Boyne part 2

The Battle of the Boyne reached its conclusion this week and a hard fought affair it was. William persisted with the attacks across the river at Oldbridge and the Danes stirred themselves and started crossing downstream. They struggled with the same problem as the Dutch and Anglo-Scots upstream, a restricted front, advancing into musketry range whilst still disordered and cavalry threatening their flanks.

As had happened earlier with the Dutch, the forlorn of grenadiers suffered heavy casualties and their supports struggled to establish themselves on the opposite bank. However, the Jacobites did not have things all their own way. Supporting Danish infantry and artillery were inflicting casualties and the volume of musketry from the Irish units began to diminish. To buy time to reorganise the Jacobite cavalry were ordered to attack the grenadiers and guards. A fierce melee followed with the guards just hanging on, although they were almost finished as a fighting force.














On the opposite flank the French and Jacobite dragoons, together with the two Guards battalions positioned themselves to stop the Northern Irish and Huguenots who had crossed the Boyne at Rosnaree. Taking advantage of some broken ground they reduced the attacking frontage of their opponents, taking awaytheir advantage in numbers. Flanking attacks were tried by the Williamites, but they were hampered by terrain and the holding force in the centre suffred heavy casualties, two units being forced to retreat. Two dragoon regiments advanced by the river and forced the 2nd battalion of the King's Guards to turn to face them. Fearing a breakthrough James also deployed a unit from the centre, reducing his force in this vital sector. Just when decisive action was needed the Williamite dragoons failed to charge, giving the Jacobites time to redeploy.

Meanwhile the slaughter continued at Oldbridge. The Williamite artillery had at last found the range and the Jacobite infantry supporting those units manning the barricades began to suffer heavy casulaties. Another wave of infantry, supported by cavalry crossed the Boyne. The Dutch infantry on the left suffered casulaties from the enemy musketry and were then charged by the Horse. They broke, as others had before them and a vicious cavalry melee ensued at the ford. The Dutch horse eventually prevailed, but suffered severely when they pursued their opponents within range of the defenders of Oldbridge. On the right of the ford, the Scots Guards, plus the rallied remnants of the Dutch Guards pushed forwards towards the defences. Although suffering heavy casualties they forced the defenders back. James took counsel from his advisors. Reports from the flanks indicated that they were at the limits of their endurance and enemy pressure was increasing. In the centre only two fresh battalions remained, the cavalry was spent and fresh enemy troops were approaching the ford. If they fell back now they might save the army, any delay and a rout may result. The French brigade in reserve held open the road to Dublin for the moment. James realised only one possible course of action could be taken and he ordered the retreat.
For the Williamites this was a blessed relief. Casulaties had been heavy, units were disorganised by the terrain and the bulk of the cavalry, which could have hindered the Jacobite retreat were still on the northern bank of the Boyne.

As before, more photos available at www.flickr.com/photos/wargameamateur

The Boyne

My apologies for the break in posts, but recent events on the domestic front have confirmed, (as if it was ever in doubt), that family comes first and that means that wargaming, delightful hobby as it is, must take a back seat.

Our group did start a scenario covering the Battle of the Boyne three weeks ago, which hopefully will be completed later this week. The true king/usurper (delete as appropriate) had ordered his main force to attack across the river and disperse the rebels/royal forces (again delete as appropriate). The flanking manoeuvre at Roscree was included, but there was a time zone included which required a number of game turns to cross.














Here are the Jacobite forces at Oldbridge awaiting the Dutch attack.


The initial Williamite artillery bombardment was mostly ineffective, so, as the forlorn hope of Dutch grenadiers crossed the river and emerged on the far bank they were met with a shattering volley. Still disordered from their crossing they broke and ran back into the less then friendly ranks of the Dutch Guards who were following them. Even these elite troops struggled to make headway. The second battalion in particular suffered such heavy losses from the sustained volleys of 2nd battalion His Majesty's Guards that they were eliminated as a fighting force. Surveying the bloody scene, William hoped his force at Roscree was having more success.

The mixed force of Hugenot and Northern Irish infantry, supported by dragoons, had managed to force their way over the bridge in spite of determined resistance by the French dragoon regiment opposed to them .














They did inflict heavy casualties and also delayed the advance for several turns, which meant that a covering force was able to take up a position to block the Williamite flank attack.


