Lexington and Concord (1775): 28mm AWI
Patrick put on a highly enjoyable AWI game at the community centre on Friday 19 September. It was the classic double-battle of Lexington and Concord, with British forces (Alex, Mal, Paul B., and Philip) advancing from Lexington to capture weapons at Concord, while American rebels (Mark, Paul S., Rob, Doug) resisted them. We used Patrick’s 28mm figures and British Grenadier rules. The game was well attended with 10 people present.
6″ by 8″ table. Lexington in the foreground, Concord at the far end.
I. Initial Deployments
British occupy Lexington
Alex and Mal marched on to the table and advanced into Lexington town with two converged battalions consisting of Light and Grenadier companies. They faced American skirmishers just beyond the town near a small hill.
American skirmishers block the road
Mal’s grenadiers fanned out to the left of the town to outflank the Americans, while Alex advanced along the road and on the right flank.
Foreground: American infantry in the wood known as ‘Merriam’s Corner’
More American infantry (Doug) arrived behind their skirmish line, deploying in some woods.
II. Forces Converge
Americans concentrate near the North Bridge into Concord
Meanwhile, Paul S. took charge of a large force of Americans near Concord, which he began to move towards the town.
The American skirmishers at Lexington were soon dispersed by British fire.
Paul S.’s force began to advance into Concord across the bridge.
Mark now arrived with another large American force to the far right flank of Alex’s British infantry.
Mal, bypassing the skirmishing in the centre, marched his Grenadiers on the British left towards Concord, even as Paul S. was occupying the town.
III. Contact and Firefights
Both Paul S. and Mark were accumulating disruption points by rolling 1s and 2s, but lacked the commanders to roll off the penalties, which made their units vulnerable. The British could stand still to remove disruptions. Alex marched through Lexington and onto the woods beyond. Lucky rolls enabled him to inflict mounting losses on Doug’s American unit there.
Paul S.’s Americans occupy Concord
Both Mark and Paul S. continued their advance.
Doug’s unit was being approached by three British light infantry units, and soon racked up multiple hits.
IV. Two Flanking Moves
American militia move on the British right and rear
Mark brought on more units, and his militia began to surge into Alex’s British right flank and rear.
British Grenadiers approach Concord as the rebels push through the town
As Doug’s infantry lost a base to Alex’s fire, Mal and Paul B.’s Grenadiers approached Concord on the British left flank.
Mark now started a ragged fusillade of militia on the rear of Alex’s light infantry. Alex was initially still held up by Doug’s unit and faced envelopment…
V. Melee at Merriam’s Corner
But the British light infantry charged Doug’s Americans in the woods, and eventually expelled them…
VI. A Swarm of Skirmishers
Meanwhile Paul S. deployed his infantry into skirmish order outside Concord, facing off against Mal’s arriving Grenadiers.
Simultaneously, a mass of militia was descending on the British right flank in the centre.
VII. Grenadiers’ Advance
Even so, Mal’s Grenadiers started a march attack on Concord, fifers fifing…
As Alex realigned his light infantry to face Mark’s militia biting at the British flank and rear.
VIII. Lexington Occupied
Mark himself began to garrison buildings inside Lexington with militia, anticipating British reinforcements from that quarter.
IX. A Withering Fire
Paul S.’s militia and second line infantry commenced firing on the approaching two Grenadier units of Mal and Paul B., inflicting light, then mounting, losses.
Mark’s militia continued to surge on the British flank, occupying the wood outside Lexington, having garrisoned the town. Alex’s light infantry had formed a rearguard…
X. More British Arrive…
Philip’s British reinforcements now arrived, deploying behind Lexington at the far end of the table. As Mark occupied yet another Lexington building, the initial British force was cut off from the arriving reinforcements. Alex was forced to keep Mark’s militia at bay to avoid being overrun and so protect Mal and Paul B.’s advance on Concord…
Paul B.’s Grenadiers were suffering more losses, with a general temporarily incapacitated. Still, Paul B.’s Grenadiers edged forward against Paul S.’s militia in Concord, which evaded.
By now Philip’s British were arriving at the far end in columns. Mark’s rearguard was threatened.
XI. Grenadiers Rebuffed
Paul B.’s light infantry also advanced towards the town, and eventually formed a crescent to block Mark’s militia from advancing further on the Grenadiers’ flank.
Finally Paul B. charged Paul S.’s infantry in the town. After two melees, the Grenadiers lost by 7 and were forced to retreat, picking up two disruption points.
CONCLUSION
The game ended with a sandwich of units across the table: the British arriving under Philip, Mark’s militia holding Lexington and some of the centre of the table, Alex and Mark still skirmishing in the centre, Paul B. and Mal near Concord, and Paul S. occupying that town. With the reinforcements arriving, Mark’s command was under threat, but the Grenadiers probably had too little left with which to take Concord. However, Mark’s command was still dominating the centre (rear of the initial British force). An American operational win then, as Concord was not taken, while 6 Grenadiers were lost for 7+ American casualties.
This was probably the best AWI game run by Patrick at the club recently. With lots of skirmishers, movement seemed faster and there was a lot going on in what felt like a mini campaign. Everyone was involved with their own manageable commands. Although some players were new to the rules, most have now got used to them. Visually great, the game successfully simulated the essence of the historical running battles. Could ‘large skirmish’ be the future for AWI at the club? Looking forward to the next game…
