A bit of online Wargaming

Couple of screenshots from PBEM ongoing games to bring this Blog back somewhat on track !





Combat Mission (an oldie but goodie) with a Sherman menacing my Pz Grenadiers near Lingevres in Normandy.

No Peace Without Spain board game via Vassal showing overall at start of 1704

And a zoom in with Prince Eugene threatening the Bavarian Elector at Munich as The Duke in a bit of a stalemate with Villars in Flanders locality.

Vassal ongoing PBEM games

Still playing a couple of PBEM games via Vassal (such an asset).






The Dark Valley (this has been in progress for couple of years now !) has reached January 1944 and something of a stalemate.
Germans (Mike) never really got close to any major objectives (Kiev only) but have therefore a lot of strength on Eastern Front which the Russians (me) are having problems breaking down despite being at full OOB.

Just started a game of No Peace Without Spain (been several years since I played this) as Bourbons.
Alliance (Prezmek) has launched Marlborough at Liege on first turn but was repulsed.
Bourbons (me) have responded by activating Bavarians to capture Ulm and French have taken Trier.
Early days in this one.

Catching up again.......

Busy again so a brief catch-up on gaming activity.

Managed a couple of plays of Combat Commander with my Dad.
Both scenarios from the original CC:Europe set.
First set in Ste Mere Eglise and the second an anti-Partisan sweep in the east.

Also managed to catch up with a few ongoing Vassal Pbem games.

Hannibal: Rome Vs Carthage (vs Vita)

No Peace Without Spain (vs David Pentland who is going for the jugular at Paris !) 

 The Dark Valley (vs Mike)

 Turning Point Stalingrad with last stand of Red Army (vs Stefano)

And an EBay purchase of a title I have been looking for

No Peace Without Spain Vassal game ends in 1710

1710 Year finished with this excellent Vassal game against Norman.
Year started with Desertion & Disease event allowing me to reduce 2 enemy Corps in Rugged areas. Then usual reinforcing by both sides prior to campaigning.
Bourbons elected to let Allies go first this year. Spain was a lost cause for Allies and they lost Cadiz by years end giving Bourbons control of Mediterranean (Allies must retain control of Lisbon or Cadiz). Austria fairly stagnant as Eugene fixed in place defending approaches to Vienna with strong French forces around him.
Allies had minor gains in Italy taking Naples for 2VPs (off set by Bourbon gains in Spain). A Savoian force did venture into France taking Lyons but were soon ousted and the city restored to Bourbon control.
In Flanders The Duke again failed to make any impression.
He did lay siege to Bouchain but only because the large French army refused to give battle, as no real need to (this would have been a whopping 15 vs 13 dice encounter) Duke then failed to take the fortress. Galway and minor leaders did fight battle against marginally stronger Bourbon forces but lost every encounter (I think at one point I had 3 demoralised forces on the board at once).
As this was 1710 at years end the French were able to offer concessions (ie VPs) and roll for British Withdrawl and of course the treacherousness curs managed to bribe Perfidious Albion at first attempt. With VPs standing a 8 it was an auto Victory for Bourbons (Allies would have needed 14 VPs to stay in the game)

So very well done to Norman.

I think Allies were up against it when Duke under performed (The Tower for him upon return !!) in early years both by failing to take forts and losing battles, as once the Bourbon reserves come in gains are much harder to achieve here.
Flanders a tough area to campaign in with so many tough fortresses to overcome and yet its where Duke seems best suited and bulk of Allies tend to congregate.
Bourbons have strategically easier task with interior lines and not being forced to fight a battle except on their own terms.
I think they can afford a few more mistakes/set backs than Allies maybe ?
French Generals are pretty good overall in game and have just as much chance of causing 'hits' as their counterparts.
Amazingly we did not lose a single named Leader throughout and yet in my solo games they seemed to drop like flies.

As my first outing with Vassal system I found this a hugely enjoyable experience (against a gentleman of an opponent) with a very good and Vassal friendly game in No Peace Without Spain.
Norman has offered to re-play as Allies and am more than willing to have another go as the system is such that no two games will play exactly the same.
But am also willing to lose to him at another title so watch this space..................................................

Duke amasses huge force at Bouchain but French refused to fight (cowardly curs)

End in Flanders (note VP level)

End in Italy/Austria (Note Savoians chased back home by Elector)

End in Spain with Cadiz back in Bourbon control

Overall End game situation

No Peace Without Spain 1709 turn ends

Another year of this engrossing game on Vassal between Norman and myself is completed.

Year of to rather a nasty start with draw of Famine event meaning we are both reduced to 4 instead of 5 action cards this turn. I drew 4 x 2 actions.

Fairly uneventful year compared to previous with the curtailed Campaigning season. 

Bourbons being in strong position mainly beefed up their army Corps. 

Only in Spain did they manouvre with an army moving to Madrid to thwart my plans there.

For my part (ie Allies) I too restored a few Corps. 

I did lay siege to Ostend with Galway managing to bypass Fortified Lines.

