What prerequisite is there to fully enjoy a historical wargame
scenario and its tactical challenge? Answer: You do not know anything
about the battle (and even about the war).
With this being the case, my friend „The Don“ invited me to
take on the role as the scotsman Simon Fraser, British Commander at
the Battle of Hubbardton, July 7
th, 1777
(click pictures to enlarge).
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Brigadier General Simon Fraser confering with Major Robert Grant
(24th Foot),
Major Alexander Lindsay (Lt. Infantry) and an
Indian Scout: „Where is Riedesel?“
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The rules in use were Keith Flint's „
Post of Honour“, a
simplified version of his „Honours of War“ rules.
The scenario began with some well thought out
„Kriegsspiel“-elements, which required me to assess various and
conflicting intelligence reports. Not knowing what went on
historically added a lot in respect to immersion!
The plan I came up with, centered on a controlled and measured
offensive on left wing and center combined with a flanking maneuver
on the right with the Grenadiers. I wanted to give Baron Riedesel -
my reinforcements, whose position I was unsure of - time to arrive
and act as a reseve and not exhausting my troops too early.
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Starting Positions: looking from west to east, with
Sucker Brook at the
bottom, Grenadiers on the right
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The Grenadiers make progress through difficult terrain while the
British main battleline, moving slowly forward, encountered
impediments (not modelled, but asumed)
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The Americans move forward. The Britsh fire first,
but gain no advantage from that. |
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The musketry exchange in the centre heats up. The Grenadiers
break out of the woods and assault the Green Mountain Boys
and Baron Riedesel finally arrives! |
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Major John Alcands Grenadiers in the thick of the fighting as
American Militia gazes in awe. The Grenadiers will prevail! |
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The American attack is repelled, the Green Mountain Boys dispersed
and the American Morale beyond breaking point - they rout in numbers! |
A Britsh victory thanks to the steadfast Grenadiers and the recklessness of the Americans who repeatedly threw themselves against the "red brick wall" in close assault.
A thrilling and entertaining game, lasting roughly two and a half hours. The "Post of Honour" rules worked smoothly in the background. Their "Featherstonian" element - the player with the iniative having to decide to move first and fire second or the other way round - required some interesting decision making.
Thanks a lot to the Don for a visually appealing, thrilling and intersting scenario. It proves, that with a simple, well thought-out ruleset and the right mindset a lot can be achieved.
