Irish War of Independence - first game

In my previous post I explained the reasons why we were using a fantasy set of rules to refight the War of Independence, and the scenario we were trying out. So what actually happened?

The early morning peace was broken by the sound of a Crossley Tender approaching the farm gate. The IRA had five Volunteers awake, two sentries in the farm yard, and the Commandant and two Volunteers in the barn. The remainder were all sleeping. The Tender pulled up and the passengers, British Regulars guided by a local RIC Constable, quickly debussed and moved towards the farm gate and wall. They were here to check out a tip off, and it was a good one.

Table set up

Farmhouse and sentry

The Crown arrives

First shot came from an IRA Volunteer in the yard near the milk cart. He saw the khaki clad troops approaching, levelled his shotgun and fired. His aim (or dice roll) was good, and one of the soldiers dropped. This managed to alert the rest of the Column to the danger.

First shots

The Crown forces were now also aware there was opposition, and they lined the wall and returned fire. In the yard, the sentry was hit and fell. In the barn the Commandant started rousing his men, and put the other two who were already awake to provide some covering fire from the shelter of the barn door. 

The Army returns fire

Hold the doors!

A fire fight developed. Initially the two volunteers at the barn door were pinned down, but some very good shooting from them and the other sentry caused casualties to the Regulars. The RIC man tried to move up but was hit by a Mauser bullet and fell near the road. 

Meanwhile the Commandant had roused his men and they started to squeeze out of the barn through a narrow window and exit towards their pre arranged rally point. Just before he exited the table one Volunteer was hit from behind and was wounded.  

Making away

The Commandant covers the retreat

The Commandant joined the pair at the door and then stayed behind to cover their retreat. He could see the first sentry was down near the milk cart, but there was no way to reach the fallen man. Reluctantly he took a last shot and then ran to the back of the barn, then out through the window, expecting a bullet or bayonet to the back that never came. 

Volunteer down!

The reason the Crown forces made no attempt to pursue was obvious. They had several casualties and were much more concerned with getting their men back on the Tender and back to safety than chasing the fugitives. The would return with reinforcements later to find the farm empty. 

So how did it go? Actually the Quar Rhyfler's Pocket Book rules worked pretty much perfectly. The Republicans certainly had better dice, but we both thought we were on the right track and with a few tweaks will be our rules of choice for the War of Independence going forward.

Cheers