Second Napoleonic Game with One Hour Wargames

[bigjackmac]

All,

Well, it's been more than a week ago now that the Boy General and I played another Napoleonic game using Neil Thomas' One Hour Wargames.  Once again it was a blast; we continue our fictional campaign in northern Europe, continuing with the boy leading the British against my dastardly French.  The scenario was "Double Delaying Action," with the idea being that I (the French), having been defeated in the last battle, was doing my best to flee to the north, being harried by the British from the south.

The French chose a river as a defensive line to try to slow the British pursuit; the Brits can cross at a ford in the west or a bridge in the east, and the Brits are trying to first take the village of Trois Bras (at the river) and then the road exit in the north, just east of Mont Vert.  The two forces are equal in size, at least at the beginning; the French must have one unit depart the table via the north road exit on turns 4, 8, and 12, but still hold either Trois Bras or the northern road exit at the end of the game (15 turns).  Failure to do so is a British victory.


The British begin the game off table, entering their entire force on turn 1 via the south table edge (bottom).  The French are arrayed north of the river.  From left to right: 1st Ligne, Grand Battery, 2nd Ligne, with General Dadie immediately behind them, 1st Grenadiers to his right, 1st Light Cavalry on the road, and 3rd Ligne in the town of Trois Bras at far right.

My preliminary plan is to give ground at the ford while trying to hold the town as long as possible, using my General to rally hits off them.  I will launch my cavalry straight down the road as soon as possible, charging repeatedly until they are nearly destroyed and then having them be my first unit to depart via the north exit.  I figure the boy will press for the town, so when the 3rd Ligne is pretty beat up I will have the Grenadiers move up, have the 3rd Ligne fall back behind them for protection and ultimately be my second unit to exit the map.  From there is anyone's guess, but that's my plan.  Oh, and I'm keeping my arty up close to deliver canister at enemy units crossing the river, then fall back to Mont Vert as it becomes pressed.

To see how the fight turned out, please check the blog at:
http://blackhawkhet.blogspot.com/2016/06/second-napoleonic-game-with-one-hour.html

I hope you liked it; we're having a great time, and have already played the next fight, which I'm working on.

V/R,
Jack

[Norm]

In some other of NT's rules (the Napoleonic book), when one side pushes through the enemy and exits a unit of heir board edge - the enemy automatically have to lose 2 on board units. that sort of ule would have been a good help to you.

[petercooman]

Great report!!

[Techno]

Seconded !

Cheers - Phil

[Leman]

Must admit that NT's rules can be very entertaining. Looking to do his C19th Nachod scenario this week.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Nice report, unlucky the boy.

[fred.]

Great report. Sounds like a great game.

[petercooman]

Must admit that NT's rules can be very entertaining. Looking to do his C19th Nachod scenario this week.

The more i read about it, the more i find the simplicity a refreshing change to the stuff i usually play. Will hold out on judgement untill my copy arrives though!


Only problem i have so far is with the formations. I like my british in two lines  

Could probably make longer but less deep  bases and only put one line on them, that way when you put them 2 by 2 you would get two lines  

anyway... keep them coming Jack!

[bigjackmac]

Thanks everyone, looks like it was well received 

And don't feel bad for the boy; nobody felt bad for me last game, he's having a great time, and...  well, you'll just have to wait for the next batrep, which I'm working on.

Peter - you can base them however you want; in reality, the rules don't really care, and I think most folks just use one stand per unit.  I only used two stand units with 12 guys per because I already had guys based up for it and I think it looks cool.  And I've definitely become a fan of simpler, faster rules.

V/R,
Jack

[petercooman]

Peter - you can base them however you want; in reality, the rules don't really care, and I think most folks just use one stand per unit.  I only used two stand units with 12 guys per because I already had guys based up for it and I think it looks cool.  And I've definitely become a fan of simpler, faster rules.

V/R,
Jack

Yes, but i'll base them for the napoleonic wargaming book. That's with 4 bases.Still not sure. Basing is always fun 

[bigjackmac]

Yes, the pure enjoyment of basing can only be beat by re-basing

V/R,
Jack

[Leman]

Not to mention re-re-basing. Here come the Austrians again - 40x20, then 60x60, then 30x20, now 25x25.

[petercooman]

I never rebase, i always ponder long and hard before i base my troops, and stick to the rules i based them for!

Crazy, i know.

I also think hard about any rules i use, and read a lot of reviews AAR's before committing to buy them. (like i did now with the Neil Thomas rules)

[Leman]

Over 50 years rules have changed and developed. Rather rebase than miss out on using them.

[Ithoriel]

Why re-base when you can buy and base up a whole new army?

<chases lead mountain back into the cupboard with a lion tamer's whip and chair>