Exercise of Arms

I've written these Thirty Years War rules (modifications really) for Command & Colours: Napoleonics.



Warfare of mid-seventeenth century is often referred to as “Pike and Shot” recognizing the important relationship in an infantry formation between pikemen and firearms. EXERCISE OF ARMS attempts to give flavour to the style of use and respective strengths of these arms, while conceding the emphasis placed upon cavalry during this period.
Some additional modifications are foreseen after a significant round of play-testing. Pike to Shot ratios, mixed cavalry units of Kurassiers and Arkebusiers and such should probably be covered in more detail.
The presence of militia and lifeguard units should be easy to represent – C&C Napoleonics already does this.

For larger battles (on an Epic or Breakthrough map) a mechanism to model the use of brigades – according to system – would be necessary.

Further revisions will take place, paying closer attention to the later stages of the Thirty Years War and to the British Civil Wars. Any comments or suggestions are most welcome.

Download the PDF

Combat at Aire

Wellington’s victorious army was too tired to give immediate chase to the defeated French after the Battle of Orthez, but Wellington did dispatch General Hill with two divisions of infantry, a cavalry brigade and horse artillery to deny the French time to regroup. Hill caught up with General Clausel’s rear guard at Aire. Marshall Soult ordered Clausel, with two divisions, to hold Aire long enough to allow Soult’s artillery stores and ammunition to be moved out of harm’s way.

The French hold the ridge line overlooking the River Grave. The British and Portuguse allies have made a crossing in the centre but their flanks have still to cross the bridges



The British left begin the crossing in force. The French opposite are heavily outnumbered and their artillery battery is positioned behind the ridge near the Seminary



The French lights in the centre try to hold back the British advance, in cooperation with the line units further to their right



Over on the French left, the heavy Dragoons advance to the bridge, threatening the Portuguese Cacadores



A well-coordinated attack on the French right repulses the British back across the river with serious losses



Back on the other flank, an ill-advised French attack across the bridge forces the Portuguese into square but leaves them open to counterattack by the Horse Artillery and cavalry



The Portuguese counter-attack across the river (over the defeated French dragoons) is initally successful but then driven back to the river



The Portuguese have the reserves to win this engagement and soon the French line are fighting for their lives at point blank range, with their retreat cut off!



One last throw of the dice - a stirring bayonet charge in the centre almost shatters the Allied line, and while it destroys the Portuguese threat there they are able to reform on the other side of the river



A nice battle indeed though a victory for the Allies; this was replayed with six players (each taking one section) and despite almost total ruin for the French we pulled it out of the bag for victory 6-5 at the last gasp!

To the Boat!

Having located the lone Sampson, with nothing but his rifle, a few rounds and a canteen, Baxter turns back for the river.

The (hastily requisitioned and armed) Navy Gunboat Visayas waits at anchor on the St. Paul river



Commanded by Ensign Newbolt, he's ordered the crew to make ready for a fight and bring up ready ammunition for the deck gun



Baxter's Patrol returning with Sampson



In a bid to make contact with the gunboat crew ashore as quickly as possible, Norton races ahead of the main group



In his haste, he's ambushed by a native warrior, but Norton sidesteps him with ease, ducking under the thrown spear



Meanwhile back on the ridge, two large Achillobators are moving in



Norton reaches the Shore Party, and breathless convinces them to return with him - he knows what's hunting Baxter and his men



An Allosaurus has been trailing them all morning!



With them in sight for once, it races over the ridgeline and towers above them



The Marines are beset on all sides - and their last minute firing has little effect on the creatures



Jackson is torn in half by the Allosaurus, and one of the Achillobators kills Hill too. Baxter smacks the beast in front of him with the stock of his shotgun but that only serves to annoy it!



Norton leads the Shore Party back up the trail - time is of the essence



Sampson has backed away and, taking careful aim with his rifle hits the Achillobator attacking Baxter - the round hits its head and renders it punch-drunk. Baxter takes the opportunity to sprint away from the mayhem



The two groups meet up and with thing quietening down, they creep into the undergrowth to try to evade the terrible lizards



As they move past a still pool, a crocodile surges out of the water - the same "albino alligator" which nearly got Norton two days earlier



The beasts give chase, but this time the Marines and Seamen are ready for them - they open fire to deadly effect



Even the Allosaurus has been slain - they wade out to the gunboat



Quite pleased with this game - and the tweaks that make Perilous Trail a solo game.

More to follow - has the other Marine patrol found the Reverend Johnston?