The Road to Vienna

 The traditional Sunday of Tundra Con "big battalions" game was held Jan. 7th at the Garden Hilton in Oshkosh, WI.  Rules are Batailles de Ancien Regime or as they are affectionately known: BAR.  Author Bill Protz provided the scenario and background.  It was just left to us to fill in the numbers.

"Arise Christendom, the Ottoman hordes threaten Vienna again."

The set up featured a 6' wide center table and back tables to facilitate reserves and maneuver.  Allowing one to move directly from the back table(s) to the main action area.  The Christian forces feature Austria (naturally), France, and the Imagi-Nation of Litharus, having a decidedly Russian look to them.

The invaders had hired the army of Imagi-Nation Rondovia, and a 
heretical contingent of Polish Winged Hussars to supplement their
ill-disciplined masses.

Said Winged Hussars may be seen, along with
mercenaries from the Imagi-Nation Prochistan.

The peaceful center table before the conflict.  Hard to
pick up, but a major ridge is in the center.

The BAR movement rates are generous so little
time was wasted getting to grips with the foe.

Bill begins maneuvering his troops onto the center.

Looking down the length, once can appreciate
the visual impact of big battalions.

As seems to be typical, the Vilnius grenadiers route early.  They 
did rally and return to the fray later.

Action see-sawed in the center as each side advanced and 
fell back at some point.

More movement in the center.

The invaders held the numeric advantage on our left and pressed.

Litharus had the numeric advantage on the right and pressed.

The Royal Artist will be replaced for failing to capture the 
sight of the Ottomans fleeing the center.  Most unexpectedly
I might add.

By deft maneuvering and miserable Ottoman dice, the left
not only held, but was sweeping the field at the end.

Battle is always a confusing entity, but in this case it was clear
that the defenders of Holy Roman Empire had prevailed.

Betelguese the XXIV assembled the Ottoman forces that were soundly
defeated on all three fronts.

The famed Red Sash brigade of muskets skirmishing with swords behind.

Sepoy battalion, recruited in India.

Major Ottoman attack developing, supported by a body of cataphracts.

Despite the large number of figures and buckets of dice rolled, we easily completed the game in  the allotted time slot.  A game of many surprising twists and turns that I believe everyone enjoyed.  We used a roster system where you marked off casualties till it was time to remove a stand of 12.  This treated the figures with more care and made pick up/clean up go that much faster.  We will do that again.  Thanks to all who participated and were part of the planning and set up.

Battle of Hinten-Anzhen-Dingle (Imagi-Nations)

In our Imagi-Nation world, the combined armies of Odessenau and Latveria have invaded Vaneria and are moving on a strategically located city along a critical river.  Vaneria was a Russian position that was taken by the Ottomans and has reached semi-independent status over the decades of benevolent rule.  On each flank are smaller forces to protect the besiegers from relief efforts.  Looking to back a winner, Prochistan has joined the invaders, looking for rewards at the end of the campaign.  Similarly, Austria not wanting to see a stronger Odessenau, has taken their own interests at heart and have sent an expeditionary force to help maintain  the power balance.

Near the picturesque village of Hinten-Anzehn-Dingle the opposing forces find each other.  Rules are Batailles de l'Ancien Regime (BAR) by Bill Protz.  Figure ratio is 10:1 and the order of movement and firing is determined by cards.  In our case today, by Brigade.

The village of Hinten-Anzehn-Dingle knows nothing of 
the coming storm.

Batailles de l'Ancien Regime as noted above.

Closer view of town. Mostly paper models with some 3D printed.

The townsfolk rejoice at the sight of Vanerian troops.

A delegation turns out to welcome them.

The initial set on.  More are on the back tables.

Meanwhile, the sinister forces of Odessenau
and Prochistan approach, leading a flank force.

The stream is but a minor hinderance to movement.

On the left, Austrian allies enjoy the morning sun.

Soon each side has eight infantry regiments of 60 figures
and eight cavalry squadrons of 12 figures each, in play.

The more open ground on the defenders left seems to
favor cavalry the best.

Some squadrons drift into musket range, to their demise.

A Vanerian light regiment shelters behind a bocage-like
hedge, getting serious cover.

The Prochistan forces are very aggressive and attack
the bocage and their cavalry charges steady infantry.

The invaders are eagerly attacking with their cavalry,
the Austrians and Vanerians have theirs supporting.

The feared winged hussars of Prochistan and Odessenau
infantry take hurts, but slowly push back the Vanerians onto
their supports, the white cloaked grenadiers.

The Vanerian lights are repeatedly charged by Prochistan
infantry but manage to hold off assaults through their 
heavy cover.

Similarly, the Prochistans are assaulting the village in
bitter, house to house fighting, leaving disordered mobs
to move from building to building.

On the defender's left, a big cavalry scrum erupts between
the Austrians and the weakened Odessenau cavalry.

The winged hussars destroy themselves trying to break
the Vanerians, who somehow hold.  For now.

The Austrian infantry begins to sort itself out and move
forward with hostile intent.

On the defender's right, the Tatars move to strike the
disordered invaders.

The other Vanerian cavalry moves to the left to support
the advancing Austrians.  Along the way they eliminate
some previously victorious Odessenau cavalry.

Odessenau resorts to desperate tactics, firing through
their own battery at the advancing Austrians, eliminating it.

The action filled center.  Invaders on the right, some 
infantry reordering.  Note: for our game the light infantry
was not allowed to take the close order.

Loudon's "Green Grenadiers" (just line) advance to 
complete the discomfort of the Odessenau line.

To try to stave off disaster, the (real) Austrian grenadiers
are charged by dragoons and infantry.  All to no avail.

Prochistan is finally successful driving the Vanaerian 
lights off the bocage.  If caught in the open, they will be
eliminated without a fight.

The dragoon remnants are thrown back but somehow
pass morale.

The defenders are now fully the attackers on their left,
with the Austrian hussars, previously held back, moving
to mop up. 

A final long view of the table from the Austrian end.

With half their infantry routed or about to and their cavalry neutralized, the invaders turn tail and depart with all due haste.  Only the Austrian hussars are in position to pursue and the firepower still remaining will make it a half-hearted pursuit at best.

This battle may possibly influence events in and around the siege.  Strategic decisions and variable die rolls will determine for sure.  Thanks to all for the good natured enjoyment.  We shared a group light meal and snacks, along with some gourmet brownies.