Seven Years: Saxon attack on Russian positions near Warsaw 1764.

Another game from my fictional Second War of the Polish Succession. This time, it's a Saxon attack on Russian positions near Warsaw. We used the Seven Years' rules, written by Michael.

SCENARIO: Bartek Żynda
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

SAXONY:

(Bartek, Tim)

CinC

1st Infantry Brigade

4 x Grenadier

2nd Infantry Brigade

4 x Muskeeters

2 x Light Gun

3rd Infantry Brigade

4 x Muskeeters

2 x Light Gun

1st Cavalry Brigade

1 x Cuirasiers (Guard)

1 x Dragoons (Guard)

1 x Skirmishers

2nd Cavalry Brigade

2 x Uhlan

1 x Skirmishers

Gun Battery

3 x Medium Gun

2 x Muskeeters (Small)

RUSSIA:

(Jimmy, Michael)

CinC

1st Infantry Brigade

2 x Guard Infantry (Guard)

1 x Grenadiers

1 x Light Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade

3 x Muskeeters

1 x Light Gun

3rd Infantry Brigade

3 x Musketers

2 x Light Howitzers

1st Cavalry Brigade

1 x Cuirasiers

1 x Dragoons

1 x Skirmishers

2nd Cavalry Brigade

1 x Dragoons

1 x Hussars

1 x Skirmishers

Gun Battery

2 x Medium Gun

2. The Game.

In our last game of this fictional war, the Prussians forced the Saxon corps to retreat south. In this game, I aimed to confront the Russians, who, after their victory at Warsaw, sought to influence the Sejm's elections to choose a candidate in line with Tsarina Catherine's wishes. Originally, Austrian forces were supposed to attack these Russian troops, but I didn’t want to compel Michael to bring in Austrians alongside his Russians. As a result, I replaced the Austrians with my Saxons.

The Russians occupied a fortified hill with part of their forces, and the Saxons decided to launch an assault with their main troops. The infantry, positioned in the centre, advanced rapidly, utilising a relatively large number of officers over two rounds. My light artillery took advantage of this situation and managed to destroy one of the Russian musketeer units with their fire. This forced Michael to redirect some of his troops from the field to the redoubt to defend it against the advancing Saxon assault.

The officer's harvest ended as quickly as it began, and in the next two rounds, I had none at all. Given the intense fire from the Russian guns, this situation became very troublesome for me. I began to suffer losses, which turned out to be the only ones I would experience. Meanwhile, the Russians remained passive, waiting for the Saxons to move.

We were finally able to make progress again. While my infantry on the left centre remained held up, those on the right advanced. This was all thanks to Tim, who started clearing the Russian left flank with his Uhlans. They first drove off the Russian dragoons and then the hussars, destroyed two light Russian cannons, and attacked the Russian musketeers on their flank. As a result, the Russian contingent outside the redoubt was completely eliminated!

The Russians attempted to save themselves by launching a cavalry charge on their right flank. Initially, the Russian cuirassiers engaged the Saxon cuirassiers, forcing them to retreat. However, when they charged the Saxon dragoons, the dragoons managed to repel the Russians. In a second round of engagement, the dragoons not only defended successfully but also charged back, ultimately destroying the Russian cuirassiers. As a result, the Russian attack collapsed, leaving the Saxon left flank secure.

With both flanks secured and the Russians suffering heavy losses, a general assault on their stronghold could commence. The Russians attempted to defend themselves by charging their dragoons against the Saxon infantry, but the charge was repelled. Eventually, the first Saxon units breached the battlements of the redoubt. At that moment, however, time for play ran out. The game concluded with a Saxon victory, which, thanks to the Uhlans' fierce charges, compelled the Russians to surrender. Now, with the Sejm safeguarded by the Saxons and the royal regalia in their possession, they could elect a suitable candidate for king.

Russian loses.

Saxon loses.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/1102295478594449

FLICKR: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720332937559

Battlegroup Blitzkrieg: Bridgehead Breakout.

We played another game using the Battlegroup rules, this time focusing on the Blitzkrieg expansion. Mike and I agreed to a 500-point game, with me fielding the Polish forces and Mike commanding the Germans. Michael was there to support me during the game, while Peter, who was originally supposed to support Mike, chose to observe instead.

SCENARIO: Bridgehead Breakout
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda

SCENERY: Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Mike Evans, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

POLES:

(Bartek, Michael)

Forward Headquarters

Wire Team

Infantry Platoon

ATR (Platoon Command)

Heavy Machine Gun Team

Light Mortar Team

ATR Team

ATG (Extra Loader Team + Fiat 621)

Wz.34 (MG) (Scout)

TKS (20mm) (Scout)

Sniper (Scout)

7TP Platoon (3 x 7TPjw)

FT-17 (MG)

Forward Observer Team

Timed 75mm Barrage

75mm Schneider Gun (Extra Loader Team, C4P tow)

100mm Howitzer (Extra Loader Team, C4P tow)

Bofors 40mm AAG (Fiat 621)

2 Officers

32 BR

GERMANS:

(Mike)

Forward Headquarters (car)

Infantry Platoon

ATR Team

37mm ATG (Truck)

4 x Truck

3x80mm Mortar battery (off table)

Panzer II Platoon (1 x Pz.Kpfw. II (Officer) + 4 x Pz.Kpfw.II)

PzKpfw.IV

Sd.Kfz. 223 (Officer, Scout)

Sniper Team (Scout)

Kfz. 13 (Scout)

Sd.Kfz. 231 (Scout)

Motorised Panzerjaeger 37mm ATG (Scout)

4 Officers

34 BR

2. The Game.

This time, we played the Bridgehead Breakout scenario from the main rulebook. I won the roll to decide who would defend the crossing and randomly selected six units for my deployment. I chose a TKS tank, both of guns, a sniper, an artillery observer, and a wz. 34 armoured car. 

