LET'S TALK ABOUT BAR #2

BAR: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 and More!

This second post provides more insights about BAR. For fun and brevity several miniatures from my collections will speak for me. You have questions. They have answers.

For Part 1 see: http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2013/01/lets-talk-about-bar-1.html

We resume now with our celebrated scouts, Troopers Ham and Corey, 10th Hussars, on leave from The Campaigns of General Pettygree [Colonial] Blog escorting BAR inquirers to dine at The Wild Goose Inn.

Trooper Ham: "The Wild Goose ain't far now Sirs."

Trooper Corey: "Aye. They have tolderable food. The ale and claret are better than most."

Trooper Ham in a low voice. "That's tolerable mate."

Meanwhile, Four Patrons Waiting For Ham, Corey and Company At The Wild Goose Discuss Questions From The Previous Post

Captain Alan (left): "Bill and Der Alte Fritz (Jim P.) are experimenting with BAR for 1808-1814 Iberia."

Brigadier Gruber (right): "Oui but why is it not available for more Bonapartists and foes alike?"

Captain Alan: "It's future is uncertain mon cher General. No one knows."

le Comte de Kinch (left): "Does BAR offer scenarios?"

Marshall Broglie: "Bill thought it best to allow users to design their own. Published scenarios should be tested multiple times. Rarely were his played more than once. Fortunately there are ample scenarios in Battlegames magazine and publications by Charles Grant and Brigadier (ret.) Charles S. Grant, the son."

Trooper Ham: "Here we are yer honours."

Trooper Corey: "Look my brave cavalier! A lovely barmaid has brought out some tankards of ale!"

Trooper Ham: "The Wild Goose Inn. Let's Go Inside Shall We?"

Trooper Corey: "Do ye remember that native bloke with all them dice at The Battle of Dongolo?"

Private Adams (Heliograph Section): "I do."

Private Adams: "There he was trying to select the best pair of D6s he could find for his great cannon to fire at us. Bill gave 'im quite a selection. A good thing BAR only uses D6s. High numbers are always good. Low numbers are always poor. Fewer discombobulations that way. It's good Old School to boot."

Private Adams: "Speaking of natives, the American 'Red Indian' is calling for you outside."

Redstick: "I've only played DRUMS of War Along The Mohawk. We do not fight shoulder to shoulder."

Trooper Corey: "That's no problem friend. Did ye not see the 5th Foot march by a bit ago?"

Trooper Ham: "The Light Company preceded their close order brothers Indian style, as you might say. We call it in open order. BAR users can organize the way they want to."

"Everyone in the 5th Foot is based individually on metal fender washers. Most stay on underlying magnetic movement trays but they don't have to. Basing individually is an advantage because our units can be used in most any rules system. Pick the numbers you want and Bob's your Uncle."

Redstick: "I don't have an Uncle Bob."

Meanwhile Off To The Right!

Colonel Enigma: "WHO ASKED THAT?"

Lady Diana Pettygree (blue): "Somebody asked THAT question again. Did you hear?"

Lady Cherish Masquerade (pink): "Yes. Colonel Enigma will be cross and intemperate!"

Colonel Enigma: "Was it YOU?"

"Who me? No, certainly not!"

John (left) "I didn't ask. You?"

Andrew: "Are you jesting? Never in life."

Colonel Enigma: "It was --- YOOOU --- wasn't it?"

M. de Rouge: "Jumping butterballs NO!  It was the new fellow over there? I'll be going now, if you please."

Colonel Enigma: "Sooooo?"

French Captain: "I'm new in the collection. Have mercy Monsieur le Colonel!"

French Captain: "I thought BAR was only for big battalions three ranks deep. Sixty hommes or more! See the images at the very top of this blog. Masses and masses of 1:10 Gallian infantry and...."

Colonel Enigma: "Not always. Von Hardenburg here at 1:20 is only 32 strong in two ranks and based in multiples. When the grenadiers are taken away to be converged there will only be 28."

