ITLSU AAR - Clash at Colmins - 3 Sept 1914

[Fenton]

I did download the Kallistra set which are played on hexes but dont seem too bad, they are only a draft copy and based as a stand is a platoon but they seem worth a go

[Leman]

Cheers for that. Will take a look. Shame their stuff is really 12mm.

[Fenton]

Cheers for that. Will take a look. Shame their stuff is really 12mm.

Yeah but the rules seem fairly quick play which would be good for a club night

[Leman]

Thanks for the tip, I've now downloaded them.

[paulr]

A couple of pictures of our game at Call to Arms. I'll leave the battle report to Peter, he will include a few more pictures.

German Infantry and dismounted Hussars advance against British Infantry


British Cavalry in a defensive position

[Leman]

Found 'em, and looking really good. I see you've also gone for that light coloured German helmet cover. Very effective.

[Ace of Spades]

Cool stuff folks!
As soon as my ACW project is done I'll get on with my late WW-1 Germans and French.

Cheers,
Rob

[Techno]

Great looking table !
Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Looks superb!

[Hertsblue]

Great stuff. Like the explosion. 

[pierre the shy]

A couple of pictures of our game at Call to Arms. I'll leave the battle report to Peter, he will include a few more pictures.

OK heres my AAR from the British perspective...with some further pictures.(hope they work) 

Clash at Colmins

In the early hours of 3rd September Bowler held his orders group for the following day in the lantern light of the local Marie in a small village called Colmins Ouest. Just to the east was another village called, somewhat predictably, Colmins Est. They were located on the edge of a large coaling mining area and just past Colmins Est were huge, impassable slag heaps.

View of the battlefield from the West:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14781510828/in/set-72157646206466367

Somewhat to his surprise 26th Brigade had been reinforced once more. Captain Scarlett finally had his last section of 13pdrs catch up so X Battery was now at full strength of three two gun sections. The other welcome arrival was Lt Col Lewrie and his complete 2nd Hertfordshire Yeomanry cavalry regiment, which had just arrived in France. 

"Right gentlemen" began Bowler "another mission from GHQ has been assigned to us....and as usual it won't be easy...."

"Are we on the move again tomorrow Sir?" asked Lt Col Lilywhite, CO of the Loyals.

"No, we are staying put right here Colonel.....we are to hold the two villages against our old friend Von Klinkerhoffen...and another brigade of the 13th Cavalry Division, all under one General of Cavalry Von Smallhausen. Intelligence estimates that at least 5 German units plus artillery will move in this direction. They add that this Von Smallhausen chap is a very wily opponent".

"Now then" continued the Brigadier "With the slag heaps cutting off any outflanking to the east of us I'm thinking that any move by the enemy will fall on Colmins Ouset, so I propose to put the Loyals into that village with their MG's set up to do maximum effect. Colonel Carter – you will secure Colmins Est and support the Loyals with fire against anyone trying to move between the villages".

"Understood, Sir" replied Carter
"I think we'd be best to give everyone a section of guns, Scarlett, but after your achievements of yesterday against the enemy artillery I want you to concentrate on them again if you get the chance"
"Very well, Sir" replied the jovial Gunner.
"And finally I'm keeping the Yeomanry as my reserve, first time I've had that luxury Col Lewrie....expect orders to counter attack as necessary. Well then Gentlemen, I think that about covers things" said the Brigadier, bringing his orders group to a close "The very best of luck tomorrow to you all again".
----------

The light mist dissipated quickly as the Brigade stood to that morning. For once the intelligence reports seemed correct as German cavalry was soon sighted advancing across the fields between the two villages, accompanied by no less than four sections of 7.7cm field guns...."that's Von Klinkerhoffen's brigade...." murmured  Bowler as he observed them through his binoculars from his HQ just behind Colmins Ouest. He quickly sent orders to open fire with all weapons. The Loyals engaged their old foes with seemingly indifferent results, while the Lancers across in the Eastern village engaged a regiment of Uhlans to much better effect. They were joined by fire from the RHA sections, which flailed the hapless German cavalry.  Not to be outdone the German batteries returned fire with equal effect on the Loyals in Colmins Ouest and the guns supporting the Yeomanry.  Before long the village had been devastated by the German artillery concentration and the Loyals two forward companies had taken many casualties, especially amongst the battalion's small MG section.

Colmins Ouest under fire

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14967763162/in/set-72157646206466367

Under the cover of this continued bombardment a doughty German attack by a regiment sabre wielding dismounted Hussars and battalion of Westphalian Landwehr swept into Colmins Ouest, pushing back the now much depleted Loyals. A spirited counterattack by "C" Company into the town square met with equally determined opposition and was pushed back. Soon the Loyals only held a small part of the village as the Landwehr swept around the outskirts of the village, despite the close attention of the Loyals supporting RHA section.

German attack on Colmins Ouest

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14965013491/in/set-72157646206466367

It soon became evident to Brigadier Bowler that retreat from the village was inevitable. Brigade HQ itself only managed to avoid the now marauding German Landwehr, covered by the now sadly depleted Loyals, who suffered yet more casualties covering the withdrawal of the Brigade staff and their supporting RHA section.

Bde HQ escapes..just

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14781511648/in/set-72157646206466367

The Eastern flank presented a much brighter picture from the British perspective. The Lancers hold on the village of Colmins Est was never seriously threatened and the combined fire of the Lancers and their 13pdr section caused enough casualties amongst the 49th Uhlans to cause them to retire as well as the 23rd Hussars which replaced them on the German left. Later in the day however the 13pdr section was itself forced to retire by enemy fire.

Lt Col Lewrie's 2nd Hertfordshire Yeomanry was initially placed in reserve in cover to the south of the villages.  As the attack on Colmins Ouest developed they quickly received orders to counterattack the Germans in that village. After a considerable delay in forming up (they spent 3 moves doing nothing as the tea break card kept coming up before their card!!) they began to advance but were soon hit with German artillery fire, so in the end they could only take up defensive positions to cover the retreat of the Loyals and Brigade HQ.

Yeomanry under fire

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14967761122/in/set-72157646206466367

At this stage the game ended.... A tactical success to the Germans was judged since their determined attack on Colmins Ouest had evicted the Loyals comprehensively, though their CO, Lt Col Lilywhyte, was heard to mutter about the poor performance of the Loyals dice that day!       

Last but not least the players themselves: From left- Roy, Paul, Peter....we decided that as we were marking the 100th anniversary of beginning of WW1 that wearing poppies was appropriate. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126694647@N03/14967764242/in/set-72157646206466367

A most enjoyable days gaming. Thanks again to all those who made this possible.We got plenty of feedback about the game, figures and rules - all good.

Cheers
Peter

[fred.]

Great looking figures chaps.

I do like the photo with the Flags too.

[Ithoriel]

Great AAR. Nice pictures too.

[Fenton]

How big was the table?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Great report gents, thank you.