Monday, January 27, 2014

Great Napoleon at War Game-French vs. British and Brunswickers

Just one part of Madness Comics-A converted GROCERY
STORE!
We decided to play a game "up north" so the guys that live up north (Dallas is pretty spread out) wouldn't have to drive south to Red Oak for a change.  We played at Madness Comics in Plano. I've got to give kudos to the owners and management for a great place to play.  It's the largest gaming facility I've played in other than at a con.  Highly recommended. Close to beer drinking is a plus as well!
We met several new players while we were there. Napoleonics just draws a crowd.  Nicely done Napoleonics like Clay's are just eye candy for gamers.  Hopefully we can build upon this game.


Short AAR: 2500 points per player (2 French, 1 British): 5K total
French played Infantry Division, Heavy Cavalry Brigade, Light Cavalry Brigade, Heavy Guns
British played Heavy Cavalry Division with Royal Horse Artillery in Support initially.  Most of the British units start in reserve and arrive/move as per the reserve rules. I was lucky throughout the game and had consistently good reserve rolls
Men at War French Infantry painted by John Stonecipher

Here's a shot of Clay's French. They are Napoleon at War figures painted by John Stonecipher. John is a painting legend in the DFW area.







Initial deployment of British Heavy Cavalry Division
Figures by Men at War, Campaign Games Miniatures, and AB Miniatures







My initial deployment was the British Heavy Cavalry Division supported by Royal Horse Artillery.  The French can be seen occupying the hill immediately to the front supported by Legere in the enclosed field








Brunswickers advance slowly on the left flank while the French hold the woods supporting the French division.  The Brunswickers are New Line Miniatures. I've found this line to work quite well with the giant-sized Men at War Miniatures.









British Infantry arrives on turn 1. I was sweating it but my ability to roll ones is a well known fact among the DFW Irregulars.  My friends that know how "well" I handle cavalry elements should be chuckling right now. I've been told face to face to "not touch the cavalry, Miller!"




Battlefield view on turn 2.  The French Heavy Cavalry Division has arrived and is moving down the road in the center of the field.  The French division on the flank has deployed into line and holds a strong position in the woods. French artillery has deployed to secure the center and the right flank.  British Light Brigade has arrived and advancing to oust the French from the woods. The British line infantry brigade occupies the village waiting for the French to "light up" the buildings.




The fight in the woods rages. I just love those crappy bendable bayonets. They just make my army look "so nice".   Call me picky. They just are poor quality in figures that cost as much as Men at War.   In the foreground, you can see the British Horse artillery moving to the right flank to support the Brunswick Light Cavalry Brigade that has stymied the French support of the Legere.





British Scots Greys prove yet again that they are the "noblest cavalry in Europe and the most poorly led."  I couldn't get a hit on the Cuirassiers if a hit was in season! I even got my son to get me some "big gaming dice".  I'll just blame the dice. It definitely was a close run thing.






Clay before he rolled HIS melee dice!



Clay's reaction to the Scots Greys use of rubber swords and why they wore funny hats.  He hasn't rolled HIS melee dice YET! Muuuhahahaha! Karma proved to be a real bee-atch!












Karma is a bee-atch....right Clay?








Scots Greys received a little assistance from the Dice Karma God. Both sides whiffed. Oh well, thanks for playing! The French Cuirassiers and Scots Greys just fought another round. I couldn't wound a general to save my life! Uxbridge on the other hand knew not to go "with the boys" this time!




The Brunswickers finally decided to get into line and get to work moving the French out of the woods.  The Brunswickers were supported by Dutch-Belgian cavalry.  You know them...the funny looking guys with bicornes and pink facings!







Mighty Dutch Belgian Heavy Cavalry-GCM figures



Once the supporting cavalry arrived, the Brunswickers were then commanded by a new player to Napoleon at War. He was definitely more competent than the British CIC. He pressed the French out of the woods. He then continued to press the French and separate them from the main French body in the center of the field. The British CIC was oblivious to the brave action and remained spellbound on the action in the center.





British Light Dragoons finally finished their tea and decided to make an entry as the French Light Cavalry Brigade advanced behind the Cuirassiers. The British continued to hold the village but one building was set on fire by the French howitzer. We never played this rule before. It was novel and kind of cool even though I kept taking stands from the unit from the fire.  OUCH!



Chasseurs destroy the remains of the British Heavy Cavalry
Brigade.



Clay started advancing in the center to see if the British CIC would act like a wet hen.  True to form, the British CIC met the advance and promptly lost a complete Heavy Cavalry brigade!  That'll teach ya' Uxbridge.  How's your damned leg?  Does it hurt yet?







The British launched their Light Dragoon Brigade frontally against the French artillery and remaining Chasseur regiment.  It looks cool doesn't it?  Yeah,  it only LOOKS cool. Clay commented that this charge would probably be the game.  Yeah, right!  The French Division commander calmly ordered his artillery to stand and shoot plus the remaining Chasseur regiment just kicked the stuff out of the Light Dragoons. I'm going to have to paint ME some Chasseurs!

Where are the Light Dragoons?

The British Light Dragoons decided to head home for a light luncheon.  The French taunted them for a second time as they moved to the divisional reserve area.








Brunswickers begin to close the door 


The Brunswickers pressed the French and made sure that brigade did not link up with the main French body in the center.  The redoubtable Dutch-Belgian cavalry is seen in the photo in support of the Brunswickers.  The Brunswickers are New Line Miniatures.






Frog Pressing


The British continue to press the French and compress the flank. Brunswick Uhlans and Hussars are supported by British Horse Artillery firing upon the square on top of the hill in front of Clay's pad-thing. The French have moved a Chasseur regiment to support the flank and an additional line infantry battalion to support the Legere plus artillery in a very compact position. Time to press some Frogs!


French flank begins to waver


French Chasseur regiment left the field due to poor morale roll while the Brunswick cavalry begins to move into the rear areas of the French. The French flank begins to waver.  It was definitely past time for a beer on both sides. I lost count of the number of game turns we played. It didn't matter. Six turns just isn't enough for larger games!






Game Over-British Pursuit continues



We were all ready after the French went down to an army loss rate of 50%.   This was a classic good game, down to the wire and last brigade.  Thanks to Clay and Scott Hendrickson for a great game!  Welcome to the new guys that played as well. We'd like to do this again at Madness Comics in Plano, Texas.  One just can't go wrong by playing there!

Next game?  Keep checking back and may you always roll a six!




Saturday, January 18, 2014

Black Powder Solo Game-54mm AWI Actually Works!

I dug out my copy of Black Powder again after a several year hiatus. The game we played previously left my group and myself a little cold. After reading several posts from a group of guys in "Yankeeland", I thought another try was warranted since the rules were originally a sizable investment.  I put a small solo game together to work out some of the more clunky mechanics that made us turn up our noses at Black Powder.  Used the stats from the Freeman's Farm game.

The rules call for larger sized (in the number of  miniatures) units.  My collection has been constructed for All the King's Men by Ken Cliffe.  Figures are based individually and are magnetically attached to movement stands. I decided the following convention would be in place for my game....
Regular Line Infantry: "normal sized unit"
Grenadiers or Highlanders: "large sized unit"
Jagers, Regular Light Infantry: musket skirmishers, riflemen: "small sized unit"
Cavalry: "regular sized unit"
Artillery: Battalion Gun for the Patriots, Regular sized gun for the British
The rules call for a larger table size. My game house can handle up to a 16x6 but since this was a solo game, I wanted to be able to reach quickly and work the rules rather than work the table.

British OB:
CIC: General Lord Foppe:8

Kilroy's Bde:
1st Battalion of Foote
Light Infantry
Highlanders without Kilts
Royal Artillery

Von Miller's Germans
Jagers
Knyphausen Fusliers
Von Rall's Grenadiers

Tarleton's Tories
Tarleton's Green Dragoons (unreliable)

Patriot OB:
CIC: General "Hard" Knox:8

Granny Smith's Brigade
2nd Mass. Continentals
1st Virginia Continentals
Men of Charleston (militia-unreliable)
South Carolina State Militia (unreliable)
Knox' Left Over Artillery-(batt. gun)

