"Stop the Hessians-AWI scenario 2" Topic

Here is a second hypothetical American War of Independence battle for your gaming fun. This is the core of the scenario. You can change whatever you want to change. You can use whatever rules you want. This is simply the OOB, deployment, map and victory conditions-a situation. A situation that you can change in any manner to make it work with your rules and troops…just make it fun. So here you go…..

Title: Stop the Hessians, 1778

Background:
1. American briefing: Washington has received reports of a Hessian division moving around the armies northern flank. He detachs 4 small divisions under Lafayette to intercept and halt the British flank move.
2. British briefing: Knyphausen's Hessian/British division with 4 brigades and a small Jaeger advance force has been detached to move around the American northern flank. Knyphausen must capture and control the northern road network forcing the withdrawal of the main American army from its current strong position.
The weather is beautiful and the ground is dry as the lead Jaegers encounter an American blocking force.

Maps.

There are two maps-a terrain map and deployment/objective map. The terrain map shows terrain only. The map is gridded in a 6x4 grid representing either a 6 foot by 4 foot table or a 9 foot by 6 foot table. Each grid side is either 12 inches or 18 inches dependent on your table. The second map is a deployment/victory map. It has troop deployment areas overlying the terrain map and victory locations marked in red.

Here is the terrain map: Double click on image for full size image. You probably can download the JPEG if you want.

picture

Here is the deployment/victory locations map:

picture

Order of Battle:
1.British OOB: 11 regiments plus 6 Jaeger companies totaling 4640 men and 16 guns
LTG Wilhelm von Knyphausen Division

Advance Force: Hessian Jagers: 475 men
LTC Ludwig von Wurmb
1st Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
2nd Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
3rd Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
4th Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
Anspach-Beyreuth Jager Co: (100 men)
Hesse-Cassel Artillery: (Two 3 pounder guns)

Hessian Brigade: 1560 men
MG Johann Stirn
Musketeer Regiment von Donop: (545 men)
Musketeer Regiment von Mirbach:(550 men)
Combined Knyphausen/Von Lose Fusilier Regiment (465 men)
Hesse-Cassel Artillery: (Six guns 3-pounder guns)

Hessian Grenadier Brigade=855 men
Col Linsing
Linsing Grenadier Battalion: (425 men)
Minnigerode Grenadier Battalion: 430 men)

3rd Brigade: 900 men
MG Charles Grey
15th Regiment of Foot: 4-5 (365 men)
17th Regiment of Foot: 2-5 (235 men)
44th Regiment of Foot: 3-5 (310 men)
Royal Artillery: (Four 6 pounder guns)

4th Brigade: 850 men
BG James Agnew (2)
33rd Regiment of Foot: (350 men)
37th Regiment of Foot: (300 men)
46th Regiment of Foot: (200 men)
Royal Artillery: (Four 6 pounder guns)

2. American OOB: 28 small regiments totaling 6630 men plus 8 guns

Lafayette's Command: MG Marquis de Lafayette
Wayne's Division

1st Pennsylvania Brigade=685 men
--Merged 1st and 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment (340 men)
--7th Pennsylvania Regiment (175 men)
--10th Pennsylvania Regiment (170 men)

3rd Pennsylvania Brigade=620 men
(Colonel Robert Magaw)
--Merged 3rd Pennsylvania and Spencer's Regiments (175 Men)
--Merged 6th Pennsylvania and Malcolm's Regiments (220 men)
--Merged 9th and 12th Pennsylvania Regiments (225 Men)
(Two 6 pounder guns)

BG William Maxwell's Division

-New Jersey Brigade=1035 men
Colonel Matthias Ogden
-1st New Jersey Regiment (400 men)
-2nd New Jersey Regiment (375 men)
-3rd New Jersey Regiment (295 men)
-4th New Jersey Regiment (235 men)
--CPT Randall's Company/Continental Artillery (two 6 pounder guns)

New Hampshire Brigade=970 men
BG Enoch Poor
-1st New Hampshire Regiment (240 men)
-Merged 2nd and 3rd New Hampshire Regiment (300 men)
-2nd New York Regiment (250 men)
-4th New York Regiment (180 men)

MG Nathaniel Greene Division

2nd Maryland Brigade=920 men
Colonel Otho Williams
-2nd Maryland Regiment (345 men)
-4th Maryland Regiment (270 men)
-6th Maryland Regiment (305 men)

Varnum's Brigade=800 men
-4th Connecticut Regiment (235 men)
-8th Connecticut Regiment (235 men)
-1st & 2nd Rhode Island Regiment (330 men)
(Two 6 pounder guns)

BG William Smallwood Pennsylvania Militia Division:

1st Pennsylvania Militia Brigade: (1000)
Col Mordecai Gist
1st Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.(250 men)
2nd Pennsylvania Militia Battalion (250 men)
3rd Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.(250 men
4th Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.(250 men

2nd Pennsylvania Militia Brigade: (600)
Col. Forman
5th Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.:(300 men)
6th Pennsylvania Milita Battalion.: (300 men)
Divisional Continental Artillery (Two 3 pounder guns)

Setup:
1.British setup first in British Setup Zone. Initial British forces are the Hessian Jager advance force plus attached guns deployed anywhere in the British Setup Zone. The British then select any one Hessian or British Brigade to deploy in column along the road, streching from the map edge, in the British Setup Zone.

