Proxy Battle Search - Naval Raid - Tipplebruder Partisans

To continue the 'Seben Year Warz" that I started last year, now another move across the board.

The Russians have broken out across the rivers into Mieczyslaw and have sent a raid into the Duchy of the North. The raid is at odds of 2:1, with the intent and orders to destroy or damage military naval vessels in the port of Stockholm. The Russians want to have local naval supremacy in the Baltic before winter sets in.

Further to the south in central Uropa Saxe-Bearstein has been overrun by the Altmoranian forces. Now Wein comes within the grasp of King Billiam of Brandenburg. The Austrians have massed forces to cover the capitol and maintain a flank force to press across the Danube should the Altmoranians take action against the fortifications. More forces are being pulled back from the Dobrudshiva borders across the Hungarian plains. Will the Brandenburgers be able to take Wein before winter proper sets in?

Stagonia, having torn off their mask and fully supported Prussian aggression into Saxe-Bearstein, is now facing a pressure force from Gallia, these Frenchies mean business and the Stagoians only have some hastily raised militia and 4th drill battalions to defend the royal holdings. While the army has settled into the mountains including Tipplebruder in their supply lines. While not the center of operations the town of Tipplebruder is facing a stripping of local supplies to feed the Stagonian forces preparing to support Prussian advances on Wein. In the Atlantic, Spanish and French fleets have re-deployed, to support a Spanish blockade of Gran Bretan fleet in Gibraltar. This has pulled many Britannia ships from patrols and released pirate activity in the Mediterranean. All communications with Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt have been cut off. I have no naval game assets, so if there are EvE active members that would like to do the 2:1 odds Naval Raid at Stockholm - again this is a raid and the aim of the Russians is to sink, burn or damage as many Swedish ships as possible. Not a landing of troops. For those with skirmish forces, or an interest in doing a mountain raiding party sort of game (or games) then Tipplebruder militia could be active in messing with the Stagonian supply lines during autumn and early winter in the mountains around Tipplebruder. (Maybe a new storyline?)

Further movement in a seven years warz game

The Grand Mappe after three major moves ...

This time the big battle actions took place:

The BIG BATTLE was for Pilsner, the capitol of Saxe-Bearstein, facing odds of 1.4 to one the Austrian armies under Daun and Bearstein forces fought hard, even having a successful round in the middle of the day, some 4 hours after the first artillery barrages though the Austrians and Bearsteiners were in retreat. Indeed the pursuit was fierce enough to wipe out the remaining Bearstein forces. With some 60% casualties overall the allied force under Daun, who narrowly escaped injury when a battery nearby exploded, has consolidated in Burtzenia. A new all-Austrian line now faces the Altmoranian hordes. In the same battle Prince Henry of Altmorania was badly wounded when thrown from his horse following a charge that the had successfully led. Though sill with the army Prince Henry is not able to effectively take command.

On the east front of Altmorania, the siege of Miastokrol is over, with some 25% casualties the Altmoranian forces have withdrawn leaving Russians in control of the defences under the command of General Solikov.

East of Tipplebruder a Stagonian army was repulsed by the forces of the Empress.
Those retreating Stagonians will now be seeking shelter and not in any mood to be rebuffed...

Further Stagonian aggression was into Vienna! Again the results were terrible for Stagonia ... 55% casualties and the rest were taken prisoner.

Other actions were at sea with the Britannains utterly destroying Dutch shipping off the coast of Ober Nord Westfalen.

Captions, Captains?

Captions have been posted to the Tipplebruder battle pictures on the Frankszonian blog.
Sorry about the delays.
A

Tipplebruder

Draft battle report in four installments on the Frankszonia blog.
Remember, in reading blogs, the last IS the first ....
Also some pictures of the sample figure Frank sent me from Minden's ... painted in the colors of my Sage Guard, but I broke off its musket during painting (yes, as the figure should show, I am half blind and shaky, LOL)

A.

A question of poxy ... uh .... proxy! ethics ....

This post sounds ten times more maudlin than I feel, just late and I'm tired.
Also, I will delete this post next weekend or earlier, as frankly it's a tad off topic and personal.

