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[HWK]axlethehawk

HI guys, many of us get the chance to fight some superb battles on a regular basis and just thought it would be nice and worthwhile having a topic for just that purpose.

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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 11:17 am Post subject:

Ive had some cracking battles this week and Ive only fought a few and whether I have sealed victory or conceded defeat I've not had a bad battle ( makes a change

).

Tested new medellin map with S.w the other night.
I made a slow advance, due to rearranging my troops, placing some extra men on the far west flank rdy for them to assault the ridge and moving some more troops across to the east to give me a strong flank when they attk'd.

My east flank advanced north and was soon embroiled in a mass battle with the French, then I launched a simultaneous advance on the far west flank against the French defences on the ridge. I seemed to be making some ground, if my memory serves me correctly, but then my west flank just seemed to die a death , mainly due to the French cavalry which where impeding my advance.

A similar fate also occurred with my far north / east flank attk but then my centre was now also involved and probably causing more damage.

Unfortunately with the collapse of both flank attks I had to withdraw my centre and gather all my men to the centre, reform my lines and prepare to receive the onslaught of the French advance.
It seemed there was very little between both armies now..... S.w had a few guns more and some cav, but it was still quite close.

The French advanced towards my lines and we smashed together for one last time, both receiving many casualties in this final onslaught, we pulled apart once again and S.w. menetioned we settle for a draw.

I accepted because I actually had less men and no guns left now.
NOt quite sure what the numbers where but there was only 200 or 300 between us ( I think )

WEll fought S.W.

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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 11:34 am Post subject: Green v Axle at medellin V2

Lastnight I attk'd Green's defending French army on V2 Medellin and cooaaaar , what a scorcher!!

I quickly launched a mass attk straight north on the east flank with everything at my disposal.

I moved some men to the centre to protect their fllank and also manouevred my west flank to protect the centre, but pulled them back so Green might think it was unprotected.

The battle in the north on the east flank was extremely heated with cav and inf fighting it out and my light cav getting inbetween his infantry formations and taking care of his guns.

The French where forced to bring their entire reserves from the centre / rear over to the far east flank to prevent me from encircling it and completely destroying it.

As this battle raged the line became extended down the centre of the map as we tried to outflank one another with each move we made.

Eventually the entire map was ablaze with fierce fighting right the way from the north tip of the map on the east flank , down to the sthrn Spanish hill, forming the west flank.
It was absolute chaos for both armies and we had to flit back and forth along our lines, trying to hold the line, break through the enemy line, attempting to cease upon any small weaknesses and watching for any loose enemy guns approaching our lines.

In the end my north flank collapsed and I was soon under threat from the north as the French came down towards my centre, which was now my new east flank. I formed squares as the French cav closed in for the kill and my men held together quite well and weathered the storm.

But alas my army was receiving too many casualties and the French certainly outnumbered me in guns and cav by now, asweel as their infantry.

I conceded defeat....... I think the numbers where 1300 and 1700, but by god , what a battle we fought!!
Anything you can add Ggreen , please do, Ive possibly missed bits you can remember, especially from your point of you.

Great battle m8!!

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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 12:05 pm Post subject: Fuentes De Onoro 2v3

Hey guess what guys, it's me again, told you I'd had some smashin' battles these past few days, so Im getting them off my chest.

Again I haven't seen the replays of any of these battles, so can only give information for events I actually witnessed....... any of you guys want to add anything , feel free to do so.

The French army was commanded by [hwk]Theosis and [hwk]Axle.

The British commanded by [hwk]krazee , Stu and Murkle ( if this is wrong I'll change it , sorry ?? )

We decided to form up as many men as possible from the centre for a 2 pronged assault into the sthrn village and take it by force as fast as we could. Meanwhile we moved our rear forces down to the centre in readiness to bolster any advances we could exploit in the centre or the far sth.

Theo attk'd across the sthrn crossing and I came infrom the north / east crossing as we smashed into the tiny garrisoned village in the far sth, which fortunately for us, hadn't been reinforced.

