ECW The Battle of Chewton Mendip - Part 2 of 3: Turns 1 to 6

It was my intention to wrap up this AAR in one post, but a combination of available time to play it through and it being rather more involved than I anticipated, I have decided to get part 2 onto the blog rather than wait any longer. So - onto the battle: 

Turn 1

The presence of Waller's dragoons lining hedgerows did not deter the Royalists from seeking to engage the Parliamentarian horse at the earliest possible moment. They were supremely confident of driving them from the field. 

Prince Maurice with his lifeguard leading paid a heavy price for that optimism losing 25% of their number to Waller's dragoons firing into their flank from the hedgerows. Maurice had his horse shot from beneath him removing him from the proceedings for one turn.

The Veteran/Elite troopers shrugged off their losses and continued towards the Forlorn Hope.

Continued -

ECW The Battle of Chewton Mendip - Part 1 of 3: Introduction

The Battle of Chewton Mendip is the second battle in my project playing historical encounters from the Campaign Scenarios book - 'The 1643 Campaign for the South-West' by Robert Giglio. Principally written for 'Forlorn Hope' rules it can be used for any.

This is part 2 of a 2-part battle, the first being Glastonbury. There is an option in the scenario to treat both as a mini campaign with casualties carried over from Glastonbury. I decided to replay the action as a stand-alone battle using historical orders of battle.

After Glastonbury, the pursuing Royalist cavalry the same day met the Parliamentarians about a mile before the village of Chewton Mendip "the enemy faced about againe with theire horse" in Chewton Mendip Heath.

The Battle of Chewton Mendip

12th June 1643

Table Size 3'9" x 3'

Rules - Forlorn Hope

Continued -

Ancients Rules

Due to popular request I have added my Ancients rules as a label on the crossbar at the top of the page. As they are modified or added to I will update that page.

If you are not satisfied with the current crop of rules, hopefully you will find something of use or even give you ideas of your own.

David Brown, the General de Brigade rules writer, has commented on the 'Gods Own Scale Podcast'  blog post that he is currently working on a Big Battles Ancient ruleset. One definitely to watch out for and I can certainly feel another purchase coming on!

Britannia Campaign: Map Moves Turn 3

 With the 16th Legion's victory over the Trinovantes now complete, we move onto the next map turn -

TURN 3

The 16th Legion posts a garrison and prepares itself for its onward march.

The 9th and 20th Legions move to the area around what will become Londinium with a cohort from the latter forming a garrison in Kent.

Vespasian's 2nd Legion advances into Dorset and Somerset where it meets the Durotriges tribe who prove none too friendly! Yet another British tribe to be enlightened to the Roman way!

Being in the south west an iron age hillfort is a must. Before I can play out this next game I just have to model one!

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 4 of 4 - Turns 10 to Conclusion

 Turn 10

The 9th Cohort pressed on charged a unit of chariots who counter-charged. The outnumbered chariots were easily defeated with 3 more crew killed for no Roman loss. The last remaining chariots routed. 

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 3 of 4 - Turns 6 to 9

Turn 6

The Roman Legate is anxious to press forward and deal with the warbands in front of him given the concerning messages he is receiving from his left wing. He has been frustratingly delayed by the activities of Trinovantes skirmishers, chariots and light horse. Here the 9th Cohort has been charged by the chariots (middle of photo). They defeated them in the subsequent melee and have pushed them back.

In response to bad news from the Tribune in command of the Roman left, the large 1st Cohort has been ordered to that flank (middle left).

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 2 of 4 - Turns 1 to 5

Turn 1

The chariots, light horse and skirmishers on the Britons right flank surge forward eager to engage the approaching Roman line.

On the Roman left, they steadily advance and observe the rapidly approaching barbarians.

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 1 of 4 - Introduction

The second battle of the campaign involves the 16th Gemima Legion advancing into what is present day Suffolk. They hoped to persuade the local Trinovantes tribe to ally with Rome but as they approached a village at the mouth of an estuary there appeared to be little prospect of that.

A reminder of the present situation -

As the Roman Legions begin their advance into England the Atrebates tribe have now been pacified (see previous battle) and the Cantii allied. 

The task for the 16th Legion is to seize and hold the East, Midlands and North. 

Continued -

God's Own Scale Podcast

After all this typing and photographing you can now hear me wax lyrical about wargaming on the latest episode of Gods Own Scale Podcast. Sean very kindly invited me on his excellent podcast and with it being a first for me, just hope I did it justice! Have to say I had a great time and Sean is a superb interviewer.

You can find the podcast here and also available on itunes etc. https://godsownscale6mm.podbean.com/ 

Nap Campaign: 2nd Battle of Youngsport - Part 5 of 5, Turns 13 to Conclusion

Soult was dumbfounded on seeing his precious infantry columns disintegrate on contact with the thin Portuguese line. With just one hour of daylight left (4 moves) there was absolutely no prospect now of breaking through the allied lines to unleash his cavalry. Even with more time his infantry was now in no state to carry on.

A priority now was to prevent his army falling apart and withdrawing in good order. He therefore issued orders to all infantry brigades to retire. His artillery and cavalry would cover the withdrawal.

Turn 13

The 2nd Cavalry Corps began redeploying to cover the withdrawal. A routing and a retreating battalion both rallied to great relief of their commanders.

Continued -