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!