North of London (Yet Again)

March 24, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Hail Caesar, Hail CaesarWar of the Roses Supplement, wargamingLeave a comment

Back to the War of the Roses campaign however this time it was the Stanley’s (me) with a Neville ally (Nigel) against Beaufort with a couple of renegade Neville’s (“Uncle Albert Julian”) assisted by “Broken Dice” David.

The Stanley’s deployed with Sir William on the Left flank, Sir Thomas and the “B@stard” Exeter in the centre and the Neville allies on the right beyond the river. Beaufort deployed with the “renegade Neville’s” on either flank (both of these had been captured at previous battles and had swapped sides).

In the early moves both Stanley’s had poor command rolls so in typical Stanley fashion he allowed Exeter and Neville to take the lead. However this still meant that the long range “arrow storms” commenced.

With the arrows expended Neville “grasped the nettle” and charged with his bills in support.

In the centre one of Sir Thomas Stanley’s longbow units broke under bow fire. The issue here was that Sir Thomas was with the unit rallying off casualties and was wounded when the unit broke 😒.

Neville’s combat didn’t go well with the Household breaking; the bill also broke and Neville fell in the combat. This left one unit holding the right flank! Luckily the majority of units in the enemy division were disordered so couldn’t interfere in the centre straightaway.

Back in the centre a small success for the Stanley’s as another of Beaufort broke from fire.

As the replacement Neville general appears his last unit breaks after being “picked on” by multiple units.

Things were not going well on the left wing as one of Sir William’s division took minimum casualties but threw poorly on the break test and did a runner.

To try and relieve the pressure on the left and the village Exeter joined his bills and led them in a charge into a unit of longbow despite being classed as a “coward” and managed to win the combat.

In the centre Beaufort and Sir Thomas division closed with each other and the general melee started in earnest. In the ensuing melee Beaufort received a glaive in the head and fell 😁.

On the left a similar melee had developed but this time it was the Stanleys that were in mourning as Sir William fell in combat however his forces were victorious and started to push Beaufort’s right wing back.

Then in the next round of combat this time it was Fauconberg bite the dust and the units were pushed back.

In the centre Sir Thomas Stanley division had been steadily pushing back Beaufort’s centre and nearly driven them off the table but lady luck played her hand and Stanleys bill were beaten against the odds 😒.

Sir Thomas Stanley forces driving back Beauforts division

Back on the right flank the crossbow that had been holding the village finally succumbed and in the process Exeter was killed in the rout (I had been trying to get him killed all game and finally manage it).

However in their eagerness to destroy the crossbow in the village they exposed their flanks and the bill couldn’t resist the opportunity and charged and routed the longbow.

In the centre and let wings Beaufort’s divisions had both fallen back (one had broken the other was close). While the Stanley’s were taking a breather and started to rally and reorganise their divisions to ensure they didn’t break themselves.

The bill on the right continued the charged and routed the handgun that had been supporting the longbow although their flank was being threatened by another longbow unit.

The game was now approaching the end. While Stanley had lost the Neville division and his brother, Beaufort forces were tottering on the edge and with one division broken and another near breaking point “Uncle Albert” decided to quit the field.

So victory went to Sir Thomas. Another cracking game with some good friends.

Relief of Ladysmith(ish) – 28th February 1900 – Part 2

March 23, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Black Powder, wargamingLeave a comment

We reconvened to complete the Ladysmith game.

The 1st Royal Dragoons had ridden forward and charged a unit of Boer Commandos. Initially they took several “hits” from the Boer autocannon or “Pom Poms” but by sheer luck had managed to save them all! (I forgot to take the photo I was so relieved). Being sensible they then withdrew disordered to try and reorganise however the “Pom Poms” fired again and this time I didn’t manage to save any of the hits and at this stage the Royal Dragoons decided that they had an appointment elsewhere.

Cavalry do not survive being hit by the “Pom Poms”

As well as the ongoing combat in the nearby building the Boers now tried to break into the town by assaulting the Naval Brigade which were holding a barricade across the railway line.

Away from the town the 2^nd Battalion Rifle Brigade and the Imperial Light Horse were engaged on the flank with some of Louis Botha’s Commandos with both sides taking casualties.

