Snow play on a snow day….

The surprise snow we are receiving tonight has reminded me that I had not yet posted this game from many weeks ago my wife agreed to play a wargame with me (!!) - to be honest probably due to her boredom from being ‘trapped’ by all the snow our city had received the time! The simplest game I could develop was, ironically, my “Retreat from Moscow” - yes, the one with all the snow terrain! This game  is for the convention setting with all units each on large easy to move and measure circular bases, a very easy-to-digest rules (trimmed down Rampant style), and a straight-forward ‘get to the other end’ scenario. She and I played the parties of remnants of Napoleon's Grand Armee facing angry peasants, Cossacks and Russian regulars, with the occasional wild animal - all with a very random placement and action charts which does make for some interesting actions. Hopefully the use of clear or white dice and unobtrusive markers does not take away from the snowiness of it all.

overall table design.  A white table cloth forms the snow terrain

all the units are now on large circular bases which make moves and ranges very easy to calculate.  The game is very much designed for the convention setting.

Look out horsemen! The wolves are on your flank!

100 Years War grunge match

Prologue: Well, they are finally painted! I have had these very old Gamesworkshop 'Brettonian' knights ready to paint for many, many years. I have an old post of them still in black primer from 2016  (see: previous post ) I recently added embossed shields from Fireforge which emblems matched some of the headgear of these knights. These shields make painting of the knightly "logo" much easier.  The use of crested helmets did continue to some degree during this period, and the Osprey edition on Crecy and Poitiers illustration plates certainly show them, so I don't think they are too far off the historical track <wink>

Introduction:  After The Battle of Crecy in 1346, the French nobles felt the English with their ‘crooked sticks’ didn’t fight fair, so they want another go at it. 

 So in the blue corner weighing in at 24 points we have the contenders - the French - with three ‘Battles’ of knights on steeds with the help of "Genoese" crossbowmen.

And in the red corner also weighing in at 24 points, the defending champions - the English - with two groups of 'elite' longbow archers behind stakes and a group of men-at-arms together with a group of yeomen spear.

Unlike the first match at Crecy, we are giving "the Genoese" their protective pavises and not having any muddy ground to hamper French movement. These two factors are used to account for the historically overwhelming English victory. Round One: Deployment of the crossbow and archers was at maximum 18” for both. The English longbow shot first but the crossbow morale withstood both lights of arrows and they returned fire causing casualties but no discouragement from the English. Historically, the French knights grew impatient and charged through their crossbowmen. To account for this, I rolled for their movement. If successful, they would move through the crossbow into charge ranges, if not the crossbow would be allowed to shoot, softening up the English. But the impetuous French knights being who they are….. Round Two: Those "Genoese" who avoided getting trampled, moved into a tight group to avoid the advancing knights who, despite casualties from the archers, launched into the more respectable opponents of the English men-at-arms and spearmen; and while the spearmen were pushed back, the men-at-arms of foot held fast and the French mounted knights fell back to regroup. Unfortunately for them the archers, still untouched, launched volleys of arrows into them finally cracking their numbers and spirit. However their sacrifice allowed the reserve knights to move into charge range without casualties.

Final Round:
The French knights (or more the fact, their horses) avoided the stakes and attacked a more chivalrous target in the English knights on foot, and while pushing back the English, opened themselves to be a target of the archers who shredded them. Addendum: important rules which I forgot to employ were the stakes while offering extra armour for the archers cost 2 points which would not allow the archers deployed behind them to be ‘expert’ and shooting better; with the result the French knight gained more casualties than they should have skewing the battle result. Thus the need to rewind. So Grunge Match #2….. The historically numerous deployed Genoese would have spread across the who breadth of the French line but "Lion Rampant" rules prohibit such deployment. This tightening of frontage allows the French knights to avoid the crossbowmen rather than riding over them into a position to charge the English.

