Forged in Fire

I had time for a quick game today. I decided that it was time to get back on the grid and to deploy some toys that had been idle too long.

Green arrives on turn 4 to find Grey already deployed.

The choice fell on the Great War and the as yet untested Dinky Light Tank. Since the setting is several decades too early, I just classed it as an armoured car. After all I was actually looking for an affordable 1/43 Rollsroyce when I stumbled on this and couldn't resist. I was in the mood for a meeting engagement and almost set out Sawmill Village when I remembered Crossroads from Programmed Scenarios which I have rarely if ever played solo. The rules were the Square Brigadier.

I took command of Green Force with 1 squadron of cavalry, 1 Armoured car, 4 infantry companies, 1 MG company, 1 Mountain Battery and 1 Field Artillery Battery for a total of 9 units, all arriving on the West Road on Turn 4.  Grey Force was programmed. The dice indicated that a column with  1 cavalry squadron, 2 Jaeger and 1 MG company and 1 Field Battery would arrive on the SouthEast Road on Turn 3 while another squadron, 4 companies of infantry and another MG would arrive on the Southwest Road on Turn 5. Their orders were to deploy before advancing.

...hmm..wait a minute! They had 2 more companies than me! I thought I fixed that but the sneaky buggers fooled me and snuck 2 companies back in!  No wonder I was having a hard time.

Steel plate helps but its not invulnerable, especially against artillery and machine guns. The Dink pulls back to regroup.

It took about an hour of alternating hope and  fear to play the game to a draw. I really could have used at least another battalion a side and a few more turns.... but this was exactly the sort of quick affair that the Square Brigadier was meant for though and I like how the grid and rules work for this period and scale of game as opposed to earlier horse and musket era battles. I rather like The Tin Army name though.  I should make sure there is still a written copy of the 20thC version as played today though since I went entirely by memory.

Turn 15. Grey has taken heavier losses but isn't broken. Control of the crossroads and its approaches is still disputed. A hard fought draw then.

This cries out for a refight before I rest the table. Not sure yet if I want to add a few more troops and a few more turns then play again or bring out another set of toys that need exercise.