ITLSU AAR - Blitzed at Balrome - 2 Sept 1914

[pierre the shy]

Here is my after action report of our second 1914 game that we played last Saturday night. This was the first outing for the two batches of troops that Paul has finished for me to date (see this thread http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10195.0.html ).

The game continues the saga of the 26th (Mixed) Brigade from the British point of view (see this thread for the first after action report - http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10045.0.html )

Thanks once again to Paul for his amazing painting, Roy and Lester for allowing me to indulge in the 1914 theme and TFL for producing "If the Lord Spares Us", which are to me an outstanding set of rules.

I hope you enjoy the report and note that 1. No Aztecs were present   2. Lots more trees and hedges    3. Photos that (hopefully) work  

Blitzed at Balrome

"And the man at the back said everyone attack, and it turned into a ballroom blitz" The Sweet

On the evening of 1 September 1914 Brigadier Bowler regarded his officers again as they sat around the kitchen table of a farmhouse that was serving as yet another temporary Brigade HQ.

The 26th Brigade had narrowly escaped being surrounded by cavalry belonging to the German 1st Armee in the French village of Arreteź on 31 August 1914. In view of the Brigade's role as flank guard it had been deemed by none other than C-in-C of the BEF, Sir John French himself, that the brigade would remain as near as possible to full strength. To this end replacement drafts from other units and depots arrived during 1 September to make good the earlier losses.

"More orders from GHQ BEF gentlemen" mused Bowler "We're to resume the retreat towards Paris in the morning – tomorrow's objective is to be well south of a village called Balromé".

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14628969359/

"Any word on the enemy, Sir?" asked Col Carter of the Lancers.
"Afraid not Carter...your picquets will have to run them to ground if they're out there...and I expect we'll run into someone tomorrow, there's enough Germans tramping round northern France at the moment...".
"What's your plan for the march Sir? The Lancers and Capt Scarlett's guns forward with my lads' tucked in behind to react as required?" enquired Lt Col Lilywhite, CO of the Loyals.
"Yes, pretty much. I had intended to try to stick to the high ground west of Balromé, but maybe we should follow the line of the canal to the east instead. If there are Germans in the village I'd like you to cover them as we go, but I don't want you getting tied up fighting in the village itself".  "Understood, Sir" nodded the Loyals CO.

"Well then Gentlemen, I think that about covers it" said the Brigadier, bringing his latest orders group to a close. "Best of luck tomorrow to you all, it's sure to be another eventful day".

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The Lancers moved off in the first light of dawn, following the line of the canal straight south towards Balromé Locks. With them were X Battery RHA. Captain Scarlett was a bit happier now he had two sections of guns to use. The usual morning fog enveloped them at first, but it soon cleared away to another balmy summer day.

Col Carter's picquets did not need long to figure out that there were indeed  German troops nearby when they came under heavy rifle fire from around the village and the canal locks. Away to the south a section of German 7.7cm field guns added its fire to the attack.

"Keep moving forward" ordered Carter as his men dismounted and returned fire as best they could.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14629094967/

"Crickey" thought Scarlett as the Germans opened with everything they had. "Down trails here" he yelled, "No 1 section at the Locks, No 2 section on those guns....shoot!"

The 13pdrs (cleverly disguised as 18pdrs to confuse enemy spies!) found the range immediately, their high explosive shells bursting amongst the German gunners with great effect.

"Keep it up lads!" encouraged Scarlett has he directed his batteries fire on the German guns.
Suddenly with a bright flash a direct hit on one of the enemy limbers bought several large secondary explosions and the enemy fire ceased as quickly as it had begun. "Reckon that's a few less 'un guns to worry about Sir" remarked one of his Bombardiers with a grin.

Meanwhile the 3rd (Tottenham Volunteers) Battalion, Loyal North London Regiment had come forward almost opposite the village itself. Lt Col Lilywhite had attached his two MG sections to the leading companies. The Loyals were able to lay down an impressive amount of fire against the Uhlans firing from the cover of the town which soon drove them off as the British battalion skirted the edge of the town.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14792637096/

Brigadier Bowler soon realised that he had a fight on his hands. From the few prisoners bought into Brigade HQ and quickly gathered intelligence from his brigade major it was learnt that they were once more facing General Von Klinkerhoffen's 13th Cavalry Brigade.

So far though only the 49th Uhlans had shown up in opposition against them....had the other unit of the German Brigade, the 32nd Cuirassiers deployed elsewhere? Bowler's picquets had located what appeared to cavalry nearer the high ground west of Balromé early in the foggy start of the day but nothing else had been seen since.

Between the three British units at least two Uhlan squadrons and a section of 7.7cm guns were known to have been dispersed at this stage.  

As the on-going firefight with the remaining Uhlans thinned down the Lancer's numbers considerably around the road to Balromé Locks the Loyals contined to move forward round the the edge of the village, covered by their two Maxim MG sections which soon put paid the remaining Uhlans in the eastern section of the village.

Suddenly large formations of German cavalry were seen galloping round the northern end of the village from the west.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14628967259/

"Oh my gawd, Its those **** Cuirassiers again!" gasped Lilywhyte "Turn and face them!" But his orders were not received quick enough to react to  them. Only the two MG sections were in a position to respond. They opened at short range, scything down most of one squadron, but they weren't able to stop the bulk of the Cuirassiers before being overrun. At this stage the game ended.... time was getting on and we had used all our brownie points so headed home to our better halves  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14629095917/

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Later that evening in yet another temporary HQ Brigadier Bowler reflected on the days fighting. His brigade was stuck just south of Balromé and had taken a real pasting from Von Klinkerhoffen's cavalry. He picked up a report from his brigade major, reckoning that in return the 26th (Mixed) Brigade had destroyed the best part of a regiment of cavalry and at least one section of 7.7cm guns. "What a bill to pay" he thought "all those men....gone". He sighed and drained his small hip flask of whiskey then looked at the small picture of this wife and children that he always carried with him on campaign. "I hope this madness is over by Christmas...but I doubt it will be" he said softly as he pulled on his cap. It was time to determine the Brigade's next move.  

[Fenton]

Good stuff...lovely scenery and figures. Those German Zeppelins seem to be  flying a bit low 

[Leman]

Excellent.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Superb report!
Is Captain Scarlet indestructible?

[nikharwood]

Very nicely done  

[paulr]

A very good report Peter. The German Uhlans were feeling very stretched  until we finally managed to get the Kuirassiers involved. 

The counter battery from those 13pdrs was devastating

A good tense game that could have gone either way.

[Leon]

 

[Techno]

 
Cheers - Phil

[pierre the shy]

Glad you all enjoyed it. Thanks for your feedback.

Mad Lemmey - no Captain Scarlett is not indestructible - thats the one wiith only one "t" in his last name 

Suppose I'll have to figure out what Bowler's next move is - bring on the spinners?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Watch his googlies!

[nikharwood]

Bodyline (his googlies) 

[paulr]

Bodyline (his googlies) 

I thought you only used that on Australians 

[Hertsblue]

Unlike the Windies, who used to aim for the throat. 

[pierre the shy]

OK next move has been determined.

We are playing a demo game at the local convention in a couple of weeks so the newly augmented 26th Brigade will make a stand against two brigades of Germans plus supports near Colmins in a attack/defend scenario.

No retreat for the BEF this time!!

Back to writing up the scenario and painting more ships for the day after.....

[Leman]

Taking the theme of your fictional French place names is Colmins likely to have a number of slag heaps?