Vimerio, Maciera 1808, game 2

 Attack orders, Light Company 4th Foot.

Gentlemen,
let me introduce Lt. Schmidt, 60th Rifles, who comes to us highly commended. A fine light infantryman I'm sure. His support will be much needed as we attack tomorrow, after dawn. Due to our recent losses we will reorganise into 4 line groups and a skirmish group plus of course Mr Schmidt's Rifles. Sgt. Jaggers will command our skirmish group and Mr. Wellard and myself will command the line.

We will deploy from the road but I would be obliged if the Lord Farthingdale could find us a deployment point on our right flank.
I suspect the French will make a stand behind the river line hence I plan to dominate the bridge position. Jaggers and Schmidt will advance on our right flank, hopefully guided by Lord Farthingdale. If they can get into the large field they should be able to take the bridge under enfilade.

The line will take our left flank. The large walled field may provide a good position to take the bridge under fire from the left flank.
If we can break the Frog morale by taking them under a crossfire then all well and good; if not we will have to take their deployment point. Of course this may require us to storm the bridge; if so, Wellard and myself will take half the line each with one half providing covering fire for the other.
Good luck gentlemen and make sure that you get a good night's sleep.
Quilp, Captain, Light Company 4th  Foot
(or as they say in Egyptian hieroglyph Q-l-p)
(Captain Quilp it seems never forgets his sacrifice at the battle of Aboukir)

The French line takes the centre, advancing quickly.  The 4th Foot had a difficult stream to cross, and I will leave it to the pictures to narrate the progress of the game.
  

Schmitt and his rifles engage.  Jaggers hides behind a house.

Wellard moves his two groups to attack across the bridge

Quilp crosses the stream advancing against skirmishers

Sergeant Grand-Jambe begins to lose men to Schmidtt's rifles

The sad death of Sergeant Grande-Jambe

Swiftly followed by the sad death of Leutnant Schmiddt

The French skirmishers retreat into the buildings

Quilp and his two groups clear the buildings with their bayonets

The central battle, Wellard goes bayonet to bayonet with the French

Jaggers still hides behind the building, letting the rifles take any casualties

Wellard drives off the French

Quilp, Wellard and Jaggers

The 4th Foot follow up the routing French and take position as ordered on Vimiero Hill.  They win the last 25 victory points.  Below they can see the full army of General Junot camping for the night.  It seems a full battle will occur on the 21st.  Nearby a company of the 60th Rifles is encamped.  

Their Captain, the famous (some say infamous or even notorious) von Wießmehr, is somewhat annoyed that one of the 4th Foot Officers, a Lieutenant Darcy, who has apparently deserted during a fight on this flank.  He is equally annoyed that Lieutenant Schmidt, a promising young officer, has been killed under Captain Quilp`s command.   

The Captain asks you to join him for dinner and it appears that he has General Wellesley with him..."

"Ah Quiliup, how awe you my dear fellow?  Well done.  Hope my Telethscope came in useful, what!!  It theams that we will have a battle heawre tomowwow."  You will both hold this pothision.  Any Qwethions?" 

The all out attack on Ventosa, Vimeiro 1808

Green Orders:

"My dear Count, come in have a drink. Ah, you already have - excellent. Now I know you were a little disappointed not to get in on the action last time out but now that we have these cowardly crapauds on the run it is time for you and your brave men to strike a blow for freedom, for Portugal!". Sgt Feuct gets out his penny whistle and we sing a popular fado song "Meu jumento está morto". The Count staggers from the tent in tears.

The Portuguese will advance straight along the road and cross the bridge, Sgt Ferrigno will accompany them.

Lt Darcy will take command of the elite rifle group and along with the other two skirmish groups, commanded by Sgt's Feuct and Lime respectively, they will advance past the two small buildings, across the stream and occupy the orchard/vineyard.

Lt. Snetterton-Lewis and myself will command the Line groups and occupy the environs of the two large buildings.

Once the Portuguese have drawn the French fire and the skirmish groups are in a position to give covering fire the Line groups will advance across the stream upon the two small buildings.

"Blood is what we require gentlemen. The bloodier the better".

Ventosa 20th August 1808: The All Out Attack

Ventosa... and yes that is my wargames journal in use once again. 

