Below is a report of a fairly large AWI game that was played a couple of weeks ago. Most players were new to the rules and everyone caught on after a few turns. The rules are based heavily on morale but still lots of shooting and melee action. Movement is (thankfully) generous and initiative rolls are very important for momentum. A simple matrix style of layout and a lack of 'fluff' makes them truly fast play. A good, fun day.
Lots of pics!
Battle of Beerywine –
AWI game report.
Basic table setup: a river with one bridge, a Hessian camp
in the centre and a small settlement.
Other side of the table.
Just a shepherd chilling out; hoping, for no reason, this
doesn’t become the scene of a bloodbath…
Some dragoons and geese – just because…
…Alright because I’d just finished retouching them the day
before. Yes the flags are completely wrong but couldn’t be bothered changing
them.
Sneaky Americans move to their start positions. Note the
riflemen in the foreground.
Another view that shows the pontoon bridge they put up. The
rocks on the river below the pontoon are fordable. Hence the massed formation
right behind it. Note the Hessians in the camp start positions.
Rebel guns line the river opposite the Hessian camp. Light dragoons
all poised and dragoon-y.
First turn and the Rebels are off and begin streaming across
the river. A good start.
The Hessians start to react and throw out a hasty battle
line.
The first round of firing and subsequent (crappy) morale
tests. Note the absence of riflemen in the foreground. The jaegers that caused
the damage were called very rude words from that point on.
The Hessians win a vital initiative roll and charge into
some Continentals – swiftly sending them packing. More rebels take their place
but are starved of room to move.
Another view of the American troops scrambling to get into
position as the first of the British reinforcements arrive (top right).
Hessians keep the pressure on while the Americans try to
find suitable defensive positions to counter the waves of advancing British.
At the bridge, both sides are evenly matched and cause a lot
of damage to each other. Both sides roll well with morale to keep it a tight
contest.
Some of the aforementioned waves of British.
Yes – more of ‘em.
A shot of the game situation about turn 4.
Chris’ hand helpfully showing us the target that he insisted
on missing with his guns.
Around turn 5 and the high-water mark for the Americans. They’ve
taken a lot longer than wanted to clear a bit of room to move.
Some Loyalists trying to move toward the action.
The American view of their “not quite ready” defensive
positions to face the oncoming Brits.
Jaegers in the foreground that harangued and sniped at the
American right flank.
The Americans guns retired, while the British and Allies
close on the lonely looking bridge defenders. An ominous looking situation.
The British take a few losses but close easily on the
Continentals defending the settlement.
The Americans attempt to trade off space for time.
The final assault on the bridge (top left) as the shot up
Hessians kindly provide cover for the fresh British brigade in the rear.
The last fresh militia brigade are placed with the guns as
cover for any involuntary withdrawals J
Redcoats have entered the settlement.
Pesky foot dragoons picking away at militia.
Some more militia to try to stem the flow. And, oh typical,
an ex-slave lying down on the job.
Defending Continentals doing a good job but unable to hold
against the weight of enemy numbers.
Bridge defenders have their last stand as the British bash
their way through the bloodied sheep enclosure.
End of turn 7 when the Rebels (wisely) gave up the field to
the enemy and the game was called (after several jokes about rounding up the
civilians into locked buildings and burning them). The tents were all trampled
to bits causing a Hessian general to have an aneurism.
The game was scheduled for 10 turns and
the umpire determined that the British would have achieved their objectives by
end of turn 9 giving them victory by 1 turn. The Americans were getting
concerned about army morale and were 4 units away from breaking. One unlucky
turn could have broken the army so they decided to keep the army intact as
their consolation prize. The Americans did a good job and came surprisingly
close despite the losses.
The British and Allies managed a clear victory, largely due
to the Hessians that stymied any American progress across the bridge. Their
solid morale throws and pressure made it difficult for the Americans from turn
2. Winning the initiative rolls for first few turns was also significant.
Seemed that the rules went down well and worked for the
scenario. Somewhere around turn 4 the players were running independently with
the rules so that was a good sign. Not having to look up multiple charts and
using logic for anything tricky seemed to make the game flow well enough. I
think all the players will be happy to give them another go for the next time.
Cheers,
Mick