The Naval Brigade hold the barricades and break the Commando that had charged relieving the pressure slightly.

On the flank fire from the Imperial Light Horse and the Rifles finally break the Commando but another sits mounted behind them to take their place!

One of the “Pom Poms” is forced to retire as it is “jammed” and was coming under fire from the advancing British infantry.

Back on the flank a Boer Commando charged the Rifles on the hill. The resulting combat was a draw and with both sides shaken they both had to take a “break” test. Both failed so each decided to run away!

In Ladysmith the Gordon Highlanders had finally been broken after coming under sustained artillery fire and taking heavy casualties. The only upside for the British is that none of the Boers were able to advance and occupy the vacated building.

Not to be left out the Naval artillery landed on a Boer commando and that failed its break test and did a runner as well.

Things were in the balance but with the initial two Boer brigades broken they could only hold at the walls and exchange fire with the garrison. Pressure was on for the relief columns to break into the town.

The Boer artillery switched targets and fired on another of the buildings. This time they also managed to set fire to the building which meant that it had to be evacuated.

On the flank the Imperial Light Horse finally broke after receiving fire from the mounted Boer commandos leaving things a bit up in the air and also meaning that Buller’s relief column was close to breaking itself.

The Lancashire Fusiliers had closed to close range and volleyed the Boers holding the other river bank who decided that they had an appointment elsewhere and broke.

Another of Botha’s commandos was broken from fire from the hill. The problem was that all of Botha’s commandos were “marauders” which meant that under the rules we had to brake every unit in the brigade before they quit the field.

The Boer “Pom Poms” had run into trouble and were both now jammed so decided that they would exit over the bridge but this formed a bit of a traffic jam.

This presented an opportunity to good to miss and the British infantry charged. Failing the evade move and not being able to clear the limbered artillery to it front the rear “Pom Pom” was caught and destroyed.

The 1^st Battalion South Lancs Regiment accompanied by the War Reporter had charged another of Botha’s commandos in the rear and managed to break the unit which enable it to advance into Ladysmith. This enabled the War Reporter to talk to the Ambulance Corps leader and gain us one of our victory conditions. Unfortunately the garrison had become broken just before we managed to gain entry which meant that we did not achieve our other objective.

The British Infantry crossed the river and delivered a close range volley into another of the Boer commandos driving it away.

With casualties mounting on both sides it was at this stage that Buller’s relief column broke and the surviving units started to retreat leaving only the Naval Brigade and Armoured train column on the field for the British. However the Boers were in a similar situation with only the Artillery brigade and Botha’s commandos unbroken.

After its gallant defence of the railway line the Naval Brigade infantry had moved to occupy one of the buildings. This soon attracted fire from the Boer artillery which as well as inflicting casualties also set fire to the building!

The casualties proved to much for the unit and it finally broke!

It was now time to call the game.

Both sides had lost 2 brigades broken and the survivors not looking well either.

The Boers had broken the garrison before the relief column had arrived and still held one of the hills giving them 3 victory points.

The British had managed to get the two VIP’s to meet and also controlled one of the hills which gave them 3 Victory Points.

So overall the game was a draw! However it was a cracking scenario and an enjoyable game that could have gone either way several times. Special thanks to Dave B for organising the game.

Relief of Ladysmith(ish) – 28th February 1900

March 10, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Black Powder, wargaming1 Comment

To follow up on his Rorke’s Drift extravaganza Dave B decided to run a scenario based on the relief of Ladysmith (with the addition of an armoured train) on its 126^th anniversary.

The British had two relief forces one advancing by the road (Nigel) and one on the armoured train (me) while the garrison of Ladysmith (Paul) was holding with grime determination.

The Boer forces were commanded by Alan, “Broken Dice” David, Dave A and “Uncle Albert” Julian.

The Boers started with two brigades on the table and they started to advance towards Ladysmith.

The Boers advanced in a staggered line due to some dodgy command dice but soon started to engage the defenders.

Then more Boer commandos appeared and moved down the river instead of choosing to try and slow the advance of the relief columns.

Initially the defenders were deployed to hold the forward walls of the town.

