Gettysburg Day 2 - Introduction

This is the Day 2 scenario deployment taken from the original Fire & Fury rulebook. All the orders of battle are a direct transfer to Guns at Gettysburg rules. I had originally based my 6mm ACW for F&F but with 6 infantry figures to a base rather than 3 x 15mm and the base frontage reduced to 15mm. A simple matter therefore of retaining the number of bases exactly but using figure numbers rather than bases for casualties etc.

With figure bases being 60% of the 15mm size I reduced the table size by a similar amount allowing for my 9" square terrain bases. This provided for an 8'3" x 3'9" size widening to 4'6" east of Culps Hill. Some slight adjustments have been made to cater for my terrain but otherwise a direct copy of that provided in the rulebook.

I agonised for some time whether to play from day 1 but decided to fall back on my long term ambition of playing the large action as depicted in the rules. Given the speed in which I play through a large game, to play day 1 as well would take me eons to complete the entire thing! 

Day 2 fired my imagination on acquiring F&F in the 90's but at the time my collection was almost universally 15mm. A 14' long table was never going to be an option in that scale. 6mm though opened up this up as a real possibility, and hence the long awaited game will now be played.

I will not be playing day 2 as a standalone game as in the book, but will continue into day 3 if not concluded. Start and finish times will remain, these being 1300 - 2000 on day 2, and 1100 - 1700 on day 3. Orbats for day 3 will be whatever survives from day 2.

In F&F each move is 30 minutes. GaG use slightly slower movement speeds and given the differences in the way they play, I have fallen back on the same timescale I use in General de Brigade. i.e. 15 minutes per turn. This equates to 28 turns for day 2 and 24 turns for day 3. This also improves the possibility of a conclusive outcome.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 8 - 2nd Legion v The Dobunni

 

Focussing on the south west, the 2nd Legion deals with a rebellion by the Dobunni tribe and is the setting for the next game.

I will be using the L'Art De La Guerre rules again but on this occasion I have balanced the points at around 270 to give a more even game.

The initial setup with the Britons on the left having rolled as the attackers once again. Terrain was determined using the Age of Hannibal rule system modified to reflect the type of terrain to be found in this part of the country. The table size has been reduced to 4'6" x 3' reflecting the smaller size of armies deployed.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 7 - 9th Legion v The Cornovii

 

This action focuses on the 9th Legion's advance on Mona. The Cornovii tribe had previously indicated a willingness to be allies to Rome. As the 9th Legion marched through their territory they had a change of heart and rebelled. 

For this game I shall be using L'Art De La Guerre (ADLG) rules for the first time. The orders of battle will remain largely unchanged - more of this later.

Initial dispositions. The Cornovii are the attackers on the left. They have a normal camp and the Romans on the right have a fortified camp.

I retained the 'Age of Hannibal' method of terrain placement which, I felt, was more suited to solo play. All terrain cards were placed face down by each side with just minor adjustments when revealed. 

The river is impassable apart from the ford. At the top of the photo, the stream is classed as difficult terrain. Both woods are also difficult. 

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 6 - 16th Legion v The Iceni

 

The 16th Legion have retraced their steps to deal with the Iceni rebellion which is the setting of the next battle, again using the Age of Hannibal rules.

The Iceni have the initiative and will be the attackers. Only skirmishers can pass through marshes and the lake is impassable. 

The Iceni have a particularly high proportion of light units (skirmishers and light horse) along with chariots. Their lieutenant is placed in command of the light horse, chariots and medium horse on the left. They are tasked with pinning the Roman legionary cohorts while the warbands under the direct command of the chieftain seek to punch through the Roman left, a mix of legionaries and auxiliaries.

Good news for the Romans, their lieutenant has arrived sober!

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 5 - 16th Legion v The Catuvellauni

 I will start with an overview of the campaign situation:

Turn 5: 20th Legion returns to Londinium having pacified the Cantii. In the west. the 2nd Legion moves on the Dobunni tribe who immediately declare themselves as allies of Rome.

In the midlands, the 16th Legion seeks to clear the way for the 9th Legion who are tasked with capturing Mona. The Catuvellauni tribe are expected to be allies and it therefore comes as some surprise to the 16th when they find the warbands arrayed for battle.

The Romans on the left anchor their flanks on a small pond (top of photo) which is impassable to all, and a marsh which is only passable by skirmishers.

The Catuvellauni tribe on the right have their warbands and chariots positioned in the centre with cavalry and some skirmishers on their flanks.

Most terrain is clear and all woods are passable.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 4 - 20th Legion v The Cantii

 

The situation in turn 4. The Cantii have rebelled necessitating the 20th Legion, held in reserve around Londinium, to be despatched for lessons to be administered.

This is the setting for the next game of the campaign:

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WW2 Operation Compass: South of Nibeiwa

My N.Africa campaign continues. 

A reminder of the situation:

It is now 11th December 1940 and the Italian advance has halted with most of their units settling down into fortified camps.

The British counter-attack has begun and the setting for this action is in the south of the map. The 7th Armoured Division has begin its 'left hook' and comes into contact with the Italian 63rd Cirene Division south of Nibeiwa. 

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On The Workbench: WW2 Late War German Infantry + Wargaming Update

Firstly the latest painting progress. A long overdue attention to the Market Garden project - Groesbeek Heights.

Almost complete prior to basing.

The finished figures. Laid out in their battalion formations suitable for BKCIV and Rapid Fire Reloaded. The only complete battalion is in the centre. That on the left is awaiting its HQ base, on the right the HQ and support company. The top right is the beginnings of a 4th battalion and on the left a Divisional CO and FAO. All battalions will be brought up to strength on completion of the next batch.

Figures are a mix of Heroics & Ros and 2D6.

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On The Workbench: Pony Wars Terrain

More terrain pieces have been completed for Pony Wars. My first use of cork bark was used to make rocky terrain pieces which will also form rocky passes.

My terrain modelling skills are basic to put it mildly and much of this was trial and error together with guidance from various Youtube videos.

One side is sheer rock face with the rear sloped to allow access for the ambushers!

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On The Workbench: Pony Wars

A few weeks ago, prior to my splurge on painting ships, I completed all the figures for Pony Wars with the exception of 4 cannon and crew awaiting a new Baccus order. In the meantime I will use artillery from my ACW collection to plug the gap. There are a total of 1,150 figures in the collection.

What follows covers the entire figure collection:

Mounted Braves. 480 have been completed, 120 short of the number recommended in the rules. 

Mounted Braves

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