Reminder.

Not only is it "Burn's Night",but it's only 11 months until Christmas!!! 

ACW game and "whinge" about my camera!

I am not the brightest when faced with anything of a technological nature,and my camera is to me the "beast" that confuses me the most!!-only two photo's from last nights game showed up on my "download" thingy,but now I have the whole lot-HOW????

Top shows Paul's command in a furious fire-fight,bottom shows my troops marching into position.

The whole table is ablaze now-Dave and Graham are giving us a hard time-officers were falling like "nine pins",but neither side can claim an advantage-yet!!!-my exreme right flank is in danger,how is Paul doing??

He's doing ok-let's hope his dice throwing doesn't let him down!!!!

My flank has been pounded by Dave's artillery and two regiments have been forced to retire(no, I'm not going to say it!!)-things are not looking too good-can Paul save the day?

NO!! his centre collapsed,and his left is looking "dodgy" to say the least!!

Graham looks as if he is in trouble,but Paul's morale was rather low,and his troops decided to run away(not retire!)-we asked for a draw,but got refused!!-A good game,well thought out,well done Dave.

 

"Inspiration"

Last night we had a magnificent ACW game at Dave's magnificent wargames room,I took about ten photo's but only two were "memorised" (is that a word?) in my temperamental camera-more later!

However,on leaving I told Dave,who is really into Ancients at the moment, (Romans in particular) that I would be having a 15mm solo Romans vs Gauls/Britons game today,and that I would blog the outcome,to inspire him!!!

Top photo shows the table before any movement,middle shows the Romans,bottom shows the Britons in wonderful lines,ready for combat.

Orders have been given-however some units(both sides) haven't received them,or have refused to act on them,resulting in a bit of a haphazard approach to each other!!

Eventually,both sides have sorted themselves out and charged into contact-remember that a red pom-pom indicates casualties-the front line Britons have received pila from the Legionaries,so are at a disadvantage in the melee!!

"Swings and roundabouts"-the Auxiliaries on the Roman right are in trouble,but the Legion and Aux. troops on the Roman left are doing well-the Briton's chariots are not!!!

A view of the table-compare it to the first photo.!!-the chariots in the centre have hit a proverbial" brick wall"-if they retire(it's good being retired!) the legion will have a field day against the open flanks of the Brits!

The chariots have gone,along with all hope the Brits had of winning!!-The Britons lost 13 units,the Romans lost 6-so a good victory for them!!

Top-Roman casualties,bottom-Britons casualties!-a cracking way to spend a miserable windy and wet afternoon-hope this gives Dave a taste of what he can achieve when his Legion is painted and ready to fight.The game we had last night was excellent-Paul and I were Union,Dave and Graham were "Rebs"

The objective was for the Union to "Burn" a mansion and crops,whilst the "Rebs" were to stop them-I do believe that either Dave or Paul were going to download some of their photo's,and hopefully they will continue this blog-come on boys!!!

 

So ! What would you do if you decide to retire and can choose your own daily routine?

Dave swapped the day to day stress of management and has now

choose to join the rest of us and play with lots of soldiers.

Very wise too!

Wellington in India

Queue our first game of 2024 at Dave's games room. 

This was a small affair consisting of two British columns approaching

a fantastic fort in the northern foothills of India. 

What could possibly go wrong? 

Well, if these two have anything to do with it.... 

Some marching, a few bangs of the cannon and it'll be over in time for "tiffin".

Dave commanded the fort occupied by some colourfully attired lads (left side in the picture) who looked like they disagreed with our presence for some reason.

How rude!

My command is in the lower right with two cavalry units, 

three infantry battalions and a well limbered horse battery.

In the far right corner of the table came Graham  ....

three infantry battalions, two more cavalry units and a 

magnificent bullock drawn artillery battery. More than enough !

Those Indians will surely be impressed by these fellows. 

and what have they to offer as they march onto the battlefield ? Well quite a few bods actually

Above, opposing my troops on the right were three battalions of fancy foot, three units of colourful cavalry and a bullock battery. 

Did you see what I did there? Were you not impressed with the alliteration?

The game commenced with Graham advancing both cavalry regiments towards the enemy  ...  

and straight into the awaiting guns of the enemy on the hill.

