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.