As Birth of America has just been made available to Matrix customers, I thought you might be interested in an AAR to get an idea of the gameplay. So here is an AAR of my current BoA Pbem game.
The chosen scenario covers the early campaigns of the Marquis de Montcalm, from its arrival and the capture of Oswego till its incredible victory against all odds at Carillon in 1758. The Moncalm campaign is one of the episod of the French and Indian War (FIW). Had the French won the FIW, and the USA will be eating camembert burgers right now [:D]
The FIW is itself one of the different battlefields of the Seven Years war. Many historians consider the Seven Years war as being the first global war.
Now back to the historical Montcalm campaign:
"After a year and a half of undeclared warfare, the French and the English formally declared war in May 1756. For the first three years of the war, the outnumbered French and their Indian allies dominated both the wilderness and the battlefield, their commander the Marquis de Montcalm defeating the English in battles and sieges at Fort Oswego (1756) and William-Henry (1757). Unfortunately for the French, their navy was completely dominated by the Royal Navy and reinforcements never reached North America, or in very limited numbers. This theater was also a secondary one for them, as the Versailles war cabinet has its eyes set on the battlefields of Central Germany where victory or defeat, so they felt, would be decided.§§As a consequence, Montcalm had to do with the little he came with or received later. This, coupled with his distrust of the Canadians and their 'Petty War' tactics, explains why he showed caution in his overall strategy. Similarly, his lack of offensive actions and limited success kept the Iroquois Confederacy in a pro-British expectative attitude. One must however recall that Montclam's job was to preserve Nouvelle France from conquest till the war was settled by a European peace settlement. By 1758, his delaying strategy was begining to crack, as the British had received large reinforcements from England. Nevertheless, Montcalm early campaigns ended in triumph when, outnumbered 1 to 4 but well entrenched, he repulsed against all odds the British frontal assault of his breastworks outside Fort Carillon in July of that year. One more year had been gained..."
Well, this is what history tells, now let's see what we can do...
Note: You'll be able to read my opponent AAR here: http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46347
The medium campaign will last 31 turns, from March 1756 to October 1758. This is the first time I'm playing it as a Pbem, and my main experience is with the full French and Indian War campaign (127 turns) against the AI. Furthermore, I usually pick the French side. So, this game will be a a kind of discovery for me.
I'll try to post more information about the French and Indian war along this AAR.
First, let's study together the theater of war, right now there is a lot of snow but the spring is coming and with it the first military operations...
New-Brunswick (Acadia).
I picked the most remote view for you to have the general idea. You can see Quebec and Louisbourg (in blue), the two French sea side strongholds, and Halifax(in red), my main base of operation in this part of the battlefield. As you can see, not much easy objectives to take for me here. The French has gathered some forces in Acadia (Militia in St Jean and some micmac indians warriors).
Lake Ontario and Middlestates.
I expect the bulk of the fights to take place here. You can see Oswego and Albany, my two forts that Montcalm will try to size. If I can afford to lose Oswego, Albany will have to be defended at all cost as it is the strategic hub of my armies. On the other bank of the Lake Ontario, you can see Frontenac. If I successfully repulsed Montcalm, it will be one of the objective of my counterattack. The French have not yet finished building Fort Carillon, by the side of Lake Champlain. The Iroquois tribes are still neutral, waiting to see which side will take the upper hand. Most of the British reinforcements will land in New-York. You can easily see on this map why Albany is so central and important for me.
Lake Erie and Shenandoa Valley
This part of the battlefield is pretty empty. The French has some irregular troops and excellent guerrila leaders in Fort Duquesne; He is going to set the whole frontier aflamed. I have some regular troops in Alexandria with Dunbar , he will have to be very carefull.
In this game, I'll be facing Stewart from the Armchair General review (aka Napoleon). I've never played against him, but I'm going to assume he is a seasoned wargamer, with an agressive attitude. Therefore, I'm going to play safe. I'll concentrate my forces to defend Albany and eliminate the "Coureurs des bois" units in the south before to gradually push toward the French positions as my reinforcements will arrive. The French has as the military upper hand right now so it's gonna to be tough but I must be ready to punish the Marquis de Montcalm if he misses me respect...
We'll be playing Birth of America 1.10d and I'm using French language (languages availables are English, French, Spanish. I think there are also German and Russian versions). We agreed on 2-3 turns a week.
Please feel free to ask questions and correct typo.
I hope you'll enjoy this AAR.
