Saturday 16 March 2024

Camperdown, Attack of the Leeward Division - Kiss Me, Hardy.


The previous six months has seen me focussing on building the British and Batavian Dutch fleets that fought the Battle of Camperdown on the 11th October 1797 in 1:700th scale using the range of models from Warlord Games' Black Seas collection.

JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Six

As well as documenting the progress of this project build on my personal blog 'JJ's Wargames' I have been keen to try out ideas for playing the battle with a new set of fleet rules, 'Far Distant Ships' (FDS) by David Manley whilst also preparing the option for using the tried and trusted Kiss Me, Hardy (KMH) rules where time permits to play a longer game.

JJ's Wargames - Battle of Camperdown - The Leeward Division Attacks, Far Distant Ships

You can follow the progress too-date with the project build and the recent play-test of FDS in the links above.

My original plan was to try out some other ideas with FDS at club, but with the number of folks wanting to play and keen to keep everyone involved, something my current collection using FDS would struggle to do, I opted to play the same scenario recreating the attack on the Batavian rear by the British Leeward Division, seen in the illustration and map below, using KMH to compare and contrast the games those rules will produce.

A primary document illustrating the developing British attack on the Batavian line at Camperdown, with our game focussing on the attack of the British leeward division as highlighted

The set up uses the ships identified in the plan below. leaving out the British fourth-rate Adamant, not really needed given the superiority of the British force, or any of the British light ships for that matter.


The plan illustrating the primary ships involved in this battle within a battle at about 12.30 on the 11th October 1797.

The table below illustrates the set up, with the Batavian rear, drawn up in line of battle to the left, with the 40-gun frigate Monnikkendam and the 16-gun brig Daphne acting as a second line and ordered to engage any attempts by the British to penetrate the battle-line.

On the opposite side are the British leeward division led by their flagship HMS Monarch 74-guns bearing down on the enemy line in line abreast (well sort of), not quite in 'Spithead Review' order given the necessity placed on them to close with the enemy quickly to prevent them from edging into the shallows beyond, that would better enable the more shallow drafted Dutchmen to escape battle.

The plan and panorama brought to life on the table as the battle commences.

As in the previous game the Batavians were accorded the benefit of superior gunnery given the training they had indulged in whilst blockaded in their home port of the Texel, in this game fighting as 'San Culottes' under KMH to reflect their lesser sailing abilities compared to the British but with their gunnery upped by one class, thus for example seeing an Average Sans Culottes crew firing as an elite crew.

The view of the approaching British from the deck of the frigate Monnikendam, with closest to camera Cerberus 68-guns, with following the flagship Jupiter 74-guns, the Haarlem 68-guns and the Alkmaar 56-guns.

Similarly, to reflect the Batavian captains reports of having to close lower gun ports on the leeward side because of the effects of the wind, we had them test prior to firing their leeward guns for said effects with a simple die roll that would see ports closed on a score of 1, 2 or 3 and a partial broadside resulting. 

The Batavian line maintains its heading and holds its fire as the British bear down.

For the British, we played a test to see if captains would obey the signal to pass through the enemy line to leeward with a D6 test, with ships failing on a 1 or 2, the Monarch on a 1, for which a failed test would see the affected ship turn away and engage their opponent on the windward side.

The infamous Captain John Williamson

In addition we had the 'battle-shy', Captain John Williamson, commanding HMS Agincourt 64-guns, modelled by having said ship turn away to windward once withing medium gunnery range, only able to come closer to any enemy vessel that had struck previously. 

HMS Monarch opens the British account with a daring short range bow-chaser pop at the Batavian flag ship Jupiter 

With a quartering wind the British barrelled along, to come within short range in about three turns of play, with the Batavians holding their fire, not able to take advantage of the normal Sans Culottes advantages of firing at the rigging, as this was not in their doctrine, with all the added bonuses better suited to firing into British hulls instead.

It was not long in coming, as the Jupiter acknowledged the British salute with one of her own 

With some contempt, the two British 74's, Monarch, and Powerful closed to short range with their bows pointing at Batavian broadsides yet to open fire, gambling that the next opportunity to fire would see the appropriate chit drawn after the ships concerned had moved away presenting their stern galleries for a following rake.