Dear friends,

First of all the many messages of encouragement to my wife and I during this illness have been very, very welcome. Though I'm clearly out of any immediate danger now, the infection seems to be a resistant one, and it'll be still a couple of weeks before I'm supposed to sit up longer than a couple of hours (to be honest, that's one rule I broke the day I was home ... it hurt, all right, but moving around and doing things made me feel a lot better anyway!).

Now here's my dilemma. Edie knows where the bogs are (after all, she is playing Tipplebruder) and I don't. Edie knows which infantry forces and cavalry forces are really under those cards ... and I don't. Now, if I resolve the battle from bed, it would be in 12 figure battalion scale, and she would only be able to take pictures and not play out her side. Given that her dice rolling and the barriers she's got in place, she has a real chance (as usual, alas) to give Stagonia a real bloody nose.
So, I'd really like to wait until we can set the game up in the living room and see what she would do.

ON the other hand, I've several minor scenarios in mind for the Ancient Nations blog, and those plastic ancients are already in the bedroom.

So, should I wait for Edie to feel comfortable with me sitting at the table for the four hours set up and play may take, meanwhile playing with my toy soldiers in bed, or resolve the scenario (which after all involves other gamers) first, or simply wait .... I feel bad playing new scenarios while an unfinished battle remains.

I'll tally up, and play SOMETHING dad bang it, next weekend.

Your servant
Arthur

Field report from the Tipple-Bruder Swamps ....

Actually, the weather had been very unstable at Tipple-Bruder ... and it seems the Stagonian General has fallen seriously ill as a result and thus has only made dilatory moves.
There has been considerable skirmishing around the convent of St. Mary Hildegaard Kunegunde of the Holy Rose Water. Since it is in range of the Tipplebruder artillery, however, Stagonia has not made a serious effort to storm the place, in spite of the alleged presence of virgins still sheltered in its walls. There are at least two battalions of Allied infantry in position to rush to the defense of the light infantry who are enjoying shelter within the cloister.

However, in his defense, the frequent rains have prevented the ground from drying out enough for him to employ his superior cavalry well.
However, the Tipelbruder forces have been driven in to their outer defense line ... as soon as the ground dries enough for the cavalry to sweep around their flanks, the affair should come to a conclusion.
The Stagonian intelligence service has planted rumors of bands of rogue cavalry in Stagonian service in the mountain flank, thus pinning some of their better forces in the hills and out of the main line of our advance.

Major Edsel ....

Colusions interupt us at Tipplebruder .....

The game had begun, the Stagonians were advancing in close knit force to break apart the Alliance (whom I foolishly permitted to have all five of my chevaux au frise pieces, playing with one's wife has unforeseen hazards); when the storm caused problems with the lighting. Koenig's Krieg games are in two parts, the first part involves "hidden" movement using cards instead of figures until the forces close into contact. So, no pictures yet. Game resumes on Wednesday, health permitting.
I'd thought I'd managed to get into a position where even my wife's incredible dice luck couldn't save her .... but, she's got the first initiative role and a battalion flanking my front three! I don't know that she'll spend the battalion (after all, it's dog meat on the next turn if it does attack), but it could stop the breakthrough long enough for the reinforcements to form a solid line ..... I haven't pointed this out to her yet, so hopefully she'll do something else with the roll ...
This post will be deleted when the game is finished.
For those following the battle thread, the Stagonians did decide to advance on the flood plain, their sabotage of the flood gates is successful and the ground is probably firm enough for their cavalry superiority to tell ....

No plan survives encounter with the enemy ...

As the Stagonian staff begin to mount up, a messenger dashes up from the artillery park.
"My Lords!" he gasps, "there's some sort of disease among the artillery horses! Some are down, and others do not have the strength to pull their pieces!"
Alarmed, they rush towards the guns until a medical officer halts them. "Don't bring those animals any closer," he commands, "until we know what's wrong!"

(Out of character: Edie developed pneumonia symptoms last night. I could play the game without her --- which would be a great gain for Stagonia ... but she might not be able to take pictures, so there may be an unavoidable delay ... I'll use the time to paint up 48 more Austrian fusiliers for Stagonia -- white coats after all -- update tonight, the game is half packed to go right now,
apologies for another delay, Arthur).

