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!