The BLOCKHOUSE -a short 2nd Anglo-Boerwar game- (featuring: AI)

A New Hope

Recently I started experimenting with AI in my wargame endeavors.

I've fed the program, that I used from an online source, with major parameters like table size, figures scale, conflict-type and theatre amongst some more.

My question then was if the program could write me a wargame scenario in a set amount of turns and with specific victory conditions.

So.... it did suggest me something like seen below. 

A British blockhouse, a garrison, a donga (dry bed river) and two small groups of Boers.

A section of the AI written scenario:

Terrain:

• Central Blockhouse: Small stone structure with sandbags, one Maxim-/Gatlinggun position.
• Railway Line: Runs diagonally, clear but flanked by brush.
• Nearby Boer Approach Points: Low hills, scrubland for cover.
• Optional Features: A dry riverbed or scattered boulders for tactical movement.

Scenario Rules:

• British Objectives: Hold the blockhouse for 10 turns OR eliminate 75% of Boer forces.
• Boer Objectives: Destroy the blockhouse with dynamite OR force British to retreat by reducing them to 50% strength.
• Special Rule: Night Raid (Optional): If played as a night scenario, Boer units can approach unseen unless within 6 inches.

Turn Dynamics:

• British can only fire Maxim gun every other turn (simulate overheating).
• Boer forces can attempt ambushes from cover (roll for surprise attack bonus).
• Movement: Infantry moves 4” per turn; cavalry 8”.

Victory Conditions:

• British: Survive until reinforcements arrive (Turn 10).
• Boers: Destroy the blockhouse or inflict heavy British casualties.

The table layout as suggested in the scenario, above.

 

Each group of Boers had a leader figure. One overall commander (my Jean Hoefler converted Christiaan de Wet figure).

(Commander) Veldkornet de Wet

Various brands of figures make out my Boer forces. Here we see former Marksmen ACW, AIP and Jean Hoefler.

The scenario was played three times. Twice the British held their position and the blockhouse was never endangered. The one game that was very successful for de Wet's men, was when both sections of Boers devided. One moving up through the donga and the other drawing the attention of the Gatling crew. The blockhouse garrison was skillfully wiped out, leading to a Boer victory.

So, all together a very playable game. My next level is to 'feed' the AI program my basic decision-making rules. It already rolled some dice (the 'About' version) in another game I did, for troop type actions/orders.

It's my intention to build-out my experiences with AI in solo gaming.

Once I think I got the grips, I'll share with you boys and girls what I think is worthwhile, in a themed blog contribution.

Meanwhile it can be fruitfull to exchange ideas and opinions on the subject.

So, comments are highly appreciated.

 

AWI battle in 54mm - December 22th 2024

 

With our group we played a fictional AWI battle.

All figures are from Steven.

 A very strong British force attacked an American army that controlled a strategical crossroad.

On the American side, Peter was on the right wing, his force supported by 2 groups of Indians. Steven  controlled the left centre and was the army commander. Centre right was Siegfried , and on the left wing Adrien, with a mixture of French troops and Americans. All had a number of skirmish marksmen.

 On the British side, far right was Geert, with a high number of light troops, Centre right and CIC, me (Dirk ). Central column was Thomas with a very strong force, Then Ronny with a loyalist force, and on the British left, coming over the bridge with the Hessians were Alberik and Jonathan.

 

All British and Hessians were veteran. On the American side only a few and one unit of elite lifeguard troops.  The British also did outnumber the Americans. A very though task for the American players.

At the start of the battle, Peter had to redeploy his troops to face the upcoming Hessians. Steven, Siegfried and Adrien deployed their marksmen units.  Ronny did send his cavalry to brush aside the marksmen in front, but didn’t succeed, with counter charges of American cavalry. This blocked the British advance on the left centre. Dirks advance didn’t go well either. The British artillery was ineffective against the marksmen, while the American artillery and marksmen fire gave casualties and pinned down the leading troops in the enclosure.  Adrien’s marksmen, instead of firing from the cover of the woods attacked the British light troops. A costly decision as his troops were driven back with heavy losses, resulting in his command under pressure from the start. Geert did keep on pushing. The French cavalry was thrown into the fight, and was, after a few turns also destroyed. Siegfried had to commit his reserves to support Adrien.  In the centre, Thomas his force finally started to fight for the houses. But the fight became a bloody battle without much progress, till the end of the game.

Thomas had send his cavalry to the left flank, were the Hessian had made a charge over the bridge but were pushed back.  Part of the hessian force of Alberik and Jonathan forded the brook on the right of the bridge linking with Ronny’s loyalists.  From the bridge, the Hessian now started firing into the flank of Peters force defending the brook. With Thomas his cavalry coming up, Peters force was threatened on three sides. Steven had to advance. A confusing situation was created when Thomas’ cavalry unit drove back infantry units of Peter and was now isolated behind enemy lines; communication lines broken, and Siegfrieds cavalry entering the scene.   Steven had driven back the loyalist units, but was on his turn was pushed back by the Hessians that had forded the brook. Peters last reserve were his Indian units, he had to commit to prevent being outflanked on his left by the Hessian grenadiers.

The American advances on both flanks had brought no relief. With both flanks on breaking point, Steven had to call it a day and start the retreat. A British victory.