THE RELIEF OF FOX RIVER GROVE - Spring Campaign Battle 5

The Relief of Fox River Grove Commences. 

The Union of Pacts Commonwealth has taken a slight lead in the Spring Campain. This last battle will see if they can turn this into a decisive victory, or will the Empire be able to continue its goals of reduction of UPC gains?

With the Union of Pacts Commonwealths destruction of the Empires Field Army at Ridgeville it freed up troops to rush to the relief of the besieged town of Fox River Grove. This key point along the Fox River if taken would provide the Empire a strong position to continue campaigns into the Northern Territory of the UPC, while its relief would secure this area for the Commonwealth for years to come.

This would be an attack Vs defense battle, with the attackers holding a fort under siege able to launch a supporting attack into the defenders rear if the opportunity arose. 

The Field of Battle as Seen from the West. UPC Forces will be Approaching from the top area.  

Battlefield as Seen from the East. The Town of Fox River Grove on the Lower Right. 

Empire Reserves Await a Breach to be Made for Their Opportunity to Launch an Assault. 

Fort Springtail Under Siege Outside Fox River Grove. 

The Empire's Northern Hill Defenders Await the UPC Onslaught. 

The Southern Hill Defenders. 

Ranks of UPC Infantry Advance on the Hill Position, while on both Flanks Their Cavalry Moves to Envelope the Empire. The Town of Fox River Grove is Under Heavy Pressure. 

With the Town Taken the full Weight of the UPC Hammers at the Empire Forces on the Hills. Behind can be Seen the Empire Reinforcements Beginning to Come Up. The Siege Lines Remain Manned Keeping the Forts Occupants from Joining the Attack.   

Empire Forces Surge Forward to Reinforce the Center and Hold the UPC on the Flanks. 

UPC's Massed Grenadiers Take the Hill, While the Light Infantry in the Woods Drive Back the Empire's Cavalry. The Second Line of Empire Infantry Prepares to Meet the Advance. 

On the Right Flank the UPC Drives the Empires Light Infantry from the Woods and Continues Forward in the Center. Undaunted the Empire Continues to Bring Forward more Reserves to Contest the Next Line of Defenses. 

Despite their wave like advance taking one defensive line after the other the UPC was running out of daylight. As darkness fell the Empire still tenaciously held on to their last line of defense coving the trench lines. The relief was halted short of its goal and rumor of addition approaching Empire forces forced the breakoff from the battle.  

Empire Forces Still Manning the Siege Line. 

The Spring Campaign was over. The UPC had won a minor victory over the Empire. Both sides would go home and lick their wounds while preparing for the next coming Campaign Season. 

CHRISTMAS TOY SOLDIERS GAME 2022 - SLAY BELLS RINGING

 

Another Holliday Season is upon us and that means it is time for the annual Toy Soldiers Game. This was the first outing for my newest Fast Play rules. The rules are targeted for larger numbers of players to be able to understand easily and play games of around 15 turns in 4 hours. They still need some testing, polishing, and a little expanding so, I will post details on them later. 

The game pitted the attacking forces of Queen Azkadellia's (The Wicked Witch) army of Otherwhen against King Charming's army of Nodd defending an area of high ground in front of the Mighty River. After losing the resent battle of Tinsel Town, King Charming had given orders for a general retreat, then parted the army to review the construction of the defenses around Sugarton. The King left his fiery General Hans C. Anderson in charge of the army in his absence.  Rather than retreat back to Sugarton, General Anderson decided he could stop Otherwhen's advance here and erase the loss of Tinsel Town from his reputation. General Anderson's confidence of victory grew when he saw the small size of the pursuing forces of Otherwhen. 

Unbeknown to General Anderson was that General L. Carrol in command of the Guard, had been given direct order to save the Guard and "Get them to Sugarton" by the King himself on his departure. Torn between duty to the King, loyalty to his comrades in arms, and his own desire to seek revenge for the insult of Tinsel Town General Carrol delayed his Brigades withdrawal to see how the battle turned. 

Otherwhen Forces Appear Ready to Give Battle Against Nodd. 

Arrayed for Battle the Otherwhen Forces Appear Outnumbered. 

Nodd's Army Offers Battle Feeling Secure on Their Superior Position on the Highground.  

On Their Right Otherwhen Forces Advance Up the Valley to Avoid Fire from the Nodd Artillery Covering the Opposite Valley. 

As Massed Otherwhen Reinforcements Appear Nodd's General's Anderson and Carrol Realize Their Mistake in Trying to Hold Here. 

The Trap is Sprung as Elite Combined Forces of Otherwhen Suddenly Appear Behind the Right Flank of Nodd's Army. 

Nodd's Right Flank Being Assailed from the Front and the Flank Have Been Forced to Retreat Back Through the Woods. 

With More Enemies Continually Arriving Nodd Forces are Unsure Which Way to Go.

With Artillery Firing Directly in Their Faces Otherwhen's Elite Cavalry and Infantry Continue on Pounding on the Enemy Flank.  

On the Opposite Side of the Field Seasoned Otherwhen Troops Emerge from the Valley Driving the Nodd Forces Back. 

Lead Forward by Otherwhen's Famous Zeebatillion "Orcas" with Fire and Steel They Drive Back Nodd's Celebrated Black Barron's Brigade.

With the Situation Desperate Genral Anderson Personally Rides Forward to Attempt to Inspire his Troops to Hold as The Guard and Others Attempt to Retreat Across the Mighty River Bridge. 

By battles end General Anderson had saved the entire Guard and nearly half the rest of his army, but at a high cost. His best cavalry and infantry lay fallen on the field. Otherwhen had been slowed, but their losses were minimal. In a day they would have rested and reformed and again be on their way to battle King Charming. 

For the most part the rules ran smoothly. A few issues arose, such as no rule for Command casualties, and the low casualty rate from shooting. Basic mechanics all are sound, and Command Control worked out the way I wanted it. Rules are tweaked, missed parts have been added and a fuller roll for the army C-in-C is being worked on. All this leads me to the conclusion there will be a new battle sooner than later.