I recently hosted a 6-player AWI game using my 28mm collection. A bit cursed this collection as it was finished just before lockdown, and only saw public club use once!
Battle of [fictional/ish] Litchfield
Anyhow. Mats by Cigar Box, buildings by Adrian's Walls, roads and rives by James Morris of El Cid and Age of Arthur fame and most scatter by PMC as was [taken over by Caliver?]
Figures 95% Perry and metal.
We used Black Powder. A couple of the players went in a bit sniffy but came out more convinced. Two years without much human interaction has adjusted a lot of people's worldview on what they want from their hobby.
The Rebel Briefing:
'A British force is advancing on the small but strategically located town of Litchfield, hoping to outflank the main Rebel field army.
A small force of Connecticut based Continental Infantry has established something of a defensive position in and around the town, supported by hastily raised local militia. The fighting ability of these barely trained troops is unknown, but they are defending their homes and farms. Last night a force of veteran Virginian Continentals arrived, much to the relief of the townsfolk and its’s defenders.
Scouts report that the British force is made up of regulars, with an assault force of Grenadiers leading the way. There are also some dragoons.
An opportunity:
A chief of the Pequot tribe has presented himself to General Greene. He has offered to disrupt the British attack through an ambush – but makes clear his warriors will strike and then melt into the woods rather than stand up to formed troops for any length of time.
This could be very helpful at a critical moment, but there would be a political and reputational cost.'
The British Briefing:
Early Summer, 1778.
Your British force is advancing on the small but strategically located town of Litchfield, hoping to outflank the main Rebel field army.
A small force of Connecticut based Continental Infantry has established something of a defensive position in and around the town, supported by hastily raised local militia. The fighting ability of these barely trained troops is unknown, but they are defending their homes and farms. Last night they were regrettably reinforced by veteran Virginian Continentals.
Scouts report that the defenders have created a makeshift earthworks to shield one flank of the town.
An opportunity:
A chief of the Pequot tribe has presented himself to General Fraser. He has offered to disrupt the Rebel defence by ambushes – but makes clear his warriors will strike and then melt into the woods rather than stand up to formed troops for any length of time.
This could be very helpful at a critical moment, but there would be a political and reputational cost.'
Victory conditions depended on ownership of the town of Litchfield, control of the bridge over the river and whether or not honour was reduced by the use of Heroic Locals - readers will have spotted that there were playing both sides off the other. And points for destroying opposing formed units.
How the game went.
On the British left, the advance of the trenches was too hesitant, meaning the taking of sustained losses from enemy artillery. When the Grenadiers were ordered to 'get tore in' they pushed the defenders away, but the Rebel right managed to form a line from retreating units and reserves.
The central attack on the town was more determined, and the last thing the Rebel commander needed to hear was War Whoops from the centre of Litchfield where a hidden party of locals had taken the opportunity arising from the garrison/reserves moving out to support the front line.
The British had most success on their right, as the Rebel commander there mishandled his brigades and ended up very disorganised with units facing in all directions. The British might have swept them away, had not their own flank been attacked by a second war party of Pequot warriors. The face of the British commander when that happened was worth all the set up time!
In the end it was a narrow Tax Dodging victory, with the town ravaged but without the presence of formal British units. The trenches had been cleared, but at great cost, making points of destroying enemy units tip the balance.
Honey and Biscuit review the troops and terrain
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April 23, 2024, 09:02:56 AM
June 05, 2013, 10:10:40 AM