After that terrible day
a brief conference is convened. By the light of a flickering lamp
and the slowly rising sun a map is consulted.
“First, attachment
to dispatches, commendation for producing a first rate chicken curry
in the field regards Cpl Mulligan.” Murmurs (and one senior
officer loud fart) of approval. To this day such a curry is known as
a Mulligan and the 3rd Battalion as the Chicken Pluckers,
who have the right to wear a yellow feather.
“There is a choke
point here, this river may not look much, but this ford is the only
place in 20 miles to get the vehicles across, unless you wish to
raise a bridge.”
Pipes are puffed, stems
used as pointers. Brows are furrowed. To push on now, create a
bridgehead and get the vehicles across, or wait for heavier vehicles
and reinforcements already on way via special train.
We took this picture as the map. If you've never been near a valley in fog, here's a couple of the river Stour just outside of Blandford. This road is the main artery from Weymouth to Southampton and London.
The Scenario.
This time the Engineers
are on the attack. A road runs along the middle of table, in the
centre there is a ford across a small river. The river has muddy on
one side and walled on other bank and can only crossed by vehicles
using the ford. Infantry on foot can attempt to cross the river, by
wading. To do this move to bank roll 1 D6 on 5 or 6 not fordable at
that point for at least a move along bank before reattempting the
crossing. There are 3 buildings in area of the bridge.
Weather. If a
dawn-11am assault there is a 3-6
chance of thick fog reducing observation to a Long.
If no fog there is a
3-6 chance of rain, roll another D6:
1 drizzle reduces
observation to 2 Long
2-3 mild rain reducing
visibility to 2 Long and movement to max 2 moves per turn, 2nd
reduced.
4-6 heavy rain,
reducing visibility to 1 Long and movement to max 1 moves per turn,
reduced.
We got fog, and it
was an interesting challenge deciding what you could see – and
hear.
At this point, I put this wall section across the road to indicate the limit of Tony's vision. I had intended to make some fog banks, but failed to get the kapok.
At this point, I put this wall section across the road to indicate the limit of Tony's vision. I had intended to make some fog banks, but failed to get the kapok.
Royal
Engineers Briefing
Situation
Contact having been
made with the enemy, orders have come from higher to move to move up.
There is an attachment of 1 squadron of armour and reinforcements on
the way. The Expedition will be moving out shortly. Your platoon has
been tasked with carrying a recce of the route to the new position.
Mission Clear
the route for the Expedition.
Locals
Briefing
So far the
defense has been successful. It is now time to spring an ambush. Move
your troops to the area of the bridge. Prevent the enemy from
advancing.
Mission
Hold the
bridge at all costs.
Deployment.
At least 2
sections of Infantry are to be in position near the ford.
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The Cockatrice is too
heavy to fly, but can hop/glide over obstacles and water on a Medium
move, while doing so is at +1 if shot at.
Royal
Engineers Contraptions and Mounted Infantry.
Command
team and contraption, wheeled truck = 235
Charabang,
6 infantry & sergeant = 435 x 2 = 870
4 infantry
& sergeant =237
Total
1,342
Defenders
Scratch force of
survivors
Trum Ptom 122, 5
fanatic civilians 50, = 122 Uber Cock, 101, 6 cultist fanatics 336 =
681
Cock
bazooka 123, Cockatrice 57, 8 protected vampires 432 Vamp commander
64
661
Total
1,358
The
Game
Rather
than waste time, I placed Tony's first element to contact in place.
This was the command car and, once again, a load of civilians. Once
again a slow advance, but a couple of them did not have strong faith
and got out of the way.
That gives me time for my bazooka-cock to get into position and take a shot at the lead car. Despite the close range, but having to shoot at the engine noise, he got a stun result. He also knocked down a few friends-. Now I sprung my ambush! Cultists leaped out and assaulted the car and my cock leapt up on the wall (a cock's got to do what a cocks got to do) and sprayed the rapidly dismounting A Troop. Seargeant Corcky is dead! His men scatter for cover! The battle for the car is brief, the officer and a trooper are repulsed and the bugler and a trooper killed. I had hoped to capture the car and use it to block the ford, but it wasn't to be. A form up and good shooting by the depleted A squad (give 'em one for Corcky!) pushes mine out & back, allowing the vehicle to be reclaimed and its machine gun put to good use.
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| "Up cock & at 'em!" |
On my left C Troop chug forward to be met by a blocking party formed of 2 spare cultists and Trum Pton himself. They had planned to hit and run, but his failure (and quick retreat) gave the troop an aimed shot through their rifle ports which killed him and a cultist, shaking the other.
With the leader dead, my forces make a morale check. Everyone goes backward except the Cockatrice. But no-one ran. I forgot to do the 2 remaining civvies who would have been an automatic fail.
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| Rampant cockatrice |
The
beast leaps, but its timing is wrong and it collides with the vehicle
and falls behind it, stunned into the water. It is then run over by
the command car coming on behind.
B is still chugging forward “wot was that?” - “Dunno, t'wernt the manifold, summat int water?” chasing the bazooka-cock who ducks into cover but is faced by the troops bayonets at close quarters. The vampires fail to make a stand (still disorganised from retreating) when their leader rolls one activation and does a runner. He's the only one to get away-.
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