Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Batreps => Topic started by: nikharwood on 09 April 2010, 10:37:23 AM

Title: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 09 April 2010, 10:37:23 AM
Preliminary pics of the ECW battle I've just set up: the Parliamentarians are defending across a wide front, barring the progress of the Royalist forces. The Roundheads are encamped in a large farm with their artillery dug into a redoubt on high ground commanding the valley to their front. The Royalists must take the guns in order to allow the army of the King to continue its push.

Solo battle - fought with Tony Barr's RenaissanceMaster variant for Warmaster Ancients - all set up, hoping to fight this later...

View along the Parliamentary line:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49055.jpg)

View along the Royalist line:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49065.jpg)

Roundhead dragoons & infantry in the farm:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49058.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49059.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49060.jpg)

The guns in the redoubt with infantry to their front:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49062.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49057.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49063.jpg)

The Roundhead left flank:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49056.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49064.jpg)

Roylist right flank:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49066.jpg)

Royalist centre:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49067.jpg)

Royalist cavalry on the left:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49068.jpg)

Battlelines drawn...
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49069.jpg)
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 10 April 2010, 03:41:08 PM
Turn 1: Royalists seize the initiative - sort of...only the commander on the right flank actually manages to get his troops (2 regiments of foot & a light artillery piece) to do anything - in a flurry of command rolls, they advance over the hill & the gun opens up on the nearest Roundhead regiment driving it back: as one stand of the regiment has impassable terrain to its rear, it is destroyed...

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49112.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49114.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49115.jpg)

Their position is more than a little isolated though:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49116.jpg)

On the Parliamentarian turn, the central regiments regroup and advance to bring fire to bear on the Royalists - but to no effect. The left flank, under the General's command, sends its foot forward to open fire - and drives both Royalist infantry regiments back up the hill. The cavalry gallops further to the left and takes up an ominously threatening flanking position - at which point the General fails to issue any further orders...

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49118.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49119.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49120.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49121.jpg)
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: slinky on 10 April 2010, 07:29:35 PM
Great stuff Nik, you may have tempted me to do ECW instead!!!
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 10 April 2010, 07:42:13 PM
Turn 2: The Royalist left flank started well, the cavalry advancing swiftly towards the farm and the waiting dragoons - but then stalled...

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49122.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49123.jpg)

Over the on the right flank, the foot that saw action last turn continued to fire to good effect, driving back the Roundheads to their front:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49124.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49125.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49126.jpg)

in the centre, the General finally got things underway and moved the brigade up the centre of the battlefield: this meant moving at the pace of the artillery though and everything stalled - at just the wrong point...this left the Royalists looking a bit vulnerable...

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49127.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49128.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49129.jpg)

In return, the Roundhead dragoons in the farm sent one mounted unit out to the right and the dismounted dragoons, plus a single regiment of foot, opened fire on the Royalist cavalry to their front, driving two units back:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49130.jpg)

In the centre, the artillery fired from the redoubt, adding to the musketry from the foot to its front: this broke up the Royalist centre, driving units back and causing casualties:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49131.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49132.jpg)

The fighting on the left flank saw more musktery forcing the Royalists back up the hill as the Roundhead cavalry looked to press its flanking advantage - before stalling:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49133.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20111/STA49134.jpg)
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 10 April 2010, 08:14:24 PM
QuoteGreat stuff Nik, you may have tempted me to do ECW instead!!!

Don't do it *instead* - do it *as well*  8)

Apologies this is taking so long to get fought: having one of those weekends when the house is teeming with kids & visitors - so I'm sneaking out to the games room for a Turn at a time  :(
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Jagger on 12 April 2010, 01:37:06 PM
Good inspirational timing.  I just finished my first three ECW regiments.   I still have a few hundred more miniatures to paint as I have time.   They do paint very nicely.  I still need to settle on a rules set though or some sort of adaptation.
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: jchaos79 on 13 April 2010, 08:10:19 AM
pretty cool batlground. the armies are also awsome!
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: slinky on 13 April 2010, 01:14:10 PM
Can you recommend any reading material for uniforms etc.....?
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 13 April 2010, 07:49:16 PM
Thanks guys - after a hectic weekend & now back at work it's proving hard to get this one fought to conclusion! It'll be finished this week though...

As for reading - the Osprey's are pretty good & for basic info the Warhammer Historical ECW rules are OK as well - some decent articles here as well: http://www.renegademiniatures.com/articles.htm
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 18 April 2010, 01:28:21 PM
Right - back again  ;)

Turn 3: The Royalist cavalry on the left flank hurtle forwards - the gallopers on the left charging straight into combat with the mounted dragoons, the trotters using caricole fire to first drive back the dismounted dragoons and infantry before jumping the hedge line & plummeting into their lines...supported by the gallopers, who've seen off the mounted dragoons in short-order - this leaves the Royalist cavalry in a strong position occupying the farm & threatening the whole Parliamentarian right:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49136.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49137.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49139.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49177.jpg)

The Royalists on the right flank fail to do anything, leaving the centre to advance steadily forward to threaten the Roundhead infantry to their front - they're unable to do anything further though:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49178.jpg)

Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 18 April 2010, 01:34:16 PM
The forces of Cromwell respond immediately - any infantry that can fire on initiative does so - to good effect, driving back the Royalist right & causing confusion among the ranks in the process; under orders the musketeers fire again on the left - again causing some damage. The artillery in the redoubt find the range to the Royalist centre with devastating effect, taking out the two infantry regiments there through a combination of high casualites followed by a rout:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49179.jpg)

The advantage is pressed - the cavalry continues round the hill to threaten the Royalist rear while the infantry charge headlong into combat and annihilate the confused Royalists at the foot of the hill:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49180.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49181.jpg)

At the end of the turn this leaves the battle nicely poised: both sides have sustained significant losses and are both in danger of breaking...the cavalry on both sides are in threatening postions too:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20222/STA49182.jpg)

Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 18 April 2010, 02:02:10 PM
Turn 4: The Royalist cavalry rampages through the farm & splits: two regiments heading to threaten the redoubt while the other turns sharply to its right and charges into the rear of the Parliamentarian infantry regiment, which it sees off in two rounds of combat:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20333/STA49183.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20333/STA49184.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20333/STA49185.jpg)

It then wheels to face the guns...

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20333/STA49187.jpg)

On the right, the Royalist infantry careers into melee and routs the infantry to its front:

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20333/STA49186.jpg)

...everything is hanging in the balance until at the start of his turn, the Roundhead commander fails his break test and the army routs. The King has taken the guns and the whole army can advance.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20333/STA49188.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10%20333/STA49190.jpg)

Debrief:
A great game - plenty of ebb & flow with this one, with several conclusive combats bringing each army to its breakpoint: this could have swung either way! Really enjoyable - even if it did take me a week or more to fight it to conclusion...
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Kiwidave on 18 April 2010, 05:48:16 PM
Sounds a great game! I envy your gaming space...

Quote from: nikharwood on 09 April 2010, 10:37:23 AM
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/nikharwood/ecw%20batrep%20apr10/STA49120.jpg)

Although I didn't know there were any NZ forces involved in the ECW (middle left hand side of pic clearly shows a New Zealand regiment... ;D )

Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 20 April 2010, 06:38:02 PM
 ;D Thanks KD - well-spotted...they were ancestors of yours I believe - or certainly the Pike elements were  :P

Oh - and I spent 10 minutes today convincing one my young staff that I *do* in fact have a friend called Kiwidave - so I might bung you her email so you can confirm this for me... ;D
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Kiwidave on 20 April 2010, 09:27:40 PM
They may well be my ancestors, as Dad is form Bristol, and I understand that there were a few pike regiments form there, so you never know...:)

And I have duly informed Bex of my existence :D
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 20 April 2010, 09:51:57 PM
And that, my friend, is why you're such a star  8)

(you'd like Bex too mate..trust me - not only is she a young Jedi, but she really doesn't look like a bag of spanners ;))
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Kiwidave on 20 April 2010, 09:58:12 PM
 :D She single?  :-*
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 20 April 2010, 10:00:04 PM
Yep...and *stunning*

...which, of course, is *nothing* to do with how she interviewed etc  :P
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Leon on 20 April 2010, 11:43:18 PM
I've got to jump in here.  I once ran a stripclub.  Interviews were awesome!

:D :P :D :P :D :P
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 21 April 2010, 06:40:14 AM
I'm in shock and awe  :D
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Jase on 21 April 2010, 08:33:16 AM
@Leon: Pics or it didn't happen :D
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Kiwidave on 21 April 2010, 08:48:34 AM
ECW batrep to requests for pics of stripper applicants in 2 pages - not bad!  :P
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Leon on 21 April 2010, 02:08:46 PM
Quote from: Jase on 21 April 2010, 08:33:16 AM
@Leon: Pics or it didn't happen :D
I wish I had some, I really do!
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 21 April 2010, 06:44:37 PM
QuoteECW batrep to requests for pics of stripper applicants in 2 pages - not bad!

We're slipping - must try harder  ;D
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 22 April 2010, 09:40:04 PM
KD: Bex now believes you exist (so you're a notch up from Santa & the Tooth Fairy)

She still doesn't understand why I'm known as "Tank-Bane" though  ;) :P
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Kiwidave on 23 April 2010, 07:59:38 AM
That's good - did you give her my number?  ;D

Maybe you'll need to demostrate your tank-busting super-power... organise a game at work!
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Steve J on 23 April 2010, 08:02:54 PM
You must post a pic of her mate. To quote you, "we like pics" ;) 8).
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 23 April 2010, 08:56:08 PM
Quotedid you give her my number?

Yep - told her how old you are - hope that's ok  :P

QuoteYou must post a pic of her mate. To quote you, "we like pics"

What on earth makes you think I've got pics of her??!!  ;) ;D :P 8)

...although I *might* have - of course  ;)
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: sixsideddice on 06 May 2010, 01:59:52 PM
Really great battle report, and looks like you had a lot of fun playing it out. ECW is simply made for solo isnt it  :).... you`ve got my ECW juices working on overtime again right now.

