Sunday 26 February 2017

Sign up for an Email alert (and next game news)

In my previous post about the 28th-foot-for-quatre-bras I also mentioned a problem I've noticed about the lack of updating of alerts in other wargamers' blogs, who have kindly added "Not just old school wargaming" to their favourites list.

I've probably been missing a trick all these years but only just found out I could add a gadget to my side bar to enable interested readers to sign up to email alerts.  So now it is there ("Follow by Email") and has been tested and so I urge any of you who want to be regular readers to sign up and that way you won't have to rely on links from other blogs, nor checking back to see if I'm still here!

Rather to my surprise, and slight disappointment, but just to reassure anyone concerned I don't actually get to see who has signed up, nor get your email address, so please be sure to comment or email me if you want me to know or have something to say.

Thanks

And I don't like posting without putting at least one picture in, so here are a few of the next game table set up. This is in a couple of weeks time and will be an 1815 fictitious defence of some hills and bridges by a Dutch Belgian force, expecting reinforcements against a slighter larger French army. It will be a final small scale test of Rank and File rules with our amendments for Quatre Bras and then we have a two day test game scheduled in May to try out a multiplayer scenario.  The main event will be over a weekend in September.





If you think this looks similar to our Spittelwitz  game then you are right. Although the hills, river, bridges and roads remain we have juggled with the woods, buildings and camp, and added some fields. It will be a very different game as the French are attacking from the left hand side and the DBs defending the hill line and village, which is now being called Kaaskerke.

Sign up to be sure not to miss the report, and photos of Kevin's lovely 28mm Napoleonic figures :-)
Chris

PS. I think I have just fixed the alert problem mentioned at the start!

Tuesday 21 February 2017

28th Foot for Quatre Bras

Not many blog posts lately but I haven't been idle!
Kevin, James and I have been working on test games and rebasing and repainting the 2015 Waterloo armies so we can refight Quatre Bras later this year at 1:20 scale. I'm way behind blogging on that activity but this one is just a quickie.  Today I finished the 28th Foot - the North Gloucestershire Regiment, which I bagged on the orbat as they are the local regiment.  But of course being the cheapskate wargamer that I am they were not bought new, instead I have been reviewing the figures in my big (180 strong) Luneburg Battalion from La Haye Sainte at 1:3 scale and finding new uses for them. For the original painting effort please see 188-in-one-go.

Nearly 100 of them are being smartened up for use as the Luneburg and Grubenhagen Light Field battalions, including a batch of optional skirmisher bases. However I realised that the 28th were one of the few regiments still wearing the old stovepipe shako and most of my Luneburg originals are British Light infantry or Peninsular figures so the headgear is right even if other details are not quite.

So on to the pics, with a little more explanation along the way.

Due to the eclectic mix of figures in my Luneburg 188 it proved difficult to find
24 line figures all the same, so I've gone for those which look similar from wargame distance


Rank and File rules use attrition with base removal.  In order to leave
some semblance of carnage on the tabletop we are all trying to make enough
casualty figures to replace each lost base with a figure or other debris. Most of my casualties are converted Victrix plastic.


Each "wing" of the battalion uses figures from a different manufacturer,
 one at least I think is Foundry. Some have correct British line battalion black
leather backpacks and the other a kind of leather roll worn vertically.
Haythornthwaite's "Uniforms at Waterloo" says some companies in the 28th
still used French hide knapsacks captured at Alexandria, so I reckon I can get away with it!

The superb flags are GMB but given special treatment and flagstaff
tops and cords by Kevin East; given to me as a birthday present.
Many thanks Kevin, just the job to raise morale 


The only new figures are the command company, all from my spares box. 
The "colour guards" are Perry Hanoverian light infantry and the officers 
British Light Infantry, again Perry I think. The drummer is converted from
 a Perry Hanoverian bugler whose right arm I had to completely remodel and add 
musicians lace. A plastic Victrix drum is suspended by paper straps with staples cut 
down for drumsticks.