My dice rolling came into effect which did not allow the English bow to fire over two turns (!) allowing the French knights to charge without casualties. The Right ‘Battle’ of French knights avoided the stakes to crash into the English spear knocking them back. The crossbowmen, with clean sights, routed the longbow. The Left ‘Battle’ of knights charged directed at the longbow despite their protective stakes and pushed them from those obstacles. The English men-at-arms on foot, could and would advance into the milling French mounted knights getting the better of the fight. Emboldened, they would later charge at the crossbow knowing that should they await the French, the crossbow would merely shoot them down as they stood. However the crossbowmen do know their trade and punctured the English knights as they paced forward. The English, no doubt seeing the further array of the French knights behind the crossbow pavises lost heart.(*)

The English archers while heroically withstanding attacks of the French knights finally succumbed to these armoured warriors. The English army was no more. Crecy revenged!

 (*) a decisive victory made more impressive that a third of the French men-at-arms, the knights in reserve, failed every move roll (!!!), got nowhere near the fighting thus could have been fresh for any further contest.

The French in Algeria c.1834

 French involvement in Algeria c.1834

I love the image on the right.  I added the red trousers from the more formal dress, as seen on the left hand figures. 

Ever since I looked at this image, I saw the potential in the Victrix plastic Napoleonic Guardsmen with their overcoats.  The red trousers are a great look.  But at the time, I dutifully employed those I did have, in the various napoleonic units I needed to create.  Then there was a sale at the local hobby store and the big old box of Victrix Guardsmen were still there, buried, and still at the old low price.  I could not resist!  

The rear of the 'African caps' used at this early date in Algeria. With muskets and looking very Napoleonic still. The start of use of the bulky packs worn in the campaigns of North Africa can be seen. 'Green Stuff' rolls were added. Some modifications to the equipment was done but the figures as is were quite appropriate for 1834.

The headdress is the “African cap” which would eventually be reduced in size and transformed into the famous kepi; but at this early date, the French were still experimenting on the military headdress to be worn as the traditional leather or felt shako was too hot and unsuitable to the environment of North Africa.  I created the 'African caps' from the Perry late Napoleonic French hussar shakos (the Rouleau) with the back leather flap the distinctive feature.  The pompons and cockades were removed and a button of the ‘African cap’ was added on the top. I must admit that I added the folds by paint only….

I picked this earlier era, as by 1840 the French in North Africa had taken to place ammunition pouches on a front waist, so these figures would not be appropriate.

Line Infantry in Algeria 1833. An 'interesting'  experiment in cap design by the regiment on the right.  These experiments were seen very early in the North African campaigns. The tincture of this plate over-lightens the intended grey too blue, but the pack was inspirational. 

Note the white/blue striped roll on the backpack. I found some plastic ones that look the part with paint

But alas, once again,  I have done a force without an opposition for them.  Perhaps I will obtain some Algerians of this earlier era of colonialism at some date, but first I will probably add the Zouaves to bulk up the French presence.

During this era the armaments of the French and locals were not all that dissimilar so battle would not be the usual one-sided colonial actions of the later part of the century.  Reading the military histories, the fights were quite intense.

The second engagement at Okcorralska

While the tank fight  was going on (previous post), two German infantrymen were looting a house. Each holding an anti-tank grenade bundle, they decide to hunt down the t-34.  They move; Hans however stumbles on the flooring exiting the house [ two Move Dice and I rolling two ones!] Franz fall over him [yup, another one inch move!] but gets up and runs 6 inches further [Wild turned into a Move] and acquires the Russian tank.

Hans (right), Franz (left) 

Sensing the Germans could be near by, the Russian reverse and rotate the turret and see the German (Franz) approaching and load up the main gun.

Hans gets up and runs to a position on the other side of a low fence while Franz runs directly toward the tank fast enough that he was now within range to throw his grenade charge under the muzzle of the 85mm.

The Russian driver cleverly reveres the tank while pivoting, allowing the front face toward the element but more importantly, allowing the  hull mg to acquire the German.   The MG rounds hit  Franz wounding him [loss of two Comm, Die]

Hans, meanwhile, cautiously creep slowly to the fence [only one Move Die this time and, due on form, I again roll a 1(inch) for the move]

Franz behind the Russian t-34

While wounded, but apparently not in his legs, Franz moved to the immediate rear of the t-34.  But he forgot one critical issue - the Russian tank could reverse and crush him under their tracks. Oh, dear.

Hans, finally made his way to the fence and acquired the tank.

Hans slowly moving into position ( despite his pose!)

