Further testing with 3.0

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Today I tested irregular light horse (2 LH) and “raw” troops or militia (4Ms) using a big battle encounter. For this test, I fielded 24 elements from the British-Indian collection to fight an Imperial Chinese force of 36 elements.

Both sides divided their number into two commands which gave the Chinese a slight advantage before reaching a demoralized state. Die roll for general’s characteristic resulted in one Rash commander and Bold CinC for the British and two Cautious generals for the Imperial forces.

The Imperial army grouped all their cavalry supported by an equal number of infantry and artillery (rockets). The remaining infantry and artillery, under command of the CinC, were deployed in line with three columns in support.

To counter the Chinese cavalry, the British and Native cavalry were deployed on the right supported by a battalion of Gurkha and cannon. The center was covered by two brigades with a third in support and on the extreme left flank heavy artillery would offer support fire from their hill position. Supporting the battery were two Sepoy battalions.

Turn 1

The British, as aggressor, moved their center forward while the Gurkha on the right advanced on the Chinese infantry. The Chinese responded with flank maneuvers. Half the irregular cavalry became active encircling the British right while the Imperial infantry on the right moved forward to pin the British.

Turn 2

Caught flat footed, the Gurkha were re-deployed to deal with the encircling irregular horse while British and Native cavalry moved forward to counter the Imperial advance.

The Imperial center held their initial position while the right flank continued wheeling inward. An exchange of artillery fire delivered one Imperial casualty. Britain 1-0.

Turn 3 and 4

Now in effective musket range, the center of both sides exchange volleys producing gaps which were quickly re-formed the following bound. The British Rifle brigade had the worst of an exchange losing an element and having another flee. On the British right, the Gurkha bested both irregular horse in successive turns.

Turn 5

The British cavalry emboldened by the Gurkha success were able to deliver a similar result thereby demoralizing the Imperial left. Closing to combat, British line and Native infantry experienced difficulties with the longer reach of the Imperial spearmen. Unfortunately, the militia were less inclined to enjoy the dance and recoiled or left the field all together.

By turn 6, the game was up and the Imperial troops had enough.

Notes.

Militia, musket armed troops (4Ms) have similar factors as shot (SH) under the current DBA-HX, but now retain a shooting range similar to the British. This meant the Imperial muskets still needed maximum concentration to maintain a slight advantage while the British need not. The Imperial spear and skirmishers held surprises for the British. A typical Imperial brigade comprised of 2 x 4Ms, 1 x 4Sp, 1 x 2Skm. 

The irregular horse did use the + 1 for rear support on one instance. This was done against the Gurkha and they paid dearly for it. It would be useful with larger cavalry formations where such tactics could enjoy flank protection. 

The advantage of troop type, British trained versus Imperial militia, was more than enough to offset the advantage of a dozen extra elements and outclassed by British command. Further testing will have the Imperial army with a sprinkling of trained troops and hordes of irregular types.  

Cheers, 

British Contingent to Germany

The following lists show the gradual buildup of British forces to the Allied army in Germany. Information comes from Savory, His Britannic Majesty’s Army in Germany.

First British Contingent, disembarked at Emden on 3 August 1758.

Commander in Chief: Lieut.-General the Duke of Marlborough*

Lieut.-Generals: Lord George Sackeville, the Marguis of Granby

Major-Generals: Mostyn, Waldegrave.

Colonels (later Major-Generals) Kingsly, Elliot

Regiment

Royal Horse Guards, the Blues

1^st King’s Dragoon Guards

3^rd Dragoon Guards

6^th Inniskilling Dragoons

10^th Dragoons

2^nd Royal North Dragoons, the Greys

12^th Foot (Napier’s)

20^th Foot (Kingsley’s)

Royal Welsh Fusiliers (23^rd Foot, Huske’s)

25^th Foot (Home’s)

51^st Foot (Brudenell’s)

Note:

The grenadier companies of each battalion formed a battalion under Maxwell.

* This is Charles Spencer, the 3rd Duke of Marlborough pictured here.

Lieut.-Generals: Lord George Sackeville, the Marguis of Granby

Colonel (later Major-General) Elliot

Second British Contingent, disembarked at Bremen during May and June of 1760.