I also moved to besiege Naples which turned out rather risky as the Army involved had no line of communication to home so suffered a -2 siege modifier ! 

Of course Galway failed at Ostend whilst Naples fell to besiegers gaining me 2VPs hurrah !

1710 turn about to begin and first year that Peace Negotiations between Britain and France can occur at year end so will be interesting to see how this transpires.  

Overall situation at end of 1709 (no real change except the fall of Naples to Allies)

Years end in Austria and Northern Italy

Flanders stalemated again

Bourbons consolidate in Spain

No Peace Without Spain (Vassal) End of 1708 turn

Just finished 1708 turn of my ongoing Vassal game with Norman of No Peace Without Spain. Year started with events phase seeing me pull the 'Minorca Falls' card which gives Allied fleet in the Med a +1 roll making things risky for French to launch their Toulon fleet. French draw was 'Death Of Emperor Joseph' which increases chance of successful peace negotiations by +1 making it more likely for Britain to withdraw from the war in 1710. Both sides then replenished troops and re-distributed Leader for the years campaigning. Bourbon now have overall initiative and so went first this year.

In Austrian theatre French moved on Salzburg and a close battle was fought (7 vs 7 dice) when Eugene intercepted. Eugene came out victorious and Bourbon limped back from whence them came. Eugene later done same to another Bourbon incursion at Linz narrowly winning 3 hits to 2 hits and forcing Bourbons back from approaches to Vienna. Things pretty much stalemated in Austria after that.

In Iberian Peninsula Bourbons having ousted Allies from Portugal began to wear down the isolated Portugese forces.  An Allied army moved around the area capturing a couple of unfortified spaces. At years end Bourbons narrowly failed to capture Elvas and thereby destroy the Portugese (one half Corps remains).

In Flanders I tried to draw out and damage the massive (14 dice) French force by moving Galway and his Army to Lille. Villars intercepted with his 14 dice vs the Galways 7 (I hope to at least cause some damage to his force). However things turned out badly for brave Galway as his troops took 5 hits and lost a Corps inflicting only 2 on the French horde. This meant the first Famous Victory of game to French. I then hurled Duke and his army at Bouchain again drawing the attention of Villars army. This battle had 14 French dice vs 12 Allied but the bloody Duke reverted to his ineffectual self losing 5 hits to 4 hits and limping backwards. Restoring damaged and demoralized Corps name of game for both sides after that.

Despite the numerous Battles neither side lost a 'named' Commander something which strangely has not occurred yet !!
Duke not performing is really hurting Allied cause and route to Paris barred firmly by Villars. Allies need a big success in 1709 before British Withdrawl occurs as Austria and others not tough enough on there own I fear.
Some exciting battles this turn with Eugene and Villars showing their mettle but Duke failing yet again.

Opening moves of the year

End of year in Austria

Flanders near years end with 2 Demoralized Allied Armies (yellow outlines)

Spain at years end

Overall situation at end of year 

No Peace Without Spain: Vassal game 1707 completed

Another year of my Vassal game with Norman has been completed.
Further year of mixed fortunes for Allies.
Year started with Commisard Rebellion event which allowed me to force Berwick to be withdrawn deal with it (he comes back in 1708 with a fresh corps in tow).
Bourbons drew Altranstadt (Great Northern War) event which removed a Subsidy Corps from my OOB until 1708.
Both sides then recieved reserves and built-up depleted Corps. Bourbon did not launch their Med fleet this year (must have run out of wood or sailors).
Eugene in Austria moved on Inglostadt laying siege to it but retired when a larger French force lead by the able Villars approached and spent the rest of campaigning season at Linz.
The newly raised Savoy Corps also invested Milan which fell to them gaining me 2VPs (much needed). However elsewhere in this theatre Stahremburg was brought to battle and defeated languishing bruised and battered (first full corps of game lost in this battle) at Mirandola in Italy.
French laid siege to Trent which fell to them at years end (-1VP).
In Flanders the Duke advanced yet again on Namur managing to bypass the Fortified Lines. A nearby French force tried to intercept but failed.
The Duke then duly took Namur by force (+2 VP) at last repaying faith put in him by all and sundry (ie me !!).
This saw Bourbons transferring several Corps and a large army into the region most likely to force a show-down in 1708.
No campaigning in Spain at all this year staus quo being maintained.
So a small gain in VPs but some losses sustained and a large build-up of French strength in Flanders and Austria not boding too well for any future gains.
Such an engrossing game this.

