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 battalions 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.

 

Misdirection at Monins

The opulent throne room of the governor’s palace was silent as Baron Ironblood sat deep in contemplation.  The inquisition was digging too deep into his business interests.  If they continued with their investigations, it would not be long before they started to uncover some of his more serious transgressions and that was something that he could not allow.  The inquisition was not infallible, though, their obsession with the ruinous powers could be used against them.

The baron smiled to himself as he ran through the plan in his mind, he would allow the Volkstan tribes to acquire the ruinous sword that Red Jackal had recently brought to him and through it the tribes would be slowly corrupted.  The inquisition would then turn their attention towards the Volkstan tribes and destroy that thorn in his side.

Black Major felt a cold shiver run up her spine as she instructed her patrol to advance through the plains of Monins.  She been given an assignment that reeked of subterfuge, to escort a research-tech and his research through the lands of the Volkstan people, it was madness.  Why weren`t they using an atmospheric transport?  What had she done to fall out of favour?  Still, she could not go against the wishes of the Baron.  Her troops could take the lead they were expendable after all.    

As the Red Shadows cautiously advanced through the plain Red Laser spotted a group of tribesmen up ahead.  Without waiting to find out what the tribesmen wanted Red Laser ordered his men to open fire.  The sounds of the auto-guns shattered the silence on the plain as their deadly munitions shattered the bodies of three of the Volkstan people.

The survivors of the unprovoked attacked could not contain their rage and charged the Red Shadows.  The Volkstan warriors fought valiantly but the red mist that engulfed them was more of a hinderance than an aid and they were quickly chased down and slaughtered by the Red Shadows.

Tears ran down the faces of the second group of the Volkstan as they saw their friends being killed, but they held their fired  Taking careful aim with their muskets the tribes men opened fire into the unsuspecting backs of the Red Shadows killing two of their number.

The sounds of gunfire had alerted the tribesmen in the vicinity and as the Red Shadows engaged one group in a firefight a third group of Volkstan warriors arrived on the scene. 

The newly arrived warriors did not wait to assess the situation they let out a terrifying war cry and ran headlong towards Black Major and her charge.

The Volkstan warriors were temporarily held in check by Black Major as she fought like a fury.  Her power sword lashed out parrying blows from one warrior, then stabbing at another, finally cutting one of the warriors in twain, but slowly she was pushed away from her charge.  The research-tech looked back at the major his eyes wide with fear but before he could drop to his knees to surrender one of the Volkstan warriors smashed him in the temple with the butt of his musket knocking him unconscious. 

Black Major quickly surveyed the situation her forces were depleted, and the enemy would soon be reinforced.  Shaking her head, she ordered the retreat; she did not know how she would explain her failure, but she had no intention of dying on a fool’s errand.

The guttural voices of the Volkstan warriors sang a lament as they carried the unconscious research-tech and his research off the field of battle.  The elders would be able to determine what it was these men of the city had been trying to smuggle through their lands and whether it was worth the price that had been paid in blood for it.

 

Exorcism at Elms Vale

The chair groaned under the weight of the ancient artificer armour clad space marine as he slumped into it. Tutor Zeno tried to make himself comfortable, but the discomfort he felt was more intellectual than physical. The performance of the neophytes troubled him; the flora should not have caught them so unaware. The neophytes had all been schooled on the possible dangers of the planet. Zeno shock his head the recent cohorts had not performed as well as was expected, and the thought of the falling standards troubled him. The veteran warrior picked up his auto-quill he would have to inform the senior tutor of his findings. Zeno disliked the administrative side of his role, but performances had to be evaluated and reports for the chapter master had to be written.

Zeno sat back in deep contemplation oblivious to the howling storm that was raging outside of the fortress monastery of the Wardens of Dubris with his administrative work done he could take a few moments. The deep chambers that he had been given allowed him to escape some of the tedium of chapter command and his mind returned to the overthrow of the tyrant Nearchus. It had been a glorious victory, one that had seen him elevated to the elite cadre. Drinking deep of his old memories the ancient warrior did not stir as the Lord Warden of Dubris entered his chambers. Before the commander of the Wardens of Dubris could speak Zeno raised his hand and spoke. “We know of your troubles and will of course aid you; it is the least we can do for the hospitality that you have shown us. I have studied the opponent we will face. We will need one of your ancients to accompany us, with their support I think this creature will be put to rest.”

The Mentor legion had lost twenty of their best servitors as they computed the course of the infernal demon, the very act of trying to fathom the actions of a creature of the ruinous powers had been too much for the human computers.  Their sacrifice had allowed the Elite Cadre to get ahead of the creature, and the names of those damned for acts against the Imperium would be given places of honour, their redemption complete.

Activating his jump pack Brother Wilson of the Wardens of Dubris soared through the air.  He had been tasked with engaging the demon at close range to allow the Mentor legion to get into position. 

