For God, Queen and Country – Act Two

This test fielded the same forces, but with a new die cast for terrain, the field offered some better opportunities for coordinated attacks. Recalling the French tactical manuals, the Khan would attack in “echelon” formation. The Khan loved that word. Translated back into the local native language, this somehow became “I’ll see you first in Delhi”.  The Anglo-Indian army deployed in the same wining formation and within two bounds, anchored two square formations on the flanks of two infantry units in line.

As anticipated, the enemy threw their light horse well ahead of the main assault. Their goal was to occupy the British cavalry and inhibit their supporting their infantry.

By turn four, the game was still undecided as both sides took losses. The squares repelled repeated attack such that they could advance by small steps forward. This opened an opportunity for the Horse Artillery to gallop forward, unlimber and prepare for its next bound.

The European troops together with the Sepoys worked their clockwork precision volleys to wreak havoc on the cavalry. The Horse Artillery added their weight to send a number of cavalry units scurrying in different directions. The steady cadence of musket and artillery fire brought the issue to a close as the British cavalry had dealt handily with the rear attack.

Comments.

The game took more bounds to come to a conclusion, but the actual time was not noticeably longer. This was a far more exciting game as both sides had even opportunity to ruin the chances of the other.

In both tests, the Sepoys formed square. Their basic combat factor being lower than the European could still be compensated by the protection offered by the square.

Wednesday evening, we test further adding infantry to the Native army.  

Cheers,  

For God, Queen and Country.

The last step to finalize the DBA-HX upgrade centres now on square formations and horse artillery. This test takes place somewhere on the Punjab plain anno 1837.

The test uses the maximum size board with the Native Maratha cavalry force defending. All terrain pieces could be placed with the exception of the BUA. In the photo, you see the initial deployment of the Maratha vanguard and the Anglo-Indian force.

In this current draft, the DBA 3.0 deployment restrictions have now been modified to add an area for “reserves”. Even Napoleonic manuals mention where reserve formations should be placed and that they should ideally consist of infantry and cavalry.

Turn One

The Anglo-Indian battle line consisted of four Sepoy units evenly flanking the lone British regiment. These moved forward with the Maratha cavalry attempting to lap around them.

Turn Two

Sepoy units on the far right and left formed square in anticipation of a cavalry attack. In between the two squares, the British and Sepoy units remained in line. During this bound, both Ghurkha units found favourable terrain to work their trade. This delivered up a light horse unit to make the score 1-0 for the Queen.

The Maratha right wing charged the Sepoy square formation and recoiled back for their effort.

Turn Three

Operating between two squares, the British and Sepoys worked in conjunction to eliminate a second unit of Marathas, 2-0. The Maratha could reply in the only way they knew how and that was to charge again. This they did meeting the British and Sepoy cavalry on the left flank. This engagement would move back and forth for another turn delivering nothing more than a dust cloud. A second cavalry charge against the smaller Sepoy square failed as the horsemen were dropped in their tracks, 3-0 huzzah!

Turn Four

The British and Sepoy between the two squares wheeled to deliver a devastating volley to eliminate another cavalry element. During the previous bound, the Horse Artillery unlimbered behind the smaller Sepoy square and the rough ground to sow the dry ground with Maratha blood. 5-0 end of bound and game.

Notes:

The white squares set underneath an element signify a unit in square formation. Squares performed repelled cavalry and despite a lower combat factor for Sepoys, they managed to beat back several charges. During the test, I imagined this could easily duplicate the battle of the Pyramids or Mount Tabor of Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign.

After completing the French and Algerian lists (1833-1847), I am so tempted to start a French army for North Africa.  

Cheers, 

DBA-HX 3.0 Update

Early this month I requested assistance with play testing the upgrade of DBA-HX with version 3.0. 

I am pleased to report the variant rules are nearing their final stage and with the help of a dozen enthusiasts from around the world, the rules flow very well and have a good transition to each section covered; the War of the Spanish Succession, the Seven Years War, the Wars of Napoleon and the Early Victorian era.

With the rapid volume of suggestions and improvements to the rules we were able to close on the final stage such that work could begin with on the Army Lists. These will cover the same period of 1700 to 1850 as the rules and expand on the original work of Tony Barr of Humberside.

Naturally, to use this variant you will need DBA 3.0 as many rule items give page references to particular sections of the rule set. The general consensus for the Horse and Musket games; "it plays faster; they are not complex changes and still do not require the need for record keeping or tracking".  

When completed, the DBA-HX 3.0, 1700-1850 and the army lists will be available at the Fanaticus Resource page. 

Further, rule queries, battle reports or future army lists will be posted to the Fanaticus Forum section, DBA in the Age of Gunpowder.

The Civil War and other conflicts to the end of the century will be available as a separate rule set, DBA-HX 3.0, 1850-1900. 

With a short break and a call for additional testers, that part will begin testing in March.

Tomorrow, a battle report of the Early Victorian era between hordes of cavalry, sepoys, squares and horse artillery. 

Cheers,