Well after two postponements, we finally got to play our Battle of Breed’s/Bunker Hill* game last Thursday! Andy the serial-sickie still couldn’t make it, but I had three willing players in the form of Chris, Trevor and Mike. Mike and I took the forces of Monarchy and Freedom, while Chris and Trevor took the rebellious mob of tax-evaders.
Players of British Grenadier! will know that there is a Bunker Hill scenario in the main rulebook of both the original and ‘Deluxe’ Editions (which I have played before), but for this game I used a scenario written by my late friend and much-missed transatlantic collaborator Mark Hayes. Mark worked for the US Navy Historical Centre and had a wealth of source-material to hand, which added a whole raft of additional detail (and some additional units) to the original scenario.
* The Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on Breed’s Hill. The battle was mis-named partly because Colonel William Prescott, having been ordered to fortify Bunker Hill (which stands a short distance to the north), decided instead to fortify Breed’s Hill, but the historical record still showed that he had been sent to Bunker Hill. To compound this, a British map of the battle drawn by one Lieutenant Page (shown below) mistakenly reversed the names of the hills and so the name ‘Bunker Hill’ stuck!
We based the shape of the redoubt in our scenario map on Lieutenant Page’s well-known map above. However, Page doesn’t show the well-documented flanking ‘flêches’, instead showing a straight breastwork. To add further confusion, another diagram of the redoubt (shown below) looks absolutely nothing whatsoever like the one shown on Page’s map!
Suffice to say, there is considerable disagreement in the sources, so feel free to make it up…
Scenario Outline
The game lasts for 20 turns.
The British can claim a Victory if they eject all rebel forces from the Breed’s Hill Redoubt.
However, the rebels can still claim a Draw if they inflict a casualty ratio in excess of 2:1 on the British before they take the redoubt.
If the British can destroy both Prescott’s and Stark’s Brigades without suffering 2:1 casualties, they can claim a Historic Victory.
If the British fail to take the redoubt, the rebels can claim a Historic Victory.
American Army
Major General Israel Putnam (Average)
Prescott’s Brigade – Colonel William Prescott (Average)
William Prescott’s Massachusetts Regiment [16 figures] (Militia)
James Frye’s Massachusetts Regiment [16 figures] (Militia)
Ebenezer Bridge’s Massachusetts Regiment [16 figures] (Militia)
Thomas Nixons’s Massachusetts Regiment [16 figures] (Militia)
Ephraim Doolittle’s Massachusetts Regiment [12 figures] (Militia)
Jonathan Brewer’s Massachusetts Regiment [12 figures] (Militia)
Robinson’s Detachment [9 figures] (2nd Line) (skirmishers)
Sam Gridley’s Battery (4pdr) [1 gun] (2nd Line)
Stark’s Brigade – Colonel John Stark (Excellent)
Thomas Knowlton’s Connecticut Regiment [16 figures] (Militia)
John Stark’s New Hampshire Regiment [18 figures] (2nd Line)
James Reed’s New Hampshire Regiment [16 figures] (2nd Line)
John Callender’s Battery (3pdr) [1 gun] (Militia)
Samuel Trevett’s Battery (4pdr) [1 gun] (2nd Line)
Notes
1. Mark Hayes would class Prescott as ‘Excellent’, but I have left him as ‘Average’.
2. Prescott’s, Bridge’s and Frye’s Regiments were stationed in the redoubt and are listed by Mark Hayes as ‘fatigued’, so could therefore be downgraded to ‘Levy’ class. However, I felt that this might be too much of a downgrade. However, having now played the game as the British, perhaps not! 🙂
3. Nixon’s, Brewer’s and Doolittle’s Regiments were stationed in the fleches.
4. Robinson’s Detachment comprises Wheeler’s company from Doolittle’s Regiment, Crosby’s company from Little’s Regiment and a company from Woodbridge’s Regiment. The detachment may be placed anywhere within 6 inches of the redoubt and not just where it is shown on the map.
5. Stark’s Regiment was commanded on the day by Lieutenant Colonel Wyman, as Stark was commanding the brigade.
6. The strengths of Stark’s and Knowlton’s Regiments take into account the fact that approximately one-third of these regiments comprised unarmed men, who are not therefore included.
7. The Redcoats are coming on in their traditional closely-dressed ranks. You can therefore apply a +1 modifier when shooting at any British unit in Close Order formation.
British Army
Major General, Sir William Howe (Average)
Right Brigade – Major General, Sir William Howe (Average)
Combined Light Infantry Battalion [20 figures] (Line)
Combined Grenadier Battalion [20 figures] (Elite)
Combined 5th & 52nd Regiments of Foot [20 figures] (Line)
Royal Artillery Battery (6pdr) [2 guns] (Line)
Royal Artillery Battery (12pdr) [2 guns] (Line)
Royal Artillery Battery (Howitzers) [2 guns] (Line)
Left Brigade – Brigadier Robert Pigot (Average)¹
38th Regiment of Foot [16 figures] (Line)
43rd Regiment of Foot [16 figures] (Line)
1st Battalion of Marines [18 figures] (Line)
Light Infantry [6 figures] (Line) (skirmishers)
Reinforcement Brigade – Major General, Sir Henry Clinton (Average)¹
63rd Regiment of Foot [18 figures] (Line)
2nd Battalion of Marines¹ [16 figures] (Line)
Notes
1. The total strength of the 38th & 43rd Regiments also incorporates the strength of the 47th Regiment and three detached companies of grenadiers.
