IKS Grand Gettysburg Event - British OOB - What would it be?

We are developing our Grand Gettysburg event and want to change things up a bit. One of the suggested changes is to do an alternate history scenario where the British intervene for the Confederacy, giving them a better chance at Gettysburg.

So, the next question is, if the British had a corps with two divisions in it, what would that composition look like?

We would love for you UK fellas to drop a/some suggested OOB for us to use, which you would find enjoyable to play.

The Grand Gettysburg event should have around 32-33 players and 15-18 umpires. It will be a longer game, but we have now demonstrated the ability to process a turn in 20 minutes (10 for reports/player orders, and 10 for umpires to work).

We will open registration once we have nailed down the OOB.

The event is scheduled for late August.

Interesting idea... here's some random thoughts.

I would look at the British OOB from the Crimean War and take something from that. Any Victoran era British expeditionary force contained mostly infantry which would have been of insanely good quality and been able to do anything. It would probably have wiped the floor with any opposing force in the Civil War through sheer discipline alone - just look at what it accomplished at the Alma. They'd have limited cavalry - very limited, probably just a brigade and it would not be very competently led but in sabre vs sabre combat it again would be extremely capable. It was however European cavalry and would not dismount, so would charge in the saddle.

Artillery would be the weakest arm and comparable to Union artillery but lesser numbers.

I think Digby is right to suggest you focus on the Crimean War.  Whist the Indian Mutiny and Abyssinian campaigns were slightly closer in time, they were very much run as 'colonial' efforts, and the British forces were structured and manned on that basis.  In the latter war, for example, about 2/3rds of the troops, and the logistical support, were from the Indian Army.  I think an expeditionary force for America would have come primarily from the UK, and have had a European war configuration.

I haven't studied the Crimean War, so cannot comment on Diggers' more detailed suggestions.  Here's a link to a Battle of Balaclava OOB though https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_battle_for_the_Balaclava_campaign

Hope that helps

Martin J

Well, I expect to see one or both of you in command when the time comes! :-)

With that dynamic duo helping the rebels the Union has nothing to worry about.

You two should play! I am getting up at a VERY EARLY hour to make this happen for you fellows in Europe. And with our turn cycle down to 20 minutes, (sometimes less!) we can get through a whole day of battle, I think. At least, we can play to a good state.

I have James Sterrett onboard as one of the master umpires, and I have several other well-known folks coming to play. I am making a special effort to recruit social media gamers so they will promote Kriegsspiel to their fans. I am also looking for 1-2 people to serve as announcers for the livestream, so they can tell folks what is going on during the game.

We are using Digby's suggestion regarding troops. So, you will be commanding some nice units. And the pieces are going to look amazing on the 3D map we are putting together. There will be images of that posted soon.

Regardless if you play or not, please invite your gang to come play. We also need good umpires. I am planning to recruit and train 15 assistant umpires for the job. I think I have all the Master/Lead umpires I need, however the more the better.

From the response I've got, there is no question all the player slots will be filled, so you gentlemen will want to join up ASAP to reserve your seats.

Come on, give us the show!

Ok, I'm in

Subject to exact date of course.  Have you firmed-up on that yet?

Martin J

PS I dont need to command British troops btw.  Apart from anything else, I almost certainly probably didn't go to the right school.  If you could use me more effectively elsewhere Marsh, that's fine.

Hi Neal

The idea of filling one of the announcer slots really appeals to me - is there one free still?

Alright.

Date is Saturday, August 28.

Martin, I'll probably put you in charge of the British. I'll have to see how the OOB shakes out.

Digby, yes, I will reserve an announcer slot for you. I am hoping Jim Owczarski will fill the other slot.

Anyway, you are both in. All your community has VIP status as well, so anyone who wants to umpire or play can come on board right away.

- Marshall

When will registration open for players?

Just right now!

https://kriegsspiel.org/just-for-legends/

Go ahead and register. If you prefer a British command, put that in the comments to me. I took the option away from the Americans.

