The Pearl of the Antilles - Haitian Revolution AAR #2 Life's a Beach

Somewhat behind on posts due to work commitments but finally the Haitians make an appearance in their new formation, this time defending a full blown British landing.

The Brits had come looking for trouble with a naval landing party under the command of Captain Horatio Lawnmower, Lt Stanley and a detachment of Royal Marines. A Company of Regulars together with Lt Richard Blunt of the 95th Rifles oh and don't forget a flaming cannon.

Opposing them was...... Honestly loads.....

The mission was a simple one for the British seize the church and defeat any local forces.

The table from the British end, add a couple of palm trees to your Spanish terrain and suddenly you are in Haiti.

The Brits are first out of the bag and get a fair number of troops on the table securing the beach.

As the first turn ends a couple of Haitian skirmish units appear on table but out of range of the British now advancing across the sand.

The Regulars and 95th fire a volley at long range wounding Captain Gabbon, the Haitain force morale drops to 8 it was going to be a long day in the field.

A view from the British corner with all troops deployed.

Troubled by the red coats now seizing the tree line and how quickly the Haitian skirmishers and fallen back. Time to bring out the "big choppers" and two groups of freed slaves looking to defend their rights and freedoms.

The Slave units advance across the dunes as the British look to bring additional troops to bear.

The Sailors and Marines pour fire into the advancing slaves but are unable to stop them reaching the beach on the edge of the table. The voodoo sorcerer is called into play taking shock off the leading unit just as tiffin brings the turn to a close.

Clash of Clans - Jack Tars and Slaves fight it out on the beach. Waving a ruddy big green snake must have had an impact on the jolly sailors.

The sailors are beaten and run for the row boats, the British commander looks a little pale and is no longer mocking my rag tag stick waving troops... They have forced the Brits on to the defensive but have lost their leader in the fight and the force morale takes another knock.

The slaves fall back to the cover of the dunes looking to recover their shock and elect a new leader.

The action moves to the centre of the table as Sergeant Hope(less) moves towards the Church.

The big reveal as Hope draws closer, the main Haitian firing line apears on the walls of the church, they let fly a ragged volley which despite looking impressive inflicts minimal damage on Hope who falls back down the slope out of close range.

Sensing victory the Haitian regulars make an appearance on the right of the Church and march boldly forwards only to be greated by a shower of canister they quickly march backwards, Force morale clicks down again. I am so glad I spent late nights getting these chaps ready... :-(

The British are frustrated lacking sufficent man power to force the insurgents from the walls they resort to cannon and long range rifle fire to which the Haitains have no answer. The Marines attempt to push up through the dunes but skirmishers in the bush keep them pinned back. The clock ticks down.

Rather like a test match between England and the West Indies both sides have spent all day in the field only to agree on a draw, the charge of the unarmed masses really knocked the British on their heels but the loss of both Haitian units and their leaders pushed the Haitian force morale down to less than 4 which made activations more difficult. The cannon kept the native forces at bay and was begining to wear down the defenders which given more time would see them being forced to leave the field.

A fine days gaming with us both thinking about different tactics on the next outing as the British push in land.