hungarian advance guard. This spent the first four turns driving back the Russian advance guard and making space for I Cps to push down the road to the south.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU2oDlDMvtZUrxaGz9S82WwRPz64-b_48mTOHH8I57ObFvJyFE6XlHhjFT_u_hajmRPsgcXT-svvnmJG3AYxwjHXCdHx8d4iSOMgEHHJmf8tBWioNTxoquMn1gL1xDQLD7-YHfWhHvNZCWdHfvgR2exbRi6ekESia2Vh9ey-VMIdYgQxxmaxkTTB3/s4032/IMG_2338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2922" data-original-width="4032" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU2oDlDMvtZUrxaGz9S82WwRPz64-b_48mTOHH8I57ObFvJyFE6XlHhjFT_u_hajmRPsgcXT-svvnmJG3AYxwjHXCdHx8d4iSOMgEHHJmf8tBWioNTxoquMn1gL1xDQLD7-YHfWhHvNZCWdHfvgR2exbRi6ekESia2Vh9ey-VMIdYgQxxmaxkTTB3/w541-h392/IMG_2338.JPG" width="541" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>OMG that's a <u>lot</u> of Russians ... after the advance guard action, the scenario provides a Night Interval, a lull for everyone to have a rest after their forced marching and deploy for the next day's withdrawal or breakthrough attempt, as applicable. The Russians can deploy anywhere >6" from the Hungarians and south of the Csörög stream. Here you see about 50,000 men poised to crush the reckless Magyars, with a formidable gun line already deployed lower right. Only two of the units in shot are Hungarian: one in the bottom left corner and the other above that in the edge of the vineyard.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYB7rAUWKTgYl0ibgG-K9nhK5AZWIqhuMfwGwZpVPrbUumOcLZQ-5wqYDv4ayAjT2BgUgrM2UTxT2XOvbLQbzyw3YFz-6NgiS6Xl6An4Jjyn8vt75y07baa1XfXpHBSUnd5eufpfYEp0ZgtVPn8dB1O8LZ0nELT1qGG5Qwlxj98OKI_yJXY_StR_9/s4032/IMG_2339.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYB7rAUWKTgYl0ibgG-K9nhK5AZWIqhuMfwGwZpVPrbUumOcLZQ-5wqYDv4ayAjT2BgUgrM2UTxT2XOvbLQbzyw3YFz-6NgiS6Xl6An4Jjyn8vt75y07baa1XfXpHBSUnd5eufpfYEp0ZgtVPn8dB1O8LZ0nELT1qGG5Qwlxj98OKI_yJXY_StR_9/w472-h354/IMG_2339.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Plan view gives the full picture. The Hungarians are trying to push from left to bottom right. Victory depends on how wide a gap they can maintain at game end, as measured by how many of the four white counters they hold (the two bridges and the village of Sződ at lower right, and the vineyard above that). Russians are all in the upper right quarter. Hungarian I and III Cps are facing them, lower right. Pöltenberg's VII Cps has arrived around Vác (left centre) and will try to put pressure on the Russian right flank.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiTDJhgipuTVyOhIdmeMFijCEoiZakUyHW3au7STADOuuwXyTFRRA_Legex5T9F0CXGLr2XSvFD7hJBDxCtsHHlF3R6kljTGFMxAeQFgQ9dUjwLFejRNxi4VDEyIU0An4SJQ0LX8cmS2AfPzqON45gGylxRFJFKILQ9L_JRlZORATK7eXYp7bv0pj/s3997/IMG_2342.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="3997" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiTDJhgipuTVyOhIdmeMFijCEoiZakUyHW3au7STADOuuwXyTFRRA_Legex5T9F0CXGLr2XSvFD7hJBDxCtsHHlF3R6kljTGFMxAeQFgQ9dUjwLFejRNxi4VDEyIU0An4SJQ0LX8cmS2AfPzqON45gGylxRFJFKILQ9L_JRlZORATK7eXYp7bv0pj/w494-h358/IMG_2342.JPG" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Most of I and III Cps immediately falls back to try to defend the line of the railway embankment, apart from one brigade that advances to occupy </i><i>Sződ. VII Cps pushes forward on the Hungarian left. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcZOgzi-4VMOt_Wy-L9Ch-95TKQRjV6ELUiGhkaf-MWHv78XBI-cL9qy2ek4PZHvNVqIg7Kzz3ovdbH7s8PUC_-LrspXOTjA_xSUyPpIQT3vO_h6EjaGA_GpeTpgwpsYZ4Cio6BzFuLHBDT5zBpHNb3EWnPutD5oV2BQ_ac9DiX2bwsU9AsrrrbLa/s4032/IMG_2343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2735" data-original-width="4032" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcZOgzi-4VMOt_Wy-L9Ch-95TKQRjV6ELUiGhkaf-MWHv78XBI-cL9qy2ek4PZHvNVqIg7Kzz3ovdbH7s8PUC_-LrspXOTjA_xSUyPpIQT3vO_h6EjaGA_GpeTpgwpsYZ4Cio6BzFuLHBDT5zBpHNb3EWnPutD5oV2BQ_ac9DiX2bwsU9AsrrrbLa/w480-h326/IMG_2343.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A view from behind the railway embankment before the Russian hordes arrive there.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlYRv6dF4iyV3fwWSrIYjiUuDJYRkHaUd945c0e3JVxOMkHSXK0NBxQvp5x6JYDW6W_3g9s-yw1V74M-wVuWV9XFflOpDNNp4qToBjbktWtes7T4L_65xMijb343VFQuyiC0zeX2p-zJPoC4sm3TQ8jeWbO8ZpXmHOhKWz3rqBrLHrxJxlWDGGWNE/s4032/IMG_2345.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2672" data-original-width="4032" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlYRv6dF4iyV3fwWSrIYjiUuDJYRkHaUd945c0e3JVxOMkHSXK0NBxQvp5x6JYDW6W_3g9s-yw1V74M-wVuWV9XFflOpDNNp4qToBjbktWtes7T4L_65xMijb343VFQuyiC0zeX2p-zJPoC4sm3TQ8jeWbO8ZpXmHOhKWz3rqBrLHrxJxlWDGGWNE/w479-h317/IMG_2345.JPG" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 7 of 12. The solitary forward Hungarian brigade in </i><i>Sződ has been demolished. </i><i>Initial Russian assault on the Hungarian extreme right has been rebuffed, but worse is about to come.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jEkIXHiTNjVV3OXEIi9S6zgooRWiwCWq8xklJNHCM-wfYKF9BNP_2XuhifVAaRP-RXDfuEd3dD8YHqknB_o1sg7HaXdzVDOYwHzt1gaRjyqIka7G_uRxFYFu-ADrVL1llPKwYlzcezDu4Sq8ZCVuY3tQLB6VRfOuQi0_SGsIDNwSNNbji6yOeVjr/s4032/IMG_2346.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1741" data-original-width="4032" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jEkIXHiTNjVV3OXEIi9S6zgooRWiwCWq8xklJNHCM-wfYKF9BNP_2XuhifVAaRP-RXDfuEd3dD8YHqknB_o1sg7HaXdzVDOYwHzt1gaRjyqIka7G_uRxFYFu-ADrVL1llPKwYlzcezDu4Sq8ZCVuY3tQLB6VRfOuQi0_SGsIDNwSNNbji6yOeVjr/w529-h228/IMG_2346.JPG" width="529" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Russian highwater mark - eight regiments assault the embankment.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XzmAW68xk6-nOa4b_DqGgFREoQ0ZCq8IU3gF_dMt2MWcctdbZtFVQBYDBdScyfpvmFgEdoTDa6dR9mSdwpUfPmvD0oelxR9vs2eA9w_SGDIF0JjYqYKXJ7uG8Kznx7bmiMFcNDes-jYjnMz9mv-Fjvti_UgO4UrzzEmJqPvY0qcdeT7lMfYAHihk/s3965/IMG_2347.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="3965" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XzmAW68xk6-nOa4b_DqGgFREoQ0ZCq8IU3gF_dMt2MWcctdbZtFVQBYDBdScyfpvmFgEdoTDa6dR9mSdwpUfPmvD0oelxR9vs2eA9w_SGDIF0JjYqYKXJ7uG8Kznx7bmiMFcNDes-jYjnMz9mv-Fjvti_UgO4UrzzEmJqPvY0qcdeT7lMfYAHihk/w528-h372/IMG_2347.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Plan view, end of Turn 7 or 8. Russians continue to press forward bottom right but have been repulsed in the centre. Centre of pic, two Hungarian brigades and some hussars have crossed the embankment to attack the right flank of the massed Russian assault. Upper left, VII Cps and the Russians facing it find themselves in a stand-off.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pQEnQ_5pJFvHonXw0hocsRqielyVQhlW7wn1ClBs4KaIjrDQah6aWWOWzvOATM4YBgXH_0ewAG61MWVOEyxnrNv7NQT1FrW7rJz-KtyS25pdsuhxcXx-FJoN4hiSiYLkwFj1cBFM3WfJXrFz3QH43B_HNkgXE8dw3z1qLJ-Xbhn97t8XIW_X668Y/s4032/IMG_2348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pQEnQ_5pJFvHonXw0hocsRqielyVQhlW7wn1ClBs4KaIjrDQah6aWWOWzvOATM4YBgXH_0ewAG61MWVOEyxnrNv7NQT1FrW7rJz-KtyS25pdsuhxcXx-FJoN4hiSiYLkwFj1cBFM3WfJXrFz3QH43B_HNkgXE8dw3z1qLJ-Xbhn97t8XIW_X668Y/w514-h386/IMG_2348.JPG" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Close-up of the Hungarian counterattack against the repulsed Russians. Their blurred images betray just how shaken those Russians are.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Unusually, we ended the game a couple of turns early because several of the guys had to leave a bit early. The rest of us could have finished it but we were happy to call it a draw. The Russian hordes had suffered enough infantry losses that they would have struggled to press another assault home, but they probably had enough guns to prevent the Hungarian counter-attack from carrying too far either.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVjEKmD1GeZdAyhUJml-ZtHz-SpI4Kr6Tzas3xyzi8N7P_cNtXMGfFkQ1Tnwf3CrOYYpWGxgIGliPTW55R5ksFM09_hhgR7B9NhOHvgR-WZmQ84CRMQGFr4j9MB44XF4aPEPA0yAU-hg05EvjNuRu5QxlpcU44la4gWbnY1IEqeYBIWDbr2umaK8K/s4032/IMG_2349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="4032" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVjEKmD1GeZdAyhUJml-ZtHz-SpI4Kr6Tzas3xyzi8N7P_cNtXMGfFkQ1Tnwf3CrOYYpWGxgIGliPTW55R5ksFM09_hhgR7B9NhOHvgR-WZmQ84CRMQGFr4j9MB44XF4aPEPA0yAU-hg05EvjNuRu5QxlpcU44la4gWbnY1IEqeYBIWDbr2umaK8K/w502-h231/IMG_2349.JPG" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Hungarian army's historical withdrawal was seriously impeded by a column of thousands of refugees following it. Here we see the refugee column milling around and blocking movement through Vác. Even if the Hungarian army itself does break through the Russians, this tail of unfortunates is likely to be left at the mercy of Russian Cossacks and Caucasus Muslim cavalry.</i></div><br /><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>An Illuminating 'What-If'</u>. Görgei is widely regarded as Hungary's best general of the war. I think it fair to say that this what-if game confirmed the wisdom of his actual decision in this case. His historical withdrawal took his army into hilly country that aided rearguard actions to delay pursuit and made it difficult for the Russians to bring their superior numbers to bear; he was able to send his baggage and ammunition trains away first and give them a head start; the Russians were unsure about exactly where he was heading; his army escaped virtually intact (and then dodged behind and through the Russians, leading them on a merry dance for weeks). By contrast, our attempt to break through showed that it would have been pretty disastrous. Even if victorious, his army would have been mauled; it would then have had to march across open country, harassed by Russian light cavalry and Cossacks; it would probably have lost much of its supply train. No doubt I could have worked that out as the likely result beforehand, just as Görgei evidently did, but it was still highly instructive to see it play out on the table.</p><p><u>Shock and Awe</u>: it's one thing to read (or indeed write) a scenario, and another to see the troops deployed. Once the Russian army appeared in full force after the Night Interval, we were all a bit gobsmacked - especially those of us on the Hungarian side tasked with fending it off. It goes to show that small figures can still make a big impression. 6mm is good for mass effect.</p><p><u>Quality vs Quantity</u>: Görgei's army was a pretty well oiled machine at this stage, whereas the Russian one was a mighty but unsubtle steamroller. The Russians had also been ravaged by cholera, which killed more Russians than the Hungarians did in this war. The scenario therefore gives the Hungarians a quality advantage overall. By the time we stopped, this seemed to be on the way to compensating for Russian numerical superiority.</p><p><u>What is a 'What-If'?</u> It's a bit of a stretch to claim this post as a genuine 'Reflection on Wargaming'. Really it's one battle report that prompted one particular thought that I've tried to expand on. I suppose I can expand on it a bit more by saying every game is a what-if to some degree (unless it is not a game at all but simply an exercise in pushing figures along courses utterly pre-determined by history, without any player choices or chance to deviate from that history). My typical historical recreations start the 'what-if' around the point at which historical opposing armies deployed for a historical battle, with their historical objectives and orders of battle, and explore how different plans might have worked out. The alternative version of Vác that I've reported here just changes the Hungarian C-in-C's aim - the mission, if you like - and explores a more radical strategic plan rather than grand tactical ones. A next step away from the historical event would be to have those same armies meet on a different battlefield, perhaps imagining a breakthrough attempt at a slightly different location; the step after that, to put historical opponents on some imaginary battlefield, tournament-style; beyond that, we get into competition-style games pitting ahistorical opponents against each other in battles that never happened, on terrain that didn't exist, in wars that were never fought. Which step of that progression we prefer depends on which 'what-if' question we want answered.</p><p><u>And finally</u>: Thanks to Crispin for creating the custom battlemat, painting the armies and laying on the game.</p><p><i>For the full list of my (mostly rather more extensive and considered) 'Reflections on Wargaming' essays, see <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2021/10/reflections-on-wargaming.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-17805152037023140862023-09-27T16:37:00.001+01:002023-12-02T10:05:53.691+00:00Zulus! Isandlwana game at Colours 2023<p>Surprised not to have seen many reports of the Colours wargames show that happened in Newbury as usual earlier this month. Here's my own modest addition to the literature on this subject.</p><p>I can't say much about the show in general as I spent most of it helping to run our participation game. I talked to a couple of traders who said it had gone well for them, which is always good to hear. It was swelteringly hot and my impression was that it was really busy in the morning but that a lot of people faded, wilted and went home early when they got too hot and bothered to stay for the afternoon.</p><p>At <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/09/colours-2022-its-about-people.html" target="_blank">last year's show</a> we ran a nice obscure Hungary 1848 battle in 6mm. This time we went much more mainstream as Bruce laid on a game of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Isandlwana" target="_blank">Isandlwana </a>using his gorgeous 28mm figures. Lots of people are familiar with this battle. Indeed, several of our guest players or spectators had actually visited the battlefield and knew it very well indeed, one even having had a relative perish there in 1879. That being so, it was particularly gratifying that one of our knowledgeable guests played the whole game through and said at the end, "that felt right".</p><p>This is a tribute to Bruce's skilful scenario design, as he adapted BBB (a ruleset geared to making battles of 100s of 1000s of men feasible as wargames on 6'x4' in an evening) to an action in which the smaller side had fewer than 2,000. BBB's elastic scale proved capable of shrinking down that far and still producing a very plausible game.</p><p>I thought I took a bunch of photos of his work but apparently not. I can only assume I was too busy chatting with people and helping to run the game. All I can offer you is a view of the racecourse, a couple of pics of the terrain being created and one of the British deployment, followed by a few reflections.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAz-S5eqY7HuyjRr7nug_y8c0IEsAnACUixBeBsVBBpCR2lqdCVC5xMAs9QOYw1Blw3_OAp6Zira-NkLStTYgdjIW6iB-SUQOWINqZPEIWFnIHLPhTwwY1oSitEJJLZYi0IL7ECl86gpUu8dLLMXh7P-ZkANwrQLAW93gGAmu_A7s-Ura3U84Fijd/s4032/IMG_2327.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2362" data-original-width="4032" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAz-S5eqY7HuyjRr7nug_y8c0IEsAnACUixBeBsVBBpCR2lqdCVC5xMAs9QOYw1Blw3_OAp6Zira-NkLStTYgdjIW6iB-SUQOWINqZPEIWFnIHLPhTwwY1oSitEJJLZYi0IL7ECl86gpUu8dLLMXh7P-ZkANwrQLAW93gGAmu_A7s-Ura3U84Fijd/w448-h262/IMG_2327.JPG" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The view from our splendid vantage point. We were as overheated as greenhouse tomatoes, but it still beats the Distelfink room at Historicon. Maybe it captured the right feeling of southern Africa and all we needed was some itchy woollen clothing with tight high collars.</i></div><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QQ4rE4ihi71c7uLJPYH-0dKRKVnBd2DLI_uQvIkRIPl8WooJj20Id0B8bz7TiCzfQGZ7FilxGThbkrd9L_hq4hWX6jnR9CmiQHmGMX_RHKr_vCGfC3GKlmv9aYpfRc5YFTiicgSsFEtDO5cbYRBUg3g9H4QmDUrZgJercjmBGaf1mV7G3-q-a54V/s4032/IMG_2326.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2590" data-original-width="4032" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QQ4rE4ihi71c7uLJPYH-0dKRKVnBd2DLI_uQvIkRIPl8WooJj20Id0B8bz7TiCzfQGZ7FilxGThbkrd9L_hq4hWX6jnR9CmiQHmGMX_RHKr_vCGfC3GKlmv9aYpfRc5YFTiicgSsFEtDO5cbYRBUg3g9H4QmDUrZgJercjmBGaf1mV7G3-q-a54V/w475-h306/IMG_2326.JPG" width="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Step 1 of laying out the terrain was to put together Bruce's cunningly crafted polystyrene jigsaw for the hills.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfIHk1FTAtBDsrh072sfGgUBlEUU_5Ya3Bzc3ggML0Lg30j5O4iqn5dks7O-T28vO3QztdPpCBhusTLd8cSstb52hVcHrOwS9MRp5BoSvIotS2Uct-IyDjycjqOC-gKDAWenfOWW9Qb16OODdHTnJAhJ8bKEfrOtpgL-W17bCWtlr0vZ3N63CrQmB/s4032/IMG_2329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2707" data-original-width="4032" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfIHk1FTAtBDsrh072sfGgUBlEUU_5Ya3Bzc3ggML0Lg30j5O4iqn5dks7O-T28vO3QztdPpCBhusTLd8cSstb52hVcHrOwS9MRp5BoSvIotS2Uct-IyDjycjqOC-gKDAWenfOWW9Qb16OODdHTnJAhJ8bKEfrOtpgL-W17bCWtlr0vZ3N63CrQmB/w470-h316/IMG_2329.JPG" width="470" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Drape a cloth over the top, add the most prominent hilltops, sprinkle tiny gravel to help to define the slopes. Dongas (streams) and campsite will follow. Top left of pic is the range of hills the main Zulu force camped behind and attacked across. Isandlwana hill is the rocky brown one. Zulu right horn came from left edge of pic, left horn from the right edge. Our visiting expert complimented Bruce on his choice of green cloth: apparently, the movie 'Zulu Dawn' gives a false impression of a dry brown battlefield because it was filmed in the more convenient dry season, whereas the actual battle took place when the grass would have been lush and green.</i></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xnpo2MUQmKhETP8GdbzFbZO0e4CtSDwpuTng7pbX0_e8EFV1-1cnfEPmXw8KPFJhkadm0qz_teRu30X3BAzc5cF9so2176093WTO_Bzjidpo4TbAhw-5QojZave1XcFSHuJbcQ1osJknm-Srdr6dnXdwJnshd8tLf7VOYOUS3kBbliCgf0fbMjdI/s4012/IMG_2330.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2597" data-original-width="4012" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xnpo2MUQmKhETP8GdbzFbZO0e4CtSDwpuTng7pbX0_e8EFV1-1cnfEPmXw8KPFJhkadm0qz_teRu30X3BAzc5cF9so2176093WTO_Bzjidpo4TbAhw-5QojZave1XcFSHuJbcQ1osJknm-Srdr6dnXdwJnshd8tLf7VOYOUS3kBbliCgf0fbMjdI/w549-h355/IMG_2330.JPG" width="549" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A thin red line awaits the storm. Each pair of redcoats represents a company, with one figure being equivalent to 50-80 men. Bottom right, Lt Raw's men gallop frantically back to camp, having discovered the Zulu army. To see more and better pics of Bruce's figures in action (including Zulus this time), see my <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/02/zulus-nyezane.html" target="_blank">report of his Nyezane game</a>.