Battle at the Monongahela

With the first volleys ringing out through the woods, The Battle is on! Natives and Canadians move on the British flankers on their left...

The initial British volley scores heavily on the French Regulars (just as they did historically), four green caps are recorded. The French score  a hit as well...

A closeup view. Lt Colonel Gates is behind the Grenadiers, and you can see the British Scouts as well to the right rear of those Grenadiers...

The poor outnumbered flankers get off a shot while some natives miss from their flank. Other Natives are closing in to their front. Wouldn't want to be those poor souls...

The British score another hit on the French Regulars (who almost fail their Reaction Test), but they take bloody galling fire from Canadians to their right...

Those British Flankers mentioned earlier...they take a volley from Natives to their left, leaving only one of two men standing. But he is charged by another Native band, and is quickly cut down...

Closer view of the mayhem. There are now two less British Grenadiers...

Taking volleys from the front and rear, has caused the British Grenadiers to Recoil 4"! But it allows the Royal Artillery to unlimber the 6lb to their left...

On the British right flank, an Englishman is struck down by charging Canadians...

Flankers (on the British right flank) from both the Virginians and Grenadiers fire blindly into the woods and cause no casualties. The Natives charge up into melee and take down one of the Virginians (left center)...

Back on the British left flank, the Canadians struck down the Flanker, and some of their marksmen dropped another Englishmen in another group. The Canadiens then took casualties from other Englishmen, and they had to Recoil! First small success for Braddock's men!

More success for the English, cannon and musket fire bring down another Canadian and force that unit to Recoil. (Recoil forces unit to fall back 4" but remain facing the enemy while Retire includes facing away from the enemy)

Success is short-lived for the English however. On their right flank, the Natives hack down another Virginian and deliver a devastating volley into Grenadier Flankers. Four Grenadiers are left on the forest floor, while the lone survivor breaks towards the supposed protection of the Main Column!

The unfortunate Grenadiers...

The British Grenadiers let loose yet another worthless volley into the woods and even the 6lb is ineffective. Unfortunately for the English, the Canadians are returning to the fight while further on the right, more Canadians inflict two more casualties on the 4 remaining British Flankers (right center)...

Even when two more English Flankers move up, their fire misses the target...

What makes matters worse is on the English right flank, the Natives score three hits on the Virginian Flankers, causing the remaining four (top center of photo) to Retire. The entire English right flank has been stripped bear!

On the Old Indian Trail, both the British Grenadiers and French Regulars have by now lost a full stand (12 Brits and 8 French). The "Hat Men" have moved up on the Grenadiers right flank and have already taken losses. Even the Royal Artillery (right of the Grenadiers) with two ineffective blasts fired into the woods, now loss half their men in one volley from the Canadians!

Over on the British left flank an Englishmen and Canadian go down (center and top center)...

But its on the British right flank that things are falling apart. At least four bands of Natives and one Canadian are maneuvering unhindered...

The British Grenadiers attempt to change front so as to bring their muskets to bear against the Canadians who are punishing their flank. This now exposes their flank and rear to other enemies!

With more Natives appearing to his front, the last Redcoat Flanker on the left is convinced to flee for the Column. A Virginian Flanker unit can be seen to the right. Note the 6lb at top left of photo...

The "Hat Men" cos (top right of photo) are taking horrendous losses from the bands of Natives to their unguarded flank...

More losses for the Grenadiers as French Regulars and Canadiens scourge their rear and flank with deadly fire, inc Lt Colonel Gage himself! (between the Grenadiers and artillery caisson...

Natives are now closing in on the Virginian co on the trail (top left of photo), behind the Grenadiers and "Hat Men"...

Its on the British right flank that disaster is rearing its ugly head. Natives are raking the "Hat Men" (right edge), the Virginians (right of center) and now,  the Virginian Road Cutters (upper left)!

Back on the Trail, the Grenadiers are now down to almost 1/3 of their initial strength and their enemies are everywhere...

The "Hat Men" (center) are forced to Recoil through the Virginians, leaving the Grenadiers even more isolated...

The Virginians barely holding on the right flank have consolidated their ranks but still see two of their numbers drop (center)...