- Marshall

This may be of interest -

British Order of Battle at the Battle of the Alma
The British Army comprised 26,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry and 60 guns
Commander in Chief: Field Marshal Lord Raglan

The Cavalry Division: General the Earl of Lucan
Troop of Royal Horse Artillery (6 guns)
Light Brigade: Major-General the Earl of Cardigan (1,000)
4th Light Dragoons
8th Hussars
11th Hussars
13th Light Dragoons
17th Lancers

First Division: the Duke of Cambridge
Two field batteries Royal Artillery (12 guns)

Guards Brigade: General Bentinck
3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards
1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards
1st Battalion, Scots Fusilier Guards

Highland Brigade: Major General Sir Colin Campbell
42nd Highlanders
79th Highlanders
93rd Highlanders

Second Division: Lieutenant-General Sir de Lacy Evans
Two field batteries Royal Artillery (12 guns)

Third Brigade: Brigadier-General Adams
41st Regiment
47th Regiment
49th Regiment

Fourth Brigade: Brigadier-General Pennefather
30th Regiment
55th Regiment
95th Regiment

Third Division: Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England
Two field batteries Royal Artillery (12 guns)

Fifth Brigade: Brigadier-General Sir John Campbell
4th King’s Own Royal Regiment
38th Regiment
50th Regiment

Sixth Brigade: Brigade-General Eyre
1st Royal Regiment
28th Regiment
44th Regiment

Fourth Division: Major-General Sir George Cathcart
One field battery of Royal Artillery (6 guns)

Seventh Brigade: Brigadier-General Torrens
20th Regiment
21st Royal Scots Fusiliers
68th Regiment

Eighth Brigade:
46th Regiment
57th Regiment

Light Division: Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown
One troop of Royal Horse Artillery and one field battery of Royal Artillery (12 guns)
2nd Battalion the Rifle Brigade.

First Brigade (known as the Fusilier Brigade): Major-General Codrington
7th Royal Fusiliers
23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers
33rd Regiment

Second Brigade: Major-General Buller
19th Regiment
77th Regiment
88th Regiment

We are trying to come up with a color scheme for the British pieces. They can be as varied as you like, and any colors you wish.

Any suggestions or preferences?

Here are the prototype pieces.

Red white and blue would probably be the better option. I fear the red and black has somewhat "Germany in the 1930s" overtones (to use a polite phrase!)

The UK mercantile marine flag of the Union Jack on the upper quadrant of a red field might make a good basis, with a military symbol for artillery, cavalry or infantry on the main part.

Maybe something like these?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s6gpt687xpf8qus/red_ensign.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i4pvnonfazgkbgv/red_ensign_inf.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v5jna09vsab2i9g/red_ensign_cav.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5b75ld3ao3afvd9/red_ensign_art.png

But with my rubbish graphics improved, obviously.

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to input. Both yours and Digby's suggestions have a certain charm.

Of course all this is very much a personal preference. Mine would be simply to model the Brits on your design of Union and Confederate counters (whatever that is), but in red.

However it's not a strong feeling, and am happy to go with whatever is finally decided.

Martin J

This is the UK roster.

I need proper ranks and noble titles for each of you, please. Martin or Digby, please feel free to fill these in for us.

British Expeditionary Force - LTG Martin James
First Division - MG Max Wright
Second Division - MG Jeff Khars

Thanks!

British Expeditionary Force The Royal Corps of Fixing the American Mess - Leftenant General Sir Martin James, Bart.
First Division - Major General Sir Maximillian Wrightson, KBE
Second Division - Major General Lord Jefferey Kharsairs, OBE, FRS

Fixed that for you

Why thank you.

LOL

I will send this along to the OOB committee.

When you have a minute FG, can you PM me Max and Jeff's emails please.  Don't *think* I know them, so will be good to get acquainted.

Martin J

You, gentlemen, are going to LOVE your revised OOB.

Let's say you've been spoiled by the Kriegsspiel gods.

I'm just going to leave it at that.

@Earl of Uxbridge - Did you get into the game? If not, Did you want to get into the game?

Well I just hope those Shermans have the 17-pounder gun.

Shermans? Neal told me we were getting Centurions.

Though... maybe he meant the 79AD ones.

Hey guys, don't underestimate the gladius in a bayonet charge. Very formidable once the enemy has run out of ammunition!