Sunday, June 21, 2015

Waterloo Day - 20th June


The boys ponder how they are going to take Quatre Bras while General Villainous LeGlace of the Dutch army checks his phone for cheap flights out of here...

This will be a short post as I have quite a few photos and to be honest, it was such a good days gaming it deserves a full report.  Suffice to say - there was a gathering on Saturday and we played my Quatre Bras scenario and Waterloo.  A great time was had by all - many thanks to all that attended. For all my worrying about how I was going to tackle Quatre Bras - the inspiration provided by last minute panic did the job. 


Marshall Von Casey looking like the sassiest French general there is.

I was actually quite happy with how the scenario turned out. Most of the things I was worried about didn't occur, though the game dragged on longer than I had anticipated (three hours, which is very long for a CNN game) - I put this down to a number of factors. The reinforcements that needed to be deployed took some time, but I think the major factor was that I included too many troops in the order of battle. Having realised my mistake, I reduced both sides by a third.

And then promptly forgot to reduce the victory conditions in accordance with the new troops numbers. That's something I'll bear in mind for the next version.






General Von Kerrigan looking pleased as yet more French cavalry hove into view

Man of the match has to go to General Von Kerrigan, who took on the role of General Picton with hard charging vigour.  Absolutely unflappable in the face of imminent destruction. Well done that man. 




The field of Waterloo

After we finished Quatre Bras, General Von Casey had to womble off as he has recently become a father and had to go look after his new charge. It was great to see him, but a higher duty calls.

The light drawing in, it was nearly five before we finished Quatre Bras, and the Prussians getting nearer, we reset the battlefield for Waterloo and dived in with a will. I shall leave the account (and who won) for the full report. 



Team picture - care to guess who won?

We finished around half seven and stayed for a few drinks afterwards. General Von Kerrigan (on the right with top hat) did excellent duty as General Picton having grasped the fundamental truth of good generalship which is SHOUTING! And hat waving - excellent hat waving on that man. 

Many thanks to all that attended, Marshall Terens, The Villainous LeGlace, General Von Kerrigan, the Unlikely Douglas McKenzie and General Du Gourmand. And a big welcome to newcomer, Marshall McShannon - who took to the whole enterprise like a duck to water and earned immortal fame by out Du Gourmanding Du Gourmand in his first battle. 

More in the days to come. 





14 comments:

  1. Forget tactics and inspiration - Hat waving and shouting is key to excellent generalship.

    Looks like a fun day was had by all.

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  2. That looks cracking fun!

    Frank
    http://adventuresinlead.blogspot.com.au/

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  3. Excellent work all around. I am not sure why they bother sending fellows to Sandhurst when, as you say, it all comes down to shouting and having a good milliner.

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    1. I think it's just to keep the building up to be honest.

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  4. glad to see you finding time away from work and school to get in a good game with your pals.

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    1. Which is very important. Mrs Kinch is of the opinion that I go a bit weird if deprived of that outlet for any length of time.

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  5. Quatre Bras AND Waterloo in one day--my god you do war(gaming) honour!

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    1. Thank you very much James.

      I've always meant to ask - what does FINS stand for?

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    2. It seems a bit pretentious, to say the least, I know! The original president and creator of the International Napoleonic Society, Ben Weider, awarded it to me back in the 90s in recognition of my promotion of the period. It's a bit special as they usually reserve it for people who have actually published work in the field. I include it chiefly as a (small) promotion of the INS.

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  6. Didn't you like my comment sir?!

    James

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    1. Not at all - I just had several writing jobs on this week and I make it a rule not to treat myself to the blog until I've cleared my desk.

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    2. Good on you showing such self-control!

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