6mm Kriegspiel Game 3: Poupe up against the wall

Gamed on a 500% sized section of the Kriegspiel Meckel map the three games in this series used detachment sized forces of Adler miniatures 6mm Napoleonics.  The game is an Imagi-Nations wargame, set in an unspecified period of European History, and while games are done as solo wargames the unplayed side was programmed by members of the Marshal Petain Gentlemen's Club.

Poupe on the Loose
Orders to the Margrave:

The notorious Major General Gui von Poupe, commander of a Dragoon Brigade in the army of the Grand Duchy of the Blau has once again been raiding into Cinnabaria.  He has encamped on Das Neue Feld with at least four squadrons of the Poupe Brigade, and a half battery of horse artillery.  He has no infantry since this is a quick moving raiding force.  Your information is that he is encamped, counting his loot.  The Blau is to the North and West, so Poupe can’t retreat eastward. 

The Margrave Flatulenz has three battalions of Infantry, three squadrons of Red Dragoons, a foot battery of 6pdr guns, and a battalion of Black Jäger.  He has caught the Dragoons unaware, and is moving in to trap them at dawn. 

As Blue player I have already written my battle orders for the Dragoon Brigade, and would ask if you can write some for the Red.  The Margrave can use any three of the roads leading onto the Kroppen map, and may divide his command into three under his regimental Officers.  This time it s the Red who have overwhelming force, but to win you have to trap the Major General himself. 

(unfortunately I was insufficiently clear and needed to re-specify.  I am of the firm belief that the excellent local Cypriot wine is to blame for this.  Bought in 10 litre plastic containers from the local butcher, whose brother owns the vineyard, it is just one more reason I'm in Cyprus, even if it does make me garble my prose)

Further explanation needed. 
"Yahhh, the typical Cypriot Wargamer garble about directions of retreat...

Das Neue Feld is too close to the eastern side of the map, so it would be too easy to go that way in the game from the Blue camp.  South looks pretty doubtful too, so the only ways that the Blue should be able to get away are to the North and West.  That make sense?  I`m trying to restrict my moves to make it a real problem.

That also gives you a clue to what I`ve ordered...  The Major general has been awakened and told that he is surrounded by the red and has to fight his way out...  I`ve planned my way out, but obviously that will be scuppered by the Red Orders."

 The Margrave leads his Dragoon Squadrons onto the tabletop.

Red begins to surround the Dragoon Brigade camp.

 Major-General Poupe begins to rally his forces. 

The Blue can muster six Squadrons of Dragoons here.  As per orders he sends two out on foot to the camp perimeter in skirmish order.  The remainder are to form for a charge to the westward.  Von Poupe intends to abandon a third of his command, and all the loot.

 The Margrave completes his encirclement.

Von Poupe sends rather than leads a gallant charge.  

 Only one of the Blue Dragoon Squadrons wins through.  Cleverly von Poupe follows behind and moves to escape the trap.

 But the Blue encampment is now surrounded.  The loot of the Dragoon's raids protected only by the diminishing numbers of dismounted skirmishers.

As the Cinnabarian Black Jager close in Blue has lost five dragoon squadrons.  It seems clear that Von Poupe has escaped the firing squad that the Margrave had in mind, but the Grand Duchy of the Blau is equally unforgiving and it may be that von Poupe will end up against the wall after all.

6mm Kriegspiel, the Bridge at Kippringen.

The second of my three 6mm Kriegspiel games, again using the Meckel map, but this time blown up to 500%.

Colonel Inkontinenz,

The frontier  between The Grand Duchy of the Blau and Cinnabaria is the River of Der Selz Fluss, and the vital bridge at Kippringen is one of only a handful of places that can be used to cross.  Kippringen is a small town, with gardens and hedgerows on the lower flood plain, and stone built buildings above.  The bridge is old, thought to be Roman in origin.  It’s well built.

 Intelligence suggests that the Blau have garrisoned Kippringen with a single battalion,  their 1^st Voltiguers.  These are a new type of light infantry similar to the Black Jäger of Cinnabaria, but lacking rifles.  These Voltiguers have only the old pattern musket.  They are however said to be well trained by Mercenary Officers from the Kingdom of Albion who learned their Light Infantry skills fighting savages in the New World.

