Dead Dog Junction.A.C.W.

For our(Paul and I) game this wednesday ,we are fighting an American Civil War game,featuring the little known town of "Dead Dog",which commands a railway junction,vital to both sides for supplies etc.  I have opted to command the Confederates,who are out-numbered,but in a good defensive position in and around the town and junction.

This is the table lay-out,the town is on a slight rise,which will not impede movement-the trees will afford cover,but apart from that it will be plain sailing(???)

The town and the attacking troops-will I be able to hold it?

My troops defending the junction-out-numbered but "fired up"-what could possibly go wrong???

Solo games for two,part two!

 Today Paul and I had a terrific battle,as per previous blog.We both surveyed the table,took stock of what troops we had,and off we went!!

Both sides advancing,Paul(with the most photographed hands in the world!) attacked immediately with his scythed chariots and elephants,with highs and lows against the phalanx-the light skirmishers both did sterling work too.

The companion cavalry did well against the Persian cavalry,mainly because the had a plus two onto their dice-however it was "nip and tuck" for a few of the melees.

On the other flank,things were not going too well,despite the plus two advantage!!

The lonely elephant is holding up my phalanx advance-we'll have to sort that out!-and we did-hurrah!

Paul has moved his mercenary Greeks over to protect the Temple,whilst I am organising my lines.

My phalanx is organised,and Paul has sent his Cardaces infantry in against them.We had the phalanx at plus two onto their dice,and you would think that the phalanx would just roll over the lighter armed Persians-not so!!-this was the best part of the game,and the phalanx nearly came unstuck!!!

The last hope for the Persians-Paul charged the Companion cavalry with last of his reserves-Greek mercenaries-they inflicted massive casualties on the Companions,but in the end they were beaten-another hurrah,and had to retire(its good being retired!)

This was a good tactical game,and could have gone either way-well done to us both.Next week I am planning an American Civil War game.

Solo games for two!!

 Paul and I have been having a couple of games on a wednesday mornings,using my "pom-pom" rules,so far we have been playing only ancients but hopefully we can get to other periods over the next few weeks.

This week we are playing a Macedonian vs Persian game,with Alexander's army having to "re-claim" a temple dedicated to Zeus,which the Persians have desicrated!

This is the table set up,Macedonians on the left,Paul has decided that he would command the Persians.

This is the Temple,that the game is centered around.

The persian army-very colourful,and includes scythed chariots,elephants and mercenary greeks,and lots of cavalry.

The Macedonian army.with Alexander on the small hill-will he lead his companion cavalry forward himself??(no chance!!)

I have been painting two WW1 armies-German and British,and intend playing the very early part of this horrendous war-because I am stretching the limits of history, I am calling it World War John!! If finances permit I might get a French army,just to bring a sense of historical reality into my games.

Both armies,Infantry and machine guns-ignore the Tanks(a moment of madness!!)

Cavalry and artillery.I am having a bit of trouble deciding rules for ranges and movement,but should be up and running soon.

First Manassas 1871

Battle of First Manassas  July 21st 1871

(also known in northern parts as 1st Bull Run)

Confederates hold a vital hill which must be held as well as the adjacent hill on it's left.

Victory goes to the holders of one or both of these features!

Graham and Nick command the Union forces gathering at the foot of Henry House hill.

More troops cross the river on the left to bolster this great attack.

Confederate commanders (John and Andy) have their infantry deployed

in the cover of the hill out of direct range of the Union gun batteries.

In preparation to defend the right flank of the main hill top 

Andy advances the "Reb" infantry regiments to the ridgeline.

Andy also covers the right flank brigade covering the open approach.

The Bluecoats mass their brigades for a huge attack on the front.

Awaiting the onslaught! Steady lads.

Further reinforcements arrive by the central turnpike and stream

crossing point (the only place suitable for artillery).

Let the battle commence! Union troops advance and the guns erupt in violence

Smug Union officers grin/gurn? at the reporters.

John's brigades advance to support the batteries.

Closer they come, batteries ripping the Union line

apart with ball and then cannister.

Graham advances another brigade across the stream and begins

a determined and strong thrust at the enemy's open flank.

A dynamic move... what does he intend?

A move to capture the vacant right hand hill?

The action is intense with cannister , muskets blazing and casualties rising

Will the Union troops stand? 

Their guns blast one more volley at the ridge before the hill is

 concealed by Union regiments advancing. Time to move forward?

Here come the flanking regiments

Their intention is clear now. 

An audacious march beyond the Reb lines.. 

followed by forming on the flank and seizing the day.

Is there any stopping them?

