Wargaming adventures: Cold Wars 2019

Steve Umbrell and I drove down to Lancaster, PA for our last visit to the former Lancaster Host Hotel, now the Lancaster Wyndham Resort. I ran the Battle of Craney Island on Friday morning using Carnage and Glory 2 computer assisted rules, and Steve ran the Battle of Obarschima 1812 in Russia also using Carnage and Glory 2 rules (I ran the computer for this one as well). I will start with a few pictures of Craney's Island, follow with a battle report from Sacile 1809 (another C&G2 game) and finish with assorted photos from other games.

Craney's Island

We had three British players and three US forces holding Craney's Island, the rear gateway to the Portsmouth, Virginia Naval base where a the superfrigate the US President was undergoing repairs. Admiral Cockburn wanted to put an end to this threat to Britain's dominion over the high seas and launched a combined arms naval and land assault upon the island fort. I added a brigade of DC militia which were not present for play balance (they arrive on turn 4). The British had to roll a D6 each turn to determine whether or not they would ground on shoals and be stuck for a turn or not. The end result was a historical one, a US victory, although a minor one. 100 British sailors and marines made one of the most glorious charges I have seen using the C&G2 rules. They attack a disorder DC rifle unit of 200 men. 186 surrendered and the rest fled, allowing the attacker to continue. The 14 remaining riflemen ran through there supports, the 4th VA militia. They, in turn, also retreated rather than stand and face charging British sailors and marines, even though they out numbered them 600 to 100. They fell back on the DC militia to there rear, disordering them. The British continued there mad dash and smacked into the DC militia, whom they meleed. The British won the melee, and the DC militia retreated, ending a most glorious charge.

Americans on the right, British players on the left.

The British naval landing party advances

A shot of the game prior to commencement of action.

The British arrive on board.

The landing forces move forward toward Craney Island.

Almost in charge distance, taking punishing fire from the naval batteries the British persist in the advance.

Coordinating with the land forces in preparation for the combined assault.

The initial British advance

The combatants with the gamemaster and his computer.

Sacile 1809

I commanded the Austrian left, guarding the pass to the mountains. I had four units of infantry and a light 3 pound battery. The French had to advance up the hillside, taking on a lot of fatigue. They then sought to make a disjointed attack on my fresh infantry units in line. I sent them packing and repositioned my troops to better hold the pass. We ended the game with a minor Austrian victory.

Tom Garnett always has gorgeous terrain and this was no exception. Shot prior to set up.

Austrian center 2 battalions and a 12 pounder and right wing (horse heavy)

The Austrian right wing, horse and a grenzer unit.

My command guarding the pass, one unit deployed in town, one in support to its rear and one to the fore with the last in support.

The French arrive and the Austrian wait.

My unit 519 has sent two French assaulters packing (note the red marker) and my unit on the right prepares to deal with another assault in a similar manner.