Of Battles, Books & Butterflies

A bit of a pot pourri post, as recently I've had plenty of time to ponder a few things hobby related, especially during a long drive to Norfolk last week. Nothing ground breaking I'm sure, but I thought I'd jot them down anyway!

Battles

Despite having quite a few core forces for most of the periods I like to game, I still seem to struggle to get a game onto the table or even to maintain some momentum for my mini-campaigns. I think 'oh, I'll just paint up that unit or some terrain for the next game', but then nothing happens and it all stalls, with weeks or months going by with no progress. Despite having a dedicated games room, it had become a bit of a mess, which didn't help matters!

So a bit of a tidy up has helped and a desire to try and get more games in, given that I have plenty of choice as already mentioned. Not having cluttered surfaces makes a bit difference and it is much easier to get to stuff, in advance of a planned game. My lead pile is still too big and I still need to really have a good sort out and probable cull, which will help matters I'm sure. 

At least this mini tidy up has resulted in a game all ready and set to go, which is great, so an AAR should appear soon.

Books

With my recent birthday just gone, I once again bought a few books as a treat, and my family know to leave me to order what I want! A win for them and a win for me;)

I saw this by chance when searching for something to buy and, given my interest in mid-19thC Europe, this more than fitted the bill. I'd read his book on 'Glubb Pasha and the Arab Legion' many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm just getting into this and his prose is easy to read and full of little snippets too that are perfect for us wargamers. Given that Warlord Games have just released a supplement for the Crimea, I can see this conflict getting more coverage in due course.

Having enjoyed the 1st and 3rd books, I manged to find this for a very good price on ebay. Of course I don't really NEED this book, given I have plenty of others on the Eastern Front, but it is one of those nice things to have and always has some nice ideas contained therein. The rules in the others have been far to detailed for me and are a product of their time, and I imagine the same will be true here. But a nice addition to the library nonetheless.

I'd not heard of this book before until it popped up on the Pendraken forum and was mentioned in passing in a post. The Little Wars TV chaps had done a nice video with Bruce Weigle a few years ago on this invasion and I had seen the game at Colours too. Given I have a love for the invasion of Crete (still yet to game!) as well as that of Kos and Leros in 1943, this seemed to be one worth adding to the library. Luckily the Naval & Military press had it on sale, so I snapped up a copy. I've only flicked through it but it looks perfect for us wargamers and maybe one day I'll get to game a part of it. Afterall I can use my Italians, Fallschirmjager and some T-34's, so what's not to like?!

Butterflies

Well the Malta 1942 book certainly got the old butterfly to flapping its wings, that's for sure! Alongside this my mind wandered to my 'Glorious Glosters' in Normandy campaign that has stalled for nearly a year now, as well as a long planned AVBCW mini-campaign that was first thought about years ago. I'm not short of ideas that's for sure, but my problem is I struggle to keep focussed on a project, as something always seems to catch my eye and draw me off in another direction! First World problems and all that, but I do need to try and maintain focus a bit more.

What Next?

Well in terms of focus, post the tidy up of the games room, I've set up the next action of my 'Canadians in Normandy' campaign, which has waited too long to get to the table. Even though the planned terrain and troop additions have failed to materialise, I can still use what I have and some Fallschirmjager can make a guest appearance until such times as the 'correct' troops are ready.

Thanks for getting this far and as always, any comments greatly appreciated.

TTFN.

OHW Scenario 20: Fighting Retreat

With the Cotswold Wargames Day fast approaching, I thought I'd better get a game or two in to re-familiarise myself with Black Powder II, the rules I'm planning on using for the day. Looking back at my AAR's, and its been about year, maybe a tad more, since they featured in a game! Keeping things simple and an excuse to use my new river sections, I turned to the ever useful One Hour Wargames scenarios to come up with a game. No AI used here I tell you!

Scenario Details

The Blue Army has been raiding Red territory and are making a hasty run for safety to their side of the border, with the Red Army in hot pursuit.