 

These guns also had their position supported with two infantry units and lots of cavalry off to the flank.

Ouch, lots of casualties inflicted as the gunners found their range

A change of plan called for, retire (Dave can  complete the well known phrase from now on ha ha).

 

Not only have they prepared a tough reception but cunningly Dave has dispatched a third infantry unit onto the far flank hill to threaten the advancing British. Gulp!

But what of the left flank attack?

The hills were not suitable for horse or bullock

 apart from the "fort hill" in the centre of the battlefield. 

Looks like Dave means to contest this too! Our morale was wonderful, forward!

My troops duly form a magnificent line ably supported by the cavalry. 

The battery poised to dash into battle and deal out loud bangs.

Cunning, that's the word for it .. definitely not cricket!

Villagers sally out of the fort's main gate and head straight for Graham's bullocks (and guns)

Is there anyone close to stop Dave grabbing them? (the guns)

Sorry Dave, that came close to a master stroke, halted by volleys at close range their leader went down like a discarded chapati with lots of his troops too. Phew !

That hill top battalion is also causing some severe disruption to Graham's advance forcing him to deploy troops to secure the other flank now. Meanwhile the cavalry are composing themselves after their initial shock. Poor things.

Audaciously Dave advances infantry forwards hoping to add to the British woes

Initially getting the better of the exchange of fire from Grahams infantry, Dave's troops began to suffer.

Yes , his rubbish dice throwing returned with a vengeance.   

Enough of these niceties, Graham throws another unit in to blast this threat away.

Time for those cavalry lad! Both sides crashed into each other... and Dave had to fall back.

Fortunately he had another cavalry unit to take Graham in the act of reforming.

Graham hardly blinked. Brushed aside ... those British horse must have been annoyed! 

The flank was won albeit after a long tussle

Oh you want to know of the other flank? Well...

I managed to canister the infantry while my line advanced while at the same time Dave's battery decimated one of my infantry units. Honours even so far however being cautious I returned my guns to the line and ended up being charge by cavalry. Not a problem I hear you say! 

My cavalry charged the foes as they passed through the gun line and they promptly got beaten . 

Oh dear.

Never fear my fresh infantry will sort out that gun crew! Not today though... 

Another No Offensive Move for me again.

Hurrah for my British regiment though under the fort walls. 

Steady and devastating fire threw back the attacking Indians.

Who were immediately charged by my fresh cavalry. 

Knife through butter and onwards too with morale high and plunging further into the enemy.

Alas all too little and far too late. 

Neither British commander thought to march into the hole blasted in the fort's walls

But what a tussle... fantastic game well done Dave and Graham

I'm looking forward to our next game already!

Painting aid for sore eyes!

My wife bought me this very handy lamp(LED!) for Xmas,I can now paint without having to rely on daylight!

Only problem is it shows up all the imperfections!!!

As I couldn't go to Dave,s house for a game last night,I had to console myself with a Sudanese solo game this afternoon.

Top photo shows the layout-simple scenario-Ansars command a town overlooking an oasis-British have to capture it! Bottom photo shows the well-defended town.Ansars had ordrs not to launch an attack unless the British moved onto the plain-British had orders not to move until the right flank brigades had captured the town.

Top photo shows the right flank-however the first line has advanced without the support of the second line which has refused to move!!-bottom photo shows an over enthusiastic brigade of Bengal infantry advancing onto the plain,instead of just moving through the Bengal cavalry,to give them supporting fire-this of course triggered a mass Ansar charge-oh dear!!

Top Photo caption should read-"here they come!"-bottom shows the second line right flank brigade has motivated itself and is supporting the first line,who are in a spot of bother!!

Top photo shows the massive melee on the left and centre-having taken casualties coming in,the Ansars are at a disadvantage! Bottom photo shows the fight for the town,without the second line support the first line would have been beaten-the reserves can be seen attacking the gun battery guarding the town,and doing well!

The Ansars are retiring(it's good being retired!) on the left and centre,however the right flank is still being hotly contested......................

The melee continues,but the reserves have driven away the Ansar gun battery and are now in control of the town.thus threatening the Ansar flank,so they too retired(!)-a great British victory,but not without a few nail biting moments,These solo games provide me with alot of thought as to how I can play the games using as realistic planning and tactics as possible-another tomorrow I think!.