Thursday, January 16, 2025

BATTLE OF SAINT BERNARD - OR ITS ALL DARRELL'S FAULT


 The Kingdom, Principality of Von Mutts, and the United Packs Commonwealth (UPC) Allies continued their campaign in the Sugar Islands against the Empire of Wolfenstein with the invasion of Saint Bernard Island. After an unopposed landing at Fig Tree Bay, the Allies marched south to the capital of St. Bernard. The Local Empire forces rushed to meet them in a field of their choosing outside of Halfway Tree Town. Here the land narrowed, and a line of rugged hills made for a formidable barrier. The control of this high ground would be the key the battle. Though outnumbered nearly two-to-one if the Empire could hold here for a day, then reinforcements could be sent from nearby Islands to defend the Capital. 

The Massed Ranks of the UPC Advancing Up the Hill Against the Empire's Thin White Line.
The Fire Hydrants are the Objective Markers.  


On the Opposite Flank the Von Mutts Advance. This was Going to be a Banner Day for the Mutts as The "Whelp" was not in His Cups and His Genius Would Show. 

In the Center the UPC Cavalry Goes Thundering Forward. Flash's Hussars Make Quick Work of the Empire Artillery on the Hill. 

Rushing Forward from Out of Halfway Tree Town Empire Cavalry and Infantry Head to the Rescue. 

On the Empire Right the Full Weight of the UPC Onslaught can be Seen. Their Cavalry Plunge Through the Center as Their Light Infantry Attempt to Gain the Flank of the Empire Battleline, all the While the Masses of UPC Infantry Continue to Advance. 

At the Road the UPC Cavalry Captures Their First Objective, Meanwhile the Empire's Cavalry Begins to Consolidate to Attempt to put a Halt to Them. 

Additional Empire Troops Advance to the Hill's Defensive Position, Either to Reinforce, or Recapture Them.  

The Rapid Moving Von Mutts Turn the Empire's Left Flank. While the Empire is Still Holding on the Fight is Becoming Desperate.

Back in the Center the Empire is Slowly Gathering its Cavalry Together. The Empire's Basset's Battalion of the Line is Struggling to Hold On. 

A View Along the Hill Line. The Empire Struggling to Hold As the UPC Relentlessly Advances. In the Center the Cavalry Battle Can be Seen. 

The UPC's Hussars have been Driven Back, and an Entire Regiment of Dragoons has Been Lost, while both sides Cuirassier are a Bit Battered. 

The Empire Cavalry Has Beaten its Way Through the UPCs Opposite Number and is Close to Recapturing the Valley Objective. Meanwhile the Empire Infantry Continue to Hold onto the Ridge. 

At Battles End the Empire and Von Mutts, UPC Allies have Fought to a Draw. The Butchers Bill is Equal for Both Sides having Lost Six Units Apiece. Here Looking West Across the Ridge can be Seen the Number of Allies Forces Having Seen Heavy Fighting. 

Here Looking East Both Sides Can Again be Seen to Have Suffered Through the Rigers of War. In the Valley Beyond is Numerous Empire Infantry are Ready to Continue the Fight. 
A long hard battle with both sides giving as well as they take. At the beginning the Empire was outnumbered almost four to one, yet by days end was still clinging to the hill. During the night the Empire will withdraw its troops, having delayed the Allies long enough for reinforcements to be call and arrive at the Capital. Will the Allies continue to try taking St. Bernard, or is this a clever plan to distract the Empire from a more succulent target. Time will tell. 

Sunday, January 5, 2025

MENWHILE BACK IN THE WEST - BATTLE AT THE LAKES

 

The first of the year begins the new Spring '25 Campaign. With this being a holiday, we had additional time to play. An early start of 2:00 in the afternoon allowed the battle to continue to a conclusion 7 hours later. 

The Battle of the Lakes shifted the story back to the mainland in the west. While the letter of the treaty had not been broken the Emperor felt that the spirit had been. To this end he sent an expedition off to reclaim the lost territory in the north, with a further goal of retaliation for the lost Sugar Island, and the hope that the United Packs would need to return their forces in the Islands back to bolster their home defenses. To complicate the situates and sow distrust amongst the Island invaders allies, he sent his own Mutt's mercenaries on this expedition.  

The United Packs Commonwealth (UPC) forces were caught off guard and quickly lost their hard-fought gains north of their border. Quick to recover they brough up a local army and found a superb bit of ground to establish their defenses. When the Empire's Army arrived, it was meet by a well emplaced defensive line. Plans were rapidly drawn up for the assault and the battle lines formed. After a particular powerful initial bombardment by both sides' artillery the Battle Lines began their approach. 

The Twin Towns of Lake Zurich in the Center and Crysal Lake to its West, top right of picture, With its UPC Garrisons. Empire Troops are Formed to the South, right side. 

Empire Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery Massed for Their Attack on the Town of Lake Zurich. The LZ Redoubt, the Goal of This Empire Group, can be Seen Just to the Left of the Town. 

The Locally Drawn Empire Forces Moving Up on the Town of Crystal Lake. On the Right of the Town can be Seen the CL Redoubt, the Target of this Assault. 