OOB Blue

2 x Brigades, each with: 3 x Line Infantry, 1 x Light Infantry, 1 x Artillery.

OOB Red

2 x Brigades, each with: 3 x Line Infantry, 1 x Light Infantry, 1 x Artillery.

1 x Brigade: 2 x Mounted Infantry, 1 x Horse Artillery.

The Game

The objective was for the Blue Army to reach the safety of a hill, that for Red to take the hill. Simples.

The Blue Army starts on the table on the right hand side, next to but not across the river. The Red Army will arrive at the start of Turn 2 from the right hand table edge.

The Blue Army right flank.

The Blue Army left flank.

The hill that is the objective.

A fuzzy shot of the Red Army ready to roll.

Some gratuitous shots of the new river sections!

Both Blue columns make smart moves across the river on Turn 1.

The end of Turn 2. The Blue Army has already put good distance between itself and the pursuing Red Army.

The Blue Army is closing in on the hill.

The Red Army left flank manages to reach the river as the last of the Blue Army cross the bridge.

The Blue Army left flank column again puts good distance between itself and the enemy, although the Red Mounted Infantry cross the ford and threaten their rear.

The end of Turn 4. The Blue Light Infantry have managed to hold all attempts by the Red Army to push them back from the bridge and the ford. This has allowed the Blue Army to form a very good defensive position on and around the hill.

The Blue right flank.

The Blue centre on the hill.

The Blue left flank.

Outnumbered 3:1, the Blue Light Infantry on the left flank stubbornly refuse to budge.

A similar situation on the Blue right flank.

The end of Turn 6. The Red Army has only managed to force the Blue left flank Light Infantry back 'whipped', other than that, Blue has just waited in a strong defensive position as they have no need to move nor fire.

The Red Army left flank have been unable to force a crossing over the bridge.

The Red Army right flank finally has the way clear to cross the ford.

The gallant and brave Blue Light Infantry are finally forced back 'whipped'.

A view of the Blue Army's defensive postions on and around the hill.

Little Round Top.

End of Game

With 6 Turns of the usual 8 Turns already gone, it was obvious that the Red Army could not move and contest the hill before time ran out, so I called the game as a comprehensive Blue victory.

Post Game Thoughts

Well that was a funny old game to say the least and an unsatisfying one too! Why? Well some thoughts below:

• Despite not having played BPII for a year or more, it all came back to me, with the QRS being used for most of the game and with occasional reference to the main rulebook, which has a brillaint contents page, which makes this a very easy thing to do.
• Originally I had the Mounted Infantry as 2 x Cavalry and 2 x Light Infantry, but after the first moves, it was obvious that I needed to amend this due to the rapid moves by the Blue troops. This was because I use the Glory Hallelujah! amendments that means if a unit moves more than once, it cannot fire. Also I feel it unrealistic for say the Red Cavalry to suddenly arrive on the table and charge the Blue Light Infantry in the rear.
• Aside from some excellent command rolls by the Blue Army, the +2 to the command rolls when in march column and on the road, meant that short of rolling and 11 or 12 on 2D6, the Blue Army could easily cross the river and form a defensive position, making it very hard for Red to then have a realistic chance of crossing the river to contest the hill.
• If I was to play this again, I would add a movement penalty for the ford and the wooden bridge, as well as limiting the march column bonus to a +1 at best. This would still allow the Blue Army a chance to steal a march on the Red Army, but not too much as to spoil the game.
• Both Blue Light Infantry units were simply stubborn and outstanding all game. On the right flank, I was somewhat reminded of the lone Viking at Stamford Bridge holding up the Saxon Army!
• All of the above should be considered alongside the fact that the Red dice rolling for shooting was truly shocking, barely causing any hits and most of those were saved until Turn 6. Even if the shooting had been better, I still think it a tough ask for the Red Army in this scenario.
• To make it a more even or enjoyable game, I think there needs to be a better ratio for Red vs Blue than the 3:2 in the current scenario. That and maybe some tweaks on Reds arrival or maybe to make the river fordable all over, but at a larger movement penalty that for at the ford or the bridge. Plenty to ponder for sure.

