The Ruin of his Hopes

With America in mourning for 250 years of not being British a game using my AWI collection seemed appropriate for Paul's first visit to GHQ since April! I bought my first figures for this project from Front Rank at Salute, when it was still held at Kensington Town Hall! They were being sold I think as a 'special' offer, a small force in a box. Although I can't recall the exact contents I'm pretty confident there were a few 12 figure infantry groups, a gun and crew, a general and a few riflemen in the American box, with the British box being much the same. In time I added to these, along with new units, all from Front Rank. The collection reached a satisfactory size and was 'finished' to my mind. Over the following years it appeared in occasional games, with ever longer intervals inbetween. I retired in 2002 and in 2004 welcomed my first Wargames Room with a permanent tabletop battlefield- GHQ Mk1 as I recall it now the location has moved into our converted garage. The two factors happily combined to see not just new projects undertaken, but older ones revisited and added to. For the AWI collection new Hessian units and old hands reflagged and rebased. Front Rank have been augmented with Wargames Foundry and Perry Miniatures figures, with even a few Eureka Miniatures finding their way into the collection! So, here they are, old and newer units in a meeting engagement around the Robinson House, so recently added to the terrain options! Paul, as Lord Gornal, took command of the Crown's forces while yours truly commanded the Rebellious Colonials as Ol' Independence or Death Bykleigh. All the following pictures in the anotated photomontage were taken by Paul ~

Seizing the initiative the American infantry surge forward eagerly, that is two moves!

More troops are marching steadily towards the developing action. In the distance British Light Dragoons crest the rise and are surprised to find no enemy has yet reached the fence line. Could there be an opportunity here for Glory?

The American infantry shake out into firing lines in the face of the mounting number of the Crown's forces to their front. Boys from New York and New Jersey prepare to fire a first volley!

In the centre waves of enemy infantry are steadily advancing unopposed! The American left wing is finding the going hard ~ poor command dice of course! 

The Hessians are advancing steadily to threaten the hesitant American centre-left. Militia cavalry are hurried forward to stem the advance. A master stroke or a grave error?

In the centre the Crown's forces are steadily closing on the American front line. Will numbers tell or will American firepower win the day?

In a desperate move Ol' Independence or Death sends a brigade of Militia around the Crown's left flank. Despite largely ineffective sniping by native Americans the Militia press on to attack the guns playing havoc with the American centre.

Von Rall's grenadiers are thrown back by a combination of fire from the Jersey Blues and a whiff of cannister at close range! The sacrifice of the Militia horse has allowed more American infantry to reach the fence line. It looks as if the Light Dragoons have missed their opportunity!

American losses are mounting despite localised success at times. Disorder is a major handicap to Ol' Independence or Death's planning.

In close quarter fighting men exchange volleys and cannister thins the American ranks! The weight of numbers is beginning to tell on the hard pressed Americans.

Hessian infantry fire has thrown back the rash Militia horse! The American left is held mainly by Continental Dragoons supported by Militia and Volunteer horse. In the face of Hessian numbers will they hold?

In the rear of the Hessian Infantry Tarleton holds his Legion and Volunteer horse in readiness to exploit any opportunities that might present themselves as American ranks thin and lines crumble.

Close quarters volleys crash out all along the battle line. Men fall to rise no more but neither side gives way!

As fighting rages in the centre British infantry emerge from the woods in an attempt to turn the American flank and roll up the line! Militia are the only unit available to thwart the move!

Meanwhile the American militia tasked with taking the guns have reached their goal. Despite losses one gun is lost but its comrade is proving another matter. The Marylanders are halted Shaken and take galling casualties from cannister fire!

Unable to withstand their losses any longer the American right collapses as its morale crumbles!

It has not been all one sided though. Serious losses and disorder have hampered Lord Gornal's efforts to dislodge the outnumbered colonials! Even the converged grenadiers have faltered!

The Americans find their right flank being pressed back ever more tightly. The centre finds itself being flanked as well as hard pressed along it's front. Surely it cannot hold its position in the face of such developments?

The hard pressed centre is clinging on. But losses are ever mounting and morale is crumbling. Hessian volleys are wreaking destruction all along the American line!

The army has ceased to be a coherent force as morale loss reaches and then exceeds the critical point. Units head for safety in the rear without awaiting orders. It's all up for Ol' Independence or Death Bykleigh  as he heads for his coach and safety just like his command!

Darkness falls early across the battlefield. That is to say that after Turn 6 the American army morale collapsed due to mounting losses and the number of Shaken units. The 'Dice Gods' were somewhat less unkind to Paul than to myself, though neither of us had outstanding results! Nevertheless a closely contested action fought in just the right spirit of friendly opposition. Just what we strive for in every game here in GHQ.