For this Command & Colours game we visited (unusually for this century) the Ostfront. I provided the toys and Hexon terrain. John and Jerry commanded the Russians while Mark, Martin and Kayte led the Frenchies. I think this was the first outing for my Russians which - like my other Napoleonic armies - has been built up from various bring & buy and eBay purchases, let in with a few painted for me by Steve Briddon.
One of the innovations the Russians bring to the game is the redoubt. Several of them in this scenario. I improvised them from some resin gabions and matchsticks.
For Kayte I brought along a special figure. The origins of this cantiniere figure are obscure, but she arrived ready painted!
Most photos are taken from the French left/Russian right. Here is the French left complete with their own redoubt.
They were soon on the move across the bridge...
...thus providing employment for some Russian gunners!
In the centre, Russian light infantry were well ensconced on a ridge. Clearly they wouldn't be easy to shift.
The Frenchies soon got stuck in, and the blood (on both sides) flowed freely!
An aerial view of the proceedings. The French have managed to secure one of the three ridge hexes (the top one) and reduced the garrison of the redoubt to a single stand.
With the arrival of more Russians (left), it appeared that the French had been driven off.
Silly hat fans on both sides were delighted to see these Pavlov Grenadiers.
A renewed French assault on the redoubt failed spectacularly - sabres don't hit against fieldworks!
French luck improved with a lucky shot against the defenders...
...and held when this Russian general died in a bayonet assault!
As an imposing Russian counterattack force gathered, the French attacked out of the redoubt and killed off a whole battalion, securing an early victory! While this game was over a bit more quickly than we expected, it lacked nothing in exciting episodes - even if my poor Russians lost their debut game.
Hard luck to the Russians. Well done on getting them on the table.
ReplyDeleteI'm itching to get my table back up and running. There's been too little bayonet work of late.
The cantiniere figure is from Warmodelling, I painted one up recently. She also has a friend.
ReplyDeletehttp://onesidedminiaturewargamingdiscourse.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/vivandieres.html
I have never seen a game fought on hex terrain like this - it looks good. Most of the figures look like Essex (French marching) and possibly Minifigs.
Looks good!
ReplyDeleteSuper looking game and i am most struck with the cantiniere too.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen C & C played with blocks locally and this visually takes the game to a new level.I am sure your "War and Peace" chaps will do better upon their next outing.
Conrad Kinch
ReplyDeleteI thought your gaming activity had waned lately. My own table is (as usual) piled high with stuff which belongs elsewhere...
Sun of York
ReplyDeleteThanks - we've played lot of games on hex terrain - have a look at my older blog posts labelled 'Command & Colours' and 'NATO Brigade Commander'.
Prufrock
ReplyDeleteAnd it kept six of us entertained - job done!
tradgardmastare
ReplyDeleteHad I first seen C&C with blocks I'd probably not have given it much attention, but I was fortunate to be introduced to it as a toy soldier game. Have a look at some of my older posts - we have also played the ancient and ACW versions.
The poor old Russians were a bit robbed in this one, although it wasn't as one sided as the outcome implies. When the first French assault was thrown back there were a lot of long faces on the French side.
ReplyDeleteThe French command advantage was decisive though, as we could focus much more on critical point of the battlefield and overcome the disdvanatge of attacking up hill (again) into fieldworks.
The Russians ability to ignore retreat results worked against then to a degree as their battered units hung on and were then easy pickings. They might have been better retreating to the main position, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
A very enjoyable game, with thanks to Tim, Martin. Kayte, John and Jerry.
ReplyDeleteThere were some brown overalls moments as the French were repulsed, I can tell you!