A fantasy campaign in 1811, the Russians attack into German while the Emperor is away dealing with the Spanish mess.
The French turnabout and attack!
After winning the Second game game in this series of four linked battles, the French are attacking. They meet the Russian army head-on in a true meeting engagement.
This battle report was composed by Jay Stribling from notes written by Jim Pitts who was the game-master for the game. We used To the Sound of the Guns rules, which were developed from Larry Brom's older "Standard Rules" set. The troops are older "true 25mm" soldiers and they belong to Jim Pitts, Jay Stribling, and Robert Whitfield.
Napoleonic Game RUSSIAN 02/19/05
SCENARIO The Russians forded the river downstream from the last battle. They are continuing their attack with the axis directed generally north. The French and their lackeys are on the defense. The Russians win by penetrating the enemy lines.
SPECIAL RULES Foot Batteries may not move and fire in this game. May pivot on center and fire. Horse guns may move and fire by normal procedure. Each 12-lb battery may fire only 6 times before it is low on ammunition, and then will fire at half dice for remainder of game. There is plenty of 6-lb ammo so this does not affect 6-lb batteries.
RUSSIAN VICTORY CONDITIONS: You are playing for Victory points:
#1 On the enemy baseline, (the table edge behind the French/Lackey army) clear it of units (no enemy within 8”) for the four feet from your right flank to the center of the table. This is worth eight D6 of victory points.
#2 Exit mounted units off table through that area. Each unit exited is worth two D6 of victory points.
Helpful Hints: 1) Guard your line of communications. 2) Safeguard your artillery.
Napoleonic Game – FRENCH - 02/19/05
SCENARIO The Russians forded the river downstream from the last battle. The French are counterattacking to throw the overextened Muscovites back and cut them off from their lines of communications. This unexpected attack will cause them to fall back in confusion, so that the French may regain all the territory recently lost.
SPECIAL RULES Foot Batteries may not move and fire in this game. May pivot on center and fire. Horse guns may move and fire by normal procedure.
FRENCH VICTORY CONDITIONS: You are playing for Victory points:
#1 On the enemy baseline, (the table edge behind the Russian army) There are two roads, exiting to the rear. Seize each of these roads (no enemy within 8”) Each is worth Four D6 of victory points.
#2 Each enemy battery captured (Guns alone will do) is worth two D6 of victory points.
Helpful Hints: 1) Guard your rear. You don’t want enemy cavalry in your rear areas.
Photo by Ed Sansing
Here are the pictures from last Saturday's game. I will send several emails with 3-5 pictures attached tonight.
01 - Our dastardly Russian commanders (this picture was actually taken near the end of the game).
02 - The gallant French commanders who were overwhelmingly confident the entire game.
05 - The battlefield. The French entered from the right. Our force consisted of 2 brigades from the 22nd Div. and the 2 brigades from the Cavalry (1 light brigade and 1 heavy brigade of 2 regiments each). We also had 3 batteries of artillery (1 battery of division, 1 battery corps and 1 horse battery). Late in the game the 3rd infantry brigade entered. Rick commanded the French cavalry, I commanded the infantry and John was C in C and commanded the artillery. Later John took 1 of the lancer regiments.
06 - The initial French deployment.
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Napoleonic Game - RUSSIAN Victory conditons and notes: GENERAL Scenario: The Russians forded the river downstream from the last battle. They are continuing their attack with the axis directed generally north. The French and their lackeys are on the defense. The Russians win by penetrating the enemy lines. SPECIAL RULES: Foot Batteries may not move and fire in this game. May pivot on center and fire. Horse guns may move and fire by normal procedure. Each 12-lb battery may fire only 6 times before it is low on ammunition, and then will fire at half dice for remainder of game. There is plenty of 6-lb ammo so this does not affect 6-lb batteries. VICTORY CONDITIONS: You are playing for Victory points:
HELPFUL HINTS: Guard your line of communications. Safeguard your artillery.
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09 - The center of the Russian line. The Russians initially started with 1 cavalry and 3 infantry brigades.
