SYW Honours of War - Action at Inzl

[DintheDin]

Hi gents,
I would like to present a SYW game played with Honours of War rules.
The original game was first published at Keith Flint's blog, the author of HoW
https://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2016/06/honours-of-war-curtain-up.html

THE ACTION AT INZL

The Blue force is attempting the block the advance of a slightly larger Red force. Blue has taken up position behind a stream around the imaginary village of Inzl. Red is attacking from the North.

Diagram borrowed from Keith's blog

[DintheDin]

In our game Red forces were French (played by yours truly) and the Blue Forces were Hessian and Hanoverian (played by my fellow Doc Vag)

Red – 13 units, Army Break Point = 6
Commanding General (Dependable)
Infantry Brigade: 3 infantry battalions (superior)
Infantry Brigade: 3 infantry battalions
Cavalry Brigade: 2 cavalry regiments
Cavalry Brigade: 2 dragoon regiments (can dismount as light infantry)
Artillery Brigade: 2 medium batteries
Independent Artillery: 1 howitzer battery

Blue – 10 units,  Army Break Point = 5
Commanding General (Dependable)
Infantry Brigade: 2 infantry battalions
Infantry Brigade: 3 infantry battalions, 1 medium gun
Independent Light Infantry: 1 light infantry battalion
Cavalry Brigade: 2 cavalry regiments
Independent Artillery: 1 medium battery

The French could deploy anywhere up to 15 cm from their table edge.

The Allies could deploy anywhere behind the stream. In addition, they must place 4 extra terrain pieces  (a bridge, a wood, a hill and a marsh, the latter 3 of relatively small size) on their side of the table.

The stream has steep banks and counts as a passable river. The village will be classed as a rural BUA. All hills are gentle.

We did not use curtain, as suggested in the original scenario, but used an alternate setup of brigades.
We also agreed after Round 4 to march in one additional infantry battalion.

Victory conditions: Break the enemy. French break at 6. Allies break at 5.
The village is worth 1 Army Point.
For each French unit in good morale (3 hits or less) that reaches the Allied side of the stream, the Allies lose ½ an Army Point.

Here is the initial setup, the French troops invade in march columns from the North

[DintheDin]

I thought that doc Vag's left flank was more vulnerable, so I shifted the main bulk of the French forces there.
 

[DintheDin]

Hanoverian and Hessian forces, calmly waiting at the edge of Inbach river

[DintheDin]

The Allies rested their right flank on a marsh and woods. Doc Vag posted some Hessian light troops there.
I send on the extreme left my 3-battalion Grenadier brigade to attack them

[DintheDin]

The French right wing approaching the riverbank
The Dragoons dismount

[DintheDin]

We see Doc Vag calling for reinforcements: A large Hanoverian battalion (inferior) entering the table behind Inzl.
As the French did not choose to attack the bridge directly, the Allied artillery batteries guarding the bridge swing to the left and right to choose their target.
At the same time I deploy all my batteries (2 medium and 1 howitzer) for counter-battery action

[DintheDin]

Judging that his left flank will be overpowered, Doc Vag refuses his flank and withdraws his cavalry!

[DintheDin]

This is a complex and dangerous maneuver, as at the same time Doc Vag tries to shift his Hessians to the left...
It is time to cross the river and attack!

[DintheDin]

My Grenadier Brigade facing the Hanoverians who have superior firepower. Hesitating to cross for the moment...
At the same time the reinforcing Hanoverian battalion enter Inzl town.

[DintheDin]

I make an awkward attempt to force a river crossing with my cavalry.
They are welcomed with musket and canister fire and, taking a lot of hits, fall back to reform!
I was lucky I didn't lose any cavalry regiment and I let the dismounted dragoons skirmish with the Hessian infantry

[DintheDin]

My artillery targeting the Hessian cavalry so that they stay at long distance not letting them come to aid their foot colleagues

[DintheDin]

Grenadiers forward!
They start crossing the river under fire and try to dislocate the Hessian Jagers from the woods!
(to be continued)

[vtsaogames]

Very nice. And I like the river!

[jambo1]

Super looking table and figures, great looking game!