We gave the GNW rules another try out - this time the Russians definitely had superior numbers - 3 cavalry to 1, 2 guns in a redoubt to 1 Swedish battery and 10 battalions against 5 of the Swedes. It didn't seem to help - the game was over in 90 minutes tops! So, we had dinner!
Russians on the left - I think the disparity in numbers is pretty obvious!
I used the contents of a different box of Swedes this time!
The Russians opposite
Swedish cavalry pile into the Russians, driving them back. A rule adjustment we have made is that rather than passing through a unit a retire force comes into contact with, it pushes them back. They both take a "hit" marker too
Swedes on the rampage as they move rapidly towards the Russian lines
The Swedes had the bulk of their force on teh right, heading for Julians command
One plucky unit heads straight at the guns in the redoubt - gå på!
The Livgadet til Fods drive back the Russians single handed!
Despite a flank attack (which they shrugged off, repelling teh enemy with loss!)
The Russian commanders had decided attack was the most effective form of defence, and came at the Swedes for all they were worth
Both Russian guns had suffered a hit from the lone supporting Swedish battery, as the infantry charged up hill
A view of the table from the Swedish left - most of the Russian force has been driven from the field!
Note in the centre, the redoubt is now occupied by the Swedish infantry!
On the Swedish right flank, the Russians were still putting up some resistance.....
"HURRA" (that's the Swedish way to spell it, I checked!)
Swedish cavalry (nearest the camera) and infantry versus one Russian dragoon unit
The other Russians on a sneaky flank march that ended up with the destruction of the isolated Swedish gun crew.
On the Swedish right, repeated violent charges have driven the Russians into an ever-shrinking pocket.
The situation on the right, with the Russian dragoons about to wipe out the gunners - the only loss the Swedes suffered
And on the right flank, the end is nigh for Russian hopes!
As it was 7pm, we had a break, ate dinner and then reset the game for a second try!
We decided to drop the bonus for Swedes Attacking to +1 because the +2 seemed to have been too much in game 1
Another adjustment was to give each Russian commander a guard unit that added 1 to all roles including combat
Forces were exactly the same as game 1 - or, maybe I reduced the Swedes to 4 infantry units, I can't remember
Again, the Russian commanders advanced to confront the smaller Swedish force, The Swedes only get a close combat bonus if they are attacking, so the Russians can even things out if they go in first...
The Swedish cavalry charged again...
... and drove the Russians back again!
On the other flank, Russian dragoons charge an infantry unit
They pushed the infantry back with loss
The Swedes moving forwards rapidly (as a reminder, Swedish infantry role 3 D6 for movement, Russians only 2 D6)
Fighting erupts all along the line
This time, the Russians had more success in blunting the initial Swedish attack - probably due to the +1 rather than +2!
This skirmish between the dragoons and Swedes lasted the entire game, with one side pushing the other back, then the roles reversing in teh next combat!
A bit of pressure on the Swedes - they lost an entire infantry unit in this game!
But they managed to hold their own in the critical close combats
Combined cavalry and infantry assault on the Swedish left flank
A view from the Russian redoubt
And for some reason, I did not take any more photos - but despite it being a somewhat harder slog, the Swedes once again prevailed and drove all of Julians infantry from the field - I think the last action involved the Swedes smashing into the flank of Chris's grenadiers, they had to retire, Chris rolled high, and two or even three of Julians units behind the grenadiers were pushed off the edge of the world!
Now, I had a try creating an AI video - this is one of my Warlord T34/85's in Berlin - I am not sure why the AI added huge red stars and the white stripes on the lower body - I tried to edit it, but nothing had happened after 10 minutes so I cancelled it.
I tried to do exactly the same with the Tiger - and it came up with a message saying "something in your request contravenes our safety policy" - and I am pretty sure all I changed from the first instruction was the nationality of the tank! So - its ok for a 28mm Russian tank to drive around the ruins of Berlin circa April 1945 - but not a German one - LOL!
We are thinking of giving our home brew horse and musket rules a try with AWI figures next time - I will have to make a few adjustments - definitely no pike armed infantry there - well, there might have been some early militia, perhaps?? Till then, thanks for your visit.