2.The Americans will choose any one American Division for initial setup. One brigade will deploy anywhere in the American setup zone 1. The second brigade will deploy in a road column, regiments adjacent, anywhere in American setup zone 2.

Reinforcements:
1.British: At the beginning of turn 2 and every turn afterwards, the British roll a 6 sided dice. On a roll of 4 or greater, the british may choose any one remaining off board brigade to deploy along the road in continuous road column, starting from the map edge, in the British setup zone. The reinforcing brigade may move on the same turn as arriving on board. Roll on each turn afterwards, until all British troops have arrived on the board.

2.American: At the beginning of turn 2 and every turn afterwards, the Americans roll a 6 sided dice. On a roll of 4 or greater, the Americans may choose a brigade from one of the three off board divisions and deploy regiments in adjacent march column along either of the two reinforcement roads. The reinforcing brigade may move on the same turn as arriving on board.

The next brigade reinforcement must be from the same division. In other words, one entire division must arrive as reinforcements before another division can begin arriving as reinforcements.

Continue rolling on each turn afterwards, until all American troops have arrived on the board.

Victory: Whichever side controls three of the four victory crossroads is the victor.

Turn length: Beginning on Turn 15, roll a 6 sided dice each turn. On a roll of 5 or 6, the game ends.

Terrain Notes
1. Hills are approximately 10-15 feet in height over lower ground. Troops may not be seen or fired upon if a hill intervenes between firing troops and target. Troops on hills cannot see over trees. Artillery on hills can fire over troops on lower elevation.
2. Two types of Woods:
a. Moderate woods have some noticeable organizational disruption and speed reduction (columns reduce impact
substantially). 40 yards visibility
b. Light woods and brush give minimal disruption but do reduce line of sight. 80 yards visibility within light woods.
3. Roads are good roads negating adjacent terrain for units in column and allows a substantial increase in movement speed (100% increase)
4. Feel free to add in minor terrain such as rail fences, haystacks, etc…The fields could easily have minor terrain features.
5. Houses are frame wood houses.

Final notes:
1. If you wish to reduce the size of the scenario, just remove one of the smaller English or Hessian brigades and the American militia division.
2. If you don't have the specified brigades, feel free to substitute available brigades in the approximate numbers.
3. This battle takes place after the Valley Forge training. American continentals have gained some confidence. Militia is still pretty shabby.
4. You know your rules. So if you feel the numbers aren't quite balanced, don't hesitate to add another British brigade or American brigade to the OOB to balance things out.
5. If you have any questions, let me know here.
6. Any feedback appreciated!

Just a few historical comments:

1) I doubt very much that the British/Hessians would have deployed all those jaegers in one group, as they are the only light troops in the force. You should really split them 3:2 between advance and rear guards, each with one grenadier battalion in support (see below); in '78, the Anspachers were still "newbies" and a little suspect in terms of discipline, so perhaps put them and one HC coy in the rear.

2) It was the practice among all the German contingents to back the jaegers up with musket-armed units (at a minimum ratio of 2 musketeers per rifleman, but usually more) due to the rifle's slower rate of loading. Sometimes this was done with platoons of "flankers" – volunteers from the ranks of the line infantry – but more usually platoons of grenadiers, with the rest of the grenadier battalion to the rear. Hence, one grenadier battalion deployed with each of the advance and rear guards.

3) British commanders – Agnew was killed at Germantown in October '77; I would suggest instead Lt Col (local BG) James Webster, CO of the 33rd. Grey should have the capability of commanding both British brigades, as a quasi-divisional commander, as he did at Monmouth.

Otherwise, sounds interesting.

Thanks for the suggestions.

In particular, I think that is a good point on the Jaegers. I could see adding a detachment of musket armed grenadiers or lights or even Ferguson/Simcoe type detachment in direct support of the Jaegers. It might actually be good in terms of balance as well because the british are pretty heavily outnumbered. Actually I think I will re-do the scenario and add in the Lengerke Grenadiers of 405 men. I can split them into two wings to support advance and rear guard jaeger forces-even if not quite in the correct proportions.