Back at Oldbridge, William had seen the first battalion of the Dutch Guards charged by the Jacobite cavalry and pushed back into the river, pinning Oxford's Horse who were crossing in support. Buoyed by their success the Jacobite Horse plunged into the bloodied waters determined to prove they could defeat the much vaunted Oxford's as well as the Dutch Guards. A bitter struggle ensued, but in the end the blue coated Williamite horse prevailed . However, they did need to fall back to reform and by doing so pinned the infantry poised to advance. This delay suited James very well. Not only did it use up yet more valuable time, but it also allowed him to recover from a potentially disastrous failure of ammunition supply to his front line units. The Guards' volleys had been accurate and sustained, but their ammunition supply was now exhausted. Civilian drivers would not come forward to deliver the ammunition, so reluctantly the Guards had to fall back to get it for themselves. Their place at the barricades was taken by the support unit (Lord Grand Prior's). The delay in sorting out the Williamite advance, due to the prolonged cavalry melee, gave these new troops time to get into position to face the next wave of attacks. James also found that his elite units were now in position to support either the Oldbridge or flank positions.

More photos are available on flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/wargameamateur


So with everything in the balance, this week's gaming should have plenty of interest.

I did attend the St Helen's show and a very enjoyable 'Sudan' game the same weekend. Hopefully reports on both will follow shortly.

Napoleonic 1813

Planning for the big Napoleonic game is progressing. The OOB rosters for each side have been completed and with a little fudging, two well-matched adversaries have been assembled. The French have the numbers, but their opponents have the advantage of position and like Russians throughout history they have improved that position with earthworks. Each side has three corps commanders and a C in C who controls the reserve.

For years my 'French' army consisted of regiments of Confederation of the Rhine troops, Baden, Wurttemburg etc plus Bavarians and Poles. It is only relatively recently that French units have begun to feature and they were of the line and legere types, no Grenadiers of the Guard for me! This stand against elitism has crumbled in the last couple of years; Fusilier Grenadiers and Fusilier Chasseurs have appeared and also five regiments of Guard cavalry. These were the result of a trip to the Kirremuir show.

Thoughts are now beginning to drift towards the St Helens show, one of my favourite trips of the year; although a couple of years ago a failure in navigation saw me travelling some miles in the wrong direction. There is always a good variety of games and traders and there is usually something of interest on the bring and buy.

Bridges part 2

This week saw the return of the Annexation of Chiraz campaign. The Battle of Cressay continued with more cavalry action on the eastern bank. Regardless of their reduced numbers the gallant Chiraz light cavalry continued to hamper and hinder the progress of the two Electoral League cuirassier regiments. Although pushed back they would reform and return to the fray.
Meanwhile General Marquis de St Evremond fretted at the speed with which his Lorraine forces were deploying into position. Circumstances were not helped by the telling fire laid down on the Lorraine forces by Major Brummer's Electoral artillery. Although two brigades of Lorraine infantry had escaped attention, the rear two were suffering heavy casualties and incurring delays in redresssing ranks and replacing injured officers. Fortunately the grenadier battalions were doing a sterling job covering the bridges and causing some hesitation in the Electoral ranks.
Wilhelm sensed that he was losing the initiative and ordered General von Harding to cross the Goldsmith's bridge without delay. Under cover of a howitzer battery the Electoral infantry began to cross the bridge, glancing nervously at the Lorraine battalions which awaited them on the opposite side. St Evremond was nervous also; he could see that those waiting battalions were losing men with each salvo of shell and there seemed to be many 'assisting' the wounded to the rear. However, his main concern was on the northern flank. The last of the four bridges was covered by the Cressay town guard, a rag-tag assembly of apprentices, tradesment and burghers under the command of the town mayor. If they could hold for another 20 minutes his lead brigade would be in position and his flank would be secure.
It was not to be. The lead electoral curassier regiment (Von Seydlitz - whose inhaber was from a cadet branch of the Prussian Seydlitz's) managed to elude the covering Chiraz light cavalry and dashed for the bridge. The sight of these horsemen was too much for the town guard, which took to their collective heels. Once over the bridge, Seydlitz formed his men up and led them forward towards the nearest brigade of Lorraine infantry, that of General Puilly. When charged one battalion broke and fled, their supports stood and fired a ragged volley, but they were also scattered. Just then an aide galloped up and shouted that yet more Electoral cavalry had been sighted advancing from the south. St Evremond could feel the noose of envelopment tightening around his army. He dare not risk losing such a significant part of the Lorraine forces. Quickly, he issued the orders for retreat. Puilly was to stand and face down the enemy cavalry, but the rest of the forces fell back westwards leaving the day to the Prince Elector.

