Battle at the Canal - engagement

 Part of this scenario was to test a small mounted force, with two x HMG against a larger opposition force with artillery.  Army Blue had a heavy howitzer available, and it opened the battle with an excellent shot againts the Red blockhouse.

Meanwhile, Blue deployed one Battalion against the goods yard, whilst the remiander of Blues's forced swung to the right flank.

Red was furiously digging in, and the HMG at the station was very effective in holding the Blue attack.

However, more excellent shooting from Blue decimated the retiring Cyclist advanced guard.

A bold flanking move by Blue turned the Red flank, as the goods yard was stormed on the left flank.  The HMG at the station managed to destroy one of the Blue buses,and a company of infantry.

It was time for Red to withdraw, with one Cyclist unit complete,and the Sappers and HQ.

Blue had won, but had lost approx 33% of their infantry on the right flank.

The campaign continues, as Red retires on Div HQ at Southport pleasure beach ...

Battle at the Canal - deployment

 The canal and L&YR junction presented a formidable position for Red to defend.  Unfortuantely, Red was thinly spread out - and Blue was in close pursuit.

Both sides fitted quite neatly into the baskets - and the terrain was placed.  This included the Canal Model mark 2.

The new canal model has genuine water, and is formed from florist oasis trays.

The view from the rear of Army Red

Directly to the front of the line was a block house. manned by a HMG.  And forward from here was a half compamy of cyclists with signallers.  The block house was connected by field telephone to the Station and HQ in town.

The advanced cyclist patrol soon made contact with Army Blue - in buses ...

and began to fall back.

Blue meanwhile 'debussed' and opened fire ...

Battle at the Canal - Burscough Bridge, 1912

The play testing of the new Campaign rules continues, and a fine Autumn day allowed

us to keep the momentum going.

The campaign is based on a game played by HG in which a mounted infantry army (Red) took on a dismounted army.  This was very much based on the experience of the Boer War.  

The campaign is set in my native west Lancahire, and Army Red is rertiring from Springpool Wood towards the sea at Southport.  Both sides have been replensihed and reinforced, and Red is holding a line behind the canal, and vital rail junction of Burscough Bridge.  

As the game is being played as a Kriegspeil on the map, only certain portions of the armies camie into contact.  

The Battle at Burscough Bridge

Red

 

Army Red deployed on the line Ormskirk – Burscough – Rufford

 

At Burscough Bridge elements of the 2^nd Volunteer (West Lancs) Cyclist Bde were in position holding the L&YR station, goods yard and canal :

 

At the railway

 

2^nd West Lancs Cyclist volunteers – Formby Flyers

1 x HMG

 

At the Canal

 

3^rd West Lancs Cyclist Volunteers

1 x HMG - forward 

RE Coy

Signals Plt

 

 

 Blue

 

2nd TF Brigade (South Lancs)

Bde HQ

1st South Lancs 

3rd Liverpool Scots - A Coy 

                                            1 x Artillery - supplied with 10 rounds

                        Supply –  Wigan and District ASC -- 3 x Motor Bus+ motor cycle  

 The campaign will now be conducted under the watchful eye of Lord K - and who will come out the winner, Bacsight Forethought (hero of Kakdorp) or  Leisurely Trundle ...