The Oerburg front had been quiet for over a year, but having heard rumours of agitators trying to stir up trouble, the Dominion had recently increased the outpost at Bridgetown. So it was that when a company of Oerburgers quietly occupied the far side of the rail bridge, the garrison commander ordered out 3 companies of Ross's Rifles supported by a 4.7" naval gun to clear them away.
To no one's great surprise, that first company was well supported.
To the Dominion's surprise though, the Orberg cavalry splashed through a ford the Dominion's soldier were unaware of and were advancing at a good pace towards the 4.7". A squadron of Larsen's Lancers were there though so no one was too worried.
Instead of dismounting as was their habit though, they came on at a gallop, firing from the saddle. The Lancers were thrown back, and the 4.7" overrun!
To make things worse, the Rifles had suffered heavy casualties and the remnant had been forced to fallback to the town. Only the company of Dominion Guards were left intact to strengthen the defence of the vital town and railway.
It was enough. The Oerbergers launched a weak attempt to storm the town but they had also suffered heavily in the early fighting and there wasn't enough time for their artillery to demolish the town, even if they wanted to.
So, the day ended, as it began with the two parties glaring at each other across the Blutape River.
(Note: After some false starts with versions of the WW1 Sq Brigadier rules, I decided to fall back on the rules I intend to use with my 54's. I've finally agreed with myself that the fewer sets of rules I use, the easier my life and games will be. I'll post them once they are tidied up and tested again... oh!.. another game! awright! )
Ross Mac,
ReplyDeleteA great little skirmish! Captain Nolan would have been ecstatic to see cavalry charging and overrunning enemy artillery!
All the best,
Bob
I'm sure the artillery commander has now made a note to himself to not let his escort block his line of fire!
DeleteA nice vigorous little action… Will it lead to more?
ReplyDeleteAll the best. Aly
That was the plan but as I speed towards the end of my 7th decade I'm having a rethink on plans for the next 2 decades.
DeleteI hope the gun was not carried off by the impudent invaders!
ReplyDeleteNot from that close to the Dominion infantry.
DeleteOverthrown but not overcome--the Dominion may still hold the outpost, but this episode will not play well back at HQ. No doubt there will be some "reassignments" made in the frontier command leadership.
ReplyDeleteI believe he was promoted and sent on an extended recruiting tour.
DeleteGreat work by the Dominion Guards saving the day!
ReplyDeleteA near thing.
DeleteLooks like an exciting game! I'm selfishly looking forward to seeing your updated rules. Looking at the pictures, I see the gun overrun and then the Lancers are back by the gun. Did they counter-attack the Orberg cavalry?
ReplyDeleteNo, the fire from the infantry in the stone building drove off the mounted rifles. The remnant of the lancers were just passing by the abandoned gun, heading to the sheds behind the stone building to occupy them to solidify the Dominion hold on the town.
Delete