But early casualties had already forced the highlanders to seek the shelter of the building.

Highlanders occupying building on the flank

While the last unit was held in reserve so all we could hear was the cry for the relief columns to reach the town.

The rifles were the only unit that was deployed outside the town. These were holding a hill to try and slow any Boer advance towards the approaching relief columns.

The first surprise came as the British artillery spotter appeared on the board and the balloon went up! This also meant that the Naval brigade had started to arrive carrying various bits of the artillery.

At the same time the Armoured train started to roll onto the board and make its stately progress up the board.

The mounted Boers reinforcements started to move to the flank of Ladysmith to cover the bridges and try to start inflicting casualties on the garrison.

Boers moving to attack the flank of Ladysmith

The other relief column had also arrived and was advancing up the road at speed but with a warning not to stop at the level crossing as it could be dangerous!

Relief columns advance but dont stop on the level crossing!

However at this point the Boers did not seem concerned with the relief columns and kept up with the advance on Ladysmith.

The advancing Boer infantry had forced the Garrison to take cover in the building and while this reduced the garrisons firepower it did increase their “morale” saves to resist casualties.

Garrison forced to retreat to the buildings

The concentration of the Boers on one side of the river did mean that a traffic jam had developed that had slowed the advance of the artillery.

Eventually the Boers did notice the relief columns and started to form a defensive line at the river with some of the artillery advancing over the bridges.

The warning to not stop on the level crossing had been ignored and there was a screech of brakes as the train just managed to slow down before it ploughed into the British cavalry!

Told you not to stop on the level crossing

The Boers had now formed their defensive line and the Naval brigade had moved to hold the flank after delivering the artillery. It was than we noticed two “tiny” units sneaking towards the railway bridge.

The rifles on the hill was now under increasing pressure as the Boers moved more units over the river and also deployed some of their “pom-pom” guns to fire on the rifles.

Instead of moving rapidly towards the bridges the British mounted infantry moved to the right to engage a Boer unit and provide some relief to the rifles.

The purpose of those “tiny” units became clear as the engineers had placed the explosives and blown the railway bridge which would mean that the armoured train would no longer simply roll into the centre of the town 😒.

The British artillery had been set up and now took its toll as it fired on the Boer assault unit which broke under the fire.

We had now run out of time and we would have to reconvene to finish the game.

So far a brilliant laugh and a great scenario.

North of London (Again)

February 27, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Hail Caesar, Hail CaesarWar of the Roses Supplement, wargaming2 Comments

Back to the War of the Roses campaign and this times it was the Nevilles attacking Beaufort north of London – again (what was the quote on madness?).

Beaufort’s forces (“Uncle Albert” Julian supported by “Broken Dice” David) was split into three divisions with Beaufort in the centre, Wenlock on his right and Hastings on his right. The Neville’s also had three division but was outnumber as Beaufort had 25% more units.

Being outnumbered we held back hoping to be able to pick on units as they advance. Beaufort rushed forward with Hastings and Wenlock lagging behind.

This plan didn’t work out as first blood went to Beaufort as two of his Longbow units destroyed one of ours.

On our left flank units emerged from the from the wood and the Longbow unit died under a blaze of arrows!

Then to make matters worse the Household unit was forced to retire into the woods. So things weren’t looking good ☹️.

The run of losing units continued in the centre as we lost another Longbow unit. This meant two of our divisions were close to breaking 😒.

At last we had some success as we managed to break one of Hastings units.

Then on the left flank the spear unit was in trouble as it was hit by a Household unit with two supports.

Back on the right to try and rescue something and I had launched a charge and managed to rout a unit of Longbow.

On the left flank the Spear unit was routed and to rub salt into the wound the light cavalry that had been supporting also joined the rout. This was enough to break the left flank division.

Spearmen rout taking the division with them (and the cavalry)

It was soon over for the Neville’s as in the centre a unit of spear was made a pin cushioned by two longbow unit, an artillery piece and a handgun unit which meant it broke and took the division with it.

Spearmen break in the centre and breaks the division

So the end came with two out of three divisions broken and the army was broken and the last division retired from the field 😭.

