My life has become quite busy lately, so I’ve had less time for blogging. My wargaming life has also become very busy - which is a good thing - but it has affected how regularly I post. It’s time to fix that, and today I’m reporting on a game we played two weeks ago.
Jimmy ran another game from his West Indies campaign. This time, the French were out to attack a larger convoy. I’ve decided to present what happened on the table as a brief guide to losing a game. Please take it with a pinch of salt.
UMPIRING: Jimmy
1. Forces.
2. The Game.
Step One: Have a crazy tactic!
The French were once again on course to intercept a British convoy. This time, the convoy’s security detail was much closer to the convoy’s units. Instead of using the tactics that had proven effective in previous games, the French decided to cut across the convoy’s course, scatter it, and then try to compel enemy ships to surrender. I also had a plan in mind that could hasten this outcome. It was very risky and could have cost us several units. But whatever—it’s a campaign game, after all, and we don’t need to worry about future games, right? Right?
Step Two: If you spot your mistakes, don't correct them!
The French, moving ahead of the approaching convoy, exposed themselves to heavy fire from the British guns. Several times, the British managed to Crossing the T, forcing some vessels to strike their colours. Order was restored briefly, but only for a moment. As they continued on a course that crossed the British line, the French repeatedly collided with and damaged their own smaller brigs. In this way, they lost their greatest advantage - speed - and soon found themselves trapped.
Step Three: Use a highly risky weapon, again and again.
It was time to use the tactic I’d planned: hot bullets. Using such ammunition carries a certain risk, but it also has a good chance of setting enemy ships on fire. As for the risk, you might also start a fire on your own ship—but who cares?
So I decided to open fire on the British merchantmen passing in front of me. And what happened? I started a fire on my own ship. The blaze caused massive damage, so, not wanting to risk losing her, I withdrew her from the battlefield.
Step Four: Withdraw? There is no option!
The French situation was becoming increasingly complex, and to make matters worse, they decided to conduct several boarding raids. Although they initially grappled with enemy ships, the situation continued to deteriorate, and more French vessels eventually surrendered to the British or were sunk.
Step Six: If you're going to lose, do it hard!
By this point, the convoy was largely safe, but one French brig remained, determined to add a final blemish to the British victory. David’s brig captured one of the British merchantmen, closed to boarding, and forced it to surrender. It seemed that at least one British vessel would fall into French hands, but no. Nearby, a British frigate boarded the prize, compelled the French crew to surrender, and briefly recaptured the lost ship.
Ultimately, the battle ended in a decisive rout of the French squadron. Of the six ships, one fled the battlefield, one was sunk, and four surrendered, all without a single British loss. The French position in the West Indies was becoming increasingly precarious...
3. Summary
In this game, the French made a lot of mistakes, so the British had just one task: to advance steadily and stay out of the way. The French were bound to lose this game on their own. Sometimes games unfold like that.
4. Links.
SESWC:
FLICKR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720333958123
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz