As my French approach the Government Army it is clear that they have been alerted, have "Stood To" before their camp, and are deployed for battle. Not that I was planning a surprise or a night attack (shudder), but it is clear that I am outnumbered, as scouts suggested.
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| The Government Army Forms Up |
My guys ("mine", as I am "fighting" the French side) are still in column of route along the road from Deal. I begin to deploy.
My cavalry will be in wings on either side of the army, my main line will be deployed between, in two lines, with guns in support; though these are still limbered and on the road.
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| The French March Onto the Field |
It is now clear that although I out-gun them, and have more horse, they outnumber me in foot, both in numbers and number of units. My regiments are generally larger, so, individually, can take more punishment than the enemy's, but any damage will be concentrated, rather than spread between different units. On the plus side I have three "General" figures with my army, compared to their two. This gives me SOME advantage, but only Earl Marshall on my right is above average.
I need to break the enemy quickly because, although at this stage Albermarle will be many miles to my rear, and so will not be a concern for some hours, the threat of him getting between me and the coast is very real if I am held.
[Technical Note: for a change I decide to use a randomised YuGo/IGo method and a PIP system with localised/lower-level ad hoc decision throws for C&C. Moving/shooting etc. will be my adaptation of Andy Callan's Loose Files and American Scramble for the Jacobite Rebellion, plus some tweaks. The British Commander is of a higher quality than Richelieu. I will find this works against me in Initiative Rolls and PIPs... However, HIS junior is below average, so....]
While I am getting my centre and the guns in order I see Earl Marshall, commander of my right cavalry wing, push forwards to flank the enemy line, then throw his three regiments against a Government British regiment acting as a kind of flank guard. OK... A bit premature - I would have liked to have prepared the ground with my guns - but maybe it will work...
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| The First French Cavalry Charge |
On the other hand, not.. The enemy troops here are professional Line; they wait until the last minute to unleash their firepower and my leading cavalry regiment is badly mauled, then [Thanks to a Movement Dice issue.] barely reaches the enemy line, with minimal Impetus. There is a brief tussle as they hit the facing bayonets, take more casualties, then break. Their supports, shocked, are pulled back by Earl Marshall ("Threes About") to reform* rather than losing them. So much for my right hook...
[*Thanks to subsequent bad PIP dice the cavalry will take several moves to reform. As Regulars the units here will automatically recover one Shock Point per move in which they do nothing else, without the need for me to spend PIPS. But that takes time.]
The far left of the enemy firing line starts shooting at my own as it gets into position, but in the centre things at my end are largely a matter of sorting lines and getting my guns into position and shooting. No problem, except speed (or lack of it) thus far here.
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| Initial Dispositions |
[As usual, if pic is too small to read, right click & open in new tab to enlarge]
But then the enemy having massed his horse on his right, and after some lucky movement results, throws them at my left wing cavalry under Henry - who FAILS TO REACT!! My men are hit while stationary (!!!). NOT what cavalry are for...
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| British Cavalry Move.... |
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| ...And Strike |
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| Phase One |
The trick with the foot Firing Lines is to use the "first volley" bonus wisely - i.e. let the enemy get close before loosing with full strength, rather than peppering from a distance and losing that first volley advantage. My plan then is to hit and disrupt them with my guns before moving to close musket range; but my guns aren't hitting much, coping with the enemy horse rampaging around my flank is using up precious time [PIPs] and the enemy won't seemingly be drawn into doing anything stupid like marching straight into close range (unsurprisingly).
I try shooting at the enemy cavalry on my Left with guns and foot, and cause some disruption, but things aren't looking too clever. Thus far I have lost two cavalry regiments routed and my Left is under threat. I need to plug gaps, but haven't the spare regiments to do it. Not at all good.
[If it looks as if I'm a rubbish general - something I won't dispute - this is what I like from a game. In my experience most things in real life involving other people include large elements of "crisis management". My tabletop battles are like that - and NOT a form of chess.. Mind you, I HAVE been getting very bad dice throughout. Even my usually-reliable guns seem to be having a bad day.. But hey, ho.. C'est la guerre...]
While I am trying to keep my guns shooting and my lines secure the enemy takes the risk of moving their lead firing line nearer to mine, and there is an exchange of fire.*
My guys come off worse in this and the next round of shooting; taking a LOT of Disruption, then casualties. The enemy - four smaller regiments to my two large ones - are able to absorb the Disruption better, and one of my regiments runs - not at all good - and I have to pull back the main firing line. I move my right wing cavalry forward to threaten the enemy Left, and try to minimise Morale losses; all the time trying to keep my guns shooting.
Things are looking tricky in my centre. I draw back two foot regiments and try to move my remaining cavalry unit on this side up to protect my guns.
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| The Second French Cavalry Charge |
But on my Left.. Oh, dear... The enemy cavalry charge at my left rear, hitting my cavalry there in the flank, sending them running, before getting among the limbers and wagons of my artillery park.
My Irish piquets acting as an artillery guard, loose off a volley, but to little effect. Some of my artillerymen run to seek refuge among my regiments in the centre. I try to form a protective perimeter, in the front centre, with my foot.
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| Phase Two |
There is a brief hiatus...
