"Battle of Brooklyn AWI" Topic

I was curious if anyone here has ever run the battle out of BG, and if so, if they had any tips, suggestions.

What,the whole thing,with BG? You'd need a big table.

The game is covered in Scenario Book 4. But I'd also be interested in hearing from anyone else who has put on this particular battle.

I may be nuts but I'm not crazy.

Long Island is in book 3. Doing all of the New York battles this year except for Long Island. Hopefully will do it next year.

Here you go.

link

We did a portion of it many years ago.

link

Jim

Right, sorry, third book.

Interesting write up Rally. I am not even worried about the many hat battalions behind Howe/Clinton because I just can't see how they would ever get into the game – due to all the problems you cited.

Will read your write up next ColCampbell.

I'm running this game with VATory at the upcoming Cold Wars convention Saturday afternoon.

Long Island was played a a full game, using 28mm figures (mostly Foundry and the (then) relatively new Perry range) at South Mimms service station, north of London, in November 2008. At the next table was Waterloo in 15mm, featuring AB armies.

The game was described and photographed by Henry Hyde in his magazine "Battlegames" (I'll contact him and see if he still has a file somewhere with the Long Island photos in it – he certainly does for the Waterloo game). As a veteran of the game, I have to say it matches only the refight of Spencer's Ordinary in the Portrait Gallery at the National Army Museum, in front of a very appreciative crowd of American tourists (for whom we managed to find some chairs).

We actually played it on a large, L-shaped table, I'd fight it on three – one for Grant, one for von Heister, and one for the Howe/Clinton flank march. Ideally, I would also separate the tables in some way, so that the Crown commanders don't have "second sight" as to what is going on elsewhere, and have the three commanders send each other messages.

Anything else you want to know?

I think it's actually Giles' blog not mine. What a really brilliant game. I plan to pattern mine after it.

Just seen your link, Rallynow – that's the game I was playing in.

Interesting concept SM. Unfortunately too late for me to try that set up at the con next weekend. They already have table layouts and assignments done. On top of that, I don't have three ground clothes to use. Still, that is a really neat way to approach that game and remove the 10,000 foot general who sees everything.

Just say if there's anything I can help with :-)
EC

SM you lucky dog. I would have loved to have played in that. Is that Geo-Hex being used?

We are running this in a convention setting. I am assuming about 10 commands (brigades) that will be actively involved. Three American brigades on the hills, three in the works. I'd let one come out, but not the other two (militia anyway) – so at most, four American commands.

On the Crown side – three German and two British brigades before the passes, with lots more coming in on the flank. But honestly, I can't see more than two or three of those flanking units ever becoming engaged – so at most this is a 10 – 11 player game (with some getting in late).

Does that sound right?

Historygamer,
A thought if some are getting in late, perhaps those brigades might go to those players so badly shot up earlier that they have nothing left to do rather than have players waiting around for hours to get involved.
Phil

@Rallynow
It was the TSS hex system with each piece 12ins /30cm across. I've disposed of it since, in favour of another terrain system.
EC

@historygamer
you have a point… the flanking force becomes a bit of a traffic jam with just the lead units heavily engaged,
EC

That's one battle I'd like to game. I think it was the largest of the Revolution in terms of soldiers involved, and also the bloodiest.

I'm having a tough time coming up with a playable game board as the works were a long way off from the heights and much of the heavy combat took place in between.

More than one version of the battle (both in 15mm and 28mm) are being run at Cold Wars this weekend. Given I live on the battlefield and just a short walk from "Battle Hill" and the "Stone House" I'll be looking to get in on one of those games. Save me a spot!

Game went very well. The 3 American brigades at the pass held out pretty well, but were eventually overwhelmed. Lord Stirling's Brigade eventually broke, but they inflicted some pretty good hits on Grant prior.

If you look at the photo link, you'll see the poor PA Battalion off on the flank trying to slow down the steamroller flank attack. They did pretty well, and barely escaped encirclement.

The game won the Saturday afternoon PELA award too. Thanks to Vatory for all his help, as well as all the players who did a great job. Thanks all. :-)

Looks great! :-))

Thanks. We should be your American reps for pushing sales of British Grenadier rules over here – LOL.

Here is another pic from the end:

link

The usual long column of Brits pouring in on the road.

So I'm thinking Bunker Hill next, with water the edge and some RN ships in support. Let me count my militia first.

Hey, you can never have too many militia. That said, I need to finish mine, too.

I'm glad to say my freshly painted Hessians proved their worth in this engagement!