Along the Danube Scenario for Blucher

After over a year since our last go with the Blucher rules, we finally tried another game. 4 of us played a modified version of the "Along the Danube" scenario, which is a free download on the Honour website here: link. The scenario was "modified" as some of the terrain was reduced in size due to what we had available. My 28mm figures are on 60mm frontage bases, which is 20% smaller than the 3" frontage bases recommended by the rules. This means we could play the scenario on an area 20% smaller than the 6' x 4' that the scenario called for, which fit on the kitchen table we were playing on.

We used rosters for the game to keep track of elan losses. It seemed to take longer as you have to repeatedly look up your unit's strength during the game for determining how many dice it gets for firing & melee, but eliminated some clutter on the table. 

Above, both sides deployed using cards. The cards were homemade. The upside down coffee cup is used for the momentum dice, which the opposing side rolls and keeps track of for the phasing side and keeps the roll concealed.

Both sides have units come into sight and the cards are replaced with miniatures. Infantry Brigades are represented by 2 bases of miniatures that measure 60mm x 30mm. When an infantry unit becomes "prepared" (in square and/or taking advantage of local cover) according to the rules, we simply turn the rear stand around to face the opposite direction to represent a "prepared" infantry unit. Cavalry & artillery brigades are represented by a single stand each.

The French cavalry corps sweeps around the Austrian right, initially using reserve movement, but countered by heavy cavalry from the Austrian Reserve Korps (lower left in above photo).

Overall view of the battlefield.

The French cavalry are forced back on the left.

In the center, the French are moving forward with the intent of getting into shooting range.

A firefight has broken out on the French right flank.

The French cavalry on the left flank has gotten the worst of it so far and fallen back. A firefight is developing on the right of the photo and would prove costly for the French.

Meanwhile, the Austrian left flank has been devastated by shooting.

The French left keeps slowly dwindling down due to losses. The French often found themselves without enough momentum to withdraw or turn individual units around that had retreated from melee, giving the Austrians opportunity to hit them in the flank/rear or destroy them when they were at 1 elan strength.

The Austrian left flank is basically gone and the French infantry are crossing the stream. A French cavalry unit has seized the objective marker between the two small fields.

However, French losses on their left flank & center were catastrophic, as the Austrian center & right hold firm. The battle is won by the Austrians. The small boxes in the upper part of the photo were dice boxes.

We still had a few problems with doing everything correctly with the rules, but it was still an interesting game. Units in Blucher wear down rather than occasional destruction as in other rules. NOTE: The miniatures are based for DBN, HFG, and DBA-HX, as are the movement sticks, etc. They are all perfectly usable for Blucher.

We may try this scenario again using HFG.

Polish vs Swedes in a DBA 24 Battle

 

Recently we did another DBA24 game in 28mm, this time a late Renaissance battle between armies we haven't used before, Poles & Swedes, in a Thirty Years War period contest. We came up with some house rules for the game to represent the Renaissance period, including allowing pistol armed cavalry to shoot 1 BW, etc. We borrowed a few of the rules, element types, and combat factors from DBR.

The Polish army deployed near a farm.

The Swedes deployed opposite.

The Swedes lose an element to Polish artillery fire.

The Swedish right (upper right in photo) advances towards the Polish left.  

Another view.

As both armies deploy on the far flank, the Swedish light horse advances on the near flank.

Another view. The Poles defend the garden wall of the farm, with a Polish element recoiling from Swedish shooting.

The far flank forces are fully deployed in line against one another.

The far flank forces fully engaged. The Poles have supporting shot & pikes nearby on the right, and a group of Winged Hussars in reserve.

After a couple turns, the Swedish horse begins to dominate the Poles, turning their left flank and inflicting casualties that have created gaps in the line.

The Poles try to establish a new line of resistance.

Polish casualties, 5 elements destroyed so far.

Outnumbered now on the far flank, the Poles try to defend their extended line.

The Swedes close for the kill.

The Poles lose another Winged Hussar element (which were treated as Knights in our game). The impetuosity (mandatory pursuit) of the Winged Hussars was not helpful in this game.

Another Polish horse element lost. The Poles are now 1 element away from breaking. They manage to kill a Swedish horse element with a flanking shot element supporting the Winged Hussars.

The Poles lose an infantry element in the field to shooting, which brings their losses to 8, and thus the end of the game for a Swedish victory. 

Another view of the end of battle positions.

An exiting game. The battle was decided by the large cavalry engagement on the far flank, which seems appropriate for this period. The Swedish loses were half what the Poles lost.