We didnt lose too many men during the assault, but as my men broke through, the British cavalry on the opposite side of the ford attempted to attk me from the rear. I formed a couple of squares and smashed into his first cav regt with one of my own , but found I was having to deal with 2nd unit also from within the village, but this was soon dealt with and both where sent to their graves. I then formed a bridgehead on the opposite side of the ford and gave overall command of the sth to Theo asking him to push on best he could.

This had taken approx. 15 minutes and by now the British had crossed over the north bridge and where travelling down the east side of the map with the idea of attking our rear. They had approx. 6 or 7 regt of inf along with 2 regt of cav and so I formed a nice long rear guard covering the crossings.

I could see Theo was loosing quite a lot of men , due the large presence of British troops defending their sth / west flank and so I despatched 4 reg of inf and 1 cav from the centre.

The British troops crossed and engaged my French rearguard.
I advanced my line to meet with the british assault and as i did so, let loose with my first volley into their left flank and quickly formed 2 squares on my right flank to receive the 2 British cav regts who where about to smash into them.
I also moved in 2 regts of line inf to fill the gaps and the British cav where completely annihilated, along with almost every single man who'd attempted to cross. I allowed the survivors to run away and now turned my attentions to the centre where I'd recently launched a further attk.

My inf where pushing through the centre and right of the town and Theo had managed to keep his assault from the sth/ west flank advancing and the British now conceded defeat and surrendered.

I believe we secured vitory in approx.45 mins with 3700 men on the field, pretty much all formed up and the brave British where strewn round the field in complete dissaray.
Excellent battle guys, well defended and a big well done to my co-commander Theo, who took great care to win the day in the sth / west.

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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 2:56 pm Post subject: De Burca V Axle @ Antietam

This was my first visit to this particular battlefield and couldn't wait to try it out.

The Confederate army was commanded by De Burca.

The Union army commanded by Axle.

Finding my forces stranded alone for at least the next 25 minutes in the centre / north of the map, I try to find a solution to prolong their longevity. I quickly reposition my troops in the rear lines and issue new orders for some of the troops. I decide to bolster the centre and north crossings with men from the south and the centre respectively in anticipation for their advance when the time comes.

Meanwhile my front line forces are rearranged, with the centre and north being bolstered, in preperation for the Fed's advancing upon them.

We soon find our flanks in the far north engaged, then as I form up a defence for the tiny hill where my 6 guns are situated the Fed's attk here also.
Soon the centre lines are engaged too and I fear my entire front line forces will be annihilated, as it seems they are outnumbered and outgunned. NOt quite sure which troops D.b used, but I think he used all of those at his disposal in the north which would have been approx 20 reg if inf along with 5 reg of cav. I had 26 reg of inf and 1 reg of cav, but with D.B's Fed's having 3 shooting upgrades, I was fighting a up-hill struggle.

Eventually my right flank won the day and I was able to start out flanking the centre with my dwindling forces. Meanwhile my hill had been overrun and all my guns lost, inflicting minimal damage ( didnt get chance to see how much ).
By now the time limits had surpassed and my reinforcements in the north and centre made their way across the river and advanced across the field.

I then had to fight my way across the sthrn bridge , destroying the Fed's only inf reg and several guns attempting to block my route and then advanced along the sth.

D.B informed me he was in the centre of the map, which I later found to be the oval shaped hill smack-in-the-centre of the map, along with all of his guns, which must have numbered at least 20, along with his remaining cav and inf.

My troops where scattered round the map surrounding the hill with the hopes of being able to slowly break him when I made my adavnces.

First off, I captured all of his buildings and then slowly moved in for the final engagement. I had approx 5 guns with my sthrn advance and they made the first move. Simultaneously , one after another, I advanced with different sections of my remaining army and there was a real massacre for both sides as they battled it out for the hill.

As D.B. found himself removing men from each section of the hill to support the next section, I was able to exploit each weakness and advance against it and keep things pretty even.
This was a true dog fight, every man was required right down to the last!!

