FK&P AAR: Disaster at Skirmett's Orchards
Here’s a battle report from the playtest of the final scenario in my newly-published Siege of Norchester scenario pack for the English Civil War rules, For King & Parliament.
As the title of this post suggests, this was an absolute disaster for my Parliamentarians!
“Went the day well, my dear?”
“No it bl**dy didn’t!”
The day started very well. Above is a view from behind the Royalist lines, with the village of Skirmett in the centre of the table. My plan was to win on the wings then envelop the Cavaliers in a “horns of the buffalo” manoeuvre.
Northern Donkey Wallopers to the Front!
On my left wing, I had a brigade of Borders horse: poorly-mounted, but out-numbering the opposition. The lancers on the far left were quite nasty in a first clash, so I was pretty happy that I could get an advantage here.
The centre and right
I was a bit more concerned about my right wing, where the Roundheads had quite a few units of Swedish-style horse versus my monolithic Dutch-style troops, but my infantry were nearby and could always pore fire into the flanks of any rampaging Royalist cavalry before they got too close.
Back on the left wing, the two lines of cavalry smashed in to each other: complete disaster!
I may have gone a little over the top on the disorder markers!
Let me explain. I got my tactics just right and ended up with three cavalry units facing just the one of his. Not only that, but I was uphill charging downhill. Yes, I had both my CinC and the Brigade Commander with the central unit, but officers casualties are quite rare, yes?
Wrong!
In the first clash I lost both my CinC and the Brigade Commander: both killed outright!
This was particularly painful as in FK&P not only are officers really useful for, er, officering but, representing the cult of personality around so many ECW commanders, your CinC is worth a great many Victory Medals. Combined, I lost just about a third of all my Medals with the death of just two men! This obviously meant that even if things went 50/50 from now on, I would lose the game in short order.
Anyway, we decided to play on for a bit…
Even Stevens on the Right
Another cavalry clash on the right, with my troopers getting an initial advantage.
The Centre standing Firm
Unfortunately that advantage didn’t last. Lady Luck again deciding that she was for the King!
Centre cavalry unit couldn’t even last long enough for the infantry to intervene!
Which meant that when my already battered left flank finally gave way, I was out of Victory Medals and on the stage coach to Losertown!
The Left Crumbles
So a very quick battle mainly due to the surprising death of my CinC and a cavalry brigade commander. Still an enjoyable game and, looking for the silver lining, the speed of my defeat gave us time for another game…