Colonel Enigma: "You may not know but Romanov Colonel Villainovich and Countess Alexandra took this smaller body to find the lost ancient City of Alexandrapour. They fought with BAR Colonial rules."

French Captain: "Even these petite hommes?"

Colonel Enigma: "Oui. Even these fine 15mm petite soldiers."

Time To Go

Trooper Corey: "That was very jolly."

Trooper Ham: "Enigma makes life interesting - confusing - mysterious. All's well that ends well I daresay."

Trooper Corey: "All right then Sirs, let's 'ead over to the drill field."

Trooper Ham: "We'll answer more questions and see a bit of infantry, cavalry and artillery drill."

Trooper Corey: "Move out, if you please Sirs."


CLOSING REMARKS

1) Next time Troopers Ham and Corey will show infantry, cavalry and artillery in action. Probably the next post will end the series. Thank you for looking in. I hope it was informative bringing smiles and laughs.

2) BAR: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 is available here: http://www.oldregimerules.com/
Postage is included. I get asked that a lot.

3) If readers have remarks or questions, place them below to be answered next time. I look forward to it.
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LET'S TALK ABOUT BAR #1

BAR: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 and More!

The next few posts will provide insights about BAR. For fun and brevity several miniatures from my collections will speak for me. You have questions. They have answers.

This is Part #1.
Part #2 is here: http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2013/01/lets-talk-about-bar-2.html

We'll begin with our celebrated scouts, Troopers Ham and Corey, 10th Hussars, temporarily on leave from The Campaigns of General Pettygree [Colonial] Blog at your service.

Ham (left): "Why Bill asked us to do this is no mystery mate. We've seen it all."

Corey: "Aye. Getting away from them Tugs an' that Guru chap for a holiday ain't bad either. Lots of questions. Here's one now and can you beat that! Look who it is!"

Guru: "We are busy surviving in my country. There is little time to learn new skills and apply them. We don't want voluminous manuals and tedious complexities."

Ham: "You're in luck Mr. Guru Sir. All games are conducted using Quick Reference Charts like this one. There is one set for large table surfaces and large collections and another which reduces movement and weapon ranges for smaller tabletop needs. Page 1 has movement rates and other useful things Corey and I like."

Corey: "Aye. Three cavalry speeds, pursuit options and the possibility of penetrating deep into and past an enemy's lines like Prince Rupert of the Rhine."

Ham: "Open it to pages 2-3 for weapons, melee and morale regulations. Lay it out as shown or fold to focus on just one page. Convenient and easy. Most players do not need much coaching about the basics after turns 2-3."

Corey: "One sheet of paper, mind. Page 4 is mostly the drill manual so chaps can maneuver proper like. Fonts are large to make reading easier too."

Ham: "The main rulebook is consulted a few times per game in case we need to know something extra such as how gentlemen behave at table, how to form and maneuver combat forces, scales/ratios, chat about lofty officer concerns, explanations of 18th Century tactical nuances and more. Quick Reference Charts have 90% of the rules."

Corey: "Quick Reference Charts are updated periodically. Bill has updates available after February 2013. For example, rocket rules may be added after more trials where applicable this year."

Guru's Guard: "Good rules too. You've missed us every time! Ha!"

Ham: "Quite so. Thank you yer honours. Ah, another inquiry coming up."

Ham: "ADC Captain Siggins brought us this query from an officer on the south coast of Iberia. Read the letter will you Trooper Corey?"

Corey: "BAR is about The War of Austrian Succession and The Seven Years' War; all mid-18th Century history. Is it useful for more?"

Ham: "Yes. Bill's friend Der Alte Fritz suggested some years ago that since the system works well and our pards like it - so why not adapt it to other time periods. Bill agreed. However, allow me to go back farther in time."

Corey: "BAR is the son of Bill's Drums of War Along The Mohawk published in the mid 1980s. BAR was developed from DRUMS for continental actions in Europe using the latest histories and analysis."

