Battle of Craney Island - Redux - Second Session

Battle of Craney Island - Redux - Second Session

19 October, 2017

A very intense and full evening of gaming completing eleven turns. Surprisingly, we had en early conclusion but pressed on to make a game of it. More explanation to follow.

The following photos represent the end sate at 0850.

 The First battalion of Royal Marines having suffered at least three failed morale checks in RETREAT, finally passing and then waiting one more turn in the UNFORMED state, is now ready to resume the ASSAULT. But alas it is too late to affect the outcome.

NOTE: around the second turn, the British Amphibious forces lost another two boats and a gun-boat, which forced a British Army FALTER point check. Surprisingly, it failed and Steve and Paul M.. were declared the victors. However, as the evening was young, we decided to play the game through as if the British had passed the check.

 The Naval Battalion has been whittled down to less than 50% and so must conduct a morale check every turn. So far it has surprisingly survived. As the battle ends it is still in the shallow water advancing under effective fire from  the U.S. Marines. Both the sailors and marines plus their boats and gun-boats, have been the main target of the American 24pdr, 18pdr and two 6pdr guns. As such they have sacrificed heavy casualties so that their brethren 2nd Marines and 102nd could successfully ASSAULT Craney Island from its creek side.

 The 2nd Marines and the 102nd to its right, successfully ASSAULT Craney Island from its creek side. 

 The successful melee by the 2nd RMs has forced the 24pdr and 18 pdr crews to ROUT leaving a six pounder to cover the rest of the Americans.

 The 102nd suffered several defensive casualties in its charge but nevertheless closed with 4th Virginia. The subsequent melee resulted in a 102nd victory and a FALTER for the 4th. It was clear that the American defence of Craney was unravelling rapidly.

 The remainder of the Georgetown Light Artillery is UNFORMED as their infantry brethren battle the ICFs and the RA 6pdr.

 A good Columbian Brigade initiative to attack the right rear of Beckwith's Brigade unfortunately FALTERED while the Columbian riflemen (mid right) are about to ROUT.

 A close up of the RA canister fire and the ICF fire upon the 2nd Regt of the Columbian Brigade.

 The rocket battery switched its fire from the defeated Craney Island big guns to the Columbian Brigade. Of note; generally, both the rocket battery and rocket boat were reasonably successful at whittling away the Craney Island big gun crews.

Lastly, a view of the British ASSAULT on Craney island from the Creek side.

Conclusion

As it was late in the evening and it was clearly obvious to all that the American demise was inevitable. Accordingly, the American players (Steve and Paul M) conceded defeat.  Despite the British victory (players Paul G. and Rod) at the end of the evening it should be remembered, technically the American players had already won the game due a British failure to rally from an Army FALTER point.

Lessons to be Learned

I think the coordination of the British Amphibious and land attacks was the important tactical issue of the game as it was in the historical battle. Ideally, both attacks should occur at the same time. However, it was difficult to decide precisely when the amphibious forces should attack, taking into account the progress, or lack of progress, of the land assault.

For the Americans, it was the issue of whether or not to deploy its infantry on the mainland to delay the British land attack. In the Redux version the Columbian Brigade fulfilled this requirement, allowing all of the Virginian forces to consolidate on the island. 

There was also a timing issue for the Americans. How long to concentrate the big guns and the six pounders on the amphibious attack vice protecting the creek side. Clearly the American artillery concentration on the Amphibious was successful as the sea borne attack was stymied. The Americans did begin to switch over the guns to the creek side albeit a turn or two late to affect the outcome.

Game Mechanics

The shallow water tables (GdeB Addendum) worked well to accurately portray the difficulty of conducting an amphibious operation in shallow rock infested waters. This was one the significant reasons the actual operation failed.

In a similar vein, the boat/redoubt damage tables also worked well. Although one of us declared that keeping track of damage points (used damage counter terrain) was somewhat tedious and arguably unnecessary.  The tables were definitely necessary for boat damage, otherwise, they unrealistically become indestructible, which was not the actual historical case. However, in the case of an earthen reinforced log redoubt, there is some merit to the tedious to tract and unnecessary argument. A point to ponder.

Most importantly it is hoped that everyone enjoyed the game including the beer and pretzels combined with jovial banter.

Battle of Craney Island - Redux - First Session

Battle of Craney Island - Redux - First Session

11th October, 2017

Our group decided that they wanted to repeat the game with players changing sides and the host participating. 

However, it was understood at the first game that the British land component player had some decidedly unfortunate dice rolls coupled coupled with the American players double six throws. Further, the American players audacious tactical emplacement of his infantry on the mainland and subsequent melee win and rout of the 2nd Royal Marines caused a very slow progress for the British. Despite this run of bad luck, the British amphibious brigade prevailed. It was readily apparent that without the string of bad British dice rolls, the British forces would have easily overrun the Americans on Craney island.

Accordingly, for this redux game we are distorting history by significantly beefing up the American reinforcements forces to make the game playable and arguably challenging for the British players. The game starts at 0600 and the first roll for reinforcements is at 0650 with further chances every subsequent four turns. A D6 roll of a 5 or 6 is required to receive the additional troops. The possible reinforcements consist of the Columbian Brigade (which will used for Bladensburg). As one can see from the revised American ORBAT the possible reinforcements are considerable.

