Of Shakos and Machine Guns

 A long time ago I planned to do some Early WW1 games and duly bought some 20mm figures from Irregular Miniatures. The project stalled, as so many do, and the figures languished part painted in a drawer. Recently I rediscovered them and have finished enough for a PW game.

At that time I was basing figures individually and adding static grass etc. These days I go for plain multi bases as it means I might actually get round to finishing a few units in a reasonable time frame (ie ever). This is by way of explaining the strange appearance of mixed basing styles.

The Setting - Le dernier jour de la Belle Epoque

It is August 1914. The German Army has invaded neutral Belgium, aiming to rush through into North France and capture Paris. The Belgians aim to hold the German Army allowing the French and British time to come to their aid.

The game features a small sector in East Belgium. The German objective is to get at least 3 units across the board, to simulate their advance, by Turn 15. The Belgian objective is to stop the Germans.

The German force is 7 units strong. 4 Line Infantry, 1 Jaeger (Elite) 1 Uhlan, 1 Machine Gun

The Belgian force has 6 units. 2 Line Infantry, 2 Chasseurs a Cheval, 1 Carabinier (Elite), 1 Machine Gun (dog-pulled). Half of the Force did not arrive until Turn 3.

The Belgians got the initiative and quickly set up defensive positions behind walls.

The Germans advanced along a farm track (actually Warbases' River sections)

The German plan was to rush forward and get the required number of units over the enemy's base line as soon as possible. Unfortunately things soon bogged down...

..until the German Army reached Exhaustion Point at Turn 9

Exhaustion Point!

At Turn 10 the German force withdrew rather than continue to take casualties. The Belgian's had succeeded in stalling the enemy, in this sector at least. 

 

A Lunchtime FP 3x3 PW

 With the (artificial) deadline of Christmas looming, time seems to be in even shorter supply. To that end a Fast Play 3x3 Portable Wargame over lunch seemed appropriate, with a very rapid write-up!

Barbarians (top of picture) are, as usual, attacking The Empire. Their objective is to capture and plunder the town. 

The Empire Army seized the initiative and took control of the town early in the battle. The Barbarians attacked...

..Calamity! The Barbarian Leader fell. His men bravely fought on.

Both sides suffered many casualties, but the Barbarians had lost too many to continue the fight.

The Empire holds firm for now.