Flames of War in the Classroom

I must start by saying World War Two is not my favorite era for wargaming.  I have been and probably always will be a horse and musket type of guy.  But the kids that come to my wargaming club are World War Two enthusiasts.  So, perhaps the most selfless warmgaming act I have ever done is to purchase, paint and base a load of WWII vehicles and figures for my students.

Last spring I sat down to watch the many videos available on Flames of War.  I spent hours studying the rule book and tried to fight out some solo actions on my personal gaming table.  But no matter how hard I tried, neither my desire nor my ability to grasp the rules improved.  But I had all of these figures plus terrain, so I couldn't just drop it.  What would plan B be?  Well, if I do say so myself, I struck upon a genius of an idea.  Why not turn things over to my students and have them teach me?  One of my charges is also a teaching assistant for me during one of my classes.  I handed him the rule book and told him about the videos and told him it would be up to him to teach the rest of us.  To my pleasant surprise, he took up the challenge with relish.  Over the last few weeks he would use his time in my class to take out a small portion of troops and vehicles and teach himself the rules.  Today was the payoff: he led a small group of us in a small encounter after school.  He did a tremendous job.  He was thrilled to have the opportunity, the other seven students began to get the feel for the rules, and everyone had a great time.  As for me, I sat back and just watched it all happen.

One of the other students in our group has already picked up the Flames of War starter box and today he brought in a few of the vehicles that he has painted himself.  He did a really good job for one of such a tender age.  He's hooked.  Perhaps the others in the group will follow suit.

Here are a few pictures of today's action.  The objectives were two small farm buildings and adjoining fields.  Each side had a platoon of tanks, a platoon of mortars and two infantry platoons.

German panzers approaching the objectives.

American Shermans doing the same.

American infantry moving across in the open, bunched closely together within view of the German mortar platoon.  A hard lesson was learned here as teams melted away on each turn.

The action from my end of the table.  I was a happy spectator.

Germans moving into a field.

The German mortars, commanded by our lone female participant, did most of the damage on this day.  They can be seen in the foreground.

We were only able to play for a little over an hour, but in that time we completed three and a half turns.  The Germans clearly did the most damage.  Two of the Shermans were flaming hulks at the end of the game, and several stands of infantry had been removed as a result of some excellent shooting by the German mortars.  The axis casualties were very light.  It is safe to say that by games end we all were much more comfortable with the mechanics and eager for another go.

More commission work

I just finished the unit of hussars last night.  They are painted up as the 7th regiment in the Egypt campaign.  These are Perry plastics.

Commission Work

I have been busy the last couple of weeks working on a commission, painting up a load of Perry plastic miniatures.  I had painted up some of the cavalry, but had yet to put a brush to any of the Napoleonic infantry.  They are a shade smaller than their Victrix counterparts, but are just as detailed and a pleasure to paint.  The photos below are not very good, but they do give an idea of how the project is coming along.

Dragoons and infantry command

Elite companies

line companies

Cuirassiers

Overall, I am pleased with how this project is turning out.  I am just about finished with a unit of hussars and then will tackle the last lot, some Austrian infantry.

If you have any interest in securing my services I am very reasonable and fast.  Leave me a message and I'll get back to you promptly.

Ligny Conclusion

After two more turns it is clear that the French are not up to the task of taking Ligny.  While they have ample infantry for another strong attack, their cavalry has been crippled in trying to hold the flank, suffering over 50% casualties and the Prussians have an unblooded brigade moving up to deliver a death blow.  This, in turn, would leave the French infantry columns extremely vulnerable to a flank attack.  Meanwhile, several attacks in the center have either been stopped cold or routed.   The only real success has been on the Prussian left.  But even there, the terrain and arriving reinforcements will enable a second solid defensive line to be established.

The French cavalry have been thrashed by the more numerous Prussian horsemen.

Fresh squadrons are in position to deliver a death blow and turn the French left flank.

Attacks on the Prussian center have failed.  The French unit in the foreground has just been routed.

These two battalions have been stopped cold by combined musketry and cannon fire.

Light infantry on the Prussian left has been successful, but a newly organized line awaits their depleted ranks.

The Prussians have just been too tough to dislodge.

On the Prussian right, several battalions have yet to fire a shot.

