Today's offering is a two for one; well, two play tests of one OHW style Scenario.
The Scenario is my version of the battle at the Fords of Isen, the battle in which Theodred, the son of the King of Rohan was killed. It is alluded to in The Lord of the Rings but a more detailed account appears in Unfinished Tales (1980). The rules were OHW (3 hit variant). To replicate the story, Blue's force defending the fords is the dismounted troops (Infantry here) left to guard them, while the relief force is Cavalry. Red's force is a mix of types.
The first play test was an early medieval style battle.
Two units of Infantry guard the fords - the enemy approach |
The enemy cavalry have hit and withdrawn to be replaced by infantry |
More enemy forces arrive on the East bank |
Reinforcements hurtle towards the fords; the troops on the knoll are beset |
The relief force makes an impression, but... |
The disaster of turn 9! One badly battered unit fights on |
The enemy take the fords |
The second attempt was a Horse and Musket affair, again with 3 hit variant OHW rules.
Enemy cavalry breaks through onto the eyot |
The fords are surrounded |
The Cavalry arrive! |
Blue's cavalry repeatedly charge the enemy until they break through. The troops on the knoll have finally succumbed to musket and cannon fire. |
The slashing sabres of Blue's cavalry destroy the remaining enemy force One artillery battery holds on |
Amazing shooting by Red's cannons take out a cavalry unit as it crosses the fords, however they are finally cut down by the remaining cavalry. Blue wins the day. |
Question for you... Picture #3 caption says "The enemy cavalry have hit and withdrawn to be replaced by infantry"
ReplyDeleteAre you playing a variant where units can disengage? I thought, and maybe I'm misremembering, that OHW combat was "fight to the death"?
Reply is further down this thread!
DeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
ReplyDeleteA very interesting idea! Fight the same scenario twice set in different historical periods and then see how they compare. (I am willing to concede that Fantasy is a historical period.)
I hope that you will pursue this concept further.
All the best,
Bob
Thanks Bob! As the OHW scenarios are all for multi-periods I thought I might try mine in a couple.
DeleteIn OHW as written you are correct, close combat would only conclude with the destruction of one of the units involved. In my house rules I allow units to disengage if they have space to do so.
ReplyDeleteNice! I had considered such house rules but never implemented them.
DeleteNicely done. Every time I see your Irregular Miniatures 10mm’s I’m tempted. I have a draft order for more IM stuff - admittedly mostly 2mm & 6mm figure strips - but surely a few 10mm’s wouldn’t go amiss? 😉
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Geoff
Thanks Geoff. The Irregular 10s are quite nicely sculpted but what I really like about them is that they are sold individually so you can buy the number you want rather than say 30 at once!
DeleteGreat scenario and sure colourful set up.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Thanks Alan
DeleteGood to see your scenario given a couple of run throughs, MJT…and a one-all tally for red and blue suggests it’s pretty balanced. 👍🏼
ReplyDeleteCheers Martin - I'll have to try using slightly larger forces in the Ancient/Medieval period next time.
DeleteAn interesting double header! Looks like alot of fun. Out of curiosity, how long did the games take to play?
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark. I find these games usually last no more than 30 minutes. A "One Hour" wargame with 10mm size figures for me playing solo would include setting up and dismantling the game!
DeleteInteresting. About the dame as my Big Battles Small Armies games. My 3x3 games usually take about 15 minutes.
Delete3x3 actions are usually 15-20 mins for me too. Looking forward to reading your BBSA rules 👍
DeleteInteresing comparison between medieval and musket periods...A nice Fords scenario!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil!
Delete