2. Howe is C-in-C but is also in direct command of a brigade.
3. The 12pdr battery may change facing on the spot, but may not move from its starting position on Moulton’s Hill.
4. The 6pdr battery has arrived without ammunition. The limbers are on their way, but they may not fire until Turn 4.
5. The Light Infantry Battalion may use Close Order or Open Order formation and may deploy in whole or in part, into Skirmish Order. All other units must use Close Order formation.
6. The enemy will gain a +1 shooting modifier when shooting at British infantry units in Close Order formation. NB Remember that British infantry in Close Order formation will gain a +1 mêlée modifier.
7. On Turn 4 roll 1 D6: Clinton’s brigade will arrive on a 5 or 6. The chance will increase by 1 on each subsequent turn.
Terrain Notes
1. The redoubt on Breed’s Hill and the flanking flêches will take 2 DPs to cross.
2. The fortified rail fence will take 1 DP to cross. Note that this was in fact a stone wall, surmounted by two wooden rails. In front of this was a wooden fence and the gap between the two fences was filled with hay. The whole structure would therefore constitute rather more of a defensive work than previously thought.
3. The areas of marshy ground are impassable to artillery. Formed troops crossing it will take 1 DP.
4. The western edge of the map has various small copses and orchards, representing the edge of Charlestown (which is presently on fire, thanks to bombardment by the Royal Navy and British artillery firing from Boston). Each copse inflicts a 1 DP penalty on any unit passing through.
Above: The calm before the storm…
I was going to add the AAR onto this post, but Mrs Fawr and I are just heading off for a few days with friends and there isn’t time to add that now, so I’ll leave you with the scenario and will add the AAR next week. In the meantime, here are a few pics of the action:
As recently mentioned, I was getting a bit bored with all those tricorn hats and mitre caps of the Seven Years War, so decided to dig out my old 28mm AWI collection with its TOTALLY different tricorn hats and mitre caps…
There were four Hessian combined grenadier battalions in North America. Three (initially titled ‘von Block’, ‘von Minnigerode’ and ‘von Linsing’) were formed from the detached grenadier companies of line infantry (musketeer & fusilier) regiments and the fourth (initially titled ‘von Köhler’) was formed from the grenadiers of three garrison infantry regiments and the ‘flank’ grenadier company of the Grenadier Regiment ‘Rall’.
Having fought under Cornwallis’ command for the remainder of the New York Campaign, Donop’s brigade continued to serve under Cornwallis for the remainder of 1776 and the invasion of New Jersey. During this time they were reinforced by the Grenadier Battalion ‘von Köhler’ and 42nd Highlanders.
Above: When I was first building my Hessian force, neither 
Above: The Grenadier Battalion ‘von Block’, commanded by Oberstleutnant Justus Heinrich von Block, was formed from the Grenadier Companies of the Musketeer Regiments ‘von Wutginau’, ‘von Donop’, ‘von Trumbach’ and ‘Prinz Carl’. Command of the battalion changed in 1777 to Oberstleutnant Georg Emanuel von Lengerke and the battalion was thereafter known as ‘von Lengerke’.
Above: The grenadiers of the ‘von Wutginau’ Regiment (here on the right of the photo or the left flank of the line) had red cuffs, but no lapels. On each side of the breast were four pairs of white lace buttonholes and a pair above each cuff. Smallclothes were pale straw.
Above: On the right of the line is the grenadier company of the ‘von Trumbach’ Regiment (who became the ‘von Bose’ Regiment in 1778). They had white facings and smallclothes. They also had a pair of white lace buttonholes below each lapel and above each cuff.
Above: A rear view of the ‘von Block’ Grenadiers, showing the colours of the mitre-caps. The front-plate and band of the cap always matched the regimental ‘metal’ colour, which here was yellow for all four regiments. The cap of the ‘von Wutginau’ Regiment (here on the left) had a red bag, piped yellow and a white pompom with a yellow centre. The ‘Prinz Carl’ Regiment had the same colourings, though with a light blue pompom. The ‘von Donop’ Regiment had a straw bag with yellow piping and pompom. Lastly, the ‘von Trumbach’ Regiment had a white bag with red piping and pompom.
Above: The Grenadier Battalion ‘von Minnigerode’ was initially commanded by Oberst Friedrich Ludwig von Minnigerode and consisted of the Grenadier Companies of the Fusilier Regiments ‘Erbprinz’, ‘von Ditfurth’, ‘von Lossberg’ and ‘von Knyphausen’. In 1780 command of the battalion passed to Oberst Wilhelm von Löwenstein and was thereafter known as Grenadier Battalion ‘von Löwenstein’.
Above: The ‘Erbprinz’ Regiment had crimson facings decorated with white buttonhole lace, white ‘metal’ and white smallclothes. The officers’ uniform should be decorated with silver buttonhole lace, but Hessian officers, like their British comrades, tended to remove their coat-lace while on campaign in America. It’s often said that this was done to avoid marking them out as officers to enemy marksmen, but the retention of their gorget and silver & red striped officers’ sash would tend to make that rather pointless! Silver and gold lace buttonholes were expensive items, so they were probably removed merely to save them from being lost or tarnished on campaign.
