Table Top Teaser, The Bridge at Kronstadt

Hello Again! Here is a game Adrian and I played in January. With a mutually free day between us Adrian arranged a scenario and put on a 'Sun King' game.

The scenario came from issue two of Battlegames magazine. The table top teaser, 'The Bridge at Kronstadt' is a bridge demolition scenario where one side was to hold off a larger advancing force from a bridge while the defenders retired over the bridge before destroying it.

Without this prior knowledge I took the attacking side, the far side of the table on the above picture, and wanted to try and advance as quickly as possible as the attacking forces were very large and they needed the space to deploy.

The opposition held a screen of defence across the bridge extending out to either flank. The defenders had their cavalry force on their left which they used to great effect to prevent the attackers deployment.

Ahead of the defenders line stood an artillery unit behind gabions. This also  caused problems on the day!

As the attackers filed onto the table they began to be threatened by the enemies cavalry which deployed well forward.

The defenders unit, screening the bridge approach looked on at the deployment problems of the enemy.

A large cavalry battle ensued which slowed any further attacking deployment. The battle swung to and fro. Eventually the defenders were driven back and the attackers neared the defence line.

As the cavalry battle progressed the defence line masking the bridge came into sight.

A small contingent of cavalry managed to reach the defensive screen but to no avail as they soon bounced off the defenders.

The attackers passed the forward artillery battery and continued forward.

The attackers forward line continued advancing but as per the original scenario the defending forces had plenty of time to withdraw and demolish the bridge.

This was an exciting scenario and I feel it is well worth flicking through old editions of Battlegames magazine for further Table Top Teasers. In this case this provided an absorbing game with both sides able to claim honours well divided and enjoyable.