The Russians backed up further and aimed the big gun toward the German and aimed.

Hans looked at his options [the Command Dice] and decided on the “Heil der Fuehrer” option and would run toward the beast.  Luckily his legs cooperated ( I rolled for the distance after deciding on his course of action ).  He threw the grenade toward the Russian but it bounced off the top of the engine compartment and exploded harmlessly behind the tank.

Hans about to throw is grenade...poorly it must be said....

The Russian hull machine gun chatted again but the German avoided the stream of lead.  The main gun then fired.  The shell blew by Hans but the blast alone shook him up [ Remarkably, the 8 Russian strike dice only allowed 3 hits, 1 of which was negated. ]

But not frozen in place, Hans ran away, ostensibly to get another grenade.

Hans shown in his final moments.....

The German could still be seen by the Russian crew, so they loaded another round and fired. The shot took off poor Han’s head.  

(he rolled a very poor double 1s for savings rolls - so we can justify this outcome, what! )

Epilogue: 

In the cellar of one of the houses of OKcorralska, a father says to his little boy, you can take your hands from your ears.  Our village will again be quiet…for now….

Duel at Okcorralska - WW2 tank battle in Russia

 

“What a Tanker” by the Two Fat Lardies rules might be frustrating, if you are of the mind, should you be playing with others as you NEVER get the dice you want and so, it is usually move or not move and still get blown-up.  Well, my experience anyway.  However, it is a delightful platform for interesting solo play narrative.  You can cheer for both sides, trying to have each tank do the right moves.  As you own both tanks, you shouldn’t really care who wins….

Those familiar with these rules, I added the ‘technical’ parts of the action.  Those who just want to read the narrative can ignore the [  ] with each move.

Russian t34/85 Armour 8, Strike 8

Geman StuG III G Armour 7, Strike 7

Onto the game:

.....sometime after October 1943 in the Russian village of Okcorralska.....

“Hans, go out and have a look around the village and…..Where did he come from?!!”. the commander of the brand new StuG III G exclaimed.  He was looking at a T34/85 which had just come around a house across the dirt road right in front of him and was swivelling the large turret his way. [moved and acquired]. 

_________________

But the StuG’s crew were already in action.  The gunner said, “acquired!” and was making the finite aiming of the 75mm gun.  The gun was already loaded [per the rules for all at start of the game]. “Fire!”, the commander roared [Wild Die changed to Shoot]. But the gunner seemed more frazzled that he thought. the round missed the Russian tank completely. [failed to hit by the roll].  “Reload”, the commander barked.

___________

The German StuG in the foreground, the Russian t34/85 in the background

The Russian crew were determined [good command dice sequence!] They fired.  The concussion forced the German TD back a few feet but the round did not penetrate. [even hits vs saves = movement back by target]

____________

The German gunner had already re-aimed, pulled the trigger and the loader put in another round.  “We hit him... but not that hard,  I think” said the German commander [ 2 Command Dice lost to the Russian].  Try our luck or get out now?  the German commander was thinking as he had three Drive dice left.  But he was in a tank-destroyer without turret and so a cat-and-mouse game was not good for him. “We’ll stay”

_____________

The Russian moved back a bit and it’s turret made a subtle move but didn’t fire [ at only four Command Dice he did have a Drive Die which was used to break the aim of the StuG while the Russian re-aimed at the German].

____________

The German gunner was pleased as he could quickly re-aim and carefully toggled the fine aim pointer [ three Aim Dice allowing re-aiming and a plus two on the hit dice!]  “Schiess!” exclaimed the German commander;  but perhaps “scheiss” would have been more appropriate, as the round bounced off the Kharkov iron. “At least we can reload”, the dejected German added.

____________

The Russian driver revved the T34’s diesel. [ I rolled three Drive - 1s of course - and a Wild Dice for the Russian Command’s reduced four Command Dice ].   The Russian thought, ‘Sure, we have a turret, the Fascist does not.  Let’s get around on his flank”

___________

The StuG in response could only engage reverse and pivot. But it was important as it kept the Russian in sight and its heaviest armour in the front facing the Russian 

___________

The T34 managed a shot which hit hard on the StuG.   [it now also lost two Command Dice] 

___________

The StuG reversed to more open ground as not to give the Russian another end-around;  also breaking his aim.

