Chain of Command: Canal Line Battles Flank Attack at Gorre

Following the success in the assault on Essars, in the next game the Germans, were keen to press home their advantage, This time they pushing forward on both flanks at Gorre to force the Royal Irish Fusiliers to deploy early. As they rushed forward supported by a Panzer III they were quickly met by fire from British sections rocked them back on their heals.

Despite coming under fire from two sides and effective Bren fire which succeeded in d driving the Panzer III back at close range. The British failed to inflict enough damage on the German units to affect their Force Morale in what was a spirted defence. The German’s responded with their sustained fire MG34 and mortar which weakened the British defensive line with teams being wiped out their Force Morale began to fall.

With HE fire from the Panzer and mortar, along with a sustained fire MG34 pouring more misery on the Royal Irish Fusilier positions. At this point a renewed flank attack on the left crashed home making the situation became untenable, for the British and their Force Morale began collapsed giving victory to the Germans.

Chain of Command: Canal line Battles Attack and Defend at Essars

I was sad to miss Partizan at the weekend, so as a consolation I got Chain of Command out and played an Attack and Defend scenario depicting the Royal Irish Fusiliers defending the outskirts of Essars from elements of the 7th Panzer Division. As part of the Canal Line Campaign which is based on the exploits of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers during the retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940.

This game represents a engagement when the Germans get a foothold over the Basee Canal and are consolidating to sweep up to Dunkirk. As an ‘Attack and Defend’ scenario in the new rules there was an objective set, the country shop two thirds up the table.

The Germans made a confident start pushing up with armour & infantry forward in an effort to establish themselves before the defenders could respond.

The British not wanting to show their hand too early kept their power dry and waited for the Germans to advance and offer a flank. At that point a 25mm AntiTank gun deployed in the woods. They opened up hitting the Panzer II but failing to penetrate until the 3rd shot which brewed it up.

The return fire from the Germans killed the Junior Leader in the Gun Crew resulting in the necessity to deploy a Senior Leader to keep the gun in operation.

Keen not to be slow down by the loss of their German kept the pressure up with Fire and manoeuvre. Nevertheless as they secured the cross road a British Mortar Barrage landed on a Double Six!! Meaning it arrived immediately. Catching two Sections in it. While it was devastating to one team killing them the choke was successfully rolled off the other three units who didn’t suffer many casualties and following the barrage were in action again quickly.

They maintained pressure on the defensive positions with fire from the first section supported by a 75mm field gun. This fire was taking its toll on the deployed on the defending British. section. Has the Senior leader rushed from the 25mm Anti Tank gun to organise his section he was hit by a piece of shrapnel Killing him immediately.

With this and the deployed Sections facing a resurgent German Assault, it was decided to withdraw to the next Map since it was a campaign game.

Sharp Practice : The Bridge at Dorflingen, 1809

This week it was great to get a game of Sharp Practice, it’s a game I really enjoy. To date most of my experience of is in the French & Indian conflict in North America as part the Seven Years War.

Geoff, the game’s host used Chat GPT to suggest a scenario for three players. After a bit of tweaking of the terrain and the force rosters we ended up in 1809 at the Bridge at Dorfingen. This was an engagement between the Austrians and French during the Napoleonic Wars. This was my first experience of fighting a Napoleonic game of Sharp Practice. I was allocated the French. In my extremely limited knowledge of the Napoleonic period, I understand the French were famed for attacking in columns. So in my haste I thought well let’s give that a go then. Because I was playing against two opponents Geoff and Dave, I was very aware I had to mitigate against an early flank march so while my Voltigeurs covered the right from the wood I simply charged down the road in column hoping to crash into the Austrian line before they could unleash their opening volleys.

It didn’t end well for my column. The Austrian commander card came out first the next round, followed by some flags for a bout of Sharp Practice, visiting more than pIan on the French column. The withering volleys brought them to a standstill, and they were obliged to withdraw.

Following the game I asked the wargaming futurity on Bluesky their experience of commanding French Columns in the Lardy tradition of “playing the period and not the rules”. Fellow wargamers sharing their thoughts, experiences and suggestions on using the Napoleonic French Attack column. Getting all these responses was great, and hearing all the different perspectives on commanding a French attack column. It was an inspiring and invigorating to get so many thoughtful responses. What a great community we have.

Nevertheless, despite the catastrophic attack column pushing forward while its artillery support got mired in the mud. The picture on the right flank was a bit brighter. I had successes as my Voltigeurs skirmished back and forth with Jägers until I could bring my Chasseurs à Cheval to bear and drive the Austrians off before my Force Morale collapsed.

I will claim some consolation points for elan and sending the Jägers and the Austrian Grenadiers packing on the right flank.

Good old Sharp Practice always supplies an entertaining game. Next time I will try to be a bit more measured and methodical in my approach rather than changing in like a lunatic.