As if to underline the contempt, the Monarch blasted the Batavian flagship, Jupiter, with her brass bow-chasers, only to get a full salute back at short range, the gamble having not quite paid off.


The Monarch got off comparatively lightly with the Jupiter failing to convert a critical hit result to add to the pain of her initial broadside, easily shaking off the resulting strike test for taking a bow rake on her approach.

However the Powerful wasn't so fortunate, taking a well directed broadside from the Haarlem following the Jupiter that caused severe damage with a critical hit resulting in high officer casualties that also saw Captain O'Bryen Drury killed, (I include a test for captain's being killed or wounded whenever a ship get's a 'high officer casualties' result from the critical hits table, thus adding to the narrative of the game) well illustrating the respect needed for Batavian gunnery.

The two flagships Monarch and Juno dishing out the short range broadsides with the Batavian ship carrying a strike test marker

The two leading British third-rates heralded the wave-like attack of the British line as one by one they passed their test to pass through the Batavian line issuing passing stern and often bow rakes to their nearest opponents that left the Batavian line reeling under this first fire, with the two fourth-rates, Delft and Alkmaar bringing up the rear amply illustrating the obsolescence of this rate to take its place in the line of battle, both having their helms shot away in critical hit damage that added to the hits already sustained.

The Powerful 74-guns goes broadside to broadside with Haarlem 68-guns, the latter out of control having lost her helm in the previous rake and both ships carrying red-bordered strike test markers, which both ships would subsequently fail to pass.

The passing rakes were leaving the Batavian line tottering on strike tests as their shattered ships decided whether they would continue to resist, with most passing the test but now having to face the contest fought out on their larboard side.

The two flagships began the contest battering each other at short range in a test of will as to who would concede first, that would see the Jupiter battered into submission over the next couple of turns, losing her main mast and half her guns as the Monarch's got into the rhythm of their gunnery to force the Batavian flag to strike

However the Jupiter was not the first ship to haul down her colours as Alkmaar grabbed that dubious honour, unsurprisingly coming off the worse with a close encounter with Captain Bligh's Director, but was swiftly followed by HMS Powerful, losing her fight with the Haarlem together with her bowsprit which coupled with the loss of her captain seemed to take the fight out of the British third-rate; failing her strike test on an asked for pass of 80% or less and rolling 91%!


As the Monarch and Triumph were entangled with their respective fights with Jupiter and Haarlem, the other British third-rates started to pass through the rearward ships of the Batavian line, whilst the Agincourt, true to form, swung away to a larboard course at medium gunnery range to run a parallel course with the enemy line.


Captain Bligh in the Director 64-guns came up in support of the struggling Powerful, pouring in a stern rake on the Haarlem as she closed to replace the Powerful, now struck and drifting out of the fight.

Behind the Director came the Russell 74-guns, Monmouth 64-guns and the Montagu 74-guns with the first two dismantling the Batavian 56-gun fourth-rates, Delft and Alkmaar with raking fire, causing the latter to strike almost immediately after the punishing fire destroyed her helm and knocked out half her battery of guns.


With the striking of the Delft, soon to be followed by the flagship Jupiter, the Batavians were still fighting hard but teetering on a break-off test, with another two strikes likely to cause those still under orders to make best course for the nearby shoals in the hope of shaking off any British pursuit.

The Cerberus 68-guns makes good her escape as the Agincourt stands off with the Monarch just off her larboard side overseeing the Batavian surrender

The end was not long in coming with the Delft striking soon after the Alkmaar after drawing the attention of both the Russell and Montague, with the former taking a broadside from the diminutive little Batavian 16-gun brig, Daphne trying to offer support to her struggling comrades.

The British attack reaching its climax with the Montagu, Russell and Monmouth battering the two Batavian 56-gun fourth-rates Alkmaar and Delft as they prepare to pass through their line

There are not many historical sea fights involving ships of the line and the smaller fifth-rates, sixth-rates and lesser vessels exchanging fire, with notable exceptions such as the Battle of the Nile when the 32-gun French frigate Sérieuse unwisely opened fire on the British 74-gun third-rates Goliath and Orion, with the latter reducing the frigate to a smoking wreck with a single close broadside in response.

