The Battle of Ripple Field

This week the English Civil War armies have made it back onto the tabletop again for a small game. A couple of weeks ago I was trying to decide whether to go with fewer but larger units made of two bases or more single base units. From the pictures below of the game you will see I have opted to go with larger units of two bases for infantry and cavalry, while keeping single base units for smaller detachments of dragoons and artillery pieces.

The tabletop all set up for a small ECW game - The Battle of Ripple Field

The game setup is based upon the Battle of Ripple Field scenario from the book “With Pike and Musket”, one of my favourite wargaming books. I am using this game to test out two things:

• Continue my testing of the solo decision cards (or tables) to which there have been a couple of minor changes to some of the instructions to make them clearer (see here).
• A couple of changes to the D3 ECW rules I use. These include a change to the sequence of play and differentiating between two base cavalry and infantry units and detachments.

The sequence of play is very much lifted from “With Pike and Musket”. At the start of a game turn each player rolls a D6. The highest scoring player will move first as Player A, re-rolling any ties. The sequence of play for each turn is:

1. Movement for player A.
2. Movement for player B.
3. Both player’s units shooting simultaneously.
4. Both players' units melee simultaneously.
5. Remove eliminated units and check for impetuous cavalry.

Additionally, When moving a player may make D3 movement orders. Each order can move 1 infantry or cavalry unit, or all detachments (dragoons and commanded shot). A player is not required to use all their movement orders. For example, a player with a D3 roll of 2 may order the move of: 1 infantry and 1 cavalry unit, 2 cavalry units, 2 infantry units, 1 infantry unit and all detachments, or 1 cavalry unit and all detachments.

If I stick with the rules I will post them up at the top of the blog.

A most useful book and a joy to read.

The Battle of Ripple Field was fought on 13 April 1643. It was a small battle with approximately 2000 men per side. The Royalist force was led by Prince Maurice and the Parliamentarian force by Sir William Waller. 

In the lead up the the battle Waller had marched north from Tewkesbury in an attempt to block Maurice’s force by containing them on the western side of the Severn river. However, Prince Maurice was able to successfully cross the river and marched south to face Waller’s forces who had taken up a defensive position on the hill at Ripple Field.

Battle of Ripple Field game report…

Order of battle

Royalist

• 2 veteran cavalry units
• 2 infantry units
• 1 detachment of dragoons
• 1 gun

Parliament

• 3 cavalry units (1 is a veteran unit)
• 1 veteran infantry unit
• 1 detachment of dragoons
• 1 gun

Opening stage

In the opening turns of the Ripple Field game, both armies opted for a hold stance, skirmishing with their detachments of dragoons around the Uckinghall village and exchanging salvos of artillery fire. Both armies quickly shifted to an attack stance, advancing their cavalry on their respective flanks while maintaining the artillery bombardment until, they were out of powder. With the cavalry engaged Weller’s single centre infantry advanced to the edge of the hill.

The opening actions of dragoons skirmishing and artillery shooting.

Cavalry begin their advance.

Cavalry on each flank are engaged in combat.

Middle stage of the game…

During the middle stage of the game, Prince Maurice began advancing all of his centre infantry while the artillery continued shooting until their ammunition was depleted. Initially, infantry from both sides engaged in musket fire at a distance, but this quickly transitioned into close combat involving push of pike.

Meanwhile, the cavalry clashes reached a decisive outcome. The veteran Royalist cavalry on both flanks emerged victorious, routing their opponents. However, the left flank Royalist cavalry pursued the fleeing Parliamentarian cavalry, leaving the flank open to the now unopposed Parliamentarian cavalry reserve.

Parliament’s infantry advance in the centre and their reserve cavalry move up in support.

The remaining cavalry look to attack their opponents centre.

End stage of the game…

The cavalry forces from both forces manoeuvred to attack their opponents infantry centre. While the Royalist infantry held their nerve, the sole infantry unit of the Parliamentarians suffered defeat and routed. Left with only a single cavalry unit and a detachment of dragoons, Weller retired and conceded the field to Prince Maurice and the Royalist force.

Cavalry charge to engage infantry.

The Royalist infantry centre holds firm.

Weller’s remaining forces concede the field.

The English Civil War theme continued this week when a shipment of Hinchliffe figures arrived. Included in the package were a couple of guns and sufficient infantry to complete another infantry unit with two bases.

Recent arrivals.