AWI Campaign Old Molly : Part 3

The conclusion to our mini series didn’t make it into the Christmas Review (those who may have missed my last post check it out for some light Christmas entertainment) and even this may not be the last post of the year. But last night we played the third and concluding part of our Old Molly trio of battles. If you wish to see the background just scroll down a couple of weeks.

The Rebels having captured the gun at Oak Tree Forge and survived by the skin of their teeth the ambush, they must now cross Oak Tree River to get the gun to safety. For those who have the rules this is pretty much the Bridge to victory scenario. The British have crossed the river further upstream and have sent a force to prevent the bridge being built. The Rebels have two small units of engineers who must build the bridge, once they are in the river by passing activation tests, needing a total of 60 points. For the rebels dusk can fall anytime after 8 turns up to a maximum of 14.

On to the action 😀

Major Jessop Callahan has managed to sweep up some more local Militia to bolster his force, they approach the river from the South, the bridge can be built in any location.

Unfortunately for the rebels some of the Engineers haven’t been paid and are reluctant to get moving ! The rest of his force can hear the Redcoats in the distance and start to deploy on their side of the river

and here they are Colonel Archibald advances, he has managed to keep some local Natives in his force, this should be a fairly easy task to stop the bridge being built ?

Already at the River Bank the Americans get in the first volley and this immediately shakes the British line.....

The British on their left flank start to return fire but have little effect initially

Jessop has now sent his skirmishers into the river to secure the far bank, whilst the natives are sent forward to attack the bridge, then a huge volley thunders out from the rebel side

Devastating the natives are thrown back but worse still the British light infantry are badly mauled and Colonel Archibald has fallen from his horse, he is out of the battle and taken to the rear.

Meanwhile the engineers are now busy in the river starting construction of the bridge.

Rebel skirmishers are now on the British bank but the British are rallying

The second unit of engineers join in the construction, things are not looking good for the British 

Leaderless the Redcoats battle on with little hope of success, then finally forming into line a volley from the British Guards wipes out a unit of skirmishers.

As the fleeing unit runs back through the Rebel lines it causes near panic and suddenly Jessop can see parts of his force, including some of the engineers pulling back from the river.....disaster !

Only the American line regiments are left in the river.

But dusk hasn’t quite fallen (in fact by some luck we ended up playing 13 turns!) and the bridge is starting to take shape now over half way

The other British veterans are continuing to push at the Rebel right flank but can’t quite force them back as darkness starts to fall

In turn 13 the bridge is finally completed with over 60 construction point achieved, and with only one effective unit of engineers.

The campaign is over the bridge to safety has been built and the Americans  have made it. Major Jessop will receive a small commendation from his superiors for the capture of the gun and bringing it home safely. This was another fine scenario which really did chop and change we both felt it would be easy for the British , then it looked like it was all over , then it turned again back and forth. Most entertaining ! The final tally in Glory points across the three battle was a resounding 16 to Jessop and a meagre 4 to Archibald. And what of the erstwhile British colonel I hear you say. Well I did an official roll on the Officer casualty chart and.......

Enough said officially his name can no longer be mentioned for the disgrace he has brought on the Army and the King !

Needless to say we had fun and will be planning some more virtual games in the future as lockdown seems set to stay for a while.

Matt