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Author Topic: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle  (Read 2093 times)

Offline Patrice

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[Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« on: July 19, 2022, 05:13:00 PM »
On Sunday 26th June we played a large game at Salon du Modélisme de Séné (near Vannes, south Brittany).

The terrain is a large model of Fort de Penthièvre, near Quiberon, Brittany, where a battle occurred in 1795.

This beautiful model was made last year by Jean-Jacques one of our gamers for historical conferences on the subject. For this event he was happy to imagine a scenario very inspired by real events of the actual battle, with his figures representing different units who fought there. The intention however was not to simulate the battle, it was more a good-humoured skirmish in the spirit of Argad rules. The rules are 1:1 (each figure is a person) but their 18th C., FRW, and Napoleonic extension (still under progress) encourages to manoeuver small groups of soldiers as real units able to form in close order or open order (if historically trained to) giving them some  advantages or disadvantages in firing. This gives a better impression and allows to use miniature units which had been prepared for more traditional wargames. Soldiers may still act individually if wished, and when at close quarter fight one by one as per basic rules.

The fort and the moors and sea around it:





The village of Kerostin:



There were four players: one Royalist officer, one Royalist Chouan leader, two Republican officers; and a GM.

July 1795. Erasme Gaspard de Contades, a Royalist officer, is defending the Fort de Penthièvre. French Royalist troops arrived from England, and local Chouans (some with their families) are stuck in there, with little food and water. Republican troops commanded by general Hoche will be coming from the mainland in the north.





Erasme de Contades inspects the artillery position. A Royalist patrol in red uniforms comes to enter the camp. A Republican officer approaches without hostility, the Royalist officer accepts to talk with him. They then recognise each other! They are far cousins and a marriage between Contade and the Republican officer's sister had been planned (an idea imagined by the GM). They will try to discreetly protect each other if possible.



At the other side of the Royalist positions, some starving peasants have decided to try to find some food, they know they can have fish and cider in other villages on the mainland. The Royalist soldiers, themselves half-starved too, let them pass.





On the whole there is no much confidence between the Royalist emigrates, who tend to despise the peasants, and the Royalist Chouans who reproach them their lack of support and haughty manners.







"AUX ARMES!" Three columns of Republican troops commanded by General Hoche himself have been sighted! The Royalists run to position.


Offline Patrice

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2022, 05:15:31 PM »
The blue soldiers advance, their songs can be heard ...the mobile phone of a "Republican" player sounds this excerpt from comedy film "Les Mariés de l'An Deux" (1971)... lol lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDHoUeGl-9E
...at which the "Chouan" player answers by singing bits of religious hymns in Breton.  :D lol

On the left, two Republican units carrying ladders walk on the beach.







The Republican centre is led by general Lazare Hoche.





The Republican right follows a local guide which knows a path to climb the cliff directly to the artillery battery. This troop sees the peasants trying to get out of the place to get food, passing near the beach. Not trusting them, they fire. "They have no bread? Let them eat lead!"



This crime is not unpunished. A gun shallop of the British Navy near the coast fires at this Republican unit.



The Republicans attack strongly in the centre.



The Republican fire (with unexpected difficulty) a signal rocket. Seeing it, the patrol in red uniforms who had just entered the fort shouts "Vive la République!" They are Republican soldiers wearing the uniforms of Royalist casualties killed the days before. The Royalists are astonished by this.



Very patriotically, a white Royalist flag is captured by blue soldiers red with anger.


Offline Patrice

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2022, 05:16:03 PM »
But the Republicans have not won yet. Two government representatives, Blad and Tallien (NPCs) thinking that they know better that the guys in charge, advance to give their own erratic (random results of die) orders to two battalion officers. Superior officers run to counter these commands but it loses time in the tactical advance.



The left Republican column, having reached the end of the beach, puts its ladder against the cliff and begins to climb. Those who reach the top receive heavy fire from the side and are killed by a few Chouans. The Republicans retreat a few paces... The Chouans, laughing loud, steal a ladder! The furious Republican officer says its cost will be deduced from the soldiers' wages!



Republican pressure becomes harder in the centre. The Royalists have sent messengers to the village to ask for reinforcements but they take time to be heard by the officer there.



Royalist (random) units finally arrive from the south, with delay but the situation now becomes difficult for the Republicans.
 