Captain von Wießmehr assaults the village of Ventosa early on the morning of the 20th August.  His plan is followed successfully, but it is the French Voltiguers who initially gain the upper hand.

The Portuguese march towards the bridge and the Captain realises that there has been some desertion from their ranks during the night.  In fact The Count of Pantalones is leading only one group.  As these are shot to pieces the Count gallantly stands his ground, until he is forced to lead a pitiful remnant in retreat.    

Lieutenant Darcy, commanding the skirmishers is wounded and swoons to the ground, although his men can`t see a mark on him.  It may be his injured pride, or perhaps I am prejudiced...

Sergeant Lime valiantly holds his own, but he too is shot down.  Whistling his famous theme tune he expires, still holding onto his well stuffed purse.

 

Von Wießmehr reluctantly sends Sergeant Feuct to command his skirmish line.  The Wachtmiester is an old hand at this and swiftly throws back the French.  

Caught between the skimishers, now holding the orchard and the advancing line the French are swiftly thrown back.  Their Officer orders a retreat but it is too late and the French are routed.  The Rifles pursue as far as Vimiero hill, gaining their last 25 victory points.  

Qunicy, Sergeant Feuct, the Count, Binky and William the bugler.

Captain von Wießmehr is halted however by the sight of General Junot's army, finally having emerged from Lisbon it can be seen camping some distance off.  Quincy has lost an Officer and a Sergeant.  Mr Darcy has gone missing, presumed run away, and Sergeant Lime is no more. 

By late afternoon General Welleseley himself appears:

"Ah Qwinthy, well dwone old Gwerman fellow.  Hold here.  We will see Gweneral Junot off tomowwow I think."   

The Sea Peoples: A final basing session

Almost the last thing I had to do to complete the Bronze age collection was a basing.  I have a phobia of static grass, since I am quite convinced that breathing it in is deadly.  This means that I am very much old school, and prefer flock.  For the Sea Peoples it was to be Javis "sand" coloured flock (well, brown ok?) over a dusting of real Cyprus sand collected nearby.  

The completed Sea Peoples and Canaanites.

Sand is one thing there is a lot of here, but even so this was a lot of figures!

I then wet this down with a 50/50 PVA and water mix.  

It sets like concrete.

So this is very much a before and after set of photographs.  The dipping is still to do of course, and during that process some of the dip runs into the base to give a darker more lived in look to the ground texture.  

By Vectron's Over-Mighty Sporran, they are numerous!

   

Old Nestor on his detachable base.  Nestor can dismount from his chariot and attach to this 2p size steel washer. 

19th August 1808, afternoon: Dawns and Departures

Red Force

Captain Quip's victory over the French on the morning of 19th August has allowed him to catch the end of the main French brigade column, and gain 25 victory points.

(Captain von Wießmehr commanding the green force has also defeated the French facing him, on the evening of the 18th, winning his 25 points.)

Quilp was also informed of the loot he had captured...

"You have captured the French baggage, including a beauteous Italian Marchesa who claims to be General Delaborde’s mistress.  She asks that you call her “Kitten...” 

There is also a wagon load of church silver that the Bishop of Oporto will want for himself.  This was clearly the same wagon seen yesterday heading from San Paulo. 

The French are in full retreat, but their fat and cowardly Officer once again survived the rout and exploding cart.

The Staff Officer Sir Augustus Farthingdale briefly appeared, but has gone again after urging you to press the French tomorrow.  He left no explanation for the mistake about the roads, but you are probably right to blame his son, currently serving as your exploring Officer, and still drunk...  It was after all this same Lieutenant who guided you onto this road.

You have really started to dislike them both.  

Your men are in excellent morale and you have retained the initiative.

You have captured area 17.  The area to the south (22) is woodland probably a day’s march from here.   

Your exploring Officer asks for instructions.  Wellard and Jaggers are really not getting on, and Sergeant Jaggers has taken to talking to his mother, who seems to be inside his hat.  It`s Maida all over again...

19th August 1808

Red Force

Captain Quilp,

You press the French Southward, contacting them again in area 22, gaining 50 more victory points (now 75%) as they flee into the trees that fill the valley here.

As you reach the woods on the afternoon of the 19th August (Area 22) Sgt. Jaggers reports to you from the rear of your column.  "Green jackets catching up with us Sir... Chose men, with red cuffs MOTHER ..I mean sir...  60th Regiment, mostly is German Foreigners."

