The Great War, Black Powder (adapted), 28mm

There’s been a dearth of wargaming over the past few weeks, mainly as my main gaming chums are either holidaying or working on archaeological digs. So, it was a real pleasure to hop on the ferry to Aberdeen, and head to Kirriemuir, for the latest League of Gentleman Wargamers weekend. This one, unusually, was a Great War game, set in 1914. A dozen of us – all old friends – battled it out over the weekend, and had a heap of fun in the process. It began with a series of small games, designed to get us used to the rules, and to set the stage for the main event. Chris and Kieron had us play four small games, on 6×4 foot tables. This, essentially, would decide the starting point for the main game, fought on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday. For my part, I was staying true to my Konstam heritage, and sided with the Imperial Germans, fighting Kevin’s British for control of Genemefouxpas.The objective was control of the village, and with it the bridge over the River Sambre. Being ex-army, Kieron did brilliant staffwork, and we all had maps, orders and orders of battle, like the one above. Essentially though, over the whole weekend, we all had two infantry units to command, each of 20 figures, a cavalry unit of 12 troopers, a machine gun team and our own command base – mine being Haupt. Konstam of the 118th Hesse Rgt. We both started the game by entering the table edge, and as Kevin was closer to the river, his R. Northumberland Fusiliers quickly secured the two bridges. For my part I sent my cavalry up to the right-hand bridge, by the Forêt de Fleuve, and my infantry headed towards Genemefouxpas, by way of the hill to the north of the village and some fields to the east.of it, on the road to Villedebois, covered by my machine gun team in Moncherise.Kevin deployed his machine gun on the edge of the forest, and opened up on the hill as my troops appeared on the treeline there. My cavalry had no chance of taking the right-hand bridge, so they dismounted, and took up a position on the north edge of the Forêt de Fleuve. They’d be badly outnumbered if they attacked, but with luck they could hold my flank while I tried to take the village. Kevin though, was shooting at my from it, and causing casualties. I started shooting back, and as I outnumbered his garrison in Genemefouxpas, that sort of countered his advantage of heavy cover. That’s the village in the foreground up above. My left-hand platoon over on the left – the ones in the photo above – took most of the hits, and soon became shaken. So, I went prone behind the wall, and sent my officer over to rally the platoon. He wasn’t very good at it though – it took several turns to get them sorted out. Meanwhile, Kevin’s platoon by the second bridge advanced through the forest, until they came up against my dismounted dragoons. I was outnumbered, but somehow the cavalrymen held on – at least for a couple of turns. Eventually though, they were forced to retire, supported by covering fire from the hill. By then though, the British holding Genemefouxpas were shaken too, but somehow they refused to budge. We didn’t have the firepower to finish them.That’s when the battalion colonel (Donald) appeared, offering support.  Yes, in this game both sides had a player whose sole job was to command the rest of us – Donald for the Germans and Charles for the Allies. Somehow, i convinced Donald that what we really needed to help us get across the river was some artillery. So, the battery appeared, and deployed at Moncherise. That was the turning point. The British garrison were broken by the pounding. So, my left-hand platoon – commanded by Lt. Rudi Konstam  (historically my uncle, who was actually there) managed to r4oll well for movement, and raced across the bridge, cutting off the British before they could retreat. So, the Sambre crossing was safely in German hands, and  the planned charge by the British hussars was checked when the umpire called time. So, our game was a German win. What about the others though? It seemed the Germans had mixed fortunes. On Table D above – the fight for Tarbes and Touboul, the Gerrmans managed to hold their bridgehead over the Sambre,  but on tables A and B, attempts to cross the river were foiled by a gallant defence by the British and Belgians. Well, the Germans managed to hold the bridge at Chenreville, but they had it at the start. The key thing though, is we knew how the rules worked, and were ready for the big game! 

For this one, Chirs and Kieron’s staffwork was immaculate. Both senior commanders (Donald and Charles) had maps, and we held ‘O Groups’ (Ordnung Gruppe or Order Groups, depending on your side. Essentially though, the Germans were on the north side of the Sambre, and the Allies on the south. The exception was on the German left flank – the eastern one – at the far end on this photo below, from Chenriville to Tarbes.We were already across there. The prize was the town and railhead of Ligue de Messieurs – the gap in the middle in the centre right of the table above. That was the prize. to capture it, we needed to break through the Allied line, which stretched across the table from Collineville through Gagneux to Gadbois and Thurreau. So, after a quick lunch, this doughty band set to. This is us – minus Kieron, who was taking the picture. Your gallant reporter is the fat bald one with the tea mug!Left to Right: Peter Mc., Steve (seated), Donald, Kevin, Angus (seated), Peter M., Dale, Peter N., Charles, Colin and Chris. MIA: Kieron.

Tags: Black Powder