Ulster Wargames Society - Jakubowo 1812 scenario played again this time with Field Of Battle 3 (pictastic)

Club day today and I had planned to do Montmiral with FOB3 but couple of usual suspects awol so I decided to put on Jakubowo again as more modest number of units (Montmiral is large and I usually use 2 base units in lieu of standard 4 bases).

Hugh and Mark were the protagonists with Mark arriving first so getting choice of sides, he selected French, therefore Hugh commanding the Russians.

This turned out to be another cracking game that was a real swings and roundabouts in terms of fortunes and a nailbiter at the end.

Mark advanced to take central hill (a no brainer for French) and brought his early arriving reserve Division on on his left.

Hugh got both his reserve Divisions on toute suite as well placing his Line on his right and his Veteran Grenadiers on his left.

Both sides cavalry faced each other in a stand off near the hill

It was on the Russian left/French right flank that the drama of the action unfolded.

Two batteries of Ivan guns pounded the French right causing several losses and disorders and the Grenadiers were able to charge enmass (some great Move options) into the French.

However the Grenadiers were severely repulsed (so many 1 rolled !) with one unit Destroyed, another Routed and the remaining two damaged.

French 44e Ligne Regiment won many battle honours during this action.

To add further misery to Hughs efforts his central command lost their General (this Division underperformed all day failing Move several times) and things looked grim indeed.

However Ivans did get their Commander back very quickly but only Rallied a couple of his units.

Then the fickle gods of war seemed to turn completely against the Emperors minions as the Russian Grenadiers rallied their Routers and all hits and disorders in one fell swoop.

They then launched another assault on the exhausted French right and all but crushed it with four French Battalions swept from the field (Mark rolled a succession of 1s that was a rival to my usual standard, yes it was that bad).

The French also saw two of their three Commanders suffering wounds and half their army was in Disorder !!

But they managed to pull an unbelievable three Leadership cards in quick succession seeing their Generals revived and most of their Disorders rallied.

But the damage was done to the French Army Morale which was now at zero and on the brink but Mark passed first Army Morale test although they were 'gifting' morale to Russians (5 at one point).

This however seemed to inspire the Elan of the Grognards (and Mark) whose Cavalry and left wing Infantry advanced onto Russian right and gave them a torrid time, indeed they clawed back their Morale (to zero) gifts and began to inflict Morale losses on Ivans (and Hugh !!)

It seemed they might even punish the Ivans further but another Army Morale appeared and French lost roll off being thereby forced to Quit The Field.

The Russians finished with a mere 5 Morale (starting levels were 24 for French and 25 for Russians) and they (ie Hugh) breathed a huge sigh of relief after a hard fought game.

A game full of drama and excitement with the narrative aspect of FOB on full display with events and the unpredictable nature of system creating a game story that reads just like a real battle account. 

The multiple dice type system (which some dislike) can be very unforgiving (especially with the extremes of high vs low rolls) but I say 'embrace the chaos' as these decisive moments make for exciting gameplay and lots of groaning and cheering.

Very enjoyable game to umpire (especially watching the ebb and flow of emotions of both players).

I have stated it many times but FOB never disappoints and what it may lack in perceived 'historical' chrome or tactical nuance it more than makes up for in playability and plain good old fun in spades.

I have yet to find another rules system that so consistently creates such dynamic games in such playable fashion, some come close on occasion but are often more staid in comparison, although those with less 'chaos' and more predictability can be appealing if a more chess like game is preferred.

You pays yer money and takes yer choice

'A lora lora' pics (Cilla Black evoked) again of varying quality and back to front order

View from Russian left with French right virtually gone but Russian right also in serious diffs (note central Russian Division in Disorder as General 'hors de combat'

Ivan Grenadiers have crushed French right flank (after likely being threatened with punitive measures) 

View from French left just prior to French knocking seven bells out of oppossing Russian infantry

It was something of a stalemate in center and French right for most of game as neither side wanted to engage (or could due to Generals be out of it)

Russian center exchanges fire with French with some Jagers in skirmish mode

Cossacks in skirmish line (a house rule) as Hussars (under Hughs trotter) move to shore up right (Grenadiers in early difficulty phase)

Hits and Disorders for both sides

French right has repulsed Russian Grenadier assaults but are bloodied and bruised

The Russian Grenadier assault the French line but are repulsed 

Pressure mounts on French right

Note Routing Russian Grenadier (red marker) and one of their assault columns was soon to be wiped out

This repulse of Grenadier attack on left looked somewhat worried Russian CiC (Wittgenstein)

Earlier stages of the Grenadiers assault (they raced across battlefield into close quarters action)

French advance to take central hill

The 44e Ligne Regiment about to achieve everlasting glory as assault columns of superior Russian Grenadiers approach

Russian guns had been softening up the French 

The Grenadiers looked unstoppable, as they later proved to be so after ignominy of initial failure

Initial French advance

And initial deployment of Russian Jager Division

Early days before either sides reserves have appeared.