There was no escaping this was going down to the last man and the last gun and even with all of the Fed's guns still on the hill I was able to bring up my final 2 guns from the centre ( tiny ) hill and make my way onto the hill, slowly finiishing off the remainder of D.B's men and guns.

The battle finished and I was left with a measley 290 men on the field.

Excellent battle D.B. well attk'd and well defended m8.
Fell free to add anything from your memoirs m8.

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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]Krazee · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:07 pm Post subject:

dam axle u play alot of battles!!!

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Casey18 · Guest

Fingers crossed I get all this right...

A few weeks ago [HWK]Theosis and I played the russian siege map, with me defending; I had liked the look of it but had never actually seen the troop distribution (my own fault for not playing with the editor enough...). Theo told me it was a good map so we went for it... Crikey he was right! Tis a very cool map, and the limited ammo adds to the tension. Anyway here's how we got on...

My first action - my first mistake, Theo had told me the Russians were allowed one upgrade, so I took the "allow mine upgrades" one, not realising that a) I didn't have enough peasants to fill the extra-upgraded mines, and b) I couldn't build any new ones... ooops.

First job was to put (my few) peasants in my mines, followed by garrisoning all the buildings with musketeers.

The first shot was fired by a unit of Theo's dragoons, skirmishing on the West flank, this cavalry battle went on for around 20 minutes, with the loss of two of theo's dragoon units, for one of mine, with major casulties also suffered by my cossacks on that flank.

The battle proper began once Theo began supporting his cavalry with infantry squares, forcing my cavalry to conduct a fighting withdrawal to the redoubt by the west bridge, staying just ahead of his infantry. This gave my infantry time to form up to halt the assault...course, it didn't quite work like that, my infantry were rolled over, dying appaulingly quickly, is it something about the infantry on that map? is their defense low or something? I'm used to playing with British or French fusileers, the Russians seemed to die very quickly, forcing me to retreat over the bridge, and reform my lines further North and East. It should be mentioned that this controlled retreat was made possible only by the heroic actions (and deaths) of yet more brave cossacks, who had been reenforced by the cossacks from my East flank.

Devoting a portion of his infantry to holding mine in place, and assaulting the West bridge with his remaining infantry and cavalry, a couple of assaults saw Theo make it across. At this point I began moving infantry regiments from the East of my lines over the river to defend the mines; in hindsight this should have been done earlier, to prevent Theo's move across the bridge, but at that time I didnt know just how much of his force he had commited towards the West bridge. I now formed my lines from the North of the map, down, to the East of the West bridge, round to the South of the town, along to the East bridge (although the East of my lines was thinning, to become almost none-existant).

A lull of 15 minutes or so occured, the only shots being a cannon bombardment of my lines south of the town, as Theo poured troops over the west bridge, clearly intent on pushing towards my mines. Interpreting an all out attack from the West, I began pulling my entire East flank North of the river, leaving only one unit and a cannon to guard the Eastern-most bridge.

Theo's troops finally began their move in the North, grinding back my lines through the town, finally reaching my mines. A gallant bayonette and contolled fire stand by three of my units held the mines for a further 10 minutes or so, but in the face of increasing numbers, I was forced to destroy the mines and pull back the remaining survivors (most of whom were fleeing or on the verge of it). With my cossacks all dead (having given their lives holding the extreme North of the battle to prevent my mines being surrounded), covering the retreat fell to the fresh troops from the East flank, but even these were not enough - my lines were forced back further and further, with it falling to my remaining cavalry (also from the East flank, but damaged through supporting the cossacks) to make a charge in order to save my three remaining units North of the river, allowing them to fall back into the Southern half of the town.

