South American Pacific War: Chile v Bolivia...

[nikharwood]

Set up ready for the off - the Chileans are defending a pass (to their left flank) and are dug-in, waiting for the Bolivian advance...

Hoping to get this one fought out over the next couple of evenings.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Looking good Nik!

[petercooman]

Droooooooool 

Splendid! Like your buildings too!

[Steve J]

Looks nice and can't wait to see how thae game plays out. What rules will you be using?

[nikharwood]

Black Powder...I think 

Or maybe FPWarmaster with tweaks 

[Leman]

A little bit of different does make a refreshing change. Well done that man!

[lekw]

Looks great, loving those South Americans.

[Techno]

Does look great.
Cheers - Phil

[nikharwood]

Ok - first moves fought out tonight...decided to use FPWarmaster with a couple of small tweaks (lowered command rolls for both sides, added some basic Gatling stats - slightly improved on Mitrailleuse)

Pics aren't that great - was using an unfamiliar camera...

The Bolivians get the first turn as they are the attackers...


On the left flank, the Bolivian line decides to pause at the cantina - it is pretty hot, after all...whilst the right flank moves a similar distance, the cavalry escort making sure it doesn't get isolated from the infantry and the artillery crews manhandling their mountain guns forward. In the centre, though, the General goes all gung ho and advances at breakneck speed (again, keeping the cavalry reasonably reined-in):


The view from the Chilean lines...nothing in range as yet:


Bolivian right flank (from the front):




Bolivian centre:




Bolivian left flank:


The Chileans fire the opening salvo from the Krupps:






Sighters really though - nothing of any note results. The rest of the Chilean army decides to stay put...

The Bolivian centre pushes forward, maintaining its momentum (whilst both flanks move forwards as well and begin to deploy into full line formation as well); the cavalry charges home against the dug-in Chilean line, unsurprisingly taking casualties as it closes; the infantry open fire on their dug-in opponents:




Well-aimed infantry fire accounts for two Gatlings, opening a hole in the Chilean line:


In return, the Chilean cavalry that had been sheltering in the pass advances out to threaten the Bolivian right and centre - but stalls before getting within charge range:


The fighting in the centre becomes more and more fierce - with the cavalry being repulsed in hand-to-hand, the Chileans pushing it back from their barricades - and then a hail of fire sees them destroyed:


Further disciplined rifle fire from the Chilean foot (reinforced by the reserve moving into a firing position on the hill) inflicts serious damage on the exposed Bolivian troops to their front:




And that's where we leave it...for now  

[petercooman]

Nice!

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Brilliant Nik!

[Steve J]

Thanks for the in progress BatRep. The table and figures look great .

[nikharwood]

Fought to conclusion this morning...pics & batrep later...

[Steve J]

Excellent .

[nikharwood]

Ok - so...back to the scrap - with lots more (and bigger, better) pics  

The Bolivians are trying to maintain some momentum; on their right flank, the cavalry seizes the opportunity to charge their counterparts in the mouth of the pass, whilst the infantry continues to press forwards, into firing range:








The mountain guns have been hauled into range as well:


The cavalry melee is short, sharp and decisive:


Over on the Bolivian left, the infantry hurl themselves at the dug-in defending Chileans:


The fighting is intense...




...but the line remains. The Bolivian general blunders at this point & his meagre forces in the centre fall back away from the Chilean line.

The Chilean cavalry commander then immediately blunders himself, sending his troopers hurtling away from the threatening Bolivians - but across the front of his own line!


The gunners don't look too chuffed:


The infantry push their advantage on the Chilean right:








And the guns, plus supporting Gatling, open up on targets that they can see:




The Chilean foot moves to the hill overlooking the pass in order to fire at the Bolivian cavalry, to good effect:




They hurtle down the slope, determined to press their advantage:










Not even close...the infantry reforms to threaten the centre:




The tipping point...


The Bolivians seek to drive home in the centre, opening fire at close range:


On the left, the hand-to-hand slog continues, with both commanders joining the melee:






The Bolivians are annihilated and the Chileans retreat to their dug-in positions:


The Chilean cavalry reform:


The guns open up once more:


Further, dwindling, hand-to-hand combat - to the death:




And the Bolivians are forced to cede the field of battle:


To the victor, the spoils...here's the top brass, about to retire to that cantina...and Juanita and friends  


A cracking game - I really enjoyed both playing this one & how it looked on-table; really nice to be gaming a lesser-known period