Blasthof Bridge

Having finished the second Petreville game on Friday (report to follow) my son Max was keen to play a  game. I decided to reach for the classics as being the right way to introduce him to Horse and Musket gaming. So we set up Blasthof Bridge, from Charge, and again used the elementary Charge rules as with our previous game.  

Max took command of the Imperial army and the role of Kornberg the dashing, impetuous, cavalryman.  The Imperial army deployed as per the book.  

I took command of the Electoral army and took on the demeanour and countance of this much maligned warrior - Soubise. 

For this game I offered very little advise to the young pretender but he showed a sound judgement. He  moved all his cavalry across the River Blast to form, in his words, 'one big unit of cavalry so he could beat mine'    

With movement stick in hand he moved his troops around with a the air of a pro. The stick was marked in 6 inch bands. None of those new fangled metric measurements as they teach them at school.  

His initial artillery shots were all misses (he threw three ones in a row). But on his fourth shot he hit. He rolled for effect - a six. One of my guns is bowled over.  

With one of my guns out of action Max now attacks with his cavalry. The melee is decisive with my cavalry losing heavily. 

My situation was not good - so I pushed my infantry across the river to join their comrades I had already moved across in an earlier turn. 

United my Infantry advance hoping to sweep away his outnumbered infantry on to victory. My advance commenced....

...only for his infantry to retire unveiling his re positioned artillery.  With no choice I gritted my teeth and continued my advance hoping that he would roll low for his musketry and cannister.   

He did not ......The Electoral Infantry fell where they stood.  With my loses now totalling over 50% the game was up and I conceded defeat.   

A couple of Maxs' friends are interested in having a go at this Wargaming lark - so perhaps it time for so more Ilkley Young School games. 

Action at Petreville Part 1

'Alarm, alarm' cries Etouffee as he calls the company to order.  With just a single company at his disposal this was going to be dammed tricky. Still there where opportunities even in this situation for a resourceful commander to get noticed. Perhaps a glorious, but futile defence, would get his name mentioned in dispatches and perhaps even notified on the bulletin board at Imperial Headquarters.  

Meanwhile the forces of the Electorate of Fustenberg Lederhosen mass for attack. With 3 regiments of infantry, a combined Grenadier regiment supported by a Cavalry regiment confidence was high that victory  would be easily gained and with it the stores holding the fine 'Sauce Chaud de Petreville' used through out the courts of Europe and a key Strategic bargaining condiment at the gastronomic peace talks that would follow the campaign.

The Electoral forces assault is supported by the Stollen Jager Corps (mercenaries hired from a small duchy north east of Prussia). These are lead by the well dressed and rather dapper Captain Stokes  - a veteran campaigner and all round good chap.

Mayor Etouffee decides that rather than trade volleys with the more numerous enemy to station his forces behind the ramparts ready to repel any attackers as they came up the assault ladders.  

The Sbrinz lead the way and gallantly scale the ladders. The melee along the wall is long drawn out affair with both sides taking heavy casualties   

 With the ramparts cleared the Sbrinz storm across and melee the thin line of defenders holding out in the central courtyard.  With loses reaching 60% the militia are forced to surrender but not before a final melee is fought between Etouffee and an Sbrinz infantryman.  The Electoral player rolls a 6 - the tension mounts as Etouffee himself shakes the dice and rolls it across the table. It spins around like a top before settling on a 5.  Etouffee has survived, an although captured, is assured of a bright future once a an officer exchange can be made after the campaign has finished     

Leading the way Etouffee marches at the head of the Saint Augur Militia who are granted the full honours of war for their gallant defence and leave with flags flying and shouldered muskets. 

The Annexation of Chiraz

Having seen Little John recent games using his 40mm Prince August figures with the classic Charge rules. 

http://littlejohnslead.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/battle-of-st-michel-second-attempt.html

 He has used the teasers from Charles S Grant Raid St Mihel booklet. I thought it was time I did the same  based on the Annexation of Chiraz book.  

I plan to play teasers 1, 3, 4 and 5 using the Charge rules.  My units consist of 40 foot figures and a Mounted CO. These will be broken down into 2 * 16 man companies and one 8 man grenadier company. The Grenadier companies can be combined. Cavalry will operate in 11 figure squadrons. With 2 units making a regiment.   

All Officers, standards etc will count as foot figures and will count towards volley fire/melee etc.      

So this lunchtime I  set up my table ready for a game on Friday.  I have set the table to be able to play  teasers 1 and 4 - back to back. 

The early morning sun shines on Petreville (OK its the spot light in my basement). It is a pleasant scene looking south across the village and the Arsenal

The Arsenal is garrisoned by a company of the Saint Augur militia . Who task is to protect the Arsenal. Here 2 guards are seen vigilantly watching the approaches from the North 

On this bright morning the local clock strikes 9.00 o'clock and the change of guard can be seen under the watchful eye Mayor Etouffee who keeps the garrison on their toes with his fiery language.  He turns muttering how this posting to the back of beyond leaves him cold and his frustration with inaction is clearly etched across his face. 

   

A wagon with a weeks production of Pepper Sauce leaves the Arsenal and the driver is bid farewell by one of the local ladies of the night. 

Mayor Etouffee lifts his head as the breeze from the North brings the heavy sent of an aroma oh so familiar. A smile creeps across his face as he turns and shouts - 'There is the smell of cavalry sh*t in the air my friends,  I think today will be quiet tasty after all' 

  

Action at Trump Ville

I managed to get a quick game in with my Max, my 6 year old son, in the back yard as the weather was nice today. We used my small 30mm OS collection and the elementary rules from Charge with additional Light Infantry  rules added.  Max commanded the Imperial army while I commanded the smaller Electoral army 

A small Imperial raiding force is tasked with capturing the flour stocks from Win De Millars farm. With 2 companies of infantry and a squadron of Schuchs Dragoons the task should have been a stroll in the park. 

However the previous night a company of Electoral Infantry from the Erbprinz and a company of Jager move in to garrison the area.  

The Imperial forces deploy and plan to attack the woods with a company of the Kinski Infantry while  Schuchs dragoons are tasked with clearing the hedge line of the rest of the pesky Jager.   

The Imperial Infantry advance in the early morning mist towards De Miller Wood next to the mill. The first shots from the Jager are a medium range which lays low 3 of the Kinski. Who halt and return fire. The firefight he was to last a number of moves. 

With the bulk of the Jager engaged with the Kinski Max decides to throw his cavalry at the Jagers lining the hedge. Although 2 Dragoons are dropped as they close the resultant melee is one side with the Jager being cut down. 

The Imperial Infantry advance against the Erbprinz who open up at short range laying low 8 enemy infantry.

However the Erbprinz are about to face a nasty shock as the now rallied Dragoons threaten their flank. Two Dragoons are hit as they pass the Jager 

and they take further loses as the charge the Erbprinz flank guard. After the melee the Dragoons are are reduced to below 1/3 and retire.  The Erbrpinz and Jager are however close to being reduced to 1/2 ans 1/3 strength respectively and they decide to slip away.  

The Imperial army has captured the flour stocks but at a heavy price.