</i></div><div><br /></div>Reflections:<div><br /></div><div><u>It's a thin red line</u>. Inevitably, the much-debated question came up of whether the massacre was due to ammunition problems (difficulty opening ammo boxes, etc), along with the alternative theory that it was because of weapons fouling up and misfiring. My own feeling after playing the game is that it didn't need any one major factor to make it happen. The problem is, unless the British deploy in a proper tight square (preferably protected by improvised obstacles and with guns at the corners) as they did later in the Sudan, eventually the Zulus will find a flank somewhere. Once they do, the line will get rolled up and swarmed and it's game over.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Popular vs Obscure</u>. I love to explore the esoteric corners of history. There's a particular pleasure to be had from researching wars and recreating battles that few people have ever heard of, especially when (as so often) they present unusual tactical challenges; colourful, even bizarre incidents; and strong characters. Bringing such games to the tabletop, especially at shows, is in its way a service to our little community. However, there is also a lot to be said for the 'headline acts': Gettysburg, Waterloo, Balaclava - the famous battles that everybody knows and can enjoy identifying the terrain features and notable regiments as portrayed on our tables; the ones where the 'what-ifs' have been discussed at length and it can be particularly interesting to see how alternative plans play out in a game. Our previous more obscure games at shows have been appreciated and gone down well enough, but I have to say I think Isandlwana was the most popular yet, so maybe we will go for more such better-known battles in future.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>28mm vs 6mm or 10mm</u>. Another factor in the popularity of the Isandlwana game may have been the use of 28mm figures. We usually use 6mm or 10mm because these give the right mass effect for the massed battles we normally lay on. However, larger figures are easier to identify and more eye-catching at a show. Another conundrum to chew over for future games - or maybe we could go in the opposite direction and try 2mm next time!<br /><br /></div><div><i>Update: Bruce's scenarios for Isandlwana and Nyezane are both freely available in </i><i>the "<a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/BBB%20Zulu%20Wars" target="_blank">BBB Zulu Wars</a>" folder in </i><i>the BBB io group files.</i> </div><div><p></p><p> </p></div>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-88489957225431863992023-09-10T10:20:00.001+01:002023-09-10T10:20:18.664+01:00A bad day at Malplaquet (WSS, 1709)<p>Matt Bradley treated us to the fourth of his Marlburian games: Malplaquet. When he ran it previously with another group, it ended in emphatic Allied victory (see his report <a href="https://pushingtinwargames.blogspot.com/2023/08/malplaquet-1709.html" target="_blank">here</a>). It is with mixed feelings that I tell you we demonstrated scenario balance by incurring an Allied defeat.</p><p>Five captioned photos tell the story, followed by post-battle reflections.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrz4xQ6cI-Mx3KDNuWvaUucEpYgafyquEsWyVXkGqYsi9o9UpV6omim2FeWP9B3maxTrUxPftw6wtLZlSc2vhy_Nj8cjoDKMODGz7Ah2UL9xCE1d_E0_OKpzeU7mrXpZd7fQUBD-aYCBPVtypZqKUZeirELcnHKGHi9PzO3vClS1jM4wmphargoo8/s1005/Malplaquet%201%20French%20setup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1005" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrz4xQ6cI-Mx3KDNuWvaUucEpYgafyquEsWyVXkGqYsi9o9UpV6omim2FeWP9B3maxTrUxPftw6wtLZlSc2vhy_Nj8cjoDKMODGz7Ah2UL9xCE1d_E0_OKpzeU7mrXpZd7fQUBD-aYCBPVtypZqKUZeirELcnHKGHi9PzO3vClS1jM4wmphargoo8/w568-h359/Malplaquet%201%20French%20setup.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This shows the French deployment before we set out the Allies. The French hold a line of fortifications between two large woods. The fleurs de lys mark the three objectives: the redoubt on the left, the crossroads in the centre, and the road to the exit top right. The Allies must take one for a draw or two to win, while not losing Aulnois or Rieu de Bury. Allied forces deploy >12" away from the French line. Note how the ground the Allies have to cross is cut up by streams that seriously impede any attempt to shift pressure from one sector of the line to another, while of course the woods hinder their advance on the right and any efforts at outflanking. By contrast, note also the entirely open space behind the French line, meaning they can shift reserves to wherever they may be needed with relative ease and counter any Allied move.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgwmAXLeZCHUNFeu38kfVsXbxgDXW1pk5osHTUuszQ6RI7VL--rMuv_Ti7m5sSKlWIAJ5ZebmzJ7WcLliDT32HUrHDCS3gV3Abn6zHRqoqiVgm8RfcZi184yWBbJjY-1KQm4ECC5_yNMzj_qP4WrqFwhSkSmutvjfi-mf-R032VDodQnsiRJw-QiY/s4032/Malplaquet%202%20Allied%20left%20setup.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="4032" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgwmAXLeZCHUNFeu38kfVsXbxgDXW1pk5osHTUuszQ6RI7VL--rMuv_Ti7m5sSKlWIAJ5ZebmzJ7WcLliDT32HUrHDCS3gV3Abn6zHRqoqiVgm8RfcZi184yWBbJjY-1KQm4ECC5_yNMzj_qP4WrqFwhSkSmutvjfi-mf-R032VDodQnsiRJw-QiY/w565-h306/Malplaquet%202%20Allied%20left%20setup.JPG" width="565" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Allied left is deployed. Our plan on this flank was for Tilly's Dutch (commanded by David B) to move through the woods against the flank of the French redoubt (as they did in Matt's game) while Lottum's force (my command) attacked its front.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZfh3hXMuGbH14vlj_n4WdoYBaUH16uD8ctZvHnaUzzYzpkaRF_AqPwRXrbz83C4fej5iT5SlZjQNwXuOKvAxLWKkB_0Ak-Gyvt0qDsnEQwvrXtT6WwtUOp7aTbOSHojkHNU-3598TNv1HSEs6CZ4iStRRX1l05YT7J1kVSRcoLiowfU6QJlwieFg/s4032/Malplaquet%203%20Allied%20right%20setup.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZfh3hXMuGbH14vlj_n4WdoYBaUH16uD8ctZvHnaUzzYzpkaRF_AqPwRXrbz83C4fej5iT5SlZjQNwXuOKvAxLWKkB_0Ak-Gyvt0qDsnEQwvrXtT6WwtUOp7aTbOSHojkHNU-3598TNv1HSEs6CZ4iStRRX1l05YT7J1kVSRcoLiowfU6QJlwieFg/w530-h397/Malplaquet%203%20Allied%20right%20setup.JPG" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Allied right. The scenario allows Withers's force to flank march and arrive on the west or east edge after mid-game, but Luke and Ben opted to commit it here to back up Prince Eugene from Turn 1. The limbered grand battery looks impressive but achieved nothing.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdJ0_uVrfd8Ja5ZCPHPeKcenyRNhPvRRKKsK9__FBRBt2CUFPzMiJkEwK6GwK2lqhrXepRvipNaoDmsR06iix0tVAoY-ph0y5nlKp5jgoH_wHNcRpAwWcXcRsWWfy3pumpoE77jI_nWuj13HSNaIBvxBhzXgpftoZkpAuhWX0EPWG9dmzwipi5uhs/s4032/Malplaquet%204%20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2374" data-original-width="4032" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdJ0_uVrfd8Ja5ZCPHPeKcenyRNhPvRRKKsK9__FBRBt2CUFPzMiJkEwK6GwK2lqhrXepRvipNaoDmsR06iix0tVAoY-ph0y5nlKp5jgoH_wHNcRpAwWcXcRsWWfy3pumpoE77jI_nWuj13HSNaIBvxBhzXgpftoZkpAuhWX0EPWG9dmzwipi5uhs/w522-h306/Malplaquet%204%20.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I used up all my good dice on Turns 1 & 2 with all my infantry conducting absolutely balletic manoeuvres to wheel into position. Unfortunately David was less fortunate and took a little too long to blunder through the woods, so Crispin was able to react and move reserves to protect his flank before we got there. No more pictures are necessary on this flank. After one turn of waiting for David, he and I then spend the next five turns banging our heads repeatedly against the brick wall of entrenched French and their flank support. Perhaps we only needed to be lucky once, but we weren't. Nil points.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyodG9DMCaWlanvjYqr0JTnYFPC4cUwFS2gp3AQEUbW7XoUMio4BP3BSP5gAdScfIQxj9wMHe7ipjAqPckO4S-doEcFVIpsIdf-qkIEuhJoiyi4hhXYIEwDlszHGYrFOog9K7oB-YZWMUIa-vnodVgckNNc7MMD3tLZXkYtXlZKa_t6nHLwcxuey9J/s4032/Malplaquet%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="4032" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyodG9DMCaWlanvjYqr0JTnYFPC4cUwFS2gp3AQEUbW7XoUMio4BP3BSP5gAdScfIQxj9wMHe7ipjAqPckO4S-doEcFVIpsIdf-qkIEuhJoiyi4hhXYIEwDlszHGYrFOog9K7oB-YZWMUIa-vnodVgckNNc7MMD3tLZXkYtXlZKa_t6nHLwcxuey9J/w501-h321/Malplaquet%205.JPG" width="501" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A similar story on the right - if anything, worse. As we had committed Withers, Mark knew he had no flank threat to worry about and could immediately redeploy his reserves. While Luke and Ben struggled through the woods, the French fluently deployed into an enveloping line. Again, no more pictures necessary. Top left you see a French infantry unit storming out of its redoubts to see off the unwary grand battery before it could set up its guns. Next to them, Luke's infantry then got enveloped, enfiladed, assaulted and driven back. Right of pic are the French dragoons who got on Ben's flank, creating a succession of devastating French assaults from front and flank that shattered Ben's force.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Thus we Allies failed to take a single objective and were roundly defeated.</i></div><br /><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>Allied errors</u>. Well, we made a few. What you won't notice in any of the pictures is the two biggest and best Allied cavalry units. I had these loiter behind Lottum to exploit the breakthrough that never came. Maybe they'd have been better held in the centre where they could have deterred the French artillery-killing infantry charge. Our boys on the right kind of put their heads in a French noose by exposing both flanks, but in fairness it is hard enough to manoeuvre 18th-century troops in the open, so in the woods you've got no chance of doing anything efficient or coordinated. Likewise with our left flanking move that maybe could have been slightly better directed initially, but really it was down to the woods and the dice to stymie us.</p><p><u>Linear warfare and limited decisions</u>. To grind one of my favourite axes ... at one level I had enough to do, wrestling with small tactical decisions like which brigade should lead the next futile assault or how best to get a cavalry brigade across a stream. But at a grand tactical level, my situation didn't change and I had hardly any choices to make. I marched up to the redoubt, I assaulted it four or five times in essentially the same way and I bounced off it every time. Not that I didn't have a good time - we all did and everyone was smiling and laughing at the end despite our emphatic defeat - but I'd say the game was absorbing rather than exciting, at least on my sector.</p><p>That'll have to do for reflections this time as it was Colours yesterday and I have a Peninsular War game tomorrow and things to do today, so right now let's publish and be damned!</p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-54120592608948707982023-08-21T12:52:00.000+01:002023-08-21T12:52:00.203+01:00From 2mm to 28mm, Malplaquet to Spion Kop, FB to YouTube!<p>It has been a bumper weekend, not for playing, but for observing the creativity and enthusiasm of other BBB players. In the space of a couple of days I saw reports from four different players on games covering four different conflicts spanning 200 years, using 2mm, 6mm and 28mm figures and terrain, and disseminated via Facebook, blogs, and even a YouTube video. Here they are:</p><p><br /></p><p><u>Malplaquet (1709)</u></p><p>Matt Bradley has written and played a scenario for this, the last of Marlborough's 'Big Four'. On his '<a href="https://pushingtinwargames.blogspot.com/2023/08/malplaquet-1709.html?fbclid=IwAR0_zNdrTWvrVzIiYYCmfk4DPxtO_J5K0jcweXh3GwfeSgOam4FeuLNAODc" target="_blank">Pushing Tin</a>' blog you can see Matt's beautiful 6mm layout.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>Dennewitz (1813)</u></p><p>This was David Lopez's first go at BBB and I'm pleased to see he says "really enjoyed the rules". He shared a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1412549408869331/permalink/5599469630177267" target="_blank">nice set of photos</a> on the BBB Facebook page. He used 6mm armies with 2mm terrain, including a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10160923950826552&set=pcb.5599469630177267" target="_blank">lovely town</a> and some convincingly forested forests.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>Hatchie Bridge (1862)</u></p><p>Another <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=6493730204050750&set=gm.5593623507428546&idorvanity=1412549408869331" target="_blank">Facebook report</a>, this time from Michael Peccolo. He ran his own Hatchie Bridge scenario at <a href="https://www.nashcon.org/" target="_blank">Nashcon</a>. Most BBB players use small-scale figures to fight large-scale battles. Michael used large 28mm figures to fight this small division-sized action. It looks good and it works!</p><p><br /></p><p><u>Spion Kop (1900)<br /></u></p><p>Finally, some Boer War action. Eric Elder has cut custom hills to reproduce the Spion Kop scenario battlefield faithfully. You can see his YouTube video about it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCsESy_70HU" target="_blank">here</a>. Looking forward to the episode where he fights the battle!</p><p><br /></p><p>I was actually a bit stunned to see all of these in rapid succession. I was struck by the quantity, the quality, and the range of games, figures and terrain on display. Each of them seems to me to meet the criteria I listed in my essay about the '<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-quest-for-high-quality-gaming.html" target="_blank">High Quality Gaming Experience</a>' (one of my series of '<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2021/10/reflections-on-wargaming.html" target="_blank">Reflections on Wargaming</a>'). Those criteria are: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Terrain, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Troops, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Venue, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Rules, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Scenario, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The Company</span>. The terrain and troops all look great. Venue-wise, whether basement or garden room or gaming convention, all good. Naturally, I cannot praise the choice of ruleset highly enough. OK, I can't absolutely vouch for the scenarios as I've only played one of them, but it sounds as though they produced entertaining games; nor can I comment with any authority on the company, as I wasn't there to judge, but I'm sure all present were estimable characters and gallant gaming companions.</p><p>My compliments to Matt, David, Michael and Eric on their good work and my thanks to them for sharing it with us all.</p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-88851012039502182602023-08-09T21:04:00.000+01:002023-08-09T21:04:08.041+01:00Beaten up at Beaumont (FPW 1870)<p>So often, my AARs finish by saying something like, "so after a nailbiting climax that could have gone either way, with multiple objectives contested on the final turn until the last throw of the dice, it ended as a classic BBB draw". Not so this week!</p><p>Crispin offered us one of the Franco-Prussian War scenarios from the BBB rulebook: Beaumont. This is a fighting withdrawal, one of the more interesting situations to wargame and one that doesn't find its way onto our tables often enough, but a tricky one to pitch the victory conditions just right. At <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Beaumont" target="_blank">Beaumont</a>, a French corps gets caught and mauled by the advancing Germans as it is about to try to move away from them across the Meuse. The BBB scenario actually makes the situation more interesting by including additional forces further west, where another French corps ended up being forced apart from the others.<br /></p><p>Dave and I took the part of Failly (French 5th Corps) and Douay (7th Corps) respectively, while Matt took the Bavarians and German V Korps, leaving John with IV Korps and the Saxons.</p><p>The French deploy first. They have one important decision to make immediately: whether to deploy part of 5 Cps forward in Beausejour (forcing IV Kps to start further back) or hold it all further north in and behind Beaumont. We opted for the forward deployment. As it turned out, that may have been an error. The captioned pictures below illustrate why. (Skip past them if you can't wait to read my perceptive, witty and erudite reflections and resulting profound insights arising from the game. If they disappoint you, you can ask for your money back.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYR60XxodjeESgus9sHIplO_pYcQtUAJrWQShbCBJkrWn41re1lslOZNoVKLx0zhTulUCRGNUzY8W55BKG27aT2NcfAXS7XotXvuMmdwoTX2ddHwTi_rSjNjIKLmAPkfAeXF_vEjpD4C7ucNEKFK_Y-e8sNYFRyOzBdJJnDLqRJTbq-GqFYnzp_Lm/s4032/IMG_2280.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2957" data-original-width="4032" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYR60XxodjeESgus9sHIplO_pYcQtUAJrWQShbCBJkrWn41re1lslOZNoVKLx0zhTulUCRGNUzY8W55BKG27aT2NcfAXS7XotXvuMmdwoTX2ddHwTi_rSjNjIKLmAPkfAeXF_vEjpD4C7ucNEKFK_Y-e8sNYFRyOzBdJJnDLqRJTbq-GqFYnzp_Lm/w492-h361/IMG_2280.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The battlefield, looking east. French 5 Cps top right facing Germans in the woods. French 7 Cps bottom right, most of it out of shot bottom right corner. We need to traverse the whole table and get across the Meuse to join 12 Cps at Mouzon, top left. This is made more difficult by the terrain. Brownish areas are hills; pinkish edges indicate steep slopes. Green chalked areas are woods. Unfortunately, after going to all the trouble of making this custom mat, Crispin forgot to bring his trees.</i></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_WCKCgNYuKuwLlCHycpCmKhBe16VNtkGzs8Qa-QPy4N1jzg8W1hgfELg-BEX31MQy6pQcOdLah5s_w3mm_odFYQBoNDZ8Jxss31AoCiU0GOQe8QVaPV7iprcML5xNnkP9hCSUWrXGrphRbf6cWEzlWfNZn44ClW3ikOEuczIrVpqBHNhhQwc5-c7/s3992/IMG_2279.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="3992" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_WCKCgNYuKuwLlCHycpCmKhBe16VNtkGzs8Qa-QPy4N1jzg8W1hgfELg-BEX31MQy6pQcOdLah5s_w3mm_odFYQBoNDZ8Jxss31AoCiU0GOQe8QVaPV7iprcML5xNnkP9hCSUWrXGrphRbf6cWEzlWfNZn44ClW3ikOEuczIrVpqBHNhhQwc5-c7/w501-h305/IMG_2279.JPG" width="501" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A better view of my command. Most of it is forced to set up having responded to the Germans' proximity by instinctively deploying to fight them off. First order of business will be to get it back into march columns. Top right can be seen the two brigades of 5 Cps that we pushed forward into Beausejour and onto the hill next to it.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09XqN6xw_6mJj0lrdzxACSgjwvvne0PFUPbIlegsnCrDY_oi8-b0jZruJKK_f8mHxafGSOLf1Xm6JNwS3fgKHWFMykO_GoYcSwfdZJM7IxFOk8VaMNxQ4ixQrA5UyimL94Z-GoQDsytGPQEklwSWLrltjiwDrXSmcericiXpfcm9HSoEhRqD6vLTd/s4031/IMG_2281.