Wednesday 27 November 2013

Plattdorf : the last chapter

 
Both sides cavalry have reformed and charge each other again

 
The Lorraine centre holds steady
 
and forces the VFS in between the hills into line to try and stem their losses
 
The VFS artillery continue to pound the white coated infantry opposite them
 
but receive a long range volley in return and some gunners are down
 
Over on the Lorraine right, the infantry continue to trade volleys but the VFS are getting much the better of it
 
and their flank support on the hill is being badly mauled before it can get into position
 
The pressure on the Lorraine right proves too much and the two white coated regiments there fall back with over 50% casualties
 
The Arquebusier de Grassin try to cover their retreat
 
The one crumb of comfort for the Lorraine geenral is to see the VFS centre regiment fall back
 
The cavalry clash sways to and fro

 
but the Lorraine hussars cannot hold off the VFS lancers

and break from the field
 
As the VFS infantry threaten the left too
 
The Lorraine general has seen enough and orders the exposed infantry in front of Plattdorf back
 
With both flanks gone, he orders a general retreat - the VFS have won the day !
 
and the VFS troops advance across the stream.


Sunday 24 November 2013

Plattdorf (continued)

DAY 2
 
The cavalry melee over on the Lorrraine left flank with the VFS Uhlans edging it over two bounds but both sides have to retire and regroup. 

 
Over on the Lorraine right, their infantry trade fire with the VFS blue coats
 
As other white coated infantry line the centre hills
 
Some watch the VFS troops emerge from between the hills
 
Then a crashing volley emits and the VFS Colonel in the lead with another officer are casualties for foolishly leading the attack
 
A second volley causes more damage and the VFS troops recoil
 
Both sides artillery now join the action


 
And infantry casualites start to mount
 
A white coat Colonel is the unlucky first casualty in his regiment
 
Promptly followed by more men as they are enfiladed form the hills opposite
 
Supports arrive besides the infantry lines facing each other across the wooden bridge

As Lorraine infantry form line in front of Plattdorf village
 
The newly arrived VFS infantry's first volley has devastating effect on the white coats opposite
 
As the head of another VFS column receives artillery fire
 
The battle will continue during the course of this week as and when I get the odd hour - so far, it hangs in the balance with neither side getting a breakthrough.


Friday 22 November 2013

The Battle of Plattville Valley

Inspired by a recent article in Miniature Wargames/Battlegames magazine, following the death of Donald Featherstone, I decided to play the Plattville converted to Plattdorf encounter
 

In my case using Charles Grant rules  ...
 
 
The battlefield is set
 And troops arrive on both sides
 
 
With light troops climbing the hills ahead of the marching regiments


 
Cavalry advance beyond church hill

 
And clash in the open ground between there and the woods
 
Infantry fan out into line either side of the small wooden bridge
 
As others seek an advantage
 
climbing hills

and through the trees
 
even between hills
 
This battle should rage over the weekend so more pics to follow !


Sunday 3 November 2013

Long Time, No See !

Apologies for my absence, folks, what with work travel (Nigeria this time) and two eye operations (no see - get it ?!) my blog has taken a bit of a back seat.

Lets' s see if we can put that right by giving you a report of Friday's game over at Steve Clarke's.

We decided to return to Sharp Practice and continue our campaign with Fondler.  Our next scenario is Chapter 11, Fondler's Surprise, where Fondler and his Rifles are supporting Major Angus McDougal's red coats and Major Brock's rocket troops charged with rescuing Colonel Grabbe-Goulies from the clutches of the evil Colonel Daniel Laroux and his men holed up in a convent.

 Here's the battlefield from the British entry point
 Here are Laroux and Grabbe-Goulies in the convent
 French light troops in an advance position on high ground
 
The French in strength at the convent
 


McDougal's men advance in column towards the convent
Harassed by the French skirmishers
 

Major Brock decides its time to deploy the rockets
 
As the skirmishers have started picking off the officers and NCOs
 

But at this point, French troops emerge from the Convent presenting another target
 
To everyone's amazement, a rocket actually hit the target (in a roundabout way of getting there!)
 
And at this point, Fondler and his Rifles appear in the valley
 
 Giving fire to the pesky French skirmishers
And proceed to scale the heights to their right overlooking the Convent
 

 The French hurry forward
thinking they can catch some Rifles in the flank
 
 Only to find that they are attacked in the flank by other Rifles led by Fondler
 Which sends them fleeing to the protection of the skirmishers on the adjacent hill
As they find themselves threatened by the British column to their rear too
 
The ringing of the Convent bells has alerted some French cavalry
 
And the French also wheel out a small cannon to fire at the Rifles on the hill
 

As the cavalry consider charging up there to alleviate that threat
 
 McDougal's column advance resolutely towards the Convent
 And despite taking casualties
 charges the French line blocking the way
and smashes through the left of the line
 
(thanks to dice throwing like this !)
 
The rifle fire was so effective that the cavalry and the artillery were driven off
 



whilst McDougal's column battered their way into the Convent, defeated the remaining defenders
and released Grabbe-Goulies from Laroux's captivity !
 
A most enjoyable game, especially as we stopped for a pie and a pint in The Chequers at half time.