War of the Triple Alliance, South America

A Volley and Bayonet game with Jon and Alastair, using Jon's 15mm armies for the War of the Triple Alliance in South America.

The scenario was a fictional affair set in 1862, with the Paraguayans attacking a Brazilian force defending a mine and town. This is not an AAR, just a chance to show Jons's fabulous armies in this unusual sub-period for Volley and Bayonet.

Set piece action in the west, 1862

Time for another ACW game with Murray, this time an entirely fictional set piece engagement, set in 1862, fought with armies assembled using the Volley and Bayonet 'Road to Glory' scenario point system (2600 points). The game waa fought using my 15mm armies.

Deployment overview, union on the left, CSA on the right

On the Union left, the CSA pushed aggressively to the flank

The Union forces took a defensive position in the centre too

A brigade of Union cavalry (M5, poorly trained) were positioned on the right, looking to threaten the CSA left

The CSA left was stronger than the Union general had thought, negating the opportunity to threaten with the cavalry

The centre Union division was reinforced with two batteries or army guns, creating a strong position with three batteries. The CSA pushed across the river and the bridge, prompting a counter attack by the Union, well supported by the artillery

Combined with fire from a battalion of Union sharpshooters, the CA took sufficient casualties to become exhausted, and then failed its throw falling into moral collapse. The CSA Centre was looking vulnerable

A close up view of the situation in the centre after the devastating Union counter attack

CSA forces launched an attack int the woods, and the Union right stationary in its defensive position on top of a convenient hill

Further CSA attacks were launched against the Union left

A CSA attack against the Union brigade in the woods ... which was repulsed

Meanwhile the CSA left was sweeping around the flank, driving the now dismounted cavalry from the woods they had occupied

One of the CSA brigades pushing against the Union left is contained and then repulsed

On the extreme Union left two CSA brigades assault a Union brigade.. it fails its morale check, loses the combat, and routs. The Union left is now exposed.

The Union centre pushes forward but suffers from some close range CSA artillery fire

The CSA forces pushing around the Union right

The Union counter attacks on their left, routing another CSA brigade forcing a second CSA division into exhaustion

The CSA force had taken a battering, and the commander now withdrew. This was the biggest game we'd played so far, and getting close the using all of my available figures. More painting is required, pulling from the aspirational mountain of unpainted lead.

Early Hungarian army for DBA

Years ago (as in, at least 15) I bought a bulk of 15mm Ottoman figures second hand, which gave me the Ottoman army.  Initially the figures were for a DBA Ottoman army, but there were far more than required for that and given the minimal changes in uniforms etc I proceeded to paint them up for DBR. May of the figures obviously double for both.

There were however other figures in the bags that puzzled me for some time, until friend Jim helped me to identify them as Serbians (archers) and Hungarians. Once identified, I painted up what I had for a DBA IV/43(c) Hungarian army. I was a few figures short, and Jim came to the rescue with the necessary 6 figures for 3 LH elements, and a crossbow base. Thanks Jim!!!!

So, here is is, the completed Hungarian army. One of the attractions was the 6Knight bases, something that I don't have in any other army. When choosing armies I NEVER look for something that is 'powerful', a 'winner' etc, but rather for things that interest me, that inspire me, or that offer different opportunities in games. The 6Knight bases offer that.

The completed army

3Knight general

Light Horse

Those Serbian archers

Horde bases

The 6Knight bases

So, sometime soon, there will be games ... 

The 100 Days...

Game four for the week was a 4000 point Volley and Bayonet game set in 1815 during the 100 days. We used the Volley and Bayonet rules, and the 'Road to Glory' scenario system. It was played using Keith's 6mm armies. 

Richard and I commanded the allied army, Keith, Alastair, and Andrew, the French.

Richard had some of the worst luck I can recall in a war game in decades I think. His flank was devastated by Keith's French attack.. a well coordinated attack using French cavalry and the Old Guard (that said, Richard did manage to defeat the Old Guard, forcing them in to 'Exhaustion')  ... 'un catastrophe' for the allies. However it was still a chance to push lovely miniatures around a table with great company.

Boer War with Volley and Bayonet

 One of the many things I love about VnB is the way in which small changes in the rules significantly alter the play, the whole feel, of the game. Adrian has a series of tweaks that allow Boer War actions to be totally playable. For example, the Boers are all skirmish stands, sharp shooters, shoot with two dice... you get the idea. If you know the rules, I realise you might go 'what?', but the point is that they work. Game three for the week was a Boer war action with Adrian, Jon, and Alastair. A train was trapped, the Boers having partially damaged the line. A relief force was on the way. Could they make it?

No they didn't. We were too cautious with the relief force, and the Boer troops managed top destroy the train's guarding force before we managed to get there. A really fun game. The game was played using Adrian's 15mm armies.