Likewise the Battle of Camperdown was a notable exception, with the Batavian light ships used as a second line to support their main battle line, with one of the Batavian brigs reported sunk in British log books from the battle after receiving return fire.

The Batavian brig Daphne 16-guns opens fire on the 74-gun Russell.

The fire from the Daphne barely scratched the hull of the Russell, however the same couldn't be said for the Daphne as the 32-pounder shot shredded the hull of the brig, leaving a floating mass of matchwood and sealing the defeat of the Batavian rear with just the Cerberus 68-guns and the frigate Monnikendam 40-guns able to escape the table, leaving the British leeward division free to lend their support to the more hard-pressed windward division under Admiral Duncan further along the line of battle.
 
The British division victorious with five Batavian prizes to secure, and the Powerful now able to honourably run up her colours and make repairs. The escaped Monnikendam can be seen off table to the right, and the furthest Batavian third-rate Cerberus is making good her escape unhindered by the Agincourt on her larboard quarter.

As is my usual practice with my games using KMH, I like to record the damage the players capture on their ship record cards, which help to underline the outcome of any tabletop action and the narrative created, by the damage inflicted on the respective fleets.

The Russell 74-guns, closest to camera, lowers boats to rescue the survivors of the sinking Daphne, now struck, whilst the two surviving Batavians break contact.

The Batavian flagship Jupiter's Ship Record Card (SRC) seen below is illustrative of the battering received once the British opened fire at short range often starting with a stern rake and finishing off the job in another two turns of battle with short range broadsides, her opponent being the British 74-gun Monarch.

The Jupiter battered into submission by Monarch's close range fire.

On a 35% strike level the Haarlem rates as carrying medium damage to her hull principally caused by the stern rake from Triumph and the follow up fire from Director, which also left her without helm control.

As with Jupiter, the hull of the Alkmaar is absolutely shattered, easily explaining her decision to strike.

Like her sister fourth-rate, the Delft is equally battered, losing her mizzen mast from the passing stern rake.  

The brave, perhaps foolhardy little brig Daphne illustrates why unrated vessels should refrain from tackling anything much larger than a small sixth rate, that alone a British 74-gun third-rate.

The Monarch made short work of the Jupiter once she had passed her stern, taking most of the damage recorded here from a bow rake by the Batavian in her approach 

The Powerful carries the damage from her bow rake received from the Haarlem which left her captain dying and impacted on her ability to rally from the subsequent strike test.

Captain William Bligh, referred to by his crew behind his back
as 'the Bounty Bastard', not renowned for his 'man-management'
skills, if his captaincy of HMB Bounty and later short lived
governorship of the penal colony in Sydney are illustrative,
but his performance at Camperdown, showed initiative and determination

The aggressive Director led the charge against the two rearward Batavian fourth-rates, bow raking the Alkmaar, and stern raking the Haarlem as she came up to relieve the Powerful. Her hull damage and lost main-mast illustrates the fight put up by the Haarlem, already victorious over the Powerful, and perhaps the star performer in the Batavian line.

It was great fun reacquainting myself with KMH last played back in October at the NWS meeting in Yeovilton playing the Bantry Bay scenario.

Compared with FDS the game was very different, with KMH putting the players firmly on the quarterdeck of each ship under their command and not quite catching the same feel of playing at the level of an Admiral or Commodore created by the former. 

The result was the same, closely following the historical account if you overlook the striking of Powerful with both games giving a very strong narrative to the play with lots of drama and decision points for the players.

That said rules are indeed like golf clubs, designed for a specific job in mind, and FDS is a perfect compliment to recreating a large fleet action in a day of play, whereas KMH is perfectly positioned for squadron level and single ship actions despite our having successfully used it for Trafalgar, where it will give a very entertaining game for multiple players, but where FDS will, I think, give a better portrayal of the battle from the perspective of a senior commander.

Thank you to Ian, Ian T. Sam, Capt. Steve, Paul and Lawrence for creating all the fun and drama in what was a very entertaining game.

All the models are from the Warlord Games Black Seas range and the sea cloths from Tiny Wargames.

JJ

Saturday 9 March 2024

O Group. Spring 1946. Soviet Invasion of The West AAR


It’s April 1946. Stalin has decided that this is the most opportune moment to unleash his forces against the Western Allies. The British and Americans have either transferred troops to the Far East or have started to de-mobilize their forces and he also has the Communist (Labour) British Government subverted.


