ECW What if Game!

After a long absence my war reporter has returned for duty...

Last night Festung Williams witnessed a run-out of Simon Miller’s “For King and Parliament” (FK&P) rules, with Chris taking on Tony. The scenario was one I had found in a Partizan Press booklet, and was a “what if” game set in 1659, after the death of Cromwell. It sees General Monck marching down from Scotland as he actually did, but this time General Lambert’s army stands and fights rather than deserting en masse! Chris took the role of Monck and Tony played Lambert.

It was fairly small game with only 9-10 units per side plus officers, but with an additional two units of the London Trained Bands watching from the flanks to see if they should join in, and if so supporting whom. This would be decided by drawing cards. 

The dispositions were pretty classical, with cavalry on the flanks, infantry in the centre and the artillery pieces ineffectually blasting away supporting the infantry. Tony had slightly more units, but several of his were “untried” which meant their true status would only be revealed when they entered the fray.

For Tony’s sake I won’t narrate a blow-by-blow account of the game. Chris swiftly destroyed Tony’s right wing cavalry and one infantry unit. The Force was definitely with Chris as he inflicted multiple hits and managed multiple saves, whilst Tony’s chit drawing was truly lamentable. Even the FK&P pursuit rule which normally sees victorious cavalry racing off the table to pillage the enemy baggage train didn’t deter Chris as his pursuits miraculously took him straight into more of Tony’s demoralised troops. The final act saw a unit of Chris’ cavalry overrun Tony’s artillery and claim victory. The restoration of Charles II could now happen, and there would be no disruption to the timeline of recorded history.

I hope everyone enjoyed it. The rules play much as TTS but with some subtle differences. I had given several of the officers “special traits/abilities” which in the heat of battle Tony forgot about. I had kept it pretty simple and there are more “special” rules and unit types to add, which will give added period feel. It was nice to get my troops on the table including the resin Gallia buildings which I think have their 40th birthday this year!

Simon