Sunday at Barrys and a fictional encounter circa 1813 arranged by Chris between the Brits and the French. Bavarians were lurking nearby, ready to join one side or the other, at the total whim of their commander Barry.
Limited forces (by our standards) of a brigade each - the Brits had 5 btn but some were vets, the French had 6 btn but some were raw - there were four French to 3 Brits - so 24 btns v 15 at the start - but reinforcements available for both sides. We also each had two 3 gun btys per side and 2 -4 cav units. Julian was Brit CinC with Rick and yours truly as subordinates and Andrew led les Bleus with Mark John and Paul to assist him.
Another image rich report, so put aside 15 minutes to go through my AAR!
The traditional view of the table - Brits on the left above and right below
Outnumbered 4:3, Julian decided we would occupy the walled area on our right flank to refuse it (my role) while he held the centre and Rick performed a "left hook" with our cavalry.
My battalions getting into position to defend our flank
British cavalry and infantry advance on the other flank
The British commander consults the rules!
Julian deployed in the British centre
The French left flank (Paul) gets a maximum "march move" - 1200mm AND deployed - ouch!
British reinforcements arrive - I think we needed them!
Johns brigade move forward in columns to attack the refused flank
Paul's gunners support the attack
The columns move closer the thin red line!
The attacks go in....
And are held or repelled
A beautiful volley eviscerates a French unit!
The French advance stalls temporarily
On Ricks flank - not a hell of a lot happening
Marks infantry advance en masse
The cavalry prepare for imminent action
The demoralised French mill around, trying to reform and go again
Of six battalions, Paul is now reduced to three, two of which are "raw"
The French were dealing out a lot of pain on our right flank, however
The Bavarians finally decided to throw in their lot with the Brits - huzzah
And then, four more units of French cavalry entered the fray!
Andrew's brigade moves towards the British centre commanded by Julian
John's brigade is reorganised and ready to have another try against my brigade
Paul's battery was a big problem, eventually dispersing the battalion holding the corner of the walled defensive zone
The clash in the centre
Marks brigade pushing hard against Ricks Brits
French dragoons charge in
A swirling mass of horsemen on Ricks end of the table
Its hotting up in the centre too
On my flank, the French artillery has done its damage. My defence looks good, but in reality, they were all pretty battered and a bad activation would see the original brigade collapse....
The French were also in a pretty bad way, particularly Johns brigade
In the moment of crises has been averted - Julian managed to hold of Andrew's assault - just!
And on the left flank, the arrival of the Bavarian allies helped stem the French advance too
Both John and I eventually rolled a low enough activation to lose our wavering brigades. Paul advanced and I conducted a fighting withdrawal
Pauls striking French infantry advance
Back to back, they faced each other - my line with Julians troops immediately to their rear - if Andrew had broken through Julian, I would have been in a perilous situation
Fortunately, the highlanders smashed the French back!
The final situation on the British/Bavarian left flank.
Some more of Johns close ups below
The most dangerous thing on a battlefield - officers with a map!
In the end, Chris totted up points - one each for every unit we had that was not "shaken" ie carrying 4 or more hit markers. Miraculously, the British and their German allies came out just ahead.
I really enjoyed the game and felt like I had a good one; despite eventually losing 5 units, I held off two French brigades for the entire game, virtually destroying Johns and wiping out 50% of Pauls.
A grand looking game Keith and a good report and a win for the Brits and allies!! Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie, it was one of the better recent games I have played in!
DeleteWhat a cracker of a game!!!
ReplyDeleteCheers Ray, I certainly enjoyed it.
DeleteHuzzah! for a narrow Allied win:)! Splendid action right across the board, with this caption making me laugh: "A beautiful volley eviscerates a French unit!".
ReplyDeleteYeah, I enjoyed that quote too! Loved the close-up photos of the troops.
DeleteThanks guys...I realize now, that was actually a melee result, where only 5 or 6 is a hit, and there are no saving throws 😀 A win by 3 destroys the enemy unit......
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ReplyDeleteSuperb encounter, and an allied win
ReplyDeleteGlad you think so too Scotty!
DeleteNice Keith, can’t go wrong with a good Napoleonic battle 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt, nothing wrong with a good Napoleonic game, for sure 👍
DeleteGood result mate, and some beautiful minis. Technical question, does your mate hoover up the roads at the end of a game?
ReplyDeleteCheers JBM. Clearing up the roads involves a couple of guys lifting the table cloth edges and getting all the roads into a pile in the centre, then a funnel used to get it back into old 2 liter milk bottles so it can be used again.
DeleteA fun looking game with the usual great figures. How do you think things would have gone if the Bavarians had sided with the French? Were they the deciding factor for the British and allies?
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence, and absolutely...we would have been smashed if Barry had gone the other way! He also came on in the most benign position for the French, from our table edge. Chris gave him the option of arriving on the short edge to my right...directly behind Paul and on John's left flank...and he could have arrived there on turn 2 or 3 if he wanted to!
DeleteFantastic game sir!
ReplyDeleteLove to see a huge Napoleonic battle!
Thank you Michal, happy to oblige!
DeleteA big and very entertaining game judging by your report. Some Beautiful looking units to game with too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter, I think it was a case of " less is more"... Chris gave us far fewer units to operate with than we usually have, to the benefit of the game in my opinion....
DeleteGreat looking big battle with beautifully painted figures, Keith. I wish the British were actually part of the 1813 Campaign. Then Leipzig truly would've been a battle of nations. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Dean...I think in 1813 they were still pushing the French out of Spain...?
DeleteThere was a British rocket unit at Leipzig, they were always interfering everywhere!
DeleteBest Iain
Hmmm...... as it happens, I have several 28mm rocket frames - and I would love to play in a scenario where I could interfere everywhere and accept no responsibility for the outcome!
DeleteFun looking game Keith and great report. As always the Brits grab victory at the last moment. Poor old French... can't trust those Bavarians 😂 Wait until 1815 and the Prussians will do the same thing!
ReplyDeleteIt was a close one Ben, it didn't feel like a win,to be honest, but I was happy to take it! As to the Prussians, I don't think they ever cooperated with the French, unless it was under duress!
DeleteBarry has a great gaming space. A ‘smaller’ game did lead to a gaming conclusion and for my money, it can sometimes be that alone, that leads to the more satisfying game.
ReplyDeleteYes he does Norm....it's going to be a sad day when that space is no longer available to us and can't be that far off,unfortunately. I agree about the size of the game too....
DeleteSmashing looking game and some very inspiring close ups. I don't envy that French column walking right up to that battery! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Michael
Thanks for your visit and comments Michael! The column gets an extra three dice in close combat, so it could have worked but the receiver gets closing fire and if the attacker has one unsaved hit, they still go in but forego the extra dice. That's what happened on this occasion ......twice!
DeleteSmashing looking game. Sounds like a good one. Enjoyed the close ups.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard...I have to thank our gaming buddy John for the close ups.
DeleteThe Napoleonic Wars represents such magnfkhicent sccenario. Here, the table allolwed one of those games we call 'table thumpers' letting a lot of really good looking minis to be displayed. Keith, as others have said, looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Joe I am glad you liked the report and it was indeed fun- from my perspective, at least!
DeleteWow, your lot took a lot of punishment. Holding on like that showed a lot of stubbornness. Good batrep Keith!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dai - it was a good game from my perspective!
DeleteExcellent looking game, lovely figures and a close run game, what more can you want?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Not a lot, Iain - one of the most satisfying games I have had at Barrys in a good few outings!
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