A Larger Live Free or Die battle AAR

 We have not played AWI for a little while so Steve put on a fairly large game using Live Free or Die rules. Partly I suspect to get his newly painted figures on table (A brigade per side, good going Mr Shann)

 

The table would be six feet by eight with the British attacking. Steve would command his new brigade of Hessians, I would have two Brigades of British and Chris Charlton would command the four brigades of Patriots/Rebels (delete as appropriate).

Both sides deploy forward and are encouraged to crack on with things. 

The Hessians don't look to have much opposition but there are three more battalions of Continentals coming up from behind. 

In the centre the continentals have three strong battalions flanked by rifle skirmishers on both sides and a pair of guns, a tough nut. On the left is Lees Legion, a quality unit but supported by three battalions of Militia, this is where our bets chance of break through is, but we need to keep the rest busy.

We are very quickly up to effective range, the British are having the better of it to the right and centre right but the rifles and guns make short work of the Loyalist Militia who are quickly driven into retreat.

A swift volley and Grenadeiers charge the continentals to their front. As usually seems to happen to me with these rules, close combat does not go well and the Grenadiers are forced back.

The Light infantry step into the gap left by the Grenadiers and trade more musketry with the continentals as the Kings American Legion trade shots with the rifles and artillery.

The British light bobs and trading short range fire with the rifles as the rest of the brigade advances either side of the farmhouse.

I try a charge again with better results this time with the Lights. The Continental regiment is seen off but the Lights are cut up in the process.

With the lights pursuing what remain of the centre of the American line the grenadiers wheel to add their volley fire in to the retreatigng rifles and open up the flank of the Militia.

On our left the Hessians and Continentals have giving each other a thorough thrashing and both sides have withdrawn to reform, the right hand unit advances to support the American Legion along with its Jeagers.

In the centre the Rebels are being pushed back and the Militia on the right is only being held together by the depleted Lees Legion as the Crown forces push onto their flank.

A birds eye view reveals the Militia return to the fray giving three battalions to take on the guns and rifles on the centre left whilst 6 battalions advance on the remnants of 4 across the rest of our line. On our far right Chris charges Lees legion at the British Battalion facing him looking to draw the British off of his militia.

The remnants of Lees Legion and the British unit continue their mutual destruction until Lees are finally spent. 

Chris reforms a depleted line as the British organise themselves to push on.

Centre left the Hessians, Militia and Legion troops have destroyed the rifles and one gun leaving just a single cannon to face them and opening a gap between the rebel centre and right which remains the strongest position with Fresh troops pushing the Hessians back.

In the centre we are almost set for the final act as the British form to attack the last line of rebels.

Meanwhile the action on our left is hotting up and the Hessians march to attack the fresh Continentals.

After a brief but bloody firefight one unit of Continentals and one Hessian drive each other into retreat leaving one Hessian battalion to face three Continentals. A glimmer of hope for the American forces.

The Militia at the extreme right though are very exposed, an attack on these could see the whole rebel centre rolled up.

The British are in a good position to push on and finish the job but we have run out of time.

So with the centre falling and the left almost gone the Rebels were in a difficult spot whilst on their right they were pushing back the Hessians, all still to play for but on balance we decided the Crown forces had the edge.

A hard fought game swinging back and forth for both sides.

The Generals Best China, Live Free or Die AAR

 Apologies for the enforced absence last few weeks, a broken laptop and incompetetance on my part to blame.

We decided to get the AWI collection out for another go at Live Free or Die.

Steve set up a nice little scenario, an important baggage train needs to be got away from the advancing Rebels, a small Highland brigade commanded by Steve, two battalions of the 71st supported by a company of Militia skirmishers and another of British light bobs, hold the road to give them time to get away.

A stronger Brigade is coming on table in support, 2 British line battalions, a Grenadier battalion and a regiment of Hessians, supported by a squadron of Light Dragoons.

The Americans have 3 Brigades arriving on the roll of a dice, 2 have 4 battalions of Continentals and one has 3 battalions of Militia. The Patriots must capture the baggage, the British must see it off table.

The initial roll of the dice sees Chris's left hand brigade arrive straight in front of the Highlanders defending the road. Probably the one he would have wanted on first. Aroll from Steve sees the baggae fail to get going.

The Continentals close and the first volleys are exchanged with limited imapct.

Rebel Riflemen engage the Light Bobs to keep them busy and protect the Continentals flanks as the middle brigade of Militia march on.

The third brigade of 4 continental regiments enters on the Rebel left.

My British brigade are just in time to turn right offof the road and advance to block this new threat.

A troop of Light Dragoons sit patiently between my British and the deploying continentals looking for a gap to exploit as they cover my deployment.

On my left the Hessians advance to form a reserve for Steves Highland brigade. I think he is going to need it.

The cavalry advance threateningly but stop at 24 inches away which is there standrad movement.

Next go and we charge, only to find that charge movement is randomised and we stop 2 inches short of the Militia, damn, this could be painful.

Behind the cavalry the British foot advance smartly to block the advancing Patriots.

Both sides form firing lines ready to exchange volleys and bayonets are fixed.

A dismal volley from the Militia does little damage and the cavalry charge home, predictably they are successful and the Militia are forced back but not broken, putting a number of DMZs on the Milita unit behind.

The British are in position to defend the retreating baggage and the Highlanders are clinging on against double their strength but it cant last. 

The Light Dragoons gird their loins and charge again at the next Militia regiment. Again they charge home and again force the Milita to scramble back through their own troops inflicting more damage on both battalions. The Milita are very badly mauled but the British are down to one base and we remove the survivors from play.

Steves Highlanders are being raked by musketry from the Continentals and one battalion is forced to retire, he needs something spectacular from his firing and gets it.

Steve is happy with his firing dice and the Continentals are checked for one more go as the baggage plods further away.

The Militia are in a bit of amess but still standing. Their next volley into the Jaegers pushes the skirmishers back 24 inches.

The British line is trading volleys with the american rifles as the continentals are out of range, one unit of fusiliers advances on the left to apply pressure to the continentals whilst the Milita are recovering from the Cavalry charges. 

On the left Steve is still holding and the Hessians are in position to support his retreat. My fusiliers however get the worst of the firefight with the Continentals and are pushed back.

The Milita are recovered and now begin to advance in support of the Continentals.

The Rifles are seen off and the Continentals advance to fill the gap, two battalions of continentals are forced to retire with heavy casualties, but the British Grenadiers also take a pounding and are forced back in turn.

My British are holding their own but coming under increasing pressure, fortunately the baggage is nearly off the table.

Both sides continue to blaze away with equal casualties along the line and the remaining Highlanders are eventually forced to retire.

The baggage is off table, the generals best china and his favourite wig has been saved and the British have held the Americans but at fearful cost, a Pyric victory for the Crown forces.

Another cracking game, Live Free or Die are providing the sort of game we wanted from the AWI  thoroughly enjoyable, thank you gents.