Guns of August: 1918 Scenario.

It has been over two years since we last played Guns of August. It was great to revisit the game and use the boards and miniatures that Michael had prepared. This time, at my suggestion, we decided to play the 1918 scenario. By then, Russia had already been eliminated from the game, the United States had just entered the war, and they could finally deploy tanks and aircraft on a massive scale. The game promised to be truly exciting.

1. Forces.

We played a 3-on-3 game. In our team, the Entente, Mike represented the British and Americans, I took on the role of the French, and Jimmy commanded the Italians and managing operations in Greece. On the opposing team, Ben played the Bulgarians and Turks, David represented the Austro-Hungarians, and Michael portrayed the Germans.

2. The game.

We played through five months, from January to May 1918. During this time, the Central Powers achieved some success on the Greek front, but that was about it. On the Italian and Western fronts, the Entente began to see gradual successes. The Italians managed to cut off the Austro-Hungarians from Switzerland and initiated the encirclement of Trieste. In the west, the British and Americans advanced into Belgium and started attempts to capture Antwerp. Although these attempts had not yet succeeded, the Entente's advantage was becoming increasingly apparent. The French also launched an attack in the centre of the front and moved closer to Metz.

However, the most significant event was the Royal Navy's invasion of the Baltic Sea. At a tremendous cost in terms of losses, the British defeated the German fleet and took control of the Baltic Sea. This victory allowed the US Navy to enter the area, land troops, and capture Danzig. In response, the Germans contemplated ending their occupation of Russian territories, but such a decision could have led to their ultimate defeat. Ultimately, they chose not to take this step, and the game concluded with a narrow victory for the Entente.

3. Links.

SESWC:

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

FLICKR: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720330447237

Hail Caesar: Peloponnesian War.

We finally managed to play the game we had planned. It's a postponed game from last week with Hail Caesar rules, using Michael's collection for the Peloponnesian Wars in 28mm. Athens and her allies faced Sparta and its supporters.

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider, Bartek Zynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

SPARTA

(Bartek, Tim)

Spartan King (9)

2 x Spartan Heavy Hoplites

3 x Peltast

General (8)

2 x Heavy Hoplites

1 x Light Hoplites

General (8)

1 x Hippakontistai

1 x Peltast

ATHENS

(David, Jimie, Michael)

Athenian General (8)

2 x Heavy Hoplites

1 x Light Hoplites

General (8)

2 x Heavy Hoplites

3 x Peltas

1 x Slingers

General (8)

1 x Hippakontistai

3 x Peltast

2. The game.

Both armies lined up in formation, facing each other. On the Athenian side, Michael commanded the right flank. Jimie, the overall leader of the Athenian army, was in the centre, commanding the main forces. On the left flank, David led the light troops.  

On the Spartan side, the Spartan king (Tim) commanded the left flank, accompanied by the Spartan forces, while their allies held the centre. The right flank was made up of light troops. I was in command of both the centre and the right flank.

The Spartans advanced more effectively than the Athenians, who experienced some chaos in their ranks. Meanwhile, the light forces on both flanks engaged in combat. On our left flank, we suffered a significant defeat, while our right flank held out a bit longer before also being overcome. However, it was usually the main forces that secured victory, rather than the light forces.

Finally, the Hoplites commenced their engagement. The Spartans charged at the Athenians, successfully defeating one of the Athenian's units and killing their general. However, the Spartan king was wounded and could not take part in the future fighting. In response, the Athenians launched their charge, destroying one of the Spartan's units. Following this exchange, both sides withdrew to regroup and organize their ranks, preparing for another round of combat.

David attempted to disrupt our reorganization by harassing my forces with his light troops. We had faced a similar situation before, and this time, I refused to let it happen again. My troops turned against David's forces, and despite his efforts to escape, I pursued them and defeated them. I was prepared to deliver the final blow, ready to lead the decisive charge.

Hand-to-hand combat ensued as my forces, led by light hoplites, engaged the elite Athenian troops. Unfortunately, my troops were repelled, but the losses I inflicted on the Athenians prevented them from launching a counterattack. At that point, the battle came to an end. The Spartans caused more significant losses to the Athenians, resulting in a victory for us. However, the Athenians were able to retreat because the Spartans were not prepared to pursue them at that moment.

Spartan loses.

Athenian loses.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

To be updated soon...

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720323412046

Páso Bártou 434BC.

 Hail Ceasar in 28mm. Peloponesian Wars.

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider, Bartek Zynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider

FIGURES & MODELS: Mike Evans, Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

SPARTA

(Andy, Bartek, David, Michael)

RIGHT FLANK

2 x Mercenary Heavy Hoplites

1 x Cavalry

2 x Skirmishers

CENTRE

1 x Spartan Guard

1 x Spartan Heavy Hoplites

1 x Mercenary Heavy Hoplites

LEFT FLANK

3 x Mercenary Heavy Hoplites

1 x Cavalry

4 x Skirmishers

ATHENS

(Alasdair, Mike, Peter)

LEFT FLANK

2 x Heavy Hoplites

1 x Cavalry

5 x Skirmishers

CENTRE

4 x Heavy Hoplites

RIGHT FLANK

2 x Unarmoured Hoplites

1 x Cavalry

3 x Skirmishers

2. The game.

Spartan forces were divided in that way: Michael on our left, Andy and David on the right and me, as overall commander (Spartan king) in the centre. Our opponents divided their army with Alasdair on their right, Mike on the left and Peter in the middle as Athenian general. My plan for the game was straightforward. Concentrate all heavy hoplites in the middle with some support on the flanks. We were going to break their centre and win the game.

