The defence of Saint Augustin

I found myself with a few hours to spare and thought that it would be nice to pit the forces of Volgar against the five Duchies.  Time was limited; though, so I thought that rather than use my usual mash up of the War game, which takes time to prepare, I would turn to another favourite of mine, One-hour Wargames by Neil Thomas.

One-hour Wargames are a very simple, but excellent set of rules that really do play in an hour or under.  Within the pages of the book, you have a set of general rules that are then tweaked to give some period feel.  Are they for everyone?  Probably, not, but they allow me to have a fun game on a 2` by 1.5` table in a very reasonable amount of time.  As well as the rules the book has thirty scenarios in it, so after a roll of my d30, all I had to do was set up my table and get playing.

The Battle

Queen Dragomira Zedwitzové was still fuming over the last defeat that her forces suffered at the hands of the Confederation of the Five Duchies, and she decided that the only way to save face was a punitive raid on the town of Saint Augustin. 

The Queen turned once more to Theodoric Von Martinez, he was ordered to move with all haste and seize the town of Saint Augustin, relieve it of all of its valuables and return to Volgan territory before the Lord Warden of the Five Duchies could respond.  Unknown to queen Dragomira, the Lord Warden, Philippe Le Duff, had already started to mobilise forces in the area.  The only question would be whether Robert du Ouestbourg could hold Saint Augustin long enough for the rest of his forces to arrive.

The army under Robert du Ouestbourg

Initial forces.

General - Robert du Ouestbourg

The Duchess du Burgoyne`s own Fusiliers – Col.

De la Côte D'or

Mont du Château Chasseurs - Col. Van Beorg

Reinforcements

1^st Bn. Ouestbourg Regiment- Col. Wadoux

2^nd Bn. Ouestbourg Regiment -Lt Col. Delforge

Maison Dieu regiment – Col. Bricourt

Capel – le- Ferne battery – Cap. Le Bigot

The army under Theodoric Von Martinez

General – Theodoric Von Martinez

Fouksten Highland regiment – Col. Huss

1^st Bn. Dijl Regiment- Col. Joannou

2^nd Bn. Dijl Regiment -Lt Col. Carras

Feweszem regiment – Col. Chomski

Sytynbon lancers – Col. Dragos

The sound of the approaching, Volgan force spurred Robert du Ouestbourg into action.  He sent the Mont du Château Chasseurs forward, to the orange orchards, to harass the enemy, while the Duchess du Burgoyne`s own Fusiliers fortified the town ready for the upcoming battle.

The first shots of the battle erupted from the orange tree orchard as the Chasseurs peppered the 2^nd Bn of the Dijl Regiment, but Von Martinez wouldn`t be distracted by the Mont du Château Chasseurs.   The general ordered Lt Col. Carras to deal with the skirmishers while the rest of the army matched on Saint Augustin.

Ignoring the protracted firefight on their left the Volgan infantry marched at a steady pace towards the waiting Duchess own Fusiliers in the town.  While, on their right Colonel Dragos, and his lancers swept further south ready to intercept any reinforcements that might appear. 

As if on cue, the Capel – le- Ferne battery, and the 1^st Bn. Ouestbourg Regiment arrived on the battlefield.  The battery quickly unlimbered and started to fire at the approaching infantry.  Col. Wadoux moved his infantry to protect the artillery battery.

Colonel Dragos spurred on the Sytynbon lancers repeatedly slamming them into the waiting infantry, but even the elan of these fierce mounted troopers could not break the iron discipline of the Ouestbourg regiment.  The brave stand of Col. Wadoux`s men allowed the artillery and the fusiliers to pour all their firepower into the Diji regiment.  Col. Joannou encouraged his men through the storm of lead even as they dropped around him.

After a ferocious melee the Sytynbon lancers finally ran down the Ouestbourg regiment, and Von Martinez directed his infantry to concentrate their fire on the fusiliers in the town.  Col. De la Côte D'or stood calmly at the front of his regiment extolling them to stand their ground.  But at this moment of triumph for Von Martinez, the 2^nd Bn. Ouestbourg Regiment, and the Maison Dieu regiment took up their positions.  The Ouestbourg regiment moved to protect the Capel – le- Ferne battery, and the Maison Dieu regiment joined the fusiliers in the town.

The arrival of the reinforcements put pay to any hope that Theodoric Von Martinez had of taking Saint Augustin.  He skilfully screened the retreat of his forces with the Sytynbon lancers, but he wouldn`t be able to hide his defeat and the loss of the 1^st Bn. Dijl regiment from his sovereign.