Meanwhile, the British shallop is still firing its cannon at the Republicans who climb the other cliff. The Royalists on the top fire their muskets at the attackers. This assault fails.







Still heavy and bloody fightings in the center. The Republicans suffer heavy casualties but cross the fences and enter the camp, but not in time to stop a heavy cart loaded with powder heading for the artillery battery.



A second and smaller cart, carrying two barrels of powder, is following.



A Republican officer asks the GM if it could be set on fire by courageous men. The GM mysteriously answers that anything can be done... In fact the Royalists have already thought of it, a Royalist fanatic has secretly set fire to a slow match. It takes some (random) time to reach the powder... and the barrels explode just when a whole Republican unit is about to seize the cart!



It breaks the Republican attack. This time the Blues must retreat, the Royalists have won the day.

AAR in French:
https://www.anargader.net/t3405-argad-quiberon-1795#31642

Offline ChrisBBB

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2022, 07:30:06 PM »
Fabulous model, brilliant game - wish I could have been there! Especially as I was down Quiberon way a few weeks ago:
https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2022/06/brittany-fortifications-and-museums.html
My own armies are nearly all 6mm for big battles rather than small skirmishes, but I can still appreciate a cunning scenario and a beautiful layout. I hope the game got the attention and admiration it deserved.

Offline MaleGriffin

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2022, 07:53:48 PM »
Gorgeous game and fantastic AAR!
Hoc quoque transibit
Sanguinem sistit semper

Offline CapnJim

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2022, 04:50:08 PM »
Very good looking game!  Great report, too!  Well done!
"Remember - Incoming Fire Has the Right-of-Way"

Offline Old Contemptable

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2022, 06:16:32 AM »
WOW!

Offline Patrice

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2022, 12:40:27 PM »
Thanks guys! (...although I didn't do much myself except adapting and translating the AAR).  :)

I was down Quiberon way a few weeks ago

Our gaming group does not do such big games very often, but if any of you pass in Brittany when we have something planned it's usually easy to include one or more players.  :)

Offline OSHIROmodels

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2022, 08:29:12 PM »
Great stuff  8)
cheers

James

https://www.oshiromodels.co.uk/

Twitter account -     @OSHIROmodels
Instagram account - oshiromodels

http://redplanetminiatures.blogspot.co.uk/
http://jimbibblyblog.blogspot.com/

Offline Unlucky General

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2022, 10:59:17 PM »
Patrice,

I spent some time scrutinizing your photos and the terrain in particular. It's simply fantastic. I particularly love the ocean effects and colours. This certainly something to aim for.

Offline Marine0846

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2022, 02:00:07 AM »
Love the table.
Gaming at it's finest.
Semper Fi, Mac

Offline Patrice

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2022, 01:22:59 PM »
I particularly love the ocean effects and colours. This certainly something to aim for.

So you must know the truth: this sea is made from toilet paper :) and we had many jokes about it while he was making it... and yes it’s beautiful.

French lesson: We called it “la mer en PQ” (the sea in toilet paper)! “PQ” is for “papier cul” (officially “papier hygiénique” or “papier toilette” in French). The word “cul” sometimes sounds slang but “PQ” does not shock anyone.  lol

Offline Jemima Fawr

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2022, 02:17:48 PM »
Fantastic stuff!  :-*
Suffering from insomnia?  Too much excitement in your life?  Jemima Fawr's Miniature Wargames Blog might be just the solution you've been looking for: www.jemimafawr.co.uk

Offline vtsaogames

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #13 on: July 26, 2022, 02:06:35 AM »
Everything is marvelous but oh, that fortress!  :o :o :o
And the glorious general led the advance
With a glorious swish of his sword and his lance
And a glorious clank of his tin-plated pants. - Dr. Seuss


My blog: http://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/

Offline Patrice

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Re: [Argad AAR] A Quiberon 1795 FRW battle
« Reply #14 on: July 26, 2022, 08:29:23 PM »
oh, that fortress!

The fort still exists and its overall appearance has not much changed, although more buildings have been constructed in the 19th and 20th century. It still is French Army property, the curious metal structure ahead is for commando training or whatever. In WW1 this fort was used to guard German POWs. In WW2 it was occupied by the nazis who tortured and shot French Resistance (or suspected to be) members there. This is a place full of history...  :'(


 

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