Indian Kings

Back to Maratha India in the Napoleonic era, but using 'The Men Who Would Be Kings' rules.

A little early for the ruleset but still within the playable range. The club has already used these rules in a series of games organised by Dave M, but set in the Great War at the other end of the gameable range.

Indian Guns

A return trip to Maratha India, as Matt advances with his 'Road to Assaye' project, to recreate Wellington's Toughest Battle.

A converted version of Impetus Baroque advanced in time to the Napoleonic Era, this was its first outing in 28mm. Matt gets to reuse some of his crusader era Arabs as Levy, but the vast majority of troops are new to the field.

Dutch Courage

Another trial of the increasingly refined Waterloo Rules. A French assault on a polyglot force of Dutch, Belgians and Brunswickers.

Matt and Tel lead the French, Tony and Jim the argumentative allies.

The first assaults from the French were repulsed with casulties. A more effective tactic for the French was to stand off and fire in supported line at the defenders. With the assistance of the Artillery the defenders were chipped away.

 Finally a breakthrough for the French on the right as a renewed assault takes the rightmost buildings, threatening the troops defending between the built-up areas. With French cavalry cming round the side the Allies were forces to adjust their positions.

The French lancers initially pushed the Brunswickers back, but numbers told in the next combat round and the situation was reversed, with the Brunswickers then following up and completely routing the Lancers, but at the cost of riding off the table in mad pursuit.
¶

Sharpe's 'Sharp Practice' Practice

Matt breaks out his skirmish troops from his Napoleonic forces again, but this time to play a rule set that he's just bought, 'Sharp Practice' by Too Fat Lardies, rather than his home-brewed ones. It's a character driven set of rules, with the 'Big Men' being all important in managing the troops.

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Tel, Dave M and Jim are the Honourable French. Keiron, Tony and S.O.Else, the Perfidious Rosbifs. A 'Big Man' each, plus one extra to command the forces, Kieron and Dave M doubling up respectively.

With only Matt having the rules, and himself having never played them, he took on the role of referee\rules lawyer. A simple scenario, capture and hold the four buildings on the table, with those holding the most winning.

Wavre

The Battle of Wavre, quite a significant battles of the Napoleonic era. This holding action by the Prussians helped the main body of Bluchers army escape and reach a rather more well known battle, taking place just to the west, at Waterloo. It also denied Napoleon the use of some much needed troops, in the form of the 3 corps under the command of Marshal Grouchy.

The Waterloo rules are once more undergoing refinement, but this time in 15mm, with the figures supplied by Dave M. Prussians commanded by Matt and Tel, French by Tony and Dave M.

Sharpe's Shooters

Another trial of the Skirmish rules after last weeks first run through.

Once again a 'find the lady' scenario, but with the British defending a village and the French assaulting.

The hiding place of the Lady was chosen so as to only have one way in or out. With an internal barricade and Harper with his volley gun at the ready, any Frenchman trying to seize her would be in for some unpleasantness.

French moved in from one side in a two pronged attack. This forced the Riflemen to rush across the village to help out the regulars holding two of the buildings on that side.

A couple of shots from the upper windows of hard-point took down a Frenchman who had previously survived a volley from three others.

After a couple of bad turns of melee, that saw the regulars forced away from the walls they were defending, it looked like the British had chance for revenge. The Riflemen could now pile in and change the odds, bashing the French back in what was the last act of the game.
¶

Sharpe's Standoff

It's nearing dawn in a Spanish village, and the French commander is interrogating a young lady, believed to be a spy for the nearby British. Little are they both aware of a daring rescue attempt being orchestrated outside by a certain Captain Sharpe.

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Terrain, figures and rules supplied by Matt, who has spun off these rules from his home-brew Napoleonic big battle rules so that he can make use of his singly based skirmisher figures. Tel leading the British as Tony plays the defenders.

Maratha Maul

The 'Road to Waterloo' rules get a reprise and numerous modifications for use in the Indian theatre where numerous British Generals (and fictional Riflemen) cut their teeth.