Hmmmm, all my minis are 6mm; I wonder if I should start a 10mm Pendraken collection all over again *go on, go ON, says the little devil sitting on my shoulder*


Six
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 12 May 2010, 10:26:16 PM
Glad you enjoyed it Six - and you're absolutely right: ECW is a solo-gamer's dream  :D

Would you like me to add my voice to your own existing little devil? The Pendraken ECW are stupidly nice - add in a few TYW for variety (as well as some Scots across the Parliamentarians for variety) & you're sorted...IIRC I got a couple army packs & a few extras to do my armies here: £45 or so? Absolute fecking bargain  8)
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: sixsideddice on 13 May 2010, 01:51:23 AM
okay, you totally persuaded me....  ordered my first couple of ECW complete army packs (plus a few extra essentials) no doubt, flying their way to me even now  ;D

hehe

What could I do, I`m powerless to resist the amazing photos I`ve seen on Flickr  ::)

I`ve been pulling out all my pile of books on the subject and reading them again avidly; its like Christmas come early.

Cheers for the encouragement.

Steve.
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 13 May 2010, 06:39:39 AM
Excellent - looking forward to seeing some pics  :)
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Aart Brouwer on 13 May 2010, 08:15:10 AM
Quote from: sixsideddice on 13 May 2010, 01:51:23 AM
I`ve been pulling out all my pile of books on the subject and reading them again avidly; its like Christmas come early.

Cheers for the encouragement.

Steve.


Sweet Jesus... I'm feeling similar vibes as Steve..

Aaargh!! Wargamania! Does it ever stop??  :o
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Jagger on 13 May 2010, 01:12:52 PM
I am slowly getting there.  I now have  completed 6 infantry regiments, (2 red, 2 blue, 1 green and 1 white), 1 dismounted musketeer, 2 cavalry regiments and 2 artillery guns.  But still a long way to go.
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 20 May 2010, 05:40:29 PM
Good stuff Jagger - got any pics?
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Jagger on 21 May 2010, 04:37:25 AM
I just send some photos out to some friends.  I got these ECW second hand and some are repainted and some straight from primer.   The cavalry is Old Glory but everything else Pendraken.  I just ordered 3 bags of Pendraken Cavalry.  Hopefully they will mix reasonably well with the Old Glory cavalry.  Some of the bases still need some finishing and no flags yet.  Also I based the artillery with only 2 figures per gun but I think I probably have the third figure available somewhere.  If I can find the commander, I will rebase the artillery with the third guy.  Overall, I am very pleased with the way they have turned out so far.   But it will be another couple weeks or so before I can get back to them.  I am temporarily diverted by some AWI and Republican Romans for a couple weeks.

I think I am going to try out For Parliment, King or Glory rules by David Marks.  I just downloaded them a week or two back and they look interesting.  Free download.  I also want to try out the Perfect Captain's a Very Civile Action rules


(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff116/Jagger_016/10mm%20ECW%20Pendraken/IMG_1299.jpg)

(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff116/Jagger_016/10mm%20ECW%20Pendraken/IMG_1298.jpg)

(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff116/Jagger_016/10mm%20ECW%20Pendraken/IMG_1297.jpg)

(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff116/Jagger_016/10mm%20ECW%20Pendraken/IMG_1296.jpg)
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 24 July 2010, 10:33:51 PM
They look good Jagger  8)

How's anyone else coming along with their ECW? I've been prompted to ask as I've just set up a nice Modern British Civil War [c1987 or so] on my table for a solo-scarp at some point  ;D
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Blaker on 19 August 2010, 06:25:37 PM
Nikster, the photos and Batrep are awesome! I have some ECW sitting on the paint table that need to be painted, looks like a huge mass of Pendraken Scots!

Might have been asked before but I dont seem to find it, so Nik, what did you use to make your crops rows and looks like wheat/corn fields?

thanks, now we just need Leon to provide those elusive pic he has from his former employer  ;D

cya
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 19 August 2010, 09:37:46 PM
Quote from: Blaker on 19 August 2010, 06:25:37 PM
Nikster, the photos and Batrep are awesome! I have some ECW sitting on the paint table that need to be painted, looks like a huge mass of Pendraken Scots!

Might have been asked before but I dont seem to find it, so Nik, what did you use to make your crops rows and looks like wheat/corn fields?

thanks, now we just need Leon to provide those elusive pic he has from his former employer  ;D

cya

Thanks Blake - the corn fields are cut-up doormats - nice, simple & cheap: I got mine I think for about £3 or so in one of those discount hardware shops (Wilkinson's in the UK) years ago...they're great
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: Blaker on 19 August 2010, 10:02:31 PM
Thanks Nik, will look for them for the corn fields. What about the rows in the field, same thing just a different doormat?
Title: Re: English Civil War: Capture the Guns!
Post by: nikharwood on 20 August 2010, 08:00:42 AM
Yep- those are even cheaper! They were from the Tesco value range for £0.99 each...and are sort of ribbed in an almost corduroy way [if that makes sense]; they came in a whole load of colours...I've given some of mine a quick drybrush just to lift them a bit but they make for great ploughed fields.