Tuesday, 13 April 2021

The Battle of Southampton – Scenario

While Ney and Murat pushed on to Andover a second French column probed north to Winchester. Here they were surprised by Wellington and Ponsonby and sensibly chose to withdraw to Southampton. Reinforced by the arrival of Lasalle and the Young Guard, the French now stood to fight.


The strategic situation at the start of Turn 4

British OOB

Wellington
Foot Guards
42nd Highlanders
The Royal Horse Guards
1 x Foot Battery
6 x Rifles

Ponsonby
Scots Greys
Inniskilling Dragoons
1st Royal Dragoons
1 x Horse Battery

Uxbridge
Light Dragoons

French OOB

Lasalle
Young Guard
Guard Marines
Guard Heavy Cavalry
1 x Guard Foot Battery
6 x Skirmishers

Poniatowski
4th Swiss
8th Poles
12 x Skirmishers

Nansouty
Guard Light Cavalry
1 x Guard Horse Artillery

The initial deployment of the armies.

I’ll be playing the game solo adhering to the written orders issued by Rob and myself in advance. The game will last for 8 turns and the side with the most VP’s at the end will be the winner. VP’s are awarded as follows:

5 VP for possession of each Objective (marked with a red star on the map)
2 VP for each enemy infantry or cavalry unit removed from play or currently routing
1 VP for each enemy infantry unit currently disordered
1 VP for each enemy general KIA
1 VP for each enemy flag/eagle captured (cavalry capture a flag/eagle from infantry that they rout on a die roll of 4,5 or6)
1 VP for each enemy artillery battery destroyed
1 VP for each enemy skirmisher group destroyed

16 comments:

Rob said...

All looks pretty simple to me.
If it's not a cakewalk for the men in red those rules will have to be rewritten.

Stryker said...

Rob, this one will be interesting!

MSFoy said...

Just a minute - I was about to place a bet at Paddy Power when I spotted the 4th Swiss in the French OOB. Better get these guys on the Vitamin B-12 supplements, quickly.

The Archduke said...

I take it that news of the preceding encounters has been kept from the invaders’ ears? You know what happens when the truth finally dawns on French soldiers on the field of glory....

Stryker said...

Tony, the 4th Swiss are indeed Napoleon's secret weapon!

Stryker said...

Nigel, the troops have been told that the British force is made up of boys and old men, best not to expose them unnecessarily to any alternate facts!

Steve-the-Wargamer said...

Sure I recognise that initial deployment map.. is that GameMappr by any chance? :o) ps. I'm just up the road so listening out for artillery fire... !

Stryker said...

Steve, the maps are drawn using Microsoft Word which I'm slowly coming to grips with. Sorry about any noise, I'll ask the lads to keep it down!

David said...

Ooh, another mismatch of arms. Can the British heavies carry the day again or will the guard infantry and 4th Swiss be too much to handle? Can't wait to see the results of the clash! Personally, I love Polish infantry so I am betting on them to carry the day...

Mark Dudley said...

Should there be a small track, perhaps a lane going up the hill. I am sure Hill Lane rings a bell.

Matt said...

Where are the Gentlemen Yeomanry...after all they only really had one job!

Ale House perhaps?

Stryker said...

David, this should be an interesting game and it’s not a scenario I would have dreamt up normally, it could go either way!

Stryker said...

Mark, and just to the east of the hill will one day be built the Miniature Figurines workshop!

Stryker said...

Matt, this is a good point, I’m sure they’ll be a full inquiry post invasion!

'Lee. said...

Following along here from the safety of the Garden of England. Really enjoying the banter, the narrative and the battles, it's a real old school treat. Great to see the Marines/Sailors in action.

Stryker said...

Lee, the campaign does seem to have taken on a life of its own which is great. Glad you're enjoying it!