Problem with Blog Alerts
Over the years I have relied a lot on traffic linking from other wargaming blogs, where readers see that I have updated my blog while they are visiting another. Thank you to all those bloggers who have included "Not Just Old School Wargaming" in your favourites list. However, that alert system - where it shows a photo and timing, seems to have stuck on a posting I made about 4 or 5 months ago. I've looked at all the settings which seem to be right, and I tried deleting the offending post but it still shows! If you click on the Blog title you go to my current posting, but if you click on the thumbnail pic or the post title you go to the one I have deleted and then need to click on Home to get the latest.

What is worse is that I suspect a lot of people are totally ignorant that I have posted anything since September 2016 so may not visit me at all now!

So, unless anyone knows a magic cure they can tell me, the only thing I can think of is if those of you bloggers who display a photo and timing of my blog can delete me and then reload me it might kickstart again and show the latest. Those who just show the Blog title in their list there is no problem.

Thank you for your understanding
Chris G





Wednesday 1 February 2017

Third HoW test game - Spittelwitz

(NB: For reasons unknown to me Blogger failed to allow me to "Preview" this post at all so apologies if you find any of the formatting or typos irritating, or any of the photos of inadequate quality. Please let me know in a comment if so.)

It was nearly six months since our previous Honours of War test game Clash at Kutzdorf and I think Ken and Guy, like me, were both keen to try something bigger and see if we could get it finished in a day's game. Since this was scheduled as near as possible to our joint birthday weekend Kevin was invited too. It was his first "serious" foray into mid 18th century wargaming.
Thanks to the good company, the pub lunch, and birthday cake provided by the Duchess d'AreteDuchene the day proved far from serious; here is a "selfie" near the start.


The scenario is called "Surprise at Spittelwitz" but it's no surprise to anyone who has the rule book as the the map clearly shows the Blue Forces ready to take Red in their open flank across a river. However, I hope I managed to build in some fog of war by expanding the armies to fit my 8ft x 6 ft table, changed the composition while keeping a balance of small, standard and large units and made them of differing qualities. There was also a fair sprinkling of Dashing generals and the Blue (French) force had a Lieutenant General as befitted the larger army and two wargamers.

As before I set this within the context of my ongoing Imagi-Nations contest between the French -backed troops of "Savoy" and the great variety of Germanic types backed by a loosely Austrian Empire with the Elektorate of Reikland as its front line with Savoy.

Here is the map of my terrain, showing the deployment zones I gave to Ken's Reikland army. It also gave him an indication of the Savoy deployment but without the flanking force. The Savoy map for Guy and Kevin gave them areas D and E more or less as in the book scenario. You will see I added a camp as I thought it appropriate for a force having to man defences and it justified more Red troops as well as another objective for Blue.


So this is a generic version of the tailored briefing given to both sides

4th June 1760

Background 
The Chevalier de Neuvalee, under direction from Count Deuxchevaux of Savoy, failed twice in his attempt to break across the border into Grunburg county of the Elektorate of Reikland. Those were the two actions at St Ulrich.  A day later Neuvalee had retreated to high ground overlooking the village of Kutzdorf where he withstood an attack by a force under the Count of Grunburg. However his army got a bit distressed in its counter attack but nevertheless succeeded in giving Count Grunburg a bloody nose. In the following week Neuvalee spent time resting and regrouping the vast majority of the Kutzdorf force and greeted the arrival of his master, the Duke of Deuxchevaux. The latter has taken command and brought considerable reinforcements of his own army, plus a contingent of Royal troops, and two Legions of mixed units in the service of France. This is a considerable force of 12 battalions, 15 squadrons (in 5 regts) and 5 batteries of artillery. Such is the faith King Louis has in Deuxchevaux that the cavalry brigade consists of particularly fine troops. Neuvalee becomes second-in-command, with Lieutenant-General status, and the brigade commanders from the Kutzdorf battle have recovered from wounds and taken commands in this new army.

The Imperial force retreated back into Grunburg county with the Count taking umbrage and recalling all his own troops to regroup at Grunburg city. Word quickly reached the Empress who, within a week, ordered General Von Erickson forward with a new force to defend the line of the River Triebisch and stop any attempt at invasion. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Savoy/French Objective
The aim of your army is to mount a successful crossing of the river, take the high ground beyond and see off Erickson’s force while not depleting your own force unduly. This will be the precursor to pursuit on towards Grunburg City.

