Friday 6 September 2019

6 mm ECW wargame. Lords at war

As befits the leading men of the county, Lord Holland and Lord Battersby raised forces for Parliament and the King respectively.
Lord Holland raised 2 regiments of foot, 2 of horse and 2 of dragoons.
Lord Battersby raised a similar force for the king..
Having been bested in the race to secure the arms in Ashgrove, Lord Battersby set out with his small force to make his presence known in no uncertain terms.
Being aware of this, as it is no easy task to conceal a mustering of forces in the same county, Lord Holland gathered his force and went to confront the upstart on his march. Thereby saving his tenants and neighbours from unseemly ruffians upsetting their livelihoods and forcing them to into allegiance with the king.

Lord Holland had the following force:-

1 regiment of pistol, inferior. Colonel Dove (2 elements, green coats)
1 regiment of pistol, inferior. Colonel Houghton (2 elements, black coats)
1 regiment of foot, ordinary. Colonel Dierden (6 elements, red coats)
I regiment of foot, ordinary. Colonel Smith (6 elements, green coats)
I Regiment of Dragoons, ordinary. Colonel Potts (1 elements, purple coats)
I Regiment of Dragoons, ordinary. Colonel Booth (1 elements, orange coats)



Lord Battersby had the following force:-

1 regiment of pistol, ordinary, fast. Colonel Ainsworth (2 elements, yellow coats)
1 regiment of pistol, ordinary, fast. Colonel Walker (2 elements, blue coats)
1 regiment of foot, ordinary. Colonel Barlow (6 elements, red coats)
I regiment of foot, ordinary. Colonel Tyldesley (6 elements, blue coats)
I Regiment of Dragoons, ordinary. Colonel Jackson (1 elements, yellow coats)
I Regiment of Dragoons, ordinary. Colonel Clegg (1 elements, green coats)



Foot regiments are on  80 x 40 mm bases. I am counting them as double. It just looks better to me personally.
Lord Holland's force 110 points
Lord Battersby's 1118

On a bright August day they arrayed their forces on even ground near the town of Walkden. A few stands of trees was all that stopped it from being a bleak moor.
To the sound of drum beats and course shouting the armies advanced.

Lord Holland's infantry


Lord Holland set his infantry regiments in motion supported by the dragoons and pistols.
Col. Booth headed for the clump of trees hoping to gain some cover and advantage over any passing units.
Lord Battersby, feeling confident in his horse, sent them to chase the commoners horse away.
He had a little more difficulty persuading his foot to advance.

As the Royalist horse approached Colonel Dove gave the foot the order to fire. Colonels Walkers horse recoiled from the flying lead. Ainworth's horse, not wanting to be disadvantaged by the Parliamentary horse pulled back.

Lord Holland was satisfied with the early events of the battle. He was to be sorely tested later though. Strangely, he waited to see what the Royalist horse was going to do instead of pressing his advantage. Both commanders, in truth, were inexperienced in warfare. It was a learn as go war, hopefully a short one.
Col. Potts took position to shoot at the Royalist horse. He was somewhat exposed. War is a risky business and he was hoping for a little glory to brag about to his friends and impress the girls in town.
After sometime the Royalists manged to coerce their foot to advance. Col Clegg saw the opportunity to charge Potts but it was ineffectual. Potts, well aware of the risk had kept an eye out and defended well. He sent the Royalists back with their tails between their legs. But the foot were coming ever closer so he mounted and rejoined the Parliamentary lines. A hero in his eyes!
Col. Booth proceeded to the far edge of the trees to pepper the Royalists when they came within range.  When they did he found himself out shot, and retreated.
At last, a little success for the Royalists.
The Royalist cavalry had been stationary, not in range of the shot but wary of advancing because of it

Then the Parliamentary foot advanced once again. Some said Lord Holland was insistent the battle be over before before dinner, he was hungry. It may have been the clouds over the enemies lines that could let pour the rain it threatened, thereby dampening the powder. He wanted resolution this day!
The Royalist horse commanders happy to have the foot advancing in support charged again to mixed effect. With the foot in support Walker was decimated, Ainsworth persevered sending Dove packing.
The Royalist foot was closing slowly.

Royalist's at the top

Dove received the charge at the halt


Houghton, meanwhile, had manoeuvred his horse to the left wing to support Dove but had moved too late. He took position in line to charge the Royalist horse. But was a little to slow as the Royalists charged him!


The Royalist foot charged into contact and drove back one regiment but were pushed back with the other. Both successful regiments followed up, driving the advantage. Both opponents rallied and pushed back. It was hard fought until, suddenly, Tyldesley's regiment gave way and fled. Not long after followed by Barlow's. The Royalists had fled the field. The horse hearing the cheering broke off and followed the infantry from the field.



It was a bloody days work.

Lord Holland sent Houghton to follow the Royalists to make sure they didn't stop and return. He took his army back to celebrate his soon to be famous victory.
Lord Battersby cursed his regimental commanders and vowed to give the king victory in his county, come what may.

This battle was a curious affair.
Both armies showed reluctance to close with the enemy, low dice rolls for pips in reality. Lord Holland's decision not to advance was dice driven though.
I dice for initiative each round before dicing for pip points. The Parliamentary army won slightly more than their fair share. They also, usually, did better with command pips rolls also. And combat and shooting rolls! Only occasionally did the Royalists better them.
I was nonplussed when the dragoons on horse charged the dragoons on foot as to what to do! Contacting the yahoo group solved this problem. Thank you! But it seemed a curious rule that they fought on the same factor.

I may, at some point, try a different rule set. Though which one I don't know. Any suggestions will be taken on board.



2 comments:

  1. Looks very nice, not my scale but very impressive masse effect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Phil. Perhaps one day you will be tempted

    ReplyDelete