ITLSU AAR - Clash at Colmins - 3 Sept 1914

[Leman]

Found 'em, and looking really good. I see you've also gone for that light coloured German helmet cover. Very effective.

[Ace of Spades]

Cool stuff folks!
As soon as my ACW project is done I'll get on with my late WW-1 Germans and French.

Cheers,
Rob

[Techno]

Great looking table !
Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Looks superb!

[Hertsblue]

Great stuff. Like the explosion. 

[pierre the shy]

A couple of pictures of our game at Call to Arms. I'll leave the battle report to Peter, he will include a few more pictures.

OK heres my AAR from the British perspective...with some further pictures.(hope they work) 

Clash at Colmins

In the early hours of 3rd September Bowler held his orders group for the following day in the lantern light of the local Marie in a small village called Colmins Ouest. Just to the east was another village called, somewhat predictably, Colmins Est. They were located on the edge of a large coaling mining area and just past Colmins Est were huge, impassable slag heaps.

View of the battlefield from the West:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14781510828/in/set-72157646206466367

Somewhat to his surprise 26th Brigade had been reinforced once more. Captain Scarlett finally had his last section of 13pdrs catch up so X Battery was now at full strength of three two gun sections. The other welcome arrival was Lt Col Lewrie and his complete 2nd Hertfordshire Yeomanry cavalry regiment, which had just arrived in France. 

"Right gentlemen" began Bowler "another mission from GHQ has been assigned to us....and as usual it won't be easy...."

"Are we on the move again tomorrow Sir?" asked Lt Col Lilywhite, CO of the Loyals.

"No, we are staying put right here Colonel.....we are to hold the two villages against our old friend Von Klinkerhoffen...and another brigade of the 13th Cavalry Division, all under one General of Cavalry Von Smallhausen. Intelligence estimates that at least 5 German units plus artillery will move in this direction. They add that this Von Smallhausen chap is a very wily opponent".

"Now then" continued the Brigadier "With the slag heaps cutting off any outflanking to the east of us I'm thinking that any move by the enemy will fall on Colmins Ouset, so I propose to put the Loyals into that village with their MG's set up to do maximum effect. Colonel Carter – you will secure Colmins Est and support the Loyals with fire against anyone trying to move between the villages".

"Understood, Sir" replied Carter
"I think we'd be best to give everyone a section of guns, Scarlett, but after your achievements of yesterday against the enemy artillery I want you to concentrate on them again if you get the chance"
"Very well, Sir" replied the jovial Gunner.
"And finally I'm keeping the Yeomanry as my reserve, first time I've had that luxury Col Lewrie....expect orders to counter attack as necessary. Well then Gentlemen, I think that about covers things" said the Brigadier, bringing his orders group to a close "The very best of luck tomorrow to you all again".
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The light mist dissipated quickly as the Brigade stood to that morning. For once the intelligence reports seemed correct as German cavalry was soon sighted advancing across the fields between the two villages, accompanied by no less than four sections of 7.7cm field guns...."that's Von Klinkerhoffen's brigade...." murmured  Bowler as he observed them through his binoculars from his HQ just behind Colmins Ouest. He quickly sent orders to open fire with all weapons. The Loyals engaged their old foes with seemingly indifferent results, while the Lancers across in the Eastern village engaged a regiment of Uhlans to much better effect. They were joined by fire from the RHA sections, which flailed the hapless German cavalry.  Not to be outdone the German batteries returned fire with equal effect on the Loyals in Colmins Ouest and the guns supporting the Yeomanry.  Before long the village had been devastated by the German artillery concentration and the Loyals two forward companies had taken many casualties, especially amongst the battalion's small MG section.

Colmins Ouest under fire

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14967763162/in/set-72157646206466367

Under the cover of this continued bombardment a doughty German attack by a regiment sabre wielding dismounted Hussars and battalion of Westphalian Landwehr swept into Colmins Ouest, pushing back the now much depleted Loyals. A spirited counterattack by "C" Company into the town square met with equally determined opposition and was pushed back. Soon the Loyals only held a small part of the village as the Landwehr swept around the outskirts of the village, despite the close attention of the Loyals supporting RHA section.

German attack on Colmins Ouest

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14965013491/in/set-72157646206466367

It soon became evident to Brigadier Bowler that retreat from the village was inevitable. Brigade HQ itself only managed to avoid the now marauding German Landwehr, covered by the now sadly depleted Loyals, who suffered yet more casualties covering the withdrawal of the Brigade staff and their supporting RHA section.