Ham: "To get back to the query. We've had Quick Reference Charts under development for The Jacobite Rebellion, Napoleonics and our Colonial eras. It is a happiness none of us have to learn new systems."

Corey: "Naturally there are differences in weapons, formations and such."

Ham: "Looks like a group of inquirers is forming up ahead."

Corey: "Gentlemen. Thank you for your interest in BAR. Let's chat later after you've had time to think about our remarks and after good food and beverage."

Ham: "Aye. Let's go to a nice establishment we know to the left. Afterwards we'll say more. Follow us, if you please."

CLOSING REMARKS
1) Troopers Ham and Corey will return soon for more insights about BAR. I know they want to talk about cavalry rules and fun stuff. More information is also available at http://www.oldregimerules.com/    Till next time....

2) If you have questions, place them below.
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LOBOSITZ #3

Date: 27 December 1762/2012
Location: Lobositz, Bohemia (Der Alte Fritz's Home)
Situation: Historical Refight of the Historical Battle
Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 {BAR}
Scale: 1:10 (But 1:20 will work with BAR)

For A Detailed and Very Interesting Account See Der Alte Fritz's AAR here:
http://altefritz.blogspot.com/2012/12/battle-of-lobositz-dec-27-2012.html

This is our third refight of Lobositz. A great one to do over and over again!
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Our regional group has been gaming the SYW for seven years. Recently we labeled this Cycle #1. Reason? We want to start over. Before we start Cycle #2, we decided to have five final games. Completed so far were East Prussia, Silesia and Bohemia; the Lobositz game in this posting. Yet to come are two last games; one in Westphalia and another in Canada.

For the one in Westphalia we might use our 1:20 units, my old Tricorne lads and Jim's new Mindens supplemented with some other collections. Yes BAR can be used with 1:20 forces.
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LOBOSITZ

MOSTLY FROM THE AUSTRIAN LEFT FLANK

WHERE I WAS POSTED

Once in a while my photos and narrative are limited mostly to my position in the line of battle. Reason? Simply to limit my point of view to what my personal command miniature could probably see and interpret. Here we go!

AUSTRIAN LEFT FLANK

A few turns after the historical fog lifted, Austrian forces got into action along the Morellenbach Stream.  One battalion guards the bank while 30mm Suren Lanciers de Saxe commence crossing the stream to flank the Prussians or cause mischief. The  Lanciers were no longer in existence but we like to use them.

In the distance Prussian hussars on white horses are about to be engaged by 28mm Elite Miniatures Saxon Rutowski Chevaulegers. Though labeled light cavalry, Saxon Chevaulegers were certainly not light horsemen. Rate them heavy horse. This regiment was probably bottled up at Pirna. Again...we like to use them.

CRASH! Beyond the Rutowskis a three squadron regiment of Prussian dragoons canters onto the scene. Trouble!

Streamers on our BAR units are for exceptional battlefield accomplishments over the years. Both Jim and I have several honored units.

More Rutowskis ride forward to help. It is a four squadron regiment; two engaged and two in reserve for a total of forty-eight castings.

The extra squadrons pitch in. Attrition has affected both sides but the Saxons are losing badly. They will eventually be entirely bested and lost. Advantage Prussia!

Meanwhile to the right of the Rutowskis rides the von Brühl Dragoons. These are 28mm Elite Miniatures in tricornes rather than the celebrated fusilier hats. I explain my quirky reasoning why later for the hats. Prussian cuirassed horsemen are their target.

This regiment has five squadrons; total sixty-two castings. One squadron is horse grenadier in the center. The regiment was in Poland at the time of the siege and surrender of the Saxon Army at Pirna. (The Elector of Saxony was the King of Poland at this time.)

 

Wrong or right I chose to have them only wearing fusilier hats. These are Eureka 28mms riding Elite Miniatures horses. Your von Brühls should probably all don fusilier hats to reduce chattering amongst nabobs. Honest doctor, I did it only so I could differentiate my horse grenadiers from the rest of the men. Grenadiers you know!

