My Metal Meneken

Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Haarlem Heights 16th September 1776 AWI

It was this time again ... 28mm, BP2, Crown forces featuring Bart and Gun-Maestro Alisdair, while the Rebel forces were led by Tim, Mark and David.

Haarlem Heights was just a skirmish after the retreat out of New York between some reconnaissance forces that led to more and more units involved ... lets see where our protagonists will decide to go with this.

First it started with a standoff between two remarkable different units a Militia and the Light Infantry of his majesty, led by Bart, Tim had no chance. Then the American Continentals had severe difficulites to push through and form a line or flank out the crown forces. In total we could summarize the battle as a twofold struggle of the patriots: To get into position AND to actually do damage (considerable) to the British invaders.

To cut it short like most of the unlucky rebels that came too near the British guns and muskets, it was a resounding victory for the crown. 3 British VPs vs nil!!! All the Americans had to show for was empty beer glasses.

Next time we will revisit the famous battle of the White Plains or better Chatterton Hill as I only have figures for that ... and the rest was a sort of stand off anyway ... ;)

Initial set up

Only Minute men/Militia stopping the red tide...

Then more was coming along the road...

Slowly the American army is pouring in ...

A bit of a bottle neck ...

The lines are forming ...

And a formidable British line ...

Undeterred the Continentals advance over the wall ...

Then Hessians arrive ...

The British fall back to the Hoaglandt Farm on a hill ...

A good position too ...

The Rebels have difficulties to follow up ...

For the last effort the Americans strive to attack the British positions...

But The british fire is withering ...

The excellence of their training doesn't help either ...

Then the formidable Jaeger arrive ...

Still stragglers of the Continentals try to follow ...

The fire fights are heavy ...

The British also take hits ...

But manage to regroup ...

The Jaegers shoot sharp ...

The Rebels hold their positions ...

But more re-inforcements arrive ...

The other flank is denied too ...

As the last attack on the farm is repelled ...

The Rebels concede defeat .!

map and set up

British stats

American stats

Thursday, 9 May 2024

1809 - Wowgram, the Austrians defeat the Duchy of Warsaw

28mm, Black Powder II and Napoleonics for a club night was on the list, so Bart brought his Duchy of Warsaw troops and I brought my Austrians 600pts each and the new rules of Clash of Eagles (well most of them) while assisted by David for the Poles and Mike for the Austrians. One Hill in the middle would have been 10 VP and the VP conditions of the Rulebook.

I gave Mike my flank with the large Dragoon unit and the 4 Abteilungen of Cheveauxlegers plus a horse gun. I had the CinC and two infantry brigades with a regiment (2 battalions, large) and a Jaeger unit and a large Grenadier unit (in one brigade) with a gun each.

Bart won the initiative and moved up the hill.

Mike lost his command roll and didn't move.

I attacked and lost 2 units.

Well that went well! Later Mike attacked a square and that went not so well either. I did not had any plans and thought well, at least the company is wonderful and I had my beer ...

Then I marched forward and somehow took the hill, I consolidated my non existent flank stopped the Polish Uhlans and helped Mike to shoot Davids square off the board.

I'm still in shock and I don't know how we actually managed this. The hill was contested now and we had the upper hand in unit loss points (8 vs 7.5).

Then Bart did a last ditch attack and ... got back on the hill and nearly managed to kill a commander! WTF! Really? Yes his army was in total disarray, but so was mine. As this was the last turn he offered: Would I accept a draw or risk wit my weakened line to retake the hill?

A real Austrian would have accepted, but sorry, I could not ...

I nearly shot his flanks away and shook all his units and then did the unthinkable - I retook the hill! I inflicted one hit more didn't had to do a break test, but he had to - and he broke ... Austrian victory!!! It is so much more fun with a reformed Austrian army!!!

It was a see-saw battle after my gusto, and yes, Austrians are shite when attacking, but pretty cool when defending or shooting down enemies. Also Divisional mass are cooler for cavalry defence BUT are MOR vulnerable to artillery!!!

Well, until next time - I fear the (club)night when the Wuertemberger will arrive...