This was essentially the end game, defeat had been staring me in the face when my mines fell, I fought on hoping for some decisive turning point, I knew there was little I could do but hold the bridges. I did however have some 10 decent-sized infantry units and 8 guns left to do it with. I assigned units and cannon to the bridges, hoping I might be able to swing the battle with a few well placed volleys of musket fire and grapeshot. My forces to the south of the town were yet to see action, other than a cannon bombardment that had then down to around 90% strength. A bit of scouting and a few feints from Theo were enough to pursuade me that a breakout to the South wasn't going to work, especially now that I was having to be careful about every shot I took, with my iron supplies down to around 5000. Theo's attacks over the bridge in the West of the town were successfully repulsed a number of times, but with one attack the battle was decided, we both got away a decent grapeshot, killing around 50 men each, but following the death of my cannon, I was forced to pull back and wait for re-enforcements. I was now trying to encircle a bridge with men that were outnumbered, low on ammo, and demoralised. I decided at this point to surrender, with some 500 men alive, to I belive Theo's 1100.

This was trully an epic battle, last nearly as long as an epic film (just under 3 hours from memory). It was for exactly this sort of battle that I (and many others) joined the hawks, it didn't matter that I "lost", I had a great time doing it. It was a fantastic game, thanks very much to Theosis, really enjoyed it mate.

There you go Axle - that do ya mate

SirWilliam · Site Admin Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 265

Hi Axle

Good description of our Medellin battle mate.

I played with Theosis meik and stu yesterday and that was also a cracking battle. Theo and I were Spanish I was on the right theo took the left facing the hill. I made an all out attack on the French left flank and after heavy bitter fighting with infantry and cav I managed to break their left flank and turn on the hill. Theo held the line and kept the spanish left in good order then I was able to flank the French on the hill, first fighting off vicious cavalry charges with squares and then the slaughter commenced it was good to have theo as a team partner. Meik and Stu fought to the last and did some damage but the Spanish had them out manouvered.

PS after that Stu kicked my ass at Kolin for hawk status

Yours SW
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Meik · Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Yes, and previous to that battle I defeated you as the spanish

That was also a crackin' battle for me

he he

Don't wanna go into details.. Btw Medellin V2 kicks Ass

heh
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Meik aka: Viking God, ruler of the world

[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 12:03 am Post subject: Medellin V2: Axle v Theosis.

French army commanded by Axle.

Spanish army commanded by Theosis.

Theo opened the attk using the well-versed tactic advancing against the French east flank. Hoping this would happen I'd already dispatched my entire reserve force from the centre / rear over to the east.

This flank was fiercely contested for by both armies, for pretty much the entire game. As theo attempted to out flank me I managed to flank him from the north. Soon he advanced his centre lines and the entire east flank was soon embroiled in a fierce battle with cav , inf and guns.
I was forced to send more and more cav across to support the entire east flank.
The Spanish west flank was static, sitting in the valley and I just kept my guns firing in their general direction hoping to deplete their morale slightly before they would eventually make their advance.

The east flank was almost mine when suddenly, more Spanish infantry arrived, forcing me to pull back what I had. My entire cav force was situated in the east now, but with little or no inf support I didnt intend attking inf squares and losing this advantage I surely had. I called up 4 regt of inf from the west flank and they managed to arrive just in time to assault against the advancing lines of the Spanish as they headed across the north, threatening my cav, my rear lines of communications and the chance of surrounding my west flank on the hill. Simultaneously my cav broke his far north flank with 2 small regts of inf in support and I quickly surrounded them and squeezed the lilfe out of them. I had to quickly turn about with the men on the sthrn side of this attk, as more Spanish inf moved up from the sth behind them.
Again, with my superior cav numbers present aswell as inf I managed to take care of this easily, but meanwhile the Spanish west flank had now advanced with the aide of 2 cav regts, they smashed into my inf and his cav and inf support where soon making mince meat of my defences.

My men fought bravely, holding on by the skin of their teeth until the timely arriuval of my entire cav force, numbering approx. 350 smashed into them and sealed victory. Besides my cav I had approx. 900 inf also.

Another superb battle, well fought by both armies and Theo had me guessing all the time what his next move would be....... GG m8!!

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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]Theosis · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 184 Location: Maryland, USA

Guys, great review, I love reading them keep them coming.

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All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. I shall do something, even if I have to do it myself.

