The Battle of Frank Sanbeans farm

In the first of a new series of Sharpe Practice games I 've got lined up, after concluding our imaginations campaign, we played the Battle of Frank Sanbeans scenario from the Toofatlardies Summer Special 2017.

Union forces must hold the farm, assisted by farmer Frank Sanbeans and his kin (irregular skirmishers), while the Confederates must crush the Union forces and capture Frank.

Frank Sanbeans

Union troops hurriedly take up position behind a low stone wall, taking fire from approaching Confederate skirmishers.

A large Confederate formation is coming down the road, but Yankee troops are on their way to intercept them.

Bullets are flying across the field behind the farm. Frank and his brothers and cousins are sniping at the approaching Rebels from the house.

The main Confederate formation is deploying in a line, and more groups are coming on the table. Meanwhile the main Union formation is still trying to cross the low wall.

Frank's men take out the officer commanding the Confederate skirmishers, but it's only a minor wound.

The Yankee troops have finally deployed in a line formation across the road.

Battered Confederate skirmishers retreat and make room for more Confederate troops.

The Union lines are under pressure and starting to crumble.

A virtual wall of bullets take out the entire Sanbeans family, wounding Frank and punching holes in the Union defense.

At this point we called it a night. My Union force was severely depleted. My opponent's Confederates were still going strong. Taking a wounded Frank with them, the Yankees retreated, yielding the farm to the Confederates.

 

The Bordurian Incursion Part 6

The defence of Waswa

The Bordurian attempt to cross the river Waswa at the ford was thwarted by a strong Syldavian defence in the previous game. Now the Bordurians are throwing everyting they've got at the village of Waswa. If they can capture Waswa, they can cross the river and occupy the hinterlands. The Syldavians are determined to  hold on to Waswa and rush to its defence.

Skirmishers deploy in the deserted town. The townspeople have sought refuge on the other side of the river.

 

More units arrive (we used the hasty attack rule: units have a 50% chance of arriving when their card comes up) and move cautiously through the streets.

Bordurian light infantry moves around the corner.

But a unit of Syldavian line infantry is waiting for them.

The Bordurian conscripts are marching to the square.

The Syldavians take a gamble and take up position in the middle of the town square.

Joined by the militia they succesfully blast the Bordurian skirmishers out of the building and then start pouring fire into the Bordurian conscripts.

The Bordurian machine gun team is trying to enter a building bordering the square. If the team can set up the machine gun, the Syldavians in the square will be shot to pieces.

But the Syldavian militia gets into the building first, preventing the Bordurians from entering.

On the other side of the table, Bordurian actions are more succesful. The Syldavian line unit is forced to withdraw and seek cover behind the building.

Meanwhile, the Bordurian conscripts are buckling under the hail of fire the Syldavians are pouring into them.

The fighting in the square intensifies when a Bordurian group of light infantry appears from one of the streets.

The Syldavians are victorious however, because a nearby group of Syldavian light infantry shoots the Bordurians to pieces.

Although a large chunk of Syldavian soil is still occupied by Bordurian forces, the Syldavians have stopped them at the river Wasz at the end of this campaign.

I really liked the imagination setting and will probably use it in the future to play some Sharpe Practice mission (as opposed to battle) scenario's.

 

Indiana Jones and the lost Aquila: Part three

Part Three: The Lost Temple

While Rupert Jenkins and Ginger are recovering from their injuries sustained in the previous game, Indy, Bertie, Smyth and Sallah have crossed the desert, set up camp and started exploring the lost temple.

Unfortunately for our heroes, Don Lardo has managed to track Indy to the site and has surrounded the camp with marines Punto, Corsa and tenente Strapazo (was out of action in the previous game but since he is "tough as nails" he is back for this fight) plus some local minions. 

Indy and friends suspect something and take up defensive positions.

The bad guys close in and open fire.

Bertie and Smyth return fire, but everyone misses their target.

Sallah moves from cover to cover, intent on protecting Smyth, who is frantically trying to reload with minions appraching to his front

Luck favours the bold. Indy assaults marino Corsa. He fires at Indy at point blank range, but misses AND is out of ammo!

Bertie takes out marino Punto with a perfect ranged shot from his BAR.

Sallah rushes forward and whacks the tenente with his shovel, dropping him instantly.

However, Don Lardo is next. He draws his pistol and shoots Sallah while laughing diabollically.

Meanwhile Indy is still locked in close combat with marino Corsa. Bertie and Smyth are trying to keep the minions at bay.

When Don Lardo tries to shoot Smyth in the back, he turns and assaults the Don. Weakend by a wound and dazed by shock he doesn't stand a chance however. Don Lardo knocks him out with his pistol.

All the gunfire has startled the camels which are moving in random directions, blocking Bertie's shot.

Bertie moves to a better position, but is cut down by the minions. 

And he's not getting up anytime soon.

This leaves only Indy in the fight against the villains. He defeats marino Corsa, but decides against taking on the rest alone.

Don Lardo wastes no time. Indy's company exposed a large slab of rock before Don Lardo attacked the camp. Don Lardo commands his minions to remove the slab of rock. A hidden passage is uncovered going down into the darkness.....

While Don Lardo, tenente Strapazo (nurturing an enormous headache), marino Corsa and their minions descend underground, Indy drags his friends to safety and administers first aid.

Can Indy still stop the nefarious Don Lardo? 

He will certainly try in part four of Indiana Jones and the Lost Aquila!