Somewhere in Surrey, Spring 1875....AAR 2, page 3...!

[Malamute]

The small village of Little Snoring on the Trickle River is about to get a wake up call in the first of our campaign games set during the German invasion of England of 1875.

Setting the scene:

The British will defend the village in an attempt to stop troops from the Prussian 1St Corps seizing the river crossing.The Prussians will arrive from the top left of the table with the British occupying the village and the Bridge.



The residents are blissfully unaware that their village Idyll will soon be rudely interrupted.





A hastily prepared barricade at the foot of the bridge gives an indication of what might be.



Members of the Illustrated London News including roving reporters Archibald Harris-Hampton and Jean Paul Biro together with renown photographers Harry "Flash" Bang-Whallop and Stanley Still arrive to record the events live for their readers.



The gentlemen of the press make way for the Dorking Volunteer Artillery Company and their 4pdr gun "Agnes".



Prussian units from the 5th Line Regiment appear in column on the road and in the adjacent fields.



They are ably suported by Jaeger skirmishers:



The First British unit to deploy are riflemen from the 31st Regiment of foot who are billeted in a nearby cottage, they take up a position behind a low wall.



They decide to take up a position even closer to the advancing Prussians. A decision which may later cost them, meanwhile the Guildford Cricketeers deploy adjacent to the gun, in Professor Henry Higgins Holiday House.




To be continued....

[Malamute]

The Prussian infantry advance supported by rifle fire from the Jaegers.



The Prussians deploy into open order and quicken their pace. "Vorwart!" shouts the officer!



The British rifles begin to take casualties from both jaeger units which flank the main body of troops.



The jaegers continue to advance sniping at the British Riflemen.



They continue to press the attack...


 

[DalyDR]

What a gorgeous setup.  This is one of those layouts that, after all is arranged and ready, I'd be almost reluctant to play an actual game on for fear of messing up the spectacle.  Just wonderful!

[Metternich]

Absolutely lovely.  I particularly liked the reporters set up to record the battle.

[Malamute]

They keep coming, shrugging off the rather ineffective British rifle fire.





The Guildford Cricketeers decide to enter the fray, but rather than concentrate their fire on the Prussian Regulars they begin a firefight  with Jaegers on the left flank.



This allows the main Prussian Infantry units to press their attack on the rifle unit who quickly crumble from their  combined musketry:



Meanwhile the 2nd Royal Surrey volunteers arrive on the bridge to support the gun:



But are they too late?

[Elk101]

Absolutely fantastic set up and visual display. I like all the local details given in the descriptions too.

[oldskoolrebel]

Lovely work folks! Looks like a really good fun series of games!

They keep coming, shrugging off the rather ineffective British rifle fire.

I can only assume that James was playing the British. He'd probably still roll a one on a loaded D6.

[Silent Invader]

Lovely

[Malamute]

Lovely work folks! Looks like a really good fun series of games!

I can only assume that James was playing the British. He'd probably still roll a one on a loaded D6.

 

[Romark]

Lovely set up,minis look great 👍

[BaronVonJ]

I like what I'm seeing.

[OSHIROmodels]

I can only assume that James was playing the British. He'd probably still roll a one on a loaded D6.

 

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Superb looking game.   

[Captain Darling]

Spiffing effort sir!
Good narrative featuring great terrain and figures what else do you need?
Thanks for posting, looking forward to seeing how events unfold.
😊

[Malamute]

The Dorking Volunteer Artillery Company fire their first shot on the Prussian column as its turns the corner by the duck pond and heads up the main road towards the village:



Taking casualties the Prussians press on:



They make rapid progress:



On the bridge the 2nd Royal Surrey volunteers turn and start to fire on the jaegers who are engaged at long range with the Guildford Cricketers on their right flank:



Gathering momentum the majority of the Prussian force is advancing rapidly on the bridge meeting little or no resistance apart from the light gun which is largely ineffective in stopping the advance..



The climax of the battle approaches.