October 2014 - Strike of the Eagle

Strike of the Eagle

by Academy Games 2011

Excerpt from 'Miracle of the Vistula"

Major B Hof, Sydney University Press.2007"

‘Over our Corpses’ June to August 1920.

The Defense of the Polish advances in Belorussia and the Ukraine now began. The Soviets hoped to defeat the over extended positions the Poles now had by co coordinated attacks both north and south. The Poles looked at it as it was better to fight in someone else’s back yard than your own.
Lithuania decided now was the time to strike to get back territory seizes by the Poles. They struck at Nemehoyne in the north inflicting a stinging defeat on Sikorski's forces. In the South Polish light armour aided in the defeat of a Soviet attack at Offetz. Stalin in a report to the Central Committee said "Using infantry against armour is like using flies against elephants”. On the Northern Front Tukhachevesky's forces took Vilna, after a bitter fight. On the Southern Front General Budenny marshalled his forces, while "Comrade Stalin smoked his pipe and contemplated the wall map for half an hour at the time, before issuing brief precise orders”.
Bad weather with unseasonal rain paralysed the Southern front. General Heller the Polish commander on the Southern Front now made a daring raid with his armoured cars breaking through the scattered Soviet detachments to the Gates of Kiev! Kiev held but a complete reorientation of the Soviet effort was necessary. In the North a concentrated attack on Vilnius was repulsed with heavy Polish losses. This attack was not expected and Soviet forces in the North went on the defensive. Polish sabotage at Potolsk marshalling yards also slowed Soviet efforts. Another Polish attack was successful at Vilnius. At Kiev a Polish armoured Train aided the attack, and the Polish flag was raised over the Fortress. Soviet forces panicked and fled the city and the flag of the independent Ukraine was raised. At Borkov in the North another Soviet attack was beaten back. The Lithuanians now held all the territory they wanted made a truce with the Poles.

Kiev was now besieged from the soviet forces, but held out. Soviet deception operations successfully masked an attack on Vilnius when Polish re enforcements were sent elsewhere. Before Soviet forces could follow up this promising development, forces had to be diverted to the Archangel Front, where a major British offensive was unleashed. Tuchachchevesky railed against "Those fools on the Central Committee! If it was not for soldiers like me, there would be no Revolution!” He would live to regret those words.

The Poles took the advantage in the North to retire. Meanwhile in Kiev Soviet artillery was instrumental in defeating the Polish armour. Kiev fell with heavy casualties on both sides. Stalin reported to the Central committee that "I would rather loose an army than a city.” In reply to enquiry from Trotsky he replied crisply “that transport and rations for enemy prisoners were not needed.” The Soviets had in fact lost a division, but more importantly time. A raid on Headquarters in the Soviet Northern front stopped all movement, but an attack at Vilna was once again repulsed.
On the Southern front the Seventh Escadrille of Spad fighters flown by Americans helped defeat the Soviets on the Southern Front at Derazvinia. By the 15^th of August Soviet attacks in the North were finally being coordinated successfully, and Borisov fell after a bitter fought battle. Sikorski bluffed with the diminished forces he had holding the Soviets back.

In the south, Soviet armour was successful at Humien. But at Potolsk the Soviets were fooled: the Polish Commander got some of his men to dress in French colonial uniforms, of the soldiers from Senegal. Seeing these Troops the Soviets feared they were the dreaded French "Turkos", the colonial troops from Senegal who were reputed cannibals! A Polish sortie by these troops was decisive. By the 25th the Soviets called Sikorski’s bluff, and took Grodno. Sikorski died leading a bayonet charge. Soviet casualties were heavy, but at last it seemed the road to Warsaw was open, at least from the north. Or so it seemed."

November 2013-The Hobbit & Sheridan's Ride

November 2013

The Hobbit

Iron Crown Enterprises

1994

This was the second of the games played on the day, but by far the most vocal game.

