We played our third ITLSU action at Call to Arms, the Wellington Warlords annual convention today using all the figures Paul has finished painting.
Three units of 26th Brigade were defending two villages against a mass of Germans, consisting of 4 cavalry regiments, a battallion of infantry and 4 sections of 7.7cm field guns.
A tough day at the office for Bowler and his lads today. Although the 19th Lancers saw off one cavalry regiment on one flank the other village was taken by sabre rattleing hussars who literally put the defenders from
3rd Bttn Loyal North London Regt to the sword. Bowler himself was a little lucky not to be languishing in a German POW camp while less than half a company of the Loyals was able to make its way to the safety of the British lines.
The third unit, the 2nd Hertfordshire Yeomanry, was roughed up by the massed German artillery while forming up trying to counter-attack the hussars and landwehr in the village that they had taken.
We have another days gaming tomorrow so I'll post up something more detailed later in the week. No doubt the German propaganda machine will be issuing its own version of events :)
Thanks to the Warlords for a great day out, caught up with several gamers I had not seen for quite a while, sold my old Minifigs 25mm Byzantines and found a few more 1/3000 WW1 ships for a song.
Sounds good, looking forward to the pictures! (I take it the respective propaganda machines will provide some?)
Cheers,
Rob
Sounds like an exciting clash. Very tempted to try something on that level myself rather than at the divisional level.
Sounds like a hard day for the Brits. But I think you'll find that the Loyals actually came from North Lancashire - two hundred miles or so from London.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 16 August 2014, 09:49:33 AM
Sounds like a hard day for the Brits. But I think you'll find that the Loyals actually came from North Lancashire - two hundred miles or so from London.
Lets just say the dice could have been kinder and those Germans are formidable and numerous foes :)
To give our games some background I'm using fictional units and places for these games, but based in part on actual names/units.
Been writing up each game from the POV of the British as a sort of ongoing campaign narrative....mainly for my own satisfaction but others have been kind enough to say they enjoy reading it.
I had gathered they were fictional, given the place names and character names. :-bd
Those damn 19th Lancers saw off two German cavalry Regiments :o
They were ably assisted by a section of 13pdr guns until flanking carbine fire from the Hussars and counter battery fire from two 7.7cm sections drove them off.
A very enjoyable day gaming; with lots of interest in both the rules and the 10mm figures :) :) :)
Photos will be provided later in the week ;)
Thanks again to Peter for introducing us to this period and rules, particularly in time for the centenary. :-bd =D>
Lest we forget
Can you remind us again which Lard Island special has the Western Front adaptions for ITLSU?
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 16 August 2014, 08:29:48 PM
Can you remind us again which Lard Island special has the Western Front adaptions for ITLSU?
Hi Puritan the western front additions are in an article called Storm of Dice in the Summer 2011 Special...FWIW they relate mainly (90%) to trench warfare. We are doing the early battles without trenches and have found the rules perfectly OK with just adopting the spunk ratings for Western Front that are suggested in the article and elsewhere (TFL Yahoo group files).
Talked to an number of people who were quite interested in the 10mm figure/ITLSU rules combination. Pretty universal praise for both the Pendraken figures and the rules :)
Sounds very promising. Will be having a go at painting some German troops this coming week, using the colours I saw in the BBC3 programme on Mons. In it I noticed that the tunics were a slightly greenish field grey but the trousers were more of a bluish field grey. These were standard infantry and not jager. The single cavalry man shown, the captured hussar, seemed to be the blueish field grey throughout. The helmet covers were a dark buff.
Another interesting sounding clash
I think DP like other nations there is a bit of variety of colours of the uniforms as the cloth came from different dyers and weavers so they are all a little different.
As to rules I have been looking at Bloody Picnic after that article I found...Any one else used them?
I considered them at one time, but thought they looked a bit too detailed for my taste. Maybe it's because they cover the whole war, so all sorts of factors are taken into consideration. I did try There Are Your Guns, from the same stable, but didn't find them as good as Field of Battle II.
I do think writing WW1 rules that cover the whole war is difficult as the tactics and weapons changed so quickly in such a short space of time
I agree. Although I do like Square Bashing!