___________

The Russian was still.  The crew trying to come up with a plan. [ no useful dice this turn!]  

___________

The German got another round off but this merely glanced off without effect. But another round was loaded [the #5 Load Die showed up!]

____________

The Russian was frustrated but at least the loader would get another round into his 85mm.

_____________

The German fired and reloaded again. “What is with this slave-made ammo!”  Again, the German shell hit but did not make but a scar on the Russian armour.  [fewer hits than saves!]

_____________

The Russian crew came to life.  The gunner aimed and fired and loader quickly did his job. They did not wait to see the result but fired again. [ Fire Dice, Reload Dice and Fire Dice again]  With a differential of three dice on the second shot, the German StuG was obliterated.

The Russians did not celebrate. They were too emotionally drained. It was 8 turns of intense action. Perhaps half-hour of play? Historically, what, three minutes?

_______________

Epilogue:  Just had to try out David’s fine 3D print of a mid-war StuG III G that came in action in October 1943 with its distinctive rounded ‘Saukopf” gun mantle.  The flat side armour (I added these in plastic) was to deal with the Russian Anti-Tank Rifles which, with the effort the Germans made in this regard, must have been a real threat. 

a Natives raid on Nateville

The Abenaki raid on Nateville.  

Gleaned from email correspondence between Nate and Mr. Brewster, and CC’s to me, apparently the natives got restless as it were and attacked Nateville while the bigger battle of Towe's Field was being fought (see my previous post).

  I have dutifully come up with the following:

----------------

While the large battle of Towe’s Field was occurring, some of the Abenaki warriors took it upon themselves to do a raid on Nateville.   

The local volunteers of Nateville had gathered to guard the town, while some were unwilling soldiers, many were pleased with the task.  The screams of war cries broke the afternoon air as a small band of warriors emerged from nearby and attacked the volunteers. The Volunteers were pushed back by the onslaught but either side did much damage. The natives followed up the charge but the Americans held their composure despite their timidness to fight.  It was the tired and hungry natives who decided their gambit had failed and they melted back into the fields.  

skirmishers or lights troops are offered additional cover despite being "in the open"

This was a very small affair using "Rebels and Patriots" rules, and with both sides fighting at half effect, so little loss (few dice throw and my traditionally poor rolling anyway, made for very few hits!)

This was an interesting game having only 1/2 effective units which makes each dice rolled that much more critical and actions proceed quickly.    

Battle of Towe's Field (fictional War of 1812)

The Battle of Towe’s Field Final Battle of the Nateville Campaign. 

We have a first hand account by an American Engineer with the US 31st Infantry Regiment.

the photo shows William and the author finishing chopping down a log for work on the "bridge of boat(s). The US 30th Infantry Reg't is starting to cross, drums a drumming. As the American military used the old fashioned "reversed colors" for musicians, these Americans indeed wore redcoats. A supply was even provided by a captured British shipment! 

 “Dear Father, Were the battles of the revolution such as this? I thought my regiment a splendid unit but it did not perform well today. Nor did any. But I did my part. William and me we were tasked to cut down some trees along the river bank to allow the captured boats to ferry the Combined Light company in the very early morning. The lack of boats and lack of oars made for slow crossing. The officer of the 30th was impatient to cross.(my regiment crossed by the bridge while I was here…I do not understand the logic of the army….) William suggested we could build a bridge on the boats. (1) The officer, a new graduate of West Point, an engineer student, thought this a grand plan and soon had his regiment tearing down the nearby fences. I only a few hours we had a nice looking crossing. When Bill and I returned from refreshing ourselves, the regiment had passed and we had no orders. Thinking we did out part and exhausted, we went to the local mill and its second story afforded us a grand perch to view the battle."

The author's position is in the Mill, the large building on the left near the river.

