"ECW battle report - play test of my 2mm rules." Topic

Somewhere in England – Summer 1644

Being an account of a play test of my home grown ECW rules for use with the 2mm range from Irregular Miniatures.

From the diary of Gerald Deanswood, thought to have been posted with the Royalist reserve.

"It being about seven of the clock in the morning and the weather being fine and dry our forces were deployed according to the General's battle plan. The main body lay in the centre commanded by Sir Francis Poole. This consisting of his own Yellow Regiment in the van, The Borcestershire Green Coats to their left and somewhat behind, Moore's Blue regiment to the right also somewhat behind and to the rear making up the shape of a great diamond in the German manner the Red regiment of Col Dyer. On the left wing, which lay somewhat East of the main body were placed two Bodies of Horse being Blake's and Hove's whilst on the right were also two Bodies of Horse being Farringdon's and Powell's. To the front of the main body were set four light guns. Also set in place in the interval betwixt the main body and the right wing and some hundred paces behind these both lay the reserve commanded by Colonel Sir Henry Appleby. This consisting of Sir Henry's own White Regiment of Foot and a fine body of horse under Major James Appleby his son.

The field of battle gave much advantage to the Rebels who sat astride the Old Road with a low ridge and some small woods to their front. They like us had drawn up their foot in the centre with their horse on the wings. Our scouts had confirmed that we had the greater numbers but that they had perhaps more foot though in fewer bodies than we. Between our position and theirs lay a loop of river which we had been assured by certain men of that country would be perfectly fordable along it's entire length. This river also dissected our forces creating some slight separation between the two bodies of horse upon our left from the rest of the army. Across the river on our left lay a small village and it's enclosures. Our General had determined to make a crossing of the river with our foot at a steady pace and once they had commenced that crossing to make a rapid advance on both wings with the horse. His thinking being, or so I conceive, to have his foot over the river before the rebels might come within musket shot of them and perhaps to draw in some of their horse so that ours may cross the river unchallenged. It appeared that the entire plan of the Roundheads was to gain the crest of the ridge and then damn us to come dislodge them from that place of advantage, which act we were right readily prepared to attempt.

At about Eight of the clock we were ordered to commence our advance. Which we did with drums beating and colours proudly flying. The men gave one great cry of "For Charles King of England!" and set to their task."

A similar perspective from the Parliamentarian side is found within the letters of Obadiah Hargreaves ex-cobbler of Ramsbottom. thought to have served with xxxx.

"A little after dawn we were order to form companies and to march towards the line of hills to the North. The day started misty but this soon drew off with the warmth of sun. Before were gone more than a good country mile a horseman rode past us and shouted to all that would hear that the Kings men were ahead of us and that a fight was certain sure. In a short space of this, which for my own part was much given to heartfelt prayer, word was given that we were to halt and form by divisions into line of fight. This was done most neatly and then we told to go forward towards the hills to our front. I believe that we had four great bodies of foot at our centre accompanied by four small pieces of artillery. To each side were arrayed our horsemen two bodies at each side of the foot. The order being given to march on we stepped out and quite soon crested the ridge. Afore our eyes we saw the Cavaliers moving towards our Army, most certain intending on fighting us. I know not how many we were that day but I tell you this I never saw so many men in one place as those that faced us. I felt in my breast a stirring of panic fear calling me to flight and were it not for my fellows around me and the calming words of our preacher I believe I would have gone from that place abandoning my duty to my God and the Parliament both. Now the Sergeant came amongst us telling us how strong was this place and well fitted to our purpose and entreating us to but stand and shoot as ordered and to remember to aim low. he told us how our general, Sir Thomas Harrison only desired us to stand as like unto a line of rocks upon which the Malignants would break like waves upon the shore."

The Royalist Army slightly out numbers Parliament. They are fielding 3,100 foot, 2,500 Horse and 4 light guns, lets say Robinettes. Facing them are 2,800 Foot, 1,600 Horse and 4 light guns again Robinettes or similar.

We will let Gerald Deanswood take up the account again.