Above: The grenadiers of the ‘von Ditfurth’ Regiment had yellow facings, with white lace edging to the lapels and cuffs. ‘Metal’ was white and smallclothes were white.
Above: On the opposite flank of the line stand the grenadiers of the ‘von Lossberg’ Regiment. This regiment had orange facings without lace decoration, yellow ‘metal’ and white smallclothes. The NCO on the flank has gold lace edging to cuffs and lapels as a mark of his rank.
Above: For some reason I didn’t do a close-up of the ‘von Knyphausen’ Regiment’s grenadiers. They had black facings without lace, yellow ‘metal’ and pale straw smallclothes. They’re the second base from the left, including the gauntleted officer firing his musketoon.
Above: A rear view of the ‘von Minnigerode’ Grenadiers, showing the colourings of grenadier caps and tail-turnbacks. The caps of the ‘Erbprinz’, ‘von Ditfurth’ and ‘von Lossberg’ Regiments each had a bag in the regimental facing colour, with a facing-coloured pompom and white piping. The caps of the ‘von Knyphausen’ Regiment had a pale straw bag and pompom, with red piping.
Above: The Grenadier Battalion ‘von Linsing’ (also referred to as ‘Linsingen’) was commanded by Oberstleutnant Johann Wilhem von Linsing (or possibly ‘Linsingen’) and consisted of the Grenadier Companies of the 2nd & 3rd Battalions of the Guard and the Musketeer Regiments ‘Leib’ and ‘von Mirbach’.
Above: Another view of the Grenadier Battalion ‘von Linsing’. I do love these goose-stepping Hessians… 🙂
Above: The grenadiers of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Guard Regiment wore near-identical uniforms, namely red facings with broad white buttonhole lace, white ‘metal’ and lemon yellow smallclothes. Most unusually, the red & white-striped ‘lion rampant’ of Hesse was enameled in full colour on the front-plate of their caps (for all other regiments the badges were merely embossed). Both units had red bags to their caps, piped white with a white pompom.
Above: The grenadiers of the ‘Leib’ Regiment had lemon yellow facings, white buttonhole lace, white ‘metal’ and lemon yellow smallclothes.
Above: The grenadiers of the ‘von Mirbach’ Regiment had poppy red facings with white lace edging, white ‘metal’ and white smallclothes. In 1780 the ‘von Mirbach’ Regiment became the ‘von Jung-Lossberg’ Regiment.
Above: A rear view of the Grenadier Battalion ‘von Linsing’. All four constituent regiments had poppy red tail-turnbacks and white ‘metal’. The ‘Leib’ Regiment had a yellow bag to its grenadier cap, which was piped white with a white pompom. The other three regiments all had a poppy red bag with white piping. The 2nd & 3rd Guards had a white pompom, while the ‘von Mirbach’ Regiment had a light blue pompom.
Prior to 
Above: Grenadier Battalion ‘Wedell’ (1/23) was formed from the combined grenadier companies of the 
Above: Both constituent regiments had red, Brandenburg-style cuffs, linings and neck-stocks, with white small-clothes, white ‘metal’ and a blue shoulder-strap. The men of IR 1 also had red lapels and collar. Both regiments had simple white lace buttonholes, with three pairs on each side of the breast/lapels and one pair below, with another pair above each cuff. IR 1 also had a pair of lace buttonholes on each tail-pocket. The officers of IR 1 had silver lace edging to the lapels and cuffs, while the officers of IR 23 had silver lace buttonholes.
Above: Both regiments had silver-fronted caps with a blue back and white band. Those of IR 1 had white piping with a white pompom. Those of IR 23 had red piping and a white pompom with a speckled red top (appearing pink at a distance).
Above: The 
Above: My Garde Regiment has a complicated history… I initially painted the I. Leibgarde Battalion in 1996 or thereabouts (using the ‘corn-fed’ Lancashire Games Mk 2 figures) for a big club demo-game of the Battle of Kolin. I then added the III. Battalion at some point using Old Glory 15s figures, but never got around to painting the II. Battalion. Then this year in a fit of enthusiasm, I decided to 
Above: In full dress, the 
Above: The 
Above: The 
Above: The grenadier cap of the III. Battalion of the Garde had a silver front, an ornate silver band, a yellow cloth back, piped silver and a white pompom with yellow centre. The detached flank-grenadier company wore the same cap as the other battalions (having a red back with white pompom and red centre).
In 
The artillery held a very high status in the Hanoverian army, but was consequently very conservative and resisted efforts at modernisation. For example, 3pdr guns were retained as battalion guns throughout the Seven Years War, whereas the British and Prussian armies were moving toward 6pdr pieces in that role (Hanoverian 6pdrs were heavy pieces, being only used for position battery work). They also resisted a proposed move to the excellent and much lighter/shorter Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg 12pdr for their heavy position batteries. Hanoverian guns and carriages were therefore generally heavier and more old-fashioned than their peers. Nevertheless, the Hanoverian artillery remained numerous and effective throughout the Seven Years War.
