That's was just marvellous

I zoomed over to Tony's place yesterday afternoon for a fabulously enjoyable, visually exquisite and socially delightful game of War of Spanish Succession.

My screen shot of the table (so quality is a bit ordinary). Allies at left, French to the right. The town of Vannes-Koortrijk occupies two hexes and is worth two victory points (one for each hex/section).

The scene was the fictitious Action at Vannes-Koortrijk (1703), pitting the Allied (British and Hesse-Kassel) army of Lt Gen Charles Churchill against the French lead by his old foe Maréchal Clément-Alibert, Comte de Rabachière.

Tony's rules are adapted, heavily adapted, from a Command and Colors derivative 'Tricorne'. They are deliberately at the toy soldier end of the spectrum, but have sufficient, clever period feel that one knows that it is the early 18thC. The rules are succinct, clear and logical. So much that, the answers to the few questions of clarification that I asked were the consistent and logical one. There are plenty of decision points for players, but no 'clever' gamey mechanics to artificially prevent you from moving troops or preventing you from making your own blunders.

Despite the, superficially, genteel nature of the art of war of the period, our game went along at a bit of a clip and came to a conclusion after only four, action-packed turns—this will seem even more so in this photo report as I did not record each stage of combat/retreat moves, so you are going to see a series of before and after photos.

Opening moves: the Allies advanced towards Vannes-Koortrijk, and, tentatively, advance their right wing cavalry. A cheeky shot from the artillery attached to the infantry produced a hit on one of the French cavalry units (white counter centre-foreground). Meanwhile, the French infantry occupied the first hex of Vannes-Koortrijk.

At the east end of the table, the Allies advanced their cavalry slightly (at right), while the French pressed their infantry forwards.

Back at the western end, the French cavalry attacked...

forcing one of Cadogan's units to retire, which, being unable to do so, was eliminated (rookie error). However, the victorious French cavalry was forced to retire in the follow-up mêlée.

The British counter-attacked, dishing out the same medicine to the right-hand French cavalry: honours even! (The counters just off table show the victory points. French at right had one (red counter) for capturing one sector of the town and a gold for the eliminated British cavalry. The Allies have one (white) for the eliminated French cavalry).

In the centre, the Cirencester’s British infantry advance closer to Vannes-Koortrijk which is now completely occupied by Bichotte’s French infantry.

Cadogan's cavalry attacked once more, the resulting mêlées caused losses to both sides, but were indecisive. (French now have two victory points for the town (red counters) and a gold for the eliminated British cavalry. The Allies still just the one).

Back on the eastern flank, Wyndham’s cavalry charge the exposed flank of Pelletier’s infantry...

breaking one unit and forcing a second to retreat.

Back on the western flank, Viriac’s cavalry broke one of Cadogan's regiments (closest to camera). Victory points four French to two Allied.

The cavalry action continued on the eastern flank too. Wyndham’s Spiegel Karabiniere's that had rained down on (reigned down? bridled?) Pelletier’s infantry, turned their attention to Bourgeois’ cavalry, badly mauling the Gendarmérie de France (no less), forcing them to retire.

It was getting hot in the centre. Bichotte ordered his infantry to attack in force, their line extending either side of Cirencester’s. (The small red arrows indicate those French units that have moved and will receive a reduced number of dice in the combat).

It did not go well. Each attack evaporated in a puff of Gallic optimism, one of the units failing its morale test. (It was not the first time that Tony's dice were to let him down).

Taking full advantage, Cirencester counter-attacked, with dramatic results. The French were ejected from Vannes-Koortrijk. (It was not the first time that my dice were to come through).

Further east, Herrenhausen’s allied infantry (centre of photo) sought to take advantage of Pelletier’s infantry that had been weakened by the successful charges of Wyndham’s cavalry, but faltered in the attempt. To their left, Wyndham's and Bourgeois' cavalry continued their mêlée.

Back on the west flank, Cadogan attacked again, indecisively..

Viriac’s troopers counter-attacked with mixed results...

 breaking one of the English horse, but seeing one of his own units sent in retreat. Gaps were appearing in the lines of both sides. Game tally (near side of photo) five victory points to the Allies, four to the French.

Bichotte lead his infantry into Vannes-Koortrijk to eject the 1st foot guards from the other side of the town, but they were not to be moved.

The cavalry mêlée on the east flank saw the Gendarmérie de France bested and forced to retreat, but neither side could deal the 'killer blow'.

It was a different matter on the west flank. Cadogan retired his remaining cavalry (Wood’s Regt) to the hill in his rear. They were promptly followed up and attacked by Viriac’s troopers, but held firm, breaking one of the French units and forcing the other  to retreat, Viriac was a casualty in the mêlée!

This demonstrates the fall of the dice for most of the day. Tony had numerous (I think seven) opportunities to kill one of my generals, but, as the balance of probability would have it, was unable to get the 1/36 chance. Muggins here gets a first shot at it and up comes with the required double six!

Viriac's demise was enough to push the victory points to the required seven for the allies and deliver the 'W'.

What great fun that was and a real roller-coaster of a game. Beginner's luck was my friend on the day, but no friend better than mon hôte Mr Foy. It's always great to see Tony's lovely table and troops in photos on his blog, but all the better to get that bit closer to them over a video call.

Thank you so much Tony for a wonderful game, an excellent afternoon/evening (my end). Additionally it was great to be able to chat about the game and related topics along the way. Marvellous.