Friday, March 16, 2012

Advance Guard Action - How it played

The British team of Mr. Creanor and Savage, face Mr. E and the villainous General Du Gormand. The scenario is as outlined in my previous blog post. Unlike most Command & Colours game this scenario requires the player to deploy his troops himself, which is a skill in and of itself.

As always, click to embiggen.

(Click to embiggen.)

The British cavalry push forward on the right to threaten the bridge which is the French objective.


The British deploy their troops, most of the line infantry in the centre, the cavalry on the right and the elite light infantry holding the town on the left.


While the British consolidate their position, the French deploy a mix of infantry and heavy cavalry in the centre, leaving the bridge to be held by a battalion of light infantry and a squadron of dragoons.

(Click to embiggen.)

Mr E very kindly provided smokeables for the evening. Though somewhat stronger then what I'm used to, they were an excellent addition to the evening. You can also see the hills, which have been remodelled by well known landscape gardener Capability Savage. I think they've improved mightily.

(Click to embiggen.)

General Du Gourmand satisfied that the bridge and the all important cheese board have been secured moves up the Legion Irlandaise to the woods, where they were to cause no end of trouble for the British cavalry.

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The French artillery deploys in the centre, while the wily Frog masses troops on the hill overlooking the town held by the British.

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Savage in pensive mood as he eyes the French columns overlooking the objective.

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French light cavalry start to harry the British infantry in the centre, forcing them into square.

(Inniskillings by HAT, French Chasseurs by Italeri)
Whereupon they are immediately pounded by the waiting French artillery...

(Hills by Capability Savage)


The 13ieme cuirassiers charge the British guns. "I want those guns," announces General Du Gourmand.

(British infantry by HAT, Royal Artillery by Revell, French Cuirassiers by Strelets.)

Meanwhile the British cavalry have attempted to evict the Legion Irlandaise in the woods, but to know avail. The Royal Irish Dragoon Guards have taken savage casualties from their fellow countrymen in French service and eye the advancing French dragoons with anxiety.

(Click to embiggen.)


The British players eye a centre depleted by repeated bombardment. Their artillery has been silenced by the French cuirassiers and their right is looking increasingly shakey. The French are not unbloodied, but they definitely have the upper hand.

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The Royal Irish Dragoon Guards try to buy some time after rallying some of their lost men. The unkind would point out that they merely appear to have been manoeuvring to stay out of the way of the Legion Irlandais.

(Royal Irish Dragoon Guards by Newline)

The Legion Irlandais, bypassed by the Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, survey the devastation in front of them (French cuirassier casualty representing a fall British heavy). Definitely the men of the match.

(French Light infantry by Zvesda, Casualties by Newline)

Mr E and General Du Gourmand survey the battlefield, confident that their hammerblow on the British left will buy them victory. General Du Gourmand is even planning his next campaign in India, as you can see.
(Bridge by Italeri, Trees by Woodland Scenics, Cheese by Daisy the Cow)

The French assault laps around the town pushing one battalion of the Kings Royal Halberdiers out, but the second battalion hold on and weather the storm of bayonets.
(British light infantry and Young Guard by HAT, British officer by SHQ)

(Click to embiggen.)

The fighting is fierce, but on they come and on they come, in the same old style.
"Sacre bleu!" expostulates Mr E as the dice desert the French cause and he removes another unit of brave Gascons.

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Mr Creanor and Savage view their options carefully, trying to make best use of their available card. General Du Gourmand plays with his hand. Has it all gone wrong for the gallant Frenchmen?
(Click to embiggen.)


The casualty figures tell their own tale, as regiment after regiment is sucked into the meatgrinder around the town and eventually the French army is broken.
(Stone house by Italeri, Young Guard and French Light infantry by HAT)

The evening was a very pleasent one and I greatly enjoyed it. I was glad to get the first scenario of the campaign played so quickly, so I hope to power through the next three and polish them off fairly soon.

Good company and good gaming are two of life's great pleasures.

20 comments:

  1. Looks like a very enjoyable game. (Nice version of the hills btw).

    Glad to hear that C&C can handle a Teaser. It speaks well of them.
    -Ross

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    Replies
    1. It was a very enjoyable game.. As for the hills I think he did a cracking job. I've CCN for a couple of teasers - its simply a matter of doing a little nipping and tucking.

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  2. Conrad Kinch,

    A most enjoyable - and well illustrated - battle report.

    One wonders how the French will fare in the next battle.

    All the best,

    Bob

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    Replies
    1. How indeed Bob? They shall have the opportunity to surprise the British in their tents. I better get painting.

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  3. A very 'busy' looking game. Nice to know the C&C system can handle the scenario. Was the cheeseboard an objective marker?

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    Replies
    1. It is a bit - I always think that I should take more care with cards and dice and glasses flying about the place. It would probably make for better photographs.

      The cheese board was an objective marker - but only for the players, not their armies.

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  4. Hi CK,

    Thundering good read Mr K, really enjoyed it and it sets up very nicely for round 2!

    Nice cheeseboard and my complements to Daisy the Cow....;-)

    All the best,

    DC

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  5. KC

    Very nice. I really enjoyed your article in Battlegames this month!

    PD

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  6. Cheese board and cigars, a very civilised looking bunch of gamers! Good looking game gentlemen.

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  7. Very civilized and a splendid cheese board. All within allowable Lenten tolerances, methinks.
    I must say those dice are quite intriguing. Are they supplied by the C&C rules system?

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  8. Very impressed with those hills (to repeat myself). Savage has (in my humble opinion) achieved an effect perfectly balancing form and function

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  9. Excellent photos and battle report but did the French manage to escape with the cheese or was it captured?

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  10. DC,

    Daisy sends her best. I shall have to paint up some tents and get weaving on a scenario for the second round. Fingers crossed it will happen shortly.

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  11. PD,

    Thank you very much. I haven't seen it yet - hopefully the first of many.

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  12. Steve,

    I don't know if I'd say civilized Steve, more hungry and bibulous.

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  13. Padre,

    They are. The system used bespoke dice for combat and they have elements of a morale system built in there as well. They speed up play considerably as they eliminate a need for charts and all modifiers are either plus or minus a die.

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  14. Donogh,

    Capability Savage is a talented fellow to be sure. I keep thinking of other little jobs for him whenever I look over my table...

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  15. Stryker,

    The French did in fact escape with the cheese.

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  16. Very impressive! Can you tell me what base sizes you use for infantry, artillery and cavalry please. Also what rules do you use.
    Thanks
    Ralph

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  17. The rules were Command & Colours Napoleonics.

    The infantry are based singly on 5/8 by 5/8 inch bases and then placed on 5 inch by two inch sabots.

    The horse are based on 1 1/4 inch by 5/8 inch bases and are likewise placed on sabot.

    The artillerymen are based as infantry and the guns as needed.

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