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="4031" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09XqN6xw_6mJj0lrdzxACSgjwvvne0PFUPbIlegsnCrDY_oi8-b0jZruJKK_f8mHxafGSOLf1Xm6JNwS3fgKHWFMykO_GoYcSwfdZJM7IxFOk8VaMNxQ4ixQrA5UyimL94Z-GoQDsytGPQEklwSWLrltjiwDrXSmcericiXpfcm9HSoEhRqD6vLTd/w519-h174/IMG_2281.JPG" width="519" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Two brigades of Bavarians start the game in the woods between 5 and 7 Cps. These would swiftly push into the gap between our French formations and make life extremely difficult for 7 Cps.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDSDS0umBvkEhxjKeWWrHbQXWr3RSq6l2EeB1e6XzNxBRe0YSIMkAxqfDNnbKcU4Lo84OVFAVZsLY-DzH5oIfgKbYhC9XlwJA0SIBc7Te7Lanp-3rWwIIHII9V5mJvpmnyUPSFeGJiV_nKKjz_Xltj7cxSQn3B8MtQlagoFV4ew1GCg1Wk_Pt8fIK/s4032/IMG_2282.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="4032" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDSDS0umBvkEhxjKeWWrHbQXWr3RSq6l2EeB1e6XzNxBRe0YSIMkAxqfDNnbKcU4Lo84OVFAVZsLY-DzH5oIfgKbYhC9XlwJA0SIBc7Te7Lanp-3rWwIIHII9V5mJvpmnyUPSFeGJiV_nKKjz_Xltj7cxSQn3B8MtQlagoFV4ew1GCg1Wk_Pt8fIK/w536-h335/IMG_2282.JPG" width="536" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>End of Turn 1. Both Bavarian brigades have reached the edge of the woods, top centre, with another two following them. No such slick efficiency on the French side: my lead column failed to move at all, blocking the road, while all my artillery managed half-moves only. This was rather crucial - I really needed to get something, anything, deployed around La Besace (the town left center) to screen the rest of my troops marching towards Mouzon.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBRvZOVyGsDRvJxcfk_NXhOSRJtY5FbW8i7wJ9LZzbWTgl2seUnTvecGBvMXU8PtOhuZzc_X-VNp72VuXYxO1Kx_-NU_ByNeVotta9QR_LO2VPB8FgC9q6aXb6aFk71j1dkYd8K__7U3NxA2pHYOREVo4qCAugWBmmdcaY94NXzQyi0n0umIFDLdo/s4032/IMG_2283.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBRvZOVyGsDRvJxcfk_NXhOSRJtY5FbW8i7wJ9LZzbWTgl2seUnTvecGBvMXU8PtOhuZzc_X-VNp72VuXYxO1Kx_-NU_ByNeVotta9QR_LO2VPB8FgC9q6aXb6aFk71j1dkYd8K__7U3NxA2pHYOREVo4qCAugWBmmdcaY94NXzQyi0n0umIFDLdo/w527-h396/IMG_2283.JPG" width="527" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>End of Turn 4 or 5, I think, and the battle has moved on. Top centre: 5 Cps has lost its two forward units and been kicked out of Beaumont, overwhelmed by German numbers, while Saxon reinforcements from top right are arriving on its left flank. That solitary unit left centre of pic is not an escaping French division, unfortunately, but the lead Bavarian brigade barring our way. I now have a division in La Besace (centre of pic), but too late to be useful. Three brigades and my artillery have made it through the large wood but still have a long way to go. My other brigade has disappeared, as German V Kps (bottom right) caught the tail of my column and chewed it off.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbDwe-2_ozpb-LrJswSn8HM2Kn5AoppWB8MXU15kOyT5Q5g0RivCk00WdEnCvZBhfhnuhw0cn2iEhJgjKtChZpyNoIoXGeE13MK8y_wy_P37XxnnjI3cN2Ez8rvnHac_jY7bbsxPnYbXJtshHPCL3XH2EYobgd3XURWwZZKHX1WDI-07ASz8vsee2/s4013/IMG_2284.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="4013" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbDwe-2_ozpb-LrJswSn8HM2Kn5AoppWB8MXU15kOyT5Q5g0RivCk00WdEnCvZBhfhnuhw0cn2iEhJgjKtChZpyNoIoXGeE13MK8y_wy_P37XxnnjI3cN2Ez8rvnHac_jY7bbsxPnYbXJtshHPCL3XH2EYobgd3XURWwZZKHX1WDI-07ASz8vsee2/w499-h298/IMG_2284.JPG" width="499" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A closer look at the ominously tight-packed and well-drilled assault columns of V Kps, with batteries of Krupps rumbling up behind them.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zJHEfYKc-2_9-6fqIypL7nrVi0pNiXAWhIgfn647zJCz835EgsexddlW0oqEOi_a4JnR1iFISKzHkMv-FW-Nwxt5YRYOSr_7DlLPJSWv0uKg3Fe76sJhzsqtu9qPZMksAi_oTP4i-pZqMyufLllRPO---3wMt9Ch3_Fq8Vf6sYsCe48JdtxeyUe2/s4031/IMG_2285.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1660" data-original-width="4031" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zJHEfYKc-2_9-6fqIypL7nrVi0pNiXAWhIgfn647zJCz835EgsexddlW0oqEOi_a4JnR1iFISKzHkMv-FW-Nwxt5YRYOSr_7DlLPJSWv0uKg3Fe76sJhzsqtu9qPZMksAi_oTP4i-pZqMyufLllRPO---3wMt9Ch3_Fq8Vf6sYsCe48JdtxeyUe2/w522-h215/IMG_2285.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And a close-up of their prey, my 7 Cps columns desperately sweating up hill and down dale to escape.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAnmOTaWqe1Kp2VKROI6xDzorJvqQxwZdOhbl3A62lN2bjWq73c_fdQ9nDfvZKcq-7AaP_HP-BWbGd40tc-tpzi8NhD3DuF8qP5V5jA7GM867dwV1V6aGkxRSJGKQhIgSv0PA7ZjUfoisr4Lu54BJhcVkEoVpL5xNobXk2KsDGziEC6cWcIQKGUT3/s4011/IMG_2286.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="4011" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAnmOTaWqe1Kp2VKROI6xDzorJvqQxwZdOhbl3A62lN2bjWq73c_fdQ9nDfvZKcq-7AaP_HP-BWbGd40tc-tpzi8NhD3DuF8qP5V5jA7GM867dwV1V6aGkxRSJGKQhIgSv0PA7ZjUfoisr4Lu54BJhcVkEoVpL5xNobXk2KsDGziEC6cWcIQKGUT3/w496-h349/IMG_2286.JPG" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 6 or 7. One of my units is winning the firefight against the lead Bavarian brigade, but that has done its job by forcing my columns to detour so far that it is doubtful whether they can reach the bridges in time. My unit stuck in La Besace (top right) seems doomed to fight a rearguard action that it will not survive.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUkFg2t8jf141crvpJbKKcsrprkxCmVso199JuTwCamXSo0mKWoTJI0GBuoj_VOyjFnUT4ZqeJXY4JLQbzVbVyx7nVtLZJNgbmrElmve1-63E_PQUyNeSHrL0mt5X9ZLSaWNxu9v26Pqiw-VitW4a9rJsod9X7RUdm7A1Wi6ZO6TEGjSaTugRM1AF/s4011/IMG_2287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="4011" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUkFg2t8jf141crvpJbKKcsrprkxCmVso199JuTwCamXSo0mKWoTJI0GBuoj_VOyjFnUT4ZqeJXY4JLQbzVbVyx7nVtLZJNgbmrElmve1-63E_PQUyNeSHrL0mt5X9ZLSaWNxu9v26Pqiw-VitW4a9rJsod9X7RUdm7A1Wi6ZO6TEGjSaTugRM1AF/w499-h367/IMG_2287.JPG" width="499" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Game end. Dave got some of his 5 Cps artillery away but none his infantry escaped. This shot shows the only unit of mine to reach the bridge, about to be shot up badly by Prussian needleguns as it crosses. We fell a little short of our victory target: we needed to extract five infantry units and three artillery for a draw, or six and four to win. Dave got enough guns away, but one solitary infantry unit was all we managed between us. Hence we were utterly trounced.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>Is the Scenario Balanced</u>? When you lose a game as badly as we did, you can't help wondering whether the scenario is skewed against you. The French have 10 infantry units south of the Meuse, of which five or six have to escape, so they can only afford to lose/leave four or five at most. They are also handicapped by being Passive. Did we have an impossible task?<br /></p><p>Well, maybe not. From looking at the <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/1870%20Franco-Prussian%20War/BBB%20Franco-Prussian%20War%20campaign%20report.pdf" target="_blank">report in the BBB group files</a> of our epic campaign in which we fought all 9 battles in a 3-day weekend, I see that although Beaumont was a German victory then too, it was a lot closer - the French actually got enough infantry off the table and were unlucky not to get the guns away too.</p><p> In this week's game, a few things all went wrong straight away. In some game situations, a run of bad dice early on can be made up for by good ones later. In a fighting withdrawal like Beaumont, it can harder for the withdrawing side to recover from initial setbacks - once you're caught, you really have to stop and fight; if someone gets in your way to start with, getting through or past them becomes so much more difficult.</p><p>In our case, (a) we committed troops forward instead of sitting back to exploit the longer range of our massed chassepots; (b) all the crucial units at the head of my column failed to get enough movement to cover the rest; and (c) Matt's Bavarians then got the good rolls they needed to get in my way. From there it just cascaded bad to worse. I think it fair to say that, on my side of the pitch at least, it was compounded by Matt rolling plenty of deadly high firing dice, while mine were consistently ordinary.</p><p>Regardless, the boys are keen to roll this one out again in the near future, so maybe we'll find that it can go very differently with a few different dice (and better French plans).</p><p><u>Does Scenario Balance Matter</u>? Even if the scenario is skewed and we were doomed from the start - how much does it matter? We all had fun and kept smiling (even if the smiles were wry ones as Matt rolled another 11 to kill off my chasseurs, or as one of my columns yet again refused to demonstrate any sense of urgency and stopped for coffee and croissants in the woods). We're not tournament gamers, so it's about the journey, not the destination.</p><p>All true, but still, the journey is more exciting when it's not so obvious where you're going to end up. I enjoyed the game but I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it more if we'd still had a chance of getting enough troops away towards the end. That makes it a qualified 'yes', in that a balanced scenario where both sides have a decent chance of winning isn't essential but does add to the game. (Though I note again - I'm not saying Beaumont definitely isn't balanced.)<br /></p><p></p><p><u>Possible tweaks</u>. Historically, the French ended up divided on both sides of the Meuse and headed downriver to Sedan. Perhaps rather than just having to try to cross the Meuse, 7 Cps should be allowed an alternate (nearer, historical) escape route, say anywhere within 6"-12" of the NW corner of the board. Units getting off there might count half as much as if they cross the Meuse. It's always good to have more than one way of winning. Another simple tweak would be just to remove the French 'Passive' rating.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-26316145009889903462023-08-02T13:24:00.001+01:002023-08-02T13:50:30.341+01:00We oohed 'n' aahed at Oudenarde<div><p>Having entertained us royally last year with his recreations of <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/02/blenheim-or-should-that-be-oberglau.html" target="_blank">Blenheim</a> and <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/08/ramillies-yespillies.html" target="_blank">Ramillies</a>, Matt moved on to offer us Marlborough's third big battle of the War of the Spanish Succession: <a href="https://www.britishbattles.com/war-of-the-spanish-succession/battle-of-oudenarde/" target="_blank">Oudenarde</a> (1708).<br /></p><p>Oudenarde is an exception to the conventional 18th-century simple line-out, being that rare thing, a genuine meeting engagement. Both armies are in motion, the French marching to seize the small fortress of Oudenarde and its bridges over the Scheldt, the allies racing to intercept them. Hence, only the two sides' small advance guards start the game on table, the main bodies having to march on over the first several turns.</p><p>Seven photos and captions tell the story of the game, followed by the usual post-battle reflections (and a link to the scenario). <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrrp0cbYqzPNeNA1zQoqytNLfTWZEul9VrIravybPakTC6_NLisxJa3ZjCDk-_s7tgXDSgUs6E9DQtPlZGriR0D_DWyvd8wWjYNte2sUkPHokwNPAVE2DTqyW3SUz1xuDbWjGkBkqvv9HTlqmc5zqjP5VBL-MJS-wObHHI6MQrYQvz1cR7ndEpQNh/s3957/IMG_2271.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2283" data-original-width="3957" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrrp0cbYqzPNeNA1zQoqytNLfTWZEul9VrIravybPakTC6_NLisxJa3ZjCDk-_s7tgXDSgUs6E9DQtPlZGriR0D_DWyvd8wWjYNte2sUkPHokwNPAVE2DTqyW3SUz1xuDbWjGkBkqvv9HTlqmc5zqjP5VBL-MJS-wObHHI6MQrYQvz1cR7ndEpQNh/w491-h284/IMG_2271.JPG" width="491" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Matt's games are always works of art. Here we see the fortress of Oudenarde. It played no direct part in the historical battle, nor in our game, but it does make a beautiful table ornament.</i><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzIwodtSDudc_bGslk7qix8vsg3N_cw9nAvgkhlsmjaRKV2NLtNgHnriSMQXpJuQx13srPdclVxQvhXEESD8eAilH25yIUJYNIdQ42ETb3ZNda9roHIlalhJudPHtvtSGrlsSvRbWfpji8vgcG8g9hMXvZEviiLn-f7Lmiw3OH6z34HuHy41sRSg6/s4031/IMG_2272.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="4031" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzIwodtSDudc_bGslk7qix8vsg3N_cw9nAvgkhlsmjaRKV2NLtNgHnriSMQXpJuQx13srPdclVxQvhXEESD8eAilH25yIUJYNIdQ42ETb3ZNda9roHIlalhJudPHtvtSGrlsSvRbWfpji8vgcG8g9hMXvZEviiLn-f7Lmiw3OH6z34HuHy41sRSg6/w485-h236/IMG_2272.JPG" width="485" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I commanded the French advance guard, seen here on parade before deploying: two Swiss brigades and some old-style caracoling cavalry. My role would be brief and inglorious. Admire Matt's handiwork - not only the beautifully painted troops but also the nice printed labels and a French royal banner to mark a French-held objective.</i><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9TpmX7fm4njNCiXLOzxcSRDMgWEMvdyJJeb7fx3VmGp9ClIFpLt8WDYeZ9A6IBALRLvSDyzkDNdFclSuO-2HzRnmMJ4mii3RhHsk1TN8lI5wsXDXmRwMDhSUvcbXXDaiJd5wwaSE7ZKpj5zzpY9CJK30ejAwWtLo7sMZ6v-NShDG0yeBKaEiS8Jv/s4031/IMG_2273.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="4031" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9TpmX7fm4njNCiXLOzxcSRDMgWEMvdyJJeb7fx3VmGp9ClIFpLt8WDYeZ9A6IBALRLvSDyzkDNdFclSuO-2HzRnmMJ4mii3RhHsk1TN8lI5wsXDXmRwMDhSUvcbXXDaiJd5wwaSE7ZKpj5zzpY9CJK30ejAwWtLo7sMZ6v-NShDG0yeBKaEiS8Jv/w548-h195/IMG_2273.JPG" width="548" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>The enemy arrives! The allied advance guard has already raced off to the west. Here the allied right wing under Prince Eugene debouches through Oudenarde. It will follow the advance guard (and in doing so become the left wing).</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVeiMMSniA3sRbG4Bq8LMgqc6cv9fFXFDWVN-v1oDFtOhIb0wU9B266ijzAPa8FipPrY3fwa60VF0sfn9TQRPNuXR4Bwv8uZqlOXhgMtgM2_Rl2sYoDCasYiuQUDi0BbnGi-WfTFqdB9ViHSB5w7vfDrocyU8yJzpssfkeWDS1HZz13xlklghvZ5H/s4031/IMG_2274.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="4031" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVeiMMSniA3sRbG4Bq8LMgqc6cv9fFXFDWVN-v1oDFtOhIb0wU9B266ijzAPa8FipPrY3fwa60VF0sfn9TQRPNuXR4Bwv8uZqlOXhgMtgM2_Rl2sYoDCasYiuQUDi0BbnGi-WfTFqdB9ViHSB5w7vfDrocyU8yJzpssfkeWDS1HZz13xlklghvZ5H/w542-h275/IMG_2274.JPG" width="542" /></a> </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>My force concentrates in one of the village objectives, Eyne. 18th-century maneuver is slow and laborious, so it will take me another two turns to cross the stream in front of Eyne and take a second objective (Schaerken), despite being entirely unopposed. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5jnJsiFK0ce2oB0usyWD22XkqcQLwbUkbmolPwq20TXk4O3G5PKVGqp-jghIqDav-1IbkrA9aRnMPopBCB7CS2cTmqzVnyptP0ZfSxxSLjHTbtA4m1P_Gn_nuy__qd75GGRcPvuGYvv42KKdNJo6MzoROicqd2_g9F_rJYS6taJW6ocKT5MBADKA/s4031/IMG_2275.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1914" data-original-width="4031" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5jnJsiFK0ce2oB0usyWD22XkqcQLwbUkbmolPwq20TXk4O3G5PKVGqp-jghIqDav-1IbkrA9aRnMPopBCB7CS2cTmqzVnyptP0ZfSxxSLjHTbtA4m1P_Gn_nuy__qd75GGRcPvuGYvv42KKdNJo6MzoROicqd2_g9F_rJYS6taJW6ocKT5MBADKA/w537-h255/IMG_2275.JPG" width="537" /></a></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>The whole battlefield, end of Turn 1 before the battle lines have formed. Essentially the battle will be fought up the middle of the table, from Eyne (foreground) through Schaerken, the high ground beyond, the orchards and farms surrounding that, and in front of Oycke (top left). Allied advance guard is in and approaching Oycke; the first of the French main body arriving from upper right. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_1AMO6pPEXbu6cH41HeWzrgNEFilEfi0hH37dzYWJh62Kgm3kiCOBdixvrYloM6DjtcQ3Z4na79ygdYM43hLV5a7Xp9sTSwkB1e5SEAAIL7eMrbJcjOYtcYbBo6cQJB3xIiD8QJiyx1lmtDFTIsrtH6SAUb2cERo26aL5DzEagKLGyEGifXSxk1-/s4031/IMG_2277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2409" data-original-width="4031" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_1AMO6pPEXbu6cH41HeWzrgNEFilEfi0hH37dzYWJh62Kgm3kiCOBdixvrYloM6DjtcQ3Z4na79ygdYM43hLV5a7Xp9sTSwkB1e5SEAAIL7eMrbJcjOYtcYbBo6cQJB3xIiD8QJiyx1lmtDFTIsrtH6SAUb2cERo26aL5DzEagKLGyEGifXSxk1-/w548-h327/IMG_2277.JPG" width="548" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Several turns later and battle is well and truly joined. As massed allied infantry finally started to pay attention to my side of the battlefield, I launched a couple of spoiling moves. First my cavalry sallied forward into a gap in the allied line. The allied infantry responded by diverting left to drive them off. That exposed a flank, so I boldly pushed a Swiss brigade out of Eyne to enfilade them. Two volleys @ 42% chance failed to register any effect at all. By contrast, both large allied brigades then got the movement dice they needed to able to turn, assault and crush the Swiss. After that, they turned their attention to my remaining troops in Schaerken. Pic shows the ensuing assault, maneuver dice again favoring the allies. Top of pic, both sides' lines are forming up and preparing to contest Oycke.</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouniyjFVx2TeJyGekz2sGjDJ_BQY8w4FnY1u1X_v0Ynnbhd7-jr5kAN-pUQdG8Kf7qddyCGoYlstUBsF7hE49Sd9A4a660FLXAbbIgpWH0W48tK00jKR8zwEtGsVqCvFXB-5r2uLLQlOnmGojeUermdGiTupfmJoLa7dESizv6HCRPLGUUSZkMLGS/s4012/IMG_2278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2869" data-original-width="4012" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouniyjFVx2TeJyGekz2sGjDJ_BQY8w4FnY1u1X_v0Ynnbhd7-jr5kAN-pUQdG8Kf7qddyCGoYlstUBsF7hE49Sd9A4a660FLXAbbIgpWH0W48tK00jKR8zwEtGsVqCvFXB-5r2uLLQlOnmGojeUermdGiTupfmJoLa7dESizv6HCRPLGUUSZkMLGS/w576-h412/IMG_2278.JPG" width="576" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Close-up of the assault on Schaerken. Yet another Swiss volley misfired, so the overwhelming allied numbers closed in, wiped out my second Swiss brigade and chased out the cavalry. That effectively ended my part in the game, so I'll have to summarise without further pics. Meanwhile, another chance to admire Matt's craftsmanship. Note how important it is to paint the lace on 6mm tricornes - very helpful to tell which way a unit is facing.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The conquerors of Schaerken turned their attention to Eyne and pushed Crispin's French out of there as well. However, he brought up more troops, including elite guard cavalry in the centre, counterattacked Eyne unsuccessfully, but retook Schaerken, where he fended off allied counterattacks in turn.