"Before the foot regiments commenced to crossing the river we had word from the right wing, who were preparing to cross the river to their front, that the river was not fordable there apart from one short stretch. Therefore Colonel Farringdon did determine to take matters into his own hands to allow his horse to make the crossing unimpeded by the rebel horse who were seen coming down towards the crossing. Drawing his men up into six ranks so as to allow then to cross as a single body he set forth. No sooner did he have the first body across then he did halt them to allow the body to recover ranks and files, and at that point the rebel horse came forward at a good round gallop crying out "For God and the Parliament" and gave them a charge. Also one of the enemies guns did give fire upon them albeit without causing any hurt. These rascals of Parliament were not without skill and withheld their pistols fire until they came almost to sword strokes. Colonel Farringdon's horse were caught disorganised and, it has been said to me, with many a man finding his pistols priming too damp to take fire, they were over ridden and driven back in panic flight across the river. Indeed such was the fury of the charge and the violence of the fight the Colonel were fortunate to come away without hurt. Further more to now add to this injury to the Kings cause the fleeing horsemen rode straight direct into their support who had followed too close such was their desire to be over the river and at their foe. This did create some disorder and confusion in Colonel Powell's horse but most gallantly they held their ground and received the charge of the Parliament men. All of this I saw from my post as did Colonel Appleby."

So in a nutshell The foot attack goes forward and a dice check of the river shows a number of sections are impassable mainly in front of the royalist right wing of Horse. There is also a single section in the centre sector which we will see cause some problems for the foot as they go forward. Parliament have decided to hold the ridge line and let the Royalists come at them hoping the defensive bonus of being uphill and the slowing effect of the ground to their front will allow then chance to get some telling musketry in. All their horse are tasked with is keeping the Royalist horse off the foot.

Farringdon's royalist command have to take a reaction test in response to finding his crossing points heavily restricted, to allow him to change his orders and change formation. No real problem there as his troops are confident of his ability and are fresh and keen to get stuck in. On Parliament's side the lead unit on their left sees a target of opportunity as after crossing Farringdon's are isolated, under artillery fire (negative reaction adjustment) and disrupted from crossing difficult terrain (the river). The cavalry brigade commander takes a reaction test to allow him to act on his own initiative passes and issues orders to his command to move forward, changing from hold orders to attack for the lead regiment and support for the second line. Catching the Royalists deployed on a narrow frontage, with an overlap advantage and a disrupted enemy he inflicts a series of disastrous combat results on them. Farringdon himself has to take a casualty check and just passes it. The reaction test after the melee causes Farringdons to break (one initial move directly back) which takes then straight into Powells coming to re-enforce them. Chaos and confusion follow as The parliamentarian horse reaction test requires them to pursue and engage any new target!

Things are looking difficult on the Royalist right, but their foot in the centre is pushing forward and their left wing is just about to start forward. Oh and the game clock is only showing just over 45 minutes of the game day has elapsed. round one to Parliament.

More updates and hopefully some pictures as I play out the next few moves in the evenings of this week.

Forgot to mention that all the royalist horse have an attached unit of 50 commanded musket with them. Faringdon and Powell's horse though went forward faster than the shot could and as soon as the shot loose base to base contact with the horse they are taken from play. There is no penalty for this apart from less bases/elements to soak up combat effects now and of course no musket fire support.

Nice read….Love to see some pictures

I'd like to know more about your rules – will you be publishing them in some form?

It's going to be a while yet but once I'm reasonably happy I will be putting them out for playtest as for publishing I will to wait for playtest feed back.

Arthur.

The rules are intended to give a near 1:1 scale to figure relationship. They use 2mm figures and 1mm to 1 yard. Not exact but pretty close. Each full turn represents 12 minutes of elapsed time, so 5 turns per hour. They are intended for larger field actions with a minimum of a brigade of foot plus at least the same amount of horse. Brigades of more than 2 regiments seem to be best. I know the terms brigade and regiment are not fully accurate but they are a useful frame of reference.