"Father, we were looking towards the enemy lands. To our left is the bridge with an artillery battery deployed on our side of the river, and the Kentucky horse crossing first followed by the 31st Infantry. closer to us was our boat bridge with a hill on the other side of the river on which the Lights deployed. To our right, the 10th Infantry made crossing by a narrow ford, They had artillery support. We could see the enemy had made field works and used abattis (sharpened tree branches facing out) This was in front of Brewsterburg, the same town we attacked before."

 view from the Canadian side in front of Brewsterburg:

note the RIP grave marker.  This is my indicator that the unit is now at 50% or under strength, which for Rebels and Patriots, is a very bad and indeed grave situation for the unit's morale.

"The battle started in the plowed field of Cardon Towe’s farmland. Our Lights were surprised by having early opposition from some grey-clad fellows with fur caps. They stood on the far side of the field and seemed to get the better of the Lights who then broke and ran. This was earlier in the battle as they came past us before our boat-bridge was completed. Many were very wet and without arms. The 30th’s officers made some attempt at halting them and their men jeered them but as they were fully employ with us, did little. It was rumored that the officer soiled his pantaloons during the firefight" (3) "In our view, off to the left, the Kentucky boys seemed to freeze the Redcoats in place allowing the mounted riflemen to shoot up the artillery in the fort. The artillery over there kept up a steady pounding of the fort also. Why the redcoats kept in place we could not fathom but we admired their courage." William made the observation that every one of our regiments seemed to be glued in place trying to cross the water. It was, William said, “were be like they ‘fraid of drowning” This lasted several minutes. (2). While the infantry came under scrutiny after the battle, the artillery was commended as the ‘B’ Battery firing into the field works did good work as was ‘A’ Battery mentioned already. The red capped locals manning the works and the sheds nearby took a pounding to be sure but only retreated very late in the day but gave enough time for some more redcoats to come up in support to face the 10th who finally attacked. William later spoke with a man of the 10th who said the officer insisted on keeping close order but unwilling to engage in frontal assault had them slowly move around the abattis and into the volley fire of the British regulars. This broke them."

"Back on the left, a rocket battery was set up. We done never seen these before and Will and I were in stitches, laughing most hardedly at the smoke trails going this way and that, usually over the grey-coated unit who were most distressed at the fiery things going close over their heads. Not one came near our boys. We could clearly see a mounted officer ride over and gesture for them to stop. Father, it was particularly funny!"

the hex marker shows the direction of the rocket...not good for their side, eh?

 "While the rockets didn’t come near the Kentucky horses, the artillery from the fort did and soon they galloped back to the bridge. While they tried to calm the jittery horses, my 31st which had moved past in grand style to form a close order assault column, was hit by well-aimed close range canister fire which suddenly turned our parade ground into a carnal house. I lost many friends and think myself fortunate to be here than there, truth be told. The rest of the regiment turned to flee but there was no where to run. The horses blocked the bridge, the river was deep. More losses" (4).

"While this tragedy was occurring, the 30th moved up but was met and defeated by the grey-clad unit- we later were informed this unit was the French-Canadian “Voltiguers” and a unit of redcoats who also poured a well-aimed volley into them. Of the redcoats, we learned this was the same unit that captured our ammo supply some while back. "

" At this point the battle seemed to just petter out. The British would not, could not(?) advance; our boys in confused huddled masses. Our leadership it was said, had lost faith that any of the units could be reformed. Were your battles of the revolution like this too? "

 "Your loving son, "

 ————————- 

Editors notes:

 The General would be sacked the next day. But his After-Action Report would explain that the limited crossing of the river would not allow easy retirement of the easily spooked American troops, making traps and causing traffic jams for units entering or exiting the fray. Due to this terrain, high command deemed it impossible to conduct any more offensive actions in the area. With the Canadians not wanting to invade over the border formed by the river, the Nateville area soon will become a backwater of the war, with units slowly dispersed elsewhere. Peace thus has come back to the residents of Brewsterburg and Nateville. 

 ————————— 

Footnotes:

(1) Nate’s ‘orders’ for the American attackers were to gain boats and cross mid-river. I took the opportunity to create a ‘pontoon’ with a boat as the support. 

(2)No Activation was made for these units all on the crossings for three turns straight! 

(3)The “Rebels and Patriots” rules has a delightful “Brown Trousers” effect for a unit’s command. 

(4)The rules have any unit unable to retreat in full, take losses equal to the measurement not moved and as the river and the Kentucky unit blocked the road back, the unit was essentially destroyed.