Gus Murchie Memorial Christmas Game Part 1 - 15mm Brigade Fire and Fury V2

15mm BRIGADE FIRE & FURY v2 : Stones River

Gus Murchie Christmas Game 

Every December the club normally puts on one massive game for all the members to participate in.  This year as our membership has seen a very healthy increase we decided to put on two large games instead of one massive game.  The decision was to set both games in the American Civil War and the honour of organising the 15mm game went to myself (Steve L) and Mr Steve.   

We chose to do a very loose version of Murfreesboro, or Battle of Stones River from the Great Western Battles scenario book 2^nd edition . This we hoped would give a reasonable game for those playing.  We did have a couple of problems, actually, a lot. We could not follow the scenario to the letter because people would be sat around doing nothing for a long time.  We decided to just let the sides go at each other from the start  and with the Rebel reserves coming on in turn 1 not potentially 17.  This, we thought, might make up for there being no surprise attack at the very beginning. 

This is a game of Rebel quality against Union quantity. The Rebels had 160 stands of Infantry and 10 guns against the Union 196 stands of infantry and 17 guns. 

From the outset the Rebel left pushed forward trying to dislodge the Union forces from their positions.  This was relatively clear terrain and so they were not slowed too much. The resistance was fierce though and the first lines were forced back.  Time to regroup.

The centre was heavily wooded so progress for the advancing Union troops was slow and when they did reach the Rebels the found them in a resolute frame of mind. Resistance was stubborn and aggressive and the rebels pushed the union forces back beyond their starting positions.

The Rebel reserves came on by the railway and deployed to the left to try and bolster the central and left sectors.  On the Rebel right the Union troops were beginning to shake themselves out into battle formation.  Rebel squeaky bum time as they were facing as many as 10 brigades .  They were helped by the fact that the river was impassable except by the 3 fords.

The Union right flank continued to absorb the Rebel attacks to the point where both sides had worn themselves down to a draw.  The Union commanders considered that they were sufficiently damaged that they could not push forward with any hope of dealing a fatal blow to their Rebel foes and so both sides decided that their final manoeuvres would be around the Christmas snack table 

The centre Union troops pushed forward covered by a Grand Battery situated on a small hill.  The Rebels held in place thanks to their slit trenches and hastily erected barricades.  It was a game of attrition, and the rebels were losing.

The Union left flank now pushed forward from both sides of the river.  There was no way that the Rebels were going be able to hold their positions.  They fought very bravely but the end was inevitable.

All along the line the Union troops were inflicting severe casualties on the Rebels.  When the games was called the Union side had won having inflicted almost double the casualties of Rebels.

Many of the players were either first time or beginner users of the rules, however after an hour or so both the umpires weren’t needed and so we just let them get on with it. 

My thanks to all those involved in playing and to Mr Steve for his umpiring.  Also, due to the weather I was later than I wanted to getting to the club. By good fortune help was there, and I would to thank those who got the tables and boards out ( that was me , Mr Steve )so that all I had to do was get the cloths out and, with their help also, set up the terrain and troops.

Table was 9ft x 6 ft

Cloths by Tiny wargames

15mm figures a combination of Blue Moon and AB

Clotted lard Update

As regular visitors to this blog will no doubt be aware, the club runs it's annual Lardy Day event, Clotted Lard in September and we, as a club donate proceeds from the day to a local charity every year. 

This year we donated to the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and we have received a letter of thanks.

Dear Bob, I hope this email is finding you well.

Thank you so much for the generous donation of £500.00 received recently by CHQ via the office, from the Devon Wargames Group.

Thank you kindly for thinking of us.

Your fantastic support keeps our air ambulance service and expert crews where they are most needed, helping the people of Devon in the most severe, time-critical emergencies. Even during the most challenging times, our Devon Air Ambulance doctors and paramedics are treating as many patients as always.

Kind regards,

Samantha Slater

Support Services Director

Devon Air Ambulance

Look out for announcements about future Clotted Lards on the blog in the future.

Part 2 of the Christmas Game - The 28mm version, will be along shortly!