However, I only took two pictures as I was at that time very heavily involved in my own tabletop game and keeping the grandson entertained (he had a great day).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sheridan's Ride

Mayfair Games

1981

This was the first game of the day and highly competitive and well played.

I will see if I can get the players to pen a few words.

Here are a few words:

A letter.

"To Mrs Therese Early;

My dear I write these few lines as a prisoner of General Sheridan. I have been slightly injured in the right arm, but I am being well cared for. 

By now you would have heard of our tragic loss at Cedar's Creek. After our last two defeats I thought that the Yankees would be careless. Our scouts bought information that the enemy camp at Cedar Creek was badly scattered with some brigades and divisions not in support of each other. Carefully we managed to get our force of three infantry divisions very close, with Wharton's Horse on the flank at Cedar Ford.

I must say we were successful at first. 

The Yankees were disorganized at first and were routed at my charge through their camp, screaming the Rebel yell. Prisoners were taken, and the enemy retreated, but they were soon forming up a defensive line.

Some Union artillery proved most stubborn, taking Kershaws' division out of our line for almost two hours before finally overcoming them. This cost us dear as we were outnumbered. Wharton had stormed the Ford but a large part of his force were cut off and taken prisoner. Showing great initiative the remainder under Col. Steve Thomas circled round through swampland and by the evening actually threatened the town of Middleton, our objective. This forced the Yankees to dispatch a large force to ward him off; after some lively skirmishes Col Thomas' force escaped the Yankee clutches, I am glad to say. We had been fighting since five and it was now one o’clock and our forces were now exhausted.

The Yankees were finally rallying and the fire was getting hotter. I must say our guns were well served, always supporting our attacks. Now alas! They are in enemy hands!

At about two o’clock in the afternoon we heard massive cheers from the enemy and we realized our old foe General Sheridan was arriving on the field. It was as if Marse Lee had appeared at my side, the effect Sheridan had on the Yankee army. I tried to hold the field at least till nightfall, but alas the odds were against us. As the faint hearts fled, heroes stayed and died with their faces to the foes. General Ramseur was killed commanding his troops, and general Kershaw was captured badly wounded in the left leg; pray he survives amputation! I was trying to rally Gordon’s' division, when my horse was killed and I fell. When I got up I was at the end of Yankee trooper’s pistol. With my wrist broken I could not draw my own, so now I am a guest of General Sheridan.

The general is what is called a “black Irishman” small with sallow skin, dark hair and dark eyes. He has supposed to have a short temper but has been the perfect gentleman to me and is allowing this letter to be sent to you by flag of truce to ease your concerns.

We have suffered great losses, 12,000 killed /wounded and captured, as well as all our guns. General Sheridan tells me he has lost 5,000 himself and right to the end he wondered would he drive us off by nightfall. Apparently most of Gordon’s' division and half of Wharton’s' escaped. Alas for our beloved Cause! Alas for my poor brave Army of the Valley! I fear my dear this cruel war will be over soon, and not to Virginias' advantage! I will be sent to Washington in a few days and as long as I give my parole, captivity should not be to onerous. Keep me in your prayers, as you will be in mine. Your loving husband, Jubal Early, late General commanding the Army of the Valley.

September 2014-Washington's War

September

Washington's War 

2010

By
GMT Games
(Updated Oct 14)

Book review; Times Literary Supplement 2/10/14.

"Benedict Arnold and the First American Rebellion"

Greg Heard. 375 pages.

Maps. plates. Index.

A book from Prof Heard is always to be welcome .This Australian historian has carved himself an enviable niche as a writer of well written popular military history. Prof Heard writes for the non specialist.

Arnold of course is well served by biographers.  There is "Arnold; American Hero" by S Potter {2007 CUP} and the magisterial "Benedict Arnold' the classic two volume work by Stomas {1987 OUP}.  But there is a gap in the market for a good one volume biography:  Mr Potter’s book perhaps shows a historian blinded by his admiration for his subject.

Prof Heard is also better at placing his subject in his world.  To some extent this is something of a "Life and times" book, but the title should tell you that.  This is mainly about Arnold and his actions and influence in the First American Rebellion.