Regiment

Royal Dragoons (Conway’s)

5^th Dragoon Guards (Mostyn’s)

7^th Dragoons (Cope’s)

2^nd Dragoon Guards (Waldegrave’s)

5^th Foot (Hodgon’s)

11^th Foot (Dockland’s)

33^rd Foot (Griffin’s)

8^th Foot (Barrington’s)

24^th Foot (Conrwallis’s)

50^th Foot (Carr’s)

Note:

The grenadier companies of the above listed battalions formed into a battalion under the command of Daulhatt, later Lennox and after him Walsh.

Later, July of 1760

Carabineers

88^th Highlanders (Campbell’s)

15^th Light Dragoons (Elliot’s)

7^th Dragoon Guards (Honywood’s)

2^nd Bn. Foot Guards

2^nd Bn. Coldstream Guards

2^nd Bn. Third Guards

Grenadiers of the Guards

Note: The 87^th Highlanders (Keith's) arrived on the continent on 14 November 1759 and had seen action before the arrival of the second contingent. Both Highland battalions were grouped with the converged grenadier battalions of Maxwell and Lennox.  

Cheers, 

Upgrading DBA-HX with 3.0

Over the past few months we have tested a number of dynamic changes with the draft copy of 3.0 and how the Horse and Musket variant called DBA-HX (Humberside extension) can be “up-graded”.

Most apparent are shooting and movement distances which increases the chance of flank marches and through fire power bring native hordes to still stand. More significant, however, are the subtle changes in combat resolution and outcome. Other variants add extra factors for elite forces and columns or track the number of recoils to distinguish troop classification.

Fast and Solid type of troops can better define trained and un-trained troops. Further, combat resolution can work as a subtle way to separate veteran from raw troop capabilities as “flank support” offered by elite or veteran troops.

In this recent test, I wanted to explore un-trained troop types, warbands, auxilia and horde and how these would match-up against trained troops. For this, I had the recently painted East India Sepoy and European troops fight Chinese irregulars, a precursor to the First Opium War.

Somewhere in S.E. Asia

The Anglo-Indian force comprised of one artillery element, two European battalions (4Ms), four Sepoy battalions (4Ms) and two skirmishers (2Ps) forming the Nasiri battalion of Gurkha, a total of 9 elements including general. The Chinese formed two commands totaling 18 elements. Half of the large command was horde (5Hd) with the remainder divided between skirmishers (2Ps) and warband (3Wb). The smaller command comprised all warband.

With the artillery taking central position, a brigade formed up on either side with the Nasiri extending the left flank facing the woods. The Chinese horde taking central position, the warband and skirmishers formed up on their right flank. The village on the left covered the warbands of the smaller command.

For this test, I kept musket ranges at 160 paces or 2 BW (note 1), while rifles (Baker) extend their range to 3 BW or 240 paces. This meant charge by Chinese could be launched outside of musket range.

Poor pip throws plagued both sides for the first few bounds, which prompted the hordes to close with the redcoats, while the smaller command worked its way around the British right flank.

With steady musket volley, the Chinese hordes were dropped in their tracks at 80 paces. By bound number four, the Chinese had two hordes remaining. Although hordes do not count toward demoralization, their loss did leave a huge gap between flanks.

Throughout this period, the British were content to wheel their firing lines bringing a maximum of muskets on the Chinese. It was at this moment, the smaller command was able to strike the British right flank and take out a European unit. The following Chinese bound, they encored their successful charge to claim a Sepoy unit.

Both sides, one element away from defeat, the British rallied to slaughter a warband, horde and skirmisher for their effort. Including the horde, Chinese losses were heavy, five warband and five horde. The Anglo-Indian loss tallied two elements.

Among the Anglo-Indian forces, both the Sepoy and Nasiri were trained troops, while the European was classed as veterans. As veteran, they could render flank support bonus to trained troops and they benefited from equal results when fighting horde. This occurred several times to bring a level of tension to the game.

Next test game will take us to the colonies for a French and Indian War action.

Cheers,

Note:

1 - By 1850, general infantry service weapon would increase this to 240 paces or 3 BW.