Crimean War in 15mm

Last nights game was based on the Battle of Malakoff (part of the Siege of Sevastopol) during the Crimean War.

15mm French v Russians using the Volley and Bayonet rules.

 To win the French (on the far side) were required to take the right hand redoubt. The only way to enter the redoubt is to first enter through the gaps in the wall and then take the redoubt from behind.

One of the French commands.

Russian defenders.

The Russian setup. Wall to wall defenses.

French high command.

 Right from the first move the French attacked. Each French command heading straight for one of the gaps each. Early success for the French on the right as they take the first line of earthworks.

 The Russian centre and left flank push back the French attacks but the casualties are mounting on their right flank.

The Russians counterattack and retake the earthworks. A costly exercise and the  Russian right begins to crumble. The red markers indicating that these guys have reached exhaustion and are no longer able to charge.

 The left flank is also under pressure but is still holding up well.

 Although the French have reached the gap on the left flank they run out of steam. The cost of several attacks against these earthworks is too much!

 The Russians move some troops to the right in an effort to retake the earthworks(again) but the French keep the pressure on....

 ...and push through and take the gap only to be counterattacked by the Russians coming to the aid of their comrades.

By this stage the French on the left have disintegrated and left the field. The centre French command is piling on the pressure but this has all been too much for the French and now the command on the right is rapidly running out of men. With so many casualties on the French side they are forced to withdraw.

In the end the Russians changed history and managed to hang on for a marginal victory.


Great game and again thanks to Adrian for supplying the troops and running the game and to Wayne for making the coffee!