The first World War

This epithet goes to the Seven Years War in my view, fought out as it was beyond Europe in disparate parts of the globe with Britain flexing her growing Imperial muscle at the expense of France. Why this meandering opening? Well, Jon and I fought out a F&IW game in GHQ earlier this week. Now, normally we use the rule set Astounding Tales with house modifications, meaning that games are large skirmishes in effect, perhaps with thirty figures or so a side the usual size of force. We both fancied a SYW game using Blackpowder, so I had to combine units form my SYW collections with individual figures from my F&IW collections mounted on multiple movement trays for ease. The pictures which follow give a sense of the game's unfolding story over 12 turns ~

The French are camped near by ~

As are their Indian Allies, the Paddoquoi, a fierce warrior tribe ~

Lord Walton, commanding the British forces, orders a general advance on the enemy's lines ~

While the French commander, the Compte du Merde considers his response (fails his Command roll ~

The Compte advances his infantry while anxiously awaiting the arrival of his Allies ~

Lord Walton manoeuvres his infantry against the French right ~

The Indians make a surprise attack against the Rangers and Light Infantry on the British right. Both sides have excess casualties and must Test morale. The British withdraw to nurse their wounds, the Indians flee into the hills in confusion!

The British pour volley after volley into the French right ~

Which forces the French back in some disorder ~

The French right is Shaken, but holds its ground and supported by its artillery begins to hurt the British infantry ~

On the French left a prolonged fire fight sees the fortunes of war surge back and forth between the sides ~

But the French gain the upper hand and break their opponents will to carry on the fight ~

Finally, Lord Walton 'blunders', leaving his infantry at the mercy of their foe. Volleys crash into the ranks of the redcoats and they are 'Broken' and flee. The British army is 'Broken' and flees the field in Turn 11 leaving the Compte du Merde to glory in his triumph ~

The game was tense and fortunes ebbed and flowed throughout between the two sides. The French defended their position with tenacity and courage (good dice) while their enemy were rather slow to manoeuvre and ineffective in their fire (poor dice). The blunder in Turn 11 was decisive in the end, braking the army as a result of excess casualties.
For those who like to know such things, the figures are Foundry, Redoubt and Perry Miniatures; the buildings are scratch built, as are the fences; while the wooded areas and individual trees are by The Last Valley.