Two divisions down and the army retreats again

The Neville’s (or at least their third cousins twice removed) retired back into East Anglia and Beaufort finally was able to take the Tower of London. This also meant that he could convince the Archbishop of Canterbury to hold the coronation and so we have a different Henry VII.

Cracking game and even though we had lost a good laugh.

Battle of Corstorphin Hill – 1745

February 26, 2026 The Uncivil ServantBlack Powder, Last Argument of Kings, wargamingLeave a comment

This was the first battle in a 1745 Campaign being run by Paul (also using his collection of troops). Up to now both sides had been gathering forces but the Jacobite’s (me, “Broken Dice” David and Nigel) had advanced out of the highlands towards Edinburgh.

The Government forces (Dave A, Dave B, “Uncle Albert” Julian and Alan) had been falling back before is and now decided to make a stand at Edinburgh.

The battle was located on Corstorphin Hill south of the city. The Government forces had occupied the hill with Dragoons in the woods on either flank.

We had deployed with two brigades on the right flank, one in the centre and one on the left. With the intention of swinging around on the right flank to outflank the Government forces.

Government forces looking down from their vantage point

The highland brigade on the extreme right was tardy in its advance, so it fell to the 1^st Athol’s to lead the charge after launching a quick volley. Unfortunately, the unit they charged failed their break test due to the “terrifying charge” and fell back through the large unit behind them. This meant they had halted at short range and had to await the incoming volley!

The volley arrived and a bad break test meant that the Athol’s remembered they had an appointment elsewhere.

This stalled my advance as another of my units was shaken and was close to breaking itself! However the other highland brigade had arrived and had driven the dragoons back and forced them to retire from the field shaken.

On the left flank “Broken Dice” had got board holding his position and decided to advance and engage the dragoons in the fields. The other units held back as they only had pistols!

We now had to try and get reorganised on the right flank but our brigade in the centre was close to breaking through shooting casualties.

The Government forces remained nailed to the hill so didn’t push the advantage in the centre.

Back on the right we had managed to shake another unit which had broken the left flank brigade that was now retreating from the field.

On the left flank the dragoons were now in a firefight but ends up shaken and also retreats from the field.

While the right flank was pushing forward against the Government reinforcements. The centre brigade finally broke from shooting casualties and started to withdraw from the field.

However rather than charging we were sensible and used three units to volley a Government battalion.

This tactic broke another brigade which meant that the Government forces were broken and had to start to retreat.

This left only one Government brigade on the hill that started to withdraw before we could cause any more casualties.

With the last battalion successfully retreating from the field with a victory for the Jacobite forces that allowed us to take Edinburgh (but not the castle) and declare the “Bonny Prince” the king in Scotland and recruit more forces.

A good game, at least for the Jacobite’s, and with the campaign elements you tend to be more careful as to with the troops rather than last turn heroics.

Battle of Durham

February 23, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Hail Caesar, Hail CaesarWar of the Roses Supplement, wargamingLeave a comment

After the Stanley’s last battle in the campaign where Sir Thomas Stanley was captured after the battle. To keep his head, he agreed to march north and attack the Percy’s.

So my two divisions marched north and clashed with the Percy’s just south of Durham.

The Stanley’s deployed with Sir Thomas Stanley (me) on the right flank and Exeter (Nigel) on the left flank. The Percy’s deployed with the Percy’s facing Exeter (“Broken Dice” David) and Buckingham (“Uncle Albert” Julian).

We had an early success on the left flank when one of Percy’s longbow units broke after wandering too far forward and attracted bow fire from several units.

On the right flank I had advance Stanley’s division to the stream and engaged the enemy units with longbow fire with both sides taking casualties.

However to try and relieve the pressure Stanley led his billmen over the bridge and charged the enemy longbowmen.

On our left flank Exeter had been charged by Percy and the hand to hand had sucked in various units in support.

Initially things went well for Exeter and he drove the Percy’s back, unfortunately this would bring even more of Percy’s units into support positions of the main combat.

On the right flank Buckingham’s bow units had been forced back but the bill did not follow up as they were now shaken themselves and would be outnumbered in the combat.

