Lt.Bush in action.
Gentlemen,
tonight will be the second action... One of the three other players went AWOL, however the press gang (me) shanghaied a replacement.
The plan is to make one run of the initial scenario with the Standard Rules and then repeat using the Advanced Rules for the first time.
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
When you think you have everything pieced together... Another player out for tonight because his wife is tested Corona positive this morning. So we are down to three again, one of them an infernal lubber yet to wake from his crapulence as he had been given a fill by the press gang yesterday.
What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
What shall we do with the drunken sailor early in the morning?
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Put him in the scuppers with a hosepipe on him Lt. Bush.
Bligh.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Put him in the bilge and make him drink it?
Ah, the disappointment!
As good as the proposed measures are, I am afraid that they will not be enough.
He did not show up yesterday, claiming that an annual session of his long haired general's rowing club took much longer than expected and thus he could not let the kids behind alone in port.
Rowing club, indeed? Naval ingeniuety and tactics have left behind the pentere and galeass as vessels to be taken seriously since the days of the Battle of Lepanto!
With the English squadron not having shown up to maintain the blockade of Brest, there was no naval engagement whatsoever. The French squadron (represented by me) made to the sea unmolested and a beautiful French mademoiselle (my wife) did not even have to wave her kerchief to distract the English captains causing a collision mutually sinking both Royal Navy ships as in the last action.
A gloomy day, I say!
I am afraid that when English vessels sail at last, they will need to make haste and give their utmost in their chase to catch up with the French squadron...
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Sounds like you need to have a set of soloplay rules on standby.
I've found that having Players vs. Soloplay allows you to field larger actions and has the unique effect of creating a cooperative wargame.
If you're interested, I'll repost my rules. I've made some slight changes since I first created them.
An interesting point Dobbs.
I have played several of my games with both Captains Smithers and Kiwi in this mode as it not only allows the larger games, but also a chance for discussion on tactics and instruction to the new player on rules and the amendment of those special ones that we introduce for certain scenarios where the official ones are absent or unfit for purpose.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Originally Posted by Dobbs
I am interested to have a look, Mr. Dobbs.
My plan ist to play SoG with real opponents, otherwise I have plenty of hobbies & games to divert my time to. Nevertheless, the rules you have come up with would be interesting. As has been stated in another thread, the "artificial" opponent seems to function quite well, which is normally a very challenging thing to achieve for a game.
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
The strange thing is that the very first game I ever played was back in about 1980 agaist Captain Smithers. It was a Napoleonic game of encounter where a Prussian Corps marching down one Mountain pass debouched into a plain just as French units began to arrive from another valley of the mountain range at about only 15 degrees from the Prussian mounted scouts, the French scouts having already pressed on into the plane. Working out how to deploy the main body of troops out from a column into a fighting position in such circumstances took up most of the game, and most of the heavy units never even got into play.
The strange thing was that because we were both new to wargaming, we spent most of the evening discussing what we thought both of the suprised Generals would have done historically, rather than trying to outsmart each other. This rather set the tone of further battles, so it was no real hardship for us to transfer this approach towards playing against an AI led enemy force.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Here are my newest tables, and below is a link to the instructions. The tables with the instructions are not as good as the ones above.
https://www.sailsofglory.org/entry.p...play-Mechanism
Of course, if you have questions, you know where to find me.
If you use the tables, let me know how they play for you.
If you need better copies, I have them in PDF form.
Last edited by Dobbs; 02-24-2023 at 11:19.
Here are my newest tables, and below is a link to the instructions. The tables with the instructions are not as good as the ones above.
https://www.sailsofglory.org/entry.p...play-Mechanism
Of course, if you have questions, you know where to find me.
If you use the tables, let me know how they play for you.
If you need better copies, I have them in PDF form.
Thank you, Mr. Dobbs, I am much obliged.
I will scrutinize them on opportunity.
