Black Powder: Delaying Action, Part 3

The Russian grenadiers now emerged from the valley and immediately went into action, one battalion formed line and opened fire at the Bavarian Dragoons, while another charged the forward battery and wiped it out. Ont the Bavarian right, the Russian squares fired at the Chevau-Légers, but without much effect.

On the Bavarian left, although the Russian dragoons retired, things began to look bleak. The Russians we outflanking the thin blue line, which began to waver. We maybe should have ruled they were in dead ground for the Russians on the back of the ridge, but this was only my second, and Kevin's first, game, so as earlier stated, we are not quite at grips with the rules, yet.

On my right, one of my line battalions, appalled by the slaughter of the artillery crews, charged the  Russian grenadier column, but the fight was a draw, and the melee continued. I wanted the two battalions on the far right to advance and attack the Russian squares, and again I should have let them use Initiative moves before doing anything else - I really need to get used to that rule, as it will do away much of the frustrations arising from failed Orders.

The situation on my left flank. The Bavarian general had repositioned himself to take control of the brigade, but a little too late.

A Russian dragoon regiment doubled behind the infantry and got in position for attacking my shattered line from the back.

A general must know when a battle is lost, and the Bavarians sounded general retreat to avoid being totally surrounded. Here is the situation on my right, when the signal was given.

Of course, it was only a matter of time, before the Bavarians would be overrun, as the Russian force was more than twice the size, so things just took their natural course.

My thoughts after the first two games:

It looks and feels very 'napoleonic' - we still have to fully get to grips with the rules, but as more games are played, I, at least, should begin to have learned more of the basics by heart, so I can begin to focus on the more detailed aspects.

It is, of course. a 'light' game, as rules for this period go, but that just makes it easier to use for quickly arranged gaming appointments, as you don not have to read up on a thick volume of rules before getting stuck in, so that is fine.

I am yet to see a decisive charge, so maybe it is not as effective as I first thought, but we shall see about that...

Black Powder: Delaying Action, Part 2

It is getting late, again, as we just came back from the movies (Solo: A Star Wars Story), but I thought I should continue the AAR from last night's game of Black Powder.

The Bavarian light brigade stubbornly refused to move forward through the forest (on hindsight, I should just have let them move on Initiative, but I have not got the hang of that rule, yet...), while some of the line infantry deployed in line to receive the approaching Russians (now hidden in the valley) with some hot lead, and the artillery crossed the bridge.

The Russian line firing over the heads of their companions should not have been allowed to do so, as only artillery can shoot over troop formations, but I did not bother to check at that point.

One Bavarian battery advanced far enough to open up on the massed column of grenadiers advancing across the valley, but it seems they forgot to aim in all their haste (what is the chance of that roll??

Well, at least the cannon cannot explode or something (I think...).

Bavarian shooting was very bad that day in general - two battalions forming line and firing point blank at the Russian dragoons without causing a single casualty is all the testimony one needs for that!

The Bavarian brigade general managed to rally the battalion that fell back a bit earlier.

The Bavarian cavalry brigade went into action, but the Russian infantry formed squares, stopping the attack in its tracks.

This is it for today, we are again close to midnight, and I have some windows to close, and a dog to let in, before going to bed.

Black Powder: Delaying Action, Part 1

I had a gaming appointment this evening, so i spent half the afternoon setting up the table and the armies for another run of Black Powder, this time against Kevin.

Kevin does not have his own 1:72 army, yet (although he has purchased some late Prussians), so I was putting him in command of my early Russians, facing my Bavarian division.

The Russian army is about twice a s big as the Bavarian, so I decided to play a scenario where the Bavarians have to hold back the Russian force for as long as possible,, to prevent them from uniting with the Austrians.

I arrayed the two armies, ready for final deployment when Kevin arrived.






Kevin got to move first, and the Russians, making extended use of column formations, advanced into the valley

The Bavarians also advanced - the light infantry spread out and entered the forest on the ridge, while the left flank tried to seize the high ground, but failed.

A Russian dragoon regiment swept forward, but failed to make contact with the Bavarian infantry., while the Russian Jägers outflanked the Bavarian line.

Enfilading fire by Sharpshooters is devastating, as proven by the swift annihilation of a Bavarian battalion, while another was driven back with heavy casualties.

It is midnight here, now, and I need some sleep - I expect to continue this AAR tomorrow.

1:72 Napoleonics - My Russians

This Russian army is an attempt to model something around 1800. The bicorne-wearing infantry are the Prussian Guard Jägers from the ESCI 'Prussian and Austrian Infantry' box.

For some reason lost in the mists of time, I painted one light battalion with bicornes, and one with the later shakos.

More infantry, and two Dragoon Regiments. I have no idea, why I chose such a light green for the tunics. They also have the 1805-style helmets - for 1800 I think the Dragoons wore bicornes as well, but, well...

This Corps is somewhat stronger than my Bavarian Division, so I may have to leave some of them out, or take some French allies for the Bavarians, if they are to square off.

All in all, I am all set for some Black Powder action - I just need an opponent (or, alternatively, play solo).