Programmed Wargames Scenarios (1): Hill Line Defence

For a variety of reasons, it has been a long time since I was able to play a toy soldier game against a human opponent, so I tried something different: a programmed scenario from CSGrant's book "Programmed Wargames Scenarios" (published by WRG).

For those of you not familiar with the concept: the book provides a number of scenarios, in which the terrain, force composition, initial orders and responses are diced for randomly for one or both sides - all within the bounds of a specific scenario.

Since I never really tried a programmed opponent before, I decided to take the first scenario, Hill Line Defence, but have both sides programmed. Just to see what would happen. I also decided to use our own ACW rules in 28mm.

The lay-out of the table (each third section rolled for) is shown below - although the photograph is taken near the end of the game. The attackers have to capture the hill in the North.

Attacker in front, hill to be captured near the other end of the table.

So, first thing was to roll for the attacker's force composition. This gave me 4 infantry units, 2 light infantry, 2 cavalry and 2 artillery units. These types match to our rules. I also needed some generals (our rules require generals to give orders), and a good rule of thumb has been that for every 4 units, 1 general is needed. Hence, 3 generals. I also rolled for the characteristic of each general, resulting in 2 "cautious" generals, and one "rash" one. I gave them command rating equal to 7, 7 and 10, which also fit the notions in our rules.
Next step, to roll for attacker's plan. This resulted in a deployment of most units on the left flank. Also, the light troops and those not in the main attack (middle and right) would just hold the initial line.

As for the defender, I rolled 4 infantry units, 2 light infantry, 2 cavalry, and 1 artillery. I added two generals, both of them were Deliberate - hence the 8 command rating. The deployment resulted in 50% of the troops in the centre, 15% on the left flank, 35% on the right flank. I translated this as well as I could to the troop numbers available. I placed the artillery on the centre crossroads, and a light unit holding the farm. One cavalry unit was a mandatory reserve in the centre.
The plan was to be content to hold the hill or parts thereof at the end of the wargaming day, provided the forces are still united at that location.

So, the game started. The plan for the attacker was pretty straightforward: attack with all units on the left towards the enemy's right. The defender would just fire back at the approaching attacker. A first response roll happened when the cavalry units charged up the hill. The response generated was that the other flank (defender's left) was to be denuded to contain the attack. After a few more rounds of shooting and melee the fight was more or less over, in favour of the attacker.

Solid arrows indicate major troop movements, hollow arrows major fire actions.

 So, did this provide a good game? I think so. One of the difference with playing alone was that if both sides are programmed, you resist the temptation of throwing everything in the fight. The attacker's centre and right were to remain at their initial positions, and that's what I did. At the moment when the defender's left flank was denuded, a player would go forward with attacker's right, but since the responses did not stipulate that, it didn't happen. The result is a fast game, but also a game that feels more "realistic" - if we dare to use that word. Local unit commanders just sit and wait until someone higher up gives the order ...

Great fun! Up to scenario 2 - Broken Ground!