 After action thoughts

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to play a game against an opponent for the first time in a long time.  My opponent made skilful use of his light cavalry, the Burgoyne Hussars, to tie up two units of my infantry and then took apart my remaining forces piece meal.  It was a good afternoon of play, but I will not be including that battle or the results here.

Why would I ignore the results of an enjoyable game?  There could be a lot of reasons; perhaps I want to keep control of the narrative that is slowly building up here, maybe I am a sore loser, or I may not have kept good notes of what went on.  All of these could have some truth to them, but the real reason comes down to why I play games.

A lot has been written by much more eminent people than me about the joys of solo wargaming.  Donald Featherstone expounded the merits of solo wargaming as things like the freedom of ideas, and time that a solo wargamer has on their hands.  These are indeed some of the benefits, but after my game the other week I was struck by the main thing that I get from solo wargaming and wargaming itself.  

I play games to see a story unfold on the table.  This desire for narrative leads me to name units, generals, and regimental officers.  I like to see how a unit`s history develops over the course of play.  If you take away these elements then I lose interest in the game, and I may as well just play a computer game.  Here is where I saw the stark difference between myself and my opponent, for them the game was a tactical challenge.  They wanted to show their skill at out manoeuvring me and winning the game.  Whether or not a regimental officer was killed did not really interest them.  Now, I am not criticising my opponent for their reasons for playing a tabletop game, it is just not the reason that I play.

Does this mean that I won`t ever play games against other people?  Of course not, but I get the most joy out of playing games solo.  If you have not tried it before I recommend that you give it a try, you may be surprised by how much you enjoy it.

 

Forces of the Confederation of the Five Duchies - The Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers

 

The Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers

Commanding officer: Brevet Colonel Christophe de la Côte D'or

Motto: "I serve"

Garrison/HQ: Cerisier

Nickname: The Cherry Blossoms

Origin

The Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers were raised during the war of independence in 1668 by the duke du Burgoyne to serve as his personal bodyguard and were known as the Duke`s Own Bodyguard. 

The war of independence

The regiment served under Duke Henri du Burgoyne throughout the 1669 to 1671 campaign in Volgar, including the Battle of Hen-Bei in July 1670, and the Battle of Iytstelbel in 1671, which brought the campaign in Volgar to an end.  The Burgoyne forces joined the other Duchies in fighting in the Nine-month campaign at Saufend in August 1672 and took part in the storming of the earthworks there.

On the renewal of conflict in 1673, the Cherry Blossoms were assigned to protect the duchy of Burgoyne`s artillery.  As such they were equipped with light-weight muskets or `fusils`, and they became the duke du Burgoyne`s Own Fuzilieers.  The regiment served throughout the various campaigns in the war of independence, including the battles of Sainte Marguerite, Falaise de l'abbé, and Vallée des ormes.

In 1688, the Five Duchies were able to secure their freedom from the Kingdom of Volgar, but in the final hours of the war Duke Henri du Burgoyne was killed by a stray shot. The loss of their beloved leader caused consternation in the Duchy of Burgoyne and from that point onwards the Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers would no longer be led in combat by their liege.  Instead, combat command of the regiment was given over to a brevet colonel.

Forces of the Confederation of the Five Duchies - The Maison Dieu Regiment

 

The Maison Dieu Regiment

Commanding officer: Colonel Petros Bricourt

Motto: "Where duty and glory lead"

Garrison/HQ: Maison Dieu

Nickname: The Resurrectionists

Origin

The Maison Dieu regiment started out its life as the    second battalion of the Ouestbourg regiment.  As such it can trace its origins to the Maison Dieu trained bands that served in Boleslaus Závětří 's Company. The second battalion of the Ouestbourg regiment was formed in 1668 during the war of independence as the war escalated and each side needed to commit more forces to the fight.

The war of independence

The fight for freedom from the kingdom of Volgar was a particularly bloody one for the Resurrectionists as the commander of the young battalion, one Frederick Bricourt, wanted to show that the newly raised unit could hold its own alongside more senior units in the army and threw them in at the bloody end of each fight. This eagerness to show their mettle at the point of a bayonet led to countless displays of glory, but horrendous levels of casualties, and the battalion was constantly being rebuilt.  The decimation of the battalion did not deter recruits from enlisting and Frederick Bricourt was always able to field a fighting force.  This ability to quickly replenish its losses led to the battalion gaining its nickname of the Resurrectionists.

At the end of the war of independence, in 1688, the second battalion of the Ouestbourg regiment was split from its parent regiment and formed into the Maison Dieu regiment.  In recognition of his sterling leadership and bravery, Frederick Bricourt was awarded the Colonelcy of the new regiment, and the Resurrectionists have always been led by a Bricourt since that day.  