Bde HQ escapes..just

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14781511648/in/set-72157646206466367

The Eastern flank presented a much brighter picture from the British perspective. The Lancers hold on the village of Colmins Est was never seriously threatened and the combined fire of the Lancers and their 13pdr section caused enough casualties amongst the 49th Uhlans to cause them to retire as well as the 23rd Hussars which replaced them on the German left. Later in the day however the 13pdr section was itself forced to retire by enemy fire.

Lt Col Lewrie's 2nd Hertfordshire Yeomanry was initially placed in reserve in cover to the south of the villages.  As the attack on Colmins Ouest developed they quickly received orders to counterattack the Germans in that village. After a considerable delay in forming up (they spent 3 moves doing nothing as the tea break card kept coming up before their card!!) they began to advance but were soon hit with German artillery fire, so in the end they could only take up defensive positions to cover the retreat of the Loyals and Brigade HQ.

Yeomanry under fire

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14967761122/in/set-72157646206466367

At this stage the game ended.... A tactical success to the Germans was judged since their determined attack on Colmins Ouest had evicted the Loyals comprehensively, though their CO, Lt Col Lilywhyte, was heard to mutter about the poor performance of the Loyals dice that day!       

Last but not least the players themselves: From left- Roy, Paul, Peter....we decided that as we were marking the 100th anniversary of beginning of WW1 that wearing poppies was appropriate. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14967764242/in/set-72157646206466367

A most enjoyable days gaming. Thanks again to all those who made this possible.We got plenty of feedback about the game, figures and rules - all good.

Cheers
Peter

[fred.]

Great looking figures chaps.

I do like the photo with the Flags too.

[Ithoriel]

Great AAR. Nice pictures too.

[Fenton]

How big was the table?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Great report gents, thank you.

[paulr]

How big was the table?

6' x 4' but with the slag heaps to the east and the canal to the west the available frontage was about 4.5'

The German artillery plan worked very well and fortunately their cards came up early on a couple of key turns. This allowed them to very effectively shoot the Hussars and Infantry into Colmins Ouest 

Apologies for the figures by the flags  

[paulr]

we decided that as we were marking the 100th anniversary of beginning of WW1 that wearing poppies was appropriate. 

Roy is also wearing the ribbons of one of his great uncles, including the 1914 Star and Rosette.

[Leman]

Excellent AAR and well supplied with photos. this is a great little campaign to follow.

[paulr]

Excellent AAR and well supplied with photos. this is a great little campaign to follow.

Thanks DP, we have certainly enjoyed it 

I haven't really thought of it as a campaign, more a series of battles linked by Peter's excellent narrative 

Now the idea of running it as a campaign with limited casualty recovery between battles is VERY interesting 

[paulr]

Over 300 views 

[pierre the shy]

Now the idea of running it as a campaign with limited casualty recovery between battles is VERY interesting 

Oh ok Paul I'm onto it... just reading this at lunch and had an inspirational idea..we could do
something like those Spearhead "road to xxxx" campaigns we did years ago 

p.s. congratulations on your rapid promotion to lt col....your shout in the mess.....

[paulr]

p.s. congratulations on your rapid promotion to lt col....your shout in the mess.....

Thanks, I hadn't noticed 

[paulr]

Oh ok Paul I'm onto it... just reading this at lunch and had an inspirational idea..we could do
something like those Spearhead "road to xxxx" campaigns we did years ago 

That is definitely a possibility 

I was thinking of something simpler, just play them as a series. All supressions and half to two thirds of casualties recovered between battles. Add reinforcements as we did for each scenario

Thanks again DP, a couple if good possibilities forming...

[Leman]

Congratulations on promotion. 

[paulr]

A carrier pigeon, apparently named Gesprenkelt Jacob, was recently blown south. It carried a German cover letter, briefing note and an after action report from 13th Cavalry Division. A translation follows:
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In his covering letter General of Cavalry von Smallhausen reveals his frustration, General von und tu Kinkerhoffen's brigade had been pressing a British brigade for nearly a week. However each time the British had managed to slip away having inflicted significant casualties on both the 32nd Kuirassiers and 49th Uhlans.

He also reveals that intelligence indicated that at last the little British army were going to make a stand. At last he would have a chance to deal with these elusive British. To ensure that the British did not evade him again he would reinforce the artillery attached to General von und tu Kinkerhoffen's brigade and support them with General Pilsner's Hussar brigade.
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The British had occupied the twin villages of Colmins Ouest and Est. With impassable slag heaps to the east and the canal to the west the attack would have to be on only a 3,000m frontage with little scope for manoeuvre. A straightforward plan would be required.



With the morning mist still swirling General von Smallhausen addressed his senior officers.

General von und tu Kinkerhoffen, you are to deploy the Kuirassiers and Uhlans of your brigade in the fields north of Colmins Ouest and Est. From there they will harry the British in the villages and cover Colonel von Strohm's guns.

