28mm Redux

"Lasalle is intended for a short, fun, and decisive game on a modestly sized table, without requiring too many figures" 

Indeed. So as a 'slow-grow' sideline, I am gradually building up small 28mm armies to refight the plethora of minor battles that characterised the Danube Campaign of 1809. To keep up my enthusiasm, this week's Sunday Solo saw me put what few units I have painted up on the table for a minor skirmish.

My cavalry units will eventually be made up of four bases, in the approved Lasalle manner, but for now the 'duty troop' for each regiment will have to do. 

I have completed some infantry units however, each of 32 figures. My artillery batteries will eventually consist of two gun models...

I am very keen to use the Advanced Skirmishing rules though, so have produced some Voltigeur markers, above, Bavarians.

So far my Austro-Hungarian army consists of just two foot regiments, a troop of Chevaux Legere, and afore mentioned Voltigeur marker.

Above, Regiment 23 Wurzburg, and below, Regiment 10 Mittrowsky.

The scenario is an attack defence situation - since the French have the only artillery and twice as much cavalry, they are attacking, attempting to evict the nominal garrison battalion from the small village.

The French lose no time deploying from march column to mass formation, the guns unlimbering:

As with most engagements in the opening phases of the campaign, the wooded terrain is a dominant factor, and impedes deployment.

With the village under French bombardment, the French infantry go forward into line to add volley fire.

Hampered by low momentum points, needing to regularly rally artillery casualties to the garrison, Mittrowsky remains in mass formation - not ideal in a fire-fight!

The French use their numerical advantage in cavalry to threaten the Austrian flank:

The Austrian Chevaux Legere respond by charging the Bavarian CVLs:

Honours are even in this first cavalry clash, with both troops taking a disruption. But in the long run, the Austrian horse are on a sticky wicket. The nearby infantry form square...

Similarly, Mittrowsky, despite carrying a disruption, also takes the initiative and charges the leading French unit before they are also outflanked!

However, their aggression does not pay off and they are routed!

With the Bavarian Voltigeur Markers preventing the garrision from rallying, the French seize the opportunity to storm the village. The Garrison will be one up for defending a strong position, and the attackers one down for attacking difficult terrain, but 3 existing DISRS to the garrison still make it a worthwhile gamble! 

With a roll of five, the attack suceeds!

 A small quick game, Lasalle once again delivering a tactically rich battle, even with so few units. Just the fillip I needed to keep churning out more units. Actually, painting the lovely 28mm figures from Perry and Piano isn't too much of a chore! 

Raiders!

 

Fisherman Jock 'Kipper' McJock was used to the warships based in Loch Ewe putting to sea at all hours, wreaking havoc with his kipper shoals. But this blustery morn they were hammering the clappers 'fit tae burst' before they had even exited the breakwater! A proper flap was on, that was for sure!

My time on the late, lamented and most recent iteration of the Exeter was a happy one. But I think of the WW2 Exeter as an 'economy' model - a cut down County class with only six 8" guns instead of the usual eight:

The same could be said of the Arethusa class light cruisers - cut down versions of the Leander class, with only three turrets instead of four:

As they rang on full speed to meet the raiders, they were going to miss those extra guns!

Classifying the Lutzow is not easy. Initially launched as the Deutschland, the name was changed for political reasons, as its sinking might predict the fate of the nation it was named for...Called a Panzerschiff by the Kriegsmarine, a 'pocket battleship' by the Brits and an Armoured Cruiser by the USN. It was a modern build, but designed for commerce raiding rather than taking on other heavy cruisers...

Force 'E' disperses: the cruisers will from the anvil whilst most of the Tribals are set away to form the hammer...

In Nimitz, there are advantages from sailing in lines astern as formations, as you get to shoot as one...

But, as you are committed to a certain minimum movement depending on what speed you ring on...

I struggled to get the DD's all in a row. The German cruisers had no such troubles though!

After both forces hammered up or down the mineswept channel the forces made contact:

As the ships interweaved there was a sharp exchange of gunfire and a vortex of torpedoes!

At the cost of severe damage from gunfire from the Lutzow and Konigsberg, Zulu suceeded in putting a torpedo into Lutzow's engine rooms, reducing her buoyancy and speed! Huron also torpedoed a German destroyer, sending her to the bottom!

After another exchange of gunnery, which saw Afridi go down to Davy Jone's locker, Lutzow and consort broke through the melee:

The Royal Navy now had to some thinking to do:  transition into a stern chase using forrard guns only or rely on broadsides to prevent the Lutzow's escape?

Broadsides did penetrate her armour, but did no critical damage...

Back to the chase then!

But the British had one last trick up their sleeve - Galatea still had 3 torpedoes from her starboard tubes remaining. Her boilers glowed a dull red as she sped along the edge of the minefield...

Attempting to get a firing solution on the Lutzow before she disappeared into the North Atlantic wastes...all the while, Exeter pummeling away with her 8" broadsides!

But it was all to no avail - battered and slowed, Lutzow eluded the pursuit and slipped away into the murk. A German victory!