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.



Saturday, 20 May 2023

Meanwhile, somewhere in New France...

Back with us once more from 'Taffystan' and ready for a game Paul ventured into GHQ to play a second version of our recent F&IW game. This time the British and Colonial force would be following up their victory by raiding into French territory. Paul would command the French, as the Comte de Gornalé, and I commanded the British in the character of the stout Colonel Bykleigh, second in command to Lord Rawnsley. As usual a photomontage will take you through the unfolding action and hopefully give a sense of how things panned out ~
Stockbridge tribes warriors leave their temporary campsite intent on raiding their Paddoquoi enemy. (Figures from Galloping Major of course lead by a base of Redoubt Enterprises figures.)

The Rangers travel by canoe along the river. The first Stockbridge tribes' war party crosses by the ford.
The French are roused from their sleep and begin to fall in ready to march off and defend the village. The small 3lb gun is run out at the edge of the village enclosure ready for action.
In true sneaky fashion the Paddoquoi war parties ambush the Rangers. Despite their surprise they land from their canoes and get straight into a fire fight with the Paddoquoi.
While the Rangers' firefight continues the first Stockbridge tribes'war party burns one of the outlying homes. ('Un point' to the Crown's forces!)
On the French left the Compagnies Franches de la Marine and their Irregular supports advance on the fence line ready to repel the British Regulars. 
The Light Companies are thrown forward to harass the French who have somewhat rashly sent their own Irregulars beyond the cover of the fence line.
Behind the cover afforded by their Light Companies the Regulars prepare to deploy into a firing line.
One company of Rangers, supported by the second Stockbridge tribes war party, engages the second Paddoquoi war party. The second Company of Rangers having driven of the other Paddoquoi rush forward and attack the French Regulars! Madness?
On the French left a fierce exchange of fire has as yet produced no clear outcome despite Disorder and worse afflicting the British Regular infantry.
The shattered Paddaquoi war party flees from the Rangers despite a second regiment of French Regular infantry marching to their support!
Amazingly, despite being Shaken themselves by losses already sustained, the Rangers volley breaks the French before they can get into line and prepare to fire! (At this stage Paul's dice were looking increasingly fragile!)
With the entire French right destroyed it looks all up for the French. In celebration the British Provincial infantry fire the second outlying home.
The Comte de Gornalé flees the field leaving the villagers to a far from certain fate. 

Already the Stockbridge warriors have fired the first if the village homes and more must follow with little if any defence remaining. 
Paul conceded defeat in Turn 8, dispirited I'd think by one of the worst runs of dice throw results I've ever seen, and after such a promising opening as well.

There it is then, a second triumph for King George's men and confusion to his enemies! Time to clear it all away now ready for the next game in GHQ...

16 comments:

  1. Paul's French may have had a tough time but your table and photography are a success.

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    1. "Oh, ces dés jonathan, ces maudits dés !"

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  2. A splendid looking game and good to see my 2 i/c keeping the British end up. I particularly like picture eight.

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  3. Yet another wonderful game with such a lovely collection... what more could one ask? Better dice rolls maybe? I feel reluctant to blame the dice completly, the French command could have been better... de Gornalé was well below par! I draw some solace though from the fact that at least I lost as the French! 😀
    A splended session Dave and very much enjoyed, as always! The game was great fun, hope to give you a more challenging game next time!

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    1. "oh, ces dés de Gornalé, ces maudits dés !"

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  4. That's a fantastic looking game David!

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks Christopher, we do try in GHQ.

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  5. Once again you provide a game that is a pleasure to behold:).

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    1. I do my best, I can offer no more, it is what it is.

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  6. Sumptuous table top terrain, convincing contestants locked in bitter battle. You certainly put on wonderful games.

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    1. I do my best as I enjoy the visual spectacle of a game.

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  7. Wonderful looking game, thanks for sharing.


    Willz.

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  8. Great looking table,the river sections are amazing

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    1. Many thanks Andy, but river from The Last Valley.

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