As with the rest of the Hanoverian army, artillery uniforms were very British in cut, though colourings were markedly different (the figure on the left in the painting above is a Hanoverian artilleryman and the other two figures are Hanoverian Foot Guards). The coat was a distinctive light blue colour, with lapels, cuffs and linings in red (no collar, shoulder-straps or lace). Sources are split on button-colour; Kronoskaf says white metal, but all the pictorial evidence suggests yellow metal, which also matches the gold-yellow hat-lace. I’ve gone with yellow metal.
Waistcoats were red. Breeches and belts were buff. Gaiters were white, secured below the knee with a buff leather strap. They also wore a belly-box in either buff or whitened leather, decorated with a yellow metal badge (shown variously as either a crowned circular Badge of Hanover or as a flaming grenade).
Guns were polished brass, while gun-carriages and equipment were painted red, with black ironwork. These are a mixture of 
Anyway, that’s it for now! There’s more SYW to come (isn’t there always…?), including freshly-painted Hanoverian cavalry, a load of Prussians, and some more Reichsarmee. I’ll also be photographing my old 28mm AWI collection over the next few weeks and we’ll be refighting the Battle of Bunker/Breed’s Hill later in the month.
As previously mentioned, my recent return to Seven Years War wargaming has meant that it’s all been wall-to-wall tricorns, muskets, red coats, lace and pointy-headed Germans around here. I felt I needed a break and what could possibly be better than the TOTALLY different American War of Independence…?
Jase Evans and I had been mulling over ‘doing something in 28mm’ for a while and this then lit the touch-paper… This also coincided with my mate ‘Eclaireur’ publishing the first edition of his superb British Grenadier! rules and Perry Miniatures starting their superb AWI range.
Within six months we’d painted over 30 units between us and others soon joined the project, meaning that we were able to play some of the larger battles such as Monmouth and Germantown. With Eclaireur, I then also got involved in massive refights of the Battle of the Brandywine (at the National Army Museum, Chelsea) and the colossal Battle of Long Island (at the equally-salubrious South Mimms Services on the M25). Having then reached the pinnacle of AWI gaming, I moved on to other things and my AWI collection went back into the box and remained there until last Thursday…
As the title says, for our ‘Return’ game I chose the 
Above: McDougall’s brigade consists of four battalions of infantry; the Maryland (18 figures, Line class), 1st New York (12 figures, 2nd Line class), 3rd New York (16 figures, 2nd Line class) and 19th Continental (12 figures, 2nd Line class) Regiments, plus the massed skirmishers (8 figures, 2nd Line class) and Hamilton’s battery, which has been attached to Putnam.
Above: Brigadier Samuel Cleaveland’s artillery, positioned on high ground east of the Bronx River, opens fire on Chatterton’s Hill. Nearest the camera is a battery of 12-pounders (3 guns, Line class). For scenario purposes, this battery is immobile. On their left is a battery of 6-pounders (3 guns, Line class), which is mobile, but can’t cross the River Bronx, which makes their mobility somewhat moot. The 6-pounders therefore unlimber and join the long-range bombardment of Chatterton’s Hill.
Above: Maitland’s Hessian and Tory skirmishers push forward, though initially get the worst of their firefight with the Connecticut State Levies skirmishing in front of them. Maitland could opt to deploy the 3rd Light Battalion in skirmish order, but elects to keep them formed in close order, to increase their impact in the assault. However, they soon become a target for Hamilton’s battery.
Above: The Patriots hunker down behind their breastwork and wait for the Lobsters to come to them.
Above: Mc Dougall’s infantry swings to the right. However, they clearly need to practice their drill, as battalions collide and disrupt each others’ lines!
Above: American skirmishers deploy forward to engage the enemy. However, in doing so, some of them unwittingly mask Hamilton’s artillery! Forcing him to temporarily cease fire.
Above: Cleaveland’s guns are a fine sight as they hammer away across the valley. However, the range is long and they have very little effect on Hamilton’s dug-in guns or Putnam’s infantry. They switch their fire to the much closer groups of skirmishers…
Above: The 3rd Light Infantry push on up the hill, screened by Grant’s Company of New York Tories. However, they are coming under intense skirmisher and artillery fire and the tiny group of Tories isn’t providing a very effective screen! As they get closer, Hamilton orders his gunners to load grape…
Above: On the left, the Hessian Jäger continue to have surprisingly little effect on the Connecticut Levies. However, the 17th Light Dragoons feel their sap rising as the Delawares appear to their front… The trumpeter sounds the Charge!
Above: The complete ineffectiveness of their volley has clearly taken the Delawares unawares and their line becomes unsteady just as the enemy cavalry charges home [in game terms, they had not only fluffed their volley, but now also fluffed their ‘Being Charged’ morale roll, incurring two DPs, which act as negative modifiers during melee].
Above: The much-vaunted Delawares are given a thorough malletting by the Light Dragoons and lose half their number as they ignominiously retreat from the combat.
Above: Having used up all the available ones during firing and melee, the Delawares now pick up the available sixes during their retreat move and collectively break the All-New England 500-yard Sprint Record… Nevertheless, the Delawares soon rally and move forward once again.
Above: With the Hessians having little effect on the rebel skirmishers, the 49th Foot (here played by the 38th) advance in close order to push them back.
Above: Maitland watches the advance.
