On Wednesday I staged a slightly revised version of my Black Powder Napoleonic 1812 fictional Vitebsk game. The first version is at:
https://blenheimtoberlin.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/28mm-napoleonic-vitebsk-1812.html
This time Donald Adamson and I commanded the Russian force and Tim Watson & Colin Jack commanded the French and Allied force. The OB strengths remained the same as the first game with the Franco-Bavarians having 3 infantry brigades (Bavarian, French, Polish/Neapolitan) and 2 cavalry brigades facing 4 Russian infantry brigades (2 Line, Grenadier, Opolchenie), a cavalry brigade and a Cossack brigade. This time the French lancers were upgraded to Guard lancers and 2 of the Polish battalions were replaced by Neapolitan units.
In this version both sides started with their 2 initial brigades deployed on the table. As before the other troops were fed onto the table one brigade a turn but this time the order of march was determined by the players. We tried a few ideas from Clash of Eagles - lack of initiative and bigger Russian batteries - but abandoned the poor Russian command rules. We used our standard alternative move sequence of initiative moves, firing, commanded moves, melees.
This time I had worked out the victory conditions. If at the end of the game a side held both ends of the 2 bridges it won a decisive victory. If this condition was not met a victory was determined by which side inflicted the most losses of enemy infantry and cavalry units.
It was a very enjoyable game and by the end of 10 moves the French had lost 7 units to the Russian 2. However the French won as they held both ends of the 2 bridges. The French rolled good movement rolls but threw truly abysmal break tests. The Russians threw repeatedly poor movement dice so advanced very sluggishly.
It was a very enjoyable game and by the end of 10 moves the French had lost 7 units to the Russian 2. However the French won as they held both ends of the 2 bridges. The French rolled good movement rolls but threw truly abysmal break tests. The Russians threw repeatedly poor movement dice so advanced very sluggishly.
Russian steamroller engages the Bavarians |
Russian right flank held of by the surviving French hussars and a few infantry |
French 2nd cavalry brigade arrived - moved smartly to the bank of the stream then never moved again! |
End position showing the seriously depleted Franco/Allied infantry line |
Looks great, impressive armies, love the cavalry...
ReplyDeleteVery impressive table there...massed ranks indeed!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWonderful looking game!
ReplyDeleteChristopher