Danish Army Command Stand Ready to Be Deployed
Greetings, dear readers. Recently, I ran a game to introduce Charlie, a member of our gaming club, to Chocolate Box Wars. This won't be much of a battle report, I'm afraid, but it will deliver a general flavor of the action (plus some nice pictures of toy soldiers) and the details of the introductory scenario that I've run with some success. It is designed to illustrate a basic army construct, familiarize players with a common range of unit types and special abilities, and to give experience with the common range of terrain types. I think it may be a useful resource for anyone out there who may be looking to get a first game together. You can download the scenario at the below link:
Read on for a bit more on the scenario and the game. As usual, you may clix pix for BIG PIX in this report.
It fits on a modest table (mine is 6 feet long by 5 feet wide). The setup zones are 12" deep (0n a 4x6 table, the setup depths would be 8", as per the rules). All of the terrain is "Cover" (the ponds are impassable). The individual trees and fields are for effect and have no influence on play. The rough area does not block line of sight.
The pre-deployment view from the Prussian side.
For ease of setup, I put all the troops on the table in a "staging zone" in front of their deployment zones. This way, players can easily see their force and pull units into their deployment areas. Although there are unit labels on the stands and the players have OOB handouts, I also put a "table tent" behind each unit with identifying information (these get pulled after deployment). I have found that this last bit really helps to move things along, not only for new players but also for practiced players, particularly if they are not familiar with the army in play. This particular game pitted my mid-century Prussians against my Danes in a Schleswig-Holstein war scrum (my preference is the 1st). But the nationalities are irrelevant (the units would be the same for any match).
One reason I picked the Danes for this game was that I wanted to get my new Danish Hussars on the table (above left). Given that the Danish Horse Guards don't get much play, I also decided to put them on the table, too (above right).
The latter are also conversions: the figures are Northstar Austrian 1866 Dragoons with a green stuff roll added to their helmet crests and then painted to show their distinctive big boots and signature mustard yellow coats. I rated them as regular cavalry in this game
(Left) Veteran CBW player, AJ (of AJ's Wargaming Blog), took up the Danes and Charlie (Right) ran the Prussians. Although Charlie may have been new to CBW, he is very well versed in Iron Cross, from which CBW is derived (albeit several steps removed via its companion WWI version, 1914). Thus, he was familiar with the underlying structure--and played well beyond the "learner level" as a result.
A closer shot of the Prussian deployment as seen from the left flank, with the two Jager Companies and Squadron of Madgeburg Hussars at the end of the line. The Jager Companies would move into the orchard and the small town to anchor the Prussian left, with the Hussar Squadron in support. The initial deployment for both sides was fairly conventional, with the main (center) being the line infantry supported by guns with the cavalry and other troop types on the edges.
Charlie deferred and so AJ and his Danes began the game (left). Charlie then countered, and both sides developed the situation, each conducting a balanced approach towards a meeting in the middle of the area.
A close up of the Prussian center, with the small town being held by a Jager Company with the battalion of Volunteer rifles (brown jackets) to their left holding the gap between the town and the orchard.
A memorable series of events unfolded when the Danish Horse Guards took advantage of an opportunity to make an audacious charge against a Prussian infantry unit. At this point, General Dice took over (for both sides!): the Prussians were able to react, but did so with minimal effect, leaving the next act up to the Horse Guards, who then balked (they needed a 3 or better on a 12 sided dice to complete the action...they rolled a 2!). It looked like a classic "Death Ride" so characteristic of the era might be in the offing. The even more remarkable thing that then happened was that the Prussians again whiffed in their ensuing reaction. Deciding that fate had spoken, the Danish Horse Guards then turned about and trotted (rather majestically) back to their own lines, making a subsequent rally roll to recover their (slight) losses.
Another shot of the mid-game action from behind the Danish Center/Left: the Danish Guard (in bearskins) and Volunteer Rifles (Green Hats) come forward to shore up two battered Danish infantry battalions in the center (seen to the right: reduced to a single stand each). Black squares are hit markers. Each stand can take four hits (artillery and light cavalry stands take three). You can see that the opposing Prussian battalions had taken a beating here as well. The engagement between the infantry lines in the center would be the main action, with the advantage going to the Danes. The coins behind the unit stands are my CBW activation markers.
Over on the other side of the table, the Prussian right, the Prussian Dragoons would also take an opportunity to ride down a pesky Danish Jager Company, but General Dice would intervene on this side as well and keep them from following through. Unlike the Danish Horse Guards, the Prussian Dragoons would take substantial lumps for their audacity (although there was a window of opportunity, unlike the Danish Horse Guard ride, the outcome of events here turned out to be more consistent with such mounted actions in the post-Napoleonic age of the rifle--and characteristic of the turns of fortune that tipped against Charlie and his Prussians in this game).
The scene afterwards with the reduced Prussian Dragoons withdrawn and the Danish Jagers holding the town with a supporting Danish infantry battalion pressing forward. Eventually, the Danes would take the upper hand and the Prussians would reach exhaustion: win to AJ but very well played by Charlie, particularly for his first time out.
Gracie, pup #2, ignored the fortunes of war and favored the Prussian side of the table for this game.
