Monday 20 August 2018

Glen Cambell 1719(or,The Hills Have "OCH AYES!"

First of all apologies for the title!(it's the silly season!!).
Last night we had a most entertaining and exciting game involving Government troops vs Wild Scottish Clans and Irish regular infantry-what a game it turned out to be.


Top photo shows the scenario,bottom is the table as the "boys" saw it when they arrived.
Paul was in charge of the left hand column,Brian the right.
Dave was in charge of the Clans(hidden in the far right hand wood) and I was in charge of the Irish(hidden in the far left woods)
On move number one,as Paul was about to cross the "rickety" bridge,he was handed a note saying his engineers reported that the bridge would not hold the weight of cavalry or guns!!
Oh how we laughed at his expression of disgust!!!

Paul,as a very experienced wargamer/general,diverted his cavalry and guns across to Brian's flank,whilst crossing the bridge with his infantry-however,Brian had not "scouted" the woods he had to pass to get to his bridge(big mistake in our games!!) and was attacked by a clan who inflicted enormous casualties on his rear regiment(who just happened to be Low-land Scots!) before he could drive them off-Oh how we laughed again!!-the game had now started in earnest.

Far from being dejected by the attack from the woods,Brian is getting his troops across the river,as Paul's cavalry and guns head his way-could be a bit of a "log-jam" coming up???
My Irish "exposed" themselves in an attempt to stop Paul's infantry forming line or advancing on the castle-this linked beautifully with Dave's Clans emerging from the woods and threatening Brian's troops-great stuff!!

Dave's leading clan has charged Brian's leading regiment,and although they took some casualties,managed to hit home and a tremendous melee took place,lasting three moves!!

With my gun supporting, a general advance by the Clans was ordered,led by the "Lowne Hounds"(-they could inflict no casualties but would dis-order any troops they hit(BIT?))

As the Clans surged forward,the English line began to form,this was going to be tight!!

The "Lowne Hounds" have attacked the leading cavalry unit of Brian's command,and my "Highland Gentlemen Volunteer Cavalry" are about to capitalise on their discomfort!!-hurrah.

Brian is consolidating his position,and putting Dave in a "spot of bother",in the background Paul is also positioning his troops to assault my Irish,who,it must be said, were putting up a grand show!!

This shows my Irish giving the English a damned good "bashing!"-Paul eventually had to retire his infantry,but Brian was making up for this by driving the Clans backwards!

This shows the aftermath of a most disgraceful incident!!-I have seen "Gloats" and displays of excitement,but Brian's dancing,shouting and waving of arms,just because he had beaten one of Dave's clans and killed their Chief,was the worst I have ever witnessed-However,the exertions he put into his "celebration" almost gave him a heart attack!! and he had to hang onto the table until he recovered-serves you bloody well right!!!!

It was still "touch and go" in the centre and Brian's flank,but the Clans were slowly losing casualties and being pushed back-plus,Paul's cavalry are now making their presence felt,and this could be the deciding factor.

Packed full of his medication,Brian is about to recover,and lead his men to victory!!!

My Irish are still giving Paul's troops a good old thrashing,but Dave's clans are in a bit of bother-because of the situation,we decided that draw was the fairest result-although the English hadn't taken their objective(the castle) so technically the Scots/Irish had won!!

One final shot of this well-fought game-well done lads,and roll on Saturday-we have been invited ,by Charlie Wesencraft,to take part in a re-fight of "Stoke Field" which was the last battle of the war of the Roses.















































































6 comments:

  1. Yes nearly did myself a Permanent one there.
    Surprising outburst from such a Gentle Soul.

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    1. Brian,pull yourself together man,where do you think you are???-as for "gentle" who are you kidding?
      johnc

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  2. Great job, John. Nice little spoilers against a smooth English advance. Not sure that the English were able to press home their attack on castle, so I think a draw may have been generous :-p

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    1. Chris,you're right of course,I am too generous!-this is the type of game you would have excelled in-deep thinking required,and I put Brian and Paul as the two "ablest" generals the English had!!!
      johnc

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    2. Comedy gold ;-)
      Enjoy the game with Charlie. I've yet to be convinced that WotR battles are very playable, so look forward to your report
      Cheers
      Chris

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    3. Hi Chris-I've never played a WOTR game,so I'll wait and see-4 of us are down to go to the game(seaton sluice) but who knows who will eventually turn up!!
      johnc

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