A report from yesterday indicates that a senior Blue Commander, old Pumphosen and Major General von Poupe were seen in Kippringen during the evening.  They were probably visiting the Whippet Inn to sample the apricot tart.  Then again... 

As Count Inkontinenz, commander of the Red V Rgt you have set up an observation post at Siebel Hoff. (literally “the screened farm”)   It can be used as a staging post to attack the bridge.   If you could sieze Kippringen for the Red it would give your career a Boost.   How does Major General Inkontinez sound?  You will probably have to lead the assault across the bridge to earn it.   

The Red have allocated the 5^th Regiment,  of  three battalions, and a battalion of Black Jäger.  Two squadrons of Heavy Dragoons are also available under a Major Feucht, and a provisional half battery of three guns.  The King will be allocating a General Officer to take command on this front, so it is important to take action before he arrives. At midnight Colonel Urin Gelb of the Black Jäger wakes you.  His men have found a ford at the bend of the river south of the town!  Perhaps you won`t need to lead an assault column after all.

You assemble your staff and give your orders.

This is the last of three games taken from the biography of Major General von Poupe, “Poupe against the Thin Red Line,” in which the Dragoon General recounts his successes and failures.  

Good Luck Colonel.

The Red player programming this for me sent his battle plan as a statement of intent.

"I shall mount a fast horse and accompany Colonel Gelb to the ford. If the ford is indeed practicable the Dragoons and the jager will cross the ford at night and make their way on the road north, aiming to be in position to attack the town at dawn.

The guns will take up position on the summit south of Siebel-Hof in order to cover the bridge crossing.

At dawn I will lead the 5th Regiment to the bridge. I will send out the usual skirmish screen but the 3rd battalion will deploy wholly as skirmishers. This reinforced screen will take up position along the river bank both north and south of the bridge with the intention of sweeping the Blue approaches to the bridge. When I feel that the defences are weakening I shall storm the bridge at the head of the 1st battalion. The 2nd battalion will remain in column as a reserve ready to storm the bridge in support.

However, should the crossing prove impracticable, both the jager and the dragoons will remain with the main attack at the bridge. Should this prove to be the case, then the jager will replace the 3rd battalion in the skirmishing role, whilst the latter will join the reserve along with the 2nd battalion.

The two squadrons of dragoons will position themselves either side of the 2nd battalion, ready to charge across the bridge in support of the 1st battalion, should their attack prove successful.

Inkontinenz"

Narrative of the Battle. 

The Red found the ford practicable and accordingly sent their Jager and Dragoons across.  I had emphasised the cover on the map using "panscrub" hedges.  The Grand Duchy of the Blau voltiguers occupying the town of Kippringen were ready, and The Poupe Dragoon Brigade made its apperance on this flank.  Things were set for a skirmish and Cavalry battle.

 Inkontinenz leads his Dragoons to the ford in person.

 In the town of Kippringen Old Pumphosen has only a single battalion of newly raised Voltiguer.  He summons his second battalion into the town.

 The Light Companies of the Inkontinenz Brigade (can these be regular troops?) descend to the river bank and engage in skirmishing with the voltiguers.

 The Red Dragoons ford the river and begin to deploy to attack the town.

 Major-General Poupe, (for it is he) dismounts two squadrons of Dragoons and uses the hedgerows as cover.  The carbines of the Dragoons are effective against the mounted Red Dragoons.

 Inkontinenz leads his battalions down onto the bridge.  The Colonel, on his flashy trademark white charger will soon dismount and lead the assault.

 The assault column crosses the bridge.  Colonel Inkontinenz takes a musket ball between the buttocks.  That has to sting!  The redcoats are subjected to cannister from a well sited Blue 6pdr cannon.