Wilhelm acknowledged the part played by his subordinates in the victory. Majer Brummer was awarded the Order of the Bear (3rd class)for his handling of the artillery. General von Harding received the Star of St George (2nd class) for the advance over the Goldsmith's Bridge. The main award went to General Seydlitz who was awarded the Electoral Star, with crossed swords and a victory standard for his regiment for his decisive charge.

Planning for June

Brief break in the report on the Battle of Cressay, work reared its ugly head and meant that this week's meeting had to be postponed. However, that gave me the opportunity to start planning a game for next month. It will be a 15mm Napoleonic using the Shako rules (version 1, not the recent publication). Although based roughly on a historic battle, it will cover part of the action rather than the whole thing. This is due to lack of figures and space to do the thing at an appropriate scale. I know that some people like the experience of re fighting the key battles of history using a relatively small number of stands or units and their versions may well be more to scale and able to be finished in an evening. But, for me, if you are commanding IInd Corps it feels better to have 20 battalions, attached artillery and a supporting light cavalry division.















The Russians will be the main opponents for the French and their allies, here are the 5th Division. Standard infantry establishment is 8 line battalions plus 2 Jaeger battalions and two skirmisher stands. In addition the division will also have at least one foot battery. The figures are a mix of various manufacturers, I think the two jaeger battalions at the front are Lancashire Games as are the battalions of the Ingermanland Regiment by the trees. The Russian church is painted by Phil Olley.


In addition to the 4 line divisions there will be a reserve division of Grenadiers. This is not up to



















full establishment yet, only 8 of the planned 12 battalions and as with the line divisions there are a mix of manufacturers. Recently I have started using Fantassin figures for the elite units, they are 'large' 15's and therefore look imposing and although it identifies the shock troops to the opposition, who wants their elite troops to be invisible?

The Russian cavalry are somewhat unbalanced, I am a sufferer that the common disease of the Napoleonic gamer, 'cuirassieritis'. As a result there are more units of cuirassier than any other type of cavalry, there is a definite need for more Hussars and Chasseurs. Here is the division of line cuirassier, the Guard heavies form another division and there is a further one of dragoons. Any more and the table will start to tilt!

A Bridge Too Far?

After a diversion to 17thC Poland for last week's battle, this week saw the return to the Annexation of Chiraz and the continuing efforts of the Electoral League to thwart the ambitions of the Grand Duchy of Lorraine. The Prince Elector Wilhelm von Schlangen-Augen, commanding the forces of the League, was determined that the less than competent efforts of Lord Percy would not hinder his, (Wilhelm's) military ambitions. Anxious that Chiraz and Lorraine would not gain any advantage from Lord Percy's attempts to cross the Junger, the Prince gathered his forces and pushed on with all speed to seize the bridges over the River Cressay.

His vanguard of light cavalry and jaeger reported that the nearest bridge, that of the Goldsmiths, was guarded by infantry behind an improvised barricade and enemy light cavalry were observed to the North.

On the other side of the Cressay a growing dust cloud heralded the approach of more enemy forces and so Wilhelm ordered his cavalry forward to secure the eastern bank of the Cressay.

This opened up a gap between the vanguard and the main body of the army and the commander of the Lorraine forces pushed a second brigade of light cavalry forward to cross the Goldsmith's bridge and cause more delay.


The light cavalry melee flowed backwards and forwards with first one side and then the other gaining an advantage. Just as the second Lorraine light cavalry brigade threatened to overwhelm the Electoral cavalry, support, in the form of Von Seydlitz's cuirassier brigade arrived. In a short, and unequal contest, they overwhelmed their lighter opponents and cleared the way for the Electoral infantry to advance on Goldsmith's bridge.
















By now the main Lorraine forces were arriving, 18 battalions of foot, hurrying to secure the bridges. Wilhelm's own infantry, delayed by the threat posed by the Lorraine cavalry and hampered by the restricted terrain, also began to move northwards hoping to secure the vital bridgehead. The gallant defenders of the Goldsmith's bridge, the Cressay Militia, who had observed the growing enemy strength with some alarm, were delighted to receive the order to fall back to the next line of defence. Their Colonel, an officer in exile, by the name of Mannering, was heard that he would have liked to, "have a go at the them, but had been denied the chance by those half-hearted types across the river". Perhaps fortunately for his men, the orders to withdraw arrived before Mannering could implement his plans.

