Quick Game involving my Barney E1 Tank (Dominion Wargame)

With some eighteen military units in the Montreal area, the American plan was to establish their headquarters in Longueuil, from which to stage their assault on the city. The Empire garrison was uneasy, but took comfort in knowing that their twelve military units were in a fairly strong position, and supplies of food, etc, were still entering the city. But when news arrived that a relief force, comprising five units, was approaching from Quebec, the American commander was obliged to delay his assault and despatch six units down the St.Lawrence, to counter this movement.

After their despatch, the American commander received a full intelligence report (D5), indicating that the Empire was planning to utilise their new Barney E1 (Tank) He immediately ordered two more units (D2) to join the original six. Unfortunately, they would take some eight 'moves' to arrive (D6, D2).

SET UP   The Empire Relief Force was approaching at double time, keen to utilise their new fangled weapon, and confident of sweeping aside any opposition.

This photo only shows five US units, both guns belong to an artillery battalion. Another infantry unit is camped slightly to the left.

THE BATTLE

MOVE ONE The US guns opened fire on the RC, daft really, it was out of range. MOVE TWO Empire forces advanced. Those guns firing served a purpose, all American units were ready to engage. MOVE THREE US guns opened up again, miss. MOVE FOUR a hit on a US gun crew. MOVE FIVE a hit on the Barney crew, small arms fire also opened up, with casualties. MOVE SIX very bloody, for both sides, and the Barney entered the US position. Although the melee inflicted only one loss on the US infantry, the loser had to test morale. D2, they panicked. rout or surrender?, D2 again, they surrendered. While all this was going on, a US cavalry unit had sought to outflank the Empire troops. For several moves, it had remained stationary, opposed by a HMG. I'm too cautious to risk advancing: and it was restricting the HMG from other targets. so I allowed the dice to determine (D6). They advanced and suffered a casualty. Back at the redoubt, the neighbouring artillery witnessed their infantry surrendering, and were obliged to test their morale. D2, followed by another D2, they too now surrendered!

BELOW The Shocking MOVE SIX.

MOVE SEVEN The Cavalry charged the HMG, the crew opened up. D6, D6, two casualties. Morale test, D5, but with such losses, by HMG, and now half strength, they refused to charge home. The US Commander was determined still to fight on (D6). and moved to a fortified house. The Barney followed. While those that had surrendered found themselves being entertained by bagpipers. At this point, I could see no purpose in continuing. However, in retiring, one US regiment delivered a perfect volley, three casualties, and it broke a Guards Battalion. Fortunately, the panic did not spread. MOVE EIGHT The Guards were rallied, but were unable to advance further, being under half strength. One US Battalion faltered under Barney fire and broke. End of Game? Not quite. Two fresh US battalions now entered the table, making contact with the two that were still operating. It now became a rush for the Empire forces to retire with their prisoners. No time for the two captured guns to be limbered, they had to be destroyed. End of Game? Not quite. It slowly dawned on me, the Americans had nothing that could knock out the Barney, while it could continue to pound them with its medium guns. Fortunately for the Americans, they suffered no further casualties before prudently deciding to depart the field.

CONCLUSION

I confess, was expecting my new toy to be knocked out on move two! But the American medium gun crews were poor shots. And the dice always favoured the Empire during the game. The Quebec Relief Force failed to link up with Montreal, but they had captured or destroyed four military units. Their own losses amounted to one military unit. The Montreal garrison still has twelve units, but the besieging Americans are reduced to fourteen. Here is the UNITS map before the battle. Have also included a map showing battles fought, with points awarded for their impact on the campaign (five Empire points for this action). And there is a return of the units/casualties in this game.

MGB

 ps My garden de-fences have now been restored