On the day of the show everything went smooth. The journey to the show took only 6 minutes, I was first there so drove into the show and unloaded my car next to my allocated tables.
Within 90 mins I had the game set up, just as the rest of the boys from Plymouth turned up so we went for a fry up. The catering on site is the best of any show I have ever attended.
Terrain laid out now just add the troops
Sarissa Plantation house and barn with Renedra Church
River and bridge crossing by Amera Plastics
Renedra Cabin with door mat crops and hay stacks
The table size was 9×6
Here are the orders of battle.
Copy of Legionary 2018 Record sheet American Copy of Legionary 2018 Record sheet British
Procedure change
Normally we allocate a card to each commander and randomly draw then to see who is activated. We also include an end of turn card which allows all unactivated commanders to initiate a command test or fire, it also requires the shuffling of the reformed pack. Having just bought the Battle honours rules for WW2 we decided we would allocate a colour of card and allow the activated player to chose which commander to activate. The Joker was the end of turn.
The game
The British suffered in the first couple of turns as most of the Americans were activated but only one or two British were before the end of turn. The Hessians took and early casualties from the heavy gun of the Americans and this in turn seemed to fixate the British on counter battery fire when activated.
Americans marching past their camp towards the sound of the guns
British advancing towards the Plantation. Light regiment to the fore
Hessians advance to the fence line all the time being pick off by Morgan’s rifles and a dogged 2lber gun.
British right flank entering the table
American left flank enter the table
Hessian batteries open up!
The British /Hessian centre tried to advance and capture the centre of the field. Holding the fence line was a small command of Moprgan’s rifle and a 2lber cannon. While this may not seem too much of a challenge, the marksmen’s ability and the range of the rifles made the Hessians too nervous and ended up targeting the rifles with cannon fire. Bad dice rolls for the British trying to hit the skirmishers and brilliant saving rolls by Steve in particular for the Americans meant they hang around far too long than the British wanted. By the time the rifles had been cleared the American centre was full of support.
The British Cavalry had attempted to advance and capture the centre ground but accurate howitzer fire caused many of the British cavalry to break.
Riflemen and cannon fire into the advancing Hessians
First unit to be broken!
A woman cleans the cabin hope the advancing British in the rear don’t burn it down.
American CinC with his dragoon guards
American heavy gun. This is a foundry model and comes with 6 figures but I only needed 4 as each figure represents the no. of damage dice is hits with.
British Cavalry advance towards the town centre. Due to bad dice they were to stay there too long and become the target of the American Howitzer.
British lights reach the plantation at the edge of the town.
closer look at the gun
The British native units were making their war steadily through the woods next to the river. this eventually bought them out at the bridge. Not wishing to venture into the open to the poor morale when in the open they shot from the wood edge hitting the mounted militia.
The British left was now trading shots with the American right which was advancing through the plantation and engaging the enemy, very well it must be said.
British right firing at the distant enemy. Maybe if they can capture the cabin the owner may provide refreshments or they could always burn it down!
American left wher militia are advancing through the woods
A cheers goes up in the British camp as the first American unit breaks and flees from the plantation
American left engage with British right in a fight for the cabin.
Morgan’s rifle get the reinforcements they hoped for.
View from rear of American right
Camp scene vignette from Perry
The Game ended and it was generally felt that while the British never secured the field, while the American’s were not in a great state to hold it. The American’s won though and so it was time to adjourn to the onsite cafe and have some Tea, I think the American may have even choked on it!!
Thank to Combine Oppos Wargame Group of Brian (British), Steve (American), Laurie(American) and Nathan(British).
I love the show with it being my local and as stated the venue is great, parking is free, loads of helper with trolleys if needed and best food ever. the only downside was the traders, many cancelled at the last moment and the ones that were there many sold the same items, great if you want Warlord items as you have the perfect bartering opportunity. What this can lead to is reduced sells and no returning next year.
Everyone helped pack up and I was home in 10 minutes unpacking.
Thank you all
See you all in a few weeks when we go to Weymouth for Fisticuffs which is at a new venue this year. Steve and Laurie have a secret game they are putting on so I cannot wait to see it.
Fisticuffs
Saturday May 26th 2018
Rembrandt Hotel ,12-18 Dorchester Road, Weymouth DT4 7JU
Next blog will probably be about some recently, eventually received TTCombat Wild West building
The Think Tank 