I don't like the idea of breaking up the Hessian Grenadier brigade or allocating them as an on board at start force-in terms of the scenario. Primarily because the concentrated Grenadier brigade is such a powerful force. I would want the brit player to have that powerful force united and with open deployment options. I think adding a battalion, perhaps broke in half, to support an advance and rear jaeger detachment might be the best option.

Actually I based the force composition on OOB's from Monmouth and Germantown but modified to match troops which I have painted and available at the moment… I am lacking painted British grenadiers, lights and a Simcoe/Ferguson type force. Will get a battalion of Brit grenadiers done shortly.

I also choose a 78 vs a 77 timeframe because I wanted a better trained American force.

I think the terrain, road network and the approach march of each sides reinforcements should make for an interesting meeting engagement.

!!!!!!!!!!!! I just noticed a mistake on the reinforcement die rolls description!!!!!!!!!

The Americans should receive a brigade reinforcement on a die roll of 4 or LESS each turn, not 4 or greater. Also the British should receive a brigade reinforcement on a die roll of 5 or LESS, not 4 or greater…. Bad mistake on my part.

Too late to edit…

Ok, here is the editted version of the scenario with the Lengerke grenadier battalion added, the jaegers divided into advance and rear forces, reinforcements rolls corrected and commanders adjusted.

Here is a second hypothetical American War of Independence battle for your gaming fun. This is the core of the scenario. You can change whatever you want to change. You can use whatever rules you want. This is simply the OOB, deployment, map and victory conditions-a situation. A situation that you can change in any manner to make it work with your rules and troops…just make it fun. So here you go…..

Title: Here come the Hessians!, 1778

Background:
1. American briefing: Washington has received reports of a Hessian division moving around the armies northern flank. He detachs 4 small divisions under Lafayette to intercept and halt the British flank move.
2. British briefing: Knyphausen's Hessian/British division with 4 brigades and a small Jaeger advance force has been detached to move around the American northern flank. Knyphausen must capture and control the northern road network forcing the withdrawal of the main American army from its current strong position.
The weather is beautiful and the ground is dry as the lead Jaegers encounter an American blocking force.

Maps.

There are two maps-a terrain map and deployment/objective map. The terrain map shows terrain only. The map is gridded in a 6x4 grid representing either a 6 foot by 4 foot table or a 9 foot by 6 foot table. Each grid side is either 12 inches or 18 inches dependent on your table. The second map is a deployment/victory map. It has troop deployment areas overlying the terrain map and victory locations marked in red.

Here is the terrain map: Double click on image for full size image. You probably can download the JPEG if you want.

picture

Here is the deployment/victory locations map:

picture

Order of Battle:
1.British OOB: 12 regiments plus 6 Jaeger companies totaling 5040 men and 16 guns
LTG Wilhelm von Knyphausen Division

Advance Force: Hessian Jagers: 475 men
LTC Ludwig von Wurmb
1st Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
2nd Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
3rd Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
Lengerke Grenadier Battalion wing: (300 men)
Hesse-Cassel Artillery: (Two 3 pounder guns)

Rear Force: 195 men
4th Co/Hesse-Cassel Jagers: (95 men)
Anspach-Beyreuth Jager Co: (100 men)
Lengerke Grenadier Battalion wing (100 men)

Hessian Brigade: 1560 men
MG Johann Stirn
Musketeer Regiment von Donop: (545 men)
Musketeer Regiment von Mirbach:(550 men)
Combined Knyphausen/Von Lose Fusilier Regiment (465 men)
Hesse-Cassel Artillery: (Six guns 3-pounder guns)

Hessian Grenadier Brigade=855 men
Col Linsing
Linsing Grenadier Battalion: (425 men)
Minnigerode Grenadier Battalion: 430 men)

3rd Brigade: 900 men
MG Charles Grey
15th Regiment of Foot: 4-5 (365 men)
17th Regiment of Foot: 2-5 (235 men)
44th Regiment of Foot: 3-5 (310 men)
Royal Artillery: (Four 6 pounder guns)

4th Brigade: 850 men
Lt Col (local BG) James Webster (Can serve as Brit Quasi-division commander controlling both Brit brigades)
33rd Regiment of Foot: (350 men)
37th Regiment of Foot: (300 men)
46th Regiment of Foot: (200 men)
Royal Artillery: (Four 6 pounder guns)

2. American OOB: 28 small regiments totaling 6630 men plus 8 guns

Lafayette's Command: MG Marquis de Lafayette

Wayne's Division
1st Pennsylvania Brigade=685 men
(Col William Irvine)
--Merged 1st and 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment (340 men)
--7th Pennsylvania Regiment (175 men)
--10th Pennsylvania Regiment (170 men)

