Revising the rules - Organising an Army

Pages 1 through 17 of the WRG Wargame Rules 1685-1845, cover the Method of Play, Ground and Troop scales and other topics related to organising an army, formations, command and control and terrain selection. Other topics, such as movement, shooting, hand-to-hand combat and reaction tests will each be covered separately in future posts.

Scales

This variant uses the same time, ground and troop scales of WRG, that is a player’s bound represents 15 minutes of real time, 1mm equals 2 paces for 15mm figures, and one figure represents 50 for foot and 40 for cavalry. Basing infantry, cavalry and artillery we use a 30mm x 30mm size making the frontage of an element as 60 paces. According to Duffy, the frontage of an infantry battalion measured 240-300 paces, for our purposes four elements of foot accompanied by the battalion guns.

Organising units

The size of a battalion of foot is kept standard for musketeers, grenadiers and Grenzers. Similarly, cavalry regiments have six elements for cuirassiers, dragoons and hussars. Organising units into a higher group is specified by the scenarios we use, however, as a guideline, we will have a brigade of infantry consisting of 3 - 5 battalions, a brigade of cavalry, 2 – 3 regiments.

Command and Control

Each brigade of infantry or cavalry is under the command of a general and this variant has adapted the general’s characteristic of the original rule set. A general may be cautious, bold or rash, each have additional aspects regarding the movement of troops, close combat and reaction tests and pip expenditure. The CinC or Feld Marschall has command over the various brigades. 

Deployment

To simplify each test phase, we used the deployment method in DBA. Troops are positioned no closer that 5BW from the centre line and each side edge.  Troops can be held off table as a reserve to be called up no earlier than a player’s third bound. Flank marches will be handled in a similar manner used for the ACW campaigns.

Sequence of Play

   This follows the sequence laid out in DBA.

1.          Each player cast one die for a PIP score for each general.

2.          Tactical moves & response

3.          Shooting phase. & response

4.          Close combat & compulsory moves

Dropped features

Troop Values: Our conflicts will be scenario based, each listing a specific quantity of units making the point system, well pointless.

Choosing Terrain Likewise, we will be using our terrain card system negating the need for the two pages of terrain selection in the original rules.

Weather: Options will be specified with each scenario used.

Next post: Movement

Seven Years War project, the Austrians

The Austrians are now reorganised, rebased and ready for combat. These figures are Old Glory 15mm and have been in the collection for 20 plus years. Their last battle was 10 years ago and last month I felt reanimated to return to the period.

The first batch, seen earlier, have their bases painted and flocked. In the first photo, four battalions of German infantry are seen with the combined companies of grenadiers. Further back are two battalions of Hungarian infantry with their distinct colours and beyond are two battalions of Grenzer infantry.

Included in the first batch are two regiments of Dragoons and two of Hussars, the latter are the only miniatures from Essex Manufacturing, these had a livelier pose than the Old Glory models.  

A second batch soon followed adding five battalions of infantry, three regiments of cavalry and heavy artillery. In the second photo you can see clearly three battalions of German infantry, one combined companies of Hungarian grenadiers and more Grenzer infantry. Two cuirassier regiments can be seen on the left of the formation and on the right, the combined mounted grenadiers from various Dragoon regiments. These are not listed separately, but are included in each pack of Austrian dragoons.  

This gives a total strength of the Austrian force to 14 battalions, 42 squadrons, 18 guns and 7 generals (123 elements).

Coming soon, the Prussians

Seven Years War (project) - the rules

Both WRG 1685 – 1845 and DBA are similar, players alternate bounds moving through a sequence of phases. The two greatly differ in that, WRG sequence of play is the reverse order of DBA. Further, the reaction tests and movement calculation lengthened the time needed to complete a player’s bound. Revising and testing will take time, but here outlined are sections to be reworked.   

Sequence

The DBA sequence of pip throw, tactical moves, shooting and close combat (combat outcomes) will be adapted. 

Pip score

This is done for each brigadier general and the CinC. 

Pips can be used for tactical moves or later in the bound to resolve reaction tests. 

Staff figures

Generals are either Cautious, Bold or Rash, qualities of each will be noted in the draft set. 

Scenarios will list generals and their characteristic, if not, then use the WRG table. 

Reaction test

WRG listed 8 reaction tests that could be taken during a player’s bound. 

The tests will remain, but resolving them will have a pip cost. 

Tactical moves

Moving individual units within a brigade would normally cost a pip, we are exploring the movement of multiple units in unison, without the need of group move restrictions. 

All distances quoted in paces will be converted to base width. 

Changing formation is dependent on the unit’s morale and training.     

Shooting

Players shoot only on their bound with the target using its combat factor in response. 

Shooting is limited to targets straight ahead at long or close distance. 

Troops may move and fire, however, players are not obligated to shoot on their bound. 

Close Combat

Close combat elements add or deduct tactical factors to their basic combat factor. 

Other factors to be considered; charge/counter-charge, morale, and if disordered/shaken.   

Combat outcomes

Casting a die for each element in combat may seem excessive, however, close combat will end with one side’s morale cascading to disorder, shaken or rout. 

Routing troops remain on table to continue their flight until rallied, found refuge or left the table. 

Determining a winner 

The WRG point system is deleted as our conflicts are scenario based. This may result with unequal size forces meeting, but such is war. The current campaign system for the late 17^th c. will be repurposed for the Seven Years War.