The dragon reaches for a tipple

In the cold, dripping fog of pre dawn, Major General Karl von Drednoz considers his army’s route. The objective is only a day’s march away in normal conditions. The locals, however, tell him that a large, allied force has been assembling and drilling near Tipple-Bruder to oppose his troops. Furthermore, the open lands which would normally favor his reputed superiority in mounted troops are boggy slush.

The general muses over these reports, other recent intelligence, and the content of his private interview with King Maurice. Furthermore, rumors that his rival has defeated the Frankszonians put pressure on him to also have a great success to report. Thankfully, he thinks of the pretty ... ah, make that skilled ... poet in his entourage who may be able to make anything sound like a great victory. The lad is gifted with words. In spite of the rumors that he’d like to bugger (as in lead to destruction) half the recruits in his force, v. Drednoz is quite aware of the expense in equipping and drilling soldiers ... which expense the Stagonian king, with typical vileness, would probably redeem from v. Drednoz’s resources.

It is time to act. The general nods to an aide and the various Brigadiers are assembled into the staff tent.

“Gentlemen,” the general begins, “today we will probably fight against a fairly uncoordinated force. Unfortunately, however, they will probably still have the advantage. Indeed, I expect that we will be ambushed.”
A dismayed muttering and gasps run through the assembled officers, but the general continues. “We cannot advance in the open terrain. Neither our guns nor our horses could advance the few miles to Tipple-Bruder in the low land muck. Thus we are forced to use the thankfully good road that runs on the foot hills of these mountains. Not only is the area densely wooded, but we will have steep drop offs to our left and equally steep ramparts on our right. The road must cross several deep creek beds as the mountain streams drop to the river .... But the shelf on which the road itself lies is fairly broad.
“So my plan is that we will move in bounds from clearing to clearing with the Icelauf Jagers leading, supported by the Moliere Dragoons. The Brigade Von Kroll will be our first line. Heinrich, when contact is made, be sure to lead your forces to incline uphill. Let the Grenadiers skirmish against any ambuscade on those wooded cliffs. The Brigade Openkopf should stay behind the Brigade Von Kroll until ordered to engage.
“I suspect that this will lead to the battle swinging uphill a little. If this happens, Openkopf will advance behind v. Kroll, but incline to the left and push back any forces hiding below the crest of the shelf.
“Brigadier Yves d'Amours will command at the point. Your task is to keep the column advancing towards Tipple-Bruder. I will keep the cuirassiers, however, under my personal command.”
D’Amours asks, “Which flank do you want the Blut Jaegers and the Pfeiffer Dragoons to take?”
“I’m sending detachments of them with special tasks,” v. Drednoz responds. “So the rest will be brigaded with the Icelauf Jaegers and the Moliere Dragoons under your command.”
General v. Drednoz pauses a moment. “Gentlemen, we’ve had a long, soggy slog to get here. There was no rain yesterday, but even though the road will be good; there will be a tendency to straggle. I’d rather we move slowly and keep together. If we don’t get to Tipple Bruder today, but are still a compact and coordinated force, we should have a significant advantage when we do encounter the foe.”
He picks up his glass, and the assemble officers struggle their feet. “Gentlemen! The King!”
They drink and smash (or rather throw into the muck at their feet) their glasses. One junior staff officer shouts, “Stagger them, Stagonia!” At which some of the older officers can be seen wincing as the force jumbles out into the mist.

Prelude to Tipple Bruder

On a day with no rain for a change, messengers come pounding into Count Trunkenbold headquarters.

Great news!
The Wstrasowo Dragoons have arrived! After a grueling forced march, their forces intact thanks to the heroic efforts of the farriers, the tired, mud-spattered column pours into the cantonments at Tipple-Bruder. Their colonel believes that their infantry contingent could be only two days march behind him.

Then, the Count learns important intelligence. The Dragoons were able to arrive so quickly because they had not encountered any Stagonian troops! On the other hand, when the passed through Oberschnorrhof, they learned that a major column of at least three brigades of Stagonian troops had turned south towards Hundsrueck about two days before. This must mean that the Stagonian general has decided to swing south of the great massif east of Tipple-Bruder in order to avoid the easily defended defiles between Dammbach and Hobbach.