How helpful.  Minutes later a small file of riflemen moving at quick-time reaches you and a young Lieutenant of the 60th rifles looks at you with some puzzlement.  "Lieutenant Wilhelm Schmidt  Sir, 60th Rifles.  Excusing Herr Kapitain but I vos expecting der Hauptmann von Wießmehr sir...?"  It transpires that these are reinforcements for the Green force.  You may now take them under your command.   It means that the mercurial Captain von Wießmehr will probably receive your promised 4th Foot Lieutenant on the other road.  It`s a good swap since these look like picked riflemen and you may now field another skirmish group, as well as an Officer.

This is just as well since you lost nine men in the last fight.  Three have returned to duty, three are wounded and have been left behind and the remainder killed.  Father O'Radical read a fiery sermon over them, apparently they were protestants and are going to hell.  Nice for morale.  You can still organise four line groups and two skirmish, using these riflemen.

Maciera

Your Exploring Officer declares the woods free of French, but he has seen them defending a small easily crossed stream before the village of Maciera in area 27.  You will reach them in time to attack at dawn on the 20th.  Your exploring officer tells you he has been eating the local forest mushrooms.  The man`s eyes are revolving around his skull.  He sways... Fortunately Wellard has been pressing the French and he can confirm all of this.

You have used Five sacks of supplies and have three remaining.  Sgt Jaggers has taken to riding the spare donkey, at the rear of the column talking to his MOTHER in his hat, telling her that “Mr Wellard ain’t no proper H’officer, no he ain`t.”  Or perhaps he thinks the donkey is his mum? 

*Historical note.  The eminent historian Dr Winston Snodgrass, who chronicled the history of the 4th Foot, records that Sergeant Postelthwaite Jaggers kept a picture of Lady Manners, the Colonel's wife in his shako.  The picture had been stolen from the Colonel's baggage soon after the battle of Maida in 1806.  The pocket book of Ensign Wellard records Jaggers as an arch enemy.  The national Gallery holds Joshua Reynolds portrait of a young Sir Courtleigh Manners and his wife on their estate (circa 1790) with a small urchin (now believed to have been Jaggers) among the estate folk in the background. 

Green Force

Captain von Wießmehr,

You press the French Southward, contacting them again in area 24, gaining 50 more victory points. (now 75%) During the early afternoon of the 19th the French flee through the village of Ventosa (area 29)

As you reach area 29, Sgt. Ferigno, (he is such an angry boy) reports to you from the rear of your column.  "Ein roter-Mantel offizier nähert sich vom hinteren Kapitän?  So sorry, a Redcoat Officer, from behind us on the road, Ja?"

How helpful.  Minutes later an Englishman on a tired grey mare reaches you, a young Lieutenant of the 4th Foot, who looks at you with some puzzlement.  "Lieutenant Darcy Sir, 4th Foot.  Excuse me but I was expecting Captain Quilp sir...?" 

It transpires that he is the reinforcement for the Red force.  You may now take him under your command.   It means that Captain Quilp will probably receive any reinforcements meant for you.  In the meantime you get Darcy!  Actually however, and against all the odds, he looks competent.  The Wactmeister approves of him, which probably means he is a good Officer! 

Ventosa

Your Exploring Officer declares the area ahead free of French, but he has seen them preparing to defend the village of Ventosa in area 29.  You will reach there in time to attack at dawn on the 20th.  

Your exploring officer tells you he has seen the Devil, and that he is with the French.  The devil is apparently an Italian Officer in the French army... You hope he doesn't mean that Capone character...

You have used five sacks of supplies and have three remaining.  By the morning of the 20th you will have only two.  

Sgt Feuct has been inspecting the rifles of your men and declares himself satisfied.  He recommends that you promote the following to Chosen men.  Privates Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Ludgren, Van Damme, Seagal and Norris, all good Germans... apart from that Norris fellow.  This would create an elite skirmish group.  The Wactmeister is using the spare donkey to carry his captain's baggage. 

The Scenario is "All Out Attack," and the green force has the option to carry out a hasty attack within the terms of the scenario.

Scenario: All out attack

This game is a Battle.  The attacker is seeking to defeat his opponent in a decisive manner with an option for a hasty attack.  