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>In the western half of the table, Dave's French maintained pressure on Oycke, could not take it, but obviated any allied attempt to take the central hill or interfere with Crispin's attack on Schaerken.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Thus, another seesaw game with objectives taken and retaken and several contested on the last turn. It ended, as so often, as an exciting and hard-fought draw.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My own early elimination from the game was fortuitous, as it freed me up to chat with a visitor from Yorkshire, Paul, who was checking out <a href="https://www.oxfordwargamessociety.org.uk/" target="_blank">OWS</a> for an Oxford friend. We had a good old natter but it does mean readers must forgive me for not taking more photos.<br /></i></div><br /><br />Reflections:</div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><u>C18 maneuver constraints again</u>. After both our previous WSS games I commented on how Matt's rule mods capture the limitations of linear warfare and force us players to think a bit harder and anticipate a bit more carefully. It was no different this time (in fairness it has been a year since the Ramillies outing). I'd just add that occasionally people forgot and tried to move a bit too freely and easily (including myself). Next time we should probably have a pre-game reminder briefing just to help cement the mods into our brains.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Never say die</u>. My personal morale broke along with my command. My dice had been as dismal as Mark's were destructive. The allied line looked denser and more solid than ours. About halfway through the game I thought we had no chance and the French were just going through the motions before inevitable defeat. I reckoned without Crispin's spirited counter-attack and the quality of his elite guard troops that salvaged the battle for us and even gave a chance of victory.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Love the aesthetic</u>. Matt's games are gorgeous: the figures, the custom hills and painted mats, the fortress, the printed unit labels, the flags for objectives, the figures for status markers. Just exquisite. Looking forward to his redoubts for Malplaquet already.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Seeing is believing</u>. This was our visitor Paul's first chance to see BBB in action. A serious game designer himself, he commented favourably on the flow of the game, the level of player engagement, and the way it achieved its aim of rocking through an entire battle in an evening club session - sufficiently so that he told me he plans to invest in a copy. Cheers, Paul!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p> </p><p>Scenario available from the <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/1701-1714%20War%20of%20the%20Spanish%20Succession/Matt%27s%20Malburian%20Modifications/Low%20Countries/BBB_Oudenarde.pdf" target="_blank">BBB groups.io files</a>. <br /></p></div>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-55185072676779881392023-07-26T13:48:00.000+01:002023-07-26T13:48:22.545+01:00Waterloo: "I have never felt so emotionally immersed in a game!"<p>The <i>grand projet </i>of compiling a book of BBB scenarios for all of Napoleon's bloodiest, biggest battles approaches completion. One rather important ingredient of that set is Waterloo. We first visited this for the bicentenary in 2015, when we did a <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2015/10/waterloo-200-display-game-at-sofo.html" target="_blank">demo game</a> at our local military museum; <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-365-days-campaign-ends-at-waterloo.html" target="_blank">reprised it later that year</a>; then I <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2016/01/back-with-bang-waterloo-winter-war-awi.html" target="_blank">ran it for my US buddies in 2016</a>. Mark has now taken my original scenario and tweaked and polished it a bit. This week we playtested his version.</p><p>Everyone knows Waterloo. Napoleon is trying to prevent Wellington and Blücher from combining against him, so he needs to beat Wellington before Blücher turns up. In game terms, he has to hold 4 of the 5 Objectives for a win or 3 for a draw. These are Hougoumont, La Haye Sainte and Papelotte, which define the Allied line (Papelotte also represents a wedge between Wellington and the Prussians); and Plancenoit and Mont St Jean representing the French and Allied lines of communications. The French also <u>lose</u> an objective if either of the two Old Guard infantry units becomes Spent. (I know there are wargamers who think it is stupid to make Hougoumont an objective. I refer you to my essay, '<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2015/09/victory-conditions-in-wargames.html" target="_blank">Victory Conditions in Wargames</a>'. See also the thoughts at the end of this post.)</p><p>Dave donned Picton's top hat. Crispin put on his Wellingtons. Phil, with his particular affection for d'Erlon's corps, took the French right, leaving me to command the left and the Guard. Mark refereed and controlled the Prussians once they arrived.</p><p>The Allied line looked dauntingly solid. Phil and I decided not to attack it head-on. Our plan was an initial right hook with both d'Erlon and Lobau, while we built a grand battery to pummel the Allied centre. Reille was to shift right and sit behind the grand battery to keep us balanced. As for where to commit the Guard, that would depend how the first few turns went.<br /></p><p>Eight pics below tell the story of how this plan worked out, followed by some reflections on the game as usual.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFRvOXvJh5yYzTibxx1QrQG2AwYFgJYIjCwWWqvtbtetzpJe2FnIWsQ9Jc3xKKdYAvlgUwUrTiMR6pUiUSN-BXIfEnMsITJCRV_r7rNfGMmIxXCRWu_0CgErLNuAyIHFzzp_rWY5KIkdQhq1Yzsgv6Kzr74pbMi1Y-d6wVChOsfIIE4ulA2dfsgtd/s4032/IMG_2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFRvOXvJh5yYzTibxx1QrQG2AwYFgJYIjCwWWqvtbtetzpJe2FnIWsQ9Jc3xKKdYAvlgUwUrTiMR6pUiUSN-BXIfEnMsITJCRV_r7rNfGMmIxXCRWu_0CgErLNuAyIHFzzp_rWY5KIkdQhq1Yzsgv6Kzr74pbMi1Y-d6wVChOsfIIE4ulA2dfsgtd/w504-h378/IMG_2261.JPG" width="504" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View from behind the French centre. Allied position on the ridge at top of pic. Hougoumont behind its orchard top left, La Haye Sainte top centre, Papelotte next right. D'Erlon's corps in the lead upper right, followed by Lobau around La Belle Alliance middle of pic. Reille is queuing up lower left, with the Guard bottom left. The Corsican ogre himself lower right, complete with Mameluke. (Nice armies, Mark, but come on - flock those bases, please!)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxat6nnJqQ1mRrbtzbhVF_HQZKTXCazlf2KtkZkNZ7YI_o_jRJOOd9PABAG9xMih_wGyHLZYzoEaf0-ScUYGmzd7VKVxhAMlCM9SqGDrnq6z-_umjOFTmyaU7CmsuH-unwZaAW0pjmrZ-ZZflTUqx-0chHagzQoqSJwVYzUig5z32r73tRO7fgEqc4/s4030/IMG_2262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="4030" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxat6nnJqQ1mRrbtzbhVF_HQZKTXCazlf2KtkZkNZ7YI_o_jRJOOd9PABAG9xMih_wGyHLZYzoEaf0-ScUYGmzd7VKVxhAMlCM9SqGDrnq6z-_umjOFTmyaU7CmsuH-unwZaAW0pjmrZ-ZZflTUqx-0chHagzQoqSJwVYzUig5z32r73tRO7fgEqc4/w557-h185/IMG_2262.JPG" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>British view from behind a thin red (and green, black and blue) line along the sunken Ohain road atop the ridge, with a few reserves behind the centre in and around Mont St Jean, and garrisons posted forward in the three defensive bastions of Papelotte, La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont. Note how the left is hanging in the air. This is what our right hook targeted, much to Dave's consternation.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB0HlAX27BNacsDCawPBk95CGAHFFLPMRbrySPfN5SveG9E08sVW3YbSUoQKV_Y_ARwpTaXZIc7uFLLtJUw5xq6yfnNXDYHwKDAYD6XX1nbgBjloBMHCqg1dqA4Y5Jz9iBKhiFqVYKRXi_13c9GG35D0E7RVJ3j7-V9R51yMIbbu1TTGf2U1Wz2Qv/s2502/IMG_2263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="2502" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB0HlAX27BNacsDCawPBk95CGAHFFLPMRbrySPfN5SveG9E08sVW3YbSUoQKV_Y_ARwpTaXZIc7uFLLtJUw5xq6yfnNXDYHwKDAYD6XX1nbgBjloBMHCqg1dqA4Y5Jz9iBKhiFqVYKRXi_13c9GG35D0E7RVJ3j7-V9R51yMIbbu1TTGf2U1Wz2Qv/w566-h314/IMG_2263.JPG" width="566" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One last panoramic pre-game shot, this time from the west. Top centre and left of picture are the woods through which the Prussians will eventually emerge. The Allied right is also somewhat open, though Hougoumont is an obstacle to any left hook and there is also Chassé's Dutch-Belgian brigade in Braine l'Alleud just out of shot at bottom left corner.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSLR08_js4muS5NLLEFdNG-ZGIO7qv4iZUDZojr627M3m_LtzY7TWtiCILLSwww2K0Ukd6JYiKfRKywe2tTVxISc-9CxNcRdeI1-ZLRrgfp777LeRyTSalxiT3ToY-GE1rRhgYYdWCyPaXTuWS_xwBXHqgMxhUudV5p8YSgcQBKkEirQxFnjbGBVQ/s4031/IMG_2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2456" data-original-width="4031" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSLR08_js4muS5NLLEFdNG-ZGIO7qv4iZUDZojr627M3m_LtzY7TWtiCILLSwww2K0Ukd6JYiKfRKywe2tTVxISc-9CxNcRdeI1-ZLRrgfp777LeRyTSalxiT3ToY-GE1rRhgYYdWCyPaXTuWS_xwBXHqgMxhUudV5p8YSgcQBKkEirQxFnjbGBVQ/w557-h339/IMG_2265.JPG" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>French Turn 3: plan view of almost the whole battlefield (still couldn't quite get Chassé in). D'Erlon was slow to move out, thanks to a series of poor activation rolls, but there are now six French units across the stream upper right beyond Papelotte and Smohain/Frischermont. Saxe-Weimar's Nassauers (not 'masseurs', Dave - that's a different game) have been expelled from Papelotte and are now Spent.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypkphhsB4TnpVry1DUJYmV3A37wJcYXo5ytYRHvItpgVZgGDMBviL_xPVbiZ6FbmCVTEByk6LlmU3NOUOY2rOSph1JvJmufd_rvW-UTy3q0LMVEDQbwOzquUngIkqbrusXdefCMju4PiEgPmn62BI-YcdRmE-xoTOagvXXdXHQUqHlOKLvxbJQUMV/s4031/IMG_2266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="4031" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypkphhsB4TnpVry1DUJYmV3A37wJcYXo5ytYRHvItpgVZgGDMBviL_xPVbiZ6FbmCVTEByk6LlmU3NOUOY2rOSph1JvJmufd_rvW-UTy3q0LMVEDQbwOzquUngIkqbrusXdefCMju4PiEgPmn62BI-YcdRmE-xoTOagvXXdXHQUqHlOKLvxbJQUMV/w539-h254/IMG_2266.JPG" width="539" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Close-up of the exploitation from Papelotte. Lobau's men are about to complete the rout of the Nassauers, then pile into Picton's best infantry and shove them back as well.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfW_EKfno-MfyclE5CM3k4ie0Nt0BQMahCtpgh_rdRJjLS8-jxh2J0pLJIjLjpKiWz_Rv8OfDqznEFHkxOd1_HIpWkrJlCLCQ432MdOfAX_0eDOXRhx0rvVHDq82--NLfQ2CN2pdDIQAVV8c83iTsx8-9W_NB8clTIbFtQEsFmHNckJ-KZNsBtj93n/s4031/IMG_2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="4031" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfW_EKfno-MfyclE5CM3k4ie0Nt0BQMahCtpgh_rdRJjLS8-jxh2J0pLJIjLjpKiWz_Rv8OfDqznEFHkxOd1_HIpWkrJlCLCQ432MdOfAX_0eDOXRhx0rvVHDq82--NLfQ2CN2pdDIQAVV8c83iTsx8-9W_NB8clTIbFtQEsFmHNckJ-KZNsBtj93n/w500-h328/IMG_2267.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Now the French plan evolves. Lobau's success and the menace of Milhaud's cavalry on the Allies' left flank have drawn every reserve away from the Allied right. The grand battery has formed with Reille behind it in the centre. The time is right to commit the Guard and Kellermann's cuirassiers in a left hook. not least because there isn't much space anywhere else. Here we see them advancing along the ridge that leads around the left of Hougoumont. Green cubes denote 'Aggressive' and the purple counter 'Shock' - good things to have on your side when it comes to the assault.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuHiOojnL9QxU_x73K10kDEYNewxfDiBfKrHclliAarlK5vWpNf1-FrvVuAOq50eBqE5IZlDKKx_w18Hf2Kq4228LcnbkaPnCJUCz1TeIo5Gc6m0HljcO37VGysClmVoOP3xqFoKBVj22HKlYk7QcFTA2jP3QXSDJUovS2zOLkLkFAH0CBEL58qxT/s4031/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="4031" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuHiOojnL9QxU_x73K10kDEYNewxfDiBfKrHclliAarlK5vWpNf1-FrvVuAOq50eBqE5IZlDKKx_w18Hf2Kq4228LcnbkaPnCJUCz1TeIo5Gc6m0HljcO37VGysClmVoOP3xqFoKBVj22HKlYk7QcFTA2jP3QXSDJUovS2zOLkLkFAH0CBEL58qxT/w509-h251/IMG_2268.JPG" width="509" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The high point of Lobau's and d'Erlon's attack. Out of shot to the right, one of d'Erlon's divisions will storm an Allied artillery position and deliver deadly fire into the flank of the Hanoverian Landwehr bottom right. Top left, Allied reserves frantically march east to contain the breach. Top centre is our nemesis, the Household Brigade, kept in hand by Old Nosey himself. These heavy cavalry are about to unleash a series of devastating charges.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>No photos of what ensued on the French left as I was too busy actually doing it. The left hook ran into some murderous Allied volleys but managed to push the supporting units back from Hougoumont. The Old Guard stormed the chateau, then survived a sanguinary counter-attack. The Allied right was in tatters, its fragile Dutch-Belgian formations Spent and the British ones severely reduced.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wM1si7a8NFpoZw7eiHYwUBKgoJ48gPtF8ik5l8QXGhjbO9l-8T0wDqoB-GsyvMfQoAdqnahXtPn_jq4E-n9iwprCMEpC1iwS-ycnAwmjAS9WiKPcv2PD6ptAG8jqafDRQR7zYBC61APd9XPgFniwFTuart_U-7PxGCoyzmIXTL14Qgfhi3H5M-u4/s4032/IMG_2269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wM1si7a8NFpoZw7eiHYwUBKgoJ48gPtF8ik5l8QXGhjbO9l-8T0wDqoB-GsyvMfQoAdqnahXtPn_jq4E-n9iwprCMEpC1iwS-ycnAwmjAS9WiKPcv2PD6ptAG8jqafDRQR7zYBC61APd9XPgFniwFTuart_U-7PxGCoyzmIXTL14Qgfhi3H5M-u4/w508-h382/IMG_2269.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>'Die Teutschen kommen!' The Prussians began arriving halfway through the battle. They reached the environs of Papelotte at the same time as the Household Brigade smashed d'Erlon. Lobau was unable to resist this fresh force on his flank and was brushed aside in turn. Papelotte was retaken, though the Prussian focus there meant Plancenoit was never threatened.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>However, in the meantime, the grand battery had done its work and Reille had taken La Haye Sainte. Counter-attacks were bloodily repulsed and the Allied centre was largely shredded as well. Little stood between us and Mont-St Jean! Albeit our right was collapsing even faster than the Allied right and centre.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Thus, as night fell, the French held Plancenoit, La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont - another classic BBB honourable draw.</i></div><br /><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>Waterloo - it's a classic</u>. Obviously it gets played and replayed so much because it is so famous and such an emblematic pinnacle of a quarter-century of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. But it also gets replayed because it has genuine replay value. We players try all sorts of different plans to prove that we're smarter than Napoleon. Left hooks, right hooks, smashmouth, combinations thereof, and the ultimate question of where to commit the Guard ... Mark described our French plan this time as 'very elegant'. Maybe so, but it still didn't work!</p><p><u>Identifying (and identifying with) units</u>. Another good thing about Waterloo is that the commanders, formations and regiments are so familiar. It definitely helps bring a game to life when we can talk about 'committing the Household Brigade' rather than 'those red cavalry', or say 'stand firm the 52nd!', or when Dave can command his beloved Nassauers, etc. That in turn helps with players' engagement with the game. Quote of the night<span style="font-family: times;">: '<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">I don’t think I have ever felt quite so emotionally immersed in a game – from frustration to elation to admiration to regret and finally despair!</span></span>' (and bear in mind this was not that player's first rodeo).</p><p><u>Marshalling large forces</u>. Echoing what I said after January's <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/01/borodino-majestic.html" target="_blank">Borodino </a>game, with over 20 units a side you really feel as though you are shifting weighty masses of troops around the table. Committing the Guard becomes a much more substantial decision when it's five potent units (plus artillery) rather than just one or two. It definitely gives a meaty, bloody big battle feel and makes it easier to pretend you're a Marshal of France.</p><p><u>Hougoumont: red herring or precious prize?</u> I mentioned the fact that some think it is stupid to make Hougoumont an objective. There is certainly a case to be made that the historical French attack on Hougoumont was poorly planned and executed and didn't need to happen when it did. I am less sure about whether Napoleon could have ignored entirely. In our game, it wasn't my initial focus - I wanted to win by scrubbing away the weaker and less well ensconced units supporting it - but the chateau was a thorn in my side, and I actually found I needed to storm the chateau to break the line behind it anyway. If Napoleon wants to ignore the chateau, that means ignoring the Allied right. What does he do instead? As the scenario stands, the French don't have to take Hougoumont to win, but making it an Objective rewards them if they do capture this key to unlocking one sector of the Allied position. I think that's reasonable.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-2651192190500275552023-07-10T13:26:00.001+01:002024-01-17T22:17:46.940+00:00Bash Day IV brief report (Leeds 2023)<p>Pre-COVID we ran three Bloody Big Battles 'Bash Day!' conventions in <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2016/04/bash-day-2016-bloody-good-show.html" target="_blank">2016</a>, <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2017/02/bbb-bash-day-b-b-b-brilliant.html" target="_blank">2017</a> and <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2019/05/bash-day-iii-was-blast.html" target="_blank">2019</a>. I see all three reports mention 'by popular demand' and 'convivial' and I see no reason to break with tradition now. Hence: by popular demand, we were all set to run Bash Day IV in 2020 when plague struck and cancelled everything.</p><p>By the time normality returned, our BD IV organiser, Colin, had emigrated to Yorkshire and become a member of <a href="https://leedswargamesclub.com/" target="_blank">Leeds Wargames Club</a>. LWC is blessed with its own large premises, Hicks Hall, thanks to the generosity of the late Brian Hicks. LWC kindly let us have the use of the hall to take Bash Day oop north and away from Oxford for the first time.