The Virginians on the Trail (top right) send a volley at the Natives tormenting them and the Road Cutters ineffectively fire as well (upper left)...

Natives close in on the Road Cutters, (upper right center) as the critical moment has been reached on the Trail...

Braddock's response will be covered in Part II...

 

July 9, 1755: The Monongahela

Always had a hankering to recreate this pivotal struggle between the French, Native Americans, Colonials and British regulars. Finally fell to the temptation of purchasing numerous figures produced by Blue Moon via Old Glory 15s,  and put together the forces in 15mm. Eventually established a 1to 4 scale which created the following: French Regulars-26 figs representing two units of the Compagnes franches de la Marine; Canadian Militia- 27 figs in three units; Native Americans- 100 figs in nine units; British Regulars- 218 figs (although only 68 of the Vanguard will be used initially); Virginia Regiment- 34 figs; Virginian Road Cutters- 14 figs; Royal Artillery- 4 figs and 1 6lb cannon in the Vanguard, with 8 more figs and a 12lb, and Howitzer with main force;  New York Independent Co- 13 figs. Also with the main column, Mounted Virginian Co- 7 figs; Royal Engineers- 4 figs; Royal Navy- 8 figs (yes you read that correct. They had been attached because they were skilled at maintaining block and tackle, necessary for moving supplies by boat initially); 6 Supply wagons; New York Independent Co and South Carolina Independent Co- 26 figs. Last but not least, 1 Civilian and 1 Native American scout, 8 British Generals/Colonels, inc Braddock himself. That makes the French and Indian Army some 153 figures against the British/American Colonial Army of 346.  After placing the British column, it stretched for 10 feet!

View of the Head of the Column at the start of the game, with flankers out to right and left. The French Regulars advancing up the Indian trail can seen at bottom...

A closeup of the British Scout party, consisting of 1 civilian, 1 Native American, and 1 Mounted Virginian...

Another angle of the fateful confrontation...

View of the British Vanguard from the South. At the top, it is led by 2 cos of Grenadiers, followed by 2 cos of 'Hat Men" (Center cos) from the 44th and 48th Foot Regiments. On the Indian trail in between their guards is the 6lb gun. Next (with the Colors flying) is a company of the Virginian Regiment leading the Virginian Road Cutters. (who had the awesome job of blazing a road through this wilderness! You can just make out some British Flankers at the top, and more at the bottom...

The British had groups of about 8-10 men some 150 yds from the column, with other groups of about 20 closer in at 100 yds. Here is a closeup. Must have been a lonely feeling out their in the deep woods for those British Redcoats! Nearly a third of the British force was so deployed, fearful of an ambush. By this time however, Braddock had his musicians playing British Grenadier as they believed the French had lost their last chance at an ambush when the British crossed the Monongahela about a mile back. Little did they suspect...

As the British scouts (seen at top) race back to warn Lt-Colonel Gage of the vanguard, Captain de Beaujeau, French commander, is moving his forces off the trail, into the woods on either side. The Regulars are in the center, with a unit of Canadian Militia on either flank. A third Canadian Militia unit is moving to the right while the first Native American band is flanking to the left...

The first shots are fired (no hits though) by the French Regulars as the British Grenadiers are moving into formation, a rather ponderous three-rank line prior to their volley. Notice the Canadiens and Natives are already moving to the flanks of the British. Trouble is brewing!

A rather blurry view of the Grenadiers, sorry...

The battle will continue...

Seven Samurai: Day Two

 Having rested up and bandaged wounds, the Bandits returned to the village. This time the plan was to hold at the bridge while the main attacks would come at the right- and left-Fords.

The new attack began at the right-Ford, and both Kambai and Kyuzo moved into the breach and took down two bandits...

Over at the left-Ford, the Samurai decided to take a very aggressive stance as Heihachi charged the advancing Bandits, but only a light wound was inflicted...

Kikuchiyo also chose to push across the Bridge but no blood was spilt...

Disaster for the Villagers at the left-Ford. Heihachi is struck down by two Ronin Bandits! Ironically he was the first of the Samurai to die in the film as well! At the top you can see the young Katsushiro moving down to aid his friends...

