SYW Action

We should have been gaming at Phil's on Tuesday last, but Sue and Di had tickets for the Andy Warhol exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery meaning that we switched venues for an unscheduled game in GHQ. We settled on a simple encounter battle using parts of my SYW collection. Lord Rawnsley took command of the Allies, the Comte du Merde the French. A few pictures from the action as usual ~

A bold if a somewhat uncoordinated advance by the French opens proceedings. Masking his own batteries not the best of ideas Du Merde had that day. {The first of many such unforced errors some might say!}

On the other hand, Lord Rawnsley's command advances steadily and to a coordinated purpose! The left and centre lead by British forces, the right by Württemberg and Hanoverian allies.

Despite their commander's encouragement early Disorder from enemy artillery fire cannot be avoided. The first of many such occurrences which reduced the French attacks to piecemeal and uncoordinated probes.

On the French left flank the attack gets off to a more promising opening. In the distance the Flying Geese with cavalry in support advance with determination, while the Scottish infantry are even bolder in their advance!

The French centre though is less assertive and much less coherent in response to Du Merde's orders. Perhaps Le Comte's judgement is clouded or his wording unclear? Whatever, the advance is already unravelling!

The French cavalry are short on élan. In fact it is mostly AWOL all game! Orders seem to be delayed, lost or just ignored! Some even blundering off the table at a crucial moment!

On the other side of the battlefield the Allies are the very epitome of coordinated aggression. Even by the end of Turn 2 it was obvious the French were up against it. Suffering losses and Disorder to disciplined musket volleys and unable to form their own firing lines!

Despite more disciplined and coordinated performance on the left from the Flying Geese the lines of Württemberg infantry look dangerous. Out of shot a large body of Hanoverian infantry with cavalry support add to the feeling of dread gripping the French!

The French and British cavalry close with oneanother. The light woods did not disrupt good order, just counting as a linear obstacle.

Despite a far from promising opening, by Turn 3 the French are regaining their poised and coordinating their attacks with more cohesion. Du Merde is getting a better grip on things it seems.

Or perhaps not...Disorder strikes the Flying Geese after a devastating volley from the ranks of Württemberg infantry! Morale is dangerously low as their losses mount!

Cuirassiers du Roi clash with the 2nd Horse. Despite the advantages of weight the result of the melee is far from clear.

In fact the Cuirassiers rout! Lack of support proves crucial to the result and their morale collapse! A loss which subsequently paralysed the mind of the French cavalry as Blunder followed on the heels of rout!

The first of the French infantry break under sustained and galling infantry and artillery fire. 

Massed French cavalry advance to deter the enemy's attempts to exploit a gap in the line! The remaining Flying Geese regiment retires from action, its morale eroded by the sight of its fellows fleeing in rout!

The British cavalry, aided by French confusion, have stabilised the left of Rawnsley's battleline enabling the infantry attack to develop with confidence. The French are under pressure and on the back foot as Turn 5 opens.

In fact the French are coming undone at the seams with losses mounting everywhere and their own responses pitiful at best. Repeatedly Disordered by enemy fire they fail to respond effectively to the unfolding attack. Du Merde senses the battle is slipping away from his grasp.

As the situation reaches a crisis point Le Comte directs a desperate defence in person, despite warnings from his ADC as Württemberg infantry close on the unprotected flank!

Merde! It's all up for Le Comte du Merde as Hanoverian Hussars arrive on his flank! A swift retreat is his last order of the day! A resounding victory for the Allies under Rawnsley's command! Another grand game delivered by Black Powder Mk2! Off to Welsh Wales now though for some R&R to ease the pain of yet another walloping here in GHQ!