Of course other games at club (there was a Midguard game scheduled but organizer ill)

Chris put on another of his visual spectacles this time with invasion of Tarawa. No idea of rules (likely Rapid Fire or Bolt Action ?) or outcome

Leslie put on another naval game this time set in WW1 and again not idea as to how it went or rules used.

Ulster Wargames Society - Khalkhin Gol with Chain of Command 2 and Little Big Horn

Monthly club meeting today and took part in a Big Battle Chain of Command 2 game set in 1939 in Manchuria with Japanese against Russians.

Game set up and run by Jeremy D and Dave M with several figures from Chris.

Terrain was mix of hills, knolls, rough ground, depressions and couple of light buildings.

Five Nippon players: Jeremy D (CinC), Dave T, Tim, Chris and yours truly against four Ivans: Dave M (CinC), Dave B, Ian and Stevie C.

Nips were the attackers fielding 4 Infantry Platoons (12 man sections) with 3 Chi Ha tanks (under my illustrious command) with numerous support assets (including ATGs, ATRs, Chi Go, a Ruse, Mortar Platoon)

Reds had I think 3 Infantry Platoons (10 man sections) with 3 BT5 tanks and various support assets (not sure what except for a Mortar Barrage)

After Patrol phase Japs had quite favourable Jump Off points especially as their Ruse allowed a Jump Off point to be moved a very flexible option. 

Ivans mainly confined to their set up zone but with 2 (of the 4) Objectives looking vulnerable on either flank.

I kept my Tank Platoon off-table at start to see how things developed before committing.

Jeremy D was on Jap right with Dave T on center-right Tim center-left and Chris on left.

Right to left Ivans had Dave M, Ian, Dave B and Stevie C.

Several Jap sections were deployed early (to threaten those attainable) and in response Ivans done same and indeed their Tanks appeared right way in center-right area but separated into isolated areas.

Use of a ruse allowed Japs to occupy one enclosed field objective right away

So when able I then deployed on right to support Platoons under Jeremy and Dave T.

Chris on our left launched Banzai charges from get go against a farm objective but after a flurry of dice rolling seemed to be stymied (I was not fully aware of proceedings on left half of table throughout)

Seemingly inspired (and encouraged from sidelines) Dave T launched 2 full sections in another Banzai attack against another enclosed field Objective.

A furious melee (so many dice !) 36 halved to 18 vs 14 in first round but a draw with 2 kills each and some shock, second round it was 24 dice vs 11 and Dave rolled 4 kills and 4 shock but Stevie C rolled 6 kills and 1 Shock to actually win the melee !

This forced Daves sections back with additional Shock but due to losses and Shock Stevies section was Broken and also fell back.

Infantry action on this flank sort of stalemated for awhile with both sides exchanging lead but with Stevie C having his Force Morale and Command Dice steadily reduced (ended up on 1 Morale).

Whilst this was occurring one of Dave B tanks was being assailed by my 3 Tanks, 2 Anti-Tank Guns and a Anti-Tank Rifle over several phases but seemed impervious taking only a couple of Shock and dealing out same.

Eventually the poor bugger was forced back, was immobilized, had its Optic damaged and ultimately was abandoned but it felt more like a KV1 than a BT5 !!

Chris had by this time occupied the Objective of left and things looked bad for Ivans, but suddenly a ranging shot for a mortar barrage appeared amidst a mass of Jap infantry which luckily failed to see the barrage fall immediately.

The infantry scattered as best the could but the barrage then arrived Pinning 3 sections and causing lots of Shock.      

Unfortunately time had to be called before game completed and whilst Japanese seemed to be in ascendancy (2 Objectives occupied just about to be declared captured with a Jump Off point nullified) hard to say how things would have ended.

Amazingly my Chi Ha units survived (decent enough in this period)

Great stuff and much kudos to Jeremy D for being able to both play and field the numerous rules questions.

Russia's finest

Japanese right wing with my Chi Ha fleet in action (the wannabe KV1 just visible beside rules to right rear)

Nip infantry occupy central hill from which they launched Banzai charge

Some of Chris lot on left (and lots of dice......so many dice........)

The enclosed field taken by Chris (after a fierce struggle I believe)

Fearsome Chi Ha......hear us roar !!............ok whimper

Tims Platoon in center

Another BT5 behind the broken Russian section 

Nip adversaries have fallen back onto hill (a Senior Commander was lost in this charge action !!) 

Jeremys Sections flank the large hill and occupy an Objective with 37mm ATG in support

Central Jap positioning before the Banzai

Ruse ability allowed this Jump Off point to be moved to enable capture ground well into Russian area

Left half of table seemed so far away and someone has dropped smoke

Also at club Phil and son put on a very nice Battle of the Little Big Horn game with the other Jeremy, Billy, Tom and Leslie.

No idea how this went but some very nice 7th Cavalry and Indian figures with nice terrain and I think Men Who Would Be Kings rules (?)

Only got a couple of pics (it deserved better)

Yellow Hair himself on foot

Some very nice mounted Indian Braves (no idea as to figure range)