The Battle of Grossenfartz - part 1

This battle followed on from the Anglophobian landing in Vulgaria previously reported: Link.

Vulgarian briefing

Following the enemy's successful landing at a quiet spot on the Vulgarian coast, His have pushed inland to a distance of some 8km.  After the Anglophobians brought to bear overwhelming force, our local defence forces were eventually overcome and a small port secured.  The assembly of additional forces has resulted in the capture of Grossenfartz - the home of the famous Gashaltig Bierbrauerei AG - where the notoriously windy Vulgarian beer is produced.  Grossenfartz is also the current northern terminus of our glorious and highly advanced standard gauge railway network (further north there is of course, only the narrow gauge line). This gives us two strong reasons for wishing to recapture the town, and an attack in divisional strength is to be launched

Objectives:

You must capture the town at all costs, as the railway line must be denied to the enemy.
The railway and brewery must be captured intact!
The narrow gauge line must be cut, or its use otherwise denied to the enemy.

Forces:

elements, 7th Division
HQ
4th Infantry Regiment (3 battalions)
5th Infantry Regiment (3 battalions)
1st Cavalry brigade (2 regiments)
3 Field or Heavy artillery batteries
Train operated by engineer detachment - may carry 1 inf btl and 1 art bty - enters on turn D6.
All others enter from the southern edge of the table, except that one cavalry regiment may attempt a flank march, entering on turn D6.

Anglophobian briefing

Following our successful landing at a quiet spot on the Vulgarian coast, His Majesty's forces have pushed inland to a distance of some five miles.  Local defence forces were quickly overcome and a small port secured.  The assembly of additional forces has resulted in the capture of Grossenfartz - the home of the famous Gashaltig Bierbrauerei AG ('Gassy Beer Brewery Ltd') - where the notoriously windy Vulgarian beer is produced.  Grossenfartz is also the current northern terminus of the rather backward standard gauge railway network (further north there is of course, only the narrow gauge line used with such success by H.M.A.T. Thomas). This gives the enemy two strong reasons for wishing to recapture the town, and an attack in divisional strength is expected. 

Objectives:
You must hold the town at all costs, as the railway line will be essential for the next stage of the campaign.
The narrow gauge line must remain in our hands, as engineers will soon begin converting it to standard gauge.
If you can capture an enemy locomotive this will greatly assist our cause!

Forces:

HMS Dreadful Naval Brigade (OC is Commodore Cuthbert Mountjoy-Carruthers)
HMS Implausible Battalion (10)
HMS Unfeasible Battalion
HMS Unthinkable Battalion
Light artillery battery
Heavy artillery battery
All the above begin anywhere on table.  2 battalions and 1 battery may be dug in.
HMAT Thomas - enteres on NG line on turn D6/2
Provisional Naval Motor Patrol (5 men, 1 motor car) - enters from north on turn D6

Terrain notes:

It's Vulgaria, so quite flat and boring.  Buildings tend to be rather stout stone affairs.
The Gashaltig Bierbrauerei AG was relocated to this remote location from the capital a few years ago, following a series of explosions which caused great damage to property and loss of life.  Given the volatility of the beer indiscriminate artillery fire should be avoided!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the game, Martin commanded his Vulgarians and Mark made his FLW debut at the helm, as it were, of my Anglophobian Naval Brigade.  Mark subsequently uncovered a rare copy of Mountjoy-Carruthers's memoirs and it is to this that we now turn for our narrative:

Following the successful capture of the Geshaltig Bierbrauerei, Anglophobian forces under the command of the recently promoted Commodore Cuthbert Mountjoy-Carruthers had dug in around the brewery itself and associated railhead, to await the expected counter attack from the south by Vulgarian forces intent on retaking one of the sources of their national pride and income.

Accordingly, the detachments from HMS Implausible and HMS Unfeasible were entrenched along the expected line of approach, supported by a light artillery piece ready to give Johnny Vulgar a good thrashing!

The detachment from HMS Unthinkable formed up to the North of the brewery to offer support  to their comrades and give protection to the heavy artillery, whilst close by Commodore Mountjoy-Carruthers and his staff directed proceeding and awaited the promised armoured train HMAT Thomas and the men of the Provisional Motor Patrol.

The field of battle - the total area was around 5x7.5 feet.  North is to the left.

 

Coming soon - the Vulgarians show up!