The next game in our Napoleonics mini-campaign is a large 'grand' battle... with both our commands involved in the engagement as a small part of the bigger fight. For the 1813 setting, Dresden fits the bill... so our two divisions will come face-to-face on August 26th.
I've had to prepare the game and select my force. The force is split between my own mandatory division, 'von Klopp's 3rd Division of the Line' (part of Hesse-Homberg's Corps), and the wider army's forces also available to support me (I still get to choose them, becasue, well, you can only use the models you have). As the largest game playable in 'Soldiers of Napoleon', it will involve 5 brigades a-side. 3 will initially be deployed and 2 will be in reserve and arriving as the game progresses (hopefully, there is chance they won't show-up).
Here is my choice of forces, to give an idea of the model requirement and force organsiation for a large game. This is full bells-and-whistles here, we are using optional rules such as 'Commanders of Note', 'Unique units' (for me the Jaeger detachments) and extras from the 'Central Reserve' (like my supply wagon). You can just play with the basics though, infantry, cavalry, guns...
Graf Jurgen von Klopp’s 3rd Division of the Line
Commander of Note - ‘General of Highest Reputation’ 15 points, +D3 MV
Kraweitz’ Infantry Brigade
Unit Stands Pts MV Notes
16th Erzherzog Infantry, 1st Batt (yellow) 6 60 1 + jaegers
16th Erzherzog Infantry, 2nd Batt (yellow) 6 60 1
36th Kolowrat Infantry, 1st Batt (pink) 6 60 1
Linz Landwehr 3 15 1 Muskets 4+
Jaeger Detachment 1 (attached) 6 0 scout
Foot Artillery Battery, 6 pdr 2 28 2 +expert gunner
Supply Train 1 20 +1 on 6
Brigade Total 249 pts, 6MV, 1 scout
Achterburg’s Infantry Brigade
Unit Stands Pts MV Notes
4th Lower Austrian Infantry, (dk blue) 6 60 1 + jaegers
18th d’Aspre Infantry, 1st Batt (dk red) 4 40 1
29th Lindenau Infantry, 1st Batt (lt blue) 6 60 1
Upper Austrian Landwehr 3 15 1
Jaeger Detachment 1 (attached) 6 0
Foot Artillery Battery, 6 pdr 2 28 2 +full caisson
Brigade Total 209 pts, 6MV
Grujik’s Light Cavalry Brigade
Unit Stands Pts MV Note
5th Baron Ott Hussars 5 75 2 scout
4th Chevau-Leger 4 44 2 scout
7th Chevau-Leger 4 44 2 scout
Horse Battery, 3 pdr 1 7 2
Brigade Total 170pts, 8MV, 3 scouts
Division Total = 596 points, 20 MV(+D3), 4 Scouts (*jaegers included)
Operational Advantage Modifier: +0
Campaign Morale Value Modifier: -2
Campaign Victory Points: 0
Battles Fought: 1
The additional forces, to bring it up to the 1,100 points of the battle, are both reserve brigades. This was not a requirement, they could have been any type of brigade, and the divisional troops could be placed in reserve if required, it's just I went with two brigades that always start in reserve. Some brigades never start the battle in the frontline, coming from the 'army reserve'. The French Imperial Guard are treated the same way... they come later, to decide the outcome. I'm expecting to meet some soon...
Frauendorf’s Grenadier Brigade (in Reserves)
Unit Stands Pts MV Note
Linders’ Grenadier Battalion 6 84 2 + jaegers
Karius’ Grenadier Battalion 6 84 2 + jaegers
Mrowzek’s Grenadier Battalion 6 84 2
Foot Artillery Battery, 12 pdrs 2 28 2
Jaeger Detachments 2 (attached) 12 0
Brigade Total 292 pts, 8MV
Kornmayer’s Heavy Cavalry Brigade (in Reserve)
Unit Stands Pts MV Note
1st Cuirassier Regiment 6 90 2 armoured
3rd Cuirassier Regiment 6 90 2 armoured
Brigade Total 180 pts, 4MV
Army Totals: 1100 pts. 32-2 = 30 (+D3) MV. 4 Scouts.
The next prep was to generate a battlefield, using the game's terrain generator system. We'll be playing on a 6'x6' tabletop, so this is divided into 9 2'x2' squares. Each then has terrain generated for it. First to see if each area has a peice of terrain, and, if so, what it is. We got (from left to right, starting top left):
Area 1: Large Hill
Area 2: Empty
Area 3: Empty
Area 4: Empty
Area 5: Small wood (copse)
Area 6: Rocky ground
Area 7: Small farm, 2 buildings
Area 8: Large wood
Area 9: Small wood (copse)
Add to this are D3 random 'other' bits of terrain, in random areas. We rolled 2 extra peices. The first, in Area 4 was a hedged orchard, the second, in Area 8 was a marsh, wet-ground or pond. I went with a pond, as I have one to use in my terrain collection.
So, this is the ground we'll meet over, close to the village of Plauen (call it the Schumann's farm and fields), south of Dresden, on the first day of the Austrian's attack against St Cyr's Corps, as the French hold the city and await the arrival of Napoleon and his reinforcements. Here is a quick sketch map for both players to peruse pre-game.
I have a force (all done, so no last minute painting required), and a battlefield. Time to get on with it... a full After Action Report will follow. 'Onward, for von Klopp, Emperor Francis and the Fatherland!'
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