The daemonhost looked up as he saw brother Wilson hurting through the air.  As the demon bounded towards the dreadnought`s landing spot brother Wilson opened fire.  The bolter rounds bent around the demon as if they were repulsed by its very existence.

 Gallglut Fatflesh did not wait for brother Wilson to hit the ground before he attacked.  The preternatural speed of the demon overcame the dreadnought`s defensive routines, but even its warp spawned claws could not penetrate the armour of the ancients.

Having received the signal from brother Wilson the mentor legion elite cadre moved into position and activated their targeting web.  The five-man squad`s weapons slaved to one another, when the time came to fire they would fire in unison with lethal effect.

The demon, Gallglut Fatflesh, screamed in frustration as his claws raked harmlessly across the armoured plates of brother Wilson.  The mortal was proving irritatingly hard to deal with, and with the arrival of more mortals Gallglut decided that it was time for him to break away from this conflict.

Brother Calliphon pulled the trigger of his bolt-gun moments before any other members of his squad and all their guns sounded in harmonious unison.  The deadly rocket propelled rounds slammed Gallglut Fatflesh, any mortal opponent would have been shredded by the fusillade.  Gallglut was no mortal opponent, though.  The rounds barely slowed him down in his escape.

Brother Wilson had no intention of allowing the demon filth to escape and engaging his jump pack he shot through the air barrelling into the demon.  The two opponents stood up cautiously looking for any weakness in each other.  In the blink of an eye Gallglut stuck the dreadnought.  His blow tore a deep gouge into the ceramite plates of the dreadnought, ripping out crucial servos in the dreadnought`s torso.  The demon licked the cables in triumph savouring his momentary victory.  In response, brother Wilson lifted his power assisted left leg and brought it down with a squelching thud into the demon breaking its back.  Brother Wilson repeatedly stamped on the helpless daemonhost until it was nothing more than a wet puddle of mangled flesh.

Dealings at De Burgh

Dealings at De Burgh

Storm clouds gathered in the sky over the De Burgh star port as the crew of the Belgrave ran their third diagnostic. The aged ship had plied the space lanes for centuries, but now it languished in the spaceport waiting for urgently needed repairs.  As rain pattered on the view screen of the Belgrave washing the grim from the aged star ship YT-75 sighed with relief, she had been struggling to find the funds to get the Belgrave off the ground, but her luck had finally turned.  She had received a message from a perspective buyer for the sword that the crew had recovered.  The funds would finally allow her to buy the parts that Shino S had been badgering her for.

The port authority at De Burgh had been alerted to a black-market deal that was taking place within the port precinct and despatched two squads of the PDF to deal with the transgressors.

Corporal Teach led his troops through the squalid streets around the space port their boots getting clogged with rancid wet mud and detritus.  Neither he nor them wanted any part of the assignment they had been given, but orders were orders.  Teach signalled for quiet as they approached the target location.

Through the sheets of rain Lance corporal Read could just about identify the five targets that they had been sent to deal with.  Not waiting for full confirmation, she ordered her troops to open on the targets. Rackham brayed as he let loose with his auto-gun, his rounds were quickly joined by las-gun beams from the other members of his squad.  Two rounds from the fusillade slammed into Shino S, lifting the engineer off her feet with the impact.

Hearing the sounds of weapons fire Teach pushed his troops forward and soon their weapons were added to the deadly crossfire.  Bolt-gun, and las-gun fire streaked though the air hammering into the buildings around the crew of the Belgrave, but none of it found its mark.

Without a moments hesitation YT-75 and her client, Red Jackal, charged towards the PDF troops.  The regular planetary defence force of Dubris were no match for the two cybernetic super soldiers.  Corporal Teach raised his bolt-pistol towards YT-75, but his movements were snail like in comparison to the captain of the Belgrave.  YT-75 casually crushed the gun and his hand with her bionic arm.  As Teach screamed in agony YT-75 pulled out her handgun and shot the corporal in the chest.

Steam came off Wells` auto-gun as he poured suppressive fire towards the PDF soldiers.  The shots exploded around the PDF troops forcing them to keep their heads down.

During the respite offered by his comrade Mandrake dashed towards the limited covered of the comms tower firing wildly with his las-pistol as he run.  The wild shots from Mandrake`s las-pistol burnt three deep holes into corporal Read.

Rackham roared in anger as he saw his lover fall to the ground.  The beastman led the charge of his squad firing his auto-gun from the hip as he ran.  Shots flew past Wells as he faced down the enraged beastman. The master of arms brought his auto-gun up to his shoulder and pumped four shots into the beastman stopping the abhuman metres away from him.

A beam of sunlight shone into the square as a break in the clouds passed over the port of De Burgh.  Private Silver looked nervously at Wells she had no wish to die in this slum. The master of arms raised his gun into the air and spoke to the soldier “Take your wounded and leave the field of battle, soldier.  Enough blood has been shed this day.”