18th Century

Minorca 1756 – Flying Colors

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a Seven Years’ War naval game using the Flying Colors rules. The scenario was the battle of Minorca, 20 May 1756. The ship models are Old Glory miniatures. The scenario from the rule book starts after the approach and Byng’s tack to bring his fleet onto a parallel course with the French (Tunstall, Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail, Chapter 4). The scenario does not specify a wind speed, so the wind barb in the first photo is arbitrarily set to 10 knots.

The starting positions from the Flying Colors rule book. The British are to windward. All ships are on a reach.

The French maintain the line while the rear British ships close in. The leading ships exchange fire.

The rear French ships bear off to maintain their distance from the British.

We had to quit after about 3.5 hours of play. At that point, the French had taken mostly hull damage and the British had taken mostly sail damage. Most ships were undamaged since fire had been concentrated on a few ships.

War of Spanish Succession – Black Powder AAR

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a War of Spanish Succession battle using the Black Powder rules. The non-historical scenario was an attack by Allied troops on a French position.

The French begin to react to the approach of the Allied army.

View from the French lines.

The French redeploy to their left, but send the Bavarian brigades out to the right.

Cavalry clash on the French left. Allied infantry charges the French center.

The Allied cavalry retreat and French infantry advance on the left.

The Bavarians engage (upper right) while French cavalry flanks the Allied infantry in the center.

With Allied casualties about double those of the French, we called the game at this point.

Flying Colors Naval Game

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a Revolutionary War naval game at the Dogs of War shop using the Flying Colors rules. The scenario was a simplified version of the battle of Cape Henry, 16 March 1781. Old Glory miniatures were used instead of the games ship counters.

The British line split into two formations and attempted to double the French van, but the French maneuvered downwind to avoid this. A 120 degree wind shift then gave the French the weather gage. The British sustained more damage overall, although the leading French ship accumulated enough hull damage to strike her colors.

With nine ships in each fleet, only the leading ships fit on the table at the start.

On the second turn the British split into two formations. The French maneuver in a single line for several more turns.

A stern rake forces the leading French ship to strike.

The British switch from formation commands to group commands.

The rear of the French line comes into action at long range.

The flagship of the British second in command is nearly dis-masted. The British struggle to maneuver around the crippled French ship which has struck.

Black Powder: Oudenarde 1708

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a War of Spanish Succession battle at the Dogs of War shop using the Black Powder rules. The scenario was (very) loosely based on the Battle of Oudenarde, 11 July 1708.

The battle was played until one side had 7 units shaken or destroyed. The French reached 7 while the Allies were at 6. The French battalion defending Eyne held out for the entire battle.

French General Biron’s command begins near the village of Eyne. The rest of the French army is arriving at the top of the photo. The Allied army is arriving at lower left after crossing the River Scheldt at Oudenarde.

Infantry assault Eyne while cavalry attempt to pass between Eyne and the river.

Most of both armies deployed. The French have a cavalry reserve in the center. The Allies have uncommitted infantry on the far right.

Black Powder War of Spanish Succession Game

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a War of Spanish Succession game at the Dogs of War shop. Black Powder rules and 6mm Baccus figures were used. Unfortunately the duty photographer got so involved running the game that he forgot to take photos. Those below were taken during cleanup.