On the left flank Exeter managed to win the combat and shatter the household unit he was fighting. This gave him a problem as he couldn’t charge into the supporting unit as he was shaken himself and the remainder of Buckingham’s force prepared to extract their revenge.

Revenge was swift as longbow fire from two units routed a unit of longbow.

These were soon followed by both the units of household troops which meant that Exeter’s division was broken and started to retreat from the field. So where everything had looked rosy only a short time ago half the army was now in retreat!

Exeter’s household breaks and takes his division with them

However before Buckingham’s forces could manoeuvre to reinforce the attack on Stanley’s division the “timer” ran out and night fell across the battlefield so Stanley could withdraw.

To add insult to injury Exeter was captured as he tried to escape from the battlefield and swiftly changed sides!!

Another close game which looked like it was going our way at one stage but still good fun, but sooner than later I need to win a battle ☹️.

North of London

February 22, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Hail Caesar, Hail CaesarWar of the Roses Supplement, wargamingLeave a comment

The next game in the War of the Roses campaign took place north of London as Warwick (Nigel) marched to engage Henry Beaufort (“Uncle Albert” Julian) with ”Broken Dice” David assisting Uncle Albert while I assisted Nigel.

Both sides had 3 divisions each deployed facing each other. The Warwick’s forces are deployed on the left of the table while Beaufort’s forces are deployed on the right with Wenlock in the field defences and Hastings on the right flank.

Warwick had a couple of issues. The first was that 2/3^rd of his army was classed as levy for the game and had to roll to get out of disorder. The second was that a couple of units were classed as “untested” due losing the last battle. Finally, we were outnumbered. So our battle plan was easy hang back and don’t let them use their numbers against us.

Beaufort advanced across the field and the first exchanges of bow fire took place.

In the early turns we managed to get three units firing on a single longbow unit of Beaufort’s shaking it from fire.

While Wenlock had to abandon the fieldworks as we declined to attack. “Broken Dice” managed to blunder with one of the units who decided to retire from the field.

The following turn Beaufort’s archers again took heavy fire but this time Beaufort was with the unit attempting to rally the unit.

This time it proved to much and the unit broke due to the casualties.

Luckily for them Beaufort survived the unit routing and moved back to join the bill.

On our left flank Hastings division charged and engaged Montague.

Hasting broke the unit he had charged and drove back both supporting units who were both close to being shaken.

By now we were engaged all down the line and both sides had taken heavy casualties with several units in each division being shaken.

On our left flank Hastings bill unit was broken by bow fire but the rest of hastings division had now closed to deliver close range bow fire.

In the centre Warwick led forward his Household unit supported by archers and charged Beaufort bill unit and routed it. Again Beaufort survived the unit routing and rode off to join another unit.

It was at this stage Thomas Neville led his division forward and charged the leading unit of Wenlock division forming the usual mosh pit of a combat. In the first round of combat Wenlock’s units held but Wenlock himself was killed in the combat.

In the centre Beaufort’s artillery swivelled and delivered a close range shot into Warwick’s household and routed them. This was unfortunate for Warwick as he died in the rout.

Things were going badly for Warwick’s division as another of his units routed and to add to the ignominy Beaufort’s artillery withstood the charge of his Longbow.

Back on the right flank Thomas Neville had managed to break a couple of units of Wenlock’s division and was driving them back.

By now both sides had taken a lot of damage but neither side had any broken divisions but the timer had run out and night had fallen and the sides broke apart.

Neither side fancied to fight on the following day so both sides withdrew to lick their wounds and find replacement for their commanders who had died on the field.

Another cracking game and a good laugh with good friends.

Operation Jupiter – 10th July 1944

February 16, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Rapid Fire, Rapid Fire "Reloaded", wargamingLeave a comment

Paul recently decided to run Operation Jupiter scenario by Mark Piper (available free from the Rapid Fire Reloaded website). All the troops and terrain are from Paul’s collection.

In the scenario the British representing elements of the 43^rd (Wessex) Infantry Division with supporting armour from the 7^th RTR (played by me, Alan, Dave B and Nigel) had to attack and take Hill 112. There were three objectives which were the crossroads, the orchard and the wood. The Germans (played by “Broken Dice” David, Dave A and “Uncle Albert” Julian) were defending with elements of the SS Panzer Division 10 and SS Panzer Abterlung 102.