Colonel von Strohm, you will deploy two of your three batteries just north of the fields held by General von und tu Kinkerhoffen. From there you will fire on Colmins Ouest to inflict as many casualties as possible on the defenders and cover the advance of General Pilsner's Hussars. Sections of guns should fire on any British guns they locate and attempt to drive them off.

General Pilsner, one of your Hussar regiments is to dismount and attack the left half of Colmins Ouest. The 80th Westphalian Landwehr battalion, attached to your brigade, is to attack the right half of Colmins Ouest and attempt to move some troops forward between the village and the canal to envelop Colmins Ouest. Your other Hussar regiment will move into the field between the villages and support the attack and provide protection from counter attacks from the south and east.
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As the leading troops deployed the mist rapidly cleared revealing British infantry in strength in Colmins Ouest and what appeared to be British cavalry in Colmins Est. General von und tu Kinkerhoffen's 32nd Kuirassiers opened fire on Colmins Ouest supported by all 8 of Colonel von Strohm's guns. The return fire from the British infantry rapidly diminished under the heavy fire. A section of British guns opened fire on the Kuirassiers and was promptly brought under counter battery fire and eventually forced to withdraw.



General von und tu Kinkerhoffen's 49th Uhlans fared less well. The rifle fire from the British cavalry was more accurate than the carbine fire from the Uhlans and the British were supported by machine guns and a section of artillery. Counter battery fire from one of Colonel von Strohm's sections provided some relief but casualties steadily mounted and the regiment had to be withdrawn.
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General Pilsner's 22nd Hussar Regiment rode in and dismounted west of Colonel von Strohm's guns to prepare for their attack. Meanwhile the 80th Landwehr battalion advanced across the railway bridge over the canal towards Colmins Ouest. As both units advanced on the village the heavy fire of Colonel von Strohm's guns and the 80th Landwehr's machine guns suppressed most of the British fire despite reinforcements being moved into the northern part of the village. Fortunately the village itself screened the advancing troops from the British artillery behind Colmins Ouest.



The two leading squadrons of the 22nd Hussars charged into the left of Colmins Ouest and literally put the British to the sword. The 80th Landwehr were equally successful in hand to hand fighting in the right of the village. The Hussars managed to repulse a desperate counter attack by the remaining company of defenders before completely clearing the village.



As the reserve Landwehr companies moved to envelope Colmins Ouest they ran into heavy close range fire from a section of British guns and ineffective fire from the surviving defenders. Close range rifle and carbine fire caused further casualties among the surviving defenders and the gunners who rapidly withdrew to the south, along with what appeared to be a major Headquarters.



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While the attack on the right was unfolding according to plan it was not going well on the left and a potential crisis was looming in the centre. Casualties were rapidly mounting on the 49th Uhlans and they would have to be withdrawn or risk being spent as a fighting force. The 23rd Hussars had initially been ordered to occupy the centre field between the two Colmins to protect Colmins Ouest from counter attack.  Given the British forces already located this field would now be a killing field but there was still a risk of counter attack.



Fortunately General von Smallhausen had established his headquarters between the Kuirassiers and Uhlans and was well placed to issue his orders. (All regiments were within 18" of the Headquarters so each order change would only cost one pip, this was good as he only rolled a three for pips. Also the German CO card came up before any of the affected units meaning they were able to act on the orders immediately.) The 49th Uhlans were ordered to withdraw behind Colonel von Strohm's guns and 23rd Hussars were diverted to replace them and continue pining down the British cavalry in Colmins Est. The 32nd Kuirassiers were ordered to the northern edge of the central field where they could cover the approaches to Colmins Ouest with fire while not being exposed to enfilading fire from Colmins Est.



The Kuirassiers arrived just in time and their fire supported by a battery of Colonel von Strohm's guns broke up a counter attack on Colmins Ouest by a regiment of dismounted British cavalry. This regiment fell back on the hamlet between Colmins Ouest and Est and took up defensive positions.



The 23rd Hussars suffered as badly as the 49th Uhlans had before them. While they inflicted some casualties on the British cavalry in Colmins Est and stopped them intervening in the centre they also had to be withdrawn as casualties mounted alarmingly.
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Back on the right 22nd Hussars and 80th Landwehr prepared to advance to the south east to cut off the British in Colmins Est and the hamlet. The British commander, acutely aware of this danger only a few hundred meters from his relocated headquarters, ordered the withdrawal of his force.



It was a hard won victory and both the 49th Uhlans and 22nd Hussars would need significant reinforcements before they would be able to fight a major action. One company of 80th Landwehr had also suffered badly from close range artillery fire.