The following photos represent the end state at 0720. We got nine ten minute turns completed in just over two hours, which is pretty good. However, after the next few turns I expect the pace will slow a bit as we start to get into melees.

 A view from the Craney island redoubt. British amphibious forces suffer boat losses and casualties caused by the considerable American artillery consisting of a 24pdr, 18 pdr, and two six pdr guns. The sailors loose two and half companies, a gun-boat and boat. Most significantly, Rear-Admiral Cockburn is killed leading his sailors.

 A view from the British Amphibious forces. The death of Cockburn triggers a Brigade Morale test. Fortunately, the the amphibious forces pass the test and will press on under the leadership of Captain Hanchett (seen on the left wading in the shallow water. The American player is targeting the British leadership and gun boats to good effect.

 Meanwhile Colonel Beckwith's Brigade is racing towards Craney island. Fortunately, there are no American land forces impeding their progress, so far.

 The left flank of Beckwith's brigade with 2nd Bn RMs in the foreground and the 102nd to their right. But what is that movement around the Craney island bridge?

 A view of the 4th Virginia defending the creek side of the Craney Island redoubt.

Incredibly, Steve, the Columbian brigade commander, rolls successfully for reinforcements on his first try. That is quite the change from his disastrous rolls in the previous game as the British land force commander. The early arrival of the Columbian Brigade significantly alters the situation. Beckwith's brigade will now have to alter its plan to face this new American threat. It seems that Beckwith's artillery has adjusted quickly by causing casualties to a Georgetown Light Artillery team trying to cross the bridge.

Will British amphibious forces be able to continue their assault with mounting casualties and the loss of their commander? Will the Columbian Brigade now impede Beckwith's assault on Craney island?

Stay tuned for Session Two.

The Battle of Craney Island - Fourth Session

The Battle of Craney Island

Fourth and Final Session

28 September, 2017

Photos taken at the end of Session Four

 The 102nd stands guard on the approach behind the swamp.

 The tide has come in, so Colonel Beckwith's brigade has missed its opportunity to cross the water to Craney island. Their only option is to use the bridge.

 These Americans will prevent Beckwith's brigade from utilising the bridge.

 The Americans on Craney are in disarray.

 Some of the British sailors have made it onto the beach but have Faltered.

 The gunboats had given supporting fire to their fellow sailors.

 The Royal Marines have successfully assaulted the remaining Americans and have secured the eastern end end of the redoubt.

 A closer view of the marines in the redoubt with the remnants of the American gun crews in the background. Note the destroyed embrassure.

 As the tide swept in some marines and sailors including Captain (RN) Hanchett, struggle to the nearest shore, which was on the opposite side from Craney Island.

An overview of Craney Island.
Despite several set backs to the British land assault, the RMs and RN managed to successfully assault the Craney Island Redoubt with high sailor casualties.
The Americans failed their Army Break point, which resulted in an automatic British victory.

After Action Conclusions

This was the first test of the shallow water rule addendum plus the redoubt destruction table and I believe it worked well.
If the British Land force player was not beset with bad dice rolls, I believe the British would likely have overrun the Americans earlier. Accordingly, should the group want to re-fight this battle, additions to the American OOB will be needed to make it challenging for the British players.  

Battle of Craney Island - Third Session

Battle of Craney Island - Third Session
22nd September, 2017

 The long awaited British amphibious forces make their appearance.

 The RN gunboats wipe out the American naval 24 pounder crew leaving the 18 pounder crew to defend the British onslaught.

 The British 102nd has finally routed the 4th Virginia Regiment and other small American skirmishers. The C.I.F. moves towards the Craney island bridge.

 The lone British howitzer fires at Craney island.

 A six pounder crew prolongs towards the 18 pdr to render much needed assistance while a remaining six pounder guards the approach to the bridge.

 U.S. Marines help to re-man the 24 pounder as the amphibious forces inch their way closer through the shallow waters loosing several boats and men in the process.

 A view of the attacking British sailors.

The British Amphibious view of the Craney island redoubt. Note that one of the embrasures is destroyed, which denies cover to the 24 pounder crew.

Will the Americans be able to hold?  can the British amphibious forces execute their assault on the American redoubt despite mounting casualties? Will the Americans finally receive reinforcements?

Stay tuned for Session Four and possible conclusion.

Battle of Craney Island - Second Session

Battle of Craney Island
Second Session 22nd September, 1977

(note the rest of the game photos for all sessions were not posted until 17 October, 2017 due to camera/pc problems.)

 The infamous Company of Independant Foreigners (actually three companies) in skirmish action with the 4th Virginia. The 2nd battalion RMs and the 102nd move toward the flank of the 4th Virginia.

 The British moves forward towards Craney island.

 The Americans roll the lucky (or unlucky depending upon perpsective) double six, which results in the loss of the British Artillery Commander and casualties to the three pounder gun team.

 The rocket brigade Falters. Things are not going well for the British land assault.

 Major Faulkener praises his 24pdr gun crew regarding the casualties against British artillery.

 The American two six pounder battery plus gunners in an infantry role guard the bridge.

Another disaster has befallen Col Beckwith's Brigade. Incredibly, the veteran RM 2nd Battalion has routed as a result of charging the inferior 4th Virginia regiment. Hopefully, british fortunes will improve in the next session.