Scenario test - Capture a strongpoint

A defensive position overlooking an important supply route is the objective for this scenario. Held by a battalion of infantry, a small brigade of infantry supported by two squadrons of dragoons have been assigned to capture the position and hold it to the following day. Assault is to begin during the early morning and its capture should be made before noon.

Forces:

A battalion of French occupy the position and these are classed as raw.

The British consist of a battalion of Highlanders and the combined companies of grenadiers, supported by two squadrons of dragons. The latter are positioned off table to will arrive immediately on a roll of a 6 or the expenditure of 4 pips following the Collision Course system.  

 

Test one.

British troops are seen deploying to line quickly bringing them in range of the fort’s heavy artillery. A courier is despatched to alert the general of the assault.

After scaling the earthwork, the Highlanders engage the defenders. Informed they would find untrained troops defending, the enemy demonstrate a surprising resilience. After losing half their number, Alsace flee and seek shelter behind the newly arrived reinforcements.  

During the action surrounding the capture of the fort, British dragoons had taken a position near the hamlet to guard against reinforcements arriving. They did not have long to wait as French dragoons headed the advancing column. Both sides deployed to line, but the French are first off, the mark and wreaked havoc among the British sending them to flee.  

As dusk approaches, the French general does not have not enough troops to recapture the fort nor to engage the British in a fire fight and so relinquishes the position to the British.

Test two.

The second test was replayed on the same terrain, but with the British attacked from another side. The grenadiers lead the assault while the Highlanders were sent to secure the hamlet and delay any possible reinforcements.

The defense of the fort was tenacious, such that the Highlanders changed direction to join the assault, entering through the back door. This proved too much for Alsace and survivors fleeing wondering why the reinforcements had not arrived.

Observation

Both sides began the scenario with an even number of troops, with the defender having the majority his off table, its arrival would be decided by a die cast. After two relatively easy victories, a number of ideas were come to mind to bring some balance to the scenario. Much should depend on the commanders leading their detachments.

Leader capacity, in this rule system, is described as either cautious, bold or rash. In this scenario, the attackers, lead by a bold general, fought a cautious defender and the quality of troops under each should reflect their level of leadership, in this case, elite and veteran troops attacked raw or untrained recruits.

This might be the direction needed to balance play, cast a die to determine the quality of their general and troops. One could envision a defending bold general strengthening the fort’s defenses with an abatis, easily made to delay an attacker’s approach.