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New Positions for Move Eight. . .

Here, we see Major von Hirschbiegel's first company of O'Malley's Irish Grenzers retiring back to the village of Pickelhaubewicz and taking up new positions inside the church.


Meanwhile, the second company of O'Malley's Irish lads have taken up positions in the copse just to the south of Pickelhaubewicz. Notice that they are now in open order.


But things have not been entirely idle on the far side of the battlefield, no! Colonel von Grundig's half battery of artillery has finally been able to deploy on the high ground to the east of Pickelhaubewicz after slightly less than half a move. . . meaning that, unfortunately, it will not be able to fire until Move Nine! Nevertheless, his 4th (Trakehnen) Dragoons are wheeling into formation to hold the right flank and, perhaps, charge any opposing enemy cavalry later in this turn.


To the west of the village, Major von Hirschbiegel's squadron of the 11th (Prinz Albrecht's) Hussars has re-entered town with its characteristic swagger.


On the southeastern side of Pickelhaubewicz, Colonel von Grundig deploys his remaining company of Jaeger zu Fuss in open order to cover his left flank and oppose the enemy grenzers in the copse.


And here, we see the Stollenian Von Laurenz Musketeers deployed in line about to pour an enfilading volley into Zichenau's Grenadiere zu Pferd.


Unfortunately, Zichenau's Ermland Garde (The Newts) have also entered Pickelhaubewicz, meaning that the village seems to be firmly in the hands of Major von Hirschbiegel.


To the Major's southwest, he has anchored the Wolmar-Bock Regiment, currently on loan from neighboring (and allied) Pillau-Zerbst, to the small hill outside that part of town. Here, you can see them exhorted by their colonel.


At the same time, Colonel Augustus von Finknottle is at the head of his beloved Newts as they take possesion of Pickelhaubewicz and settle in next to the church that is held by their Irish comrades.


And here, we can observe the flamboyant (some might even say tactically astute) Major von Hirschbiegel, who is encouraging his men to press on to victory with characteristic dash and flair.


Finally, the much maligned Colonel von Grundig together with his aide, Major von Schenker, just to the rear of his deployed half battery. Neither man, we can see, has what you could call a smile on his face at this point in the game. The Colonel curses the dice that determined the rather random arrival of his units on the field and is SURE he could have taken Pickelhaubewicz in short order had he been able to bring the entire force onto the field at one time. "Lady Luck is indeed a fickle love," he was overheard saying to von Schenker earlier in the game.

Comments

Bluebear Jeff said…
Good-looking troops on both sides . . . but beware . . .

O'Malley's Irish Grenzers are in the Church . . . and probably into the communion wine as well . . . and who wants to tangle with drunken Irish Grenzers?


-- Jeff
ColCampbell50 said…
Maybe they will drink themselves into a stupor. But wait, they are Irish and probably have a bottmless capacity for liquor! [Being part Irish myself, I can talk about them this way. :^)]

Jim
Brent said…
Wonderful episode. The town buildings are great! I'm sure Jeff's comments on the Grenzers have merit. Don't suppose some troopers snuck into the Alte Fritz for a taste of courage, do you?

Brent
Der Alte Fritz said…
This is beyond fun watching this game and your collection come together (over the past couple of years). I love those red dragoons too.
Fitz-Badger said…
I'm folowing this with interest, enjoying the reports and pictures, and getting inspired to have a go myself! Thanks! :-)
Capt Bill said…
I just received my copy of Charles Grant's War Game Companion today. Your pictures and description are very much in the same vein and deeply appreciated. Best regards...Bill
johnpreece said…
Your armies are looking very nice now. I especially lie the infantry regts skirmishing in the woods.

To me the scenery is spot on. It is a funny thing but I find a very abstract table allows more room for imagination than a detailed diorama.

I can see the light infantry scrambling among the trees and slipping on the leaves and mud. Feet scuffing up the smell of wet leaf mould to mingle with the damp rotten egg smell of the black powder. Bullets zipping overhead and showering dead wood and bark onto the sheltering infantry below.

Hmm my afternoon Assam seems unusually trong today, perhaps a lie down now.

John
Gallia said…
Today I read the whole story for the first time -- finally! Too many other things interfered with the generous sit down I want for such a pleasure and to make it a meaningful pleasure. I did not want to speed by at sixty seconds per day.

Congratulations to you both for an entertaining and vicarious read. Your satisfaction must be at a very high level. Bravo as well for this new way of playing and communicating with each other and to the rest of us about it.

Applause and Ovations!
Encore mes amis,
Bill (Gallia)

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