Ulster Wargame Society - Oudenarde with Field of Battle 3

UWS meeting today and I put on another Malburian game with FOB3 and my 10mm kit.

Scenario was based on Battle of Oudenarde 1708 (adapted -ie blatantly stolen- from a Maurice scenario) with units representing approx brigade sized units (4-6 battalions of foot).

French have numbers but are mostly average with average command (only 2 Generals - Vendomme and Burgundy) and control, the Allies are smaller in number but higher quality with better command overall (they start with 2 excellent Generals - Marlborough and Eugene) but with 2 others appearing as reinforcements (Lottum and Overkirk) and a better card deck.

The French could gain 10 morale by capturing a central village (Eyne) whilst Allied reserves under Overkirk could flank march to anywhere on Allied left arriving on their 3rd move card (Lottum was to arrive home on base edge on 2nd Move card).

I had indicated this on the OOB sheets I gave the players (Dave T took Allies and Dave B the French) but they both failed to notice this enemy information (spys and scouts not up to task).

This turned out to be another cracking game that went right down to the wire with both sides almost at zero morale at same time (French greatly aided by swiftly taking that village which Allies had unknowingly left unguarded). 

The Allied flank march (2 Dutch foot and 2 Dutch horse) arrived in good time but made a meal of turning French flank as opposing French horse were, assaulted, outflanked and took several hits but just refused to go away !

French left wing was slow in making progress which helped the Allies (despite Mr T having a run of truly awful dice rolls) and eventually the odds swung in Allies favour. 

Allies finished with only 1 of their 32 morale intact but having been 'gifted' several from French pool of 36 which had concurrently been depleted and the French quit the field after their second Army Morale test (had they gotten another run of cards and results and this might well have seen Allies falter).

Scenario map game was based on 

This is my version of map from test set up at home (I used a 6' x 5' table and did not bother marking roads as no effect in game)

French left wing (in foreground) is making slow progress as Allied left is pinned back along Diepenbeek stream but with Eyne taken already by Swiss foot from right wing

Allies under pressure from French numbers as they await reserves

Later stages as both sides taking losses (note Allied flanking force has arrived on distant hill engaging French horse) 

Several units routing (red markers) with several units having been destroyed on both sides as French left moves to assault just as Allied left is gaining ascendancy

A grim battle of attrition just prior to French collapse

Burgundy on French left is Hors De Combat (dreaded roll of 1 on a D12 test) putting whole of left wing into disorder (yellow markers)

Also today Phil ran a 'Men Who Would Be Kings' game in 20mm (think it was Indian Mutiny ?) but no idea how it turned out ?

Andy and co had final practice with Team Yankee for a competition in Cardiff next month

Mike and Simon played board game ("burn the heretics !" I heard in background) with the excellent No Retreat! The Russian Front which Russians won in 1943 after a large portion of Germans surrounded. Nice to see some cardboard wargaming action.