What Next?

Ideally I would like to get another game or two in before the CWD to really get familiar with the rules again. Figure wise I am painting more units, but rather slowly, as I don't want to force it and not enjoy the experience. At least I have enough units for the show. Scenario wise still rather up in the air, but at least the fluff is all roughed out.

Thanks for getting this far after a rather bloodless and inactive AAR. As always any comments greatly appreciated!

TTFN.

Das Wiener Schnitzel Kreig, 1848 - The Night Of The Hunter

Background

After the raid on his baggage camp, 'Il Cacciatore' was determined to regain his ill gotten goods, and so planned an ambush for the following day. Bouyed up by the arrival of a unit of Line Infantry, he made his plans and by a series of forced night marches, got ahead of the Austrians just before dawn.

'Fighting Joe' Radetsky was pleased with his loot, but wished he had gotten more. Not sitting on his laurels, he set of in the night to try to get back to the safety of Trauberk and its environs, where he and his troops could get a well earned rest. 

Austrian OOB

Kapitan 'Fighting Joe' Radetsky

2 x Line Infantry

1 x Light Infantry

3 x Jaegers

1 x Light Cavalry

Italian OOB

2nd Tenente 'Il Cacciatore'

3 x Line Infantry

1 x Light Infantry

1 x Dragoons

1 x Light Cavalry

Scenario J - A Long Way From Home

I took this as the basis for the campaign scenario, but made a few tweaks to fit in with the background:

• The first two Turns are early dawn, with visibility limited to 12". 
• The Austrians get to move first.

The Action

As always, the captioned photos will hopefully give you a feel for how the action unfolded. So without further ado:

A view of the battlefield. The Austrians are arriving from the NE corner, with the Italians equally split on the SE and NW corners.

The Austrians have the flanks well covered with Light Troops and Cavalry.

One part of the ambush force, consisting of Line Infantry and Dragoons.

The other half of the Italian force, with Line Infantry, Light Infantry and Light Cavalry.

Russell and Fenton from the Trauberk Thunderer are on hand to record events.

The long road which the Austrians need to traverse to reach safety.

The end of Turn 1. As dawn began to break, the Austrians moved down the road, but one unit of Line Infantry lagged behind. In the early morning light, the Italians could only hear the Austrians moving, but not see them to engage. They moved towards the sounds, but the Light Cavalry and Dragoons failed to advance.

Italian Line Infantry move forward to try and pin the Austrians in place, making out some dim shapes in the dim light of dawn.

Austrian troops on the left flank cover the baggage train.

The baggage train and guards.

As the Dragoons fail to move, the Line Infantry pass them to try and reach the road to seal off the Austrian escape route.

The Italians on the other side of the road move to try and ambush the Austrians.

'Il Cacciatore' strikes a pose on the ridge to encourage his troops forward with the cry of 'Avante!'

The end of Turn 2. The Austrian troops on the flanks began to engage the Italians, but to no effect due to the dawn light making it hard to target the enemy. The Italian response was patchy, but at least they had given the Austrians a surprise, even if not all of their troops moved forward to battle.

The Italian Line Infantry form Close Order to make the most of their first volley, if they can.

The Italian Line Infantry continue to try and advance to cut the road in the distance.

The Austrian left flank moves to engage the threat from the Italian troops formed up in Close Order.

On the Austrian right flank, the Jaegers come under fire and are Disordered as a result.

'Il Cacciatore' fails to make his troops move, despite repeated cries of 'Avante!'.

The Italian Light Infantry open fire on the Austrians.

The Italian Light Cavalry strike a pose.

Russell and Fenton capture them in all their glory!

