Colonial Campaigns Club (CCC)

AAR on SDC52: Battle Road - A Delaying Action 24 turns PBEM

British = Rich White
US = Thomas Philips

Turn 1 - The Hessian Jaegers emerged from the woods and fired into the enemy flank, causing some routing. Meanwhile, the rest of the army waited to see what the enemy would do.

Turn 2 - The Jaegers started to fall back towards the road, to avoid getting outflanked by the enemy reinforcements marching along the road. Meanwhile the English riflemen and Queen's Rangers skirmished at long range and the 2bn lights moved across to the right flank to secure the road and prevent the enemy outflanking the position. A 6pdr was also redeployed to cover this approach and the 6th troop of dragoons moved across onto high ground to observe any enemy movements on this flank.

Turns 3-5 - The Jaegers continued to fall back along the road to the main position and the riflemen gradually fell back in the centre as the enemy approached and attempted to outflank the line. A number of units were now low on ammo, but they were kept in the firing line, since there is only a single British supply wagon. At this stage in the battle, they'll be pulled back to resupply only when they are actually out of ammo, although I'm hoping to keep low ammo units safe from enemy melees or close quarter fire-fights.

Turn 5 - Current enemy losses are 70, plus 1 leader, and I've observed that a number of enemy units are disrupted and a few are routing. There are no British losses so far, but it may soon be prudent to abandon the first 100pt objective hex to prevent the troops being overwhelmed by superior numbers.

Turn 6 - Had planned to continue falling back but, with the enemy advancing cautiously, I decided to keep most of the troops in their current positions for another turn, except the Jaegers who now deployed to cover the road approaching the left flank. But next turn it'll be essential to limber up the guns and start pulling them back out of potential danger.

Turn 7 - Fell back onto the hill. Will soon need to abandon the first objective to avoid encirclement. Enemy losses now 100 and still no British casualties, just a little fatigue.

Turn 8 - A third of the way through the scenario. The Jaegers and guns continued retreating back down the road, intending to redeploy to cover the retreat of the other troops. Ferguson's English riflemen moved across to cover the right flank. Meanwhile, the light infantry and rangers made a few minor readjustments, but continued to hold the line in order to delay the inevitable enemy advance for a little longer. No enemy units are currently in close proximity and LOS, but it's highly likely that they're now endeavouring to make use of dead ground to outflank the (British) right. The left flank remains protected from any rapid attack due to the woods ... but enemy reinforcement have been observed advancing along the road, so it's only a matter of time before this flank too will be vulnerable.

Turn 9 - With enemy units now marching down the road through the woods on the left flank (and possibly moving into the woods as well) and the near certainty that the right flank is being outflanked too, it's time to pull back before it's too late. The first objective will soon have to be abandoned, probably next turn. However, the troops mustn't retreat too quickly, or the enemy will be capturing the second objective in no time, so the light battalions will fall back more slowly to allow the guns and riflemen time to redeploy further back.

Turn 10 - It was tempting to spend another turn firing at the various enemy troops that had just appeared across the ridge of the hill, mostly in column but, with enemy forces almost certainly creeping round both flanks, staying put for even one more turn was probably too risky. So instead, the lights abandoned the first objective and fell back down the road towards Hartwell Tavern & House. The guns now unlimbered further down the road to cover the right flank, with the Jaegers further forward and the English riflemen on the extreme right. Meanwhile, the Rangers started moving across to Bedford lane, just in case some enemy were already moving through the woods on the left. With both flanks currently insecure, in subsequent turns, the troops will need to continue falling back towards the second objective, which I'm hoping to be able to hold.

Turn 11 - Continued falling back slowly, with several cos of the 2nd Bn lights halting to fire at max musket range against the approaching enemy columns. The guns, now redeployed in the rear near the road, were able to fire on enemy troops moving along the Old Bedford Road, while some of the Jaegers also fired at long range. The 1st bn lights now replaced the Rangers guarding the woods on the left flank, to allow the Rangers to redeploy further back on the right where their rifles will be more effective.

Turn 12 - Continued to fall back, with 2nd Bn lights forming a rearguard and the Rangers redeploying in a second line on the right behind the Jaegers.

Turn 13 - The first two British casualties! Enemy losses now over 200 ... Continued the retreat, with the first rank falling back and the second rank - Rangers and 1st Bn lights - remaining in place, ready to fire at the approaching enemy. Also this turn, the guns limbered up again and started falling back down the road.