Now Kikuchiyo pays for his rashness and is cut down by a Ronin Bandit (chief's 2nc after losing his original during the first day's fight).

Kambai takes down more Bandits, after Kyuzo suffers his second light wound. Then villagers start dropping from arquebus (out of photo to left) fire!

At the left-Ford the Bandit Chief has arrived (in white top) and has hacked down some of the fence. Meanwhile the young Katsushiro has advanced and engaged a Ronin Bandit.

Back at the Bridge, the Ronin Bandit and his supporters will fight and bring down all of the Peasants and even Gorobei! The Bridge ends up where the Bandits break through!

Kambai destroys two complete stands of Bandits causing the rest to flee! Unfortunately the Ronin Bandits kills Katsushiro and Shichiroyo at the left-Ford! As our game time was coming to a close, it was decided to advance the two remaining Samurai and the Bandit Chief and his Ronin 2nd, for a final confrontation. The Bandit chief will bring down the wounded Kyuzo and Kambai defeats the Ronin. After several attempts, we call off the fight between the two leaders as time runs out! Although not quite the same result of the Film (It was decided that the Ronin Bandits' power needed to be lowered a bit to make it more balanced), but a fun afternoon nevertheless!

 

Seven Samurai

 Akira Kurosawa's classic movie, Seven Samurai, that later became the inspiration of The Magnificent Seven, is the basis of this game. Using Test of Honor Rules (with a few home-brewed changes from the movie, several of us staged this battle between the Ronin Bandits and the villagers with their hired help (who technically were also Ronin, but we'll refer to them as the Samurai)...

So here is the setting, the peaceful village with four groups of defenders, each at least one hired Samurai attached. One is to the left of the Mill (the left-Ford, left photo); second at bridge (center); third seen upper right (the right-Ford); and the fourth in reserve top left of center). In the film, the defenders blocked off all but one entrance to the village. Here the stream is impassable except by two fords (right and left) and the bridge. "Japanese fences" (bamboo) have been constructed to impede the attackers and to also provide cover, both from melee and shots. (The Bandits have a couple of bowmen as well as arquebus) 

Here we see one of the groups of Bandits forming up to assault the Bridge. The Peasant Reserves with Kambai (the Seven's Leader) and the young Katsushiro at lower left. The right-Ford in in the upper left...

At that previously mentioned ford is the Samurai Kyuzo (the Master Swordsman), with his supporting Peasants...

At the left-Ford, we see Heihachi and Shichiroji waiting for the Bandits' attack (top right)...

At the Bridge, Kikuchiyo (played by the legendary Toshiro Mifune) jumps to the attack, to block the Bandits, one of which he takes down...

At the right-hand Ford, one of the Peasant Bowmen as taken down a Bandit, while their compatriots cross the stream...

At the left-hand Ford, the Bandits have broken through but Heihachi and Shichiroji fill in the gap, taking down one of the bad guys. Look closely at the upper right behind the tree. That is the Village Elder who brings bonuses to the Villagers...

Returning to the right-Ford, Kambai has joined Kyuzo to drop some more Bandits...

and even more Bandits!

More Bandits press across the left-Ford. The blood drops refer to light wounds.  (Heihachi left and Shiehiroji right)...

Another Bandit bites the dust...

One of the Ronin Bandit slips through and strikes down the first Peasant!

At the right-Ford, Kambai takes a light wound, but more Bandits go down...

More Bandits move in but another goes down...

At the Bridge, Kikuchiyo succeeds in taking down a Bandit and a Ronin!

A Ronin Thug breaks through and kills the Village elder!

Heihachi rushes over to take on the Thug, but each defend themselves. Another Peasant goes down to the Ronin...

At the right-Ford, Kyuzo takes a light wound! Then we realize we have forgotten an important aspect of Test of Honor. Following a loss, the unit must take a Reaction Test and if it fails, it must withdraw at least temporarily. We then immediately checked all units, and while one Peasant group failed, four Bandits did likewise! The Bandit Chief called off the attack, and the first day ended.

        

                                                                To Be Continued...