BEF (Bloody Execreble Firing)

First up this week was a War and Conquest game with Ed, I had decided to throw caution to the winds and field a German army while Ed again took Legio XII. The Germans as you would expect were basically warbands of average quality apart from their Nobles, but you can tool them up so that they can be devastating in the first clash of a melee as long as they charge first, this and their sheer size along with being Resilient means they are difficult to shift, at first. 

Herman the German.

 

Germans left, Thunderbolts right.

 

 I took five warbands along with a unit of Batavian Deserters from the Roman army backed up with some skirmishers, Forest Warriors and some light cavalry, Opposite Ed had three Roman cohorts, with several Auxiliary units, horse archers and cataphracts. My plan was simply to get my warbands in quick and take advantage of their first charge, I was unsure about my flanks as they looked weak. Ed struck against both flanks while placing his centre on a nearby hill. I threw my Forest Warriors against the enemy light troops on the opposite side of the wood and managed to spectacularly rout them, I now did not really need to worry about my left. On the right I lost my archers but the Roman cataphracts got carried away and attacked a warband on the nearest hill across the front of some legionaries causing some confusion, I held my cavalry back as a threat, albeit a weak one. The rest of the army plunged ahead.

My warriors in front of the Roman massed archers began to suffer from accurate fire and I preyed to the gods they would get to grips with their tormentors while there were still some left in the ranks. I got too close to the enemy centre and Ed charged, I had lost my edge, despite this my troops held and several furious melees commenced. At this stage I was just about to look for a white flag as more and more of my lads fell. As the battle progressed I began to win on my left while the right was managing to hold, the Romans were less than aggressive here. Slowly but surely the Romans gave way, apart from their Praetorians who were in a life and death struggle against some Warriors who refused to run, eventually however they did send their foes running but they were now surrounded by the enemy. Although some Roman units managed to rally the others still in combat were being worn down and it was only a matter of time before they routed too. It was all over.

The Roman centre breaks.

German nobles.

Veteran legionaries (Praetorians)

What happened.

Old guy photo bombs.

Another great game with the Germans snatching victory from defeat as Fortuna deserted Ed, he had had some excellent die rolling at the beginning but the pendulum swung against him after the first clashes. I can only conclude that after three recent defeats under different commanders the Thunderbolts need their beloved Legate back to turn the tide.

After clearing the table late that night I got up early the next day to set it up for Matt and I's first game of the Caesar's Camp campaign, it was going to be the first outing for my new British Expedionary Force. Although I had to cross some dangerous open ground to attack Hedgehog Wood with my Cameron Highlanders I was quietly confident I could do it.

I took an extra infantry squad, mortar and a Bren carrier, Matt went heavy with an MMG and an infantry gun. I deployed aggressively and was prepared to take losses as I built up my firebase, not as many as I actually did however with a full squad almost wiped out in a matter of a couple of phases. I tried putting smoke down but an end of turn got rid of it before it gave me any cover then my mortar team was wiped out. Matt's shooting was deadly, mine completely ineffective although I did manage to break a squad Matt had pushed into the open in his rush to get at mine.

Lt. Cameron with the papers.

Wait for it lads, waaait.

British armour turns up.

I got my second mortar on and built up a wall of smoke to silence his MMG and infantry gun, this left me with three squads firing on his two in the woods. At one point I shot 52 dice and got 1 shock on the enemy as a result, it left me in shock, return fire when it came cut down two Junior Leaders and one Senior, my morale fell, I was getting nowhere, I could not even make the Germans suffer as this platoon could be used again later in the campaign. There was a broken down British staff car with secret papers on the road so I beat the Jerries to it with my Bren carrier to get something from the disaster, this allows me a full Chain of Command dice in Scenario 3.

German killing machines.

Something wrong with our bullets today.

British leaders hit the deck.

Taxi for Lt. Cameron?

I cannot lie about it but I was very frustrated by the turn of events, my shooting had no effect whatsoever against the troops on the edge of the wood while the return fire cut me up, there were times Matt missed but on the whole he was cooking with gas. All the scenarios have the British on the back foot and having to cross open ground to get at the Jerries, I am not yet down hearted, it is too early for that and know that newly painted troops never have a decent introduction to the table but I do need them to buck up. Despite all this a good morning's wargaming with a good opponent who never made a mistake, on the other hand I fare better with a spear than a Lee Enfield it would seem.

Another bundle from mate Matt Smith arrived yesterday, completely out of the blue, five Dutch buildings suitable for Arnhem scenarios if TFL ever get around to releasing said book, also of course simply to fill up the table, so no hanging up of the brushes quite yet. Two small packages which I did know about turned up today, some pikemen to upgrade two phalanx's and some Romans to upgrade Legio XII's first cohort.

I had some spare time so popped into Waterstone's in Kendal while the Memsahib was busy and treated myself to a bit of light reading, a history of Rasputin and his affect on Russia and a 2,000 year old best seller, The Aenid, I have read The Illiad and The Odyssey of course, several times but never the follow up. Big fan of the Trojans.

Couple of possible games on for next week, I also have an appointment with my surgeon, other people have lawyers. I still need to get back to the Italian Wars even if only solo.