Planning a French and Indian War tree campaign with a map

I have recently been playing a few French and Indian War games and made a scratch-built a ship with landing boats so I can incorporate some amphibious operations into my games. While I enjoyed playing the one-off games, I wanted to play a few games that were linked as part of a campaign. 

The question is what campaign approach to use? Any approach should:

• Keep the game count manageable, about 3 games sounds just fine.
• Provide a supporting narrative to keep the games engaging and with an objective.
• Have a map, as I like maps and the making of them.

This short campaign is designed to allow for one or two amphibious landings.

Step 1 - Find a suitable campaign approach.

I found an example of a simple tree campaign consisting of 3 battles in an old Warhammer set of rules I have.  

A simple tree campaign found in a Warhammer rule book.

Step 2 - Select suitable OHW scenarios.

For my tree campaign, I selected One-Hour Wargaming (OHW) scenarios for each battle, while attempting to create a cohesive narrative between the scenarios. This process took longer than expected because each scenario had to fit logically with potential outcomes, wins and losses from previous battles. I found myself looping through various options until I found the ones which fitted the narrative I had in my head.

Some of the initial planning for the campaign with OHW scenarios identified.

Step 3 - Making the map

Next, I needed to incorporate the scenarios into a map to add more context to the campaign. The map helps establish a connection between each battle, their terrain, and the broader campaign.

I sketched out each selected OHW scenarios on its own 2-inch by 2-inch pieces of paper which was cut out. With a rough idea of how I wanted the map to look, I arranged the cut out pieces of paper on a larger sheet to establish the flow between scenarios based on which side wins or losses. In some cases, I had to flip a scenario map to create a mirror image. Once satisfied with their placement, I began sketching the map to incorporating the scenario maps.

Not the best photo of the cut out scenarios as they were position on a blank A3 sized page.

Having sketched out the map it was a simple process of colouring in the map.

Final map showing each of the scenarios.

Step 4 - Double checking the flow with the tree campaign.

A final step was double checking the flow of the tree campaign with the scenarios.

The scenario maps in a tree structure

Campaign narrative using the map as a guide.

With reinforcements and support from the Royal Navy, the British plan to advance up the coast and capture Fort Orleans, leveraging their naval support to undertake amphibious landings. However, Fort Robert has onshore guns that prevent any naval operations. Capturing Fort Orleans would be considered a major British victory, requiring three tabletop wins within the campaign.

The map showing the planned attack approach of the British.

Minor victory is achieved by crossing the river further downstream to set up a bridgehead for future operations or the capture of Fort Robert. These can be achieved with 2 tabletop wins and 1 loss.

The circled areas would be considered a minor campaign victory if held.

Looking at the narrative for the first tabletop game.

An initial victory is crucial for the British forces at the start of their campaign. A loss would give the French time to reinforce Fort Robert’s defences, forcing the British to move inland towards Henry’s fram in search of a river crossing upstream of Fort Orleans. This inland route would expose them to counterattacks from the French and their Native Indian allies. While, a victory would allow the British to advance swiftly along the coastal road, isolating Fort Robert and cutting off any French reinforcements.

The British launch their first attack across the river from King’s Town and also land forces further down the coat. 

The scene is set for the first game.

The tabletop is setup for the first game, OHW scenario 19 - Blow from the rear. The British will be using their Naval support to land troops behind the French left flank. A slight modification to the scenario.

The tabletop is setup and the campaign begins!