Cruel Seas: Attack on Convoy.

 Last Thursday, we had to postpone our planned game at the club (SESWC Edinburgh) for various reasons and replace it with something else. We decided to play Cruel Seas instead. Tim had just finished painting some new boats, so it was the perfect opportunity to try them out for the first time. Although we had two games planned, we only managed to play one.

SCENARIO: Tim Chant
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant

1. Forces.

ROYAL NAVY

(Alasdair, Michael, Mike, Peter, Tim)

2 x FAIRMILE D. 

2 x VOSPER MTB I

1 x VOSPER MTB II (Veteran)

1 x CARGO SHIP (6pdr gun)

1 x TANKER SHIP

KRIEGSMARINE

(Bartek, David, Mark)

2 x S-38 class (Veteran)

2 x S-100 class

2. The Game.

We split our boats into two teams. David and Mark took the S-38 and acted as a decoy, while my S-100 was to carry out the main torpedo attack. The objective of the mission was to target the convoy, and completely sinking it would secure victory for the Germans.

In the beginning, everything was going as planned, but then we encountered some problems, mainly because of David's boat. First, Mike's boat collided with it and sank, and then it collided with Mark's boat, causing serious damage to our other boat. Our boats were further damaged by new British boats commanded by Alasdair and Michael. As a result, we lost both of our boats. However, this allowed me to launch the torpedoes. The first of them hit their targets but failed to detonate, while the other one exploded and sank the cargo ship. I had to change course and launch more torpedoes, but the Fairmile boats were causing significant damage to my boats with their big guns. Despite this, I managed to launch the torpedoes, but they all missed. Unfortunately, accurate British fire sank our next boat, and the last one was forced to retreat. The game ultimately ended in a draw because half of the cargo didn't reach its destination. It was my first draw this year.

3. Links.

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720317391812

Harlem Heights. 16.09.1776.

Here is a report from a recent game played at our club (SESWC Edinburgh): The Battle of Harlem Heights, which took place on September 16, 1776, during the American War of Independence. The scenario was prepared by Michael. We played using Black Powder rules, incorporating some of our House rules, such as an inverted turn sequence (initiative, shooting, orders, melee, reinforcements) and fatigue movement (100% for the first move, 50% for the second, and 25% for the third).

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

UNITED KINGDOM

(Alasdair, Bartek)

On table:

Major-General Alexander Leslie (8)

1 x British Light Infantry (Large)

Reinforcements:

Turn 3:

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Stirling (8)

1 x British Line Infantry (Large)

1 x 6pdr Gun

Turn 6:

Colonel Carl von Donop (8)

1 x Hessian Grenadiers

2 x Jaeger Companies (small, skirmish)

Turn 8:

Major-General Charles, Earl Cornwallis (9, CinC)

1 x British Line Infantry

Turn 10:

Major-General Sir John Vaughn (8)

2 x British Grenadiers

COLONISTS

(David, Mark, Tim)

On table:

Brigadier Gen. John Nixon (8, CinC)

1 x Militia

Reinforcements:

Turn 1:

5 x Continental Infantry

Turn 3:

Lieut. Col. Thomas Knolton (8)

1 x Rangers (small, skirmishers)

1 x Riflemen (small, skirmishers)

Turn 4:

3 x Militia

1 x 6pdr Gun

Turn 5:

Brigadier General Paul Sargent (8)

2 x Militia

2. The game.

The game began with a British Light Infantry unit under my command and a militia unit led by Tim. We had the advantage at the start, so I fired at the militia and launched an attack. After a brief hand-to-hand fight, the militia unit was destroyed. I then returned to my starting position and observed as the Continental troops entered the battlefield. Meanwhile, Tim took a more challenging route through the wetlands, which slowed down his movement. Alasdair later joined my forces with his brigade, and we formed the first line of defence. We planned to retreat under enemy pressure, secretly hoping to survive until the main forces arrived. As the colonists' pressure intensified, we had to retreat while constantly fighting back, using accurate fire and successful charges, resulting in the colonists losing another unit.

David and Mark joined the fight. Mark attacked from the front, while David flanked us. Fortunately, our reinforcements arrived and saved our flank. Despite continued pressure from the Colonists, I survived and destroyed another unit. We halted their advance at a small river when our main forces appeared. We were then able to retreat safely behind our lines. The Colonists didn't dare to attack our main forces, and the battle ended in a British victory.

During this battle, only the Colonists suffered losses: 2 x Militia and 1 x  Continentals.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/05/haarlem-heights-16th-september-1776-awi.html

SESWC:

To be updated soon...

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720317122465

Wowgram 1809.

Last Thursday at our club (SESWC Edinburgh), we gathered to play using my favourite Black Powder system. The game was a Napoleonic game, enhanced with the Clash of the Eagles supplement. This time, we played for points, specifically 600 points. Michael together with Mike led his Austrians, while I with David led my Duchy of Warsaw.

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider, Bartek Zynda
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider, Bartek Zynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Zynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider, Bartek Zynda

1. Forces.

DUCHY OF WARSAW

(Bartek, David)

General of Division (9)

1st Infantry Brigade

General of Brigade (8)

4 x Infantry Battalion

1 x Regimental Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade

General of Brigade (8)

4 x Infantry Battalion

1 x Regimental Gun

Cavalry Brigade

General of Brigade (8)

2 x Ułan Regiment (veteran)

1 x Horse Gun

AUSTRIA

(Michael, Mike)

General of Division (8)

1st Infantry Brigade

General of Brigade (8)

1 x Jaeger Battalion (large)

3 x Line Battalion (large)

1 x Regimental Battery

2nd Infantry Brigade

General of Brigade (8)

1 x Jaeger Battalion (large)

2 x Line Battalion (large)

1 x Regimental Battery

Cavalry Brigade

General of Brigade (8)

1 x Dragoon Regiment (large)

4 x Chevalier Leger (small)

1 x Horse Gun

2. The game.

Everything went according to plan. With the advantage of light cavalry, the Austrians had to deploy first. We also initiated the game. The main objective of the game was to capture a hill in the middle of the battlefield, worth 10 points. We used a scoring system that awarded points for destroyed units, taken directly from the supplement. We advanced and successfully captured the hill in the first turn. Our attack on the Austrian flank was also successful, resulting in the destruction of two of their battalions. Unfortunately, our cavalry did not support our attack and lagged behind, which would soon come back to haunt us.

The Austrians fell back and reorganized. However, they launched a more effective attack on our positions, managing to push me down the hill and separate my brigade from David's. Our situation looked grim, but I spotted an opportunity. If I could regain the hill and eliminate one of the Austrian battalions, we might still have a chance to win. I launched an attack but unfortunately, I was defeated, leading to our ultimate loss in the game.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/05/1809-wowgram-austrians-defeat-duchy-of.html

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720316995703