</p><p>Colin has put a full report with plenty of pretty pictures on his own blog <a href="https://colinthewargamer.blogspot.com/2023/07/bloody-big-bash-day-iv-last-post.html" target="_blank">here</a>, so I will try to avoid duplicating his comments in making my own. Do read his as well.</p><p>Numbers were smaller than the previous events in Oxford, as distance made it unfeasible for quite a few regulars to attend, but BBB is about quality rather than quantity and we met some high-quality people for the first time. I'm only sorry I didn't get to chat to everyone as much as I'd have liked.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrKK2z8f-dDnV0NfG46ZaeE_FJ8GVpMKOKELGZvCHX4f5AKusRWklqK8qmU3hgqLr5zHOPBteCjeF9EyJ7jWFAwsXaY-WJ6VbCtCaPtKy9R5oA_FHHzPKgxpm-igRHUI_EMcThkIoExQUM2G_ZtgLAbS6ZEMRnmj2HdwMmnv5xH0cNza23zSqCmm1/s4032/Bash%20Day%20pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrKK2z8f-dDnV0NfG46ZaeE_FJ8GVpMKOKELGZvCHX4f5AKusRWklqK8qmU3hgqLr5zHOPBteCjeF9EyJ7jWFAwsXaY-WJ6VbCtCaPtKy9R5oA_FHHzPKgxpm-igRHUI_EMcThkIoExQUM2G_ZtgLAbS6ZEMRnmj2HdwMmnv5xH0cNza23zSqCmm1/w498-h374/Bash%20Day%20pic.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Union V and XII Corps massed at the Chancellorsville crossroads, nestled in the heart of Virginia's famous rubberised horsehair woods. Battlemat and armies generously loaned by their creator, Crispin (much appreciated, thank you). Chancellor House also hand-crafted by Crispin. I don't usually bother with unit labels but I made the effort for Bash Day and they did help, especially the highlighted text to note distinctive unit attributes (yellow and green to show XII Cps is Fragile and Raw etc).</i></div><br /><p>I ran my <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/01/bigger-than-gettysburg-chancellorsville.html" target="_blank">Chancellorsville</a> ACW scenario, of which I'm rather proud, and it did not disappoint. On Day 1 everything that could go wrong for the Confederates did go wrong and they looked likely to be steamrollered. On Day 2 they turned it round completely, defeated a well-choreographed Union punch in the center, counter-attacked, smashed several Union corps and turned ignominious defeat into emphatic victory. I have to pay tribute to CSA C-in-C Ian for cheerfully laughing in the face of adversity, and also to his US opponents Guy and Stephen for equally cheerfully accepting their eventual defeat.</p><p>In the afternoon I got to play alongside Tom and against Guy in Matt Bradley's 2nd Manassas scenario, kindly run by Tim Carne - a good tough scrap, recommended. (Scenario is in the 1861 folder of the <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles" target="_blank">BBB group</a> files.)</p><p>With the prior approval of Pete Berry at Baccus, we had scheduled Bash Day to happen the day before Baccus's <a href="http://www.joysofsix.co.uk/" target="_blank">Joy of Six </a>show in Sheffield. The idea was that the prospect of the two events would attract more people to make the trip to Yorkshire and attend both. That may have worked in one or two cases; it may also have deterred some local gamers who could manage one wargames day in a weekend but not two. I've no idea what the net effect was really, but at least it meant we could go to JoS ourselves and have a convivial time there as well. (See what I did there?)</p><p>All told it was a thoroughly successful and enjoyable weekend. We met a lot of good people, entertained and inspired some new players sufficiently to invest in the BBB rules, caught up with some old friends, and generally had a great time. The guys are already talking about planning Bash Day V!</p><p><i>Update: Bash Day V will be held at Battlefield Hobbies, Daventry, on Sunday 19 May. Details <a href="https://battlefieldhobbies.co.uk/our-events/" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">=/=</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8coqjyJn8mNcgx9hEMySGy_vFP8VPEPy-8CQqNgjxwH0OviFKl_AfgMaZ_tqTXh50KiKduZdtPsHhxjiJEGKT3jB8xwGPLWQxmO5TRD7ANjeTCalFYyFeaM8lo2BJ4mTm2_nEKl2eR3qL9fEL6ycps6TKf-dREYLStaWJ8HGc6LWtpyC4--gvg8hz/s4032/JoS%20pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8coqjyJn8mNcgx9hEMySGy_vFP8VPEPy-8CQqNgjxwH0OviFKl_AfgMaZ_tqTXh50KiKduZdtPsHhxjiJEGKT3jB8xwGPLWQxmO5TRD7ANjeTCalFYyFeaM8lo2BJ4mTm2_nEKl2eR3qL9fEL6ycps6TKf-dREYLStaWJ8HGc6LWtpyC4--gvg8hz/w485-h364/JoS%20pic.jpg" width="485" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sunday's entertainment at Joy of Six. Ian and the Deesside wargamers (IIRC) laid on this beautiful game of the German <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leros" target="_blank">invasion of Leros</a> in 1943. Cleverly streamlined rules for convention play produced a fast and close game in which the brilliant defence Mark and I planned was narrowly overcome by jammy German dice. (That's my story anyway.) Many thanks to our good hosts and our gallant opponents.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>=/=</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Finally, a propos of nothing, a different recent outing:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhYQv0qFjC81bB1jA9bryzOEUn7xZGX5xq1ds-1GEIolkd-f0YVM-ENgP7JW04z3WGvxLI5M0tB5In9W-jh1NYTIgLsfxiNU3YWYwNPCYJQLrfqEZwwUgo0kRDhnOwqMNxZ-zC1UNCz4MpKumoq3i8HgcYIexQCb1QsLIH0ZbvCQG3clVUFjgvSAc/s4032/Old%20Contemptible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="4032" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhYQv0qFjC81bB1jA9bryzOEUn7xZGX5xq1ds-1GEIolkd-f0YVM-ENgP7JW04z3WGvxLI5M0tB5In9W-jh1NYTIgLsfxiNU3YWYwNPCYJQLrfqEZwwUgo0kRDhnOwqMNxZ-zC1UNCz4MpKumoq3i8HgcYIexQCb1QsLIH0ZbvCQG3clVUFjgvSAc/w544-h250/Old%20Contemptible.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>If you are ever in central Birmingham (UK) and fancy a WWI-themed lunch of superior pub grub, you could do worse than '<a href="https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/theoldcontemptiblesedmundstreetbirmingham#/" target="_blank">The Old Contemptibles</a>'.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-28660695407700359352023-06-15T11:00:00.001+01:002023-06-15T11:00:26.969+01:00Ukraine with FFT<p>My mate Graham spent the 1980s in Germany defying the Soviet threat. He still has a bucket-load of 1/300 West German and Soviet tanks from those days when he was winning the Cold War by playing it out on the tabletop.</p><p>We decided to dust them off to explore what is happening in the Ukraine right now. Apologies to any readers who feel current tragic real-world events are not an appropriate subject for a game. This was an exercise in technical curiosity, no political dimension and no bad taste involved. We set up a notional scenario loosely based on the Ukrainian offensive apparently in progress right now just to see how things might go. I say 'loosely' because we had only the sketchiest idea of what the Ukrainian and Russian forces look like and how they operate.</p><p>The scenario situation is that three battalions or so of Russians are dug in along a river line, some minor tributary of a larger tributary of the Dnepr. They have only a little armour on-table but a mechanized battalion in reserve. The Ukrainians will probe with three recce companies initially before deciding where to commit their main body.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-HaC5rdTGusGQct3vdqf-3mEKt6X9rYp_Upw_2bF0W_CeoVKubv-nkOl3lraUbAm9OjP19XKOn2o50XWvTgMGil-OHkYoOR_VswM6ui4Ppon4wrFv51GjfQRT76OXG5DgullWtEvVWlmb3jiIhTMCqMJXK4uyg7Yz251plgmqgj7nPPGLS73nQ/s4015/IMG_2224.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="4015" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-HaC5rdTGusGQct3vdqf-3mEKt6X9rYp_Upw_2bF0W_CeoVKubv-nkOl3lraUbAm9OjP19XKOn2o50XWvTgMGil-OHkYoOR_VswM6ui4Ppon4wrFv51GjfQRT76OXG5DgullWtEvVWlmb3jiIhTMCqMJXK4uyg7Yz251plgmqgj7nPPGLS73nQ/w478-h243/IMG_2224.JPG" width="478" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Here is some grainy drone footage of the battlefield, looking north from the Russian side. Mostly open country with occasional villages and small woods. Light green patches are marshy ground. Yellow patches are Ukrainian sunflower fields.</i><i> The main river runs across the centre of the table from left to right, with minor streams feeding it. Three bridges cross the main river. The Ukrainians' nominal mission is to take one of these for a draw or two for a win.</i> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9r6PC_TZ0xQT_xkMM4NYvwVHpuR1hDX2XP7VIWl4z0cu17ay2q3y3ZoyoHx0HRY7USHHpTnPGeB4BgrLvYC_E9ryufIcYgq2HWDBUjIMxZPBOXotFqVE-8d2lvIHjRHbgvVwKbU4vU9jrbIp4wRz-v8r9XQp6khVmkSMYP7Iplb_KjmNOq6sfg/s4032/IMG_2225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9r6PC_TZ0xQT_xkMM4NYvwVHpuR1hDX2XP7VIWl4z0cu17ay2q3y3ZoyoHx0HRY7USHHpTnPGeB4BgrLvYC_E9ryufIcYgq2HWDBUjIMxZPBOXotFqVE-8d2lvIHjRHbgvVwKbU4vU9jrbIp4wRz-v8r9XQp6khVmkSMYP7Iplb_KjmNOq6sfg/w462-h347/IMG_2225.JPG" width="462" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ukrainian recce probed the eastern bridge first and found it strongly defended by two infantry companies (one dug in behind the bridge, the other in the sunflower field top right) supported by a mech company in the village in the foreground. Plumes of smoke top of pic show how Luchs armoured cars fared against T-72s' 125mm rounds and BMPs' missiles. However, Ukrainian troops have got into the village top left and are about to bring down lots of artillery fire on the Russians.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju43OIpWCTRsMF0cc21XDnCAPQ6rPYRCQ2-vY6YCySTf6--XlYVs9AkAgRfoQ6ftnDbL7T2jyguDASB3XoDLHUiJQZnito5JKUSZBlnHwW2xGRiZcuW0rQEne7yv_eF2vKw9ZEJvZzrjJ5_SCLhpJTPPDbA9FhmN53TG4fF51gFoFm1TEVGkEbxw/s3287/IMG_2226.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="3287" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju43OIpWCTRsMF0cc21XDnCAPQ6rPYRCQ2-vY6YCySTf6--XlYVs9AkAgRfoQ6ftnDbL7T2jyguDASB3XoDLHUiJQZnito5JKUSZBlnHwW2xGRiZcuW0rQEne7yv_eF2vKw9ZEJvZzrjJ5_SCLhpJTPPDbA9FhmN53TG4fF51gFoFm1TEVGkEbxw/w471-h396/IMG_2226.JPG" width="471" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Then the Ukrainian scouts snuck away to the west to investigate the central bridge. Amazingly, they found it undefended! (Rather than plot a prepared defence and map it, I had scattered twice as many counters as I had Russian units, then rolled a D6 as each was 'bumped'. On 4+ I deployed a company, otherwise it was a dummy. I had five or six counters around this bridge but they all evaporated. Our rationale was that the Ukrainians must have struck a seam between units like at the famous 'Bull Bridge' during Operation Bluecoat in 1944 - perhaps between the Wagner group and the Russian army?) The Ukrainian recce promptly jumped in and seized it, backed up by some prowling Leopards top of pic.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadPjA68FMInxmE3-BSobsdcVDoWYhKND5IwAtc9_-0id8cSFT6ppxzik3kDt-BTscdFysFXrRgwMZYRIA5wfsfGRD6RvXa68uwvWXD7_pA2h0Fu-jpyj_aczuKYrpZh--csZFIwYIGTmdeSkunHvfR7rZhhO-rruEcKdE6lzuM57Ktr36JDgkzQ/s4032/IMG_2227.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="4032" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadPjA68FMInxmE3-BSobsdcVDoWYhKND5IwAtc9_-0id8cSFT6ppxzik3kDt-BTscdFysFXrRgwMZYRIA5wfsfGRD6RvXa68uwvWXD7_pA2h0Fu-jpyj_aczuKYrpZh--csZFIwYIGTmdeSkunHvfR7rZhhO-rruEcKdE6lzuM57Ktr36JDgkzQ/w461-h320/IMG_2227.JPG" width="461" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We decided that would probably trigger a Russian counterattack, so over the next two moves I brought on the reserve mech battalion. Here the first two mech companies approach from the southwest (we made reinforcement arrival points semi-random).</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGTRy7PUBKtKeVO0zBflAHXslfti5b9mIT-WyqdeR-dMsStYWzh2ruGpJfct3JUrEvK-3n1D76LojW3Kh8c1sQnI-vVjzxvs-nCKD3eKmeQys9RyUsrW1rtMUVsTio07IMGuqLZe6CBAbfvTYvt_A_GUJpl256VRLgPFlP6lBNjlDArQUFgmamQ/s2959/IMG_2228.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2959" data-original-width="2830" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGTRy7PUBKtKeVO0zBflAHXslfti5b9mIT-WyqdeR-dMsStYWzh2ruGpJfct3JUrEvK-3n1D76LojW3Kh8c1sQnI-vVjzxvs-nCKD3eKmeQys9RyUsrW1rtMUVsTio07IMGuqLZe6CBAbfvTYvt_A_GUJpl256VRLgPFlP6lBNjlDArQUFgmamQ/w349-h364/IMG_2228.JPG" width="349" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Graham's artillery fire had been singularly ineffective until now, struggling to roll any 5s or 6s. This is the reason why - he was using a couple of D3s. His luck improved after we realised this.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBSMN5yOmsHRnIHyAJ6dgXHbzWOHs5y61jym6OrFvLWf24ADj2kfageX2Qm-VJtiwj3UYY8sX-oQGBvMLFwK27E3IzBCIAb8sNlWBcr7wG0WMhsFOwawqXJR_Y6fV2QSuZMmL1V2PuJg1rlpfzlRZTQ6I5cYmPOLifl0DR1dyvm0GPXOgO9W4Vw/s4002/IMG_2229.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2443" data-original-width="4002" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBSMN5yOmsHRnIHyAJ6dgXHbzWOHs5y61jym6OrFvLWf24ADj2kfageX2Qm-VJtiwj3UYY8sX-oQGBvMLFwK27E3IzBCIAb8sNlWBcr7wG0WMhsFOwawqXJR_Y6fV2QSuZMmL1V2PuJg1rlpfzlRZTQ6I5cYmPOLifl0DR1dyvm0GPXOgO9W4Vw/w515-h314/IMG_2229.JPG" width="515" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Russian counterattack develops as a third mech company arrives from the southeast to envelop the Ukrainian defenders of the central bridge. Unfortunately for the Russians, the Ukrainians have decided to reinforce success, so more Leopards and Marders are arriving top of pic.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-DfCqVGQ1kKik4kVacS5xwo1mmAmn3jT6YPtk5h60Fspa1-vxmXV884um4yC1RVghmnLA94PzQJwkaOtikUtxtPQvQ6ambtyh5JszB49Aa6CHpFln_2F-MNb6b1PECw67wRp9sMsKwPOPBkq2-9hw-Pm6btqCDPRNdE8qpEpbm9zI5SFYRSbpg/s4032/IMG_2230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2463" data-original-width="4032" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-DfCqVGQ1kKik4kVacS5xwo1mmAmn3jT6YPtk5h60Fspa1-vxmXV884um4yC1RVghmnLA94PzQJwkaOtikUtxtPQvQ6ambtyh5JszB49Aa6CHpFln_2F-MNb6b1PECw67wRp9sMsKwPOPBkq2-9hw-Pm6btqCDPRNdE8qpEpbm9zI5SFYRSbpg/w527-h321/IMG_2230.JPG" width="527" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The ruleset we used was '<a href="http://fft3.com/" target="_blank">A Fistful of TOWs</a>' (FFT). Combat in FFT is swift and lethal. Within a couple of turns, most of my mech battalion was burning wrecks as superior NATO equipment and training demonstrated the quality gap. The Ukrainians lost a few as well, but with their armour virtually all gone, the Russian infantry - though numerous - had no real option but to hunker down in their trenches. We stopped there, but the Ukrainians had secured a draw and looked good for an eventual win.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwyWNB9QMgUltK0fWGZlzdU3p-n4cFECR3Ohrunx0Kd99XrgLOMFygS9wCg5tWqog32FW3oDIEc7qHuqFxaA5x0EMtp-TKCwt2LavuQ_9mwRgMja5zqTKdBZtOaUb5eBDNQgiKWN78cx_BTo_05X8D8E45ILjyqTvOAd7ak4Ziji-kLbh-0vLQw/s4032/IMG_2231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2235" data-original-width="4032" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwyWNB9QMgUltK0fWGZlzdU3p-n4cFECR3Ohrunx0Kd99XrgLOMFygS9wCg5tWqog32FW3oDIEc7qHuqFxaA5x0EMtp-TKCwt2LavuQ_9mwRgMja5zqTKdBZtOaUb5eBDNQgiKWN78cx_BTo_05X8D8E45ILjyqTvOAd7ak4Ziji-kLbh-0vLQw/w471-h261/IMG_2231.JPG" width="471" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And to finish: a parade shot of just a fraction of Graham's collection that never made it onto the table. M113s, Jagdpanzers, Gepards etc, all in functional factory finish.</i> <br /></div><br /><p>Reflections:</p><p></p><p><u>Just a Game</u>: The first thing to say is that this bore little relation to reality. I just read yesterday that Ukraine is reporting advances of "200 to 500 metres" in fierce fighting, whereas our game of bold armoured manoeuvre produced a relatively swift and easy 3km+. I suppose what is actually happening is more like a WWII infantry assault against prepared defences, with lots of fire support on both sides to pin everyone down, and the Russians apparently conducting "manoeuvre defence" - planned fighting withdrawal through successive defensive lines - rather effectively. Our game was closer to a hastily improvised defence (albeit with trenches): none of the minefields and obstacles that I am sure the Russians have, minimal Russian artillery rather than the considerable support and effective fire plans they evidently have, we underrated the infantry's anti-armour weaponry, the undefended bridge was a highly unlikely fluke, and I played the Russian infantry as essentially passive rather than reacting as intelligently as they seem to be. Also, having read some studies that comment on the effects of drone surveillance and the resulting need for dispersion and mobility, I would have liked to add some scenario special rules to reflect those, but as I last played FFT a decade or so ago and Graham had never used them, that would have been a complication too far. All that said, I suppose our game with its unrealistic and unsuccessful Russian tactics at least partly illustrated why they have opted for the alleged manoeuvre defence instead.<br /></p><p><u>Quality vs quantity</u>: always a good match-up. You could say the game was rigged in that we rated the Russians as "Average" in FFT terms and the Ukrainians as "Good". This quality difference then plays out in both to-hit rolls and saving rolls. This really told once the HEAT and APFSDS started flying.</p><p><u>Lack of practice makes imperfect</u>: although Graham and I are both broadly familiar with the characteristics of the modern kit we were using, how that translates into tabletop interactions using an unfamiliar ruleset is a different story. Our inept fumbling and consequent poor tactics probably made the game even less realistic than it already was.</p><p><u>Get the toys on the table</u>: the gap since my last post betrays the fact that I've gone a few weeks without a game. It was good just to push some models around and roll some dice; doubly so because I rarely get to play a moderns game and some variety in gaming diet is both healthy and refreshing.</p><p><u>Unpredictability makes for interesting games</u>: the semi-random mechanisms for revealing Russian defenders and for arrival of reinforcements worked very well, producing surprises of both pleasant and unpleasant varieties for both sides. While the undefended bridge was improbable in the intended real-world setting, it is by no means without precedent in other real-world situations, and it was great for creating a game narrative and giving both players something unexpected to react to.<br /></p><p><u>Recommendations for future research</u> (as academic papers usually end by saying): Notwithstanding my previous blog post about <a href="http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2023/04/can-frontally-assaulting-redoubts-make.html" target="_blank">what dull games frontal assaults usually are</a>, I just might try a more serious version of this, making a proper effort to set up a thoroughly prepared Russian defence - complete with successive defensive lines, obstacles, fireplans and planned withdrawals - and then try to crack it with a similarly well thought-out Ukrainian plan. It would take some effort but that could be justified by the reward.