I have done Portable Wargame conversions of some of the scenarios for 'Warr Without An Enemie' listed on the Wyre Forest Gamer's website before, but this is one that I haven't previously played. It's an all-cavalry action and it features an early appearence by one Oliver Cromwell. You can read about the actual action, and see the original scenario, HERE.
I ruthlessly simplified it, and rotated the map to allow the road to be portrayed more easily on a square-grid. The primary terrain feature in a large hill on the Royalist side (left). This has a 3 square by 2 square summit, surrounded by a one-square width lower lever, so occupied an area 3 squares by 5 squares. The lower slopes are difficult going. As you can see, I resorted to the traditional 'books under a cloth' approach for this one.
I ended up adapting the OOBs to give both sides six units - these are the Royalists, under Sir Charles Cavendish with two Veteran Horse, three Trained Horse and one unit of Raw Dragoons. They started on the top of the hill.
Parliament, under Sir Joyhn Meldrum, had two Veteran Horse, two Trained Horse, one Raw Horse and one Raw Dragoons. Cromwell was with one of the Veteran Horse.
Historically Parliament attacked, so that's the plan I went for. I used my multiple-dice initiative system from
This Post. Parliament started off well, and were able to move their entire force forward.
The Royalists redeployed slightly, and then Parliament's hose were charging up the slopes.
And, really, that's where it all fell apart. As you'd expect, charging upslope is generally never a recipe for victory, especially when you opponent enjoys a slight edge in terms of quality. Their units began to fall back with mounting casualties, and the Royalists pursued and also worked around the enemy flank.
The first Parliamentarian unit routed, swiftly followed by another.
Meldrum led his men in charge after charge, but to no avail.
Parliament enjoyed a small success on their left, driving off one unit of Royalist horse ...
... but Meldrum fell in the centre and the battle was lost.
The Royalists quickly mopped up the opposition.
And that was it. It was a quick game and somewhat one-sided. Both sides got good activations early on, then the Royalists kept getting them whilst Parliament didn't. Ideally Parliament might as well stay where they are and let the Royalists come off the hill to them, but why would the Royalists do that? And, historically, Parliament does seem to have taken the initiative in terms of the attack.
I'm not sure how Parliament can win this one.
Interesting scenario. Thanks for posting this and bringing my attention to it. I’ll ought to give Gainsborough a try, being a Yellowbelly.
ReplyDeleteso in the original scenario we have
ReplyDeleteRoyalists: 8 Veteran/Elite, 13 Trained, 3 Trained Dragoons
Parliament: O Veteran, 9 Trained, 3 Raw, 6 Raw Dragoons
A slight advantage in number to Parliament more than offset by better quality. What's supposed to even things out is that they have Cromwell ( I must say I don't understand the command scheme given, the royalists have a guy commanding the center with the reserve and wings under the MC and the Parliament has Cromwell commanding both wings with the cneter and reserve under the MC… weird. How can you command both wings ? )
Maybe you could give a bonus for Cromwell, also there's the fact the best Parliament horse were on the wings - maybe there's potential for baiting the Royalists with a weak center and hannibalizing them.
Yes, Parliament does have a small edge in numbers - 26 to 24 units - which I guess kind of gets lost a little when the game is scaled down to six units per side. I think I may upgrade their dragoons to trained in order to reflect the higher numbers. Or just give them an extra raw unit.
DeleteI'm not sure how to add in Cromwell; it seems a bit much to give the whole Parliamentarian side a major command bonus because of him, but it's certainly something to consider.
I've just looked this up. The impression I have is that the Parliamentarians ran early on into a small advance guard of about 100 troopers, and chased them up the hill and into the main body of Royalist horse. This disrupted the Royalist line, and, after a bit of a scuffle, the main body fell apart. I don't know whether that could be built into the scenario somehow.
ReplyDeleteTo simulate the outstanding performance by any subordinate commander (such as Cromwell) you might make any unit he commands, or accompanies, not subject to an activation roll. I'd do that for Prince Rupert, too, but with certain modifications, I think, if he defeats an enemy unit.
An interesting little scenario that might be worth revisiting!
Cheers,
Ion
That’s a very good point about the Royalist advance guard. It could help tip the balance.
DeletePS. See there’s a new short book out by John West on the battle.
Thanks for the game report. As Norm suggests, for outstanding tactical commanders I usually give the unit they are with some sort of command, combat or morale bonus.
ReplyDeleteHi, yes interesting scenario, I agree that Parliament needs a slight advantage in numbers, quality and or leadership. Thank you for the link to the other scenarios. Regards, Paul
ReplyDelete