Saturday, 11 April 2020

Guest Post from Reject Richard - The Battle of Distanza p2


Part 2 of a Socially Distant Wargame by Reject Richard

The Battle of Distanza, 15 June 1746
Deployment Turn, 11am


For the first phase of the game Lee and Ray were given their army lists and asked to decide about their brigades’ entry and deployment.  As the game is currently live, I’ll not reveal the exact army lists until the end for fear of giving away any military secrets.  However, what can be said is that both sides have four brigades with the following broad composition:

French (Ray)
1st Brigade – infantry
2nd Brigade – infantry
3rd Brigade – infantry
4th Brigade – cavalry

Austrian (Lee)
1st Brigade – infantry
2nd Brigade – infantry
3rd Brigade – cavalry
4th Brigade – cavalry

Lee and Ray were given the following map.




Lee and Ray were asked to choose their entry points for their brigades and to indicate the general direction of travel for those brigades.
Ray enters from 3 of points F1 to F4
Lee enters from 3 of points A1 to A4
The boys were also instructed to guess their opponent’s entry points in order to out scout and gain an advantage using the following table to decide:

Results of Scouting
Both sides find the same number of entry points
No change to deployment
One side finds all the entry points of the other AND more than their opponent.
The winner may redeploy one brigade to any of their 4 entry points
OR
Upgrade the quality of their commanding officer.

Ray entered and indicated his direction of march as shown here with his red lines:


3rd Brigade from F2
1st Brigade from F3
2nd and 4th Brigades from F4, going west and east of the hill respectively.

Lee provided the following illustration of his entry and march:



I think you can see which brigade Lee was marching in and from where.  It’s funny how drawing or writing freehand on computer is never a true reflection of our fine motor skills.

Even though Lee does not have to roll any dice (big sigh of relief from everyone!) he was still out scouted by Ray who correctly guessed all of Lee’s points of deployment.  I can’t reveal what advantage Ray chose yet.  That’s the second tease… I almost feel bad.................... Almost!!!!!!

Both French and Austrians were now deployed on the table, as shown below, and ready for the first march move.



The Austrians quickly advanced their 4th and 1st brigades south, with the latter making good progress in the direction of Distanza.


Equally the French 3rd Brigade rapidly approach the town of Sociale.



However, in the south and east, things are moving a little more tentatively with both sides’ infantry manoeuvring into position.


Meanwhile the cavalry brigades spot each other and decide it would be prudent to shuffle into line formation.


 And so, the forces are arranged as shown on the view of the battlefield below.


Thus, is the situation at 11.30am.

How will the commanders next set of orders influence events?  This is the point where some dramatic music ends an episode of a soap opera on a cliff hanger moment.  Well, in my head anyway!!!

Until next time............



14 comments:

  1. Looking good. Know who I would want to be

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  2. You'll have to let us know how it ends.
    Is this one being played virtually?

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    1. No Richard will play out the game on the tabletop.

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  3. Very creative and interesting gaming, Ray!

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  4. I'm expecting a cavalry melee very soon...

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    Replies
    1. Me too. Bit dodgy though, them Austrian Cuirassiers can be tough buggers.

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  5. I like the scouting rule - very clever.

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  6. Yep, its simple but effective!

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  7. Soziale and Distanza. I suppose it will be a battle fought at long range?

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