Above: As does Leslie…
Above: In an effort to clear Hamilton’s line of fire, McDougall’s skirmishers had wandered too far to the left and consequently come within grapeshot range of Cleaveland’s 12-pounders! The cover afforded by the rocky terrain offers only scant cover as a quarter of their number are shredded by grape! Shocked by their losses, the remaining men retreat behind Chatterton’s Hill, though retreat soon turns to rout and they flee the field.
Above: Following their sabering of the Delawares, the 17th Light Dragoons manage to control their blood-lust and quickly rally. To their front, the rebel 3rd New York Regiment appears and engages the Light Dragoons with ineffective long-range musketry. The Hessian Jäger move quickly to screen the cavalry from any further fire.
Above: The British infantry clear the woodland and push on up the hill. However, they come under heavy fire from Hamilton’s artillery and Brooks’ Massachusetts Militia and start to suffer losses. British orders require them to only engage the enemy with musketry and NOT to assault the enemy position, though their fire is proving ineffective against the dug-in rebels!
Above: Concerned by the potential threat of enemy infantry appearing on the British left, Von Heister orders Rall to halt his deployment and instead directs him to take his brigade along the road to the left flank. While the ‘Rall’ Grenadiers sort themselves out, the ‘Leib’ Regiment and the ‘Knyphausen’ Fusiliers march to the left.
Above: As the British infantry close on Putnam’s brigade, the 49th Foot and 3rd Light Infantry are suffering increasing losses from rebel fire and are doing precious little in return. Von Heister sends orders for them to go in with the bayonet, but it seems that the orders are not getting through!
Above: “Pour it on, Boys!” Putnam places himself directly in the line of fire, behind the breastworks with the men of the Massachusetts Militia.
Above: In the meantime, McDougall’s brigade continue their manoeuvre to the right, but have become thoroughly disordered by the move, so McDougall and his 2ic attempt to personally take control of the situation. In the meantime, the Connecticut Levies, threatened by the marauding light dragoons, fall back through the Continental lines to reform at the rear.
Above: Having rallied from their earlier combat with the Delawares, the 17th Light Dragoons charge again, this time against the 3rd New York Regiment. The charge takes the New Yorkers completely by surprise and they fail to fire a volley at the charging cavalry!
Above: The 3rd New York make a brave stand, but are quickly overwhelmed and are forced to retreat. Like the Delawares they lose around half of their number in the melee.
Above: The 17th Light Dragoons become disordered in the melee and fall back to rally.
Above: With the situation on Chatterton’s Hill threatening to get out of hand, Von Heister, Leslie and Maitland all converge on the position to take direct control of the engaged units.
Above: Unlike the Delawares, the 3rd New York fail to rally following their tangle with the light dragoons and are soon fleeing northward!
Above: The 17th Dragoons try their luck once again against the Delawares, but this time are badly shot up and refuse to charge home!
Above: At last, Von Heister manages to get orders through to Leslie and Leslie personally leads the 49th forward against the entrenchment! However, the 49th are again shot up by Brooks’ militia and stop short of the earthwork. The 3rd Light Infantry meanwhile, steadfastly refuse to advance into the teeth of Hamilton’s guns.
Above: The view from the American side of the entrenchments.
Above: Graham’s New York Militia skirmishers have fallen back behind the lines to rally, though are closely followed up by the British 5th Regiment of Foot (here played by the 52nd Foot with the buff regimental colour). The 5th Foot threaten to outflank the American line, but have also managed to mask their own guns (not that the guns have achieved very much)!
Above: Rall’s Hessian brigade continues its march to the left flank.
Above: Oberst Rall waves them on their way.
Above: Note that Oberst Rall is actually represented here by General von Donop. Hessian generals in this period didn’t have a prescribed uniform, so wore the uniform of their own regiment, in this case the straw-coloured facings of the ‘Donop’ Musketeers. The supporting grenadiers are from the grenadier company of the ‘Prinz Carl’ Musketeers, who formed part of the ‘Lengerke’ Grenadier Battalion.
Above: The ‘Rall’ Grenadier Regiment has finally turned about and joins the rear of Rall’s column, though not before suffering a number of casualties from Hamilton’s artillery.
Above: The British-Hessian commanders exhort their men as they attempt to launch a further assault on the entrenchment!
Above: With the 3rd Light Infantry refusing to get stuck in, the 35th Foot are stuck behind them, unable to manoeuvre.
Above: Over on the left flank, the Hessian Jäger continue to make life miserable for the Delawares.
Above: The Delawares reciprocate and along with the 19th Continentals, succeed in shooting dozens of light dragoons out of the saddle! The 17th Light Dragoons have now suffered 25% casualties.
Above: Colonel Haslet is right in the front line as he personally steadies the battered Delawares.
Above: To their rear, McDougall is finally managing to sort out the disorder in the ranks and now hopes to swing his brigade round to the left, to hit the British infantry in the flank.
Above: However, the British have got their flank attack in first and the 5th Foot seem set to charge! Hamilton decides that discretion is the better part of valour and swiftly limbers up his guns to make good his escape, screened by the skirmishers of Graham’s New York Militia.
Above: Rufus Putnam, along with Brooks’ Massachusetts Militia, hold on in the entrenchments as long as they can, but are forced to disengage before they are rolled up by the 5th Foot. McDougall’s planned flanking movement meanwhile, has died on its arse from a combination of DPs and Rall’s approaching Hessians.