The British deployed with the 4^th Battalion Wiltshire’s advanced supported by A squadron 7^th RTR while the 4^th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry supported by C Squadron 7^th RTR.

4th Battalion Wilshire’s and A Squadron 7th RTR

On are left flank the 5^th Battalion Wiltshire’s supported by the Achilles advanced only for a couple of Panzer IV’s appear.

4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry and 5th Wiltshire’s advance

Our advancing infantry had taken heavy casualties from the Nebelwefer battery as they advanced still trying to spot the enemy infantry. However the Auster spotter plane had now arrived on the table and started to bring in the Typhoons that we had available.

The first Typhoon appears over the table but on the first turn did not manage to locate its target.

The next turn it does spot the tanks and strikes with its rockets.

Pak 40 opens up on the Churchills but does not do any damage, their response with HE and machine gun fire destroys the it.

Pak 40 appears and fires at the Churchills

By now the British advanced and gained control the crossroads but as yet not located the German infantry apart from the Pak.

British advance still trying to find the German infantry

German infantry in the village finally open up on the Wiltshire’s as more Panzer IV’s roll onto the board.

Another Typhoon appears and targets the Panzer IV’s while the rest of the advance continues.

Another Typhoon appears over the table and targets the Panzer IV’s

Problems start to mount for the British as a pair of Tigers sneak onto the board using the orchard for cover against the Churchills and M10.

By this stage the British had advanced on a wide front and had reached the road at the top of the hill. The majority of the German infantry had been located defending the village which did not really concern us as we were focused on the hill.

The Panzer IV were now in a target rich environment, if they could actual destroy anything. By now they had manage to hit the Achilles twice and both times threw a one and therefore didn’t penetrate!

Panzer IV’s in a target rich environment

Things took a bad turn for the Panzer IV’s as the Achilles, 6pdrs, Churchills took there toll.

Bad day for the Panzer IV’s as Achilles, Churchills and 6pdr strikes

The Tigers were confident but then Nigel decided to roll a number of sixes on the bounce and a Tiger brewed up.

Things got worse as the 6pdr armed Churchill used its APDS round and took out the 2^nd Tiger.

6 pdr armed Churchill destroys the second Tiger

The German AA finally strikes and takes out the Typhoon before it can take out another Tiger.

Anti-air fire finally destroys a Typhoon

The Crocodile had reached the crossroads as the German pioneers defending the front of the wood opened fire. A swift blast from the flamethrower and the surviving pioneers fall back into the woods. At the same time the last of the Panzer IV had been destroyed.

By now things were hotting up. The Tigers had finally taken out two Churchills and inflicted a heavy damage the M10 but another Tiger had been destroyed. In the centre the Crocodile targeted the command bunker and took out the battalion HQ and OP’s.

Also the German reinforcements arrived and the infantry had piled into the woods reinforcing the position.

Tigers get some revenge but M10 takes out another Tiger

Unfortunately, we had run out of time before we could reach the end of the game. The British had captured the crossroads and the Orchard, but the Germans still held the woods.

Orchard and Crossroads taken but wood held.

Another great game and a good laugh especially considering some of the German players dice throwing.

Battle of Nottingham

February 10, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Hail Caesar, Hail CaesarWar of the Roses Supplement, wargamingLeave a comment

After the victory at York my forces had to head south to have a world with the Nevilles who were engaged in trying to reduce the walls of Nottingham (one of my cities) to try and disabuse them of the idea.

I still had only two division at my disposal while the Nevilles (Nigel) had managed to eek three divisions out of his forces.

Being outnumbered I deployed the army all on one side of the river that was dividing the board and avoiding the field defences Nevilles had deployed.

The Nevilles had deployed two divisions on one side of the river and one around the field defences.

Our battle plan was easy it was to advance as fast as possible and engage the two divisions in front of use (I commanded Stanley’s Division while “Uncle Albert” Julian commanded Exeter’s Division).

In the first move Exeter only advanced one turn, while the lead units of Stanley’s division advance rapidly while some started to swing around to defend the flank.

