Saturday, September 19, 2009

Back on Campaign


Time to get back to the campaign between Aschenbach and Luftberg, who are currently contesting the province of Spitzplatz. As readers with long memories will recall, recent events have been mixed for both sides. The general of the Luftberg army, Felix von Hentsch, was caught by a surprise attack while near the capital city of Spitzburg, and defeated after the battle of Passditz. However fortune was quick to redress things, as the Aschenbach pursuit was deflected by the rearguard under Tobias Ludwig, the great-nephew of the Tradgardland duke and general-for-hire extraordinaire. Not only was the Luftberg retreat called up short, but the much-feared Erich von Kleintrink, hard-driving commander of the Aschenbach cavalry, was removed from action by a grievous injury to his leg.

So, now the two armies have halted a short distance east of the capital city, no doubt engaged in much spade-work, and are now glowering at each other. Here's the old map of the situation.
And here, in a re-jigged format, is the new one of the same thing.

The close-up of the central area, viewed here looking to the north-west. Aschenbach controls the city of Spitzburg, but has the river Spitzwasser to his rear. Each army is hard against the tributary Rotenwasser to guard it's northern flank.


Felix von Hentsch can now reflect on his next move. Forced to live in a tent with only seven wagon-loads of personal effects and only two of his mistresses for company, camp-life has clearly lost it's charms. But with his supply lines exposed to an enely army on this side of the Spitzwasser, he can't just march off until the foe opposite him is dealt with. He has two real options. To maintain the 'digging offensive' he could rely on his superior numbers to slowly stretch the fortified line south and west, extending it until either the Aschenbach army is outflanked or compelled to fall back to a tiny bridgehead in the city itself...

Or, if he wants, he can despatch his lighter raiding troops northward by building some pontoons over the Rotenwasser. The catch is that the Aschenbach foe will simply do likewise, if they have access to the riverbank. A first move could however be a sharp rap against the Aschenbach defences, to drive him slightly backwards until he was across from the swampy marshland at the river junction. Then, Felix's northward move would be free to roam as it pleased, with the bluecoats pinned helplessly at the capital. Whatever he decides, he'd better make up his mind soon, as things are serious - he's down to his last three crates of champagne.




10 comments:

OIIIIIIIO said...

With only 2 mistresses and a mere 3crates of Champagne - the Direktors think this bloke is in trouble.

OIIIIIIIO

Jim Wright said...

Great maps.

If you please, Sir, what were the tools used to create the maps.

Thank you.

Jim

Capt Bill said...

With just two mistresses, it looks like he has two days to decide on a plan and move on!

Fitz-Badger said...

I'm curious about the maps as well. They look great! Did you use Sketchup? Or something other 3D package? I've played around a bit with Sketchup in the past, but hadn't thought to try making game maps.

Frankfurter said...

The game maps are impressive!
But if the general doesn't move quickly, he'll have to deal with his army while he's sober!
:)
A

CWT said...

OIIIIIIIO,

Warfare can be a hard business all right! Still, I'm sure he'll pull through. :-)

CWT

CWT said...

Hi Jim,

The maps were produced with the programme Google SketchUp, which is designed for architctural plans and landscaping, but can be turned pretty well to wargaming maps as well. It has the double-headed advantage of being both easy to use, and extremely free to download!

Cheers,
CWT

CWT said...

Capt. Bill,

Indeed, the horrors of war! I think I was inspired by an account of Louis XIV going on campaign with his wife and two mistresses, which I could only imagine leading to some awkward dinner conversations. Very French!

CWT

CWT said...

Fitz-Badger,

You have guessed quite correctly, it is Google SketchUp. I use it at work sometimes, and the potential to make presentable battle-maps was not lost on me! Certainly, it's an improvement on my hand-drawn effort in MSPaint, plus I can flip, zoom, and rotate to my heart's content!

CWT

CWT said...

Frankfurter,

I hadn't really thought of that - yet another problem of command! I've been stuck for a while just posting about painting progress, so it feels good to get back to the narrative of the campaign!

CWT