Ulster Wargames Society - Field Of Battle 3 'Markkleeberg' scenario

As planned I put on the Markkleeberg scenario with FOB3 at Ulster Wargames Society today.

Had 4 players involved with Dave T and Jeremy M commanding Russo-Prussians against Dave B and Ian as Polish-French defenders (I lack the required Polish figures so French used as surrogates).

What an exciting and dynamic game this turned out to be going right to the wire with both sides having exhausted their Morale. 

French had gone to zero morale earlier than Allies but had then pulled it back from brink completely depleting the Allied morale pool (despite having been 'gifted' 1 chip), but they were ultimately undone when they pulled 2 Army Morale cards in a row (as last 2 cards of a 5 card initiative) passing the first test but failing second, We checked the unused Allied hand and they had 1 Army Morale card upcoming.

The game had been close throughout with action all along the line of the central stream.

As always with FOB a lot of tense dice rolls and as ever some unexpected results such as......

A unit of veteran Allied Hussars had forced back a unit of Chasseurs then charged into rear of a unit of Cuirassiers narrowly failing to Rout them. Subsequently the Chasseurs rallied and managed to charge into rear of the Hussars whilst the Cuirassier hit them in front but after 3 rounds of melee the Hussars managed to repulse the two enemy (a 4 on a D4 vs a 1 on a D8 !!) much to the chagrin of the French players.

Meanwhile on the other flank a lowly unit of Landwehr light cavalry survived shooting and contact by French foot after having failed to Evade and indeed caused the enemy foot to fall back damaged, not bad for Militia types.

Both sides Artillery were fairly effective throughout the game (a lot less firing overall than in the Battle Command try with scenario) causing a steady drain on enemy morale.

Both sides managed to lose a Commander to a roll of 1, the French after a Daring Deed (of which they tried several during game) but as both on same side of battlefield neither side could really take advantage.

Initiative was pretty low today with lots of 1 card each and 5 was biggest 'run' either side achieved. This meant neither side was really able to deal a massive blow before enemy came back at them. A couple of tied rolls saw deck re-shuffles occur.

All 4 players seemed to enjoy game with Jeremy and Ian both new to system (the two Daves are more familiar with basics) and good to see a game actually played to completion once again.

At start with French lining the stream as Allies deploy in attack columns

French right wing

Later as Allies have pushed across stream on right and in center and French reinforcements have just arrived to rear. 

Note both nearest Brigades have temporarily lost their Commanders (black marker) hence the concentration of Disordered units (yellow markers) 

Also at club Phil had a 20mm 1941 Eastern Front game ongoing. Not sure who all was playing besides his son and Leslie nor do I know how it turned out but I did overhear that a Russian sniper was crushed under Panzer tracks at some point.

I managed to take more and better pics of this game at lunch than of our game !