For this week's game with Phil here in GHQ a rerun of the Wars of the French Revolution game from last month, pitting Austro-Hanoverians against the uppity French! I took command of the former force, Phil taking the latter. As is my custom with these AAR things, a photomontage conveying some sense of the unfolding action. Rules were Black Powder 2 and the game length set at 12 Turns, with a break for lunch, as is our custom here in GHQ ~
The Hanoverians advance, their left covered by the Damas Legion infantry and a unit of Austrian Grenz. The rest, you ask? Still off table!π²π²π²π²π²π²
A battery of 12lb guns seize the ridge, supported by some National Guard. The Demi-Brigades show no such enthusiasm. The battle is off to an oh so slow start!
Turns out I spoke too soon. The leading Demi-Brigade of infantry occupy more of the ridge line. The Austrian Heavy artillery deploy while their infantry are just not moving as yet!
The Hanoverians are making hard work of things on the left! At least the Austrian infantry is finally shuffling forward, just!
The French have taken up a strong position in the centre. It will be hot work shifting them I fear!
Out numbered, but not outclassed, the Austrian Heavy and Light Cavalry brigades begin to manoeuvre forward...
...while the French Heavy Cavalry and Dragoons are very reluctant to move anywhere!
Herr Morrisahn urges his Austrian infantry forward, joining the Hanoverians in pouring fire into the French lines.
The Austrian composite Battalion of Grenadiers gallantly charges the French Grand Battery! Surely this can only end in tears?
The Heavy Cavalry clash on the French left flank. The clash of steel on steel, the shrieks of the wounded, the sound of the trumpets fill the air!
Back in the Centre the composite Grenadier Battalion sweeps the French Grand Battery aside at the point of the bayonet! Confusion reigns along the ridge and the French cannot plug the gap! The Hanoverians surge forward to drive off the confused French Horse Artillery.
A desperate struggle is unfolding on the French left flank as their cavalry begins to give way to the Austrians!
The French are driven back Disordered and Shaken leaving the infantry in their centre exposed to attack from that flank.
The Austrian cavalry meanwhile is regrouping ready to charge again. Their dander is definitely up!
Driving unopposed through the French centre the Grenadiers seize the farm complex and begin to fortify it, meanwhile firing at targets of opportunity in their sights.
Making no headway on the French right flank, driven off in the centre and routed on their left the French army folds and quits the field in Turn 7. All over before lunch!
Very civilized play to have the battle end before lunch time!
ReplyDeleteWe French we like our lunch, why let a battle get in the wayπ
DeletePS. It was well worth losing the battle for too, thank you Sue.
DeleteI have passed your thanks on to Sue.
DeleteWow, that's certainly a turn up for the books David! Does BP2 apply lots of negatives to the Austrians, or are different nationalities treated basically the same in terms of movement and morale etc? Our in house rules make the Austrians pretty hard to use, if they are not in column, they are harder to activate etc...makes things rather difficult against the French!
ReplyDeleteBP2 is a tool kit ruleset, a core with specific rules combined and applied to develop the feel you want for national and troop characteristics, plus variable Command levels. In the early FRW period the Austrians for example were still very much a SYW style linear force, while French cavalry was particularly poorly lead having lost much of its officer class. By applying a selection from the rules you can bring these and other characteristics to the tabletop armies.
DeleteGood to see this period on the table again and wonderful to see such a comprehensive Austrian win! And all before lunch:).
ReplyDeleteA win! I had to think back hard to recall what they were!
DeletePoor Phil but he got lunch in peace, splendid game.
ReplyDeleteHe tucked in with gusto!
DeleteLovely looking game, completed in record time!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Record time? Nah! Once had an ACW game end in Turn 2 when Union morale collapsed!
DeleteFabolous looking game as always. They say an army marches on its stomach - clearly true in Phil's case, marching to the rear for grub!
ReplyDeleteI have enough stomach for an entire army sadly...π
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