WWI Batrep - The Battle of Guise 1914

Four Rejects got together for a WWI battle last Sunday, using Posties 6mm figures.

It was a very tense affair the whole way through, infact it was one of those games were it

didn't seem to matter who won.

Postie reffed the game I played the French, Richard and Surj were the Germans.

The Battle of Guise 29th August 1914

This is Posties interpretation of a small part of the battle using regiments that were either

 there or close by.

To win the game Postie informed us, certain strategic landmarks of the battlefield were worth points. At the end of the game. the points would be added up and the winner declared. It didn't matter about losses, only the landmarks.......

OOB

German
2nd Army - Gen von Bulow
7th Corp - Gen von Einem
13th Inf Division - Gen Lt von Dem Borne
25th Brigade IR 13, IR 158, 3 Battalions of each
26th Brigade IR 15, IR55 3, Battalions of each

14th Inf Division - Gen Lt Fleck
79th Brigade IR 56, IR57 3, Battalions of each

French
5th Army Gen Lannezac
18th Corps - -Gen de Maud'huy
35th Inf Division - Gen Marjoulet
69th Brigade 6 RI, 123 RI, 3 Battalions of each
36th Infantry Division - Gen Jovannic
71st Brigade 34 RI, 49 RI, 3 Battalions of each
72nd Brigade 12 RI, 18 RI, 3 Battalions of each

Postie had already pre set all the troops

This is my right of the field. Well there's big points in the town for sure, but who's 

gonna get there first??

Middle right

I already own the town on the left, that's gotta be worth points, as does the big hill

in front of the town, that could be a problem for both sides. The little farm building must be worth something too?

Middle left

Hmm? Not many points here...I think?

Perhaps the building on the German lines,  but its that hill again dominating the area

The left

Now there's a few points here?

Two bridges and 2 building complexes.......

The whole table

The Villains of the piece

Surj, Postie and Richard

First turn was a mad scramble to the town. I won first turn, so I moved and fired first.

Another mad scramble for the farm complex, but Richard held back his line

 on the far road? Hmm? What are they up to???

Mad rush for the hill. I'm outnumbered here and its very open ground, 

ripe territory for machine guns!!

My artillery was battering the poor Germans.

Looks like we'll both get one building each.

Each small building can hold either 1 Company of infantry (1 stand) or 1 Machine gun.

The larger buildings can hold one of each.

Next turn, Looks like the church will be mine as well as the building this side of the road and 

Richard will get the other side.

Richard still didn't move in the left centre, I moved up to the farm house.

I got on the hill first, But could I hold it?

I'm in! With a stand of infantry.

First casualties of the day go to the Germans and I threw a 10 to fire on a D10,

which results in a courage test for the Germans, see the red marker.

Bloody hell, its pretty bloody on top of the hill. Richard targets me with his artillery.

Well I've gained the ground, but Richard isn't budging from the road.

I get some re-enforcments!!!

They got another artillery piece I get a wagon and tent!!!

Its a pretty bloody affair. My two infantry to the front are being battered by Richard's artillery

Next turn and we're all in. This is going to be a mighty stand off

Richard's still refusing to move his side forward. I'm happy to stay my side too.

I fell back off the hill and moved back giving ground, hoping to entice Surj 

forward, which he did.

Casualties are popping up everywhere. I'm trying to get round the flank to take the 

building on Surj's side. While he's now pushing for the hill.

I get my commander too close to my infantry. He has to test for casualties. Luckily I threw well!

Surj moved back to form a line to get maximum fire to the hill, so I moved my troops back off.

Back down on the right, both sides still hold their end of the town.

Not sure who's gonna break first?

The whole table.

I finally knock Surj out of the building on the left and move in myself, hopefully

I'll gain a point or two for my endevours?

Richard's had enough!

He charges the infantry on the left, the Church and the building in the middle.

From previous games we both new it'd be hard, BUT we both forgot the change for defenders

dice roll. Richard needed 8's and up on a D10, were I only needed 6's.

The inevitable happened. Richard was pushed back from all three melee's

Then to make matters worse, one of the units fails its courage test and moves back another 4 inches.

I'd been slowly moving troops over to the hill, from the right, then made the move over as close as I 

could the Germans in the woods. As they were closer than 4 inches, if they targeted my troops

with artillery then some casualties may go to the Germans instead of me.

Surj looked week in the open ground now, so I pushed forward to support the attack on the hill.

Moving the 2/18th RI and the 1/18th RI back up the hill actually turned out to be 

the winning move.

Postie ended the game  prompt at 4.30, as he had planned all along.

He added the points up from the map above giving the French an 10-8 point victory.

If I hadn't moved back onto the hill and gained an extra 3 points the Germans would have won 8-7!!

And most of the building we fought over didn't even count as points either!!

He's a sneaky bugger that Postie!

What a great game, all three of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, Posties WWI rules

are really good, they work very well and make you play to the period

Well done evil one!!!