The end of Turn 3. As morning arrives in all its glory, the Austrians make the most of the good light, causing the Line and Light Infantry on either flank to become Broken. The Italian Line Infantry manage to rally but the Light Infantry fail and Rout off the table! Once again the Dragoons fail to move, which is really hampering the Italian plans.

At least it looks like the Italians will be able to close the road soon, as their Light Cavalry is already there.

Austrian Light Infantry move forward to threaten the Light Cavalry by the road.

The baggage train is yet to halt.

The Italian Light Infantry rout!

Russell and Fenton on hand to record 'Il Cacciatore' as he moves his troops quickly forward and into line.

A 'position magnifique'.

The end of Turn 4. As the Austrians move to try and flank the Italian positions, they reply with some effective fire, but the Austrians hold firm. It is all in the balance at present...

The Italian Dragoons finally move, but the Line Infantry falter at a crucial moment!

The Italian Line Infantry are now at half strength and have little offensive capability.

The Italians form Close order as a tidal wave of Austrians move towards them.

Russell and Fenton see the tide possibly turning...

... and so capture 'Fighting Joe' leading his troops!

The end of Turn 5. As the Austrian right flank all miss with their shooting, the left flank steps up to the mark, causing the Line Infantry and Light Cavalry to rout! The Italians advance but quickly realise that the game is up and that discretion is the better part of valour.

The Line Infantry rout.

"Sod this for a game of soldiers!"

The Dragoons arrive too late to affect the game.

Russell and Fenton capture on the hill...

... to capture the moment of Victory!

End of the Game

All too quickly the Italian position become untenable and once again poor old 'Il Cacciatore' had nothing to show for encounter with 'Fighting Joe' Radetsky, who on the other hand had his star in the ascendent!

The Butcher's Bill, with Italian losses at the front, Austrian the back.

The Campaign

It is hard to see how 'Il Cacciatore' could come back from such a string off losses, most of which were all too one-sided. So he left the theatre of war to go and liase with Garibaldi and chums to see how, if given the chance, he could cross swords with his foe in the future. Time would tell...

Post Game Thoughts

Well I thought 'Il Cacciatore' would have a real chance in the game, but for multiple reasons, it just never worked out for him. So a few thoughts on why as follows:

• It's a funny old scenario upon which to base out action. All the Italians would need to do would be to deploy their troops as close to the bottom edge of their deployment zones, giving them a very good chance of sealing off the road in the first Turn or two. Not much of a game then, as the Austrians would be fighting a fairly static line of troops, losing all the narrative etc.
• Even with the 'free' Line Infantry unit, the Italians suffered from a lack of troops to close the road, hampered in no small part but the Dragoons failing to move for 3 Turns in a row. I think this is a tough scenario for the Italians to win, but didn't feel this when setting it all up, quite the opposite in fact.
• Allowing the Austrians to move first felt right, as moving second would have meant a great chance of a simple 'break the line' type game.
• The Italians did suffer more from poor command rolls and certainly some pretty bad Morale saves, which cost them the game early on. With the loss of the Light Infantry early on, they were very much on the back foot from then on.
• I completely forgot to use Radetsky's extra move allowance and the 'Fortuna Belli' which if I had remembered, might have made things even harder for the Italians.

What Next?

I had another scenario up my sleeve, dependent upon the outcome of this game, but in all honesty it feels the right place to end the campaign here and now. I've learnt a lot from these games and they have given me plenty of ideas to take forward for future narrative driven campaigns. I may do a post on my musings in due course, but let's wait and see.

I have been painting up some ECW units for another possible campaign, either set purely in the ECW and based around where I live, or re-visiting the 'Camberwick Green Chronicles' again with Dragon Rampant. After so many games of R&P, games wise something completely different is in order I think.

As mentioned previously, this is likely to be some AVBCW action or maybe even getting enough units painted so I can start my mini-campaign based around the Canadian landings, but with my fictional Regiments. Lets see what grabs me the most over the coming days.

Anyway, thanks for reading and I hoped you enjoyed the campaign and as always, any comments are greatly appreciated!

TTFN.