Sharpe Practice Thursday Game

 Had an early end of week game on Thursday night at Julian's place - John and I in attendance. As John had not played before, I suggested Julian and I should take one side and he, the other - jokes! John and I had the French and Julian had a slightly smaller British force. Both sides had two light infantry units of 6 figures each plus a leader, then we had four line infantry (two each) of 8 figures plus leader and Julian had three I think...... or maybe, he had four line and only one light......

A very basic pick-up scenario (I think that's the "in" phrase the hip wargamers use!) with both sides coming on random entry points and the aim being to control the strategic hamlet - which rather stupidly, Julian had put right on the French table edge, so I walked on and in about two moves, we controlled it. I just sat there the rest of the game, holding the buildings and taking long range pot shots at Julian, that mostly missed, but occasionally did him some damage, whilst suffering no casualties at all myself!

All the action was on our other flank, where John did a great job, initially taking the fight to Julian and then trading shots toe to toe before eventually coming out on top and winning us the game! Vive La France! Vive L'Empereur!

Not a lot of pics as it was quite a static battle, but enough to give a flavour of the game hopefully.

My Voltigeurs (above) and Ligne, move into position on our first activations.

Julians "large" command (one grade III officer with three groups) moves towards the woods, which John is hurriedly occupying with his faster moving Voltigeurs. 

The Brits advance on my flank, too.

My Voltigeurs in occupation of one of the houses - giving them the "hard cover" bonus.

Long range shooting from my Voltigeurs killed one Brit and added 3 shock - much easier to do when the target is out in the open!

Close ups of the action on John's flank, courtesy of John, of course!

"The French are in the woods!"

"Prêt..... en joue .... tirez!"

The French volley devastates the target unit!

But shortly thereafter, the two remaining other British groups combined to kill four of the six Voltigeurs, driving them from the field!

Their sacrifice was not in vain, however, as reinforcements had arrived in the shape of the two units of Ligne. Their combined fire, plus some long-range sniping from my house bound Voltigeurs, drove back one British unit with three dead and six shock!

Another round of fire - we had to take a pic of this dice roll - two dead and FIVE shock on the same unit - it was not long for the table!

A slight disparity in casualties as you can see - thus far, Johns Ligne has lost nary a man!

My Voltigeurs fired another round ......

.... killing a British Light Infantryman - with one dead, the leader must roll one D6 - a score of equal or less than the number of troops killed means the leader is also hit.... !

Johns close up of the LI and their leader - before he died!

British return fire put a few shock on the Ligne...

The Brits really made no headway at all on my flank, with two of my units in hard cover, occupying the buildings, and the third in the light cover of the adjacent woods!

Julians army morale card had dropped to 5 (from 10 I think)

Whilst ours was still on 8!

A second British unit close to departing the field ....

.... and the third was about to be overwhelmed too.

Julian called it a day, with my entirely unscathed force in firm control of the strategic village!

A great little game and John did very well for a first timer. We had some good fortune, such as a few turns where all our units got to fire, then the turn ended and Julian was only able to activate one unit in return etc (if you have played SP, you will understand how the activation and command chit draw works!)

Thanks for popping in for a visit and any comments are gratefully received!