Lonesome Jones' Brigade
U.S. Continental Marines
Simpson's Militia (unreliable)
Lobsterhead Militia (unreliable)
Boone's Farm Rifles (small unit)

Harry Lee's Light Horse
Volunteer Light Dragoons (militia-unreliable)


Turn 1:
British win First Turn and brigade moved both infantry brigades one turn. Artillery caused 1 hit (saved).
Patriots move smartly to deny the Germans the sunken road. Marines and militia roll one move only. Boone's Farm Rifles move to occupy the Old Irish Church (ruins)
Simpson's militia causes one casualty to Jagers and disorders them. I'm not sure how to get the Jagers un-disordered other than to leave them where they are. They continue to take fire from the militia and stay disordered. That's a question for the Yahoo Group folks.  How to unscrew a unit once it is screwed.



Turn 2:
Insignificant fire, lots of saves, British move on the crossroads, Germans and USMC move to keep the sunken road from the other. Single moves for both sides. Patriot Light Horse moves to support the weak right flank of the Patriot line.  Anhalt infantry and Knyphausen Fusiliers open up on USMC. Three hits on USMC, becomes shaken.
Turn 3:Tarleton fails the order to support the wing of the British foot. British foot advance to clear the village of Fugpee. Knyphausen Fusiliers charge USMC with three moves. USMC shoots, no closing casualties to the Hessians. Melee results in the USMC retreating 1 move to the rear. Knyphausen stays in place.  I probably played this wrong as I considered the terrain a bit of sunken road and after reading the rules and a response on the BP Yahoo Group, I probably couldn't have seen the unit as they may have been obscured.  I'll remember next time but hey, it was a charge and melee on turn 3! That was cool!

Decided to stop at that point since I worked through the basic order, move, shooting, melee and morale phases.

I like the rules pretty well. I don't care for the point of having to keep numbers of hits and saves but that's a minor mechanics issue. It's not a game breaker for me. It just seems a bit familiar (LOL)

Next up is to play Black Powder Pike and Shotte solo and then host a game. Keep checking back.




Sunday, January 5, 2014

54mm French Hussars for All the King's Men

I painted a unit of 54mm French Hussars over the Christmas break.  These guys were a soft plastic boxset by Italieri. The main objection I hear from other gamers is that "54mm miniatures are so much more expensive than 28mm." I paid $20.00 for 8 figures.  You do  the math!  Here's a brief gallery of the unit. I really enjoy this regimental uniform. It is striking on the miniature war gamer's battlefield.  All pictures were taken at the Rat Palace Redux in Red Oak. The windmill was a gift from a friend of mine, Sandy Botond.  He is from the Katy, Texas area.  Perhaps you know him.  Enjoy....they were a blast to paint.  
6th Hussars


6th Hussars Pic #2

Horses available in the box set

En echelon!

Officer and Trooper

Officer #2 and second style of trooper

54mm Napoleonic Collection Update for All The King's Men

I've been working off and on a 54mm Napoleonic collection for Ken Cliffe's All The King's Men rules. I'm painting both French and British.  My plan is to paint a division of French and a division of British. I've heard several rumors about a Russian force bobbin' around the DFW area.  I am also curious about Cary Hocker's collection.  Karl Pajak says he's working on a 54mm force as well.  My project is well on its way.  If you're looking for great Napoleonic miniatures at great prices, Ken Cliffe's All the King's Men is the "drug of choice" for your addiction.  Here is a brief gallery.  The Rat Palace is in Red Oak, Texas. All pictures were taken in my gaming house.
British Infantry facing down Voltigeurs

All the King's Men French artillery set

Collection to date-these figures take a bit of painting to get right!

Who will win?

Thin Red Line waiting on their artillery support being painted

French Advancing!

General Poofah' leads his lines of Anglais!

Victrix French Voltigeurs lookin' good at the Rat Palace


French 6th Hussars

Victrix Voltigeurs straight from Funken 

Artillery and Hussars 2


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Napoleon at War 4000 points per side French vs Allies

Table at the Rat Palace Redux
We played a 4K per side Napoleon at War game on Saturday, December 28.  The game was fast and quite "bloody" for both sides.  The Allies (British and Austrian) faced off against French.