In game terms that means getting the Imperial force to reach it’s Army Point limit before you do. To assist that there is 1 Army Point lost if he loses the Spittelberg and 1 lost if you trash his camp. (Camp is considered trashed if at least 8 out of 12 tents are touched by a base of your troops for one Move)

Local Intelligence
Erickson’s force is a fair amount smaller than yours consisting mainly of solid musketeer battalions, and he only has two batteries of artillery plus a couple of units equipped with battalion guns and some cavalry.  Some of the elements from the Kutzdorf battle - such as light infantry and grenadiers are known to be in small numbers in the front line woods and redoubts and also Spittelwitz town. They are expected to be alert to the possibility of your attack. The rest of the enemy can be expected to be deployed up to the red line in the rear on the map and may not be on full alert. Both hills are defended by a line of entrenchments. The camp has no obvious defences but is expected to be defended by less reliable troops.

Deployment
The blue line shows your deployment limit and the map gives some idea of the size of standard units, please use these and allow a bit more space for large and less for small units. 


The Legion de la Morliere must be set up in Area D. The remainder of your army is set up anywhere North of the blue line marking Area E. You may set up some units off the table at the start  if you wish (eg. due to space considerations or second line distance from front line) but they must be marked, to scale, on the map. Units may be in line or column of march, artillery may be unlimbered and ready to fire or limbered up .

...............................................

Reikland/Imperial Objective

Imperial engineers have been hard at work preparing defensive positions around and behind Spittelwitz, shown on your map. There have not been sufficient resources yet to cover the small bridge directly to your East. Erickson’s objective is to hold off the enemy force and inflict sufficient losses on it to thwart this invasion attempt, while preserving his line of communication and camp intact. In game terms that means getting the enemy force down to his Army Points limit before you do. Beware, that loss of Spittelberg and your Camp will lose you 1 Army Point for each.

Local Intelligence
Deuxchevaux’s force of Savoy and French and mercenary troops is now lined up along the North bank of the River Triebisch currently enshrouded from full sight by a light morning river mist. However, local scouting has reported that the army contains more then a dozen battalions and four regiments of cavalry as well as outnumbering you in cannon, some of which are light and reasonably mobile. Some of the cavalry are reported to be senior French regiments of superior quality.

Deployment 
The red line shows your deployment limit and the map gives some idea of the size of standard units, please allow a bit more space for large units and less for small units.

General von Kotztoter’s brigade must be deployed in 4 out of the 5 locations in Area C  and are alert and ready for battle. If you choose to defend the bridge itself then you can have a barricade across (at the red line) which counts as heavy cover (as the rest of the BUA). Note that the two redoubts only have frontage for 2 bases each so part of a unit will be exposed, but a 3-base unit will have more than half in heavy cover.
Colonel Von Muddel’s brigade is initially the camp guard so must start deployed in Area A. It can’t move on Move One.

The remainder of your force can be deployed in both Areas A and B. The infantry and cavalry are resting at arms but are not yet prepared to move. So they may not move in Move One. The artillery are under orders not to fire into the river area unless it is crossed by the enemy or they, or adjacent units, come under fire.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

SAVOY/FRENCH Order of Battle

Unit Nr
Unit Name
Quality
Nr of bases
Size of unit
Comments
Commanding General
Duc de Deuxchevaux
Unrated
1


Lieutenant General
Chevalier de Neuvalee
Dependable
1

2-i-c (see Lt Gen on P37 of rules)
1st Infantry Brigade Commander
Baron Joubarbe
Dependable
1


