SYW using DBN

It's been a whole since I posted so I thought I would post a SYW game I recently played a using the SYW version of DBN using my 28mm collection. 

DBN (De Bellis Napoleonicis) is a Napoleonic set of rules but has supplements for a range of periods including SYW and ACW. I helped design and a test the SYW supplement which is available as a free download from DBN Wargaming

I played a 26 point game, loosely based on the battle of Kolin, with Alex Testo the author of DBN. The game was closely fought with my Austrians claiming victory in a game that lasted 2 hours. 

Massed ranks of Frederick's finest. Although in the game the Austrians proved to be more than match for them.

Each base, or element, is a unit and I have rebased my infantry on 80 by 40mm bases with 10 figures.  This will also allow me to use 3 bases as a 30 figure unit for Grants The Wargame.

Cavalry bases are 80 by 60mm and have either 3 or 4 figures depending on type.  I have organised these so I can use 2 bases for the Wargame.

A unit of Prussian Jager defending  a wood. The Jager are actually Barry Minot 1806 Prussians which I bought around 1975 and are still going strong. 

An artillery battery is based on a 80mm square base. The big bases make is a lot easier both playing a game and storing/transporting the figures.

Prussians Garde

Well it's been over a year since I have done any painting on my classic Napoleonics. So this morning I dug out some figures and got them ready to go.

I have had some original HH Prussians Grenadiers for a while but not enough for a full 24 figure unit. However I have been  fortunate to be given a bag of 30 DK versions. The DK figures are not as crisp as originals and are slightly smaller.

The original figures have been painted to a reasonable standard so and I have decided to do a paint restoration rather than a full strip and paint. 

I will use 8 of the DK figures and will paint these to match the repaints. I will make one of these into a standard bearer. I am not sure if I will do a hand painted standard or use a printed one.

For the drummer I will use a Lamming figure I got with the painted Hintons. He will get a paint restoration.

Battle of Barosa 1811 - shiny DBN

This afternoon Tim W popped over for a game of DBN. We played the battle of Barosa using the scenario from the DBNwargaming website and my shiny 20mm Napoleonics.

The British attack and advance towards the distant hills. The terrain slows the British movement and the French decide to deny the British space and advance their centre and left to meet them.  The ravine, shown by the brown card and stones, hampers the British advance.

Solid British infantry push forward through the Pine woods. I dont have any Pines so had to use my old Merit Adler trees instead.

The British initially hold back their right which consist of 2 battalions of elite infantry supported by some less effective Spanish troops. The British also send some rifleman down the ravine to support their advance.

The Riflemen shield the advance as the battle in the centre and French left rages. 

French cavalry supported by infantry hold the high ground. The high ground is worth 2 Victory Points to the French. Each destroyed unit is worth 1 VP and the first to 7 VPs wins.

The British left holds fast and is able to push back the French left removing the French threat on that flank.

The French attack in the centre looks imposing however British musketry proves effective. Both sides take casualties and a battalion of French combined Grenadiers charge and overrun the unsupported British gun line. 

The British now launch their attack on the hill . Both sides have lost 5 units and the British have their best troops in the final push.

British musketry proves telling and as the volleys hit home the French lose 2 more VPs and victory goes to the British.

Another fun and closely fought game of DBN.

DBN - Battle of Elchingen - 1805

GH came over today and we played a couple of games DBN. It was his first go at the rules so after a quick explanation we started.

I used the Command and Colours scenario, with a few tweaks, for the map and force composition. 

The French, under Marshal Ney, are poised to launch their attack.  The objective is to capture both of the small towns (non linear fortifications in DBN terms) or to inflict 5 loses on the Austrians.

The Austrians are set up to defend the small towns and the range of hills. Their force does not include any Light Infantry elements but does include 2 units of Cuirassier.

The French attack on their right with heavy Columns advancing whilst their left  is held back.  The French have 3 light units and get a plus one on their Cap dice where as the Austrians are a -1. This gives the French greater flexibility to out manoeuvre the more ponderous Austrians. The French can also use attack columns with a +3 bonus which makes them tough against Austrian lines.

The French attack against Elchingen is successful however a counter attack by a Austrian elite element recaptures the town.

The French attack against the church is however thrown back and Austrian Light horse moves forward to threaten the French Infantry.

French Light cavalry heroically charge an Austrian horse artillery unit but lose the close assault and recoil before receiving rasping canister fire which destroys them.

With the French attacks failing the Austrian counter attack on their left are are able to win 5 vs 4 elements lost.

After a lunch and a pint on a local pub we changed sides are refought the game. In this game the Austrians and French tried 5 loses each and the game went into sudden death which saw the Austrians able to win 6 - 5. 

DBSYW 15mm figures

I have been busy rebasing some old 15mm Tricorne troops for more playtesting of the SYW variant of DBN.

Some of the figures I have unearthed are 15mm minifigs from the 1980s and GNW cavalry. I also have a few newer figures including a couple of freshly painted French guns. The armies will represent the Grand Duchy of Calvados and the Electorate of Furstenburg-Lederhosen and its allies in the Electoral Kreis.

DBN - Plancenoit

It's been a while since my classic Napoleonics have had an outing so I got them out and played a quick solo DBN game using the Plancenoit scenario from DBNwargaming.

I used 50mm unit frontage so increased the table size to 30 by 30 inches and used 1.25" = 100 paces.

The Prussians opened the game with some effective counter battery fire with the first shot causing 2 hits and a shaken status on one of the French guns. Both French guns were destroyed by the end of turn 3.

With the French artillery destroyed their left wing is made up of a single unit of Hussars.

Plancenoit is defended by a unit of Alberken infantry. A detachment defends the cottage which represents the church.

Bulow pushes forward his troops in massed columns.

The French cavalry attack a unit of Prussian Light Cavalry.  Both units have 2 hits and are shaken so its winner takes all. The French win and get a breakthrough charge and hit the  leading unit of Prussian attack column who are able to form square and drive off the French cavalry and then destroy them with musketry.

On turn 6 the Young Guard reinforcements arrive and use a good CAP throw and STMs (Strategic Moves) to quickly reach Plancenoit.

Its turn 9 and the Prussians close on Plancenoit ready to launch an assault next turn.

A unit of Guard arrives on Turn 9 and moves up.

On turn 11 the Prussian assault goes in. The first column fails to break in. The second is however successful and takes Plancenoit.

On turn 11 the French Old Guard counter attacks. Both units count as in being in bad going. The French are on a 4 the Prussians regulars a 2. The French roll a 4 the Prussians a 6. The melee is a tie. Both sides take a hit and a the units are locked in a desperate melee. 

In Turn 12 the Prussians are able to take the Church ( a strongpoint in DBN). However even though the Old Guard are shaken they beat the Prussians regulars and recapture Plancenoit. On the final French turn the Young Guard storm and recapture the church. 

A french victory but it was close.

Another fun game of DBN.

DBACW

My continuing affair with DBx related games saw me try out the ACW rules this afternoon using some 10mm figures I had knocking around.

I like these DB games as they allow me to play out a solo game in around an hour.  

The ACW has always been one of my favourite periods to game as I, like many others, am one of the Airfix generation. I have fairly large 28mm armies but limited space at home has meant these have not been used for a while.  Although I may use them for DBACW using 60mm instead of 40mm frontage for each element and use a 3ft square table for the standard 12 point game.

I am thinking of playing a solo ACW campaign using these rules and the old GDW board game a House Divided.

Here are a few photos of the game set up on a 2ft square gaming mat.