Above: A last view of the British assault. The British had succeeded in taking Chatterton’s Hill, but had they suffered greater losses?
Anyway, onto the Germantown photos…
Above: The British army viewed from their right flank. Facing us is Major General James Grant’s Brigade, consisting of the 1st Light Infantry Battalion, 4th, 5th, 49th & 55th Regiments of Foot and the Queen’s Rangers.
Above: Another view of Grant’s Brigade. The green-coated Queen’s Rangers have deployed into skirmish order, but the regimental cadre, with the colours, remains formed to their rear as a rallying-point.
Above: Grant’s Brigade seen from the opposite flank. In the foreground are the 1st Light Infantry and in the distance is Mathew’s Foot Guards Brigade.
Above: The vital crossroads is held by the brigades of Major General Charles Grey (15th, 17th & 44th Regiments of Foot) and Major General Agnew (33rd, 37th, 46th & 64th Regiments of Foot). In front of them is positioned a large battery of guns and the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir William Howe.
Above: Having spotted the approach of General Greene’s rebel division, Grant wheels his brigade to the left, seemingly unconcerned by another column of rebels approaching his right flank. The large house in the distance is the ‘Chew’ or ‘Cleveden’ House; a solid, stone-build construction that is presently garrisoned by a detachment of the 40th Foot. The remainder of the 40th under Lieutenant Colonel Musgrave (who also has the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion and a detachment of artillery under command), are fighting a delaying action against Washington’s approaching rebel division.
Above: As Grant wheels to the left, Mathew’s Foot Guards (along with one of Grant’s battalions), advance to screen the right flank from Smallwood’s approaching column of Maryland and New Jersey Militia regiments.
Above: The small Hussar detachment of the Queen’s Rangers (here represented by the 17th Light Dragoons) remain in reserve at the crossroads.
Above: The large British battery remains silent, as its front is still masked by the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion. Unfortunately we didn’t have any hills available on the day of the game, so you’ll have to imagine that the guns are on a rise, while Musgrave’s detachment (visible just beyond the fence-line) are on another rise. The skirmishers and limber are in a shallow valley between the two.
Above: Grant’s brigade has begun to engage Greene’s rebels.
Above: However, Grant suddenly realises that he is significantly outnumbered! Greene’s column consists of Muhlenberg’s, Weedon’s and Woodford’s Virginia Brigades and McDougal’s Connecticut Brigade, as well as Smallwood’s militia brigade on the flank!
Above: Mathew’s Guards are ordered to deal with Smallwood’s militia as quickly as possibly and then wheel to engage Greene’s main force.
Above: At last, Musgrave finally pulls his detachment back into the valley, exposing the advancing rebels to the full power of the Royal Artillery!
Above: On the other side of the town, Washington’s left flank (Hampton’s 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade) has begun to engage Grant’s left flank (49th Foot & 1st Light Infantry). The 40th Foot are also taking pot-shots at the passing rebels from the Chew House.
Above: As the British guns pour fire into Washington’s leading battalions, Grey and and Agnew move forward on either flank.
Above: Conway’s 3rd Pennsylvania Brigade is crushed by the intense artillery fire, as well as from the 2nd Light Infantry, who are still at close range. Conway rides forward to steady them and is soon joined by Washington himself, but to little avail.
Above: Hartley’s 1st Pennsylvania Brigade moves up to provide support for Conway’s crumbling battalions.
Above: On the other side of Germantown, Hampton’s 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade bypasses the Chew House, leaving that strongpoint for Maxwell’s New Jersey Brigade to deal with. However, Hampton’s advance is disrupted by fire from the 40th Foot occupying the house. In response, Maxwell deploys his artillery to suppress the defenders before his assault.
Above: On the American left, Green’s lead battalions are now heavily engaged with Grant’s brigade.
Above: At the head of Green’s column, the riflemen of the 14th Virginia Regiment are bested by the Queen’s Rangers and fall back behind the formed lines of Weedon’s brigade.
Above: Another view, looking along the line of Grant’s brigade toward Germantown.
Above: Grant’s brigade is fighting hard, but Green keeps throwing ever-increasing numbers of troops into the battle. Unable to maintain their skirmish line in this increasingly unequal battle, the Queen’s Rangers fall back behind Grant’s line.
Above: Hampton’s 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade charges the British line at Germantown!
Above: Although things seem to be going well for Greene on the eastern side of Germantown, on the western side, Washington is facing stiff resistance from increasing numbers of British infantry, backed up by very strong artillery. Two of Conway’s Pennsylvanian regiments have already been broken and the rest are being hammered by British fire. However, Washington still has another two brigades uncommitted to the battle, including his best troops, the Maryland and Delaware Continentals.
Above: The view from the British side. Musgrave’s detachment is still managing to hold its ground in the centre, while Grey’s brigade in the foreground, moves to cross the stream and outflank Washington’s column. In the distance, Agnew’s Brigade moves forward through Germantown, aiming to relieve the detachment of the 40th Foot, who are still holding out at the Chew House, despite the best efforts of Maxwell’s New Jersey Brigade.
Above: On the eastern side of Germantown, Grant is spread very thin, as his left flank is now assaulted by Hampton’s Pennsylvanians, while his right is simultaneously attacked by Greene’s Virginians.