Their level of training, field experience and tactical style defines each regiment's ability to withstand combat effects. I have termed this combat effectiveness or CE. This is measured by a numerical factor of between 3 and 8 and is used both as the starting value for the unit and in reaction tests. The tactical style experience and training are also factors used in adjusting combat dice rolls. Each unit is made up of a number of bases (of 100 men for foot or 50 horse) except artillery where a unit is a single gun and associated wagons etc. Larger units are more resilient to combat effects but those over 8 bases in size face manoeuvre and formation change penalties.

Turns are "I go-You go" consisting of:

· Command phase (Both players)

· 1st Movement phase
· 1st Offensive fire phase
· 1st Defensive fire phase
· 1st Melee phase
· 2nd Movement phase
· 2nd Offensive fire phase
· 2nd Defensive fire phase
· 2nd Melee phase

These phases are then repeated for player two with a final update phase for weather changes and smoke movement. Each player gets two phases to allow for breakthroughs to be exploited and to make the proper use of reserve lines important. There is no casualty removal and the impact of combat is represented by a reduction in the units CE factor.

Each unit has 3 action points (AP) available to spend in the 1st and a further three in the second. Every action has a point cost so a unit can move and fire in a turn, or only move or only fire. Up to 3 AP may be "saved" for use in laying down defensive fire in the enemies turn.

There is no morale phase as reaction tests are taken as occasions arise that units and generals may react to. To take a test roll 2D6 plus the units current CE and check against the specific cause of the test.

Any action that interferes with keeping proper formation or prevents the proper application of unit command is creates "disruption". Disrupted units face significant penalties to carrying out actions so it is wisest to take the time to "rally" the formation before pressing on with the unit's planned actions.

To mind the key part of the rules is the use of simple orders that a unit cannot deviate from without first passing a reaction test. This coupled with pre set standing orders on how to treat common situations means that the units will attempt to follow the original plan unless they become aware of a change of circumstances. Equally the players are represented on the tabletop by the general's figures. Any generals not representing a real human player are non-player characters and also have to pass reaction tests to issue new orders. Think of the general figures as the channel through which you control the game.

What I have tried to do is allow the player to influence the events on the table top via their counter part on the table rather than letting them move any unit as they might wish at any time, as would be the case in a game such as chess. So far the test games seem to tell a story that seems to be fairly believable. More play testing at the extremes will show how robust the system is.

Elenderil, thank you for taking the time to explain your rules in such detail. I like your philosophy of command through non-played generals.
I look forward to seeing them in due course.

Sorry for the delay in updating this. I have played several more turns but need to write them up. It's taking longer than a normal game would do as i am evaluating outcomes and rule mechanisms as I go so some turns take a while as I make notes on possible changes. I am also looking at an image hosting site so i can get you some piccies up.

http://theminiaturespage.com/
Opening deployment and a view of the battlefield

Hmm that isn't working then

This time from Photobucket

Elenderil

Arghhhhh!!!!!

At last. This shows the initial deployments from the Royalist side.

On the Royalist right Powell's horse are hit first by Farringdon's who disorder them but cause no other damage then by the pursuing Longridge's Parliamentarian horse but manage to hold them. Farringdon's fail the reaction test to rally and keep heading towards the rear. A nasty swirling melee develops at the ford between Powell's and Longridge's. In the centre The Royalist Infantry advance is in confusion as the broken ground and the river crossing have disrupted formations. Still the three lead regiments are over the river while Col Dyer's Redcoats are having to change their line of march to cross as the one point that isn't crossable is partially in front of them. This delays them getting over and supporting the attack. Over on the left seeing the foot successfully across the river the cavalry regiments of Blake and Hove start forward.

The fight at the ford stalls as both sides give ground (mandatory break off after two turns). Neither side really wants to be the one to cross first as this will disrupt them while their opponent would be formed and ready for them. Equally the river is wider than pistol shot so an uneasy stalemate develops for the time being. This favours Parliament. The parliamentarian foot has now established an infantry line on the ridge with three regiments in line and one in reserve. The Royalists reform their lead three infantry units and push on. Musketry starts to be heard in the centre of the field. With Harrison's Foot getting the better of the exchange with Poole's Yellow Coats. This is mostly due to them having more musket elements. The Bluecoats are slowed in coming up to support Pooles as they are advancing with some of their men in woods. Things are looking better on the left of the Royalist centre where the Greencoats are pouring fire into Watson's Horse who cannot easily get at them due the hedges around the village. They also have Hove's horse coming up to support them.

