A couple of weekends ago the club played a fantastic game of Sharp Practice set in during the FIW period. The scenario played was Scenario Three ‘Defence in Depth’ from the main Sharp Practice 2 rule set. This scenario I feel is a great little scenario to play as it allows for a closer deployment of forces…well if your defensive force draw a command card in the first turn or two that is. The objective of the game was for the attacking force (the French) to capture the primary deployment point of the Anglo-American force, which was the on the back edge of the table.
The forces deployed for our game were both an equal 80pts which included leaders. On the French and Indian side, we had:
2 x French Regular units plus a level 2 and level 1 leader,
1 x French Grenadier unit plus a level 2 leader
1 x French Marine Infantry unit plus a level 2 leader
1 x French Marine Infantry Skirmisher unit plus a level 1 leader
2 x Indian Allied tribes plus a Level 3 and level 1 leader
On the Anglo-American side they deployed the following troops:
4 x Provincial Regular units plus a level 3 and a level 2 leader (from supports they also purchased a level 1 leader)
2 x Frontier Militia units plus a level 2 leader
2 x Colonial Rangers units plus a level 1 leader each
1 x Settler skirmisher unit plus a level 1 leader
1 x Frontier Skirmisher unit plus a level 1 leader
Our game started off with several French units deploying on to the table first starting with the Marine skirmishers and followed by the Regular French troops and then the allied Indians using their manoeuvrable deployment point to start moving around the Anglo-American left flank. On the Anglo-American side the only units to deploy were the Frontier Skirmishers, who let of a quick volley into the French Regulars causing them to receive two points of shock and the other unit to deploy was the Frontier Militia. Both Anglo- American units deployed into the secondary deployment area to start the defence in depth. I also delayed the deployment of the Colonial Rangers by one turn and the Regular Provincials by two turns to reflect them coming to the call of the frontier settlers. In addition, they were only allowed to deploy from the Primary Deployment point to the rear of the table.
The second and third turns saw the remainder of the French units deployed not only across the front of the first Anglo-American defensive position but also saw both unit of French Indian Allies move right around the side of the first defensive position and deploy on the Anglo-American flank and rear. This rapid deployed of Indians caused a slight panic in the ranks of the Provincials who in turn deployed a unit of Provincial Rangers in hope of delaying the Indians. The panic also causes Regular Provincials to split their unit into two different halves, both of two units each, in hope of covering as much ground as possible to stop the French advance. A second Colonial Ranger unit was deployed in support of the first defensive position.
During the fourth and fifth turns the French managed to gain the first command cards and delivered some devastating volleys onto those unlucky Anglo-American units who happened to be in their arcs of fire. One unit of Colonial Rangers lost 50% of their force from a devastating volley initiated by some French Allied Indians, which in turn forced the Rangers to withdraw back into some better cover. The Frontier Skirmishers also took the full force of fire from the French Regulars and in turn withdraw out of effective range and into some better cover with the withdrawing Rangers. The Frontier Militia also took some losses but mainly in points of shock…luckily, they can take a few hits otherwise they to may have been forced back.
The sixth and seventh turns saw the main French Allied Indian unit advance and charge two units of Provincial Regulars. The devastating fisticuffs went for two rounds, but unfortunately the French Allied Indians lost the fight, and their leader (level 3) went down with a minor wound. They in turn took 80% causalities and were forced back never to engage in this combat again. The Provincial Regulars did not get off scot-free either and suffered almost 50% casualties in that one combat alone, however to their brave stand they did manage to hold and secure the centre for the Anglo-American force. Our Colonial Rangers on the far-right flank near the apple orchard were also out shot by the French Marine skirmishers and suffered 80% casualties, including their leader…they were not to play any further active part of the battle.
The final two turns of the game were really the deciders of the battle. French fire from both the French Grenadiers and the Marine Infantry took a heavy toll on the Frontier Militia forcing the formation to break apart and forcing them back several inches because of excess points of shock. One of the groups unfortunately were subsequently hit in the flank by the last remaining Allied Indian tribe and devastated…. losing the level 2 leader as they fled. The French Regulars saw a chance and advanced into the gap left by the Anglo-American withdrawal from the first defensive position, only to be in turn hit by several volleys from the front and flank. This fire basically ended the game for the French as they lost another main leader (level 2), and the unit broke while the remaining Regular unit was forced back due to excess shock. With the French Regulars and being forced back and the centre was broken, and victory fell to the Anglo-Americans.
Overall, a very close game with only three-point difference between the two commands from winner to loser in the Force Moral. Well, done to the Anglo-American commanders as they managed to repel the French raid (though only just) on the valley and save the local farmers from losing their fields and farms.