 The end of the game, Colonel Urin Gelb and his Black Jager force the dismounted Dragoons to retreat.  The Poupe brigade dragoons fight well, but with the Jager in the town old Baron Pumphosen is outflanked.   Moving swiftly the Fat Baron orders the retreat, and his carriage departs.  The Voltiguers are routed from the bridge and Red capture the 6pdr gun.  The bridge at Kippringen is now in Red hands. 

  Colonel Inkontinenz sits delicately astride his white prancing stallion.  Is it my imagination or does that miniature actually look like its been shot in the buttocks?

To Major-General, Count Inkontinenz,

Sir, we are happy to confer upon you the appointment and rank of Major-General. You are ordered to take command of such forces now at Kippringen.

God save the Red.

Judas Zebadiah Quilp

Secretary to the Horse Guards

Cinnabaria.

A 6mm Kriegspiel game

A programmed solo game in 6mm.  Printed at 200%.

Count Inkontinenz of the Red is invading the Grand Duchy of the Blau.  To block him the Baron Pumphosen has three battalions of Fusiliers and a battalion of Jäger, 6 guns and 4 Cavalry squadrons, against a similar number of Inkontinenz Reds.

The Reds have three battalions and their feared Rifles skirmishers.  Their Cavalry are Light dragoons, and the guns 6 x 9pdr.
The Reds are on the Der Waldberg south side of the map.

Cavalry piquets  have seen the deployment in the pictures above.

Red gave his orders as to use Cavalry and Rifles to skirmish against the line of Blue's visible deployed battalion, and to maneuvre his Infantry and guns to enfillade the town.

Red gave me his orders as a map drawing.  Most useful.

Blue (for it is I) gave orders to deploy the Dragoons under Von Poupe on my left and to form a line on the hills to the right.
 
The game began with Red marching on table in two columns, cavalry and the dreaded rifles to the right, his slower Infantry to the left.

As Blue my forces were slowly revealed taking up position.  One battalion however was delayed in the town, and could not get it's act together to march into it's allotted position on my right.

The Red Commander stayed with his rifles for pretty much the whole game, probablu since this was the centre of the field.  The Hub companies of the Rifles were able to form square at the approach of thr Blue dragoons, but were covered, under their orders by Red cavalry which charged to see the Blue cavalry off.  Well that was the plan...

The Cavalry fight quickly developed, Red versus Blue Dragoons.

Ultimately however this was pretty even, and Von Poupe managed to get himself wounded and retired from the field.

The Red Infantry were in superior numbers and a battle developed on the Red left, which they won convincingly.  The Blue Commander retired back through Kroppen, and probably court martialed the commander of his third battalion.

Good game.

Von Poupe will return in scenario 2, "Von Poupe's Revenge."  or perhaps "The Blau strikes back."

The Grand Duchy of the Blau, Kriegspiel Scenario Part 2

From “My Travels on the Continent,” by Sir William Bryson

The Grand Duchy of the Blau is one of the Elector states, and boasts one of the most inbred and mad Royal houses on the continent.  The Grand Duke has been confined to a remote schloss, in reality an “Asylum” under the care of Dr Sigmund Freund.  The Duchy is ruled by the Prince Regent, who has exiled his brothers, only to see them repeatedly seek foreign aid to invade the Duchy.  The High council of the Blau is called the High Vank, and comprises the nobility and important Officials of the realm.  The Council sits every three months.

Important Citizens of the Blau inclued the world famous Wolfgang Elton Amadeus, who often plays the harpsichord to entertain the Nobility.  Court life centres around the Regent’s Palace in Altmark, nicknamed “das rathaus,” where the Dowager Baroness seduces young Cavalry Officers. 

Sausage is the most important  national dish of the Blau, with the Royal Sausage as the ultimate in cuisine.

The Blau military is organised on Prussian lines, with the Prince Regent as Commander in Chief, and various nobles in command positions.  As such these inbred and peculiar Royal Gentlemen are rarely fit for command, and generally speaking "cock it up" all too often.