                                                                                                           

DEPLOYMENT POINTS

The defender, Blue, chooses which edge he and then places his main Deployment  Point anywhere within the shaded area.

The  Red attacker  then chooses where he places  his  Primary Deployment Point, anywhere within 6” of his table edge.  The Blue player and then the Red player then place any secondary Deployment  Points they have available.                                                                                                           

Should  the attacking player wish,  he may declare this to be a Hasty Attack.  In a Hasty Attack both sides are in some disorder, possibly deploying from column of march straight into action, or having been surprised.               

Roll a D6 for each Group attempting to deploy onto the table.  On a roll of  4 to 6 they are delayed and may not deploy.  They may attempt to deploy again when the opportunity next arrives.         

OBJECTIVE

The objective will generally be set by the campaign situation.  However, if Red captures Blue’s Primary Deployment Point, the game will end immediately.

TERRAIN REQUIREMENTS

Any road running through the table will run from left to right.

Captain Quilp and the exploding wagon

Morning 19 June 1808

Captain Quilp's orders for the Rearguard scenario echoed Captain von Wießmehr's; an advance along one flank.  

The French had however prepared some surprises.  I had already created a set of battlefield random events for this campaign and Captain Quilp triggered one of these.  It transpired that a French artillery piece had broken a wheel, and was stuck in the middle of the road.  

The French Commander had loaded the cannon with a double shot of canister, strictly a one shot weapon.  There was then the possibility that this would simply explode the gun, or that it would be a glorious attack, or both!

Captain Quilps orders were:

Gentlemen,

We appear to be on the wrong road; I shall certainly be having words with our so-called Exploring Officer  ‘the Lord’ Farthingdale – drunk as a lord more like.

No matter, back to the task in hand; we’re here to fight the French and by God there they are! What’s that Wellard, sheep? What do you mean sheep? Let me put me best spectacles on. Ah sheep, I see what you mean. So where are the French? Dammit man, I know they’re out there; I can feel it in me water. I’m told they are in retreat and I intend to cut them off.

Wellard you will take the Skirmish groups and myself and Jaggers will follow with the line. We will advance using the cover of the two small orchards and work our way down the left flank.  My compliments to the Lord Farthingdale and I would be most obliged if he could use the cover of the orchards and the small hill to find us a deployment point in the region of the hill.

The battlefield had been generated in Dawns and Departures.  The French placed a secondary deployment marker on the Hill.  The British placed theirs at the edge of the hill, just inside the orchard. 

Wellard lead two joined groups of skirmishers up the hill, (and yes, one of these is a group of Oels jager serving as British lights) only to discover that the French also had a two group formation. Wellard is however first and foremost a drill Sergeant and his shoutiness inspired his men.  

His dice rolls were excellent and he had soon whittled down the Voltiguers, killing their Officer and breaking their formation.  

Quilp managed to deploy his two groups and move forward.  

Sergeant Poselthwaite Jaggers however somehow managed to get among the trees...  "Apple trees MOTHER.  We likes apples." 

As the French main body appeared on the hill Wellard has a pop at it, but with little effect.  He withdrew his skirmishers and took his place with Sergeant Jaggers in the line.  "Wellard is it MOTHER?  Not a proper Officer!"

Quilp now advanced against the French line, which seemed to be standing about waiting for him.  Actually I wanted to draw the 4th Foot forward into the trap.  As Quilp advanced again I triggered the one shot French artillery attack on the tiffin chip.  A mixed success, since it killed two of Quilp`s men, and inflicted four shock, but also exploded killing the crew.  

Jaggers cries of "God's voice MOTHER, I hear god's voice!" did nothing for his personal morale.  Indeed Jaggers own poker chip didn`t reappear for the whole game.

Wellard however drew two flags and his number 2 chip to volley and charge the French, seeing them off in fine style.  So much for that tactic of sitting on a hill!

Inspired by this Captain Quilp did the same.

British losses were a hefty 9 men. 

The French Losses were 14 men.

Captain Quilp holds the field and the initiative, as well as plundering the French baggage, where he discovered the Marchesa di Arsoli (Kitten to her friends) General Delaborde's mistress.  There also appears to be a great deal of stolen silver plate. 

Quilp gains 25% of the victory points having contacted the rear of Delaborde's retreating brigade column, now in some disarray.