As the dust is settling, the French artillery was a huge disappointment while their Prussian counterparts were quite up to the challenge.  Additionally, the French infantry were continually unable to overcome the enemy's fire in trying to close.  In the rare times that they did, poor dice rolls seemed to always go against them.  The French cavalry fought valiantly, but could not overcome the numerical advantage of the Prussians.  The sniping of Prussian jagers proved to make a huge difference as even just one casualty was enough to lose several bonuses and allow the inferior Prussian horsemen to gain the upper hand.  In hindsight, the French needed to use their batteries to beat down the Prussian guns so that their infantry could get to grips with the poorer quality Prussian infantry.

It was a fun game.  I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and running account of the battle.  Happy New Year!

Ligny Part 3

I got in another turn yesterday.  On the French right there were some important successes.  The farm anchoring the Prussian left was taken and the light infantry holding the outskirts of Ligny were driven back.  However, the Prussians were able to change orders for a reserve regiment and it is on its way to bolster the sagging defenses on the left.

The farm is taken, but the artillery is proving to be a tough nut to crack.

French legions push back the Prussian light infantry.

Despite fierce resistance, the French are making headway.

A reserve regiment makes its way to reinforce the left.

The cavalry battle, however, was another story all together.  The Prussians aggressively attacked the French light cavalry and won every encounter, including a landwehr regiment counter-charging a unit of chasseurs a cheval.  The next turn will be critical, for if the French cannot regain control of this sector, their infantry will be hit in the flank and the battle mostly likely will be lost.

Prussian dragoons defeating a second unit of French lancers.

Prussian landwehr cavalry ready to attack the flank of the French light cavalry division

Ligny Continued

The first three turns have seen the French send in their initial attacks without much success.  The Prussian cannon are holding back the Emperor's columns while the French guns have been very ineffective in making a dent on Ligny's defenders.

Prussian guns holding back the French assaults.

The elite 4th Leger is unable to close with this battery.  Casualties are mounting.

The defenders on the outskirts of Ligny have been particularly stubborn.

The cavalry battle has been pretty much a stand-off, but this is definitely in the Prussian's favor.  Prussian jagers have been able to empty some French saddles as they have approached the growing conflict.  The Prussian cannons have also done some damage.

The dead horses mark where entire stands of cavalry have been eliminated from the contest.

The Prussian horse is gaining the advantage, and the second brigade is preparing to enter the fray in the background.

The next turn saw a lull in the fighting between the cavalry.  Two French units were able to rally while others moved up to prepare to attack.

Rallied lancers move up.  The next turn should see things heat up considerably.

Prussian reserves move into position.

Around Ligny, the French were able to gain a foothold in the outskirts, but at a very high price.  A second attempt to take the guns on the extreme Prussian left was again unsuccessful.  The -3 for casualties from a blast of canister was just enough to stall the charge of the 1/4th Leger.  An assault on the farm also failed.  All in all, the Prussian commander is feeling pretty good about things at this stage.

Finally, a small success for the French.

The view from behind Ligny.  The town is still quite secure.

A second attempt to take the guns falls short despite the heroic leadership of the brigade commander.

The Prussian conscripts are holding firm on the left.

Fight for Ligny

Taking advantage of my Christmas break by getting back to Napoleonics.  I have a small corp of Prussians, made up of two infantry "brigades" and a division of cavalry.  They are taking on three French infantry divisions along with a light cavalry division.  The Old Guard is in support and will be used only if necessary.  Here are some pictures of the set-up and opening moves.

One Prussian infantry brigade is holding Ligny

The Prussian cavalry is posted on the right where the ground is more open.

The rest of the Prussian cavalry.

The second Prussian infantry brigade is posted to the right of Ligny and in reserve behind the town.

The Prussian left, anchored in some woods and a farm.

The French plan was to attack vigorously on the flanks in the hope of drawing off the Prussian reserves.  As the flank attacks went in, the French would pound Ligny's defenses with three batteries of artillery and harass it with skirmishers before sending in an assault on the town itself. 

The French light cavalry move out to attack their Prussian counterparts who are advancing to meet them.

A French brigade attacks the extreme left flank of the Prussians, hoping to turn it and force the commitment of Prussian reserves.