SECOND INVASION OF ONTARIO and Oshawa Wargame (Dominion War)

The stalemate in the Dominion War has ended. A change of command for the United States Northern Army, based in Ontario, coincided with the arrival of large scale reinforcements from Washington and the Chesapeake.

Rapid manoeuvres have taken place. A four pronged advance on Toronto has been initiated. In addition, there is now a naval force on Lake Ontario. Another brigade is approaching Sudbury. Smaller contingents are moving north with the intention of reaching the James Bay. The Missinaibi post has already been taken.

The Empire response has been limited. The Empire troops in and around Toronto have been organised into two divisions and a Lake Battery, but they are heavily outnumbered. Sudbury appears to be safe for now but they have lost all communication with Toronto. 

The Mayor of Toronto called for the embodiment of all adult males. The response has been very good. A dice throw of six furnished six firing sections (18 figures). I decided to give a bonus throw and it furnished five more firing sections. The gentlemen volunteers are now formed into two battalions and attached to the Lake Battery. For fun, decided to see if Toronto could fit out and crew a gunboat, a D6 followed by another D6 cannot be disregarded...... they now have a gunboat! The American fleet has two gunboats on the lake, each carrying a small battalion of eight marines.

The Mayor of North Bay called a public meeting and asked for volunteers. A D6 furnished eighteen local volunteers. (Yes, I did throw a lot of D6, truly!). Just as well, a battalion of American infantry are approaching that town.

WARGAME Oshawa is Assaulted

The American forces launched their first move on the town of Oshawa, a fortified outpost protecting Toronto.  The American fleet comprised two gunboats with two medium guns, and sixteen marines. Their mainland assault comprised four battalions of infantry and a battery of artillery. To the north, two more light battalions were to hit the garrison as a flank attack. The Empire garrison mustered three battalions, an artillery battery, and nine local volunteers. It did not look good for the garrison!

MOVE ONE, US navy opens fire, miss their target but hit the shore gun, inflicting a casualty! US field guns open up on the church. Two D6 inflict a casualty, and set the building alight. Empire troops are forced to vacate next move. MOVE TWO. Empire gun hits the US field gun, takes down a gunner. MOVE THREE. The US Navy show their worth with a direct hit on the shore gun, and it blows up! MOVE FOUR. The Empire commander calls for an emergency withdrawal to Montreal. He remains with one working gun and a battalion of Highlanders, holding out in a fortified house. MOVE FIVE. The US infantry charge the gun crew. They stand firm, and fire their gun, before being bayoneted by the overwhelming numbers, but take down another two in the melee! MOVE SIX. Another US battalion now charges the house, and the garrison throws a D1, promptly surrendering. Just as well, another battalion had entered the house from the flank and would have finished them off.

The garrison survivors made their way to Toronto, all Empire outposts are being ordered back to the city.

This was a quick and simple game, and worked very smoothly. Here are the results. Americans suffered eight casualties, the Empire had seven casualties, with thirteen more captured. The Empire lost two military units but will be allowed to gain one, comprising loyalist refugees.

                                                                 The Dawn Attack

The garrison

Two American light battalions

Flotilla shown on the board but actually 30" away

American numbers cannot be stopped

US Marines and Detroit NG approach the largely vacated harbour

The Finale Charge

The Church aflame

MGB