In this trial run a small force of elite British, Sepoy and the not so elite John Company troops face the more numerous Maratha native forces, with their plentiful supply of Cavalry and explosive things. Matt leading the British while explaining the new rules, with Raja Tel leading the natives, assisted by Jim on the right and Tony on the left. Figures from Jim (Natives) and Matt (British).

Fuentes Warm Up

The final test of Matt's Frankenstein style home-brew rules, before their first big outing at the much delayed St George's Day game.

A small affair between the French and the Spanish, who were instructed to hold a built up area. The Spanish had the much larger force but was up against good quality French, including four high quality Guard Cavalry units.

Road to Waterloo - Again

Another play test of the 'fast-play' rules for next years Waterloo game, as the rules finally settle down after about five iterations. Again it is an hold the village scenario, set in the Peninsular (Iberian, not Furness)

Two brigades of British and Portuguese, lead by Tel, plus some Heavy Cavalry and Guns, defending against the massed forces of the Matt's French.
 

 

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Road to Waterloo

Another test game of the proposed 'Waterloo' rules, with the French, consisting of Tel and Tony, assaulting a village defended by the British and Spanish of Martin and Jim. The village spans a river, crossable by troops but with a bridge in place for easier crossing.

Victory conditions are simple... who ever holds the village at the end of the game is the winner.



From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Battle at Wahlsbeck

A battle that should never been fought occurs as Davout's retreating French runs into a Prussian Corps that had just trashed the Frenchies forward supply depot. Rather than retreat the Prussians decide to stand against a superior French Army.

Report from Dave M

Battle for Magdeburg

The 1813 Campaign continues after an April hiatus, with a long anticipated battle near the key supply city of Magdeburg.

Report from Dave M again.

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

St George's Talavera

The annual big near St. Georges Day game. This year was the Battle of Talavera in 28mm.
All figures provided by Matt.

From Talavera 2012

Battle of Marienborn

Another battle in the 1813 Campaign as the French try and redeploy their forces out of the rough terrain of Marienborn after the surprise capitulation of Magdeburg.

Report from Dave M as usual.

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Battle of Groningen

Two Battles to report from the 1813 Campaign. The first played out at the club, as the French forces try to strike hard at Blucher before reinforcements can envelope them. The second, smaller action, was played out elsewhere (and possibly via an automatic combat resolution system.)

Battle reports from Dave M, as usual.

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Action at Calbe

Another campaign battle, this time on Day 9.

What should of been a big battle at Calbe turned into a bit of a squib and rapid retreat. Martin had positioned his troops in defense of the battle magnet of Calbe, but then promptly did not show up for the battle due to ill-health. This left Mark, Jim and me in charge of the forces, with me, as Wittgenstein, nominally in over all command.

This is the first battle to actually feature Wittgenstein's III Corps in full after they finally arrive in the area after a long, convoluted, march from Dresden.

Another battle report from Dave M follows...

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Action at Schlauterhausen

The second battle of the 1813 Campaign to be fought at the club, occurring near Calbe, which had already seen action previously, but now at a location that I can't find on Google Maps

Tony and Dave S jointly take control of the already weakened Franco-Bavarians. Mark in charge of the Prussian Corps in the centre, Tel covering the Right (Northern) Flank. Jim in charge of the Russian Cavalry to the South.

From Furness Wargamers in Shakos

Another battle report from Dave M.

Battle of Seehausen

This is the first battle of the 1813 Campaign to be fought at the club, notable by the absenteeism of a number of players. I was drafted in as a Russian liaison officer who ended up in charge of the Prussian II Corps.

One other battle had been previously fought away from the club and had set up the current situation.

The following battle report was posted later by Dave M.

Battle of Albuera

A re-fight of the Battle of Albuera at Matt's using the 'In The Grand Manner' rules. This was one of the bloodiest battles that the British ever fought in.

From Albuera