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-63284403852206036362023-04-23T23:32:00.000+01:002023-04-23T23:32:36.628+01:00Can frontally assaulting redoubts make a good game? Düppel (1864) <p>How many games have we all seen or endured that are just a boring line-out, wall to wall troops from table edge to table edge, with few tactical options beyond grinding forward and hoping to roll high?</p><p>How much more painful is it when one side is entrenched and has virtually nothing to do except keep rolling fistfuls of firing dice?</p><p>OK, I know it is possible to revel in such games simply because of the occasion and the spectacle. People will refight Pickett's Charge, or the Charge of the Light Brigade, and it will be awesome just because the original was so epically disastrous and because recreating it with your buddies in glorious 28mm has to be fun, right?</p><p>But for those of us for whom a game should be about making interesting and challenging decisions every turn - no thank you. (No disparagement of any beautiful Pickett's Charge game intended, it's just not for me.) I want options, choices, the chance to make an actual plan and see it succeed or fail. I don't want everything straitjacketed and railroaded and all the important decisions already made for me in how the game is set up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIt4DoxRKZqKccRfPku11U-b5aR_ODjR2zSKaqka28N11VrDUAi9XdhDDsv5AsCGe9jZo4goTLEm7U4WmIL2jsndVo0yMTz_EVvfBRHV258B4gN-NglaOC3S1bJYiZhHVmjtuvYhVUH3ygYf-Q5JeO31MinCiLcpdNO3WlOJsIgf2wJHNlrDruQ/s3241/IMG_2033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1819" data-original-width="3241" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIt4DoxRKZqKccRfPku11U-b5aR_ODjR2zSKaqka28N11VrDUAi9XdhDDsv5AsCGe9jZo4goTLEm7U4WmIL2jsndVo0yMTz_EVvfBRHV258B4gN-NglaOC3S1bJYiZhHVmjtuvYhVUH3ygYf-Q5JeO31MinCiLcpdNO3WlOJsIgf2wJHNlrDruQ/w515-h290/IMG_2033.JPG" width="515" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It's a cracker! Specifically - the Rolf Krake.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>1/600 model of Denmark's 1864 ironclad, scratchbuilt by Crispin for his Dybbøl/Als game.</i></div><p></p><div>Therefore, when I was creating the scenarios for the "Bloody Big European Battles!" companion volume to the <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles" target="_blank">BBB rules</a>, I was confronted by a conundrum. The major action in the Second Schleswig-Holstein War of 1864 was the Prussian <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dybb%C3%B8l" target="_blank">storming of the Danish redoubts at Dybbøl</a>, aka Düppel. This war had to be covered in the book, so this battle had to be there. Not counting the preliminary bombardment, it lasted three and a half hours, costing thousands of casualties, but can essentially be boiled down to this: Prussians storm the line of redoubts; Danish reserve brigade counterattacks; Prussians commit reserves in return; Danes surrender.</div><div><p>That really didn't appeal to me as a game. Perhaps there could be some tactical decisions for the Danes about whether/when/how individual battalions should fall back from the redoubts, or where/when/how to move the individual battalions of the reserve brigade. For the Prussians, perhaps some nuance about which battalion attacks which redoubt, or how to exploit success, and where/when/how to commit reserve battalions. But for a big battle game that should be about manoeuvring entire brigades or divisions and that should generate some ebb and flow ... there just wasn't enough there.</p><p>So what to do? I found salvation in the battle's prelude and aftermath: the minor outpost skirmishes in the two months before it, then the amphibious invasion of the island of Als two months later. These were not worth a BBB scenario in themselves - Als cost the Prussians fewer than 400 casualties - but they offered an opportunity to shape the actual assault on Dybbøl, to give it context and consequences, and (most importantly) to give the players on both sides more scope for decisions and manoeuvre.</p><p>It was feasible to fit all these actions on a single 6'x4' table at the modest scale of 1700m per foot. I therefore decided to treat them as three linked phases of the same scenario: Outposts Stage; Redoubts Stage; and Als Invasion Stage. Prussian numbers make Danish military defeat virtually inevitable. The trick to making it a challenge was to put the Prussians under time pressure with a turn limit. The idea is that the Danes are trying to buy time for the other great powers to intervene and lean on Prussia and Austria to call their dogs off. Thus, for each stage I set certain objectives the Prussians have to take before moving on to the next: e.g., if they overrun the outposts swiftly, they gain time for a more methodical assault on the redoubts, etc. Ultimately, they have to take all the objectives within 10 turns to win or 11 to draw; otherwise, they lose.</p><p>Crispin made a custom battlemat and rolled it out for us at <a href="http://oxfordwargamessociety.org.uk/" target="_blank">OWS</a> last week. Luke, Ben and John fancied defending the Danish cause, so Mark, Dave W and I took the Prussians. AAR in three captioned photos below, followed by some reflections.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhczSRk1kmAvh56RiJzrYwVVHxZARdAM-GT6Td6dmDj6xXFZYITVtn7REmu3lbgH-YPgN8M0jEZeGBElWrZcmWMO4kZxoSd7lh3sXzdUiehLQoPDArdATiBW2g5jOlEq-YUvmLLMg07UlhRbTDcAgbfEimajngrTlTPTnjdPasWoM5TMsi-G9sTQ/s3896/IMG_2034.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2609" data-original-width="3896" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhczSRk1kmAvh56RiJzrYwVVHxZARdAM-GT6Td6dmDj6xXFZYITVtn7REmu3lbgH-YPgN8M0jEZeGBElWrZcmWMO4kZxoSd7lh3sXzdUiehLQoPDArdATiBW2g5jOlEq-YUvmLLMg07UlhRbTDcAgbfEimajngrTlTPTnjdPasWoM5TMsi-G9sTQ/w516-h345/IMG_2034.JPG" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Looking southeast across the battlefield. Top left is the island of Als, separated from the mainland by the Alssund. Pontoon bridge top centre links it to the high ground defended by the </i><i>Dybbøl redoubts (the light green strips with gun embrasures). White counters mark the objectives. Prussians are marching on from bottom left and bottom right. One lone Danish brigade is forward in the lowest wood on the right; two more in the villages behind it; the other Danish division in the redoubts.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mark commanded our left. As time was critical, his sensible advice was that we should ignore and bypass the forward brigade initially, press ahead as fast as possible, and let it be tackled by our follow-on forces arriving on Turns 2 & 3. However, I could not resist getting my jaegers into action , so I let two of my brigades get involved in a fight in the woods </i><i>immediately. I did bypass with the other two, but carelessly failed to bring them on as far east as I could have.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My carelessness was compounded by a spate of dismal movement rolls across the Prussian army. One turn I rolled 2, 2 and 3 for three of my brigades, which therefore failed to move at all, while Mark did little better. Consequently, I think it took us 5 turns to take all the Outposts and be able to move on to the Redoubts Stage.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX-1bJb-sE4hXEepbFnVn72F4HrxX1UK2Wy24HsNOeS7drtaytAGFzUQxsTX48ilBdpuwCueMhIYpygk4K7_pCurplLu24RtSU_eGzijcjMYi7kzQgcDC750QdN6Bz1zytR0CSCbOsjA9p2igsFw94geoDSNLF8ancKUmqmU3Q3ib506hgI4aMg/s3993/IMG_2035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="3993" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX-1bJb-sE4hXEepbFnVn72F4HrxX1UK2Wy24HsNOeS7drtaytAGFzUQxsTX48ilBdpuwCueMhIYpygk4K7_pCurplLu24RtSU_eGzijcjMYi7kzQgcDC750QdN6Bz1zytR0CSCbOsjA9p2igsFw94geoDSNLF8ancKUmqmU3Q3ib506hgI4aMg/w529-h248/IMG_2035.JPG" width="529" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>First Prussian assault on the redoubts. Our massed siege guns line the hill in the foreground. We outnumber the Danes about 4:1. The pic isn't big enough to fit all the Prussians in. The good news for the Danes is that the tardy Rolf Krake has finally got up steam and is raking the German attackers. That plus kind dice meant it took two goes before we could break into the redoubts. Turns 6 and 7 gone - we really needed to clear the remaining Danish brigade off the hill in Turn 8.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GK97ulzo1h0hWvORtvW_zdHFLgGYA4TWyas1qCGSzdjD4vk9jYlp4_5-NudeJdWZrzBOrt_HxhwZdYPv9mcIm9zZ1Wv3idDWDma-w8g9OD_auzuiX9sKX4X58ZgiV_-Wo6UC89Ou0zvYVYt43c_wJlf61PywISfygbJ1SkxZXotsZvM3u3SJ6g/s3578/IMG_2036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3578" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GK97ulzo1h0hWvORtvW_zdHFLgGYA4TWyas1qCGSzdjD4vk9jYlp4_5-NudeJdWZrzBOrt_HxhwZdYPv9mcIm9zZ1Wv3idDWDma-w8g9OD_auzuiX9sKX4X58ZgiV_-Wo6UC89Ou0zvYVYt43c_wJlf61PywISfygbJ1SkxZXotsZvM3u3SJ6g/w486-h270/IMG_2036.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Keeping the red flag flying! That blue counter and <a href="https://denmark.dk/people-and-culture/dannebrog-800-years" target="_blank">Dannebrog </a>flag belong to the last unit of the Redoubts garrison, a Spent 2-base Danish brigade, being assaulted by four Prussian brigades. It was swept aside, of course. However, the clock die reveals that it had survived the crucial Turn 8 the turn before, as most of our troops failed to get the movement they needed to reach it, and Danish fire stalled those that did.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We moved on to the Als Invasion Stage. We knew we needed at least two turns of movement to reach the Als objectives, so with nine turns gone it was impossible for us to take them on Turn 10 to win. A draw was still possible if fortune favoured us a little. But Lady Luck was against us - one more turn and we would have done it, but we had failed, and victory went to the gallant Danes.</i></div><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>It's a micro-campaign</u>! I'm rather proud of the scenario structure. My Reflections on Wargaming essay on "<a href="http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2018/09/changing-situations-mid-game.html" target="_blank">Changing Situations Mid-Game</a>" didn't mention this scenario, but probably should have. The three stages give two opportunities to reset and they create repeated peaks of excitement in between, as the Prussians try desperately to complete each stage and the Danes try to fend them off. The Danes also have important decisions about how many troops to commit and where during the first two stages. All told, it definitely has more options and more replay value than a straight assault would have.</p><p><u>Mistakes in Deployment are not Easily Rectified</u>. Isn't that a von Moltke saying? Maybe Moltke the Younger in 1914? Anyway, I managed to prove it right this time. By letting myself be distracted by one irrelevant outpost brigade, I cost our advance precious time that we could never recoup.</p><p><u>The Maritime Dimension</u>. Having a naval element in the game - in this case, the Rolf Krake (loved it) and then the crossing of the Alssund (albeit that is basically abstracted) - enhances both the aesthetic and the game interest. </p><p><u>Right and Wrong Ways to Divide Command</u>. On the German side, we didn't divide very sensibly: Mark on the left had a clear sector to himself, but on the right, I had the leading forces while Dave took the ones arriving on Turns 2 & 3 in the same sector. I'm sure that contributed to my carelessness. By contrast, the three Danish players decided they didn't have enough troops to divide up, so they made the interesting decision to divide command by time instead, each of them commanding in a different stage of the game (except Luke got the Rolf Krake throughout as his stage was going to be the shortest). This meant they always had unified command and therefore a clearer, more focused approach, vindicated by victory.</p><p><u>Yes, Assaulting Redoubts Can Make a Good Game</u>! (To answer my own question in the headline.) It was a rocking good time, complete with whoops of success, cries of woe and wails of dismay. Even though the Danish force was largely wiped out, the Danish players greeted each turn that they survived with jubilation. Happy days!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-28741942897575207752023-04-14T13:57:00.001+01:002023-04-14T13:57:36.696+01:00"Hungary 1849" reviewed: "a cracking read"!<p>I was delighted today to see the first review of my recently published book, "<a href="https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/hungary-1849-the-summer-campaign.php?sid=dc6dca5dd7b85dab03dac5b89397ceee" target="_blank">Hungary 1849: The Summer Campaign</a>". I am obliged to Colin Ashton for reviewing it on his "Carryings On Up The Dale" blog, <a href="https://www.carryingsonupthedale.com/2023/04/yet-more-reading-on-grand-procession-5.html?fbclid=IwAR2GrNnESmN2tNThhzEYAvwn86970uyydcEebVOQdHjS-nqZaOB84uvpUgI" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyFz_ALsJNTZb7eQI_1eShh9l0mGuksJdgeNy9rmH-f5GM5iKGXbmsa4RKc56MLb2UFwmoQ8vFPr__w9t88vTM9XE1G21tO1TF-oVKxAf_eZEYp97iM-bzs523hejBjghfqkMpu9yWDZ7Ccz448q2LNX6xmBl9ar9xZGg2ERlyBnk7x2mTlAjWQ/s495/Carrying%20On.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="495" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyFz_ALsJNTZb7eQI_1eShh9l0mGuksJdgeNy9rmH-f5GM5iKGXbmsa4RKc56MLb2UFwmoQ8vFPr__w9t88vTM9XE1G21tO1TF-oVKxAf_eZEYp97iM-bzs523hejBjghfqkMpu9yWDZ7Ccz448q2LNX6xmBl9ar9xZGg2ERlyBnk7x2mTlAjWQ/w388-h189/Carrying%20On.png" width="388" /></a></div><p></p><p>Colin gave a <a href="https://www.carryingsonupthedale.com/2021/05/hungary-winter-campaign-1848-49.html" target="_blank">very generous review</a> to the previous volume, "<a href="https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/hungary-1848-the-winter-campaign.php?sid=5ba401e38c8232e6c652a349bbb4b13b" target="_blank">Hungary 1848: The Winter Campaign</a>". This time he is equally kind. Phrases like "Chris Pringle has again done a superb job" and "a sympathetic translation, forensically researched and presented, and a cracking read to boot!" are calculated to warm any author's heart. (As is giving it five stars on Amazon - thanks, Colin.)</p><p>I hope I might have a chance at some wargame show or other such event to express my appreciation to Colin in person, but for now let me publicly thank him here.<br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-81444823234774215152023-04-11T16:47:00.000+01:002023-04-11T16:47:35.800+01:00Golan Heights tank battle: Nafah (1973) (oh, and Ramillies again)<p>The long Easter weekend provided a rare opportunity for a game with Bob Mackenzie. As I'm getting plenty of <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles" target="_blank">BBB </a>horse and musket action at <a href="http://oxfordwargamessociety.org.uk/dates.html" target="_blank">OWS </a>these days, I put in a bid for a tank battle and Bob kindly obliged. (Earlier in the week I also got another go at Ramillies - see brief report at foot of this post.)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKmjIwAz53rTIR6quq1LKjzKnLzVyK5epPqe_VxbitKuqDTOFLVVhDMLjkyPigrcxvTtlsPwUflkieHur-1oLv3rgU4r0VR6SXG_cyvzJcrSCSAEnVcKzxyx6wsNx2lISExbKS0vgRnvQM1B7qFlEz6Jwl5f-QWmV-TyFSyLyApghxZnoVoMBRA/s4012/IMG_2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="4012" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKmjIwAz53rTIR6quq1LKjzKnLzVyK5epPqe_VxbitKuqDTOFLVVhDMLjkyPigrcxvTtlsPwUflkieHur-1oLv3rgU4r0VR6SXG_cyvzJcrSCSAEnVcKzxyx6wsNx2lISExbKS0vgRnvQM1B7qFlEz6Jwl5f-QWmV-TyFSyLyApghxZnoVoMBRA/w447-h201/IMG_2023.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The setting was the Yom Kippur War in 1973. <a href="https://bobmack3d.com/bob/Golan%20Hafah.htm" target="_blank">Bob's scenario</a> can be found along with many other good things on his website. The scenario depicts the action around the Israeli base at Nafah on the Golan Heights on the second day of the war. The Syrians have broken through on this southern sector of the Golan and are hooking right to cut off the Israeli defenders on the northern sector. The Israelis are responding by frantically scrambling troops from all directions to fill the gap.</p><p>It's a classic contest of quantity versus quality: roughly four big Syrian brigades vs three small Israeli ones. Especially in the early moves, the Syrians have a big numerical advantage which they can exploit to envelop the few defenders who start on the pitch and to race towards undefended objectives on the far side of the table. However, it doesn't take much for the poor quality Syrian units to become spent and therefore much less useful in attack and very vulnerable in defence.</p><p>The 17 photos below tell the story of the game. They're followed as usual by my reflections arising from it. (And then by a brief Ramillies photo-AAR and more reflections on that too.)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnj8YRujal1G6iNza-WhdPg6axnqD_To_uIYfFCIs4YolmJfn5-D3ppFDBqvc-Gt_8xOieAhpEB_PWMsbJq2gxGN5jFpgOz11zNqh3155wYMqHIh14ePrKghoThfLUUvRrjBMkrSfAqefulSoY6_CbQCl_9CCJXu2GD1WDKpHR6jCPWDnGgO6iw/s3874/IMG_2007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3874" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnj8YRujal1G6iNza-WhdPg6axnqD_To_uIYfFCIs4YolmJfn5-D3ppFDBqvc-Gt_8xOieAhpEB_PWMsbJq2gxGN5jFpgOz11zNqh3155wYMqHIh14ePrKghoThfLUUvRrjBMkrSfAqefulSoY6_CbQCl_9CCJXu2GD1WDKpHR6jCPWDnGgO6iw/w496-h387/IMG_2007.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View looking NW. All Syrians enter from SE (bottom table edge). They will find a couple of Israeli units in the middle of the table and a tiny garrison in Nafah (the buildings). Syrian objectives are Nafah, the three road exits at top, and the top right hill (Tel Avital).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAMesQq-5eKhFrsOPmIcjuYe0vmX0tXK1mOWv2Glr55ZFPvpP83py6Wad-2toehQcYYy8GmNJv68XgLhEh0gzLO-huFp0z5TpCV5T_E3MRmOZNrf6tRWk60JDo8irKsrZYdgR1kU99WTw-kCgqxrl0JcAZuLSkVziYc5fF2KL_WqweZGPuhGw0Q/s3355/IMG_2008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1915" data-original-width="3355" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAMesQq-5eKhFrsOPmIcjuYe0vmX0tXK1mOWv2Glr55ZFPvpP83py6Wad-2toehQcYYy8GmNJv68XgLhEh0gzLO-huFp0z5TpCV5T_E3MRmOZNrf6tRWk60JDo8irKsrZYdgR1kU99WTw-kCgqxrl0JcAZuLSkVziYc5fF2KL_WqweZGPuhGw0Q/w479-h274/IMG_2008.jpg" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Not sure which is more fearsome: Israeli Centurions, or Israeli artillery (in this case, M7 Priests). All the models in this game are from Bob's collection - mostly <a href="https://www.heroicsandros.co.uk/" target="_blank">Heroics & Ros</a>, I believe.