Field of Battle 3 - Seasons of Battle - Battle of Thorn - a Seven Years War solo bash concluded

Finished of FOB3/SOB game today with Russians gaining a marginal victory.

Russian musketry was awesome throughout the game despite lower shooting dice and Prussian shooting was underwhelming 

The lesser grade Russian Cavalry more than held there own against Prussian mounted arm.

The Prussian reserve Infantry Brigade appeared but only in time to shore up crumbling line.

The Russian Light Cavalry Brigade also appeared but battle was virtually won by time they got forward.

Prussians ended up forming a sort of 'crescent' defensive line on the central hill which assailed by Russians.

Prussians ran out of Morale first and gave several (ie 7) Morale Points to Russians who had lost just over half their own starting Morale (lost 14 out of 27)

In Season of Battle campaign victory level is determined by winning sides losses (in Army Morale Points) combined with any gained from enemy.

National Morale for Prussian plummeted from 40 to 21 and that of Russian rose.

Several units on both sides had Morale adjustments (mainly downward) in post battle phase and Prussians suffered by having 1 unit of Cuirassier and 1 unit of Musketeers removed from OOB for duration of campaign.

Prussians retired one region to await next campaign turn (Autumn 1761).

Russians advance as Prussian reserve appears

Defence lines formed on hill mass

Russian Cuirassier having seen off enemy mounted

Russian left swings to envelop Prussians

Prussian 'crescent' forming

Russians toil toward the slopes

Lines clash on hill

Prussian reserve Infantry swings to left top shore up Cavalry as Russian Lights appear

Prussian right beginning to crumble 

Routing (red marker) and Disordered (yellow) abound as action intensifies

Prussian left about to be enveloped (failing to move on a move card did not help)

A Prussian Officer has fallen (black marker) putting his Brigade into Disorder

Russian Foot massing to assault centre posistion

Overview at end as Prussians yield the field

 

Field of Battle 3 - Seasons of Battle - Battle of Thorn - a Seven Years War solo bash

Resurrected my Season of Battle SYW 'campaign' with Russians and Prussians circa 1761. 

Started this off earlier this year (during first UK lockdown) and now getting to second Summer season action. 

Using the SOB Campaign deck the first card turned was a Prussian Battle card and having won the roll off the Prussians decided to get straight into another battle, this time in the Thorn region.

After rolling for battle generation/set up it was Map 22 (Moderate terrain density area) with Prussians nominal Defenders against Russian attack.

Both sides ended up (via SOB system) with one Command (randomly determined) starting off-table, which saw a full Prussian Infantry Brigade being delayed for 5 Move cards and the Russian Light Cavalry Brigade (already less 1 Hussar delayed until Autumn) being a whopping 10 Move cards from the fray.

The Russians are also labouring with an Inferior deck whilst Prussians retained their Superior Deck (not such a swing as in FOB2 with decks though)

Both sides could deploy into 3 extra table squares and Prussians could remove 1 terrain feature (they chose to remove a large wood on central hill mass.

Both forces deployed and action has already started with Prussians massing their Cavalry on their left trying to overwhelm depleted Russian mounted forces.

A unit of Russian Dragoons were charged by 2 Prussian Cuirassier and Routed (and left table toot suite) but a counter charge by Russian Cuirassier has seen one Prussian unit also Routed (but still on table).

Russians are trying (a couple of lowly D8 Leaders) to push their left wing Infantry against the Prussian right which is held by a small Brigade although of Grenadiers.

More to follow.....................

Overview of initial deployments (Prussians to the left)

Russian Infantry on their left wing

More Infantry and Mounted in Centre

Brigade of Cossacks and Horse Grenadiers delayed for 10 Move cards !!

View from Russian lines

Prussian 'delaying' force on their right wing

Their main forces on central hill mass

Russians advance up the slopes

Prussian Infantry Brigade delayed for 5 Move cards, a substantial part of overall force

Prussian central deployment with Cavalry massed on left

Prussian right

Cavalry action on hill

Russians left advances

They shall grow not old.....................

 

They shall grow not, as we that are left grow old: 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them.

Lingevres - Rapid Fire Reloaded - more solo action

Played 3 more turns of Lingevres scenario and casualties mounting on both sides.

The German Company in the farm wiped out the British Company and supporting MG Platoon that advanced through woods adjacent to the farm.

This is first I have really seen changes to small arms firing in RFR compared to RF, as now your figures generate a number of dice to throw (sort of like Bolt Action) rather than a single dice on old chart. 

These Germans have then been battered to half strength by British return fire and Mortar stonks.

The most dramatic action was on British right as a Firefly exchanged several ineffectual shots with the Panther which had withdrawn slightly to get out of line of fire of the Achilles on British left.

However Firefly eventually managed to roll a hit and then a 6 brewed the Panther.

The whole German left flank is looking precarious and its still 4 turns until reserves appear.

Tanks and Tank Destroyers to the fore on British left

Support arrives for beleaguered Company near farm

Too late however as German fire devastates the ranks

German Company in church remain silent and unseen

Panther 231 dukes it out with.......................

..... 'Mable'

British right

Overview of from British lines

British tanks try to spot the defenders in the church, unsuccessfully

British Company wiped out and Germans down to half strength at the farm

The victor

And the vanquished

British armoured strength on show

A second Company advances towards the farm

Postscript - I decided to end the game at this point as not seeing anyway back for Germans especially in solo play. One of several Normandy scenarios to revisit once face to face play back on agenda. 

And a board wargame purchase (due next week hopefully), more COIN goodness on an interesting subject