A Few Observations:
Although this was another learning game using the playtest/intro scenario, it did produce a few more insights into the system that are worth sharing. The outcome was not due to one player necessarily "outplaying" the other. AJ did have more experience in CBW, and that did come out, but it wasn't as if Charlie got run off the table. Neither side had some kind of high risk:reward overbalance in one part of the table. In short, it was an even affair, both in deployment and unit handling. The thing that, in the long run, tipped things in favor of the Prussians was sustainment: although both sides suffered losses, AJ was more successful in rallying off hits at key points to keep units from dropping stands. With the differential in Action Points accumulating with stand losses, the balance started tipping more and more against the Danes. It's not as if Charlie was not aware of the importance of rallying off hits, but he was sometimes wrong footed and unable to do so at the moment when needed, plus he had some odd die results that worked against him. Regarding the latter, having watched these events unfold, I have to say that I am still confident that CBW is not a volatile "dicey" system (where units can sit for half the game failing to activate). In some of the key rally cases, Charlie really did have spectacularly unlikely rolls (the classic "anything but a 1" roll, but on a 12 sided dice!). Continuing in the importance of unit sustainment thread, the "Retire and Reform" action came into its own in this game more so than in others. Both Charlie and AJ used it to good effect several times to get units out of bad spots to live to fight another day (well, another turn...). So, in summary, both played a good game, but the difference was in the overall attrition, which built up against the Danes in the end.
Excelsior!
A very enjoyable read and nice to pore over the pictures too, always nice to see your Danish army on the table. Gracie is a bonny looking dog too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donnie. I do tend to fancy the look of my Danes on the table compared to my other forces. Then again, they also hold precedence as my first CBW army. Gracie, has indeed retained her puppy-like wiles (which she uses to great advantage)
DeleteHolding a straightforward training exercise is a great way to introduce new players to a ruleset. Your armies look splendid, as always. I never realized until now that your CBW was a descendent of Iron Cross/1914.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jonathan: it's always good to get the figs on the table. In part II of the rules in particular (the rationale), I go into detail on the extensions and departures from 1914/Iron Cross (for anyone who may be interested).
DeleteGreat job of showing the deployment and effects of combat in the chocolate box world. The figures are from the era rarely seen in photos of the table top. I will have to revisit your website for more information and see if I can convert my little used forces of the period. Splendid looking troops.
ReplyDeleteThankee. If you read the intro to the rules, you'll see that we share the same affection for this era. And that like you, there are others in my circle who had under-used figs for the period that they could get on the table. Hope that they give you the chance to get yours out of the box and on the table asl well!
DeleteA great battle report and wonderful couple of armies!
ReplyDeleteI’ve visited the Danish military museum in Copenhagen and was very impressed with it … and I came away with a much greater knowledge about that country’s armed forces and their very interesting history.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob. We've touched base before on our mutual interest in the (Great) Danes, and the S-H conflicts in particular. Interestingly enough, the only actual "Danish" figures in my collection are the gunners. The infantry are Perry Union Infantry (in Kepis), the cavalry are Northstar Austrians and Perry Napoleonic (Danish) Hussars, the jagers are Perry British Legion (Carlist War), and the Guard are Perry British Intervention Force Scots Fusilier Guards.
DeleteA splendid game and great to see your Prussians and Danes in action. I tried to comprehend the 1914 rules, but they just didn't click with me. Maybe some online support in the form of a forum might have helped...
ReplyDeleteHi Steve. I try to keep positive on this blog, but I have to say that I share your observation on the 1914 rules (there are many things in there that just don't make sense and/or are unworkable, as far as I can tell). So that is why I say that CBW is "derivative" rather than a modification of 1914; that plus influences from the Iron Cross system. Having said all of that, I will credit the rules for providing the basic framework around which I could wrap the concepts I had been working on but not able to operationalize.
DeleteLooks like both players had a good game. Lovely minis too!
ReplyDeleteThankee. It was a good day out, particularly since it was a daytime game. I wouldn't be honest were I to say that I don't still get a kick out of seeing my minis in action (but I reckon we all do, don't we?).
DeleteMy brain did do many backflips this post. Every time I read Dane I think Viking. lol.
ReplyDeletePics are pretty as usual and sounds like the system is still working as intended. Great that folks have an interest in your rule work. 😀
Well, the blather is just an excuse to post pictures, so if you liked those, then you got the point of it all, anyway :)
DeleteGreat looking game and figures, Ed. I think the table size and set up were perfect for the scenario. BTW, lovely pooch you have there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dean. Gracie is a sweetie. We could all learn much from our dogs.
DeleteVery-very rare game period, I was glad to see this reoprt!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I think the lopsided 2nd S-H War overshadows the much more even (and better, from a gaming point of view) 1st S-H war, which is a shame. I quite fancy the look of Danes vs Prussians on the table.
DeleteSplendid looking table, lovely figures, interesting period and sounds like a great game!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain caveadsum1471
We are having a good time with the CBW system in these parts. I have another report that I've yet to get together.
DeleteGreat game. I had an unfair advantage being experienced with the rules. Charlie played really well. General dice helped me at just the right times as well.
ReplyDeleteDunno about "unfair" advantage. You both played well, so probably an "edge" might be more accurate ;)
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