Thursday, June 10, 2010

Chantilly Part 3

Before more on the Chantilly game - I went with my wife to pick up her cell phone that she forgot at her office today.  As we were walking out to the car in the parking lot, the drone of 4 beautiful radial engines struck us.  Looking up - what did we see?  Eight tiny reindeer???  NO!!!  A B-17 on its final approach into the nearby regional airport.   Unbelievably cool.  I'd like to take some time one of these weekends and camp out on the roof of the parking garage and get some shots of the WW2 planes flying in and out of the airport.  Last year there was a B25, B17, P38, P47, and P51 over the course of the summer.  Awesome!

On to the Chantilly game:


The CSA blunts the USA assault...the tide turns and the beginning of the end for the US forces


An action shot of the last US attempt to hold off the advancing CSA infantry.  An unsuccessful attempt as it turned out.  The CSA army went on to a glorious crushing victory (guess which side I was on). 

Overall, a fun game and an interesting scenario.  The US had 8 infantry and 3 artillery, with a couple of Raw infantry units and a couple of Crack artillery batteries.  The CSA had 12 infantry, 4 Crack and 8 Regular.  An interesting tactical situation - the CSA army had no interest in venturing into the open and suffer under the US artillery, and the woods helped turn the flank combats into bloody short range slugfests.


Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Chantilly Part 2


After the CSA forces appeared to be gaining a significant advantage on their left flank, the US brigades on that flank rapidly advanced, blunting the CSA advance and charging into several flank attacks.


Attacked in their front, the CSA assault slows...and a US regiment starts to swing into their right flank


US advance on their left flank, past the Orchard and across the open fields towards the CSA forces waiting in the far woods


Another shot of the CSA main assault grinding to a hault as the US regiments blunt their impetus


Meanwhile, the far left CSA brigade is in position to launch the attack on the US forces.  A single US regiment stands in their way.


The US attack rolls into the CSA brigade's flank and forces a complete change of plan for the CSA


The US attack across the open fields makes it to the defending CSA line


US forces facing the CSA on the CSA left as the CSA infantry gets ready to emerge from the woods

More to follow!

Monday, June 7, 2010

ACW Game - Battle of Chantilly

Initial Deployments


I'm getting more and more hooked on scenario writing.  This game was an adaptation of a Johnny Reb scenario based on the battle of Chantilly in 1862.  A photo "report" of the game follows...

USA forces at game start


CSA deployment.  CSA plan was to deploy the two left most brigades in column of route and zip through the Class II woods in order to flank the US position.  Things didn't necessarily work out that way.


Feds in the woods


Feds in the center.  The B&O railway lays behind the Federal center.


My far left CSA brigade gets a triple move and makes it to the Union flank, facing into their flank.  Time for a rebel yell!!!


Looking good for the CSA.  A brigade on the flank of the US, and 2 brigades advancing to their front


The two lead CSA regiments open fire and cause UI loss to the US regiment

More later...surprise pressure on the CSA brigade flanks!

Friday, June 4, 2010

ACW Game

Tomorrow we're playing an ACW Field of Battle game, with an interesting mix of units.  I can't really be more specific on the scenario now...as the players might ask too many questions!  

We haven't played ACW for a while - one of our group dislikes the period (an intense hatred of Confederates).  Personally, it is my favorite period.  That probably stems from a lifetime of study and battlefield visits.  Its just very easy to feel connected to the period for me.

A short post this time - photos to follow after the game.

One final note.   We finally saw "Avatar" last weekend.   I guess I'm getting old...this was supposed to be a great movie?   Really??   9 foot tall blue alien version of Dances with Wolves???   While I admire the technical achievement of the film, I can't begin to claim it remotely interested me as a movie.   Too long, too....boring.   I know I must be getting old....the week before we watched "Its Complicated" and I enjoyed that movie.   Not a blue alien to be seen.