Above: The Queen’s Rangers Hussars (represented by the 17th Light Dragoons) move to support the threatened right flank. Howe also rides over to assess the situation for himself.
Above: As the Queen’s Rangers’ skirmish line falls back, the 55th Foot desperately cling onto possession of a small copse on Grant’s right flank. However, they are taking heavy losses and can’t hope to hold on much longer against these odds. The rest of Grant’s brigade is now taken under fire by newly-arrived American artillery.
Above: On the extreme right flank, Mathew’s Foot Guards Brigade has successfully broken and thrown back Smallwood’s militia, but is now at risk of being outflanked and cut off from the rest of the army.
Above: Despite heavy losses in his leading brigade, Greene’s column still has plenty of fresh troops to spare and continues its inexorable advance. In front of him, Grant’s redcoats are starting to crumble. But with Washington struggling at Germantown, will this be enough to roll up the British right wing and save the day?
Following my recent, brief departure into Jungle Green, normal service is now resumed with some more troops for my Seven Years War Hanoverian & German Allied army, starting with 
Born in 1721, Prince Ferdinand was the fourth son of Ferdinand Albert II, Duke of Brunswick (the House of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel) and in 1733 became brother-in-law to Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia, following Frederick’s marriage to Ferdinand’s sister Elizabeth Christine. Ferdinand soon entered Prussian military service and in 1740 the newly-crowned King Frederick II of Prussia appointed Ferdinand as Chef (i.e. Colonel-Proprietor) of the newly-raised 
When Frederick took his army east again to meet the Austrians at 
In March 1758, following his victory at the 
In terms of modelling, I’ve used one of the generals from the excellent Eureka 
For ADCs I’ve used a pair of mounted officers; one Prussian (painted as a Hessen-Kassel officer) and one British, both by 
Lastly we have Hanoverian Major General Johann Daniel Victor von Scheele. At Minden Scheele commanded one of the two brigades of the Prince of Anhalt’s Division. However, on the day of the battle Scheele was ordered to take command of the division and his timely intervention on the left flank of Spörcken’s Division helped to save the British infantry and Hanoverian Foot Guards from being outflanked by French cavalry.
Above: Major Fuller (Dan) deploys his dug-in company on the peak of Point 7378, placing the bulk of his troops covering the road to Burma and the junction in the tracks, but also deploying troops to keep a watchful eye on the flanks and rear.
Above: The areas of trees represent dense jungle, while the areas of lichen and bamboo represent more open scrubland. The clear areas on the southern slopes of the hill are very steep and slow to traverse.
Above: Dan is permitted to pre-register three targets for his 3-inch mortar section and starts with the junction of the road and the mule-track. I took photos of these on my phone for reference and the templates were then removed from the table.
Above: The second registered target is slightly further along the road.
Above: The third registered target is the point at which the mule-track splits into two.
Above: Lastly, the MMG section establishes a beaten zone for its guns, covering the junction of the mule-tracks and the most likely avenue of approach. Again, this photo was taken for reference and the template was then removed from the table.
Above: The Indian Paras have not been in position very long when a patrol reports the appearance of a Japanese column on the road from Burma!
Above: The Japanese troops belong to the 3rd Battalion of the 58th Infantry Regiment, commanded by Major Shimano (Phil). The Paras’ exposed position on the bare hilltop has not gone unnoticed by Major Shimano, who orders his column to mount a hasty attack on the enemy position.
Above: Captain Nishida Susumu’s 9th Company is in the lead. Sending half of his company up the mule-track on the right, he leads the rest of his company along the road, luckily suffering only light casualties as the pre-registered 3-inch mortars rain bombs onto the road-junction.
Above: Captain Nishida Susumu had commanded a long-range reconnaissance patrol as far as Kohima during the previous year, managing to return to Burma with valuable intelligence, while completely escaping detection by the Allies and their native auxiliaries. However, this time he has no time for such subtlety as he orders his men to make the best speed possible along the tracks instead of using the cover of the bush.
Above: As 9th Company shakes out into assault formation, the unmistakable rattle of Vickers MMGs is heard across the hillside. The righthand column is soon pinned down by fire. The Paras’ 2-inch mortars also add their weight to the cacophony.
Above: With 9th Company starting to engage the enemy, Shimano’s 10th Company arrives.
Above: Captain Susumu makes best use of the sparse undergrowth to mask his approach, but casualties are starting to mount. Nevertheless, Susumu’s three 50mm ‘Knee-Mortar’ sections and the attached MMG section succeed in suppressing the Indian MMGs and 2-inch mortars.
Above: Susumu’s righthand column suffers heavy losses as they attempt to push through the wall of MG fire. The 3-inch mortars also now shift their fire to the track-junction. Susumu’s knee-mortars and MMGs do their best, but can’t hope to suppress the weight of fire being directed at the attackers. Sadly, the battalion’s 70mm gun detachment is still out of range and the regiment’s 75mm guns are a full day’s march behind the column.
Above: “May the Emperor live for a thousand years! BANZAI!” Susumu finally manages to work close enough to the enemy position with sufficient men to mount an assault. However, previously-hidden Paras now open up with smallarms and the Japanese infantry are cut down in droves!