He also knows, through his spies at Los Alamos, that the Americans will not have produced sufficient
Nuclear-Weapons to cause him a big problem. Who cares about the loss of a few cities. Fewer mouths to feed with the limited resources at his disposal.

Materiel will rapidly run out without the West’s Support. NO MORE SPAM. He must move fast and capture any supply dumps he can.


NOW IS THE TIME
Marshall Rokossovsky has been allocated the Northern Sector. He is pushing elements towards Wolfsburg. British and rapidly reconstituted German Forces are setting up choke points on as many crossroads as possible, in an attempt to slow him down. This action will be just one of many played out in the near future. These delaying actions are necessary to enable the US to turn those ships around, and the UK (if we can get Churchill back) to re-mobilise and deploy. Oh I forgot someone also has to wake up the French.

Troops are the key. The armour, munitions and food supplies are still in place from the end of WW2. Joe knows this as well.

The Game.
The game was set up so that the west was defending a crossroads. At their disposal they had two companies of British Infantry, a company of German Fallschirmjager, a PAK 40 75mm ATG, a 17Pdr ATG, two Panzer IV and in reserve, just shipped out from the UK, two Centurion MBT with 20Pdr Gun. They also had two rounds of off board artillery.


The Soviet forces arrayed against them were three companies of infantry, one SU100, four T34/85’s and IS2’s. In reserve the had a two Platoon company of infantry and two more IS2’s.

During the deployment phase the allies lost one platoon of infantry but were able to have two ambushes. The two ATG’s were allocated.

The game started in the usual way with Combat Patrols being arrayed by both sides. The Soviets pushed forward on both flanks. They immediately took the farm on the left and set up their FOO. Platoons were deployed from CP’s on their right and overran and shot away Allied CP’s.


The British deployed into the BUA’s and the soviets pushed forward to assault the British and so came the first of the Lawrence vs Paul Dice Outs. During this encounter Lawrence scored twenty-one hits but Paul saved eighteen and so the platoon was only suppressed.

Back on the Soviet Right a platoon of T34’s advanced in support of an infantry platoon against a wood containing a British Platoon. As they approached, they were ambushed by the PAK40. One T34 was destroyed in the action but fire from the infantry and HE from the remaining T34 forced the PAK40 to retire.


The British platoon in the BUA was forced to retire following intense MMG fire from the Farm and mortar fire. Lawrence then decided to do a three dice Rally. Unfortunately all three failed. This causes a retreat which is a three dice move. The platoon was 16 inches from board edge. Averages say about 12 inches, but a 6, 6 and 5 was thrown, 17. 3 points towards a FUBAR.

The Soviets bring on their reserves straight up the road. Two IS2’s advance supporting the short company.


On the Soviet right their forward infantry platoons encounter two PzIV’s and start receiving HE fire as well as mortar fire. More losses and the FUBAR’s are racking up on both sides.

Paul on the Soviet right tries a three dice Rally on a supressed platoon. Yes you guessed it retreat, but right off the Board edge.


Lawrence now brings on his reserves of two Centurion 20-pdrs to take on the IS 11 advancing on his side. He gives and takes casualties and shock. A three dice rally is attempted on the Centurion's. And here is where we got it wrong, sorry Lawrence. I only found out when we played the next game in our series. The Centurion's only have two Shock. The rules state that the retreat only applies to units who are Supressed.


The Western Allies now press their advantage on their left and inflict the rest of the required FUBARS. The game ends in an allied victory.

I enjoyed umpiring these guys. The two newbies, Paul and Lawrence, appeared to enjoy the game. Ian and Vince, I play with regularly and helped a lot.

This series of games will continue in due course. I hope you will keep a look out in the future.

Steve L

The figures and vehicles came from all over the place, I can’t remember where now. Building by Hovels and a company which is no longer in being. Trees, mainly from Buffers of Axminster and the walls and hedges from ebay. Roads by Fat Frank. The BUA’s I made from bits and bobs I had lying around. I made them generic so they can be used for other eras.

Saturday 2 March 2024

Crossing of the Kolnica - Spring 1807.

