Monday 2 April 2018

Part of Gettysburg Day 2.

Gettysburg today
At the club yesterday we played PART of Gettysburrg (day 2) Using the Fire and Fury rules. I was part of the Confederate attack I wasa to play the part of Hood and Peter was to play Mc Laws. Tim played the Union forces and his job was to stop us. Tims figures, club terrain and while not totally accurate it was good enough to get a feel of what was happening in the battle, back in July 1863.

Devils Den in real life
at the battlefield.
in modern times.
My objectives were to take round top and Devils Den. Peter was to inflict twice as many casualties on the enemy as we both took in reply. Both objectives had to occur within 10 turns this would be very challenging indeed. I measured the distance and no matter what I could not cover the distance within 8 turns, which was the original game length, I was about 20cm short no matter how lucky I got no matter what I did . Therefore Tim who set the scenario out boosted the scenario length from 8 to 10 turns. Still tough but at least physically possible without all my troops being Langford Christie!

And so the battle begins:
My starting position
My objectives not shown,
still in the distance.
Turn 1
Peter on the left
Me on the right.
Peter on my left
The rivers were streams and fordable
the whole length
 


Turn 2
All moving slowly forward
Ok me going as fast as I could
Turn 4
I am still moving as fast as I am able
 

Turn 4
Pete pushes forward and starts to inflict damage

Turn 5
I prepare to assault Devils Den
all the while advancing towards Round top
with a dream of getting Artillery to the top

Turn 5
Tim is struggling to move troops from reserve
Pete and Tim are now locked in a battle
and without support from reserve Tim tries to turn our left flank
with limited success

Turn 6
It is a close run thing
My asrtillery has now managed to destroy Tims guns
Tim has the position but is low on ammunitio
 


Turn 6
Peter continues to inflict casualties
he does however take some of his own.
Tim has a brigade in the woods which refuse to advance
 

Turn 7
Time Guns destroyed I can cross the stream
and begin the clibd up Round Top
mean while in rhe Devils Den I become low on ammunition
and "disrupted" which mirrors Tims troops

turn7
Peter pushes into the centre
while his left wing is forced to give ground
it is anyones game

Turn 8
I rally the troops and keep Tim "disrupted" and low on ammunition.
One big push an we shall have the devils Den


Turn 8
With Peters left wing in retreat and Tim following up
Peter is able to bring ALL his cannon to bear.

Turn 9
Tim holds Devils den as my first unit if pushed back
and retreats. My second unit is ready for another attempt next turn though.

Turn 9
Peter brings all 4 gun batteries to bear on a single unit.
It survives but drops to a "worn" classification.
Elsewhere Peters Infantry is slowly getting the upper hand.
Tims troop in the wood still don't move!

Turn 10
One last push and I succeed and hurl Tim back but not out of the Devils Den.
Tim Counterattacks and retakes the position.
Curses foiled again.

turn 10
On the Left Tin keeps pushing the left wing and peter keeps pushing the centre.
Eventually Peter's Artillery is just too strong.
but is it enough.

End Game

Conclusion:
At then end of the game I held Round top. But did not take the Devils Den.
we counted up the Casualties. We had lost a total of 27 stands, which is quite a lot
Tim and the Union had less than 54 stands!
So It was a Tacticle Victory to the Confederates.
Yes  we could have done better. But we could also have done a LOT worse.


Final thoughts: I need to get my 2 6mm ACW armies finished. As the rules were fine and the game was fine and fun.

16 comments:

  1. Well that seemed to play out very well indeed, Clint, and I can see why you liked the rules, albeit not the actual result. At least you held Round Top :-)

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    1. Thank you Blax. The result was a good one, a tactical victory. Yes I did very much like the rules. I must try to play more of them.

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  2. Great tense strugle from start to finish by the sound of it and you got a victory out of a very difficult situation (and did better than the rebs on the day iirc).
    I've played F&F a few ties and enjoyed the games a lot.

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    1. Thank you Joe. The F+F rules are very simple and that is their strength I think. As for doing better on the day, I would say fractionally but not decisively. But A very good game and while not stunning to look at the kind that most of us play at club level.

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  3. Cool AAR Clint, and a tactical victory is still a victory. I think most of us would look back on our games and say I wished I did that part differently

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    1. Thank you Dave. I agree a game without regrets is not a game you learn much from. This game has inspired me some as well so it is all good.

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  4. Nice looking game ....interesting to see how the rules play out as I am thinking of investing......🤔

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    1. Thanks Matt. My advice is get the rules 2nd hand (perhaps on eBay), as that works out seriously cheaper. They are an old set so perhaps there are newer sets that may be better. But as "Fire and Fury" is used down the club and most at the club are familiar with the rules it is the rule set I would choose.

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  5. That sounds like a bruising encounter, but a close game nonetheless. Smashing stuff Clint.

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    1. Thank you Michael. To be honest it really could have been anyone's game it was that close. And if I had not got a unit onto Round top it would have been a loss for the confederates.

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  6. nice one Clint. great battle report!

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    1. Thank you Andy. I shall look forward to doing more historical battle at the club. Nice to have a refight of history once in a while.

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  7. Certainly went to and fro. Nice report. Looking forward to seeing your own 6mm force being finished.

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    1. Thank you Simon. Talking it is so much easier than getting the paint brush out. I shall endeavour though and share the results no matter how pitiful thy turn out!

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  8. Great pics...I love ACW and I love playing Fire and Fury. Its been a while since its seen action in Posties shed-o-war.... I may have to put in a request!

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    1. Thank you Lee. F+F is a good set of rules always fun and enjoyable. I must admit I have hardly played it and really must get around to reading the rules properly. Maybe a resolution to make a reality BEFORE the new year. After all how hard can it be?

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