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSti-kRdyHJbWw7EAbBPwyeY3FPXfkV4vM3AgJfV3OvsBddW7uff0mLOvijSemusn8yqgIwyOeTpYRnfFxQWq2BFG25MPHYVrvlDPLccAvmGM_qq2soi7aOaNV22gpNSv-kBgZwUsaaTDKR6zxfJ49Cw5vbOIS06xGEccuJUIlgtagBfAJjKJuA/s1773/IMG_2009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1773" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSti-kRdyHJbWw7EAbBPwyeY3FPXfkV4vM3AgJfV3OvsBddW7uff0mLOvijSemusn8yqgIwyOeTpYRnfFxQWq2BFG25MPHYVrvlDPLccAvmGM_qq2soi7aOaNV22gpNSv-kBgZwUsaaTDKR6zxfJ49Cw5vbOIS06xGEccuJUIlgtagBfAJjKJuA/w412-h412/IMG_2009.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>More Centurions, this time supported by M50 155mm - oh, and some recce jeeps (who will wisely enter the table last after the serious fighting is over)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF1Wg4YGeIwSLZ_SQJH8NQtcnOfAFrxLz95fb-7vnnjoZkJgUuOlEWNCKvYmGLx0R5Ii-BXzYKN56e_45864biWhfOIVTLnhe2KDUmHjo6jQOa3b-nD_fi6P_egA35SZfzG12PoCG-ArBG8qO4EL6vJAJHgi_EEpR7QQmIV9ctMKo62Pj26vKig/s2588/IMG_2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="2588" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF1Wg4YGeIwSLZ_SQJH8NQtcnOfAFrxLz95fb-7vnnjoZkJgUuOlEWNCKvYmGLx0R5Ii-BXzYKN56e_45864biWhfOIVTLnhe2KDUmHjo6jQOa3b-nD_fi6P_egA35SZfzG12PoCG-ArBG8qO4EL6vJAJHgi_EEpR7QQmIV9ctMKo62Pj26vKig/w478-h267/IMG_2010.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Had to give these exotic creatures a pic of their own: T-34/122, a Syrian conversion.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-o1-YMrgelopm6qXI2_IFbkDGzDMf9BysU9CFYrpVuqKSw6oKZCpts1KgBhbW_lq7tGQXVKjG7Xfj7wt0uFzFTlL8Vfs2YejSOWBFO82qvS0bp5GqH1lnjBmw6lpSuq9563CMDvLKSzjhcujoVRB_yg55mHJ8NoG8x3UWvkBFjqCWDBpEFurNA/s3319/IMG_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1604" data-original-width="3319" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-o1-YMrgelopm6qXI2_IFbkDGzDMf9BysU9CFYrpVuqKSw6oKZCpts1KgBhbW_lq7tGQXVKjG7Xfj7wt0uFzFTlL8Vfs2YejSOWBFO82qvS0bp5GqH1lnjBmw6lpSuq9563CMDvLKSzjhcujoVRB_yg55mHJ8NoG8x3UWvkBFjqCWDBpEFurNA/w483-h234/IMG_2011.jpg" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The meat and potatoes: Syrian T-62s (there were also a lot of T-55s).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0XY_Q_h6KQqYriBW85x_aTlE5m4ABsnq_B-nCckxouCXANxVcQSSjv0ihGX7u0GzWAUXXSvUWit_UtYGAt-1SuxxjJ4TGQ9BmUjPduVW1d386FkoiOT3GGcpGHF7Xv1R0xgnBFq_GYG-_HnECbRusMvWwOxRXpX43ej7mjvZNcukwLQbS-Havw/s3670/IMG_2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="3670" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0XY_Q_h6KQqYriBW85x_aTlE5m4ABsnq_B-nCckxouCXANxVcQSSjv0ihGX7u0GzWAUXXSvUWit_UtYGAt-1SuxxjJ4TGQ9BmUjPduVW1d386FkoiOT3GGcpGHF7Xv1R0xgnBFq_GYG-_HnECbRusMvWwOxRXpX43ej7mjvZNcukwLQbS-Havw/w451-h334/IMG_2012.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>On Turn 1 my 51st Brigade tried to bully the isolated Israeli delaying force. Sukhoi Su-7B joins the fun. Unfortunately the Centurions have us outnumbered more than one to two ...</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxqQ_r7v8Qzeo1tTjMfR1__3hbj6wG2qeoWgnzzu4eIvklypS7fH1veKiqVHxgnek1LXjuxI3NTBZ-5p8_wqOhEgvFUoyIDOrGVt2ktFumZIBr0D7m4n26Henxwnpmc_NcTGhZqypmlwv-Wv0pQRbzcb_Kg3bC-tE8PntP8HbsF-t5cI3H5-RuA/s4032/IMG_2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxqQ_r7v8Qzeo1tTjMfR1__3hbj6wG2qeoWgnzzu4eIvklypS7fH1veKiqVHxgnek1LXjuxI3NTBZ-5p8_wqOhEgvFUoyIDOrGVt2ktFumZIBr0D7m4n26Henxwnpmc_NcTGhZqypmlwv-Wv0pQRbzcb_Kg3bC-tE8PntP8HbsF-t5cI3H5-RuA/w411-h308/IMG_2014.jpg" width="411" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Same episode seen from the other side of the table.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXHcmXVYbjtCIv7oJ7OhEHOg8w79dFLCHdFZ4i_jDjAz3U18A19rf7a6yn_uRLHGZWhbhEOfTnGhFMdOi9Ae3_fLa_ppOEdSMDfI7DeSEprQo1bqC8mEPop3cvB1fsoGQ59emkR8kcatBE6v7LxhziAoyDhxZcJLBenefTBHy-_8NsQ5_l7wnkA/s4032/IMG_2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXHcmXVYbjtCIv7oJ7OhEHOg8w79dFLCHdFZ4i_jDjAz3U18A19rf7a6yn_uRLHGZWhbhEOfTnGhFMdOi9Ae3_fLa_ppOEdSMDfI7DeSEprQo1bqC8mEPop3cvB1fsoGQ59emkR8kcatBE6v7LxhziAoyDhxZcJLBenefTBHy-_8NsQ5_l7wnkA/w432-h324/IMG_2015.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 3. The only Israeli units are the now damaged 266th Bn, 188 Bde HQ, and the Nafah garrison. The small 2-model 82nd Bde has been wiped out. However, most of my units are Disrupted (marked by craters) and the two at right and bottom of pic are Spent and Low on Ammo (marked by hospital tents and ammo crates). The poor quality Syrian units can't take nearly as much punishment as the Israelis.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcKFOuHjrCMxhWX3YVRndr9Y4HUnLVRMTKsbovH3Kcs0yhrs-sKBQYKWOMULteoBvhW7-xqIpLIcajWlgnwhPFRSiU6Ne6yeq7d-zz3NBZNKOzui5cIb7Fu62T14RSqMabKad4Zzs1F_BfI9sUI_mQ1mY_HNw4PiM2BKJXK039l1MCoRAsmywVQ/s4032/IMG_2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcKFOuHjrCMxhWX3YVRndr9Y4HUnLVRMTKsbovH3Kcs0yhrs-sKBQYKWOMULteoBvhW7-xqIpLIcajWlgnwhPFRSiU6Ne6yeq7d-zz3NBZNKOzui5cIb7Fu62T14RSqMabKad4Zzs1F_BfI9sUI_mQ1mY_HNw4PiM2BKJXK039l1MCoRAsmywVQ/w427-h320/IMG_2016.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 4 and Israeli counter-attacks arrive from two directions, NW and SW, hitting my front and left). Here comes the frontal hit - I think my mech bde miraculously survived this time but still had to fall back.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbNzrRTWUCwr0XrZK0fluMmg6sMnufYZ-CATLbV_2q1QUdDXhHnA9secsiz8oCs-MgOO-eK7W64DFuGi09wwZZVCDSOwqH-_VqoH-Y_SXI8u2YMYLmHY5f-dLDHkCfCbsiDOSXdTdOcHZlExxT_ww4jX67hM0hm5_K9ZUf5ZLXNcKWPTmOfYqDA/s4032/IMG_2017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbNzrRTWUCwr0XrZK0fluMmg6sMnufYZ-CATLbV_2q1QUdDXhHnA9secsiz8oCs-MgOO-eK7W64DFuGi09wwZZVCDSOwqH-_VqoH-Y_SXI8u2YMYLmHY5f-dLDHkCfCbsiDOSXdTdOcHZlExxT_ww4jX67hM0hm5_K9ZUf5ZLXNcKWPTmOfYqDA/w455-h342/IMG_2017.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The hit from the left was brutal and soon put paid to any ideas I might have had about storming Nafah. The quality difference gave the Israelis a +2 advantage in every assault and fire combat. This is huge on 2D6. Oh, and my Sukhois are done for the day and it is time for Israeli Skyhawks to arrive.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5QqBE5noe3HC3JzrUeE51wIsxFiJTjX6YGI0-04xdw5sBN1VPH9pSshJiF0huEn1OBrO4HrJADkPVdOAznTM9f2ZPAzDi8AXXR7vuTzniZ_GUrU7ByiJUtPx1P7Vv1F7tIUe9uVWPl_-t_Wv1BEuIOyyVr-R4GJ2ucJcg0GTtfT_ljuYcA6oqw/s3920/IMG_2018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="3920" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5QqBE5noe3HC3JzrUeE51wIsxFiJTjX6YGI0-04xdw5sBN1VPH9pSshJiF0huEn1OBrO4HrJADkPVdOAznTM9f2ZPAzDi8AXXR7vuTzniZ_GUrU7ByiJUtPx1P7Vv1F7tIUe9uVWPl_-t_Wv1BEuIOyyVr-R4GJ2ucJcg0GTtfT_ljuYcA6oqw/w436-h302/IMG_2018.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The metaphorical and literal high point of the Syrian attack: 43 Bde's Mech Bn ensconces itself on the top of the Tel Avital objective and sets up its Sagger missile launchers. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh23eglymqTZsJe9G1cA0Bh7iB_FNfp2Ni9HcWgM1mFwtOpo1KtOal0nezQ1OK6zq9EFkCl0qmaw_13z5xM96rSRQelnL-I6NMYARhzpgPTQexsuawbYXR3gbfcjCjB1ywOi3BsijFU_3SIrxnHK1Dii9Fvp9clTQQQkU2Bc2Itb43q-RtroDIA/s3763/IMG_2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="3763" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh23eglymqTZsJe9G1cA0Bh7iB_FNfp2Ni9HcWgM1mFwtOpo1KtOal0nezQ1OK6zq9EFkCl0qmaw_13z5xM96rSRQelnL-I6NMYARhzpgPTQexsuawbYXR3gbfcjCjB1ywOi3BsijFU_3SIrxnHK1Dii9Fvp9clTQQQkU2Bc2Itb43q-RtroDIA/w450-h308/IMG_2022.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 6, the halfway mark. Most of my force mills around in the middle of the table. The Syrians are all rated Passive, a -1 penalty on all their activation rolls when in good order. That doesn't half slow your blitzkrieg down. No such problems on the Israeli side as their 96th Tank Bn ploughs on through my left flank. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKmjIwAz53rTIR6quq1LKjzKnLzVyK5epPqe_VxbitKuqDTOFLVVhDMLjkyPigrcxvTtlsPwUflkieHur-1oLv3rgU4r0VR6SXG_cyvzJcrSCSAEnVcKzxyx6wsNx2lISExbKS0vgRnvQM1B7qFlEz6Jwl5f-QWmV-TyFSyLyApghxZnoVoMBRA/s4012/IMG_2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="4012" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKmjIwAz53rTIR6quq1LKjzKnLzVyK5epPqe_VxbitKuqDTOFLVVhDMLjkyPigrcxvTtlsPwUflkieHur-1oLv3rgU4r0VR6SXG_cyvzJcrSCSAEnVcKzxyx6wsNx2lISExbKS0vgRnvQM1B7qFlEz6Jwl5f-QWmV-TyFSyLyApghxZnoVoMBRA/w447-h201/IMG_2023.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>By now, the Israelis have got four artillery units into action. Here we see those M50s close up. All that firepower was devastating.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqavzgaodB5yw3zTbfrT1C4PXybUWzG6xWu_ToDGzJSBEmbSErBOBqQIadKshpD-LOdmb2Qw1u_cPGQmJb-FAYp20xh2zfJ-eGoVrEBsP7iK1kUqB5gxOzkmi6hR40RhH4WrV-TYC5cbJjVZ0f4dZrIsnty-jz1BME_AtKB6XUTvv1L_wDnKpCzw/s3667/IMG_2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2871" data-original-width="3667" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqavzgaodB5yw3zTbfrT1C4PXybUWzG6xWu_ToDGzJSBEmbSErBOBqQIadKshpD-LOdmb2Qw1u_cPGQmJb-FAYp20xh2zfJ-eGoVrEBsP7iK1kUqB5gxOzkmi6hR40RhH4WrV-TYC5cbJjVZ0f4dZrIsnty-jz1BME_AtKB6XUTvv1L_wDnKpCzw/w447-h351/IMG_2024.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn 7. Not so many Syrian green unit labels visible now, and more white Israeli ones are pushing forward from the left of pic and in the centre. Two arty bns park on the road exits at top edge. One joins the Skyhawks in obliterating my hilltop battalion, top right. So much for that objective.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyf3z0feHQjwxW3BnYqm2EPyeoibZkwuvGGb-U-cJB1ubculhd1KLEpCeW3-bS_pY3E8Mdj63BSBHyy039fb3W99QtBwkrcseWwRmnFqHhgNxc2kgb522gEo2OmivWVkAPG2-a4BLROaqbGoK7kpf0LPT1sUhGLUnM5AQSlnqATHrReQgBnESJg/s3731/IMG_2025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="3731" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyf3z0feHQjwxW3BnYqm2EPyeoibZkwuvGGb-U-cJB1ubculhd1KLEpCeW3-bS_pY3E8Mdj63BSBHyy039fb3W99QtBwkrcseWwRmnFqHhgNxc2kgb522gEo2OmivWVkAPG2-a4BLROaqbGoK7kpf0LPT1sUhGLUnM5AQSlnqATHrReQgBnESJg/w433-h342/IMG_2025.jpg" width="433" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It was one-way traffic for the next three turns as the Centurions steamrollered my disorganised, outflanked, rubbish formations. Turn 10 sees me commit my last intact unengaged tank battalion - unengaged because it failed to move for four successive turns despite the bde HQ being next to it ... every artillery piece and aircraft in Israel opens up to make sure it's not going anywhere. Holding zero objectives meant I was one short of a draw. I can console myself with the fact that it's still a pretty historical result. Bob said I'd done better than he did when he played the Syrians.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kb31S2ESyRLpBSsR9scXNE0URP7LiBunBZw0vneB1uBdLyvK4OvyjHNUomRoYz3GtrA9r1w2NQRXmBml8ZUjKpsfUKQzuLEfI98H4djuG1LDbNd9uM9DBCc6cq0eaaS5JJKp5wKjCFeiuVN72_z2p51RE-ZJtnzAh1bwQiEY-VAfl421nPvhnA/s1401/IMG_2026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="841" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kb31S2ESyRLpBSsR9scXNE0URP7LiBunBZw0vneB1uBdLyvK4OvyjHNUomRoYz3GtrA9r1w2NQRXmBml8ZUjKpsfUKQzuLEfI98H4djuG1LDbNd9uM9DBCc6cq0eaaS5JJKp5wKjCFeiuVN72_z2p51RE-ZJtnzAh1bwQiEY-VAfl421nPvhnA/w270-h450/IMG_2026.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>In fairness, I had inflicted a dreadful toll in white metal alloy on Bob's force - no fewer than 8 strength points. That's a lot of damaged Centurions.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uFSZkdN6dt2PvzXt8ZLhEmOv7ET1gqV3ru6ySb6XQiIIe41zd-AQU0ftGVgu-Bi65yUBC1prQkX3G3DxU_WMHrOsZOlfYNK4QOAX3l2ErWLt78foW50gbrpH1_Xwn7cKGoIAV6B-EKs0rlEEzQQwUaQesKr0euE6Id8IpqP7QvP1rulXB_a-oQ/s3066/IMG_2027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3066" data-original-width="1788" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uFSZkdN6dt2PvzXt8ZLhEmOv7ET1gqV3ru6ySb6XQiIIe41zd-AQU0ftGVgu-Bi65yUBC1prQkX3G3DxU_WMHrOsZOlfYNK4QOAX3l2ErWLt78foW50gbrpH1_Xwn7cKGoIAV6B-EKs0rlEEzQQwUaQesKr0euE6Id8IpqP7QvP1rulXB_a-oQ/w283-h484/IMG_2027.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Against the Israelis' 8 SP lost, I think I count a mere 43 Syrian casualties. Clearly a Pyrrhic victory for the Israelis, then.</i></div><br /><p>Reflections:</p><p>I do like tank games. As with C19 horse and musket, the mix of the three different major arms (infantry, armour, artillery) makes the tactics interesting and produces battles with depth and scope for manoeuvre - a good recipe for fast-moving games with changing situations.</p><p>Nice scenario. It's almost as though Bob follows his own advice - see his great <a href="https://www.testofbattle.com/upload/bob/index.html" target="_blank">essay on scenario design</a>. Room for manoeuvre, grand tactical options for different plans, both sides having to move a lot, action across most of the table ...</p><p></p><p>Victory conditions: Bob did say he felt the victory conditions were too difficult for the Syrians. He has now adopted modified conditions based on my suggestion. The Syrians no longer have to hold objectives, they get victory points just for reaching/taking some 'high water mark' locations. The Israelis for their part get VPs by reaching locations along the Syrian baseline, representing the degree to which they cut off or crush the Syrian force. (And giving those Israeli jeeps something useful to do.)</p><p>Quality vs quantity: always a nice contrast. The game demonstrated very well how the quality difference produced the actual historical result. It prompted a long post-game discussion between us about the importance of leadership, right down to NCO level, as illustrated in many a conflict down the ages.</p><p>Knowing the rules helps. We were using Bob's WWII/Moderns adaptation of "Bloody Big Battles!", <a href="https://testofbattle.com/upload/bob/BBWW2B.htm" target="_blank">BBWW2B</a>. On previous occasions I've enjoyed Bob's WWII and modern games but had to rely on Bob a lot because I found the rules a bit fiddly, I guess because of the wide variety of armour and anti-tank ratings and resulting complex interactions. This time, almost all the tanks were effectively the same, it was crew quality that made the difference, so I found it easier. Even so, ignorance cost me at times: eg, if I had known my Saggers were so useless and my infantry so vulnerable, I might have had 43 Mech Bn hide behind the objective rather than on top of it.<br /></p><p>Beautiful models. Bob is a craftsman and it is a pleasure to play his games and use his armies.</p><p>=== <br /></p><p></p><p>Now let us step back nearly 300 years to the War of the Spanish Succession. Matt reran the scenario we played last August (AAR <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/08/ramillies-yespillies.html" target="_blank">here</a>). This time I commanded the French left wing. AAR in the photo captions, followed by further reflections.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5agblMVbf6HWUMQhWX1FEGKB3-9H92r1Ryz70Ytas-5pdOeFBdwV0MCVrEYdwsrwfJccSdsCZ3T7PTpGcvlWm-lPxbBK8dqrzH5xVyFPA7ADgSBW7E8uxOuohAutKmZ69cZUPMqa1tWUu8LGutJFlKPuAngwnf5Ym38igKa3596BpPwOzdwjag/s4012/IMG_1996.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="4012" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5agblMVbf6HWUMQhWX1FEGKB3-9H92r1Ryz70Ytas-5pdOeFBdwV0MCVrEYdwsrwfJccSdsCZ3T7PTpGcvlWm-lPxbBK8dqrzH5xVyFPA7ADgSBW7E8uxOuohAutKmZ69cZUPMqa1tWUu8LGutJFlKPuAngwnf5Ym38igKa3596BpPwOzdwjag/w540-h233/IMG_1996.JPG" width="540" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Initial French set-up before the allies deploy. Essentially: beefy garrisons in each of the three main objectives (fortified villages) and also in the village on the river on the right flank. Massed cavalry on the heights guard the open ground on our right. More cavalry in reserve behind our left wing.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqr0cWp0xsV-V0XWZ5etJktdkDj0r7bMO5ht7MZQEFgwz3uf3y7VMFatCk48bGxvRQPSex6jumFU8woGq0CzC-iK7MFh7oFGKEbhGIS-RxiI7XkrRcbD7QJ1kZj4By8JdN4J1SfD4TXYwwLC3CXvn-Y8bqfbzxVTeJ6Q7VFOzHKLyZfHj6LUXHw/s3886/IMG_1997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="3886" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqr0cWp0xsV-V0XWZ5etJktdkDj0r7bMO5ht7MZQEFgwz3uf3y7VMFatCk48bGxvRQPSex6jumFU8woGq0CzC-iK7MFh7oFGKEbhGIS-RxiI7XkrRcbD7QJ1kZj4By8JdN4J1SfD4TXYwwLC3CXvn-Y8bqfbzxVTeJ6Q7VFOzHKLyZfHj6LUXHw/w458-h242/IMG_1997.JPG" width="458" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The bourbon fleur-de-lys flutters gaily over Autre-Eglise, whose gallant defenders will soon become gallant attackers to threaten English-held Foulz.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYMCSKqCOOzwNN0bi1vAodQ7ASHsIVOOxBqF0cfKD6J9g6ncYFs5l81AkfD4Mxq7htsHNbbtMMVGpIb1EmKYUEN9oSVOJL-STDRd9u5uF23Rk9_-p_Tgy1RwkdQe1cAyejBI_siCln1QW3xTWI4d96ngVq-IDCg7N2EfhBxO-nnnZq4zVloly9g/s3753/IMG_1998.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="3753" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYMCSKqCOOzwNN0bi1vAodQ7ASHsIVOOxBqF0cfKD6J9g6ncYFs5l81AkfD4Mxq7htsHNbbtMMVGpIb1EmKYUEN9oSVOJL-STDRd9u5uF23Rk9_-p_Tgy1RwkdQe1cAyejBI_siCln1QW3xTWI4d96ngVq-IDCg7N2EfhBxO-nnnZq4zVloly9g/w477-h225/IMG_1998.JPG" width="477" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Marshal Villeroi himself stands ready to hurl his cavalry reserve forward to support the attack on Foulz.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBPwej5fX2YIDAnp2COlzn6rWqZgJtjKqA2VfAKwlRftR9RMoHobzu3bL_ISjFz2CWKAGErMpA5cmyS02X-rDOGHfT7-QI8tuhzZccy7Ri6Fy7qUG3aPDykdKyfIdEeuXVOFbIIp2eS6XEs2vBZ14XAsi1v5jKZk2Jwm6MPH6uyRpu5uiKL-r2w/s4032/IMG_1999.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBPwej5fX2YIDAnp2COlzn6rWqZgJtjKqA2VfAKwlRftR9RMoHobzu3bL_ISjFz2CWKAGErMpA5cmyS02X-rDOGHfT7-QI8tuhzZccy7Ri6Fy7qUG3aPDykdKyfIdEeuXVOFbIIp2eS6XEs2vBZ14XAsi1v5jKZk2Jwm6MPH6uyRpu5uiKL-r2w/w462-h347/IMG_1999.JPG" width="462" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The allied dispositions are revealed, presaging determined and repeated assaults on Ramillies itself (lower left), with cavalry in support to push back our right wing.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkAXO8GX0gfLMmxv4ZxzTi2ow86w0baK6GD-lZcmB5sHt309WkptZgPNBCSib3mSIi5YYRYT2i0lOVTeZCAA-daFloNYrqqnssyomGfIYcCt6HiaIuDUuUBfp8zgkqNENz_zpjKdnNSZV6Ir2-VYqXaiE_CzNhLhuN7dxRIUpgyKxQ30G0o13cg/s4031/IMG_2001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1628" data-original-width="4031" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkAXO8GX0gfLMmxv4ZxzTi2ow86w0baK6GD-lZcmB5sHt309WkptZgPNBCSib3mSIi5YYRYT2i0lOVTeZCAA-daFloNYrqqnssyomGfIYcCt6HiaIuDUuUBfp8zgkqNENz_zpjKdnNSZV6Ir2-VYqXaiE_CzNhLhuN7dxRIUpgyKxQ30G0o13cg/w495-h200/IMG_2001.JPG" width="495" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>How it ended up. Red labels are allies, pale labels are Franco-Bavarian. Left of pic, early high dice for my defenders' fire soon stymied any thought Matt had of taking Autre-Eglise. This encouraged Mark and me to commit reserves and push towards Foulz. However, the marshy valley and some deadly British volleys in return stalled us. Top left can be seen two British cavalry units who must have been commanded by the Duke of York, as all they did all battle was march slowly and with frequent halts to and fro along the Foulz ridge. Right centre: Ramillies fell to the fourth British assault, I think. Mark mounted a couple of counter-attacks but couldn't retake it. However, he did hang onto Taviers, and although his cavalry were pushed back they prevented the allied horse from breaking through to the road exit objective in our rear. Thus, the allies barely scraped a draw.