10 - It turned out that all the cavalry units were placed opposite each other. So they started the fight by charging each other. Here 2 Russian regiments go after 1 French.
11 - A close up of the Russian advance
12 - Additional French cavalry regiments have joined the fight. Out numbering the Russians 2 to 1 they began to push them back.
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Napoleonic Game - FRENCH GENERAL Scenario: The Russians forded the river downstream from the last battle. The French are counterattacking to throw the overextened Muscovites back and cut them off from their lines of communications. This unexpected attack will cause them to fall back in confusion, so that the French may regain all the territory recently lost. SPECIAL RULES Foot Batteries may not move and fire in this game. May pivot on center and fire. Horse guns may move and fire by normal procedure. FRENCH VICTORY CONDITIONS: You are playing for Victory points:
Helpful Hints: Guard your rear. You don’t want enemy cavalry in your rear areas.
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13 - 1 Regiment of Lancers has ridden through the middle of the Russian line and gotten behind some units. Some Russians have re-positioned themselves to contain the lancers.
14 - The French right advances toward the Russians. The road through the woods to their front was one of their objectives.
15 - The middle of the battlefield. The French have a battery on the crossroads. The Russians hold the town. The second French brigade is in the woods to the front of the town. The town was not an objective of the French so they didn't want to assault it, but took fire from it when they tried to by-pass it.
17 - The cavalry fight is swinging around behind the town. The Russians have also received a second cavalry brigade which can be seen on the left of the picture.
19 - The lancers, reduced in half by Russian fire, turn and ride back through the Russian lines. The white chips represent cannons that have been abandoned by their crews. The lancers were able to capture the Russian guns. The chip in the foreground was for a French battery. The French in front are trying to keep the Russians from capturing them.
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From General Murdaugh - Eastern Prussian Command To Napoleon's HQ My Emperor, Our troops have performed in a professional manner in this battle. The Russian levies advanced, thinking that they were in control, but our troops taught them the lesson of their lives. Our front line consisted of two brigades of infantry, who advanced and stopped the enemy's three infantry brigades. Our two cavalry brigades abused their single cavalry brigade, eliminating one of its regiments. You will be pleased to know that our artillery overmatched the guns of the enemy, giving superior fire all of the day. Our cavalry dominated the enemy's right flank so well that I moved one of our light cavalry regiments to the center. Even when the foe received another cavalry brigade as reinforcements our cavalry continued to dominate the situation on our left. Our brave horsement captured 2 complete batteries of Russian guns, dragging their guns back to our lines as trophies. When their three infantry brigades thought that they might gain an upper hand the third brigade of our division arrived to shatter their hopes. Our victory was assured! Alas, night fell as we were positioning for the total destruction of their cavalry and infantry divisions. The night allowed the Russian dogs to slink back to their masters and saved them from our fury. The battle ended with our cavalry supreme in their rear with control of their right flank. Our infantry controlled the center of the field and was pushing to within easy movement of their left-most axis of communicatiohs. This would have been a complete victory, so darkness saved them and made our success only "Marginal." In my estimation the Russians had only 3 or 4 units not broken when night ended the battle. With pleasure, I await your orders! Your obediant servant J A Murdaugh - Marshall of France Long live your majesty! |
20 - A view of the French left. The Russians are moving up behind the town. It seems as though Travis' units kept getting bad movement rolls or failing command response. it took him most of the game to get to the town.
26 - The Russian cavalry reinforcements have pushed the French back.
27 - The Russians push out of the town and force the French legere battalion out of the woods. They also attack the battalion at the crossroads.
30 - The final positions. The French cavalry has pushed the Russians back. Only 1 Russian regiment (which had been reduced to 1 figure) and the cavalry brigade commander were able to get off the table to the French rear. The Russians have been pushed back from the crossroads by fire and were unable to spike the French gun (represented by the white marker). The 3rd French brigade is moving up the road. The French were unable to capture any of the road exits in the Russian rear but did capture 2 Russian batteries.
Go to the FIRST game in our campaign
Go to the SECOND game in our campaign
Go to the FOURTH (And last) game in our campaign
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