Meanwhile, back in Spain...

 Well, it would seem that 2023 is shaping up to be pretty much "normal". The pandemic is waning. Here in Massachusetts, the Boston Globe publishes a daily map of the state showing the rates of infection using a red-yellow-green system for each county. I am happy to say that for the last week of so, the entire Commonwealth has been "green". 

Better yet, Huzzah! 2023 is just a couple of months away! Let's hope the trend continues.

Last time, in November, I wrote of how I would be including material focusing on WW2, primarily the Southwest Pacific Theater. That's still the plan and currently I have been running a Saipan Campaign using the excellent Too Fat Lardies  Chain of Command rules. We are about halfway through, and casualties have been heavy on both sides. At present, the Marines and IJA are both on a precipice-- it's been that close. We shall see!

Meanwhile, back in Spain the Allies are doggedly resisting the French juggernaut, and what follows is a brief report and some photos of a recent game between yours truly and my oldest war-gaming friend, Tom.  He and I go way back to grade schools, and along with another friend, Pete, we have been "besties" since the sixties. For three guys to stay in contact that long is pretty remarkable.

The game was played using Dirk Donvil's excellent About Bonaparte rules, available from Caliver Books.  

The above photo shows the opening positions of both forces. The French have centered their line on a Grand Battery, with brigades on either side. The British artillery and Light Brigade are positioned on the crest of a couple of low hills with the Line Brigade just below the crests. Even with that screen, early on there was some judicious shifting of the line as the French artillery proceeded to attrit the Lights and Rifles early and often. The light guns of the British were less effective,but did cause some damage.

Soon enough, the French columns began their advance, while effective skirmish fire on both sides sought to bring their foe to heel. It eventually became too much for a gallant Nassau Regiment who fell back, throwing the advance into some peril. But eventually they closed on the British, and a hot firefight developed eventually favoring the British. At that point it was getting late, so we called the game giving the Brits a slight tactical advantage. Oddly enough, the cavalry on both sides managed to keep the uniforms spotless. In the above photo, the French light horse on the end of the French left. A portion of the British light dragoons are shown below.

All in all it was a low key, fun game. With Huzzah! 2023, just around the corner, they'll be there, along with their fellows to once again try to win the glory. (I would also add, the Spanish Royals will also be there).