Action at Vorontsovo-Nikolaevskoe, June 1918

[Father Primus]

Finally we started small (and very slow-paced, I suppose  ) mini-campaign, based on 2nd Kuban Campaign.

We used slightly modified "Price of a Mile" rules from Ivan Sorensen and found them appropriate for this size of battle, giving us quick and enjoyable game. Each model on the table represents some 5-10 real-life combatants.

...

First battle we played, was based on the opening moves of this historical campaign: White Volunteers initiate assault on Torgovaya station and a nearby village of Vorontsovo-Nikolaevskoe, defended by hastily raised Stavropolian conscripts. The only relief defenders can reckon on, are the demoralised red troops, withdrawing north from the white onslaught.


View of a battlefield from aerial reconnaisance.



Red conscripts rush to the houses and hedges, quickly aiming at the closing Whites.



Tired and demoralised red columns under Comissar Frucktin arrive on the road.



Volunteers deploy in thin white line: Drozdovtsy advance on the village, while veteran Kornilovtsy turn to the right to meet red relief column.



Valiant Drozdovsky' regiment captain Korobenko orders HMG crew to provide covering fire to his advancing troops.



Kornilovtsy under able captain P.C.Shtoff take strategic hill.



Drozdovtsy initiate quick and reckless assault on the village, but are beaten back with heavy losses - one company is entirely destroyed under crossfire in the field. As a result, volunteers change the tactic: they take cover and begin to suppress the conscripts by accurate fire, trying to break their weak morale.



Kornilovtsy become the heroes of the day - under heavy fire and despite double numerical inferiority, they managed to stop red advance in its tracks and rout the entire relief force, thanks to some good rolls and stupidity of red commander (me), who deployed his Maxim guns in the fire field of white HMG. 



Looking at the disaster on the road and suffering from volunteers' shots, red conscript leave their positions and run away. Despite giving whites a bloody nose, red commander concedes defeat...

[Mike Blake]

Love it! The sepia photographs are a wonderful idea. Great example of a short, sharp, decisive fight/game.

[marianas_gamer]

A fun looking short and bloody action ieading to a loss of morale and retreat. Just as I conceptualize a lot of these fights. I like the sepia tone photos too. Very nice all around
LB

[cuprum]

Great report! Thank you!
Does this report on the Russian forums?

[Father Primus]

Thank you, gentlemen!
Sepia style was chosen because of dark and blurry original photos 

cuprum:

Добрый день! Я на форумах почти нигде не сижу( Так, небольшой фотоотчетик выложил здесь и на warforge в историческом разделе.

[sepoy1857]

I like it - Thanks! Very interesting to see 1918 actions as well.

[Father Primus]

Thank you!

In 1918 so many different forces of so different quality was involved - just this fact makes playing it interesting and challenging.

[Ignatieff]

Love it!!!!