Scenario 4: Take the High Ground (2nd go)

 Both combatants are desperate to occupy some high ground that dominates the strategically important North-South Road. Army Black has succeeded in getting a small force on to the hill, however the rest of Black's Army is yet to arrive.

The Battlefield

This game was played using The Portable Wargame rules. Armies were created using the random method in One Hour Wargames (Table 1). As has been mentioned before, the scenarios were written for the OHW rules that allow for a fight to the last man; I therefore modified the PW rules slightly, changing Exhaustion Point (EP) from 30 to 50%.

The Battle in Pictures

A part of Army Red confront the enemy

Red's attack has begun by the time Black's main force arrives

Black feels the full might of Red's cotton wool fire
(Thanks to MaudlinFX)

Dwindling numbers of defenders. Black's Lancers are redeployed 

Black's Lancers tilt with The Guards on the left.
On the right, Red's Rifles emerge from the wood and move to join the attack.

Another successful volley takes its toll on Army Black

Black is under pressure, though his cavalry on both flanks keep the enemy occupied 

Army Red can taste victory!

Black's Cuirassiers have cut their way through the Regular Infantry on the road
 and now set their sights on the Rifles 

Red's advance is cautious, perhaps a little too cautious

With the demise of the Rifles, both sides reach EP

As neither side had unopposed occupancy of the objective (the hill) the game was a draw. Well that didn't sit too well, so I let play continue. Neither side could move however combat could carry on for two more turns...

Victory for Army Black

Scenario 4: Take the High Ground

For Scenario 4 I have dragged out my Army Men forces who represent opposing armies struggling to gain control in post-colonial Uqbal (my imaginary continent).  These were my son's Euro Shop figures from many years ago that would probably have been chucked away (horrors!). You may recognize a couple of my old vehicles. 

The Colonial forces have abandoned some vehicles which are being utilized in the power struggle between the Northern Uqbali people (Army Tan) and the Southerners (Army Green).

I was inspired to play a more "modern" game by a recent post on the Ragged Soldier blog run by David in Suffolk, a very nice WW2 action. I do own some WW2 figures and vehicles but haven't used them in years (another project perhaps!!).

This game was played using The Portable Wargame; Exhaustion Point (EP) was 30% casualties. Maximum number of turns was 15. The objective is to have exclusive control of the hill at turn 15 or when both sides reach EP.

The Assault on Hill 123

Two units of troops from The People's Democratic Front, or PDF (Green) are holding a strategic hill alongside the road to the Capital. At first light, a force from the opposing faction arrives...

Battle is joined

The Saracen begins to rake the hill with machine gun fire

Reinforcements have arrived 

The PDF have total control of the objective but are under pressure

Casualties start to mount

The Northerners bring up their reserve and hurl everything at the hill

The PDF (who reached EP at Turn 7) still cling on 

The Armored Car is destroyed by relentless recoilless rifle fire

The Northern force reach EP at Turn 12

Despite pouring fire onto the defenders, the attack on Hill 123 failed. A well timed bayonet charge could have at least gained a draw but the Northern Colonel was going for the win, and lost. A fun game to start the weekend!