1/32 Fictional AWI battle at the "Crusade of Light" convention 10/09/2011
Date: Sept 19, 2011
Hi,
We played a fictional AWI battle at the "Crusade of Light" convention , organized by the "Fallen Angels" and "Witte Ridder" (White Knight) wargame clubs.
http://www.fallenangelsgamingclub.be
http://www.de-witte-ridder.be/1/category/crusade%20of%20light/1.html
Objective was the British had to cross the river with at least one unit and the Americans no longer able to push them back again. The river was fordable by infantry and cavalry, but every crossing could result in the loss of one or two figures.
All British/Hessian troops were veterans, the British grenadiers even elite. The French/Americans had 2 elite units (Washington guards) and one veteran unit.
Steven had the American left Adrien the Center, and Thomas the mixed French/American right.
Ronny had the British right, Patrick the center en Siegfried the Hessians on the left.
While the British troops started there advance, the Americans tried to cross the river to reinforce the troops on the other side. Skirmishing made victims on both sides (Hessians had jägers), the Americans took position in the village. I advised the less experienced Patrick not to focus on the village, but to take on the French American troops British on the American right.
The skirmishers where driven back with loses by charges, the grenadiers of the center started to fight for one of the buildings. The fight was bloody but the grenadiers took control. The hessians got into an attrition firefight with the French, as did the Scots on the British right with the Washington Guards. Adrien started to send units in the village to regain control.
Unsupported by the Hessians, Patrick charged with 3 units , took a battery an drove of some units of the American right, but was driven back by fire from troops of the American center, who by then had finally driven out the grenadiers out of the village.
Losses on both sides were heavy some commands close to breaking point(loss of 50 % of the units). Certainly Thomas, who faced the almost fresh Hessians while he had lost 3 of his 7 units and one unit with only 3 figures remaining (one figure from removal of the unit) .
Siegfried still continued carefully , relaying on his superior firepower, successfully ended in the breaking of the French command. With nothing in their way, they could make the crossing while there were not enough American reserves to stop them. At was a victory for the British, but the cost had been so high(loss of so much experienced troops) it could only be seen as a draw.
The battle was characterized by the careful approach of almost all players, limiting the charges. Siegfried failed to support Patrick with his charge, Adrien did not send enough troops to support Thomas, and had to much troops in the village that was no longer in danger at the critical moment. Steven could have changed to a aggressive approach- charging and eliminating the Scots - to break Ronny's command before the French broke. Of course, all this is easy to say afterwards. Most important, all of us had a good time.
Regards,
Dirk Donvil
Belgium
Many thanks to Mr. Dirk Donvil, Belgium.