I am finally getting around to the next French Indian War campaign game. As usual campaign details and background to this game are to be found on Jonathan's
Palouse Wargaming Journal. Game 15 has delivered the opportunity to undertake a siege game and use my recently completed fortress.
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A print of Quebec |
When setting up the tabletop it looked a little bit stark. So I decided to quickly make a backdrop of Quebec, as the tabletop represents an area of the city defences being targeted by the besiegers. A quick look at a print of the time helped provide some inspiration to turn one side of a cardboard box into a backdrop held in place by blu-tack.
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A quick sketch using a large marker pen was washed over with watered down paint. Then gone over again with teh marker to pick out details. Once dry it was cut out. |
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Backdrop held in place behind the fortress with Blu-Tack. |
The siege is of Quebec, June 1758, and has Montcalm (A4D4) deciding to remain behind the fortress walls. All forces have been increased by a factor of two from those in the order of battle details from the campaign. French forces are:
- 4 x Regular units
- 2 x Militia units
- 3 x artillery pieces within the fortress
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The fortress with troops |
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Another view from a higher angle |
The attacking for commanded by Wolfe (A4D4) has:
- 7 x Regular units
- 1 x Grenadier unit
- 2 x Light Infantry
- 2 x Mortars
- 4 x Artillery pieces
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British forces (a couple of my Napoleonic artillery units have been press-ganged into service) |
As this is the first real test of my siege rules, or should I say scribbled rules, and I have opted to keep things as simple as possible. Setting aside the investment stage of a siege where the besieger sends out highly mobile troops to mop up stragglers before the main force arrives.
The game will start at the end of the counter-vallation stage after the British have built entrenched positions out of range of fortress guns to defend against French sorties.
Oh, this will be so interesting! Remember each leader can elevate any combination of troops' quality ratings up to their 'A' or 'D' rating. Montcalm on defense can increase his command up a total of four grades. For example, each of the two Regulars could be upgraded one level to Grenadiers while the Militia could be upgraded two levels up to Regulars. Wolfe could do likewise. With an 'A4', Wolfe can elevate his command up to four grades in total.
ReplyDeleteI will be including the upgrades from the commander's quality rating. It worked well last time used. All being well I can play through this game over the weekend.
DeleteLooking forward to it!
DeletePeter- A stoke of genius you've had with your Quebec backdrop- magnificent...really sets up your excellent fortress and troops- well done indeed. Your next installment regarding the actual siege will be most interesting- hope your home grown rules work well for you. Cheers. KEV.
ReplyDeleteThanks KEV. I am looking forward to a siege game this weekend and seeing how the rules work out. Peter
DeleteThe backdrop is a nice touch and good to see it in combination with the fort. This is going to be an interesting and exciting engagement.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The backdrop worked out better than expected given it was quickly put together. So all is now set for a siege game this weekend.
DeleteYes, your cityscape looks fab!
DeleteThat backdrop is marvellous both in idea and in execution. Really brings the whole thing to life.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to make and it looks like the troops are defending something other than the abyss at the end of the tabletop.
DeleteNot sure why I came up as unknown.
DeleteWow! the backdrop really pulls it all together. Splendid work.
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising the difference it makes. Thanks Peter
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