</i> <br /></div><br /><p></p><p>Reflections:<br /></p><p>Linear warfare! With Matt's rule mods, this is a very different game. It becomes crucially important to plan a couple of moves ahead and ensure your troops are pointing in the right direction from the start. It definitely feels as though it captures the essence of 18th-century warfare. It certainly had us all pretending to have powdered our wigs and starched our lace so we could bow and flourish appropriately before inviting our opponents to fire first.</p><p>What to do with cavalry? I demonstrated again that I am a light infantryman at heart and should not be trusted with horse. (Just self-deprecating for effect - maybe I could have done better with them but I didn't do anything disastrous either.)</p><p>The fun factor of special units. In amongst all the regular field and light artillery, Matt mixed in a couple of units of siege guns and mortars with special capabilities. Siege guns rated Devastating but had to reload (miss a shot) after every shot; mortars negated one column shift for cover. Players had fun firing with these and trying to nullify them. <br /></p><p>Beautiful models (again) - just a feast for the eyes.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-88091052158212966622023-03-29T13:58:00.004+01:002023-03-30T13:23:24.352+01:00Mahdists and Magyars - another fun club night at OWS<p><a href="https://oxfordwargamessociety.org.uk/dates.html" target="_blank">OWS</a>'s rude health continues. This week's game was so over-subscribed we had to lay on a second so everybody could play. The two battles were very different, but similar in both being obscure and both presenting very distinctive tactical challenges:</p><p>- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shaykan" target="_blank">Shaikan (1883)</a>, in which 40,000 Mahdists massacred Hicks Pasha's 10,000 or so hapless Egyptians;</p><p>- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sz%C5%91reg" target="_blank">Szőreg (1849)</a>, in which retreating Hungarians fight a delaying action against imperial Austrian and Russian forces breaking out across a defended dike.</p><p>Both games were so exciting and absorbing that there is a paucity of pictures. I'll offer the few that Dave T and I did take and describe the games in the captions, followed by some reflections as usual. Two for Shaikan first:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzLal72EWmQTO54KmNdGEYGiVaN5hzsztCxw5MQzPJ9dTPo450evPUWLpDypsH6-p2EryKRh4Z2BA-QSjAyqm-lJqtTfRSPMWe8u1GFCMN53ePmkM1LWRS2uM3W6-eYSHwsGcdw470Vk_mqdY6Q2Ew12mgyh2F86CPojreajXf-gA7ntB_AypMg/s3443/Shaikan%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3443" data-original-width="2603" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzLal72EWmQTO54KmNdGEYGiVaN5hzsztCxw5MQzPJ9dTPo450evPUWLpDypsH6-p2EryKRh4Z2BA-QSjAyqm-lJqtTfRSPMWe8u1GFCMN53ePmkM1LWRS2uM3W6-eYSHwsGcdw470Vk_mqdY6Q2Ew12mgyh2F86CPojreajXf-gA7ntB_AypMg/w419-h554/Shaikan%201.jpg" width="419" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Essentially this scenario is a race in which the Egyptian force has to dash from one corner of the table (top of photo) to the opposite one (bottom right of photo) and exit a certain number of units. The photo shows most of the Egyptian force being massacred mid-table, but some are about to get away - will it be enough?</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvicTBuScez1zqR3Ybwfc7BY3YB7Ml49xt4btwD_VwG2uqLMYQ9k-LR1o-QivEsrhQq0HucR8ljCBExJ1l42x6Sm7mLZeZ5qxPu-vk6PKv9wch8QIf3Ltw5kyMgYTg5R65hcm_F35WEdqf0lU1vuqJvZyO-_fJcSjTkMdjj8-yaWHqAnarH-oUg/s2874/Shaikan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2874" data-original-width="2586" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvicTBuScez1zqR3Ybwfc7BY3YB7Ml49xt4btwD_VwG2uqLMYQ9k-LR1o-QivEsrhQq0HucR8ljCBExJ1l42x6Sm7mLZeZ5qxPu-vk6PKv9wch8QIf3Ltw5kyMgYTg5R65hcm_F35WEdqf0lU1vuqJvZyO-_fJcSjTkMdjj8-yaWHqAnarH-oUg/w414-h460/Shaikan%202.jpg" width="414" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Close-up of the one cavalry unit and one baggage train that did escape - enough for Dave T to claim a draw. He said the scenario is an interesting combination of moving fast (the Egyptians need 6 full moves out of 9 turns to reach the far corner) while being able to concentrate the fire of a couple of units to take on the big Mahdist units. As they are rated Aggressive, if the Mahdist units close they can easily wipe out one Egyptian unit and then overrun a second. </i> <br /></div><br /><p></p><p>And now two photos of the climax of our Szőreg game. (We last played this scenario a year ago; report <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/04/hungary-1848-14-szoreg.html" target="_blank">here</a> gives more background.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-S3Dde2nUSFcodgqBgy8eamRuoF8CRz9Vzvc5qlRaoOXlGG-HTH11ZTy9EqDxqNLtvpteGLLDVlxZk3AiMneSR95dMANEzCMZ25-BS6Pqc47lkNAs8JO0h_V6SzPRkTk94z96CTSWxl2rUHPJLGMz04P1hVWO3IOwFApdtfosg-U6KxLKyHI5rA/s4013/Szoreg%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="4013" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-S3Dde2nUSFcodgqBgy8eamRuoF8CRz9Vzvc5qlRaoOXlGG-HTH11ZTy9EqDxqNLtvpteGLLDVlxZk3AiMneSR95dMANEzCMZ25-BS6Pqc47lkNAs8JO0h_V6SzPRkTk94z96CTSWxl2rUHPJLGMz04P1hVWO3IOwFApdtfosg-U6KxLKyHI5rA/w477-h204/Szoreg%202.JPG" width="477" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View from the Hungarian side with one turn remaining. The imperials have broken out from their entrenched bridgehead (top right), easily cleared some irregulars out of the wood objective top left, but not advanced far enough to take the village beyond it (out of shot, lower left of pic). On our right, the Polish Legion did a great job of delaying the allied advance across the embrasured dike that runs across upper centre of pic. The Poles (pink hats, bottom right) and friends are now holding two of the three Szőreg village objectives (foreground) against three disrupted Austrian brigades (the white-uniformed chaps with the yellow Disruption markers). Thus the Austrians only hold two objectives (the dike and the wood); they need two more for a draw and three for a win.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIavuSzkp6HqBtg4ObfpLkAtGt_A0sX6jpWYDGAWLj306Xjt_5vc0-25LIHiXmUdb7X3Gp4avLau7P1wJniIXpiN7PMU6-8zVSrT8ZPnDl2539qgg9ZmhY_yIlQ1T0Ht2xL3_5UUUXtgce5n8gkFWp96pefpl95tNnEqKqZ2s5CocxATdsci4Zow/s4031/Szoreg%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2512" data-original-width="4031" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIavuSzkp6HqBtg4ObfpLkAtGt_A0sX6jpWYDGAWLj306Xjt_5vc0-25LIHiXmUdb7X3Gp4avLau7P1wJniIXpiN7PMU6-8zVSrT8ZPnDl2539qgg9ZmhY_yIlQ1T0Ht2xL3_5UUUXtgce5n8gkFWp96pefpl95tNnEqKqZ2s5CocxATdsci4Zow/w476-h296/Szoreg%201.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Austrians needed everything to go right for them on their final turn. Their small unit upper left got the full move it needed to seize the empty village lower left. Both units in the centre managed to rally and charge. The rockets (top centre) moved up and added crucial fire, meaning that when the Austrians rolled boxcars for their attacking fire, my defending infantry were not just disrupted or damaged but wiped out. The small hussar unit on its own could not withstand the massed assault, so the Austrians took the central village objective as well. Finally, because we had failed to withdraw some troops scheduled to retreat, there was a 50-50 roll; this succeeded and gave the Austrians the final objective they needed for victory.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A word about this last point. Historically, most of the Hungarian army withdrew without fighting because other Austrian corps were conducting strategic outflanking to north and south. The 50-50 'flank threat' rolls are incurred if any of three Hungarian contingents are committed instead of withdrawing. We withdrew two of the three. In retrospect, we would have done better to commit the lot, giving good guarantees of holding a couple more objectives, and take our chances on the 50-50 rolls. I'm sure Clausewitz would agree.<br /></i></div><br /><br /></div><p></p><p>Reflections:</p><p><u>What a happy club!</u> Great to have so many players and two such exciting games.</p><p><u>Unusual situations make for good games.</u> I was pleased that both Mark and Crispin separately enthused about Szőreg's distinctive nature. It presents unique challenges for both sides, which makes it interesting for the players. Evidently the same was true of Mark's Shaikan race-against-massacre game.</p><p><u>Principles of war apply on the wargame table.</u> I've been reading a lot of Clausewitz again lately. (Some readers may not know I've published translations of <a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/08/jmh-on-clausewitz-1799-finely.html" target="_blank">three histories by Clausewitz</a>.) Reviewing my actions through a Clausewitzian lens, I can see I transgressed some of his advice (again). Must try harder.</p><p><u>Good scenario design makes for great games.</u> As I said, both games were so absorbing, we hardly took any photos. They both produced super-exciting, tense, close finishes that came down to the last few dice. It takes judicious scenario design to achieve that fine balance. Special kudos to Mark for making such a good game out of such a one-sided massacre as Shaikan.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Szőreg is one of the scenarios in the "<a href="https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/09/bloody-big-hungary-48-battles-scenario.html" target="_blank">Bloody Big Hungary '48 Battles!</a>" campaign book.</i><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039878527317652203.post-52776145637024005542023-03-15T19:11:00.000+00:002023-03-15T19:11:44.379+00:00Gorgeous Alma game<p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alma" target="_blank">Battle of the Alma</a> (1854) is one of the best-known battles of the Crimean War. A scan of wargame forums suggests it is fought reasonably regularly. Unfortunately it tends to be treated as a dull frontal assault: across the river, up the slope, into the teeth of the Russian guns and massed columns. Some people enjoy games like that; I prefer to have more choices to make.<br /></p><p>So, when I came to write the Alma scenario for the "Bloody Big European Battles!" scenario book, I tried to make it more interesting. I looked at the options available to the Russians and saw that a viable alternative strategy for them might have been to deploy further east and threaten the allies' flank, rather than directly barring their way to Sevastopol. Meanwhile, as I recall, there was some argument between the allies, with the French keen to press forward as swiftly as possible and the British being more cautious.</p><p>The scenario therefore gives both sides the opportunity to choose between their two options, resulting in four possible permutations of aims and victory conditions. A direct recreation of history is one possible outcome. However, when we fought the Alma this month using Matt's gorgeous display game layout, the result was a kind of 'alternative Alma' in which the action was somewhat displaced from its historical location but still very much captured the flavour.</p><p>The Russian team chose the 'flank position', while the allies opted for 'cautious'. This meant the allies had to deal with the flank threat before advancing on Sevastopol, so they had 8 turns to drive the Russians back along their line of the communications to the southeast. (Had the allies chosen 'aggressive', they would have focused on exiting French units off the south board edge, while preventing Russians descending towards the allies' supplies piled on the beach behind them.) I was on the allied side in the minor role of commander of the Turkish division.</p><p>After the first few turns it looked dire for the allies, thanks to aggressive Russian defence and bad allied dice. The allies had advanced in march columns so as to get through the vineyards and across the river as quickly and easily as possible. Unfortunately, Russian attack columns pounced on the British as they ascended the far slope and gave them a very bloody nose, effectively putting one division out of action. As for the French, they repelled the Russian onslaught but dismal movement dice then had them sitting around for coffee and croissants for a couple of hours. I thought we were set for humiliating defeat.</p><p>But of course, as the game went on, the Russian hordes melted away in the face of superior allied firepower. The British cleared the road between Kanysch and Uleschel (our first objective), and French panache and elan were carrying the zouaves and friends far into the Russian left. On the last turn we even had a chance of seizing the next stretch of road for an unlikely win. Equally, a late Russian counterattack could have claimed victory for the Tsar.<br /></p><p>Of course it wasn't to be and the game ended as an honourable draw. Well played to all my gallant comrades and opponents alike.</p><p>Three captioned photos below are followed by some reflections. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHmfzTQ4LQ1WGWELgzNf7Xf4u89j387iiN87o-TsrxsxGGeDEeJGUAddb-c-VVqOfdPmV4YMVIerIxKpj5e3LFbtgTJBVhZt4208pWx6aDDTSGGqxE51gnRRai_PBqCe5f-5Nba8VDMnPUOBTFUF1HaF4qMCdtQ_aDrl6Q639VjE-yMu0hErZAQ/s4011/IMG_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="4011" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHmfzTQ4LQ1WGWELgzNf7Xf4u89j387iiN87o-TsrxsxGGeDEeJGUAddb-c-VVqOfdPmV4YMVIerIxKpj5e3LFbtgTJBVhZt4208pWx6aDDTSGGqxE51gnRRai_PBqCe5f-5Nba8VDMnPUOBTFUF1HaF4qMCdtQ_aDrl6Q639VjE-yMu0hErZAQ/w502-h251/IMG_1950.JPG" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View of Matt's gorgeous layout from the Black Sea. Terrain boards with custom hills; the mosque in Bourliouk (top centre); the half-built telegraph tower (top right); the allied fleet of steam & sail warships - note the smoke coming out of their funnels. It really was fabulous work and a privilege to push troops across it.</i> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPcowW5CloUFveiwwbGVo7kxUuqFSuGUwcx93eYmU3RAtqf9KH4ZXjUQ4t5BulWyCj_9tEoLa6UwdVpZc0TmTuGjVmm4d2h-2rJjpwVOaR5WuMsRkXarGvvbkY7U2jjctzrWMP2ZyWwUlThoSyo8s0polN7HYBjy02xHuNoTm-9Ob2IbPaj_klA/s4031/IMG_1951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="4031" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPcowW5CloUFveiwwbGVo7kxUuqFSuGUwcx93eYmU3RAtqf9KH4ZXjUQ4t5BulWyCj_9tEoLa6UwdVpZc0TmTuGjVmm4d2h-2rJjpwVOaR5WuMsRkXarGvvbkY7U2jjctzrWMP2ZyWwUlThoSyo8s0polN7HYBjy02xHuNoTm-9Ob2IbPaj_klA/w533-h259/IMG_1951.JPG" width="533" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>Situation circa Turn 2. French on the right have dashed across the bridge at Bourliouk; British on the left make slower progress because the Russians have set light to Kanysch (centre left of pic - Matt actually had flickering flames). Russian columns menace from top of pic. In the foreground, my Turkish division snakes from right to left to support the British. Beautiful figures on beautiful terrain.<br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueivIeNQ4UBItA3Ww8Ql8kjciymwmXpCWeoX010KOHQeNz0ZatG-_2EaKGO8UP7IRhK-Ys_lBCShGZrJw-pBCFyh4EtsKYgoozp9yMWEysPtOh1_veDGw2-T5j8rfwRv1qhDl2d20ClgHd0uhLDJjCjOQPvpqwr-xBCBedXKbznWlrk9cUCl3Vg/s4031/IMG_1952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2626" data-original-width="4031" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueivIeNQ4UBItA3Ww8Ql8kjciymwmXpCWeoX010KOHQeNz0ZatG-_2EaKGO8UP7IRhK-Ys_lBCShGZrJw-pBCFyh4EtsKYgoozp9yMWEysPtOh1_veDGw2-T5j8rfwRv1qhDl2d20ClgHd0uhLDJjCjOQPvpqwr-xBCBedXKbznWlrk9cUCl3Vg/w465-h302/IMG_1952.JPG" width="465" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Close-up of the British columns fording the Alma. Highlanders on the right following the guards' bearskins. The division top left is about to be sent reeling back with heavy casualties.</i> <br /></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p><u>Reflections:</u> <br /></p><p><u>Similar but different.</u> Interestingly, even though the Russian choice of flank threat rather than historical blocking position shifted most of the action away from the historical battlefield, it still captured much the same historical flavour. We still had Brits battling their way across the river and up steep bluffs against massed Russian counterattacks and formidable artillery redoubts; we still had French bogged down for a while until the zouaves went on a big right hook.<br /></p><p><u>Gorgeous game</u>. I can't overstate how much work Matt had put into the terrain, the troops, the fleets and the counters (low ammo, disruption etc were all appropriate little models). Consequently the game looked great, which helps to make our mental pictures more vivid as well, and to tell the story of the battle.</p><p><u>Quality vs Quantity</u>. Asymmetry makes for interesting match-ups. The contrast between the Russian army (Tactically Inept, not great musketry but plenty of artillery) and the allies (lots of longer-ranged rifles, capable skirmishers, hence deadly small arms fire) was dramatic. The Russians did a good job of exploiting such advantages they had, but ultimately quality told and changed the course of the game.</p><p><u>Dice can stink!</u> I have rarely seen so many pairs of snake-eyes as Phil rolled for the French, paralysing their advance for half the game. One can rationalise that as the French commander being taken aback by the Russian aggression and pausing, unsure what more might be over the next hill.</p><p><u>Hurrah for Johnny Turk.</u> You can't see it as I didn't take many photos, but right at the end it was my Turkish division that interposed to prevent a Russian counterattack that could have snatched victory. I therefore claim all the credit for the allies' (partial) success. ;-)</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The Alma scenario is one of four that form a Crimean War mini-campaign in the "Bloody Big European Battles!" scenario book: Kurudere, The Alma, Inkerman and The Chernaya. BBEB is available from all the usual BBB retailers. There is also a Balaclava scenario available free from the files of the <a href="https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles" target="_blank">BBB group on groups.io</a>.</i><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ChrisBBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13522334377353504659noreply@blogger.com4