Franco-Prussian encounter at the NWS

Wonderful looking table

Just a quick post to highlight two of my good mates collection of Franco-Prussian troops used in a game at the club a few weeks ago at one of our Saturday gaming days.  Both Steve and Martin have quite a few of these superbly sculpted Wargames Foundry figures.  They are certainly some of my favourite figures in the entire Foundry range.

For a change the French were attacking the Prussians 

Martin’s lads take up a pretty sturdy position

More Prussians arrive to reinforce

Steve and Marty love playing Black Powder rules with their FPW troops

Skirmish lines encounter each other on the left flank

These are once again brilliant sculpts

All home made hedges and locally acquired OTP buildings expertly completed 

I had to dart off  and didn’t see the final result other than to have missed some French Heavy cavalry arriving on the field and the Prussian defenders being expelled from the Château and surrounds.

Well done lads 

Pyrrhus takes the long handle to Rome in a TtS “beating”

The lads feeling strong, confident and ready to rumble

It had been far too long between drinks in terms of playing an ancients battle with Simon Milkers excellent To the Strongest rules.

Stevecand I decided to get the lads out again and Steve decided to give his Pyrrhic army a run for the first time. I had played Jeff C’s Pyrrhic troops a few times with my Republican “Polybian” Roman’s do I had felt reasonably confident.

Well that was my first mistake!

The table set up the large pool table in the corner of the hall. My 
back is still feeling the effects of a taller table and reaching across.

The Roman position with First Consul Carlo observing the enemy position 

Events always give Steve a degree of confidence and trepidation

The Pyrrhic army were deemed the defender and the Romans thought a position of central strength with lights off in the woods and scrub on the flanks would be ideal to counter the enemy superiority in cavalry.

Steve’s right flank command

A mix of raw and experienced pike

Another view of the Pyrrhic flank and central left

Numidian horse with allied light support on foot

Roman cavalry and Spanish lights

Another view of the spine of any Roman army - it’s foot

So the battle commenced with a furious speed. Steve advanced his pike blocks rapidly in order to negate the effects of my two artillery pieces on the hill. In previous battles they had been both accurate and deadly however in this encounter they were to prove clueless and as dangerous as a toddler armed with a used toothpick and a rubber band!

A view across the advance as the cavalry of Pyrrhus move swiftly on the Roman right 

Dangerous odds

The Romans still feeling well contented. You can see the artillery on the hill looking for a protractor.

Wedges are hard to replicate at time in TtS 

Get those gold victory medals ready lads as they’ll all be
handed over pretty soon 😂

The hand of a Great Leader in Pyrrhus himself 

The horse of a puny leader in Carlo, First Consul of Rome (acting)

These lads were the most dangerous lads on the Roman side all battle. A few good shots and
several dangerous moose and boers killed. No enemy however.

These lads held their own for many turns

The left flank was well held by the Roman’s despite the odds

A nice view of the Roman lines prior to contact

Contact! It was tough, resilient on both sides however the pike were 
to prove the masters on this day over the pila 

Things are looking grim for the Roman lights and cavalry

It was  very much a one sided affair.

Steve did everything right and his boldness and aggressive was well rewarded by the luck of the gods whilst the Roman’s indecisive actions were punished as they should have been.

It’s always so much fun playing with steve where we do laugh all the time and rule queries just don’t happen. Great set of rules and a great period to fight.

“Take the river crossing” - Austrians hold on against Franco- Bavarian forces in GDA2

Defensive positions around the Chateau 

Another play test of GDA2 at the club a week ago between Peters excellent French force and my Austrians.  

Peter would be on the attack attempting to capture the Village and its supplies as well as the bridge and the crossing across the river it provided.

French infantry and light cavalry brigade

Austrian veteran hussars 

French 2nd brigade

Austrian defensive position

3rd French brigade

The village occupied by elements of the Austrian 1st Brigade

A view from the French side with the bridge and desired river crossing in full view

These lads moved a bit yo avoid long range Bavarian artillery fire

Skirmishers advance as far as they can early

French Light cavalry

Large Austrian battalions in line - considerable massed musketry

These lads started the battle a little unsure of where to be and what to do.

A strong position to build a defence upon

The French prepare yo assault ghe village/town

Beautiful looking Bavarians from the brush of Peter D. He is a star!

Great game so far however I can see the Franco- Bavarians starting yo get on top.

These lads are also “Battle Cavalry” so are reasonably potent.

These Bavarians were hesitant for the early part of the battle

The French plan involves attacking through the light woods to help against artillery
barrages and then launch against the central town

This cavalry faltered early, however a “Command” order had them
automatically “Obey” orders and then almost turn battle by themselves.

Peter put the table together - he has a lovely eye for detail

Austrian skirmishers put up a steady stream of fire  

This Austrian foot battery may just be in a bit of strife

The first French assault goes in

The French face a strong defensive line 

As well as on the high ground

A nice view of the action on the Austrian left flank

French cavalry move to engage the Austrian Hussars on the right of the field.

Tremendous fighting was going on across the field of battle with the French attacking across the flanks and an Austrian counter-attack in the centre catching the French General slightly on the hop.

The Austrian battery has dispersed and the brigade has faltered. The way to the bridge
could open up if they are forced to retire. They held on!

The first French assault on the town has been repulsed

Action on the right looks to be heating up quickly

The Austrian counter-attack hits a hurdle

The centre cops a nice artillery barrage and a “double six” causes consternation 

The Austrian Reserve Brigade takes up position 

The French take the town after some fierce and bloody hand to hand

Sabres drawn the cavalry hit each other with ferocity

With the Austrian Hussars proving victorious

Despite the great and skilful blade work  of the Hussars the Bavarians are fresh and keen

At this stage Peter and I felt the Austrians would be able to hold the bridge for a while longer whilst reinforcements made their way to the conflict. Another magnificent game of Napoleonics with GDA2. Well done Mr Brown.