Commander and Chief of the Five Duchies

 Lord Warden Philippe Le Duff, Duke of Montfort

The Duchy of Montfort long languished as the least influential of the five Duchies until Philippe Le Duff came into his inheritance.  Some of the lesser nobility questioned the sudden death of his four older siblings, but their voices were soon  silenced.  The driving ambition of Le Duff coupled with his willingness to do anything to rise to the top and his utter mercilessness pulled the struggling duchy from out of obscurity into its pre-eminent position, so when the election for the Lord Warden occurred the electors had little choice but to choose Le Duff.  On the field of battle, Le Duff`s bravery is sometimes in questions, but he has dependable tactical knowledge.

A portrait of Philippe Le Duff

Forces of the Confederation of the Five Duchies - The Ouestbourg Regiment

 The Ouestbourg Regiment

Commanding officer: Colonel Jacques Wadoux

Motto: "Unconquered we Serve"

Garrison/HQ: Douvres

Nickname: The Nutcrackers

Origin

In 1572, rebels led by Prince Otto in Grunewald called on Wenceslaus III of Volgar for military help. Three hundred men from the Trained Bands of the City of Maison Dieu were selected to serve in Boleslaus Závětří 's Company.

By 1665, still fighting in Grunewald, this unit had become one of three Volgan regiments in a seven-strong international brigade. That year, the brigade was required to choose between allegiance to the Prince of Grunewald or disbandment. The three Volgan regiments chose to disband.

Their veterans returned home and were formed into the Ouestbourg regiment. This marked the regiment's formal entry into the Volgan Army.

The war of independence

Its first engagement against the Kingdom of Volgar was in 1667.  The regiment contributed a company to the force sent to the King of Volgar to formally declare the independence of the Duchies. The following year, the regiment raised a second Battalion, which fought alongside the first Battalion in Feweszem for a year.

In 1688, the Five Duchies were able to secure their secession from the Kingdom of Volgar. At this point the first and second battalion were split into two separate regiments, and to avoid confusion the first battalion retained the original name, while the second battalion became the Maison Dieu regiment.

A refight of the action at Blasthof bridge

Having built up two small forces of Pendraken`s excellent 10mm miniatures I thought it was time to get them on the table, and what better scenario to play than Brig. Peter Young`s action at Blasthof bridge.  I could not resist making some changes, though.  The forces of the Emperor and Elector were replaced with forces from my Imagi-nations.  The Kingdom of Volgar took the place of the Emperor and the Confederation of the Five Duchies replaced the Elector.

Rather than using Charge! by Peter Young, I fought the battle using my own tweaked version of the War Game by Charles Grant.  I have halved the sized of the regiments, replaced the artillery templates with the artillery rules from Charge! and I have added the command system from Honours of War: Rules for the Seven Years` war by Keith Flint.  The command system adds a touch of the imponderable to my solo games.

The Battle

The Kingdom of Volgar and the Confederation of the Five Duchies were once more at loggerheads with one another.  The reasons for this state of belligerence stemmed back to the time when the Five Duchies were once part of the Kingdom of Volgar.  Queen Dragomira Zedwitzové was always looking to reincorporate the Duchies into her realm, and a perceived slight gave her all the reason she needed to send her forces across the border.

To cover the mustering of his forces and to secure the closest bridge to Volgar the Lord Warden of the Five Duchies sent a force under Robert du Ouestbourg to secure the bridge over the river Blast.  Robert du Ouestbourg`s star was on an unexpected rise following the defeat he had endured at the hands of the Kingdom of Volgar a few weeks before.

The army under Robert du Ouestbourg

General - Robert du Ouestbourg

Ouestbourg Regiment- Col. Wadoux

Maison Dieu regiment – Col. Bricourt

Burgoyne Hussars – Col. Leblanc

Capel – le- Ferne battery – Cap. Le Bigot 

Ouestbourg`s orders were to either secure the bridge or destroy it to deny it as a supply route for the Volgan forces.  Ouestbourg was faced with having to counter the machinations of Count Theodoric Von Martinez.

The army under Theodoric Von Martinez.

General – Theodoric Von Martinez

Fouksten Highland regiment – Col. Huss

Feweszem regiment – Col. Chomski

Sytynbon lancers – Col. Dragos

Tanbrydz-Lelz battery – Cap. Lehmann

The battle opened with both generals trying to manoeuvre their armies into the best positions to approach the bridge, without much help from the officers under their command.  Von Martinez had to personally intervene to get the Feweszem regiment moving after its octogenarian commander, colonel Chomski, could not remember what he should be doing.  While the Volgan forces struggled to get off the mark, Ouestbourg had the opposite problem he could not restrain his troops.   Colonel Leblanc spurred on the Burgoyne Hussars galloped far ahead of the rest of the forces.

