The Battle of Granite Point

The Kingdom of Anna, a matriarchy, and the nation of Sergey, an oligarchy, have had an uneasy peace for the past 2 years. And, then this happened at Granite Point.

                                                                                  Setup

                                              Anna                                           Sergey

     

Anna's regular infantry is entrenched (new rules test) on the lower hills supported by the artillery on the summit under the command of General Rudolf, herself.  The Sergey forces under the command of General Karjakin will enter the battle with the simple orders "Let the dice decide" (1 artillery unit from each direction and other units will dice for entry points).

 Artillery phase

 Sergey artillery takes out Anna fortfications on the slopes of Granite Point

                                                  Most Sergey (green) units are on board.

 Sergey infantry battles on the southern slopes reinforced by light cavalry and regular infantry

 Sergey artillery continues to take out fortifications on the lower slopes

                                     Sergey (green) Dragoons finally arrive in the North

An Anna infantry unit is destroyed on southern slope

 Sergey (Green) Heavy Infantry tries to batter its way up the slopes in the face of cannon and musket fire.

 Artillery phase

             An Anna regular infantry unit is destroyed

 Turn 15, Anna artillery fires down the slopes into charging regular infantry led by General Karjakin. The General is dead, kaput and gone to meet his maker, etc. etc. 

 Chaos and not enough morale to rally the Sergey troops. Anna troops are ordered to cease fire by General Rudolf to allow the Sergey forces to recover their General's body and retrieve their wounded.

 General Karjakin "the elder" is slain to be succeeded by his son Karjakin "the younger" the "Secretary of Defense".

What a great battle. Sergey artillery managed to knock down fortifications to allow them to gain footholds on the slopes. But, lost 2 artillery units with a 3rd in poor shape. However, the Sergey heavy infantry was in a good position on the southern slopes to eventually gain the summit supported by infantry plodding its way on the northeastern slopes. The battle had the potential to go longer with a different outcome... until the sudden death of General Karjakin.

A great way to spend a rainy Friday morning and I am pleased with the play of the special rules I was testing.  Mistakes, a few. Like forgetting to move the heavy infantry sooner. The dice brought them in an easily forgotten area 8-) When the action heats up in solo it is so easy to forget, something.

                       My personal wish for a Happy Holidays to you and your families !!


               

Making 6mm Granny Grate Artillery

Small Black beads, cotton swabs cut to size and painted with gunmetal craft paint, granny grate cut into an elongated T. The cotton tips of the swabs removed and can be unwrapped for artillery smoke. Assemble cannon frame and barrels with glue. #7 granny grate and these beads friction fit and do not require glue.  Tip: easier to fit beads to grate before gluing cannon and barrel frame.

Heavy artillery

  Galloper guns (light Artillery) use a shorter granny grate T and the barrels are made with gunmetal #7 granny grate.

Galloper assembly

                                                              Granny Grate crew attached

A Rev War/AWI Christmas tradition

On a cold and snowy December General Washington has crossed the Schuylkill River and is approaching the town of Reading where the Hessians have encamped.   Will he be able to defeat Colonel von Rall and clear the town? 

                       Rev War/AWI with paper soldiers and using "Frank's rules for Black Powder"

                                                Hessian regulars in support of artillery

                                                         Hessians failing Morale checks

                      Hessians fail to dislodge militia in hand to hand combat on Colonial left flank

                     Colonial rifleman (bottom of photo) inflict heavy casualties in the center

                                                         A victory for the Colonial army.

A fun game on a cold night. A Christmas gaming tradition continues for another year.

Link to the original battle report on our Christmas tradition of a fictionalized Rev War/AWI battle in Reading.

Solo Granny Grate: Control the River

A quick solo test of the "homebrew rules" using a modified "Control the River" scenario from Neil Thomas'  One Hour Wargaming. The sides will dice for which goes first each turn, a modified solo card technique (similar to one found in Bob Cordery's The Portable Wargame) will be used for unit activation. Head toward your objectives (the 2 fords) as quickly as "practicable". Otherwise, "let the dice decide !" Joseph Morschauser in his HOW TO PLAY WAR GAMES IN MINIATURE  (1962).
**Remember to enlarge the photo by clicking on it if you wish to follow the battle mechanics better ! **

The board (painted foam board) is 9 X 9 squares (1 1/4" squares) which allows for a further division of the board into left, center and right zones for optional rules for solo play. Red is on North side of board. Blue the south side.

 Turn #1  Blue army activates 2 light cavalry and a light infantry. Red activates 2 light cavalry.

 #2 Red light cavalries occupy both fords. Blue light cavalry and infantry challenge with erratic                                                                                       fire.

 #3 Blue brings on the remainder of its forces. Red fire misses as only 2 units receive orders.

 #4 Blue's light cavalry at both fords takes casualties in close combat. Red lt. cavalry pushes Blue back from the East ford (left on photo). All Red's forces (regular infantry) arrives on battlefield.

#5 Red's light cavalry destroys Blue's light cavalry in close combat at East ford (right side of photo). Blue army tries to reform at the West ford (right side of photo).

 #6 Red's light cavalry forced away from East ford (left) and light infantry retreats into woods at West ford (right). Red's "Stoneford" light cavalry destroys Blues light cavalry at the West ford (left).

 #7 Amidst the chaos only 2 Red units receive orders, however Regular infantry occupy the West ford. Blue misses with musket fire at both fords.

 #8 With activation decks reshuffled and due to Blue's casualties it has its deck lowered, only 1 unit receives orders. While taking casualties, Red's regular infantry destroys Blue's forces at West ford (right)

 #9 Red's regular infantry crosses at East ford (right) threatening Blue's flank. Blue's musket fire is ineffective.

#10 Blues fire is ineffective and no one is eager to engage in close combat at West ford (right). Red has difficulty in getting orders to its units.

 Turn #11 ineffective fire from Red's troops. Blue inflicts casualties on the advancing Red regulars on Blue's left flank.

Turn #12 Both armies suffer ineffective fire at the West ford.

 Turn #13 Blue loses another unit to Red's "Stoneford" light cavalry. Blue's retreat begins.

                                            Red's army controls both fords and the River.

Order of Battle: both sides had 2 light cavalry, 2 regular infantry and 2 light infantry.

Bases were 1" square, 3mm from LITKO.

My feedback: need to rethink  handling retreat distances and also activation consequences, but a fun and interesting time with Granny Grate armies on a portable board with my simple "homebrew rules". An hour well spent !