Count Trunkenbold quickly orders a detachment of hussars to probe the routes from the south and sends his jaeger units into the hills to look for any evidence of a surprise march over the mountains.
Shortly after dark, the hussars return. The Stagonians are encamped at Eschau, only a few miles away beyond Unteraulenbach! tomorrow, they could be in Tipple-Bruder by noon!

Recalling the jaegers, Trunkenbold delivers the necessary command. Assemble and march! A position must be found on the southern road before dawn!

Soon a great clamor arises as red faced feldwebels luridly muster their raw troops for a night march. At least, they reflect, it won’t be across country but down a well defined road with cavalry guides! The infantry battalions are ordered to follow the Austrian custom of carrying along their chevaux au frise ... there may be no time to improvise any stronger barriers.

With mules braying, caissons creaking, and feldwebels cursing, the motley horde assembles into their units which are led across the bridge and sent lumbering south into the foggy darkness.

Weaving the Looming Battle

For those of you who are watching the developments around Tipple Bruder, I've thought of a question which, frankly, should be of interest to the entire group.

As you can already see, there's actually quite a bit of fun research, consideration, designations, and debates surrounding any battle.
The "comments" after the current TippleBruder post show quite a bit of the sort of interaction that goes on among the many players involved ... in this case, at least four or five players are contributing troops to the battle which I hope to resolve.
Now, with the Offenbach situation, we posted an awful lot as the diplomatic exchanges were a lot of fun, but the same kind of detail background wasn't posted (too much like battle reports etc.)

BUT

I begin to see this as a nice example with which to demonstrate how such proxy battles can be done. In consequence, I'm suggestion that we continue to violate the blog rules and continue to carry on the minutia of the game set up in the comments rather than resort to all the emailing for the Offenbach battle.

Furthermore, there is actually a very fertile source for diplomatic exchange and faux pas in this scenario.
As has been noted, the Tipel-Bruder defense is composed of a number of differing units from widely separated points (btw: all the late arriving forces will arrive ... game dynamics kind of require it ... but like those "reinforcement" troops in the old Avalon Hill games). Now it's obvious that the alliance will have to hold "councils of war" and designate a C - in - C. Whom will they select? How will the other generals respond? Thus I can set up some as "unreliable" and others as quite co-operative ... and there exist several real nice mechanisms to handle this.

Ah yes, the most important point ... who is on the right flank???

Now let the skull duggery begin (while I go count figures, if it weren't for the cavalry and guns, my new plastics could handle what we've got so far ... but Edie likes those nice 24 man battalions on that green cloth ...
btw, most of the trees in my games are scratch builts ... if you've looked at them on my site, how did you like them?
A

PS: notice another advantage of proxy battles. If your own collection isn't big enough to fight the battle, no problems, you'll still be able to generate officer and unit stats for your imagi-nation and let the volunteer gamer use as appropriate as plausible figures for the fight!
PPS: Just a thought, you all might post pictures on your own blogs or here what each unit is "supposed to look like" as so many of us like quite unique and individual uniform designs!
having fun ....
A

Rally round for Soweiter!

From the Frankszonian Stadt Council:
To: The Sovereign Autonmies of Eruopa and the Empire ...

Given the increasing friction between the Soweiter League and Stagonia appears about to ignate a conflagration of serious proportions, the Hurtshog v. Frankszonia has been grinding his brains looking for a better recipe to assist Soweiter.
One ingredient appears to be vital. Given the scattered nature of the league and the small measure of the involved territories, it might be best if the better seasoned powers granted a quick passage to the Soweiter units, which seem to be mostly company sized servings of mixed ingredients.

Further, permitting these units to train and to maneuver with our own forces would perhaps garnish both their and our links to a more potent flavor.
In the interim, the Frankfurter Bundt would be interested in bidding on any surplus production by the TippleBruder Tailors ....

Sincerely,
l'Comte d' Beauphaup
on Behalf of His Highness Stanken, the Hurtshog Fahrtz v. Frankszonia ...