Teaser – August ’80 – Military Modelling

AUGUST 1980 655

KEY
House

Hut
Crops

Flock
C. S. Grant, with the first
part of a new Teaser',
examines the terrain and
sets the scene.
Introduction
P
erhaps it is the legacy of the wars of the
20th century which makes us think of war in
terms of a "nation in arms". It is almost
inconceivable to us that the countries like
Israel, Vietnam or any other, including our-
selves, should be able to carry on all other
elements of daily life isolated from a military
struggle, it was not always so however.
If we look briefly at European warfare in the
18th century it was characterised by the social and
economic conditions of the time. Armies were
small professional organisations which
conducted their operations independent of the
population and social structure of the theatre of
war. This can be attributed, at least in part, to the
largely agricultural economies of the time which
would be ruined, if large bodies of men were
drafted from the land: nor did an industrial
economy exist to equip large numbers.
Secondly, these small armies were, at least in
theory, fully supplied with food, clothing and
stores. This was partly to spare the countryside
economy and also to prevent the desertions
which would inevitably occur in the rigidly
disciplined troops if foraging were allowed. It
would be fair to generalise, I think, and say
that during this period wars were conducted on
a separated level from the social back-cloth of
those countries involved and that the peoples'
lives would continue largely uninterrupted.
At the end of the 18th century this pattern
gave way to the social and industrial
pressures which were symptomatic in the
French Revolution. The notion of the nation in
arms put a country's whole economy on a war
footing and involved the entire population
either directly or indirectly in the war.
This close involvement with the war meant that
the people could not work without involvement,
not least because the relatively large armies
were not only drawn from the community but,
unlike their predecessors, they lived off the
country they operated in. As the local
populations saw themselves and their
livelihood becoming more involved, they
inevitably became more partisan. The attitude
and effect of the Russian population in 1812 is
well known but perhaps less well known is that
of the Prussian population who watched the
Grand Army leave as allies but as the shattered
troops returned through the country in 1813
they met hostile people who used them cruelly.
The guerrilla aspects of the Peninsular War are
well publicised and with the editor's permission
we will cover them in a teaser set in this period
shortly.
Having looked briefly at the close involve-
ment of the population in more modern wars
compared with the 18th century it is worth
noting that the latter is largely an exception and,
in most periods, one will find some degree of
interplay between army and people. Indeed,
the attitude of the latter may well influence the
conduct and success of the armies.
If we look back briefly into the ancient period
we are able to see more clearly how the local
populous could become involved. Tribal based
civilisations were of course quite likely to oppose
any invading force or even an army seeking
passage through its territory. Suppressed or
enforced allies might even be recruited by armies
hostile to the parent state. Such an example is
Hannibal's considerable recruitment of the
Gauls on his move from Spain into Italy in his
war against Rome. Alternatively, two opposing
armies meeting on neutral ground might both
endeavour to enlist the aid of the local
community. In this respect, the conduct and
behaviour of the armies would of course
influence the outcome. It might be that the
inhabitants would continue their lives
unhindered in a state of neutrality. On the other
hand, an unfortunate incident might encourage
them to throw in their lot with one side, and
with disastrous effects from the other. Finally, it
might be that both sides were equally unwanted
and find their operations hampered by a hostile
countryside.
To conclude this brief introduction, the wars
between Britain and France in North
America in the 18th century provide a useful
illustration of how a third party, the Indians, can
influence, aid or disrupt operations.
With all this in mind let us look at this
month's teaser which is ambiguously entitled
"Neutral Ground".
Period
This teaser can be made to span a wide
range of periods. If, however, one wants to
make the situation rather more historically
probable, and yet retain a wide range of
options for the local populace or third party, then
one is confined to an Ancient scenario or rather
more specific periods such as the American
Colonial Wars. In this case the instructions are
for the ancient scenario.
Terrain
The terrain medium each other for for our main goings-on of goes, the them would help each Game
depicted in the infantry (30) some months force during .the commander of be restrictive. other against By now it is
map is that of Strengths of without either the hours of community these forces, All really the local quite clear that
an area of regiments side's gaining daylight." with the though vital to depends on people. The the game is
countryside are any real reactions to the battle, can the actions of two sides between Red
with a main suggested in advantage. the neither win both Red and should be and Blue and
Red and
settlement at the brackets. The conflict approaching nor lose. Of Blue and the relatively that Green is
A on the other has now Blue armies' course should way in which easy to not there to
side of a river spread north Force superimpose one of these Green distinguish win or lose.
which is Green of the d. incidents commander on the table,
Briefing Despite this
impassable Force common Prior to provoke the sees fit to for example Green can
except by the (The local boundary entering the Green's enemy to fire play the Romans and obviously
two stone between the table Red and on Green game. Greeks; influence the
bridges.
populatio two countries Activities forces, or Finally, on while the
Blue game and
There are two n) into the more commanders
AREA Action should Green the 'home' locals should indeed the
other smaller Green force primitive are briefed B Three foot
feel figures
that his front there is be outcome. The
settlements is the local neutral independentl leave andlivelihood, in scope for a distinguisha game can be
dependent on male country; y on the local bring thetheflock