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[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 2:24 am Post subject:

Well unfortunately Ive just been the victim of "invalid session" after spending at least 1 hour writing up mine and Theos battle at KOlin.

Anyways, the shortened version of events where as follows.

I commanded the Prussians and Theo the Austrians.

He withdrew his forces to defend his guns and the sthrn ridge line and bolstered his right flank in the east.

I moved extremely cautiously and very slowly, manouevring my men more to the centre of map, before finding my foremost lines being advanced against by a smaller Austrain force of cav and inf.
I believe this was an attempt by Theo to break my lines and destroy my entire 14 gun battery situated here.
Fortunately my lines held together and after this engagement it seems I'd managed to dwindle the Austrian advantage of 2000 men down to 1400.
Next we had a cavalry battle, which lead to me losing slightly more to his larger force. Then his cav attempted to attk my advancing west flank and so I threw up a cav screen to protect them and moved my batter of guns towards them and formed several regts of inf on my rear line to prevent too many casualties.
My squares held very well, my cav did well and eventually my guns moved into position and let rip with about 6 grapeshots , causing severe casualties amongst the enemy cav and finally I finished them off, leaving my cav apoprox. 200 strong, but alas I lost all but 1 of my guns.
OUr forces where now engaged along most of the front, with my troops attempting to avoid the enemy gun enplacements.
Eventually after much fierce fighting by both armies I was outnumbered and outgunned, with the enemy retaining the field, victorious with approx 1400 men ( I think ). lemme know how many it was Theo!! GG m8, well fought.

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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]Theosis · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 184 Location: Maryland, USA

Was a hair over 1600 men left.

Axle m8, you need to do this from now on and you won't lose your words you are trying to post by invalid sessions....... All you need to do is highlight all your words and right click and select "copy" BEFORE you hit the submit post button.

If at that point it says invalid session all you do is make new post and right click on the blank post and select "paste"

Works for me every time. Hope you like the hint m8.

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All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. I shall do something, even if I have to do it myself.

El Shaddai lives!

SirWilliam · Site Admin Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 265

Hi Guys

I played the Dark Lord yesterday, first as French and second as Spanish.

As I French I decided to hold my ground and reinforce the left flank and the hill with troops. He charged my cavalry with infantry in a most amazing formation. Two squares with a line formation in the middle. Then came the main attack on the left flank smashing the ranks using infantry and cavalry if you put your men in square he attacks with infantry if you put your men in line he attacks with cavalry it was a rout the flank just collapsed. A last stand on the hill and I managed to get one or two grapes in but it was like getting hit by a hurricane. Guys if you get the chance to play French at Medellin pull that left flank back.

As Spanish I also went for the French left and found myself attacking an empty field, he was long gone. I swung that attack round to the left to face the hill then set my lancers on his artillery which he had sticking out ready and waiting. Then only wasn't dl waiting with a boat load of troops to hit my right flank which had just lined up to the hill and at that point I knew there was going to be no spanish victory or a victory over dl day. I tried to deal with the trap and also carry on with the attack also attacking with the left flank spanish forces but it was another slaughter.

So guys if you meet Dark Lord at Medellin be prepared, because his fighting tactics are perfected.

Yours SW

de Burca · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 61 Location: Austin,Texas

Hey Axe, Cracking good battle the other night.( as you said lol) It was so exciting I forgot to catch some screenshots of the unbelievable carnage. Antietam is an excellent map. If you play it as the battle really went it is so much better. Kudo's for great map design.
Your description of the battle is accurate.Hooker and Sedgewick's initial assault went quite well as the losses on both sides were near complete, with me taking your battery and I preserving to the bulk of my artillery to set up a massive battery on the central hill fortified by the arrival of A.P. Hills light brigade.Your final assault on my hilltop position was meticulous in detail. I had to constantly shift to meet your many-sided onslaught. Unfortunately for me this led to mass confusion and my gallant forces dissolved in a flurry of battle and a self inflicted grapeshot which decimated my last full regiment. General Lee did not escape this particular engagement. Ah well, such are the fortunes of war. Good Game M8. Can't wait for a another.