The Duke finally (!!!!) comes good taking major fortress at Namur

End of year in Flanders

Spain (static situation) and Italy

Overall situation view

NPWS Vassal game 1706 turn complete

Just finished 1706 turn of my ongoing game versus Norman and what a year it was !!!
Things started on the up for Allies with Savoy changing sides but sadly no VP for newly 'acquired' Forts.
Both sides then built up forces and placed reserves and yet again the Toulon Fleet was launched at full strength to contest the Med (can't fault the French for trying)
Eugene also came back into play at Vienna to scare off looming Bourbon armies nearby.
Hostilities opened with Eugene attacking French at Linz (who failed to be re-inforced by the Elector) and gave French a bloody nose but got a black eye ( 8 vs 6 dice and 3 vs 2 hits inflicted) but allowed him to be-siege Linz.
Marlborough then went unto breach again at Namur this time bypassing lines easily. Lilly livered French retired before him leaving a Garrison to hold this 2 strength Fortress (ie a tough nut to crack).
Both sides then moved to conduct sieges across the theatre of war. French took Mantua and more appalingly two Forts in Portugal one of which was Lisbon (-3 VPs) !! the Portuguese contingent in some danger now. Galway took Tournai after a struggle but the Duke failed to capture Namur again grrrrrrrrrrrr
Year ended on slight upbeat note for Allies as the Toulon fleet was sunk again and the Hapsburg Spainish Uprising took place gaining cause 4 more Forts (again sadly no VP) and a Corps.
However the VP level is a frighteningly low 4VPs  (if at 0 its auto Bourbon win) some small way of the 30 they need.
Marlborough under performed once again and only Eugene and Galway came away with any Honour this year. French strong still in Austria and gaining in Iberian Peninnsula. Looks like Flanders/Southern Germany   only hope for Allies and Lord help them when British Withdrawl occurs in 1710.

Great game with so many decisions to make each turn/phase. Just cannot act everywhere and any upset (such as Dukes failures) have long term effects. Fort and cities changed hands like nobody's business this year. No more reserves for either side so both now at near maximum deployment although plenty of half strength Corps to build up (at least potentially).

Flanders with Duke and Galway engaged in sieges ('Savoy Changes Sides' event card visible)

Dire situation in Portugal as Lisbon falls

Situation stabilized at Vienna

Overall situation at end of 1706 (note the VP marker position !!)

And another blogtastic day !!

NPWS Vassal Game 1705 Turn over

Just finished another year of my Vassal debut against Norman with this fascinating game. A year of fluctuating fortunes for the Allied cause. Year started with Eugene sent off to the War Council for a year (ie he sits off-board, unless Vienna attacked) Sods also stole initiative this year getting to play first on Campaign phase. Lots of maneuvering in Hapsburg territories with French capturing a couple of Fortresses rather easily and cutting supply to the Austrian force (now sans Eugene) at Trent. Vienna has Bourbon force looming forcing Baden to move to the Austrian Capital (the capture of which can lead to Bourbon auto-victory). Early in year the Duke attempted to by pass fortified lines at Namur but failed. French besieged and took Linz and Almeida in Portugal (now declared for Allies). Duke again moved on Namur full of vim and vigour and this time managed to bypass lines. The French decided to fight and at last I felt glory would be mine ! but first warning was French play of a Command Dispute Card cutting the leadership benefit of the duke and Overkirk by 2 this left 10 French dice versus 11 Allied (a narrow margin) and damn it all the French inflicted 3 hits to a mere 1 by Dukes army ! An ignominious retreat by the Duke once again with a Demoralized army......................
Lord Galway then took up the gauntlet moving on Antwerp which was garrisoned by a full strength Spainish Corps. Thankfully he managed to reduce the 2 strength Vauban fortress and evict its garrison before years end gaining 2VP (sadly this merely off-set the Bourbon VP gains elsewhere). France had launched the Toulon fleet again but this year fickle fate saw it wrecked and control of Med stayed with Allies (as is only right and proper). This allowed Allies to roll for Hapsburg Spainish Uprising event but did not occur.
Both sides took niggling losses in the sieges of the year and spent several actions restoring Corps or Transferring reserves.
End of year sees Allies massing in Flanders despite Dukes inglorious actions but with Bourbons strong in Spain and threatening Vienna.

Again Duke needs to up the ante (ie actually bloody do something !!) in 1706 instead of this 'one step forward two steps back' nonsense.............................................

Really loving this game, simple without being simplistic, full of incident and flavour with lots of decisions of caution vis risk and strategy for both players.

Dukes army shoved back from whence it came (Yellow outline denotes Demoralization)

End of 1705 in Flanders

Austria and Italy

Spain

Overall situation end of 1705

NPWS Vassal game 1704 turn completed

Finished 1704 turn of this intriquing Vassal encounter with Norman. Not a good year for the Allies with 2 unsuccessful sieges at Ostend and Antwerp, Marlborough failing to Bypass Fortification lines at Namur and Eugene defeated by Vendomme ! Bourbon fortunes on the up and up though as they successfully besiege Freiburg and Innsbruck (to Eugenes rear) whilst building up forces elsewhere and Boufflers marching into Spain. The Toulon fleet was launched and defeated the Allied fleet to gain temporary control of Mediterranean so overall a net gain of 4VP for the Bourbon cause.
Going to have to go all out next year with the Duke and dent Bourbons somewhere or the Allied cause might not recover...............
Great game this.

Flanders near end of year

Spain

Years end

Three blog entries in one evening !!!!