shapeB1 of certain ble from won outright
A, these are B population of Green. This is situation. The to the his crops, amount of both. This only if Red or
and C. All the area and made up of idea of the taken on reaching
livestock or guile and saves Blue end the
three will fight as small rural briefing is to the flockpeople
to is cunning. This unrealistic day in
settlements units based communities make them organise them
threatened, is likely to be questions command of
are of stone- on their which are aware, as of before then he may used by Red such as "Are both bridges
built settlements, largely self- course they three periods).
take suitable or Blue, or they locals or or both
construction. with the sufficient. would be, of C Three foot
action.figures
As the both, to enemy?" banks. The
At D, con- exception of They have the local move togame C1 to deceive the And not too game may be
cealed in the cavalry areas of 'climate.' Care carry out same
progresses locals into much should drawn, though
wood, is a which will unfenced should task astowards
above. taking sides be made of by no means
further small unite to form crops, limited betaken B and C village A
One mounted for some this, for after successfully, if
settlement of one unit. If livestock and however, not much from
figure leaves will false promise all mistakes both sides
wood/mud they are some home to over prompt depend upon
each location of peace, are made on command a
huts. The hill required to industry. They to the extent movingthe east actions
to of financial gain the bridge on
features are fight they do have no that their warn the Red townandABlueof or other battlefield both sides of
terrain factors so as interest in the treatment of, the enemyas they meet temptation. and the the river.
but are not barbarians war between and actions approach.the The locals, umpire Similarly it is
impassable. with a low Red and Blue with, the locals B and C messengers
Two mounted however, are should let drawn if one
To the east of grade but would become more figures who
leavecome each to not as simple the forces side holds
settlements B morale (O defend important locationthe bridges in
moving- as might be work it out one bridge
and C are class under themselves, than their aim avoiding Period
crops5.- to thought and for and Green the
small flocks of WRG or their or, indeed, head offHere is an once again it themselves. other. In this
sheep, herds Rules). They livestock, if their enemy. opportunity
respective armies.for is left to the case the draw
of cattle, etc., are based as they consi- conference
If the two arrive Green forces signifies only a
follows: The
belonging to dered their unopposedand at the whether their partial
respective livelihood was Green army's bargaining.
front they It commander Umpire success for
groups in Settlement threatened. Force may an
will request be that takes sides This
Red or Blue,
houses. Entry A As a Green with will or plays one brings on
Activity interview the rather than
points for Red - one unit of prelude to the decideThey
commander. as a off against that most
Green any result for
and Blue medium next phase of wish toresult
have of thethis the other. important of
forces can Green.
forces are infantry (20) hostilities both safety ofto throw in people, the
best be Finally, should
shown - one unit Red and Blue his lot with
crops, people and Umpire. He
represented in The Green
(These are of light forces have livestockone side or should work
an ancient command
each the cavalry decided the other.
guaranteed. If thisOn Contende closely with
battle by both bridges,
same (bow/spear) independentl is agreedthetheyother rs the Green
motley attired having been
distance from (10) y that the return tohand,
theirif battle We have force
barbarians of provoked into
Settlement
settlement A B. double bridge appears to be
village satisfied. spent some commander
either Gallic or hostilities,
and each has - one unit passage near about to ensure
Persian type. A A village chieftowithrage time then both
a minor of light A must be across the considering that the
They two escorts moves Red and Blue
settlement, B medium secured. game follows
commence to eachbridges
bridge into to the action of have lost. It
and C, an javelins (I5) Unknown to his main the neutral a realistic yet
the game in determine the remains to
appropriate - sub-unit of each other a town, he may locals. Now eventful
their purposes of Red wish all three
distance from light cavalry force, decide to let us turn our course. He
appropriate and Blue forces. sides of this
them). (3) coincidently oppose both attention to should be
accommoda- triangle a
Settlement similar in size, and call the the opposing aware of the
tion areas successful
C has been outside armies who actions that
Red and with 80 It must be and enjoyable
- one unit sent with this villages B, C will enter the have
percent of the emphasised game.
Blue of light objective in infantry in that the and Dto his field no doubt occurred, for
medium instance, a
Forces mind. Each houses and commander aid. expecting
conference
Red and Blue javelins (15) force now the cavalry of the local 1 have left some vile
- sub-unit of approaches the outcome trickery. Their between a
forces are dismounted. people -
light cavalry the table from village
identical, The force at Green - does of events aim is of
(3) the after Period 5 course their headman
each having:- O will remain not wish to
Settlement appropriate very much in primary and one of
1 regiment of concealed in antagonise
D point. the air. This is consideration the opposing
light cavalry the wood until either of the
- one unit of commanders
(15) it is entered or two sides and not through and must be
light archers any lack of achieved in , so that he
1 regiment of Aim (The they declare must at all
(10) imagination the course of can interpret
heavy cavalry themselves. times
same for but rather the day. them and
(12) Livestock is at remember
Red and because the Under no follow the
1 regiment of Backgrou B and C. The that he is in
course of the
light archers nd Blue). chart of no position to possibilities circumstance
are so s may Red game.
(I5) Red and "You are to Green's force a
1 regiment of seize the activities is battle. enormous and Blue
Blue forces that any unite, call a
light medium have been at double bridge designed to Indeed, as Winning
javelins (30) crossing at A represent the far as the attempt to truce, or in any
war with the
1 regiment of and secure it day-today wargame catalogue other way