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Please Note: This blog contains poorly painted toy soldiers that may offend those of an aesthetically sensitive disposition.

Saturday 17 August 2019

Battle is Joined

Background

Albionia's colony on the Uqbal sub-continent is bordered to the North by a wilderness of hills and deserts that are inhabited by fiercely independent tribesmen. To the East is the Kingdom of Uqbalistan, formerly a useful puppet state and ally, but recently, under the new King, becoming a potential problem. The small Army of Uqbalistan had been trained and equipped by Albionia and was a handy tool in the fight against slave-traders and troublesome desert tribesmen. The new King has raised many conscript regiments, arming them with old muskets, and spies report tribes from the hills and deserts are in his pay.   In a recent dispatch to the Motherland, the Governor of Albionian Uqbal has warned His Majesty's Government that there is a high probability of conflict with the Kingdom of Uqbalistan.

Albionian military keeping a close eye on the border, for good reason

Game

A force from the Army of Uqbalistan has moved across the border and is currently occupying the last stop of the Trans-Uqbal Railway.

Went for a Joseph Morschauser look here...

A column of Albionian troops rush to repulse the invaders.

Dirigible's view of the battlefield
Conscripts defend the Station with Regular troops held in reserve
The Uqbalistan General and a battalion of Regulars behind the Railway Station

Early action on Albionia's right flank (the Uqbali Cavalry are "Heroic" 28mm)

Albionian Infantry march to rifle range (outside of musket range)


The sharp shooting of the Guards removes all the enemy gunners 
The enemy artillery being killed off by the fine shooting of the Guards battalion, the Uqbali General moved his regular infantry up to the walls, which proved to be the turning point of the battle...

The loss of their commander brings the Uqbalistan Army close to exhaustion point

Uqbali forces fall back to avoid casualties but by Turn 7 Exhaustion Point is reached

Having reached Exhaustion Point, the Army of Uqbalistan could take no more decisive action and was gradually reduced by long range shooting from the Albionian troops. On the left flank the Caledonian Greys destroyed the dessert tribesmen and threated the enemy rear. The invaders pulled out and retreated back over the border leaving the Albionian Army to await reinforcements and new orders.
This game did not turn out how I expected, due to a lucky shot by a Guardsman that took out the General, which always makes things more interesting! Putting the conscripts with their muskets (50% shorter range than rifles) to the front was a mistake, as two battalions of the rifle-armed regulars didn't even get to move before Exhaustion Point was reached - fortunes of war etc. Until next time, thanks for visiting.

19 comments:

  1. "Went for a Joseph Morschauser look here..."

    and you achieved it!

    A nice little game and report. It occurred to me today (while looking at Morschausers book by coincidence) that I no longer had any "armies" organized for a Morschauser type game with 1 stand units. Luckily I have some collections that are in hiatus and can be considered for filling that gap.

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    1. I meant to say that this is a spark for me to do that. Would be great in conjunction with OHW using double the number of units to maintain the troop frontage to terrain ratio.

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    2. Thanks Ross. It's those few classic pictures of Britain's 54mm colonial figures on a grid that I keep going back to.

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  2. You certainly achieved the"Morschauser" look and a enjoyable battle report.

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  3. I too really like the look of the game. What make are the figures? Are some Airfix guardsmen?

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    1. Hi Tradgardmastre. Most of the figures are from Irregular Miniatures. The slightly larger (Egyptian army) figures are from Redoubt. I did originally plan to do this style of wargame in 1/72nd / 20mm, but those lovely old Airfix Guardsmen have got SO expensive second hand.

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  4. Great battle Jack, love the narrative.

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  5. Now that's Old School wargameing at its finest.
    I remember having similar looking armies as the target for my my early wargames, though sadly never acheived. (I blame Britains' Knights)
    Great aar btw.

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    1. Thanks Joe. I loved Britain's knights too, especially Swoppets. I liked the colourful Timpo ones as well.

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  6. An inspiring battle report, which I would love to mention on my blog. Do I have your permission to do so, including copying several of you photos?

    All the best,

    Bob

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  7. Love the classic Joseph Morschauser look here, the book was in my school library and I think it lived in my house more than on the shelves there. You've really captured the look and feel of a bygone age.

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    1. Thanks Don - I used to have Donald Featherstone's War Games on permanent loan!!

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  8. What a lovely report with beautiful minis and terrain, really nice!

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