1
1st Bn/1st Regt a Pied de Deuxchevaux
standard
4
standard

2
2nd Bn/1st Regt a Pied de Deuxchevaux
standard
4
standard

3
1st Bn/2nd Regt a Pied de Deuxchevaux
standard
4
standard

4
2nd Bn/2nd Regt a Pied de Deuxchevaux
standard
4
standard

5
1st Royal Artillery Battery
standard
1
standard
Medium






2nd Infantry Brigade Commander
General D’Ancolie
Dependable
1


6
1st Bn/3rd Regt a Pied de Deuxchevaux
standard
4
standard

7
2nd Bn/3rd Regt a Pied de Deuxchevaux
standard
4
standard

8
1st Battalion Battenburg Regt
standard
4
standard

9
2nd Battalion Battenburg Regt
standard
4
standard

10
2nd Royal Artillery Battery
standard
1
standard
Medium






Cavalry Brigade Commander
Comte de Berard
Dependable
1


11
Royal Dragoon Regiment
Superior
6
standard

12
Horse Grenadiers de Savoy
Superior
6
standard

13
Cuirassiers du Roi
Superior
6
standard







Mixed Legion Commander
Comte de Lauzun
Dashing
1


14
Grenadiers de Lauzun
Superior
4
small

15
Hussars de Lauzun
inferior
6
standard
Light Cav
16
Artillerie de Lauzun
standard
1
standard
Light Horse Artillery






Mixed Legion Commander
Comte de Morliere
Dashing
1


17
Fusiliers de la Morliere Light Inf Bn
standard
6
Large
Light inf
18
Grenadiers de la Morliere
Superior
4
small

19
Dragoons de la Morliere
standard
6
standard

20
Artillerie de la Morliere
standard
1
standard
Light






21 Independent Artillery unit
Pils-Holstein Artillery Battery
standard
1
standard
Heavy
22 Independent Light Inf unit
Battalion Arquebusiers d’Argentiere 
inferior
3
small
Light inf







TOTAL

91



Army Break Point
10





REIKLAND/IMPERIAL Order of Battle

Unit Nr
Unit Name
Quality
Size of unit
Nr of bases
Comments
Commanding General
General Von Erickson
Unrated

1

Infantry Brigade Commander
Major General Von Pannewitz
Dependable

1

25
Vestlich Grunge Regt
standard
standard
5

26
Grosse Hinton Regt
standard
standard
5

27
Alte Barnisch Regt
standard
standard
5

28
Ost Kennetten Regt
standard
standard
5

29
1st Reikland Artillery Battery
standard
standard
1
Medium






Infantry Brigade Commander
Colonel Von Canitz
Dependable

1

30
Hessian Inf Bn Canitz
standard
standard
5
inc Bn gun
31
Hessian Inf Bn Prinz Ysenburg
standard
standard
5
inc Bn gun
32
Bogenhafen Artillery Battery
standard
standard
1
Heavy






Infantry Brigade Commander
Colonel Von Muddel
Dependable

1

33
1st Battalion Salasund Militia
inferior
standard
4

34
2nd Battalion Salasund Militia
inferior
standard
4







Cavalry Brigade Commander
General Von Trump
Dependable

1

35
St Ignon Dragoon Regt
standard
standard
6

36
Bathiani Dragoon Regt
standard
standard
6

37
Reikland Horse Grenadier Regt
Superior
small
5







Light Infantry Brigade Commander
General von Kotztoter
Dashing

1

38
Liccaner Grenz Light inf battalion
inferior
small
3

39
Le Noble Jager Battalion
inferior
small
3

40
Le Noble Light Infantry Battalion
inferior
small
3

41
Erbprinz Grenadier Battalion
Superior
small
3


TOTAL


75


Army Break Point
7





These two photos show general views of the opening dispositions.
About half of Ken's Imperial army is considered out of sight and only represented on the table by numbered counters at this stage


Ken, as General von Erickson did not have a lot of choices but made sure he did not neglect the open right flank. He held back infantry battalions from the front line fortifications at first, fearing heavy enemy fire. Guy's plan, with the Duc de Deuxchevaux, was to concentrate as much as possible of the infantry on his right flank to press hard against the Imperial left and the gap between the hills. Meanwhile Kevin's force, under the Chevalier de Neuvalee, pressed forward to distract as many enemy as possible then sweep into the flank with the heavy cavalry brigade. Guy was adamant that he as not going to waste resources attacking the town or the redoubts.

And here are some close ups

The Imperial right flank, facing East. These infantry battalions are by Fife and Drum/Crann Tara from Ken's' collection. Austrian style dragoons are old RSM figures I bought at a Bring and Buy many years ago, and equipped with Reikland flags

Legion de la Morliere provides the French "surprise" left hook. All Crann Tara figures apart from the fictitious light artillery converted from some spare Foundry Russian "characters". The Legion's first appearance on a wargames table so anything can happen!