Mike had to deploy all his scout units, which totalled five, along with his senior officer. Additionally, Mike made slight modifications to the table I had prepared, creating an open space on the upper side. I planned to aim my 75mm gun barrage at that area during the third round. There were four objectives on the table: the bridge and three farms.

It started with a successful barrage from my 100mm howitzer directed at the German vehicles. I was able to target one of the vehicles with fire, pin it, and ultimately force the crew to abandon it. Soon after, reinforcements began to arrive for both sides, with tanks arriving first, followed by infantry. I called in my officers at the first available opportunity.

My artillery and tanks opened fire on the German armoured cars. The Polish forces delivered very accurate fire, and my 75mm gun battery performed remarkably well. At the perfect moment, a horde of Panzer II tanks appeared as the target. The entire line was pinned down, temporarily halting the German advance and allowing me to move my tanks closer to the front line.

Unfortunately for us, the more mobile German forces eventually broke through to my positions. The German infantry engaged my howitzer crew in hand-to-hand combat. During the encounter, they came under fire from the Polish tanks' machine guns, which proved fatal for them. As a result, the German infantry was unable to continue its attack.

The massive German tank attack was repelled by fire from Michael's TKS tankette and 75mm gun, with support from my third 7TP tank. The Polish defences proved to be much more effective, successfully holding off the Germans. It's important to note that throughout the game, I was unable to connect with command for additional artillery support, and Mike, despite drawing two aircraft tokens, received no air support. Surprisingly, Mike didn't capture any of the objectives, despite the opportunity to do so. Ultimately, the game ended 29-21 in favour of the Poles, who claimed victory.

After playing, we concluded that the 500-point game was too large for a club night, and we'll try to make future games smaller. We also raised a few questions that we'll try to resolve with the game developers, who are very helpful in such situations.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/1102295478594449

FLICKR: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720332797263

Black Seas: West Indies campaign begins.

We played another game using the Black Seas rules, this time kicking off a campaign set somewhere off the West Indies. Jimmy has organised a series of games that we plan to play soon, and the outcomes of these games will impact future ones. Therefore, it was important for us to think strategically about the campaign. Additionally, Jimmy warned us not to lose all our brigs at once. As the saying goes, scenario assumptions are one thing, but reality can be quite different.

SCENARIO: Jimmy
UMPIRING: Jimmy

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Jimmy

1. Forces.

ROYAL NAVY

(Jimmy, Tim)

2 x Frigates

1 x Large Merchant Ship

1 x Medium Merchant Ship

MARINE IMPÉRIALE

(Alasdair, Bartek, David, Michael)

5 x Brig

2. The Game.

A small British convoy was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, heading for the West Indies. However, a group of five French brigs blocked their path. The French mission was to intercept the convoy and inflict maximum casualties on the Royal Navy. Given the British ships' superior firepower and their ability to sail with the wind, this task was particularly challenging for the French. To avoid losing their ships, the French needed to pass the British convoy at maximum speed and, under no circumstances, engage in combat. But where's the adventure and excitement in that? It just seems plain boring, doesn't it?

I devised a plan: I instructed the captains of the other ships not to engage the British under any circumstances. I also divided my squadron into two groups. My brig, along with both of Alasdair's ships, formed the leading force, while David's and Michael's ships made up the reserve. The British advanced in two parallel lines. On their starboard side were Tim's two frigates, while on their port side, Jimmy's merchant ships were hidden behind the frigates.

I aimed to pass the frigates quickly, then turn to starboard. With a favourable tailwind, I planned to attack the British merchant ships. It seemed simple, but I hadn't considered one crucial factor: the strength of the wind.

The first part of the plan went flawlessly. Both my line and David's line moved alongside the British frigates with minimal resistance. Both sides suffered only minor losses, and we successfully drew the frigates away from the merchant ships. It seemed as if my plan was really starting to work. Then, I made the decision to tack...

I was the first to tack, and unfortunately, I had to use my anchor to save myself. Both of Alasdair's ships faced the same challenge. While I managed to tack, Alasdair's ships were pushed in the opposite direction by the wind. On my next attempt, the wind shifted slightly, forcing me to tack again, and once more, I had to use my anchor to save myself. This took a significant toll on my ship's hit points. However, I found myself in a very advantageous position against the British merchantmen. 

Deciding to take another risk, I planned an attempt to board them. First, I sent orders to the remaining French ships to leave the battlefield as quickly as possible, since we were playing a campaign. I then sailed toward the merchantmen, but my boarding attempt failed again! This left me caught between the two merchantmen, who quickly opened fire and sank my ship. So much for my daring action!

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720332715821/