The headlong charge of the Burgoyne Hussars was stopped in its tracks by a counter charge from the Sytynbon lancers.  Colonel Dragos, and his lancers cut down three of the hussars forcing them back over the bridge.  The lancers followed close behind the hussars right in the waiting fire of the Maison Dieu regiment, and the Capel – le- Ferne battery.  The joint musketry and cannonade killed half of the lancers including Lt Col. Stan, and Cap. Vero sending the lancers fleeing from the field.

The blood of the Burgoyne Hussars was up and the ever dashing Col. Leblanc could not hold them back as they dashed across the bridge, right into the waiting guns of the Fouksten Highland regiment and the Tanbrydz-Lelz battery.  The fusillade killed Captain Morvan and his troop of four hussars forcing them to retire from the field.

The battle developed into an artillery fight as neither of the generals wanted to force their troops into corridors of fire.  The Tanbrydz-Lelz battery and the Capel – le- Ferne battery took shots at the infantry to very light effect.

Theodoric decided that he had to engage Ouestbourg`s troops trusted Col. Chomski to force his regiment through a ford in the river Blast.  While, he accompanied the Fouksten Highland regiment and engaged the Maison Dieu regiment.  Von Martinez had not accounted for two things.  Firstly, Col. Chomski`s inability to command his troops.  The colonel struggled to get his troops across the river, so they were pounded by the Capel – le- Ferne battery and gave the Ouestbourg regiment enough time to get into an attacking position.  Secondly, the elan of the Maison Dieu regiment.  Col. Bricourt spurred his men across the river loosing into point blank range with the Fouksten Highlanders.  The two regiments fired into each other, but the first volley of the Maison Dieu regiment took a heavy toll on the Highlanders.  Major Forst, Captain Novy, and six men fell taking the heart out of the tough men of the Highlands.

The battle was lost for the Kingdom of Volgar, Theodoric Von Martinez ordered the Tanbrydz-Lelz battery to limber up and retire from the field.  Looking over the river Theodoric saw the Feweszem regiment come to life and start to charge through withering fire only to stop and stand in front of the waiting Ouestbourg regiment.  The Ouestbourg regiment could not believe what they were seeing as the Volgan troops dressed their ranks as if they were on parade.  Colonel Wadoux did not waste any time and ordered his troops to open fire.  Two well timed volleys killed lieutenant colonel Barlog, captain Jach, captain Kubic and half of the regiment.  It was too much for the Feweszem regiment and they fled.

The Ouestbourg Regiment, the Maison Dieu regiment, and the Capel – le- Ferne battery moved over the river and secured it for the Confederation of the Five Duchies.  Robert du Ouestbourg reined in his horse on the middle of the bridge and smiled to himself.  He had defended the border, sent a Volgan army packing, and he had got one over on Theodoric Von Martinez.

Now for something different.

I have set up a game of Horizon wars based on the Charles Grant scenario `Action at Sawmill Village`.

I randomly generated deployment and initial battle plans. The VFS is going to push its heavy mechs in the centre, while sending their light mechs out on the flank. The GDL are going to clog the centre with their infantry and swing their armour around the flank.

Turn one, saw the light mechs surge far forward, threatening the GDL flank.

The GDL light infantry reacted, and scored a critical hit on the Arbalest. Sensing an opportunity the Striker turned from its flanking manoeuvre and opening fire on the Arbalest. The SRMs blew out the core of the Arbalest sending it crashing to the ground.

The dispositions after turn 1

Turn two, the VSF won the initiative again and the Hatchet man charged towards the infantry. Multiple rounds hit him as he ran in, but nothing could stop him from trampling the infantry.

The pilot of the Flea realised that he could not win a shooting dual with the Striker and decided to try stamping on it.

To the north of the village the Vulture and the Challenger blew holes out of each others` armour.

The dispositions after turn 2.

Turn three, the GDL won the initiative and the Challenger scored multiple hits and criticals on the Vulture, almost knocking the heavy mech off of its feet. The Hatchet man reacted to the danger to the Vulture and charged towards the rear of the Challenger. The Hatchet man`s weapons were blown off as it approached the Challenger and was finished off by an SRM from the light infantry.

To add insult to injury the Flea went down to multiple hits from the Striker`s SRMs.

The pilot of the Vulture decided to preserve his mech and left Sawmill village in the hands of the GDL forces.

Post battle notes
The blog has been dormant for a while as I was distracted by other projects. I think that I will take it into a more general hobby direction, which will allow me to post more often. I hope that does not disappoint anyone who has followed the blog up to now.