Lead

Mar 15 14 9:25 PM

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Hi Lads 
   Have play a few games now using my Yanks ...and i am finding that is really hard to stop them Brits ! I just cant slow them Brits down at all !smiley: grin

say we have a  British line bn and 1 Militia reg. (conscript ) the Brits will be on a +1 for brit in line (which is fine no probs there ) But mee poor yanks are on a -2 for Conscripts firing and -2 open order line, A difference of 5 ! and on the next round of firing  its -6 (-2 for firing last round ) and -1 for the Brits ! its very hard to get them to take a morale test let alone stop them ..smiley: grin  and them yanks dont roll for 1/2 casualties as well smiley: eek 

I will not deploy any militia in open order line as they are not trained ,so do i up grade my militia to 2nd line but  I feel that its too big a step up for them to be classed as 2nd line ? I might give them a -1 for conscripts instead of the -2 ? what to you chaps think ? 

Had another Cracking game today(battle of North Point) using these great rules , Played out just like the real battle so maybe the rules ARE spot on for this period and its just me being a whinging pome .

Happy gaming all vh.
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#1 [url]

Mar 16 14 9:04 AM

Hi VH,


Agree that shooting at them with militia doesn't work nor should it if the rules are accurate and of course they are!

Same problem in other theatres with Prussian Landwehr and Spanish and I suppose revolutionary war French when poorly trained so is the answer to charge?

Presumably the militia are enthusiastic so their morale should/would be better than normal?

Dunno if columns were used by our American cousins/rebels but interested to find out.

Cheers,

Paul

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#2 [url]

Mar 16 14 5:34 PM

Hi Von Hesh,

The rules are fine as they reflect the reality of period combat . As you have correctly implied some militia are better than others. For example U.S. volunteers are usually better (pick of the crop or the most motivated), so, they are given second line for morale. In our War of 1812 games we give each unit two morale factors, one for FIRING which reflects expertise and good training/marksmanship and one for MORALE which reflects leaderships and the courage to stand and fight.

For example some American and Canadian militia rifle units are given 2LN or LN for firing but C or 2LN for morale to reflect the battlefield reality of the time. IE they are given credit for their expertise/marksmanship but they may still be led by poorly trained militia officers. Another example are the Canadian militia flank companies during the 1812-13; they were much better trained (approximately ten  times the training) than the standard militia and they were usually the best soldiers of their regiment. So, I tend to give them 2LN or sometimes LN for firing and 2LN for morale. Some Canadian militia were led by regular British officers, so their morale would increase accordingly.

So, it all comes down to researching each battle and grading the individual units accordingly, including their leaders. Also, in the British Regular versus American militia in the context you have stated, IE Bladensburg and to a lessor extent North Point; there are usually many times more American militia than British regulars and more American artillery to even things out. So, if you have quantity but less quality you must either manoeuver to get on the flank and rear of your opponent or alternatively take advantage of terrain and defensively dig in as at Baltimore and New Orleans.

So endeth the lesson. The War of 1812 is a great period to game and GdeB with some minor modifications is perfectly suited to it.

Have fun.


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#3 [url]

Mar 18 14 9:51 PM

Thanks ID
never thought about give my units 2 grades of morale ! bloody good ideal ! will do that next game i think !
i know a little about militia units as my AWI yanks dont do too much better under BG .Just looks like i have to buy more Old Glory Figures at salute...
But like you said the rules play out great with every battle we have played so far ! and i will take up the 2 morale classes 8) thats the ticket i think .. might even add a -1 for 2Ln troops firing that could help a bit as well.
V

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