Above: Nevertheless, one of Susumu’s rifle sections manages to gain a foothold in the Indian trenches!
Above: The ejected section of Indian Paras withdraws to the Company Headquarters on the crest of the hill, where it rallies. Major Fuller orders them to mount an immediate counter-attack to re-take their trenches!
Above: Charging over open ground, the Indian section is subjected to heavy fire, though makes it to the now enemy-occupied trench. The flanking sections also join the counter-attack, though are badly disordered by fire from Susumu’s remaining troops, only a few yards away through the bush.
Above: Nevertheless, the counter-attack is wholly successful. The Japanese interlopers are eliminated and the Indian Paras re-occupy their positions.
Above: Captain Susumu, with the rallied remnants of 9th Company, launches another charge in concert with Captain Ishida’s 10th Company on the right. However, the attack is a disaster, with both captains becoming casualties and 9th Company being virtually wiped out.
Above: However, Japanese strength continues to grow with the arrival of the 11th Company.
Above: The combined fire of the 9th, 10th and 11th Company knee-mortar and MG sections are starting to make their presence felt, causing disruption among the forward edge of the Paras’ perimeter. A few riflemen of 9th Company are also clinging on, only a few yards from the Indian trenches, though thoroughly pinned down by Indian smallarms fire.
Above: Seeing their best chance yet, the remnants of the 9th and 10th Companies launch yet another assault on the Indian trenches!
Above: At last some success for the Japanese! At the forward corner of the position, two sections of Indian Paras are eliminated (albeit at considerable cost to the attackers) and a Japanese rifle section again manages to break into the trenches! But can the Japanese manage to hold onto their gains this time?
Above: Still unengaged, the Japanese 11th Company rushes forward to exploit the small success, followed by the Battalion Headquarters Company and MG Company. The 70mm Battalion Gun Platoon deploys, ready to offer fire support.
Above: Sorry to disappoint, but with the battle entering its most critical phase, we simply ran out of club-night time!!! However, the general consensus was that the Indian Paras had won the day. They had lost only two out of thirteen sections and still possessed their very effective heavy weapons.
Having played almost nothing but Seven Years War and written about nothing but tricorn hat-lace in recent months, many readers of this blog will be relieved to know that we finally played something different at club last week! 🙂
Historical Background
If the British-Indian XIVth Army is the ‘Forgotten Army’, the Battle of Sangshak is undoubtedly the ‘Forgotten Battle’ of the Forgotten Army: Surrounded by a fanatical enemy, unsupported, running low on water, ammunition and men and without hope of relief, the 50th Indian Parachute Brigade, along with elements of the 23rd Indian Division, held out for several days, withstanding assault after assault before finally breaking out to escape in small groups. Without this battle, the Japanese 31st Division would have reached Kohima long before the famous defence there could be established and history might have been very different. There certainly would not have been a heroic defence of Kohima and relieving the Siege of Imphal would have been considerably more difficult.
However, some Gurkhas clearly didn’t know what they were getting into. A group of NCOs reported to their company commander that jumping from 600 feet seemed somewhat high and that jumping from 300 feet might be preferable. “But at that height your parachutes won’t have time to open!” replied the company commander. “Oh.” said the Gurkhas “So we will have parachutes?” The Gurkhas went away, visibly relieved…
Lt Col Paul Hopkinson’s 152 (Indian) Para moved up to the Mahrattas’ HQ at ‘Kidney Camp’, high in the peaks southeast of Ukhrul. From ‘Kidney’ he sent two companies out to relieve Mahratta companies on their hilltop eyries; Major Webb’s ‘B’ Company was dispatched to Point 7386 (‘Badger’) and Point 7000 (‘Gammon’), while Major Fuller’s ‘C’ Company was sent to the otherwise un-named Point 7378. These positions dominated the only two east-west Jeep-tracks over the hills in the area, though were not mutually supporting and were beyond the range of the Mahrattas’ mortars at ‘Kidney’. The two companies were also disappointed to discover that the positions recently vacated by the Mahrattas were only half-prepared, so the Paras soon found themselves hard at work, improving their trenches, dugouts and firing positions.
Things south of the Imphal Plain meanwhile, were getting chaotic and control of the battle was slipping from Scoones’ grasp. The plan was for 50th Para Brigade to have slowly fallen back to the Imphal perimeter in the wake of 23rd Division. Instead, the brigade seems to have been forgotten by IV Corps and instead received the mistaken order to hold its ground on current positions. This was to be a fateful order.
Briefing for Major John Fuller, Officer Commanding ‘C’ Coy, 152 (Indian) Para Bn
Execution
Enemy Forces
• Machine Gun Grazing Fire (or ‘Firing on Fixed Lines’)
Briefing for Major Shimano, Commanding III Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment
Enemy Forces
Game Sequence
Terrain Effects
I realise that the terrain for this scenario is rather complicated, being drawn from aerial recce photos and original maps. Indeed, this is a recurring problem when attempting to recreate battles on the Burma Frontier and it is often difficult to draw a balance between accuracy and simplicity. Hex-based terrain tiles can translate accurate maps onto the table with relative ease, but you do tend to need a lot of hex tiles and they’re not cheap! For that reason, I’ve included a simplified version of the map, which should be within the means of most wargamers’ terrain collections.
