Siege of Louisbourg, 1758 - Rebels and Patriots Game

Hosted a nice playtest for a game I plan to run at next year's Enfilade convention. The scenario is based upon the intial landings by the British led by General Wolfe.  The game went for eight turns with the battle being a seesaw affair and ending up with both sides at the center of the battlefield. The British left did manage to destroy or push back most of their opposite side due to superior fire power. The British left consisted of several small units of Rangers and Light Infantry. The British right was slowed by movement in difficult terrain (rocky beach), and also a failed Activation of one unit rolling double 1's. A subsequent roll ended up having that unit fired upon a nearby boat of fellow British and killing three of them before even hitting the beach. The French had picquets in the center manned by small units of Marines. They decided to abandon the picquets leaving them open to the British. However, the French received reinforcements in turn 3, where they decided to return to the picquets - still not reach by the British. A large group of allied natives joined the French but failed to make it out of the woodline after being shot at by the British. The British grenadiers made slow advance in the center - even having to retreat back to the shore after failing Activations with rolls of double 1's. After seeing the battle reach a stalement, we called the game a draw. With movement being only 6 or 8 inches per turn, it was decided that one of the original victory conditions for the British to reach the opposite end of the table was very unlikely. A change to the victory condition would be to overrun or take over the picquets mid-table. Also, destroy more of the enemy units would be an alternate condition. Otherwise the scenario seemed to play out well. Here are a few pictures from the game.

Set up prior to the game. French side with reinforcements to arrive later in the game waiting in the tray. The French had two small naval cannon to move where they wanted to, up to 30" from the British shoreline.

British Rangers and Light Infantry already on the table at the start of the game. The rest of the British in landing boats needing a successful movement Activation roll to hit the shore. Another thing we found out was the rocky shoreline being difficult terrain slowed down movement too much. This will be removed from future games, and allowed the British troops to land and make a half movement once hitting shore.

British went first in turn 1 - landing most of their troops on the rocky shoreline. However, one boat failed with a double 1 Activation roll. A further roll had them shooting into the friendly troops next to them taking out 3 figures before they in turn successfully landed.

British left with small units of Rangers and Light Infantry wreaking havoc on the small units of French Marines manning their picquets. This really demoralized the French and had them retreating in the next turn. They were also allowed reinforcements to arrive to bolster their courage.

British Rangers and Light Infantry advancing - 78th Highland Grenadiers behind them.

French picquet in the center deciding to stand or fall back. Their reinforcements in the distance behind them.

French troops advancing to meet the British.

French reinforcements manning picquets earlier vacated by Marines.

British Rangers taking over an abandoned picquet.

One of the French naval guns destroyed an entire British unit with several turns of firing.

Native warband joining their French allies. They never made contact with the British.

British Grenadiers advancing in the center of the battlefield. This was about the end of turn 8 where the game was called a draw.

Another enjoyable Rebels and Patriots game which is my current favorite for skirmish gaming the musket era. Speaking of rules, just ordered a copy of The Men Who Would Be King. Planning to try it out for Russo-Japanese War. I've had some Meiji Imperial Japanese Army figures a for many years, but finally picked up some Russians to face them. Here they are after a stain of Minwax last night. Also, posed them with a 120mm resin "used" figure recently picked up off of ebay and repaired and re-painted.

Thanks for checking out the blog and wishing you all a happy holiday season.