He was called even by his British foes 'The American Hector”.  Arnold never lost a battle but his last, and there he died of his wounds, and perhaps despair for the cause he gave all he had for.

Prof Heard takes us through Arnold’s difficult childhood with a spendthrift drunken father who squandered the family fortune, and Arnold’s efforts to rebuild it.  Wealth came his way, first by his pharmacy and bookshop, then by investments in the West Indies trade.  These enterprises bought Arnold like many another American trader into conflict with the Navigation Acts  He was accused of smuggling but a sympathetic local jury acquitted him.

A veteran of the Sevens Years War, Arnold was instrumental in raising and equipping Connecticut Militia, paying out of his own pocket.  Arnold insisted on his troops being well disciplined and the firmness of the Connecticut Line regiments in battle was noticed by friend and foe.  Arnold tried to spread this discipline in the rest of the rebel forces, but without success.  Indeed only when it was to late did American forces have anything like the discipline of their foes, and is considered a major reason for the Rebellions defeat.  It was of course rectified in the Second American Rebellion 1812-1815 which lead to American victory and the independence of the fifteen colonies.

Arnolds' conduct in the Storming of Boston in May 1775 brought Arnold to Washington’s notice, and he was promoted to Brigadier.  Arnold was instrumental in defeating of British forces the Virginia Campaign in 1776, and the success of North Carolina campaign as well.

In the Winter he made proposals to Congress about raising a Navy; though well thought out they could not be carried out due to a lack of money.  Arnold raised a force of sloops, brigs and schooners to harass British shipping locally and these ships helped in his greatest triumph.

At Norfolk in 1778 a major British force under Burgoyne was defeated and forced to evacuate, leaving much booty behind.  The Royal Navy could not be everywhere and was too busy fighting Arnolds' little fleet to provide the usual support for the British incursion.

The Royal Navy was a major reason for British victory; the Battle of Norfolk is a sign of what could happen if the Americans ever gained a proper Fleet.  But by now defeat was looking more obvious for the Rebel forces.  New York had fallen, and Greens 'ill managed attempt to retake it was a blow to the rebel’s hopes of retaking New England.  Arnold had been suggested for that command and even submitted a plan, using the artillery that Green neglected.  It could well have worked.

With Washington and Green both defeated, British Armies under Cornwallis and a vengeful Burgoyne invaded from Georgia and Virginia.  Arnold defeated Cornwallis and retook the Virginia state capital Richmond but most of his army melted way in the winter of Despair 1779/80.

Arnold raised new forces and went south to the aid of North Carolina.  On his way there he was defeated at Petersburg in March 1780, and his army defeated after the “Sternest fight I ever did serve upon” as a British Veteran who had campaigned since the 45 wrote.  Arnold was mortally wounded leading a last Charge.  Burgoyne refused to take his sword but his surgeon could do nothing but ease Arnolds passing.

When told the news of North Carolinas agreement to the British terms Arnold said “it is better I die now than live to see defeat.”

Burgoyne had him buried with full military honours, and attended the funeral. Burgoyne was confronted in a London club by an indignant aristocrat about such respect for a Rebel and his reply was cutting “This Rebel gave his fortune, his health and his life for his cause.  Tell me sir, what have you ever given for anything?”

Arnolds' views on help from Spain and France are also covered and Prof. Heard points out how his experience in the Seven Years War perhaps led to his bias against seeking help from his old foes.  Again French help was pursued and successfully sought in the Second American Rebellion, and it was a major cause of success.

Arnold’s death in battle spared him the fate of Washington, Jefferson and the other members of the 'Noble Fifteen' whose trial in London and executions were a major political error in reconciling a rebellious America.

There is a brief chapter about Arnold and his place in the culture of the modern United Provinces of America, which could have been longer.  This apart, I can recommend this book to anyone wanting a good biography on Benedict Arnold and I wait for Prof. Heard’s next book with interest.