Turn 14 - The Rangers held the line to delay the enemy advance along the main road, those units not low on ammo firing at just beyond musket range. The Hessians and English Riflemen fell back slightly to cover their right flank and also fired at 5 hex range, but inflicted few losses. Two Hessian units with low ammo formed up slightly behind in support. The rest of the troops fell back to Capt W. Smith's house, where the 2nd Bn lights formed a fresh line, with their left flank resting on the woods. The 1st Bn intend to form a secondary line behind this next turn, but this position will not be secure for very long due to the enemy flanking manoeuvre on the right and also their ability now to march troops down Bedford lane to outflank the left too.

Turn 15 - My opponent submitted a termination bid for a Minor British Victory which, after consideration, I provisionally accepted, playing one more turn in case he wished to change his mind. With the enemy line just beyond musket range, most of the troops held their current position to allow the front rank line of riflemen to fire without retaliation, but the guns continued to retreat along the road and 1st bn lights moved across to cover the left rear in case enemy troops were attempting to outflank. I now have 11 units low on ammo and, if the game continues, I'll probably start allowing these to resupply since the scenario is now 2/3 over and I have enough supply points left for 470 men. However, there are still 8 turns left and I'd actually need 600 supply pts just to cover all those units now low on ammo. Current losses: US 294 men and 1 leader, British 2 men! Score 522 = British Minor Victory. The loss ratio indicates just how effective the X formation and long range rifle fire can be.

Turn 16 - The game continues (for now at least). The Rangers are pulled back and the Jaegers and English Riflemen fall back slightly to form a continuous single line on the right of 2nd Bn lights deployed at Capt W. Smith's house. The 1st Bn remain defending the left flank and the guns and cavalry retreat to the second objective.

Turn 17 - Continued the retreat, with the 2nd Bn lights acting as a rearguard. The guns unlimbered again, 1 covering the road and the other deployed on the high ground north of the objective to fire on any outflanking troops. Almost all rifle units are now low on ammo, but none are actually out of ammo. The 1st Bn lights will now move rapidly along the road to defend the objective from a group of enemy troops marching to outflank the position from the north.

Turn 18 - With numerous units now low on ammo and the real possibility of the enemy being able to outflank or cut off and isolate some of the retreating troops, the situation is no longer looking quite so rosy, even though the victory level is still creeping towards the Major British Victory. The second objective will almost certainly need to be held for a decisive victory, but defending it may prove tricky ...

Turn 19 - The English riflemen, all units now low on ammo, form the only line of defence against the enemy marching to outflank the position and secure the objective. However, the 1st Bn lights have now reached the objective and will be able to reinforce that wing shortly. Meanwhile, the Jaegers and Rangers - almost all low on ammo - continue to fall back up the road towards the objective, with some units lining the high ground to fire defensively at the enemy. The 2nd Bn lights prepare to fight a rearguard action at Folly Pond, to delay the advance of the main enemy force.

Turn 20 - Almost a Major Victory now (592pts), but I'll need to hold onto the objective and avoid any unnecessary losses. Current losses: US 477 men and 1 leader, British 8 men! This massively inbalanced loss ratio reflects just how effective the X formation and rifles can be against close order musketeers. A number of units managed to resupply this turn, but there are still 12 units low on ammo and now only enough supplies left for a single 20 man unit (not much use, as my smallest unit is 30 strong). This turn moved the 1st Bn lights across to the right flank in support of the English riflemen and also into the woods to the right of the Hop House objective. A gun on that flank limbered up and started falling back towards the objective. Most of the Jaegers and Rangers fell back to the ridge overlooking the approach road leading up to the objective, although a few companies remained to skirmish with the enemy advancing on that flank. Meanwhile the 2nd Bn lights fell back up the road, with three companies moving across to the left, so that they could provide crossfire against any enemy troops advancing between Folly Pond and the marsh.

Turn 21 - Since there was no visible danger from the enemy, most units remained stationary in their defensive positions, although the English Riflemen fell back towards the road and the limbered gun moved up and unlimbered next to the other gun, ready to fire at any enemy advancing up the road. It looks like the enemy may be holding back to avoid further losses ... and thus attempt to avert a British Major Victory. However, only 5 more points are required and, if necessary the riflemen deployed along the ridge can advance again and pepper the enemy at long range.

Turn 22 - The enemy continue to hold back so, in order to secure a Major Victory, I'll need to launch a counter-offensive. Consequently, those Jaegers and Rangers not low on ammo were moved forward back along the road to skirmish with the nearest enemy units. Also, the 2nd Bn lights moved back to Folly Pond. Whatever the enemy now decide to do - attack, retreat, or stay put - it should be fairly easy to score the 2 more points needed for a Major Victory.

Turn 23 - Moved forward Ranger and Jaeger units in order to fire at long range. The 2nd Bn lights also redeployed slightly to cover the right flank of the riflemen. Inflicted a few more losses, bringing the score just over the Major Victory level. Submitted a termination bid and the game ends.