To counter our advance “Broken Dice” David started to move from the defences while Nigel’s Divisions started to move to concentrate all longbow fire on the advancing Stanley’s.

A bad “break test” on Stanley’s Household meant that they quit the field!

This was soon followed by the Household unit with men at arms also failing a break test and they were off too. So the best two units in Stanley’s division had gone in the early turns 😒.

To try and save the situation Stanley joined a unit of Billman and charged. Defying the odds he actually managed to win and push forward.

However things were not going well for Exeter as his Household with men at arms had charged but were broken.

This was soon followed by the Longbow unit that had been supporting them! Things were not going well for the Stanley’s.

Exeter’s Longbow soon follow the Household

But ignoring the chaos behind him Exeter had joined one of his units and led the charge into the Nevilles to try and save the situation.

Exeter pushing forward ignoring his losses

But the end was rapidly approaching for Stanley’s division as another unit broke leaving the division teetering on the edge of breaking.

The end came for Stanley’s when the victorious Bill unit was broken and so was the division.

Stanley’s Bill break and so does the division

The upside was that Exeter was winning his combat and continued to push the back the unit they were fighting.

The following turn he managed to break the unit and pushed forward again.

Exeter breaks a unit and pushes forwards

“Uncle Albert” was now on a roll and moved the supporting archers out the flank, shot and broke the unit to his front.

Exeter then advanced again and engaged a spear unit pushed it off table breaking the enemy division! But with Exeter having the “Bloodthirsty” trait he followed them off table!

But the last of the units in Exeter’s command was shot to pieces.

It was at this point that Exeter withdrew his surviving unit off table to avoid getting his division breaking and yielding the field to the Neville’s.

It was now time to see the fate of the broken divisions on each side. This is where I got my revenge rolling high I did not permanently lose any units and only two units counting as freshly raised for the next game 😁.

However, the poor Nevilles did not fair as well 😂 losing a couple of units and other units counting as “freshly raised” for his next game.

The only downside for the Stanley’s was when rolling for escaping nobles old Sir Thomas was captured and to ensure his head stayed connected to the rest of the body had to agree to march north and engage the Percy’s again!

Another cracking game and a great laugh with some good friends.

Battle of York

February 5, 2026 The Uncivil Servantbattle-report, Hail Caesar, Hail CaesarWar of the Roses Supplement, wargamingLeave a comment

Another day another new campaign in the War of the Roses. This time we have four players each taking a separate set of Nobles. The background is that a series of disasters have struck the Houses of Lancaster and York leaving no claimants to the throne. So the major nobles are all vying for the throne. These are the Neville’s (Nigel), Somerset (“Uncle Albert” Julian), Percy’s (“Broken Dice” David) and the Stanleys (me).

The first clash took place at York when I managed to bump into the Percy’s who were annoying the locals.

Both sides basically deployed with the two divisions facing each other.

Early moves saw the Stanleys advance to face one of Percy’s and started to exchange longbow fire.

But then “Broken Dice” struck again blundered with his artillery and it blew up also inflicting a casualty on the neighbouring unit.

On my left flank Exeter’s division was advancing and drew first blood for the Stanley’s breaking one of Percy’s units of Longbow.

This was soon followed by another unit of Longbow which was again broken through fire.

Soon Sir Thomas joined in by breaking a Percy household unit through close range archery. The Bill unit had also moved up but managed to disorder itself so had to wait to launch a charge.

But things weren’t all going are way as a handgun unit from Stanleys division broke after being hit by longbow fire.

Not all our own way as Handgunner cracks

But Exeter’s division was still pushing forward and managed to break yet another unit from the right wing division.

The Stanleys now managed to outnumber the Percys household unit and managed to break it.

On the other flank Exeter’s division was now picking on the Handgun units and did enough damage to break the Percy’s right-wing division.

Stanley now managed to get at another Longbow unit with one of his Household units supported by a crossbow unit and breaks it.

This meant that both of the Percy’s divisions were broken and victory went to the Stanley’s.

Things got even worse for “Broken Dice” as his dice throwing lived up to expectations when he diced for what happened to the units of his broken divisions losing over 50% of his army!!

Another cracking game with enjoyable company.