Ulster Wargames Society: Blenhiem, 1704.

Game from the War of the Spanish Succession. Using Black powder in 28mm.

Players

French : Bryn, Billy McClenaghan.

Grand Alliance : Andy Smith, Gary.

AAR by Gary.

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I managed to get included in a 28mm Malburian game being run by Bryn, Billy and Andy (so not a small game) using Black Powder which suits this sort of big bash venture.

I was paired with Andy in command of the Allied forces facing Bryn and Billy commanding French of the Sun King.

A pile of units involved and I had control of a Brigade of 4 Scottish Foot, a Brigade of 6 Allied Foot (Dutch, Swedes and Hessians) and a huge Cavalry command of 12 Squadrons (4 Dragoons and 8 Heavy Cavalry) and a couple of Artillery pieces in support.

Andy had 3 or 4 Brigades of Foot (20+ units) and at least 1 Mounted Brigade plus Artillery.

French had several Foot and Cavalry Brigades which included Swiss, Irish and Bavarians alongside the French.

Very enjoyable game ensued with plenty of action, I was facing Bryn and Andy faced Billy mostly.

Allies had a stream to negotiate (game loosely based on Blenheim battlefield) with on 3 crossing points that artillery could use and marched on in column from off-board.

French deployed along their table edge but with some of Billys Brigades off-table on their left flank (able to come on through Oberglau village).

I advanced my massed mounted force on extreme left adjacent to suburbs of Blenheim (really only decorative for game purposes) with Infantry occupying central areas.

Highlights on my left wing included:

Two of my Dragoons dismounting to form a sort of skirmish line popping away at some French units (Shaking a unit of Foot) before being chased off by enemy cavalry.

My Foot units getting across stream at a quick pace and getting deployed before French could intervene.

I launched several cavalry charges (not much choice as soo many) some of which contacted enemy others were staggered by enemy closing fire (Bryns shooting was pretty good all day long) and did manage to break a French Foot Brigade early on.

Both sides Cavalry then mostly faced off against each other as reluctant to close without a firm advantage.

My Foot Brigades advanced into a hail of musketry and artillery fire (guns do not roll many dice in BP but any Casualties or Morale tests inflicted are hard to pass) and returned desultory fire despite having advantage of Platoon Fire (ie an extra dice if steady).

This firefight lasted several turns and eventually another French and both of my Foot Brigades were broken.

All the while Andy was trying to assault Oberglau and counter Billys French cavalry and both suffered a real log jam of units.

Andy had a Foot Brigade that (and I kid you not) failed to move at all for a whopping 9 turns (scarcely credible as only need a 7 or less on 2D6 to generate at least 1 move !!!!), Billy also had his reserves delayed or 'stuck in the mud'.

Bryn and I both tried a couple of last gasp fatalistic charges but neither of us could break another enemy Brigade at games end.

Andy had lost 3 (?) Brigades including British Guard contingent and I think similar for Billy so a minor French win was (grudgingly) declared.

One interesting twist employed was each player having 5 re-rolls (of any single dice including enemies) for use which saved me a couple of times for failed morale rolls and inflicted a loss on Bryn.

The game blow by blow.

Allied right late in game, note Allied Brigade 'stuck' behind guns as they were for 9 full turns !!!!!.