Maximillian Adventure : A Sharp Practice game

Having bought and painted the wonderful Gringo40s figures, it was time to put them on the table.

Bob and Allan chose the Mexican Republicans so Mike and Ian took control of the Maximillian Imperialists.

The Maximillian forces possess the fort top left of the picture and a relief column will appear in the left hand valley. Republicans will attack from centre right of the table. Both sides start with high morale, 11 for Maximillians and 10 for Republicans.

First out of the hat, Mexican skirmishers advance cautiously

Austrian troops appear on the fort roof and fire

Mexican regulars arrive

and cavalry head for the pass

just in time to see French Foreign Legion and Contra-Guerillas making their way forward

The Austrian riflemen are joined by

a light gun which causes problems for the Mexicans

The wise ones use the buildings of the village as cover

but the cavalry are very exposed and rapidly lose casualties to Austrian fire

The Mexican skirmishers gain a roof top and return fire

Some regulars move up to support them

The cavalry are trapped between the Austrian and French fire and end up routing

and to add to their torment, the Contra-Guerillas start to ascend the high ground to get a shot at them too

Below, we can see the Belgians bring on the supply column

Pop ! First fire from the Contras

The Mexican leader gets his troops to fire back at the Austrians atop the fort

Some brave the open spaces

The French continue their advance on the orders of the Maximillian Guard Officer

as the Belgians move the convoy further forwards

Frantically the Mexicans line the wall and fire to try and stop them

as others exchange fire with the Austrians at roof top level

The fort is so close !

and the French keep the enemy occupied

despite Mexican fire having an effect on the Belgians and delaying their arrival, the casualties sustained by the Mexicans result in their morale plummeting

The inevitable happens, combined French and Austrian fire drives the enemy morale down to zero and the fight is over.

Victory to the Emperor Maximillian !