'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,
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!
_______________________________________
Initial set-up, the Allies would advance up the railway.
Initial set-up, the Allies would advance up the railway.
_______________________________________
The Allies set for action. Admiral Seymour would command from his Rail coach....
_______________________________________
BOXERS shadowing the Train....
_______________________________________
More BOXERS on the northern end of the field.
_______________________________________
The Repair Party set off.
_______________________________________
Nice view of the field, Boxers emerge from the left centre.....
_______________________________________
Jacks first ambush! BOXERS emerge from the woods at the left of the Train.
_______________________________________
British Marines & Sailors stand ready, the others quick march onwards.
_______________________________________
Overhead view at this point in the battle.
_______________________________________
Superb firepower from the British Sailors.
_______________________________________
French & US Marines get ready for the Boxer attack.
_______________________________________
More casualties for the Boxers!
_______________________________________
Could Jack's troops close the gap?
_______________________________________
Rifles ring out, down go two Boxer elements.
_______________________________________
On the Allies turn, another Boxer casualty.
_______________________________________
The Skirmish in full flight!
_______________________________________
The US Marines get in some target practice...
_______________________________________
In the centre Jack's Boxers are a lot more fortunate.
_______________________________________
After a drawn combat, help from the Naval Detachment is needed.
_______________________________________
More Boxers emerge from the woods, will the Repair Party make it?
_______________________________________
HA! Success for the Boxers, the Royal Marines are overrun.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Jolly Good, more British firepower....
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
It's time for German efficiency.... The Seebattalion are ready to engage.
_______________________________________
The Repair Party is nearly there!!!
_______________________________________
The Repair Party is nearly there!!!
_______________________________________
German Rifles ring out, down go more Boxers!!!!
_______________________________________
The last set of Boxers, too late to effect the outcome though.
_______________________________________
The Repair Party arrives & the Boxers fade away.
Victory to the Allies.
_______________________________________
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!