Legion de Lauzun, including a galloper gun, backed up by three regiments of heavy cavalry, ready themselves to join the left hook and thrust into the heart of the Imperial defences.

Eight and a half battalions and three batteries comprise the French main attack on their right
In the distance the Savoy attack has got under way, crossing the river with a double move. Canister from two batteries has caused the red uniformed Grenzers to retreat from their redoubt back to the main position.
Two pictures of intense concentration by the players as the French/Savoy attack makes good progress
In the foreground the Morliere Legion also got a double move to cross the river so Ken is having to reform his line to cover the gap 


Guy's second brigade is changing into lines as they march up the road towards the gap in the hills, led by the Battenburg Regiment, and some of his artillery limber up to join the advance
Meanwhile General von Kotztoter got 6 on his Performance die and, being a Dashing commander of light troops, urged the Le Noble Light infantry out of their redoubt to harass the Savoy 1/3 Regt a Pied who were evidently not budging. Pils -Holstein mercenary heavy battery ex Phil Olley's collection, Front Rank figures; and some very old Hinchliffe Napoleonic limber horses with an Old Glory civilian driver

The Duc de Deuxchevaux encourages Baron Joubarbe to get his infantry round the flank of the entrenchment.......

......but opposite them Ken gets his Hessian brigade well placed, with support from heavy artillery and battalion guns
Moving on a bit  this photo shows that the lead Savoy battalion managed to form a line and got engaged in a fire fight with the Hessians.
1/1 Savoy Infanterie a Pied has forced the Le Noble Jagers to withdraw from the wood but in the distance its sister a battalion has been routed by fire from the entrenchment

This general view shows that all the Imperial battalions have now been revealed and are manning the defences where possible. The cavalry are shaping up for a scrap.

Imperial light troops have hurried back through the gap to reform but hard on their heels Guy decided he wanted 1/Battenburg to wheel and take the enemy battery in the flank 

Here is another view. The Salasund Militia have realised the threat to the camp and Colonel von Muddel orders both battalions to move forward. The Jagers try to recover but being "inferior" can't seem to get far enough away (60cm) from Guy's advance
The Erbprinz Grenadiers in Spittelwitz were always "out of command" and Ken retreated them back from the bridge. Their only moment of fame was to get off some pot shots at the passing French dragoons, but without effect. Much to my surprise Ken did not use their "superior" status, giving better initiative, to do anything else with them at all.

In the foreground the Le Noble Light infantry are making a bee line to enfilade the flank of Savoy's 2nd Brigade, but they are still within canister range of the Pils-Holstein heavy battery

Kevin brings up the cavalry brigade to support the Morliere Dragoons..........

.....under the approving gaze of Guy

And here they are piling in, but those Hussars de Lauzun are right under the guns of Ken's field battery in the corner redoubt on Spittelberg..........
.........The Hussars suffered hits which would be telling in due course but here they are being backed up by the Royal Dragoons  and Horse Grenadiers de Savoy (more below)

A nice shot along the Spittelburg showing two of Ken's beautifully presented blue-coated units

The inferior quality Salasund Militia are all that the Imperial force has left to plug that defile. Will Battenburg turn to face them or charge the Heavy battery on the hill?
This next sequence of 6 photos shows a developing situation on the Imperial open flank which would be instrumental in deciding the game .

General Von Trump leads the St Ignon and Bathiani Dragoons in a charge against the Morliere Dragoons, the latter don't have the necessary half move to counter-charge

Major General von Pannewitz manoeuvres the Grosse Hinton and Ost Kennetten regiments to shape up to the Morliere infantry while under fire from the skirmishing Fusilier battalion and the light artillery

The Grenadiers de la Morliere prepare to charge

The Comte de Morliere and the Chevalier de Neuvalee carefully stay 5cm away to avoid flying lead!

These Grenadiers are only a small unit, but superior quality, against a standard unit of Ken's. The Chevalier did not avoid dicing against stray sword thrusts from the nearby cavalry melee, but survived.