The fattest member of the Blau nobility is of course the Baron Pumphosen, an epicure who has been known to halt a campaign in the interests of finding a new sausage or pie.  His military skills have frequently been questioned, however his patriotism is such that he is seen as “loyal,” which recommends him to the High Vank.  Pumphosen has a terrible home life, with a new Baroness (and two ugly step daughters) causing him to neglect his only child, Cinderella Pumphosen, the true heir to the Pumpen-Schloss.

06.20

Your reconnaissance parties are underway: the Hussars passing beyond Golberger Feld and the Uhlans moving SW to Nennweiler Station.

You arrived at the head of the advance guard column to find an obviously inebriated Captain Phillips and a somewhat dishevelled smuggler's daughter. Naturally you demanded to see the offending melons, whereupon Captain Phillips exclaimed 'I say, ding dong!', before falling off his horse. With much cajoling and waving of the Pumpenschtick you eventually succeeded in getting the column moving again.

You are currently on the northern outskirts of Neu Goldberg, where the rear of the jager battalion is entering the town.

Your main body is waiting on the road SW of Neu Golberg and the artillery and baggage are still encamped on the heights around Villa Schonblick.

Phillips to be sent back to the rearguard to sober up.  I will deal with him tonight.

I shall steer my mare Esmerelda back to the Bridge leading the Jagers of the Advanced Guard and see them across.  I will leave my ADC at the Bridge and take myself up into Alt Goldberg to overlook the Goldberg Feld to the South and satisfy myself that I haven’t got Flatulenz coming on.

My intention is then to return to the Bridge to supervise. 

The Baron

The View South

Clear

I will send word back to Major Fahrtgasse to bring the main body on as ordered.  I will ride Esmerelda up to join my cavalry patrols on Pt136 (is it called “Aus dem Kipning?” On the Kipnings?  that would make these two hills the Kipnings.  Anyway I`m off up to the left nipple to see if I can spot any stiffening of the red further south.

Ahem...

Pumphosen

0630

Pickets are ordered South onto Die Wiesse Burg and Der Rothe Burg summits

My compliments to Oberst Von Trotha

His advanced Guard are to occupy the heights of Die Wiesse Berg (the white Mountain.)

The Jager will occupy the Rothe Burg overlooking Nennweiler to their West, Cavalry patrols to lead the way, and inspect Nennwieler.

I will return to my main body to bring it forward.  As ordered V regiment will march straight down the Nennwieler road following the Advanced guard.

I will divert the VI Regiment to take the Under construction railway line, taking the road west before the woods south of Alt Goldburg. (Shades of Mannassas Junction and 1st Bull Run here)  They will be following the cavalry Squadron already on this road.

I will also swap mounts with Farhrtgasse to rest Esmerelda.

1.  The Advance Guard Cavalry to occupy Der Wiesse Berg.  patrols forward into Nennweiler.

   The Ulhans who have fallen back onto the crossroads are ordered to advance on the road towards Sunderhof and then turn south towards Altstedten.

2.  The Jager battalion push forward across the stream into Nennwieler

3. Main Body

V regiment to continue to march south on the Nennweiler road as ordered.

VI regiment to turn onto the under construction railway line and march SW towards Station Nennwieler

Artillery should be following VI regiment

My intention will be to deploy VI to the right or West of the railway line and advance to clear Station Nennwieler.

My compliments to Colonel Von Trotha

Two squadrons to attack the Red cavalry on the Rothe Burg.  Charge them and see them off.

V regiment deploy into line  and advance onto Die Wiesse Burg

Jager to deploy in line between Die Wiesse Berg and the stream to the west.  They will be supported by my cavalry on De Wiese Burg.

For now I will remain with the cavalry on Die Weisse Burg

I will also ride around waving the Pumpenschtick.  If he sees me here he may not expect VI regiment to be on the other road.

Orders for VI regiment

The enemy are in Station Nennweiler to your SW.  Deploy into line on sighting them and outflank the position to the West.  Two battalions forward in line, one behind.

Orders for my Uhlans

The Enemy are at Station Nennwieler.

Progress south and work around to the rear of their position.

I don`t think I`ve ever seen cavalry holding the centre of a position before.  This may be all he has.  Still, his guns may be coming up from the rear.

