Sunday 15 September 2019

Touchdown

Rout du Roi

Belatedly realising that discretion might be the better part of valour, Felop withdrew back towards the stream. The triumphant Prinz Karls, led by their ferocious commander, Lutz Jahnke, launched themselves in pursuit.

Herr Janhnke:  Felop by name....
If Felop's plan was to lure the Saxons away from the Blasthof Bridge, he was only too successful. As the Saxon dragoons smashed into the depleted ranks of the Garde du Roi, Felop watched helplessly as his men were ruthlessly cut down. It was simply too dreadful. He longed once more for the peace and tranquility of the family estate, the Chateau de Thongue.

Jahnke:...und Felop by nature!
As the last of the Gendarmes fell, Felop snapped out of his reverie. 'At least I can save the Kettle Drummer!', he cried. 'Come on Taps, let's get out of here!'


Kornberg watched the unfolding tragedy on the flank and steeled his heart. Nearer the bridge the Imperial artillery superiority was beginning to tell.


A Coup de Main

The Schönburgs were falling fast. There was just enough time, thought Kornberg, to seize the objective! 'Now's your time, Diesbach's!', he thundered. Drilled to perfection, the elite Swiss infantry wheeled and advanced. The bridge was taken!


Soubise was aghast at Kornberg's audacious Coup de Main. 'The Elector will have my guts for this!', he exclaimed. Kornberg was beginning to wonder what it might be like to be an Imperial duke.


By the fading light of the setting sun, the Swiss prepared to do or die while the Prinz Karl's and Schönburgs wheeled to face them. As the volleys crashed, the Saxon horsemen made a desperate charge around the Swiss flank and seized the bridge. Soubise had snatched victory in the final moments!


La Soumise au Soubise, as it was remembered forever afterwards in the Empire, was commemorated in a doleful woodcut.


In the Electorate, on the other hand, Kornberg's Come-Uppance, as it was known, was depicted much more colourfully.


My sincere thanks to Rob for what was the most gloriously entertaining game. I was really caught out by the speed at which the squadrons and companies can manoeuvre in the simple version of Charge!

My sincere apologies are also due for the endless delays in producing this. There is, however, one mitigation, which is that there are now lots and lots of newly painted soldiers, which will be following in shiny succession over the next few weeks....

Till then,

WM

18 comments :

  1. Showing These battles with all those lovely figs is making me jealous :-)

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    1. I'm also a bit envious of Rob's wonderful Spencer Smiths, Paul!

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  2. Yes! Just as inspiring as the original on which it is based. But in COLOR! Great stuff.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

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    1. It takes a completely different mindset to play Charge!, doesn't it. I was really impressed by how fast and furious it is. We got through 15 moves in no time, and the slaughter was horrifying!

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  3. Wonderful wargame, love the figures. Being suitably inspired I will aim to have a go with the Charge rules and my 40mm Napoleonic figures.

    Regards
    Paul

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  4. Beautiful, "joli coup de main'!

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    1. Kornberg was definitely not expecting the counter-coup, Phil. In the process the Imperials also just topped 50% casualties, so I was doubly defeated in reality.

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  5. Blasthof is a classic. Great looking game.

    Are you going to try the Charge rules with your Napoleonics ?

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    1. I'm very tempted, Mark. It was seriously good fun. Have you got a link to your adapted rules?

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    2. They are on blog.

      https://ilkleyoldschool.blogspot.com/2019/08/charge-rules-napoleonic-amendments.html?m=1

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    3. I shall definitely take a look.

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  6. Splendid and heroic stuff...

    Rob certainly brings the character out of these old Spencer Smith’s...

    All the best. Aly

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  7. Looks (and reads) like a really fun game - great photos as always!

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    1. It was, and also very tense in the endgame. It really did all depend on the last move.

      All the photos were taken on my phone, which has a really good little camera in it.

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    2. God, I love those figures! Robs painting is in a league of it's own when it comes to the Spencer Smiths.

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    3. Yes he is, 'Lee!

      I hope you're listening to all this, Rob. You need to start your own blog mate.

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