With masterful timing John chooses to unleash JEB Stuart's cavalry

Down the turnpike they charge onto the exposed

 and extremely vulnerable flank of the leading regiment.

War is hell. Broken lines, retirements and still the guns flame

On the far flank Nick and Andy are locked in a fight to the death. 

Andy being closer to the shroud but not stitched in yet!

To add to the intensity Paul marches the Reb reserve brigades

 up the turnpike and occupies the objective hill on the left.

And what say you of Brian? 

Well with his brigades and huge battery of Union guns he is on a frolic of his own!

That's it! he captures those meadows and orchards without any trouble.

Beautiful lines sir.. watch your feet don't get wet!

"Here we are the Rebs" shout.

The centre retires from the Union side as the stubborn flank is worn to a standstill.

Nick's position making some progress without knocking out the opponent off the hill.

Cracking game by all. Brian and I had a relaxing and non too 

stressful watch as the others kicked 7 bells out of each other

Another great scenario from Dave

Carry on Up the Tiber 215 BC

Having marched on Rome, Hannibal finds it too strong to 

take so decides to slip away and find winter quarters.

The two consuls decide to intercept him. 

They leave the old men of the Triarii in camp and march hard 

to catch Hannibal as he crosses the Tiber to safety.

Terrain

Woods    Light troops only

River      Only crossable at fords (1/2 movement)

Hills       Rolling     

Objectives

Romans: Cut off Hannibal's retreat and/or destroy all or part of his army.

Hannibal: Ensure you keep your army intact and your path of

                    retreat open    

 

The battle opens with the Romans on a parallel race with the Punic horde.

Consul Brian leads the head of the Roman Allied force across a ford

and finds the Carthaginian column of Spanish on a rise. 

Consul Graham has successfully formed his strong Roman forces on the flank of his enemy. 

Will they prevent  Hannibal's (Paul) intended retirement? 

What can Hannibal do to achieve his desired withdrawal?

Can Andy hold the hill/ford to prevent the army being split?

Brian's Allied Hastati and Principes rush to cross and 

support their cavalry and light infantry on the far bank.

Commander Andy's Spanish troops are atop a hill guarding their

ford and the only route for the rest of Hannibal's army. 

More Spanish and elephants march to support them.

Hannibal acts.

The cavalry at the rear of the column are ordered forward. 

They thunder towards the Roman foes. 

Outnumbered, the Roman reel from the onslaught. 

Can the Roman rear cavalry survive ...  the other Roman flank cavalry rush to their aid? 

Meanwhile the Carthaginians form line to oppose the advancing Hastati and Principes

The Romans are attempting to match the Punic frontage while they 

maneuver forward as their velites seek to close with Punic lights on the hill.

Andy and Brian feed infantry, cavalry and elephants into the meat grinder. 

Success and failure are shared by both. 

Units attempting to retreat are hampering the supports from advancing. 

Lines are a luxury neither commanders have. 

But not without some Punic treachery! How so?

 

Light infantry are quietly slipping into those woods. 

They pose a threat to the Allied legionary forces with those open flanks...

 no shields can save them from javelins thrown from this direction!

Brian is forced to use precious Hastati to guard the flank.

Hannibal has sent African infantry pikemen outwards on both flanks.

Can the Roman's prevent the move and stop such encirclement? 

They hurl Velites to meet the threat and the Principe's line splits in two! 

Hold the flanks is the cry... but will the Hastati centre hold too?

The elephants are repulsed... but not decisively....

It's time for the African pikemen in the centre to attack now, pinning the Hastati to front.

Desperation ensues.. 

The right of the line stops the outflanking African infantry dead. 

They retire back to the ford.

But how fares the Roman cavalry holding the flank?

They run !

Punic cavalry rush beyond the Principes guarding the flanks. 

The rear of the army is exposed! 

Woah, woah and thrice woah!

Morale breaks the centre of the line and leaves

 the strong flanks looking vulnerable and isolated.

BUT

Now what I haven't mentioned throughout this faithful recollection

 of this game is the somewhat uncharacteristic manner in which the dice fell for Hannibal.

Modesty usually kicks in but out of the 16 units that Graham commanded, 

I only managed to kill a meagre 8 of his units officers.

But you'll not hear any mention of fortune, luck or other excuses from me. 

Probability is to blame.

Which brings me to the finale.

Hannibal Barca, strategic genius and magnificent leader of the Punic armies

sadly took badly to a scutum blow and had to retire from the field. 

Now some may say he is dead but that's not been confirmed categorically. 

Suffice to say most of his army decided they'd hurt the 

Romans so much that they wandered off to grab a late tea.

That's my excuse and I'll not hear a word to the contrary ha ha.

A great scenario by David and well played by all