We moved forward and soon our right flank took the positions on the right hill. There they started fighting against Athenian skirmishers. For some time the situation was still being decided, but then Andy moved two units of Hoplites on the hill and they attacked the skirmishers, who failed to evade. They had no chances against armoured warriors. Skirmishers were destroyed and Andy furiously attacked the Athenian hoplites, who were right behind the skirmishers and broke both blokes of Athenian hoplites. That was it! The Right Athenian flank was broken.

On our left, it did not look well at all. Alasdair surprised Michael with a quick Skirmishers attack and soon all his forces were on Michael's back. However, he managed to move his hoplites on the hill, where they clashed with Alasdair's unarmoured hoplites. Michael started to push Alasdair back, but still, there was a danger of Athenian skirmishers and cavalry, who were on Michael's rear. The fight continued, but then came the news from the centre, which changed everything.

The battle was decided in the centre. First Spartans moved very slowly and tried to keep the line. Unfortunately, the Spartan king and his guard blundered and moved forward too far. The support was left behind. For my luck Peter, failed his orders in the next turn and I was able to hit as the first. I used some support from Andy and attacked the main Athenian unit, which was left unsupported. That cost me the life of the king, but the centre of the Athenian line was broken! Their morale collapsed and they all surrendered. The battle was over. Hail to the Spartan king!

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/02/434bc-sparta-at-luke-warm-gates.html

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/785263726964294

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720314649590

Delium 424BC.

This time something that has yet to happen for a long time. Peloponnesian Wars with Hail Caesar rules.

Tym razem coś, czego nie było już od dłuższego czasu. Wojny peloponeskie z zasadami Hail Ceasar. 

SCENARIO / SCENARIUSZ: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING / PROWADZENIE GRY: Bartek Żynda

SCENERY / SCENERIA: Michael Schneider, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS / FIGURKI I MODELE: Michael Schneider, Donald Adamson

1. Forces. Siły.

SPARTA

The Spartan King (John)

1 x Spartans Bodyguard

1 x Spartan Armoured Hoplites

2 x Javelins

Allied General (Alasdair)

2 x Armoured Hoplites

Allied General (Bartek)

1 x Unarmoured Hoplites

1 x Javelins

1 x Cavalry

ATHENS / ATENY

The Athenian General (Tim)

2 x Armoured Hoplites

3 x Javelins

Allied General (Gordon)

2 x Armoured Hoplites

1 x Unarmoured Hoplites

Allied General (Michael)

2 x Javelins

1 x Slingers

1 x Cavalry

2. The game. Gra.

It started with the Skirmishers' fight. However, I did it differently this time. I supported my light units with unarmoured hoplites. It worked very well! It was the first time I fought for Sparta and managed to kill all Athenian light forces. At least on my flank... After this action, Michael could fully focus on umpiring the game.

Zaczęło się od walki sił lekkich. Jednakże, tym razem zrobiłem to trochę w inny sposób. Moje oddziały zostały wsparte nieopancerzonymi hoplitami. To się sprawdziło! Był to pierwszy raz kiedy walcząc dla Sparty, udało mi się zniszczyć wszystkie oddziały lekkie Ateńczyków. Przynajmniej na mojej flance... Po tej akcji, Michael mógł w całości skupić się na prowadzeniu gry. 

On the other side of the battle Spartan forces were successfully harassed by the light Athenian forces. The Spartan king must have been sick or otherwise indisposed that day because instead of moving forward and engaging the enemy's main body, he stood and took blows from the elusive Peltasts. This powerlessness has cost us dearly...

Po drugiej stronie pola bitwy siły spartańskie były udanie niepokojone przez lekkie siły Ateńczyków. Spartański król musiał być tego dnia chory albo w inny sposób niedysponowany, ponieważ zamiast ruszyć do przodu i zaatakować główne siły wroga, stał i przyjmował razy od nieuchwytnych Peltastów. Ta niemoc drogo nas kosztowała... 

In the meantime, Gordon attacked Alasdair's and my troops. Due to failed command checks, he encountered our scattered forces. This way he could destroy one unit after another. Alasdair thus lost his brigade. I stayed with my unarmed hoplites, which I withdrew in time and the Spartan cavalry.

W międzyczasie na moje i Alasdaira oddziały natarł Gordon. W wyniku niezdanych testów rozkazów, napotkał nasze siły rozproszone. W ten sposób mógł jeden oddział po drugim niszczyć. W ten sposób Alasdair stracił swoją brygadę. Ja zostałem z moimi nieuzbrojonymi hoplitami, które na czas wycofałem i spartańską kawalerią.

Finally, the Spartans launched an attack. However, it took them some time. So much so that my hoplites marched from one flank to the other and supported the king in battle. At the same time, Gordon connected with Tim. A hand-to-hand fight ensued and the Spartans were thrown back, but not my hoplites. At this point, we were done with the game. The Spartan king admitted his defeat, and I wonder what about the traditional Spartan message of returning with or on a shield?

W końcu Spartanie ruszyli do ataku. Jednak zajęło im to trochę czasu. Na tyle dużo, że moi hoplici przemaszerowali z jednej flanki na drugą i wsparli króla w walce. W tym samym czasie Gordon połączył się z Timem. Doszło do walki wręcz, w której udało się odrzucić Spartan, ale nie moich hoplitów. W tym momencie skończyliśmy grę. Spartański król uznał swoją przegraną, a ja się pytam co z tradycyjnym przesłaniem spartańskim o powrocie z tarczą albo na tarczy?

3. Links. Linki.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2023/09/424-bc-delium-plus-spartans-should-have.html

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/708089834681684

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720311731284