[Originally Published in LW 125]
Being an account of a solo wargame using Scenario 2 from Scenarios for all Ages by CS Grant and Stuart Asquith, CSG Publications (wargaming) 1996. ISBN 09525146 5 6.
There being a lull in reviewing and other varied activities of the pen and brush which I am wont to do, I set out the terrain as given in the map for Scenario 2. Any era could be battled in and I decided to use Wargames Foundry’s “1644” rules which give a flowing uncomplicated game with the use of intention and order counters which obviate a lot of bookkeeping (now available through Guernsey Foundry).
The scenario is titled “Threat to the Flank” and, the authors say, is loosely based on the Battle of the Boyne. I decided to use my ECW/30YW figures for it, because they haven’t been ‘out’ for a while, and I had just about enough of them to play the game.
Blue, the attacking force, has two groups of men. The main force consists of 6 units of infantry, two cavalry units and a battery of guns (one model + crew). My infantry regiments for this period consist of 8 musketeers in two groups of four either side a block of 6 or 8 pikemen. The regiment is commanded by a block of flag, drum, foot officer and sergeant. Most of the regiments have a mounted “colonel” too.
Opposing them is Red Force which consists of two groups. The main one has 4 infantry units, one cavalry unit and a battery of guns. Their flanking force has 2 infantry units, 2 cavalry units and one battery of guns.
The foot figures are mostly Wargames Foundry or Redoubt Enterprises with some old 30YW Minifigs which, I think, still look the part. The cavalry are WGF or Redoubt except for two units - one each side. One is a cherished squadron of Stadden horse and the other a home-cast squadron of converted Prince August 25mm British Lifeguards made into Reiters. Their helmets cut down and swords bent round and painted up like long horse pistols (cut down a bit of course). My soft alloy allows various bends in arms, so they don’t look too bad from a foot or so away!
I’ll draw a picture of the wargames table, which is 5’ x 8’ and then draw it as a map in case you wish to play the game yourself.
Blue’s task is to defeat Red and make him abandon his position and retreat south.
Red’s task is to defeat Blue and halt his advance south.
Blue’s main force is at M. His flank force is at F.
Red’s main force is at D and his flank force is at R.
Situation
Red has been alerted before the game starts to Blue’s approach and has detached a force to go a.s.a.p. to the bridge, this force is at R. Red’s main force at D is in depth, taking advantage of terrain.
Blue’s main force is poised to attack but has sent force F to take the bridge and attack Red in the flank. Blue must achieve his aim by nightfall.
Red wins if he prevents Blue from advancing by nightfall. There is no draw position.
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