Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 6, 1st - 15th March, 1942. Japanese Patrol intercepts US Sweep

 The rules used throughout the campaign is General Quarters 3 (GQ3).

The remnants of the Japanese Distant Cover Group newly transferred from the WAF, mount a patrol tasked with intercepting any allied forces attempting to attack one of the invasion convoys. Despite the poor weather, a Force 7 near gale with visibility limited to 19,000 yards, they spot the allied East Group steaming north.

The small Japanese force consisting of the heavy cruiser Atago and destroyers Oshio and Ikazuchi, move to intercept the allies.

East Group lead by the light cruisers USS Boise and HMNZS Leander escorted by 8 Clemson class destroyers, Stewart, Edwards, Alden, Whipple, John D Ford, Pope, Peary and Pilsbury, are steaming north when they spot enemy ships approaching from the north west.

The poor weather will adversely affect the accuracy of gunnery and torpedoes and speed is limited to 25 knots on both sides.

The first sighting of the enemy!

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 6, 1st - 15th March, 1942

 

The start of turn 6 with just a handful of objectives remaining for the Japanese.

The Java targets will be critical and being large convoys will need a good deal of escorts. The Japanese of course must still capture Timor and Bali.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 5, 15th - 28th February, 1942

 

The situation at the start of turn 5. The most notable development being the fall of Singapore. 2 RN destroyers in drydock were destroyed with the remaining 4 having sailed to join the Dutch in Batavia. The objectives circled have been captured by the Japanese.

The Japanese must capture all objectives before the end of turn 6 to claim victory. The margin of that victory will be determined by the number of victory points (VP's) gained by each side. This will prove to be very tight indeed with the EAF in particular having no leeway for failure.

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Nap Campaign: Map Moves 18th - 21st April 1808

 I will start looking at the overall strategic view before zooming in to each theatre.

End 18th April

19th April

Continued -

Nap Campaign: 3rd Battle of Ainsworth. 18th April 1808. Turns 6 - Conclusion

 Turn 6

Looking west from the Prussian 2nd Corps position towards the bridge. Doubt creeps into the Prussian 2nd Corps that the gap between them is simply too wide to traverse given the size of the French force against them.

The Westphalia Landwehr with Hulsen personally leading one of the battalions successfully form attack columns before the Old Guard strike. The Prussians desperately hope for some luck but none was forthcoming and the disparity in troop quality quickly told. One Landwehr battalion was destroyed and another pushed back across the bridge.

The bridge to their rear had been purposefully left clear to allow an escape route should the worst happen thus saving 2 battalions unlike the earlier crossing attempts.

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Nap Campaign: 3rd Battle of Ainsworth. 18th April 1808. Turns 1 - 5

 Turn 1

The action begins at the bridge with an artillery duel. Both sides score hits but the Guard artillery have the ability to more easily recover from disorder giving them an advantage.

The Prussian flanking 2nd Corps arrives - in their entirety! A series of successful command rolls enables them to bring on their entire force. The French pour artillery and musketry into the advancing columns inflicting casualties but failing in the most part to disorder any of the Prussians.

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Nap Campaign: 3rd Battle of Ainsworth. 18th April 1808. Introduction

For the first game of the year I have decided to go big. The 3rd and final battle of the campaign day beckons. I begin with the area map containing the battle:

The 3rd and final battle of this single day in the campaign is arguably the most important. This involves Napoleon himself leading a battered French army falling back from a strengthened Prussian army lead by Blucher. He is seeking an opportunity to give the Prussians a bloody nose and believes he may have found it. 

Continued -

Plans for 2026

 I shall continue with breaking down my plans into Battles, Campaigns, Painting/Modelling.

BATTLES

ANCIENTS:

Early Imperial Roman: TBC from Britannia campaign.

Punic Wars: Battle of Lake Trasimene.

WARS OF THE ROSES:

Mini siege campaign.

First action - "The Messenger"

ECW:

Historical Scenarios - Stratton 16th May 1643

AWI:

Historical Scenarios - White Plains 28th October 1776

NAPOLEONIC:

Peninsular War project - Fuentes de Onoro 3rd - 5th May 1811. 

Campaign -  3rd Battle of Ainsworth (French v Prussians)

ACW:

Port Republic 9th June 1862. 

There is also the possibility of playing a large battle such as Shiloh but dependant on available time.

PONY WARS:

This really will be a priority this year!

COLONIAL:

Zulu Wars - Rorkes Drift

WW2:

Market Garden: Battle in the Woods from the Rapid Fire scenario book involving the UK Paras.

Operation Compass: Attack on the Maletti Group. This is a scenario from a mini-campaign acquired from Wargames Vault. 

Continued -

Review of 2025.

Time to review how the year went and how close or otherwise I was in maintaining discipline and sticking to the plans! 

The plans for the year are in italics.

BATTLES

ANCIENTS:

Early Imperial Roman: 9th Legion v Ancient British Mona.

Completed with a surprising Ancient Briton win meaning the campaign will continue.

Punic Wars: Battle of Trebia.

Completed. History overturned with a narrow Roman victory.

Continued -

ECW: Braddock Down. 19th January 1643

Braddock Down has been chosen to test the Pike and Shotte rules for the first time. It is a fairly simple battle to play albeit historically very brief. 

Background to the battle

Cornwall had declared for the Royalists with the well disciplined Cornish foot regiments led by the capable Sir Ralph Hopton. Parliamentarians under the overall command of the Earl of Stamford launched an offensive from Devon into Cornwall. A detached force led by the professional Scottish soldier Colonel William Ruthven advanced ahead capturing Liskeard.

A turning point came for Hopton with the capturing in Falmouth of 3 Parliamentarian ships carrying much needed supplies on 17th January 1643. Re-equipped and ammunition stocks replenished, Hopton advanced towards Devon. Ruthven, believing the Royalist force to be a rag-tag bunch of stragglers marched out of Liskeard to intercept him. Ruthven's force was primarily inexperienced Devon Trained Bands who made contact with Hopton at Braddock Down during the morning of 19th January 1643 not realising it was Hopton's main army. 

Continued -