Mark wanted to try out a few amendments to the FPW version of his rules, so we packed Barrys table with numerous French, Prussian and Bavarian troops, almost all Perry plastics from Marks huge collection
An encounter battle with randomised, varied arrival times - you can find Marks explanations here - 1866 and all that: Franco-Prussian Game
First to arrive were Prussian and French cavalry
The arrogant Prussian Uhlans charged, expecting an easy victory against the outnumbered French lanciers........
But they were defeated and then destroyed in the melee - first blood to les Francais!
Next to arrive were the Bavarians
The advanced cavalry of both sides fell back as supporting infantry and guns arrived from various directions
The Bavarians move up as the Prussian cavalry fall back to meet them
The artillery opens fire on the distant French
On the other flank, Prussian infantry arrives just in time to stymy a French brigade moving to exploit an open flank
French above commanded by Chris, Prussians below by my good self.
Another full Prussian division, led by Paul, arrives to my left
Forcing the outnumbered French to fall back into the cover of some woods
More Prussians arrive in the centre of our position, under our CinC Nick
Another division of French, under Rick plus the corps artillery, (Mark) arrive on the other flank opposite the Bavarian (Julian) troops.
French in the right centre (Chris) advance against Barrys Prussians
Massed German artillery pounded the French lines
The French right flank (Chris) falls back out of the woods as Pauls division creep's forwards
Ricks massive French force tries to get into position to sweep the Bavarians away
Supported by massed Corps artillery
The French centre (John and Bruce) moves forward under heavy fire from massed German artillery
Chris and Barry confront each other - new rule in this game to discourage wanton charges is infantry in line get +3 dice in defence! The result was what Mark was hoping for; an extended exchange of rifle fire between the opposing forces.
Pauls Prussians move through the woods in pursuit of Chris
Chris's command of two brigades - the top left confronts Barry while the bottom right waits for Paul to advance out of the woods. His artillery occupied the higher ground, blasting away at my brigade!
Same position from a different angle, showing the Prussians advancing on the right.
John and Bruce advance with the French centre
Supported by French guns
To their left, Ricks division and the Corps artillery blast away at Julians Bavarians
The Prussian reserve under Nick steps off to contest the centre of the field
Half of Pauls division (in column to the right) moves towards the centre to bolster Nicks advance
"I think it's all going rather well, Heinz!"
The Bavarians standing like a stone wall in the face of massed French artillery
The fight between Barry and Chris continues
German cavalry poncing around
The empty French centre after John's brigade collapsed and quit the field
The French go in against a shaky Bavarian line
The Bavarians are in a pretty bad way by now
Over on the Prussian left flank, Barry had held Chris off and now Paul was advancing to drive the French division back - first over running the artillery on the hill.
Ricks force gaining ascendancy over Julians Bavarians
Another view of the empty space where the French centre should have been!
And the German artillery keeps on pounding away!
Yip - its STILL empty!
The French right (Chris) being gradually pushed back as Pauls Prussians advance out of the woods
The overwhelming number of French troops on the other flank start to push the Bavarians towards breaking point
The French columns go in again!
Avance les garçons!
One Bavarian brigade collapsed and quit the field
But too little, too late for the French cause
It was nearly 4pm and time to call a halt
A minor victory to the Prussians was the verdict from game master/umpire Mark! The march on Paris continues!
Fantastic game and the figures are superb
ReplyDeleteThanks Scotty - our Sunday games are always on a grand scale!
DeleteVery eye catching battle lines, the sure look the part.
ReplyDeleteCheers Norm - I always get great images from our large Sunday games!
DeleteHi Keith,
ReplyDeleteWhat a spectacular-looking game! The sheer scale of those Perry plastics on the table is incredible. That new rule giving infantry in line +3 dice in defence sounds like a brilliant tweak—it really seems to have captured that classic FPW grinding exchange of rifle fire rather than encouraging endless, unrealistic charges.
Cheers, Andy
Thanks Andy - I am sure Mark was pleased with the result of his rules tweak - he really does not like the typical wargamers "charge first" mentality!
DeleteOh my goodness me, what a sight! I can only dream of playing with that many ninatures. It looks superb.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael - sometimes, the scale of these large battles can be overwhelming, but this one worked well.
DeleteWhat a splendid game and good to contrast and compare with Mark's post. The empty french centre shot was rather telling and good to see the tweak re: musketry first worked well:).
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve - there was some debate about who was in worse shape when the game ended, with Ricks French about to wipe out the second Bavarian brigade on our right flank - but we had Nick and Pauls forces available to oppose Rick and the French centre was still vacant!
DeleteWhat an epic clash of might and wills. Excellent game photos. I agree with your comment above that such large battles can be overwhelming. I think that goes double when new rules are given their baptism of fire under such conditions.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon. The rule changes were quite minor and easy to remember, so I think we all managed them fine.
DeleteDefinitely colorful and sweeping epic! I also find large battles becoming overwhelming, my photography suffers from the frenetic activity. You should have more games of fpw.
ReplyDeleteOne advantage of a large game with multiple players is you get a fair bit of "down time" to wander around and get some good pictures, Joe!
DeleteSome beautiful photos a a fabulous looking game!!!
ReplyDeleteCheers Ray!
DeleteSuper looking game Keith, great collection of figures on the table, top notch.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie, Mark has put together a magnificent FPW collection.
DeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteSaw Marks post on this huge and very cool looking game. Great stuff Keith. A bloody affair!
ReplyDeleteCheers Dao, it was a titanic struggle!
DeleteGreat looking game sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michal, it was an epic!
DeleteI too read Mark's post on this so it was great to see your perspective Keith. There seems to have been a fair bit of rules adjustment which has worked well. That was a big hole that opened up in the middle of the French line. The stuff of nightmares for the French.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence. I noted Mark called it a Prussian victory in his post, although it was under debate on the day...perhaps I missed the conclusion.
DeleteRick was certainly about to deal to the Bavarians but Nick and Paul were well positioned to stop any collapse, Paul, Barry and I outnumbered what Chris had left and the French centre was gone, so I think another hour would have seen a definite victory for the Germans.
Awesome game Keith. Thanks for all the photos.
ReplyDeleteNo worries Ben....I probably take far too many, but it doesn't seem that way at the time!
DeleteA top looking game Keith…
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly an impressive Franco- Prussian collection .
All the best. Aly
Cheers Aly. Yes, Mark has certainly done a fantastic job building up his FPW forces.
DeleteSuperb looking game and fabulous armies. A shame that we didn't find out how the Bavarians would have fared if the French had time to press that flank.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard. That is one of the downsides of having 3000 figures on the table! I think the second Bavarian brigade was in a pretty bad way though.....
DeleteVery, very impressive FPW game and figures! Your buddy Mark truly went all in with the FPW figures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean - yes, Mark never does anything by halves!
DeleteA cracking looking game….
ReplyDeleteThat certainly is an impressive amount of toys on the table…
It’s a good job they are mostly plastic… I can’t imagine the weight if they were metal… it would probably affect the rotation of the planet….😁
All the best. Aly
I appear to have commented twice 🤣
ReplyDeleteI will
Put it down to age…🙀
Thanks Aly - that's pushing up my "comments" stats! Don't be too hard on yourself either, it's probably confusion caused by Blogger - if you click on "Newer Post" you will see I have done two posts since this one!
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