As Quilp prepares to advance again he meets with Colonel Augustus Farthingdale, riding ahead of Sir Arthur's advance with the main army.

"Ah, Qwilup, ain`t you on the wong woad old boy?  Nevwer mind, splendid job and all that.  Pwess on my boy, pwess on."  with that he leaves, heading back up the road towards Quinta Gruga.  

Meet the Achaeans

This post I had intended to highlight our play-testing for WorLard III. Unfortunately, the batteries ran out on my camera after just one shot! On the plus side, with that one quick snap, I did manage to get a picture of the club's rather nice model of Troy, which will form a splendid backdrop to our game.

Troy

With only two more club nights before WorLard (gulp!) we really need to be finishing off now. Fortunately, the rules seem to be coming together quite nicely with only a few issues yet to fix. I guess we will only really know on the day but they have already given some entertaining club games so they are at least looking promising.
Figure wise we have Matt's magnificent collection of Foundry Trojan Wars figures to fall back on, which should ease the pressure off Jim's painting schedule. My Achaeans are now complete so at least that's one side sorted. With that in mind let's take a closer look at the Achaean army.

At the moment the Achaean army will be lead by three 'Heroes'. Ultimately, I will give these appropriate names but for now we're going with names from the Iliad. Hopefully, using names that most players should recognise will add a bit of colour to the proceedings. So here we see Agamemnon, Achilles and Meneleus; accompanied by an unamed Hero as a Force Morale marker. In my head I see the morale marker as Agamemnon but I suppose we could call him Nestor for the day.

Achaean command

Much of the time our Heroes will be swanning about the battlefield on their chariots. At the moment I have no plans for an actual chariot force for the Achaeans but the Trojans will get one for the day. On the down side, if this works, I may eventually have to buy some more chariots! I will probably detail my rationale for this and my version of Homeric warfare in a later post.

Achaean mounted command

Mycenaean warrior vase

Sea People

Most of the fighting in the Iliad appears to consist of throwing spears. Hence, the bulk of the army will consist of spearmen. I've gone for figures that have a Late Bronze Age look based  upon the Mycenaean warrior vase and the Egyptian depictions of the Sea Peoples.

Warlord Achaeans

There doesn't seem to be any differentiation between armoured and unarmoured units, in the Iliad, so all units will consist of a mixture. The bulk of my figures are from the Warlord Achaean and Sea People ranges with a few Foundry sculpts thrown in. Below we see a typical group of Achaean spearmen. I have four such groups.

Newline & Foundry

I've tried to keep the slightly larger figures in separate groups, so here we see a mixture of Newline and Foundry figures. I have one such group, although I suspect I might replace these with Warlord figures eventually.

Achaeans with Dipylon shield

It is also clear, from the Iliad, that some of the Achaeans were a cut above the rest; 'elites' if you like. The troops led by Ajax and especially Achilles being a prime example. Hence, I have 2 groups of 'elites' in my force.

Achaeans with Dipylon shield

It helps to have distinctive looking figures so that the 'elites' can be easily distinguished. For this reason I have gone for troops with the so-called Dipylon shield. I was dubious about this at first as the evidence for this shield type in the Late Bronze Age is a bit thin on the ground but it does remain a possibility and is nicely distinctive.

Spot the Myrmidon

There is a school of thought that the Dipylon shield developed into the later Boeotian shield, which looks a lot like the shields carried by the Myrmidons in the film Troy. Hence, my 'elites' will of course be Myrmidons.

Newline archers

Last but not least we have the archers. These represent contingents such as the Locrians but should really be a mix of slingers and archers. The only slingers I could find were au naturale, as depicted in early Mycenaean art, but troops with tackle out didn't really fit with the intended look so I stuck with bowmen.

Warlord don't do archers so these are Newline; the Foundry version are also very nice. I have two groups of 6 archers but I am only fielding one group at the moment. The extra figures will allow me to use units of mixed spear and bow but that is for a future development.

shock markers (Warbases casualty dials)

And finally, we have the shock markers and yes the rules do generate a lot of shock!





So there we have it, the Achaeans currently stand at 3 Heroes with chariots, 2 groups of Myrmidons, 5 groups of spearmen and 1 group of archers.

I have a few ideas on how to improve these but lets get the Trojans done first. With a bit of luck I hope to have made a good start on these by April; ready to face Uriah's Sea People.