Glory or a tomb in Altburg Abbey.

 

1.        Message to the Uhlan Squadron at Neu Sellhiem:  Redeem yourselves.  Forward to protect the right flank of IV regiment from Enemy Cavalry.

2.       The Hussars on the Wiesse Burg to charge the enemy Cavalry and drive them off to the Westward.  Pursue them beyond and behind the Nennwieler position.  The Baron Pumphosen will be charging with you.  Forward the Pumpenschtick.  Glory or a tomb in Altburg Abbey.

3.       Hussar squadron on Der Rothe Burg support the charge of the Hussars.  Your Baron will be leading them. (I`ve lost track of which of these squadrons are the Uhlans.) 

4.       Jager to support this charge and sent skirmishers down to the stream.  Pick off any Red Cavalry Officers.

5.       Uhlans on Der Rothe Burg.  Pursue the Red Dragoons just defeated.  Drive them as far south as Gross Hagen.

6.       Two leading Battalions of V Regiment.  Advance to the summit of Der Wiesse Burg.  Red has occupied Nennwieler, and the Chateau, but we will leave him there for now.  You will act as a Blocking Force.

7.       Remaining battalion of V regiment, once you cross the stream behind the Weisse Burg deploy in line and move South Westward towards Station Nennweiler.  If charged by Cavalry give them a volley to your front.

8    VI regiment, deploy into line and advance to flank Station Nennwieler to the West. Two battalions forward, one in support.

9.       To my personal Imperial Chef with the baggage.  Some Royal Blue Sausage tonight Herr Ramschtick, and plenty of that veal and port sauce.  I will finish off with a bottle of the red Neuberg 79 and a big slice of Apricot pie.

I place myself at the head of the Hussars, Pumpenschtick aloft shout, “Come on you Heroes of the Blau, let’s have these red Hundehaufen,” *  and ride at the enemy with some enthusiasm for working up an appetite.

*Turns out that the lads love a bit of swearing from the Baron.

 7.50

Unpacking your breakfast hamper you settle down to enjoy a quality Blue Sausage. You are soon joined by your ‘missing’ cavalry squadron who report that Altstedten is clear of enemy forces.

Your jager continue to harass the red infantry but they have now been joined by the 3rd battalion Vth regt. who are attacking Station Nennweiler.

 8.00
As you watch the progress of your jager and wipe the breakfast crumbs from your uniform (seems your aide packed an apricot tart after all) you see 3 squadrons of Red cavalry appearing on your flank on Alstedten hill.

What do you do?

What! I have to abandon breakfast?  And my morning Kaffé, interrupted?  I lay down my spoons and take up my family heirloom, the Pumpenschtick (the Fat Baron always uses two spoons at breakfast, simultaneously, in his trademark lightning shovel technique.)

I will direct the skirmishers on my left to move quickly into the rough ground to their front (looks like bushes to me) to threaten the enemy cavalry flanks, put skirmish fire into the enemy Cavalry from that position.

Following this my Cavalry will charge by squadrons around the rough ground, two Hussars followed by the third Hussar and the Uhlans.  At least I have rested these boys a little, as well as having had some breakfast.

In my champion Yodelling voice I order the charge westward, pointing the Pumpenschtick at my enemy, and calling them “Hundenhaufen”
It’s glory or that tomb in Altmark Abbey again.
 

It's all over bar the shouting. In the centre the Blue jager have been pushed back down the hill with heavy losses. Red 2nd battalion, no longer under threat from cavalry deployed back into line and sent out it's own skirmishers, this plus a hail of canister from the Red battery was too much for the Jager. On the flank the Red cavalry have been routed by their Blue counterparts; outnumbered and in awe of the Fat Baron leading the charge with a Pumpenschtick, it was only a matter of time really. The Red Jager in Station Nennweiler atttempted to contest the wood lining the road but were repulsed by Blue skirmishers.
As the Blue VIth regiment, in columns, with artillery support, close in on the Red left flank the latter are pretty much in an untenable position.
More importantly this may mean that the Blue Sausage is saved - surely a good thing!