Battle of Alma.

Last weeks game was a 15mm Volley and Bayonet game based on the Battle of Alma.

Adrian's wonderful 15mm Crimean war figures were used along with his awesome buildings.

 The Russian army was formed up along the southern ridge and hill above the Alma. Earthworks were erected on the hill.

The British and French would attack across the Alma with a view to taking the pass between the ridge and the hill.

 The British army crossing the Alma....

 .. and the Russian defenders opposite them.

It was slow going for the allies as they crossed the river. Russian guns were eyeing up their targets.

French and British troops crossing the Alma.

British command.

 The first British attack on the redoubt, nearest to the pass, was pushed back. The British units involved being forced back to the river. The attack on the end redoubt was more successful with only one unit being badly damaged.

The defeated British running back over the river.

 On the other flack the French were having a successful time. Having charged up the ravines into the waiting Russians only to see them fall back. The Russians sent their reserves to plug the gap but these Frenchmen were on a roll. Marching down the ridge they planned on rolling up the flank.

The pass was holding but the flanks were caving in.

The British cavalry has beaten off the Russian cossacks on the flank and are now moving onto the rear of the Russians on the hill. The British take the first redoubt and prepare for another attack on the next redoubt.

 The British are now on a roll.  Second redoubt falls and the pass is in sight for the British.

French and British flank forces about to meet in the centre. The Russians have had enough and quit the field.

Close up of a British Guards regiment.

The Highland regiments.

Another guards regiment.

Thanks to Adrian for supplying all the figures and buildings, and for organising and running the game.

Action at Martin farm.

The lads meet up for a game last week at "The Mess". The game was AWI using the brigade level Fire& Fury rules with some slight modifications to suit.

The British were camped in some open fields when they received warning that an American force was heading their way.

Americans arriving on the battlefield.

 

  Forming up along the edge of the road the British await the arrival of the Americans.

 The Brit's German allies take up position on the right flank.

 The battle begins with the Americans moving onto the table and advancing toward the British lines.

 Deciding that attack is the best form of defence the British charge across the road straight into the American line.

 Morgan's Riflemen outflanking the British lines. Their extra range for being armed with rifles was beginning to hurt the British light infantry.

 The charge in the centre was working a treat. The Americans were going backwards.

 The American left flank began their attack on the Germans, in the hope of pushing them back into camp.

 At this point the lone French unit swings round on the exposed British flanks and opens fire.

 Too much for these Red Coats and the British retreat back to their lines.

 The American attack is now in full swing and, having discovered a ford further down stream from the bridge, send Morgan's men off to cross the river and attack the rear of the British.

 Meanwhile the Americans on the other side of the bridge engage the British giving Morgan's boys more time to cross unhindered.

 The attack on the Germans didn't go so well for the the Americans. Steady fire from the infantry and the artillery was too much for them and they were forced to retire.

But in the end it was not enough. With the riflemen coming around the flank and their centre severely weakened from their attack the British were now too weak to hold off the Americans. The camp would have to abandoned to the victorious Americans.