Nine big chaps in one Big shed!

AS regular readers will know I had a day out yesterday visiting the "Posties Rejects" in order to play a game. Before turning up I knew it was Napoleonic and a follow on from their previous game and was advised to read the AAR on various Reject blogs. Being honest, I looked at the pictures and read about 1/2 of it as who really enjoys the homework side of the hobby? Anyway Postie had sorted out the sides and I was given 2 units of cavalry and one of horse artillery, already set up in position on the table. Not complaining and to be honest quite happy with what I got, even If I would have deployed it differently. Still you get what you get and you don't get upset. I will only talk in this AAR about my very slim section of the battlefield as there were 5 bloggers present. Brian ( His Blog Here), Ray (His Blog here) myself and Surgit (Possibly spelt wrong sorry mate) comprised the Allied forces about 3-5 miles from Brussels. While Fran (It's all lies) Smiffy, Big Lee (A possibly less jaundiced view from the nasty French side here, but it's still all lies) and Ian made up the wretched French forces of the despicable dictator. (feel free to Boo and Hiss them each time they are mentioned for they are the enemy). Both Brian and myself were the newbies not really knowing the people or the rules at all but that's Ok we trust Ray and Postie. While it was clear to some of the players that my lack of starting forces would mean I would have some reinforcements I had no way of knowing that so I assumed that what I started with was what I would have all day. Anyway I was under orders to hold my position, so I did not move or manoeuvre at all for the first few turns.  This second Pic shows the centre of the board and therefore my left flank, commanded by Ray (our glorious leader).
So as mentioned I held my position while Surgit with much elan sent his cavalry forward and managed to get a couple of charges in. But everything He charged ran away which did leave hiom exposed and vulnerable, but it did slow the French advance. As he was exposed I moved my horse out ready to charge any French (boo hiss Boo!) Cavalry who would have charged them. Being honest I was a turn to late but still the thought was there. My horse returned to my start line the following turn as Surgit's cavalry were dispatched. Not an easy task it would appear for the close infantry firing into their rear and Flank as Ian rolled the dice and the gods favoured Surgit.

As the nasty garlic eaters approached I was fortunate to get a few good shots in with the horse artillery. Only one shot of this unit failed to cause a casualty the whole game so definitely worth having on the field of battle. While it did not do a huge amount of damage I would imagine the opponents were discouraged by it at the very least..... If only they'd shown it! After a few turns my reinforcements turned up. As mentioned above I did not know they were coming. It did take them 4 turns to get into position but still beggars can't be choosers.

Here is the obligatory and contractual picture of the opponents on the day, everyone a Reject! Yes that's a lot of troops they have all formed up and aiming at Ray, Brian Surgit and myself, but mostly at Ray whom they seemed to want to target.

As no one had at this stage their name on the wall of Shame Fran gave me that dubious honour. For which I am very pleased as at least I know I left my mark. Should I visit them again I will attempt to get it written up as many times in a day as I possibly can and try to set some kind of record! Rejects you have been warned!

Surgit's reinforcements arrived directly behind my troops. The French guard Cavalry also turned up on the opposite corner ready to do unpleasant things to me, you could smell them coming for miles the dirty so and so's (booo!) so I moved my troops to the right and Surgit took my position and rushed to support Ray in the centre. Big lee used his horse artillery on my skirmishes to no effect so I returned the favour and my rifle armed skirmishers wiped his artillery out. (Ner! to you Lee.). Ian took exception and took my horse artillery down to half strength and then killed a stand of my skirmish line. (The only real losses I suffered in the game.) My light foot artillery (having just got into position) took a lucky shot at Big Lee's Cavalry managed to inflict a luck casualty and as his divisional commander was attached lee then rolled a 1 on the d20 and forever that little bit of Belgium will be forever French to a depth of 6 feet!

Despite a valiant defence of the town by Ray's Dutch militia, as the last picture will show, Check those dice scores! Smiffy fired his guns into the town and falling masonry killed Rays supreme commander and our centre collapsed in a rout.

As mentioned at the very beginning this AAR is only concerned with my very small section of the battle field. I would strongly recommend reading the other bloggers reports for a more accurate and less partisan view of what actually happened. But please take everything typed with an Irish accent with a large pinch of salt. I say that having not read it but in anticipation!

Conclusion: Well the observant will have noted the Rejects Logo on the right of the page as ray has given both me and Brian permission to use it on our blogs. You may take this to mean that I did enjoy the day. There are a number of game innovations that I will be introducing to the Rainham club. (Rainham club please be aware of this). Dice rolling throughout the day slightly favoured the Allies but when it mattered it deserted us completely so I can't even blame the dice this time although I no doubt will at a later date. I have been invited back and would choose to go if the time is right. I also hope to see the Rejects come down for a quick game at the Rainham club.  They've had that offer for over a year so I am no longer holding my breathe.

Very finally Postie very kindly gave me a gift which I will no doubt photograph and post on the blog later this week

Thanks for reading this AAR. Please check the other bloggers (listed above) to get their view of the day or if you have come from their blogs I hope you enjoyed this and will post another blog on Tuesday.

Best wishes Clint