It must be nearly forty years ago that I bought my first miniatures for the American War of Independence. The railway line from Caerphilly took me to Llanishen in Cardiff’s suburbs, and there was that rarest and most beautiful of things, a model shop. And not just any model shop of course, but one that sold Airfix plastic figures, resplendent with the much admired box artwork. The work of master illustrator, Peter Dennis, may get the modern gamer salivating, but those Airfix boxes still resonate. 

I actually painted mine as Austrians and British for the Seven Years War. I forget why, I think it might have been because there was an article in Model Soldier magazine. The tendency to flit between periods is nothing new I’m afraid. The sculpts were great and although one had to contend with flaking paint, the boxes of plastics were worth their weight in gold.

 Remember these? Please wipe tears away before carrying on reading!
So, when painting maestro Steve Timigin rang to say he could set up a game, there was no option but to agree.

Last time I met Steve he had just purchased Sharpe Practice Two. That was three weeks ago, more than enogh time for iron-man Steve to learn the basics of the rules and rebase his collection. My regular reader will know that my distain for card driven games has had to be reconsidered of late. Too many good games systems rely upon said card mechanics. Many gamers consider the Two Fat Lardies games as the epitome of good old ” pie and mash” gaming- for want of a better term, gaming that is not overly cerebral, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The draw of cards ‘activates’ personalities or commanders who then go on to activate the units under their command. It takes a little bit of getting used to, I had to keep being reminded that it’s the officer who “directs fire” , to improve shooting, but the unit who loads and fires of course.

All very good so far. I liked the emphasis on outstanding individuals being key to any combat. I don’t know this stems from a reading of John Keegan’s “Face of Battle” or more likely, numerous games of Squad Leader. I do believe that the Pareto principle holds however, most work in an organisation is indeed by the motivated minority. It would be my three bold officers of the Crown against the rebellious colonists…..

The set-up procedure is also quite novel. Similar to Chain of Command, in that each force has an entry point and the cards determine the order of arrival. Steve had a large number of Rebel units and so the cards allowed him to sieze the initiative.

Turn one saw the Colonist militia skirmishers take to the central woods, whilst my own Light infantry skirmishers prowled the hayfield to my left. We used 15mm miniatures on multiple bases in place of the more usual 28mm miniatures. I must say, after seeing Steve’s collection, I was much impressed. The American infantry, militia and Continentals were next on and already in a battle line by the close of the turn- appropriately brought to a close by the Tiffin card.

Colonel Steel, for the Crown, couldn’t decide whether to form a line or continue in a dense column. It was the long range shooting from the damned Colonial riflemen that stung me into action.

The British Light Infantry skirmishers made for the central sheepfold and the close formation Light infantrymen lined up amongst the corn stalks. British fire was quite telling but that may have been my mistake. Instead of taking the bayonets of my elite infantry into the militia before them, I chose a long range firefight. And, the sneaky Americans were already exerting a telling fire on the less numerous redcoats.

It was Major May who blundered. Stung by more skirmishers on the British left, the 10th line went over the boundary wall and into a hail of lead. Steve had stored his “flag card” and let go such a barrage of shot that the companies of the 10th were sent reeling.

Four lost elements in one volley! May reorganised his formation into one group and fell back. But, master card sharp Steve, unleashed another volley. The results weren’t inspiring for the newly arrived Englishmen.

The British were now definately now forced on to the defensive. My two flag cards allowed me to hold the colonials at bay with disciplined musketry. The ability of ” sharp practice” is an important addition to any British force in this system. Perhaps too late in the day, I advanced my Light Infantry formed companies to cause the militia companies to fall back. Steve was aware of the danger and stormed his Contintentals into the sheepfold held by my stalwart skirmishers. The results were unexpected…..

British pluck, and lucky dice won the day. The gallant Corporal Mogg rescued us from the farce of ignomonious defeat. The whole formation of American infantry was scattered. “More bad news” is a roll to lower force moral and the Americans were losing points. It was time to retreat to the cantonment before news of the British losses had to be admitted to in dispatches.

I greatly enjoyed the game and Sharpe Practice is definately on the “to buy” list for Devizes. I already have  Indians for the period, so the plan is to get a British force together as a Summer project. That other project , SAGA 2 Saxons, is all but complete so stay tuned. Many thanks to Steve and you for reading. The Indian Mutiny is already being planned for Sharpe Practice in the Autumn……..