Blusia And Hermany Fight It Out On Land And Sea

Today Mat and I played our first outside wargame for a year. It was a continuation of our recent steam punk theme. According to the weather report it would be a sunny day at 22C. Unfortunately the wind at 30ks was less attractive with dice and rules sheets sent flying on two or three occasions.

The disputed duchy of Spittlestein is simultaneously invaded by Hermany and Blusia.

Army Black (Herman) forces move into the town of Frifenburgh. Two steam tanks are present.

    To the right front is the town of Pickledook which is quickly occupied by Blisian forces and general with his motor and mounted bodyguard.  In the distance is the town of Frifenburgh. The train soon comes under Blusian control.

               A monstrous giant feline wanders across the field. One of Blusia's science experiments of Doctor Verne has got lose. Fortunately it does not linger as it has fed well on stray cattle.

                                          Herman lancers move to occupy Farm Balston.

                                            This is contested by a strong Blusian force.

                                            Other Herman lancers advance in the centre. forcing a Blusian light gun to withdraw to the safety of friendly forces.

                                                                      Frifenburgh

                              The broad expanse of the River Cluten is crossed by three bridges.

                                                 The train will serve a special purpose.

                                            A Herman Chicken Walker with gun in support

                                                 

Blusian legionaires move forward to board the train.

                                   The Bay of  Gretel from the Crystal Sea is the scene of a naval battle between the Herman gun boat, The Sourkraut, at left and the smaller Blusian gun boat the, Eclaire. Although the Eclaire gets in the first shot the better armed ad stronger Sourhraut sinks the Eclaire.

                                            Mat ponders the next move of the Herman army.

                                                The train leaves with legionaires on board.

                                                    Hermans advance on the flank

                                                 The battle for the farm continues.

   The train advances into Herman mid field positions and the Legionaires shoot at the Herman, downing a few.

                   The Hermans shoot at the train with some resulting Blusian casualties.

                     A Blusian heavy gun opens up on the Herman gunboat. After a few shots a shell ignites in the boat's engine room and the ship sinks. The smaller gun shoots at Herman infantry.

                                                           Blusians in the grass forest

                               A  Herman rifle regiment exchanges fire with legionaires in the forest.

                        Blusian cavalry charge their adversaries and stop them in their tracks.

                                                               Blusians in the forest

                                                              Rival 'Can Openers'

      Blusian elite heavy cavalry hesitate about charging herman infantry and disgrace their honour.

                                                   Legionaires in open topped carriages

Game mechanics: All units came on to the field from reserve starting with cavalry. Mat elected to concentrate his forces on one side of the river. It did allow the Blusians to occupy a farm and to encounter no opposition. It meant mat had a strong force available on that side of the field but he was unable to marshal his forces quickly enough in concentration.

Terrain. The grass was cut short except where forests were required. terracotta cookie jars served well as they can be left outside indefinitely without significant damage. Other buildings were plastic. The sand was from four buckets given to me for free by the local building supplies. The sea is a blue plastic tarp. The light house is a solar light.

Highlights were the Blusian Sream tank destroying an enemy steam tank and most of the crew of the enemy heavy gun but then exploding when the engine overheated, the destruction of both side's gun boats and the Herman Chicken walker finally getting an accurate shot in to destroy the enemy Spider walker. Blusian cavalry acquitted themselves well ( except for the disgraceful failure of heavy cavalry to charge enemy infantry when ordered). The train managed to transport a Blusian regiment into the enemy lines but was then immobilized by machine gun fire.

At the battle's end, after 15 moves, The Blusians held the village of Pickledook, a farm and contested control of the other farm. More Herman than Blusian units were lost. However, the loss of Blusian steam vehicles would have been a handicap had the battle continued.