Encircled

Today's offering is a one-off game between those old adversaries Army Red and Army Blue. I used for inspiration Scenario 4 from Scenarios For All Ages (Grant and Asquith), Encirclement or Breakout.

Setting

A column from Army Red has gone too deeply into Blue territory and has become encircled by a far larger enemy force. Sending out scouts under cover of darkness, Red's General identifies a weak spot to the West and determines to attempt a breakout at first light.

Mechanics

I used the Portable Wargame but with reduced movement as the scenario really calls for a much larger playing area. I started off with 30% EP but dropped it as the game progressed as I deemed that the Red force was determined to evade capture and would fight on. The objective was for Red to get at least 3 units plus the C-in-C off the board by the 12th turn, using either the North, East or West sides, as South would take them further into Blue territory. As Blue's force was twice the size of that of Red, I burdened them with a Poor Communication handicap: When rolling for turn initiative, Blue had to throw a d8 to determine how many units could move that turn - all could fire and melee.

The encircled Red force at daybreak

Leaving some of his men to slow down the enemy, the Red General moved West; his scouts had reported that only two battalions of Grenadiers blocked the way and he felt confident that he could push straight through them. Meanwhile Red's artillery was involved in a duel with some of Blue's guns and Heavy Cavalry beset Red's remaining infantry.

Blue's tenacious grenadiers block the way West 

Despite the Red General's confidence, by late morning Blue's Grenadiers held on, his artillery was destroyed and his rearguard was involved in a fighting retreat that would soon join the main force.

Finally one battalion of Blue's stubborn Grenadiers broke, though the second was still stopping Red's Hussars from making headway; however more of Blue's units were approaching from the East.

Red's two potential escapee Units stopped at the board's edge to give covering fire for the rearguard - two units escaping would not be sufficient for victory and it looked like the Hussar's were not going to make it, so all hope was pinned on the third Infantry unit breaking away from Blue's attack.

With the enemy closing in, Red was forced to advance one unit again to try and extricate the Rearguard..

Red's Hussars eventually lost the will and broke and Blue closed in on the beleaguered Red force.

Dwindling numbers make Red's escape unlikely!

At the close of day Red's losses were too heavy to affect a victorious breakout. A few stragglers from the raiding force made it back to Redina, harried all the way by Blue's cavalry.

Defeat for Army Red!

  

 

Though your ship be sturdy, no mercy has the Sea

 The Illyrian invasion of Messaline has come to an end (dice determined) with both sides glaring at each other across the original border. Losses on both sides were high and neither had the will to prolong the conflict. Illyria failed in its bid to absorb the Scampa coalfields and must continue to import coal from its Northerly neighbours. 

The last order of business was a small Naval engagement that took place near to the Cap de Croisé on Map Turn 9, even as peace negotiations were underway.

The two fleets had been slowly sailing to each other since the start of the war, and finally met at the Southerly tip of the peninsula. The fleet of Illyria was the better armed (represented here by a Ship of the Line and a Frigate). Messaline had cobbled together a flotilla of warships and hastily converted transports with deck guns.

The fleets engage

The Ship of the Line, with two gun decks, started with more Flotation Points (FP) and hit dice (5FP 3d6) than the Frigates (3FP 2d6). The lightly armed transports were a mere 2FP and 1d6. Hits were awarded on a 5 or 6.

The better armed Illyrian Warships blow bits off the Messaline vessels

The gallant Messaline fleet makes another pass and inflicts a little damage on the enemy

but inevitably the losses mount and the Illyrians' win the fight 

This was a fun little Campaign! Hope everyone had a good Easter (or nice long weekend if you don't celebrate Easter).

Another day, another Tyrant

 Following on from the last two posts, here are a few more thoughts and another go at God Emperor! (a campaign system based on Mark Cardone's Augustus).

Rules

The following rules are for Solo play where, unlike in my former go, the player is both taking actions and responding to events.

The Random Events Table and additional Glory Points Table (for points earned through the Ruler's self-determined actions) appear in the previous post.

Roman Empire at the end of the reign of Gaius Maudlinus

Example of Play

The former ruler, Gaius Maudlinus has been assassinated by disgruntled Senators. His ambitious nephew, Taedious Maudlinus has taken control and has pledged to make Rome great again (and make himself and his mates a great deal of money).

 

Map showing the position of the Legions

The battles were once again fought using Dominion of the Spear rules and graphics on the PC for units. For year 1's move I determined that Rome could attack one of the three closest areas, two of which involved sea crossings. 

Rome v Illyricum

The Empire has grown in Year 1

and grown some more in Year 2

A short but busy reign for Taedious, and a footnote in History perhaps for grabbing some land.

Multi-Player (or Solo Multi-Ruler)

Two (or more?) rulers could easily be run in parallel with two record sheets and three (or more) dice being rolled for initiative. Perhaps a King of Caledonia has arisen seeking to build an Empire to rival that of Rome..? Both sides would be subject to Random Events that could aid or hamper their ambitions, and when their borders meet there would be a clash of empires. Lots of possibilities, though very little time (sigh). Any thoughts would be welcome.