This was a game played using some home-brewed rules called ‘My Napoleonic Rules’, by Dave Hedges. Played in 18mm Napoleonics, based on a fictional encounter in Eastern Europe during the Spring of 1807, during the war of the fourth coalition.



In a fog shrouded valley, a weary French division made its way slowly along the muddy track that passed for a road in those parts. Marshal Lannes found himself somewhere far to the East of where he should have been and on the south side of a river, when he most certainly should have been on the north side.


Thick fog sees all units and dummies positioned on the table using coloured counters.


Peasants in the nearby village of Kabosnik called it the River Kolnica but Lannes could not find either on any map. The capture of a lone Russian scout confirmed a very large enemy force was in the vicinity and that a rapid river crossing was of the utmost importance. Fortunately, there was a team of pontoniers on detachment with the division and they had destroyed a bridge between the two forces, which would slow the onslaught.


The destroyed bridge in front of Kabosnik

Ever a man of action Lannes passed the orders, and the race was on to get over the river as soon as
possible. The division moved at the first hint of daylight and raced for the bridge at Kabosnik and to safety.

French Order of Battle

Russian Order of Battle

First contact! Russian cavalry advance out of the fog and are met by rapidly redeploying French cuirassiers straight off the route of march.

A thick fog covered the low ground by the river and only by staying in close order could the units keep together. The cavalry Brigade led by General Trelliard followed close behind the Marshal, followed by Generals Doursenne leading the 1er and Soules the 2me brigades respectively.

As the cavalry struggle continues on the French right flank, more Russians in the form of infantry and artillery loom out of the thinning fog and the French battalions form up in readiness to guard their crossings.


The poor visibility meant that positions where only approximate and all units were presented by counters until they became visible. Additional counters represented false alarms and individual scouts.



On arrival at the village, Marshal Lannes was met by an officer of pontoniers, who somehow failed to give his name, or rank, but provided both good news and bad. They had indeed blown up a bridge; sadly it was the bridge they had intended to use to cross the river. By a miracle they had managed to set up a (first) pontoon bridge just a little further to the west and there were two more pontoons being rushed along the road to speed the crossing. 

As the French Chasseurs observe the Cossacks in the wood beyond, the heavies go to work with Klingenthals in hand and a grim determination to overcome.

Lannes positions foot artillery on the heights of the south bank to help support his hard pressed troops

With no time to debate the issue, or assign blame, the division marched west, becoming strung out as they forced their way through the village streets. As the crossing started, the first faint sounds of an army on the move drifted down from the hills to the south. The jingle of harness and the creaking of gun limbers heralded the approach of a force that had to be confronted.

French infantry attempts to withdraw as the struggle becomes general along the front.

Scouts headed south towards the sounds of the approaching Russians, and it appeared that the Russians were moving north like Polybius searching for the Argonauts, with blind groping fingers.

The brave French cavalry decided to follow their last set of orders and headed over the westernmost pontoon bridge, following after the Marshal, who had crossed at once with the divisional artillery.

A desperate fight develops in front of the pontoon bridge crossing.

The two infantry brigades prepared for battle. The 1er Brigade occupied the village and began to fortify the church at its centre. The second pontonier regiment rushed from the village centre to the nearby riverbank and began to assemble the bridge, adjacent to the recently destroyed stone bridge. The 2me Brigade headed north to the riverbank east of the village and gathered around the third pontonier regiment who were encouraged to ‘get a bloody move on’ and build yet another bridge.

More French infantry break off and head for the crossing as French cavalry wait their turn to cross

Then it all started to go (even more) wrong. The miracle bridge collapsed whilst the Artillerie a Cheval was crossing, sending the 4-pounders to the bottom of the river. While many of the gunners and their horses survived, the unit was effectively destroyed. The rest of the cavalry brigade was now trapped the wrong side of the river and were going to have to fight to survive. They became the French right flank of battle.

Massed Russian guns add to the problems of the hard pressed French rearguard.

The 21e Régt de chasseurs à cheval were the first to see battle. They scouted south towards the sounds of movement just west of the village and uncovered some cowardly Cossacks lurking in the mist. An immediate charge drove them away and uncovered a whole cavalry brigade advancing towards the trapped French Cavalry.