Phase two of the battle, where the main bodies engage, will be reported on in due course.

Adrift on a raft, or, how not to cross a river

This week saw the return of the Annexation of Chiraz campaign, with the forces of the Electoral League attempting to cross the river Junger against oposition from Chiraz local forces. What follows is a rather wordy account of the events of the day. I will leave it to the reader to decide who played the part of Lord Percy.

The pontoon train and covering force was under the command of Lord Percy Wimppe, who was still confused as to how he came to find himself in this rather awkward situation. Things had started out quite well really. His father had secured him a foreign posting to the court of the Electoral League just as the misunderstandings about the outcome of a gentlemanly game of cards were becoming 'unpleasant'. At the court he pursued his allotted task of promoting the interests of His Majetsy (as Elector of Hanover, rather than King of Britain), in curtailing the influence of the Grand Duchy of Lorraine, and by extension, France. Not only was he quite successful in this, but he had the good fortune to become acquainted with the rather comely daughter of the Grand Duke of Neustadt. Then, with the worsening diplomatic situation it was deemed necessary for Hanover to be represented in the Electoral League forces. The first choice, General Wurmer had the misfortune to be thrown from his horse whilst en route to take command. His replacement General Grosbek was on such bad terms with the overall commander Prince Elector Wilhelm on Schlangen-Augen he refused to be in the same room and returned home within a week. With the timetable for operations set and only 24 hours to go, the burden of representing Hanover had fallen on Lord Percy.
He now stood looking at the grey waters of the Junger with his aide Captain Schwarznatter; "this local chap of yours has organised the rafts hasn't he? It will be dashed awkward if the Prince turns up and we are still on this side"
"Baldric won't let us down" replied Schwarznatter. Just then, some rafts appeared through the early morning mist, drifting gently downstream. "Here he is" said a relieved Schwarznatter.

As the rafts bumped gently against the bank, Lord Percy decided to send one of his light cavalry regiments across first to carry out a reconnaissance. They would be followed by the jaeger and then a brigade of line infantry. The pontoon operation would be covered by the second brigade of line infantry. With the cavalry loaded the barges began to cross the river. To their dismay they saw that enemy forces were in position waiting for them. A volley caused mayhem on one of the rafts as horses, already nervous at being on the raft, broke free from their tethers. Swiftly the local watermen returned to the eastern shore. The senior surviving officer reported to Lord Percy that a mixed force of infantry and cavalry were in position on the opposite bank. Lord Percy decided that infantry was the solution, he would shoot the oppostion away. Confusion reigned on the riverbank as Baldric attempted to sort out the rafts. He ordered two to move back upstream to clear space for some light artillery which would support the second attack. As the two rafts moved slowly away against the current, they came in range of the enemy infantry. A second volley rang out and some of the watermen were hit. Unfortunately one of the casualties was the poleman. One of the rafts began to drift away downstream, across the front of the rafts loaded with infantry. Immediately Baldric ordered one of the rafts loaded with infantry to intercept the drifting raft and take it back under control.

As the two rafts came together volleys began to be exchanged and although a new crewman (actually a 'volunteer' jaeger),was put on the drifting raft, he was wounded before being able to bring the craft under control. Volleys continued to be exchanged, but casualties amongst the Electoral infantry rose inexorably. Baldric sent a second raft to the rescue, with a company of jaeger on board. This managed to reach the raft and men scrambled across, but one unfortunate slipped, disappeared below the surface and was not seen again.

After a great deal of delay, a third attack was organised. A line battalion was loaded onto the rafts, the artillery had a clear field of fire, but the Chiraz forces had retired!
The engineers and pontoon staff had quietly worked away assembling their bridge and its imminent completion had convinced the Chiraz commander that he had done his duty by causing significant delay and confusion. For the loss of a few lightly wounded militia he had caused 25% losses on three units of the Electoral forces. Lord Percy was not looking forward to his meeting with the Prince, especially as he could not seem to find either Schwarznatter or Baldric.





To close some photos of the recent Sudan game where the Dervishes triumphed