Lets hear from Gerald Deanswood again
"The fight at the ford appearing to go against our men Colonel Appleby ordered our body forward to support as it did seem that Farringdon's Horse were done with. Accordingly we advanced in line along with a body of commanded shot sent to support us. By the time we were come to long musket shot both parties to the fight had drawn a little apart such that they were guarding the opposing banks of the river.

From this position I had a very good view of the Rebel's and could see that they were moving one regiment of foot forward from the ridge line to be in a position to cause some severe risk to our foot's advance. Seeing this development Colonel Appleby ordered his own regiment of white coats to advance across the river to support the Blue regiment."

Things look a little different from Obadiah Hargreaves' position on the right of the Parliamentarian foot.

"We being partly in a small vale or delve in the ridge line were the road crossed saw at once the main Royalist Attack would fall not on us (Being Colonel Wells' foot) but upon Harrisons to our left. Indeed the entire fury of the Malignants seemed focussed upon them. And yet by the Grace of Providence they held their ground and did trade shot for shot. Even when a second regiment all in blue joined along with the yellow coats in pouring fire into them. Indeed it did seem to me that they out shot their opponents somewhat.

To our front lay a green coated regiment of foot made up entire of shot with no pike yet they made haste to advance straightaways towards us even when Sawley's horse were brought up to aid us. So keen were they to come to musket shot that they ran some little distance forwards before giving fire. The greater part of their fire being given to Sawley's we had but little hurt and accordingly returned fire to advantage"

What we are seeing here is the Royalist foot arriving piecemeal due to the slowing effect of the ground they are crossing. Things are hotting up in the centre though as all of the Royalist forces are committed across the river apart from two units of horse covering the ford.

The game is now in the very last stages and I have learned a number of valuable things from this play test. I'm hoping to conclude the mopping up and pursuit tonight and then finish writing it all up. Delays caused by Christmas shopping and similar seasonal distractions ….sorry.

At last I have found the time to finish the write up. So lets continue.

The Royalist assault in the centre pushed forward with the Blue regiment stopping to reform ranks as they cleared the woods. Meanwhile the Parliamentarians have established three Regiments in Line along the ridge. being from (Parliament's) left to right Cunliffe's, Harrison's and Well's. Thomas' Foot are behind Harrisons in reserve. The pause to reform meant that the smaller Yellow regiment stormed up the slope and hit Harrisons Parliamentarian foot without the Blue's in immediate support. For a turn or perhaps two they would be the only Royalist Infantry in melee. The Green coated Borcestershire Foot are up to the hedge row at the foot of the ridge and from this fairly secure position start to pour fire into Sawley's Horse who eventually try to get to grips but are forced to retire having failed the test to cross a hedgerow into contact with steady foot. A final killing salvee from the green coats is too much for them and they break and flee the field.

With the ford on Parliament's left looking fairly secure Col. Harrison sends instructions to Cunliffe's to swing down off the ridge and threaten the advancing Blue regiment's flank. To counter this Appleby's White coats press forward across the river and swing round the woods in a column before changing into line facing Cunliffe's. A steady but largely ineffective musketry duel erupts between the two units with neither side appearing keen to contact the other (lots of failed initiative rolls!)

Over on the Parliamentarian right Watson's (the second line of horse) have been steadily drifting out to the right and are now moving forward to engage or at least slow the two advancing Royalist formations. Watson's are the best horse Parliament has on the field and may be up to the job is they can gain the heights of the small hill way out on that flank. However, their advance is creating a problem for Col. Harrison as their is a gaping hole in his line caused by Sawley's horse running. He sends orders to Smith's Horse over on the left to come over and support Well's foot by plugging the gap. His hope is that the stalemate at the ford will continue and a second regiment of Horse will not be required there.

Obadiah Hargreaves had a close view of the proceedings here.