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Thanks Dobbs. More for my collection of your inestimable work.
I now have establised a folder specially for your work.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Gentlemen,
the next action is now scheduled for the (hopefully glorious) 5th of March.
One of the captains of the British squadron seems to be in high spirits as evidenced by this attached picture sent to me post haste:
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Several of us have the medal for that action Lt.
It was awarded to those captains when the Battle was fought out at our annual Doncaster weekend a few years back. Both Fleets being supplied by Captain Duff.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
A most impressive display of naval power. How long did this action take at Doncaster?
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
A morning and afternoon Lt.Bush. I will look out some more of Chris's superb photos tomorrow.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Admiral Bligh, fellow officers,
it is my pleasure to report the frigate action of the 5th of March in the Mediterranean Sea north of Algiers at 38°13'32“N and 2°41'54“E. In the afternoon a small British squadron consisting of the frigates HMS Mahonesa (36) and HMS Orpheus (32) was alerted by the lookout to two sails on the horizon. The British closed on a south-westerly course identifying the unknown vessels as a pair of enemy frigates, the French Courageuse (34) and the Spanish Ifigenia (34) on a north-westerly course with a fine breeze blowing from the east.
You might have taken note already, that the British squadron has returned to port with a captured vessel, which will hopefully be condemned as a prize.
Despatches with details on this action have already been delivered to the authorities and can be reviewed here.
Lt. Bush
Last edited by William Bush; 03-06-2023 at 12:01.
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Gentlemen,
not only the next action is scheduled but two of them. If all goes well, we shall play on Saturday 18th of March and Tuesday 21st of March.
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
I await with interest your dispatch containing the report of your action Lt. Bush.
Bligh.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Curses!
Today's action is cancelled - Corona in the family... Thank God only a very light case.
I am still up and running the ship.
Hopefully, this damned plague will not also screw up the game planned for next Tuesday (and other nice things I had planned for next week and have been looking forward to for a long time).
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Sorry to hear this Lt Bush. Mine only lasted four days with one really bad day, but it took a week before I stopped feeling tired and sleeping a lot although my test had come out Ok on day five so hopefully you will be better for next week.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Thank your for your kind wishes, Admiral.
As I said, I am still well and on duty. So far it is only the long haired general who is affected.
Cheers,
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Glad you are not infected with this plague Mr. Bush. I hope that your good lady improves very soon. Please give her my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Hear, hear! I concur wholeheartedly. I hope already that she's on the mend.
Thank you for all the good wishes, good people.
My good lady is perfectly capable of compiling lists with errands for me to carry out.
This is an unmistakable cue that she feels pretty well.
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
I like it Lt.
Bligh.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
All hands!
Thank the Lord, corona quarantine is overcome, my good lady is well again! The squadron has left port to take upon the enemy tomorrow.
I am prepared in spirit(s) to give chase to any French vessels we should come across!
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Glad that the your good lady is doing better. Have a great game in good spirits; and thanks for the rep on my AAR.
Good to hear that Mr.Bush.
You have the Port Admiral's permission to remove the Quarantine flag from your masthead prior to sailing to join your squadron.
Bligh.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
It has been done with the utmost despatch, Admiral. The squadron of one 1st rate and one 3rd rate ship of the line took out to the sea to be on station just in time to catch two French ships of the line off-guard. The Royal Navy has won another victory over the French. Despatches will be sent to you soon.
Lt. Bush
"Jeder Krieg, auch der siegreiche, ist ein Unglück für das eigene Volk, denn kein Landerwerb, keine Milliarden können Menschenleben ersetzen und die Trauer der Familien aufwiegen."
Helmuth von Moltke d. Ä.
Congratulations Lt. Bush.
I trust that I and the rest of the Board of the Admiralty will appreciate and commend your Despatch when it is delivered. The Semaphore station on the Admiralty building has been alerted and is ready to receive your communication.
Bligh.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
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