Set in Austria in 1805
Struggle for the Pratzen Heights
Jim Pitts was the was the game-master for this game, set in Austria, part of the Austerlitz campaing. We used Larry Reeves' If Only We could all be Napoleon rules written by him for his 15mm Napoleonic army, which we also used!
The real battle took place on December 2, 1805. Our game took place on December 3, 2005. Not bad scheduling for a 200-year lead.
Photo by Ed Sansing
Our esteemed game master (hidden by his own hand) is explaining the scenario. From the left, Jim Pitts (Game-master) in checked shirt, Sean Pitts, Bill Estes (seated in blue shirt) and Larry Reeves (seated in red shirt).
Photo by Ed Sansing
During Jim's briefing we see a huge difference in attitudes. Bill Estes (on left) laughs heartily, knowing he will be fighting as a Frenchman and will probably win. Larry Reeves takes it in with the intensity learned in the Marine Corps (please note the red eyes brought on from lack of sleep due to living with children, a 2 year old and a baby not quite month old). Fred Diamond, in yellow, with that knowing smile, is just happy to be able to kill something.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The battlefield as seen by the French. The heights are between them and the Allies. They are advancing into the flank of the unsuspecting Russians. There are identification labels on slips of white paper behind each division and brigade.
They helped old eyes keep the troops straight. When looking straight down on 15mm Napoleonic figures, often all that your humble narrator can see are the black tops of black shakoes and grey blanket rolls.
Photo by Ed Sansing
A view from the Allied side looking north-east. We will say that the wind blew the snow off of these houses. We only had a few "Snowy" building.
Photo by Ed Sansing
A close up of the Allied column. They had to continue their line of march and could not deploy to face the French until the French units came into sight.
Photo by Ed Sansing
A close up of the French line prior to the first move.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The French skirmishers are seen as they move past the crest of the Heights
Photo by Ed Sansing
More Allied units enter the table following the main column.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The head of the Allied column reaches the village. They used this village to anchor their line.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The French units spread out and advance toward the enemy.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The French left has engaged the enemy by fire, note the yellow markers showing disorder.
Photo by Ed Sansing
Fighting swirls around the village as additional French troops enter on the French right. The scatter material indicates the location of a gully.
Photo by Ed Sansing
All along the line a series of hard fought melees occurred. Here is a close up of the north end (French left). The dots show the line between Austrians (with Yellow flags on left) and the French on the right.
Photo by Ed Sansing
A picture of the center of the line, looking from the rear of the French forces.
|
TIMELINE | ||
| Turn | Time | Action by Troops |
| Turn 1 | 8:30 a.m. | Start of attack by French IV Corps, Advance of Allied 4th Column interrupted |
| Turn 2 | 9:00 a.m. | |
| Turn 3 | 9:30 a.m. | Continuation of French attack, Allied 2nd Column Reserve Brigade enters from south |
| Turn 4 | 10:00 a.m. | |
| Turn 5 | 10:30 a.m. | French 3rd Dragoon Division enters from north, French 2nd Division (I Corps) enters from northwest, Austrian Cavalry Division enters from north-northeast, Russian 1st Guard Column enters from northeast, Russian Lt.Gen Langeron (Allied 2nd Column) enters from south. |
| Turn 6 | 11:00 a.m. | The Game stopped after this turn |
| Turn 7 | 11:30 a.m. | French Marshal Bernadotte (I Corps) would have entered from northeast, French 1st Division (I corps) would have entered from northeast |
| Turn 8 | 12:00 p.m. | |
| Turn 9 | 12:30 p.m. | |
| Turn 10 | 1:00 p.m. | French Guard would have entered from northwest, French Guard cavalry brigade would have entered from northwest, Allied left wing reserve possibly would have entered from south |
| Turn 11 | 1:30 p.m. | If not already entered, Russian left wing reserve artillery would have entered from the south, Allied left wing reserve possibly would have entered from south |
| Turn 12 | 2:00 p.m. | Cavalry of Russian 2nd Guard Column would have entered from northeast, Allied left wing reserve possibly would have entered from south |
| Turn 13 | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Turn 14 | 3:00 p.m. | |
| Turn 15 | 3:30 p.m. | Darkness falls. Game would end if it had not previously |
Photo by Ed Sansing
The center of the fight near the crest of the heights. The Jackson gamers cannot leave anything set up overnight at HOBBYTOWN because our table in not secure. This game really called for a second day of fighting, but we always quite around 3:30 or 4:00 pm to return home to our wives or sweethearts or just to return home!
Photo by Ed Sansing
Another picture showing the French left and center. The French skirmishers have moved to cover their left flank.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The cavalry for both the French and Allies enter along the north edge and end up facing each other.
Photo by Ed Sansing
On the French right (south) additional Allied troops advance toward the French
SO - WHO WON THE BATTLE?
The French fell upon the Austrians and Russians and defeated their first units, then their next row of units. Cavalry reinforcements for both sides continued the same story. The French, inspired by the Emperor, could not roll a bad die. They shot better, they attacked in column with superior results, their cavalry overthrew the Austrian and Russian horsemen.
In short, a triumph for Napoleon. Did I mention that the Author was fighting on the French side?
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