"We being now well established on the ridge felt most secure as a regiment of horse was along side us. The appearance of this body gave the rapid advance of the Green coats check and they settled for standing behind the hedge to our right and shooting at this great body of horse. To our great distress this fire was most effective and after two attempts to force the hedge or as it might be come at least to within pistol shot of their tormentors the horse broke and fled. Our feeling of safety fled with them as there now appeared a large space along side us into which these Green coated foot could advance. The sergeant alongside me said that if they should get over the hedgerow and advance up the hill they could pour fire into our flank to great effect. This did not fill me with great confidence and I fell at once into a state of panic as did many of my fellows such that we knew not what action to take for the best. We were deaf to our officer's entreaties to wheel the body to face the coming storm…."

Well's failed several initiative tests to wheel to face the expected attack. The battle is now coming to a climax as the Green coats can turn the Parliamentarian centre from the right and if Watson's cannot hold the two regiments coming forward that entire flank will be wide open.

Lets see if i can get a picture to load (not confident!)

The Field at Around 0930 by Elenderil, on Flickr

In the above picture you can see the straggling that the terrain has caused to the Royalist attack (coming in from the left of the image). The large gap that Sawley's flight will create is also clear.

Things are now hotting up. Over on the Parliamentarian right the first Royalist regiment of Horse is broken by a charge from Watson's and quits the field. (they were raw and not well trained so not entirely unexpected a result) The second royalist unit crashes into Watsons as they attempt to reform and a vicious swirling melee develops with neither side giving ground. This goes on for two full turns and then both sides have to break off. The resulting reaction tests as both sides attempt to reengage with wavering troops cause both formations to withdraw which effectively ends matters on this flank. Both Parliament and Royalists have now lost a full brigade of horse.

In the centre the infantry fight is getting desperate Harrison's are driven off the ridge by a combination of close range musketry and melee from Blue and Yellow regiments. As a result of the post melee reaction test Yellow drop to waivering and are forced to start to withdraw. Blue regiment are unable to follow up (reaction test is a hold and defend result) which allows Col Harrison to halt his regiment behind the crest line and to move Thomas' regiment forward through them to secure the ridge. (interpenetration is only possible if one of the units is halted. As Thomas' regiment advance into position, The Royalist commander attempts to increase the pressure on the enemy and order's an immediate assault across the ford on Parliaments left. Hove's Horse make the attempt with fire support from the commanded shot attached to Appleby's but are caught disrupted and in 6 ranks depth (They couldn't get over the river in 3 ranks) as they complete the crossing and break in the face of the Parliamentarian counter attack. With two brigades now broken and fleeing Poole is in trouble. His opponent now decides to finish the job and orders Thomas' and Cunliffe's to advance to contact to attempt to break the remaining Royalist brigade.

While he is arranging this Smith's horse completes it's move from his left wing into the centre and starts to advance over the crest line towards the green coats. (They don't have much chance to get into contact as there is still the small matter of the hedgerow to cross but al least pushing them forward creates a threat). In the face of this unexpected sighting the Green coats halt their attempt to flank Well's foot. In the centre Thomas' advance over the crest line. The unexpected sight of new fresh Parliamentarian foot is too much for the Yellow Regt who fail a reaction test and break (being under artillery fire didn't help any either). The Blue coats get one volley off but being disrupted it has only a small effect. Thomas' push on to close range and pour fire into the Blue coats reducing them to waivering status. The royalist reserve of Dyer's Red coats are still out of effective support reach and when Thomas' advance to attempt to contact the Blue coats the resulting reaction test to enter melee sees the Blue's break and run. This reduces the remaining two regiments to hold orders and they start to withdraw off the field.

With two brigades broken one on hold orders the reserve is also reduced to hold orders and is ordered to with draw. Appleby's horse cover the fords for long enough to allow the foot to get back over the river, although the green coats are badly mauled by Smith's pursuing Cavalry and eventually break. Appleby's White coats and Dyer's Red coats make good their escape as the Parliamentarian foot are slow in getting moving in pursuit (more failed initiative rolls to change orders).