Here's a quick synopsis of the game rather than bloviating about this and that:
Objective: Take and hold the crossroads
Points Played: 4K per side
Game Turn Limitation: 6 game turns
Rules: Napoleon at War
Overview: Meeting engagement at crossroads at the village of Fugpee.  Both armies need the crossroads to ensure quick movement of reinforcements and supplies to fast moving armies to the south.  The French arrived at the village first; occupying several buildings and denying cover to the advancing Allied forces.  The British on the right engaged the French in a serious battle for the town; pushing the French conscript forces back upon their waiting light cavalry in the reserve area. 

On the left, the plodding Austrian general (me) moved to deny the concentrated French forces the sunken road and more open left (right if you're a Frenchman) flank.  French forces destroyed the Austrian 1st Brigade by game turn 5, leaving the remnants of the Austrian forces to move toward the now retreating British.  Austrian Kurassiers screened the retrograde movement as the Austrians left the field.  The French took the field as their heavy cavalry reserves arrived to sweep the field if needed.

The game took about 3 hours to set up, play and complete. This is why Napoleon at War is the best set of rules for 15/18mm miniatures players. The game is easy to learn but difficult to master.  A great day was had by all.
We do things a bit differently at the DFW Irregulars' Rat Palace.  We go to breakfast at 1000 and begin our game at 1200.  We play until we're either done or hungry again.  The Rat Palace Redux has an adjacent wet bar and fridge. That means no one goes thirsty.  Here's a gallery of the game and some of our 15/18mm collections played.  
We play for "big prizes" in Tejas! A chance for $48 Million!
Optimistic Austrian Commander moves forward

Austrian Kurassiers keep the infantry moving forward

Clay's Outstanding French Heavy Artillery-Painted by
John Stonecipher-a painting legend in the DFW area

Napoleon at War French Chasseurs painted by John Stonecipher

Clay's response to Scott's attack on the village of Fugpee

Steve's cunning use of Austrian Hussars to slow the French advance.
Worked for a couple of turns...LOL 
"Went down to the crossroads, tried to catch a ride".

Deep in thought, Scott ponders what the hell he is
going to do now.  Steve and Clay photobomb!

Austrian General Staff's master plan uh...didn't work out so good.

Austrians clear out a path for French Heavy Cavalry
to "mop up"

Higher level shot of the battle of Fugpee

Hung over General Miller



Scott moves the British Hussars to sweep the road. Did it work?

From the French point of view

AB Austrian Kurassiers painted when I had cataracts in both eyes.

Austrian Kurassiers

Austrian Artillery Supported by Kurassiers. THAT didn't
work either.  :)

Napoleon at War is a serious wargame for us.  Seriously fun!

Three shots a minute stems the assault of the conscripts
upon the thin red lines

Britsh lines secure the flank (for a while)

Clay's French smack down Austrian Artillery
after the Austrian general couldn't get them out of the "%*t

Classic Austrians vs Men at War French.
Note: Austrians in retreat to the right 
Austrian Kurassiers move to fill the gap in the lines

Disaster strikes as the 1st Austrian Brigade leaves the field
to the French and the smaller 2nd Brigade

French Light Cavalry and Horse Arty finally
arrive.

Scott's unbased Brits. Get 'em based bucko! This
is an oogly picture!

Austrian mimic the French by forming "Order Mixte"
It didn't work out for them too well....heh heh heh

Austrians crest the small rise and "OH CRAP,
there's a lot of Frogs out there!!"

Steve's personal morale is broken. Time for a beer break!

The remnants of the Austrian forces begin to whine
like the Austrian general.

It's  French Curiassier time y'all!

Big hole in the lines. I have nothing to offer
to the Austrian forces but my best regards.

Austrian Kurassiers really want to meet French
Cuirassiers.  Really?

French bring on their light cavalry to "seal the deal"

Austrian 'dead pile' 

Game over. Definitely time for a beer!

Last stand of the 2nd Brigade.
 If you've not played Napoleon at War, you should. Contrary to the whining and pontification that abounds, the rules are easy to learn, easy to play but consistently are challenging game to game. Try it...you'll like it!