The Battle of Tiramasu River, A Great Italian Wars Hex Rules Play Test

Having played a solo game with my hex based Renaissance adaptation of the Flower of Chivalry (see Italian Wars Solo Fast Rules Trial on Hexes), it was time to test it out via Zoom with a couple of Rejects.  Ray and Surjit were invited and duly took up their commands, French and Imperialist respectively.

The battle is loosely based on the Scenario 12, An Unfortunate Oversight, from One Hour Wargames.  The main change is that I've deployed the Imperialists already crossing the river.

Following the incredibly interesting comments to Jonathan's post, Palouse Wargaming Journal: The Blogging Effect on Battle Reports - do visit and read, I highly recommend it - I will resist my usual pattern of interrupting the narrative flow with explanations about the rules and their application at points during game... here goes.

The Armies
The French:

Commander in Chief - Duke Renard the Fox (Ray)

Vanguard led by Robert du Fleuve

2 units of gendarmes

Main Battle led by Johann von Berg

1 landsknecht with attached crossbow

2 units of crossbow

Rearward led by Giacomo Fiat

2 units of Swiss pike

2 units of crossbow

1 artillery

The Imperialists:

Commander in Chief - Duke Albrecht von Spiegelei (Surjit)

Vanguard led by Karl von Beysen

2 units of mounted men at arms

Main Battle led by Fabrizio Via

2 units of landsknecht

2 units of arquebusiers

Rearward led by Antonio de Algarve

1 landsknecht with attached sword and arquebusier (a colunela)

2 units of arquebusiers

1 artillery (already deployed)

Position and direction of travel of the two armies.

The Background

Duke Renard is aware of an approaching Imperialist army led by his great rival Albrecht von Spiegelei.  Renard is determined to control the crossing of the river Tiramasu and marches to secure the bridge.  However, he has been sloppy in reconnoitring the river and is unaware of a ford.  Albrecht, however, is more efficient with his scouting.

With an autumn fog covering the river valley both armies make for their crossings of the Tiramasu, blissfully ignorant of each until the sun starts to burn off the morning mist.

Albrecht quickly deploys his gun to cover his army as they ford the river.  Renard finds himself having to untangle his troops from around the village.  Both Albrecht and Renard are alarmed to find themselves marching with their flanks to the enemy.  Equally, both know that to control the river crossing they have to either destroy their opponent or control the heights that overlook the valley.

Albrecht quickly deploys his men at arms to cover the flank of his army.  Whilst he urges his Main Battle across and towards the hill, Antonio de Algarve acts rashly by throwing arquebusiers towards the town and the others into the river instead of waiting to use the ford.

Meanwhile, Renard is shaking his head in disbelief as his Battle commanders act in a hesitant and sluggish manner, doing nothing more than turning on the spot.

With Robert du Fleuve quickly positioning his gendarmes, Albecht his brimming with confidence as he watches the shuffling French forces struggle to manoeuvre.

Taking advantage of the hesitant French, Albrecht pushes du Fleuve and his men at men forward slightly without engaging to protect the flank of his advancing main Battle.  However, Albrecht is concerned that Giacomo Fiat seems unable to control his rearward.  Forcing Albrecht to exert his influence to try and keep things moving.

As Albrecht struggles with his rearward, Renard is starting to fume.  His Battle commanders continue to lead their troops without any sense of urgency.  Renard battle lines remain unformed and vulnerable.

As both sides jostle for position, artillery, arquebusiers and crossbowmen exchange shots with little impact.
It is at this point that the commander of the French Main Battle, Johann von Berg, issues a personal challenge to Duke Albrecht.  Not wanting to appear cowardly, the challenge is accepted.  In an chivalric clash of arms, Albrecht is struck down.  His entourage carry him with honour from the field.  Johann and Renard are amazed and delighted.

With Albrecht dead and no hope of a quick escape, the Imperialist troops find themselves in a position that they have to fight on.
Fabrizio Via swings his Main Battle into line by the hill.  De Algarve finally deploys his colunela.  However, von Beysen seems to have a moment of indecision and leaves his men at arms without purpose.
With Renard's Battle commanders now warming up with the sun and showing some urgency, the French are looking increasing dangerous.  Throwing crossbowmen to the river to contact Algarve's arquebusiers and positioning the gendarmes that make the German men at arms look rather exposed.

As du Fleuve worked on deploying his gendarmes, he drew too close to Antonio de Algarve who issued a personal challenge.  Du Fleuve, exhibiting his fiery temperament, quickly accepted.  The duel was without quarter and damaging to both sides.  Algarve was captured.  However, du Fleuve did not live to savour this moment as he succumbed his wounds.

While von Beysen hesitated, his cavalry took matters into their own impetuous hands and charged recklessly forward.  Seizing the opportunity, Renard countered with the gendarmes.  The result being the ruin of some of the empires finest knights.
Meanwhile, by the river, the arquebusiers were seen off.  The Gascons confirming the fearsome reputation.

With the battle lines now established, Renard was growing with confidence as he observed his numerical superiority.

Whilst the French line looks daunting...

... the Imperialists have plenty of hard hitting troops.

Both Renard and the remaining Imperialist commanders recognised that the climax was at hand.  Renard was able to seize the initiative and charge into contact.  On the French left, landsknecht crashed into the Spanish colunela but was unable to force them back.

However, the French rearward led by the courageous Giacomo Fiat fell on Via and his German main Battle.  With great push of pike, the French dispatched a unit of landsknecht.  The Imperialists were creaking at the seams. 

The End

At this point we had to call time.

To determine the victor, we referred to the army points.  The French won 10 - 2.

The army points dice - 2 points left to Albrecht (RIP) and 10 to Renard the Fox.

A crushing defeat as the dead pile below reveals.

The dead pile, to which we should add Duke Albrecht von Spiegelei, Antonio de Algarve, and the French Robert du Fleuve.

Afterthoughts

After a faltering start, this ended as a fine victory for Renard (Ray) and the French.  Albrecht (Surjit) started well but his commanders became more errant as the game went on.  Of course, Albrecht wasn't around either!

This was a lot of fun!  I was very pleased with the rules and the type of game they provided.  It's not often that umpiring a game is free from stress but this was and it was damned good fun!

The players picked up on the system quickly enough and seemed to appreciate that it felt right and enjoyed the occasion.

All in all, a thoroughly good morning of remote gaming.