Thursday 27 November 2014

Rebel Yell !


Another stab at Regimental Fire & Fury in 15mm. This time, both Union and Confederates are intent on capturing and holding a vital bridge, so a classic encounter game.

Here the Rebs arrive heading purposefully town the lanes

But Union troops are spied heading towards them

A Rebel battery moves up in support

Union infantry pass white snake fencing

Rebs deploy into a field and the Louisiana Tigers occupy some high ground behind them

More Rebel infantry arrive on the battlefield

As Confederate cavalry screen the approach to the bridge

Federal troops fan out on the left of the big barn

as their guns and more infantry take position the other side of the barn

The Union guns prepare to fire

whereas the Rebel guns are yet to get into position

The Rebel cavalry mount the high ground in front of the bridge

Union troops try an outflanking manoeuvre

but more Johnny Rebs rush down the lane to stop them

First fire from the Federal artillery

Just as the rebel cavalry charge deployed Union infantry below the hill

Undeterred by the infantry fire, the charge goes in

Union infantry in line in the centre await further orders

The rebel cavalry push the Union infantry back


and before they know it are upon the guns

Union officers desperately try to reform their scattered troops

Union troops attack across the snake fencing

watched by a staff officer

The Rebs throw back an oblique flank to face them

Rebel guns are dragged up the hill side

Meantime, the Confederate cavalry threaten the disordered Union troops behind the barn

but the undeterred Reb cavalry continue to attack anything near them !

and yet again scatter Union infantry before them


Confederate guns open up on attacking Federal infantry

As Rebel infantry wade in on their right

as Rebel regiments hurl themselves against Union infantry in the wheat field, centre of the battlefield

initially, the Rebels push back the Feds



and the Stars and Bars is flourished aloft

The unstoppable Rebel cavalry join in the wheat field fight

 The high point for the South - Union troops falling back on all fronts




but the Rebels on the right then fall back

and the Union troops in the wheat field regroup


exhausted Rebel regiments recoil with heavy losses

and  Union troops cross the fencing to attack in the centre

view from behind Union lines at the height of the action

Rebs retreat across the bridge

key to the Union victory was the combined effect of artillery and rifle fire on the enemy battery


resulting in such severe damage that the Confederates ordered the guns off the hill and withdrew them from the battle

so despite the early promise, the Rebels were worn down by the Union and a retreat the only way out for the brave boys from the South.

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Wars of the Roses, Sword & the Spear style

Our first attempt at using Sword & Spear rules. Bought after hearing the rave review on Meeples & Miniatures podcast.


Here are the stats for the various forces available for the period



Two sides of the same strength on a plain battlefield, to test the mechanisms.


Each side had a unit of heavy cavalry



and a unit of mounted Men at Arms



Like facing like.


My troops getting the first dice advantage send their spearmen and hand gunners & crossbowmen forwards


Our gun prepares to fire


Our Men at Arms charge the enemy counterpart


The enemy crossbowmen are the first to break with excess casualties


after an onslaught by our crossbows


The cavalry battle continues


Over on my left, our knights charge the enemy knights with bowmen advancing in support


The enemy gunners start to take casualties


The enemy knights are beaten


and next our knights destroy the enemy bowmen


Eventually, the enemy Men at Arms break too



 Our spearmen advance on the enemy

 

Whilst our hand gunners and crossbowmen head for the enemy gun and footmen


Our spearmen break the enemy spears


Our Commander urges on the attack knowing the enemy are crumbling fast


With more than half of their force strength dissipated, the enemy call it a day.

All troops used are from Steve Clarke's collection.

What do we think ?  A slick, clever, simple game mechanism which we picked up quickly.  Enjoyable enough to want to play again soon - can see why it has made such a splash on the war-game scene. Recommended.