In the early twentieth century the Germans invaded England and the battle was fought near the site of the original Hastings battle site between a hastily positioned British force under the command of Sir Edmund Steedo and the advancing German forces of Graf Von Schlangenaugen (Snake-eyes) .
The battle field before the battle - picture from a Zeppelin.
The game was played via WhatsApp using adapted One Hour Wargames rules (scenario number 4 - Take the High Ground). I would be taking pictures from each players side of the table and asking for Orders (and sometimes clarification .... and sometimes like a good staff officer should asking "are you sure you want to do that?"). The objective is to hold the hill at the end of the game.
British starting position - there was some concern about putting the Artillery so far forward, Sir Steedo was adamant that he wanted to be at the hun!
A wide frontal assault from the Graf!
From the British view - open fire while reinforcements arrive from the North.
The Germans advance on the hill trying to move around the flank with the steam tank. Where are those reinforcements?
The advancing Germans take some damage from the units defending the hill - but there is some counter battery fire from the Germans.
The reinforcements moving up - but not taking advantage of the road to move faster (it does help if people read the rules).
The assaulting German blast away at the hill - things aren't looking good for the Brits on the hill!
The shock - the German fire has cleared the hill - the reinforcements rush forward - some making good use of the woods as cover (hits halved in cover).
The view from the Graf's command Zeppelin
The British infantry try to force the unsupported Steamtank back with small arms fire - the fragile machine is taking damage.
The Germans push the infantry forward to consolidate on the hill.
The British infantry continue firing to force the Steamtank back!
Both sides blast away - the British in the woods doing rather well from cover - inexplicably the Steamtank does not fire, panicked crews or no orders (you guess).
The plucky Brits keep up a punishing rate of fire! The Germans are taking some damage (so are the exposed Brits.
But the Steamtank is out of action as is a German infantry unit - Huzzah! The British Heavy infantry sneak through a gap in the German left flank.
Unfortunately the British have lost another unit - move further into the woods on their left to have a pop at the German artillery.
The final pictures of the game as time was called (a little early - sorry but with the social distancing I am losing track of time on occassions). A win for the German invader under Graf Von Schlangenaugen. But the British will fight again to defend London .......
Another interesting game - some odd calls, Graf Von Schlangenaugen ordering a unit to turn around away from the enemy .... next time I am going to be less questioning. Steedo putting the artillery so far forward was probably an error, the guns have a 36" range and we are playing on a 3' by 3' mat .....
next time.
I will roll for the scenario and organise another evenings entertainment (if people want to play again).
It was nice to get the England Invaded stuff out again - I like the fact I have to role for what forces each side gets (but I only have 1 tank and 1 artillery for each side so there is some fudging). I might look at the field fortification rules for the next game (but they will reduce hits and so slow the game a bit).
Morts