I now have the single cavalry regiment, isolated at the rear of the enemy army and a "polygon" of foot regiments in the centre. My guns have been taken. Most of my cavalry and one foot regiment routed. To one side of my "polygon" are the enemy cavalry, still at almost full strength. On the other are side the enemy foot; steady and, again, barely damaged. My options, with Albermarle possibly making his way to the battlefield from my rear, seem to be a "glorious last stand", a "glorious death or glory charge", a fighting retreat (Though to where? Sandwich?) - or to call for a parley.... It is decided to call for a parley....
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| Endgame |
Casualties:
The Government troops got off very lightly, a score or so infantry dead/mortally wounded and about double that seriously wounded. The cavalry suffered worse (40 dead and about twice as many injured), but considering the damage they did this was cheap; had the French guns been turned on them properly this could have been a LOT worse.
The French foot suffered: 180 dead, 140 seriously wounded and approx. 100 light wounds, with a colonel among the dead. Likewise their horse:160 dead, 370 with serious wounds and 300 lightly wounded.
After a brief Parley a cease-fire is agreed. The wounded are attended to by both sides.
All troops remain in their respective positions until the arrival of Albermarle mid afternoon.
That evening the King returns to Canterbury, before starting to London the following day, while Albermarle, Richelieu and their staff meet in the inn at Finglesham to agree on a Convention.
Overnight the two armies sleep on their arms on the field, while the senior officers repair to the inns at Finglesham, Eastry and Ham.
The Battle of Deal - and the French Adventure in England - is over.
*
Articles of Convention Between His Grace Emmanuel Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, Duke of Aiguillon and Lieutenant General The Right Honourable William Anne Keppel, Earl of Albemarle 20th June 1746.
I. The troops under His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon, to form up in their current positions and march, with the honours of war, to the village of Betteshanger, there to pile arms at the word of command from their own officers.
II. A free passage to be granted, under escort, to the army under His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon to the Port of Dover, on condition of not serving again against the Armed Forces of Great Britain or Her Allies, whether in the British Isles, upon the Continent of Europe or otherwise Overseas for the duration of this present War. All such troops to be conveyed to vessels of the Royal Navy of France for removal from these isles, without let or hindrance from the Royal Navy of Great Britain.
III. No armed vessel of the Royal Navy of France involved in the above enterprise is to sail or otherwise close to within Three Statute Miles of the Dominions of George the Second, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Archtreasurer and Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, during the course of any conveyancing or troops covered by this Convention. Unarmed Neutral or Private vessels commissioned by the French Authorities for the purposes of the above will be permitted within this Three Mile Limit with the Permission, and at the Discretion, of Authorised Officers of His Majesty's Armed Forces. Any breach of the above may be deemed to invalidate this Convention.
IV. The army under His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon, to march at the earliest opportunity to the Port of Dover, by the easiest, most expeditious, and convenient route; and to be quartered in, near, or as convenient as possible to said Port, that embarkation of the troops may not be delayed, when transports arrive to receive them.
V. The troops under the command of His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon to be supplied on their march, and during their being in quarters, with provisions, by Lieutenant General The Right Honourable William Anne Keppel, Earl of Albemarle's orders, at the same rate of rations as the troops of his own army; and if possible the officers' horses are to be supplied with forage at the usual rates.
VI. All officers under the command of His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon to retain their carriages and horses, and no baggage to be molested or searched; His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon giving his honour that there are no public stores secreted therein. Should any carriages be wanted during the march for the transportation of officers' baggage, they are if possible, to be supplied by the country at the usual rates.
VII. Upon the march, and during the time the army currently under the command of His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon shall remain in quarters in the vicinity of the Port of Dover, the officers are not, as far as circumstances will admit, to be separated from their men. The officers are to be quartered according to rank, and are not to be hindered from assembling their men for roll call, and other necessary purposes of regularity.
VIII. All corps whatever of His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon, whether composed of artificers, drivers, independent companies, and followers of the army, of whatever country, saving only Subjects of His Majesty King George IInd taken in arms upon the field, shall be included in the fullest sense and utmost extent of the above articles, and comprehended in every respect as French subjects.
IX. Passports to be immediately granted for two officers, not exceeding the rank of captains, who shall be appointed by His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon, to carry despatches to France and to the nearest appropriate vessels of the Royal Navy of France. These officers are to set out immediately after receiving their despatches, and are to travel the shortest route and in the most expeditious manner.
X. During the stay of the troops commanded by His Grace the Duke of Aiguillonin the vicinity of the Port of Dover, the officers are to be admitted on parole, and are to be allowed to wear their side arms.
XII. These articles are to be mutually signed and exchanged to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock, and the troops under His Grace the Duke of Aiguillon are to march as herein agreed at three o'clock in the afternoon.
[signed] Lieutenant Général His Grace Emmanuel Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, Duke of Aiguillon
[signed] Lieutenant General The Right Honourable William Anne Keppel, Earl of Albemarle
20th June 1746.
Next Map Move the only active Jacobite Forces will be in the North. The French defeat in Kent won't really release many Government troops in time to affect the situation in Scotland, but Cumberland and Cope have matters in hand up there anyway. Or not, as the case may be...
As usual, any queries etc. welcome...
Very atmospheric. Love the look of the battlefield.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Very simple to do, but I like the effect.
ReplyDelete