The action was deemed to have been over with the withdrawal of the last Royalist units at 11:00 am.

So play test complete. The "story" makes sense to me contested river crossings didn't go well, a badly co-ordinated infantry attack fails, just. The Parliamentarian general who kept back from the fighting and was able to manage his reserves gained an advantage, but it was close with slightly different reaction test results the final Royalist infantry attack might have been decisive.

I need to tidy up some of the reaction tests a bit and consider a few issues at the more wild and wolly ends of the probibility curves but over all I'm reasonably happy.

All I have to do now is write up the rules into something other people can understand!

Elenderil, did you write up the rules?

I would be interested ti have a look. I like the idea of doing some 2mm ECW.

Rich.

Funnily enough I was working on them over Christmas. I need to run a couple of play tests but the basics are all there. I have tweaked the reaction test result score ranges and outcomes and completely redrafted a mechanism for creating cascade failures of morale. I have drafted the core of the rules, but they still need some editing and additional material adding. At present they only cover the ECW but the basic mechanisms should be capable of covering the TYW with a couple of additional troop types and possibly an amended reaction test outcome chart.

If you let me have an email address I can let you (and anyone else who is interested have a copy of the rough draft as a word document. Bear in mind that this is a strictly home grown project so it will be a bit rough around the edges!

Elenderil,

My email is richard dot biggs630 @ ntlworld dot com

Thanks

Rich

Elenderil, I would be very interested in a draft copy of your ECW rules too.
My email is arthur1815 AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk
Thanks in anticipation.
Arthur

I'll email a set over for you to play test at the weekend.

Emails sent!

Elenderil, can I be cheeky and ask for a copy too please?
If I can, my address is gfarrishATmsnDOTcom
Thanks
Guy

Actually, I`m just starting in 2mm Pike and Shot and would really like to have a look at the rules too if you don`t mind to send them to a german? ;-))

ch_do_6 at yahoo.de

cheers

Emails will go out later today guys. Feedback would be appreciated and I'm happy to clarify any unclear points. Which I'm sure there will be!

Emails sent

And received – many thanks. Apologies for not acknowledging sooner. I'll be in touch.

Any thoughts guys? I'm happy to acknowledge that there is nothing new and much which is derivative in the rules. I'm really working for an audience of one so its difficult to to decide if others will enjoy them.

Really sorry – I have been swamped with tons of non-gaming stuff ever since I got these – wife not well, business to run, kids, school governor stuff etc. I will try and get a proper look at them soon. Apologies.

Hi Elenderil,
Sounds very interesting. Could I please request a copy of your 2mm ECW rules.I am happy to give feedback. My email is philwoolway@yahoo.co.uk.

Many thanks, Phil

Without proper email at the moment as soon as BT get their act together I will send out emails.

Hello Elenderil

I wonder if I'm too late coming to this thread and asking for a look at your rules.

The last couple of years I've been doing 2mm Ancients at 1:2 ratio and it's very impressive stuff.From what I can gather ECW is even better for 2mm.

You can reach me at

kodiakblair at hotmail dot com

Thanks KB

I have been doing some work on the rules over the last few months. They are still incomplete but are now much more complete. The downside is that they are not as fast playing as I want. Anyone else wanting an updated set post a contact email or send a PM.

Anyone else wanting an updated set post a contact email or send a PM.

Sending a PM does not work.

Anyone else wanting an updated set post a contact email or send a PM.

Sending a PM does not work.

Only Supporting Members can send or receive PMs.

Whoops better get the card out.

Could you possibly send the rules to me, please?
lmscarrott hotmail co uk
Many thanks.

Pinole

I'm running a new play test at the moment and have some adjustments to make to the rules. These cover initial flight move distances, rallying, moving inclined and some changes to break and run reaction results.as soon as I have sorted these out I will send a set out.

Pivole

I'm running a new play test at the moment and have some adjustments to make to the rules. These cover initial flight move distances, rallying, moving inclined and some changes to break and run reaction results.as soon as I have sorted these out I will send a set out.

Excuse the threadomancy. I'm tagging this so I can find the report easily again as it's just taken me a couple of hours to locate!