David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Tuesday 11 April 2017

A Mere Matter of Marching?

Earlier this week Phil and I played out the next installment of our themed War in America games, this time set in the War of 1812, using the same table top battlefield and scenario of course. Phil took command of the attacking American force and I commanded the Anglo-Canadians. The captioned pictures tell the unfolding story of the battle, fought using Black Powder rules, over our customary 12 turns. The figures are all by Wargames Foundry from my own collections ~
The Anglo-Canadian left is thinly defended by the Glengarry Light Infantry,
supported by Light Dragoons. American Dragoons sense a break point here.


















The centre and right are manned by Fencibles and Militia, with some
Marines on the harbour.















The Marines from HMS Dianne stiffen the Michigan Fencibles on the far
right flank.
















Two batteries of US Artillery support the attack by a Brigade of Volunteers.













Orders don't get through and one Battalion finds itself out front facing not
Militia but Regulars!












The US Dragoons had the worst of it and break for the rear! More British
troops arrive to shore up the left.
















Although the Fencibles are wavering under artillery fire and falling back,
more Regulars are marching to the sound of the guns.























The Volunteer Brigade falters but on their flank State troops keep up the
advance and US Artillery pound the defenders. Disorder is widespread but
the Volunteers keep their fire up!


















The Fencibles and Militia take advantage of the Disorder amongst their
enemies and advance. One Volunteer Regiment shakes out into line to trade
fire with the British.













The Volunteer's fire breaks the British Regulars opposing them, they flee in
confusion! The Light Dragoons catch the Pennsylvania Regiment in column
and rout them!


















At last the third Brigade arrives on the US left and makes swiftly for the
lightly defended Anglo-Canadian right flank.











While the Marines are driven off, the US Regulars come under sustained fire
and are Disordered and Shaken as a result.

















Away on the opposite flank another Brigade of US Regulars marches forward
into battle, flags proudly waving in the breeze.

















Their bold advance drives off the Light Infantry and imperils the flank. The
Light Dragoons save the day and sweep away one Regiment.















On the right the British Regulars' fire power routs the enemy and save that
flank too!
















One final supreme effort from the US regulars is repulsed and with it the
Army's Morale is shattered. Troops flee for their lives while defenders are
too drained to pursue.


















Even on the far flank the attack breaks down. The American's will to continue
is shattered and Canada is saved for the Crown once more! Hurrah!



























A most enjoyable game which swung first one way and then the other for the full twelve turns. Phil was hampered in the early moves by poor Command Roll dice while I succeeded early on in bringing on my first Brigade of Regulars which stiffened the Militia at a crucial time. When his other brigades arrived they were slow into the field allowing the British to take the initiative. For them the Light Dragoons were especially gallant and effective, shoring up the weak left flank first, then delivering two vital blows to the enemy.
Like a number of my more elderly collections, if I was starting again I'd do it differently, but for now they must do for us. I bought most of the figures in the large £5.00 mixed bags when they first moved to Nottingham from Guernsey. That dates them and me! Anyone starting the War of 1812 now in 28mm has ore choice of figures and ranges, but for me these have a charm and a history which makes them special. Next up in GHQ, an ACW game in two weeks. Slightly altered terrain already in place on the table, but the same scenario of course. Back to painting Anglo-Zulu War horse holder sets now. Joy!

29 comments:

  1. A fine game indeed, alas boldness was not my friend this time.

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  2. Excellent report and I love these armies.

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    1. Thanks Colin. Like their owner they are of their time...

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  3. Great looking game 😀 I like the Harbour structure....and am just thinking about making something similar

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    1. Harbour by Ainsty for your information.

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  4. I enjoyed that thanks. Great photos.

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  5. Excellent looking game. The War of 1812 offers so many gaming opportunities, nice to see it getting some exposure.

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  6. Once again an excellent game and good news for the King.

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  7. What a nice looking game, beautiful armies...and fences!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the fences! Takes all sorts to make our hobby fun after all. ;~)

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  8. Excellent work ..nice to see this seldom gamed war...Thanx .

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  9. Thanks for the comment Juergen.

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  10. Very nice looking game as always David plus it's good to see the 1812 figures getting an outing, mine haven't been out of their boxes for years.

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    1. Hello David! Nice to hear from you again, glad you liked our effort! You really should give your chaps a run out too! See you at Carronade I hope!

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    2. Unfortunately I won't be there David as I have a college 40th reunion then a military ball to attend. I won't be at Partizan either due to a previous booking and Claymore is not looking to positive at the moment.

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    3. You will become a part time wargamer if you don't look out! Sorry we'll miss you.

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  11. Outstanding report, photos and terrain! I particularly liked the random terrain pieces e.g. pile of logs, tree stumps, bramble bushes, stone walls etc they really add elegance to a war game table top. Well done.

    I really look forward to your War of 1812 game reports. Many thanks for sharing your experiences.

    BTW In the interest of furthering War of 1812 research...American field artillery was painted black. No brass barrels unless they were captured from the British. All the best to you.

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    1. Thanks very much Rod for taking the time to comment, its good to know what folk have liked. As to the US gun barrels, well I excuse myself on two counts: painted over 14 years ago and I've never liked the look of blackened barrel finish. Next up an ACW game.

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  12. Lovely looking figures and scenery and it sounds like a fun game with the right result as a bonus, it does sound like your failing to be consistent with your dice throwing though if you won!
    Best Iain

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    1. My dice were better, Phil's were worse. It evens out over time I guess.

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