The rapidly receding early morning mist started to reveal the extent of the opposing force as the heights to the south became blanketed from east to west in a solid line of Russian troops. Their simple faces, uncomprehending of the danger they faced, driven forward by the whips of their officers, they prepared to sell their lives to bring down the eagles of the mighty French army.


On the French right, the treacherous Russian cavalry charged forward as soon as they had sight of the French cavalry. The Russians charged without any preparation and paid the price. The caution of the French Cavalry commander was well served as the chasseurs evaded the clumsy thrust and two regiments of cuirassiers held and threw back the surprised Russians. The Russian cavalry withdrew and played no further part in the battle, deciding that hiding behind their guns was a much better way to face the French cuirassiers. This allowed much of the French cavalry to cross over the river, without interference.

The French rearguard around the left flank pontoon starts to give way after an heroic stand

In the centre the village acted as a fortress against the Russian masses and the first Russian regiment to march on the village was utterly destroyed in a single volley from the 2/28em Régiment de Legere. On the left flank to the East, the Russian forces threw themselves against the tough 2me Brigade defending the third regiment of pontonniers. Serried ranks of infantry and cavalry surged forwards. The 12-pounders of the 2me Brigade wreaked a terrible slaughter against the hordes from the steppes. Cannister ripped through them, bullets slew more and yet, despite terrible losses, the stubborn Russians pushed forwards. 

The fortress of Kabosnik

The French soldiers reloaded and prepared to shoot again. Several Russian regiments were driven back by the guns, and massed volleys, their courage failed in the face of French steadfastness. One lone infantry regiment managed to reach the French gunners and the cries of victory could be heard from the Russian staff officers as they relished the thought of their sharp massed bayonets in amongst the poorly armed gunners. They were unprepared for the fighting spirit of the French gunners. Grabbing ramrods, picks, and shovels, the gunners fought like Corinthians of legend. The Russians, expecting an easy victory against mere gunners, were shocked by the elan of the emperor’s finest troops and fell back in disarray.

The French cavalry, bowed but not beaten are taunted by Cossacks.

In the centre the battle for the village raged, as the Russians threw multiple divisions against the single brigade, holding steady in the ruins of the splintered wooden buildings. Supported by massed cannons the Russians were convinced they were headed for a quick victory.

Despite severe losses in the centre and the East, the Russians simply threw more troops into the attack. Their endless numbers replaced skill or tactics. The French cannons on the left, spoke again and drove off another attempt to rush them, but the injuries dealt the far-left flank regiments of the second brigade was enough to cause some troops to break and run. Fresh Russian brigades advanced on the far left of the French position and started to unleash a terrible volume of fire.


In the centre the Russians charged into the village and were repeatedly driven back by incredible courage. General Doursenne himself led a bayonet charge to drive back some Russians occupying the edges of the village and, as luck would have it, was struck down by a stray cannonball. In the following confusion the 1/64em Regiment de Ligne fell back to save the body of their commander and, with no further orders, withdrew from the battle.

While the battle raged French troops had been withdrawing over the newly erected pontoon bridges. While sometimes in good order, some units were rushing over without waiting for the command, leaving weapons and equipment behind.


Marshal Lannes seeing that defeat was inevitable sounded the general retreat and, though many troops were lost, all the eagles were retrieved. The sad sight of 12 pounders spiked and abandoned was a pitiful sight after so many soldiers died to protect them. As the last of the troops crossed over the river, covered by the divisional artillery, the pontoons were cut free and the remaining forces withdrew with heavy hearts; leaving the Russians to claim a temporary victory, little knowing that their defeat lay ahead of them on the battlefield of Friedland. One of the last to cross the river was an exploring officer who had become lost in the thick forest south of the first pontoon bridge. He had some fanciful story that he was chased by a whole brigade led by Barclay de Tolly himself. If true, that lone officer was responsible for saving all the cavalry. If only there was some other proof. We will never know.

This (possibly biased) report was Translated by Ian Macdonald.

This was a very enjoyable game. David’s games are always unpredictable with surprise events on both sides, and they create a marvellous narrative, as well as being a delight to fight. The French definitely lost the battle, but the story makes it a victory. Thanks to JJ Mike and Nathan for making defeat so entertaining.