I think Square Bashing is a different kettle of fish and is great fun to play (my Russians and Austrians are set up for it). Despite covering the very late 1890s through to 1935 it does not overcomplicate the factors, eg a machine gun is a machine gun whether it's a Maxim, Vickers, etc. Guns are either field, light or off-table. This is why I like the rules; I am not a rivet counter, although I know lots of gamers who are really into the technical differences between various pieces of artillery, AFVs and so on. I suppose that's why there are so many different types of rules covering the same period.
I did download the Kallistra set which are played on hexes but dont seem too bad, they are only a draft copy and based as a stand is a platoon but they seem worth a go
Cheers for that. Will take a look. Shame their stuff is really 12mm.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 17 August 2014, 10:05:53 AM
Cheers for that. Will take a look. Shame their stuff is really 12mm.
Yeah but the rules seem fairly quick play which would be good for a club night
Thanks for the tip, I've now downloaded them.
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.
German Infantry and dismounted Hussars advance against British Infantry
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9653_zpse5bd2ee7.jpg)
British Cavalry in a defensive position
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9675_zps5a8bba2a.jpg)
Found 'em, and looking really good. I see you've also gone for that light coloured German helmet cover. Very effective.
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
Great looking table !
Cheers - Phil
Looks superb!
Great stuff. Like the explosion. 8)
Quote from: paulr on 19 August 2014, 06:02:59 AM
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) 8)
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 firehttps://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..justhttps://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 firehttps://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
Great looking figures chaps.
I do like the photo with the Flags too.
Great AAR. Nice pictures too.
How big was the table?
Great report gents, thank you.
Quote from: Fenton on 19 August 2014, 12:14:17 PM
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 ;D ;D
Quote from: pierre the shy on 19 August 2014, 10:47:56 AM
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.
Excellent AAR and well supplied with photos. this is a great little campaign to follow.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 20 August 2014, 06:57:18 AM
Excellent AAR and well supplied with photos. this is a great little campaign to follow.
Thanks DP, we have certainly enjoyed it :) :D
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 :D
Over 300 views :) :) :)
Quote from: paulr on 20 August 2014, 09:49:39 PM
Now the idea of running it as a campaign with limited casualty recovery between battles is VERY interesting :D
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.....
Quote from: pierre the shy on 21 August 2014, 01:56:09 AM
p.s. congratulations on your rapid promotion to lt col....your shout in the mess.....
Thanks, I hadn't noticed :) :D
Quote from: pierre the shy on 21 August 2014, 01:56:09 AM
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...
Congratulations on promotion. =D> =D>
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9643_zps58af5078.jpg)
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9651_zps881d5a52.jpg)
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9655_zpse6f09bc2.jpg)
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9657_zps8aa078ce.jpg)
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9664_zps27836505.jpg)
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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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9661_zpsbea5b7c0.jpg)
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9667_zpsc33a7b0f.jpg)
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9675_zps5a8bba2a.jpg)
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.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Call%20to%20Arms%202014%20Day%201/IMG_9673_zps19eba45b.jpg)
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.
Took me a while to find the report as it was sort of obscured by the blue line extension thingy at the bottom of the post featuring ships, which I tend to skip over being mainly a landlubber. Tend to be more interested in my paternal grandfather's involvement in Afghanistan rather than my maternal grandfather at Jutland or my father in the Indian Ocean. Anyway I've read it now and very interesting to get the view from the other side of the hedge.
I replied but it didn't seem to make it. It's still on the boat page.
Oh, it's here and not on the boat page at all; somewhat puzzled :-/
Over 500 views :o :) :) :) :) :)
Have drafted naval AAR, getting Peter to check my recollections ;)
Quote from: paulr on 31 August 2014, 08:15:24 PM
Have drafted naval AAR, getting Peter to check my recollections ;)
Peter has approved my recollections for release, they can be found here, http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10520.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10520.0.html)
Quote from: paulr on 31 August 2014, 08:15:24 PM
Have drafted naval AAR, getting Peter to check my recollections ;)
You're allowing your opponent to check your account? :o :o :o You'll be admitting he won next! :D
Quote from: Hertsblue on 01 September 2014, 09:53:57 AM
You're allowing your opponent to check your account? :o :o :o You'll be admitting he won next! :D
Quite the opposite good Sir ;)