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 18 September 2018

Marching to Glory...or Not!

For what turns out to be our last game here in GHQ this month I chose a War of 1812 setting and borrowed a scenario loosely from Steve the Wargamer - see his post on Abundance Farm, from the sidebar blog link section. Two equally balanced forces are tasked with capturing abundant supplies located in a farm on the table edge. Both enter down the road on the opposite corners of the table to the farm edge. Phil commanded the American forces and yours truly the Anglo-Canadians. Each side had two Brigades of Foot and were supported by artillery. In addition each side had one unit of cavalry. The rules used were, as is usual for us now a days, Black Powder while the figures were Foundry from my collection. We set the game length at 10 Turns and allocated Victory Points to features on the table, ranging from 1 for the entry point, through to 3 for the hills and for the crossroads, to 6 for the farm itself. As is my wont, a photomontage follows to tell the story of the unfolding game ~
Abundance Farm is occupied by the Paddoquoi war party in Turn 2.

The Anglo-Canadian forces advance on all fronts: the Regular Infantry on the
farm, the Militia and Fencibles on the right flank, supported by the Light 
Dragoons and an RA 6lb gun.

American Light Dragoons are Shaken by fire and nervously await their
supporting Infantry from Scott's Brigade.

The Paddoquoi are joined by the 4th Foot and their combined firepower is too
much for the US Sharp Shooters who fall back Disordered.

The American Light Dragoons are routed and the Infantry forced into square
by the British cavalry. The 2nd US Artillery is left exposed!

The American left flank collapses and the Anglo-Canadians prepare to go on
the attack. Columns of Militia and Fencibles at screened by the Glengarry
Light Infantry.

"Follow Me!" American infantry charge forward but are met with withering
fire from the 4th Foot and the Paddoquoi, while the 10th Royal Veterans are
hurrying to their support.

An overview of the battlefield: the Anglo-Canadians hold the farm while on
the nearby high ground the Glengarry Light Infantry skirmish with elements
of Scott's brigade.

The 10th Royal Veterans advance to take the battle to the retiring Americans.

The American left has collapsed and though the 1th Royal Veterans' attack
has been repulsed, the Anglo-Canadian's grip on Abundance Farm and all its
wealth of supplies is like iron!

The American's concede defeat! Their Regulars fared badly against the Militia
and Fencibles while their own Militia never made it into the fight!
A grand game I thought, perhaps coloured by my victory! It is true that Phil's Command Rolls were frequently poor and mine not much better, but I felt my own tactics more likely to win the game, drawing in his Regulars with my weaker Militia and Fencibles, leaving my own small Regular brigade and Paddoquoi support to seize the objective. No doubt Phil will pop up in due course with a different perspective on the flow of the action!
Next up in GHQ should be a WWII game with Jon, using Rapid Fire!2, on the first Wednesday of October. In the meantime for me its back to painting the 43rd Foot for my AWI collection. Foundry figures of course. Eight finished so far, leaving 13 to do, plus 4 Light Company figures if I get that far this month!

26 comments:

  1. A fine report and pictures of a cracking game. Tactics, plans, what are they then? winged it all the way and didn't it show :~)

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    1. The Dice Gods didn’t help your cause much though.

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  2. Thanks for the battle report !
    Very good photos !
    :-)

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  3. Great looking game- glad to see the yankee aggressors got their come uppence!

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    1. As I’m often the Yankees I’ll refrain from commenting.

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  4. Beautiful, love this gorgeous terrain!

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  5. Nice twist on the Abundance Farm scenario and of course a beautiful table.

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  6. Excellent looking game, and a worthy win to the British. The terrain as always looks tremendous.

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    1. I must confess I enjoy a good win, only occasionally mind...

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  7. Lovely looking game and sounds like lots of fun for both of you!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain, though I’d guess I enjoyed it more than Phil! 🙂

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  8. Thanks for the report on this splendid game, the terrain and figures are luscious.
    As a Canadian who lives a few hours drive from the 1812 battlefields, I sometimes think that this would be a manageable way to do Naps in 28mm, and then I give my head a shake and realize I am not going to live long enough to finish my current projects!

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    1. Thanks Michael, nice to see you back in the groove again. I always enjoy your blogs, often giving me food for thought on more important issues than toy soldiers. But, I urge you into the War of 1812, it’s in your heritage after all.

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  9. Once again a lovely game, I am looking forward to getting to grips with BP2.

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    1. Thank you George. As to getting to grips with BP2, or indeed any rule set, I lean heavily on Phil and Jon. It seems things do not stick as well as they did...

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  10. A splendid looking game Mr.B. The War of 1812 is sadly often overlooked and yet provides a nice change from the massed battles of Napoleonic Europe.

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    1. Thanks Jon! I really like the mix of units for the War of 1812, indeed I almost bought some more figures recently, but just about resisted!

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  11. A splendid game
    A colourful period
    And of course a very enjoyable account.

    All the best. Aly

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