Tag archives for British Army - Page 4
Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 8
The first full week of October 1914. Iron Dice umpire map about 14:27 (Turn 8) BEF Report to the War Office Orders are to entrench from south of marshed terrain In Dixmuiden towards Arras. Right flank tries to attempt a limited attack from Arras and surroundings directioned to the east to conform to the German line. It seems that a solid trench line is being built from Nieuwpoort (Swamped) Dixmuiden, Arras (in German Hands, a salient), BEF will try to widen her covered Area from east from Ypres (still in German hands), towards Arras (still in german hands, but a saillant) to Cambrai, to free up some French troops to attack elsewere. The Belgians are moving to cover our left flank to the coast. Team Control Gloss The orders happened mostly as written, but with a small amount of confusion.…
Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 7
29 Sept to 4th October 1914. Iron Dice Umpire map at 14:04 (Turn 7) BEF Report to the War Office Some more confusion, Germans frontline is from the Marsh area (Dixmuiden) to the South, direction Arras (which the Germans appear to have abandoned?) which means that the British advanced somehow without orders to do so. It seems that a change in warfare is taking place, the first trench lines are appearing. Team Control Gloss The Germans went firm and started to entrench in front of the British, with more active operations in South East Belgium where the French made a counter-attack and cut off the Western Belgium-France area from railway communications with Germany. This meant that the Germans were unable to advance this turn. In tandem the British set their cavalry to screen the flank, and being cavalry they found…
Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 5
Third week of September 1914. Turn 5 Umpire Map BEF Report to War Office 23rd September 1914 Situation Due to the fact that both the Belgians collapsed to the left of us and to the right of us the French 6th Army were thrown back as well, the BEF was in a difficult position. With bravery and in coordination with the battered Belgium forces a new line of defence had to be formed. After some consideration this line was formed from Montreuil (Belgium Army) and the BEF positioned at the line Hesdin - Arras. During the last few days lots of german prisoners were made, but we must not forget the casualties on our side. Railhead at Amiens, HQ is moved to Grandvillers. Team Control Gloss The BEF made a spectacular fighting withdrawal from the position in the map above. They…
Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 1
The first turn of this megagame covered the first three weeks of August 1914. During this turn the British decided on their plan (K) and mobilised the BEF to France. British Strategic Discussions There were three plans considered. Plan F was a landing at Ostend to directly support the Belgians; Plan K landing in France and joining battle in Belgium to the left of the French Armies; and Plan W which had the same landing as Plan K but supported the French on their border with Germany. Plan F was ruled out as too close to the likely focus of a German attack and if the Belgians overwhelmed there is a very high risk of being cut off and having to conduct an emergency evacuation. The consequence of this would be many casualties and the risk of the BEF as…
Megagame: Iron Dice
“If the iron dice must roll, may God help us" – Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, German Chancellor, 1st August 1914. Later today I will be the British Team Control for the Megagame Makers Iron Dice game of the opening moves of WW1. Here's the blurb from the Megagame Maker's website. Megagame Makers are marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War with IRON DICE, a high-level operational megagame by Jon Casey (designer of Home Before the Leaves Fall). IRON DICE covers operations in France and Belgium between August and early November 1914. Historically, this was the period from the German invasion of Belgium to the end of the “Race to the Sea” and the First Battle of Ypres. Players will be a member of a national High Command, an Army Commander or staff officer. Megagames are an immersive…