3rd Pennsylvania Brigade=620 men
(Colonel Robert Magaw)
--Merged 3rd Pennsylvania and Spencer's Regiments (175 Men)
--Merged 6th Pennsylvania and Malcolm's Regiments (220 men)
--Merged 9th and 12th Pennsylvania Regiments (225 Men)
(Two 6 pounder guns)

BG William Maxwell's Division

-New Jersey Brigade=1035 men
Colonel Matthias Ogden
-1st New Jersey Regiment (400 men)
-2nd New Jersey Regiment (375 men)
-3rd New Jersey Regiment (295 men)
-4th New Jersey Regiment (235 men)
--CPT Randall's Company/Continental Artillery (two 6 pounder guns)

New Hampshire Brigade=970 men
BG Enoch Poor
-1st New Hampshire Regiment (240 men)
-Merged 2nd and 3rd New Hampshire Regiment (300 men)
-2nd New York Regiment (250 men)
-4th New York Regiment (180 men)

MG Nathaniel Greene Division

2nd Maryland Brigade=920 men
Colonel Otho Williams
-2nd Maryland Regiment (345 men)
-4th Maryland Regiment (270 men)
-6th Maryland Regiment (305 men)

Varnum's Brigade=800 men
Colonel John Durkee
-4th Connecticut Regiment (235 men)
-8th Connecticut Regiment (235 men)
-1st & 2nd Rhode Island Regiment (330 men)
(Two 6 pounder guns)

BG William Smallwood Pennsylvania Militia Division:

1st Pennsylvania Militia Brigade: (1000)
Col Mordecai Gist
1st Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.(250 men)
2nd Pennsylvania Militia Battalion (250 men)
3rd Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.(250 men
4th Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.(250 men

2nd Pennsylvania Militia Brigade: (600)
Col. Forman
5th Pennsylvania Militia Battalion.:(300 men)
6th Pennsylvania Milita Battalion.: (300 men)
Divisional Continental Artillery (Two 3 pounder guns)

Setup:
1.British setup first in British Setup Zone. Initial British forces are the Hessian Jager advance force plus attached guns deployed anywhere in the British Setup Zone. The British then select any one Hessian or British Brigade to deploy in column along the road, streching from the map edge, in the British Setup Zone.

2.The Americans will choose any one American Division for initial setup. One brigade will deploy anywhere in the American setup zone 1. The second brigade will deploy in a road column, regiments adjacent, anywhere in American setup zone 2.

Reinforcements:
1.British: At the beginning of turn 2 and every turn afterwards, the British roll a 6 sided dice. On a roll of 5 or less, the british may choose any one remaining off board brigade to deploy along the road in continuous road column, starting from the map edge, in the British setup zone. The reinforcing brigade may move on the same turn as arriving on board. Roll on each turn afterwards, until all British troops have arrived on the board.

The Jaeger rear force must be the last force to enter the map.

2.American: At the beginning of turn 2 and every turn afterwards, the Americans roll a 6 sided dice. On a roll of 4 or less, the Americans may choose a brigade from one of the three off board divisions and deploy regiments in adjacent march column along either of the two reinforcement roads. The reinforcing brigade may move on the same turn as arriving on board.

The next brigade reinforcement must be from the same division. In other words, one entire division must arrive as reinforcements before another division can begin arriving as reinforcements.

Continue rolling on each turn afterwards, until all American troops have arrived on the board.

Victory: Whichever side controls three of the four victory crossroads is the victor.

Turn length: Beginning on Turn 15, roll a 6 sided dice each turn. On a roll of 5 or 6, the game ends.

Terrain Notes
1. Hills are approximately 10-15 feet in height over lower ground. Troops may not be seen or fired upon if a hill intervenes between firing troops and target. Troops on hills cannot see over trees. Artillery on hills can fire over troops on lower elevation.
2. Two types of Woods:
a. Moderate woods have some noticeable organizational disruption and speed reduction (columns reduce impact
substantially). 40 yards visibility
b. Light woods and brush give minimal disruption but do reduce line of sight. 80 yards visibility within light woods.
3. Roads are good roads negating adjacent terrain for units in column and allows a substantial increase in movement speed (100% increase)
4. Feel free to add in minor terrain such as rail fences, haystacks, etc…The fields could easily have minor terrain features.
5. Houses are frame wood houses.

Final notes:
1. If you wish to reduce the size of the scenario, just remove one of the smaller English or Hessian brigades and the American militia division.
2. If you don't have the specified brigades, feel free to substitute available brigades in the approximate numbers.
3. This battle takes place after the Valley Forge training. American continentals have gained some confidence. Militia is still pretty shabby.
4. You know your rules. So if you feel the numbers aren't quite balanced, don't hesitate to add another British brigade or American brigade to the OOB to balance things out.
5. If you have any questions, let me know here.
6. Any feedback appreciated!