However Fabrizio informed me on 4 January that the fusilier hat was discarded in 1756 according to:

http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Graf_Br%C3%BChl_Chevauxlegers 

Anyway as the battle continued the von Brühls amazingly did well and pushed forward. See them there in the distance? Eventually though this regiment too would be shattered. Advantage Prussia. But....

Eventually my newest unit, the Saxon Leibkürassiers trotted onto the field. These had been patiently waiting in reserve on one of Jim's Back Tables waiting for their moment de l'Bataille! These are snappy Eureka 28mms. Magnificent castings!

Here they are before the battle. Their commander observes them from a rise of ground. There are twenty-five castings; two squadrons. I've wanted to do Saxon kürassiers since the 1970s. Now finally they ride to battle.

Kürassier is the German spelling of the French word Cuirassier.

Remember the Lanciers de Saxe? Here they are across the Morellenbach Stream formed and ready to charge. They could not be ignored and would pull Prussian cavalry from the distance to them. A good thing for Austria!

Reason? The Rutowskis are gone and von Brühl in the far distance is very busy but....

Soon enough that Austrian battalion previously mentioned crossed the Morellenbach in disorder, stayed in disorder rather than reform to advance to the beat of the drum to cause unignorable pressure.

A Prussian battalion came forward to stop it. Sometimes it's prudent to not reform. You take your chances, you see! Push.

The Lanciers de Saxe trot over to cover the left flank of the Austrian infantry.

To the right of the previous image are two more Austrian battalions who have crossed the Morellenbach. Forward of them are the Leibkürassiers and not much Prussian horse any more. The game soon stopped.

The Austrian Left Flank was deemed by a post game conversation to eventually be victorious. Austrian infantry had a 3:1 advantage, Prussian horse was ready but greatly diminished and the Saxon kürassiers were ready for a potential coup de grace or at least a lot of mayhem. Advantage Austria.

ELSEWHERE

Prussian forces heavily pressed the Austrian Center. Notice the Macedonian Horse Phalanx of Prussian kürassiers in mid-image. Scary I'll tell you! Read Der Alte Frit'z blog AAR mentioned at the beginning of this post to discover what amazing thing happened. Truly astounding! Really! Advantage Austria - eventually.

Way at the top of the image are my Saxon von Brühl Dragoons.

The Prussian Horse Phalanx is gone from the left of this image. See Der Alte Fritz's AAR why. Above is the Austrian Right Flank.

Cast your eyes and consideration upon the magnificent Prussian infantry battle line nearby. Though the game ended at this point due to time running out, all agreed these would probably sweep the Austrians away. Advantage Prussia on the Austrian Right Flank.

Here is the Austrian Extreme Right Flank looking down onto the west face of Lobosch Hill. Again see Der Alte Fritz's AAR. The Prussians would be victorious in their ascent.
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CONCLUDING REMARKS:

1) I had no idea who won the game because my attention was mostly focused on the Austrian Left Flank. Things looked bad elsewhere to me. A post game chat deemed the Austrian Left Flank and Center victorious while the Prussian Left Flank and Extreme Left Flank were considered winners. Der Alte declared the game a draw. All agreed.

2) Bravos, applause and tips of the hat to Jim for hosting this really fun wargame. The back and forth aspect of our cavalry battles simulated history well, cavalry got to shine early instead of late in a game and the battle swirling near and on the Lobosch Hill was striking.

3) 18th Century music, great chow, gorgeous terrain and companionable pards made the game a great success. There is something about Lobositz which is singularly entertaining and different. You should try it.

4) It has been fun limiting my narrative to mostly the Austrian Left Flank. Additionally, there was something satisfying about commanding the two Saxon medium regiments of cavalry till mid-game rather than a lot more units. A brigade action can be fun.

5) You can do it too.

6) BAR is available at: http://www.oldregimerules.com/
BAR handles the back and forth nature of cavalry battles with long movement rates and options immediately after most melees to rally back, stay in melee and/or pursue; immediately in the same turn.

7) Remarks welcome, if you please.
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