DBA Boxer Reb.1 - 'Skirmish on the Rails'

'Skirmish on the Rails', first in a series of battles based on the Boxer Rebellion. Taken straight from the smashing 'Colonial Campaigns Boxer Rebellion' by Mark Fastoso. So good in fact, that next week at the Vapnartak 2009 show at York,

http://www.yorkwargames.org/vapnartak.htm

I'll be buying the rest in the series!

So! Here we go, It's China June 1900, the Boxer Rebellion is in full swing, the Foreign Legations in Peking are under siege. A multi national relief force under Admiral Seymour sets off on a few trains for Peking. After a few calm days, as they near Langfang Station, the railway tracks have been ripped up. A repair party with escort is sent to repair the damage. However Boxers shadowing the train have other ideas & an ambush is set.

Right, conversion into our 'world' of DBA. The Allied Army is set-up either side of a train (pinched from Jacks 'N' gauge set). One force consisting of Marines, Sailors & a Repair Crew are tasked with advancing up the railway. The train will wait & then advance 100 paces per turn up the track. A the front of the train is a machine gun, ready for some Boxer 'mowing'. The rest of the Army consists of US, Russian, German & French troops. The Train must be protected at all times! If a Boxer element comes within touching distance, then 'KaaBOOOM', gone is the train.

Boxer Forces consist of 6 groups of 4 elements. Three groups will be set-up on the table, the others will remain hidden until 'activated'. Jack being the Boxers, sketched a simple map & placed the three hidden groups ready for ambush.

Victory for the Allies, would be to get the Rail Repair crew to the scene of the rail damage & keep the Boxers from getting the Train. For the Boxers, reach the Train or inflict casualties (4) on the Allies. Casualties for the Boxers would high, so the Army break point would be set higher, 12 elements. Very high, but we have seen the power of Rifles in our Sudan games, I know how this one will probably go. Allied Jagers & Light Horse would have the ability to 'Spot' hidden units if within 500 paces, for this game & later ones. Any other special rules, we'll make up as we encounter special situations!

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Initial set-up, the Allies would advance up the railway.

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The Allies set for action. Admiral Seymour would command from his Rail coach....

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BOXERS shadowing the Train....

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More BOXERS on the northern end of the field.

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The Repair Party set off.

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Nice view of the field, Boxers emerge from the left centre.....

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Jacks first ambush! BOXERS emerge from the woods at the left of the Train.

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British Marines & Sailors stand ready, the others quick march onwards.

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Overhead view at this point in the battle.

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Superb firepower from the British Sailors.

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French & US Marines get ready for the Boxer attack.

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More casualties for the Boxers!

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Could Jack's troops close the gap?

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Rifles ring out, down go two Boxer elements.

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On the Allies turn, another Boxer casualty.

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The Skirmish in full flight!

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The US Marines get in some target practice...

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In the centre Jack's Boxers are a lot more fortunate.

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After a drawn combat, help from the Naval Detachment is needed.

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More Boxers emerge from the woods, will the Repair Party make it?

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HA! Success for the Boxers, the Royal Marines are overrun.

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Jolly Good, more British firepower....

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It's time for German efficiency.... The Seebattalion are ready to engage.

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The Repair Party is nearly there!!!

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German Rifles ring out, down go more Boxers!!!!

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The last set of Boxers, too late to effect the outcome though.

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The Repair Party arrives & the Boxers fade away.

Victory to the Allies.

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Hardly a surprise, but a good start to the Boxer Campaign. Rifle power is awesome, can't wait to see Rifles versus Rifles though. Well skip the next game from the Book & return with an Allied Assault on the Boxers in the 'Relief of Lofa Station'...... stay tuned!