First Game of 2022

 FINALLY! I was able to get over to Julian's place yesterday evening for a game. Julian had previously invited me (and others) to a game of Red Actions (RCW) last Thurs/Fri but of course I was too busy, boozing on Waiheke Island! This week, he had again invited several players but in the end, I was the only one available, so we took the opportunity to remind ourselves of how much fun can be had with a few individually mounted figures and the Sharpe Practice rule book.

Julian put together a scratch scenario - French dragoons were in place, holding the high ground dominating a road that the British Army was advancing down. In nearby woods were two forward elements of the British vanguard - a unit of six  Light Infantrymen and a similar sized unit of Riflemen - both had a grade two officer as leader. We rolled to see who commanded which force - I ended up with Les Bleus.

We each had similar reinforcement numbers - one grade 3 mounted officer, another grade two foot officer and units of infantry - Julian had three line and one grenadier comprising 8 figures each plus NCO - I had two lights at 6 each  plus NCO, then two line and one grenadier of eight figures with NCO each - plus the two officers. The reinforcement unit cards would go into the selection pool from turn three onwards - a roll of a one on turn three, one or two on turn four etc.

It was a leisurely stroll through the rules, as it is probably over twelve months since our last games, thanks to lockdown etc. We could both remember random elements of the mechanics, but we did have to do quite a lot of checking - at one point, I even forgot to return my activation cards to the selection pool and we wondered why every card coming out was British!

We did not really reach a conclusion but suffice to say, the French were still in possession of the high ground at the end of the training session!

Overview of the battlefield, dragoons position in centre, Brits enter from the right French top left

Dragoons in place - like Bufords cavalry at Gettysburg, they have to hold the high ground until relieved

French reinforcements wait their time to arrive

Ditto the Brits

Lieutenant Blunt of the 95th rifles - his command was less than effective, hence the renaming!

Captaine Leclerc - le brave des braves

The dragoons in position, observing the LI on left and rifles on right advance

Unlike the Riflemen, the LI were pretty effective, scoring hits almost every time and gradually whittling down the dragoons, including knocking le Capitaine down a couple of times - but like the song, "You can knock me down, but I get up again....."!

Julian of course was the first to successfully roll for reinforcements to arrive - on turn five I think

A couple of turns later, I too rolled for the reinforcements, one of the first to arrive were the two units of voltiguers and their grade 2 officer

And the standard line infantry marched in column up the road

As did the redcoats at the opposite end of the table - the race is on!

After about eight turns, Lt Blunt had finally managed to get the remains of his command across the open ground and into the woods adjacent to the high ground. En route, the dragoons had bagged a couple of them, as well as adding several increments of shock, which delayed them somewhat. Then, choosing to run so he could roll three dice as opposed to two, Julian managed to roll a total of seven inches. This level of under performance throughout the game is what earned their leader his unflattering sobriquet!

Les Rosbifs plod to the sound of the guns.

After receiving four volleys from the voltiguers, losing another man and acquiring additional shock, the riflemen beat a hasty strategic withdrawal.

The eight dragoons plus officer are now down to four as the British column forms line on the road below their position

Those bloody light infantry move into close range and fire, killing le Capitaine and adding several shock - the dragoons were removed from play, but they had done their job 

The voltiguers returned fire and popped off a couple of the pesky LI, as a unit of grenadiers moves in to reinforce the position

One unit of voltiguers clung to the high ground whilst the other advanced to the edge of the wounds and fired at the massed Brits in line on the road, inflicting two dead and two shock

As the game came to an end, Julian advanced off the road, but this line had no target, as all my troops on the hill were safely in cover, behind the small barn. 

It now being about 1030pm, we called the game here as a French victory, the dragoons having held the position. My wife is away for a few days next week so we have arranged to have another Sharpe Practice encounter on Weds evening, after work (to which I unfortunately have to return on Monday....)

Now, despite my promise to the contrary, here is ONE photo from the wedding we went to on Thursday - I have mentioned my family on occasions so I thought you may like to see what they look like (my wife appeared in the Waiheke Island photos)

From the left sons girlfriend of five years Corrina, son Michael, daughter Amy, niece Emma, nephew who was the groom Scott, nephew Alex (bother of niece), nephew Jason (brother of groom)