Whatever the outcome for the French the Comte de Lauzun was bringing up his Grenadiers, backed by the Cuirassiers du Roi (Converted Victrix Austrian Napoleonic infantry and Perry plastic French Napoleonic cavalry).
In the centre the Le Noble LI had been forced to flee from artillery fire and unfortunately the hit point lost by the Alte Barnisch infantry tipped them over the edge and all of sudden Ken had a big hole in his line

But it wasn't all one sided as the Hessians and Heavy battery had taken such a toll, over time, on the savoy 1st Brigade that three of its battalions were now on the run.

This overall shot shows an interesting picture of the French cavalry having been repulsed with only Bathiani Dragoons holding the scene of that action, while Morliere Grenadiers and Fusiliers had prevailed over the blue coats; Ost Kennetten retired in good order and Grosse Hinton's men took to their heels.

The Morliere Dragoons are "Done For" (well, it was their first game, what do you expect?) and Lauzun Hussars are retreating with 4 Hits

Despite losses in his main attack the Duc de Deuxchevaux is still making a stern fight. A batalion of Savoy infantry is contesting the earthworks while Battenburg have taken possession of both trenches and the heavy battery

Bathiani bravely charges the Royal Dragoons but we don't rate their chances against "superior" cavalry with 2 supporting units

Despite things going pretty well for them Guy and Kevin still look apprehensive

Now a Battenburg battalion has forced one of Salasund's to break, and flanking fire along the Spittelburg behind the defences finishes off the 4th battalion of Von Canitz's brigade. The retreating St Ignon Dragoons risk losing a Hit point for them running past

A final view: Not surprisingly the Bathiani Dragoons have broken leaving the Reikland Horse Grenadiers as the only cover for the line of communications on this flank. the Arquebusiers d'Argentiere have made it onto the Spittelburg and are likely to cut off Ken's battery there.
Conclusion
We concluded that any more moves of play would just have seen Ken trying to hold on at his left flank while evacuating the camp and trying to cover the withdrawal of the right flank units.  We looked at Army Points lost and this was 2 for the French and 3.5 for the Imperial army. Nowhere near the limit for either but it was 20% French and 50% Imperial so that says something about the state of the armies.
I may have over compensated for the defensive works by giving the French more powerful forces, but all credit to Guy's tactics because if he had dissipated that strength along the front it would have been a different story. Ken did the best he could in the circumstances. Holding back his infantry battalions from the entrenchments proved a good idea, but if it were me I'd have had the second and third line units in march column, ready to speed to fill a gap.  I think not trying to do something with the Erbprinz Grenadiers was a mistake as, used with their Dashing commander, or relying on initiative, they could have distracted some of the enemy cavalry away from his right flank.

I really enjoyed organising this game and the players said they enjoyed it too. Kevin has been turned on to mid-18th century and is now asking about figure manufacturers etc; as if he hadn't enough Napoleonics to paint! 

What about Honours of War?
A wonderful flexible set of rules that have a few things we don't like but nothing we can't master. We used all the downloadable amendments, clarifications and optional rules and adapted a few of our own. We cut down a bit on grazing fire (though little of it in this terrain anyway) and I introduced a six shot artillery ammo limit. I think that is about right even though we did not get enough moves to run out.  We believe that the Hit Points lost for others routing through or past you cannot be justified when they are of lower class, nor does it seem fair to lose the same when friendly troops retreat through you. Maybe some would say it is realistic and at least speeds up the game, but it is a bit soul destroying when a player has a lot at once and no chance of rallying them. I also introduced a block on rallying off if a unit was still under threat from artillery fire - that could be eased by retreating, moving into masking cover, or  the shelter of other units. I think it worked well.

A lot happened in only 5 Moves! And we got a result so they are good if you like using a lot of toys and expect them to go quickly once the action hots up. We used about 700 figures but were limited to the speed of one player at a time, so I'm pretty confident that 1000 figures on a more open battlefield and several gamers playing concurrently would give a result in about 5 or 6 hours.

Thanks once again Keith Flint for a good set of rules and an interesting basic scenario on which to build.