Empire Light Infantry Moving Through the Hawthorn Woods. Empire Infantry Columns and Both Sides Cavalry are Massed here in the Open Plane. In the Right Center the HW Redoubt can be Seen. This is the Edge of the UPC's Left Flank Defenses, and the Target of the Empire Forces. 

A Wide View from the West Showing the Full Aray of Forces Assembled for this Battle. 

On Arriving at the Break in the Hawthorn Woods the cut by Miller Road, Empire Light Infantry is Confronted by Their Opposite Number from the UPC. 

Empire Infantry Supported by Their Cavalry and Artillery Advance Against the UPC Defensive Line. 

The Empire Line Begin the Firefight Against the UPC Defenders of Lake Zurich. They are Supported by the Advancing Columns of the Von Mutts Mercenaries. 

On the Empire Left they Slowly Continue Their Approach on the Town of Crystal Lake. 

Empire Light Infantry Force Back Part of the UPC's Defenders, While to Their Left the UPC Holds Firm. 

On the Empire Left the Fight to Take the Town of Crystal Lake Begins. 

UPC Forces Around the Town of Lake Zurich Faceoff Against the Full Attack by the Empire.

Empire Lines Taking a Beating as They Attempt to Break into Lake Zurich. 

Masses of Empire Infantry and Cavalry Pour Forward Against the UPC HW Redoubt. 

In the Hawthorn Woods Empire Infantry Presses Onward Relentlessly.

UPC Light Infantry Surrounds Their Empire Opposites Engaging in a Desperate Firefight, While Their Artillery and Muskets Pour Fire into the Advancing Empire Troops. 

With Their Infantry Engaged Across the Entire Front the Empire Launches a Cavalry Charge Seeking to Breach a Whole in the UPC Line. 

With the First Wave of Empire Infantry Repulsed the Von Mutts Press Forward to Take up the Fight Against Lake Zurich. 

On the Far Left the UPC's Lightly Defended Town of Crystal Lake Begins to Come Under Intense Fire from the Advancing Empire Forces. 

With the UPC Defenders of Lake Zurich Suffering from Heavy Casualties Across the Entire Area They Bring in All Their Commands in a Desperate Bid to Avoid Disaster. 
At Crystal Lake Pressure Continues to Mount.

To the West the Empire Pushes the UPC from Hawthorn Woods and Readies to Assault the HW Redoubt. 

At Lake Zurich Through Heroic Effort the UPC Upper Command Worked Miracles to Keep the Forces Intact. The Empire Maintained an Intense Fire on the UPC Occupied Town and the Supporting Troops Around it.  

At Crystal Lake the Empire Launched the First of its Assaults. 

At the HW Redoubt the UPC Held Off the First Wave of Empire Attacks. 

By Late Afternoon the UPC had Formed an All-Around Defense Covering Lake Zurich. While the Empire Still Continued its Attacks, There Power was Slipping. 

To the West the Attacks on Crystal Lake had Been Repulsed. 

In the Center While the Empire Cavalry was Dominating the Cavalry Battle, the UPC had Effectively Held it Away from the Critical Fights Against Lake Zurich and the HW Redoubt. 

At Lake Zurich Now Outnumbered the Von Mutts Stoically Threw in One Last Attempt to Break into the Town. 

At Days End the Empire Having Given Its All Begins its Withdrawal Back to the North.  

With the Battle Lost the Empire's Cavalry Could Console Itself Having Defeated All of its Opposite Number. 

As the Rest of the Empire Forces Were Breaking Off the HW Redoubt Finally Fell. A Well-Done Effort but Accomplished to Late in the Day. 

The Von Mutts Withdrawing After Their Last Assault Failed to Break the Defenders of Lake Zurich.  
Though a decisive victory for the UPC the battle was a very close fought game. Had the "Miracle of Command" not occurred, the UPC was recovering hits just fast enough to keep from breaking, the battle most likely would have swung the other way. Had the Empire's cavalry and assault columns at the HW redoubt acted a bit more aggressively sooner the UPC would have been hard pressed to contain the tide. 
A game well played by all involved and a brilliant start to the New Year.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

NEW YEARS TREAT


 With a new campaign about to start today, I thought I would upgrade some of the forces in the game by finally adding flags to those units lacking them, and with a pair of dedicated C-in-Cs. 

The Grenadiers and Guards get Their Colors. Nearest on the right is the UPC's The United Packs Commonwealth Guard, in the Center the Empire's Great Lakes Grenadiers, and on the Left the Onion City Grenadiers.  


More of the Guards and Grenadiers. 

The Militia Units. 

The New C-in-Cs. On the Left for the Empire, Marshal Lord Birdinmowthe. 
On the Right for the United Packs Commonwealth, Marshal Tailboise.
Later today the new Spring '25 Campaign begins with the Battle of the Lakes. 

BATTLE OF SAINT BERNARD - OR ITS ALL DARRELL'S FAULT

 The Kingdom, Principality of Von Mutts, and the United Packs Commonwealth (UPC) Allies continued their campaign in the Sugar Islands agains...